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2011 British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election

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The British Columbia New Democratic Party held a leadership election in 2011 to replace departing leader Carole James. The election was prompted by James' announcement on December 6, 2010 that she would be resigning as leader of the party.[1] The convention was held on April 17, 2011 at the Vancouver Convention Centre with voting occurring by telephone and via internet on that date and through advance voting.[2]

2011 British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election
← 2003 April 17, 2011 2014 →
 
Candidate Adrian Dix Mike Farnworth
Third (Final) Ballot 9,772, 51.8% 9,095, 48.2%
Second Ballot 7,748, 39.3% 6,951, 35.2%
First Ballot 7,638, 38.2% 6,979, 34.9%
 
Candidate John Horgan Dana Larsen
Third (Final) Ballot Eliminated Eliminated
Second Ballot 5,034, 25.5% Eliminated
First Ballot 4,844, 24.2% 531, 2.7%
Leader before election

Carole James

 Elected Leader

Adrian Dix

2011 British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election
DateApril 17, 2011
ConventionVancouver Convention Centre
Resigning leaderCarole James
Won byAdrian Dix
Ballots3
Candidates4
Entrance Fee$15,000
Spending limit$175,000
British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership conventions
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Adrian Dix was elected leader, narrowly defeating rival Mike Farnworth on the third ballot.[3]

Background

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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.[4]

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.[5] 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.[6] Though Simpson had expected a reprimand, he expected "a slap on the wrist" and was surprised to be kicked out of caucus.[6] In media appearances shortly afterwards, Simpson expressed concern that "the NDP is not moving in the polls despite a government being on its knees";[7][8] fellow MLA Michael Sather admitted that he "frequently" dealt with complaints from constituents about the leadership.[9] 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.[10]

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."[11] Conroy's press conference was attended by three other MLAs: Jenny Kwan, Lana Popham and Claire Trevena.[12] 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.[12] 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.'"[13] 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.[14] 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.[15] The thirteen dissidents — dubbed the "baker's dozen" in the media[15][16][17] — were Conroy, Kwan, Macdonald, Popham, Routley, Sather, Trevena, Robin Austin, Gary Coons, Guy Gentner, Leonard Krog, Harry Lali and Nicholas Simons.[18]

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."[19] The NDP quickly scheduled an emergency caucus meeting, with James saying "Every MLA will be held accountable for their behaviour."[20] 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.[15] On December 5, the planned caucus meeting was postponed.[21]

On December 6, James announced her resignation as leader, pending the selection of an interim leader.[22] Dawn Black was unanimously nominated by the provincial caucus to be the interim leader on January 19, 2011.[23]

Candidates

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Adrian Dix

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Dix speaking at the convention

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),[24] Mable Elmore (Vancouver-Kensington), Sue Hammell (Surrey-Green Timbers),[24] Michelle Mungall (Nelson-Creston),[25] Bruce Ralston (Surrey-Whalley)[24]
Support from federal caucus members: Don Davies (Vancouver-Kingsway), Libby Davies (Vancouver East)
Support from former caucus members: Lois Boone (Prince George North),[26] Pietro Calendino (Burnaby North),[27] Evelyn Gillespie (Comox Valley),[28] 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[24]
Policies: Commit to eliminating the HST, seek to roll back reductions in the corporate tax rate,[29] 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,[30] restore grants to the post-secondary students, reduce interest on student loans, and restore the corporation capital tax on financial institutions.[31]

Mike Farnworth

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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),[32] Katrine Conroy (Kootenay West),[32] Doug Donaldson (Stikine),[32] Rob Fleming (Victoria-Swan Lake),[32] Guy Gentner (Delta North),[33] Norm Macdonald (Columbia River-Revelstoke),[32] Lana Popham (Saanich South),[33] Doug Routley (Nanaimo-North Cowichan),[32] Leonard Krog (Nanaimo),[32] Jenny Kwan (Vancouver-Mount Pleasant)[34]
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),[33] Harold Steves (Richmond),[33] 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[32]
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[35][36]

John Horgan

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John Horgan is the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca (2005–present)

Support from caucus members: Kathy Corrigan (Burnaby-Deer Lake),[37] Scott Fraser (Alberni-Pacific Rim),[38] Maurine Karagianis (Esquimalt-Royal Roads),[38] Harry Lali (Fraser-Nicola),[33] Bill Routley (Cowichan Valley), Nicholas Simons (Powell River-Sunshine Coast), Shane Simpson (Vancouver-Hastings), Claire Trevena (North Island)[39]
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[38]
Policies: propose a 'Fair Tax Commission' to examine levels taxation and government revenue,[40] 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

