The Candidates Vying for a Seat at the Local Government Table
The 2026 municipal government election campaign is underway with voters heading to the polls on October 17. To help Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce members dig a little deeper into who they might want to vote for, we have reached out to the candidates with an ask to introduce themselves.
Getting To Know Those You Will Be Voting For
Every four years, Greater Nelson residents head to the polls to choose the individuals they feel will provide the best leadership for our community at the municipal level. Local government is the most tangible level in our system. City council and the regional district elected representatives make decisions and create policy that impacts our daily lives, the businesses we run and the neighbourhoods we live in.
Through its advocacy efforts, the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce promotes business growth, sustainable development and job creation. Our work includes facilitating strong, productive relationships with the community, educational institutions, businesses, non-profits and government organizations.
With campaigns now underway, the Chamber is focused on providing our membership with insight on the personalties and platforms vying for office on October 17. We want to know what candidates are specifically thinking about issues that impact the business community. How they will advocate, base their decisions and deal with the inevitable unpredictability of local government.
We start with an introduction of the candidates for Nelson mayor, Nelson council and Regional District of Central Kootenay Area E. After nominations closed, we emailed all candidates in these races with the simple question: Please introduce yourself to the Greater Nelson business community 400 words are fewer. The responses are below.
The Chamber will also provide all candidates with two more specific business-related questions later it the campaign and also publish these responses on our website.
Please note that in RDCK Area F, Tom Newell has been acclaimed.
Nelson Mayor
Ramona Faust
Hello, my name is Ramona Faust, and I am running for mayor of the City of Nelson because I recognize Nelson’s enormous potential to thrive in these challenging times. I believe my experience in collaborative decision-making can lead and support the city I care about to be nimble in the face of change.
Mayoral candidate Ramona Faust
I have lived in the greater Nelson area for 52 years, spending a couple of years in Vancouver for education and work experience. I have been married for 46 years, living in Nelson, Blewett, and Procter before buying a home in Nelson in 2019 and moving in 2023. We raised our family of three children and grew my husband’s construction business in the Kootenay Lake area, understanding the ebb and flow of the economy after surviving two economic downturns.
My employment history includes the Ministry of Forests, School District 8, co-founder and General Manager of the Harrop-Procter Community Forest Co-operative, and Executive Director of North Kootenay Lake Community Services.
I was elected four times as the Regional District Director for RDCK Area E, retiring in 2022. During those 14 years, I served on the Nelson and Area Economic Partnership, as Chair of the Nelson and District Recreation Commission, Chair of the Nelson Salmo Area E, F, G Parks Commission, and worked in formal partnerships with the City of Nelson on waste, recycling, and transit.
I represented the RDCK on the Southern Interior Development Trust (Etsi). I also represented the Union of BC Municipalities on the board of the Real Estate Foundation of BC for six years (serving two as chairperson) and was appointed to the Columbia River Treaty Local Government Committee from 2018 to 2022.
Since retiring, I served on the Kootenay Food Policy Council until spring 2026. I currently serve on the pan-Canadian local government Climate Caucus and am Chairperson of the West Kootenay Watershed Collaborative.
Janice Morrison
Greetings Chamber Members,
It has been a great honour to have served our community for 15 years – elected as a councillor in 1999, 2014 and 2018 and then as Mayor in 2022. Real progress takes time, dedication and a clear vision. I am now asking for your support for a second term as Mayor to deliver the affordable, resilient future our city, our home, deserves.
Mayoral candidate Janice Morrison
In this past term, as a council and a community, we did the hard work of deciding where we are heading. We sat together and built the Official Community Plan, alongside our NelsonNext climate action plan, both road maps grounded in the priorities and values Nelson residents and businesses named as important. This work matters as it will be the guide to the next four years: building and infrastructure renewal.
