Victoria/Vancouver/Fraser Valley – In their blanket media release on September 23, the BC Conservatives on their social media noted: The Conservative Party of BC’s Election Readiness Committee announced today that they have approved every sitting member of the Conservative Party of BC’s caucus to run as a candidate in the 2026 provincial election. Every MLA in the Conservative Party of BC’s caucus will carry the party’s banner into this campaign. While David Eby called a snap election to distract from his own record, the Conservative Party of BC is entering this campaign as one united team, with one plan, ready to govern and bring the change British Columbians desperately need.
The Provincial Election is October 24
This includes Heather Maahs in Chilliwack North : About Heather Maahs
Experience:
Heather’s journey in advocacy began in 2008 when she successfully ran for a seat as a school trustee in Chilliwack. Her consistent electoral victories over the last fifteen years, in five subsequent elections, underscore the trust and confidence her community places in her leadership. Throughout her tenure, Heather has consistently championed foundational reading skill attainment, emphasizing the critical role of literacy in the learning process. Her belief that “First, we learn to read, then we read to learn” has become a guiding principle in her approach to education.
Championing Education:
Heather’s advocacy extends beyond her role as a school trustee. She recognizes the need for systemic and purposeful changes in the provincial education system, advocating for legislative measures to address these challenges. A strong proponent of parental rights, Heather believes in respecting and supporting parents’ goals to raise healthy and responsible young individuals. Her vision emphasizes that children do not belong solely to schools or governments; rather, parental rights should be supported by legislation to ensure a collaborative and supportive educational environment.
In her pursuit of a provincial role as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Heather brings a wealth of experience, a deep sense of community involvement, and a steadfast commitment to championing education. Her advocacy extends beyond political aspirations, rooted in a genuine desire to contribute positively to the well-being of her community and the education system as a whole.
Community Involvement:
Heather’s commitment to her community is evident through her active involvement in various initiatives and organizations. She took specialized training in Orton Gillingham tutoring and Early Assessment from the University of Hull, Great Britain, showcasing her dedication to enhancing educational methods. For many years, she moderated an email listserv where stakeholders, including school trustees, parents, teachers, and ministry officials, engaged in discussions on education issues. This platform facilitated the exchange of data, research, and articles, fostering a collaborative approach to addressing educational challenges.
Family First:
In 1993, Heather and her husband made the significant decision to move their young family from North Vancouver to Chilliwack, BC. Together, they ran a construction company, navigating the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Tragically, Heather’s husband unexpectedly passed away in 2009, marking a profound moment of change in their lives.
Heather is exceedingly proud of her three adult children, highlighting the joy and fulfillment they bring to her life. Additionally, she embraces the role of “Nan” with enthusiasm, cherishing her relationships with eleven incredible grandchildren. For Heather, family is not only a source of personal fulfillment but also a driving force behind her commitment to making the world a better place for future generations.
Her experiences as a mother and grandmother have undoubtedly shaped her perspective on community service and advocacy, emphasizing the importance of creating a positive and nurturing environment for all families.
As Heather ventures into he role as MLA for Chilliwack North, her dedication to family values remains evident, guiding her aspirations to contribute to a better future for her loved ones and the broader community.
And Korky Neufeld in Abbotsford West: Korky Neufeld is an enthusiastic and hardworking individual with a diverse professional background in the political, religious, and industrial sectors.
He was born into a family of 10 children. His parents emigrated from South America in 1964 with a dream of a better life for the future generations. Korky places significant value on family, his own including his wife of 40 years – Cynthia, four children and two grandchildren.
Professional Journey
Korky’s professional life has been marked by service.
He began his career in church ministry – first, as a pastor in Vancouver, then leading a church that served the people of Abbotsford for over a decade. Intermittently, Korky worked many years in the construction industry, grasping the challenges of blue-collar workers and families.
His current role as Construction Manager for Servicemaster Restore of the Fraser Valley brings him into city halls across the entire region, enabling him to work with municipal systems to help people who have undergone life-altering events.
Affecting Change in the Political Sphere
Korky spent 15 years as the Abbotsford Board of Education Trustee. In that time, he also served several years as the Chair and Vice-Chair, working closely with the Superintendent (the lead educator) and the Secretary Treasurer (the operational leader). These positions have allowed Korky to learn what it takes to affect important educational change on a systemic level.
One of Korky’s roles over the years on the Abbotsford School Board has been to represent Abbotsford at the British Columbia School Trustee Association. This provincial association is made up of sixty boards from all over the province, with over 350 elected trustees as its members. Korky was elected for two terms by his peers to represent them as one of seven directors on this provincial board. This leadership experience widened his knowledge, facilitating the opportunity to see beyond his district’s level into the needs of diverse regions across the province. It also allowed him to further build into his skill-set for best representing unique and complex issues.
Community Engagement (Prioritizing Serving People in the Community)
Korky has served on multiple provincial and advisory committees, including:
Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association (5+ yrs) – advocating for restorative processes for first-time offenders
Bridgehouse Committee at City Hall (2 yrs) – reviewing the efficacy of recovery programs and setting guidelines for future recovery programs within the city of Abbotsford
Abbotsford Christian Leaders Network (10 yrs) – serving the community through initiatives like large faith-based events that unified the city, Love Abbotsford which mobilized the community with intentional acts of kindness; and empowered people to bring to fruition ministry ideas & passions like the Cyrus Centre and Psalm 23 Transition Society.
Conservative Policy Priorities
Korky is setting out to make positive change in the current provincial political climate
Policy Priorities:
Education
Remove Ideology from the classroom – Schools must be places of learning – not tools for activism or indoctrination.
Support parent choices – Parents have the right to determine how and where their children will be educated.
Healthcare
Serious Substantive Reform – Chronic shortages in physicians, nurses and ICU capacity has become painstakingly clear. It’s time for serious reform
More doctors, more nurses – prioritizing government funding and support for post-secondary programs and students
Economy
Lower taxes, smaller government – Wasteful spending should be cut and the savings returned to taxpayers
Champion small and medium-sized business – Useless and redundant regulations need to be removed
Korky is passionate, energetic and committed. He represent the Abbotsford West Riding whole-heartedly as the MLA. His interest in people, awareness of the connection between community and provincial issues, and his strong family values will benefit this region.
