This past week, TML took time to chat with Nicola Spurling, the trans BC Green Party candidate for Coquitlam-Maillardville, about her vision for a fairer, more inclusive British Columbia. From housing affordability and mental health access to championing LGBTQ+ rights, Spurling isn’t just running to represent; she’s running to redefine. In a political climate often marked by gridlock and polarization, Spurling offers an alternative rooted in equity, sustainability, and bold policy solutions designed to tackle BC’s biggest challenges head-on.
TML: So, why politics? Why now? It’s not like the overall political climate has been very friendly lately, and the quality of political discourse hasn’t exactly been stimulating. You mentioned the challenges of running in this political climate. Has anything surprised you—either positively or negatively—about engaging with constituents and other politicians? How do you manage those challenges?
Nicola Spurling (NS): “You’re absolutely right that the current sociopolitical climate is not especially welcoming with regard to minorities, and that’s exactly why I’m running. British Columbians are struggling. I’m struggling. Instead of sitting on the sidelines while British Columbians argue over who is the lesser of two evils, I want to provide an inspiring path to a better future. To lead by example.”
TML’s Takeaway:
Spurling’s choice to run is a response to the disillusionment so many BC voters feel, especially those within marginalized communities. At a time when political participation often feels like a forced choice between three subpar options, her campaign aims to rekindle hope for an equitable future. Spurling’s reference to “struggling” alongside other British Columbians reflects the growing frustration that many feel toward politicians who seem out of touch. Her candidacy under the Green Party’s banner, which emphasizes environmental justice and social equity, suggests a willingness to tackle issues at their roots rather than offer temporary fixes.This sense of a personal mission is rare in a landscape so dominated by career politicians. But it also comes with real challenges, particularly as an LGBT+ candidate in a climate that often views LGBTQ+ representation as tokenistic or secondary to “mainstream” issues. Spurling’s commitment to creating a political path that serves everyone, rather than pandering to the largest voting bloc, is both a bold and risky stance. It sets her apart as a candidate willing to lead by example, even if it means enduring a harsher path in the campaign.
TML: What has your experience been like, overall, as a candidate? I’m speaking very broadly, thinking back to your previous run.
NS: “This election is by far the smoothest of any election I’ve run previously. We know what we’re doing and what to expect. That doesn’t mean I’m not still exhausted. Fortunately, as of now, my identity hasn’t been made into a campaign issue as it was in 2017 and 2020.”
TML’s Takeaway:
Spurling’s relief that her identity hasn’t been weaponized in this campaign speaks volumes about the pressures LGBT+ politicians often face. Her exhaustion is not just from the typical demands of campaigning but from the additional labour of defending her identity in previous elections. For marginalized candidates, this emotional toll is a common reality, highlighting the disparity between expectations placed on them versus those on cisgender, heteronormative candidates. This is especially significant given the Green Party’s progressive stance, which should ideally make space for a candidate’s identity without it overshadowing their platform.Spurling’s response implies that she’s in a more stable position this time—able to focus on her ideas rather than deflect personal attacks. It’s a hopeful sign, but it also reflects the persistence of social barriers that LGBTQ+ candidates face, even within progressive circles.
TML: Looking back on your previous campaign in 2017, what’s one lesson you’ve learned that’s shaping how you approach this election and this campaign?
NS: “The 2017 election taught me to be adaptable and to stay positive. While there are plenty of reasons to criticize policies, having positive solutions really resonates with voters.”
TML’s Takeaway:
Spurling’s emphasis on positivity is telling. Voters across the political spectrum are tired of “criticism as a platform” and want candidates who can propose actionable solutions rather than attack opponents. Her message here aligns with a larger shift in Green Party politics: a move toward constructive proposals rather than purely oppositional rhetoric. This choice reflects the kind of resilience that’s required of candidates who face both institutional and social bias. Spurling’s strategy to stay positive isn’t just campaign advice; it’s a necessary tool for surviving in a political arena that can be hostile to voices advocating genuine change.
TML: There are big issues on the fire this election—housing insecurity, the cost of living, and public safety. The LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately affected by these issues. What sort of policy can we expect out of a Green government to alleviate the issue?
NS: “The BC Greens want to protect socioeconomic condition in the BC Human Rights Code, to ensure 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and others who are disproportionately impacted by housing, cost of living, and public safety, are protected from discrimination. We have a very large portion of our platform dedicated to all of the ways we will help people, and I encourage everyone to look that over. We have also attempted to ban conversion therapy on multiple occasions, which were shut down by the NDP. A BC Green government would ensure a provincial ban on conversion therapy is enacted, as recommended by experts, advocates, and the federal government.”
TML’s Takeaway:
Spurling’s platform reveals a nuanced, sophisticated intersectional understanding of social and economic issues, recognizing that these problems don’t impact everyone equally. Her emphasis on protecting “socioeconomic condition” under the BC Human Rights Code is a critical step forward, signaling that a Green-led government would strive for protections that reflect real-world struggles. When she mentions past attempts to ban conversion therapy, Spurling doesn’t just hint at a longstanding issue within provincial politics; she sheds light on the obstacles progressive policies face, even within supposedly liberal or leftist governments.This commitment to equity-based policies could mark a turning point if successful, setting a new standard in Canadian politics where LGBTQ+ rights are woven directly into broader socioeconomic agendas. For a queer candidate like Spurling, advocating for these policies isn’t just about representation; it’s about ensuring that those with similar experiences don’t face the same discrimination.
TML: Housing and healthcare are key areas, but there’s also a need for greater support in mental health and anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ residents. How would you ensure these issues are prioritized in the provincial agenda?
NS: “A BC Green government will offer 6 free sessions with a mental health professional, covered under MSP. We will integrate mental health as a fourth option when calling 911. We will also increase crisis line funding from $2.5M to $5M.”
TML’s Takeaway:
Mental health is a pressing issue in BC, particularly for marginalized groups who often find themselves left out of traditional mental health resources. The platform outlined in Spurling’s response here is layered with intention. By pushing for six MSP-covered therapy sessions and advocating for mental health as an option within the 911 system, she’s addressing a critical gap in crisis management and bolstering a provincial mental healthcare system that needs critical governmental attention as it is overburdened and unable to meet the mental health challenges of British Columbians. This reflects an awareness of the compounding struggles facing marginalized communities, who are often failed by the status quo.Spurling’s policy goes beyond the superficial nods to mental health seen in many platforms. It represents a genuine attempt to institutionalize mental health care and make it accessible for those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. By integrating it into the province’s crisis management system, she’s ensuring that mental health needs are not sidelined but seen as an essential part of public health and safety.
Nicola Spurling’s campaign offers a holistic approach to policy, one that prioritizes intersectional equity over band-aid fixes. Her words reflect a deep commitment to changing BC for the better, with policies that address systemic issues impacting housing, healthcare, mental health, and public safety. Through her Green Party candidacy, Spurling brings a long-overdue message to Coquitlam-Maillardville and beyond: that genuine representation requires bold, actionable policies—ones that embrace long-term sustainability and equity at every level.
For voters in Coquitlam-Maillardville, her candidacy represents a chance to step away from the traditional three-party trichotomy and toward a new political future, one where policies are informed by both personal experience and a vision of universal inclusivity.