List of British Columbia by-elections
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
By-elections by cause, 1871–2008
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]
Resignation of a member.[ 1]
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]
Expulsion from the legislature.[ 1]
Ineligibility to sit.[ 1]
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]
42nd Parliament 2020–2024
41st Parliament 2017–2020
40th Parliament 2013–2017
39th Parliament 2009–2013
38th Parliament 2005–2009
37th Parliament 2001–2005
36th Parliament 1996–2001
* Reitsma is a former Liberal.[ 10]
35th Parliament 1991–1996
* Dueck is a former Socred.[ 11]
34th Parliament 1986–1991
33rd Parliament 1983–1986
32nd Parliament 1979–1983
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.
31st Parliament 1975–1979
30th Parliament 1972–1975
29th Parliament 1969–1972
There were no by-elections.
28th Parliament 1966–1969
27th Parliament 1963–1966
There were no by-elections.
26th Parliament 1960–1963
25th Parliament 1956–1960
24th Parliament 1953–1956
Douglas Jung of the Progressive Conservative Party runs in the Vancouver Centre by-election, the first time any Chinese Canadian had run for a seat in a Canadian legislature.[ 12]
23rd Parliament 1952–1953
These by-elections are held under the alternative vote system, the only two times (as of March 2008) by-elections had been held using that voting system .[ 13] After the next general election , the voting system would revert to first past the post in time for the next by-election.[ 12]
22nd Parliament 1949–1952
21st Parliament 1945–1949
20th Parliament 1941–1945
19th Parliament 1937–1941
18th Parliament 1933–1937
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.[ 9]
17th Parliament 1928–1933
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Columbia
December 19, 1931
John Buckham
Liberal
Thomas King
Liberal
Death
Yes
The Islands
February 21, 1931†
Cyrus Wesley Peck
Conservative
MacGregor Macintosh
Conservative
Resignation
Yes
Fort George
January 7, 1931
Frederick Burden
Conservative
Roy Alward
Conservative
Resignation
Yes
North Vancouver
November 5, 1930
Ian Alistair MacKenzie
Liberal
Jack Loutet
Conservative
Resignation
No
North Okanagan
July 2, 1930†
William Farris Kennedy
Conservative
George Heggie
Conservative
Resignation
Yes
Chilliwack
October 22, 1928†
William Atkinson
Conservative
William Atkinson
Conservative
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Dewdney
October 22, 1928†
Nelson Lougheed
Conservative
Nelson Lougheed
Conservative
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Esquimalt
October 22, 1928†
Robert Pooley
Conservative
Robert Pooley
Conservative
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Fort George
October 22, 1928†
Frederick Burden
Conservative
Frederick Burden
Conservative
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Richmond-Point Grey
October 22, 1928†
Samuel Howe
Conservative
Samuel Howe
Conservative
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Saanich
October 22, 1928†
Simon Fraser Tolmie
Conservative
Simon Fraser Tolmie
Conservative
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Similkameen
October 22, 1928†
William McKenzie
Conservative
William McKenzie
Conservative
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Vancouver City
October 22, 1928†
William Shelly
Conservative
William Shelly
Conservative
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Victoria City
October 22, 1928†
Joshua Hinchcliffe
Conservative
Joshua Hinchcliffe
Conservative
Joined Executive Council
Yes
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 15]
16th Parliament 1924–1928
15th Parliament 1920–1924
† 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]
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Alberni
January 29, 1919†
Richard Wallis
Conservative
Richard Burde
Independent Soldier
Death
No
Cowichan
January 25, 1919
William Hayward
Conservative
Kenneth Duncan
Unionist
Resignation
No
Victoria City
June 28, 1918
Harlan Carey Brewster
Liberal
Francis Giolma
Soldier
Death
No
Chilliwack
May 10, 1918
Edward Dodsley Barrow
Liberal
Edward Dodsley Barrow
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Vancouver City
January 24, 1918
Ralph Smith
Liberal
Mary Ellen Smith
Independent ~
Death
Yes
Alberni
January 24, 1918
Harlan Carey Brewster
Liberal
Richard Wallis
Conservative
Won more than one district
No
Newcastle
January 24, 1918
Parker Williams
Independent Socialist
James Hawthornthwaite
Independent Socialist/Labour*
Resignation
Yes
Similkameen
January 24, 1918
Lytton Shatford
Conservative
William McKenzie
Conservative
Resignation
Yes
Vancouver City
June 23, 1917†
John Farris
Liberal
John Farris
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Victoria City
June 22, 1917
John Hart
Liberal
John Hart
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Cranbrook
January 3, 1917†
James King
Liberal
James King
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Dewdney
January 3, 1917†
John Oliver
Liberal
John Oliver
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Greenwood
January 3, 1917†
John MacLean
Liberal
John MacLean
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Nanaimo
January 3, 1917†
William Sloan
Liberal
William Sloan
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Victoria City
January 3, 1917†
Harlan Carey Brewster
Liberal
Harlan Carey Brewster
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Prince Rupert
January 13, 1917†
Thomas Dufferin Pattullo
Liberal
Thomas Dufferin Pattullo
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Vancouver City
December 21, 1916
Ralph Smith
Liberal
Ralph Smith
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Malcolm MacDonald
Liberal
Malcolm MacDonald
Liberal
Joined Executive Council
Yes
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 16]
~ 'Independent people's candidate', also endorsed by the Liberal Party.[ 16]
* Endorsed by the United Mineworkers of America and "organized labour generally".[ 16]
13th Parliament 1912–1916
12th Parliament 1909–1912
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 17]
11th Parliament 1907–1909
† 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]
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 5]
9th Parliament 1900–1903
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
South Victoria
July 4, 1900†
David Eberts
No Parties
David Eberts
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Victoria City
