B.C. byelection dates to be announced Saturday

After initially suggesting he would be making the call “very shortly,” B.C. Premier David Eby says he’ll announce dates for byelections in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant and Langford-Juan de Fuca this weekend.

Speaking Friday ahead of a trade mission to Asia, Eby said Friday the dates would be made public on Saturday.

“There are some key matters that certainly need to be resolved before I leave, in particular, the urgent need for representation of folks who live in Langford-Juan de Fuca and also folks who live in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant — two communities that need to be represented in the Legislature,” he told reporters.

The Vancouver-Mount Pleasant seat was vacated by long-time cabinet minister Melanie Mark, who resigned earlier this year citing personal matters.

Melanie Mark, who is the first Indigenous woman to serve as a B.C. cabinet minister, announced stepped down as MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant in 2023. (Photo via B.C. government)

The Langford-Juan de Fuca riding was formerly held by John Horgan, who stepped down as premier in October 2022 and left his position as MLA in March of this year.

John Horgan receives a round of applause in the B.C. legislature after he officially resigned as MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. (Courtesy B.C. government)

The BC NDP, BC United, and the BC Green Party are each running candidates.

In Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, the NDP has named Joan Phillip as its candidate. Phillip is a respected Indigenous leader and is married to Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the BC Union of Indian Chiefs.

BC United is running Jackie Lee, an entrepreneur and “active community leader.” The Greens have yet to announce a candidate.

Related articles:

• John Horgan officially no longer MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca

• Eby on byelection to fill Horgan, Mark seats: ‘We’ll move quickly’

• Melanie Mark announces resignation from B.C. legislature

In Langford-Juan de Fuca, BC United candidate Elena Lawson is best known for protesting the NDP’s now-scrapped plan to take away individualized funding for autistic children. Lawson will be up against New Democrat Ravi Parmar and Green candidate Camille Currie.

Parmar spent some time as the chair of the Sooke School Board. The NDP says he spent years working with Horgan to expand public schools in the district.

Currie is a health advocate and the founder of the Canada Pacific Health Care Matters Society. The party notes she has “held a number of positions in the public, private, and volunteer sectors.”