Candidates Set to Address Voters at Abbotsford School Trustee Meeting

An all-candidates meeting for the upcoming Abbotsford school trustee byelection will take place on September 18, 2023. The event is scheduled from 19:00 to 20:30 at the Abbotsford Arts Centre, located at 2329 Crescent Way. Organized by the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC), the meeting aims to provide voters with an opportunity to engage with candidates and learn about their priorities. DPAC emphasizes that it does not endorse any candidates.

This meeting is particularly significant as it will feature all confirmed candidates participating in the byelection set for October 11, 2023. Attendees will have the chance to hear directly from the candidates, pose questions, and gain insights into issues affecting students and families in the community. Questions can be submitted via email until noon on September 18, although time constraints may limit the number of inquiries addressed during the meeting. Notably, questions will not be taken from the audience during the event.

Admission to the meeting is free, but attendees must register in advance. Interested individuals are encouraged to RSVP to secure their spots. The four candidates confirmed for the byelection include Tanya Coghill, Graeme Hutchison, Arsh Kaler, and Benjamin Mehrer. While Coghill has confirmed her attendance at the meeting, Hutchison has notified the media that he will be unable to attend due to a prior commitment. He plans to submit his opening and closing statements for someone to read on his behalf.

The byelection was necessitated by changes to the Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act, which was enacted in May 2023. This law prevents Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from holding local elected positions, such as those on city councils or school boards, after their election to the legislature. As a result, Korky Neufeld, who won the Abbotsford West riding last October, was required to resign from his school trustee position.

Advance voting for the byelection will be available on October 1 and October 4, 2023, with general voting day set for October 15. Polling places will be open from 08:00 to 20:00 on each of these dates, providing community members ample opportunity to participate in the electoral process.