The list of British Columbia by-elections includes every by-election held in the Canadian province of British Columbia. By-elections occur whenever there is a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly, although an imminent general election may allow the vacancy to remain until the dissolution of parliament. The most recent by-election took place on January 30, 2019, in the provincial electoral district of Nanaimo.
Causes
A by-election occurs whenever there is a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly. Vacancies can occur for the following reasons:
Death of a member.[1] The last time a sitting MLA died was Fred Gingell in 1999.[2] In addition, elected MLA's sometimes die before taking their seats. The last time this happened was in 1924 when John McKie died before the first session.[3]
Recall of a member.[1] This has never happened. However, former MLA Paul Reitsma was unofficially recalled because he resigned just as a recall attempt nearly succeeded.[4]
Voided results. The last time a by-election took place for this reason was in 1904.[5] The most recent any election has come close to being voided was in 1963.[6]
Winning in more than one district during a general election. The last time that happened was in 1921.[7] It has been forbidden to run in multiple districts since 1940.[8]
A riding being established during a parliament. The only time a by-election took place because of this was in early 1934, in Columbia.[9]
Ministerial by-election, until the 1930s an MLA's seat was declared vacant and the occupant was required to re-offer upon being appointed to Cabinet. Such by-elections often resulted in the incumbent being acclaimed.
When there is a vacancy, a by-election must be called within six months of the Chief Electoral Officer learning of it. The only exception is when a member has been recalled. In that case, a by-election must be held with 90 days.[1]
The Kamloops by-election was the most recent by-election won by the governing party until 2011. During these 30 years the governing parties lost seventeen consecutive by-elections.
The Columbia by-election is notable for two reasons. First, it is the only one (as of March 2008) held due to a district being created during a parliament;[9] Second, it is the last time (as of March 2008) a candidate won through acclamation.[14]
† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[7]
14th Parliament 1916–1920
The Vancouver City by-election was won by Mary Ellen Smith. She is the first woman to run and be elected in a provincial-level election, which was also the first one where women could vote.[16]
† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[18]
10th Parliament 1903–1907
The August 16 by-election in the district of Lillooet is the last time a by-election had been held due to a voided result, as of March 2008.[5] The November 18, 1903 by-election in Vancouver City is the first by-election held[5] since political parties were introduced to the province.[14]
^"Delta South By-election – December 7, 1999 – Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections BC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
^"Elected Candidates Who Did Not Take Their Seats in the Legislature". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2007-08-16. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
^ abcd"By-Elections 10th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-02-17. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
^"Voided and Controverted Elections". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-02-16. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
^ ab"By-Elections 15th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2007-08-26. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
^"Purpose" (PDF). Discover Your Legislature Series. Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
^ abc"By-Elections 18th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-02-17. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
^"Electoral History of British Bolumbia – Supplement, 1987–2001" (PDF). Elections BC. p. 57. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
^"Electoral History of British Bolumbia – Supplement, 1987–2001" (PDF). Elections BC. p. 54. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
^ ab"By-Elections 24th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2003-09-21. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
^"By-Elections 23rd Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-02-16. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
^ ab"Electoral Highlights". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2007-08-16. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
^"By-Elections 17th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
^ abcd"By-Elections 14th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-02-17. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
^"By-Elections 12th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-03-09. Retrieved 2008-03-21.
^"By-Elections 11th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-03-01. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
^"By-Elections 9th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-03-01. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
^"By-Elections 8th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-07-14. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
^ ab"By-Elections 7th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-03-01. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
^"By-Elections 6th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-03-01. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
^"By-Elections 5th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-03-01. Retrieved 2008-03-29.
^"By-Elections 4th Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-03-01. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
^"By-Elections 3rd Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-01-24. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
^"By-Elections 2nd Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-01-24. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
^"By-Elections 1st Parliament". Electoral History of British Columbia 1871–1986. Elections BC. Archived from the original on 2001-03-01. Retrieved 2008-03-29.