Kitchener councillor to run for Green Party in upcoming byelection

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 termin 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.

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 saidshe'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.