Wednesday November 27, 2019 ~ VICTORIA
by Mary P Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver has announced that his resignation as leader of the party will take effect on the first day of the upcoming leadership contest, expected to begin in early to mid-January 2020.
He will continue serving as the MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head for the 2017-2021 term. Weaver said from the start of his entry into politics that he wanted to provide leadership for dealing with climate change. With the BC Government now having its CleanBC initiative well establish, Weaver feels this is a good time to change gears.
“This session has become a fitting conclusion to my time as leader,” Weaver said. “From the Climate Accountability Amendment Act to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, our party has worked collaboratively to fulfill many core aspects of our vision. I have also had the distinct honour of passing the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act, which is of particular personal significance.
“This makes the start of the leadership contest an appropriate time to let the party begin a new chapter. It presents an exciting time for the next generation to lead. I look forward to supporting this new period of the party’s history,” said Weaver in a news release today.
An interim leader will be appointed by the party’s Provincial Council at its next meeting, and that person’s name will be announced by Friday December 6, 2019. The interim leader’s term will begin and end with the leadership contest, from early to mid-January to June 28, 2020. In accordance with the party’s by-laws, the interim leader may not run for the party’s permanent leadership position.
“We are looking forward to a robust process that builds on the achievements of the party these last four years,” Provincial Council Chair Sat Harwood said. “The party’s timeline for its upcoming leadership contest remains the same; we expect to publish the rules in mid-December, start the contest in early to mid-January and complete it during our annual convention in Nanaimo on June 28, 2020.”
Weaver first announced his intention to not seek re-election back on October 7, 2019.