Image: Conservative Party of B.C. / Á'a:líya Warbus has won the Chilliwack-Cultus Lake riding in Saturday's provincial election, beating incumbent NDP MLA Kelli Paddon by 10 percentage points.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Provincial election

Update: Á’a:líya Warbus releases statement after defeating MLA Kelli Paddon in Chilliwack-Cultus Lake

Oct 19, 2024 | 8:22 PM

UPDATE MONDAY, 11:25 A.M.: Newly elected Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA Á’a:líya Warbus has issued a post-election statement thanking Chilliwack voters while fixing her eyes on what’s looming ahead.

“First of all I want to thank the voters of Chilliwack for the trust they have placed in me,” said Warbus, a mother of three. “I am humbled and honoured by their support as well as that of my family and team of dedicated volunteers. I would also like to thank my predecessor for her service over the past term.”

At the same time, Warbus isn’t dwelling on her 10-point victory over Kelli Paddon. She says there’s plenty of work ahead that requires elected officials to prioritize the needs of their respective communities, not their political parties.

“This next parliament will be the most diverse in B.C. history and the pressing issues we face will force all of us to put the province ahead of party and ego,” Warbus said. “We have work to get to immediately, our economic growth is lagging and without change we are on track to have a $15 billion a year annual structural deficit. The issues brought forward by our communities have not left us. If we are to avoid an exodus of people and capital from BC we need a provincial government that is willing to live within the means of taxpayers, balance the budget and make economic growth our top priority. In the meantime, I look forward to working with our leader, John Rustad, to bring prosperity for all British Columbians.”

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CHILLIWACK — As of 9:49 p.m. Saturday night, GlobalBC is now projecting that B.C. Conservative Party candidate Á’a:líya Warbus has defeated Chilliwack incumbent MLA Kelli Paddon in the Chilliwack-Cultus Lake riding.

According to the latest results released at 9:49 p.m., Warbus leads with 13,1295 votes, or 55 per cent, over Paddon, who has 10,849 votes (44.9 per cent).

Warbus entered the race as a political newcomer in spring 2024, but comes from a family that has deep roots in politics and activism. She is the daughter of former B.C. Lieutenant Governor Steven Lewis Point. Warbus is a mother of three and has a Fine Arts Masters in film production. She has worked professionally as the Director of Cultural Communications at the Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Government. She has also worked as a professor at Capilano College in the Indigenous Digital Film department.

Paddon was first elected in Chilliwack-Kent in October 2020 with 36.4 per cent of the vote, beating incumbent MLA Laurie Throness (30.6 per cent) and independent candidate Jason Lum (23.6 per cent). According to the B.C. NDP website, Paddon is described as a community leader and a mother of two with strong roots in Chilliwack, committed to helping families build a good life for themselves. Paddon has worked with organizations that support local youth and victims of crime.