Image: Supplied by Lewis Point / Chilliwack school board candidate Lewis Point has had his request to withdraw from this month's municipal election denied by the Minister of Education and Child Care, meaning his name will still appear on ballots this month.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Fall election

Minister of Education and Child Care denies withdrawal of Chilliwack school board candidate Lewis Point from municipal ballot

Oct 4, 2022 | 4:17 PM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack school board candidate Lewis Point’s name will still appear on the ballot in this month’s municipal election.

Point, who had notified the chief election officer of Chilliwack and the third-party election organization with which he is affiliated, Parents Voice B.C., of his intent to withdraw last week, has had his request denied by the Minister of Education and Child Care, Jennifer Whiteside.

It wasn’t clear if Parents Voice B.C., the elector organization backing Point, would still have its name appear next to Mr. Point’s name on the ballot.

Point had previously indicated in an email on Sept. 28 that he had a pressing medical matter and must exit the race.

“Upon further investigation into a personal medical matter, I have withdrawn from the electoral race for school board trustee,” said Point, a software developer with Nasheela. “I have informed both ‘Parents Voice’ and the chief electoral officer of Chilliwack, that I have withdrawn from both.”

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Point said he was elated to have even been nominated but regretted his decision to withdraw.

“I am honored to have even been nominated and regret I cannot complete this election process and campaign,” Point said. “I greatly appreciate the support and hope that many will turn out to vote this October 15, 2022.”

Point, a former Aboriginal Fisheries peace officer who later worked as a software engineer with Microsoft, said he previously wanted the school district to focus more on academics.

Part 3 of the Local Government Act says up until 4 p.m. on the 29th day before general voting day, a person who has been nominated may withdraw from being a candidate in the election by delivering a signed withdrawal to the chief election officer. That date would have normally been September 16.

However, after the deadline, a candidate may withdraw only by delivering to the chief election officer a sign request to withdraw and receiving the approval of the minister. That request has now been denied.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Minister of Education and Child Care denies withdrawal of Chilliwack school board candidate Lewis Point from municipal ballot

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