Final candidate list confirmed for Abbotsford-Mission byelection

The final list of candidates seeking to become the next MLA for Abbotsford-Mission has been confirmed ahead of the provincial byelection.

The B.C. NDP has nominated Pam Alexis, who represented Abbotsford-Mission after her 2020 election and served as B.C.’s minister of agriculture and food. She is a former mayor of Mission and has served on the boards of the Mission Chamber of Commerce and Mission Rotary Club.

The Conservative Party of B.C. is running leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. She previously served as an MP for several B.C. ridings and was chief Opposition whip under Pierre Poilievre, becoming the first woman in Canadian history to hold that role for the federal Conservatives. Her candidacy follows turmoil in the provincial party: nine MLAs have left since she became leader, either to sit as Independents or join a new political party.

The B.C. Greens have nominated Stephen Fowler, a teacher at Rick Hansen Secondary School in Abbotsford who has previously run provincially and federally. His party platform includes affordable social housing, expanded fast and free public transit, and investment in community health centres to provide accessible preventive care and reduce pressure on emergency rooms.

CentreBC is represented by Lakhwinder Jhaj, who has previously run under both the B.C. NDP and Liberal Party of Canada banners. The party said her experience reflects a willingness to work across traditional party lines and a continuing focus on community service, practical solutions and bringing people together, consistent with CentreBC’s broad centrist approach.

Libertarian candidate Jeff Monds is also running. He most recently contested the August federal byelection in North Vancouver-Capilano. He previously ran as a Libertarian in Delta-Richmond East in 2011, Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission in 2008, and in multiple provincial elections for the British Columbia Libertarian Party.