Angry in the Great White North

The Liberal Party riding association in Pitt Meadows--Maple Ridge--Mission in British Columbia has a recurring problem.

For the second time in six months, they have lost their candidate.

Back in February, Rani Bellwood quit as the candidate, citing work demands.  Frankly, she could not stay in campaign mode as Stephane Dion threatened to bring down the government, over and over again, without following through.

So who is the nominee?  Actually you'd be hard pressed to name the nominee, as the Liberal Party apparently never issued a press release when Parissa Aujla had been selected as the new candidate in April.

Elections Canada recorded Parissa Aujla's uncontested win.

But the Liberal Party was strangely silent for a party dedicated to fielding female candidates in one third of the ridings.

Perhaps it's just as well, since Parissa Aujla has just quit as well:

The Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge–Mission federal Liberals have lost yet another candidate, after Parrissa Aujla stepped down from the post after receiving the party’s nomination in April.

Aujla, a Maple Ridge mom of three and owner of the Billy Miner Pub and Liquor Store with her husband, Am, accepted the nomination to represent the Liberal Party of Canada in the next federal election after the previous candidate, Rani Bellwood, pulled out in February.

However, Aujla too decided to step down, citing the demands of the position on her young family.

“My kids are aged nine, six, and three … those are crucial years for setting a foundation for their lives,” said Aujla.

With Stephane Dion threatening to trigger an election in the fall, mere weeks away, the local Liberals are scrambling to nominate yet another candidate.

Funny that after this news, and the news of candidates Garry Oledzki and Robert Morrissey pulling out last week, the Liberals are actually less ready for an election than they were when Stephane Dion first started musing about finally forcing one.