Christine Boyle elected as BC NDP candidate for Vancouver-Little Mountain riding
Posted April 4, 2024 8:10 pm.
Last Updated April 5, 2024 6:14 am.
After a nomination race between two high-profile candidates – the BC New Democratic Party (BC NDP) has chosen a new candidate for a newly created riding.
Vancouver city councillor Christine Boyle takes the reins as the BC NDP candidate for the riding of Vancouver-Little Mountain — she beat former city councillor Andrea Reimer in the nomination race.
Reimer had the endorsement of Environment Minister George Heyman, the current MLA for the area, who announced last month that he would not be running in the October provincial election — after three terms on the seat.
Heyman’s riding is now pieced together with four others to form Vancouver-Little Mountain, a new riding for this fall.
Both candidates who fought for the seat showed progressive natures in their advocacy related to climate change, housing, and affordability.
In an X post on Thursday morning, Boyle shared her excitement about the nomination vote.
“I’m so grateful for all of your encouragement & support, the lively conversations, passion & conviction. Whatever happens, I’ll keep fighting for a progressive BC with you,” she wrote.
After the event on Thursday evening, Boyle tells CityNews she is honoured to represent the “passionate and compassionate residents across Vancouver-Litte Mountain” in the upcoming election.
She says, she’s grateful and has a lot of respect for Reimer.
“I have huge respect for Andrea Reimer, my big regret out of that campaign was that we can’t both get elected,” she said.
“Our team ran a good campaign, her team ran a good campaign. Everyone kept it very friendly, and positive. I’m looking forward to working with her and the residents across the riding in the upcoming election.”
Boyle says, with this role, her priority is to help make changes where people most need them.
She tells CityNews, that people want to see “faster and further” improvements in the affordable housing crisis, climate crisis, healthcare, childcare, and education.
The new BC NDP candidate says she is very grateful for her dedicated team of volunteers.
“We had so many people out knocking doors and making phone calls, and helping engage NDP members across the riding,” she said.
“I was really proud to be a part of that team … I am ready to celebrate with my team and get back to work tomorrow.”
Heyman was also at the event wearing an ‘Andrea Reimer’ pin on his chest.
He told CityNews that it was a tough decision for everyone to pick between Boyle and Reimer and they wish they didn’t have to make the decision.
“They had two great candidates and they wish there were two ridings they were running. I think it was hard for me,” he said.
The current MLA says Reimer has a very active career teaching at UBC and consulting with First Nations, and whatever she chooses to do in the future she would do great.
“I have worked with Andrea closely, she’s been a member of all of my campaigns, all three of them. She’s been on our constituency executive,” he said.
“Andrea Reimer has so much to give people in British Columbia in whatever way she chooses to in the future.”
-With files from Kier Junos.
