Rob Sawatzky will run for a seat on Vernon City Council (Image Credit: Submitted photo)

By Liam Verster

Election 2026

Former mayor seeking seat on Vernon City Council

Jul 27, 2026 | 11:34 AM

A former mayor of Vernon and family doctor is looking to get back in the council chambers.

Rob Sawatzky announced he will run for a City Council seat in the fall election.

Sawatzky served as Mayor of Vernon from 2011 to 2014, and said he and council accomplished a lot and developed some progressive programs during that time.

“Successes included a dedicated infrastructure levy, with a multi year plan for asset repair and replacement, rather than the previous ad hoc decisions,” the former mayor said in a release.

“We set about rebuilding roads, sidewalks, sewer mains, and parks and public buildings. Subsequent councils have continued to pursue this program. We engaged an external audit of city services to assist in factual budget decisions and rebuilding the City budget. We worked to repair relations with our community neighbours.”

Election 2026

Former mayor seeking seat on Vernon City Council

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Sawatzky, who spent more than 20 years practicing medicine in the community, said he would serve as a a good listener, communicator and advocate for the city if elected to council, stating his past experience in local government would be beneficial to the community.

The doctor and his wife moved to Vernon in 1990 from Dalhousie, New Brunswick, where he was also practicing medicine.

Since moving to the Okanagan he had been involved with numerous local, national and international groups including Red Cross, Boy Scouts of Canada, Ribbons of Green Trails Society, Vernon Senior Curling, Okanagan Landing and District Community Association, Turning Points Collaborative Society, and as the Medical Director for the 2017 Vernon and District 55+ Games. He also had spent the previous six years working for the B.C. Mental Health Review Board.

The Local General Election will go October 17.

by Liam Verster

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