Saskatchewan Party candidate for nomination withdraws, apologizes for putting child in blackface
A former prospective Saskatchewan Party nominee has apologized for putting a student in blackface.
Meghan Mayer was running to be the Sask. Party nominee for the Prince Albert Carlton constituency. She withdrew from the race a week after announcing her candidacy.
"This decision came after recognizing my past actions and weighing the needs and sensibilities of the community," Mayer told CTV News in an emailed statement.
Mayer is the lead pastor of Embassy Church in Prince Albert. She used to work at Regent Academy — a private Christian school operated by Embassy Church. The school was shut down in 2024.
"In 2014, I directed a school play in which one of the actors was in blackface. At the time, I was not aware of the offensive and racist nature of blackface," Mayer wrote in the statement.
"I now recognize that darkening your face, due to its racist history, is always unacceptable. I deeply apologize to the actor involved for my ignorance of this issue and endeavour to continue to educate myself."
Lina Rigby, whose son was in the play, said she was shocked to see a child in blackface.
"There was an Indigenous student involved in the play that was made up in blackface. It was extremely racist and offensive," Rigby told CTV News.
"It makes me feel sick when I think about it."
Rigby's husband, Jeremy Rigby, made a complaint to the Ministry of Education and the video of the Christmas play was removed from YouTube.
"I couldn't believe it was real," Jeremy said.
"I was very concerned about how it was normalizing this behaviour for the kids. I think the fact that you had an auditorium full of adults who were laughing at this and thought it was hilarious, I found very disturbing."
The couple is calling for better background checks for potential politicians.
"I think the fact that there's literally a letter to the Ministry of Education sitting in the government archives somewhere detailing this racist experience that she created. It would have been pretty easy for them to discover it, so I think the process of background checks wasn't done," Jeremy said.
Patrick Bundrock, the executive director of the Sask. Party, said "background checks are done on all Saskatchewan Party candidates for nomination."
"As Meghan Mayer has decided not to seek a Saskatchewan Party nomination, the party has no further comment to make," Bundrock said.
Mayer was looking to replace Prince Albert Carlton's longtime MLA Joe Hargrave. After about eight years in the position, Hargrave announced he would not seek re-election in October.
"I am confident that stepping aside is the right choice at this time and I remain committed to serving the community in the future," Mayer said.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario pitches energy partnership with U.S. amid Trump's tariff, Canada annexation threat
In the face of incoming U.S. president Donald Trump’s threat to acquire Canada and impose tariffs, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he wants to expand its energy supply both sides of the border.
Mexico's President Sheinbaum offers sarcastic response to Trump's 'Gulf of America' comment
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum responded sarcastically on Wednesday to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's proposal to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Tracking the L.A. wildfires: 2 dead as major fires at 0% containment, locals describe 'terrifying' escape
A series of wildfires are searing through the Los Angeles area, forcing many to evacuate their homes. Follow along here for the latest updates.
Canada among 'top 5 losers' in new passport ranking
A new global ranking may raise doubts about Canada's reputation of being open to other countries.
WATCH
WATCH 'Like driving through hell itself': Apocalyptic scene on L.A. highway
Terrifying video shows a California resident’s drive along the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles, as the Palisades wildfire engulfs buildings and homes.
Minister LeBlanc not running for Liberal leadership, as caucus meets for first time since Trudeau resignation
Longtime cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc will not be running to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberals. He announced his decision in a statement posted to social media on Wednesday.
Is Donald Trump kidding? Americans in Canada react to tariff, annexation threats
While Donald Trump's comments on tariffs and Canada becoming 'the 51st state' have drawn anger and fear among Canadians, reaction from Americans who live, study or work in Canada has been mixed, and is largely influenced by how they voted in the presidential election.
Ricki's and cleo retail brands closing, Bootlegger restructuring
Several Canadian fashion retailers will be closing their doors after ownership company Comark Holdings announced it has filed for creditor protection.
Hollywood stars forced to flee amid devastating Los Angeles wildfires
Large parts of Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders Wednesday as massive wildfires spread through the megacity's hilltop suburbs. Here is what some of the stars are seeing from their backyards.
Regina
-
Saskatchewan residents fined over $17K for illegal hunting after photo of deer posted online
Three Saskatchewan residents are facing a total of $17,240 in fines for illegal hunting activity the province says was discovered after a photo of a deer was posted on social media.
