In the past few issues there have been opinions on candidates running for office for the provincial NDP. The issue arose because the NDP mandated only a woman could be appointed to this position to be their candidate in the upcoming election.
The issue is one of discrimination and cannot be given any misdirection, no matter how loud people protest. The issue of qualification is up to the voters in our area. There were candidates of both genders who were experienced and ready to run for this position.
This is where the stupidity, in my opinion, began. The NDP party line was to force a mixed balance in the provincial party representation. They then mandated their own discriminatory policy to only let a woman be nominated.
This, in my opinion, is wrong if they want to represent our area. To blatantly take away the voter’s right to decide on the person nominated is wrong and very discriminatory. The manner in which this was done prohibited voters from choosing the person felt most capable and yes there were both male and female candidates prepared to offer their services.
Oh no, the NDP decided they would make the choice for us and so prohibited male candidates, no matter how qualified, to be considered. This is my freedom of choice and in our democratic system it is high-handed for a party to outright prohibit anyone from throwing his or her hat into the ring simply due to gender.
How would the women of our community feel if this was reversed and the good ol’ boys had said “no women”! The uproar would have been horrendous.
Is this how Horgan and crew are going to act if they get in? Pick and choose how they will fulfil campaign promises?
The NDP need leadership, and not on the last week before the election, or we will be looking at Christy Money again for the next four years.
Larry Woodruff
Duncan