Meet Jane Sterk, PhD, Leader of the Green Party of BC

Jane Sterk has led the Green Party of BC since October, 2007. Under her leadership, the party achieved 8.3% of the popular vote in the May 2009 provincial election. She has also worked hard on strengthening internal Party structure, implementing disciplined financial controls and retiring the Party’s long-term debt.

Before taking over the helm of the Party, Jane was active for several years in developing the Green option in Canadian politics. She ran as a federal candidate in 2004 and as a provincial candidate in 2005. As a Councillor in the Township of Esquimalt, 2005 -- 2008, she worked actively for sustainability initiatives. During her term, Esquimalt adopted an urban agriculture resolution, a community garden by-law, a pedestrian charter, and became the second community in Victoria to adopt a pesticide by-law. The Township also switched from using chemicals to using steam to control weeds on its roads and sidewalks.

As a successful entrepreneur herself, Jane understands very well the contribution small business makes to building healthy, sustainable communities. She co-owned a retail store in the computer industry that created 60 full-time jobs during the 10 years she served as President. From this experience, she also became deeply aware of the barriers forward-thinking businesses face from poorly designed tax and regulatory regimes, and has a clear perspective on needed changes.

Jane has a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from the University of Alberta, and worked as a Mental Health Consultant with the Edmonton Board of Health specializing in family therapy and organizational development. She consulted in the social service, health and education sectors to improve organizational functioning and job and team performance.

Jane started her career as a teacher with the Edmonton Public Schools. She went on to teach in Continuing Studies at the University of Alberta, in the early childhood program at Grant MacEwen College, and in the MBA program in Business Environment and Organizational Behaviour at University Canada West in Victoria.

Family and community are important to Jane. She and her husband John, a retired lawyer, have been married for 44 years. They have two grown sons: Darryl, a university professor who lives in Taiwan and Lindsay, owner and artistic director of Pantuso Dance in Courtenay. Her two grandsons, Sam and Timothy, live in Courtenay. They are Jane’s motivation for working for positive change to environmental, social service, community and economic policy. She believes strongly that the Green movement must work at both the grass roots level and by driving policy change from within the provincial government.

Jane serves on the Board of the Rotary Club of Victoria Harbourside as Director of Communications and Director of Club Administration. In her free time Jane enjoys bicycling, keeping fit, gardening, and looking after her grandkids.