Kitchener-Waterloo

Kitchener councillor to run for Green Party in upcoming byelection

The race to replace Kitchener Centre MPP Laura Mae Lindo when she steps down in two months has its first candidate. The Green Party of Ontario members in the riding have picked current Kitchener Coun. Aislinn Clancy.

Another city councillor announces bid for NDP nomination

Three people pose for a photo
Aislinn Clancy, centre, was named the Green Party of Ontario's candidate for the yet-to-be-called byelection in Kitchener Centre. She posed for a photo at a riding association meeting Tuesday night with Kitchener Centre MP Mike Morrice, left, and Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner, who is also the MPP for Guelph. (Aislinn Clancy/@voteclancy2023/Twitter)

Kitchener Coun. Aislinn Clancy has been chosen as the Green Party of Ontario's candidate for the yet-to-be-called Kitchener Centre byelection.

Clancy is the councillor for Ward 10 and was elected to her first term in last fall's municipal election.

She's the first candidate to be named to the race.

The Kitchener Centre seat will become vacant in July, which is when current NDP MPP Laura Mae Lindo will step down. Lindo announced her decision in January, saying it was the right move for her family and said she'll be taking on a job at the University of Waterloo.

Portrait of woman
Laura Mae Lindo won a second term as the MPP for Kitchener Centre in the June 2022 provincial election. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

The Progressive Conservatives, Liberals and NDP have not yet named candidates.

Another Kitchener councillor, Debbie Chapman who represents Ward 9, has announced she is seeking the NDP nomination.

Premier Doug Ford has six months to call a byelection in the riding once Lindo vacates the seat.

Clancy was chosen to represent the Greens on Tuesday night. In a release after the vote, Clancy said she's listened to people about the issues that impact them in her job as a councillor .

"Those conversations have made it crystal clear that Kitchener needs a caring, connected and climate-ready advocate at Queen's Park now more than ever," Clancy said.

Clancy told CBC News that she will take a leave from her post at city councillor when the byelection is called.