The BC Conservatives achieved a decisive victory in the provincial election, with all three Upper Fraser Valley ridings showing substantial Conservative leads. A major film festival's closing celebrations and several important municipal decisions are making local news.
Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Morning Edition
Overnight preliminary results from Elections BC show the Conservatives leading in 64 of British Columbia's 93 ridings, compared with 27 for the NDP and two for the Greens. With 99.57% of ballot boxes reporting, the result points to a Conservative majority government, although the official final count will not begin until November 6.
Today's roundup features 15 stories and developments, with particular emphasis on new election results, public safety, economic development, and upcoming local government decisions.
Incumbent Heather Maahs is positioned to retain Chilliwack North following Saturday's provincial election.
With all advance and election-day ballot boxes reporting, preliminary results give Maahs 10,504 votes (59.40%), compared with 5,817 (32.90%) for NDP candidate Adila Shaukat and 1,326 (7.50%) for CentreBC's Dan Grice.
Chilliwack North includes Rosedale, Greendale, Popkum and much of Chilliwack north of Highway 1. Maahs appears set to represent the area as a member of the incoming governing party.
Incumbent Conservative Á’a:líya Warbus has established a substantial lead over former NDP MLA Kelli Paddon.
Elections BC's overnight figures show Warbus with 12,712 votes (59.89%), compared with Paddon's 8,430 (39.72%). All advance and election-day ballot boxes have reported, although additional ballots remain to be counted.
The outcome is particularly important because healthcare infrastructure dominated the campaign, including competing commitments concerning an MRI machine at Chilliwack General Hospital and the proposed Bradley Centre long-term-care redevelopment.
The next question is whether the incoming government will establish firm funding and construction schedules for these projects.
The Chilliwack Independent Film Festival concludes its tenth-anniversary edition today with screenings and an awards ceremony.
The five-day festival has presented 110 films, including international premieres, Canadian productions and local filmmaking projects. Today's program includes the world premiere of the Fraser Valley feature The Professional and the annual Student Film Showcase.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, according to the festival's official website.
The festival is developing into an important regional cultural and economic development platform, connecting filmmakers with industry professionals, financing opportunities, and potential distribution partners.
A Fraser Valley charitable organization hopes to find homes for additional cats and kittens at an adoption event this afternoon.
Abby Cat Daddy reports that 37 cats have already been adopted this month and hopes to exceed 45 adoptions by the end of October. The organization will hold adoption events at several regional pet stores, including the Chilliwack PetSmart, from 1–4 p.m. today.
Each adoption creates additional shelter capacity as colder weather increases demand for animal-rescue services.
A proposed motocross facility on Cheam First Nation land remains in the consultation stage.
Project promoter Moto Energy says Chief and Council have requested additional community feedback before proceeding. The proposal has attracted attention because nearby Popkum Motor Park is scheduled to close November 30 after 17 years.
A replacement facility could preserve an established recreational activity and generate tourism-related economic opportunities.
Environmental assessments, noise testing, dust control and traffic planning remain outstanding. No final development approval has been announced.
Kent council will consider its proposed 2027 nonprofit property-tax exemption bylaw Monday evening.
The exemptions would benefit community organizations providing social services, seniors' housing, recreation and emergency support, including Agassiz-Harrison Community Services and Kent Harrison Search and Rescue.
The estimated exemptions total approximately $107,000 for 2027.
Property-tax exemptions allow qualifying organizations to direct more resources toward community programs, although they also reduce municipal tax revenue.
Council is scheduled to consider adoption on October 26.
The Village of Harrison Hot Springs has confirmed arrangements for the inaugural meeting of its newly elected council.
The ceremony will take place Monday, November 2, at 5:30 p.m., when incoming members will take their oaths of office. Outgoing councillors Leo Facio, Michie Vidal and Allan Jackson will also be formally recognized.
The new council will assume responsibility for major infrastructure, tourism, and municipal finance decisions, including ongoing flood-protection improvements.
A public reception will follow the ceremony.
Harrison's $11-million waterfront flood-protection investment remains a major priority
Harrison Hot Springs' waterfront dike upgrade remains one of the community's most consequential infrastructure projects.
The Village has secured $11 million in provincial grant funding toward improvements intended to strengthen protection against high lake levels. The project includes proposed dike improvements and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant access road.
