Emily Lowan wins leadership of B.C. Greens

Emily Lowan is the next leader of the B.C. Greens Party.

It was a decisive win for the 25-year-old Victoria resident, who received 3,189 votes, well ahead of runner-up Jonathan Kerr with 1,908.

Adam Bremner-Akins trailed with 128 votes. 

Voting took place between Sept.13 to 23.

The party said more than 5,200 members cast ballots out of about 8,600 eligible voters.

Lowan’s campaign centred on youth recruitment through an active social media presence and a slate of progressive policies. Her platform pledged to challenge billionaires, corporations and big oil companies. 

She received endorsements from big names like David Suzuki, Dr. Gabor Mate and Grand Chief Stewart Philip, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.

In her victory speech Wednesday in Victoria, Lowan said the Greens saw nearly a tenfold increase in new youth memberships during her campaign.

She criticized the NDP government for making decisions based on “fear” of the Trump administration’s trade policies while courting “American oligarchs” to invest in B.C.

The B.C. Greens have been working with the B.C. NDP on shared priorities since signing an agreement in principle last December. The parties reached a final agreement, known as the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord (CARGA), in March on shared policy initiatives for 2025, ranging from mental health care to electoral reform. 

Lowan told reporters she thinks the party should consider an expedited re-negotiation of CARGA this fall. 

“We need a leader that’s going to be bold and critical of the governing party, and it’s important to really build the outside movement that we’ll need to have real leverage in those negotiating rooms,” said Lowan.

Interim leader Jeremy Valeriote has led the party since Sonia Furstenau stepped down in January. 

He said he has full confidence heading into CARGA negotiations with the NDP.

The West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA holds one of two seats for the party, alongside Rob Botterell MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. 

Lowan said she’ll consider running in a “viable” byelection to secure a seat in the legislature, otherwise will run in the next provincial election. 

Valeriote said having a leader outside the legislature could strengthen the party.

“Having three of us working on this, having Emily working all across the province and having us in the legislature when it sits…I think it’s a potential game changer,” said Valeriote. 

Lowan has challenged the party’s verification rules during the leadership race, which required newer members to verify their identity before voting. She argued the process was cumbersome, unfair, and possibly discriminatory against the many younger members who had signed up during her campaign. 

The B.C. Greens defended the verification process, saying the steps were necessary to combat the potential threat of foreign interference.

Lowan said she’s in favour of Elections B.C. taking over leadership races across all parties.

She said her first priority as leader will be preparing the Greens for the next provincial election.