B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau announced on Thursday, Jan 11 that Calvin Beauchesne is the candidate for the Columbia River-Revelstoke riding in the upcoming provincial election next October.
“I am thrilled to begin 2024 by announcing Calvin Beauchesne as our candidate for Columbia River-Revelstoke,” Furstenau said. “Calvin has been a dedicated advocate for climate action for many years, and is already a powerful voice for this riding. Since moving to Golden, he has made it his mission to bring accountability and sustainability actions to life by working with Wildsight Golden and the Golden Community Resources Society.”
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Adding 2023 was a record year for B.C. “for all the wrong reasons,” with another record-breaking wildfire season and continued clearcutting of old growth forests, Furstenau said climate action is needed now more than ever.
“The best way to achieve that is by putting dedicated climate leaders like Calvin in the legislature,” Furstenau said.
Beauchesne has a BA in Environmental Studies and a MA in Sustainability studies from Trent University, where he led the on-campus fossil fuel divestment campaign from 2012 to 2016.
He’s volunteered for many years with a variety of environmental groups and currently sits on Wildsight Golden’s Board of Directors. He is also the coordinator of their Climate Action Taskforce.
“For years, I’ve been frustrated by the lack of political action by our leaders to address the biggest challenge of our time – the climate crisis,” Beauchesne said.
“We need more people in government who understand the urgency of the situation and are willing to act accordingly. That’s why I am running for the B.C. Green Party. They are the only party challenging the status quo, championing strong climate action and progressive social policies, and fighting for economic justice.”
Beauchesne was behind Golden’s commitment to 100 per cent renewable energy and Powell River’s endorsement of a global treaty to phase out fossil fuels. He also acquired a grant to install solar panels at Golden Secondary School. He currently works as the Air Quality Coordinator for Wildsight Golden and the Electric Vehicle Car Share Coordinator for Golden Community Resources Society.
“After fossil fuels were finally targeted as the root cause of climate change at COP28 in December, we have to hold the government accountable so that B.C. doesn’t fall behind in the fight against climate change,” he said. “We have the potential to be a climate leader for the whole of Canada, and set an example for the rest of the world.
READ MORE: BC Greens will demonstrate ‘new level of strength’ in 2024: Furstenau
He said the issue of climate change isn’t one to be taken lightly and that he’s committed to taking that issue and others to the legislature where he will will demand decisive action.