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Green Party leader Andrew Weaver has a high opinion of Bryce Casavant, the former B.C. conservation officer who made headlines around the world when he refused orders to shoot two orphaned black bear cubs.

“He is a man with principle and integrity,” Weaver told me Monday. “It makes sense he is not running with the NDP. He would be a better candidate for the B.C. Greens.”

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Weaver was referring to Casavant’s surprising announcement last week that he was dropping out of an NDP nomination race in Courtenay on Vancouver Island.

Unfortunately, Mr. Weaver, I have some bad news: Casavant isn’t jumping ship to your team. He’s sticking with the NDP. And he’s coming after you!

Sources tell me Casavant will be named this week as the NDP’s candidate in Oak Bay-Gordon Head, Weaver’s riding. Watch for an announcement by NDP leader John Horgan, possibly on Wednesday.

It sets up an intriguing battle in a swing riding that has been won at various times by the Greens, the NDP and the Liberals, too.