Under scrutiny: How N.L. political parties screen candidates

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.

• Tina Olivero steps down as candidate after CBC questions about unpaid wages to Filipina nanny

Olivero was reprimanded by a Labour Relations Agency for not paying fair wages to a Filipinananny, and was ordered to repay her $23,000.

'Surprises are bad'

The New Democratic Party said Friday that it knew about the Oliveromatter, which was adjudicated last year, so itshould 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 ofand any potential embarrassments.

She said a vetting committee will then go through the information, check social media historyand 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.

• Full coverage: Read all of our stories on the elction campaign

"This includes a lengthy and detailed series of questions, provision of required background informationand the signed acknowledgement that all information is accurate," wrotecampaign committee co-chair Jamie O'Deain 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 committeemade up of three lawyerswho conduct background checks and requestfurther information from candidates asrequired," 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 partyor 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.