Under scrutiny: How N.L. political parties screen candidates
Weeding out problems before a campaign starts
The main political parties in Newfoundland and Labrador say they all have a vetting process for candidates, to ensure there are no 'nasty surprises' once an election is underway.
That includes the Progressive Conservatives, whose detective work failed to red-flag issues with Tina Olivero, who took her name off the ballot in St. John's East-Quidi Vidi because of a CBC News story.
Olivero was reprimanded by a Labour Relations Agency for not paying fair wages to a Filipina nanny, and was ordered to repay her $23,000.
'Surprises are bad'
The New Democratic Party said Friday that it knew about the Olivero matter, which was adjudicated last year, so it should not have been a surprise for the Tories.
"Sometimes there are things you can prepare for," said NDP spokesperson Jean Graham. "Surprises are bad."
Graham said the NDP has a screening process that asks potential candidates to fill out a questionnaire, listing their social media profile, groups they've been part of and any potential embarrassments.
She said a vetting committee will then go through the information, check social media history and cross reference databases for news headlines and court, for example.
"Sometimes we see serious red flags," said Graham.
"One candidate can derail a whole campaign."
'Fair and thorough'
The Liberal Party says it too has a "green light" process for candidates that it calls fair and thorough.
"This includes a lengthy and detailed series of questions, provision of required background information and the signed acknowledgement that all information is accurate," wrote campaign committee co-chair Jamie O'Dea in a statement to CBC News.
O'Dea said all information has to be witnessed by a commissioner of oaths or notary public.
"Candidate applications are reviewed by the party green light committee made up of three lawyers who conduct background checks and request further information from candidates as required," he said.
Previous connections
As for the PCs, Paul Davis said Friday that a lot of his party's vetting process "is about discussion with our candidates."
He said many of them would be familiar faces.
"Most of these candidates have had either a direct past history with our party or once removed, through someone very close to them."
Davis said he did not know about Olivero until she made headlines.
"I haven't made it a habit to dig into anyone's personal lives or background in that depth," he said.