Experienced leadership will be vital as we move forward. None of what is in front of us is simple or cheap. Nelson already carries a high tax burden, and I don’t believe the answer to funding this work is to keep asking residents and businesses for more. My approach is to pursue every dollar of Provincial and Federal infrastructure funding available to us and to make prudent, disciplined use of the reserves we’ve built, guided by a comprehensive asset management plan. Funding for one project often can’t simply be shifted to another if things change, so we need to stay flexible and planned, rather than reactive, to keep these projects affordable for everyone.
Vision, Values, Voice – Experience Leadership. Together, let’s ensure Nelson is economically vibrant, socially responsible and environmentally resilient.
About Janice – I have lived in Nelson for the past 36 years with family living here since the 1920’s. I have retired from a rewarding 35+ year career as a physical therapist at our KLH. With my partner, Mike, we owned a small business – Kastlerock BnB for 22 years. I am a past President of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce and former chair of the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation. As Secretary/Treasurer of the Health Sciences Association of BC, I oversaw an $18M operating budget and a $3M investment portfolio. I served as a trustee for the Municipal Finance Authority of BC. I am currently a trustee for the Municipal Pension Plan, serving on the valuation and investment committees.
Nelson Council
Devon Caron
My name is Devon Caron, and I am running for Nelson City Council.
Nelson has been home for most of the last twenty years. It is where my wife and I have built our life and raised our family, where I have worked, volunteered, made friends, celebrated with our community and worried about the things that need to be better.
City council candidate Devon Caron
I am currently the Operations Manager at The Civic Theatre. Over the years, I have also served as a director and president of the Nelson and District Arts Council, volunteered as a restorative justice facilitator, worked at markets and festivals, and served on the Nelson Police Board since 2022. Those experiences have taught me that good community work is often complicated. People do not always agree, resources are limited, and good decisions take more listening than talking.
Before and alongside my nonprofit work, I have worked in a number of small businesses. While I have never owned one myself, I have seen how much business owners carry, and how much they give back to this community. In a town this size, local businesses do so much more than sell goods or services. They sponsor teams and events, support arts organizations, employ people and help make Nelson the place we love.
I want a Nelson that is safe, vibrant and prepared for the future. A strong local economy is not separate from the rest of community life. It depends on a downtown where people want to spend time, reliable transit that helps people get to work and move around the city, well-maintained infrastructure, public spaces, arts and recreation, and thoughtful planning before problems become emergencies.
Local businesses are navigating affordability pressures, public safety concerns, staffing challenges and broader economic uncertainty. I will do the work to understand how City decisions land on business owners, their employees and the people who rely on their services. I will ask questions when I need to, listen to people who will be affected and make the best decision I can.
I would be honoured to earn your support on October 17.
Dario Cimolai
For those who don’t know me, my name is Dario Cimolai and I’m running for council to make the beautiful City Of Nelson even better.
I’m the father of now two adult children who have benefitted from living in such a great little city.
City council candidate Dario Cimolai
I’m a recently semi-retired journeyman electrician with a contractors permit and have worked as an electrician for the last 30 years. I served for five years as a councillor with the City of Kimberley. I have spent the last five years working for Nelson Hydro and the City of Nelson as a journeyman electrician. That experience has given me a close look at what the City of Nelson does and how they do it.
It was a great experience to combine my paper shuffling past as a councillor in Kimberley, and a close-up look at the operating departments of the City of Nelson.
I’m optimistic that I will be able to use this experience to benefit the community.
In the past I created and co-managed a couple of coffee shops. One in Kimberley, The Snowdrift cafe still existing, and the now re-labeled L&C Café on Radio Avenue. I’m happy both those businesses still exist because as a small business creator, you have a lot of confidence with your ideas, but you never really know if things will really work out. Challenges such as a global pandemic can get in the way. Owning a small business can be more challenging than collecting a check from an employer.
In the past, I’ve also worked in the mining, forest, and tourism industries in the east and west Kootenays. These experiences have given me a good understanding of how small communities in the Kooteneys operate and what makes them successful.
