Elizabeth May stepped down as leader of the Green Party early Monday morning at a time when the Party has the most MP's in their history. (File photo/The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP

Green Party leader Elizabeth May steps down as party leader

Nov 4, 2019 | 2:01 AM

OTTAWA — The Nanaimo-Ladysmith Green Party MP is now without a figurehead in the lead.

Elizabeth May formally stepped down as leader of the Green Party of Canada on Monday, Nov. 4, following through on claims made before the election about how the 2019 campaign would be her last.

Deputy Green Party leader Jo-Ann Roberts was named as May’s successor.

May will remain on as MP for the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding she’s held since 2011.

Nanaimo-Ladysmith Green Party MP Paul Manly said May is a “brilliant and tenacious” woman who inspired him to run for politics.

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Her understanding of the House of Commons rulebook and how to make things happen at the federal level is her key strength, Manly said.

“She’s advised me to work my way through (the rulebook) as well and learn the rules of the House of Commons because that’s how she’s been so effective as the one Green MP. Now there’s three of us.”

May said stepping down as party leader is about timing.

She predicts the newly elected minority Parliament will last about two years, which means the Greens need to have a new leader in place with plenty of time to prepare for the next campaign.

A leadership convention is to be held in Prince Edward Island in October 2020.

Manly said May leaves large shoes to be filled but he’s confident good candidates would step forward and the party would be able to avoid the similar situation which befell the federal NDP after the loss of Jack Layton.

The Green Party of Canada secured three members of parliament following the Oct. 21 election, the most in the party’s history.

— with files from The Canadian Press

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