Pubdate: Mon, 19 Jan 2015
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Matt Kieltyka
Page: 4

FEDERAL LIBERALS REJECT JODIE EMERY'S BID FOR NOMINATION

Wife of 'Prince of Pot'. Emery was running federally in East Van

Marijuana activist Jodie Emery won't be running for the Liberals after
all.

After a year of speculation and headlines, the federal Liberal party
officially ended Emery's hopes of running federally in Vancouver East
by rejecting her nomination papers.

Emery, the wife of "Prince of Pot" Marc Emery, said she was notified
with an email Friday explaining that the party's green light
committee, "upon careful review," decided she was not a qualified
candidate and would not be able to contest for the Liberal nomination.

Emery believes her bid failed because her activism, and marriage to
Marc, is an easy target for attack campaigns.

Even then, she was confident of challenging for the
nomination.

But that changed after long-time incumbent NDP MP Libby Davies
announced she would not seek re-election in Vancouver East, she said.

"It was fine for me to run when it was a no-hope riding. You couldn't
pay someone to run against Libby, who is a role model
parliamentarian," said Emery. "But when she announced her decision to
retire, it got very serious. The Liberals want to put everything they
have into the riding."

Liberal spokesman Olivier Duchesneau confirmed Emery's bid had been
rejected, but declined to say why.

"We can't get into specific reasons of green light committee
decisions," he said.

"I can confirm ( Emery) is not running as a Liberal
candidate.

"We're committed to open nominations, but that does not mean everyone
can have their name on a ballot."

Emery, who has ran previously as a Green Party candidate, said she
will continue to support the Liberals, believing them to be the best
bet for marijuana legalization.
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MAP posted-by: Matt