Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons raised the money and gathered the signatures needed to file nomination papers in the NDP (New Democratic Party) leadership campaign.
Simons needed $15,000 and the signatures of 250 party members by the deadline of February 28. “They said they set the rate high to make sure only serious candidates got in,” said Simons. “I guess I’m going to be serious now.”
The party also required leadership candidates to hand over passwords to all social media accounts. Simons objected to that demand and is hoping the party will waive that requirement.
The party wants to ensure that there is nothing in any candidate’s past that would be embarrassing, Simons said. “I’m assuming the party will allow that discussion to continue,” he said. “It’s an important issue for me because I believe in the importance of protecting privacy, my privacy as well as those who contacted me. I want to make sure that that can be guaranteed.”
