John Slater runs as Ind. in 2013 BC Election

In a bombshell - Boundary Similkameen BC Liberal MLA John Slater was denied candidacy by the BC Liberal Party for having 'personal issues' - Sharon White, QC - President of the BC Liberal Party said:

“John Slater has made significant contributions to his community in both private and public life.

“Last month, John informed colleagues that he would not seek re-election. Over the past week, he has reconsidered his decision and sought to be nominated as the BC Liberal candidate.

“Mr. Slater’s candidacy is not being approved due to personal issues that, in our view, impact his ability to represent the Party.

“The Party sought a cooperative solution through discussions with John. This is not a decision taken lightly and is fully considered.”

In addition - several members of MLA Slater's BC Liberal Riding Association resigned in protest including the Riding President Zach Poturica.  Mr. Slater today announced that he would run as an Independent for the Boundary-Similkameen riding in this May's election

Lots of coverage on this:

1) Alex Tsakumis - read here
2) Bernard von Schulmann - read here

For myself - I was disappointed to see this and reminds me and probably my fellow Party members' of the unfortunate fall-out of the Abbotsford-South candidacy situation.  The BC Liberals' can't afford any more 'dirty laundry' to be aired in public as it will hamper their ability to win this May's election which was already going to be challenging primarily around how we BC Liberals dealt with the HST situation in 2009-2011

As some have speculated online -- if they could do this to Slater now (with roughly 16 weeks to go before writ), then what's to stop the BC Liberals from even revoking approved candidacy papers from someone like Donna Barnett...

SBF