2022 Election Hub: the Eastern Fraser Valley

The 2022 municipal election is coming up on Oct. 15, and below you’ll find everything you need to help you get ready for voting day in Agassiz, Harrison, Hope, and the Fraser Valley Regional District.

Scroll through to find all the information you need to cast your vote, or jump to your preferred election through the links below.

And you can read our Eastern Fraser Valley preview below

District of Kent

Estimated eligible voters: 5,023

The District of Kent isn’t known for its contentious elections—and it looks like that isn’t going to change in 2022. Kent’s mayor was acclaimed in three of the last four elections, with each one having a lower than average turnout. With current mayor Sylvia Pranger acclaimed again, and all four incumbent councillors running for another term, it’s likely little will come to shake up this rural council.

Scroll through to learn more about the election, or jump to the section you need below. You can also find information direct from the municipality here.

The candidates

Mayoral candidates: 1

Council candidates: 5 | Councillors to be elected: 4

Learn more about each candidate through their websites and social media pages. You can also read candidates’ responses to The Current Candidate Survey online. (We also have a PDF version.)

Mayor

  • Sylvia Pranger: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Council (elect 4)

  • Verna Dandenault: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Duane Post: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Kerstin Schwichtenberg: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Susan Spaeti: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Stan Watchorn: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

How to vote

The municipal election officially takes place on Oct. 15, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time you can cast a ballot. Advance voting is available, as is mail-in voting for most communities. No matter when you vote, you’ll be submitting your choices for both council and school board.

Before you cast your ballot, you’ll need to make sure you are eligible first. Voters must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and have been a resident of BC for at least six months. You’ll also need to have lived in the District of Kent for at least 30 days before the election, or have owned a property in Kent for at least 30 days.

Find more details on each type of voting below.

Advance voting

In order to participate in advance voting, you’ll need to two pieces of ID: one to prove your identity and the other to prove your residence. (You can find out more here.) Advance voting takes place on the following days:

  • Oct. 1, 8am to 8pm: Agassiz Agricultural Hall (6800 Pioneer Ave.)

  • Oct. 5,  8am to 8pm: Agassiz Agricultural Hall (6800 Pioneer Ave.)

  • Oct. 8, 8am to 8pm: Harrison Mills Hall (1995 School Rd.)

Mail-in voting

The District of Kent does not offer mail-in voting as an option.

Election day voting

There’s no harm in waiting until Oct. 15 to cast your vote. All you’ll need is two pieces of ID: one to prove your identity and the other to prove your residence. (You can find out more here.)

Here is the location of the voting station in Kent on Oct. 15. It will be open from 8am to 8pm.

  • Agassiz Agricultural Hall ( 6800 Pioneer Ave.)

News coverage

Want to learn more about the upcoming election in the District of Kent? We will collect important stories below.

All-candidates meetings

We will post information about any upcoming all-candidates meetings here.

The results

When polls close at 8pm on Oct. 15, check back at the link below to watch live updates on who will be the next members of Kent’s council.

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Harrison Hot Springs

Estimated eligible voters: 1,598

Harrison Hot Springs has long been known for its heated rivalry among perennial mayoral candidates Leo Facio and John Allen. This year, however, is an exception. Rather than seeking the mayoral seat for a fourth term, Facio is campaigning for a spot on council. Current councillor Samantha Piper will join the mayor’s race instead, facing Allen and newcomer Ed Wood in an election that could see some shake ups for the resort community.

Scroll through to learn more about the election, or jump to the section you need below. You can also find information direct from the municipality here.

The candidates

Mayoral candidates: 3

Council candidates: 6 | Councillors to be elected: 4

Learn more about each candidate through their websites and social media pages. You can also read candidates’ responses to The Current Candidate Survey online. (We also have a PDF version.)

Mayor

  • John Allen: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Samantha Piper:website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Ed Wood:email | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Council (elect 4)

  • John Buckley: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Leo Facio: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Leslie Ghezesan: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Allan Jackson: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Michie Vidal: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

How to vote

The municipal election officially takes place on Oct. 15, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time you can cast a ballot. Advance voting is available, as is mail-in voting for most communities. No matter when you vote, you’ll be submitting your choices for both council and school board.

