2020 Green Party of British Columbia leadership election
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Date | September 14, 2020[1] |
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Convention | Nanaimo, British Columbia |
Resigning leader | Andrew Weaver |
Won by | Sonia Furstenau |
Ballots | 2 |
Candidates | 3 |
Entrance Fee | $16,000[2] |
Spending limit | $300,000[2] |
The Green Party of British Columbia held an election between September 5 and 13, 2020, to elect a leader to replace Andrew Weaver, who resigned on January 6, 2020, due to a personal health issue.[3] Adam Olsen was made interim leader shortly after Weaver's resignation.[4] Party members cast votes online and by telephone, using ranked ballots.[2] Members and supporters 16 years of age and older were eligible to vote.[5]
On March 27, 2020, the election was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant state of emergency in the province.[6] Before the postponement, voting was to take place between June 15 and 26.[7] The deadline to enter the race was to be April 15, and debates were planned to take place after April 30, in three regions of the province.[2] The winner was to be announced at the party's convention in Nanaimo from June 26 to 28 that year.[8]
The campaign resumed on June 15, 2020. The party opened a second nomination period which ran from June 26 to July 27. Members and supporters had until August 21 to register in order to be able to vote by phone, and until September 2 to be able to vote online. A debate took place on September 1. Voting occurred from September 5 to 13.[1][9] On September 14, 2020, it was announced that Sonia Furstenau had won the contest.[10] Turnout among eligible voters was 85%.[11]
Timeline
[edit]2019
[edit]- October 7 – Andrew Weaver announces he will step down as party leader once a new leader is chosen.[12][13][14][15]
- December 20 – Adam Olsen is named interim leader.[16]
2020
[edit]- January 6 – The party releases the leadership contest rules.[2]
- January 13 – Leadership contest officially begins.[8]
- January 27 – Deputy Leader Sonia Furstenau announces her candidacy.[7]
- March 4 – Kim Darwin announces her candidacy.[17]
- March 27 – The election is postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
- April 15 – Original deadline for candidates to enter race.[18] The deadline was subsequently changed to July 27 following postponement of the race.[1]
- June 15 – The leadership race is officially re-opened following the postponement.[1]
- July 25 – Cam Brewer announces his candidacy.[19]
- July 27 – Deadline for candidates to apply.[1]
- August 21 – Deadline to become a member or supporter if voting by phone.[1]
- September 1 – Official leadership debate.[1]
- September 2 – Deadline to become a member or supporter if online voting.[1]
- September 5 – Voting period begins.[1]
- September 13 – Voting period ends.[1]
- September 14 – Leader announced.[1]
Results
[edit]Candidate | 1st round | 2nd round | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Votes cast | % | Votes cast | % | |
Sonia Furstenau | 2,197 | 47.41% | 2,428 | 53.30% |
Cam Brewer | 1,916 | 41.34% | 2,127 | 46.70% |
Kim Darwin | 521 | 11.24% | Eliminated | |
Total | 4,634 | 100% | 4555 | 100% |
Debates
[edit]No. | Date | Place | Host | Topic | Moderator | Participants | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P Participant A Absent invitee N Non-invitee O Out of race (exploring or withdrawn) | Brewer | Darwin | Furstenau | ||||||||||||
1 | September 1, 2020 | Online | Green Party of British Columbia | Various | Neetu Garcha | P | P | P |
Candidates
[edit]Cam Brewer
[edit]Cam Brewer is a Vancouver lawyer and Simon Fraser University adjunct professor who practices environmental and Aboriginal law.[20][21][22]
- Candidacy announced: July 25, 2020[19]
- Date registered with Elections BC:
- Campaign website: cambrewer
.ca
Kim Darwin
[edit]Kim Darwin is an independent mortgage consultant and former president of the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce.[17] She served as vice chair of the Green Party of British Columbia's provincial council and stood as a candidate for Powell River-Sunshine Coast in 2017.[23]
- Candidacy announced: March 4, 2020[17]
- Date registered with Elections BC:
- Campaign website: kimdarwin.ca
Sonia Furstenau
[edit]Sonia Furstenau, 49, is the MLA for Cowichan Valley (2017–present) and deputy leader of the party (2016–present).[24]
- Candidacy announced: January 27, 2020[7][24]
- Date registered with Elections BC:
- Campaign website: soniafurstenau
.ca
- MLAs:
- Former provincial candidates:
- Josh Drozda (2015 candidate for Green Party of Alberta in Leduc-Beaumont)[25]
- Kalen Harris (2017 candidate in Victoria-Beacon Hill)[26]
- Dan Hines (2017 candidate in Kamloops-North Thompson[27]
- James Marshall (2017 candidate in Vancouver-West End)[28]
- Jean-Michel Toriel (2009 candidate in Vancouver-Langara)[29]
- Mark Neufeld (2017 candidate in Saanich South)[30]
- Municipal politicians:
- Lisa Helps (Mayor of Victoria, 2014–2022)[31]
- Joe Keithley (Councillor, City of Burnaby)[32]
- Andy Mackinnion (Metchosin councillor)[31]
- Rik Logtenberg (Councillor, City of Nelson)[32]
