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The federal New Democratic Party Riding Association for the electoral district that includes Whistler is planning an emergency meeting this Saturday (Sept. 20) to name a new candidate in the aftermath of Dana Larsen’s resignation.
Larsen, not wanting his past business dealings to become an issue in the election, resigned as a candidate in the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding on Wednesday (Sept. 17).
Bill Forst, the current Riding Association president, told the Coast Reporter newspaper that an emergency nomination meeting would take place Saturday in Sechelt. He said he planned to put his name forward for the nomination and that there were no other potential candidates as of late Wednesday.
Larsen said the controversy over his candidacy started when it was revealed that a company he used to work for once sold Peruvian coca seedlings. Larsen has not worked for the company since 2007.
“Stephen Harper is advancing another failed drug war in this country, and I do not want these harmless coca seedlings to become an issue for Harper's campaign to spin against the NDP,” Larsen said in a statement. “I was running because I believe Jack Layton is the best person to take on the corporate interests that have become all too influential in our society. I do not want anything to distract from the important work of the New Democrats.”
Larsen was a candidate for the federal Marijuana Party in 2000 and one of the founders of the B.C. Marijuana Party.
According to Larsen, coca plants have been used for thousands of years in South America as a mild stimulant, similar to coffee. It takes more than three years for a coca seedling to grow into a mature plant, and it is virtually impossible to produce cocaine from coca unless the coca is grown on a very large scale.
“I believe in the benefits of medicinal plants like coca,” Larsen said. “But I didn't want this to distract from the campaign to elect Jack Layton as Prime Minister.
Forst said the party respects Larsen’s decision to resign.
“The riding association is grateful to Mr. Larsen for his efforts on our behalf,” Forst said. “Dana got involved with the NDP and sought to be a candidate because he cares deeply about the future of this country, and he believes Jack Layton is the only leader who is taking action on the things that matter to ordinary people — quality health care for all, a clean and healthy environment, and making life more affordable for everyday families.
“The riding nominated Dana in April 2007. We were aware of Dana’s activism toward ending marijuana prohibition, and party policy supports such policies. Unfortunately, this issue threatened to overtake the key issues of the campaign. We are pleased that Dana continues to express his support for the New Democratic Party.”
