BC Green Party tries to shut down controversial Kelowna MLA

Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong, who is facing a recall petition, is gaining opponents and this time it’s the BC Green Party.

Armstrong made headlines recently by using a Nazi slogan, “blood and soil” to criticize the government’s effort to protect First Nations rights. Now the BC Greens are trying to help shut her down.

Green Party MLA Rob Botterell tried to introduce a motion to censure Armstrong, April 29, but he wasn’t successful. A censure would have prevented Armstrong from speaking in the legislative assembly until she issued an unqualified apology.

“(A year and a half) of continued disreputable conduct by the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream that is inappropriate and unbecoming of a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia,” the BC Greens Caucus said in a statement on social media.

“We must defend the integrity and trust of BC’s Legislative Assembly.”

The motion to censure may not have been successful this time, but the BC Greens aren’t going to let it go.

“MLA Botterell will keep trying to bring the motion forward, and simply having the motion on notice may encourage the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream to change her behaviour,” the BC Green Caucus said.

The recall petition for Armstrong could have been filed on April 20. Some BC Conservatives advised the recall campaign to hold off until after the party’s leadership race so that they could get involved and support the effort to oust her from office. Party members will vote on the new leader, May 30.