B.C. Green Party candidate Rana Nelson is calling for electoral reform, affordable housing and stronger climate action as she campaigns for the Columbia River-Revelstoke seat in the Oct. 24 provincial election.
Nelson, a high school teacher who previously ran for the federal Green Party in 2021, said her decision to enter provincial politics reflects her commitment to civic engagement and democratic participation.
Teaching Law 12 and other subjects, Nelson said running for office gives her an opportunity to put the principles she teaches into practice.
She said her campaign has taken her across the riding, including to an all-candidates forum in Invermere, where she welcomed the opportunity to meet voters and fellow candidates.
Electoral reform is among Nelson’s key priorities, with the candidate arguing the current voting system discourages people from supporting smaller political parties.
She said voters told her during her federal campaign that they supported Green policies but feared their votes would not count.
“We want a real democracy where everybody’s voice does count.”
Nelson said she supports establishing a citizens’ assembly to examine electoral reform, pointing to public consultations she said demonstrated widespread support for changes to the voting system.
Housing affordability is another major focus of her campaign.
Nelson said she supports a proposed wealth tax targeting fortunes exceeding $50 million, with an initial levy followed by an annual tax of two per cent.
She argued that asking the wealthiest residents to contribute more would help address economic inequality and support public priorities, including housing.
Nelson also pointed to international discussions about wealth taxation, citing Spain as an example of a country that has introduced such measures.
However, she emphasized that climate change remains the overarching issue facing voters, warning that other political commitments will mean little without meaningful environmental action.
“Send a message that our green values are important and that nothing that anybody is talking about is going to matter if we don’t address the climate crisis,” Nelson said.
“We’re not going to have places to put our houses or air to breathe, or anything else that everyone else is promising. That is our overarching focus and it should be everybody’s.”
Nelson encouraged residents to review the B.C. Greens’ platform, which she said includes policies addressing tourism, housing, the toxic drug crisis and seniors.
She also urged voters to research their options and participate in the election, regardless of which party they support.
