After years of dedicated service and a groundbreaking win for the B.C. Greens in Cowichan Valley, Furstenau is returning to the place that shaped her early life and values.

For Sonia, Victoria is not just a geographical location; it is where her story began. It is where her grandparents met at the historic Craigdarroch Castle, where her parents met, and where her brother and sister were born. Sonia spent two formative decades in Victoria, attending university, raising her first son, and building a community in a city she deeply loves.

During Sonia’s time as MLA, Cowichan Valley has undergone significant changes. She takes pride in the historic levels of investment in the riding and the accomplishments since being elected MLA in 2017. A new high school and hospital are under construction, a beautiful hospice has been established, and substantial progress has been made toward a new weir to help protect the Cowichan River from increasingly frequent droughts. Serving the people of Cowichan has been an honour, but Sonia and her family have realized it is time to return to Victoria as her children embark on the next chapters of their lives. With deep roots in Victoria, Sonia wishes to continue her political journey, representing and giving back to the community that nurtured her.

Sonia’s experience in Shawnigan and the Legislature has taught her that just because something is unprecedented, it doesn’t mean it is impossible. She believes that when representatives think creatively, are not beholden to special interests, and focus on data and evidence, the future desired for the communities can be achieved.