小蓝视频

YORKTON – Yorkton 小蓝视频 David Chan has recently come under fire by the Sask NDP for his supposed involvement with Unified Grassroots.

Unified Grassroots, described by the NDP in a recent release as, "a Saskatchewan-based organization with close ties to [Premiere Scott] Moe, who recently launched an online petition demanding a separatist referendum."

According to the NDP's research, "Unified Grassroots used its resources to help nominate 'several freedom loving candidates' who were later elected as Sask. Party 小蓝视频s in the October election, including Yorkton’s David Chan and Martensville-Blairmore's Jamie Martens."

The release went on to add the organization is "led by Nadine Ness, a far-right conspiracy theorist who came to prominence following an hour-long one-on-one conversation with Premier Scott Moe. The organization has dedicated itself to infiltrating Sask. Party nomination races and party leadership races in order to influence the Sask. Party and drive its separatist agenda."

Further research from the NDP states that Chan joined the organization's Facebook group last year and that Ness once stated on a podcast that 小蓝视频 David Chan was “one of us” and that she had encouraged him to run.

小蓝视频 reached out to Chan via email for his response to the allegations.

What was your involvement with Unified Grassroots?

None—past or present. I am not affiliated with Unified Grassroots. However, I do follow a variety of social media pages—including those I may agree or disagree with—to stay informed about the broad concerns of Saskatchewan people. Our job as elected officials is to listen, not to dismiss people. 

What impact do you think separatist movements have on Saskatchewan’s economy and political landscape?

Instability of any kind tends to chase away investment—at least in the short-term or until stability returns.

But there’s an irony here. The very reason some residents even want a conversation about Saskatchewan’s future is BECAUSE federal Liberal policies over the past 10 years have crippled development, chased away trillions in investment, caused our cost of living to sky rocket, and created a serious housing crisis in which, unfortunately, the worst is still to come. This has affected the Western provinces more so. People are hurting. Their frustrations and concerns are valid and what we’re seeing is those feelings boil over into talks of a Saskatchewan without Canada. 

Further to your question, I would also note, it has potential to significantly impact the interests of the First Nations – either for worse or for better – depending on who you talk to and how they’re looking at it.

Do you support Saskatchewan separatism? If so, why?

Our government hasn’t been and isn’t bringing up separation and neither am I. We know there are many people in Saskatchewan that are deeply frustrated with the last 10 years of Liberal policies that have negatively impacted our economic interests, and way of life, as well as violating the spirit and intent of our federal-provincial relationship under confederation. It’s a valid frustration and our Premier recognizes the need for a reset in the relationship with Ottawa. He is taking steps to initiate that and I see this as a thoughtful, measured and reasonable approach. 

At the same time, free citizens have a democratic right to raise their concerns, have conversations, and advocate for their interests. There is a legislative process that’s been in place for over 50 years that provides Saskatchewan residents a voice if they wish to advance an issue to a referendum.

I don’t support removing or overriding this existing legislation nor playing supreme ruler and choosing for free citizens what issues they are allowed to discuss and which ones we will use the force of government to silence. I support more residents to opt out of fear and opt in to engaging and advocating for themselves in meaningful ways. We are a community and fear rhetoric only serves to tear us apart.

Did Nadine Ness encourage you to run for office? 

Nadine Ness did not influence my decision to run for office. I decided to run before I was even aware of UG. I became aware of UG AFTER I started the nomination and campaign process.

Engaging the discussion on WHY people are feeling this way and how we can work together to achieve our mutual goals—prosperity, opportunity, safety, peace—that’s the important conversation to have. Trying to foment fear, polarize people and silence people will only hurt and divide our communities. Let’s listen to each other, talk and listen some more. That’s how we move forward.

For my part, my priority is to serve the people of Yorkton and advocate for policies that reflect our values, protect our industries and strengthen our province—within a Confederation that works for all of us.