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Firefighter, film industry worker, artist and mom to run for Greens in Chilliwack-Kent

Josie Bleuer to be the BC Green Party's first candidate in the riding since 2009
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Mother

She’s a mother of two, an artist, a firefighter, a hockey player and works in the film industry.

And now Josie Bleuer is the BC Green Party’s candidate in the riding of Chilliwack-Kent.

“I am running with the Green Party because I care about my community and would like it to stay a vibrant, dynamic place for my children to grow up in,” Bleuer said in a press release issued Friday.

Bleuer joins the race in the new Chilliwack-Kent riding against incumbent BC Liberal Laurie Throness and the NDP’s Patti MacAhonic.

Bleuer is a paid-on call firefighter for the Chilliwack Fire Department, and has worked in the “green” film industry for 10 years, having been involved in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union for more than 15 years, according to her bio.

Bleuer is an artist who has competed in local Art Battle competitions. She is also active and played women’s AAA hockey in Burnaby and national B level hockey in Switzerland.

Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, welcomed Bleuer’s nomination.

“Josie is a welcome addition to the B.C. Greens team in the Fraser Valley,” Weaver said. “Between her small business acumen and leadership in the film industry, she understands that the creative economy and entrepreneurship are the future of British Columbia. As a firefighter she is clearly someone who cares deeply about the safety and well-being of her community. We are thrilled to have her and look forward to working with her in the legislature.”

The Green Party did not have a candidate in what was the Chilliwack-Hope riding in the last election in 2013 or in the byelection in 2012. The last Green candidate in the area was Guy Durnin who garnered 5.6 per cent of the vote in 2009.

paul.henderson@theprogress.com

@PeeJayAitch