Toronto, Oct 19, 2026 14:46 IST — Two Indo-Canadian leaders have secured mayoral victories in British Columbia following recent municipal elections held across the Canadian province, according to the Press Trust of India. India-born Harshan Ramadass won the mayoral race in Fernie, while Indian-origin incumbent Surinderpal Rathor successfully held onto his position in Williams Lake.
Voters across British Columbia headed to the polls on Saturday for the 2026 municipal elections. Contests were decided for mayors, municipal councillors, regional district directors, school board trustees, park boards in Vancouver and Cultus Lake, and the Islands Trust.
In Fernie, Ramadass emerged victorious after defeating fellow councillor Kyle Hamilton. Ramadass captured 1,524 votes, which accounted for 54.5 percent of the total, compared to Hamilton's 1,194 votes.
Following his win, Ramadass addressed the community, stating that residents had delivered a clear message of readiness to move forward together. He emphasized that voters chose a future founded on collaboration, accountability, and prioritizing Fernie's interests above all else. Expressing profound gratitude, he noted that he was deeply honored to take on the role of mayor and eager to collaborate with the incoming council and the broader community.
Meanwhile, in Williams Lake, Rathor secured his second consecutive term as mayor with 2,116 votes. He defeated his challenger, Walt Cobb, by a margin of more than 1,000 votes.
Rathor expressed immense gratitude to his family, campaign volunteers, and the local community for placing their trust in him once again. His political journey in the region spans decades; after immigrating from India at the age of 21 and moving to Williams Lake in 1974, he initially joined the city council in 1993. Following a more than 20-year tenure as a councillor and unsuccessful mayoral bids in 2014 and 2018, Rathor was first elected mayor in 2022 before securing his latest mandate.