Monday October 7, 2019 ~ VICTORIA
~ West Shore Voice News
BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver announced today October 7 his decision not to run for re-election as MLA in the next scheduled provincial election in 2021.
In a news conference this morning he indicated, among other reasons, the need for the younger generation — the ones most affected by climate change in the future — to take the political lead.
Weaver has requested the party’s Provincial Council begin preparations for a leadership contest to select a new leader. Weaver will continue in his role as leader until a successor has been chosen by the party’s membership.
“It is after a great deal of thought and reflection that I am announcing today that I will not be seeking another term as MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head,” Weaver said. “I am making this announcement now so that the party has enough time to start the process of electing a new leader in preparation for the next provincial election.
“It is my every intention to ensure the stability of the government remains until the scheduled fall 2021 election,” said Weaver, whose Green caucus holds the balance of power in the BC Legislative Assembly.
“When I first decided to leave my post as Canada Research Chair in climate modelling and analysis at the University of Victoria to run for public office in 2013, I did so out of a sense of civic duty. I had watched with dismay as our province slipped from being a climate leader to climate laggard. The BC Green Party is where I felt I could make the most difference, but I could not imagine the many ways we would transform the BC political landscape.”
Weaver noted that “history was made” when the BC Green Caucus agreed to support the province’s first minority government in 60 years through a confidence and supply agreement (CASA).
“We have shown that minority governments can work well. They unite parties on issues of common ground. The foundation of this minority government is climate action, best represented by our collaboration on CleanBC – our economic plan to build a thriving, climate-responsible and climate-resilient society,” Weaver continued. “I have long said it is time we reimagined the climate crisis not solely as an environmental problem, but as an incredible opportunity for innovation, creativity, and the advancement of our society.
“The decision not to run for re-election has not been easy for me. I feel a deep responsibility and pride for the role the BC Greens have played in getting the province back on track to meet its climate commitments and to reframe climate change as an economic opportunity – instead of a purely environmental catastrophe.”
“I’m very proud to call Andrew my friend,” said Premier John Horgan to media today. “I wouldn’t have said that five years ago without any doubt,” said Horgan. “I’m disappointed he made the decision, but I absolutely understand and respect it.”
BC Green Party Provincial Council will meet later this month to put a leadership contest committee in place. This committee will be responsible for recommending contest rules and timeline, eligibility and vetting for Provincial Council.
“Andrew propelled the BC Green Party into provincial relevance, and his decades of work as a climate scientist and then as an MLA greatly contributed to what we are seeing now with climate change being at the forefront of the national political conversation,” said Sat Harwood, chair of Provincial Council.
“We will miss him as our leader, but his legacy is part of every British Columbian who values clean water and clean air. Andrew is excited for the future because he sees all this energy around tackling climate change; he is leaving the BC Green Party well positioned to offer British Columbians a unifying and fair, sustainable and equitable option when they go to the polling station in 2021,” said Harwood in a news release.
“I expect the leadership contest will culminate at the party’s 2020 convention to be held in Nanaimo from June 26-28, but details regarding the leadership contest, including a launch date, will be released in the coming weeks and months as they are approved by Provincial Council,” said Harwood.
The BC Greens advised media last week about this October 7 announcement which was held shortly after 9:15 am in the Hall of Honour at the BC Legislature, and made available to media by teleconference.
The Legislature resumes with a short Fall Session at 10 am on Monday October 7; the Fall Session runs only to November 28.
Last month it was revealed that Weaver had been treated in hospital for labyrinthitis. Weaver said last month that he was told by medical professionals to expect a full recovery within a few weeks, but in the meantime he reduced his workload and limited his appearance at public events.
Weaver leads a three-member Green caucus in the BC Legislature. He and his fellow MLAs Adam Olsen (Saanich North and the Islands) and Sonia Furstenau (Cowichan Valley) have made significant contributions to the progressive agenda of the NDP government since their agreement to work together made it possible for Premier John Horgan to form government in July 2017.
Presently in the BC Legislative Assembly there are 42 BC Liberal MLAs, 41 NDP MLAs, 3 Green MLAs and 1 independent comprising the BC Legislative Assembly. The 41 NDP and three Greens together produce 44 votes for Horgan’s minority government to pass legislation.
It was announced on October 3 that Dr Weaver and BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman have received Canada’s 2020 Clean50 and Clean16 honours for demonstrated leadership in sustainability through the development of CleanBC.
“CleanBC is an important starting point and our ambitions must continue to rise. It is time we reimagined the climate crisis not solely as an environmental problem, but an incredible opportunity for innovation and the advancement of our society,” said Weaver.
======= COMMENTS from Community Leaders:
“I wish Andrew Weaver all the best in his future endeavours, and I thank him for his service to our beautiful province.” ~ Alistair MacGregor (MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford during 2015-2019), incumbent NDP candidate October 2019