Salina Derish is a sustainable entrepreneur and community advocate running as the Green Party of Canada candidate for Chilliwack–Hope in the 2025 federal election. She grew up in the Fraser Valley and has dedicated her career to environmental and community initiatives, from founding local green businesses to championing zero-waste living. Salina’s diverse background and hands-on approach to change have prepared her to be a strong voice for her community in Parliament.

In an era of economic shifts, environmental challenges, and global instability, Salina believes that local solutions matter. She is running to empower communities, strengthen local economies, and prioritize sustainability. Salina emphasizes that building resilience at the community level is essential for Canadians to thrive in uncertain times.

Salina’s accomplishments as an eco-entrepreneur and community leader demonstrate her commitment to sustainability and local prosperity. She founded PickEco Refills in 2018, the Fraser Valley’s first zero-waste grocery store, providing package-free shopping options to reduce plastic waste. Two years later, she created PickEco Compost to further shrink her business’s environmental footprint. She is also the President of the PickEco Zero Waste Society and a founding director of the Downtown Chilliwack Market Society, which promotes food security and supports local farmers. Through her work, she has helped strengthen food security, support farmers, and inspire real change toward a greener future.

Before launching her own business, Salina worked as a truck driver, corrections officer, and Army reservist. These experiences taught her about long hours, tight budgets, and the reality that our systems don’t always work for everyone. Her working-class background and leadership skills shaped her perspective and fuels her determination to build a more equitable system for all.

Salina is driven to promote sustainable living alongside safe communities and fair opportunities for all. She believes that true leadership means taking action and leading by example, not just talking about change. In Ottawa, Salina will advocate for policies that put Canadian and Green values first, from environmental stewardship to social justice, to ensure a healthy, prosperous future for the next generation.