ESTEVAN - The Green Party of Saskatchewan has turned to a former Estevan resident to be its candidate in the Estevan-Big Muddy constituency in the upcoming provincial election.
Billy Patterson was born in Estevan but left the community as a child when his parents were transferred out of the city. He still has family members in the Big Muddy area of the province and has kept tabs on what is happening in the Estevan area.
One of the main reasons he decided to run in this election was the announcement earlier this year that the provincial government intends to build a small modular nuclear reactor in the Estevan area.
"The Green Party is the only major party that is opposed to that, and would rather invest money in renewables. I wanted to run and make sure voters in Estevan had a renewable [electricity] option in this upcoming election," Patterson told the Mercury and SaskToday.
He believes the governing Saskatchewan Party has not thought through the long-term implications of such factors as nuclear reactor waste. In terms of energy, return on investment and savings for taxpayers, Patterson said nuclear is a big mistake and he hopes it can be avoided.
"Generally, I think we're moving towards a world where we have farmers with more small-scale solar and wind. And I know because I worked selling solar panels and wind turbines all across Western Canada and the Prairies of North America. I was amazed to see how many of the clients were rural farmers, mostly around Saskatchewan and Alberta, who just looked at the numbers."
Solar makes sense and saves money, he said. And Patterson believes it won't require new technology.
"We can get our baseload from wind and solar, and already having the energy grid, we can trade with Manitoba. We've got hydro," said Patterson.
In his biography on the party's website, Patterson said he is also supportive of teachers "who are standing up for our children against further government interference and cutbacks."
"The Sask. Party needs to stop treating our children’s education as a corporation," he said.
He was the party's candidate in the Regina-Qu’Appelle Valley constituency in the 2011 provincial election and the Green Party of Canada's candidate in Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre in the 2011 federal vote. He also was the provincial party's candidate for Indian Head-Milestone in 2020, and was the deputy leader of the Saskatchewan Green Party in 2010 and 2011.
"I've been involved in the Green Party for many, many years," said Patterson.
According to the Green Party's website, he is a tree planter and educator who has worked in the renewable energy industry.
Patterson splits time between Regina and Strasbourg for work, but he said he is looking forward to spending time in the Estevan-Big Muddy constituency during the provincial election. He hopes to participate in the candidates' forums that take place during the election campaign.
"I am occasionally tree planting or on horticulture contracts, but barring that, I will do my best," he said.
When he's out door-knocking during the campaign, Patterson said he is looking forward to hearing from the people of Estevan and surrounding communities about what is important to them, and giving them a clear alternative at the ballot box.
"I'll just have to wait and see what comes out as the top priority," said Patterson.
Patterson is the third candidate in Estevan-Big Muddy for the provincial election. He joins incumbent MLA Lori Carr of the Saskatchewan Party and Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan leader Phil Zajac on the ballot.
The provincial election is slated to happen on or before Oct. 28.
