Elections are all about available choices & options in real time. It’s helpful to recognize that candidates don’t run with or even against perfection. It’s more about candidates’ abilities to make the best decisions for SA amidst complex and often imperfect options. Given that, its so important to understand who our candidates are #SalmonArm

Candidates will have their own election campaign channels but here’s a link to contact info they provided in their nomination filings. Note: A few candidates haven’t provided any links at least to date. https://www.salmonarm.ca/526/General-Local-Election

Aim High will also link to other All Candidates meetings, forums & questionnaires as they’re announced. Stay tuned as our local election is set to soon ramp up.

Meanwhile, now’s the time to submit any Qs for candidates you may have. Use the Contact Tab at the top right to submit your own Qs. Questions should be worded in a general way so that all candidates for mayor or council or school trustee can respond. Thx

From close of the nomination period – all in one spot … from https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/7476/DECLARATION-OF-CANDIDATES—September-11-2026

I’ll update this list regularly as public announced statements are made and/or nominations are filed and posted – in order (as best as can be determined). If you’re a candidate who’s publicly announced but I’ve missed you, please let me know! The official final confirmed list will be updated in mid-September.

• Alan Harrison (Incumbent) –Announced & Filed
• Daniel Bardy – Filed

Here’s the link for publicly announced Candidates for Salmon Arm Council seats (6 positions) https://timlavery.ca/2026/08/08/announced-candidates-for-salmon-arm-council/

Here’s the link for publicly announced Candidates for Salmon Arm’s two SD83 Trustee positions https://timlavery.ca/2026/08/08/announced-candidates-for-salmon-arms-school-district-83-trustee-seats/

I’ll update this list regularly as public announced statements are made and/or nominations are filed and posted– in order (as best as can be determined). If you’re a candidate who’s publicly announced but I’ve missed you, please let me know! The tally of those who have formally filed will be updated at the end of each day as the Chief Elections Officer updates the list (see link below). The official final confirmed list will be updated in mid-September. There are 6 positions on Salmon Arm council.

• River Grabowsky – Announced & Filed
• Marianne VanBuskirk – Announced & Filed
• Owen Madden – Announced & Filed
• Robin Wiens – Announced & Filed
• Shelley Desautels – Announced & Filed
• Morgan Turland – Announced & Filed
• Scott Syme – Announced & Filed
• Kari Toliver Wilkinson – Announced & Filed
• Debbie Cannon (Incumbent) – Announced & Filed
• David Gonella (Incumbent) – Announced & Filed
• Louise Wallace Richmond (Incumbent) – Announced & Filed
• Jo McDermott – Announced & Filed
• Anthony McLean – Filed
• Ian Gray – Filed
• Adam Meikle – Filed
• Vic Hamilton – Announced & Filed
• Aaron Canart – Filed
• Drayson Netzelwood – Filed

The nomination period to officially submit papers is Sept 1st – 11th. We’re likely to see further candidate announcements by the end of the 11th. During this formal nomination period, the Chief Elections Officer will regularly post at the end of each day who has filed their nomination papers. Here’s the city election page link to Who has formally filed! Also listed there is contact campaign info, websites and social media platforms that candidates may have provided.

See https://timlavery.ca/2026/08/10/hx-of-candidates-for-salmon-arm-council/ for the number of candidates who have run in our past local elections since 2008.

Here’s the link for publicly announced Candidates for Salmon Arm Mayor https://timlavery.ca/2026/08/08/announced-candidates-for-salmon-arm-mayor/

Here’s the link for publicly announced Candidates for Salmon Arm’s two SD83 Trustee positions https://timlavery.ca/2026/08/08/announced-candidates-for-salmon-arms-school-district-83-trustee-seats/

There are 2 trustee positions for Salmon Arm on SD #83’s five seat board. I’ll update this list regularly as public announced statements are made and/or nominations are filed and posted – in order (as best as can be determined). If you’re a candidate who’s publicly announced but I’ve missed you, please let me know! The tally of those who have formally filed will be updated at the end of each day as the Chief Elections Officer updates the list (see link below). The official final confirmed list will be updated in mid-September.

• Linda Martens – Announced & Filed
• Tracy Riley – Announced & Filed
• Claire Askew – Announced & Filed
• Melissa Parmenter – Announced & Filed

The nomination period to officially submit papers is Sept 1st – 11th. During this formal nomination period, the Chief Elections Officer will regularly post at the end of each day who has filed their nomination papers. Here’s the city election page link to Who has formally filed! Also listed there is contact campaign info, websites and social media platforms that candidates may have provided.

Here’s the link for publicly announced Candidates for Salmon Arm Mayor https://timlavery.ca/2026/08/08/announced-candidates-for-salmon-arm-mayor/

Here’s the link for publicly announced Candidates for Salmon Arm Council seats (6 positions) https://timlavery.ca/2026/08/08/announced-candidates-for-salmon-arm-council/

Now if 10 year olds can develop & adhere to a code of responsible conduct ……

Backstory: Years ago our backyard was a hub for a mud kitchen for the neighbourhood kids. Things went smoothingly well for years so it was a bit of surprise to us that a ‘code’ was developed & literally posted by the participants. Still no idea why and still have long-standing Qs about that *creaming* part 😛 but they had their rules. This still remains on our garage wall as a reminder to be kind, respectful & not obnoxious.

The provincial government is amending the Community Charter to transition to a mandatory, provincewide code of conduct for all local government elected officials in alignment with our upcoming October elections.  While exact details are yet to be announced, the new code is intended to address issues such as bullying, meeting disruptions, marginalization of members, conflict of interest violations, and staff mistreatment. It’s so appalling it’s come to this in too many other jurisdictions. Stay tuned!

FTR: Salmon Arm has had our own locally developed Code based on best practices for the past 4 years as well as a respectful elected table committed to individual responsible behaviour. It works if elected officials are committed to making things work.