British ColumbiaCandidates for the next leader of the B.C. Green Party debated infrastructure projects, housing and public safety Saturday.Three hopefuls sparred over housing, climate policy and public safetyLauren Vanderdeen · CBC News · Posted: Sep 13, 2025 11:35 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoThree candidates, Emily Lowan, Adam Bremner-Akins and Jonathan Kerr, running to be the next leader of the B.C. Green Party, debated political issues at an event in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (B.C. Green Party)Three would-be leaders of the B.C. Greens shared their visions for the party’s future at a debate Saturday afternoon in Victoria, B.C., marking the start of the voting period.The candidates are looking to fill the shoes of former party leader Sonia Furstenau, who stepped down after she lost her seat in last year’s provincial election.The party’s two elected MLAs, Rob Botterell and Jeremy Valeriote, decided to “focus on their vital work in the legislature and their constituencies rather than run for leader,” according to the Green Party. As a result, none of the leadership candidates currently hold a seat in the legislature.Party members can vote online starting Saturday at 8 p.m. PT until Sept. 23. Election results are expected Sept. 24.WATCH | Who’s running for leadership of the B.C. Greens?: New candidates line up as B.C. Green Party leader seat up for grabsAfter Sonia Furstenau lost her seat in last year’s provincial election, three people are vying to be the leader of the BC Greens. Aug. 10 is the deadline to sign up new members. As Katie DeRosa reports, the leadership race comes at a time when climate issues are being eclipsed by tariffs and the economy.New party members must verify their identity due to the “threat of foreign interference,” according to the party, which says it wants to protect the integrity of the vote.Debate moderator Jo-Ann Roberts said the campaigns have brought in 3,700 new Green Party members to date.The Greens are using a ranked ballot. Candidates and the issuesDuring the debate, the candidates introduced themselves.Adam Bremner-Akins highlighted his volunteer work with the Greens and his two campaigns for a seat in the legislature in 2020 and 2024.Jonathan Kerr introduced himself as a family doctor and two-term city councillor in Comox, B.C.Emily Lowan described herself as a party-builder with experience in climate organizing and policy research.In a rapid-fire round, each candidate responded to questions posed by the moderator. Three of those questions, along with each candidate’s answer, are included below.Three candidates, Emily Lowan, Jonathan Kerr and Adam Bremner-Akins, debate in a leadership race for the B.C. Greens on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (B.C. Green Party)Should agricultural land be made available for low-cost housing projects?Lowan said she would prioritize non-market and social housing.”We need to ensure that housing is being treated as a human right and not a luxury, and that we’re putting effective guardrails on predatory developers that are attempting to strip away agricultural lands and actually increase urban sprawl.”Bremner-Akins said regulations are pushing farmers and families off of the land, but added land generally should not be removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve. “We need to go through real, evidence-based processes, soil testing … before we ever consider taking out what is so valuable to our province.”Kerr said the province needs more affordable housing, but that agricultural land shouldn’t be used.He added that building non-market rental housing tied to income can be done in cities without using farmland.”Our farmland should be used for local food production so that we have free school lunches.”Would the B.C. Greens have difficulty working with Mark Carney’s government given its plans to fast-track fossil fuel projects?Kerr said he was “furious” when he saw the list of five projects slated for fast-tracking, including LNG Canada Phase 2, which he called a “non-starter.” Lowan said she would push for a moratorium on fossil fuel expansion and ending fossil fuel subsidies for projects like the “MAGA-backed” Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project.Bremner-Akins said he would try to prevent new fossil fuel infrastructure while demanding federal investment in green infrastructure.Is public safety best served by increasing foot patrols by peace officers?Bremner-Akins said public safety is “most improved when we provide for everyone in our province,” which he said includes ensuring people have a right to housing, mental healthcare and addiction treatment.Kerr said peace officers aren’t the only answer and highlighted the restorative justice program in the Comox Valley that he said finds solutions that don’t result in a criminal record.Lowan said she preferred a team-based approach with social workers and community safety workers who do not have police training and supported investing in preventative care.ABOUT THE AUTHORLauren Vanderdeen is a web writer for CBC British Columbia. She formerly worked for community newspapers, including the Burnaby Now and New West Record. You can reach her at lauren.vanderdeen@cbc.ca.
B.C. Green Party leadership candidates debate in Victoria as voting opens
