Fernie election candidates have been declared for the 2026 General Local Election, with two candidates running for mayor and ten seeking six seats on City Council.

Nominations closed Friday, September 11. Fernie residents will vote on Saturday, October 17, electing one mayor and six councillors to serve a four-year term from November 2026 to November 2030.

Current councillors Kyle Hamilton and Harshan Ramadass are running for mayor. Mayor Nic Milligan is not seeking re-election.

Ten candidates have put their names forward for Council:

Alleine J Anselmo
Tracey Audia Kelly — incumbent
Reto Barrington
Kathleen Dolan
Josh Gawryluk
Phil Iddon — former councillor
Taylor Petrucha
Ted Shoesmith — incumbent
Joshua Slykhuis
Scott Tibballs

Significant Change Coming to Council

Hamilton and Ramadass are leaving their councillor seats to run for mayor, while Tracey Audia Kelly and Ted Shoesmith are the only current councillors seeking re-election to Council. Councillors Kevin McIsaac and Troy Nixon are not on the candidate list.

As a result, at least four of Fernie’s six councillor positions will be filled by candidates who are not currently serving on Council.

The next Council will make decisions through 2030 on issues including growth, housing, infrastructure, taxation, transportation, recreation and municipal services.

There are an estimated 5,072 eligible voters in the City of Fernie, and Fernie has historically recorded strong voter turnout in municipal elections.

Advance voting will take place Wednesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 14, with General Voting Day on Saturday, October 17.

The candidate list remains subject to the statutory withdrawal and challenge period before the ballot is finalized.

Best wishes to all candidates.

Editor