Parksville-Qualicum MLA Adam Walker says he is 91Ƶopen91Ƶ 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.
91ƵUp until two days ago, it was definitely something I was looking forward to. That91Ƶll be a decision I have to make with my family, but right now I91Ƶm definitely looking forward to continuing my term,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵSo, sort of, the answer is probably.91Ƶ
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.
91ƵIt91Ƶs really important that investigations of this nature are confidential. They involve people that are not elected officials and their privacy is very important,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵI was disappointed to see that there91Ƶs been some information released essentially identifying the individual by Premier Eby. It91Ƶs important that people have a safe work environment and that they feel safe to bring concerns forward. And when there91Ƶs a chance that these people could be named in public, it will discourage future workers from bringing those complaints forward and it91Ƶs so important that we keep that privacy.91Ƶ
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As far as joining another political party, Walker said 91Ƶall options are on the table91Ƶ 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.
91ƵThere91Ƶs been a lot of really good work by the BC NDP government, but there91Ƶs a lot of things we need to get done in this community,91Ƶ he said. 91ƵI wasn91Ƶt able to talk about that when I was an NDP MLA, and I91Ƶm going to take advantage to make sure that that91Ƶs something I can champion in a very public way to get results for the people of this community.91Ƶ
Walker said he has been 91Ƶoverwhelmed91Ƶ with the number of supportive phone calls, emails and texts he has received.
91ƵI91Ƶve 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 it91Ƶs nice to see that the hard work that I91Ƶve done for the last three years, people recognize that and they91Ƶve got my back,91Ƶ he said.
91Ƶ Adam Walker (@AdamWalkerBC)
In a Sept. 18 statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, Walker acknowledged his removal from the BC NDP caucus.
91ƵI look forward to an opportunity to address any allegations in the appropriate forum,91Ƶ he said in the statement. 91ƵI 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.91Ƶ
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, .
Walker91Ƶs departure from the NDP caucus leaves the governing party with 56 seats in the provincial legislature.
91ƵWith files from Wolf Depner and Canadian Press