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

Á’a:líya Warbus defeats NDP incumbent MLA Kelli Paddon in Chilliwack-Cultus Lake

Oct 19, 2024 | 8:22 PM

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.