Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat) has been nominated as the NDP candidate for the Cowichan Valley in the next provincial election in October.
A member of Cowichan Tribes, Toporowski is a two-term elected councillor in the municipality of North Cowichan and a five-time councillor of Cowichan Tribes, the first elected woman to hold both positions on two councils at the same time.
A champion for Indigenous watersheds and the services people count on, Toporowski is focused on ensuring people can build a good life in the Cowichan Valley.
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“People in the Cowichan Valley are facing the same big challenges so many people across B.C. are facing, including housing, healthcare and affordability,” she said.
“They need someone on their side to get things done, so we can keep building more housing, improving healthcare services and making life more affordable. I’m ready to get to work to defend people against the reckless cuts and rollback of climate action that John Rustad and Kevin Falcon are calling for now.”
If Toporowski is elected as the MLA for the Cowichan Valley this fall, North Cowichan is expected to hold a byelection to fill her seat.
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“Cowichan Tribes has a new election law in that the next person on the list in the last elections who has the most votes would fill my seat if I’m elected as MLA,” she said.
Premier David Eby said Toporowski is a dedicated public servant who’s spent decades helping people in the Cowichan Valley.
“She’s a great champion for building more housing, improving healthcare and childcare, and supporting local businesses, so everyone can build a good life here,” he said.
Toporowski will join Eby and 91 other BC NDP candidates in this fall’s provincial election.