I agree with you. Sixty years ago this idea was radical. Forty years ago it was liberal. Today it is conservative. The BC NDP has not subscribed to that idea for a very long time, and they have no intention of subscribing to it now or in the future.

I wish we lived in a society where we didn’t have to look at increasing diversity through the use of affirmative action, or quotas. I really respect you but it is offensive and intolerable to hear yet another White middle-aged man talking about discrimination. Women, minorities and many other folks have faced discrimination and structural oppression in ways many of us will never understand, especially in the political arena. For the most part, they don’t play the game as dirty, such as stacking nomination meetings, can’t raise the same kind of funds as the big boys and very often are not looked at as being “legitimate” leaders. Think about how many times Carole James has been attacked for not showing “leadership,” not being a strong enough leader, etc. etc. Does this happen to Gordon Campbell, the WORST leader in BC’s history. No, or at least not nearly as much and there isn’t a subtext of gender in criticisms against him.

Our world is in crisis, it wasn’t caused by women. It is time for more political space to be made for more diverse representation, to even out the playing field and to help bring solutions that are obviously beyond the “leaders” we have had thus far in history. I support the affirmative action plans of the NDP.

Jenn McGinn is a capable, experienced and committed candidate who your riding would be fortunate to have as a representative in Victoria. I hope you will reconsider your position as Ms. McGinn has the ability, character and integrity you note are the most important things to you, as a voter. It would be a shame to punish Ms. McGinn for your position against her party’s attempts to improve equity and human rights in democracy, which is what this is really about.

I suggest to you and other voters to vote for a party because of policy,honesty and accountability.

I don`t believe someone should vote a certain way because of red hair,freckles,female,male,gay,black or white.

It`s pretty obvious to anyone who has read your blog that you are willing to ignore policy,platform,integrity,honesty,corruption or anything ! Your priority for voting is a interveiw and or a diffrent nomination procedure!

I sure hope there aren`t many of that type of logic voters out there!

(Response: You’re absolutely right ..but I’m afraid I’m a TYPICAL Canadian voter! Most of us do not have a particular political philosophy or ideology: we like some of what every major party offers; we also dislike other things from each of the parties: and we end up voting …by taking a stand on something you may find trivial … arts funding, personal coldness, language accent, etc … but apparently most do not. And I find it interesting that, in every election, the way I vote (if not the exact reason) turns out with the result most other Canadians seem to prefer as well .. wrongly motivated as we are. ho)