Image: B.C. Green Party / Molly McKay, who was previously listed as a B.C. Green Party candidate in the October provincial election, will not be on the ballot. Her name did not appear on the finalized candidate list on the Elections BC website.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Provincial election

Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA candidate won’t appear on ballot in provincial election

Sep 30, 2024 | 1:51 PM

CHILLIWACK — Maybe there was a reason the B.C. Green Party didn’t make waves about her short-lived candidacy, or promote her like it did with other upstart candidates.

Roughly a week after the provincial Greens quietly named Molly McKay as its MLA candidate in the Chilliwack-Cultus Lake riding without any fanfare or news release, the seasoned leadership vet with over a decade of experience in the nonprofit and corporate sectors will not appear on the provincial ballot.

According to the finalized list on the Elections BC website, McKay’s name does not appear in the Chilliwack-Cultus Lake candidate roster, meaning voters will only choose from A’aliya Warbus of the Conservative Party of B.C. and incumbent MLA Kelli Paddon of the B.C. New Democratic Party in the Chilliwack-Cultus Lake riding.

The B.C. Greens released a statement Sunday in which it downplayed its lack of candidates in 24 of the 93 ridings. In a statement, the Greens said they were proud to field 69 candidates in the upcoming general provincial election “who are prepared to represent their communities with integrity, vision, and a commitment to positive change.”

“We have been clear that we are prioritizing strong, capable candidates because we expect them to be active leaders, not passive representatives waiting to be told what to do,” said campaign co-chair Adam Olsen, a popular and respected MLA who announced months ago he would not run again in his Vancouver Island riding for the Greens.

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Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA candidate won't appear on ballot in provincial election

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According to a now-deleted biography on the B.C. Green website, McKay brought over 15 years of experience to her candidacy. The party said McKay was known for her strategic vision and core competency in constructing cohesive teams, and carried a proven track record of facilitating success while maintaining a steadfast commitment to sustainability and social equity, key tenets of the B.C. Green platform.

The Greens said McKay’s career has been characterized by a consistent focus on fostering inclusive workplaces and financial transparency, making her an advocate for ethical and community-oriented development.

As interim executive director of the BC Green Party, McKay played an integral role in increasing the party’s fundraising success and improving donor retention, highlighting her ability to motivate teams and lead through innovation. The party said McKay has also been a strong voice for environmental stewardship, with the understanding that community well-being is deeply tied to the health of natural surroundings.

“Molly’s platform is rooted in the belief that thoughtful leadership can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all British Columbians,” the B.C. Greens wrote about McKay before her bio disappeared from their website. “Whether she is advocating for climate action or more inclusive economic policies, her vision is one where collaboration leads to tangible progress. Molly is committed to ensuring that the voices of her community are heard and represented in the Legislature.”

In 2017, the B.C. Green Party candidate for Chilliwack, Wayne Froese, received 17 per cent of the vote, while the Green Party candidate in Chilliwack-Kent garnered 15 per cent. Fast forward to 2020 where Dr. Tim Cooper received 10 per cent of the vote in the Chilliwack riding, while the Chilliwack-Kent Green Party candidate received just over eight per cent.