Jeremy Valeriote is once again the provincial Green Party candidate for the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding.
B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau announced on April 4 that the party had given Valeriote its blessing to run in the next provincial election.
“I am delighted to share that Jeremy Valeriote will once again be our candidate for the riding of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky,” said Furstenau in a news release. “Jeremy is a remarkable candidate with a passion for his riding. As a former regional director (Sunshine Coast), former municipal councillor (Gibsons), professional engineer, and senior municipal staff member, Jeremy is a powerful leader and change-maker. Well-known for his commitment to fighting climate change, building affordable housing, and establishing a regional transit system, Jeremy will be a welcome addition to the B.C. Green caucus and the B.C. Legislature.”
Valeriote said he is honoured to be a returning candidate.
“When I came so close to winning the election in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky in 2020, I truly felt that I was doing exactly what I was meant to do,” he said in the release.
“Working closely with the community has shown me that residents of this riding believe in Green strategies. I am confident that serving the people of this spectacular corridor as a B.C. Green MLA is the best way to bring effective solutions on affordable housing, sustainable tourism, regional transit and the new Green economy. I’m looking forward to harnessing innovative energy and ideas to help improve the lives of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky residents and all British Columbians.”
As the candidate for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, Valeriote is a familiar face in town.
He previously ran as a candidate for the Green party in the last provincial election. In 2020, he lost to BC Liberal MLA Jordan Sturdy following a judicial recount. The margin was razor thin — a mere 60 votes.
The final count showed that Sturdy took 9,249 votes — 37.54% of the vote.
Ultimately, Valeriote took 9,189, amounting to 37.30% of the vote.
Valeriote is also the chair of the B.C. Green party. Afterward the provincial election, he took a job with the District of Squamish as an executive co-ordinator to the mayor and chief administrative officer.
However, as of April 4, that has changed.
On Tuesday afternoon, the District issued a written statement saying that Valeriote resigned from his municipal job to pursue his political ambitions.
"Mr. Valeriote joined the District of Squamish on June 28, 2021 as executive co-ordinator, a position shared between the mayor and chief administrative officer," reads the statement. "His work and professionalism over the last two years has been valued and appreciated, and the District wishes him luck in all his future endeavours."
This news was released by the District after the Green party announcement.
The next B.C. election will be held on Oct. 19, 2024, or earlier if the current NDP government calls for a vote ahead of schedule.
***Updated April 4, 3:30 p.m. to incorporate a new announcement that Valeriote has resigned from his post at the District of Squamish.
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