Constance Barnes says she's seeking the NDP nomination in Vancouver–False Creek

by Carlito Pablo on June 3rd, 2012 at 4:23 PM

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Constance Barnes announced today (June 3) that she is stepping down as chair of the Vancouver park board.

The second-term commissioner told supporters and reporters gathered at the southwest corner of the Plaza of Nations that she is doing this because she’s going to seek the nomination of the B.C. NDP to represent Vancouver-False Creek in next year’s general election. She will remain a commissioner.

"I want to make sure that there [is] no thinking out there that I'm using that position to forward any other career," Barnes said.

Her announcement of her political plan immediately drew fire from the Non-Partisan Association.

In a statement, NPA park commissioner Melissa De Genova said that she is “deeply disappointed that one of our fellow commissioners has decided to put her political career ambitions ahead of her work at the Vancouver Park Board”.

“A seat on the Vancouver Park Board should not simply be a stepping stone for seeking higher office,” De Genova said. “It is clear Ms. Barnes has had a desire to run provincially for some time, and she should have made that decision before she decided to add her name to Vision's 2011 park board slate.”

In her comments today, Barnes said that she has had discussions with the ruling Vision Vancouver party regarding her intention to seek a provincial post.

“They’ve been absolutely super,” Barnes said of her civic party.

In March this year, the Straight reported that the daughter of the late MLA Emery Barnes is thinking about following in her father’s footsteps.

For today’s occasion, Barnes wore the NDP’s colour. She was draped in an orange coat and her shoelaces were also orange.

B.C. Liberal MLA Mary McNeil currently holds the Vancouver-False Creek seat. McNeil is minister of children and family development.

In her speech, Barnes identified key issues in the community: child care, schools, and green space.

“I don’t know what they were actually thinking when they developed this community...they weren’t thinking of families,” she said. “They weren’t thinking of child care. They weren’t think green space. They weren’t thinking schools.”

New Democrat MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert emceed the event. Before the program started, the Vancouver-West End representative told the Straight that Barnes will be able to reach out beyond the traditional base of the party.

According to Herbert, in a constituency like Vancouver-False Creek, that ability is “very important” for the B.C. NDP.

Neil Monckton, a veteran backroom strategist with the party, told the Straight in March that he’s thinking of seeking the B.C. NDP nomination for Vancouver-False Creek.

Comments

13 Comments

john smith

Jun 3, 2012 at 5:41pm

Nothing to see here here folks. Just another party apparatchik putting her bib on for a go at the feeding trough

Dave Ball

Jun 3, 2012 at 9:05pm

Our media should do us a favour and offer up a critical look at what Ms Barnes has achieved in her life. She has a troublesome side and at this point I am not aware of what expertise or leadership qualities she offers. And when bringing her esteemed father into the discussion as a positive, there is a sore point about Ms Barnes that should also be discussed - her near bankrupting of him though careless driving when she was younger.
What are the positives? I have concerns about Ms Barnes being on Parks Board, considering when she was more recently charged with impaired driving a few years ago, she admitted she had been drinking in park in Richmond prior to being caught. Not exactly a sterling reference for someone who sets policy for Parks.
So knowing that about her and not too much more, I'd like to see a balanced investigative article that gives more insight into what Ms Barnes offers.
Or is it just as commenter John Smith says "another one at the feeding trough"

Another drunk driver politician

Jun 3, 2012 at 9:38pm

To quote another news outlet on Ms Barnes.....

"In May of 2009, Barnes was charged with drunk driving after falling asleep behind the wheel, and slamming into a South Vancouver home. She pleaded guilty, and says she has now been sober for nearly three years."

She sounds well qualified for provincial politics.

Call Me Skeptical

Jun 3, 2012 at 10:31pm

This is a joke.

She's a total wipeout as a Park Board commissioner (and useless as its Chair). What talents does she bring to provincial politics?

She's worked at two huge money losing propositions: Storyeum and Sun Yet-Sen Gardens. If this is an indication of her abilities, I sure hope Dix makes her Minister of Finance!

Lucky she has the "Barnes" surname. It's her claim to fame. And the only quality she has that makes her remotely electable.

Now, THAT'S a cynical move from our orange coloured party.

Perdido

Jun 3, 2012 at 11:12pm

The Park Board has closed the Children’s Petting Zoo, instigated user fees for children, brought about cuts to children’s summer camp programs, to mention just a few items. Yet suddenly Ms. Barnes is concerned about children and families?
After allowing our parks to deteriorate more and more, she discovers a sudden concern about “green space?”

Fed Up

Jun 3, 2012 at 11:19pm

She's the Patrick Kennedy of Canada.

Eminently unqualified.

I remember that Emery had to pay for her car accident (in which a friend was left a quadriplegic) for years. Did she ever pay him back?

I'm sick of entitled, irresponsible, overwrought children trading on their family name. And she never tires of telling everyone who her father is---why doesn't she list her own successes---modest as they are, since no one else has seen fit to do so here. I'm sure it's a very, very short list.

Shame on the NDP for promoting her and for perpetuating undeserving political primogeniture!

election

Jun 4, 2012 at 1:27am

Mary Mcneil is out of her league in being an MLA....
absent, on Vacation half the year,
watch out ....!! Mary Mcneil is trolling your Facebook right now..
she likes to spy

e.a.f.

Jun 4, 2012 at 9:04am

Ms. Barnes is not yet the candidate. Others may decide to run against her for the nomination.

I see no reason why she can not remain as a parks board member until/if she is elected to anything else. Many others maintain their jobs until they win an election.

As to her qualifications, it is hard to say. Her Father was a good person & a very good politician, kind, empathetic. But for all Emery Barnes good qualities, we don't know if she has them. I have been a long time NDP supporter but I don't know if Ms. Barnes is the best choice for the nomination or a position as MLA.

I don't believe her DUI should disqualify her from politics, especially if she has sought treatment & is sober. I think the issue maybe her judgement & skills she would bring to the position. The NDP does not need a loose cannon on board when they are elected to govern. There will be many difficulties for any party which forms government after the lieberals are gone. Which ever party is elected, they will need every MLA in their party to be "firing" on all cylinders. The province is deeply in debt & most of the province's assets have been either sold or stripped bare. I would suggest there are better candidates than Ms. Barnes to sit in the legislature for the NDP.

Sean

Jun 4, 2012 at 9:32am

Personally, I think the BC Liberals are more notorious for their drinking and driving incidents. I'm shocked that the right-wing media didn't pounce on Gordon Campbell when he was caught drinking and driving in Hawaii, with his mistress.... Oh how we pick and choose what we should report..... Jane Thornthwaite, another drunken BC Fiberal, What ever happened to her DUI?