Pubdate: Fri, 14 Aug 2009
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Page: 1
Author: Jeff Hodson

FORMER NDP CANDIDATE ON OUTS AT CONVENTION

Offer Of Expenses To Delegates Misconstrued: Drug Reform Advocate

A former federal NDP candidate from B.C. plans to sit across the 
street from the party's convention in Halifax Friday morning with a 
sign that reads: 'I was banned from the convention. Ask me why.'

Dana Larsen, a marijuana advocate who ran as an NDP candidate during 
the 2008 federal election, claims he was escorted from Halifax's 
World Trade and Convention Centre Thursday on allegations that he 
tried to buy delegate votes.

NDP national director Brad Lavigne confirmed Larsen was deregistered 
as a convention delegate earlier in the week.

"On a series of websites, he's been providing financial inducements 
for individuals to vote a certain way," said Lavigne.

He added "bribes for votes" conflicts with the culture of democracy 
within the party and could put the NDP at risk under the Income Tax 
and Elections acts.

Larsen, who resigned as the NDP candidate for West Vancouver-Sunshine 
Coast in 2008 after a YouTube video surfaced of him driving while on 
acid and pot, said he never intended to get anyone to change their vote.

He contends that he posted an offer online to help NDP delegates who 
are already supportive of drug policy reform with their travel and 
lodging expenses.

Larsen said he paid $2,000 on his credit card to cover some expenses. 
He admits that a few of the web postings weren't as precisely worded 
as he would have liked, but stressed that nobody was bribed to be there.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart