Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons has entered the BC NDP (New Democratic Party) leadership race.
"It's very exciting," Simons told the Peak. "And it's the beginning of perhaps something even more exciting."
Simons will be announcing his bid for the top job this morning, January 5, in Sechelt. He will be speaking at 6:30 pm tonight at the Carlson Community Club in Powell River.
Simons is the first member of the NDP caucus to join the contest. Carole James resigned as leader in December and Simons was one of 13 dissident MLAs who did not support her leadership.
But Simons said he made up his mind to run for the leadership just three weeks ago. "I feel confident that I will be able to put ideas forward that will resonate with the public," he said. "That's my hope and that's my goal."
He's excited about being able to talk about issues that are important to British Columbians, Simons said. "I'm looking forward to presenting myself as an option for members who are able to vote at the convention." He believes the leadership campaign will result in the party being stronger and unified, Simons also said.
One of the issues he wants to talk about is ensuring that people know that public policy has to be developed with the public interest always in the forefront. "In other words, policy that is developed with good research and extensive consultation, ultimately letting people realize that the policy governments make should be reflective of the needs of the community," he said. "We've seen examples in the past of governments doing things and imposing their policies on the people of the province. The HST is just one example of that."
Dana Larsen, former leader of the BC Marijuana Party, announced at a press conference on December 29, his intention to run for the leadership of the BC NDP. Three hours later party president Moe Sihota said, in an interview with The Province, Larsen could not run for the leadership because he is not technically a member of the party.
Sihota also questioned whether Larsen is eligible to run after withdrawing his bid for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP during the 2008 federal campaign. Larsen withdrew from the race following the release of video footage showing Larsen taking illegal drugs.
In an interview with the Peak, Larsen dismissed Sihota’s comments as “just him going off the rails.” Larsen said that he is a member in good standing and made a donation as recently as November 2010, which alone would make him a member for a year.
Larsen is running on a four-pronged platform laying out increased democracy, sustainability, social justice and alternative approaches to crime, including the legalization of marijuana, as his primary goals. Larsen said he has a “fresh vision” and believes, as an outsider, he can help bring the party together with a new perspective.
BC residents have until January 16 to join the NDP if they want to be able to vote for the party leader. The vote for a new leader will take place on April 17.
Adding further complication to the race for the top of the BC NDP, rules dictating gender equality among its top executives will force the party to either elect a female leader or replace one of the currently male-filled positions of president or treasurer. According to the party’s constitution, at least one of the three positions must be held by a woman. Sihota has said that the party executive will make a recommendation to the NDP provincial council on what to do about the gender issue.
