A Salt Spring Island resident who was disqualified from the BC Green Party candidate nomination race in the Saanich North and the Islands (SNI) riding is demanding she be reinstated on the ballot and another vote held.
Amy Haysom was one of three individuals nominated to run for the Greens’ SNI position in this fall’s provincial election. In a press release issued Monday, Haysom said she had garnered significant support when her name was removed from the party ballot less than an hour before voting began on Aug. 2, “with the party citing unspecified complaints” having been received about her.
Robert Botterell of Pender Island was ultimately named the SNI candidate after receiving more votes from local riding Green Party members than North Saaanich resident Stuart MacKinnon, and after Haysom’s appeal of the decision was denied.
Haysom has launched a petition to recall the candidate nomination contest, reinstate herself on the SNI ballot and hold another vote by or before Sept. 6. She said if the petition is not successful she may consider legal action against the party.
“This experience has been incredibly disheartening, not only for me but for the many supporters who believe in the principles of the Green Party,” Haysom stated. “Participatory democracy is a core principle of the BC Greens, but there has been no explanation to me, or to the voters, as to the reasons, and puts in question the integrity of the political process. Simply, voters feel disenfranchised.”
Haysom said a “Green Party of Canada Supporters” Facebook group is hosting discussion of the issue.
In an Aug. 12 statement, the BC Greens said, “The disqualification arose as a result of new confidential information being brought to the attention of the Returning Officer that resulted in a reconsideration of the party’s willingness to support Ms. Haysom as a potential candidate. The decision was made in accordance with the party’s MLA Candidate Selection Rules. It is unfortunate that disqualification occurred at this late stage, but the party was not in control of the timing of the information that was brought forward,” and added that “The Returning Officer was satisfied the disqualification was appropriate.”