Run As A Candidate

The Green Party of BC plans to start nominating candidates for the May 14, 2013 election by May 2011. We hope to have most candidates in place by May 2012. We anticipate that regional organizations will invite people to apply for nomination in their electoral district, and that they will hold nomination contests. It is important to the Green Party of BC that most of our candidates live and work in their electoral district and are known as engaged and valuable community members.

If there is no regional organization in your electoral district, you can apply to be a candidate by contacting leader@greenparty.bc.ca. Whether a person is recruited locally or applies directly to the party, we have a formal vetting process that includes completing an application form, providing a criminal record check, and participating in an interview with the leader.

Being a candidate is exhilarating, and the campaign process can be fun. It is also hard work. Having a supportive team is critical. We know and appreciate the leap of faith that our candidates take in representing our party. It is an honourable thing to do because we are the only party that proposes real solutions to the many challenges that face our society.

Early nominations will permit candidates to start campaigning in their ridings a full one to two years before the election.

To be eligible to run for the Green Party of BC, you must be a member in good standing, a donor to the party and a person who is well known and respected in your community. You must be familiar with and able to speak to BC Green Party policy. Other attractive characteristics are experience in elected public office, participation on Shadow Cabinet and public speaking training and experience. All representatives of the Green Party of BC are to be professional in dress and appearance.

Our candidates come from a variety of work, ethnic, demographic, language and sexual orientation backgrounds. Diversity is one of the Green Party's core values and we want the wonderful diversity of BC's population reflected in our candidates. 

Please see the attached file for detailed expectations of candidates.

By-Elections

By-elections are occasionally held between provincial elections. They could be the result of resignations or be forced by successful recall campaigns. To run in a by-election, the candidate must meet the Green Party of BC expectations. Anyone running in a by-election will run in that riding in the 2013 provincial election. By-elections are difficult to win because they are often a referendum on the current government. They provide a good opportunity to create a campaign team, to gain valuable campaigning experience and to build a reputation with the public.

Contact Information

If you are interested in running for the Green Party of BC, you can let us know by emailing leader@greenparty.bc.ca or by contacting the Regional Rep for your area. All potential candidates must be approved by the leader prior to a nomination meeting being held.