New leader of B.C. NDP has to be a woman, according to obscure rule

Rob Shaw, Postmedia News January 2, 2011 8:29 AM

VICTORIA -- The next leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party will have to be a woman, unless the party's male president or treasurer resigns, according to gender rules in the NDP constitution. The unique requirement, buried within the NDP's official rule book, adds an extra layer of complexity in the race to replace leader Carole James.  The constitution states both genders must be represented in the jobs of party leader, president and treasurer.  The current president is Moe Sihota, and the treasurer is Bob Smits. James is stepping down later this month, and virtually all those who have publicly said they are considering the job are men.  "If the constitution is going to be complied with, one of those other officers needs to resign and be replaced with a woman," said former NDP provincial representative David Schreck, who first publicized the gender clause on his Twitter account Friday.  "There's only one way out and that is Sihota or Smits has to be replaced by a woman."  The party's gender equality rules may also apply to the interim leader, to be selected by NDP caucus later this month, Sihota said.  "We're seeking some advice on that," Sihota said Saturday. He wouldn't speculate on whether he or Smits would resign if caucus selected a male interim leader.  NDP officials will discuss the situation next week, he said. The interim leader will head the party until a leadership vote April 17.  Sihota said the NDP executive is "well aware" of the gender rules in the constitution.  "We'll be making some recommendations to the executive in January and the provincial council in February on how we deal with that," he said. The objective will be to comply with the constitution, not change it, said Sihota.