Maple Ridge voters oust mayor, reject $393M recreation plan; Pitt Meadows re-elects MacDonald
Voters in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows delivered two very different outcomes in the 2026 municipal elections, replacing the mayor and reshaping council in Maple Ridge while returning most incumbents to office in Pitt Meadows.
In Maple Ridge, Jerry Kok defeated incumbent Mayor Dan Ruimy, ending Ruimy’s first term in office and delivering a significant setback to his A Better Maple Ridge (BMR) slate.
The election also saw residents reject all three borrowing proposals under the city’s Recreation Ready initiative, which would have authorized up to $393 million in borrowing for a new aquatic and recreation centre, a community park and an arena expansion.
Meanwhile, Pitt Meadows Mayor Nicole MacDonald secured a decisive second term, defeating former longtime councillor Janis Elkerton, retaining a largely unchanged council.
The results set up a contrasting political direction over the next four years, with Maple Ridge facing renewed debates over recreation spending, taxation and development, while Pitt Meadows continues under an administration focused on public safety, infrastructure and managing growth.
Maple Ridge: Kok defeats Ruimy as voters demand change
Kok won the mayoral race with 12,347 votes, representing approximately 57.1 percent of ballots cast, compared with 8,932 votes, or 41.3 percent, for Ruimy.
The victory marks a significant shift in Maple Ridge politics following four years under Ruimy, whose slate had campaigned on its record of investing in public safety, infrastructure, housing and recreation.
Kok, a former Maple Ridge Chamber of Commerce president, campaigned on fiscal responsibility, economic development, public safety and more responsive leadership at city hall.
He was also an outspoken opponent of the city’s proposed $393-million recreation borrowing plan, raising concerns about affordability and the financial burden on taxpayers.
The election produced a politically mixed council, with just two BMR candidates winning seats.
The six elected councillors are:
- Judy Dueck – 9,418 votes
- Chelsa Meadus – 9,403 votes
- Bob D’Eith (BMR) – 8,763 votes
- Mike Morden – 8,323 votes
- Korleen Carreras (BMR) – 7,387 votes
- Andrew Laity – 7,371 votes
Dueck and Carreras return as incumbent councillors, while Meadus and Morden return to municipal office after previously serving on council. D’Eith, a former provincial MLA, and Laity join the council.
Morden, who served as Maple Ridge mayor from 2018 to 2022, returns to city hall in a different role after losing the mayoralty to Ruimy four years earlier.
Meadus also returns after campaigning on financial accountability and concerns over municipal spending.
For the BMR slate, the results represent a significant reduction in political influence. While Carreras retained her seat and D’Eith was elected, the slate’s other council candidates, Leanne Koehn and Bhupinder Johar, were unsuccessful.
Maple Ridge rejects all three recreation referendum questions
Perhaps the clearest message from Maple Ridge voters came through the referendum on the city’s Recreation Ready plan.
Residents were asked to approve three separate borrowing bylaws totalling $393 million, representing one of the largest proposed recreation investments in the city’s history. All three questions were defeated.
The proposed Hammond aquatic facility faced substantial opposition, with approximately 67.5 percent voting against borrowing for the project.
The proposed multi-use park, planned for a 40-acre property on Golf Lane, received even less support, with approximately 70.4 percent voting no.
The Albion arena expansion proved the most competitive of the three questions, but was still defeated, with approximately 54.9 percent voting against the borrowing proposal.
The outcome leaves the future of Maple Ridge’s recreation infrastructure plans uncertain. The city had proposed the projects to address growing demand for recreation facilities as Maple Ridge’s population continues to increase.
However, concerns about the borrowing costs, potential property tax impacts and the scope of the projects became central issues during the municipal campaign.
The results mean the city does not have voter authorization to proceed with the proposed borrowing under those bylaws.
City staff have indicated they will seek direction from the newly elected council on next steps, potentially opening the door to revised proposals, alternative financing or a reconsideration of the city’s recreation priorities.
Pitt Meadows: MacDonald wins decisive second term
While Maple Ridge voters opted for political change, Pitt Meadows residents overwhelmingly supported incumbent Mayor Nicole MacDonald, returning her to office for another four years.
MacDonald received 3,586 votes, or approximately 76.9 percent of ballots cast, compared with 1,021 votes, or 21.9 percent, for challenger Janis Elkerton.
Elkerton, a former longtime councillor with more than two decades of experience on Pitt Meadows council, campaigned on fiscal responsibility, public safety, flood protection and preserving agricultural land.
MacDonald, meanwhile, emphasized her administration’s accomplishments over the previous four years, including transitioning Pitt Meadows to 24-hour professional firefighting coverage, advancing plans for a standalone RCMP detachment and investing in public safety.
Her campaign also focused on responsible growth, infrastructure improvements and maintaining the community’s small-town character.
The decisive result provides MacDonald with a renewed mandate to continue several major initiatives already underway.
Pitt Meadows voters also returned five incumbent councillors, with one newcomer joining the table.
The six elected councillors are:
- Alison Evans – 3,093 votes
- Tracy Elke – 2,886 votes
- Bob Meachen –
2,727votes - Mike Hayes –
2,654votes - Mike Manion – 2,440 votes
- Ariane Jaschke –
2,032votes
Jaschke, a local business owner, photographer and member of the city’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, was the only newcomer elected.
She replaces longtime Coun. Gwen O’Connell, who did not return to council after 26 years of elected service.
The election results suggest broad support for the direction of the previous council, although significant decisions remain ahead.
Among the issues facing the returning administration are the city’s planned RCMP detachment, ongoing investments in fire protection, housing growth, transportation infrastructure and the protection of agricultural lands.
The future of lands proposed for removal from the Agricultural Land Reserve could also remain contentious following a September council decision to support a proposed boundary adjustment, which Manion opposed.
Voter turnout increases in Maple Ridge
The election also brought increased voter participation in Maple Ridge.
According to preliminary results released by the city, 21,612 ballots were cast, representing approximately 30.18 percent of eligible voters.
That compares with 14,491 ballots cast in 2022, when turnout was approximately 21.87 percent. The number of ballots cast increased by nearly 50 percent, suggesting heightened public interest in the election and referendum.
Pitt Meadows reported 4,665 ballots cast, representing approximately 31 percent voter turnout.
The two communities recorded similar participation rates despite their different electoral outcomes.
School board election results
Voters also selected their representatives on the Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Board of Education.
The five school trustees elected to represent Maple Ridge are Elaine Yamamoto, Mike Murray, Mark Bailey, Pascale Shaw and Jacquie Montgomery.
In Pitt Meadows, Trudi Appleton and Terra Slade were elected to the city’s two school trustee positions.
Together, the seven trustees will oversee School District 42 during the next four-year term, including decisions related to enrolment growth, school facilities, budgets and educational priorities.
