LECLERC REMOVES HIMSELF FROM SASKPARTY CAUCUS

Hours after concluding two-days of presentations about the dangers of
drugs and alcohol to audiences in Swift Current, MLA Serge LeClerc
removed himself from the SaskParty Caucus after allegations of drug
use were raised.

The allegations against LeClerc, the MLA for Saskatoon Northwest,
were made public when CBC Saskatchewan aired a recording of a phone
conversation by an individual purported to be LeClerc talking about drug use.

LeClerc says the comments about drug use were not made by him and he
has not used any illegal drugs in decades.

"I will be going to the police with this matter," LeClerc said. "I
have asked CBC to provide me with this recording so I can have it
analyzed by the police and I will be voluntarily seeking a drug test
to prove that I am clean and drug-free."

"My priority in the coming weeks is to clear my name and, if
possible, find out who is attempting to smear me in this manner,"
LeClerc said in a statement.