Maverick Party, which pushed for Wexit and western autonomy, will not run in federal election [Video]

A Western Canada-based political party that looked to the Bloc Québécois for inspiration will not be running any candidates in this year’s federal election.

On March 3, Elections Canada announced that the Maverick Party had been deregistered after failing to provide its annual financial transactions return and auditor’s report.

Originally known as Wexit Canada (a portmanteau of “Western” and “Exit”), the party advocated for increased sovereignty for Canada’s three territories and the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. While that was envisioned as increased power and autonomy within Canada, full separation from Canada was also part of the movement.

In a statement, party leader Colin Krieger acknowledged the deregistration, writing that the party had been dealing with “a considerable amount of bureaucracy and red tape,” which included difficulty finding registered auditors.

Krieger also said the political landscape in Canada had changed since its founding, and that he didn’t see a way for the party’s …