Barry Penner officially resigned Monday from his position as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Chilliwack-Hope.

Penner sent out a photo of himself holding his daughter Fintry as he faxed his resignation from his Chilliwack constituency office to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Penner also told the Times Monday that the party would announce a candidate to replace him on Tuesday (Jan. 10).

The long-time MLA, former environment minister and attorney general announced in November he would step down in the new year to take a job with a Vancouver law firm.

The move means that Premier Christy Clark must call a byelection within six months.

Clark has said it would make sense to run the byelection at the same time as one in Port Moody, which needs to be called by March, but no date has been set.

The BC Conservatives will acclaim John Martin as that party's candidate in the Chilliwack-Hope riding on Jan. 17.

Three candidates, Dennis Adamson, Kathleen Stephany and Gwen O'Mahony, will vie for the NDP nomination at a meeting on Jan. 28.

phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com