- Sarah Potts (Councillor, City of Victoria)[32]
- Former municipal politicians:
- Federal MPs and candidates:
- Bridget Burns (2019 candidate in Vancouver East)[32]
- Amita Kuttner (Green Party critic for science and innovation, 2019 candidate in Burnaby North—Seymour)[31]
- Frances Litman (2015 candidate in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke)[33]
- Paul Manly (Member of Parliament for Nanaimo—Ladysmith, 2019–present)[34]
- Elizabeth May (leader of the Green Party of Canada from 2006 to 2019, member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands since 2011) [35]
- Other prominent individuals:
- Eli Enns (President and CEO of IIISAAK Olam Foundation)[36]
- David Suzuki[37]
Declined
[edit]- Jonina Campbell – deputy leader (2018–present), candidate for New Westminster in 2017.[8][38][39][40]
- Adriane Carr – Vancouver city councillor (2011–present), former deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada (2006–2014), former leader of the Green Party of British Columbia (2000–2005, 1983–1985).[8]
- Pete Fry – Vancouver city councillor (2018–present), candidate for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant in 2016 by-election.[8]
- Lisa Helps – Mayor of Victoria (2014–2022).[8] Endorsed Furstenau.[31]
- Joe Keithley – Burnaby city councillor (2018–present), candidate for Burnaby-Lougheed in 2017.[8]
- Racelle Kooy – Green Party of Canada candidate for Victoria in 2019.[8]
- Adam Olsen – MLA for Saanich North and the Islands (2017–2024), former interim leader (2013–2015). Became interim leader.[16]
- Dana Taylor – former North Vancouver councillor, candidate for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky in 2017, Green Party of Canada candidate for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country in 2019.[8]
- Michael Wiebe – Vancouver city councillor (2018–present), former commissioner of the Vancouver Park Board (2014–2018).[8]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Our leadership contest is now open (again)!". Green Party of British Columbia. June 15, 2020. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e The Canadian Press (January 6, 2020). "B.C. Greens set rules, money, details to replace Andrew Weaver". CTV News. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Larsen, Karin (October 7, 2019). "Andrew Weaver says he'll step down as B.C. Green Party leader". CBC News. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ "B.C. Green MLA Adam Olsen named new interim party leader". CBC News. December 20, 2019. Archived from the original on January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
- ^ Bernard, Renee (December 20, 2019). "Political scientist commends changes to B.C. Green Party leadership voting". News1130. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Rothbauer, Kevin (March 27, 2020). "B.C. Greens suspend leadership race due to COVID-19". Alberni Valley News. Archived from the original on May 22, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c CTV News (January 27, 2020). "Sonia Furstenau to run for BC Green Party leadership". CTV News. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Zussman, Richard (January 10, 2020). "BC Green Party leadership: Who will replace Andrew Weaver?". Global News. Archived from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Barron, Robert (June 15, 2020). "Campaign to lead B.C. Green Party back on". Black Press. Peace Arch News. Archived from the original on June 29, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Sonia Furstenau elected new B.C. Green Party leader". CBC News. September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ a b "Sonia Furstenau selected as new BC Green Party leader". Global News. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ Larsen, Karin (October 7, 2019). "Andrew Weaver says he'll step down as B.C. Green Party leader". CBC News. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Warburton, Moira (October 7, 2019). "Head of British Columbia Green Party, which supports government, to step down as leader". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ Fletcher, Tanya (October 8, 2019). "Their leader made history, now he's resigning. What's next for the B.C. Greens?". CBC News. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Shaw, Rob (November 6, 2019). "B.C. and federal Green parties face critical leadership choices". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "B.C. Green MLA Adam Olsen named new interim party leader". CBC News. December 20, 2019. Archived from the original on January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
- ^ a b c Christensen, Kyle (March 4, 2020). "Darwin Enters Green Party Leadership Race". My Coast Now. Archived from the original on March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ MacLeod, Andrew (February 4, 2020). "BC Greens Counting on Leadership Race to Attract Members and Money". The Tyee. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b Brewer, Cam [@BrewerForBC] (July 25, 2020). "Today I announced that I'm running for the leadership of the BC Greens. Join me! https://t.co/KYxJ5vJtaL #bcgreens #bcpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Eckford, Sean (July 30, 2020). "B.C. Green leadership now a three-way contest". Coast Reporter. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "Cam Brewer". Green Party of British Columbia. 2020. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
