BC Political Discussion: Election 2024 & 43rd Parliament

[whatnext]

A little skullduggery in the incestuous world of Vancouver politics?

'Playing field not level': Jeanette Ashe drops out of NDP nomination race in Vancouver-Yaletown
NDP provincial director Heather Stoutenburg said the party has received no formal complaints from Ashe about the nomination process
Author of the article: Alec Lazenby
Published Jul 25, 2024

The B.C. NDP are disputing Jeanette Ashe’s version of events after the Douglas College professor and political equity advocate bowed out of the party’s Vancouver-Yaletown nomination race over complaints that the party had tilted the outcome in favour of Terry Yung, a Vancouver police inspector and husband of Vancouver city Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung.

“I’m sad to say I’m writing to let you know that I’m no longer seeking the B.C. NDP nomination in Vancouver-Yaletown. Thank you for taking the time to chat and to reach out; I really appreciate your support,” Ashe, who is also the wife of former Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart, wrote in an email to party members that was posted to social media by CKNW radio host Jas Johal.

“It has recently come to my attention that the Vancouver-Yaletown nomination process has been compromised and the playing field is not level.”

Ashe’s resignation led to rumours that the Premier’s Office and party executives had given Yung a leg up in the race, similar to the Vancouver-Little Mountain race in April where Premier David Eby’s wife, Cailey Lynch, came out in support of longtime family friend and Vancouver Coun. Christine Boyle....

....The Tories have put forward Melissa De Genova, former Vancouver city councillor and ex-park board commissioner. B.C. United and the Greens both have yet to select a candidate in the riding.

University of the Fraser Valley political scientist Hamish Telford said the complaints raised by Ashe are indicative of a larger problem within Canada’s political system, namely that party leaders at the provincial and federal levels can overrule grassroots constituency associations without any repercussions...

https://vancouversun.com/news/ndp-nomination-jeanette-ashe-drops-out-vancouver-yaletown