David Xie says he is no longer seeking a seat on Burnaby City Council, while his name remains listed for the city’s October civic election.
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David Xie says he is no longer pursuing a seat on Burnaby City Council, but his name will still appear on this month’s Burnaby civic election ballot, even as he is also the Conservative Party of British Columbia’s confirmed MLA candidate for Burnaby South-Metrotown.
In an email responding to questions sent on Oct. 1, Xie said, “While it is unfortunately too late to be removed from the municipal ballot, I can confirm that I am no longer seeking a seat on City Council.”
Xie previously entered the municipal race under the New Burnaby civic party, and his name remains on the City of Burnaby’s official candidates list for City Council as of Oct. 1.
Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA) had called on Xie and New Burnaby to clarify his intentions before advance voting begins this Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Additional advance voting opportunities are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 10, with civic general election day on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The provincial general election is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24. Xie is listed as the Conservative Party of B.C.’s confirmed MLA candidate for the riding of Burnaby South-Metrotown in that provincial election.
The provincial government’s Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act, which took effect in May 2025, prevents someone from serving as both an MLA and an elected municipal official, including city councillors and other municipal roles. The City of Burnaby’s election office set a candidate withdrawal deadline of Sept. 18.
The provincial government can approve a later withdrawal on a case-by-case basis before election officials remove a candidate’s name. The provincial withdrawal process was used in White Rock, where Mayor Megan Knight pivoted from municipal re-election to seeking provincial office in the riding of Surrey South; her withdrawal was confirmed after the provincial government approved it, according to information provided by White Rock’s municipal government.
Without Xie, New Burnaby is running five candidates for City Council and one candidate for School Board, and the party does not have a mayoral candidate.
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