B.C. Liberals to set leadership vote date

British Columbia's Liberals say the party will elect a new leader no later than next February.

Acting party president Don Silversides says in a statement the process to set the rules for a leadership contest is underway and following a meeting of the party executive, a leadership vote date will be set for no later than Feb. 16, 2022.

He says under the party's constitution, a new leader must be chosen within one year of receiving the leader's official letter of resignation.

Silversides says former leader Andrew Wilkinson delivered his letter of resignation Tuesday, setting in motion the party's process of selecting someone to lead the party.

Wilkinson announced his plans to step down shortly after last October's election defeat that saw the Liberals reduced to 28 seats in B.C.'s 87-seat legislature.

Interim Liberal Leader Shirley Bond says she has no plans to enter the leadership race.