Image: Supplied by Margaret Reid / Margaret Reid is surrounded by supporters during Saturday night's election party at the Curling Club. Reid becomes the first queer woman in city history elected to the Chilliwack school board.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

School board

Margaret Reid makes history with election to Chilliwack school board

Oct 19, 2022 | 10:41 AM

CHILLIWACK — Margaret Reid overcame her own degree of adversity to make history Saturday when she was the first openly queer woman in the city’s history to be elected to the Chilliwack School District Board of Education.

Ahead of Saturday’s municipal election, Reid knew she and her family would have to move after her landlord decided to move into her residence.

“My family and I rent, and the landlord decided to move into the house, so we found ourselves looking for a safe, reliable rental while campaigning, working, and parenting,” said Reid, who finished third out of 15 school board candidates by receiving 8,116 votes. “We found a great little house and ended up having to do the majority of moving right at the end of the campaign, handing the keys back on Election Day! It was hectic to say the least, and like many other families in Chilliwack, we deeply understand the affordability and housing challenges the city is facing.”

As a trustee, Reid says she plans to address food insecurity amid rising inflation and spiraling costs for struggling families during her term in office.

“Over the next four years I would love for the District to take a look at ways we can innovate on the food security front- including making use of funding as it becomes available, and finding ways to support and direct schools in accessing food programs,” Reid said.

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She’d also like to elevate the importance of transparency within the district.

“I would also like to work on communication, a recurring theme in all of the conversations I had with stakeholders,” Reid said. “I am hopeful that we can work to get everyone feeling more seen and understood over my term so we can find solutions collaboratively.”

She attributed the success of her campaign to her steady involvement in the community on a number of fronts.

“I think the reason I was successful was really bringing it back to my strengths, my role as an engaged parent, and my history of collaborative community work,” she said. “Chilliwack is ready to have a Board that wants to do the work!”