Former provincial New Democrat cabinet minister Ian Waddell may once again be running for public office. But he doesn't want to be a MLA. Nor does the former Vancouver Kingsway and Port Moody-Coquitlam parliamentarian want to be a MP. In an interview with Public Eye, Mr. Waddell confirmed he's considering seeking a Vision Vancouver parks board nomination. "I'm thinking about it. I haven't made a final decision" - something that will happen in two weeks time. On October 10, 2006 Mr. Waddell, announced he would be "retiring from electoral politics." The following is a complete copy of that two-year-old news release.
VANCOUVER, Oct. 10 /CNW/ - Four term federal member of Parliament and former British Columbia cabinet minister Ian Waddell is encouraging a new generation of political activists to seek the New Democratic Party nomination in the federal riding of Vancouver-Kingsway.
Waddell represented the riding through the 1980's and was narrowly defeated in the federal elections of 2004 and 2006 by David Emmerson.
"Vancouver-Kingsway has a long tradition of being represented by the New Democratic Party and given the behaviour of its current party-swapping Member of Parliament it is certainly winnable again," said Waddell.
Waddell has asked the NDP Vancouver-Kingsway constituency association to set a nomination meeting as soon as possible.
"I had the honour of representing the concerns of my constituents and citizens across Canada in national debates that spanned the repatriation of the constitution, the National Energy Policy and the creation of the International Criminal Court. It's time for a new generation of committed social democrats to take the lead in building a progressive and compassionate country," said Waddell.
While Waddell is retiring from electoral politics he will remain active in the Sierra Club of Canada, the Arts Club of Vancouver and on the issue of homelessness. He will also return to his roots as a storefront lawyer, working on Vancouver's Main Street. Waddell will continue to be available for progressive commentary on current affairs.
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