Image: Dr. David Moniz / A Chilliwack doctor says he has officially ended his campaign as an MLA candidate in this year's provincial election after BC United leader Kevin Falcon suspended his own campaign, throwing the party and its candidates into disarray.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Provincial election

Chilliwack doctor officially drops MLA bid for this year’s B.C. election, but says he’ll be back

Sep 9, 2024 | 10:41 AM

CHILLIWACK — A Chilliwack doctor says he has officially ended his campaign as an MLA candidate in this year’s provincial election after BC United leader Kevin Falcon suspended his own campaign, throwing the party and its candidates into disarray.

In a Facebook post over the weekend, Dr. David Moniz says the decision to withdraw his MLA candidacy in the Chilliwack North riding was a difficult one.

“Hi everyone, I wanted to give an update on my campaign as there has been a substantial amount of turmoil after BCU (BC United) decided to suspend the province-wide campaign,” Dr. Moniz said Saturday, Sept. 7 at 3:44 p.m. “I have taken time to consider my options and have discussed this at length with my campaign team and my family. I have, therefore made the hard decision to withdraw my nomination from the Chilliwack North ballot as I feel that keeping my name on the ballot at this stage will only work to elect another NDP government.”

Dr. Moniz, an anesthesiologist at Chilliwack General Hospital, said he decided to run in the first place to help make B.C. a better province for his kids.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision as I decided to run to improve BC for my kids and their future and feel that I could make a meaningful difference in the province,” he said. “However, I want to ensure (sic) my supporters that this is not the end of my political career. I am more intent on getting into office to make impactful policy reform to get BC back to being the best province to live in Canada. I will, therefore, work to improve my chances of success and plan to make a run in the next election cycle.”

Chilliwack School District

After growing by thousands of students the past decade, SD33 reveals it has nearly 100 portables

6h ago

Double homicide in Chilliwack

Son of couple who were murdered in Chilliwack in 2023 criticizes repeated delays for accused killer Robert Freeman

9h ago

Provincial election

Chilliwack MLAs hold grand opening event to kick off campaign season

10h ago

It’s not clear what his chances of success were since BC United only polled between 10 and 15 per cent in multiple polls across the province the past couple months, a far cry from where they once were in 2023.

Dr. Moniz expressed gratitude to his campaign team and the people that supported him during his months-long campaign that began earlier this year.

“I want to sincerely thank all those that helped me with my campaign and supported me on my journey,” he said. “I look forward to having the chance to work with you all again in the future.”

With Moniz’s exit, the Chilliwack North race will come down to incumbent NDP MLA Dan Coulter and challenger Heather Maahs of the Conservative Party of B.C.