Green leader says her party stands out

The Green Party of Saskatchewan's popularity is on the rise, said its leader.

In this election, the party has 48 candidates in 58 ridings compared to only 27 candidates in the last election, leader Sandra Finley said on a visit to Prince Albert Friday.

"I think the fact that we were able to recruit that many people is an indication of how popular we have become."

Finley believes part of the reason for the increased interest, particularly among young people, is because the other parties are too much like each other.

Voters don't have good choice on their ballot.

This is also the reason Finley, who became the leader of the party one year ago, wanted to get more involved.

"Many people are not participating in politics and that will mean the death of democracy.

"My motivation in getting involved is to offer people in Saskatchewan a choice."

Finley knows the party doesn't have much of a chance of winning any seats.

They received 0.5 per cent of the vote in last election, she said.

But she does feel strongly about the message of the party and the need to make more people aware.

An issue for northern Saskatchewan, she said, is environmental concerns about northern lakes dying.

There are also issues concerning clean water, genetically modified products and the North Saskatchewan River.

"It (the election) gives us an opportunity to put those issues out there to the public."

Current governments are more interested in serving corporate interests, she said.

The purpose of regulation should be to protect the health of the province.

"That is the job of government."

Finley said all you have to do is look around and see the influences of a poor environment. Rates of cancer, diabetes, MS and Parkinson's disease are all increasing, she said.

Increases in these diseases are part of the reason the health care system is burdened.

"Of course the system is overloaded."

Green Party candidates running in this area are Ray Johnson in Prince Albert Northcote, and Steve Lawrence in Prince Albert Carlton.

klongwell@paherald.sk.ca