Chilliwack City Council is the governing body for the City of Chilliwack, British Columbia. Its powers and responsibilities are regulated through the Local Government Act, and the Community Charter.Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c 1, <https://canlii.ca/t/8vs2> retrieved on 2024-02-28Community Charter, SBC 2003, c 26, <https://canlii.ca/t/84m0> retrieved on 2024-02-28 It has the power of a natural person, the power to expropriate, and the power to establish and enforce bylaws. It raises funds through property taxes and user fees, and can borrow a limited amount through the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia to pay for capital costs.
Membership The council consists of the mayor plus 6 councillors elected at-large every 4 years on the third Saturday in October. The most recent election took place on October 15, 2022; the next election will take place on October 17, 2026.
Ken Popove Mayor Chris Kloot Councillor Jason Lum Councillor Bud Mercer Councillor Nicole Huitema Read Councillor Jeff Shields Councillor Harv Westeringh Councillor
Committees Advisory Committees are composed of two Council members to act as Chair and Vice Chair, community representatives appointed by Council, and City staff.
Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee The AIAC identifies accessibility barriers for individuals using city resources, including parks and civic facilities, and advises Council on how to remove and prevent those barriers.
Affordable Housing & Development Advisory Committee The AHDC advises Council on the implementation of the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy and other policies and strategies to address housing needs in the community.
Agricultural & Rural Advisory Committee The ARAC is a Select Committee established by Council to serve as an advisory/liaison body between Council and the rural neighbourhoods in Chilliwack. The committee looks at policy issues with respect to service delivery in rural areas and also provides advice to Council on matters relating to agriculture, agri-business and agri-tourism.
Chilliwack Parks and Trails Advisory Committee The CPTAC serves as an advisory/liaison body between Council and park/ trail users within the City.
Community Safety Governance Committee The purpose of the CSGC is to support interagency collaboration and promote systemic change to improve community safety, through implementation of actions identified in the Chilliwack Community Safety Plan.
Design Review Advisory Committee The DRAC is a Select Committee established to advise Council on design related issues.
Heritage Advisory Committee
The HAC advises Council on the implementation of the Heritage Strategic Action Plan and other related topics.
Public Art Advisory Committee
The PAAC is a Select Committee established by Council as an advisory/liaison body between Council and the arts community. The committee advises Council on the integration of public art throughout the City.
Public Safety Advisory Committee The PSAC is a Select Committee focusing on current and emerging public safety issues. The committee addresses bylaw matters, fire regulations, safety issues, and proceeds from crime. The committee consists of 15 voting members appointed by Council, plus two elected officials representing Council as Chair and Vice Chair.
Transportation Advisory Committee The TAC is a Select Committee established as an advisory/liaison body between Council and the public. The Committee advises on issues relating to transportation, traffic management and transit.
History
On 26 April 1873, the "Corporation of the Township of Chilliwhack" (note the variant spelling) became one of the first municipalities incorporated by the Province of British Columbia. The first Township Council meeting took place on in the Sumas schoolhouse on 10 June 1873. The council was made up of six councillors, including John McCutcheon, who was elected the Township's first Warden. On 20 February 1908, the area that was then known as Chilliwack, i.e., the subdivision within the greater Chilliwhack Township, was incorporated as the City of Chilliwack under the Chilliwack City Incorporation Act of 1908. The City of Chilliwack and the Township of Chilliwhack co-existed as separately administered municipalities until 1980.
On 1 January 1980, the Township of Chilliwhack and the City of Chilliwack amalgamated to form a single municipality styled the District of Chilliwack 6 months after holding plebiscites in both municipalities. The referendums passed with 90 percent support in the City and 62 percent support in the Township. On 16 July 1999, the District of Chilliwack, once again, was renamed the City of Chilliwack.
