The atmosphere at this weekend's B.C. New Democratic Party convention was charged with excitement and eagerness for change, according to a local delegate.
Sherry Ogasawara, who sits on the party's provincial council and ran in Prince George-Valemount, described the three-day event in Vancouver as one that exceeded her expectations.
Unlike previous conventions where the participants dwindled on the final day, she said the nearly 1,000 delegates were engaged right through to Sunday's motion to adjourn.
"It's a fantastic sign that people are wanting to work together on those issues that were brought forward," Ogasawara said. "They want to have that discussion, they want to have their voices heard and really come together and unite for change as we focus forward to 2017."
In addition to learning from past mistakes and debating constitutional and party issues and communication strategies, changes to key issues such as the Agricultural Land Reserve, dismantling of BC Hydro,the preservation of key public services were also discussed, said Ogasawara.
Party renewal is also happening at the executive level.
North Vancouver city councillor Craig Keating was elected the party's new president, taking over from Moe Sihota, who held the position since 2009.
Other additions to the party's body of decision makers include northern representatives. Sussanne Skidmore, who ran as a candidate in Nechako Lakes, was elected to the executive as a member-at-large.
Quesnel's Duncan Barnett, who was defeated in Cariboo North by now-cabinet minister Coralee Oakes, will chair the B.C. NDP's agriculture committee.
"We're so glad because he's an agrologist, he's a farmer, he's really going to be a great voice and advocate for moving this portfolio forward," said Ogasawara.
Leadership race
As for who is going to replace outgoing party leader Adrian Dix, that decision won't be made until early next fall.
The New Democrats' provincial council, which includes Ogasawara, settled on the timeframe following the end of the convention Sunday afternoon.
There had been some debate as to whether to hold the leadership vote earlier in the spring.
Ogasawara said she was in favour of the later date - which has yet to be determined pending location availability - partially because of the chance for those not already part of the party process to become involved.
"We want to give as much opportunity as possible and have a good selection of candidates," she said. "So I think if we went with an earlier date, it would limit that."
The start of municipal and federal campaigns were also factors the council considered as was overlap with the fall sitting of the legislature.
Now that a timeframe has been set, Ogasawara said she expects to hear confirmations of interest from potential candidates.
Federal NDP MP Nathan Cullen recently announced he would not be pursuing the provincial leadership position as did 2011 leadership contender Vancouver Island MLA John Horgan.
