2025 Federal Election in Pitt Meadows – Maple Ridge
On Monday, the people of Pitt Meadows – Maple Ridge go to the polls.
The Advance Polls have come and gone.
According to Elections Canada, over 7.3 million Canadians have already cast their votes. The rest of Canada gets their last chance to have their say on Monday, April 28th.
In BC, the polling stations are open from 7 am to 7 pm. (Adjusted an hour earlier, to prevent Eastern results from affecting BC outcomes.)
In the Pitt Meadows – Maple Ridge, a traditionally Conservative riding, we have had an influx in the last few years, of younger families, and progressive voters. In fact, looking at the results for the 2021 Election, we find that while the Conservative candidate won with 20,811 votes (37% of votes cast)… there were over 31,000 votes cast for progressive candidates. (Federal Liberals and NDP) The progressive vote got split… and Conservative Marc Dalton snuck in… and has done nothing.
The Liberal Candidate is Angie Rowell.
I have met with her on multiple occasions, and found her to be forthright, honest, caring, and smart.
Here is her bio:
Born and raised in Maple Ridge, Angie is ready to bring her financial expertise and passion for community engagement, to serve Pitt-Meadows-Maple Ridge, and to represent this community in Ottawa, as your Liberal Member of Parliament.?
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With nearly four decades of local and international financial expertise, together with a lifetime of grassroots involvement, Angie offers a pragmatic, compassionate, and results-driven approach to public service. She understands what it takes to represent Canada’s interests on the global stage and is ready to fight for local families right here at home.?
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In these unprecedented times, Angie knows that many families are facing real economic challenges. That’s why she’s committed to policies that strengthen Canada’s economy, support local businesses and workers, and ensure financial security for every household.?
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Beyond economic growth, her campaign is about building a more inclusive, resilient community—one that invests in future generations while creating a secure environment for all.
The Conservative Candidate is Marc Dalton.
I read a quote attributed to him, but wanted to verify it. On his Wikipedia page, it confirmed his words:
“I am not against homosexuals as people, but I do not support their lifestyle choices. I believe homosexuality is a moral issue.”
In these uncertain days, when the US President is changing the “rules” of doing business with trading partners on a (sometimes) hourly basis… repeatedly calling for Canada to become the 51st State… and ignoring our Governmental Institutions and processes… we need someone who is looking forward.
Not some stuck-in-the-mud form of antiquated reverie.
We need an MP in Ottawa with a strong and steady voice, who represents ALL the people of Pitt Meadows – Maple Ridge, and not just an entitled few… and who can speak loudly for the people of this riding… and not just be a speedbump that collects a paycheque.
We need Angie!
I am calling on my friends, family, and neighbours… (and ESPECIALLY my NDP friends, family, and neighbours) when you vote on Monday… please cast your vote for Angie Rowell – Federal Liberal candidate for Pitt Meadows – Maple Ridge!
You can find out more on Angie’s site. You can also support her campaign:
https://AngieRowell.liberal.ca
And follow her and Team Angie on Facebook:
Dear Mister Prime Minister
My message to the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau:
Dear Mr. Prime Minister –
I am writing this email, with sadness in my heart. I have privately, and publicly, lauded your efforts… Before the pandemic. During the pandemic. During the recovery. And now, I am asking you to step aside, for the good of Canada.
Please let me tell you why:
Around the globe, there are examples of voters’ hunger for change…
It happened in South Korea, in April.
It happened in France, in June.
It happened in Mexico, in June.
It happened in the UK, in July.
It happened in Japan, in October.
It happened in Canadian Provincial elections, in October.
It happened in the US, in November.
It will happen in Canada, when the next election comes.
It isn’t about you.
It is a global desire for “Change for Change’s Sake.”
In the US, Biden stepping back, and “appointing” a surrogate, wasn’t enough distance for the voters.
