Dan Coulter, former NDP MLA for Chilliwack, dead at 49

Last week, NDP provincial director Heather Stoutenburg said in a statement that Coulter had "experienced a serious medical emergency," and that he was in hospital.

Party said last week that Coulter was in hospital following a 'serious medical emergency'

Courtney Dickson · CBC News · Posted: Dec 13, 2024 12:42 PM EST | Last Updated: December 13, 2024

A man wearing a plaid shirt and sunglasses holds a microphone — Dan Coulter during the provincial election campaign in Chilliwack, B.C., on Sept. 26. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Former Chilliwack MLA Dan Coulter has died in hospital at the age of 49, according to a statement from the B.C. NDP.

Last week, the party's provincial director Heather Stoutenburg said in a statement that Coulter had "experienced a serious medical emergency" and that he was in hospital.

Coulter was elected to the legislature in 2020. During his time in provincial office, he served as the parliamentary secretary for accessibility and minister of state for infrastructure and transit.

He lost his seat in the October election but was appointed the new provincial director of the B.C. NDP.

A man in a wheelchair wearing a suit and tie, flanked by two other men in suits. — Dan Coulter at Government House in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)

"Dan was so much more than a colleague — he was a friend and a mentor," reads the statement from Stoutenburg and party president Aaron Sumexheltza.

"He was smart, funny, thoughtful and honest. But above all things, he was kind."

Premier David Eby said on social media that Coulter was an "incredible advocate" for workers and for the people of Chilliwack.

"Dan made friends everywhere," Eby said. "His joyful disposition lit up those around him."

Two people walk past a bus, while the other moves by in a wheelchair. — B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, right, walks past his bus as he arrives for a campaign stop with local candidates Dan Coulter and Kelli Paddon, in Chilliwack, B.C., on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also took to social media to share his condolences.

"His contributions towards justice and equity have profoundly impacted our communities and the labour movement," he wrote on X.

Before becoming MLA, Coulter was a school trustee and chair of the Chilliwack school board.

The NDP statement says a private service will be held on Saturday — one day before a public service for former premier John Horgan, who died last month at 65.