Image: Daniel Grice via YouTube / Four independent candidates from throughout the Fraser Valley, including real estate lawyer Daniel Grice who ran in the Chilliwack North riding, struggled to gain traction with voters in Saturday's provincial election.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Provincial election

Independents struggle across the Fraser Valley in Saturday’s provincial election

Oct 21, 2024 | 11:16 AM

CHILLIWACK — Four independent candidates from throughout the Fraser Valley didn’t fare so well in Saturday’s provincial election.

In Chilliwack, one of those four independent candidates, real estate lawyer Daniel Grice, only received 473 votes, or 2.27 per cent, in the Chilliwack North riding that Heather Maahs handily won with 55 per cent of the vote.

Grice ran a largely online campaign but did participate in the all-candidates debate in October. He lamented campaign spending limits that he said precluded him from purchasing election materials.

“Thanks to all who voted or helped. I know some people wanted to support me but were afraid to split the vote or voted out of frustration at all levels of government,” Grice said on X/Twitter. “The voting system is broken, as are donation limits that stopped me from buying signs or mailing literature.”

Grice released a series of YouTube videos around the time of his campaign announcement, but those online messages did not reach a broader audience. Of his seven campaign videos released in September, only one generated more than 100 views, illustrating the uphill battle Grice faced.

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Individuals are capped at contributing $1,450.82 to their own campaign, in accordance with the Election Act, Recall and Initiative Act and Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, as determined by Elections BC.

Elsewhere in the Fraser Valley, independent candidate Amandeep Singh only amassed 669 votes, or 3.2 per cent, in the Abbotsford South riding where incumbent Bruce Banman trounced NDP newcomer Sarah Kooner by 27 percentage points with 61 per cent of the vote.

In Langley-Abbotsford, former BC United rep turned independent candidate Karen Long encountered a similar fate when she received only 4.3 per cent (1,081 votes). The winner in that riding was Harman Bhangu with 14,045 votes, or 55.8 per cent.

In Langley-Walnut Grove, independent candidate Carlos Suarez Rubio only received 130 votes, or 0.55 per cent. The winner was Misty Van Popta with 11,806 votes.

Four former BC United MLAs, including Mike Bernier and Coralee Oakes who ran as independents with significant name recognition from their years of service achieved far more votes than the four Fraser Valley candidates, but still were not elected.