The B.C. Green Party's leader has lost her seat in the legislature, according to preliminary results in Saturday's provincial election — but the party will still send two MLAs to Victoria.

Sonia Furstenau's loss in the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding was confirmed around 8:40 p.m. PT.

The Greens ran 69 candidates in this election. At 12:05 a.m. PT on Sunday, Rob Botterell was declared elected in Saanich North and the Islands, and Jeremy Valeriote was declared elected in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.

Though the Greens were the first of B.C.'s three major parties to release their platform, on Oct. 1, Furstenau acknowledged after a televised debate on Oct. 8 that her party would not form government after Saturday's election.

The Greens consistently polled around the 10 to 11 per cent mark during the election campaign.

Still, she had requested that voters send Greens to the Legislature to keep the other two parties, the NDP and Conservatives, in check.

Furstenau had said at the time of the debate that the NDP and Conservatives were aligned on continuing to subsidize the fossil fuel industry, privatizing the health-care system and proposing a program on involuntary care to fight the province's drug overdose crisis, instead of increasing voluntary treatment.

The Greens had promised to establish a network of 93 community health centres in the province, an expansion of a safe supply of drugs and a freeze on fracking and pipeline permits.

In a concession speech, Furstenau held back tears as she thanked her party staff and volunteers for their work.

"It has been such an honour to be an MLA. It's not the outcome we hoped for in Victoria-Beacon Hill tonight, but I'm so proud of the campaign that we ran," she said to cheering supporters.

"We knew we were up against a steep hill, we were trying something bold and new, but the challenge was a little more than we could do."

Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau's Concession Speech

Despite the loss, Furstenau struck an optimistic tone, emphasizing that the Greens will continue to play a significant role in the legislature. "It does appear that the Greens are still going to play a pretty pivotal role in the B.C. legislature," she said.

The Greens' former leader, Weaver, had chosen to endorse Rustad at the start of the race — despite the Tory leader's controversial views on climate change.

Furstenau's decision to switch ridings to Victoria-Beacon Hill, where she lost to the incumbent NDP candidate Grace Lore, who served as Minister of State for Child Care under David Eby, was a bold move.

The Greens' Future in the Legislature

While Furstenau's loss in her new riding is a setback, the party is still projected to hold two seats in the legislature, securing their official party status. Rob Botterell, the interim leader, won in his riding of Saanich North and the Islands, while Jeremy Valeriote is leading in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.

Furstenau's leadership in the party will now come to an end, but she expressed confidence that the Greens would continue to play a crucial role in B.C. politics. "This is a passing of the torch and I’m going to be there to mentor and guide and lead in any way that I can," she said.

Furstenau's concession speech ended with a message of hope and resilience, vowing to continue fighting for the Green Party's vision for B.C.'s future. "I will not stop standing up for this party, for the future of this movement, because it’s needed."

The Greens' Impact on B.C. Politics

The Greens have emerged as a significant force in B.C. politics over the past few years. In 2017, under then-leader Andrew Weaver, they won three seats and formed a confidence and supply agreement with the NDP, helping them form a minority government. While the Greens lost a seat in the 2020 election, their influence on the political landscape has been undeniable.

The Greens have consistently been the party that has championed environmental protection and social justice issues in B.C. They have also played a crucial role in holding the government accountable on these issues.

The Green Party's future in B.C. politics is uncertain after the 2024 election. While Furstenau's loss is a setback, the party is still expected to have a voice in the legislature. Their ability to leverage their two seats to influence policy and hold the government accountable will be critical to their future success.

The Road Ahead for the Greens

The Greens have a long history of fighting for environmental protection and social justice in B.C. They will need to continue to build on this legacy to remain a relevant and influential force in the province's political landscape. As the party enters a new chapter, the leadership will need to find ways to build on the gains they have made in recent years and appeal to a broader range of voters. With a strong and united front, the Greens could continue to shape the future of B.C. politics for years to come.