Some people have chosen to call the time we live in now the age of uncertainty. In many ways, I believe they are correct and there are many challenges that affect all of us. I believe the key to our future is to focus on the resilience of our area, to help make Nelson affordable to all age groups, sustain a clean environment, and create diversity in our economy that will help us navigate the many changes happening around us.
My goal if elected is to help council make good choices that will help Nelson succeed and retain the beauty and character of the community that we share and enjoy.
Ainsleah Hastings
My name is Ainsleah Hastings, and I’m running for Nelson City Council because I believe communities and economies are most resilient when residents have the opportunity to fully participate in the place they call home.
City council candidate Ainsleah Hastings
I was born and raised in Nelson. After spending 15 years away, primarily in Vancouver, I returned home in 2020. My own experience with housing insecurity, combined with the rising cost of living I saw upon returning to Nelson, was a major reason I first ran for Council in 2022. Since then, I’ve continued to deepen my involvement in our community and my understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our city.
I currently work as the Community Chef & Kitchen Coordinator at the Nelson Community Food Centre, where I manage public-facing food programs, budgets, purchasing, volunteers, and relationships with local producers and suppliers. I also recently launched my own catering business. I’ve served our community as Secretary on the Nelson CARES Society Board, through tenant advocacy, and through an appointment to the City of Nelson’s Housing Committee.
At the heart of my campaign is the idea that affordability, accessibility, poverty reduction, and a healthy economy are not separate issues. They’re intrinsically connected.
When people aren’t struggling with everyday essentials like housing, food, and other basic needs, they have the money and energy left over to support their favourite local businesses. We can go out for a meal, attend a play or concert, enrol kids in sports and arts, and participate meaningfully in community life. The money and care we invest in each other circulates back through our local economy, again and again.
I want Nelson to have a thriving and diverse business community, and I’m particularly interested in how we can address the pressures facing both local businesses and their workers. More affordable commercial space can help businesses manage their costs and create greater capacity for good, living-wage jobs. In turn, workers who can afford to remain in Nelson become customers, neighbours, volunteers, artists, entrepreneurs, and thriving members of our community.
Housing, food security, accessibility, commercial affordability, local businesses, and quality of life are interconnected. I want to bring that whole-community perspective to Council and work collaboratively toward a Nelson where people can thrive both at home and at work.
Ian Parfitt
My professional journey in Nelson began at the Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program from 1996-2003. Computer mapping, more formally geographic information systems (GIS), is the technology that has replaced paper maps, such as city plans, property parcels, and roads, with digital maps. FWCP projects included ecosystem mapping, habitat suitability for wolverines, monitoring of endangered species, and an online biodiversity atlas.
Council candidate Ian Parfitt
When Selkirk College received funding to launch a GIS centre of innovation in 2002, I joined the team as an instructor in the Integrated Environmental Planning (now Applied Environmental Science and Planning) program and the Advanced Diploma in GIS and Bachelor of GIS programs. We partnered with local communities, organizations and business on projects: for instance, we worked with Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism to create a web map of attractions and accommodations. Our ADGIS and BGIS graduates are now staff in local governments throughout the Kootenays and beyond.
In 2010 I became the Coordinator of the Selkirk GIS research team and led the development of successful federal grants, including an open data project with the RDCK, and an innovative forest research program. I organized a workshop with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Director that many staff from local government attended. We used drones for forest mapping and for data collection using new tools; for instance, we used lidar to measure wildfire risk reduction treatments on the slopes south of Nelson.
In another project we developed and delivered asset management training for local communities in the region in partnership with a small BC company.
While at Selkirk, I served on Education Council for four years from 2017-2021 including as Chair during the pandemic from 2019-21. As EdCo Chair I was an ex-officio member of the Selkirk College Board of Governors, and I have further governance experience through serving on the Kootenay Association of Science and Technology (KAST) and Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI) boards.
I served in both the recent provincial and federal elections. If you voted provincially at the Best Western or federally at the Hume, we may have met when I handed you your ballot.
Over the past year, as part of the Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART) team at UBC Vancouver, I co-created an inventory of all publicly owned properties in the province rated for affordable housing suitability. Check the final product out at https://hart.ubc.ca/bcplm.
