Former BC Greens leader claims province came close to an early election

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — British Columbians were close to going to the ballot box early, according to a series of surprising late-night tweets from the former leader of the BC Greens.

Andrew Weaver revealing Saturday night he was ready to force an election over the NDP’s approval of the controversial LNG Canada project in northern BC, but that his two former MLAs were “afraid” to stand up to Premier John Horgan’s minority government.

Weaver added that in his opinion, Adam Olsen — who’s the interim leader of the BC Greens — and Sonia Furstenau “were more interested in re-election” than they were about standing up for the principles of the BC Greens party.

My former colleagues @AdamPOlsen & @SoniaFurstenau were afraid to stand up to the BC NDP wrt to the LNG development. I was ready to go to election, but in my opinion, they were more interested in re-election than they were about standing up for @BCGreen principles.

— Andrew Weaver (@AJWVictoriaBC) May 24, 2020

In a statement, Olsen tells NEWS 1130 he was “surprised” by Weaver’s claim.

“The BC Greens strongly opposed LNG and made this very clear throughout the CASA consultation process. We voted 14 times in the house against the legislation, but the BC NDP and the BC Liberals both voted together to bring LNG to BC,” it reads.

Olsen also suggests the focus should be on the future of the province as it charts a recovery from the CIVID-19 pandemic.

“Our focus now is on the very real health and economic impacts affecting British Columbians, and on ensuring the province advances a green recovery that leaves our communities more resilient and the economy more sustainable,” he concludes.

After the 2017 provincial election, Weaver made a deal with Horgan to support his government, allowing the NDP to form a minority government.

In another tweet, Weaver says “100% correct” in response to a user’s tweet that suggested party leadership changed because the party came to represent the more “radical left.”

.@MRiWEST you are 100% correct.

— Andrew Weaver (@AJWVictoriaBC) May 24, 2020

The tweets were sparked by a tweet from Furstenau, who’s running in the BC Greens leadership contest, asking people what they think about a four day work week after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern voiced support for the move.

“This is an absolutely kooky idea. We aren’t New Zealand. U clearly haven’t thought this through as it’s far more complicated than just a few sound bites & a tweet,” Weaver tweeted in response. “Perhaps u should do background research before shooting from the hip. Classic decision-based evidence-making.”

This is an absolutely kooky idea. We aren't New Zealand. U clearly haven't thought this through as it's far more complicated than just a few sound bites & a tweet. Perhaps u should do background research before shooting from the hip. Classic decision-based evidence-making #bcpoli

— Andrew Weaver (@AJWVictoriaBC) May 24, 2020

Weaver stepped down as the leader of the BC Greens last October, citing a family health issue before ultimately leaving the party and becoming an independent earlier this year.

He has previously announced he will not be running for re-election next year.