Jane Sterk announces plans to step down as leader of B.C. Green party

VANCOUVER – B.C. Green Party Leader Jane Sterk says she plans to retire on a high following a provincial election that saw the Greens elect their first-ever member to the legislature, even though Sterk lost in her own riding.

Sterk was elected leader in 2007 and led the party through two provincial elections, in 2009 and 2013.

In the most recent vote, the party made a historic breakthrough by electing climate scientist Andrew Weaver in a riding previously held by a provincial cabinet minister, but Sterk was unable to win in her own riding.

Sterk announced the decision on Twitter, telling her 2,200 followers that she had a good run, but she had reached her best-before date and was looking for a new adventure.

She says she’ll formally resign at the party’s annual general meeting on August 24th.

In an interview with radio station CKNW, Sterk says she expects Weaver will likely put his name forward to run for the leadership, but she says the final decision will be up to the party. (CKNW)