Leslie Payne
From the boardrooms of Canada’s Fortune 100 companies to the cafe counter at the Kootenay Co-op, my career has spanned a wide and varied spectrum. As a corporate sales and marketing executive managing a team of 32 sales professionals and a budget of $6M, a business consultant for retail computer stores or the manager of a thriving small business, I’ve learned how important local business is to our community and the challenges of adapting to a changing political and economic landscape.
Council candidate Leslie Payne
The thread weaving through my diverse career choices is relationship building. As a city councillor, that is the key to successfully representing my community. Whether I am walking down Baker Street, attending the Nelson Community Food Centre AGM or representing our city at a provincial conference, the goal is the same – listening to stakeholders so that I can understand how to better serve in my role at the city.
The lack of appropriate workforce housing has been a barrier to the growth of some local businesses and as chair of the Nelson Housing Committee, I have supported the Railtown Housing Society project as a model for other communities in the province. More work is needed and together we can attract the opportunity to increase housing across the housing continuum.
Public safety is always top of mind as we work to attract tourists to our town and ensure that our residents feel comfortable as they shop local and socialize on our streets. Increased investment in the Nelson Police Department and solid working relationships with local social service agencies have led to decreases in crime and street-level issues.
I made Nelson home for my family in 2012 and haven’t looked back; I love our town. A strong local economy is critical infrastructure that supports Nelson’s vibrancy. I have attended dozens of Business After Business events since I was first elected in 2022 and talked to business owners who are navigating challenging times. Those conversations inform my decisions around the council table.
I bring a strong business background, fiscal responsibility and a commitment to use our resources wisely. I am always open to conversations on how we can improve the environment to start and grow businesses – large and small – in Nelson. Reach out anytime as I’m walking down the street or attending any of the many events that are hosted in our magical town. I want to hear your ideas.
Jess Phillips
I am running for City Council because I care deeply about Nelson and want to help make thoughtful decisions that protect what people value here while preparing our community for the future.
Council candidate Jess Phillips
My family moved here in 2016, just in time for our oldest child to begin public school. We arrived in this gorgeous little mountain town hoping we had found a good place to raise our family. A bit more than a decade later, I can say with enormous gratitude that Nelson has given us even more than we had ever hoped for.
Nelson has been a wonderful place for our family to thrive. That is at the heart of why I am running for City Council. I want families who have made Nelson home to be able to stay. I want people who grew up here to have a realistic opportunity to return, and our children to be able to imagine a future here if they choose one.
That won’t happen by accident. As Nelson grows, our housing, services, infrastructure, and schools must grow with it.
We need more homes of all kinds, including purpose-built two- and three-bedroom rentals. We also need to attract businesses of every size that provide services, create good jobs, and broaden the tax base.
Nelson is also a fantastic place to “Bring Your Own Job”; the entrepreneurial spirit here is incredible. Nelson’s world-class business community is remarkably diverse and something we can all be proud of.
The City cannot control every aspect of growth, but it can establish clear guardrails and ensure its policies, permitting, and approvals support a vision for Nelson’s careful growth.
I want local businesses to thrive and continue offering the practical, specialized, and eclectic things that make Nelson special. I also want to make Baker Street’s one-hour meters a minimum of 90 minutes, because a one-hour appointment requires more than one hour of parking! Love the 15-minute spots, though!
When families can build good lives in Nelson, local businesses benefit from a stable workforce, a stronger customer base, and a more resilient community.
If elected, I will listen, do my homework, consider different perspectives, and approach decisions with both compassion and practicality. I will also communicate what is happening at City Hall in a clear, accessible way.
I would be honoured to have your vote on October 17.
Jesse Pineiro
My name is Jesse Pineiro, and I am running for re-election as a Nelson City Councillor. It has been a privilege to represent the people of Nelson for the last four years and I hope to continue advocating for an affordable, vibrant, and innovative community.
