Shuswap NDP To Elect New Executive

By Tom Mark

Aug 14, 2018 | 6:19 AM

The North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP Riding Association should have a new executive by the end of the month.

The previous executive resigned in June in a dispute with party’s head office over campaign financing and debt repayment.

Ryan Chaput, the party’s BC Organizer says a new Annual General Meeting will be held August 26th.

“We had a group of activists from the area who are NDP members and supporters who approached us and mentioned that they were interested in taking on that roll to form the new riding association.”

That meeting on the 26th will be held from 2:00pm to 3:00pm at the Odd Fellows Hall in Armstrong.

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Party members who were at the June AGM refused to elect a new team, standing with the former executive.

Ryan Chaput says they were a small group and he’s confident there won’t be a problem this time.

“There were, I think about ten people in attendance. So we’re not talking large volumes of people here either way. I think it’s a group of about five or six people that have approached us to out their names forward.”

Chaput says any member in good standing is also welcome to run for a position.

He admits it’s a bit difficult to get people to get people out in the summer but says the party will be working to ensure a good turnout.

He’s not concerned the party could be running behind to get going on setting up the campaign for 2019.

“You know we’re pretty confident that we have time to do that. It’s not unusual for a lot of riding associations to be starting their candidate process around this time. That said, you know it’s not tons of time so we’re also going to have to ramp things up in that regard.”

Chaput says one person has expressed interest in running, but he wouldn’t say who that person is.

He says the party sees the meeting as an opportunity to start fresh and is confident there is still a lot of support for the NDP in the riding.

Jacqui Gingras was the 2014 candidate and despite a strong start, finished 3rd behind winner Mel Arnold and Liberal Cindy Derkaz.

Some members felt the Trudeau wave of 2014 took votes away from Gingras.

It’s not known if federal leader Jagmeet Singh would be able to attend the AGM.

Ryan Chaput says it’s tough with his busy schedule.

Singh announced last week his intention to run the the Burnaby South riding.

Her also said he would move to the riding if he won.

Singh does not currently have a seat in Parliament

by Tom Mark