The B.C. NDP leadership campaign is still waiting for "people of substance" to enter the race, says former premier Mike Harcourt.
Mr. Harcourt dismissed the three candidates to date - two members of the New Democratic Party caucus plus a marijuana activist. "It hasn't really got going yet," he said in an interview. "The heavies will be coming soon."
On Wednesday, Nicholas Simons, the MLA for Powell River and the Sunshine Coast, launched his bid. Harry Lali, the MLA for Fraser Nicola, will formally announce on Thursday at a news conference in his hometown of Merritt. He will follow up with an event at a Surrey temple to underscore his support in the Indo-Canadian community.
Both Mr. Simons and Mr. Lali were members of the caucus revolt that forced NDP Leader Carole James to resign last month. Mr. Harcourt, who experienced a similar putsch in 1996 while he was premier and NDP leader, said it is unlikely that a member of the so-called Baker's Dozen could unify the caucus and rebuild the party.
"It's going to take some skill, it will take someone who is not going to polarize," he said.
At least three more members of the NDP caucus are preparing to join the race: long-time New Democrats Mike Farnworth, Adrian Dix and John Horgan. The three were not part of the campaign to oust Ms. James.
Mr. Farnworth is the most likely to follow the same policy path as Ms. James, who was seeking to give the NDP a moderate, business-friendly face. But he is still away on holidays, leaving doubts about whether he is serious about running.
Mr. Dix is a sharper partisan, more likely to appeal to the party's strong base on the left - similar in tactics to former premier Glen Clark. Party insiders say he is far ahead in membership signups.
Mr. Simons said in an interview Wednesday he had to launch his campaign early because he doesn't have the same advantages of some of those "establishment" candidates, who have deep roots in the party and can tap into the NDP campaign machinery. Mr. Simons was elected in 2005.
He said his agenda will centre on environmental sustainability, as well as protecting public resources. He would like to see the semi-private BC Ferries re-established as a Crown corporation.
Mr. Simons acknowledged that the caucus has been divided in the battle over Ms. James's leadership, but he predicted the 34 members can close ranks again.
"The status quo would have been untenable," he said. "The divisions in caucus that were publicly exposed will be united when this is over. We have to be focused on rebuilding the strength we have in the party."
A former social worker, Mr. Simons said he has the skills to do that. "I've spent my entire career trying to diffuse conflict and work toward lasting solutions."
The New Democrats had close to 13,000 party members when Ms. James announced her decision to step down. The party has not released updated figures, but would-be candidates have already been signing up new members. Only members signed up by Jan. 17 will be eligible to take part in the April 17 leadership vote.
Justine Hunter