Who is the climate activist challenging David Eby for BC NDP leader?
Anjali Appadurai is a climate activist who is challenging David Eby for the BC NDP's top job. As a woman of colour, she knows that will come with challenges.
"As a young, brown woman in politics, I'm prepared for whatever that might bring, you know, all these systems that work against us are alive and well," she told CTV News in an interview.
Appadurai went on to say she's faced dismissive and patronizing attitudes since she began her foray into politics.
"To be honest, I don't think about it very much, because like I said, I'm in a position where the work that I've done in my life has led me to this moment and I feel like I've answered a call from a huge number of people," she said.
That call – to become not only the NDP's next leader, but also the premier – is a long shot.
She faces David Eby, who stepped away from his duties as housing minister and attorney general to run for leadership after current Premier John Horgan announced he was stepping down, saying cancer treatments left his energy "flagging."
Eby has the support of nearly 50 NDP MLAs. He entered the race weeks ago, and there was speculation no one else would seek the job. That would have led to Eby's coronation in late October. Instead, it appears there will be a race, with a decision coming Dec. 3.
Appadurai is a long-time climate activist. As a youth, she gave a speech to the United Nations in 2011. Her bio says she's "a climate and social justice advocate with experience in grassroots campaigns and climate communications." She is the campaigns director at the Climate Emergency Unit.
Climate change is one area where Appadurai thinks the NDP has its priorities confused.
"What it actually means is reorienting our economy so that everybody is guaranteed good and clean jobs," she said. "So, prioritizing workers and making sure that everybody has what they what they need in terms of a sustainable livelihood."
Appadurai believes younger people are disillusioned with the party because of the lack of focus on not only the environment, but also health and housing.
"Whether it's the big industrial projects that get, you know, approved without consent from Indigenous people, and without a clear benefit to British Columbians, or whether it's the poisoned drug supply crisis that has been allowed to get out, become out of control, or whether it's housing that's, you know, no longer accessible for my entire generation. All of these point to that same set of priorities and set of values that that are backwards right now," she said.
Appadurai hasn't officially filed to be part of the race, but plans to do so soon.
On Twitter, Eby welcomed Appadurai's participation, wishing her luck, but "not too much luck."
In turn Appadurai said she appreciated Eby's work.
"Ten years ago, he was in my position," she said. "He was the activist and the insurgent and he's made a great contribution. I think at this time, though, the party is at a place where young people simply cannot get behind it."
She believes many young people are looking for transformative change, and that Eby represents the status quo.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.