National

Green MLA Olsen not running in fall B.C. election, cites mental and physical health

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Jun, 2024 03:05 PM

One of the two Green Party members in British Columbia's Legislature has announced he will not seek re-election in this fall's provincial vote.

Adam Olsen, who represents Saanich North and the Islands, says in a statement that he is stepping down because "it's the responsible and ethical thing" to do when he cannot "commit fully to the job for the next four years."

“My commitment is to make sure that the next candidate for Saanich North and the Gulf Islands is successful. That’s my commitment.” - @AdamPOlsen
— BC Green Party (@BCGreens) June 25, 2024

Olsen's departure will leave Greens Leader and Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau as the party's only legislative member who will be defending a seat this fall.

“For Adam and for me, the seat is not the destination, the seat is the vehicle for service. For me, one of the greatest gifts of the last seven years was Adam’s friendship.” - @SoniaFurstenau
— BC Green Party (@BCGreens) June 25, 2024

“Adam is a true model of what MLAs can and should be.” - @drlisagunderson
— BC Green Party (@BCGreens) June 25, 2024

Olsen won his seat in 2017 then strengthened the Greens' hold by taking more than half of the district's votes in 2020.

In his statement, Olsen says his own mental and physical well-being, as well as his children going through major milestones in education, contributed to his decision to step down.

“The reality that Silas [my son] is now a young man and my daughter is starting high school. They don’t know a man who hasn’t served in politics.” @AdamPOlsen
— BC Green Party (@BCGreens) June 25, 2024

The statement says Olsen will be the B.C. Green Party's new campaign chairman.

Olsen was the B.C. Greens' interim leader twice, from 2013 to 2015 and again before Furstenau was elected in 2020.

The party has not announced its candidate in Saanich North and the Islands.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Driver speeding in bus lane in North Vancouver is issued $1,500 fine

RCMP in North Vancouver say a $1,500 fine was handed out to a driver caught speeding down a bus lane. Police credit the discreet and quick actions of an officer on a motorcycle for nabbing and ticketing a driver last October.

Driver speeding in bus lane in North Vancouver is issued $1,500 fine

RCMP see no foreign interference as two teenagers charged over Surrey shooting

Two 16-year-old youths were arrested on Feb. 12 and are being held in custody as they await their next court appearance. RCMP say the BC Prosecution Service approved charges of discharging a firearm into a place and possessing a loaded prohibited firearm.

RCMP see no foreign interference as two teenagers charged over Surrey shooting

B.C. New Democrat government makes pledges to homebuyers, renters, in throne speech

British Columbia's New Democrat government is pledging more homes for first-time buyers and eviction protection for renters in a throne speech that promises affordability measures in this week's budget. The throne speech, read in the legislature by Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, says the government is putting forward a vision where everyone can get ahead and no one is left behind

B.C. New Democrat government makes pledges to homebuyers, renters, in throne speech

RCMP ask prosecutors to consider charge in B.C. crane collapse that killed 5

RCMP investigators have asked British Columbia prosecutors to consider criminal charges in a July 2021 construction crane collapse that killed five people in the Interior city of Kelowna. Kelowna Mounties say a report has been submitted "for charge assessment for criminal negligence causing death."

RCMP ask prosecutors to consider charge in B.C. crane collapse that killed 5

Trudeau boosts B.C.'s housing plan with $2 billion in federal financing

The federal government is doubling the financing available for a British Columbia housing plan the prime minister called "transformative." Justin Trudeau was in Vancouver on Tuesday to announce that his government was adding another $2 billion in financing to the province's BC Builds plan aimed at constructing more middle-income rental housing.

Trudeau boosts B.C.'s housing plan with $2 billion in federal financing

B.C. New Democrat government delivers throne speech, budget on way in election year

The political agenda for British Columbia Premier David Eby's NDP government heading into an election this fall will take shape today with the delivery of a throne speech starting the spring legislative session. The speech outlining the government's goals this year comes just ahead of the provincial budget on Thursday and the election this fall.