Before you cast your ballot, you’ll need to make sure you are eligible first. Voters must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and have been a resident of BC for at least six months. You’ll also need to have lived in Harrison for at least 30 days before the election, or have owned a property in Harrison for at least 30 days.

Find more details on each type of voting below.

Advance voting

In order to participate in advance voting, you’ll need to bring two pieces of ID: one to prove your identity and the other to prove your residence. (You can find out more here.) Advance voting takes place on the following day:

  • Oct. 5, 8am to 8pm: Harrison Hot Springs village office (495 Hot Springs Rd.)

Mail-in voting

If you don’t want to vote in person, you can register ahead of time to get a mail-in ballot.

Harrison residents must submit their name, residential address, the address of the property you are voting from (if you do not live in Harrison, but own a property there), and how you want your voting package delivered. (Packages can either be picked up at the village office or mailed to you.)

All requests for mail-in voting packages must be submitted to the Chief Election Officer by phone (604-796-2171), email ([email protected]), or mail (PO Box 160, Harrison Hot Springs, BC, V0M 1K0). Packages will be available for pick up starting on or around Oct. 3.

All mail-in votes must be received by Harrison’s Chief Election Officer by 8pm on Oct. 15 in order to be counted.

Election day voting

There’s no harm in waiting until Oct. 15 to cast your vote. All you’ll need is two pieces of ID: one to prove your identity and the other to prove your residence. (You can find out more here.)

Here is the location of the voting station in Harrison on Oct. 15. It will be open from 8am to 8pm.

  • Harrison Hot Springs Elementary (501 Hot Springs Rd.)

News coverage

Want to learn more about the upcoming election in Harrison? We will collect important stories below.

All-candidates meetings

We will post information about any upcoming all-candidates meetings here.

The results

When polls close at 8pm on Oct. 15, check back at the link below to watch live updates on who will be the next members of Harrison’s council.

Hope

Estimated eligible voters: 5,463

Residents in Hope are far more willing to come out and vote for their local politicians than the rest of BC—and it’s no wonder when all but one of the last four elections had more than a dozen candidates for seven council seats. With 13 council candidates in this election—and with only two incumbent councillors hoping to return—the outcome is bound to look much different than the last four years.

Scroll through to learn more about the election, or jump to the section you need below. You can also find information direct from the municipality here.

The candidates

Mayoral candidates: 2

Council candidates: 13 | Councillors to be elected: 6

Learn more about each candidate through their websites and social media pages. You can also read candidates’ responses to The Current Candidate Survey online. (We also have a PDF version.)

Mayor

  • Victor Smith: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Wilfried Vicktor: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Council (elect 6)

  • Dave Fernie: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • John Mason: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Scott Medlock: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Pauline Newbigging: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Crystal Sedore:website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Bob Shore: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Angela Skoglund: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Heather Stewin: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Hondo Stroyan: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Sue Turgeon: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Arlene Webster: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Zachary Wells: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Janet Wort: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

How to vote

The municipal election officially takes place on Oct. 15, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time you can cast a ballot. Advance voting is available, as is mail-in voting for most communities. No matter when you vote, you’ll be submitting your choices for both council and school board.

Before you cast your ballot, you’ll need to make sure you are eligible first. Voters must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and have been a resident of BC for at least six months. You’ll also need to have lived in Hope for at least 30 days before the election, or have owned a property in Hope for at least 30 days.

Find more details on each type of voting below.

Advance voting

In order to participate in advance voting, you’ll need to two pieces of ID: one to prove your identity and the other to prove your residence. (You can find out more here.) Advance voting takes place on the following days:

  • Oct. 5, 8am to 8pm:  Hope Legion Hall (344 Fort St.)

  • Oct. 8, 8am to 8pm: Hope Secondary School (444 Stuart St.)

