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.[1][2] 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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
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.[7]
Chilliwack Parks and Trails Advisory Committee
The CPTAC serves as an advisory/liaison body between Council and park/ trail users within the City.[8]
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.[9]
Design Review Advisory Committee
The DRAC is a Select Committee established to advise Council on design related issues.[10]
Heritage Advisory Committee
Chilliwack City Hall National Historic Site
The HAC advises Council on the implementation of the Heritage Strategic Action Plan and other related topics.[11]
Public Art Advisory Committee
Use Your Voice, Kevin Ledo 2020 for Chilliwack Mural Festival
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.[12]
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.[13]
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.[14]
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.[15][16] 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.[17]
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 referenda passed with 90 percent support in the City and 62 percent support in the Township.[18] On 16 July 1999, the District of Chilliwack, once again, was renamed the City of Chilliwack.[19]
Elections
General local elections are held every four years, with general voting day in the third Saturday in October.[20]
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:
Beginning in 2014, general local elections must be held every four years.[21] 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:
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
Chilliwack city council election results for 2008 Source: chilliwack.ca. Retrieved 3 March 2014
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
Chilliwack city council election results for 2005 Source: chilliwack.ca. Retrieved 3 March 2014
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.[22] The estimated eligible voter turnout was 7.8 percent, compared to an average turnout of 5 percent for municipal by-elections.[23] The results were as follows:
Chilliwack city council by-election results for 2003 Source: chilliwack.ca. Retrieved 4 March 2014
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
33.4
Shirley Unruh
1,585
11.5
Gord Currie
1,133
8.2
Arthur 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.[24]
Mayoral candidate
Vote
%
John Les (incumbent)
5,232
55.9
Gord Currie
1,827
19.5
Ernest Hjalmarson
1,630
17.4
Clara Hooper
476
5.1
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate
Vote
%
Casey Langbroek (incumbent)
4,332
46.3
Bernie Cross (incumbent)
3,943
42.2
Dorothy Kostrzewa (incumbent)
3,900
41.7
Clint Hames (incumbent)
3,800
40.6
Sharon Gaetz
3,227
34.5
Douglas Steinson (incumbent)
3,210
34.3
Mel Folkman
3,033
32.4
Grant Ullyot
2,829
30.2
Rollie Keith
2,367
25.3
Gloria Beshara
2,107
22.5
Sig Huth
2,100
22.5
Jean Anderson
2,118
22.6
Edith Grainger
1,030
11.0
Clint Marvin
1,430
15.3
Harry Wiens
1,301
13.9
Joseph Gagne
1,007
10.8
Bruce Temple
1,107
11.8
Heather Maclaren
970
10.4
Klara Hills
833
8.9
John Monger
404
4.3
Barbara Townley-Oak
479
5.1
Al Ricard
322
3.4
Ellenore Mack
233
2.5
1993 results
The eligible voter turnout for the 1993 local general election was approximately 33 percent, compared to 59 percent in 1990. The total number of ballots cast was approximately 2,500 fewer than in 1990, despite an increase in population of about 10,000 residents during the same period.[25]
Mayoral candidate
Vote
%
John Les (incumbent)
7,097
73.4
Bert Fleenor
1,492
15.4
Les MacKenzie
1,630
16.9
Clara Hooper
476
4.9
The results for councillor were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Council candidate
Vote
%
Casey Langbroek (incumbent)
4,659
48.2
Dorothy Kostrzewa (incumbent)
4,528
46.8
Clint Hames (incumbent)
1,462
15.1
Don Spice
4,189
43.3
Bernie Cross
3,619
37.4
Doug Steinson
3,032
31.4
Ells Hugh
2,839
29.4
Lachlan Macintosh
2,761
28.6
Wayne Dehnke
2,661
27.5
Terry Shields
2,143
22.2
Gladys Brown
1,796
18.6
Gord Currie
1,774
18.4
Henry Klop
1,751
18.1
John Kramer
1,711
17.7
Charles Bloch
1,263
13.1
Jorgen Munck
1,231
12.7
John Cameron
1,058
10.9
Mark Johnston
1,057
10.9
Pat Paquette
1,054
10.9
Lynn Swinson
893
9.2
Gerald Anderson
191
2.0
1990 results
Eligible voter turnout for the 1990 local general election was approximately 57.6 percent compared to 63.4 percent in the previous election.[26]
Mayoral candidate
Vote
%
John Les (incumbent)
8,376
70.6
Sherry Baker
3,026
25.5
Tom Knowles
461
3.9
The results for alderman were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Aldermanic candidate
Vote
%
Casey Langbroek (incumbent)
7,405
62.4
Gary Mason (incumbent)
7,092
59.8
Dorothy Kostrzewa (incumbent)
7,023
59.2
Phil Hall (incumbent)
6,572
55.4
Peter Dyck
5,800
48.9
Clint Hames
4,832
40.7
Lori Onsorge
4,539
38.3
John Kramer
