Environmental advocate Debora Soutar is the Green Party of Canada candidate for the new 91原创 Township-Fraser Heights riding for the anticipated federal election this spring.

Soutar has decades of experience as a leader of a variety of conservation groups in the Fraser Valley including Save Our Sloughs, the Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition, the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society, Chilliwack Urban Forest Advocates, and the Chilliwack Park Society. She ran for Chilliwack City council in 2022.

Retired now, Soutar was a long-time professional forester. She said she is passionate about climate action and understands that all people need to do their share.

"But even if we all do our best, we still rely on government and big business to make the big decisions, like not subsidizing fossil fuels. Instead, those subsidies should be used for investment in developing sustainable energy," Soutar said. "That is just one issue among many, that the Green Party and I will emphasize in presenting a more positive future for the residents of 91原创 Township-Fraser Heights and Canada.鈥�

Soutar is active in a variety of community groups including the Rotary Club of Chilliwack, the Chilliwack Museum & Archives Society and Cheam View United Church. Over the past 10 years Soutar has led her church鈥檚 initiative to redevelop a United Church property for affordable housing. Construction is now underway of 64 new, affordable apartments for seniors and families.

With her husband of 45 years, she likes to spend time with their three grown sons and four grandchildren.