Elections
General local elections are held every four years, with general voting day in the third Saturday in October.Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c 1, <https://canlii.ca/t/566f7> retrieved on 2024-02-28
2022 results The estimated eligible voter turnout for 2022 was 24.8%, 4.4% lower than the provincial average of 29.2%. The results for mayor were as follows: Mayoral candidate Vote % Ken Popove (incumbent) 12,035 69.4 Ian Carmichael 4,056 23.4
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate Vote % Jason Lum (incumbent) 10,766 62.1 Chris Kloot (incumbent) 9,482 54.7 Nicole Huitema Read 9,153 52.8 Jeff Shields (incumbent) 8,622 49.7 Harv Westeringh (incumbent) 8,048 46.4 Bud Mercer (incumbent) 7,970 46.0 Amber Price 7,488 43.1Jared Mumford 6,013 34.7Mike McLatchy 4,709 27.2Debora Soutar 4,673 27.0Brent Bowker 3,191 18.4Craig Hill 1,029 6.0
2018 results The estimated eligible voter turnout for 2018 was 39%, which was 3.4% higher than the provincial average of 35.5%. The results were as follows:
Mayoral candidate Vote % Ken Popove 8,432 34.1 Sharon Gaetz (incumbent) 7,426 30.1 Sam Waddington 6,988 28.3 Dave Rowan 775 3.1 Brigida Crosbie 409 1.7
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate Vote % Jason Lum (incumbent) 15,604 63.2 Chris Kloot (incumbent) 13,298 53.8 Bud Mercer 12,053 48.8 Jeff Shields 10,857 44.0 Sue Attrill (incumbent) 10,113 40.9 Harv Westeringh 8,745 35.4 Louis De Jaeger 7,931 32.1 Terry Cross 6,310 25.5 Patti MacAhonic 6,227 25.2 Sandy Mathies 5,677 23.0 Debora Soutar 5,342 21.6 Lisa Morry 4,676 18.9 Ken Smith 3,386 13.7 Cameron Hull 2,547 10.3
2014 results Beginning in 2014, general local elections must be held every four years.Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c 1, <https://canlii.ca/t/566f7> retrieved on 2024-02-28 Previously, elections were held every three years. The estimated eligible voter turnout for 2014 was 26%, which was 9% lower than the provincial average of 34.5%. The results were as follows:
Mayoral candidate Vote % Sharon Gaetz (incumbent) 10,183 68.4 Cameron Hull 2,731 18.4 Raymond Cauchi 1,066 7.2
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate Vote % Samuel Waddington 8,680 58.3 Jason Lum (incumbent) 7,842 52.7 Ken Popove (incumbent) 7,548 50.7 Chuck Stam (incumbent) 7,132 47.9 Sue Attrill (incumbent) 6,027 40.5 Chris Kloot 4,916 33.0 Patti MacAhonic 3,783 25.4 Stewart McLean (incumbent) 3,631 24.4 Kim Harder 3,620 24.3 Gerry Goosen 3,143 21.1 Dick Harrington 3,030 20.4 Brenda Currie 2,621 18.0 Michael Kha 2,557 17.2 Phill Bruce 2,453 16.5 Brigida Crosbie 1,133 7.6 Phillip Maxwell 912 6.1 Richard Williams 619 4.2
2011 results
The estimated eligible voter turnout for 2011 was 16.1% which was 14.5% lower than the provincial average of 30.6%. The incumbent mayor ran unopposed.
Mayoral candidate Vote % Sharon Gaetz (incumbent) Acclaimed
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate Vote % Chuck Stam (incumbent) 5,386 57.6 Ken Popove 4,876 52.2 Jason Lum 4,423 47.3 Ken Huttema (incumbent) 4,136 44.3 Sue Attrill (incumbent) 3,997 42.8 Stewart McLean (incumbent) 3,140 33.6 Ron Browne 2,941 31.5 Brenda Currie 2,358 25.2 Dick Harrington 2,206 23.6 Gerry Goosen 1,677 17.9 Gord Kornelsen 1,536 16.4 Phill Bruce 1,186 12.7 Ron Wedel 1,040 11.1 Mitchell Nosko 927 9.9 Mike Britton 812 8.7 Ian B. Carmichael 546 5.8 Garth Glassel 418 4.5 Chad Eros 397 4.2 Rob Stelmaschuk 329 3.5 Roger Alan Myers 179 1.9
