2011 British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election

Background

On May 12, 2009, the 2009 British Columbia general election was held. The NDP remained in opposition to the governing Liberal Party, and the results were largely unchanged from the 2005 election: only three seats changed hands, and the popular vote changed by less than a percentage point. It also marked the party's second loss with Carole James as leader. Despite the loss, James announced she would continue as party leader.

In July 2010, Vaughn Palmer of the Vancouver Sun reported that some party members were quietly dissatisfied with James's leadership and that she could face a challenge at the next party convention, then planned for fall 2011. That October, MLA Bob Simpson criticized a speech that James gave to the Union of B.C. Municipalities as having little to offer and lacking in specifics. In response, James expelled him from caucus, saying his comments were out of line. Though Simpson had expected a reprimand, he expected "a slap on the wrist" and was surprised to be kicked out of caucus. In media appearances shortly afterwards, Simpson expressed concern that "the NDP is not moving in the polls despite a government being on its knees"; fellow MLA Michael Sather admitted that he "frequently" dealt with complaints from constituents about the leadership. One week later, on October 15, Norm Macdonald resigned as caucus chair in protest of the expulsion, criticizing James for doing so without consulting caucus beforehand.

On November 19, caucus whip Katrine Conroy stepped down after five years in the post, saying she felt she no longer had the "trust, confidence and support of the leader and caucus." Conroy's press conference was attended by three other MLAs: Jenny Kwan, Lana Popham and Claire Trevena. James was defiant, charging that her critics were putting their concerns ahead of the party and province, and said the party must "grow up" and stop in-fighting. The following day, on November 20, the NDP's governing council met, and rejected a resolution to hold a leadership convention in December 2011 by a vote of 97 to 18. James characterized the vote as "a message sent to everyone - including every member of caucus - 'Get on with the work we have to do.'" However, the meeting also exposed the rift in caucus: supporters of James had passed out yellow scarves to wear, to serve as a powerful visual endorsement of James' leadership, and thirteen MLAs refused to don the scarves. Doug Routley, one of the dissidents, later said that he and most others had kept their concerns private until then, and were upset by the demand for public obeisance. The thirteen dissidents — dubbed the "baker's dozen" in the media — were Conroy, Kwan, Macdonald, Popham, Routley, Sather, Trevena, Robin Austin, Gary Coons, Guy Gentner, Leonard Krog, Harry Lali and Nicholas Simons.

On December 1, Kwan released a statement calling for a leadership race, saying that "Carole James is dividing the party by staying on as leader … the B.C. NDP needs to have a leadership race in order to revitalize itself and to unify the party." The NDP quickly scheduled an emergency caucus meeting, with James saying "Every MLA will be held accountable for their behaviour." In response, the baker's dozen delivered an ultimatum that they were a united front: if any one of them were ejected from caucus, the rest would leave. On December 5, the planned caucus meeting was postponed.

On December 6, James announced her resignation as leader, pending the selection of an interim leader. Dawn Black was unanimously nominated by the provincial caucus to be the interim leader on January 19, 2011.

Timeline

2010

• December 6 – Carole James announced she will step down as leader of the New Democratic Party as soon as an interim leader can be selected.
• December 29 – Marijuana Activist Dana Larsen announced his candidacy.

2011

• January 5 – Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons announced his candidacy.
• January 6 – Fraser-Nicola MLA Harry Lali announced his candidacy.
• January 13 – Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth announced his candidacy.
• January 17 – Vancouver-Kingsway MLA Adrian Dix announced his candidacy.
• April 17 – Leadership convention held at the Vancouver Convention Centre with voting occurring by telephone and via internet on that date and through advance voting. Adrian Dix is elected leader on the third ballot.

Candidates

Confirmed

Adrian Dix

Adrian Dix is the MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway (2005–present) and former Chief of Staff to Premier Glen Clark. :Support from caucus members: Harry Bains (Surrey-Newton), Bruce Ralston (Surrey-Whalley) :Support from federal caucus members: Don Davies (Vancouver-Kingsway), Libby Davies (Vancouver East) :Support from former caucus members: Lois Boone (Prince George North), Pietro Calendino (Burnaby North), Evelyn Gillespie (Comox Valley), Anita Hagen (New Westminster), Joy MacPhail (Vancouver-Hastings, former leader), Jenn McGinn (Vancouver-Fairview), Chuck Puchmayr (New Westminster), Svend Robinson (MP for Burnaby-Douglas) :Date campaign launched: January 16, 2011 :Policies: Commit to eliminating the HST, seek to roll back reductions in the corporate tax rate, support the redirection of carbon tax revenue to pay for public transit and infrastructure that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, support an increase in the minimum wage rate to $10 per hour, create a provincial child care system, restore grants to the post-secondary students, reduce interest on student loans, and restore the corporation capital tax on financial institutions.