In British Columbia, despite the BC Conservative Party being an upstart party, with no truly costed platform, and MANY of the candidates being questionably screened, (or not screened, at all) they won in staggering numbers… coming within a hair of forming Government.
I believe that your time is not over! I believe that Canada can, and will still benefit from your leadership in the future… just as your Father came back to power.
However, having said ALL that. Now, with the global thirst for change, and moving away from the status quo, you cannot win the next election, regardless of how good the economy is… how low the interest rates are becoming… how low unemployment is… how positive the internal business outlook is… You have done a masterful job of guiding Canada through a tremendously challenging and tumultuous period. Now, for the good of all Canadians, I am respectfully asking you to step aside, and let the Party choose a new leader, so that there is, hopefully, a sense that the Liberal Party is different enough to quest the thirst for change, without requiring them switching to the Conservative Party, in numbers that they will have four unfettered years.
Please, please, please…
Please Sir, for the good of the Party… for the good of the country…
Please step aside as the Prime Minister.
It isn’t personal. This is a global problem.
Sincerely,
Bob Gray
Voting In Pitt Meadows Municipal Election 2022
Voting in the Pitt Meadows Municipal election is important. Your City Hall represents you, at the most immediate level… and you want people there who are hard-working, involved, responsive, and engaged in their Community… and not just engaged in in-fighting and bickering. (See our neighbours to the South)
Getting elected for office is more than just a 9 to 5 job. It is an evening and weekend gig, where showing up and representing Pitt Meadows, matters.
Lorie and I voted today. On the way to the Polling Station, we saw a group of Candidates out, holding signs, and encouraging folks to vote. Maybe it is because I have been involved in multiple campaigns, over the years, but that reinforced the choices and decisions I had made through research.
Folks who show up, who are engaged in their Community, who turn up at events in both good and bad weather, who share (on Social Media) what is happening at Council Meetings, who know what a wonderful place Pitt Meadows is, but are still working to make it better.
Some Candidates are running for their own reasons. I say that, because it isn’t clear what they are going to do, you can’t find their platforms or plans anywhere, and they are nowhere (physically) to be seen. It is wonderful that they are engaged in the election process, but, in my opinion, door-knocking and engaging with voters, shows who will “show up” and represent our City. Putting out a couple of signs, isn’t enough.
I also believe it is important to have a mix of older experienced Council Members, mixed with fresh new energetic Councilors.
We know Nicole MacDonald will be our next Mayor. (She was acclaimed, as she ran un-opposed.)
My choices for Council are: Tracy Elke (Miyashita), Allison Evans, Mike Hayes, Mike Manion, Bob Meachen, & Gwen O’Connell. (Not that my choices matter.)
What DOES matter, is that you do your research, find the Candidates that are addressing the issues YOU are concerned about, and vote for them.
You can find more information about WHERE, WHEN and HOW to vote, at:
https://www.pittmeadows.ca/city-hall/elections-and-voting
Get out and vote!
Pitt Meadows is our home… and our future!
#PittMeadows #MunicipalElections #VoteInPittMeadows #YourVoteIsYourVoice
The Mug
This has been a tough month.
At a time when, I think, we collectively felt that we had turned a corner, and started fresh after a tough 2020, we were challenged by a surprisingly violent uprising in the US.
My main computer’s hard drive died in late December, which prompted a complete fresh start… which has been, and is, its own set of ongoing challenges.
There have been other challenges, as well, but that is not what this post is about.
This post is about my tea cup.
It has been my mug for 20+ years.
Had a lot of late night, and early morning, caffeine in it.
Occasionally, it has housed single malt scotch.
But again, it isn’t about the contents of the mug… it is about the mug itself.
It is worn, and has a chip… but has been there through a lot of stuff.
We live our lives, through storms, and calm times… we row our boats when we can, and ride out the waves when we can’t.
Through everything, there are constants in our lives, that keep us steady. The fabulous people, and things, that keep us steady.
The people and things for which we are ever, exceedingly grateful.
