VICTORIA, BC – Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley, has received endorsements from a variety of local government officials across the province for her candidacy to become the next leader of the B.C. Green Party.
“I’m honoured to have the support of so many local government officials. Decisions at the local government table require you to focus on tangible outcomes for your community, not partisanship or ideology,” said Furstenau, who previously served as Area Director in the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
“This collaborative, solutions-oriented approach is exactly what we need as BC recovers from COVID-19. As leader of the BC Greens, my number one focus will be on bringing people together and supporting communities to build a more just, sustainable, and equitable province in the wake of the pandemic.”
This week, Furstenau was endorsed by the following local government officials:
- Rik Logtenberg, City Councillor, Nelson
- Sarah Potts, City Councillor, Victoria
- Joe Keithley, City Councillor, Burnaby
Furstenau was previously endorsed by Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and Metchosin Councillor Andy Mackinnon.
Quotes:
“Sonia understands that we need to come together as a province, every community. Only together can we solve the economic challenges that we’re going to face from the pandemic, but more urgently the challenges presented to us by climate change. Sonia has demonstrated that she knows how to work with people and bring out their best, in the Legislature in Victoria and in her community.”
- Rik Logtenberg, City Councillor, Nelson
“When I’m thinking about a leader, I’m thinking about the qualities that I want them to bring to the table. A social justice lens is incredibly important to address systemic inequality. We need a leader that would value collaboration and cooperation over status quo politics. And it’s really important that we have a leader that would innovate to inspire the change that we need. From the classroom to grassroots organizing to leadership in the Legislature, Sonia has proven that she has all of those things and more.”
- Sarah Potts, City Councillor, Victoria
“Sonia has shown a great understanding of what communities across the province need and a vision for a more resilient, sustainable BC. She will be a great leader to take British Columbia forward into the post-COVID economy and environment.”
- Joe Keithley, City Councillor, Burnaby
“I don’t belong to any political party and I’ve never made a public endorsement. But I’ve known Sonia Furstenau for many years – first as a regional director and now as an MLA – and I want to support her. In this time of so much division and polarization in politics, I can’t think of a better person to lead the B.C. Greens. Sonia is thoughtful, intentional, collaborative and most importantly, she really listens and can bring people together.”
- Lisa Helps, Mayor, Victoria
“Sonia Furstenau and the BC Green Party are champions for BC’s species and ecosystems. This leadership is crucial for our province’s long-term economic, social and environmental prosperity. I believe that Sonia has the vision, the intelligence and the spirit to lead the BC Green Party, and our province, in a better direction and I’m looking forward to supporting her campaign.”
- Andy Mackinnon, Councillor, District of Metchosin
-30-
Media Contact
Christina Winter
Co-Campaign Manager
250-727-1859
christina@soniafurstenau.ca