Mayor: Announced Candidates for Salmon Arm Mayor *Updated Sept 11th 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/

Council: Announced Candidates for Salmon Arm Council *Updated Sept 11th 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 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/

Trustees: Announced Candidates for Salmon Arm’s School District #83 Trustee Seats *Updated Sept 11th 2026*

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/

Codes of Conduct for Politicos

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.

Show me the money!

There’s a corollary to Tip 6(a) Budget Decisions are the Key https://timlavery.ca/2026/06/24/6a-budgetary-decisions-are-a-starting-point/ that’s also about what the community and elected officials value. Rather than the aspirational wording of mission statements and campaign promises, budget line items reflect the actual oomf behind meeting (or starting to anyhow) those values & targets.

It’s still true that if it’s not in the annual budget it’s not going to get done. It’s also true that what’s of value needs to be budgeted for. If x,y or z is an espoused goal, it needs to be reflected in the budget.