A former New Democrat who switched to the Greens to run in Vancouver in an expected provincial byelection has dropped out of the race for the nomination.
Matt Toner ran unsuccessfully for the NDP in the 2013 provincial election but earlier this month announced he quit to join the Green party ahead of the Vancouver-Mount Pleasant byelection.
However, Toner now says he's out of the nomination race and is instead backing candidate Pete Fry.
Toner is a high-tech entrepreneur and former naval-reserve officer who criticized the NDP's rebuilding efforts following the devastating 2013 election loss to the Liberals.
A byelection is expected in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant after its long-time legislative representative Jenny Kwan was nominated to run for the federal New Democrats in the neighbouring riding.
The Green party says in a statement Toner is now the party's critic for finance and the new economy.