Vancouver will elect two new city councillors on April 5th. A by-election is a rare but important opportunity for residents to have a say in the direction their local government is going. Let’s get into some common questions, what WTC has in store, and how you can make a difference!
What is a by-election?
Every four years, residents across British Columbia elect their local mayors, councillors, and school board trustees (and park board commissioners in Vancouver) on a set date determined by the provincial government. This is called a “general election.”
"Two resignations simultaneously by Vancouver’s only two women opposition-party councillors is even more unusual and raises concerns about what’s happening behind the scenes at city hall."
If one of these local elected officials leaves their role early, a by-election may be called before the next general election to fill the empty seat. This might happen if an elected official dies, resigns, or is disqualified from their role. By-elections can also occur at other levels of government, such as if a Member of Parliament resigns.
Why is Vancouver having a by-election?
During the October 2024 provincial election, OneCity Councillor Christine Boyle was elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Little-Mountain. She resigned from Vancouver City Council to serve in her new role at the BC legislature. In the following weeks, Green Party Councillor Adriane Carr also announced she intended to resign, citing the “toxic workplace” created by Mayor Ken Sim.
It’s rare for local elected officials to resign early. The last Vancouver by-election was in 2017, and the one before was in 1992. Two resignations simultaneously by Vancouver’s only two women opposition-party councillors is even more unusual and raises concerns about what’s happening behind the scenes at city hall.
In the short term, it means that Vancouver residents will vote for two new councillors to replace both Boyle and Carr.
What will WTC be doing during the by-election?
WTC will continue to run our Hot Pink Paper Campaign (HPPC) during the by-election. The HPPC is an issue-based campaign designed to amplify the priorities of people who are often not heard at city hall.
We developed eight policy asks based on extensive community engagement and asked candidates for mayor and council in the 2022 general election if they’d commit to implementing them if elected. The policies focus on issues that impact equity-denied communities, like washrooms for all, non-market housing, and responding to the climate emergency.
For the by-election, we’ll continue this work by:
Inviting all candidates to commit to the same eight policy asks we circulated during the 2022 elections by completing our pledge survey.
Encouraging and supporting our members to engage with candidates on the HPPC policies.
Publishing candidate pledges to indicate who has made what promises.
Following up with successful candidates after the election on how we can implement the policy asks and tracking their decisions alongside their colleagues in our annual accountability reports.
"The by-election results will send important signals about whether Vancouver is happy with the current direction of council, or whether we want a change."
Why does this by-election matter?
Two seats on council may not change the outcome of many votes when one party already has a supermajority. But that doesn’t mean this is a pointless exercise. The by-election results will send important signals about whether Vancouver is happy with the current direction of council, or whether we want a change.
It will influence whether opposition councillor motions and amendments are seconded (or introduced in the first place), how the council majority can be held accountable, and how the status quo is challenged or reinforced. It may also inform which movements and issues gain momentum for the 2026 general election.
Governments should reflect the needs of equity-deserving groups. The by-election is an opportunity to ensure community perspectives are represented at city hall.
"Our next two city councillors could be chosen by a relatively small group of residents. That might sound discouraging, but it’s also an opportunity."
How can you get involved?
By-elections have very low turnout: only 10.99% of eligible voters cast a ballot in the 2017 by-election. These voters tend to be older, wealthier, and whiter. Our next two city councillors could be chosen by a relatively small group of residents.
That might sound discouraging, but it’s also an opportunity. By being a voter in a by-election, you can have a significant say in the makeup of Vancouver City Council for the next two years.
We need people focused on affordable housing, racial justice, and the poisoned drug crises to be counted among these voters!
Here are some ways to get involved:
Vote.
If you are 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, a resident of BC for at least six months, and live in Vancouver, then you can vote! You do not need to register ahead of time. You can vote by mail (apply for your mail-in ballot from March 3-24), on advanced voting days (March 26th and April 1st at City Hall) or on election day (April 5th at locations across Vancouver). Find out more here.
Don’t worry if you’re not eligible to vote––read on for other ways to make a difference!
Talk to family, friends, coworkers, and neighbours.
Many people may not even be aware that the by-election is happening, especially because it will likely be overshadowed by the pending federal election. Tell your network that local governments have a big impact on our day-to-day lives, that their voices matter in the by-election, and that they don’t need to be a municipal government expert to have their say.
Volunteer.
Successful election campaigns take a lot of resources. Find a candidate or party you align with on most issues and ask how to help. This could look like knocking on doors, chatting with people at a park, making some phone calls from your home, or introducing the candidate to some friends. It’s a great way to meet people and build relationships.
Don’t expect that you’ll find a candidate or party you agree with on everything. Much like riding transit, look at the options and decide who can get you closest to where you want to go.
The bottom line is: don’t sit this one out.
If you’d like to volunteer on WTC’s Hot Pink Paper Campaign during the by-election, contact clara@womentransformingcities.org to learn more.
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