Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson has postponed a Victoria council byelection in order to protect residents from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Robinson also deferred byelections in Rossland and Lytton as well as a referendum in Kamloops.
“After consulting with our public health officials and local governments, I have signed a ministerial order postponing byelections and referendums in these communities, so they can focus on protecting their residents,” she said in a statement Wednesday night.
The Victoria and Rossland byelections and the Kamloops referendum were slated to take place April 4. The Lytton byelection was scheduled for April 25.
Victoria officials had requested a postponement on the advice of Dr. Richard Stanwick, chief medical health officer for Vancouver Island.
Nine candidates are vying to fill a seat vacated by Laurel Collins, who resigned from council after winning the Victoria riding for the NDP in last year’s federal election.
Robinson said local governments will consult with public health officials and Elections B.C. before rescheduling the votes.