Mike Farnworth

Mike Farnworth is the MLA for Port Coquitlam (1991–2001, 2005–present), former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (1997–98), Minister of Employment and Investment and Minister Responsible for Housing (1998–2000), Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors (2000), and Minister Social Development and Economic Security (2000–01). :Support from caucus members: Jagrup Brar (Surrey-Fleetwood), Norm Macdonald (Columbia River-Revelstoke), :Support from federal caucus members: Alex Atamanenko (Southern Interior) :Support from former caucus members: Mike Harcourt (Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, former Premier), Gretchen Brewin (Victoria-Beacon Hill), John Cashore (Coquitlam-Maillardville), Barbara Copping (Port Moody-Burnaby Mountain), Corky Evans (Nelson-Creston), Harold Steves (Richmond), Bernie Simpson (Vancouver-Fraserview), Ed Conroy (Rossland-Trail), Joan Sawicki (Burnaby-Willingdon), Dale Lovick (Nanaimo), David Cubberley (Saanich South), :Date campaign launched: January 13, 2011 :Policies: Support BC agricultural sector through a BC Food-First policy, a regional 'no net-loss policy' for the Agricultural Land Reserve, remove regulatory disincentives to farm-gate sales, return the investment in agricultural sector to national average (14% of agricultural GDP); revenue sharing with local government from resource extraction, create a Jobs Protection Commissioner, repeal the Significant Projects Streamlining Act

John Horgan

John Horgan is the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca (2005–present) :Support from caucus members: Kathy Corrigan (Burnaby-Deer Lake), Scott Fraser (Alberni-Pacific Rim), :Support from former caucus members: Lynn Hunter (former MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands), Bob Skelly (Alberni, MP for Comox-Alberni, former leader), Ray Skelly (MP for North Island--Powell River), Jim Manly (MP for Cowichan—Malahat—The Islands) :Date campaign launched: January 10, 2011 :Policies: propose a 'Fair Tax Commission' to examine levels taxation and government revenue, support the inclusion of large industrial emitters into the carbon tax, support for the Evergreen Line and light rail to the Western Communities, introduce an Endangered Species Act, support the ban on offshore oil exploration and the ban on North Coast tanker traffic, work to implement the recommendations of the Select Standing Committee on Aquaculture.

Dana Larsen

Dana Larsen was leader of the BC Marijuana Party from 2001 to 2003 when he resigned to join the NDP. In 2008 he was a federal NDP candidate for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country but resigned after a video surfaced of him driving after using marijuana and hallucinogenic drugs.

Larsen's eligibility to run for the party leadership is at issue with party president Moe Sihota stating that Larsen's party membership has lapsed. Larsen responded by saying there was a "clerical error" as his donation to the party was processed but his membership was not. Sihota also says that even if Larsen renews his membership he may be ineligible due to the controversy surrounding his federal candidacy in 2008. The party's rules committee will set eligibility requirements in January; Sihota says that as a result Larsen "may be ultimately ineligible" regardless of his party membership status. :Date campaign launched: December 29, 2010 :Policies: Legally tax and regulate marijuana, increase minimum wage to $10/hour indexed to inflation, ban corporate and union donations to political parties, promote the party's 'Sustainable BC' platform in the next election, work towards decriminalizing the sex trade

Withdrawn

Harry Lali

Harry Lali is the MLA for Fraser-Nicola (1991–2001, 2005–present), former Minister of Transportation (1998 to 2001) :Date campaign launched: January 6, 2011 :Date campaign ended: February 17, 2011, endorsed Horgan on March 17, 2011 :Proposed policies: Remove quotas for female and minority candidates within BC NDP

