A retired teacher from a political family will represent the B.C. Green Party in an upcoming provincial byelection in Nanaimo.
Michele Ney was selected as the party’s candidate on Saturday.
She is the daughter of the late Frank Ney, who was Nanaimo’s mayor from 1968 to 1984 and from 1987 to 1990 and served as the riding’s Social Credit MLA from 1969 to 1972. Her sister, Tara, is an Oak Bay councillor.
At present, there are three Green Party MLAs in the legislature. Their support is helping to keep the minority B.C. NDP government in power.
The seat had been held by longtime NDP MLA Leonard Krog, who stepped down on Nov. 30 after being elected Nanaimo’s mayor.
The NDP is set to pick its candidate today, with Sheila Malcolmson expecting to be acclaimed. She is the NDP MP for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding but is stepping down to run for provincial office.
Local businessman Tony Harris is running for the B.C. Liberals, while Robin Richardson is representing the Vancouver Island Party.
A date for the byelection has not been announced, but Premier John Horgan has said it will be held before the February budget.