Special voting

Special voting opportunities are available for the residents of Fraser Canyon Hospital, Park Street Manor, and Riverside Manor, or people who have been admitted as patients of the hospital. Special voting at those locations is available at the following times on Oct. 15:

  • Riverside Manor, 9am to 10:30am

  • Fraser Hope Lodge, 11:30am to 1:30pm

  • Fraser Canyon Hospital, 11:30am to 1:30pm

  • Park Street Manor, 2:30pm to 4pm

Mail-in voting

If you don’t want to vote in person, you can register ahead of time to get a mail-in ballot. You will need to give your name and address to either the Chief Election Officer (Kelly Ridley: [email protected] or 604-302-6673) or the Deputy Chief Election Officer (Branden Morgan: [email protected] or 604-869-5671) before Oct. 13 at 4pm.

Mail-in voting packages can either be picked up at the district office or mailed to voters. Voting packages must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8pm on Oct. 15 in order to be counted.

Election day voting

There’s no harm in waiting until Oct. 15 to cast your vote. All you’ll need is two pieces of ID: one to prove your identity and the other to prove your residence. (You can find out more here.)

Here is the location of the voting station in Hope on Oct. 15. It will be open from 8am to 8pm.

  • Hope Secondary School (444 Stuart St.)

News coverage

Want to learn more about the upcoming election in Hope? We will collect important stories below.

All-candidates meetings

We will post information about any upcoming all-candidates meetings here.

The results

When polls close at 8pm on Oct. 15, check back at the link below to watch live updates on who will be the next members of Hope’s council.

Fraser Valley Regional District

Estimated eligible voters: 9,581

Unlike the Fraser Valley’s other communities, Fraser Valley Regional District residents will be voting for electoral area directors rather than council members. Each region will get a chance to choose one representative, who will be responsible for advocating for their rural communities at the Fraser Valley Regional District board table.

Scroll through to learn more about the election, or jump to the section you need below. You can also find information direct from the municipality here.

The candidates

Electoral area director candidates: 13 | Electoral area directors to be elected: 8

Learn more about each candidate through their websites and social media pages. You can also read candidates’ responses to The Current Candidate Survey online. (We also have a PDF version.)

Don’t know which electoral area you live in? Find a map of the region’s boundaries here.

Electoral area directors (elect 8)

Area A (Boston Bar)

  • Diane Johnson: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Area B (Yale, Othello, Sunshine Valley)

  • Peter Adamo: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Dennis Adamson: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Area C (Harrison Mills)

  • Mike Armstrong:website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Wendy Bales: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Mel Waardenburg: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Area D (Popkum, Bridal Falls)

  • Bill Dickey: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Area E (Chilliwack River Valley)

  • Patti MacAhonic: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Area F (Haztic Prairie)

  • Hugh Davidson: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Area G (Dewdney, Deroche)

  • Ray Boucher: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Cory Cassel:website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Doug McNeill: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Area H (Cultus Lake, Columbia Valley)

  • Taryn Dixon: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

How to vote

The FVRD election officially takes place on Oct. 15, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time you can cast a ballot. Advance voting is available, as is mail-in voting for most communities. No matter when you vote, you’ll be submitting your choices for both your electoral area director and school board trustees.

Before you cast your ballot, you’ll need to make sure you are eligible first. Voters must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and have been a resident of BC for at least six months. You’ll also need to have lived in the Fraser Valley Regional District for at least 30 days before the election, or have owned a property in the FVRD for at least 30 days. (Some special rules apply for leaseholders in Cultus Lake.)

Cultus Lake residents will also be voting in the Cultus Lake Park Board election. You can find more details on that here.

Find more details on each type of voting below.

Advance voting

In order to participate in advance voting, you’ll need to two pieces of ID: one to prove your identity and the other to prove your residence. (You can find out more here.) Advance voting takes place on the following days:

Area A (Boston Bar)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

Area B (Yale, Othello, Sunshine Valley)

  • Oct. 5, 8am to 8pm: Hope Legion Hall (344 Fort St.)

Area C (Harrison Mills)

  • Oct. 5, 8am to 8pm: FVRD Community Access Centre (10220 N. Deroche Rd.)

Area D (Popkum, Bridal Falls)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

Area E (Chilliwack River Valley)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

Area F (Haztic Prairie)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

Area G (Dewdney, Deroche)

  • Oct. 5, 8am to 8pm: FVRD Community Access Centre (10220 N. Deroche Rd.)

