August 08, 2024
Lək̓ʷəŋən [LEKWUNGEN] TERRITORY / VICTORIA, B.C. — The B.C. Green Party is thrilled to announce that Rob Botterell has been selected as the party’s candidate for Saanich North and the Islands following a competitive nomination contest. Botterell emerged victorious against a strong opponent and fellow community leader, Stuart MacKinnon, who brought valuable ideas and passion to the race.
B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau expressed her excitement for Botterell’s candidacy, “Rob is a dedicated and experienced advocate for positive change. His experience representing First Nations governments gives him a unique understanding of what equality can and should look like in our province. I am confident that Rob will be a strong voice for the people of this riding and work tirelessly for a greener and fairer British Columbia.”
Born in Victoria, Rob Botterell has deep roots on the B.C. coast. After completing a Political Science degree and an MBA at the University of British Columbia, Botterell attended UVic Law School and subsequently worked for the B.C. Ministry of Finance, leading the team responsible for developing B.C.’s Freedom of Information law. With over 25 years of experience representing First Nations and local governments, including 21 municipalities in Northwestern BC and the Fraser Valley, Botterell brings a wealth of experience in governance and advocacy. During his tenure, he has championed and advocated for social and economic equality, healthcare improvements, and environmental sustainability.
“I am incredibly honoured to have been chosen to represent the B.C. Green Party in Saanich North and the Islands,” said Botterell. “I am committed to building a sustainable future for our community, addressing pressing issues like climate change, and advocating for social justice and economic equality. Together, we can create a better future for everyone.”
Botterell has a proven track record of achieving significant results, such as protecting sacred lands from industrial use, negotiating improved social services funding, enhancing road safety, and increasing Indigenous partnerships in the forest sector. He has also been a staunch advocate against the construction of the Site C dam and has worked to resolve waterfront access issues collaboratively on the Southern Gulf Islands.
MLA for Saanich North and the Islands Adam Olsen, who recently announced he would not be seeking re-election, stated his support for Botterell. “Rob is a tremendous candidate to join our team, and he will be a strong voice for our community. I am certain he will continue amplifying the voices of Saanich North and the Islands and building on the constituent-focused culture that we established in the riding. It has been an honour to serve this community, and I’m thrilled to be passing the torch over to Rob.”
The B.C. Green Party is excited to see Rob Botterell’s campaign take shape as he engages with constituents to discuss their concerns and visions for the future. The party is committed to supporting him in his efforts to bring about meaningful change in Saanich North and the Islands, and across British Columbia.