Laurie Throness Wins Chilliwack School Board Byelection
Big news out of Chilliwack—former MLA Laurie Throness has secured a seat on the Chilliwack School Board following a byelection held on March 1, 2025. The results came in shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m., and Throness emerged victorious with 3,977 votes. His closest competitor, Katie Bartel, received 3,163 votes, while Shane Kooyman trailed behind with just 94.
This byelection was set in motion after Heather Maahs, the former trustee, stepped down following her election as MLA for the Chilliwack North riding. With just three candidates in the race, it was a relatively straightforward competition, but the voter turnout still reached 7,238. Polling stations were set up at Vedder Middle School and the Landing Sports Centre, and early voting opportunities were available in February.
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Throness brings a long history in politics to the board. He previously served as an MLA and worked in federal government roles, including as chief of staff to the late MP Chuck Strahl. His academic background is impressive, with a PhD in history from Cambridge and a master’s degree in public administration from Queen’s University.
However, his political career hasn’t been without controversy. In 2020, Throness was ousted from the BC Liberal Party while seeking re-election as MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. His opposition to free birth control and comments likening government-funded contraception to "eugenics" led to his removal from the party. Despite this, he remains a vocal advocate for academic achievement and has emphasized that his focus as a trustee will be on improving educational outcomes in Chilliwack.
Following his win, Throness took to Facebook to express his gratitude, calling it a "privilege" to serve the Chilliwack community again. He also acknowledged his opponents, thanking Bartel and Kooyman for their spirited campaigns and for offering voters meaningful choices.
Chilliwack has seen multiple byelections for its school board in recent years, often as trustees transition into provincial politics. This time was no different, with Throness stepping into a seat vacated by an MLA-elect. While the election turnout was lower than in previous years—the 2021 byelection saw over 10,700 voters—it still demonstrates the community’s engagement in educational leadership.
Now, with Throness joining the board alongside Chair David Swankey and five other trustees, all eyes will be on how he influences school policies moving forward. His promise to emphasize academic achievement will likely be put to the test as he settles into his new role.
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