May your mug always be full, and may you be sharing the bevvy of your choice with some awesome people.
Cheers!
2020 Terry Fox Run in Pitt Meadows
As we all know too well, this year is challenging us to do things differently, and try things we never have before.*
After Terry Fox had to stop running, he said, “Even though I’m not running anymore, people should go ahead and try to do their own thing.”
On Sunday, September 20th, Canadians will be doing just that, by choosing a route and location to safely walk, run, bike, hike, paddle, skate or wheel. Although we will not be having our usual Pitt Meadows Community ceremony, and run in Spirit Square, we can all come together by doing our OWN thing and maintaining the tradition of Terry Fox Run Day in our hearts. With this year’s ‘ONE DAY YOUR WAY’ approach, participants are invited to register and fundraise (if and as much as they are able) at TerryFox.org, and do something that works for them. This may be a family walk around the neighbourhood, a run with your companion, a paddle on one of our local waterways, a bike ride on the dyke or even something within your own home.
We are so blessed to live in beautiful Pitt Meadows, which is ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities! The important thing is to do something YOU are comfortable with the people you are close to. Let others know what you are doing on September 20 and encourage them to do their own Terry Fox thing too!
You can still get a Terry Fox Run t-shirt for $20.00 – they are available for sale at Sole Experience in Osprey Village (10995 Barnston View Rd in Pitt Meadows) which is open 10 am – 6 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
You can also order them, along with other 40th Anniversary merchandise at TerryFox.org
In advance of Sunday, September 20th:
- Remember to register and sign up at TerryFox.org
- Share this with your family and friends, and on Social Media
- Purchase a Terry Fox shirt, and wear it with pride
- Watch the video below, and think about how important it is to keep the ‘Marathon of Hope’ going!
Here is Rick Mercer with his remembrances of Terry’s run:
See you around Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, on Sunday, September 20th!
* The lovely wording of most of the above text was cribbed from an email from Ali Wakeling, Terry Fox Run Coordinator Extraordinaire, for Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows, who keeps everything “running” smoothly!
Overseas Fabrics – Online Shop Now Open
As a follow-up to my previous “What’s In Store” Post, on this Blog, and amidst the mayhem of the COVID-19 coronavirus, I wanted to share that Overseas Fabrics Online Store is now up and running.
The Overseas Fabrics Team was still working on it, when the closure of stores started… but as any good business does in a crisis, they were able to pivot, and offer their products online, with proper social distancing and safety protocols that keep their customers happy, and their staff and customers all safe!
At a time when folks are rushing to start sewing fabric, washable, non-medical, anti-projection masks, the Team at Overseas Fabrics has rushed to facilitate rolling out their less expensive cotton fabrics, and dug through their stockpiles to find the much needed elastics and thread to help their community, with these, and many other projects to help pass the time.
(Click on the screen cap above, to go to their online store.)
In their hurry to help as many customers as possible, and having started with one of the largest selections of fabrics in BC… the task before them to list ALL their products, will take time.
In the meantime, the folks at Overseas Fabrics are working long days, to try to help support the folks in their community, who are rightfully scared of the Virus, and looking for ways to get the fabrics and sewing products they need, safely and efficiently.
In the images below, you can see the precautions they have taken, to organize contact-free delivery of their online purchases.
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Kudos to the family-run business for their hard work in getting this running, and for continuing to just… BE AWESOME!
Overseas Fabrics store is located at 32853 Ventura Ave., Abbotsford, BC, V2S 6A3
Their online store is OverseasFabrics.com
Please check them out!
* I have said it before, but it bears repeating: The endorsement of this business was not bought. Nor was it paid for, by credits, free goods, discounted products or anything else. Any outside businesses, which are endorsed on the “What’s In Store” category of this Blog, are endorsed, because they are good businesses, that I frequent (or have frequented) and believe they are worthy of mention.
I do not accept payment or remuneration of any kind, for any of my Posts.