A former area director for the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Lori Iannidinardo, will carry the NDP banner in the spring provincial election. She hopes to replace the outgoing NDP MLA, Bill Routley, who is not running again.
The riding has seen some controversy lately. Candidate Georgia Collins took her name out of the race alleging sexism and harassment. And just recently the riding president, Ian Morrison, quit over the NDP's gender-equity policy saying it was discriminatory against men. He has said he now plans to run as an independent.
Iannidinardo says Morrison knew the policy when he acted as president:
"So I thought it was too bad that just before the nomination, and working with the nomination candidates he decided to do that, which threw a little bit of a wrench in it - but not much. So I want to wish him, I wish him well. It's a shame we couldn't have worked that out."
Iannidinardo says it's not about equality it's about equity. She adds the policy isn't just to give a hand up to women, it's also to ensure better ethnic representation.