Jane Sterk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader of the Green Party of British Columbia | |
| In office 2007–2013 | |
| Preceded by | Christopher Bennett |
| Succeeded by | Adam Olsen (Interim) |
| Councillor, Esquimalt Township | |
| In office 2005–2008 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 14, 1947 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Political party | Green |
| Residence(s) | Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada |
| Occupation | Psychologist, businesswoman, academic, politician |
Jane Sterk (born January 14, 1947) is a Canadian psychologist, businesswoman, academic, and politician. She is the former leader of the Green Party of British Columbia and a business professor at University Canada West. In the 2009 British Columbia provincial election she was a candidate in the riding of Esquimalt-Royal Roads and in the 2013 election was a candidate in Victoria-Beacon Hill. Sterk was elected councillor in the Township of Esquimalt in 2005 was elected leader of the provincial Green Party in October 2007. In the 2004 federal election and the 2005 provincial election as a candidate in the Esquimalt ridings, she placed fourth and third with 9% and 10% of the vote, respectively.
Before moving to Esquimalt in 1997, Sterk had lived in Edmonton. She earned a doctorate from the University of Alberta in counseling psychology and worked for Edmonton Public Schools and the Edmonton Board of Health. In 1983 she co-founded a business, Softwarehouse West, with a co-worker from the Board of Health. She sold computers, hardware, software, and related services until she retired to Esquimalt in 1997 intending to purchase a boat and sail recreationally. On August 13, 2013 Sterk announced she would resign as Green party leader.