-
Saskatchewan RCMP charge 2 following Swift Current drug bust
Two men are in custody and facing drug trafficking related charges after an RCMP operation in Swift Current.
-
Post holiday lull, Regina Food Bank still in need of donations after Christmas rush
The post holiday season lull in donations is an annual challenge for many organizations including the Regina Food Bank.
Winnipeg
-
Patient dies in waiting room at Winnipeg hospital
An investigation is underway after a patient waiting for care died in the waiting room at a Winnipeg hospital Tuesday morning.
-
Ricki's and cleo retail brands closing, Bootlegger restructuring
Several Canadian fashion retailers will be closing their doors after ownership company Comark Holdings announced it has filed for creditor protection.
-
Missing man found dead: Winnipeg police
A Winnipeg man who had been missing since last month has died.
Edmonton
-
'Time for a refresh': University of Alberta rebrands DEI policy to ACB
The president of the University of Alberta says the decision to rebrand its diversity, equity and inclusion policy was not influenced by critics of the initiative in North America.
-
'Not an easy decision': Chinatown's Italian Bakery to close for good due to safety concerns
After 64 years in business, the Italian Bakery in Chinatown is closing its doors for good.
-
'Well-known' drug dealer charged and arrested in Lloydminster
Specialized enforcement teams from both sides of the provincial border have teamed up to arrest a well-known, wanted drug dealer in Lloydminster.
Calgary
-
Changes are coming to optometry coverage for Alberta children and seniors
Effective Feb. 1, Alberta's UCP government will be decreasing payments and delisting some services for children and seniors.
-
Airport rail service to kick off Calgary city council's 2025 meetings
Calgary city council is back for the first meeting of 2025, with a committee getting a look at the possibility of train service to the airport.
-
Calgary Minor Soccer Association inks 3-year partnership with Papa Johns
The Calgary Minor Soccer Association has announced a new three-year partnership with Papa Johns.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge charitable organizations still in need of donations after Christmas
Many of Lethbridge's charitable organizations hold large Christmas fundraising campaigns, but once the new year hits, the need for donations is still there.
-
Cellphone connected to Lethbridge homicide may have been thrown into truck bed: police
Lethbridge police are searching for a cellphone they believe is linked to a homicide in the city in late December.
-
Lethbridge leaders, political experts react to Trudeau resignation
Following Monday's announcement that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, political experts in Lethbridge say it was a matter of time before he'd resign.
Toronto
-
Ontario pitches energy partnership with U.S. amid Trump's tariff, Canada annexation threat
In the face of incoming U.S. president Donald Trump’s threat to acquire Canada and impose tariffs, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he wants to expand its energy supply both sides of the border.
-
Ricki's and cleo retail brands closing, Bootlegger restructuring
Several Canadian fashion retailers will be closing their doors after ownership company Comark Holdings announced it has filed for creditor protection.
-
150 workers terminated after Canada-based company behind listeria outbreak files for creditor protection
Roughly 150 workers at a Canada-based beverage manufacturing and packaging company are demanding answers after recently losing their jobs without warning.
Ottawa
-
Sign change leads to fewer tickets for violating no-stopping restrictions on street near Ottawa Hospital General Campus
A sign change on a busy street near the Ottawa Hospital General Campus has resulted in a significant drop in tickets issued to drivers violating the winter no-stopping zone, according to Ottawa Bylaw Services.
-
Ottawa police constable demoted following impaired driving crash in police vehicle
An Ottawa police constable has been demoted for 22 months in connection to an impaired driving crash while in an unmarked police vehicle on St. Patrick's Day last year.
-
A look at the proposed designs for new north-side stands at Lansdowne
The City of Ottawa is providing a glimpse of the plans for a new north-side stands at TD Place and a new 'Event Centre,' ahead of public consultations on Lansdowne 2.0 this month.
Montreal
-
Two Quebec planes and their crews helping fight devastating L.A. wildfires
A pair of Quebec water bombers and their crews are in California helping fight the massive wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area
-
Blowing snow, icy temperatures causing accidents in Montreal
Blowing snow and freezing temperatures are causing road accidents in and around Montreal.
-
Negotiations resume on Monday between Quebec and health sector
Negotiations for the renewal of collective agreements in public daycares (CPE) resume on Monday between Quebec and the health-care unions.