Area H (Cultus Lake, Columbia Valley)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

Mail-in voting

If you don’t want to vote in person, you can register ahead of time to get a mail-in ballot. (Residents of Electoral Areas D, E, and H will need to register with the City of Chilliwack if they want to vote via mail in the Chilliwack School Board election.)

Any FVRD resident can contact [email protected] starting Sept. 16 to ask for a mail-in ballot. All requests must by submitted by 4pm on Oct. 7. You must provide your name, whether you are a resident or non-resident elector, your residential address, the property address in relation to which you are voting (if you are a non-resident elector), the electoral area you reside in (as well as the trustee area if you are voting in either the Fraser Cascade school board election or the Mission school board election), and how you want to get your package.

Mail-in voting packages can either be picked up at the Fraser Valley Regional District office in Chilliwack or can be mailed to you. Packages will be available for pick up from Oct. 3 to Oct. 7. All packages must be received by the Chief Election Officer before 8pm on Oct. 15 in order to be counted.

Election day voting

There’s no harm in waiting until Oct. 15 to cast your vote. All you’ll need is two pieces of ID: one to prove your identity and the other to prove your residence. (You can find out more here.)

Here are the locations of voting stations in the Fraser Valley Regional District on Oct. 15. They will be open from 8am to 8pm.

Area A (Boston Bar)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

Area B (Yale, Othello, Sunshine Valley)

  • Yale Community Use Facility (65050 Albert St.)

  • Sunshine Valley Community Centre (71737 Meadow Rd.)

  • Hope Secondary School (444 Stuart St.)

Area C (Harrison Mills)

  • Central Community Church (43745 Lougheed Hwy)

Area D (Popkum, Bridal Falls)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

Area E (Chilliwack River Valley)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

Area F (Haztic Prairie)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

Area G (Dewdney, Deroche)

  • FVRD Community Access Centre (10220 N. Deroche Rd.)

Area H (Cultus Lake, Columbia Valley)

  • Candidate win by acclimation | No voting

News coverage

Want to learn more about the upcoming election in the FVRD? We will collect important stories below.

All-candidates meetings

We will post information about any upcoming all-candidates meetings here.

The results

When polls close at 8pm on Oct. 15, check back at the link below to watch live updates on who will be the next electoral area directors of Fraser Valley Regional District’s board.

Fraser Cascade School District

Elections in the Fraser Cascade School District strongly favour incumbents, who have been at the board table for years. But this election could see a bit of a change, as two trustees died while in office and another is choosing to step away from the board. Indigenous trustee Cathy Speth, first elected in a by-election after Tom Hendrickson’s death, will be guaranteed her spot back at the table, as she is the only candidate for the Fraser Canyon region.

Scroll through to learn more about the school board election, or jump to the section you need below.

The candidates

Trustee candidates: 9 | Trustees to be elected: 7

Learn more about each candidate through their websites and social media pages. You can also read candidates’ responses to The Current Candidate Survey online. (We also have a PDF version.)

Candidates (elect 7)

Agassiz-Harrison (elect 3)

  • Wendy Clark: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Wendy Coleman-Lawley: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Andrea Hensen: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Marilyn Warren: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Hope (elect 3)

  • Pattie Desjardins: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Lori Izawa: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Linda Kerr: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

  • Heather Stewin: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Fraser Canyon (elect 1)

  • Cathy Speth: website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

How to vote

The election for school board trustees officially takes place on Oct. 15, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time you can cast a ballot. Advance voting is available, as is mail-in voting for most communities. No matter when you vote, you’ll be submitting your choices for both council and school board at the same location. The same eligibility rules also apply.

If you’re in the Agassiz-Harrison region, find details about when and where to vote in either the District of Kent, Harrison Hot Springs, or Electoral Area C. If you live in the Hope region, find details about when and where to vote in either Hope or Electoral Area B. If you live in the Fraser Canyon region, find details on when and where to vote in Electoral Area A.

News coverage

Want to learn more about the upcoming school board election in the Fraser Cascade School District? We will collect important stories below.

All-candidates meetings

We will post information about any upcoming all-candidates meetings here.

The results

When polls close at 8pm on Oct. 15, check back at the link below to watch live updates on who will be the next members of the Fraser Cascade school board.

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