Parksville-Qualicum MLA Adam Walker says he is 含羞草研究社渙pen含羞草研究社� to running for re-election in 2024 after being ousted from the BC New Democrat caucus Sunday (Sept. 17) after the conclusion of a misconduct investigation.
含羞草研究社淯p until two days ago, it was definitely something I was looking forward to. That含羞草研究社檒l be a decision I have to make with my family, but right now I含羞草研究社檓 definitely looking forward to continuing my term,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淪o, sort of, the answer is probably.含羞草研究社�
The misconduct is not a criminal matter and not a sexual harassment complaint, Premier David Eby said during an unrelated announcement in Richmond on Sept. 18.
A complaint, received in July, started a formal process under BC NDP collective agreements and based on the findings of the caucus investigation, the premier determined Walker could not remain in caucus, Eby said during the announcement.
Walker said he could not reveal the nature of the complaint that triggered the investigation.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 really important that investigations of this nature are confidential. They involve people that are not elected officials and their privacy is very important,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚 was disappointed to see that there含羞草研究社檚 been some information released essentially identifying the individual by Premier Eby. It含羞草研究社檚 important that people have a safe work environment and that they feel safe to bring concerns forward. And when there含羞草研究社檚 a chance that these people could be named in public, it will discourage future workers from bringing those complaints forward and it含羞草研究社檚 so important that we keep that privacy.含羞草研究社�
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As far as joining another political party, Walker said 含羞草研究社渁ll options are on the table含羞草研究社� but his focus is continuing to work for the people in the communities he represents.
Walker added he looks forward to his new role as an independent MLA and the opportunity it will provide for him to advocate for improvements to healthcare in his area, including 10,000 people in the Oceanside region that do not have access to a family doctor.
含羞草研究社淭here含羞草研究社檚 been a lot of really good work by the BC NDP government, but there含羞草研究社檚 a lot of things we need to get done in this community,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚 wasn含羞草研究社檛 able to talk about that when I was an NDP MLA, and I含羞草研究社檓 going to take advantage to make sure that that含羞草研究社檚 something I can champion in a very public way to get results for the people of this community.含羞草研究社�
Walker said he has been 含羞草研究社渙verwhelmed含羞草研究社� with the number of supportive phone calls, emails and texts he has received.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e probably had two or three hundred people reach out over the last 24 hours. Every single one of them has been in support and standing by me. People of all party stripes, and it含羞草研究社檚 nice to see that the hard work that I含羞草研究社檝e done for the last three years, people recognize that and they含羞草研究社檝e got my back,含羞草研究社� he said.
含羞草研究社� Adam Walker (@AdamWalkerBC)
In a Sept. 18 statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, Walker acknowledged his removal from the BC NDP caucus.
含羞草研究社淚 look forward to an opportunity to address any allegations in the appropriate forum,含羞草研究社� he said in the statement. 含羞草研究社淚 stand resilient, holding my head high, embracing the trust and responsibility vested in me by the wonderful people of Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and north Nanaimo.含羞草研究社�
Walker said his community office in Qualicum Beach remains open to the public.
Voters of Parksville-Qualicum first elected Walker as their MLA in 2020 with 42 per cent of the vote, more than six per cent ahead of incumbent Michelle Stilwell, who had represented the riding since 2013 as a member of the BC Liberals.
A former town councillor in Qualicum Beach from 2018-2020 and self-described farmer, Walker made provincial headlines earlier this month, .
Walker含羞草研究社檚 departure from the NDP caucus leaves the governing party with 56 seats in the provincial legislature.
含羞草研究社擶ith files from Wolf Depner and Canadian Press
