Image: Teri Westerby, federal NDP candidate / Chilliwack-Hope NDP candidate Teri Westerby (3rd from right) held a campaign kickoff event Saturday night.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Federal election

Chilliwack-Hope candidates kick off federal election campaign

Apr 1, 2025 | 9:03 AM

CHILLIWACK — Two of the four declared Chilliwack-Hope candidates in the upcoming federal election kicked off their campaigns with events over the weekend.

Teri Westerby, the NDP candidate for Chilliwack-Hope, held an event Saturday night that included SD33 trustee Willow Reichelt, SD33 teacher Christopher Hunt, and recent SD33 by-election candidate Katie Bartel.

“Last night was powerful,” Westerby wrote online. “We kicked off this campaign with a gathering full of energy, heart, and hope, and it reminded me why I’m doing this. This campaign isn’t flashy. It’s not funded by American billionaires or backed by corporations. It’s grassroots. It’s people-powered. It’s built by neighbours who care too deeply to give up. Because let’s be real.. people in Chilliwack-Hope know what it feels like to work hard for everything they have, and still not get ahead.”

Westerby was elected to the Chilliwack Board of Education in October 2022.

Incumbent Mark Strahl, who was first elected to represent Chilliwack in 2011, held a campaign kickoff event at Evergreen Hall Saturday morning.

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Image: Chilliwack-Hope MP Mark Strahl / MP Mark Strahl speaks to supporters during a campaign kick-off event Saturday morning, March 29 at Evergreen Hall in Chilliwack.

“It was standing room only at our campaign kickoff event in Chilliwack today! A huge thank you to everyone who came out, took a lawn sign and signed up to volunteer,” Strahl wrote on Facebook. “You can get your sign, make a donation or get involved by visiting markstrahl.ca.”

According to his campaign website, Strahl has served in a number of roles during his 14-year tenure, including B.C. Caucus Chair, Chief Opposition Whip and numerous Shadow Minister positions, most recently as Shadow Minister for Transport.

“I am once again seeking the privilege to serve this amazing community as their Member of Parliament and continue to bring the common sense of the common people to the House of Commons,” Strahl said.

Strahl added that a Conservative government will “put Canada First, stand up for Canadian workers and families,[…] and bring in a Common Sense plan.”

The Liberal Party of Canada has yet to nominate and acclaim a candidate for Chilliwack-Hope.

People’s Party of Canada candidate Jeff Galbraith didn’t necessarily hold a campaign event over the weekend, but he will this week. He’s inviting people to a meet-and-greet Wednesday evening, April 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Chilliwack Curling Club, 45550 Spadina Avenue. People need to RSVP on the PPC website as this is an RSVP event and seating is limited.

Image: Jeff Galbraith / PPC candidate Jeff Galbraith for Chilliwack-Hope.

“The People’s Party offers Canadians an opportunity that none of the existing parties have provided, unity from coast to coast to coast,” Galbraith’s PPC profile states. You can choose a government that is wholly committed to restoring the freedoms and the authority to control your own life, your own affairs, and your own family.”

Green Party candidate Salina Derish will hold a community clean-up event and meet-and-greet this Sunday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harrison Lake. From 10 a.m. to noon, divers will be cleaning litter from beneath the water’s surface while volunteers help clean up along the shoreline and surrounding areas.

Image: Green Party / Salina Derish, the Green Party candidate for Chilliwack-Hope.

“Whether you’re a local eco-hero or just want to lend a hand, every piece of garbage collected makes a difference!” the event states.

Then, from noon to 1 p.m., there will be a meet and greet with Derish.

“Bring your questions, ideas, and community spirit—this is a great chance to connect, learn more about the campaign, and talk about environmental issues that matter to you,” the event description states online.

Complimentary coffee will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring a reusable cup to help keep the event low waste.

“Let’s clean up our lake and spark change together—above and below the surface,” the event description states.