Pot party to sue

Ted Colley

Surrey's school board is being sued by the Marijuana Party.

The party filed suit in B.C. Supreme Court last Friday claiming the exclusion of its candidate from a May 4 all-candidates debate at Queen Elizabeth secondary school violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

"We're saying the targeted exclusion of the BCMP candidate is an anti-democratic and unconstitutional act," said Kirk Tousaw, party campaign manager.

"We think it sends a really horrible message to students."

The Queen E debate was organized by students and Amanda Boggan, the Marijuana Party candidate in Surrey-Green Timbers was initially included in the list of invited participants.

The day before the debate, however, Boggan was told not to come. According to the party, no reason was given for withdrawing her invitation. When Boggan showed up for the debate anyway, she was ordered to leave school property, Tousaw said.

School district spokesman Doug Strachan said the matter is before the courts and declined comment on the law suit.

Tousaw said no court date has been set.

posted on 05/18/2005