The B.C. Green Party is putting forward a Gulf Islander in the upcoming fall provincial election, following MLA Adam Olsen’s decision not to seek re-election.
BC Greens announced one-time Bowen Island trustee and current North Pender resident Robert Botterell would be the party’s candidate for the Saanich North and the Islands riding, chosen during a final nomination event held Tuesday evening, Aug. 6. Botterell was chosen over Stuart MacKinnon, a North Saanich resident, retired secondary special needs teacher and former Vancouver Parks Board commissioner.
Botterell was born and grew up in Victoria, according to his campaign materials, and recently formed an informal group of 800 waterfront owners known as Southern Gulf Islanders for Collaboration and Reconciliation to work with the government of B.C., First Nations, the Islands Trust and others to address waterfront access issues.
He joins the MLA race with Conservative candidate David Busch, who was announced by his party in June. Busch ran for the Conservatives in the Saanich-Gulf Islands federal electoral riding in 2019 and 2021, hoping to unseat MP Elizabeth May and finishing both contests with roughly 20 per cent of the vote.
Other parties have yet to formally announce additional candidates. A spokesperson for BC NDP said it has a contested nomination meeting to decide its candidate set for Thursday, Aug. 22.
Standing nominations can be filed with Elections BC at any time before Sept. 21.
The Driftwood will be co-sponsoring a candidates’ debate with the Salt Spring Forum Wednesday, Oct. 9; look for more information about that event in the coming weeks. Election day is set for Saturday, Oct. 19.