- ^ "Our Lawyers". Ratcliffe & Company LLP. July 29, 2020. Archived from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- ^ Eckford, Sean (March 2, 2020). "Kim Darwin to run for B.C. Green leadership". Coast Reporter. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ a b CBC News (January 27, 2020). "Sonia Furstenau announces she's running for leader of B.C. Green Party". CBC News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
- ^ Drozda, Josh [@joshdrozda] (September 10, 2020). "It feels great to vote for a leader who has the courage & compassion to create a more just & equitable BC for all residents which is why I #Voted4Sonia for the new @BCGreens leader.@SoniaFurstenau has the experience & determination needed to chart a bold new path forward for all" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Harris, Kalen [@KalenHarrisYYJ] (September 7, 2020). "I voted this morning! The future of the party is in good hands whoever wins, but my #1 is @SoniaFurstenau. She's proved that she can do politics differently. And honestly, that's all I want – a generous, kind, thoughtful, collaborative politics. https://t.co/hQsUTiJmeo" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Hines, Dan [@DanJHines] (September 6, 2020). "I was glad to vote tonight for @SoniaFurstenau to be the next leader of the @BCGreens and to offer my full support for her leadership. ps If you're registered to vote, you'll receive a ballot by email and it's simple to rank your choices. You can vote up until Sept. 13. https://t.co/yW3k5MThqx" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Marshall, James [@JamesWestEnd] (September 7, 2020). "Cast my vote in the @BCGreens leadership election for @SoniaFurstenau! For the record, @BrewerForBC is also fantastic, and I'm looking forward to running with him here in #Vancouver next year in the general election! #bcpoli" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ jmtoriel [@jmtoriel] (September 7, 2020). "Previously served on @BCGreens Council, excited abt the future of our party and its next leader. @SoniaFurstenau will enhance BC's political and ecological landscape for a more resilient and sustainable future, with a collaborative approach to achieving solutions. #Voted4Sonia" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Neufeld, Mark [@markvneufeld] (September 9, 2020). "I #voted4sonia because she believes in young people and their right to the best future they can possibly have. We need leadership that's proven but different. Pragmatic and visionary. https://t.co/xYTvwx64oF" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d Smith, Charlie (January 21, 2020). "B.C. Green leadership candidate Sonia Furstenau needs to put B.C. NDP government on the hot seat". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Leaders across BC endorse Sonia Furstenau for BC Greens Leader". Youtube. September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ Litman, Frances [@franceslitman] (September 8, 2020). "Grateful to have such incredible candidates running for Green Party leadership. I know @SoniaFurstenau and #Voted4Sonia as her values, dedication, experience and ability is unquestionably extraordinary, refreshing and unwavering. I encourage others to vote for Sonia Furstenau" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Furstenau, Sonia [@SoniaFurstenau] (August 31, 2020). "I am honoured to have @paulmanly's endorsement for my leadership. In his breakthrough election win, Paul built a grassroots campaign based on a hopeful vision for his community. I'm delighted to have his support for my campaign & building the @BCGreens https://t.co/9OtB4PpqSq https://t.co/c0pnVmkZcW" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Rothbauer, Kevin (July 7, 2020). "Elizabeth May endorses Furstenau in BC Greens race". Victoria News. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- ^ IISAAK OLAM Foundation [@iisaakolam] (January 27, 2020). "Congratulations to @SoniaFurstenau on her announcement today to run for the BC Green Party leadership @BCGreens. Our Eli Enns was there to show support for her values around conservation, reconciliation, and cross-governmental collaboration. @Enns_Eli https://t.co/FA333RsZaN" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "David Suzuki endorses Sonia Furstenau for BC Greens Leader". YouTube. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- ^ Smyth, Mike (January 11, 2020). "Greens debate party direction as leadership contest begins". The Province. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ McManus, Theresa (February 1, 2020). "New West resident not taking run at BC Greens leadership". New Westminster Record. Archived from the original on February 2, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ McElroy, Justin (January 18, 2020). "'We need to break out': Potential Green party leadership candidate says Metro Vancouver key to future". CBC News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.