Fernie Mayoral Candidates Kyle Hamilton and Harshan Ramadass were asked 10 questions designed to give voters a better understanding of how they would lead, work with others, approach difficult decisions and guide Fernie over the next four years.
Fernie.com provided both candidates with the same questions, the same 100-word limit for each response and the same submission deadline. Responses are presented as submitted, with formatting standardized for publication. One response was shortened to meet the 100-word limit without changing its meaning.
1. How do you work with people you strongly disagree with?
Kyle Hamilton:
Politics requires working with a variety of people, some of whom I may not always see eye to eye with. When I disagree with someone, I still work to find common ground to move the situation towards a resolution. The most important thing, for me, is to remain respectful and acknowledge our differences. When we are able to find common ground, we can then make better, more representative decisions for the betterment of our community.
Harshan Ramadass:
I first try to understand why they hold that position. Once I understand their motivation, I look for common ground and ways to work through our differences. As Mayor, I believe people should expect both the courage to stand by my principles and the humility to work constructively with those who disagree with me.
2. What makes you change your mind?
Kyle Hamilton:
I always try to remain open and receptive to new information, whether that means new facts or hearing from residents about how a decision will affect their lives. The proposed sale of Max Turyk is a good example. Initially, I saw it as an opportunity to reduce future risk by selling a City-owned property to the French School District. After hearing how much the community valued the space and amenities, I was willing to reconsider. An elected official should enter every meeting with an open mind and be prepared to make decisions based on the information presented.
Harshan Ramadass:
I have changed my mind many times at the council table, and I see that as a strength. With seven people bringing different perspectives, listening matters. I come back to one question: Is this in the best interests of Fernie, today and into the future? If the evidence tells me it is, I will change my mind.
3. How important is compromise in local government?
Kyle Hamilton:
Mayor and Council may be elected by certain constituents, but once elected, we represent the entire community. This means we are regularly required to compromise to best meet the needs of the residents. Better decisions for the long-term well-being of the community often come about as the result of respectful debate that produces compromise at the Council table. As Mayor, my vote will be one of seven, but my role at the table will be to guide the debate and to identify common ground where it exists, and help Council reach decisions that serve the community as a whole.
Harshan Ramadass:
Compromise is essential. Council has to balance community needs, limited resources and competing priorities. Seven people won’t always agree, but our job is to listen, evaluate the facts and find a responsible path forward. Compromise doesn’t mean abandoning principles—it means finding common ground.
4. How do you respond when a decision doesn’t go your way?
Kyle Hamilton:
A good example is the Firehall Site selection. I supported a different location, but Council as a body voted, and I respect that process. The community needed a new firehall as quickly, and affordably as possible, so I committed fully to moving the project forward. This ensured that the process was not delayed, nor added any unnecessary costs to the bill.
Harshan Ramadass:
I look at my own approach first. Did I make my case effectively? Could I have communicated it better? Once council makes a decision, I respect the democratic process and continue working for the best interests of Fernie.
5. What makes someone a good team member on council?
Kyle Hamilton:
We need to recognize that everyone at the table is trying to make the community better, from their unique perspective. A good team member is open-minded and fair in their decision-making, and shows up to every meeting having read the agenda package and ready to discuss and debate. Being properly prepared is one of the most important things we owe the people who elected us. It is also important to share your thoughts, especially if you are voting against a resolution. All of Council, and the community, benefit from dissenting opinions and the ensuing discussion.
Harshan Ramadass:
Three qualities stand out: sincerity, courage and humility. Sincerity to genuinely work for the community, courage to stand up for what you believe—even when it’s unpopular—and humility to recognize that you don’t have all the answers.
6. How should personal beliefs and public opinion influence your decisions?
Kyle Hamilton:
Public opinion is extremely important to consider, and so are the second- and third-order consequences of each option as well as the long-term well-being of the community. Making decisions based solely on public opinion, or personal beliefs, without weighing all outcomes, is not good governance.
Harshan Ramadass:
Public opinion matters. We don’t govern in a bubble. But it has to be balanced with the operational, legal and financial realities staff bring forward. My responsibility is to listen, consider the evidence, make a decision in the community’s best interests—and explain why I made it.
7. How should council deal with an issue when the community itself is divided?
Kyle Hamilton:
Divided issues are some of the hardest issues council must decide; but they are part of the job. Council’s role is to listen to the broadest range of perspectives in the community, weight the facts, and make a decision. When residents are on the side of a decision that didn’t go their way, its important to esure that they know they were heard, and their perspective understood. Everyone at the Council table must be clear in articulating why they voted a particular way. That is how we keep trust in the process, even when people disagree with the outcome.
Harshan Ramadass:
First, listen and understand why people are divided. Where appropriate, a referendum can provide a clear expression of community preference. Otherwise, council has to do its job: consider the different perspectives and evidence and make the best decision for Fernie’s long-term interests.
8. What has the current council done well, and what should the next council do differently?
Kyle Hamilton:
This current council has done a tremendous job of moving forward a number of projects and decisions that have been kicked down the road. I sincerely hope that the next council continues to demonstrate the political will to take on challenging decisions. Delaying a decision because it is politically charged today simply delays when the challenge must be faced, and has historically only increased the eventual costs. One thing I intend to implement is stronger communication of project timelines, so residents aren’t wondering when project phases begin and end.
Harshan Ramadass:
We’ve improved communication, strengthened the budget process, improved planning and permit turnaround times, made progress on housing and strengthened relationships with community and regional partners. The next council needs to build on that progress with focused leadership from day one. Fernie doesn’t have two years to get organized. We need clear priorities and the ability to move important projects forward.
9. What are the most difficult decisions the next council will have to make?
Kyle Hamilton:
I foresee the most difficult decisions that the next council will have to make are how to fund and resource the significant infrastructure deficits the community faces. With over $50 million in spending required to upgrade the sewage system in the next 3-5 years, the next council will need to decide how to balance tax increases, debt financing, and grant applications to mitigate the impact on local ratepayers, while still ensuring that these critical infrastructure projects don’t stall. It’s one reason engagement and fostering relationships with higher levels of government is so important to Fernie’s and our taxpayers’ future.
Harshan Ramadass:
Financing the infrastructure Fernie needs will be one of the biggest challenges. That may require significant borrowing, and that’s a serious responsibility to taxpayers. But there is also a cost to not investing. The next council will have to make disciplined decisions about what we build, what we can afford and how we pay for it. These decisions will help shape Fernie’s future.
10. Why should Fernie residents vote for you?
Kyle Hamilton:
Fernie is a special place. I chose to settle here 20 years ago. I’m raising my family here, and have started businesses here. I’m running for Mayor to ensure that we manage and protect what makes Fernie, “Fernie”. Two terms on Council have helped me understand our community’s challenges. As Mayor, my priorities will be securing funding and delivering on critical infrastructure, building homes so that people who work here can live here, expanding or economic base, and keeping the political will to make difficult decisions now, rather than leaving them for future generations.
Harshan Ramadass:
Leadership. I’ve spent my career leading people, navigating complex issues and working with diverse stakeholders. Experience. I’ve already served four years on council. I know the files, the people and the realities of municipal government. Commitment. My family is here. My daughter is growing up here. Fernie is home, and I’m running because I want to help make it an even better place for everyone who calls it home. I’m ready to lead from day one.
Get informed. Get involved. Vote.: Advance voting is October 7 and 14, with General Voting Day on October 17, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre, 562 3rd Avenue.
