Angry in the Great White North

The Canadian Press is reporting on trouble in the all-inclusive non-judgmental NDP family.  Transgendered candidate Micheline Montreuil has been dropped as the NDP candidate for the riding of Quebec City.  She alleges she was dropped because of her gender status:

A lawyer from Quebec City says she was dumped as a federal New Democratic Party candidate because she is transgendered.

Micheline Montreuil alleges she was told by an NDP official her sexuality hindered party attempts to woo new Quebec candidates into the fold.

"They just said I do not fit in the NDP anymore," the prominent family and labour lawyer said in a phone interview Saturday.

"They also told me... that many people who wish to be a candidate for the NDP do not wish to have their name associated with the name of Micheline Montreuil, because I am transgendered."

This is a harsh accusation, give that NDP leader Jack Layton seemed very proud to be running a transgendered candidate in the flagship riding in the province.  Indeed, since Thomas Mulcair won the by-election in Outremont, the NDP has been very excited about a real possibility of a breakthrough in Quebec, as part of a major surge throughout Canada:

In 2007, she was acclaimed as NDP candidate for the federal riding of Québec for the NDP. Jack Layton, leader of the party, commented favourably on her candidacy, saying that he was pleased with her candidacy and that having candidates who could raise questions of equality showed that the NDP was quite open and that Quebecers were progressive enough to accept differences.

Perhaps acceptance has it limits, or at least a measure of inertia.  But the NDP insists that the attitude of other people was not a factor, but rather her attitude:

In a letter, the party told her she lost the candidacy for statements she made in media interviews, her difficulty maintaining support in the local riding association and for not working in a team, she said.

Initially, Quebec party members applauded her arrival, but soon realized she was not a team player, he said.

"The mandate of the planning committee is to prepare for the election and ensure that the team we're putting forward is the best team in the interests of the party and its objectives," Guardia said.

"What we have witnessed since her nomination is that she has been a bit of a lone player, and as we get ready for an election we need candidates who aren't playing alone."

So which is it?  Her gender or her attitude.  It's hard to decide, since Montreuil has a history of rubbing people the wrong way:

[In] 1998, the National Bank refused to hire Micheline Montreuil. Although the bank argued that she was not hired because she was "overqualified, condescending and self-centered", in a judgement given on February 5 the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal recognized that the National Bank had discriminated against her on the basis of her gender identity.

So the National Bank's position is that Montreuil was rejected because of her bad attitude.  Self-centered?  Perhaps she wears her gender change on her sleeve.  Whatever.  In any case, she blames her rejection on her sex change.

So the NDP's position is that Montreuil was rejected because of her bad attitude.  Not a team player?  Perhaps she expects special treatment because of her gender change.  Whatever.  In any case, she blames her rejection on her sex change.

Funny that.

And what of Jack Layton?

Federal NDP leader Jack Layton was not available for comment Saturday, but said in a statement he supports the committee's decision to "withdraw certain candidates."

He called the committee "democratic" and said it must make decisions in the best interests of the party.

The news is too fresh to gauge the reaction from NDP rank and file.  I'll keep watching.  It'll be interesting to see if Montreuil stays true to form and takes the NDP to court or to a Human Rights Tribunal.  If she does, the NDP will join the National Bank, the Canadian Forces, the College François-Xavier-Garneau, and the Registrar for the province of Quebec.

Each is a notch on her belt, representing victories (and in the case of the Canadian Forces, a $40,000 payment too).

It certainly sounds like she's spoiling for a legal fight:

Montreuil declined to discuss details of the conversation, but alleges there are other "unpleasant" reasons for her dismissal, which must be "corrected" within the party.

She has not ruled out taking legal action.

I have to say that part of me eagerly awaits the moment the NDP finds itself on the receiving end of a "correction" from a Human Rights Tribunal.  Let them see what it's like to be told that your thinking is faulty, and that the State will compel you to change.  Might make the NDP a bit less quick to criticize everyone else.

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