Provincial election voting is underway across the Upper Fraser Valley, emergency crews are conducting specialized swiftwater rescue training on the Vedder River, and Chilliwack's Independent Film Festival enters its biggest industry-development day.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Healthcare has emerged as a central issue in the Chilliwack-Cultus Lake election contest, with both major candidates promising improvements to local diagnostic services.
Meanwhile, Agassiz council is preparing to consider a new agricultural service business, Harrison Hot Springs continues planning major flood protection improvements, and a regional emergency communications upgrade is scheduled to begin Monday.
British Columbia's provincial election is underway today, with voting locations open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents will elect representatives for Chilliwack North, Chilliwack-Cultus Lake and Fraser-Nicola.
Elections BC says preliminary results will begin appearing after polls close, but final outcomes in close ridings may take longer because election-day ballots are being counted by hand and some other ballots will be counted later.
Today's results will determine the region's representation on healthcare, infrastructure, housing, agriculture and transportation issues.
Healthcare has become a major point of disagreement between Kelli Paddon and Á’a:líya Warbus.
Paddon is highlighting her party's conditional $8-million commitment toward an MRI machine at Chilliwack General Hospital. Warbus argues that the project should have been delivered earlier and says a Conservative government would provide the MRI and proceed with the Bradley Centre expansion.
Both diagnostic imaging and long-term-care capacity are major local healthcare priorities.
These are campaign commitments, not approved construction projects. Actual funding decisions will depend on the election outcome and subsequent government action.
Chilliwack firefighters responded Friday afternoon to reports of a vehicle fire in a residential neighbourhood near Sardis Secondary School.
According to preliminary emergency-radio reports, crews were dispatched at approximately 2:15 p.m. after a vehicle reportedly caught fire, with flames possibly spreading to nearby hedges.
An official assessment of damage, injuries and the cause was not available in the initial reporting.
Search-and-rescue personnel from Fraser Valley organizations are participating in specialized swiftwater training on the Vedder River today and Sunday.
The exercises, organized by Rescue Canada Resource Group, involve simulated emergencies, rescue ropes, throw bags and personnel entering the water. Training locations may change depending on river conditions.
These exercises help prepare volunteer rescuers for emergencies involving anglers, swimmers and other river users.
Residents and anglers are asked to give training teams space and remain alert for ropes and rescue equipment.
The Chilliwack Independent Film Festival enters its principal industry-programming day with workshops on financing, distribution and film production.
At 6:30 p.m., ten filmmaking teams will pitch their proposed feature films before industry judges. The winning team will receive $2,500 and an opportunity to become the festival's Telefilm Talent to Watch nominee, potentially opening a pathway to $250,000 in feature-film funding.
The event extends beyond film screenings to economic development by helping filmmakers access financing, professional contacts, and commercial opportunities.
The festival concludes Sunday with its awards ceremony.
The Fraser Valley Climbing Society is presenting Reel Rock 20 at Mt. Waddington Outdoors, 9270 Sasquatch Alley, tonight at 8 p.m.
The twentieth-anniversary international climbing-film program features four new productions exploring elite climbing, adaptive athletics and mountaineering.
Events like this strengthen Chilliwack's outdoor-recreation community and reinforce the city's connection to mountain sports and adventure tourism.
Reece Howden has been named to Canada's national ski-cross team for the upcoming 2026–27 international season.
The Cultus Lake athlete will compete against the world's leading ski-cross racers as the International Ski and Snowboard Federation celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of its World Cup circuit.
Howden continues to bring international recognition to the Chilliwack-Cultus Lake area and remains one of the region's most accomplished winter-sport athletes.
Members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32 presented the first poppies of the 2026 campaign to outgoing Mayor Sylvia Pranger and Mayor-elect Teresa Spaeti.
The ceremony marks the start of the annual remembrance campaign, with poppies now available for donation at various locations, including Kent Municipal Hall.
The presentation also marks a symbolic transition between municipal administrations while supporting remembrance activities and veterans' services.
The Village of Harrison Hot Springs received its third-quarter operational report at Monday's council meeting, providing an update on municipal projects.
Among the Village's most consequential ongoing initiatives is the waterfront dike improvement project, which is intended to strengthen flood protection around Harrison Lake. The Village has secured $11 million in provincial grant funding toward the project, while design and implementation planning continue.
Flood protection directly affects homes, businesses, tourism infrastructure and long-term municipal finances.
The incoming council takes office November 2 and will inherit decisions about the project's implementation.
The Hope Farmers Market will hold its final scheduled market of the season Sunday, October 25.
The market brings together local farmers, food producers, artisans and independent businesses at Memorial Park, with tomorrow's event listed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The market provides direct-selling opportunities for small agricultural producers and creates regular activity in downtown Hope.
Chilliwack Community Services is preparing to welcome residents to The Commons, its new storefront at Unit A, 895 Third Avenue.
The organization will host an open house Friday, October 30, from 9 a.m. to noon, providing an opportunity for residents and service providers to learn about available programs and discuss community needs.
The new facility could strengthen access to services throughout Hope, Sunshine Valley and the Fraser Canyon, including smaller communities extending toward Boston Bar.
The Lytton mayoral election remains unresolved after incumbent Denise O'Connor and challenger Jennifer Thoss each received exactly 45 votes.
The Village has applied for a judicial recount, which must be completed between October 27 and 30. If the recount confirms the tie, the successful candidate will be determined by drawing lots.
The result will determine who leads a community still facing substantial rebuilding, infrastructure and financial decisions following the 2021 wildfire.
The recount application deadline is Monday, October 26. No completed recount was confirmed this morning.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police will begin transitioning its Upper Fraser Valley and Mission dispatch services to Next Generation 9-1-1 on Monday, October 26.
The modernization replaces aging communications infrastructure and introduces an automated callback system to quickly reconnect or abandon emergency calls. Residents will continue to call 9-1-1 as usual.
The upgrade establishes the technical foundation for future emergency communication capabilities, including improved location information, real-time texting and video sharing.
Those advanced features will not be available immediately and are expected in later implementation phases.
Provincial election: Tonight's results will be the region's leading developing story. Watch Chilliwack North, Chilliwack-Cultus Lake and Fraser-Nicola, particularly close contests where hand-counting and outstanding ballots could delay a definitive outcome.
Chilliwack healthcare: Both major Chilliwack-Cultus Lake candidates have made commitments concerning MRI services. The Bradley Centre expansion is another important issue requiring follow-up after the election.
Cheam First Nation motocross proposal: Community consultation, environmental assessments and a potential development decision remain outstanding. The November 30 closure of Popkum Motor Park adds urgency.
Agassiz agricultural development: Kent council considers the proposed veterinary clinic Monday. The municipality is also preparing to consider its proposed 2027 nonprofit property-tax exemptions.
Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge: The $33-million rehabilitation remains underway. Traffic restrictions, construction progress and impacts on agricultural and commercial transportation should continue to be monitored.
Harrison flood protection: Engineering, project costs, permitting and construction scheduling remain important as the Village transitions to its new council.
Lytton governance: The judicial recount could produce a new mayor next week or confirm the tie, triggering a drawing of lots.
Regional emergency services: Monday's 9-1-1 transition should be checked for any operational issues or changes affecting residents.
Sources checked: Elections BC, Fraser Valley Today, Fraser Valley News Network, District of Kent, Village of Harrison Hot Springs, District of Hope, Chilliwack Independent Film Festival, RCMP, CFJC Today, and local event organizers.
