North Resigns From Riding Association
NDIT CEO Janine North endorses Shari Green – photo 250 News
Prince George, B.C. – Janine North, CEO of the Northern Development Initiative Trust has resigned from the Cariboo-Prince George Conservative Riding Association.
Just yesterday, North was publicly endorsing Shari Green for the Conservative candidacy. She was introduced to those in attendance as the CEO of NDIT and in her speech made reference to seeing Ms. Green at work at the Board table.
Today, North is under fire, as the NDIT’s code of ethics says ” As stewards of a public trust incorporated under legislation by the Province of British Columbia” a promise not to “adopt or promote a political affiliation” .
Vancouver Sun writer Vaughn Palmer raised the question about why a CEO of a public trust that is incorporated under provincial legislation is making public political endorsements? The question was then put to Prince George -Valemount MLA Shirley Bond and she promised to look into it.
When NDIT Chair Evan Saugstad was asked about the involvement of the Trust’s CEO in a political campaign when the Code of Ethics promises that would not happen, he responded that the Code is accurate, “as it applies to the Trust. In this case, Janine North was acting as a private citizen and has the right to chose her own political affiliations. Nothing has been brought to my attention states that the NDIT endorses any political candidates, including those Board members currently involved in the local government elections.”
This afternoon, Janine North sent an email to 250News saying she had resigned from the Cariboo-Prince George Conservative Riding Association. “My decision to endorse a candidate for the federal riding of Cariboo-Prince George was a personal decision as a voter and resident of the riding” writes North, “Acknowledging that my involvement in the riding nomination could be a perception issue for the Trust, I resigned from the Cariboo-Prince George Conservative Riding Association.”
North had been elected to the riding Association’s executive at the association’s AGM in May of this year, the same AGM where Green , her husband, and numerous folks who had supported Green in her bid for the Mayor’s chair were also elected to the executive. Councillor Cameron Stolz was also among those chosen for the riding’s executive and would be named President.
Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris says North’s decision to step down from the riding associatioin “was the right thing to do.”
Comments
Very interesting. As the stomach turns.
Why is this a story? Shirley Bond id front and center in Docherty’s campaign brochures. It’s Ok for elected officials but everyone else must be silent? This is a FEDERAL CONSERVATIVE race. it’s got nothing to do with provincial matters. This is just more smear tactics from Ben the Bully. What Ben, didn’t NDIT advertise on your site either?
Economist, Is this a provincial matter? yes because the CEO is in charge of a provincially legislated organization, her role is often likened to that of a deputy Minister. There is a code of ethics, which, depending on interpretation, appears to have been violated.
Some months ago, “Ben the Bully” advised Ms. North being politically involved publicly may not be a good idea. As for your final comment, NDIT has in fact advertised on this site.
By the way, Ben didn’t write the story, I did.
Elaine Macdonald
One Green supporter down; how many more to go?
Right as a private citizen? Not when you’re a public figure. Too much general association to be ethical. Not turning up in the first place would have been the right thing to do. Don’t like it? That’s the choice one makes when they hold a public position.
The NDIT board has a decision to make in regards to her employment going forward. Ms. North is well within her rights to hold a position in the association and vote for whomever she pleases in private but publically endorsing Green is something that could and should cost her her job.
North’s employment with the NDIT has to be terminated immediately. There have to be consequences. This is getting more and more disgusting.
Confused, she resigned from the Conservative Riding Association but not the NDIT?
They are used to making their own rules as they go, it must be annoying when someone calls you on it.
She’s so very P.C. oh wait, every politician is forced to be P.C. just to survive. The very thought makes me gag. No freedom of expression, no independent thought, just conform to what the social media demands.
What a waste of time.
metalman.
As the CEO of NDIT she should not be endorsing anyone, Liberal, Conservative, or NDP.
I cant believe that she would be so naïve. Where do they get these people from.?
Seems like everything that Green touches turns brown.
Will you look at that, I appear to be in this riding. Never have voted in a fed election so it looks like I am about to become a member of the Cariboo – Prince George Conservative Riding Association
Posted on Thursday, November 6, 2014 @ 9:52 PM by slinky
Confused, she resigned from the Conservative Riding Association but not the NDIT?
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I’m confused as well. She should have resigned from the NDIT.
So who is next?
Janine, I don’t know you, but if I did the endorsement you did, I would not have slept for the last few days. Your endoresment was stupid. Not because of who you endorsed although I think that was stupid too, as I am no fan of Shari, but public percerption.
