B.C. Premier David Eby calls two byelections for June 24
VICTORIA - British Columbia Premier David Eby called byelections Saturday for two ridings left vacant after the resignations of the previous New Democrat premier and a former cabinet minister.
Voters in the Greater Victoria riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca and in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant will cast their ballots on June 24.
The premier said he was excited to announce the voting in two vibrant ridings where residents are in urgent need of representation.
The districts encompass very different communities, with Vancouver-Mount Pleasant including parts of the city's Chinatown and Downtown Eastside neighbourhoods, which are facing “big challenges,” Eby said.
He said Langford-Juan de Fuca is a fast-growing riding, and both districts are in need of strong representation heading into the fall legislative session.
Eby made the remarks at a news conference at the Vancouver International Airport before departing on a trade mission to several countries in Asia.
The premier and Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey are set to visit Japan, Korea, and Singapore in support of B.C.'s new trade diversification strategy.
Eby said he will also speak with officials in those countries about their housing strategies and how they're tackling challenges similar to those B.C. is facing.
The Langford riding had been held by former premier John Horgan from 2005 until his retirement from politics earlier this year, while Melanie Mark, a former advanced education and tourism minister, was first elected in 2016.
Mark was the first First Nations woman elected to the B.C. legislature before she also resigned her seat in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant earlier this year.
The NDP, BC United and Greens have nominated candidates to run in each riding.
School board trustee Ravi Parmar is set to run for the New Democrats in the Langford riding, while parental autism advocate Elena Lawson will carry the BC United banner and health advocate Camille Currie will contend for the Greens.
In Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, Indigenous leader Joan Phillip will run for the NDP, local businessman Jackie Lee for BC United, and emergency management expert Wendy Hayko for the Greens.
Advance voting is set to run from June 16 to 21, with June 24 as the final day voters may cast their ballots.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.