The B.C. Green Party needs a new leader.

Andrew Weaver has announced that he is stepping down as leader of the B.C. Greens.

Weaver also declared that he will not seek a new term as MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head in 2021.

“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 in a statement Monday (October 7). “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.

Weaver was the first B.C. Green elected to the provincial legislative assembly.

The climate scientist won a second term in 2017.

This time, he was joined by Adam Olsen and Sonia Furstenau, who were elected as MLAs for Saanich North and the Islands, and Cowichan Valley.

In the 2017 election, B.C. Liberals won a plurality of seats in the legislative assembly, but not a majority.

The three Greens threw their support behind the B.C. NDP, allowing New Democrats to form a minority government through a confidence and supply agreement (CASA).

“We have shown that minority governments can work well,” Weaver said in his statement. “They unite parties on issues of common ground.”

On September 16 this year, Weaver announced that he has been diagnosed with labyrinthitis.

According to his statement, symptoms for labyrinthitis range from extreme vertigo, dizziness and loss of balance to nausea, vomiting, and temporary loss of hearing.

The statement indicated that Weaver has been told to “expect a full recovery within a few weeks”.

“I have reduced my workload to support my recovery, and I will continue to meet my obligations to the legislature and serve the people of British Columbia,” Weaver said at the time. “My staff and I have also been in contact with Premier Horgan and the CASA Secretariat.”

In his statement on October 7, Weaver said that he has requested the B.C. Green Party’s provincial council to prepare for a leadership contest.

Weaver will continue as party leader until a successor has been chosen.