Only two of the six candidates in the upcoming Burnaby South byelection will have the opportunity to vote for themselves.
That’s because most of them don’t actually live in the riding.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and independent Valentine Wu do, however, reside in south Burnaby and will be able to cast a ballot on election day, Feb. 25, or on one of four advance voting days: Feb. 15, 16, 17 and 18.
Conservative Jay Shin lives in Vancouver; Liberal Richard Lee lives in North Burnaby; Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson of the People’s Party lives in New Westminster and independent Terry Grimwood lives in Sechelt.
Singh moved to the riding from Ontario in November. He has said he’s renting a two-bedroom home near Gilley Avenue and Imperial Street with his wife.
To be eligible to vote in a byelection, Elections Canada says someone must "live in the electoral district where the by-election is taking place (from the start of revision – which normally begins on the fourth day after the by-election is called – until election day)."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the Burnaby South byelection on Jan. 9.
At the time, Singh told the NOW he was “very excited” to make Burnaby his home. He has since said he and his wife have enjoyed settling in the community and getting to know their neighbours.
In a statement responding to a NOW inquiry, Lee said he has lived in Burnaby for 32 years, including 16 as the BC Liberal MLA for North Burnaby.
“As a community leader and MLA I've worked to make a real difference for the people in Burnaby, and as the Member of Parliament for Burnaby South, I would be a strong local voice for families in our community,” Lee said.
Shin has previously told the NOW he has roots in Burnaby South, despite not currently living there. He said he lived in Burnaby until 2004 and his parents still live there.
