The new leader of the Saskatchewan NDP invited Ryan to deliver a concession speech on Sunday morning to attending delegates. Ryan noted our party's road to victory will be through our ability to "excite and inspire people once again." This is a vision that is only possible if we continue to build and work together as one team.

An excerpt of his speech can be downloaded here.

Ryan received 39% support on the first ballot. Trent Wotherspoon dropped out, leaving it as a race between Cam Broten and Ryan.  If you've been voting live today, you'll need to vote again right now (before 3:30 PM).

You can find out more information about voting by going to our voting page: http://www.ryanmei.li/vote

A healthy economy works to address social and economic needs by establishing spaces and structures for citizens to participate, innovate, and experiment. As a key element of evolving from a booming economy to a blooming economy, our Co-operative Economic Development strategy focuses on investing in communities wanting to take the lead in building their economic and social self-reliance.

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Saskatchewan NDP leadership candidate Erin Weir has announced his withdrawal from the leadership race and endorsement of Ryan Meili’s campaign.

“After extensive discussion with my campaign team, I have decided to withdraw from the leadership race and support Ryan Meili,” Weir said at Tommy Douglas House in Regina, where he had launched his campaign. “I thank everyone who supported my candidacy.”

Ryan Meili’s campaign for leader of the Saskatchewan NDP continues to lead the fundraising pack in total money raised, according to financial reports released by the NDP today, with another strong month of fundraising, the most money raised overall, and the largest surplus heading into the final campaign stretch.  

In January, the campaign raised a total of $34,638.69 – the most successful fundraising month yet for any of the candidates, topping the previous month’s record and bringing the total raised by the campaign to $122,338.58.

“The groundswell of support we’ve seen has been very exciting, and bodes well for the future financial health of this party,” Meili said.

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"To build a healthy society we need to stop simply defending Medicare as it is, and look to expand and improve our universal coverage. It's time we set aside politics and look at the evidence-based, innovative solutions that we could implement now to improve the health of all."

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Democratic: The party’s middle name, the centre of all we do.

The Saskatchewan NDP is going through a period of major change and renewal, which can be distressing, but affords us a great opportunity to re-examine the way the party functions, and the ways we do democracy.

This should, in fact, be an ongoing process. Party renewal exercises have been undertaken at regular intervals in the past – with good results. Yet the question must be asked – why must we let the party nearly die before trying to resuscitate it?

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We were thrilled to receive two great endorsements today: Alex Taylor, Social Services Minister in the Blakeney cabinet, and Greg Fingas, progressive columnist and blogger:

“I’m supporting Ryan because I see in him a fresh approach to politics that I believe will serve the people of Saskatchewan. Ryan is a good listener and has a quiet demeanor which also calls for our attention. He is sensitive to the needs of others and would, I believe, work in a way that fosters co-operation."

–Alex Taylor, Social Services Minister in the Blakeney cabinet

"At the start of the campaign, I wondered whether Meili would look as strong in comparison to his competitors this time out as he did in 2009. But if anything, Meili has exceeded my expectations, ranking at or near the top of the field in all the criteria I'd look for in the next Saskatchewan NDP leader.

"Since the start of the campaign (and indeed the previous release of his book), Meili has had an edge in presenting the most principled and best-developed vision for Saskatchewan. But he's also taken a back seat to nobody in his ability to defend that vision when challenged. And he's assembled an impressive organization featuring plenty of new members since his earlier campaign - helped by a quiet but engaging personality which may be an ideal antidote to the over-the-top attacks the new leader is bound to face."

-Greg Fingas, Regina lawyer, blogger and freelance political commentator

Read Greg's full ranking of the four candidates here.

Very excited to announce that the Ryan Meili campaign app is now available for both Android devices and iPhone! Download it now to get the inside scoop on campaign happenings:

✓ Be the first to see blog posts, photos, videos, and other news from the campaign trail
✓ Take action — pledge your vote, sign up to canvas, and more
✓ Sign up for text message updates and urgent action alerts as we enter the crucial final weeks of the campaign
✓ Find events near you
✓ Contact Ryan with your questions and ideas

For Android. 

For iPhone (iOS6).

Check our Ryan's article outlining the idea of a Crown Corporation producing generic drugs right here in Saskatchewan, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal last year:

"In Saskatchewan, as in many provinces in Canada, there is a long history of successful Crown corporations. They effectively and profitably provide essential services such as vehicle insurance, telephone services and electricity, and sport provincially patriotic names like SaskTel or SaskPower. Consider for a moment a hypothetical Crown corporation that produces generic drugs: SaskPharm."

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