B.C. NDP elects Craig Keating as new party president

VANCOUVER – British Columbia’s New Democrats have elected Craig Keating as their new party president.

The North Vancouver city councillor succeeds Moe Sihota, a former provincial cabinet minister, who held the post for four years.

New Democrats made their choice at their convention in Vancouver, where the major topic of discussion has been last May’s devastating B.C. election defeat.

The party blew a 20-point lead in the polls and lost to Premier Christy Clark’s Liberals.

Earlier Sunday, a top labour leader said New Democrats must stick together to stand any chance of winning the next provincial election.

Jim Sinclair said the NDP can count on labour’s support as unions and New Democrats mount campaigns to ensure fairness to workers and environmental sustainability top the political agenda.

Sinclair drew a standing ovation from delegates when he said fairness for foreign workers means ensuring they have the same rights and pay scales as B.C. workers.

The party’s provincial council will debate the timing of a leadership convention to replace outgoing NDP Leader Adrian Dix.

Dix told the delegates Saturday he made campaign mistakes last May that energized the Liberals.