Former teacher to run for Abbotsford Board of Education in fall election

ABBOTSFORD – A candidate in the 2024 provincial election and 2025 Abbotsford by-election who previously worked as a school teacher and professor hopes the third time is the charm.

Graeme Hutchison garnered 37 per cent as the NDP candidate in the Abbotsford-West riding in the October 2024 provincial election. He also ran in the 2025 Abbotsford school board by-election to replace Abbotsford West MLA Korky Neufeld, a race that was ultimately won by Arsh Kaler.

Hutchison, a longtime soccer referee in Abbotsford, began his career in education after completing his degree and volunteering for a church-based organization for five years that saw him live and work in the Netherlands and India. He later became a university professor teaching information technology. He moved to Abbotsford from the UK with his family in 2000, where he transitioned into the banking and finance sector, working as a corporate trainer and software developer.

He later served as president of MoveUP, a union representing more than 14,000 members throughout the province representing staff at employers like BC Hydro, FortisBC, BC Transit, Capilano University and ICBC. Hutchison served as an officer with the BC Federation of Labour and on the regional council of the United Way of BC, one of the province’s largest charitable organizations, and currently serves on the board of the Fraser Valley Youth Society.