My riding: Chilliwack – Hope

Check out our Fraser Valley Votes election hub for more election news and details on where and how to vote, and our results page here.

The Current is diving into each of the Fraser Valley’s five federal ridings in advance of the 2021 federal election. Read more to learn about the Chilliwack – Hope riding, the region’s most easterly riding. Check back in the coming weeks for interviews with the candidates, and information on party platforms.

Riding details

The Chilliwack – Hope riding (click for map) includes Chilliwack and Hope, as well as rural areas between the two communities on the south side of the Fraser. The region has elected members of the Strahl family since the 90s, when Chuck Strahl ran with the Reform Party. There are approximately 85,000 eligible voters in the riding.

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What to watch

Since Chuck Strahl retired in 2011, his son Mark has claimed victory in three elections. In recent years, Chilliwack’s political fault lines have been shifting, with both provincial ridings switching to the BC NDP after two decades of BC Liberal support. That and the election of progressive candidate Carin Bondar in this spring’s hotly contested Chilliwack School Board by-election suggests the tides may be changing in a once-Conservative stronghold. But opposition parties still face an uphill battle. Strahl’s vote haul plunged in 2015, but rebounded solidly in 2019, when he garnered 50% of the vote. And, unlike during the provincial election, there are three different parties vying for votes to his left. 338Canada prediction: CPC safe seat.

All-candidates meetings

CANCELLED. Sept. 14, 2021 at Chilliwack Arts & Cultural Centre. Hosted by Chilliwack Arts & Cultural Centre Society.

Are we missing a meeting, questionnaire, or other important information? Email us.

Candidates

PPC — Rob Bogunovic: Website / Facebook / TwitterGreen — Arthur GreenNDP — DJ Pohl: Website / Facebook / TwitterConservative — Mark Strahl: Website / Facebook / Twitter / InstagramLiberal — Kelly Velonis: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Past MPs

Mark Strahl (Conservative): 2015-present

More

Check out our Fraser Valley Votes election hub to read more about the 2021 federal election, including candidate interviews and platform overviews.

Read more about the other Fraser Valley ridings:

• Abbotsford

• Mission – Matsqui – Fraser Canyon

• Langley – Aldergrove

• Cloverdale – Langley City.