Chilliwack City Council

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.

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.

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 referenda 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.

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:

The results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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:

The results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

2014 results
Beginning in 2014, general local elections must be held every four years. 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 results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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.

The results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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:

The results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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:

The results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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:



2002 results
The results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

1999 results
The results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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.

The results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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.

The results for councillor were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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.

The results for alderman were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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.

The results for alderman were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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.

The results of the mayoral race were as follows:

Top candidate elected

The results of the aldermanic race were as follows:

Top candidate elected

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.

The results for alderman were as follows:

Top 6 candidates elected

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.

The results for alderman were as follows:

Top 4 candidates elected

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.

The results of the aldermanic by-election were as follows:

Top candidate elected

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.

The results for alderman were as follows:

Top 4 candidates elected

The results of the by-election to fill the aldermanic seat that was vacated mid-term were as follows:

Top candidate elected

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.

The results of the aldermanic election were as follows:

Top 4 elected

Former members

 * Sharon Gaetz, 1996-2018
 * John Jansen, 1980-1987
 * Dorothy Kostrzewa, 1969-2008
 * John Les, 1983-1999