The race to replace Lorne Calvert as Leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party is moving into the final stages, with candidates officially registered and opportunities for party members to seek more information set.

Jane Wollenberg, President of the Saskatchewan NDP, announced today that four candidates - Deb Higgins, Dwain Lingenfelter, Ryan Meili and Yens Pedersen - have filed all the required materials to make their nominations official and will appear on the ballot at the June 6 leadership convention.

"We are very pleased to have four outstanding candidates in this race," Wollenberg said.  "We are looking forward to an exciting and uplifting contest."

She also announced that seven local forums will be held across the province to which all candidates will be invited to take questions from members who will be present.  The forums will be:

April 15^th North Battleford; April 16^th Prince Albert; April 17^th Saskatoon; April 18^th Melfort; April 20^th Yorkton; April 22^nd Swift Current: and April 23^rd Regina.

In addition, a link has been added to the Leadership page of Party's website (www.Saskatchewan New Democrats) which will allow the public to submit questions for the Candidates.  From those questions received, some 15-20 questions, covering a variety of topics of interest, will be selected and given to the candidates for their response. These responses will be published in the May issue of The Commonwealth, the Saskatchewan NDP's official newspaper.

The final details for the mechanics of the one-member/one vote system using mail, telephone and on-line ballots, as well as voting in person at the convention, are being finalized and will be announced shortly.

"It is important that as many party members as possible have a chance to take ownership of this process for selecting a new leader.  Though member questions directed at candidates, as well as a fully inclusive voting process, we hope to achieve this," Wollenberg said.