Nicholas Simons

Nicholas Simons is the MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast (2005–present) :Date campaign launched: January 5, 2011 :Date campaign ended: April 7, 2011, endorsed Horgan on April 7, 2011 :Policies: $12 minimum wage by 2012; increase arts and cultural funding to national average, restoring gaming grants to non-profit organizations, and make province at arm's length from B.C. Arts Council;

Declined

• Dawn Black, MLA for New Westminster (2009–2013).
• Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA for Vancouver-West End (2008–present).
• Derek Corrigan, mayor of Burnaby (2002–2018). Endorsed Horgan.
• Nathan Cullen, MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley.
• Corky Evans, former MLA for Nelson-Creston and Cabinet Minister
• Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. Endorsed Farnworth.
• George Heyman, executive director of the Sierra Club of BC, former president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union.
• Peter Julian, MP for Burnaby—New Westminster
• Leonard Krog, MLA for Nanaimo. Endorsed Farnworth.
• Jenny Kwan, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. Endorsed Farnworth.
• Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley. Endorsed Dix.
• Gregor Robertson, mayor of Vancouver, former MLA for Vancouver-Fairview

Results

References

References

1. Hunter, Justine. (2010-12-06). "B.C. NDP leader resigns over party infighting". [[The Globe and Mail]].
2. (December 18, 2010). "B.C. NDP to choose new leader in April". CBC News.
3. (April 17, 2011). "Adrian Dix wins B.C. NDP leadership". CBC News.
4. (2009-05-20). "Carole James to remain B.C. NDP leader".
5. Palmer, Vaughn. (2010-07-13). "Summer of political discontent". [[Vancouver Sun]].
6. (2010-10-07). "B.C. NDP leader kicks out Cariboo MLA". [[CBC News]].
7. Smith, Charlie. (2010-10-07). "MLA Bob Simpson tells CKNW that B.C. NDP members are "walking away from the party"".
8. Schreck, David. (2010-10-07). "James vs. Simpson".
9. Burrows, Matthew. (2010-10-07). "NDP supporters "frequently" complain about Carole James, Michael Sather says".
10. Smyth, Michael. (October 17, 2010). "NDP caucus chairman quits over matter of principle; Carole James gave rebel the shove without 'involving' caucus in decision". [[The Province]].
11. (2010-11-19). "B.C. NDP caucus whip Katrine Conroy resigns". [[CBC News]].
12. (2010-11-19). "Carole James wants NDP to grow up, stop in-fighting".
13. Ebner, David. (2010-11-21). "B.C. NDP leader wins party support, calls for end to infighting". [[The Globe and Mail]].
14. Hunter, Justine. (2010-11-23). "James' detractors refuse to be cowed". [[The Globe and Mail]].
15. Hunter, Justine. (2010-12-03). "Baker's Dozen to give ultimatum to NDP leader". [[The Globe and Mail]].
16. Pablo, Carlito. (2011-03-18). "Leadership endorsements from Baker’s Dozen "healthy sign" for B.C. NDP, David Schreck says".
17. Smyth, Mike. (2017-07-18). "Prepare for turbulence as the NDP takes flight".
18. MacLeod, Andrew. (2010-12-04). "Who Are the NDP's 13 Dissidents?".
19. Fowlie, Jonathan. (2010-12-02). "NDP MLA Jenny Kwan calls for leadership race". Vancouver Sun.
20. Mason, Gary. (2010-12-02). "Trial by fire seems to put steel in Carole James's spine". [[The Globe and Mail]].
21. Ward, Doug. (2010-12-05). "NDP showdown delayed as party puts off meeting". Vancouver Sun.
22. Lindsay, Bethany. (2010-12-06). "Carole James resigns as NDP leader, blames 'bullies'".
23. (2011-01-19). "MLA Dawn Black nominated as NDP interim leader". [[CBC News]].
24. (May 2011)
25. [http://adriandixforbc.ca/2011/03/boone-supports-dix-for-ndp-leader/]{{dead link. (May 2011)
26. Fuller, Janaya. (2011-02-18). "Calendino breaks from the pack and backs Dix".
