Listen to the broadcast version of this story, which aired on September 14, 2026 on Kootenay Morning:
By Jaime Frederick, Local Journalism Initiative
Municipal election campaigns kicked off across BC on Friday, and Nelson’s mayoral race already promises to be another lively one with three candidates vying for the top job on Nelson city council. As of last Thursday, it looked like incumbent mayor Janice Morrison might end up running uncontested. However, two more candidates entered the race just prior to the deadline on Friday afternoon, namely former RDCK Area E Director Ramona Faust and newcomer Steve Bergevin.
Morrison said she’s looking forward to the campaign, and is seeking a second term to continue building on the work she’s done with council over the past four years. She cited developing the Official Community Plan and the Nelson Next plan as key highlights, while also addressing the need for infrastructure renewal and economic development.
“I think that we did some really good work in the last four years,” said Morrison. “I think we’ve got two sound documents there that really create a future vision for Nelson. I’d like to continue that momentum.
“A big part of what’s going to happen over, not only this next term, but future terms for future councils, is the need to renew our infrastructure,” she continued. “And this is going to be really valuable, I think, in terms of securing our economic resilience and helping to keep life affordable for Nelson. I mean, there’s going to be some major planning that needs to be done and I think I have the experienced leadership to help lead the team.”
Faust, who moved to Nelson from Procter a few years ago, says she decided to run against Morrison because she believes the city is facing challenges that she has the skills to solve. She cites her experience as an RDCK area director, her background in social services, and her time managing the Harrop-Procter Community Forest Co-operative.
“I’ve always viewed Nelson as an enclave of all that’s right with the world,” said Faust. “And of course we’ve got challenges. How we face those challenges in the future is really important to me. So I thought that, given I have served in government before and I’ve been on numerous committees and commissions with the City of Nelson–and I’m not coming completely in cold–I thought that my experience might be valuable to the people of Nelson.”
Though perhaps less experienced in government, Steve Bergevin, who has never previously held office, seems intent on making big changes at city hall if he’s elected. In a post on his Facebook page on Friday afternoon, Bergevin said that when he submitted his forms declaring his intention to run, he told the clerk on duty that he is planning to shake things up.
“I know it just won’t happen overnight, but, like, with direct democracy, I’d like to fire all the town councillors, and then, as well, step down as mayor,” said Bergevin. “I’ve already calculated it’s going to save taxpayers well over a million bucks over the four years of just salaries. And then, with all of the benefits and dental and medical and sick days, it, like, could be, like, this could be, like, well over a million bucks. And I’m, like, ‘Can I just put an asterisk there?’ And she’s, like, ‘Well, no, you can’t fire… you can’t fire elected representatives.’ And I’m, like, ‘Well, if I’m the mayor….’”
The campaign will continue over the next five weeks, with voters casting their ballots on Saturday, October 17th. There’s a big race for Nelson city council, as well, with 14 candidates in the running for six seats, including five incumbents: Keith Page, Leslie Payne, Jesse Pineiro, Kate Tait and Jesse Woodward. The other candidates for council are Devon Caron, Dario Cimolai, Ainsleah Hastings, David Johnston, Aviva Keely, Ian Parfitt, Jess Phillips, Martin Stegman, and Corey Viala. Hastings previously ran for council in 2022. Incumbent councillor Rik Logtenberg is not seeking re-election.
Kootenay Co-op Radio is planning on-air interviews with candidates on Kootenay Morning, as well as comprehensive coverage of the elections in communities throughout our broadcast area, both on air and on our website.
