By Clark Stork

Green Party leader joins Melfort byelection ballot

Feb 15, 2018 | 1:00 PM

The Saskatchewan Green Party leader is putting his name on the ballot for the upcoming Melfort MLA byelection.

Shawn Setyo will run against SaskParty candidate Todd Goudy and NDP hopeful Lorne Schroeder in the March 1 vote to replace the late Kevin Phillips. Setyo said the party wants to become more consequential in rural markets.

“I think traditionally the Green Party has been viewed as a more urban centred party and I feel these byelections give us a chance to hear the concerns of rural constituents,” Setyo told northeastNOW.

Setyo has a technology and software background and believes the province needs to be more diversified and multicultural. He said the recent revenue cuts by the SaskParty to rural centres needs to be fixed.

“We just want to find a way where municipalities can diversify their revenue streams so local businesses don’t have to feel the strain from the cities and the rising costs of goods,” he said.

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Setyo has been the leader of the Green Party in the province since Oct. 2016. He joins Yvonne Potter Pihach who will run in Kindersley’s byelection and Maria Lewnas in the Swift Current byelection as candidates. Setyo said the party doesn’t expect to win any seats but the gained knowledge will build them towards the next general election.

“This is a great step forward for the Green Party in our process to be known around the province. We are just glad to be on the ballot to give people the option to vote for us if our values align,” he said.

clark.stork@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ClarkStork