Singh fields questions in Saskatoon West town hall

Downtown Saskatoon was flooded with enthusiastic New Democratic Party (NDP) supporters on Friday morning.

Party leader Jagmeet Singh took questions at the Saskatoon Francophone Federation’s Le Relais Community Hall for around 30 minutes.

Singh was questioned on how his party can stay relevant in Saskatchewan. His policies on pipelines were of special interest.

He defended his platform and said that renewable energy brings more stable jobs than the oil industry.

“Through no fault of their own, no matter how hard (oilfield workers) work, if global volatility results in lower prices for those commodities, they lose their work,” he said. “That’s really unfair.”

He believes his plan offers a better alternative.

“(We want to) make sure we’ve got an economy that creates 300 thousand new jobs that are long-lasting and sustainable,” he said. “Green energy, clean energy, renewables.”

However, he didn’t just talk policy. He addressed controversy about two rival parties.

Saskatoon-Grasswood People’s Party of Canada (PPC) candidate Mark Friesen tweeted a drawing of Singh with a bomb on his head, replacing his turban.

The NDP leader was not happy about the post.

“When you have images that try to inflame hatred, or strike fear in the hearts of people, it creates a less-safe society,” he said.

Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer was also targeted. However, Singh said he was not concerned with the recent news that Scheer holds dual citizenship.

“I can criticize Mr. Scheer for a lot of reasons. This isn’t one of them,” he said.

The town hall’s location downtown was fitting, as Saskatoon West is one of only two ridings in the province with an elected NDP MP. Sheri Benson currently represents the riding federally.

The other NDP MP in Saskatchewan is Georgina Jolibois, who represents Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River.

Singh is the third leader to make a stop in the city for this election campaign.