Al Raine, Mayor of Sun Peaks (Image Credit: CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

Al Raine

Sun Peaks mayor unveils ALS diagnosis, plans to help with smooth transition before resignation

May 24, 2024 | 8:47 AM

SUN PEAKS, B.C. — The mayor of Sun Peaks says he’s accepted his fate and will continue to oversee initiatives in the mountain resort municipality before it’s time for him to step down.

In an open letter to the community on May 13, Sun Peaks Mayor Al Raine unveiled he was diagnosed with Bulbar-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, about a month prior. Bulbar ALS targets the face and neck area before spreading to the limbs.

The 82-year-old Raine says he is not suffering, and outside of deteriorating speech, restricted swallowing and a weak voice, he feels fine.

“Obviously, the initial reaction is devastating,” Raine told CFJC Today in an email. “However, after a few days, one learns to accept reality and you begin making plans. At my age, one has already thought about the end of life, so it is much easier to accept. After announcing my diagnosis to the community and requesting no sad faces or sympathy wishes and to please just carry on with day-to-day discussions, I am so pleased at the community response. I am out and about, and everyone is fully respectful of my wish.”

In the meantime, Raine notes he will continue to serve as the resort municipality’s mayor and work with Sun Peaks council and staff to ensure there’s a smooth transition before he resigns — although there is no firm timeline.

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“I will be meeting with some specialists over the next few weeks, and I am hopeful they will outline what to expect in the comings months,” Raine says. “I want to see an affordable non-market employee housing project approved and under construction and then I want to see a First Nations/provincial/municipal agreement on reconciliation and revenue sharing and recognition of Sun Peaks with our neighbouring bands. I hope that I have enough time left.”

Deanna Campbell, the Mountain Resort Municipality of Sun Peaks’ chief administrative officer, told CFJC Today that council and staff are respecting the mayor’s wishes to continue with business as usual.

“In true Al Raine fashion, he has certainly not slowed down,” Campbell says. “We have sat down to start talking about a transition plan, but I’m taking his lead on this. He’s definitely set up the municipality for success. We’ll continue to execute on a number of his and council’s priorities… those initiatives and projects will continue to be our focus once he has stepped down.”

The resort municipality will hold a by-election for the mayor’s seat once Raine resigns. According to the B.C. Local Government Act, the municipality must appoint a chief election officer for the by-election as soon as practicable following a vacancy. The election officer must set a general voting day for the by-election, on a Saturday, no later than 80 days after they were appointed.

During the transition from Raine’s resignation to the by-election winner being sworn in, Campbell says whichever member of Sun Peaks is scheduled to serve as the municipality’s deputy mayor for the month will be the acting mayor. She notes Councillor Julie Kimmel will be Sun Peaks’ acting mayor for the next month.

Since incorporation in 2010, Raine has been the only mayor Sun Peaks residents have had, securing his previous three terms via acclamation. He notes he hasn’t reflected on what he expects the feeling of no longer serving as the resort municipality’s mayor will be but he’s confident Sun Peaks council, and the community as a whole, will be able to carry the torch once his time has come.

“We have capable people,” Raine says. “I am extremely proud of how our council has worked together with Sun Peaks Resort LLP and the Province of British Columbia to achieve the growth in both community and visitors to Sun Peaks.”