Sonia Furstenau Resigns as BC Green Party Leader

B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau speaks to supporters following her loss in the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding while at election headquarters in Victoria, B.C., on Oct. 19, 2024. The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito

After four years as leader of the BC Green Party, Sonia Furstenau is stepping down.

Furstenau announced her resignation on Jan. 28, providing no reason for her decision. She became leader of the B.C. Greens on Sept. 14, 2020.

Furstenau served as an MLA for the Cowichan Valley electoral district from 2017 to 2024. She lost her seat in the legislature in last October’s provincial election when she was defeated in the Victoria-Beacon Hill electoral district after moving to Victoria to be closer to family.

Meanwhile, the party won two seats with newly elected MLAs Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell.

Furstenau said she “never aspired to be an elected official” and that she’s satisfied with the priorities her party is bringing forward with the NDP government.

Following the provincial election, the Greens and NDP signed a four-year confidence agreement. Under the deal, the NDP—holding a narrow majority with 47 of 93 seats—will adopt key Green policy priorities in exchange for the Greens’ support in confidence votes and agreed-upon legislation.

“I’m stepping down today feeling a great sense of accomplishment, not only for what I achieved in 10 years in elected office, but for what we were able to achieve in that agreement,” Furstenau said at a Jan. 28 press conference.

The confidence agreement includes initiatives to spend $15 million on health centres, $50 million to expand access to mental health services, and $30 million to address homelessness and increase housing assistance.

The agreement includes a commitment by the government to conduct a review of CleanBC, the province’s emission reduction plan, in 2025–one year earlier than the scheduled review.

Jeremy Valeriote, who was elected MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, will serve as interim leader until the party holds a leadership race, which will be announced in February.

Valeriote makes up the party’s two-member caucus along with Botterell, who is also newly elected and represents Saanich North and the Islands.

Furstenau said she is confident the two MLAs will “hold the government to their word.”