Strahl insists paternity has nothing to do with his political passion, though he lists it among his top qualifications for office: “I’ve seen how it’s done—I’ve lived it for a number of years,” he says. “I grew up in an MP’s home.” He remembers watching the free trade debates on TV as a kid, and first joined the Reform party at 14. He then worked for seven years, he adds, for an MP.
His campaign headquarters are in a strip mall, not far from Chilliwack High, his alma mater. On a recent visit, the carpet had just been laid, and the only person inside was a woman in her sixties, answering the phone. Admittedly, there isn’t a whole lot of heat in this race. Chuck won by more than 20,000 votes in 2008, his sixth straight win since 1993. These days, the elder Strahl, who in 2005 was diagnosed with lung cancer, plays the role of beloved elder statesman in Chilliwack.
“Dad is fit as a fiddle,” says Mark, who sports the same goatee as his father—“still runs a few times a week.” He’s “leaving my campaign to me,” he says. “But he’s still helping out where he can.”
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