Local MLA Nicholas Simons announced his intention to run for leadership of the provincial NDP party this week to a crowd of about 60 supporters who came to the Jan. 5 announcement held in the Sechelt Indian Band Elders' boardroom.
"I am here to announce that I am seeking the leadership of the NDP party," Simons said to loud applause. "There's a lot of work to do. And there's a lot of work to do on behalf of the people of this province. What's most important is that the people have an opportunity to choose somebody with a new voice and a new approach to politics. And that's an approach that takes full advantage of the minds and the hearts of the people that politicians represent. It means that we enact policy in the best public interest based on extensive consultation, no surprises, good research and the right people helping. So it's my goal to ensure that leadership in this province is based on solid principles of respect and of good communication."
Currently there are no sitting MLAs supporting Simons' bid for the leadership, but there appeared to be great support from the Sechelt Indian Band with Chief Garry Feschuk calling Simons a "dear friend" and saying he believes Simons will help the province "get on the right path" and address First Nations concerns.
"Our council is eager to meet with you behind closed doors and talk about the issues Sechelt has had with this government," Feschuk said.
Questions from the audience following Simons' announcement revealed his platform.
When asked about the environment, Simons made it clear he plans to follow the guidelines of Sustainable BC, which were adopted by the NDP party in 2007.
The NDP's Sustainable BC website states: "We seek an advanced economy that spreads its benefits broadly among all British Columbians. Likewise we seek an environment that is second to none, where natural systems are not taxed beyond their ability to regenerate and repair themselves."
Simons said he is also eager to restore arts and culture funding that has been lost under the current government.
"We need to have a properly funded arts community, and that's not just because of the economic benefits for the arts community. It's also because of the social benefits that arts brings to communities, and that's in bringing people together, like dancers, like singers, like people who participate in plays, you name it. It's a place where community gets built and strengthened and the ties between people become stronger. Ultimately cohesive communities are strong communities and cohesion is often built through the arts as well as through sports and through other methods. That would be one thing I would put high on my priority list - proper funding to the arts and culture community," he said.
When asked about the harmonized sales tax (HST), Simons said he would like to see it gone.
"This is a good example. You have policy that was implemented in secrecy, announced to the surprise of everyone without consultation. And the result of that implemented policy is exactly what we've come up with, what we've seen," he said. "We've seen massive expense, a massive amount of time for the public to get their voice heard and now we have to deal with the outfall of that. Getting rid of the HST is going to have an impact on other people. It will have an impact on business and we need to recognize that, and we need to ensure we can mitigate the problems that are going to result from getting rid of the HST."
When asked about the possibility of legalizing marijuana, Simons said he would welcome a mature debate on the subject.
"One thing that has been missing from this entire debate is a call for mature debate around legalizing marijuana. We need to have an informed credible debate that doesn't rely on emotions or preconceived notions or scare tactics," he said.
Simons is the second declared candidate for the party leadership.
Dana Larsen, former leader of the BC Marijuana Party, announced at a press conference on Dec. 29 his intention to run for the leadership of the BC NDP as well. Three hours later, party president Moe Sihota said, in an interview with The Province, that 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 him taking illegal drugs.
In an interview with the Powell River 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.
On Thursday morning, Fraser-Nicola MLA Harry Lali was expected to announce he would be getting into the race as well.
Adding further complication to the race for the top position of the BC NDP is a rule dictating gender equality among its top executives. According to the party's constitution, at least one of the three top positions of the party - president, treasurer or leader - 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.
"There are obviously other options," Simons added. "A person could resign or a person could not run for leadership, but I think the province needs to have the choice of who they feel would be the best leader for their party and then their province, and that's going to be something that's going to have to be resolved. I don't know how it's going to be resolved at this point."
B.C. residents have until Jan. 16 to join the NDP if they want to be able to vote for the new party leader. The vote for a new leader will take place on April 17.
- With files from Powell River Peak
