A large group gathered on Monday to listen to the three individuals competing to become Okanagan Falls, B.C.’s inaugural mayor. The town voted narrowly in March 2025 to incorporate, marking its establishment as British Columbia’s newest municipality in 15 years. Eleanor Walker, a long-time resident of over 40 years, highlighted the incorporation as a pivotal moment in the community’s history, emphasizing the significance of the occasion. She expressed optimism for the community’s future despite inevitable challenges, emphasizing the potential for success moving forward.
Walker, in an interview with CBC News, voiced her desire for enhanced business development and downtown improvements in Okanagan Falls. Matt Taylor, one of the mayoral candidates, cited his initial motivation to enter local politics as the need for economic progress in the area. Serving as the incumbent electoral area director during the incorporation process, Taylor believes his background in governance and collaboration with various government entities distinguishes him as a candidate.
When questioned about his priorities if elected, Taylor underscored the importance of strengthening ties with the Osoyoos Indian Band to foster beneficial outcomes for the municipality, drawing parallels to successful collaborations in neighboring communities. Transitioning from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) smoothly is a primary focus for candidate Tyler Johnsen, who relocated to Okanagan Falls in 2021 after three decades in the construction industry. Johnsen aims to bolster the tax base, develop the local industrial park, and unite the community following rifts arising from the incorporation process.
Glen Innes, another contender for the mayoral position, emphasized the gradual growth of Okanagan Falls and the attraction of young families to support community expansion. As a long-standing resident and former volunteer firefighter, Innes stressed the importance of enhancing highway safety, water quality, housing availability, and economic prospects in the area. His decision to run for office stemmed from a desire to give back to the community that had provided him with invaluable experiences.
The municipal election is scheduled for October 17, with the formal incorporation of the District of Okanagan Falls set for November 6 during the initial council meeting at the Okanagan Falls Seniors Centre.
