The day after the B.C. NDP suffered a devastating defeat in the 2013 election, the party's losing candidate in North Vancouver–Lonsdale, Craig Keating, received a call.

The person on the other end of the line urged him to run for the party presidency. And today—more than three months later—the five-term City of North Vancouver councillor announced that he will put his name forward at the November convention.

"This has been in the works a long time," Keating told the Straight by phone.

The Langara history professor emphasized his great respect for the incumbent, former NDP cabinet minister Moe Sihota, who was elected party president in 2009.

Sihota helped raise a record amount of money for the party in advance of the last election.

"Listen, this is not about Moe Sihota," Keating claimed. "This is about a desire in the conversations I've had with hundreds of members and supporters over the last three months to make sure we're doing the work now to be election-ready in three-and-a-half years."

He also praised Sihota's fundraising efforts, organizational skills, and ability to create a higher profile for the B.C. NDP.

"I think Moe has done a great job," Keating said. "I have a lot of respect for Moe. I have a lot of time for Moe. But I think there is a profound desire for change, not only in how we do business, but [with] the people who run the party."

Keating said that if he's elected president, he would like the party to invest in policy development.

"At the end of the day, the vast majority of British Columbians share our values—our commitment to equality and fairness in society—and I think what we need to do is begin to do a much better job about giving people a reason to vote for us."

As a city councillor, he has been friendly to business, promoted greater densification, raised lots of money as a candidate, and been a strong advocate of protecting the environment.

In this regard, he has some things in common with Vision Vancouver municipal politicians. Keating supported Thomas Mulcair for federal leader.

He's also been an outspoken advocate of looking upon drug addiction as a medical issue.

The North Vancouver politician wouldn't elaborate on individual B.C. NDP policies that need changing. He merely suggested that they be "bold" and reflect values that party members hold. He also cited the importance of better data collection.

"Many people are very hopeful about the NDP," Keating said. "I think it's a matter of going that extra step in trying to connect with people who would support us, but also trying to connect with people who currently vote for other parties." 

The NDP platform was overseen by veteran MLAs Bruce Ralston and Carole James. It came under fire for not calling for the reinstatement of the B.C. Human Rights Commission, for not supporting a $10 per day childcare plan, for not investing in acute-care hospitals, and for only offering people on social assistance a $20 per month raise.

Under the leadership of Adrian Dix, the B.C. NDP supports the export of liquefied natural gas, which will require continued "fracking" [hydraulic fracturing] for the resource.

This platform was promoted by the party as "Change for the better—one practical step at a time".

After the 2001 provincial election, Keating put his name forward for party leader, but withdrew before Carole James was elected in 2003.

Keating won't identify who called him the day after the May 14 election, but he promises to make transparency a priority if members elect him as president.

Over the years, the Straight has heard considerable grumbling from candidates who lost B.C. NDP nomination battles and who felt there was little fairness in how the party dealt with their concerns. 

After the last election, former Delta North NDP MLA Guy Gentner publicly criticized what he called a lack of integrity in the B.C. NDP.

Keating said he wouldn't comment on concerns about individual nomination races because he didn't have sufficient knowledge.

"As a general principle, absolutely, I think transparency is where we need to go," he said.