Sean Holman of Public Eye Online has done a wonderful job of highlighting two ongoing structural problems that the B.C. NDP would probably do well to address.
1) This problem looks set to fix itself, but remember the brou-haha over gender quotas among the party's top three officials - leader ( Adrian Dix ), treasurer ( Bob Smits ), president ( Moe Sihota )? Well, it has yet to be officially resolved by the party, as reported by Holman at Public Eye Online:
Nevertheless, a month after Adrian Dix was elected Ms. James's successor, both men are still in the same jobs. And speaking with Public Eye, Mr. Smits said he doesn't think that will change.
The treasurer stressed he thinks the gender representation rule is a "good thing." But he said it was only intended to take affect during and not between party elections.
In addition, "there's nothing in the constitution that talks about removing someone from office once that gender balance doesn't exist - because somebody has resigned or quit or died or whatever."
"So my position is that I was properly elected to serve out my term and I expect Moe to do same," Mr. Smits continued, adding, "I've told the executive that and pretty much everybody seems to accept that position."
Both Moe Sihota and Bob Smits will have their terms expire by the time the NDP's next biennial convention - currently scheduled for this December - rolls around.
2) Meanwhile, Sean Holman reported on Public Eye Online and in the Globe and Mail that the B.C. NDP are still dealing with a call for the dissidents who ousted Carole James as leader last year to be disciplined. Well, Moe Sihota is apparently dealing with this call, although at the time he wouldn't say how the issue would be resolved.
So, a couple of old business items that still have yet to be resolved. I doubt they'll be sticking points for anyone outside the party, but it's probably worth keeping an eye on these things in case they flare up as issues in the future.
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