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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.[41]

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.[42]

Date campaign launched: December 29, 2010[43]
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,[44] work towards decriminalizing the sex trade[45]

Withdrawn candidates

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Harry Lali

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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[46]
Date campaign ended: February 17, 2011,[47] endorsed Horgan on March 17, 2011[33]
Proposed policies: Remove quotas for female and minority candidates within BC NDP[46]

Nicholas Simons

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Nicholas Simons is the MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast (2005–present)

Date campaign launched: January 5, 2011[48]
Date campaign ended: April 7, 2011, endorsed Horgan on April 7, 2011
Policies: $12 minimum wage by 2012;[49] 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;[50]

Potential candidates who declined to run

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Timeline

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  • December 6, 2010: 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, 2010: Marijuana Activist Dana Larsen announced his candidacy.[43]
  • January 5, 2011: Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons announced his candidacy.[48]
  • January 6, 2011: Fraser-Nicola MLA Harry Lali announced his candidacy.[46]
  • January 13, 2011: Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth announced his candidacy.[32]
  • January 17, 2011: Vancouver-Kingsway MLA Adrian Dix announced his candidacy.[24]
  • April 17, 2011: : 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.

Results

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Candidate First ballot Second ballot Third ballot
Votes Percent Votes Percent Votes Percent
Adrian Dix 7,638 38.2% 7,748 39.3% 9,772 51.8%
Mike Farnworth 6,979 34.9% 6,951 35.2% 9,095 48.2%
John Horgan 4,844 24.2% 5,034 25.5%
Dana Larsen 531 2.7%

