Jason Teakle
BRANT NEWS

Former City of Brantford councillor Mark Littell says he may file an appeal of an Ontario Progressive Conservative Party decision to reject his bid to become a candidate in Brant riding.

“I received an e-mail on Saturday from the party secretary stating that my application had been declined,” Littell said during an interview on Tuesday. “I was disappointed by the information in the e-mail. My team and I are considering an appeal at this time.

“The basis of what they said is in section 8.4 of the party’s rules governing candidate nominations, which states, ‘all decisions regarding candidate nominations will be based on the strategic best interests of the party.’”

But Littell said he does not know the specific reason or reasons why his nomination bid was rejected.

“I have no idea, which is why I’m considering an appeal,” Littell said.

Alan Sakach, director of communications with the Ontario PCs, said during an interview with Brant News on Tuesday that the party’s nominations are “fair, open and inclusive,” but not every candidate fits the bill.

“Not everyone who is interested in running meets the criteria,” Sakach said. “It is a job application. Anyone can apply, but that does not necessarily mean they fit the criteria.

“Everyone that wants to run has to fill in a detailed questionnaire about their background and community involvement. They have to undergo an interview process to make sure they meet the standard expected of an Ontario PC candidate.”

Sakach said he could not offer comment on specific cases.

In a president’s message posted on the Ontario PC Party’s website, president Richard Ciano says the party’s candidate nominations are “fair, open and competitive.”

“A fundamental aspect of being a member of a political party is having a say in who gets to be your local candidate,” Ciano says in the message. “We need to respect members by protecting your right to choose candidates in fair, open and competitive candidate nomination meetings.

“Let’s show the media and the public that our party is the only one in Ontario that truly fosters participation and democracy at the riding level.”

Former Brantford MPP Phil Gillies announced his intent to seek the Brant PC nomination during a media conference on Nov. 13. The PCs will chose a Brant candidate during a meeting on Dec. 4.