The party that’s run the city for decades is considering a series of changes on how it accepts new members and nominates candidates for office.
But the NOW has learned some members of the Burnaby Citizens Association are concerned about the proposed changes, which members are expected to vote on at special general meeting set for today (Wednesday, Sept. 21).
According to the party’s executive committee recommendations, which were obtained by the NOW, the BCA is proposing an application for membership must be signed by one sponsor and a seconder, and the sponsors must be party members for at least 12 months and personally know the applicant.
The party is also proposing that a member can only act as a sponsor or seconder for no more than five new members in a 12-month period.
The BCA is insisting members must be Canadian citizens and on the application provide proof of citizenship. New members must also provide proof of current NDP membership.
The party is also proposing a membership fee, though the amount hasn’t been set. All of the recommendations require 75 per cent approval from party members.
The recommendations also note that no “plumping” is allowed, which means members would have to vote for the entire group of candidates, rather than just one or two.
Some members have charged the changes would make the BCA look more like a club than a political party.
But Mayor Derek Corrigan brushed aside suggestion the proposed changes would make the party less democratic by keeping new members out.
“Any time the executive is looking for ways to be able to ensure the membership reflects the community, it’s good,” he told the NOW.
He also argued that parties are always looking for ways to ensure they aren’t “overwhelmed” at nomination time and instead are gaining new members over the course of several years.
There have been grumblings from some members on the direction of the municipal party, most recently over the issue of demovictions in the Metrotown area.
Corrigan acknowledged not everyone in the party is in agreement but added it wouldn’t be a democracy if there wasn’t dissension.
He also suggested parties on the left of the political spectrum tend to have more passionate discussions on the issues.
“If you’re doing something that the left feels you’re not living up to the left-wing ideals, the attacks can be very vicious,” Corrigan said.
Coun. Sav Dhaliwal told the NOW he couldn’t comment on the proposed changes, adding it was up to the membership to vote.
The BCA documents also give a glimpse on how the party picks candidates for the election.
The vetting process involves a vetting committee that includes two members of the BCA executive, one member representing city council, one member from the board of education and the mayor.
Corrigan lamented that the party keeps losing young candidates to the provincial NDP party.
“One of the key things for me to keep doing and the party keep doing is to keep redeveloping people who are reflective of our community and our demographic, getting them involved in politics,” he said.
The BCA have swept the last three civic elections, getting every last council and school board seat.
