Conservative Party admits Mark Strahl has been missing since April federal election
Party insiders ponder if Strahl understands that he actually is the member of Parliament for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon
Pierre Poilievre shared his concern with the press gallery in Ottawa this week as Conservative MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon Mark Strahl hasn’t been seen in nearly three months.
The Ottawa Police Service and the Chilliwack RCMP issued missing person reports for the 47-year-old back bencher on July 1.
Strahl’s fellow Conservatives haven’t heard from him since April 28, 2025, the day of the federal election when he was re-elected for a fifth time.
“If you are out there Mark, come home,” Poilievre said, flanked by John Barlow, Shelby Kramp-Neuman, Ben Lobb and other Conservative MPs no one has ever heard of.
“Your seat is warm. The coffee is hot. And we’ve still got nothing for you to do.”
Strahl was first handed the mantle of MP on March 11, 2011, in a ceremony in East Chilliwack at the family compound when Chuck Strahl told him for the first time ever that he was stepping down, something the family never ever ever discussed before at all, totally, promise.
A day later, Strahl resigned as president of the Conservative Party’s local riding association to become MP.
“Just to be clear, I have no access to membership lists, email lists, or the party database,” he said.
“Wow,” said fellow Conservatives who were not given enough time to seek the nomination. “Dad retires after 18 years as MP and Mark only knew about it the day before? That makes sense. Then Mark stepped down from the party’s riding association and he doesn’t have access to membership lists? OK, carry on.”
Strahl was elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2015, 2019, 2021, and on April 28, 2025, but some concerned residents and politicians wonder if Mark Strahl actually knows he even is the member of Parliament.
“It’s possible that his father was MP for so long that during all those elections he thought ‘Mark Strahl’ was the campaign slogan and not his name,” party member Menno Froese said. “Every election church-goers are told that when they get into the booth to make sure they ‘mark Strahl’ on the ballot. Maybe he just marked ‘Strahl’ and went home?”
Real Chilliwack News & Something Worth Reading reached out to politicians at other levels of government locally to find out what Strahl’s varied accomplishments have been during his 14 years in Ottawa.
In 2015, he got wet with Mayor Sharon Gaetz for a photo-op announcing $425,550 in federal funding for community infrastructure, including a renovated spray park at The Landing.
Then in 2017, Strahl bragged that he “worked very hard” to get Chilliwack Community Services a grant of $94,354 for a Youth Homelessness Prevention project.
“Yes, the Homelessness Partnering Strategy was a program I didn’t create, and Chilliwack Community Services sent in the application, and funding recipients were decided upon by bureaucrats,” Strahl said at the time. “But I worked very hard.”
Seven years later in 2024 his office issued a press release announcing that seniors groups could apply for funding for projects. Since the 2025 election, the Strahl team has issued two news releases: One is just a Tweet with the headline “Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss. The other is announcing his Canada Day contest, grand prize a Canadian flag.
So there’s all that.
His most high-profile accomplishment was fighting for Briane, the famous single mother working a minimum wage job who had her bank account personally frozen by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau because she donated $50 to the "Freedom Convoy" protests.
Briane is a single mom from Chilliwack working a minimum wage job. She gave $50 to the convoy when it was 100% legal. She hasn’t participated in any other way. Her bank account has now been frozen. This is who Justin Trudeau is actually targeting with his Emergencies Act orders.
— Mark Strahl (@markstrahl) February 20, 2022
Strahl was then unfairly targeted by the media just because he refused to share her last name, and because there was no evidence of anyone with that name who donated $50 to the protest, and he declined to speak to the press or provide any further information about her.
Police say it is possible that if Strahl is located, they might also find Briane who has been missing since Feb. 20, 2022.
In his 14 years, Strahl has served in a few less than high-priority roles such as, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Chief Opposition Whip, and Opposition Critic for Labour, the latter a job given to him ironically since he hasn’t ever had a job.
Currently, Strahl holds the title of “Special Advisor for British Columbia,” a Conservative caucus role primarily meant to tell Poilievre and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith the best routes for oil pipelines to the coast.
Since Strahl was reported missing, officers have been checking places he is known to visit but he hasn't appeared.
He is described as:
• Height: 5 ft 9 in;
• Weight: 220 pounds;
• Eye colour: brown;
• Hair colour and style: brown, Parliament cut;
• Last seen wearing: blue suit, white shirt, blue tie.
• He has a goatee and wears glasses, often seen smiling at nothing in particular, could appear lost or confused.
Anyone who sees Strahl or knows his whereabouts is asked to call Ottawa Police Service at 248-434-5508. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Parliamentary Crime Stoppers.
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Paul J. Henderson & Real Chilliwack News
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