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. 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.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
Chilliwack Parks and Trails Advisory Committee
The CPTAC serves as an advisory/liaison body between Council and park/ trail users within the City.[6]
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.[7]
Design Review Advisory Committee
The DRAC is a Select Committee established to advise Council on design related issues.[8]
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.[9]
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.[10]
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.[11]
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.[12]
Election results
2022
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
43.1
Jared Mumford
6,013
34.7
Mike McLatchy
4,709
27.2
Debora Soutar
4,673
27.0
Brent Bowker
3,191
18.4
Craig Hill
1,029
6.0
2018
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
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
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
Chilliwack city council election results for 2011 Source: chilliwack.ca. Retrieved 3 March 2014
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