Chilliwack entrepreneur Salina Derish is the Green Party of Canada's candidate for the Chilliwack-Hope riding for the upcoming federal election.
"In uncertain times, whether due to economic shifts, environmental challenges, or global instability, local solutions matter" Derish said in a press release. "I am committed to policies that empower communities, strengthen local economies, and prioritize sustainability. With renewed calls to ‘buy local’ in response to proposed U.S. tariffs, such advocacy is more relevant than ever.”
Announced by the Green Party on Feb. 24, Derish will be running in the 2025 Federal Election taking place on Oct. 20. She takes over from Arthur Green, the former candidate for the Green Party. Green said he resigned from the party, and declined to run again, "due to the International political unrest and the immediate threat to our democracy."
Derish has worked over the years to "strengthen food security, support local farmers, and inspire real change." She grew up in the Fraser Valley and has dedicated the past few years in environmental and community advocacy. She is the president of PickEco Zero Waste Society and one of the founding directors of the Downtown Chilliwack Market Society.
An expert in sustainable living, in 2018 she founded PickEco Refills, the first zero-waste grocery store in the valley. Two years later, in order to further reduce environmental impact, and reduce her business's carbon footprint, she created PickEco Compost.
In addition to running her business, Derish also travels across communities to promote "attainable and sustainable’ solutions," and practical steps. She also does this to help people understand that sustainability, and incorporating it into lifestyles or routines, is about progress and not perfection.
Before starting her own business, Derish worked as a truck driver, corrections officer, and an army reservist. Her past work, Derish said, has allowed her to understand the "challenges of long hours, tight budgets, and a system that doesn’t always work for everyone." She also believes that leaders should unite people and she is "committed to safe communities, fair opportunities, and a healthy future."
"Change begins with leaders who don’t just talk about what’s possible but show it through action. Salina embodies these values” said Debora Soutar, the CEO of the Chilliwack-Hope Federal Green Party Association. “Salina is an excellent representative for the Green Party. She’s a hard-working mother, small business owner, and passionate advocate.
"Our riding deserves a leader like Salina, who puts Canadian and Green values first.”