Council candidate Jesse Pineiro
I have lived in Nelson since 1995 and graduated from LV Rogers in 1997.
My wife Xochilt and I opened the Nelson Boxing and Fitness Club in 2015 in the old Summit Fitness gym on Baker St. Since then, the boxing club has produced dozens of Provincial Champions and represented Canada internationally with the Canadian National Team. In addition to boxing at a high level, the club offers a weight room, yoga classes and a gathering place for people from all walks of life within our community. We are also very involved in Nelson’s cultural movement; Nelson Boxing has hosted poetry slams, art exhibits and multiple short film productions.
Running a business in a small community requires creativity, open-mindedness, and a huge work ethic. I know many of you will have had a similar experience in running your own businesses: the constant need to innovate, pivot, and reinvent a space to meet the needs of the community.
As a city we need to face the many challenges with the same dynamic spirit and pragmatism. I look forward to hearing from everyone in the weeks to come and will work hard to bring your ideas and solutions to the council table.
Martin Stegman
Hello Greater Nelson business community, for those of you who don’t know me yet, my name is Martin Stegman and I’m running for Nelson City Council.
Council candidate Martin Stegman
I was born and raised here and from one of my first jobs at RBC Royal Bank, I’ve always had an interest in finances, business and economics. I eventually pursued a BA in Psychology, with a focus on organizational psychology, completed a Master of Public Administration in 2012, and have been working in economic development ever since – first for the Department of International Trade, then onto investment attraction in emerging markets and, since 2017, for the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth until earlier this year when my position was eliminated.
I’ve met a handful of you already through my work with the Ministry, either on tours with Ministers or to discuss specific policy issues related to rural economic development. I am consistently impressed with the quantity and quality of committed, creative business owners that we have in this region – from innovative food and wood manufacturers, to world-class adventure tourism operators, to designers of advanced particle accelerator solutions, to name a few. Our more traditional businesses are no less critical to the fabric and lifeblood of our city – the employers, the donors to charity events, the service providers, and the storefronts and restaurants that keep our community a vibrant and attractive place for visitors and residents alike.
I won’t claim to yet know all your main challenges, but a few that come to mind are a lack of commercial/industrial space; vandalism, theft and street disorder (especially by repeat offenders); difficulty attracting and keeping employees due to the housing shortages; and the cumulative impacts of regulation and red tape from all levels of government. I am a firm believer in engaging directly with those impacted by an issue or decision to find the best solutions and I look forward to hearing from you more.
I’m running on an economic platform, not because I think economic interests are more important than anything else, but because I think they are at least as important, and too often economic interests and concerns are dismissed in the face of other social or environmental issues. I believe a thriving community is one in which all perspectives can be heard and balanced, and I would be honoured to have your vote and represent your perspectives on Nelson City Council.
Kate Tait
Hi,
I’m Kate Tait, and I want to continue representing you on Nelson City Council. I was drawn to Nelson by its natural beauty, and vibrant arts and culture scene, and I have been raising my family here since 2008.
Council candidate Kate Tait
Through volunteering, community involvement, and roles in sports organizations and PACs, I have developed a deep appreciation for what makes this city such a special place to call home.
Over the past term, I have served at the Greater Nelson Economic Development table and the RDCK Recreation Commission. These roles have helped me to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing our city: from housing and economic development, to recreation and infrastructure, to community well-being.
I have built my career around thoughtful leadership and problem-solving. I hold a Master of Mathematics and have worked at Selkirk College since 2013 as an instructor, school chair, and department head, where I champion services that reduce barriers for students. I am currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration to deepen my understanding of governance, public policy, and financial stewardship.
I am proud to play a role in ensuring Nelson continues to be a great place to live, with strong services, affordable housing options, beautiful spaces for culture and recreation, and vibrant community organizations where everyone can find a sense of belonging.
Corey Viala
Corey Viala has called Nelson home since 1981. It is where he and his wife Tina raised their family, and where he built his career and volunteered his time. He is now running for Nelson City Council.
