PC candidate pulled

Laffin no longer carrying party banner for Northside-Westmount

NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. — Danny Laffin has been pulled as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the upcoming byelection for Northside-Westmount.

PC Party leader Tim Houston said in a press release Wednesday that Laffin was removed from the candidacy for “failure to comply with the disclosure process.”

Houston was not immediately available for comment following the news of the shuffle.

According to Elections Nova Scotia, Laffin is now listed as an independent candidate.

On Wednesday, Laffin’s Northside-Westmount Facebook page said that he will not be commenting at this time.

“(It is with a) heavy heart that I am resigning as your candidate from Northside-Westmount PC Party,” the post reads.

“More information will be released after we seek legal (counsel).”

Messages for Laffin were unreturned Wednesday.

Laffin was acclaimed as the Northside-Westmount PC candidate July 30, after fellow candidate Murray Ryan removed his name from consideration for personal reasons.

Houston said Ryan, a chartered accountant, will now take Laffin’s place as the PC hopeful.

Two byelections are scheduled for Cape Breton on Sept. 3

The Northside-Westmount race follows the resignation of Eddie Orrell, who will represent the Conservative Party in the federal riding of Sydney-Victoria.

Five other candidates for Northside-Westmount are Thomas Bethell (Atlantica Party), Ronald Crowther (NDP), Andrew Doyle (Independent) and Paul Ratchford (Liberal).

In the district of Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg, the official candidate list now includes Marc Botte (Liberal), Brian Comer (PC), Russ Green (Independent), Mary Beth MacDonald (NDP) and Bill Matheson (Green).

“(It is with a) heavy heart that I am resigning as your candidate from Northside-Westmount PC Party.”

Danny Laffin