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The Leader-Post agreed to not identify the sources because of possible repercussions.
The Sask. Party has long attempted to link the provincial NDP with the federal party. Singh is currently in a deal with the federal Liberal government, which will see the NDP support budget and confidence matters in exchange for NDP asks, like dental care.
Another source, however, said it matters how the relationship is perceived between the provincial and federal NDP.
Before members were asked to vote on inviting Singh, a member connected to Beck’s leadership campaign raised concerns about the federal party.
They cited the 2020 autopsy report that analyzed the Saskatchewan NDP’s loss during the last provincial election. The report urged the provincial NDP to be harder on the federal party when Saskatchewan’s interests are at stake, noting that leader Jagmeet Singh’s position on resource development and pipelines have hurt the brand.
They said there are constituents who would vote for the Saskatchewan NDP but don’t like how the federal NDP has propped up the Trudeau government.
The vote was described as informal because delegates were asked to raise their hands on whether they should invite Singh, though one person said the vote was recorded and done democratically.
The vote came in two rounds. During the first round, members were asked to vote on one of three options: invite Singh, disinvite but get a video message, and disinvite entirely with no video.
The third option, disinvite with no video, failed with roughly 13 votes. Following that, members were then asked to vote again: invite Singh or disinvite him but get a video message.
The option to disinvite but get a video won 30-28. One source said “a few people” walked out after the vote because they were upset.
Someone had challenged the chair, sources said, and asked for an emergency motion, which they say didn’t pass.
The Leader-Post was unable to confirm how some caucus members voted, including Beck, given there were many people in the room. Votes are typically confidential.
During the meeting, one person had noted it would look bad if Singh was not invited because he is a person of colour. Sources said this person proposed the video option as a compromise.
Some have said the convention, which takes place in Saskatoon from Oct. 21-23, was meant to focus on Prairie leaders. It appears the last time Singh attended was in 2017.
In an emailed statement, Singh’s office said he “had some good conversations” with Beck and “looks forward to continuing to grow that relationship to make people’s lives better in Saskatchewan.”
It stated he’s thrilled to speak with members via video. He will be in Saskatchewan later in October for the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour convention.
He wouldn’t have been able to make the NDP convention because he will be in Ottawa for the Press Gallery Dinner.
The vote over his invitation comes after some have reported divisions within the Saskatchewan NDP.
Following Ryan Meili’s departure as leader, a vice-president had resigned because they felt Meili was undermined.
Earlier this year, another member on a committee resigned because they believed the new leadership’s stance on climate change was not as progressive.
Meili has been emphatic his decision to step down was his. During the party’s leadership convention earlier this summer, he had asked members to unite behind the new leader.
Following her leadership win, Beck said she would stand up for “Saskatchewan’s interests,” no matter who is leading the federal NDP, government or Conservatives. Some have said the party is unified, noting Beck’s large win during the leadership.