Council candidate Corey Viala
Corey joined the Nelson Fire Department as an auxiliary firefighter in 1982 and became a full-time firefighter in 1989. In 1992, he joined the BC Ambulance Service, where he worked as a paramedic for 28 years. During that time, he also continued as an auxiliary firefighter for another 23 years.
During his career, Corey took on significant leadership responsibilities with the Ambulance Paramedics of BC. He served four years as a Regional Vice-President before being elected Provincial Safety Director, a position he held for nearly ten years prior to his retirement from BCEHS. He helped redesign the province’s ambulance fleet and was one of only two paramedics in Canada invited to help rewrite the Canadian Standards Association standards for ambulance design. Corey’s work led him to attend numerous Union of BC Municipalities conferences, where he met with elected officials and government representatives. He also participated in meetings at the BC Legislature with MLAs to discuss issues affecting paramedics and the communities they served.
Corey spent more than 10 years with the Nelson Rotary Club, including a term as President. For more than 15 years, he has helped coordinate and deliver Meals on Wheels each December. He is also a member of the Nelson Italian Club and has served as President of the Nelson Leafs Hockey Society for the past nine years.
Corey has considered running for Council for many years. With more time now to devote to the role, he believes this is the right moment to step forward. He wants to contribute his knowledge, experience and energy to the decisions that will shape Nelson’s future. Corey believes Council does its best work when it listens to residents and business owners and works together to address their practical needs. His career and community involvement have taught him to listen carefully, weigh different perspectives and make thoughtful decisions. He would bring that same approach to representing everyone who calls Nelson home.
Jesse Woodward
Born and raised in the West Kootenays, Jesse is a husband, father and holds a Master’s in Sustainable Environmental Management.
Council candidate Jesse Woodward
He has over 15 years experience in frontline community development and management and has spent the last two terms on Council.
Jesse has focused on improving Nelson’s infrastructure, planning, emergency services, environment, affordability, economy, arts and culture. If re-elected Jesse will continue to be a representative for all people in our community and to do his very best to make fair decisions that are inclusive and benefit the greatest number of citizens. He will maintain his support for the development of local affordable housing, bolster our local businesses, our social service sector, our recreation and tourism economy and our arts and culture scene. He will also continue to strengthen emergency management systems that increase safety for our community and try to always strike a balance between sufficient taxation, effective city services and capital reserves for critical infrastructure projects that are in process.
RDCK Area E
Erin Fitchett
My name is Erin Fitchett, and I am excited to be running for Area E Director in our amazing community.
I have been an active member of Area E for almost 30 years. My husband, Allan, and I have raised our family here and own a business in Balfour and Queens Bay. I intend to bring my experience as a business owner, community volunteer, and long-time resident to the role of Area E Director.
Area E candidate Erin Fitchett
Over the years, I have volunteered on many local projects, including serving on the Balfour Recreation Commission and leading the committee that brought our community the John Roos Community Spirit Playground in Balfour.
I currently serve on four RDCK committees: Greater Nelson Economic Development (GNED), the Advisory Planning & Heritage Commission (APHC), the Resident Directed Grant (ReDi) Committee, and the Recreation 10 Committee. These experiences have given me valuable insight into how the RDCK works and a strong understanding of the needs and priorities of Area E.
If elected, I will continue to support the weekly Area E newsletter so residents can stay informed and connected with what is happening throughout our community. I will support our community groups and advocate for the local infrastructure and services that matter to Area E residents.
I also plan to support keeping Area E free from zoning and will work to keep taxes as reasonable as possible. My years of experience in business and on non-profit boards have given me a strong understanding of budgeting, financial responsibility, and the importance of thoughtful, careful decision-making.
Most importantly, this isn’t about my ego or my agenda. It’s about being a strong, confident voice for Area E. I will listen to residents throughout our community and make sure their concerns, priorities, and ideas are represented confidently at the RDCK Board.
I care deeply about our community, and I would be honoured to serve as your Area E Director.
Learn more about the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce here.
