It's hard to know what to make of this one; I have never seen so many candidates, of all Parties, forced to quit during an election campaign. Quaere -- have any BQ quit? I haven't noticed if they lost any candidates... .
Skinny-dipping incident prompts another NDP resignation in B.C.
VANCOUVER (CBC) - The NDP has lost another federal election candidate in B.C. over allegations of past inappropriate behaviour.
Julian West, the NDP candidate for Saanich-Gulf Islands, announced his resignation Tuesday morning following reports he took his clothes off in front of a group of teenagers at an environmental retreat 12 years ago.
No complaint was made to police and no charges were laid. On Sunday, West acknowledged that he went skinny dipping with teenagers at a 1996 environmental retreat, but insisted nothing inappropriate happened.
But on Tuesday morning, West said he had decided to step aside for the good of the party.
"After thinking about it, I have determined that I do not want to continue as a candidate and I have informed the party of that decision," West said in a written statement.
"I do not want my candidacy to detract from the campaign or from the issues that should be front and centre in this campaign," he said.
But even though he resigned, West could still win the seat.
A spokeswoman for Elections Canada says West did not withdraw his name from the race in time, and his name will remain on the ballot for the Oct. 14 election.
Susan Friend of Elections Canada says the legislation is clear and West did not withdraw by the deadline of Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. She says his name will be on the ballot and any votes for him will be recorded.
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