Post to News

THE STARPHOENIX AUGUST 27, 2010

Former NDP leadership candidate Ryan Meili has picked up some support as the race for the New Democratic nomination in Saskatoon Sutherland enters the homestretch.

Scott Stelmaschuk, who had also been seeking the nomination, withdrew from the contest and endorsed Meili on Thursday, says a news release from the Meili campaign.

THE STARPHOENIX APRIL 9, 2010

Former provincial NDP leadership candidate Ryan Meili is seeking the party's nomination in Saskatoon-Sutherland, a riding currently held by the Saskatchewan Party.

Meili, a Saskatoon family doctor, finished second in the 2009 NDP leadership race eventually won by Dwain Lingenfelter.

Ryan Meili Takes The Spotlight
Political newcomer surprised at NDP convention
NewsTalkRadio
Sarah Mills
June 6, 2009

As he even joked about in his concession speech, Ryan Meili started the four candidate NDP race, as "that Saskatoon doctor".

Jeremy Warren, Saskatoon Star Phoenix, June 9, 2009

After wading into the NDP leadership campaign and coming a close second, Ryan Meili is taking more time with his next campaign.

Meili won't seek the nomination for the soon-to-be vacated Saskatoon Riversdale seat held by former NDP leader Lorne Calvert, but he announced Tuesday his intention to run in the 2011 election.

News Release
June 9, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Following a remarkable showing at the NDP leadership convention on Saturday, June 6, Ryan Meili thanked supporters for their work during the leadership campaign and reaffirmed his commitment to seek an NDP nomination for the 2011 provincial election.

"It is my intention to seek a nomination and serve the people of Saskatchewan as a New Democratic Member of the Legislative Assembly,” said Meili. “I will run in 2011, and perhaps sooner if the right opportunity arises. I have decided, however, not to seek the nomination for Saskatoon Riversdale."

By James Wood
The StarPhoenix
June 4, 2009

The four contenders are making their final push in an NDP leadership race that -- despite having a presumptive frontrunner since it began -- still maintains a significant element of unpredictability.

As of Wednesday, 54 per cent of about 13,000 eligible voters had cast preferential ballots through the mail, telephone or Internet in advance polling.

The convention starts with delegate registration tonight. Advance voting will continue until Friday evening. Party members who haven't voted beforehand will be able to cast their ballots Saturday at the NDP convention in Regina or in real time by phone or Internet.

Ryan Meili, the Saskatoon doctor who has been an unexpectedly strong presence in the race, believes he has a strong shot at second place behind Dwain Lingenfelter on the first ballot, with the former deputy premier not having a majority to put him over the top.

by Kevin Brautigam
of The Independent (Biggar)

The provincial NDP leadership campaign will be about reinvigorating a party that has fallen by the wayside, according to one of the four candidates, Ryan Meili.

With a majority Sask Party in power, that process seems daunting, even impossible, something the 34-year-old doctor is confident can be accomplished.

ANGELA HILL
The Prince Albert Daily Herald

As the NDP leadership race winds down, candidate Ryan Meili visited Prince Albert to meet with local aboriginal leadership Monday.

While his meeting with the Prince Albert Grand Council didn't make quorum, Meili said he was glad to have a discussion with Chief Ron Michel.

Michel is trying to arrange a follow-up meeting for today.

Meili said he wants to hear what issues aboriginal communities are facing and what they would like to see from the NDP in the future.

"I think it's really important as a party that we have good relationships with First Nations community, certainly the PAGC representing the number of groups that they do," Meili said.

By James Wood
The StarPhoenix
June 2, 2009

With nearly half of the potential votes already cast in the NDP leadership race, the four candidates running to become the next Opposition leader can see the finish line as they head toward Saturday's convention.

But after a hard-fought campaign that became increasingly contentious as it wore on, the NDP's potential leaders have to think not only about last-minute strategy but also about what shape the party will be in -- and what they need to do to heal its wounds -- after the last vote is counted.

By Murray Mandryk
The Leader Post
June 3, 2009 10:38 AM

This is the third in a series of profiles on candidates for the NDP leadership.

Does a young, soft-spoken social-activist doctor have a chance to lead a party that prefers its leaders to be older, fiery seasoned pros who've paid their dues in the party's trenches?

The answer would have likely been a resounding "no" when the now-34-year-old Ryan Meili started his leadership bid in February as a virtual political unknown who had taken out his first NDP membership eight years earlier. But a simmering desire for change among younger New Democrats in particular has heated to near boiling point over the Dwain Lingenfelter-camp-created membership controversy.

For many New Democrats, it's been a clarion call to change the old way of doing politics in this party and province . . . or at least, return to the purist values that inspired the CCF's creation 76 years ago.