Full Breakdown
Emily Lowan Takes the Green Reins in Saanich North and the Islands
By Drooid · · How we work
Emily Lowan Enters the Riding
B.C. Green Party leader Emily Lowan announced she will run in the Saanich North and the Islands constituency after incumbent MLA Rob Botterell stepped aside. The move positions her in one of the party’s historically safest ridings.
Background: Botterell’s Exit and the Snap Election
Botterell, first elected in 2024, confirmed he intended to serve only a single term and was not pressured by party leadership to vacate the seat. He criticized Premier David Eby’s decision to call a provincial election two years into a four-year term, describing it as “irresponsible” and “reckless.” The snap election was called by the NDP government after a trade-war dispute, with voting slated for later in October.
Party Strategy and Policy Emphasis
She said the Greens will field candidates province-wide but will concentrate resources on the southern part of Vancouver Island, aiming to win seats there. Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote, the party’s other sitting member, also reiterated criticism of the early election and expressed confidence in his own re-election bid.
Official Statements & Responses
Rob Botterell’s announcement emphasized his personal commitment to a full four-year term and framed his departure as a planned transition. Emily Lowan highlighted her personal connection to the riding and the party’s economic platform, while also noting the strategic allocation of campaign resources to the island’s south. Jeremy Valeriote echoed the party’s disapproval of Premier Eby’s timing and voiced optimism about the Greens’ prospects. The party collectively condemned the election call as disruptive to democratic expectations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “With mixed emotions, I’m announcing today that I’m not running in Saanich North and the Islands,” — Rob Botterell
- “When I ran for office, I made a personal commitment to be the MLA for a four-year term,” — Rob Botterell
- “We’re full-steam ahead in this election, and we are laser-focused on building out a full slate, but the majority of our electoral resources will be focused on our targets to win in the south of the Island,” — Party Leader Emily Lowan
- “It’s the place where I grew up, swimming off the coast of this peninsula, snorkelling, crabbing with my family off of Sidney Pier,” — Party Leader Emily Lowan