Saskatchewan NDP candidate Meara Conway is being blasted for comments she made slamming Alberta’s oil sands..In a now-deleted April 2018 Facebook post, the Regina Elphinstone-Centre candidate wrote the Alberta “tar sands are a f—ing nightmare.”.She added “any political agenda that takes climate change seriously doesn’t have space for the (TMX) expansion.”.The ruling Saskatchewan Party was quick to jump on the comments.. The party tweeted Conway’s statement asking whether NDP Leader Ryan Meili supports “the views of such an extreme anti-oil sector candidate.”.Meili on Monday distanced himself from the Conway comments..“Our position is clear, and all of our candidates agree to our party policy,” said Meili in Regina..“That’s part of becoming a candidate, and our party policy is clear: We support the energy industry, and we want to see the men and women of that industry back on the job.”.Meili has said he supports the expansion of the TMX pipeline..He said it could be time to have “a discussion” about how far back the parties should be digging into social media..“Certainly the further back you go, the more murky it gets,” said Meili..In a statement, Conway accused the Saskatchewan Party of trying to distract from their record..“Ryan has been clear that oil and gas are a big part of our economy and will be for the future,” said Conway..“I’m proud of the balanced approached he and the Saskatchewan NDP have articulated, which includes investments into renewable energy that would create sustainable, well-paying jobs for energy sector workers.”.Meanwhile, a Saskatchewan Party candidate has apologized for taking part in a game that encouraged women to bare their breasts..In a 2016 article published in the Regina Leader-Post, Alex Nau, a candidate in Regina Rosemont detailed a “wheel of fun” game at Country Thunder, then known as the Craven Country Jamboree. .“Depending on where the dial stops, the wheel of fun means you have to funnel a beer, show your breasts or have beer shot down your throat via a water gun,” reported the Leader-Post about the game..On Sunday, as first reported by the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Nau apologized..“A number of years ago while at Craven with friends, I was involved in an interview that referenced a “wheel of fun” that included a disrespectful action,” he said in the statement..“I understand how suggesting this action is disrespectful to women and regret my participation.” . Defying crackdown, hundreds march against lockdowns in Calgary .The statement concludes: “It was wrong. I would not do this again.”.In a statement the Saskatchewan Party said they will not be removing Nau as a candidate..“This behaviour was clearly juvenile, inappropriate and disrespectful and is not condoned by the Saskatchewan Party. Mr. Nau did disclose this and communicated his regret and understanding of how his behaviour was disrespectful..“Many have made mistakes at a younger age. The Saskatchewan Party takes the position that if one has learned from their mistakes and corrected their behavior, it should not disqualify you from running for office. Accordingly, Mr. Nau will remain a candidate.”.When the legislature was dissolved, the Saskatchewan Party held a 46-13 lead over the NDP..Residents go to the polls Oct. 26..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694
