B.C. Green party candidates faced off in a leadership debate Saturday in downtown Victoria.
Emily Lowan, Jonathan Kerr and Adam Bremner-Akins each sought to position themselves as the leader who can revive a party that has remained largely stagnant in the past two provincial elections.
The candidates answered questions from debate moderator Jo-Ann Roberts on topics ranging from LNG expansion to public safety. They also had an opportunity to pose questions of their fellow candidates.
Interim leader Jeremy Valeriote has led the party since Sonia Furstenau stepped down in January. 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. Neither opted to run for leader, leaving all three candidates without seats in the legislatur
Lowan’s campaign has centred on youth recruitment through active social media campaigning and progressive policies. The Victoria-native’s platform includes calls to tax the richest one per cent of British Columbians, ban fossil fuel expansion, and put price caps on staple grocery products.
Bremner-Akins challenged Lowan on how she would implement her lengthy policy platform without sidestepping the party’s established processes, asking if she would use the leader’s office to force her platform through.
Lowan said she would work to ensure members are engaged with the party, “so they can advocate for the policy that they resonate with the most.”
Lowan has also garnered endorsements from big names like David Suzuki and Dr. Gabor Maté. She said Saturday the party has recruited over 1500 new members under 30 during this leadership race.
In her closing statement, Lowan said the B.C. Greens are at a “crossroads” and urged members to reject the “status quo.””
Comox town councillor and family doctor Jonathan Kerr is the only candidate with experience as an elected official, and has sought to position himself as the more moderate choice in the race. At 44, he is the oldest contender, while Lowan and Bremner-Akins are both in their 20s.
During the debate, Lowan questioned whether Kerr could handle the workload of a party leader.
Kerr said he would step down from his role as vice-chair of the Comox Valley Regional District if elected as party leader. He said he plans to stay on as a town councillor, but wouldn’t run for re-election in 2026.
Kerr said he’s confident he could juggle working one-day per week at his clinic and attending council meetings two or three evenings per week alongside leadership duties.
Adam Bremner-Akins promised to leverage his experience and connections as a two-time MLA candidate and former secretary for the B.C. Greens to build support for the party. The university student also held a position on the B.C. Greens’ provincial council.
In his closing remarks, Bremner-Akins said he would be proud to be the first openly queer person to lead a political party in B.C.
Kerr questioned Bremner-Akins on his ability to go head-to-head with Premier David Eby in debates.
“I am more than ready,” said Bremner-Akins. “I have been on debate stages with current ministers, with the members of the CARGA negotiation team…so I think my experience will speak for itself,” he said.
LNG expansion a “non-starter”
All candidates spoke out against the federal and provincial governments’ push for LNG expansion in northwest B.C.
LNG Canada’s Phase 2 at its Kitimat facility was one of five projects on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s list for possible fast-tracking.
Roberts asked candidates whether they’d have trouble working with Carney’s government given plans to fast-track fuel projects.
Kerr said he was “furious” after seeing the list of major projects. “This is absolutely a non-starter for me that we cannot allow this phase 2 LNG to happen,” he said.
Lowan said as B.C. Greens leader, she would push to impose a moratorium on all fossil fuel expansion, and ending all fossil fuel expansion, including for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project.
Bremner-Akins said cooperation across the political spectrum is important, but “we need to ensure the federal government understands and respects our right to choose what happens within our province’s borders.”
Voting in the B.C. Greens leadership contest is taking place from Sept.13 to 23, with the results to be announced on Sept. 24.
