VICTORIA - BC Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver says he'll seek the leadership of his party before the next provincial election.

Weaver became the party's first elected MLA when he defeated Liberal cabinet minister Ida Chong in the riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head on Vancouver Island in the 2013 provincial election. But he said at the time he was too busy learning the ropes as a rookie MLA to also handle leadership duties of his party.

"I thought about how much I enjoy this position, how much I enjoy serving the constituents of Oak Bay-Gordon Head and how there's a huge opportunity in B.C. for politics differently," Weaver said Monday.

"So when there's a leadership convention, probably won't be next year, until 2016, I will throw my hat into the ring and seek leadership of the BC Green Party."

Former provincial Green candidate Adam Olsen is currently interim leader of the party.

Weaver said he expects Olsen to run again in the riding of Saanich North and the Islands. Olsen finished third in a tight three-way race with the NDP and Liberals that was decided by fewer than 400 votes. The NDP's Gary Holman won the riding.

rshaw@vancouversun.com

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