27. [http://adriandixforbc.ca/2011/03/former-comox-valley-mla-evelyn-gillespie-and-labour-leader-anne-davis-announce-support-for-ndp-leadership-candidate-adrian-dix/]{{dead link. (May 2011)
28. (2011-01-17). "Adrian Dix enters race for NDP leadership". Vancouver Sun.
29. Hunter, Justine. (February 2, 2011). "B.C. NDP's Dix tax proposal takes a big bite out of big business". Globe and Mail.
30. (March 15, 2011). "Former Comox Valley MLA Gillespie backing Dix' leadership bid". Comox Valley Record.
31. Bailey, Ian. (February 22, 2011). "B.C. NDP candidate calls for tax on banks". Globe and Mail.
32. Bailey, Ian. (2011-03-16). "BC NDP candidates announce endorsements". Globe and Mail.
33. (2011-01-13). "Farnworth enters NDP leadership race". CBC News.
34. Williams, Arthur. (March 15, 2011). "Farnworth unveils plan for north". Prince George Citizen.
35. Smith, Charlie. (February 22, 2011). "NDP leadership candidate Mike Farnworth tries to lure environmentally minded party members". The Straight.
36. Bailey, Ian. (January 21, 2011). "Burnaby mayor backs Horgan for NDP leadership". [[The Globe and Mail]].
37. Cowichan Valley]]), [[Nicholas Simons]] ([[Powell River-Sunshine Coast]]), [[Shane Simpson]] ([[Vancouver-Hastings]]), [[Claire Trevena]] ([[North Island]])http://www.horganforbc.ca/claire-trevena-joins-team-horgan{{Dead link. (November 2018)
38. Shaw, Rob. (January 10, 2011). "MLA John Horgan launches campaign for NDP leadership". [[Times-Colonist]].
39. Haluschak, Erin. (February 8, 2011). "NDP leadership hopeful opposed to coal mine". Comox Valley Record.
40. (December 28, 2010). "Pot activist Dana Larsen to announce BC NDP leadership plans".
41. [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/marijuana-activists-eligibility-for-bc-ndp-leadership-questioned-by-party-president/article1852133/ "Marijuana activist's eligibility for B.C. NDP leadership questioned by party president"], ''Globe and Mail'', December 29, 2011
42. (December 29, 2010). "Pot activist kicks off B.C. NDP leadership race". CBC News.
43. Larsen, Dana. (January 17, 2011). "Dana Larsen: A fresh vision of direct democracy, regulated marijuana for B.C.". The Straight.
44. Hui, Stephen. (February 14, 2011). "B.C. NDP leadership hopeful Dana Larsen backs decriminalization of sex work". The Straight.
45. Fowlie, Jonathan. (2011-01-07). "Lali promises a voice to 'older white males' as he enters NDP race". Vancouver Sun.
46. (2011-02-17). "B.C. MLA Harry Lali drops out of NDP race". CBC News.
47. Fowlie, Jonathan. (January 5, 2011). "NDP leadership race takes shape as new names enter -- and exit". Vancouver Sun.
48. Thomson, Stephen. (January 12, 2011). "NDP leadership candidate Nicholas Simons calls for $12 minimum wage in B.C.". The Straight.
49. Werb, Jessica. (January 20, 2011). "NDP leadership candidate Nicholas Simons outlines his arts policy". The Straight.
50. Werb, Jessica. (2010-12-09). "NDP's Spencer Chandra Herbert hasn't ruled out a leadership run". Georgia Straight.
51. Chow, Wanda. (2010-12-07). "Mayor Corrigan not chasing NDP leadership". Burnaby NewsLeader.
52. (2010-12-08). "No thanks, says Cullen of NDP top job". Terrace Standard.
53. Bailey, Ian. (2010-12-13). "B.C. NDP members consider running for party leadership". Globe and Mail.
54. (2010-12-07). "B.C. NDP leadership contest starts to simmer". CBC News.
55. [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-ndp-members-consider-running-for-party-leadership/article1836422/ "B.C. NDP members consider running for party leadership"], ''Globe and Mail'', December 13, 2010
56. Ward, Doug. (2011-01-04). "Peter Julian will not run for the BC New Democrat leadership". Vancouver Sun.
57. Cordery, Walter. (2010-12-09). "Krog is 'carefully considering' potential run at NDP leadership". Nanaimo Daily News.
58. Pablo, Carlito. (2010-12-06). "Gregor Robertson not seeking B.C. NDP leadership, Vision executive director confirms". Georgia Straight.