Provincial NDP legislator Jagrup Brar will not run in the next election in his present riding of Surrey-Panorama Ridge.
According to a letter from B.C. New Democratic party president Jeff Fox and secretary Laura Nichols, that riding has been reserved for a female candidate in the next election.
That is in keeping with the NDP's controversial resolution to set aside 40 per cent of the party's non-incumbent seats for affirmative-action candidates.
Mr. Brar played coy when asked if he would run in another riding.
"It looks very funny," he told 24 hours. "I will be making an announcement later this week. I will be more than happy to contact you if you want. But all I can tell you is [I will be making an announcement] later this week, early tomorrow."
The list of affirmative-action ridings was "determined" by the party's executive on Aug. 12.
Fox explained the party initially asked associations if they were interested in self-designating.
"But it was always ... understood that - if there was an insufficient number that came to us - we would then be obligated to make designations," he said. "And that was the position we found ourselves in."
Nine of a required 15 associations were interested in running female candidates and four of five associations interested in running a candidate from an under-represented group.
Fox acknowledged some associations were concerned about their new affirmative-action status.
"We had a couple that came back and said, 'Gee, we voted for it at convention. But we actually didn't think we'd be designated,'" he said. "And so we've gone out and had some meetings with those folks."
Sean Holman reports for 24 hours, Public Eye, and The Hook.
3
Login or register to post comments
Grumpy
3 years ago
The racist NDP
Well, many an old NDP'er will be spinning in their graves that the BC NDP is now a racist political party. Middle aged white men are not welcomed and in fact are not allowed to run.
Carole (dumb & Dumber) James has handed Gordo and his pals a lovely issue, NDP don't want you, join us!
Shades of Bob Skelly, James and her hapless lot, will snatch defeat, from the jaws of victory.
I thought the NDP were all about fairness, equal rights, all that 'home and apple pie' stuff, seems not as the NDP is now a racist political party, forbidding equal opportunity to white Anglo Saxon males.
Just wondering, is there anyone brave enough to take this to court?
Sorry Rafe, can't vote for the NDP and it seems the Greens or the garbage can will get my vote this time around.
Dave2
3 years ago
Incumancy not a defense?
So, if your riding is arbitrarily designated as a female riding, and you're the sitting male member, you lose your seat? Madness.
Is this even necessary in the 21st century? Look at the two most urban Vancouver (federal) ridings, both have been represented exclusivly by women, from "all three" parties, since 1979 and 1980 respectively.
Dave2
3 years ago
That should read
That should read "incumbancy" of course.