Image: Ernest Robertson / Newly elected Chilliwack North MLA Heather Maahs is pictured during an election night party with Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA-elect Á’a:líya Warbus. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Provincial election

Newly elected Chilliwack MLA says voters wanted change, right from their doorsteps

Oct 21, 2024 | 1:30 PM

CHILLIWACK — Newly elected Chilliwack North MLA Heather Maahs says she heard similar themes brought up repeatedly by Chilliwack residents when she was out door knocking as a B.C. Conservative Party candidate in the lead-up to Saturday’s provincial election.

Those two main concerns revolved largely around public safety, including open drug use and addiction issues, and affordability.

“During the campaign I heard from community members regarding their concerns over numerous issues. Two main concerns were mentioned over and over again when I was out door knocking,” said Maahs. “They were, one, drugs/addiction/increased crime crisis, and second, affordability. Families are struggling to make ends meet with the increased cost of living. Many in our community said they believe that we cannot keep doing things the way we are, and believe that both common sense and change are essential if we are going to make a positive difference in our province.”

From the moment election results began rolling in shortly after 8 p.m., it became clear that one-term Chilliwack MLA Dan Coulter would not be returning to office. Maahs wound up winning by over 3,700 votes with 55.05 per cent of the vote, versus Coulter’s share of the vote 37.25 per cent. Coulter’s vote share dropped four per cent compared to October 2020 when he was first elected.

“I believe that those who supported me know my work as a School Trustee and believe that I will advocate on their behalf as MLA,” Maahs said.

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Nearly three days after the election outcome, Coulter issued a brief statement of gratitude to voters and his support base Tuesday after being defeated by nearly 18 percentage points in Saturday’s provincial election.

Coulter, the former Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit, wrote on X/Twitter at 4:29 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 22) that it had been an honour to serve Chilliwack.

“Thank you Chilliwack North for all your support! I want to thank all the voters, volunteers and donors for all your support,” Coulter said. “We have achieved so much in the last few years. It has been an honour to serve you!”

Coulter also reached out to newly elected Chilliwack North MLA Heather Maahs and congratulated her on winning, Maahs’ campaign confirmed.

Coulter was first elected to the Chilliwack school board in a by-election in November 2013. He was subsequently reelected in 2014, and was the highest vote-getter in the 2018 municipal election before running for MLA in the Chilliwack riding, a seat he won in October 2020.