Who will replace Elizabeth May as Green Party leader?

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The federal Green Party is looking for a new leader, now that Elizabeth May has called it quits after 13 years in charge.

The search for her replacement could depend on who stands the best chance of building the party’s portfolio across the country.

Deputy leader Jo-Ann Roberts, who failed to get elected in Halifax last month, is now the temporary leader.

RELATED: Elizabeth May resigns as Green Party leader

Jamie Lawson, a political science professor at University of Victoria, says she might be able to keep that job in October when a new permanent leader is chosen.

“They would presumably want their leader to be in the House eventually,” he says. “We’re just starting a new Parliament, so there is time to imagine a riding opening up. It’s also quite possible, with a minority Parliament, we could be into elections sooner rather than later.”

Now that @ElizabethMay is no longer the leader of the @CanadianGreens, who's poised to replace her? @NEWS1130 is talking with @uvic's Jamie Lawson re: next steps and any chance @Puglaas is interested?

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) November 4, 2019

He says the party’s two other elected members – Fredericton’s Jenica Atwin and Nanaimo’s Paul Manly – may not have enough experience to take over.

RELATED: Some possible candidates to succeed Elizabeth May as federal Green leader

There’s also speculation that former Attorney General, now Independent MP Jody Wilson-Raybould might want the job.

“Interesting, because she did campaign with Elizabeth May. Whether the Greens would recognize her as one of their own is interesting,” Lawson says. “That would be conceivable if she does finally decide that door has closed on her. People do migrate from both the Liberals and the Conservatives.”

May won’t replace B.C. Greens’ Andrew Weaver

Count her out as a possible replacement for Andrew Weaver, now that he’s stepping down as leader of the B.C. Green Party.

May says she doesn’t want his job, but she’s sticking around in Ottawa.

“I plan to stay as a federal member of parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands as long as my riding will have me. I don’t see myself leaving the federal level of working in parliament for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”

She says the Greens have a bright future in B.C. where their three seats give them the balance of power in the Legislature. Weaver recently announced he’s not seeking re-election as the MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head.