The New Democrats were quickly distancing themselves from a campaign manager in a northern constituency Monday night after learning he faces criminal charges.
Only hours earlier, the NDP's Athabasca candidate, Buckley Belanger, had welcomed former Liberal Nathan Opikokew to his team.
Nathan Opikokew's name and picture were on the Liberal website, above, but have since been pulled.
The RCMP confirmed Monday night that Opikokew is charged with assault with a weapon and mischief. Details of the allegations were not available.
Until recently, Opikokew's name and picture had been displayed on the Saskatchewan Liberal Party website. The plan was for Opikokew was to run in Athabasca against Belanger.
However, the Liberals say they rejected him as a candidate last week after doing a background check.
According to Liberal spokesman Michel Liboiron, the party never signed the papers to make him a candidate.
"We asked Mr. Opikokew if there was anything that he wanted to tell us, anything in his past that would preclude him from being a candidate, at which point he said, 'No,'" Liboiron said. "Further investigations with the RCMP led us to believe that there were certain issues that would preclude him from being a candidate for the Liberal party."
On Monday afternoon, Belanger welcomed Opikokew to his team as campaign manager.
"Nathan is a young man who firmly believes in the potential of the north and the people who live here," Belanger said in a news release. "I look forward to the enthusiasm that Nathan brings to my team as campaign manager."
In the same release, Opikokew said he decided to join the NDP because "they are the best party to help the north move forward."
After CBC called the NDP about Opikokew's charges, they changed their mind about him.
Belanger said he had no idea about the charges. He said he is letting Opikokew go as his campaign manager.
The general provincial election is set for Nov. 7.
Saskatchewan Votes 2007 »
- Saskatchewan Party wins majority government
- Only 10 years into its existence as a political force, the Saskatchewan Party will form a majority government and its leader Brad Wall will be the new premier.
- NDP had a 'good run in government'
- A desire for change pushed the NDP out of 16 years of rule in Saskatchewan, but leader Lorne Calvert said the party has no regrets.
- Liberals fail again to elect single MLA
- The third time was not a charm for Liberal Leader David Karwacki, as voters in Saskatoon Meewasin rebuffed his efforts for elected office.
- Shift in urban vote handed seats to Sask. Party
- The seeds of victory were sown in Regina and Saskatoon, where the Saskatchewan Party picked up five seats — but there were gains in other urban areas, too, that helped seal the election win.
- NDP holds on in Regina, but loses 3 seats
- Fortress Regina continued to stand for the NDP when the dust of Wednesday's election had settled, though its foundation was shaken by a trio of Saskatchewan Party wins.
Constituency Profiles
More Saskatchewan Votes Headlines »
- Saskatchewan Party wins majority government
- Only 10 years into its existence as a political force, the Saskatchewan Party will form a majority government and its leader Brad Wall will be the new premier.
- NDP had a 'good run in government'
- A desire for change pushed the NDP out of 16 years of rule in Saskatchewan, but leader Lorne Calvert said the party has no regrets.
- Liberals fail again to elect single MLA
- The third time was not a charm for Liberal Leader David Karwacki, as voters in Saskatoon Meewasin rebuffed his efforts for elected office.
- Shift in urban vote handed seats to Sask. Party
- The seeds of victory were sown in Regina and Saskatoon, where the Saskatchewan Party picked up five seats — but there were gains in other urban areas, too, that helped seal the election win.
- NDP holds on in Regina, but loses 3 seats
- Fortress Regina continued to stand for the NDP when the dust of Wednesday's election had settled, though its foundation was shaken by a trio of Saskatchewan Party wins.
