Editor's note: Updated Slater's status for the 2013 provincial election.
While the B.C. provincial election is approaching, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Grand Forks has resigned from the B.C. Liberal party.
Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater filed his application back in September and on Monday he learned that the Liberals won’t be endorsing him as a candidate.
Slater was told that the Liberals thought a new candidate would have a better chance of winning the riding.
“I’ve put a lot of work into this riding, I feel that I did a good job for the members of the Boundary-Similkameen and I’m a little bit hurt,” Slater told the Grand Forks Gazette. “But they made their decision and they’ll have to live with it.”
Slater said he will run again in May’s provincial election but as an independent.
“I’ll keep working in my riding," he said. "There’s still stuff to be done. How effective I’m going to be is a big question. If they’re shunning me and they’re not going to give my riding any money, that’s bad.”
Slater is disappointed that the party waited until now to inform him of its decision not to endorse him.
“They could’ve told me in September that they didn’t want me. Why wait that long? I just don’t get that,” he said.
There have been reports the Liberals approached former Oliver, B.C. Coun. Linda Larson to run and in fact, Larson was said to have announced she will seek the party’s nomination as Slater’s replacement.
A call to the Liberals’ office in Vancouver was placed but spokesperson Sam Oliphant said there wasn't anyone available to comment – more information on the riding would be forthcoming, he said.
In a statement issued on Monday, Sharon White, B.C. Liberal president, briefly discussed why the party wasn't endorsing Slater.
"Mr. Slater’s candidacy is not being approved due to personal issues that, in our view, impact his ability to represent the party," White said in the statement. "The party sought a co-operative solution through discussions with John. This is not a decision taken lightly and is fully considered."
Slater admitted to having personal issues and said they were related to his health.
"I've been on prescription drugs for high blood pressure and high cholesterol and then I had allergy attacks from different pollen and I was taking antihistamines and had a couple of weird reactions," Slater explained. "I talked to my doctor and we hope to have that all cleared up and I'm off those two medications, I've lost 20 pounds (nine kilograms) so my blood pressure's good and my cholesterol is good."
Last week, Oliphant told the Gazette the party was close to having all MLA candidates nominated.
“There’s no drop-date or anything like that, it’s a matter of just working through that process between here at the central party and with the riding and the other people involved,” Oliphant said.