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

A by-election occurs whenever there is a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly. Vacancies can occur for the following reasons: 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.

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.

35th Parliament 1991–1996

• Dueck is a former Socred.

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.

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. After the next general election, the voting system would revert to first past the post in time for the next by-election.

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; Second, it is the last time (as of March 2008) a candidate won through acclamation. † Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

17th Parliament 1928–1933

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

16th Parliament 1924–1928

15th Parliament 1920–1924

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

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. † Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ. ~ 'Independent people's candidate', also endorsed by the Liberal Party.

• Endorsed by the United Mineworkers of America and "organized labour generally".

13th Parliament 1912–1916

12th Parliament 1909–1912

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

11th Parliament 1907–1909

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

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. The November 18, 1903 by-election in Vancouver City is the first by-election held since political parties were introduced to the province. † Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

9th Parliament 1900–1903

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

8th Parliament 1898–1900

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

7th Parliament 1894–1898

• Result was voided. † Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

6th Parliament 1890–1894

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

5th Parliament 1886–1890

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

4th Parliament 1882–1886

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

3rd Parliament 1878–1882

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

2nd Parliament 1875–1878

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.

1st Parliament 1871–1875

† Won by acclamation; this date is the date of the return of the writ.