Issues for Vernon

Where do candidates stand on environment and climate?

This election is critical, and who we elect will shape the future of our community for decades to come. We engaged with candidates, and asked them to complete a questionnaire to find out where they stand on climate and environmental policies we care about.

What about other issues?

CFNO's Vital Vote website has a questionnaire for candidates on social, environmental, economic, cultural and health issues that matter to the Vernon community. To reduce the burden on the candidates, we have used Vital Vote's four environmental questions as Questions 1-4 on our Vote4Tomorrow website.

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Policy commitments for Vernon

Summary of candidates' policy commitments, grouped by category. Click on each candidate's name to learn more and read their responses to the questionnaire.

Candidate BuildingsClimate JusticeEcosystemsLand UseTransportWatershedsZero Waste
Candidates for Mayor
Victor Cumming ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Kari Gares ~ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Wayne Lippert – – – – – – –
Candidates for Council
Wayne Carson ~ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Robert Cook – – – – – – –
Barry Dorval ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ~
Teresa Durning ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Kelly Fehr ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Dustin Griffin ~ ~ ✓ ✓ ~ ✓ ~
Dauna Kennedy ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ –
Amy Klassen ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Sarah Moorhouse ~ ~ ✓ ✓ ~ ✓ ~
Akbal Mund ~ ~ ✓ ✓ ~ ✓ ~
Rob Sawatzky ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
David Scarlatescu – – – – – – –
Kari Statham ~ ~ ~ ✓ ~ ✓ ~
Dawn Tucker ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Diana Wilson ~ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ~
✓ Consistent support
~ Neutral or mixed response
× Consistent opposition
– No response

Candidates for Vernon

Click on each candidate's profile to learn more and read their responses to the questionnaire.

Candidates for Mayor

Candidates for Council

Wayne Carson Council

Wayne Carson is putting his name forward for a seat on Vernon City Council with a practical record of public service, emergency response experience, and local government leadership. For more information see votewaynecarson.ca

  Full profile →
Robert Cook Council DID NOT RESPOND
  Full profile →
Barry Dorval Council

A Vernonite since 1999, I’m a retired teacher who has been active in the climate movement for over a decade. I co-founded Climate Action Ripple Effect (CARE) and served two terms on Vernon’s Climate Action Advisory Committee, including one as chair.

East Hill Full profile →
Teresa Durning Council

Teresa Durning cares deeply about the people and community she serves. A lifelong British Columbian and proud member of the Vernon community, Teresa brings a diverse background in business, public service, community engagement, and volunteerism.

  Full profile →
Kelly Fehr Council

Kelly Fehr has served on Vernon City Council and the RDNO Board since 2008. As Operations Director at a large not-for-profit, he leverages his frontline community service to drive evidence-based, resilient, and forward-thinking local policies.

Vernon Full profile →
Dustin Griffin Council

I was born in Vernon and grew up in Spallumcheen. I left to attend law school in Halifax but was fortunate to be able to come back and start my career at home. I joined Kidston Helm Ross Lawyers in 2012 and I have been there ever since.

East Hill/Harwood Full profile →
Dauna Kennedy Council

35+ years of nonprofit leadership, community service, advocacy & healthy-community initiatives, leading a local charity & serving on Chamber of Commerce Board. Her work includes crisis-line & social-service support, women’s shelter services & more.

East Hill Full profile →
Amy Klassen Council

I’m a Vernon resident with a background in government, agriculture & community work & a formal education in business. I’m Métis, love animals, gardening, kayaking, making art & beadwork. I care deeply about fairness, affordability & the environment.

Middleton Full profile →
Sarah Moorhouse Council

I have been a resident of The City of Vernon for over 17 years, I love our community so much! As an active member of our community I enjoy volunteering wherever I can and am ready to make more significant community change from a council seat!

East Hill, Vernon, BC Full profile →
AM Akbal Mund Council

Been on City Council for three terms. Have been involved in every aspect of the community from arts and culture to sports. As of today I am the Vice Chair of the Armstrong Regional Co-Op and sit on the Board of Vantage One Credit Union.

Foothills Full profile →
Rob Sawatzky Council

I am a semi retired family physician. I have served on boards and in leadership roles in a number of local non profits including ROGTS, Turning Points Collaborative, OLDCA, Kindred Spirits Syrian Refugee Sponsorship,. I also served a term as mayor.

Vernon Full profile →
David Scarlatescu Council DID NOT RESPOND
  Full profile →
Kari Statham Council

I was born and raised in Vernon, my husband and I have a blended family we have six children and two grandchildren. My entire career has been based in Vernon. My campaign is built on three simple pillars: listen, learn, act and serve .

Vernon Full profile →
Dawn Tucker Council

Dawn Tucker was born & raised in Vernon, BC, shaped by living multigenerationally, & is employed as an educator with School District #22. Since 2017, Dawn has attended nearly every City Council & Budget meeting, & is seen a ‘Financial Watchdog’

Downtown/West Vernon/lower Alexis Park Full profile →
Diana Wilson Council

Diana Wilson is a fourth-generation Vernon resident with more than 30 years of leadership and change management experience. She has served in community leadership roles. She wants to contribute her experience and collaborative approach to Council.

Vernon Full profile →

How to vote

On October 17, 2026, Vernon voters will elect a Mayor and six Councillors.

Are you registered to vote?

Update your voter information such as your residential or mailing address with Elections BC: elections.bc.ca/register

Find out more about how and where to vote from the City of Vernon's Information for Voters webpage.

Voting tip

When you vote, only vote for the candidates you want elected. If that is one mayor and five councillors, only put down those names. For council, the top candidates with the most votes are elected, so if you vote for someone that you don't really want elected, that may bump your preferred candidates off the list.

Voting opportunities

DateTypeLocationStart timeEnd time
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Advanced Voting Day Schubert Centre (Emerald Room) 3505 30th Avenue 8:00am 8:00pm
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Advanced Voting Day City Hall Council Chamber 3400 30th Street 8:00am 8:00pm
Saturday, October 17, 2026 General Voting Day Recreation Centre 3310 37th Avenue 8:00am 8:00pm
Saturday, October 17, 2026 General Voting Day Clarence Fulton Secondary School 2301 Fulton Road 8:00am 8:00pm
Saturday, October 17, 2026 General Voting Day Vernon Secondary School 2100 15 St 8:00am 8:00pm

Compiled & presented by

Authorized by Climate Action Now! (CAN!) North Okanagan, registered sponsor under LECFA, climatevernon@gmail.com.

Vote4Tomorrow is an independent voter guide to evaluate where local candidates stand on climate and environmental policies that will affect our future.

© 2026 Vote4Tomorrow