Halifax Regional PPC Association
PRESS RELEASE
Conflict of Interest: Call for Alec Stratford to Step Down *
Halifax, August 7, 2024
Concerns Raised Over Potential Conflict of Interest: Call for Alec Stratford to Step Down as Executive Director of Nova Scotia College of Social Workers
Alec Stratford, the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers, has recently announced his candidacy for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the upcoming elections[1][3]. While individuals are entitled to their political affiliations, Mr. Stratford's public declaration of his candidacy while holding a significant leadership position raises serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers plays a crucial role in regulating the social work profession and advocating for important social issues[2]. As the Executive Director, Mr. Stratford's position requires impartiality and the ability to represent all social workers, regardless of their political leanings.
By openly aligning himself with a specific political party, Mr. Stratford's ability to maintain objectivity in his current role may be compromised. This situation could potentially undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the College in its regulatory and advocacy functions.
We call upon Mr. Stratford to step down from his position as Executive Director of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers to preserve the integrity of the organization and ensure that it remains an unbiased voice for all social workers in the province.
The social work profession demands the highest ethical standards, and leadership positions within regulatory bodies must be held to an even higher standard of impartiality. We urge Mr. Stratford to prioritize the interests of the profession and the College by resigning from his current role as he pursues his political ambitions.
The People's Party believes in fair and accountable representation within governing bodies, as well as impartiality within our public institutions.
Citations:
[1] Alec Stratford nominated as NSNDP candidate for Cole Harbour
https://www.nsndp.ca/alec-stratford-nominated-nsndp-candidate-cole-harbour [2] NSCSW Staff - Nova Scotia College of Social Workers
https://nscsw.org/about/nscsw-staff/
[3] Alec Stratford (@Alec_Strats) / X https://twitter.com/alec_strats [4] Update to guidelines on supporting gender-diverse N.S. students ...
https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/1.7241379
[5] N.S. news: Social worker caseloads are inaccurate, official says
https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-lacks-accurate-caseload-count -for-burdened-social-workers-official-1.6888161
Contact and Interview Requests:
Email: media@ppchalifax.ca
Halifax Regional PPC Association | ppchalifax.ca
* Halifax Regional PPC Association, August 7th, 2024, Conflict of Interest: Call for Alec Stratford to Step Down, [Press release], [URL NO LONGER FOUND]