Disowned B.C. candidates soldier on

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 | 5:51 PM ET

CBC News

Two B.C. candidates – a Conservative and a Liberal – who were dropped by their respective parties last week, plan to stay in the federal election race.

Derek Zeisman was dropped by Conservative Leader Stephen Harper in the B.C. Southern Interior riding following the revelation that Zeisman faces smuggling charges.

It's alleged that Zeisman tried to smuggle a Mercedes and 112 containers of liquor into Canada in 2004.

Zeisman hasn't spoken publicly since he was axed by the party. But the head of the local Conservative riding association says Zeisman will stay in the race.

"At this point, Derek Zeisman is still on the ballot. He is planning to run, and will take his seat if elected," said Al Wait.

Harper has said that Zeisman could not sit as a Conservative MP, unless all charges against him are cleared.

Meanwhile, the federal Liberal association in the Abbotsford riding says it still supports David Oliver who was removed as the Liberal candidate last week after the NDP accused him of bribery.

Oliver's name remains on the ballot, and he is now running as an independent.

Liberal riding association president Alex Drozdow says the executive met with Oliver over the weekend, and is "fairly satisfied" with the candidate's answers to their questions.

NDP candidate Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson filed an affidavit with Elections Canada accusing Oliver of offering him a job in Ottawa and a guaranteed win in the next civic elections in Abbotsford – in exchange for dropping out of the race and declaring his support for Oliver.