Chilliwack Chamber Election Hub
Your non-partisan resource for understanding Chilliwack’s 2026 local election, the roles of local elected officials, who’s running, and how to participate.
Saturday, October 17, 2026
General Voting Day
October 7 & 14
Advance Polls
October 6 & 7
Chamber Candidate Forums
Registration openDates and voting information should be confirmed with the City of Chilliwack.
Understand Your Local Election
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.
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.
Gary Raddysh
Candidate for Mayor of Chilliwack
No campaign website listed.
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.
Leanna Kemp
Candidate for Chilliwack City Council
No campaign website listed.
Raylene Mumford
Candidate for Chilliwack City Council
No campaign website listed.
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
No official candidate website or platform was available at the time of the latest update.
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 →
Sadie Hesketh
Candidate for School Trustee
No official candidate website or platform was available at the time of the latest update.
Sudakar Meganathan
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Website →
Cary Moore
Candidate for School Trustee
Candidate Platform →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.
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 Chilliwack
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.
Mayoral Candidates Forum
Council Candidates Meet-and-Greet and Forum
October 7 is also an advance voting day. If you would like to hear from the candidates before casting your ballot, consider voting at the October 14 advance poll or on General Voting Day, October 17. Advance poll dates and locations should be confirmed with the City of Chilliwack.
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.
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.
No community forums have been submitted yet.
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.