The Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan is a provincial political party in Saskatchewan, Canada. It advocates the independence of Saskatchewan, and the formation of a new country. It is not affiliated with any federal party. It supports fiscally conservative and socially moderate policies.
The party was formed on July 12, 2003, and nominated 17 candidates in the November 5, 2003 provincial election. These candidates won a total of 2,735 votes, or 0.64% of the provincial total.
The party's leader is Dana Arnason, the deputy leader is David Sawkiw and the party president is Frank Serfas. The party nominated eight candidates for the 2007 election.
Besides the party's support for independence, the party's platform is secular and libertarian in nature, a distinguishing feature from some of the other separatist parties in Western Canada. The WIP of Saskatchewan has no ties with the Separation Party of Alberta or the Western Canada Party.
The party not affiliated to the Western Canada Concept Party of British Columbia or the British Columbia-based Western Block Party and has made considerable effort to distance itself from Doug Christie, the leader of those parties. Whereas Christie has been mired in controversy for defending Holocaust deniers and has been accused of being an anti-Semite, the WIP has made an explicit statement in support of the State of Israel.
Famous quotes containing the words western, independence and/or party:
“It is said that some Western steamers can run on a heavy dew, whence we can imagine what a canoe may do.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Children are as destined biologically to break away as we are, emotionally, to hold on and protect. But thinking independently comes of acting independently. It begins with a two-year-old doggedly pulling on flannel pajamas during a July heat wave and with parents accepting that the impulse is a good one. When we let go of these small tasks without anger or sorrow but with pleasure and pride we give each act of independence our blessing.”
—Cathy Rindner Tempelsman (20th century)
“[John] Brough’s majority is “glorious to behold.” It is worth a big victory in the field. It is decisive as to the disposition of the people to prosecute the war to the end. My regiment and brigade were both unanimous for Brough [the Union party candidate for governor of Ohio].”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)