B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau announced Calvin Beauchesne as the party’s candidate for Columbia River-Revelstoke today.

“I am thrilled to begin 2024 by announcing Calvin Beauchesne as our candidate for Columbia River-Revelstoke,” said Furstenau. “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.”

Furstenau added, “2023 was a record year for B.C. for all the wrong reasons. An unprecedented wildfire season,  while the B.C. NDP government allowed for continued clearcut logging of old growth forests,  and approved new fossil fuel projects.  We need climate action more than ever. The best way to achieve that is by putting dedicated climate leaders like Calvin in the legislature.”

“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.” said Beauchesne, “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.”

“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. We have the potential to be a climate leader for the whole of Canada, and set an example for the rest of the world. We shouldn’t take that opportunity lightly, and I am committed to bringing this issue, and many others, to the legislature and demanding decisive action. I look forward to joining Sonia and Adam and bringing the voice of my community to the forefront of climate action in B.C.”

“In an age of climate extremes, we need our political leaders to be doing more to address the climate crisis,” added Furstenau. “I firmly believe that the community is in good hands with Calvin as our candidate for Columbia River-Revelstoke, and I’m excited to see him continue doing the hard work to improve the lives of those in his community as part of the B.C. Greens.”

Beauchesne holds a BA in Environmental Studies and MA in Sustainability Studies from Trent University. He led the on-campus fossil fuel divestment campaign from 2012-2016, and worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in 2017-2018.

He has been actively volunteering with different environmental groups over the years, including sitting on the Board of Directors for Wildsight Golden and is the Coordinator of Wildsight Golden’s Climate Action Taskforce.

He was responsible for Golden committing to 100% renewable energy, and Powell River endorsing a global treaty to phase out fossil fuels. He was also successful in acquiring a grant to install solar panels on Golden Secondary School.

Currently, Beauchesne works as the Air Quality Coordinator for Wildsight Golden and the Electric Vehicle Car Share Coordinator for Golden Community Resources Society.

Photo submitted

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