Thursday August 22, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Today the BC Greens have announced six more candidates for the fall provincial election: four in the Lower Mainland and two in the Nanaimo region. And recently rather quietly the BC Greens announced their candidate for Langford-Highlands.
That brings the tally of BC Green candidates to 30 across the province, out of a possible 93; so far today’s new six are not yet posted on the BC Green candidates page.
The BC Legislature will have 93 seats (up from 87) in the next legislative session due to electoral area boundary changes and population growth.
BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau refers to a growing list of candidates who are “ready to tackle the most urgent challenges facing our province. British Columbians are demanding real solutions to issues like housing affordability, environmental protection, and social justice”.
Furstenau opened the Victoria-area BC Green Party campaign headquarters at 1010 Fort Street on August 1.
Lower Mainland:
There are four new candidates in the Lower Mainland region:
- Adam Bremner-Akins (Port Coquitlam) is a political science student and climate activist who made history as one of B.C.’s youngest candidates in 2020. Adam continues to advocate for progressive policies such as housing reform and green infrastructure.
- Maureen Curran (New Westminster-Coquitlam) is an experienced educator and environmental activist with a strong background in science. Maureen’s campaign is centered on environmental stewardship and prioritizing the needs of families and communities.
- Eoin O’Dwyer (Vancouver-West End) is a web developer and long-time resident of Vancouver’s West End. Eoin is dedicated to addressing the housing affordability crisis and ensuring that everyone in the community has access to safe, affordable housing.
- Tamas Revoczi (Richmond Bridgeport) is a community leader with a background in education, media, and technology. As a cancer survivor and mental health advocate, Tamas is focused on sustainable development and policies that support families and small businesses.
Nanaimo region:
There are two new candidates in the Nanaimo region:
- Shirley Lambrecht (Nanaimo Gabriola) is a seasoned professional with nearly three decades of experience in the tech sector. Her campaign focuses on mental health, accessible housing, and supporting the green industry to create meaningful jobs.
- Lia Versaevel (Nanaimo-Lantzville) is a conflict resolution expert and lifelong advocate for social justice. With a career in mediation, law enforcement, and corrections, Lia is dedicated to bringing calm, reasoned leadership to government.
Langford-Highlands:
There is now a BC Green candidate in the key south Vancouver Island riding of Langford-Highlands where progressive voters may still want another ballot option in addition to the BC NDP option.
Erin Cassels (Langford-Highlands) was recently announced as the BC Green candidate in that west shore riding.
Cassels is described as “a dedicated leader in sustainable business practices and a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship”. With a background in hospitality management on top of studies at UVic, Camosun and Cornell University, she is a member of the Kebaowek Algonquin Furst Nation.
If progressive voters don’t choose NDP they may look to Green, though the party’s choice in Cassels leans as well to the business sector and the Indigenous community.
The other major party candidates in Langford-Highlands have been known to the public for a while now (see article about Langford-Highlands candidates from May 2024): Langford-Highlands are Ravi Parmar (BC NDP / currently the MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca), Mike Harris (BC Conservative) and Sean Flynn (BC United).
===== RELATED:
The Langford-Highlands race is on (August 23, 2023)
===== RESOURCES:
CANDIDATES by PARTY: BC NDP | BC UNITED | BC GREENS | BC CONSERVATIVES
ADVANCE VOTING. October 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16.
ELECTION DATE: Saturday October 19, 2024
NEWS SECTIONS: BC ELECTION 2024 | POLITICS | VANCOUVER ISLAND