You got bad advise and the handlers should have told you not to publicly endorse Shari. This should cost you your position but seems in Shari’s world everything is backward. I thought for sure reading the title of the article you would have resigned from NDIT.
Poor decision on your part to endore Shari, I hope at least you can see the mistake you made but you made a career limiting move in my books.
So who of Shari’s friends is next for under the bus? I just don’t see why they stick with her. Sad really.
I wasn’t impressed when I have had dealings with her in the past, and this stunt, does nothing but solidify my initial assessment of her.
The NDIT Code of Ethics states: “As STEWARDS of a public trust incorporated under legislation by the Province of British Columbia, WE promise not to:
… adopt or promote a political affiliation.”
It appears Ms. North has clearly violated this code, not only by endorsing “Poison Pill” Shari, but by joining the Riding Association in the first place.
This is not the first time North has displayed her support for Green. During the 2011 Mayor’s race against Dan Rogers, North wore a Green for Mayor button. She spoke to our Rotary Club as the CEO of NDIT the week leading up to the election wearing the button. What does that tell you: The Truth!
The devil in the details miss North . Quite a rookie mistake…. Remember your code of ethics? No thought put into the consequences of your actions.. I learned that as a child. As a child I learned that mistakes costed you privileges.
She did the right thing – yes, when she was caught out! Flagrant abuse of power.
At NDIT the board decides who gets the grant money. She is just a glorified office manager.
A glorified office manager with an extremely huge salary!
I love how there is so much political buzz in this city right now! Nice to see all the opinions and people getting involved in what is happening! “We the people, for the people, by the people” ——–
is the riding association position a paid one? it sounds voluntary, but maybe someone can clarify this for me. if voluntary, it’s clear why she resigned from the riding association and not the NDIT. i’m clear left of the political spectrum, was a card carrying member of the NDP for a while, but i’m considering joining the CPC just to have a say in this vote.
All I can say is thank god for Ben and Elaine. The other media seems to be afraid to do any investigative reporting at all. As for Ben being a bully well I find him to be a softie if you have the facts and can get your point across in a clear manner. He, like a lot of us, doesn’t like people who avoid the question and who try to blow smoke up our a$#. If you can’t take the heat, then you better stay out of Ben’s kitchen!!!
Posted on Thursday, November 6, 2014 @ 9:52 PM by slinky
Confused, she resigned from the Conservative Riding Association but not the NDIT?
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One is a paid position and one is a volunteer position. Guess which one she kept…
As other have said, she should resign from her position with NDIT.
Where are the BC Liberals in all this?
If Janine North was stumping for an NDP candidate while acting in her role as CEO of NDIT there would be no doubt Shirley Bond and the rest of the BC Liberals would be calling for her head….
But because the Federal Harper Conservatives are like minded to the BC Liberals it is Janine North’s decision on whether she keeps this job despite the clear violation of NDIT’s code of ethics….
at is the point of the “code of ethics” if the person in violation determines the penalty?….Pathetic!
I think NDIT is provincial and has nothing to do with Harper. Where are the Conservative and NDP provincial heads on this, Horgan and Dan Brooks (no longer John Cummins)? Haven’t heard a peep from them on this issue, Maybe at a spa retreat in Kamloops out of cell range
Why is every issue Shirley Bond’s fault taxed out. The NDP are out stumping for many of the municipal candidates and have you heard Shirley Bond out there calling for anyone’s head? I do not always agree with the BC Liberals but even I will admit that there is no harder working MLA than Shirley Bond. When I attend meetings and conferences in other parts of the province she is well respected by others outside our city. Your team lost the last election so get over it.
oneup482, this isn’t about a Liberal Vs. NDP situation. This is about the CEO of NDIT being grossly inappropriate. The appropriate steps should be taken to remove her. I don’t care if its a Liberal or its an NDP MLA in our riding. They need to hold Janine accountable.
oneup482…really you don’t think this has something to do with the Government of BC?
NDIT is a crown corporation just like BC Ferries…BC Hydro…therefore the Government of BC is the employer…it has everything to do with the BC Liberals…they need to hold their CEO’s accountable..
It would be interesting to know who is Green’s campaign manager this time. IMO Green and company continue to display this “we can do whatever we want to” attitude. Thank you Elaine and Ben for continuing to do this type of reporting.
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