Chilliwack Chamber Election Hub
Your non-partisan resource for Chilliwack’s two 2026 elections: the BC provincial election on October 24 and the local election on October 17. Learn what each level of government does, who’s running, and how to vote.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Provincial General Voting Day
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Local General Voting Day
October 7 & 14
Local Advance Polls
October 6 & 7
Chamber Candidate Forums
Registration openConfirm local election details with the City of Chilliwack and provincial election details with Elections BC.
Understand Who Does What
Not every issue is decided at City Hall. Understanding which level of government is responsible for what can help voters evaluate priorities, ask informed questions and better understand the role of their elected representatives.
City of Chilliwack
Mayor and Council
- Local roads and infrastructure
- Land-use planning and zoning
- Official Community Plan
- Property taxes and municipal fees
- Water and sewer services
- Fire protection
- Parks and recreation
- Local bylaws
- Municipal budgets
- Local services
Government of British Columbia
Members of the Legislative Assembly
- Healthcare
- K–12 education framework and funding
- Provincial highways
- Labour standards
- Housing legislation
- Provincial taxation
- Social services
Government of Canada
Members of Parliament
- Immigration and citizenship
- National defence
- International trade
- Criminal law
- Federal taxation
- Employment Insurance
- Foreign affairs
Chilliwack School District No. 33
Board of Education Trustees
- District strategic direction
- Local education policy
- Operating budgets
- Capital plans
- District governance
- Financial oversight
- Community representation
Some responsibilities overlap between levels of government. This is a simplified guide intended to help voters understand the primary areas of responsibility.
Part 1 of 2 · 44th BC General Election
BC Provincial Election
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) for Chilliwack North and Chilliwack-Cultus Lake. Run by Elections BC.
Voting Day · Sat, Oct 24
The Provincial Election in 3 Steps
What You Need to Know
What you’re voting for
You choose one MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) to represent your area in Victoria.
The province decides on health care, schools, highways, housing and provincial taxes.
When & how to vote
- Election Day: Sat, Oct 248 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Vote early: Oct 16–218 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Vote by mailRequest a package by Oct 18
Bring ID with your name and address. You can register when you vote.
Who’s running near you
Chilliwack North
Dan Grice
CentreBC
Candidate Website →Responses after forum →
Heather Maahs
BC Conservative · Incumbent MLA
Candidate Website →Responses after forum →
Adila Shaukat
BC NDP
No official candidate website was available at the time of the latest update.
Responses after forum →Chilliwack-Cultus Lake
Kelli Paddon
BC NDP
Candidate Website →Responses after forum →
Á’a:líya Warbus
BC Conservative · Incumbent MLA
Candidate Website →Responses after forum →Final candidate list confirmed by Elections BC after nominations closed October 3.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce does not endorse or support any individual candidate or party.
Provincial candidates · Chilliwack North & Chilliwack-Cultus Lake
Provincial Candidate Responses
Questions from the Chamber’s provincial candidate forum will be sent to every provincial candidate, and they will have about 48 hours to send written answers. Answers are published exactly as submitted.
Published after the provincial forum
Every candidate receives the same questions in the same order. Responses are published exactly as submitted, without editing, summary or interpretation.
Part 2 of 2 · 2026 General Local Election
Chilliwack Local Election
Mayor, City Council, School Trustees and Cultus Lake Park Board. Run by the City of Chilliwack.
Voting Day · Sat, Oct 17
What Does a Mayor, Councillor or Trustee Do?
What does a Mayor do?
Under B.C.’s Community Charter, the Mayor is the head of Council and chief executive officer of the municipality. The Mayor provides leadership to Council, presides at Council meetings, establishes standing committees and reflects the will of Council in carrying out its direction.
The Mayor is one member of Council.The Mayor is elected by voters across the whole community and has a single vote at the Council table, the same as each Councillor. Decisions are made collectively by Mayor and Council through resolutions and bylaws.
What does a Councillor do?
Under B.C.’s Community Charter, municipal councillors consider the well-being and interests of the municipality and community, contribute to municipal policies and programs, participate in Council and committee meetings, and contribute to Council decision-making.
Council decisions are collective.An individual Councillor does not independently make decisions for the City. Council makes decisions collectively through resolutions and bylaws.
What does a School Trustee do?
School trustees are locally elected members of the Board of Education. Their role is to maintain a focus on student achievement and well-being while participating in decisions that benefit the school district as a whole. Trustees help establish strategic direction, oversee budgets and provide governance and oversight.
Trustees govern collectively.An individual trustee does not independently operate the school district. Authority rests with the Board of Education collectively, while the Superintendent leads day-to-day district operations.
Meet the Mayoral Candidates
Candidates Who Have Announced
Explore publicly available information from individuals who have announced their intention to run for Mayor of Chilliwack. Candidate information will be updated as the election progresses.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce does not endorse or support any individual candidate.
Farooque Syed
Candidate for Mayor of Chilliwack
No campaign website listed.
Meet the Council Candidates
Candidates Who Have Announced
Explore publicly available information from individuals who have announced their intention to run for Chilliwack City Council. Candidate information will be updated as the election progresses.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce does not endorse or support any individual candidate.
