Right now, the provincial New Democrats' top three officials are men - something some have said is a no-no under the party's constitution.
However, in an exclusive interview, one of those officials has stated that rule is being misinterpreted and he won't be stepping down.
The constitution states "both genders" must be represented in the positions of leader, president and treasurer.
That wasn't a problem when Carole James was leading the party, with Moe Sihota and Bob Smits having been elected to do the two other jobs at the NDP's November 2009 biennial convention.
But in January, pundit and former NDP MLA David Schreck predicted it would become a problem if Ms. James was replaced by a man.
Speaking with the Canadian Press after the infighting that resulted in her downfall, Schreck said the rule would mean "in practical sense" that either Sihota or Smits would have to make way for a woman.
Nevertheless, a month after Adrian Dix was elected James's successor, both men are still in the same jobs. And speaking with Public Eye, Smits said he doesn't think that will change.
The treasurer stressed that he thinks the gender representation rule is a "good thing." But he said it was only intended to apply during and not between party elections.
In addition, "there's nothing in the constitution that talks about removing someone from office once that gender balance doesn't exist - because somebody has resigned or quit or died or whatever.
"So my position is that I was properly elected to serve out my term and I expect Moe to do same," Smits continued, adding, "I've told the executive that and pretty much everybody seems to accept that position."
Smits said his and Sihota's terms in office will expire at the party's next biennial convention, which has been scheduled for December.
Sean Holman is editor of the online provincial political news journal Public Eye (publiceyeonline.com). He can be reached at [email protected].
