Sonia Furstenau, leader of the BC Green Party, announced on Tuesday that she is stepping down from the position.
“My reason for running in the 2017 provincial election was clear. To ensure that community input and environmental well-being were part of land use, decision-making in this province,” Furstenau said at a press conference.
“As the first Green caucus in Canada, we blazed a trail. Our team was part of significant change banning big money in politics, lobbying reform and greater transparency.”
In last year’s election, Furstenau was competing in her new riding of Victoria-Beacon Hill against incumbent NDP candidate Grace Lore, who served as minister of children and family development in the last provincial cabinet.
Although she led early in the night, Furstenau ultimately lost to Lore by 13 points.
Furstenau leaves behind a long legacy in politics. She is one of only five BC Green Party members who have been elected in the province.
Rob Botterell retained the only other riding previously held by the Greens, Saanich North and the Islands, which was represented by interim party leader Adam Olsen before Olsen chose not to run for re-election.
Get daily National news
And Jeremy Valeriote finally broke through in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, winning by more than 600 votes after finishing a close second in the 2020 election by just 60 votes.
He will be taking over as interim party leader.
Furstenau thanked her colleagues, her supporters and most importantly, her family, for being with her every step of the way.
“To the incoming members of the legislative assembly, insist on curiosity, on compassion and empathy, first in yourself and encourage it and inspire it in others,” she said.
“Question yourself first. Be as kind, and patient with others as you are with yourself. Forge relationships with people in other parties. Look for common ground. Focus on projects that you feel passionate about and find ways to work across party lines. Be humble in your leadership.”
Furstenau previously said she would offer her mentorship and guidance to the next leader, calling the election “a passing of the torch.”
—with files from Sean Boynton
Comments