VICTORIA B.C. – The B.C. Green Party announced today that Sonia Furstenau has won the party’s Leadership 2020 contest, succeeding interim leader Adam Olsen, effective immediately. Furstenau won 52.4 per cent of the votes on the second ballot.
A media availability with Furstenau will be held tomorrow at 10:00 AM. See below for information for call-ins and pool cameras.
Furstenau is MLA for Cowichan Valley and House Leader in the B.C. Green Caucus. She brings a strong record of legislative accomplishments and local governance to her leadership. She was previously Area Director for the CVRD, a teacher, and non-profit administrator. She has been involved in climate and social advocacy for over 20 years.
“I am so excited to lead the next generation of the B.C. Greens,” Furstenau said. “Our caucus has shown that by following evidence and working collaboratively we can achieve tangible outcomes for B.C. communities, and we’re just getting started. I look forward to working with both our new and long-standing supporters to continue to grow our Party.”
After reopening the leadership contest in June, the party ran a three-month-long leadership contest ending in an eight-day voting period. The contest attracted 5,478 voters from across the province, including members and non-member “supporters”. Voter turnout was an astounding 85.0 per cent.
“This is an exciting time for the B.C. Greens,” said Jonina Campbell, Executive Director of the B.C. Green Party. “Sonia’s experience in the legislature is exactly what British Columbians need to lead us into the next provincial election.”
“It’s a critical time to step in as leader of the party and continue to show British Columbians how important B.C. Greens are to the future of our province,” said Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party former Interim Leader and MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. “2020 has revealed substantial weaknesses in our society and it’s crucial that the B.C. Greens continue to ensure government invests in a Green Recovery.”
Full results
The B.C. Green Party used a ranked ballot, where 2,318 votes were required to reach the 50 per cent + 1 threshold.
|
First round |
BREWER, CAM |
1,916 votes |
41.35 % |
|
|
DARWIN, KIM |
521 votes |
11.24% |
Eliminated |
|
|
FURSTENAU, SONIA |
2,197 votes |
47.41% |
||
|
Second round |
BREWER, CAM |
2,127 votes |
45.9% |
|
|
FURSTENAU, SONIA |
2,428 votes |
52.4% |
Won |
Media availability
Due to COVID-19, there will be limited in-person access to this event. We ask that the media confirm their attendance (if in-person) beforehand to assist with complying with provincial regulations.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 10:00 AM
WHERE: B.C. Green Party head office, #202-1006 Fort Street, Victoria
CALL-IN: 1-888-892-3255 | meeting code: 775601
The media availability will also be streamed on Facebook Live.
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Media contact
+1 778-650-0597
[email protected]