“We run for president of constituency associations. We like volunteers. I felt I was not who I am. This is not worth integrity and I will not be a part of it,” Krista Li, a former NDP constituency president, told Wednesday. “This should be a party run by members, but this is the party of a few elite executives. Nobody knows who they are accountable to. “I’m not here for that, by no means and how.” Lee, as well as Sharie Valentine, said they hear from other disgruntled party members seeking change but not getting it. Their comments come a day after a letter was leaked by 15 NDP presidents and regional officials calling for an independent inquiry into what they called a model of volunteer abuse along with questionable candidate nomination practices. The letter, received from the Canadian press, does not specify the types of abuse. Valentine said she resigned as a volunteer a month ago after years of knocking on the door for NDP leader Rachel Notley and the NDP. She said she left because she could not address her concerns about the treatment of candidates and volunteers, saying the abuse was directed at “90 per cent women, 10 per cent men”. Valentine said the staff were rude, derogatory and condescending to volunteers and potential candidates. He said he knew volunteers were also shouting at rallies. A polling station president told her “it has no political value.” “It brings a level of shame,” Valentine said in an interview. “When it happens to young people coming, it’s embarrassing.” Lee resigned as chairwoman of the Calgary-Bow NDP constituency in February after her board learned on Twitter that Druh Farrell would be their candidate, while others who ran, including her, waited for months for a decision. Lee said there were other problems.
‘Father knows better’
He said the constituency association had no room for small-scale rapprochement and required top-level authorization. Lee said she was disappointed with the missed emails and phone calls. The contribution of volunteers, he said, was ignored. “We were getting more and more frustrated and discouraged by staff who felt that, you know, Dad knows better,” Lee said. She said it has become increasingly clear to her that the role of NDP volunteers is not as thinkers, contributing as equals, but simply as “brand ambassadors” for decisions made by someone else. “I felt like I was working in a store in the mall, since we’re just repeating the brand. We do not necessarily have a big say in things,” he said. Brandon Stevens, the NDP provincial secretary, responded to a statement. He said they could not discuss specific human resources issues in public, but that there was an appeal process for the rejected candidates. Stevens added, “The party is also committed to a comprehensive overhaul of our anti-harassment policy in order to expand and update it with respect for workplace policy.” “We look forward to considering recommendations for a new policy at our next party council meeting,” he said. “We are committed to providing a safe environment with respect for volunteers, staff and all Alberts.” Valentine said she did not believe Notley and Stevens would address the concerns. “All they do is try to get him to leave,” he said. They both said they wanted to support the party, but not without first making some significant cultural changes. “I want the NDP to form a government. I want to be able to put a sign on my fence proudly [that says]”Yes, that’s the one I’m voting for,” Valentine said. “If they do not pack their things, there is no way they can win.”
