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By Victor Kaisar

Barriere By-election

First of two days of advanced polls underway in Barriere

Feb 15, 2025 | 1:37 PM

BARRIERE B.C. — It’s the first of two days of advanced polls in the District of Barriere as residents have until 8:00 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 15) to vote for a new mayor and a new councillor.

The by-election is being held to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Mayor Ward Stamer, who was elected as the MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson in October’s provincial election.

There are two candidates in the running to fill Stamer’s seat – former councillor Rob Kerslake, who had been serving as acting mayor for the past few months, and Bill Humphreys, who served one term as mayor between 2011 and 2014.

Speaking to CFJC Today, Stamer threw his support behind Kerslake, saying he did “an admirable job” when he stepped up last fall.

“Rob’s a good guy. He was involved in our rebuilding of the downtown Barriere building centre,” Stamer said. “We called him Captain Kerslake, as he was in charge of the project for us and came in on time and on budget, so I would certainly support Rob as our new mayor.”

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There are four candidates – Stephen Boylan, Alan Fortin, Bob George, and Brody Mosdell – who are running for Kerslake’s old council seat. Kerslake was required under the Local Government Act to step down as he is running for mayor.

Stamer also said while he had a preferred council candidate in mind, he did not want to endorse any of them publicly.

“I was pretty straightforward when I said that I would support Rob as our new mayor, but as for the councillors, people should find out where their positions are and then make an informed decision,” Stamer said.

Residents will also be able to vote in advance on Wednesday, Feb. 19, or on Election Day Saturday, March 1. Ballots can be cast in-person at district office at “The Ridge” located at 4936 Barriere Town Road between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m..

The successful candidates will serve a little under two years in office, with the next municipal election in B.C. scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026

For more on the upcoming by-election in Barriere, go here.