SaskatchewanIf passed, the proposed amendment to the Saskatchewan Party constitution would prevent permanent residents from being regular voting members of the party.NDP says change is ‘discriminatory’ and will discourage political participation Alexander Quon · CBC News · Posted: Nov 06, 2025 4:41 PM EST | Last Updated: 4 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Premier Scott Moe says the proposed amendments would bring the party in line with Elections Saskatchewan rules. (CBC / Radio-Canada)Premier Scott Moe is defending a series of proposed amendments to the Saskatchewan Party’s constitution that would make permanent residents no longer eligible for a voting membership with the party. Moe said the changes would bring the party in line with Elections Saskatchewan rules on who can vote in an election in the province.”We feel it’s prudent to mirror the Elections Saskatchewan parameters,” Moe told media after Thursday’s question period in the provincial legislature. The proposed amendments would do the following: Remove permanent residents from the definition of those who can be voting regular members of the party. Remove a clause that allowed youth party members to vote.And require associate members — who cannot vote — to be “ordinarily a resident of Canada” (permanent residents would still be allowed to be associate members).The changes are up for debate at the Saskatchewan Party convention, which is scheduled to be held in Saskatoon on Friday and Saturday. A copy of the Saskatchewan Party’s convention booklet provided by the Saskatchewan NDP indicates the changes are being proposed by the provincial council of the Saskatchewan Party. Moe said the policy has come from the grassroots of the party but said he had not yet made up his mind on whether he’d support the changes. NDP call proposed change ‘discriminatory’Brittney Senger, the Saskatchewan NDP critic for democracy and ethics, said the proposed changes are “discriminatory.” “It’s deeply troubling. It’s disheartening to see that they’re discouraging permanent residents and young people from being engaged in the democratic process,” Senger said. “Frankly, my question is to Scott Moe. What is driving this motion forward?”In a statement, the Saskatchewan Party said the intent was to “align the ability for members to vote within the Saskatchewan Party with the ability to vote in provincial elections, based on age and Canadian citizenship.”WATCH | Premier Moe and Gainer the Gopher proclaim Nov. 7 as ‘Green and White Day’ :Premier Moe and Gainer the Gopher proclaim Nov. 7 as ‘Green and White Day’ The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ mascot Gainer the Gopher joined Premier Scott Moe at the legislative building on Thursday to proclaim Nov. 7 as “Green and White Day.” People are encouraged to wear green and white to gear up for the CFL Western Final on Nov. 8. Senger’s comments were echoed by Noor Burki, the NDP’s critic for immigration, who said he had heard from many new Canadians who call this province home. According to the Saskatchewan Party, the benefits of having a membership include: Choosing the local Saskatchewan Party candidate.Having a voice at the party’s annual meetings and convention.Helping to shape and build the province.Moe insisted the policy does not restrict anyone’s participation in the Saskatchewan Party. “We want people involved. We want youth involved. We want people that have moved here, permanent residents, involved in the Saskatchewan Party,” said Moe.””Determining ultimately the future of not only our party, but our province and our nation.” CorrectionsA previous version of this story said the Saskatchewan Party convention was on Saturday and Sunday. In fact, it is on Friday and Saturday.Nov 06, 2025 6:16 PM ESTABOUT THE AUTHORAlexander Quon is the provincial affairs reporter for CBC Saskatchewan. He has been a reporter with CBC Saskatchewan since 2021 and is happy to be working in his hometown of Regina after half a decade in Atlantic Canada. He has previously worked with the CBC News investigative unit in Nova Scotia and Global News in Halifax. Alexander specializes in freedom of information requests and data reporting. He can be reached at: alexander.quon@cbc.ca. FacebookTwitter
Moe defends proposal to bar permanent residents from Sask. Party voting memberships
