Beck says focus is on Sask. issues after writing letter criticizing new federal leader

Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck is calling for the federal NDP under Avi Lewis to reconsider its stance on energy. Wayne Mantyka reports.

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck is voicing her disapproval with the policies of the party’s new national leader.

Avi Lewis, who won the party leadership during its convention over the weekend, is opposed to new fossil fuel infrastructure and supports creation of a clean energy grid.

Following his win, Beck sent a letter. In it, she claimed Lewis’s positions on natural resource development were “ideological” and “unrealistic” and said they would hurt Saskatchewan workers, communities, and industries.

She told reporters on Monday that she’s not interested in a meeting.

“I have a calendar right now that doesn’t allow a lot of extra outside of all of what we’re doing here in Saskatchewan,” she said.

Becks concerns about energy policy are shared by Alberta’s NDP leader, Naheed Nenshi.

Lewis has said he welcomes debate within the party.

“We don’t have to agree on every little thing order to do big things together so I can’t wait to do big things on housing and on health care and on the cost of living,” he told reporters on Monday.

While Beck is distancing herself from Lewis and the national party, her political opponents – in the form of Premier Scott Moe – are attempting to make a link.

“With respect to Saskatchewan people being ready for change, they should know what that change might look like Mr. Speaker,” Moe said during question period. “That change would include shutting down the energy and resource industry.”

Beck wants to move on to other issues.

“You know I sent a letter. I think folks have seen it. I was pretty clear in that letter. It says everything I want to say on the matter.”

When asked about if the Saskatchewan NDP would ever break away from the national organization, Beck said that decision would never be hers as leader.

“Those kinds of decisions belong with the membership,” she said. “You know, different concerns come up in different years. I get one vote like everyone else.”