Meet the School Trustee Candidates
Candidates Who Have Announced
Explore publicly available information from individuals who have announced their intention to run for the Chilliwack Board of Education. Candidate information will be updated as the election progresses.
Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce does not endorse or support any individual candidate.
Katie Bartel
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Website →
Barbara Bednarski
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Platform →
Brooke Bouwsema-Cardinal
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Website →
Michael Carter
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Platform →
Marina Garmon
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Platform →
Hugh Hamilton
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Platform →Paul Henderson
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Website →
Sadie Hesketh
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Facebook →
Leah Kelley
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Website →
Christine Kruger
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Instagram →
Sudakar Meganathan
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Website →
Cary Moore
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Platform →
Darren Ollinger
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Facebook →Hayden Rampton
Candidate for School Trustee
No official candidate website or platform was available at the time of the latest update.
Willow Reichelt
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Facebook →
Margaret Reid
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Facebook →
David Swankey
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Website →
Brian Vangarderen
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Facebook →Cultus Lake Park Board — Commissioners
Cultus Lake Park Board Candidates
Commissioners are elected to the Cultus Lake Park Board, which governs, manages and stewards Cultus Lake Park under the Cultus Lake Park Act. Guided by its mandate, “Ours to Protect and Preserve,” the Board works to protect the Park’s natural environment while supporting a vibrant, sustainable community for residents, leaseholders, businesses and visitors.
What the Park Board oversees
- Park bylaws and enforcement
- Land use and development
- Roads, utilities, beaches, trails and public facilities
- Sunnyside Campground and recreational amenities
- Environmental stewardship and public safety
- Community services, events and long-term planning
A self-sustaining community
Cultus Lake Park receives no provincial or federal government funding. Revenue generated within the Park supports its operations, infrastructure, services and amenities.
Darcy Bauer
Candidate for Cultus Lake Park Board Commissioner
No official candidate website or platform was available at the time of the latest update.
Steve Marks
Candidate for Cultus Lake Park Board Commissioner
No official candidate website or platform was available at the time of the latest update.
David Renwick
Candidate for Cultus Lake Park Board Commissioner
No official candidate website or platform was available at the time of the latest update.
The official candidate list for this race is maintained externally and updated as nominations are confirmed. Candidate names, the offices they are seeking and filing details for the Cultus Lake Park Board are published on the official local elections listing.
View Cultus Lake Park Board CandidatesVoting in the Local Election
Election Day
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Advance Polls
October 7 & October 14, 2026
Where to Vote
Voter Information
The City of Chilliwack is the authoritative source for voting dates, locations and requirements.
Hear From the Candidates
The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce is committed to creating opportunities for informed, respectful and non-partisan community dialogue.
2026 Provincial Election Candidates Forum
Candidates invited: Chilliwack North — Dan Grice (CentreBC), Heather Maahs (Conservative Party), Adila Shaukat (BC NDP). Chilliwack-Cultus Lake — Kelli Paddon (BC NDP), A’aliya Warbus (Conservative Party). Candidate participation is subject to change.
The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization. Hosting these events does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate. All candidates are invited using consistent criteria and given an equal opportunity to participate.
Can’t make it in person?
Watch the Forum Live on YouTube
The Chamber’s Provincial Election Candidates Forum is streamed live on YouTube. Watch from home as it happens, or catch the replay afterward.
Hosted by other organizations
Community Election Forums
Election forums organized by other groups in Chilliwack are listed here as a convenience. The Chamber does not organize, endorse or verify these events — please confirm details with the hosting organization.
Yarrow All-Candidates Meeting
Monday, October 5, 2026, 7 p.m. · Yarrow Hall, 4670 Community St., Yarrow
Mayoral and council candidates. Moderated by Diane Janzen. Hosted by the Yarrow community; details: info@yarrowcommunity.com
Organizing an election forum in Chilliwack? Send the event name, hosting organization, date and time, location and registration link to info@chilliwackchamber.com and it will be added to this section.
Mayoral and council candidates
Candidate Responses to Forum Questions
Every question asked at the forum is recorded. The full list goes to all candidates afterward, and they have about 48 hours to send written answers. Answers are published exactly as submitted.
Published after October 7
Every candidate receives the same questions in the same order. Responses are published exactly as submitted, without editing, summary or interpretation.
Date
To be confirmed
Time
To be confirmed
Location
To be confirmed
Registration
To be confirmed
Livestream
To be confirmed
Recording
To be confirmed
Our Role in the Election
The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization. The Chilliwack Chamber Election Hub is provided as an educational resource to support informed civic participation.
The inclusion of a candidate, campaign website or other election information does not constitute an endorsement by the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce. Candidates are presented using consistent criteria and equal visual treatment.
Candidate information is collected from official and publicly available sources and is presented for educational purposes. Information may change, and visitors should confirm details directly with candidates or the appropriate election authority.
Official election dates, voting requirements, locations and notices should always be confirmed with the City of Chilliwack.