Newly minted B.C. Conservative candidate fired

The man nominatedMonday night to stand as the federal Conservative Partycandidate in a Vancouver-areariding says he was forced by the party tostep down following revelations about his personal finances.

Dale Saip announced his resignation in Delta-Richmond East Thursday after published reportsWednesday that he had requested court protection from his creditors twice since 1993.

Saip toldCBC Newshe had fully disclosed his past financial problems to the party prior to his nomination.

He said the party demanded his resignation once his history became public.

"The party decided it was too big of a distraction," said Saip. "That's their decision."

Saip was chosen in a meeting in the riding south of Vancouver to replace veteran MP John Cummins, who is retiring from federal politics.

Nomination process rushed

In 1993, Saip declared bankruptcy, leaving creditors with debts of $340,000.

He also filed a proposal with the B.C. Supreme Courtin 2005 to pay the Canada Revenue Agencyonly part of the $90,000 inback taxes he owed.

Saip said he believes that the fact that the nomination meeting was held only about one week after Cummins announced his resignation allowed little time for scrutiny of documents he filed with the party.

"I'm not going to make excuses," he said. "[But] I think there were things that went up the wayside."

Saip was asked if he thought the process was rushed.

"Very rushed," he said.

The Delta-Richmond East Conservative riding association has not yet announced how it now plans to fill the nomination.