2008 results
The estimated eligible voter turnout for 2008 was 24.3% which was 4.6% lower than the provincial average of 28.9%. The results were as follows:
Mayoral candidate Vote % Sharon Gaetz 8,889 70.4 Wayne Massey 2,324 18.4 Norm Smith 925 7.3
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate Vote % Chuck Stam (incumbent) 8,769 69.4 Pat Clark (incumbent ) 8,718 69.0 Diane Janzen 7,870 62.3 Sue Attril 5,820 46.1 Stewart McLean 4,478 35.4 Ken Huttema 4,234 33.5 Ian B. Carmichael 3,311 26.2 Roop Virk 2,789 22.1 Harry Wiens 2,643 20.9 Gary Baars 2,198 17.4 Gord Currie 1,718 13.6 Mike Britton 1,503 11.9 Tom McMahon 1,111 8.8 Hans Mulder 1,095 8.7 Darlene Van Rooy 1,022 8.1 Bob Watson 851 6.7 Lothar Drews 847 6.7 Rob Stelmaschuk 795 6.3 Richard Desmarteau 482 3.8
2005 results
A total of 7,406 ballots were cast in the 2005 election. Clint Hames ran unopposed for mayor and was acclaimed for a third term. All of the incumbent councillors were re-elected. The results were as follows:
Mayoral candidate Vote % Clint Hames (incumbent) Acclaimed
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate Vote % Sharon Gaetz (incumbent) 5,205 70.3 Pat Clark (incumbent) 4,875 65.8 Chuck Stam (incumbent) 4,697 63.4 Mark Andersen (incumbent) 4,581 61.9 Mel Folkman (incumbent) 4,391 59.3 Dorothy Kostrzewa (incumbent) 4,062 54.8 Rob Kilfoyle 1,643 22.2 David Burnie 1,560 21.1 Norm Siefken 1,512 20.4
2003 by-election results
A by-election was held on 20 September 2003 to fill the position formerly held by Councillor Bernie Cross, who died on 15 June 2003. The estimated eligible voter turnout was 7.8 percent, compared to an average turnout of 5 percent for municipal by-elections. The results were as follows:
Council candidate Vote % Pat Clark 1,396 37.3 Diane Darke 692 18.5 Gord Currie 445 11.9 Ken Byl 348 9.3 Ernie Crey 284 7.6 Mike Britton 222 5.9 Stewart McLean 105 2.8 Robert Chambers 95 2.5 Darrell Fellardeau 73 2.0 Brian Carlisle 38 1.0 Elaine Stover 25 0.7 Les Mackenzie 16 0.4
2002 results Mayoral candidate Vote % Clint Hames (incumbent) 8,944 86.8 Brian Carlisle 1,355 13.2
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate Vote % Sharon Gaetz (incumbent) 7,408 14.4 Chuck Stam (incumbent) 6,685 13.0 Mel Folkman (incumbent) 6,379 12.4 Bernie Cross (incumbent) 6,195 12.1 Dorothy Kosrzewa (incumbent) 5,762 11.2 Mark Andersen 4,591 8.9 Etta Richmond 4,427 8.6 Dianne Darke 2,825 5.5 Jillian Armit 1,879 3.7 Ann Forsyth 1,588 3.1 Michael Beaudry 1,515 2.9 Mary-Ann Jones-Siebert 1,160 2.3 Rachel Meek 946 1.8
1999 results Mayoral candidate Vote % Clint Hames 6,428 46.5 Ywe Looper 4,622 33.4Shirley Unruh 1,585 11.5Gord Currie 1,133 8.2Arthur Crossman 63 0.5
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate Vote % Sharon Gaetz (incumbent) 7,900 11.6 Casey Langbroek (incumbent) 7,683 11.3 Bernie Cross (incumbent) 7,319 10.8 Dorothy Kostrzewa (incumbent) 6,902 10.1 Chuck Stam (incumbent) 6,147 9.0 Mel Folkman 5,800 8.5 Grant Ullyot 5,724 8.4 Douglas Steinson (incumbent) 4,534 6.7 Roop Virk 3,187 4.7 Mike Hale 3,031 4.5 Ron Wedel 2,148 3.2 Ira Lefebvre 2,131 3.1 Al Zilke 2,072 3.0 Joseph Gagne 2,017 3.0 William Tams 1,457 2.1
1996 results
Despite a record number of candidates, the estimated eligible voter turnout for the 1996 local general election was around 25 percent, compared to 33 percent in 1993 and 59 percent in 1990. The low turnout was attributed to a snowstorm on election night.