NPA Vancouver Councillor Rebecca Bligh has unexpectedly resigned from the party after their recent Annual General Meeting elected a new board of directors.
She will continue to sit as an independent Councillor.
While some party faithful celebrated the return of a number of supporters who went off to form new parties during the last municipal election, it seems that Bligh isn't comfortable with the now-united front of right-leaning folks who are running the party behind the scenes.
One of the new members of their board of directors is the guy who was once called out for calling environment minister Catherine McKenna "Climate Barbie". Christopher Wilson.
Wilson was once the B.C. Bureau Chief of the far right media outlet The Rebel.
In her letter announcing her resignation, Bligh specifically mentions board members having an affiliation with the anti-SOGI movement. We will follow up with more on that when we find out more.
Her full statement is below.
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Statement from Rebecca Bligh on resignation from the NPA Party and plans to continue to serve as an independent councillor
After considerable discussions with my family, I made the personal decision to resign from the NPA Party and remain on Council as an independent.
I joined the NPA because I believe in non-partisan local government that is socially progressive and fiscally responsible. The NPA Party has historically represented these values and stood for inclusion. My fellow members of the NPA Caucus and our supporters are aligned with our values that we share when it comes to inclusion and we support SOGI and the LGBTQ2+ community.
But, as with any organization as old, large and diverse as the Non-Partisan Association, there will be times when there are conflicting values and social-political opinions in the membership.
In light of the newly elected executive to the NPA Board having any affiliation with anti-SOGI is against the core values that I hold dear to my heart. There is no debate when it comes to inclusion.
At the same time, it is important to note that there is a clear line between the elected NPA Caucus and the new NPA Board. I have great faith in the NPA elected officials serving Vancouver residents and their supporters and we share the same values of inclusion.
I also greatly appreciate the incredible support from the NPA volunteers and Board members I worked with last year on my campaign. And, I’m especially grateful for the support of the NPA membership and Vancouver residents who voted for me last year to be their voice at the municipal government level and I will continue to represent them on Council.
I look forward to continuing to work with all Caucus members at Council, School Board and Park Board and it is more important than ever to continue to work together and collaborate on civic matters and advocate for inclusion.
Respectfully,
Rebecca Bligh
Councillor, City of Vancouver
