Alberta NDP volunteers were ignored and demeaned, former workers say

Two Alberta NDP workers say they quit recently because they could no longer stomach a culture they describe as demeaning and ignores volunteers, with the majority of those targeted being women.

"We are steamrolling constituency association presidents. We are burning through volunteers. I felt this is not who I am as a person. This is not worthy of integrity and I won't be part of it," Krista Li, a former NDP constituency president, said in an interview Wednesday.

"This should be a party run by the members, but this is the party of a few elite staffers. Nobody knows to whom they are accountable.

"That's not what I'm here for, no way no how."

Li, as well as Sharie Valentine, said they are hearing from other dissatisfied party rank and file who are seeking change but not getting it.

Their comments come a day after a leaked letter from 15 NDP riding presidents and regional executives called for an independent investigation into what they term is a pattern of mistreatment of volunteers along with questionable candidate nomination practices.

The letter, obtained by The Canadian Press, does not specify the types of mistreatment.

Valentine said she quit as a volunteer a month ago after years of doorknocking for NDP Leader Rachel Notley and the NDP.

She said she left after she could not get action on her concerns surrounding the treatment of candidates and volunteers, saying the abuse was directed toward "90 per cent women, 10 per cent men."

Valentine said staff were rude, belittling and condescending to volunteers and potential candidates. She said she is aware of volunteers also being shouted at in meetings. One constituency president told her she has "no political value."

"It brings a level of shame," said Valentine in an interview. "When this happens to new people coming in, it's embarrassing."

Li quit as president of the Calgary-Bow NDP constituency association in February after her board learned on Twitter that Druh Farrell would be their nominee, while others vying for the candidacy, including herself, had been kept waiting for months for a decision.

Li said there were other problems.

She said the constituency association had no latitude to make small outreach decisions and top-level authorization was required. Li said she was frustrated by emails and phone calls going unanswered.