BC Premier Calls Byelection in Riding Where Conservative Leader Findlay Is Set to Run

B.C. Premier David Eby has called a byelection for September in Abbotsford-Mission, where B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay plans to run.

Eby announced the byelection for Sept. 26 on Saturday after the riding was left vacant by the resignation of Conservative MLA Reann Gasper earlier this month. Gasper stepped down to make way for Findlay, who was elected leader of the party in May and does not currently hold a seat. Gasper has since taken a position as Findlay’s deputy chief of staff.

The B.C. NDP announced Saturday that Pam Alexis, who represented the riding from 2020 until losing it in last year’s election, will seek to reclaim the seat. Alexis, a former agriculture minister and former mayor of Mission, was defeated by fewer than 3,000 votes in 2024.

OneBC Leader Dallas Brodie said in a statement that her party won’t run a candidate in the byelection as she doesn’t think it’d be “ethical” to attempt to block a major party leader from getting elected.

She called on CentreBC and former B.C. Conservative MLA Peter Milobar, who has said he plans on forming a new party, to do the same.

Milobar is one of five MLAs who left the B.C. Conservative caucus this month over disagreements with Findlay, who became leader on May 30.

Findlay appealed for the party to come together in a social media post Saturday, urging supporters to show “unity now.”

“Let’s send the NDP a message that our support is positive, inclusive and determined to build on the foundation that [Gasper] has built in Abbotsford-Mission,” she said.

Findlay is scheduled to appear at a press conference Monday in Richmond alongside members of the B.C. Conservative caucus.

Alexis said the NDP government is concentrating on health care, housing, and other issues affecting residents, while accusing the Conservatives of being more focused on “culture wars.”

Elections BC said nominations for candidates will close at 1 p.m. on Sept. 5. Advance voting is scheduled for Sept. 18 to 23.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.