Council spot will be open

As a local councillor gets ready to step up as MLA, Pentictontites appear set to head right back to the polls in the next few months for a by-election.

The MLA seat in Penticton-Summerland was clinched by Conservative Amelia Boultbee late Saturday evening with 41.66 per cent of the vote. Her closest challenger, NDP Tina Lee, conceded at that time with 39.94 per cent of the vote.

Boultbee is a current city councillor, elected in 2022. She stepped away from the role during the campaign period and, now that she is Victoria-bound, she ostensibly will resign her city council spot.

"Congratulations to Amelia Boultbee as MLA-elect for Penticton-Summerland. As a member of council, she has been a strong advocate for our community and she will undoubtably bring that same tenacity to her new role in representing us to Victoria," reads a press release from the City of Penticton quoting Mayor James Bloomfield.

Boultbee took to social media to express she is "very proud" to be taking on the MLA role, praising her volunteers and pledging her support to the community.

Her resignation from city council to take that MLA role will trigger a by-election to fill her seat.

City of Penticton communications director Shane Mills said Monday afternoon that once they get a formal resignation, the process will begin.

"Once a letter is received it begins a process that’s established under the Local Government Act. The process includes preparing a report to council, who will then appoint a Chief Election Officer," Mills explained, adding a resignation has not been received yet.*

"The Chief Election Officer sets a general voting day for the by-election, which must be on a Saturday no later than 80 days after the date of appointment."

When reached by Castanet Monday afternoon, Boultbee declined comment.

*Editor's note: Following the publication of this article and Castanet's request for comment, Boultbee posted to social media indicating her intent to officially resign from council tomorrow, Tuesday Oct. 22.