VANCOUVER ISLAND

Sonia Furstenau elected new leader of B.C. Green Party

Published Monday, September 14, 2020 12:23PM PDT Last Updated Monday, September 14, 2020 3:41PM PDT

B.C. Green Caucus elected MLA's Sonia Furstenau, Andrew Weaver and Adam Olsen wait outside the legislative assembly before officially being sworn in as members during a ceremony at Legislature in Victoria on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

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VICTORIA -- MLA for Cowichan Valley Sonia Furstenau has been voted in as the B.C. Green Party’s newest leader.

Furstenau beat out candidates Cam Brewer and Kim Darwin for her spot, winning 52.4 per cent of the second round of votes over Brewer’s 45.9 per cent.

Before being elected as the province’s Green Party leader, Furstenau worked as the house leader for the B.C. Green Caucus, was an area director for the CVRD, and worked as a teacher and non-profit administrator.

“I am so excited to lead the next generation of the B.C. Greens,” said Furstenau in a statement Monday.

“Our caucus has shown that by following evidence and working collaboratively we can achieve tangible outcomes for B.C. communities, and we’re just getting started,” she said.

The B.C. Green Party launched a three-month-long leadership contest in June after former leader Andrew Weaver announced his retirement from the party in November.

Furstenau will now replace interim party leader Adam Olson, effective immediately.