I’m pleased that the NDP’s controversial equity policy is being discussed, although there seems to be a great deal of misinformation out there about it.
The policy was voted on by the NDP membership and passed. (It was not a behind closed doors executive decision as suggested by Mike Boileau.) The decision was far from unanimous.
As the potential woman candidate in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, I would like to state that this policy had absolutely no bearing on my decision to run. I would be happy to welcome other potential candidates into the race because I believe that contested nominations add a level of excitement and energy to the process and engage party members by giving them a choice in the matter.
I would have no problem running against a straight, white male, and I have done so in the past.
Two unfortunate consequences of the equity policy is that people like me might be suspected of being second-string candidates and straight, white males who might have wanted to run will feel sidelined.
Unintended results like these are precisely the reason why this policy should undergo regular review.
Although I look forward to a time when the equity policy is seen by the majority of NDP members as unnecessary, I understand that this is the policy we need to work with at this time.
Critics of the equity policy might want to consider joining the NDP so that they can voice their concerns in a productive way – on the convention floor.
Critics who belong to a different political party might want to have a hard look at just how many candidates and/or politicians they have in the categories named in the NDP equity policy.
Elizabeth Rosenau
Maple Ridge