OTTAWA – Leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) today congratulated Lydia Hwitsum on her nomination as the party’s candidate in Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, B.C.

“Lydia will be an outstanding candidate for the Green Party of Canada,” said Ms. May. “It was a hotly contested nomination race with four candidates in contention: Lydia Hwitsum, Lia Versaevel, Luke Krayenhoff and Rupert Koyote. Thanks to all of them for the enormous effort they put into this campaign and for their dedication to the party.”

A citizen of the Cowichan Nation and a graduate of the University of Victoria’s Law School, Ms. Hwitsum has also undertaken dispute resolution and mediation training from the B.C. Justice Institute. She served as elected Chief of Cowichan Tribes for eight years and has had several federal appointments including to the Board of Directors for the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development.

Her work advocating on the rights of Indigenous peoples locally, nationally and internationally has provided her with an in-depth knowledge and experience strategically identifying and addressing social service and child and family service issues and solutions.

“I’m grateful to be selected as the GreenParty candidate for our Cowichan-Malahat-Langford,” said Ms. Hwitsum. “I look forward to a campaign that leads to more Green representation in parliament and I urge everyone to think and vote Green in October.”

“We’ve got great candidates running for the party in this election and excitement is building across the country,” added Ms. May. “Canadians want to see action and leadership on numerous critical issues, especially the climate emergency. Green Party MPs will ensure that we move away from partisan positions and work together to find solutions.”

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For more information or to arrange an interview contact:

Rosie Emery

Press Secretary

613-562-4916x206

rosie.emery@greenparty.ca