B.C. New Democrats will vote for a new leader on Sunday, April 17, 2011, according to a December 18 news release from the party. The venue will be the Vancouver Convention Centre, but party members will be able to vote by phone or online.

The news release quoted Provincial Secretary Jan O'Brien as saying:

"British Columbians are ready for a change from the reckless policies of the BC Liberals, and New Democrats are moving forward with our leadership election. It's an exciting time to be a New Democrat in British Columbia, and we're looking forward to a competitive leadership election."

The leader will be chosen by a one-member, one-vote method, whether in person, by telephone, or online. Advance voting will be permitted. Those voting will have to have been members of the party for 90 days -- that is, by January 17.[Corrected from January 8--CK]

The release also quoted O'Brien as saying that a "comprehensive set of rules" would soon be developed to "ensure that this leadership election is run in a fair, transparent and accessible manner."

The rules will be developed by a five-person leadership rules committee including Brian Gardiner, former NDP Provincial Secretary; Colin Gabelmann, former B.C. Attorney General; Lorraine Shore, B.C. NDP Vice President and lawyer; Marianne Alto, B.C. NDP Vice President and Victoria City Councillor (ex-officio); and Jan O'Brien (ex-officio).

The release said that an interim party leader will be ratified by Provincial Council on the recommendation of the B.C. NDP caucus early in the new year.

Crawford Kilian is a contributing editor of The Tyee.