B.C. Greens hit the road to grow grassroots power as talks begin on new deal with NDP

As British Columbia’s legislative session winds down, newly elected Green Party Leader Emily Lowan has been spending little time in Victoria. Instead, the 25-year-old leader — who does not currently hold a seat in the legislature — is travelling the province to strengthen the party’s grassroots support.

Her cross-province tour has taken her to packed community gatherings in Kamloops, industrial sites in Golden, and even door-to-door visits in Vancouver’s ultra-wealthy neighbourhoods. Lowan says many of the communities she’s visiting feel pressured by what she describes as “corporate resource theft.”

“I wanted to offer people a platform and a microphone to share what they’re experiencing,” Lowan said during a virtual interview while visiting Prince Rupert.

The tour also comes at a critical political moment. With speculation rising about a possible early election, the Greens have just begun renegotiating their co-operation agreement with the governing B.C. NDP. The agreement allows the minority government to survive key confidence votes in exchange for progress on shared policy priorities.

Lowan became party leader in September after former leader Sonia Furstenau lost her seat in the last election, which left the Greens with two first-time MLAs: Rob Botterell and Jeremy Valeriote.

Political analysts say the Greens’ leverage in the upcoming negotiations will depend heavily on how secure the NDP feels politically.

“They’re one of the smaller parties, and yet they have real influence,” said Michael MacKenzie, a political studies professor at Vancouver Island University. “That influence grows when the NDP feels vulnerable.”

Tax reform is expected to be a central issue at the negotiating table. Lowan has proposed a series of changes, including new personal income tax brackets, a one per cent increase for top earners, and reinstating higher corporate tax rates that existed before 2006. Some observers say convincing the NDP to embrace these measures may prove challenging.

Political organizer Sonia Theroux, who previously worked with the Greens, said internal dynamics could also shape the party’s next stage.

“Emily is bringing a kind of energy and populist style that’s very different,” Theroux said. “Her MLAs bring experience and institutional knowledge. That contrast could actually be a strength.”

Botterell, a former lawyer, says he fully supports Lowan’s approach.

“My colleague Jeremy and I are doing everything we can inside the legislature to hold the government to account,” Botterell said. “Emily is out there building the broader movement.”

Valeriote has also said that without a strong official opposition, the Greens now have an even greater responsibility to scrutinize government decisions — a role that could become more prominent if a new co-operation deal is reached.

Despite the political uncertainty, Lowan says she remains optimistic. At a recent stop in Hazelton, only two people had officially signed up to attend — yet nearly 40 showed up.

“It tells me people are hungry for connection and for a vision,” she said. “We can’t only focus on what’s broken. We have to give people hope and a direction forward.”