B.C. Premier Christy Clark is leading an effort by Western premiers to take over immigration in a bid to manage its growing skills shortage.Chad Hipolito/The Globe and Mail
Two B.C. by-elections will be called on Thursday, scheduling votes in ridings where Liberal MLAs have resigned.
Both by-elections, in Port Moody-Coquitlam and Chilliwack-Hope, will be held on April 19, a government source confirmed.
Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Iain Black resigned last year to become president and CEO of the Vancouver Board of Trade. The vote to replace him had to be called by April 7.
Chilliwack-Hope MLA Barry Penner, former attorney-general, resigned in January to return to practising law.
Although the B.C. Liberals held both Port Moody-Coquitlam and Chilliwack-Hope, political observers have predicted that the Liberals will face serious challenges to retain the seats.