VANCOUVER, BC (August 25th, 2013) – Former Central Saanich Councillor and BC Green Party candidate in Saanich North and the Islands has been appointed interim leader of the BC Greens.
Jane Sterk announced her resignation earlier this month and received a standing ovation at the Annual General Meeting on Saturday, August 24th in Vancouver as a large gathering of Greens from across the province expressed appreciation for her leadership over the past six years.
Olsen, 37, who immediately replaces Sterk as Party Leader, is supported in his new role by his partner Emily and children Silas and Ella. An entrepreneur born in Victoria, Olsen is a member of Tsartlip First Nation and has lived in the community his entire life.
"It is an incredible honour to have been appointed interim leader,” said Adam Olsen. "This is a very exciting time to be a BC Green. With the election of Andrew Weaver, our first MLA in the legislature, we are on the cusp of breaking through in British Columbia.”
“I am delighted and excited to see Adam Olsen appointed as interim leader of the BC Green Party. Also to welcome the new members to the Provincial Council, and to thank all the board members for their deliberations, and decision to appoint an interim leader." said Andrew Weaver. “Adam ran an amazing campaign, with a nail biting finish. He has demonstrated his leadership and community development skills as a municipal councillor and business owner, and he will bring energy, direction and purpose to the party and members. I look forward to working closely with him as we build towards electing more MLA's"
“We have the opportunity over the next four years to continue to build our party into the common sense alternative that British Columbians are looking for", Olsen said. "The government was elected on a very ambitious economic development agenda; however, it is critical we have a balanced approach - we cannot just put our heads down and ignore the social and environmental costs of their initiatives. The BC Greens offer balance and common sense."
Olsen is a partner in his family business, Salish Fusion Knitwear, and has worked with his mother, Sylvia, for the past five years consulting on improvements to First Nations housing. His family company was recently awarded a project to rehabilitate fish habitat in Esquimalt Harbour.
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Media Contact:
Adam Olsen
250-889-7678