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UPDATED: Local Conservative candidate out of race following party decision

Liv Grewal had won the nomination in a May vote, but withdrew Wednesday
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Liv Grewal

The Conservative candidate for the newly formed Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon riding will no longer run in the upcoming federal election, announcing Wednesday that he has withdrawn his candidacy following an unspecified decision by the party.

Liv Grewal had won a May vote to be the Conservative candidate in the new riding, which includes territory in the north Abbotsford, Mission, and throughout the Fraser Canyon.

But on Wednesday, he sent out a press release announcing that he was withdrawing after a Conservative Party decision.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been passionate about public service,” Grewal wrote. “Over the last 18 years, I have been actively participating in the Reform Party of Canada, Canadian Alliance, and then to the Conservative Party of Canada.”

He added: “I’m disappointed with this decision by the Party. Sadly, it is the result of an unfair political process.”

Grewal, an Abbotsford resident, is the son of MP Nina Grewal and former MP Gurmant Grewal. Gurmant Grewal attempted to run for the Conservatives in the Cloverdale-Langley City riding, but was forced to withdraw last November.

In May, Abbotsford News columnist Mark Rushton wrote about the reaction from some party members following the selection of Liv Grewal as the Conservative candidate.

“I’ve received many emails and calls over the past couple of days alleging all sorts of things: interloper-candidate, mass membership purchases, voting by non-residents – none substantiated,” wrote Rushton.

Grewal had amassed 54 per cent of the total vote.

His release said he and his family worked hard for months, knocking on doors to convince people to become members of the Conservative Party.

“100% of all membership forms were submitted by personal cheques or credit cards and all forms were duly signed by the members agreeing to the terms and conditions of the membership,” the release states.

Cory Hann, director of communications with the Conservative Party of Canada confirmed that Grewal is no longer the candidate, but did not provide a reason.

"We're running fair and open nominations, and take any allegations of rule breaking seriously and review them fully," he said in an email.

The 2015 federal election is slated for Oct. 19.