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Moreover, Freberg said, the People’s Party’s plan to livestream the event on social media would contravene the SWF’s “absolute prohibition” on photography at the range, a policy intended to protect its members’ privacy.

“This is not the way our federation wants to be seen by the public,” Freberg said, adding that while the SWF supports gun rights, it is non-partisan and must work with whatever political party forms government in October.

Referring to a recent CBC News story in which Penteado described himself as a “redneck,” Freberg said that does not align with the SWF’s mandate, which includes bringing people together to celebrate hunting and fishing.

That includes a major education effort, as well as partnerships with local Indigenous organizations, he said.

Friesen and Penteado said in separate interviews that they are disappointed with the SWF’s decision, and were making arrangements to relocate the shooting contest to another unspecified rifle range near Saskatoon.

Both candidates went on to question why the federation would shut down what they characterized as a private contest between two individuals unrelated to politics. “We didn’t make it political,” Penteado said, adding that it was an “internal PPC event.”

The top of the advertisement for the event features the PPC logo. The bottom line reads “Watch the gunsmoke (sic) on Facebook Live streaming.”

“I’m disappointed in their decision. It flies in the face of what we’re trying to do,” Friesen said of his pro-gun views before adding that he tried to renew his membership Tuesday afternoon and was told it was under review.