REGINA — Carla Beck's leadership of the NDP has come under fire again this week, as a petition has been launched calling for her ouster.
The petition, located on actionnetwork.org, states that "we, members and supporters of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party, formally declare our loss of confidence in the leadership of Carla Beck and the direction it has taken our party."
"We call upon Carla Beck to immediately resign from her position as leader of the Saskatchewan NDP, and to allow the party to elect new leadership capable of articulating a clear vision, unifying the progressive movement, and treating all Saskatchewan people, NDP members, and elected officials with the dignity, solidarity and fairness they deserve."
The petition is organized by "members and supporters of Saskatchewan's NDP" and sponsored by "Resign Carla Beck." They listed a goal of 150 signatures and, as of Thursday afternoon, had exceeded that total, having collected 158 signatures.
At the petition page, Beck was accused of straying from the core values of the NDP.
"Rather than offering a co-operative economic vision that speaks to the struggles of rural and working-class families, Beck’s leadership has resulted in a cautious, incrementalist platform that fails to meet the urgency of the housing, health care, and cost-of-living crises," it stated. "This failure to meet our moment and inspire voters demonstrates that a strategy of playing it safe and mirroring conservative talking points is not a path to winning government, but only takes progressive voters for granted."
Beck was also called out for having "allowed the party's messaging to deteriorate into unprofessional and divisive rhetoric, as evidenced by the recent fundraising email from Campaign Director Jeremy Nolais encouraging members to 'hate' political opponents."
The petition page also called out Beck for "engaging in ill-advised and divisive attacks on progressive leaders within our broader movement, including federal NDP leader Avi Lewis." She was also accused of having "failed to adequately support First Nations MLA Betty Nippi-Albright, her work, and her constituents, demonstrating a troubling lack of commitment to meaningful reconciliation by failing to protect and elevate Indigenous voices within the legislature."
The petition comes to light the same week that Nippi-Albright quit the NDP caucus, citing a falling out with leader Beck over the Compassionate Intervention Act. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Nippi-Albright accused Beck of directing her not to reference or read from a report commissioned by Nippi-Albright's office into the issue.
The petition was shared in a social media post from former NDP MLA Jennifer Bowes, who represented Saskatoon University in the legislature last term. In that post, Bowes publicly called for Beck to quit.
"I’ve been reticent to weigh in too heavily on this as a former SK NDP MLA — and while I continue to be a strong supporter of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party — I feel personally compelled to share this petition," Bowes stated.
"The current leadership has heavily weakened our progressive movement. Our party has a history of standing for truly progressive ideas and causes. The current leadership of the party has strayed from that. I believe this party has good bones. That’s why it’s time to push for new leadership of the SK NDP."
Bowes also called for people to get involved and become party members.
"There will be a leadership review at the next SK NDP convention. Have your say, friends. Our province is at stake. Join me and do your part to bring this party into the democratic socialist party it was meant to be."
When asked about the online petition as well as Bowes' posts on social media, Beck said she "hadn't given it a lot of thought."
"We've had a busy week, we've been focused on Premier's estimates yesterday," said Beck. "Look, people in this province are looking for change. They desperately need change. We are closer than we have been in a very, very long time to being able to deliver that change. That's what I'm focused on today … that's going to be where we continue to give our thought and effort."
