When marijuana activist Tommy Chong released a YouTube video earlier this week saying he had joined the BC NDP, some wondered just how easy it is to join a B.C. political party.
The level of curiosity was piqued partly because the Alberta-born Chong became a naturalized U.S. citizen in the 1980s and it is unclear whether he lives in B.C.
NDP communications director Michael Roy could not confirm with Business in Vancouver that 72-year-old Chong had joined the party.
“He didn’t join online but he may have filled out a membership form. I don’t know. We might not see that form for a number of days yet,” Roy said Thursday.
“If he lives in B.C. and has made a donation and filled out the form, then he’s more than welcome to join the party.”
The BC NDP requires all of its roughly 13,000 members live in the province and be 12 years old or older.
The party also requires members to pay $10 for membership, although that can be waived if the person is unemployed or can make a case for paying less than $10.
“We ask people to contribute but we’re not going to turn somebody down if they’re a student or on a fixed income or have a reason why they feel they can’t afford it,” Roy said.
The BC Liberal Party does not waive its $10 fee for a four-year membership, its executive director, Chad Pederson told BIV on Thursday.
The party also requires members to be at least 14 years old, Pederson said.