References

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  1. ^ Hunter, Justine (December 6, 2010). "B.C. NDP leader resigns over party infighting". Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "B.C. NDP to choose new leader in April". CBC News. December 18, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  3. ^ "Adrian Dix wins B.C. NDP leadership". CBC News. April 17, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  4. ^ "Carole James to remain B.C. NDP leader". CTV News. The Canadian Press. May 20, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Palmer, Vaughn (July 13, 2010). "Summer of political discontent". Vancouver Sun. p. 3.
  6. ^ a b "B.C. NDP leader kicks out Cariboo MLA". CBC News. October 7, 2010. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  7. ^ Smith, Charlie (October 7, 2010). "MLA Bob Simpson tells CKNW that B.C. NDP members are "walking away from the party"". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Schreck, David (October 7, 2010). "James vs. Simpson". The Tyee. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  9. ^ Burrows, Matthew (October 7, 2010). "NDP supporters "frequently" complain about Carole James, Michael Sather says". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  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. Vancouver. p. A4.
  11. ^ "B.C. NDP caucus whip Katrine Conroy resigns". CBC News. November 19, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Carole James wants NDP to grow up, stop in-fighting". CTV News. The Canadian Press. November 19, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  13. ^ Ebner, David (November 21, 2010). "B.C. NDP leader wins party support, calls for end to infighting". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Hunter, Justine (November 23, 2010). "James' detractors refuse to be cowed". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c Hunter, Justine (December 3, 2010). "Baker's Dozen to give ultimatum to NDP leader". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  16. ^ Pablo, Carlito (March 18, 2011). "Leadership endorsements from Baker's Dozen "healthy sign" for B.C. NDP, David Schreck says". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  17. ^ Smyth, Mike (July 18, 2017). "Prepare for turbulence as the NDP takes flight". The Province. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  18. ^ MacLeod, Andrew (December 4, 2010). "Who Are the NDP's 13 Dissidents?". The Tyee. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  19. ^ Fowlie, Jonathan (December 2, 2010). "NDP MLA Jenny Kwan calls for leadership race". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on December 9, 2010.
  20. ^ Mason, Gary (December 2, 2010). "Trial by fire seems to put steel in Carole James's spine". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  21. ^ Ward, Doug (December 5, 2010). "NDP showdown delayed as party puts off meeting". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on December 9, 2010.
  22. ^ Lindsay, Bethany (December 6, 2010). "Carole James resigns as NDP leader, blames 'bullies'". CTV News. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  23. ^ "MLA Dawn Black nominated as NDP interim leader". CBC News. January 19, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d e f "Adrian Dix enters race for NDP leadership". Vancouver Sun. January 17, 2011. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011.
  25. ^ [1][dead link]
  26. ^ [2][dead link]
  27. ^ Fuller, Janaya (February 18, 2011). "Calendino breaks from the pack and backs Dix". Burnabynow.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  28. ^ [3][dead link]
  29. ^ Hunter, Justine (February 2, 2011). "B.C. NDP's Dix tax proposal takes a big bite out of big business". Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  30. ^ "Former Comox Valley MLA Gillespie backing Dix' leadership bid". Comox Valley Record. Courtenay. March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  31. ^ Bailey, Ian (February 22, 2011). "B.C. NDP candidate calls for tax on banks". Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Farnworth enters NDP leadership race". CBC News. January 13, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  33. ^ a b c d e f Bailey, Ian (March 16, 2011). "BC NDP candidates announce endorsements". Globe and Mail.
  34. ^ "NDP's Jenny Kwan backs Farnworth". The Free Press. April 4, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  35. ^ Williams, Arthur (March 15, 2011). "Farnworth unveils plan for north". Prince George Citizen. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  36. ^ Smith, Charlie (February 22, 2011). "NDP leadership candidate Mike Farnworth tries to lure environmentally minded party members". The Straight. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  37. ^ a b Bailey, Ian (January 21, 2011). "Burnaby mayor backs Horgan for NDP leadership". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  38. ^ a b c Shaw, Rob (January 10, 2011). "MLA John Horgan launches campaign for NDP leadership". Times-Colonist. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  39. ^ http://www.horganforbc.ca/claire-trevena-joins-team-horgan[permanent dead link]
  40. ^ Haluschak, Erin (February 8, 2011). "NDP leadership hopeful opposed to coal mine". Comox Valley Record. Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  41. ^ Vancouver Sun December 28, 2010 (December 28, 2010). "Pot activist Dana Larsen to announce BC NDP leadership plans". Vancouversun.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ "Marijuana activist's eligibility for B.C. NDP leadership questioned by party president", Globe and Mail, December 29, 2011
  43. ^ a b "Pot activist kicks off B.C. NDP leadership race". CBC News. December 29, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  44. ^ Larsen, Dana (January 17, 2011). "Dana Larsen: A fresh vision of direct democracy, regulated marijuana for B.C." The Straight.
  45. ^ Hui, Stephen (February 14, 2011). "B.C. NDP leadership hopeful Dana Larsen backs decriminalization of sex work". The Straight. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  46. ^ a b c Fowlie, Jonathan (January 7, 2011). "Lali promises a voice to 'older white males' as he enters NDP race". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on August 17, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  47. ^ "B.C. MLA Harry Lali drops out of NDP race". CBC News. February 17, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  48. ^ a b c d Fowlie, Jonathan (January 5, 2011). "NDP leadership race takes shape as new names enter -- and exit". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on August 17, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  49. ^ Thomson, Stephen (January 12, 2011). "NDP leadership candidate Nicholas Simons calls for $12 minimum wage in B.C." The Straight.
  50. ^ Werb, Jessica (January 20, 2011). "NDP leadership candidate Nicholas Simons outlines his arts policy". The Straight.
  51. ^ a b c d "B.C. NDP leadership contest starts to simmer". CBC News. December 7, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  52. ^ Werb, Jessica (December 9, 2010). "NDP's Spencer Chandra Herbert hasn't ruled out a leadership run". Georgia Straight.
  53. ^ Chow, Wanda (December 7, 2010). "Mayor Corrigan not chasing NDP leadership". Burnaby NewsLeader. p. 3.
  54. ^ "No thanks, says Cullen of NDP top job". Terrace Standard. December 8, 2010. Archived from the original on December 22, 2010.
  55. ^ Bailey, Ian (December 13, 2010). "B.C. NDP members consider running for party leadership". Globe and Mail.
  56. ^ "B.C. NDP members consider running for party leadership", Globe and Mail, December 13, 2010
  57. ^ Thomson, Stephen (December 7, 2010). "MP Peter Julian not ruling out B.C. NDP leadership run". Georgia Straight.
  58. ^ Ward, Doug (January 4, 2011). "Peter Julian will not run for the BC New Democrat leadership". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  59. ^ Cordery, Walter (December 9, 2010). "Krog is 'carefully considering' potential run at NDP leadership". Nanaimo Daily News. p. A5.
  60. ^ Pablo, Carlito (December 6, 2010). "Gregor Robertson not seeking B.C. NDP leadership, Vision executive director confirms". Georgia Straight.
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