New Westminster is getting a little green this weekend.
The B.C. Green Party is hosting its 2019 convention and annual general meeting from June 7 to 9 in New West.
“This is the only event of its size in 2019 for B.C. Green supporters to gather, exchange ideas, and renew friendships; and help build momentum ahead of the next provincial election,” said a press release from the Green party.
The convention kicks off on Friday, June 7 at Inn at the Quay, with a seminar by interim executive director and chief economist Liz Lilly. That will be followed by a welcome reception, hosted by Jonina Campbell, the party’s deputy leader and 2017 candidate in the New Westminster riding, and Kinsale Philip, the New West riding association’s youth chair.
The evening is also a chance for Greens to celebrate recipients of Green Globe Awards and Roy Ball Bursary, which are awarded annually to extraordinary members of the B.C. Green community at the party's convention.
On Saturday, the convention moves to Anvil Centre, where events include a youth leadership panel, Courtyard Cafés, and an update from the B.C. Green Caucus about its work in the legislature. B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver will deliver the keynote speech at the evening gala.
“Our focus this year is leadership and youth,” Weaver said in a press release. “Youth play a vital role in our democracy, and, as leaders in this province, we need to put intergenerational equity front and centre in our decision-making. We must bring everyone together to build a sustainable future; today’s youth are the ones who will live with the consequences of these decisions.”
Saturday’s Courtyard Cafés give attendees a chance to discuss a wide range of topics, guided by open-ended topic summaries and questions. Topics include: health and wellbeing; responsible government; sustainability and the new economy; book club (a sharing of book titles or articles on a topic such as sustainability, business and leadership); and engagement (building a more diverse party), youth engagement and volunteer engagement.
The weekend wraps up with the party’s annual general meeting on Sunday at the Anvil Centre.
For more information, visit bcgreens.ca/convention.
