Sheila Malcolmson Seeks Nod in Nanaimo BC Byelection

9 posts / 0 new

Wed, 2018-10-24 12:27

Mighty Middle

NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson is leaving federal politics to seek a provincial seat in the British Columbia legislature in what's shaping up to be a crucial byelection.

Malcolmson, who was elected in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding in 2015, will run for the seat vacated by MLA Leonard Krog, who won Nanaimo's mayoral race Saturday.

NDP B.C. Premier John Horgan is holding a news conference at 1 p.m. ET.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will have a media availability at 1:45 p.m. ET after the weekly caucus meeting; CBCNews.ca will carry that live.

When Krog officially resigns, it will trigger a byelection that could change the power dynamic in the provincial legislature.

The NDP and the Green Party have between them 44 MLAs in the B.C. legislature. If a Liberal candidate wins the Nanaimo byelection, it would give the Liberals the power to block provincial legislation and defeat the government, triggering a provincial election.

Nanaimo has voted NDP in 13 of the last 15 provincial elections, but B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson has said he hopes to win the riding.

Malcolmson's departure from the federal scene may be good news for the provincial NDP, but it comes as the federal party deals with a growing number of incumbents who have decided not to run in next year's federal election.

Linda Duncan (the NDP's only MP from Alberta), London-area MP Irene Mathyssen, Ontario MP David Christopherson and Quebec MPs Hélène Laverdière and Roméo Saganash have all announced they do not plan to seek re-election.

Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair already has stepped aside and B.C. MP Kennedy Stewart left to launch a successful run for the mayor's office in Vancouver.

Singh has said he will run for Stewart's seat when the byelection in Burnaby South is called.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/malcolmson-ndp-nanaimo-bc-1.4875932?cmp...

Wed, 2018-10-24 14:42

quizzical

offs. piss off with the thread title. been watching whiner Wilkinson tweeting this type of bs all morning.

i say smart planning NDP here in BC. keep our province strong.

the federal NDP can take a hike in what they need an so done with them.

Wed, 2018-10-24 20:32

kropotkin1951

Hell just changing the commute from Ottawa to Victoria would be enough to convince most people. Add to that the possibility of a cabinet seat if the government is reelected what politician in her right mind would want to stay in the toxic atmosphere that seems to be enveloping the federal NDP in Ottawa.

Wed, 2018-10-24 21:32

Sean in Ottawa

Musical chairs? Pretty crappy way to comment what is clearly a logical move: if you want to make a difference why not go into the jurisdiction that is in government? Would be a shock if she didn't.

Wed, 2018-10-24 21:38

Mighty Middle

Federal New Democrat MP Sheila Malcolmson says she’s been pondering her jump to provincial politics in British Columbia since the summer when she was approached by officials in Premier John Horgan’s office.

The Nanaimo-Ladysmith member of Parliament said Wednesday she has no beefs with federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, but wants to run for the B.C. New Democrats to join the provincial government’s initiatives to improve housing and fight climate change.

Horgan and current Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog joined Malcolmson at a news conference in Nanaimo to announce her plan to seek the nomination in the riding when a byelection is called.

Krog, a five-term New Democrat, was elected mayor of Nanaimo last weekend and is expected to resign his seat within weeks, clearing the way for a byelection call in late December or early January.

“We’ve been talking all summer and we were waiting until the municipal election result was clear before moving forward to announce my willingness to be the candidate,” Malcolmson said in an interview after her announcement.

“As soon as Leonard indicated his candidacy for mayor ... the premier’s office started working about reaching out in finding the best candidate,” she said. “I’m very honoured they chose me.”

Malcolmson, the federal NDP’s women’s equality critic, said she told Singh and the caucus members that her jump to B.C. politics involves opportunities to become immediately and directly involved in the government’s housing and climate initiatives.

“I’m trying to put myself most directly in the position of being able to influence the forces that coastal communities contend with,” she said. “The environmental and social problems facing my community can’t wait a year for the federal election.”

Singh downplayed Malcolmson’s departure, saying she remains part of the greater New Democratic family.

“Sheila Malcolmson is a great MP who has worked really hard for her riding, for the people of Nanaimo and she’s going to continue to do that,” he said in Ottawa.

Horgan said he couldn’t be more pleased with Malcolmson’s decision to run provincially. He said he spoke with Singh, telling him that Malcolmson’s decision to run for his party strengthens the New Democrats across Canada.

Malcolmson, who was invited to seek the nomination by Horgan, said she will resign her federal seat when the byelection is called.

https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2018/10/24/new-democrat-mp-sheila-malc...

Wed, 2018-10-24 21:48

Unionist

Thanks for changing the thread title, Mighty Middle. That metaphor about Sheila Malcolmson being "poached" just had me all scrambled. She's much too hard-boiled a politician for that. Anyway, always remember to keep your sunny side up.

Wed, 2018-10-24 21:49

(Reply to #6) #7

Mighty Middle

Unionist wrote:

Thanks for changing the thread title, Mighty Middle. That metaphor about Sheila Malcolmson being "poached" just had me all scrambled. She's much too hard-boiled a politician for that. Anyway, always remember to keep your sunny side up.

You are welcome :)

Thu, 2018-10-25 00:01

(Reply to #7) #8

bekayne

Mighty Middle wrote:

Unionist wrote:

Thanks for changing the thread title, Mighty Middle. That metaphor about Sheila Malcolmson being "poached" just had me all scrambled. She's much too hard-boiled a politician for that. Anyway, always remember to keep your sunny side up.

You are welcome :)

Don't egg him on.

Thu, 2018-11-01 14:09

(Reply to #8) #9

Sean in Ottawa

Unionist wrote:

Thanks for changing the thread title, Mighty Middle. That metaphor about Sheila Malcolmson being "poached" just had me all scrambled. She's much too hard-boiled a politician for that. Anyway, always remember to keep your sunny side up.

The argument that Singh is being downplayed is scrambled. After all, it is an opportunity for Singh (even the byelection delay is playing to his favour). It is easy to understand the rationale she has given and to understand Singh's response to take advantage of the opportunity.