Sonia Furstenau | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sonia Furstenau | |
| Leader of the Green Party of British Columbia | |
| 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 | Jonina Campbell[1] |
| Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Cowichan Valley | |
| Assumed office May 9, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Routley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1970 (age 53–54) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Political party | Green Party of British Columbia |
| Spouse | Blaise Salmon |
| Residence | Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia |
| Alma mater | University of Victoria |
| Profession | High school teacher |
Sonia Furstenau is a Canadian politician who is currently the leader of the Green Party of British Columbia.[2]
Furstenau was raised in Edmonton, the child of German immigrants. She attended McKernan Elementary/Junior-High School, where she was in Grade 2 in 1977-78. She went on a trip to Germany with her father, including his native East Germany, where she learned to appreciate the value of democracy by observing the lack of it. She later helped her mother protest against dumping in the vicinity of Elk Island National Park in the early 1990s.[3]
Furstenau attended the University of Victoria starting at age 20, attaining an MA in History and a Bachelor of Education. After teaching in Victoria-area schools, her work took her to Shawnigan Lake in 2011. Here she encountered the dumping of toxic soil close to the water supply, which led her to citizen involvement and to becoming a director of the Cowichan Valley Regional District (see below).[4]
Prior to holding elected office, Furstenau was a high school teacher in Victoria and Shawnigan Lake.
- ^ "Jonina Campbell".
- ^ "Sonia Furstenau elected new B.C. Green Party leader". CBC News. September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ "About – Re-Elect Sonia Furstenau for Cowichan Valley". Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ "About – Re-Elect Sonia Furstenau for Cowichan Valley". Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.