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Sandra Morin doesn’t have the endorsement of the leader of the NDP, but she’s still out campaigning in Regina Walsh Acres.
About 15 months after she got the nomination from the party in the riding, Morin was informed that Leader Ryan Meili won’t be signing off on her running.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Meili said he won’t reveal the reasons for the decision citing confidentiality in the vetting process, but did say he stands by it.
Morin said she was given the reasons but won’t disclose them because she’s trying to appeal the decision. She does take issues with the reasons.
“I can tell you unequivocally that there is nothing criminal, there is no criminal investigation. I didn’t get a DUI, there’s absolutely nothing of that nature whatsoever,” said Morin.
She explained she was vetted before winning the nomination and said no new information has come up since then.
“I’ve met every measure and every bar the party has had for a candidate and there’s absolutely no justifiable reason for Mr. Meili to bully or sideline me or the members who voted for me as their candidate,” Morin said.
As for the appeal, Morin said there is a process laid out in the party’s constitution, but it doesn’t seem to be going well.
“They have not agreed to meet. They have not agreed to have any type of a process that they are obligated to do under the constitution. This has been very, you know — an axe has fallen type thing,” explained Morin.
Morin said there must be another reason Meili doesn’t want her to run, but she said she couldn’t think of what that might be. She said she would bring a strong voice and experience to the NDP as someone who has been in government before.
The president of the constituency association said she and the people in the riding are still all behind Morin.
Morin said it has been a humbling experience.
“This is about all the volunteers and all the people that have invested time and resources, and time away from their families, and have put their beliefs and their hopes and desires on the line to make this a successful campaign,” said Morin.
For the time being, Morin is still door-knocking and campaigning in the riding. She said she’s still the candidate for Regina Walsh Acres.
When asked if she’d run as an independent if the party didn’t change its mind, Morin didn’t give an answer, just saying: “We’re not even close to that discussion.”
The provincial election is expected to be called for October.
