Vancouver will need to hold a byelection in the coming months after a sitting councillor was elected as an NDP MLA in the provincial election.
OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle was elected in the riding of Vancouver-Little Mountain with more than 62 per cent of the vote.
On Tuesday, Boyle announced her resignation from council, thanking residents for the opportunity to serve them.
“Local government is less partisan typically than other levels of government, people are there to serve. I know we will elect another strong voice to serve their residents,” she told Global News on Wednesday.
“I hope it is someone who brings a commitment to people and to the environment and to a healthy, sustainable city, to a more equitable city. Those are all issues I have heard are important to Vancouverites, and I know will come up in a byelection.”
Boyle said she won’t formally resign until December after city staff asked her to wait to allow them time to prepare for a byelection. She said she would take unpaid leave until then.
A spokesperson for the municipality said a councillor submitting their resignation to the city clerk triggers the byelection.
Once it is received, the city must appoint a chief election officer, who must then schedule the byelection no later than 80 days from their appointment.