Image: District of Hope / Councillor Zachary Wells (back row, far right) has resigned as a councillor in Hope, prompting the municipality to declare a by-election. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

District of Hope

District of Hope councillor resigns, the second in 2 years to quit since 2022 election

Feb 26, 2025 | 11:32 AM

HOPE — The District of Hope has declared an upcoming by-election after Councillor Zachary Wells submitted his resignation.

In a notice posted to social media Wednesday (Feb. 26), the district says the upcoming by-election will fill the remainder of Wells’ four-year term ending in October 2026. The nomination period will open Tuesday, March 11 and close Friday, March 21.

According to a published report in a Hope newspaper, Wells resigned due to business and/or work requirements taking him outside of Hope. Wells was elected in 2022 along with current councillors Scott Medlock, Heather Stewin, Pauline Newbigging, Angela Skoglund and Crystal Sedore. Sedore resigned her position in 2023, leading to a by-election that Dusty Smith won in November 2023.

A Facebook profile and picture matching someone named Zachary Wells states he lives in Chilliwack, not Hope.

The campaign period will begin March 29, followed by advance voting on April 16 and 23 and general voting day on April 26.

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Nomination packages can be picked up at the District of Hope municipal office at 325 Wallace Street.