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.”

“Our campaign has always been about advancing a progressive policy vision for Saskatchewan. We articulated specific proposals and a plan to pay for them,” said Weir. “Based on his book, his policy announcements during the campaign, his comments in leadership debates across the province and today’s shared policy statement, I believe that Ryan is deeply committed to many of the same policy ideas. I encourage Saskatchewan New Democrats to vote for him to ensure progressive leadership of our party.”

Meili welcomed Weir’s endorsement and praised his candidacy: “Erin has run a very strong campaign, and earned the respect of all Saskatchewan New Democrats for his principled and pragmatic approach. I’m thrilled to welcome him aboard my team; his intelligence and his diligence are tremendous assets for all New Democrats.”

Weir and Meili released a statement of shared principles and policy goals on resource revenues, climate change, early childhood development, workers’ rights and retirement security. It is available on both campaigns’ websites: www.erinweir.ca and https://ryanmeili2013.nationbuilder.com/assets/pages/231/Shared_Principles.pdf 

“Everyone is talking about unity; Ryan and I are already practicing it,” Weir said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Cam, Trent and all New Democrats to build for the next election.”

(Photo: Regina Metro News.)