Image: Supplied by H. Westeringh / Small business owner and Chilliwack City Councillor Harv Westeringh will seek re-election in this fall's municipal election.
Fall election

Westeringh pledges to protect farmland, keep taxes low, and increase housing supply as he seeks 2nd term on Chilliwack City Council

Sep 2, 2022 | 11:04 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack native Harv Westeringh has seemingly done it all and seen it all in his many years spent locally.

He’s lived in nearly every neighbourhood that the city has to offer, including life on a dairy farm in his early years, and operated a small dairy farm in Rosedale, owned a small building company with his wife, and been a Chilliwack-area realtor for over 25 years.

It’s given the incumbent councillor a unique perspective and an outlook that he hopes to parlay into another four years on the Chilliwack City Council.

“I was born and raised here, and have lived in almost every neighbourhood in Chilliwack,” Westeringh said. “I grew up on a dairy farm in Greendale, and until last year, we had a small dairy farm in Rosedale. In between, I have lived in Chilliwack, Sardis, and the Eastern Hillsides. I have been in the farming industry most of my life. Being involved in three different industries gives me a unique perspective on many different issues. It also proves to me, that with teamwork, all challenges can be overcome.”

During his first term in office, Westeringh says he sought to expand the local economy, increase housing supply to encourage affordability, protect the Agricultural Land Reserve and local farmers, and stay laser-focused on crime and safety.

“We have focused on this, while at the same time keeping our city taxes the lowest in the Lower Mainland,” Westeringh said. “If I am re-elected, I will continue to focus and promote these issues, while at the same time, pushing to keep our taxes low.”

During his first term on council, Westeringh says he served on committees with experienced, local, passionate people. These included the Affordable Housing and Development Committee, Agricultural and Rural Advisory Committee, Public Art Advisory Committee, Community Advisory Board, and Tourism Chilliwack. These committees provided a unique glimpse into the local issues impacting the Chilliwack community.

“My experience on these committees highlights the issues Chilliwack is facing: rural agricultural issues, affordable housing, and urban homelessness concerns,” Westeringh said. “At the same time, we are working hard to make Chilliwack an awesome place to live and continue to promote it.”

Westeringh admits the learning curve was difficult at times for him, but he witnessed great things behind the scenes and enjoys seeking out solutions amid complex public policy matters.

““For me personally, the learning curve was pretty steep the last four years,” he said. “As a council, we have achieved many successes, especially through some harrowing times. I learned quickly how many people and departments are behind the scenes, making Chilliwack such an awesome place to call home. As always, there are still challenges ahead, and if I am re-elected, my experience over this last term will help me deal with those challenges. It is very rewarding to work with city staff and my fellow councillors to come up with a solution.”

At the heart of it all, Westeringh says the job of a city councillor still revolves around people.

“One of the things I enjoy most about being a councillor, is meeting up with citizens to hear their concerns, listen, and to have the ability to make positive changes,” he said. “Often, everyone has to give in a little bit, but I am a team player, and with that attitude, you can get most things done. I am asking the citizens of Chilliwack to support me on October 15 for a second term as city councillor.”

Westeringth’s website is vote4harv.ca; his email is info@vote4harv.ca.