Candidates in the Chilliwack-Hope riding were sent three questions to help readers understand each party’s direction, and the focus of each candidate’s campaign.
The candidates had four days to answer the questions. Five of the six candidates responded to the questions. Chris Adam, a candidate for the United Party of Canada, was not reached by deadline.
3. What one thing would you want voters to know before they go to the polls on April 28?
Mark Strahl: This election is about who can deliver real change for Canadians. This Liberal government is seeking a fourth term, but after 10 years of Carney-Trudeau Liberals, crime is out of control, the cost of living has skyrocketed, our national debt has doubled, and our country is in an extremely weak position to respond to the threat of Trump’s tariffs.
We can’t afford a fourth Liberal term with the same Liberal Team recycling the same failed Liberal policies. Only a new Conservative government, led by Prime Minister Pierre Poilievre, will stand up for Canadian workers and families, strengthen our borders, defend our sovereignty, and bring in a Common Sense plan to axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget and stop the crime. Only Conservatives will put Canada First, for a change.
Teri Westerby: I want people in Chilliwack-Hope to know this: You do not have to settle for less.
You don’t have to accept the false choice between two parties who protect the status quo and would take us backwards. You don’t have to keep voting for parties who see your dreams as a joke and sees our community as a safe seat to ignore. You deserve more, and your vote can make that happen.
I’ve spent my life fighting for the people too often ignored or targeted by politics. I’ve been where you are, stretched thin by rising costs, watching loved ones struggle to get care, wondering if your leaders are really listening. That’s why I’m running. To hold the line. To protect what matters: our rights and freedoms, healthcare, housing, education, climate, and the people who make Chilliwack-Hope strong.
The NDP and I are the only ones who can do that for us. With just 25 seats in Parliament, we got dental care for kids, are pushing forward universal pharmacare, and held billionaires accountable while the other parties shrugged. Imagine what we could do with me there?
People say that what I am fighting for is too idealistic.
That we can’t talk about human rights, bold climate action, or Indigenous justice, or a guaranteed livable income
But I say:
If not now, then when?
If not here, then where?
It's time to disrupt the status quo.
I’m Teri Westerby. I believe in Chilliwack-Hope. And I’m asking for your vote, not just to elect me, but to send a message: that we’re done settling. That we’re ready for better. And that starts here, together.
Salina Derish: That your vote is powerful, and it doesn’t have to be strategic or cynical. You can vote for someone who shares your values. You can vote for integrity.
I wasn’t born into politics. I’m a former correctional officer, a small business owner, and a community safety advocate. I know what it’s like to struggle to make rent and still show up for your neighbours. I believe in service over slogans.
If elected, I won’t just show up during elections. I’ll keep listening, keep working, and keep fighting for a future that’s fair, safe, and sustainable, for everyone.
Zeeshan Khan: I am not a career politician, I am a neighbor, a father, and a community member who cares deeply about the people who call this place home.
My vision is simple but powerful: to unite our community and build a Chilliwack where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. For the past eight to 10 years, I have devoted myself to community-building initiatives that strengthen our social fabric and improve the quality of life for all residents. My journey from medical school and a career in healthcare to grassroots community service has taught me a vital lesson: real change happens when we care deeply and act boldly.
As your Member of Parliament, I will bring that same dedication, compassion, and determination to Ottawa. I will be available and accessible to all residents of Chilliwack-Hope, listening closely and advocating for the issues that matter most: affordability, safety, housing, and infrastructure. I will work with a future Liberal government to bring federal resources to our riding and to foster meaningful collaboration between all levels of government and community organizations.
Together, we can act on the challenges we face and shape a future that reflects our shared values. Under the new leadership of Mark Carney, the Liberal Party is focused on building a future rooted in unity, a strong economy, and real Canadian values. This campaign is not about me, it’s about our community and the people who live here, and what we can accomplish together.
Jeff Galbraith: Due to disillusionment, and disenfranchisement being disheartened, some have, over time, decided not to vote or have never voted. This may help in understanding why we are where we are, in our country, right now.
How is a democratic society supposed to prosper when this is the case? How is a democracy supposed to survive when eligible voters decide not to vote because results are being posted ad nauseam on election day and "political pundits" are calling an election win hours before all votes are counted? They are only calling who will form ruling party, yet there is still the opportunity to decide who will be the official opposition.
So where do we go from here?
We start by making a decision to vote, come hell or high water decide to vote. When we decide to vote, we have our say, we make a decision to change things, for the better.
I made a decision to apply to run as a PPC candidate. I had had enough of the direction our country was headed in. I wasn't sure what the outcome was gonna be. Yet, I made the decision. And here we are!
Make a decision on election day to shut off the media until all the polls are closed. Listen to music, listen to audiobooks, and do other distractive things to help you turn off the world for a while.
Our future really is all about making decisions.
