Sonia Furstenau

Sonia Furstenau is a Canadian politician who is currently the leader of the Green Party of British Columbia.[1] She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2017 provincial election to represent the electoral district of Cowichan Valley.[2] On November 2, 2016, Green Party leader Andrew Weaver announced that Furstenau would replace Adam Olsen as one of the deputy leaders of the party. On January 27, 2020, Furstenau announced her candidacy for the leadership of the party.[3][4]

Sonia Furstenau MLA
Sonia Furstenau
Leader of the Green Party of British Columbia
Incumbent
Assumed office September 14, 2020
Preceded by	Adam Olsen (interim)
Deputy Leader of the Green Party of British Columbia
In office November 2, 2016 – September 14, 2020 Serving with Jonina Campbell
Leader	Andrew Weaver
Preceded by	Adam Olsen
Succeeded by	TBD
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Cowichan Valley
Incumbent
Assumed office May 9, 2017
Preceded by	Bill Routley
Personal details
Born	1970/1971 (age 49–50) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Political party	Green Party of British Columbia
Residence	Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia
Alma mater	University of Victoria
Profession	High school teacher

In 2014, Furstenau started her political career when she was elected to serve as a director of Electoral Area B within the Cowichan Valley Regional District. This was after two years working with the Shawnigan Resident's Association to protest and appeal a British Columbia Provincial permit that allowed the siting of a landfill on the banks of the community's source of drinking water, Shawnigan Lake.

Prior to holding elected office, she was a high school teacher in Victoria and Shawnigan Lake. She has a BA and MA in History from the University of Victoria.[5]

Electoral record

2020 British Columbia general election: Cowichan Valley
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Green	Sonia Furstenau	13,059	44.21	+6.97	Filing extension granted
	New Democratic	Rob Douglas	11,875	40.20	+8.57	$55,431.43
	Liberal	Tanya Kaul	4,606	15.59	−12.07	$15,360.48
Total valid votes			29,540	100.00	–
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Registered voters
Source: Elections BC[6][7]

2017 British Columbia general election: Cowichan Valley
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Green	Sonia Furstenau	11,449	37.24	+18.09	$35,322
	New Democratic	Lori Lynn Iannidinardo	9,723	31.63	−8.51	$54,416
	Liberal	Steve Housser	8,502	27.66	−7.24	$70,112
	Independent	Ian Morrison	502	1.63	–	$8,140
	Libertarian	James Robert Anderson	302	0.98	–	$398
	Independent	Samuel Lockhart	145	0.47	–	$0
	Independent	Eden Haythornthwaite	119	0.39	–	$996
Total valid votes			30,742	100.00	–
Total rejected ballots			100	0.33	+0.01
Turnout			30,842	67.58	+5.68
Registered voters			45,641
Source: Elections BC[8][9]

References

1. "Sonia Furstenau elected new B.C. Green Party leader". CBC News. September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
2. "Greens celebrate 'historic' B.C. wins amid minority uncertainty". CBC News British Columbia, May 10, 2017.
3. CBC News (January 27, 2020). "Sonia Furstenau announces she's running for leader of B.C. Green Party". CBC News. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
4. CTV News (January 27, 2020). "Sonia Furstenau to run for BC Green Party leadership". CTV News. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
5. Sonia Furstenau
6. "2020 Provincial General Election Final Voting Results". electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
7. "Search Results: 2020 General Elections Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
8. "2017 Provincial General Election - Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
9. "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved 12 September 2020.