Saskatoon man claims harrassment by Brad Redekopp canvasser

A Conservative Party volunteer in Saskatoon won’t be knocking on anymore doors before the upcoming federal election this fall.

Saskatoon-West candidate Brad Redekopp reassigned a campaign worker after an incident on a Caswell Hill doorstep led to a verbal exchange with the homeowner.

In a complaint letter to Elections Canada, Jack Hicks detailed the June 1 altercation that he claims occurred after a frank conversation with the door knocker about the party’s policies. Hick said he asked the man to leave his property and not be bothered by the party again.

“He got more hot under the collar and essentially he suggested we go outside onto the sidewalk and ‘settle it like men,'” he said.

“I was just appalled that somebody would be that hot headed about having someone say I strongly disagree with the candidates policies.”

Hicks, a former NDP candidate, who has canvassed on doorsteps before said there is no justification for that kind of behaviour.

“If you go to someone on their property, and knock on their door and they say ‘no thank you.’ You’re supposed to respect that and just leave.”

Hicks said with an election coming up he wanted Redekopp to be aware of the incident so workers can receive appropriate training before going out.

“Every party is going to have a lot of volunteers out there and even if you don’t agree with what the person might be saying, we need to be respectful,” said Redekopp in a statement.

“Obviously, we will review again with people, with our volunteers, and reiterate the points about what to do if you have a negative interaction with somebody.”

Redekopp said the worker has been pulled off canvassing duties and will be used in a different capacity.

Hicks filed a harassment complaint with the Saskatoon Police Service, but said he’s satisfied with that response.