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Harshan Ramadass won in Fernie, while Surinderpal Rathor retained Williams Lake. Their victories underscore Indo-Canadian representation in British Columbia's local leadership.
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Toronto,Oct 19, 2026 14:46 IST
Two Indo-Canadian leaders have been elected mayors in British Columbia following municipal elections in the Canadian province, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
India-born Harshan Ramadass won the mayoral election in Fernie, while Indian-origin Surinderpal Rathor was re-elected mayor of Williams Lake.
Residents of British Columbia voted on Saturday in the 2026 municipal election. Elections were held for mayors, municipal councillors, regional district directors, school board trustees, park boards in Vancouver and Cultus Lake, and the Islands Trust.
Ramadass defeated fellow councillor Kyle Hamilton after securing 1,524 votes, or 54.5 per cent of the total. Hamilton received 1,194 votes, according to PTI.
“We've done it, Fernie. Tonight you have sent a clear message that our community is ready to move forward,” Ramadass was quoted as saying by My East Kootenay Now.
“You've chosen a future built on collaboration, accountability and putting the interests of Fernie first,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to the community, Ramadass said, “I am deeply honoured to be your next mayor, and I look forward to working with our new council and the entire community to turn that vision into action.”
“Thank you for believing in me, putting your trust in me and for giving me this opportunity,” he added.
In Williams Lake, Rathor was elected for a second term after receiving 2,116 votes. He defeated his opponent, Walt Cobb, by more than 1,000 votes, PTI reported.
“We won, we won!” Rathor was quoted as saying by the Williams Lake Tribune.
“Thank you for trusting me to continue serving as your mayor. To my wife, family, campaign team and this incredible community, thank you for believing in me,” he said.
“I'm honoured, grateful and ready to keep working for you. Together we can!” Rathor added.
Rathor had lost to Cobb in the mayoral elections in 2014 and 2018. He was first elected to the city council in 1993 and became mayor in 2022 after serving as a councillor for more than 20 years. He moved to Williams Lake in 1974 after immigrating from India at the age of 21.
The results gave Ramadass his first term as Fernie's mayor and Rathor a second term as mayor of Williams Lake.
With PTI Inputs
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