New Westminster MLA Dawn Black has been unanimously ratified as interim B.C. New Democrat leader by the party’s provincial council.

“Dawn is a respected leader in our party, and brings her tenacity and experience to everything she does,” NDP president Moe Sihota says today (January 20) in a news release.

“With Dawn’s record of service as an elected official and her deep roots within the party, she’s the right choice to lead the party and the caucus before the new leader takes on,” Sihota says.

Black, a former federal MP, has served in the legislature since she was first elected provincially in 2009.

An electronic vote to ratify Black as interim party leader took place last night.

New Democrat party members will vote for a new leader April 17.