The Sask NDP leadership race has a second candidate..Saskatoon lawyer Kaitlyn Harvey held a press conference Tuesday in Saskatoon entering the leadership race, joining Carla Beck, MLA for Regina Lakeview, who has been the sole leadership candidate..Harvey’s top issues are harm prevention, climate change, reconciliation, and sustainable energy..Harvey said the reason she is entering the race is that a relative died of a drug overdose while in jail..“The day I found out that he died of a drug overdose in the P.A. Pen was the day I decided I could not be silent anymore,” said Harvey..“The guilt that I was here and Brendan wasn’t and the risk of losing another family member to a preventable death was more than I could bear.”.Her 14-year-old son. whom she referred to as “her boss.” is the reason she wants to become the leader. .“I’ve seen wilful ignorance, wasted potential and inability of this government, the Sask. Party, to lead on the most pressing challenge of our time. They’ve wasted too much time, too much money and our children will suffer more every year as a result of their inaction,” she said..Harvey is also concerned about climate change and the direction of the province..The provincial government “wants to increase investment in oil and gas and fossil fuel resources when it needs be investing in communities to reduce our emissions and create new green jobs,” said Harvey..“Our cultures and our communities are at risk from the decisions this government is making. It is 2022 and our emissions continue to be among the highest per capita in the world and they are not going down.”.Retired NDP MLA Cathy Sproule introduced and endorsed Harvey for the NDP leadership..“I’ve always been impressed by her enthusiasm and willingness to jump in. Kaitlyn’s courage and strength are incredible to take on a challenge like this and that’s exactly what this party needs to go forward into the future,” said Sproule..Harvey describes herself as a “Métis lawyer, researcher, community organizer, and climate justice activist.”.Chris Oldcorn is a Western Standard Reporter based in Regina.,coldcorn@westernstandard.news,Twitter: @chrisoldcorn,.Parler: @chrisoldcorn
