A Western independence group says it is expanding its Saskatchewan tour after the Royal Canadian Legion cancelled bookings at seven of its eight events at Legion halls, forcing organizers to move meetings into farm buildings and other rural venues.Unified Grassroots (UG) founder Nadine Ness told supporters on social media that farmers have offered barns and quonsets so the campaign can “double” its schedule of town halls. UG had originally set up 15 meetings but now plans to add several more. Ness said the change shows that “the more they try to silence us, the louder we are going to get.”UG is also stepping up fundraising. A tweet this week said more than $10,000 has been collected in “just a few weeks,” including about half that amount at its first event in Saskatoon. .The money will pay for a province wide poll on Western independence and for a flyer mail out. UG hopes to raise another $10,000 to be able to reach every household in Saskatchewan with the mailer.The cancellations came to light after Ness emailed supporters and posted a Facebook video blaming “NDP lies” and “misinformation” for Legion branches in Prince Albert, Weyburn, Estevan, Humboldt, Meadow Lake, and Nipawin pulling out. Ness said a Regina venue has since withdrawn as well.The Shaunavin Legion event is still on the UG website as of May 30.In a news release, the Sask NDP accused UG of pushing “a conversation about breaking up our nation” and urged Premier Scott Moe to condemn the effort. .Sask NDP showed slides from UG’s Saskatoon meeting that called for a referendum on Western independence and pointed out that the session was co-hosted by an Alberta independence activist.Former RCMP officer and Sask NDP Highways Critic Hugh Gordon said, “The fact that Scott Moe’s allies at Unified Grassroots would try to hold town halls on breaking up Canada in Saskatchewan Legions is insulting to our veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”“We have a critical moment of consensus here right now, where we can get major projects built — more rail lines, more pipelines, and more power lines — and that’s what we should be focused on,” said Sask NDP Energy Critic Sally Housser.Premier Scott Moe has refused to denounce the town halls or UG petition.Moe said the meetings are part of a broader discussion about “the future of our nation.” .Sask NDP says that stance amounts to implied support for the Western independence campaign.UG maintains its being transparent with its petition. Ness said the mainstream media (and Western Standard) were invited to the Saskatoon event and allowed to record it in full. Ness accused the Sask NDP of secretly taping the session anyway and then releasing the audio as a “gotcha moment.” UG posted the full event online..Despite the venue setbacks, Ness said interest is growing. Ness pointed out that farmers have stepped up.UG continues to direct supporters to its website to donate. The schedule for the new barn and community hall meetings is expected to be released once venues are confirmed.