Vancouver
-
Mounties seize $1.7M in contraband cigarettes near Victoria
Mounties say a stash of contraband cigarettes valued at more than $1.7 million has been seized from a property near Victoria.
-
Teen struck, killed by train near Kamloops, B.C.
Police and the provincial coroner's service are investigating after a 15-year-old boy was struck and killed by a train Sunday in the British Columbia Interior.
-
61-year-old pedestrian killed in Vancouver Island crash
A pickup truck struck and killed a pedestrian in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island late last week, police said in an appeal for witnesses and video.
Kelowna
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
-
Charges laid after child porn investigation that 'spanned several different countries,' Kelowna RCMP say
Police in Kelowna say an international investigation has led to child pornography charges against a 46-year-old man.
Vancouver Island
-
Mounties seize $1.7M in contraband cigarettes near Victoria
Mounties say a stash of contraband cigarettes valued at more than $1.7 million has been seized from a property near Victoria.
-
Teen struck, killed by train near Kamloops, B.C.
Police and the provincial coroner's service are investigating after a 15-year-old boy was struck and killed by a train Sunday in the British Columbia Interior.
-
61-year-old pedestrian killed in Vancouver Island crash
A pickup truck struck and killed a pedestrian in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island late last week, police said in an appeal for witnesses and video.
London
-
Snow Wednesday afternoon, snow squall warning continues
Under the heaviest part of the snowsquall another 10 to 15 centimetres is possible heading into the evening, with squalls creating varied conditions throughout the region
-
Attempted robbery of London jewellery store has LPS on the hunt for four suspects
According to police, at roughly 4:15 p.m., four men arrived in a white SUV, and entered a jewellery store in the 400-block Wharncliffe Road South.
-
LHSC receives most blood donations in Ontario-wide challenege
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has received an award from Canadian blood Services’ (CBS) Hospital Challenge. The Ontario-wide challenge from August to October 2024 saw LHSC receive 117 units of blood.
Kitchener
-
Strike averted as Ontario college faculty union, employers enter binding arbitration
The bargaining agent for Ontario's 24 public colleges and the union representing faculty have agreed to enter into binding arbitration, avoiding a strike.
-
Wilmot residents weigh in on proposed 51 per cent tax hike
People in Wilmot had their say as they potentially face down an almost 51 per cent tax hike.
-
Ricki's and cleo retail brands closing, Bootlegger restructuring
Several Canadian fashion retailers will be closing their doors after ownership company Comark Holdings announced it has filed for creditor protection.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ontario airport expanding security screening
The Timmins airport will begin expanding security screening this month for flights in northern Ontario and western Quebec, at the request of Mushkegowuk Council.
-
Ontario pitches energy partnership with U.S. amid Trump's tariff, Canada annexation threat
In the face of incoming U.S. president Donald Trump’s threat to acquire Canada and impose tariffs, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he wants to expand its energy supply both sides of the border.
-
'What are we talking about?' Trump's 'economic force' comments cause worry, disbelief
Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's escalating rhetoric around implementing tariffs on Canadian products are sparking worry and disbelief, though some of the companies potentially most affected are staying quiet.
Atlantic
-
Longtime friend mourns the death of N.S. woman killed in Edmonton
Kenda Hayman from Pictou County, N.S., is mourning the death of her long-time friend, Ashley Burke, who was killed in Edmonton, Alta, in an act of intimate partner violence.
-
Minister LeBlanc not running for Liberal leadership, as caucus meets for first time since Trudeau resignation
Longtime cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc will not be running to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberals. He announced his decision in a statement posted to social media on Wednesday.
-
Light snow in the Maritimes adds up off ocean water and in higher terrain
A stalled storm system near Newfoundland continues to bring snow into the Maritimes
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador Opposition calls to halt vote on Quebec energy deal
Newfoundland and Labrador's Opposition Progressive Conservatives asked the premier today to suspend a vote on a draft energy deal with Quebec's hydro utility until it is reviewed by independent experts.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador energy deal with Quebec under scrutiny as debate opens
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are digging into the details of the province's draft energy deal with Quebec as four days of debate begin today in St. John's, N.L.
-
Part of street washed away and state of emergency declared in N.L. town after storm
Damaging winds and pounding surf that washed away part of a street in a small northeastern town in Newfoundland on Sunday triggered a state of emergency in the coastal community.