4,303
36.3
Gordon Currie
3,207
27.0
Ernie Hjalmarson
3,194
26.9
Ken Jessiman
2,995
25.2
1987 results
The 1987 local general elections were held on 21 November 1987. Eligible voter turnout was 63.5 percent. John Les ran unopposed for mayor.[27]
Mayoral candidate
Vote
%
John Les (incumbent)
Acclaimed
The results for alderman were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Aldermanic candidate
Vote
%
Casey Langbroek (incumbent)
6,437
52.0
Sherry Baker (incumbent)
5,689
46.0
Gary Mason (incumbent)
5,590
45.2
Phil Hall
5,114
41.4
Ells Hugh
4,842
39.2
Dorothy Kostrzewa
4,527
36.6
Stuart Muxlow (incumbent)
4,486
36.3
Gary Wagner
3,601
29.1
Pat O'Brien
3,048
24.6
John Kramer
2,933
23.7
Angela Zieleman
2,486
20.1
1987 by-election results
By-elections were held on 14 February 1987 to fill the mayoral seat that was vacated by John Jansen after he was elected to the provincial legislature a few months earlier, and also to fill the aldermanic seat left vacant by John Les, who was elected to succeed Jansen as mayor.[28]
The results of the mayoral race were as follows:
Top candidate elected
Mayoral candidate
Vote
%
John Les
4,571
53.2
Fred Tunbridge
1,933
22.5
Eldon Unger
1,408
16.4
Gordon Currie
434
5.1
Gerald Kirby
247
2.9
The results of the aldermanic race were as follows:
Top candidate elected
Aldermanic candidate
Vote
%
Casey Langbroek
4,660
54.8
Bud McKay
1,687
19.8
George Vickery
1,605
18.9
Fred Nelson
549
6.5
1985 results
Eligible voter turnout for the 1985 local general election was 23.2 percent with 5,504 ballots cast. The number of council members was reduced from nine to seven, including six aldermen and the mayor.[29]
Mayoral candidate
Vote
%
John Jansen (incumbent)
Acclaimed
The results for alderman were as follows:
Top 6 candidates elected
Aldermanic candidate
Vote
%
John Les (incumbent)
3,271
59.4
Sherry Baker (incumbent)
3,192
58.0
Gary Mason (incumbent)
3,032
55.1
Gary Dixon (incumbent)
3,020
54.9
Stuart Muxlow (incumbent)
2,961
53.8
Fred Bryant (incumbent)
2,952
53.6
Fred Tunbridge (incumbent)
2,848
51.7
Pat O'Brien (incumbent)
2,568
46.7
Dorothy Kostrzewa
2,040
37.1
Adrian Prinse
1,856
33.7
1984 results
The 1984 election, which was held on 17 November, was a transitional one because of the measures passed by referenda in 1983 to (1) hold general elections every two years instead of holding staggered elections every year, and (2) reduce the number of aldermen from eight to six. Previously, aldermen were elected to a two-year term, and half of the aldermanic seats would be up for election each year. Following the 1983 referendum, council members would still be elected for two-year terms, however the 1984 cohort was elected to a foreshortened term to bring them in line with the other members.[30]
The results for alderman were as follows:
Top 4 candidates elected
Aldermanic candidate
Vote
%
John Les (incumbent)
3,440
45.3
Fred Bryant (incumbent)
3,290
43.3
Sherry Baker
3,189
42.0
Stuart Muxlow
3,131
41.2
Dorothy Kostrzewa
2,940
38.7
Adrian Prinse (incumbent)
2,632
34.7
Jerry Pirie (incumbent)
2,497
32.9
Marty Hurley
2,293
30.2
Fred Tossell
1,078
14.2
Florence-Marie Rice
855
11.3
1984 by-election results
At the same time as the regular 1984 civic elections, a by-election was also held to fill the aldermanic seat formerly held by C.M. 'Boots' Boutilier, who died mid-term while fishing on Vancouver Island with his sons.[31]
The results of the aldermanic by-election were as follows:
Top candidate elected
Aldermanic candidate
Vote
%
Gary Mason
2,705
38.6
Roy Huband
2,671
38.1
Ernie Hjalmarson
1,627
23.2
1983 results
The 1983 general elections were held on 19 November 1983. Turnout was 28 percent of the 22,519 eligible voters. The incumbent Mayor Geoff Clark was defeated by former alderman John Jansen. A by-election was also held to fill the aldermanic seat formerly held by Jansen. Proposals to hold municipal elections every two years instead every year, and to reduce the number of council members from eight to six, were supported by referenda.[32]
Mayoral candidate
Vote
%
John Jansen
3,910
53.1
Geoff Clark (incumbent)
3,460
46.9
The results for alderman were as follows:
Top 4 candidates elected
Aldermanic candidate
Vote
%
Fred Tunbridge (incumbent)
4,425
60.0
C.M. Boutillier (incumbent)
4,188
56.8
Gary Dixon (incumbent)
3,936
53.4
Pat O'Brien (incumbent)
3,782
51.3
Peter Cave
3,315
45.0
Roy Husband
3,273
44.4
Les Leger
2,203
29.9
The results of the by-election to fill the aldermanic seat that was vacated mid-term were as follows:
Top candidate elected
Aldermanic candidate
Vote
%
John Les
4,818
65.4
Fred Tossell
2,117
28.7
1982 results
The 1982 election was held on 24 November. The total number of votes cast was 5,044 and the eligible voter turnout was 22.2 percent. A referendum on whether to allow sports and entertainment on Sundays passed 3,246 votes to 1,669.[33]
The results of the aldermanic election were as follows:
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