Jenelle Brewer plans to run for Vernon city councillor. (Submitted photo/Janelle Brewer)

By Vernon Matters Staff

Civic elections 2022

Jenelle Brewer announces run for Vernon council

Aug 24, 2022 | 11:52 AM

A long-time resident of Vernon, and a member of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB), has announced a run for a city councillor’s position in Vernon.

Jenelle Brewer has previously served as a trustee for School District 22 and is now setting her sights on making the transition to municipal politics.

“My intention has always been to enter civic politics because I believe in bringing local solutions to issues,” Brewer said. “As a longtime resident of Vernon and as a member of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB), I have developed a wide circle of influence, and I believe I have the experience and the skills to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Brewer said she is proud of her recent success as recovery manager for the OKIB where she oversees the efforts to rebuild the community and works with evacuated individuals to get them back to their homes following last summer’s destructive White Rock Lake fire. She served two terms as an elected councilor for the OKIB, and she has served as a director on several volunteer boards in the Vernon area.

“I bring people together,” she said. “I’ve got a proven track record of accomplishing the goals I set for myself and that comes about through efficient, full, transparent, and complete work. No shortcuts.”

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As a Syilx woman, Brewer spent her childhood on OKIB Reserve #1 in Vernon before being drawn to the bright lights of the big city, living in Toronto, Vancouver, and several points in between. Eventually, she was drawn back to Vernon to raise her children.

“I’ve lived in the area for over 30 years, currently residing in downtown Vernon, so I know the dynamics and challenges of the community,” Brewer stated. “I understand our community’s issues and I am committed to finding solutions to them. I believe in moving forward together.”

Brewer added that being Syilx means she understands the OKIB community, and bringing the two communities closer together is her end goal.

“A lot of people ask me about reconciliation and are interested in moving forward but are not sure how or are fearful of saying the wrong thing,” Brewer said. “Reconciliation isn’t going to happen overnight. But it can happen in a measured, straightforward approach.”

Brewer’s platform has five key points:

• Climate Change: “We need to take a proactive approach to prevention, placing the safety of human lives and animals at the forefront of our discussions. Climate change is here, and we need to find innovative solutions as a community to do better and make changes to improve the outlook of the future.”
• Fighting Discrimination: “Discrimination has many forms. It’s important we create environments where discrimination is not tolerated.”
• Community Safety:. “Many people have expressed concerns about the challenges businesses and residents face in the downtown core with vandalism, theft, and addiction. There are no simple solutions to these complex issues, but I live and work in the downtown area. I am experiencing these issues with you on a daily basis. I am committed to making Vernon a safer community and working with partner groups to make that happen.”
• Economic Development: “Building a political environment for economic development to encourage investment.”
• Housing: “This continues to be a hot topic. I will support proposals for housing developments as well as encourage and continue to cooperate with BC Housing and local developers.”

For more information about Jenelle Brewer, visit her website jenellebrewer.ca or email her at info@jenellebrewer.ca.

Municipal elections in B.C. will be held on Oct. 15, 2022.

Editor’s note:

Vernon Matters will be providing profiles of candidates from local communities who provide us with information about why they are running and what they see as the main issues. A picture of the candidate is also required.

Candidates can send the details to vernon-newsroom@pattisonmedia.com.