B.C. Byelection Set for Abbotsford-Mission

A key B.C. political battle is now officially on the calendar.

Premier David Eby has called a byelection in Abbotsford-Mission, setting Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, as voting day. The contest is expected to put B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay in the spotlight as she seeks a seat in the legislature.

Findlay Gets Her Chance to Run

The byelection follows the resignation of former MLA Reann Gasper.

Gasper stepped down from the Abbotsford-Mission seat earlier this month. Her departure opened the door for Findlay to seek the nomination and run in the riding. Gasper has since taken on a paid role as Findlay’s deputy chief of staff.

Now, voters will decide whether Findlay gets a place in the B.C. legislature.

Voting Day Is Set

The provincial government has confirmed that Sept. 26 will be the final voting day.

As a result, the race is set to move quickly. Candidates and parties will now have a short window to make their case to voters across Abbotsford-Mission.

For voters, the byelection offers a chance to choose their next MLA. Elections B.C. can provide information on voter registration, eligibility and voting options.

A Tough Start for Findlay

The byelection comes at a difficult time for Findlay.

She won the B.C. Conservative leadership in May. However, her leadership has faced growing pressure in recent weeks.

Six MLAs have left the Conservative caucus this month and now sit as independents. Five departures happened within a single week, adding to questions about the party’s direction and Findlay’s leadership.

That makes the Abbotsford-Mission race about more than one vacant seat. It could also become an important test of Findlay’s support inside and outside her party.

NDP Prepares for the Fight

The B.C. NDP has also moved quickly.

Former agriculture minister Pam Alexis is set to run again in Abbotsford-Mission. She previously represented the riding and lost it in the 2024 provincial election by fewer than 3,000 votes.

So, the race could be closely watched from the start.

For the NDP, holding or winning the seat would be a chance to challenge the Conservatives in a riding that has already seen a competitive contest.

New Political Pressure Builds

Meanwhile, former Conservative MLAs Peter Milobar and Ian Paton are working towards creating a new political party.

Milobar has said the short timeline makes it unlikely that the new group will be ready to field a candidate for the Sept. 26 vote.

That could leave voters with an unusual political landscape as the campaign gets underway.

Why This Byelection Matters

At first glance, this is a race for one legislative seat.

However, the result could carry much more weight.

For Findlay, winning would give her a seat in the legislature and strengthen her position as Conservative leader. A loss, on the other hand, could fuel further questions about her leadership.

For the NDP, the contest is another chance to test its support in the Fraser Valley.

And for voters in Abbotsford-Mission, the decision will determine who represents them in Victoria.

With voting day now set for Sept. 26, the campaign has officially begun.