Sask. NDP Leader Ryan Meili to step down, will remain as interim leader until party chooses a successor
CBC
Ryan Meili will announce he is resigning as Saskatchewan NDP leader on Friday morning, CBC News has learned.
Meili will remain as interim leader until the party chooses his replacement.
"I've been thinking about this for a while," Meili told CBC News in advance of his public announcement.
"I think it's time for a different voice."
Meili said he intends to remain in caucus as the MLA for Saskatoon Meewasin.
On Tuesday, the Saskatchewan Party's Jim Lemaigre won the Athabasca byelection, taking the seat the NDP had held since 1998.
NDP candidate Georgina Jolibiois was seen as the favourite, as a former MP and longtime mayor of La Loche.
Following a preliminary count of ballots, Lemaigre had 1,146 votes (51.4 per cent) of votes counted so far, while Jolibois had 900 votes (40.4 per cent).
Only 24 per cent of registered voters cast ballots in the byelection.
Meili said the result was not the reason for his decision but said it was "clarifying." He said losing the seat was "really disappointing."
He had been quiet on social media following the result, which fueled speculation about his future.
"I've been proud of the work I've been able to be a part of as leader and as part of this caucus the things that we've fought for access to health care, fixing problems in our classrooms, keeping jobs in Saskatchewan, investing in renewable power. These are things I really care about."
Meili said the pandemic played a role in the decision.
"It would be hard to describe this last period without discussing the pandemic and how central that has been to my role as leader of the opposition and the work we've had to do."
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