Former chief coroner Lisa Lapointe to run for B.C. Greens in provincial vote

The British Columbia Green Party has selected former chief coroner Lisa Lapointe to represent them in the Saanich South electoral district on Vancouver Island. Announced by party leader Emily Lowan, Lapointe's candidacy comes alongside the unveiling of the Greens' stance on toxic drugs. Lowan emphasized the overdose crisis as a pressing issue, stating that each day thousands of British Columbians lose their lives to the problem.

She further explained that front-line workers are disproportionately affected by a "politicized" system that has been ineffective in addressing the crisis since the province declared a public health emergency in April 2016. In her campaign, Lapointe emphasized that the crisis can only be resolved when politicians demonstrate leadership, when alternative treatments and regulated drugs are accessible, and when individuals who use drugs receive the same resource access as others.

Lapointe will compete against NDP candidate Richard Zussman, a former TV journalist now working as a lobbyist, and the Conservative candidate Cathie Ounsted, who has served on the Central Saanich Police Board and the board of directors of the Victoria Airport Authority.