Byelection needed to replace Vancouver city councillor elected to B.C. legislature

Vancouver will likely hold a municipal byelection around the new year.

Voters will need to choose a replacement for Coun. Christine Boyle, who was elected to the provincial legislature in the 2024 election.

In a post to social media Tuesday, the soon-to-be MLA for Vancouver-Little Mountain says she has asked for unpaid leave from council and will formally resign in December.

“This timeline was requested by city staff, as it will allow staff the time needed to run a by-election, and ensure that it doesn’t conflict with the busy city budget and holiday season.”

Results of the provincial election became official Monday, after many ridings were deemed too close to call on Oct. 19, and recounts and a final count were required.

Boyle won the race for her electoral district with more than 61 per cent of the vote. With her win hardly in contention after election night, Boyle posted to social media on Oct. 20 accepting her seat.

“I’m absolutely humbled to have been elected as your MLA,” she wrote.

“I was born here, I have spent many years of my life walking these streets and playing in these parks, and it means the world to me to have earned the votes of more than 15,000 of you.”

Boyle earned more than 45,000 votes in her first race for city council in 2018 as part of the OneCity party. She was re-elected in 2022.

In her Tuesday post, Boyle thanked city staff and residents for her time on council.