REGINA – A Saskatchewan Party candidate has come under fire for repeating a racially inappropriate word in the government caucus office a year ago.
David Buckingham, who’s running in Saskatoon Westview, says in a statement it was wrong for him to say the word, regardless of the context.
He says he made the comment while recounting what someone else had said, and he apologized at the first opportunity to government caucus staff and colleagues.
His statement comes after former Saskatchewan Party caucus colleague Randy Weekes recounted the story to reporters.
Weekes, who was Speaker during the last legislative sitting, says a caucus staff member told him she overheard Buckingham use a racial slur referencing a Black person.
In an emailed statement, the Saskatchewan Party says it doesn’t tolerate any form of racism within the party, government or caucus and that Buckingham received sensitivity training.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.
