Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu at the Vernon Public Art Gallery. (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

Recall Petition

Vernon-Monashee recall petition fails

Oct 12, 2022 | 1:11 PM

Harwinder Sandhu’s position as MLA for Vernon-Monashee no longer faces uncertainty.

A recall petition launched by Vernon resident Genevieve Ring on August 12 was due to be submitted by October 11, but Elections B.C. said it had not received a submission prior to the deadline.

Elections B.C. said a total of 28 voters registered as candidates to collect signatures.

In order to trigger the recall, the petition would have had to gather at least 21,268 signatures by the deadline. There was no word on how many signatures were collected.

Despite the petition’s failure, the petition sheets must still be submitted to Elections B.C. However, the signature counts will not be made available as the independent, non-partisan organization does not count or verify signatures on late petitions.

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“I will continue to work hard to represent the residents of Vernon-Monashee with energy and pride, just as I have done since being elected,” said Sandhu in an emailed statement to Vernon Matters.

“As I said previously, I was unconcerned with this recall attempt, and this result confirms that those who brought it forward do not share the values of Vernon-Monashee residents. I want to offer my thanks to those who sent kind and supportive messages, as well as to the people of Vernon-Monashee for their continued support.”

Both Ring and Sandhu must file financial disclosure reports with the Chief Electoral Officer by 4:30 p.m. on November 8, 2022.

Back in August, Ring said Sandhu should be recalled, alleging the NDP government failed residents of B.C. on the critical issues of COVID-19 and health care.

This was the 27th recall petition issued in B.C. since the Recall and Initiative Act came into force in 1995. During that time, no petitions have been succesful, though in one case the MLA did retire prior to the submission date.

by Liam Verster

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