Josh Slykhuis announces election bid for Fernie city council

Joshua Slykhuis is throwing his hat in the political ring and will run for Fernie city council in October’s general local election, officially announcing his bid via social media on [...]

Josh Slykhuis announces election bid for Fernie city council Published 2:54 pm Friday, July 17, 2026 Joshua Slykhuis is throwing his hat in the political ring and will run for Fernie city council in October’s general local election, officially announcing his bid via social media on July 2nd. Slykhuis, who grew up in the Arctic and spent several years in Northern BC, moved to Fernie with his wife, Bonnie, in the fall of 2018.

She secured a transfer from her previous job and Josh quickly found work managing the BC Liquor Store after years of managing Safeway’s in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. Spending time in both the public and private sectors, Slykhuis believes he is in touch with the concerns of the community. “I think everybody knows this is going to be an election about infrastructure.

By nature of what I do, I hear lots of opinions and concerns about and what’s happening in town. Mostly about infrastructure but sometimes regarding other things. But I know this election is going to be about getting stuff done, like actually getting pipes fixed,” said Slykhuis to the Free Press.

Infrastructure remains his main focus, but he also recognizes the current property tax burden faced in a growing community, both for residents and businesses. He hopes to build a stronger foundation in Fernie but not at the expense of what makes the town unique. “I strongly believe the next four years need to have an almost singular focus on infrastructure.

A great generation built this city, and I believe another great generation must now invest in repairing what we have while planning for the future,” Slykhuis wrote on Facebook. “If we don’t have a plan and shovels in the ground in 2027, I would consider this a failure. This will not be cheap, but I promise to scrutinize every dollar spent as I don’t want this to come at the expense of the things I love about Fernie like cultural events,” he continued.

Slykhuis believes that progress should take priority over finger pointing with issues facing the City, while emphasizing a need to budget for the future. He would like to seek simple solutions whenever possible, prioritizing getting work done as opposed to getting caught up in partisan politics, unnecessary studies and red tape. “One thing I noticed is that a lot of people want to blame the current council or the last council for how and where we are right now.

But if you actually look at the history of some issues – we’ve underprepared for 40 years. We weren’t putting money away,” he said. “Working in the private sector as store manager and then going to the private sector I can see how government can get hung up on making sure they make 100 per cent the right decision and study an issue to death.

Sometimes you don’t see the forest for the trees. Sometimes the solution is just there. You can just try it and it doesn’t cost a lot.”

Slykhuis would also like to see the City engage more on social media, while acknowledging that it can “be like reaching into a bucket of sewage to find diamonds.” He believes that more engagement could have prevented the contentious Prentice Park Firehall debate and that sometimes opinions get missed that represent a larger portion of the community. Asked why this is the right time to enter local politics, Slykhuis said the town needs a fresh face who will find concrete solutions and listen to the broader community.

The Fernie general election will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17.