July 4, 1900†
John Turner
No Parties
John Turner
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
East Kootenay North
July 17, 1900†
Wilmer Wells
No Parties
Wilmer Wells
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Lillooet East
July 17, 1900†
James Prentice
No Parties
James Prentice
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
South Nanaimo
July 17, 1900†
James Dunsmuir
No Parties
James Dunsmuir
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Westminster-Dewdney
July 17, 1900†
Richard McBride
No Parties
Richard McBride
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Nanaimo City
February 20, 1901†
Ralph Smith
No Parties
James Hawthornthwaite
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
Vancouver City
February 19, 1901
James Garden
No Parties
James Garden
No Parties
Resignation
Yes
New Westminster City
September 18, 1901
John Brown
No Parties
Thomas Gifford
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
No
Victoria City
March 10, 1902
John Turner
No Parties
Edward Gawler Prior
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
North Nanaimo
December 15, 1902
William McInnes
No Parties
William McInnes
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
North Victoria
December 23, 1902
John Booth
No Parties
Thomas Paterson
No Parties
Death
n/a
Yale-West
February 26, 1903
Dennis Murphy
No Parties
Charles Augustus Semlin
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
No
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 19]
8th Parliament 1898–1900
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Vancouver City
October 15, 1898†
Francis Lovett Carter-Cotton
No Parties
Francis Lovett Carter-Cotton
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Joseph Martin
No Parties
Joseph Martin
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Yale-West
October 15, 1898†
Charles Augustus Semlin
No Parties
Charles Augustus Semlin
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
West Kootenay-Nelson
October 15, 1898†
John Hume
No Parties
John Hume
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Alberni
December 15, 1898
Alan Neill
No Parties
Alan Neill
No Parties
Resignation
Yes
Cowichan
December 28, 1898
William Robertson
No Parties
William Robertson
No Parties
Resignation
Yes
Vancouver City
January 25, 1899†
Charles Edward Tisdall
No Parties
Charles Edward Tisdall
No Parties
Resignation
Yes
Victoria City
February 2, 1899
Richard Hall
No Parties
Richard Hall
No Parties
Resignation
Yes
John Turner
No Parties
John Turner
No Parties
Resignation
Yes
Albert McPhillips
No Parties
Albert McPhillips
No Parties
Resignation
Yes
West Kootenay-Nelson
February 14, 1899
John Hume
No Parties
John Hume
No Parties
Resignation
Yes
East Kootenay North
February 28, 1899†
William Neilson
No Parties
Wilmer Wells
No Parties
Death
n/a
New Westminster City
August 31, 1899†
Alexander Henderson
No Parties
Alexander Henderson
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 20]
7th Parliament 1894–1898
* Result was voided.[ 21]
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 21]
6th Parliament 1890–1894
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 22]
5th Parliament 1886–1890
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
New Westminster City
November 25, 1889
William Bole
No Parties
Thomas Cunningham
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
Lillooet
September 21, 1889
A.E.B. Davie
No Parties
Alfred Smith
No Parties
Death
n/a
Victoria City
August 21, 1889
Theodore Davie
No Parties
Theodore Davie
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Nanaimo
June 29, 1889†
Robert Dunsmuir
No Parties
Andrew Haslam
No Parties
Death
n/a
Cariboo
November 26, 1888
Robert McLeese
No Parties
Ithiel Nason
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
Victoria
June 30, 1888
Robert John
No Parties
James Tolmie
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
Victoria City
January 25, 1888
Edward Gawler Prior
No Parties
Simeon Duck
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
Comox
December 30, 1887
Anthony Stenhouse
No Parties
Thomas Humphreys
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
Victoria City
August 20, 1887
John Turner
No Parties
John Turner
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Cowichan
May 5, 1887
William Smithe
No Parties
Henry Fry
No Parties
Death
n/a
Yale
April 28, 1887
Forbes Vernon
No Parties
Forbes Vernon
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Nanaimo
January 3, 1887
William Raybould
No Parties
George Thomson
No Parties
Death
n/a
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 23]
4th Parliament 1882–1886
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 24]
3rd Parliament 1878–1882
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 25]
2nd Parliament 1875–1878
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 26]
1st Parliament 1871–1875
By-election
Date
Incumbent
Party
Winner
Party
Cause
Retained
Lillooet
November 17, 1874
Thomas Humphreys
No Parties
Thomas Humphreys
No Parties
Resignation
Yes
William Saul
No Parties
William Brown
No Parties
Resignation
No
Victoria
February 26, 1874
Arthur Bunster
No Parties
William Robertson
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
Amor de Cosmos
No Parties
William Fraser Tolmie
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
New Westminster
March 21, 1873†
William Armstrong
No Parties
William Armstrong
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Comox
January 11, 1873†
John Ash
No Parties
John Ash
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Victoria City
January 6, 1873†
Robert Beaven
No Parties
Robert Beaven
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Lillooet
December 21, 1872
Andrew Jamieson
No Parties
William Saul
No Parties
Death
n/a
Cariboo
June 22, 1872
Cornelius Booth
No Parties
John Barnston
No Parties
Resignation
n/a
Cariboo
February 12, 1872†
George Anthony Walkem
No Parties
George Anthony Walkem
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
New Westminster City
November 27, 1871†
Henry Holbrook
No Parties
Henry Holbrook
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
Esquimalt
November 27, 1871†
Alexander Robertson
No Parties
Alexander Robertson
No Parties
Joined Executive Council
Yes
† Won by acclamation ; this date is the date of the return of the writ.[ 27]
See also
References
External links
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