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BC Greens gain two more seats in 2017 provincial election

Andrew Weaver, leader of the BC Green Party, will be joined by Adam Olsen and Sonia Furstenau
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The 2017 provincial election will be remembered as a great night for the BC Green Party.

Party leader Andrew Weaver was re-elected in his Oak Bay-Gordon Head riding with more than half the votes, which led to a loud celebration at party headquarters in Victoria.

“What a historic day for British Columbia. People across British Columbia have shown they are ready for politics to be done differently in this province,” Weaver said.

Not only will he return to the legislature when it reconvenes, but he will also be accompanied by two new Green MLA’s. Adam Olsen (Saanich North and the Islands) and Sonia Furstenau (Cowichan Valley) were both elected Tuesday night their respective ridings.

While still short of the four seats needed for official party status, Weaver was pleased with the “first ever Green elected caucus in North America.”

In North Saanich, the energy was ‘electric’ for new MLA Adam Olsen.

“It’s now going to be a time in B.C. politics like we haven’t seen,” Olsen said. “We exist because the other parties aren’t offering something … (and) I’m ready to work with all British Columbians.”

After losing the 2013 provincial election by roughly 300 votes, Olsen came out on top by roughly 3,000 this time.

It was a slightly tighter race in the Cowichan Valley, where a winner was not declared until after 10:30 p.m. But Furstenau still comfortably won the riding by 1,500 votes over her nearest challenger from the NDP.

“We have a lot of work to do and we’re going to do it together,” said Furstenau shortly after her victory. “This was a campaign built on building community.”

Weaver took the time to address British Columbians: “You can trust that every decision BC Greens will make will follow the principle, issue by issue, evidence-based approach. In days ahead there will be discussions taking lace between all parties, now is not the time, now is the time for Greens to celebrate.”

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