BC Greens Leader Sonia Furstenau says she will run in the NDP stronghold of Victoria-Beacon Hill in the provincial election this fall.
Furstenau, elected to represent Cowichan Valley since 2017, will run in the Victoria riding currently held by Children and Family Development Minister Grace Lore.
The riding was previously held by former NDP leader Carole James.
“The decision to come back to Victoria is really rooted in what is best for our family,” Furstenau said at a news conference in Victoria.
Furstenau said her son and his new wife live in Victoria and her younger son is attending the University of Victoria, which her youngest child also plans to attend.
Furstenau said her party will be holding the NDP government to account for the way in which the Ministry Children and Family Development has failed to support children and families in the province, adding she is “anxiously” waiting to see the kind of leadership newly appointed Lore will bring to the file.
Furstenau did not answer whether she would step down if not re-elected in the new riding, saying that’s a decision for the future.
“I am focused on presenting to British Columbians an option for them to vote for something that they can believe in that they can be excited by, that they will have a feeling of hope and expectation that things can improve — because they absolutely can.
Lore welcomed Furstenau to the race on the social-media platform X, saying she looks forward to discussing the issues that the people in the community care about — housing, the climate crisis, reconciliation, health care and more.
“I hope that even when we disagree on exactly how to reach a goal, we can remember the common values we have on so many issues,” said Lore, following the B.C. Green leader’s announcement. “Anticipating some constructive debates!”
The provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 19.