Flood protection directly affects residential neighbourhoods, tourism businesses, public infrastructure and emergency access.
Detailed design and implementation decisions remain important matters for the incoming council. The Village received its third-quarter operational update on October 19.
Incumbent Conservative Tony Luck appears positioned to retain the Fraser-Nicola riding, which includes Hope, Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs and several Fraser Canyon communities.
Elections BC's overnight preliminary results show Luck with 9,487 votes (58.63%), compared with 4,548 (28.11%) for NDP candidate Jason Leboe and 2,114 (13.06%) for Green candidate Patrick Michell.
The riding covers a large geographic area with substantial transportation, healthcare, agricultural, and emergency management needs.
Three election-day ballot boxes were not reported in the overnight results, with additional ballots awaiting the final count.
The Hope Farmers Market concludes its 2026 season today at Memorial Park.
The market operates from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., featuring locally grown produce, baked goods, artisan products and handmade items.
The market provides an important direct-sales opportunity for small agricultural producers and independent businesses while generating activity in downtown Hope.
Chilliwack Community Services is preparing to welcome residents to its new Hope facility, The Commons, at Unit A, 895 Third Avenue.
An open house is scheduled for Friday, October 30, from 9 a.m. until noon. The facility is intended to strengthen community programs and collaboration among service providers.
The expansion will create a stronger local presence for an organization already serving residents throughout the Hope, Sunshine Valley, and Fraser Canyon communities, extending to Boston Bar.
A commercial truck driver was transported to hospital after a rollover south of Lytton on Thursday, October 22.
BC Emergency Health Services confirmed that paramedics responded at approximately 11:39 a.m. to the 1000 block of George Road, about seven kilometres south of Lytton and east of Highway 1.
One patient received emergency medical treatment and was transported to hospital in stable condition.
Commercial-vehicle safety remains an important concern along the Fraser Canyon transportation corridor.
The Lytton mayoral election remains unresolved after incumbent Denise O'Connor and challenger Jennifer Thoss each received exactly 45 votes.
The Village is pursuing a judicial recount, which must take place between October 27 and 30. If the recount confirms the tie, the successful candidate will be selected by drawing lots.
The outcome will determine who leads a community still facing substantial rebuilding, infrastructure and financial challenges following the 2021 wildfire.
The deadline for applying for the recount is Monday, October 26.
Emergency dispatch services serving the Upper Fraser Valley and Mission will begin transitioning to Next Generation 9-1-1 tomorrow, October 26.
The modernization replaces aging communications infrastructure and introduces an automated callback system to quickly reconnect or abandon emergency calls.
Residents will continue calling 9-1-1 as usual.
The upgrade lays the groundwork for future capabilities, including improved caller location information, real-time text communication, and video sharing.
Those advanced capabilities will not be available immediately and are expected in later implementation phases.
Provincial election results: All three Upper Fraser Valley ridings show substantial Conservative leads. The next important development is confirmation of the results and the formation of the new provincial government.
Chilliwack healthcare: The MRI proposal and Bradley Centre redevelopment should become immediate priorities for the region's provincial representatives. Election commitments now need to be translated into budgets, approvals and construction schedules.
Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge: The three-year rehabilitation remains a major transportation project. The new provincial government's approach to infrastructure funding and project delivery will be worth watching.
Cheam First Nation motocross proposal: Community consultation and environmental assessments remain outstanding. The scheduled November 30 closure of Popkum Motor Park increases the significance of the proposal.
Agassiz agricultural development: Monday's proposed decision on a veterinary clinic could expand services available to local agricultural producers.
Harrison flood protection: The incoming municipal council will inherit significant infrastructure decisions, including engineering, permitting and implementation of the waterfront dike improvements.
Lytton governance: The judicial recount is scheduled for next week. Its outcome will determine the community's municipal leadership during a critical period of rebuilding.
Regional emergency services: Monday's 9-1-1 transition should be monitored for any operational problems or service changes.
Sources: Elections BC, Fraser Valley Today, Fraser Valley News Network, District of Kent, Village of Harrison Hot Springs, District of Hope, CFJC Today, Chilliwack Independent Film Festival, Hope Farmers Market and regional community organizations.
