Chilliwack MLA Dan Coulter contributed $1,800 to school board candidates in 2022 election

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack MLA Dan Coulter, recently named Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit, opened his wallet to support four candidates who won election to the Chilliwack school board in the October 2022 municipal election.

According to campaign disclosure forms released Thursday (Feb. 2) by Elections B.C., Coulter, who previously served on the Chilliwack school board for approximately seven years before being elected as MLA for Chilliwack in 2020, gave $1,000 to Willow Reichelt, who works in his constituency office and previously served with him on the school board, as well as $500 to David Swankey, $200 to Margaret Reid, and $100 to Teri Westerby.

Fellow NDP MLA Kelli Paddon went to bat for Teri Westerby with a $148.76 donation.

District Parent Advisory Council chair Katie Bartel pitched in $100 to support Teri Westerby in his campaign as well as $100 to David Swankey.

Former B.C. Liberal MLA for Chilliwack-Kent, Laurie Throness, contributed $200 to candidate Heather Maahs, as well as $100 to a slate of three right-of-centre candidates.

Three candidates aligned with Parents Voice B.C., including Richard Procee, Lewis Point and Elliott Friesen, reported 52 contributions of $100 or more totaling $21,550 in contributions. Parents Voice B.C. reported $21,855 total income for these three candidates, though there wasn’t a breakdown of individual contributions for each specific candidate.

In summary:

* Willow Reichelt appeared to garner the most contributions of a single candidate not affiliated with a slate. She reported $12,422 in total income, including $8,543.76 in contributions. She received 45 contributions of less than $100 and 31 contributions of $100 or more. She spent $12,422.30.

* Teri Westerby reported $6,935.80 in income opposite $6,597.69 in expenses. Westerby received 24 contributions of $100 or more.

* David Swankey reported $6,226.64 in campaign income, of $5,331.12 were contributions. He reported 18 contributions of $100 or more. He spent $8,414.14.

* Margaret Reid reported $7,578.93 in campaign income, of which $7,076.60 were contributions. She reported 25 contributions of $100 or more. She spent $7,323.30.

* Brian VanGarderen, who nearly won election based on an 8th place finish out of 15 candidates, reported $1,450 in contributions from four individuals who gave $100 or more. He reported $1,681.87 in expenses.

* Heather Maahs, the longest-serving member of the current school board, reported $4,800 in total income and/or contributions; she reported 17 contributions of $100 or more. She spent $7,037.34.

* Dr. Darrell Furgason, who was not reelected after serving one term on the school board, reported $4,850 in income and/or contributions. He received 13 contributions of $100 or more. He spent $4,873.20.

* Dr. Carin Bondar, a science educator and UFV faculty member, reported $9,135 in total campaign income, of which $4,540 came from campaign contributions. She received eight contributions of $100 or more. She spent $11,550.32.

* Kaethe Jones, who came within 33 votes of winning a seat on the school board in the 2018 election, was not successful during the last election cycle. She reported $3,878 in total campaign contributions. She received 13 donations of $100 or more. She spent $6,167.84.

* Richard Procee, Lewis Point and Elliott Friesen had contributions to their campaign flow through Parents Voice B.C., which reported 52 contributions of $100 or more totaling $21,550 in contributions. Parents Voice B.C. reported $21,855 total income for these three candidates, though there wasn’t a breakdown of individual contributions for each specific candidate.

* Darren Ollinger, a radio show host who came in 15th place, did not report any campaign contributions or expenses.

* Barry Neufeld and Greg Nelmes, who were not elected, did not file campaign finance disclosure forms for the 2022 fall election.