I’m Emily (she/her), a renter, organizer, and advocate for climate justice and Indigenous solidarity. I’m from Victoria, BC, the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) peoples, and grew up swimming in the ocean and running forest trails. Like many in my generation, I was not afforded the luxury of a naive youth; I grew up facing the climate crisis. Over the past decade, I have stood up to the corporate forces taking over our democracy, hoarding our wealth, and profiteering on the destruction of the planet. I’m fed up, and I know you are too. It’s time we reclaim our democracy and put the government to work for everyday British Columbians.
My experience includes leading impactful campaigns, conducting investigative research, and building broad coalitions. In my current role at Climate Action Network Canada, I work with a network of 180 civil society organizations to stop fossil fuel expansion and build our renewable future. In my role at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Corporate Mapping Project, I trained dozens of grassroot groups on investigative research methods and campaign strategy. As the UVic Student Union Director of Campaigns, I led a successful fossil fuel divestment campaign, after years of pressure and student movement organizing. During my work on a federal emissions cap, I was targeted by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s 7-million dollar attack campaign. My advocacy has put me in the crosshairs of the fossil fuel lobby, time and time again. I know their playbook and am not afraid to resist.
Decolonization is central to my organizing work. I believe Indigenous-led resistance, with robust solidarity from diverse settler communities, is the most powerful way to combat fossil fuel expansion. Through my relationships with Indigenous nations, I’ve been invited to lead an environmental impact assessment report, research briefs on a pipeline’s economic and environmental risks, and deliver research presentations to Chiefs on LNG and compressor station expansion impacts. I’ve also co-authored a forthcoming Yellowhead Institute report on the financial risks of LNG equity ownership agreements. I’ve strived to expand decolonial solidarity practice across the organizations I work with, for example, by developing this guide on decolonization for environmental non-profits.
For the past decade, I have been relentlessly dedicated to climate action, democracy, and Indigenous solidarity. As your leader of the BC Green Party, I will bring proven expertise in rigorous research, impactful campaigning, and strategic coalition-building. As Leader, I will empower our movement to seize this political moment and generate sustained momentum for the BC Greens.