Mira Oreck to be acclaimed as NDP candidate in Vancouver Granville

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      As a loyal New Democrat, Steve Turnbull says he will vote NDP in the fall.

      As a resident of Vancouver Granville, that means Turnbull will mark the name of Mira Oreck on his ballot.

      Turnbull is perfectly fine with Oreck, a party insider with a lot of campaign experience, which will be needed to win the new riding.

      Oreck is set to be acclaimed as the NDP candidate on Wednesday (July 29), and this is where Turnbull would have preferred a different process.

      Turnbull wanted to see a nomination contest because he thought it would be good for the party.

      “When there are two [candidates], I think that’s probably the healthiest politically,” Turnbull told the Straight in a phone interview Monday (July 27). “And it allows the members to express their will more openly.”

      However, a nomination race isn’t going to happen because Ahmad Wali, a political novice and community pharmacist, withdrew.

      Wali had been campaigning for the nomination since November last year. Oreck, for her part, announced her intentions to seek the nomination June 30.

      When reached by phone at his Roots Pharmacy on West Broadway, Wali said that he took himself out of the competition for two reasons.

      One is personal. “I have a lot happening in my life,” Wali told the Straight on Monday. “My business is growing and I have a four-month old child as well too. So I just want to make sure that I focus on that.”

      Two, he believes that Oreck is a very strong contender to win the riding. “I wanted to make sure that she has as much head start as possible,” Wali said. “So I withdrew to basically give her a boost. I’m supporting her a hundred percent.”

      Wali also said that he and Oreck spoke after he decided to withdraw: “I’ve told her I am basically at her service. In whatever capacity that she needs help, I will be there to support her.”

      Turnbull is also impressed with Oreck, describing her as a “very nice person”.

      Still, Turnbull would have been delighted to see someone like Wali competing for the nomination.

      For Turnbull, Wali is a good example of a “citizen politician, just one of us stepping forward”.

      Turnbull also said: “I think it’s good to have people from the outside, from the more general population.”

      Comments

      10 Comments

      Stephen

      Jul 27, 2015 at 3:02pm

      I was sorry to learn of Ahmad Wali's withdrawal from the nomination contest. He seemed like a decent fellow, with a strong connection to the community. I hope he wasn't pressured by the party brass to make way for Mira Oreck.

      Insiders Win Again

      Jul 27, 2015 at 4:20pm

      So much for an open nomination "race", the party insiders have already decided.
      If Oreck is as nasty in person as on twitter, then will she stand a chance?
      Voters lose when there's no choice at the nomination.

      Not Anymore

      Jul 27, 2015 at 4:42pm

      I don't want to leak private details, but in summary, I will not vote NDP so long as Mira is the candidate.

      Don't Vote Trolldeau

      Jul 27, 2015 at 4:44pm

      I would've preferred a "political novice" to a career politician.. The whole point of having a government of the people is that there is no separate political class.

      Turnbull's comment, “I think it’s good to have people from the outside, from the more general population,” exhibits an acceptance of the idea that politicians and civilians are somehow separate classes. Using expressions like "political novice" does the same, by dismissing a non-career politician's suitability to be elected.

      ron1

      Jul 27, 2015 at 7:34pm

      A strong candidate for the New Democrats.
      Now it will be a three-way race in Vancouver Granville.
      No wonder opposition commenters are negative!
      Congratulations, Mira.

      Disgusted

      Jul 27, 2015 at 7:34pm

      What Insiders Win Again and Not Anymore said.

      Ugh. She is a practioner of the black art of American style political tactics. Which means she shoots first, asks no questions later. Innuendo, false talking points and general personal trashing of opponents a specialty. Her people only treat voters as 'targeted marketing segments' as opposed to whole communities.

      So, no thanks. I'm sick of this sort of thing.

      Your uncle!

      Jul 27, 2015 at 9:33pm

      Just another "wealthy socialist", born on the "right track of Granville", and I mean the "millionaire row", with a "sterling silver spoon" in her mouth

      Keyser Sose

      Jul 28, 2015 at 8:49am

      Love the glasses - straight out of the 1950's - just like the NDP's policies!

      Timothy Stark

      Jul 28, 2015 at 6:29pm

      If she wins will she take Vision Vancouver's undemocratic playbook to Ottawa?

      Turnbull

      Jul 30, 2015 at 1:51pm

      Regarding the"Don't Vote Trolldeau" comment my remark in the article regarding my preference for political outsiders is far from an "acceptance" of seperate political classes, it is a recognition of this. There are insiders and tere are what I call "citizen politicians". I don't like insiders receiving preference if this is what happened. I certainly hope Ahmad was not presurred to resign but I don't like the optics.