VICTORIA B.C. – B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau today announced Ned Taylor as the candidate for Saanich South for the next general election.
“I’m delighted to welcome Ned Taylor as our candidate for Saanich South,” said Furstenau. “Ned is an incredibly inspiring individual who has worked tirelessly from a very young age to improve the lives of his community in Saanich. Young people are the driving force of our society and Ned carries a fresh perspective, fearless energy, and innovative ideas that can shape the future of our province. We are lucky to have him onboard as we gear up for the next general election.”
“I’m honored to be the B.C. Green candidate for Saanich South. It’s where I grew up, and I have dedicated my career to the wellbeing of my community here,” said Taylor. “I left high school knowing that it was my generation that had to step up to the plate. We need bold action against climate change and housing that people can afford. We need a government who follows through with their campaign promises and works collaboratively to put people before politics. Young people should feel safe in this province and hopeful about their future, but it’s difficult in the current political landscape.
“Many people my age have accepted that they are unlikely to ever own a home, and every year we face increasingly dangerous threats to our environment and communities from climate change. I’m disappointed in the current leadership in this province; we could be doing so much more to protect and strengthen our future. The BC NDP continues to contradict themselves when it comes to our most pressing issues; they promise climate action while approving new LNG plants, and they funnel money into a failing healthcare system without applying metrics to see if that money leads to improvements. BC has so much potential, but it’s depressing to see younger generations consistently let down and faced with increasing problems as soon as we leave school.
“We need a new kind of politics in British Columbia, and the B.C. Greens are the only party that actually has the strategy, social awareness and compassion to turn things around. I can’t wait to work with Sonia in the legislature to really make a difference for people in Saanich South.”
Ned Taylor grew up in Saanich and has been active in local politics since high school. Elected at just 19, he is the youngest-ever elected to Saanich Council and the CRD Board. As a Councillor, he spent 4 years advocating for change, resulting in huge investments in climate and transportation initiatives in Saanich.
“I am excited at the prospect of bringing a much needed younger perspective into the legislature. In an increasingly diverse society, it is paramount that our leaders reflect the communities they serve so that our democracy is truly representative. I have already made a lasting impact through my work as a Councillor, so running for MLA is the natural next step for me. There is so much more I want to accomplish on behalf of my community.”
“We need more young people in politics,” added Furstenau. “Ned understands how issues like unaffordable housing, a lack of mental health support and the climate crisis affect British Columbians, because he experiences these problems first-hand, every day. His determination to make a tangible difference in Saanich is evident through the initiatives he has spearheaded as a Councillor. His lasting impact in his community has paved the way for Ned to be a fantastic MLA, and I can’t think of anyone better to represent this riding and be a voice for young people in the legislature.”
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Ned Taylor Bio
Ned Taylor was born and raised in Saanich. Throughout his youth and young adult life he has been heavily involved in the community. While attending Reynolds Secondary, he found time outside of school hours to volunteer with the BC Green Party, fundraise for Cops for Cancer, and advocate for issues in BC through numerous Change.org petitions. During this time, Ned was recognized for these contributions by receiving a Civic Engagement Scholarship and Volunteer Service Award.
In 2018, he ran for Saanich Council and received the third highest votes out of an eighteen candidate field and became the youngest ever Saanich Councillor and CRD Director. As an elected official, he was a known champion for issues such as climate change, road safety, housing, and youth representation. He was appointed to several leadership roles that included Chairing Saanich’s Parks Committee and Vice-Chairing the CRD’s Environment Committee. He also served on external boards such as that of the Royal and Mcpherson Theatres Society and the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. In 2022 Ned made the difficult decision not to run for re-election in the General Municipal Election.
Throughout his time being involved in Saanich, Ned has been recognized as a role model for youth in the community, and an individual with a strong skill set and work ethic. He hopes to continue to make a difference in Saanich South and the rest of BC as an MLA.