North Vancouver school board chair Jane Thornthwaite has been appointed the provincial B.C. Liberal candidate in North Vancouver-Seymour, according to a report in Public Eye.

Wayne Hunter – who had previously announced he'd be running for that nomination – told reporter Sean Holman that the party told him about the appointment late last week.

"We just ran out of time. It was a very unique situation. There was just no way to host and sponsor a nomination process," Hunter said.

"There will be a formal, on-stage presence at the Holiday Inn tomorrow night" announcing Thornthwaite's appointment, he said. "I'm very happy for her and North Vancouver-Seymour will be well-represented."

Asked whether he was disappointed about not getting a chance to seek the Liberal nomination in that riding, Hunter told Public Eye, "It was certainly a surprise to me. And most people who want to serve I think sometimes are disappointed initially. But, as with many things in life, certain doors close and other ones open. So, for the next little while I'll go back to business."

North Vancouver-Seymour is among the B.C. Liberal Party's safest of safe seats. Premier Gordon Campbell's party won 57 per cent of the riding's vote in 2005, 65 per cent in 2001 and 56 per cent in 1996.

Mo Norton is standing for the New Democratic Party. Norton is a substance abuse counsellor and former co-chair of the board of directors of the North Shore Women's Centre.

Monte Paulsen reports on politics and policy for The Tyee.