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Coulter and Paddon sworn in as newly minted MLAs for Chilliwack, Chilliwack-Kent

NDP Premier John Horgan swears in 57 new MLAs, a majority of which are women
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Kelli Paddon, on screen in centre, is sworn in as the Chilliwack-Kent MLA by Premier John Horgan on Nov. 24, 2020. (Screenshot)

Dan Coulter and Kelli Paddon are the city’s newest MLAs.

They were both sworn into the Legislature virtually on Tuesday (Nov. 24), as the new BC NDP MLAs for Chilliwack and Chilliwack-Kent. There were 57 new BC NDP members were sworn in as part of British Columbia’s 42nd Parliament.

“I want to thank the people of Chilliwack for putting their trust in me,” said Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack. “I look forward to bringing my years of experience as an elected official into my new role as MLA. I am proud to be a part of a team that has a plan for a better future and I’m going to work hard to advance the issues facing our community in the Legislature.”

“I’m grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to represent my community in Victoria,” Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. “I will be a strong voice for the region, collaborating on the shared issues of housing affordability, child care and education so everyone can get ahead. Recent months have posed severe challenges but I’m confident that our government’s strong plan is the way forward.”

The election of this New Democrat caucus features a number of notable milestones, including the first majority-women governing caucus in Canadian history, the largest BC NDP caucus in history, and the highest number of Indigenous, Black and people of colour MLAs ever in a caucus in the province.

Dan Coulter bio:

While chair of the Chilliwack Board of Education from 2013-2020, he was a strong advocate for improvements to the public education system. As former president of CUPE 3787 and a millwright who was severely injured in a workplace accident in 1999, Coulter believes people have the right to safe working conditions.

He served on the Mayor’s Task Force on Inclusion, Diversity and Accessibility. He is passionate about the rehabilitation of youth in the Criminal Justice System and was a Director for the Chilliwack Restorative Justice Society.

Coulter lives in Chilliwack with his partner along with their dogs Spencer and Anna-Bella.

Kelli Paddon bio:

Prior to running for provincial office, Paddon dedicated her career to supporting families and people in the community living sector. Kelli served as a community support worker, youth employment counsellor, instructor, and a leader in policy and government relations for Community Living BC.

She has also dedicated her time to volunteering in the community for local groups that support youth and victims of crime.

Paddon is passionate about building a diverse and inclusive community where everyone is accepted and respected, and she is committed to amplifying the voices of those she serves.

Paddon lives in Chilliwack with her husband and their two children.

READ MORE: NDP’s Kelli Paddon is the new MLA for Chilliwack-Kent after mail-in ballot count


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Dan Coulter, on screen in centre, is sworn in as the Chilliwack MLA by Premier John Horgan on Nov. 24, 2020. (Screenshot)


Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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