AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 15, 2026
Three Candidates Vie for Revelstoke Mayorship
As the Oct. 17 municipal election approaches, residents of Revelstoke, British Columbia, will choose among three candidates for mayor: incumbent Gary Sulz, city councillor Tim Palmer, and Taha Attiah, general manager of the Revelstoke Community Housing Society. Each candidate has outlined their view of the most pressing issues facing the mountain community of nearly 9,500 and their strategies if elected.
Gary Sulz: Advocating Continuity and Infrastructure Projects
Gary Sulz, who has served as mayor since 2018 and previously spent a term as city councillor, is seeking a third term. Sulz emphasizes the importance of continuity in local government, stating, "Continuity is important for members of the community." His platform focuses on continuing work initiated during his tenure, such as upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant—a key topic in municipal infrastructure.
In addition, Sulz aims to enhance health care by collaborating with the local health-care community to create a primary and intermediate care network, integrating all resources under one roof. He also pledges to increase investments in seniors' housing and expand on the Revy Own project, which seeks to provide affordable housing options for long-term Revelstoke residents. Sulz notes, "We've got some good housing projects on the go now."
Taha Attiah: Addressing Affordability and Visitor Revenue
Taha Attiah enters the race with a background in economic development and as the current general manager of the Revelstoke Community Housing Society. Attiah identifies the town's outdated municipal tax and fee structure as a core challenge, linking it to a range of issues including underfunded sewage upgrades, lengthy child care waitlists, and concerns over highway access.
"I think we are really talking about affordability in this election, which is more than just housing. It's how people actually afford to stay and live here," Attiah explains. He argues that rising municipal taxes are being used to support infrastructure for tourists, but that alternative visitor revenue sources have not been fully explored. Attiah proposes generating non-taxation-based visitor revenue, such as charging out-of-town visitors to use local amenities. "We are still not using all the tools at our disposal to fund demand for new recreational and child-care amenities," he notes. His platform seeks to avoid Revelstoke becoming a destination that favors wealthy visitors over its residents.
Tim Palmer: Emphasizing Transparency and Public Participation
Tim Palmer, a two-term city councillor, is running on a platform prioritizing vision, transparency, and accountability. Palmer points to recurring feedback from residents about a perceived lack of future-oriented planning by city council. "Basically, they're saying that we're not visionary enough," Palmer reflects.
His plans include investing in an active transportation network, protecting and expanding parks, and safeguarding Revelstoke's natural environment. Palmer also aims to establish community focus groups to boost public participation in municipal budgeting, thereby increasing community transparency. He cites concerns about the communication surrounding the rollout of water meters and proposes examining the feasibility of allowing residents to opt out of water metering. "Too much has been happening behind closed doors. I want to have a much more open city hall," Palmer says.
Election Focus: Affordability, Infrastructure, and Involvement
The Revelstoke mayor election brings to the forefront issues such as affordable housing, municipal infrastructure, visitor revenue, and a call for greater public participation in local government. Each candidate—Gary Sulz, Taha Attiah, and Tim Palmer—shares distinct priorities, reflecting the concerns of a community experiencing both growth and change. Voters will decide which vision will guide Revelstoke forward when they head to the polls on Oct. 17.
Contact and Author Information
This article is based on reporting by Jacqueline Gelineau, a CBC News journalist based in Salmon Arm, B.C.
Source: cbc.ca.
