The leader of the BC Green Party visited Bowen Island last week, along with the party’s candidate for the yet-to-be announced next provincial election.
Sonia Furstenau, party leader and MLA for Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, was joined by Jeremy Valeriote for a conversation with the public at Tell Your Friends Cafe on July 19. Valeriote was announced as the Green Party candidate for the West Vancouver – Sea to Sky riding in April. He also contested the 2020 provincial election in this riding, but lost to current MLA Jordan Sturdy of the BC Liberal Party (now BC United) by just 60 votes (9,249 – 9,189).
“I’m definitely hearing that young people are having a hard time making ends meet and finding meaningful work. And also about the planet that we’re going to leave behind for them… keeping the natural environment that people obviously care deeply for, and the reason why they live here, is quite key” said Valeriote on comments from people gathered on the dock.
“Primarily it’s about how can we invest in the future and that generation and try to restore some of what’s been damaged. We’re also hearing about housing and affordability – and ferry service,” he added. “I thought there was some hints of progress there (BC Ferries) for a few years, but then Covid knocked that back,” said Valeriote, who previously served on the Ferry Advisory Committee in Gibsons.
Valeriote believes with a longer head start this time around – as opposed to being declared just a month before the previous election – will give him the chance to close the 60 vote gap. Provincial elections must take place every four years, but they can be called earlier. The latest the next one could take place is October 2024.
Furstenau is also optimistic about Valeriote’s second go-around. “Jeremy’s success in the last election is a really strong foundation for him winning the seat in the next election… The reality of being a Green candidate is you need to do a lot of groundwork, but once people recognize the value of a Green MLA, it becomes easier and easier to get the votes that we need to win those ridings,” she says. Furstenau added health and well-being has also been a common thread during community engagements.
Furstenau and Adam Olsen from Saanich North and the Islands make up the current Green Party representation in the BC Legislature. The NDP has 57 seats, BC United has 27, and the Conservative Party has 1.
