Voters Chose Candidates Who Lead with Civility
Updated: 2 hours ago
In communities across British Columbia, this municipal election raised a fundamental question: can the people we elect work together for the good of the community?
Alongside debates about housing, taxes and infrastructure, candidates emphasized how they would lead—restoring civility, rebuilding trust and working with others to serve their communities.
In Abbotsford, Patricia Ross was returned for an eleventh term, campaigning publicly as a Lead with Civility Ambassador. In Kamloops, voters elected Mike O’Reilly, who pledged to end the chaos and bring residents together. In Nanaimo, Mayor Leonard Krog identified restoring civility as his proudest achievement during eight years as mayor. And in Chilliwack, Jason Lum won the mayor’s chair after publicly refusing to answer personal attacks with personal attacks.
These examples bring an essential responsibility into focus for voters: choosing representatives means considering how they will exercise power and treat people, as well as the policies they promise.
This is the kind of leadership Kalen Academy hoped to encourage when BC civic leaders and citizens came together to launch Diane Kalen-Sukra’s Lead with Civility this spring. Seeing these commitments expressed publicly—and carried into another term of service—is an encouraging development for the growing community of Ambassadors and supporters.
▶ Watch BC civic leaders speak about civility and trust at the Lead with Civility launch — 3 minutes
Kamloops: voters sought to "end the chaos"
“Elections have consequences. Civility starts with us. We all need to be civil, but we also need to elect civil.”
Author Diane Kalen-Sukra offered that reminder in a CBC interview about dysfunction at Kamloops City Hall. In her article, Axe the Incivility Tax on Local Government this Fall, she described the city’s experience as a cautionary tale for voters everywhere.
This election, Kamloops chose new leadership. Mayor-elect Mike O’Reilly, a two-term councillor, emphasized the need to bring residents together, including those who voted for someone else. His plans included meeting individually with elected councillors, building working relationships and developing a shared strategic direction.
Former Abbotsford mayor Henry Braun, appointed provincial municipal adviser to Kamloops in 2024, contributed a guest essay to Lead with Civility and joined its spring launch.
His experience reinforces the task ahead: turning a change in leadership into lasting cultural renewal.
Restoring the conditions for good government
Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog, whose leadership is profiled in Lead with Civility, was returned for a third term after eight years as mayor and a long career in provincial public service. He was also a speaker at Kalen Academy’s inaugural Global Civility Summit for civic leaders held in 2024.
During this election campaign, Krog reflected on his record as mayor:
“The thing I’m most proud of … is candidly bringing civility back to civic governance in this city.”
His emphasis speaks to a fundamental requirement of governing. A council’s ability to address housing, infrastructure and public finances depends on people being able to deliberate, hear unwelcome information and disagree without destroying their working relationships.
In Harrison Hot Springs, Mayor Fred Talen, first elected in September 2024 and now returned for another term, has described that work in practical terms.
Reflecting on his first year, he credited councillors with respecting their differences and keeping debate focused on the village’s interests. He also described projects moving forward and the everyday services delivered by staff.
His account connects the culture around the council table with the work residents depend upon.
Carrying civility into public life
A guest essayist in Lead with Civility, Patricia Ross brings 32 years of service on Abbotsford council to her next term. Her campaign highlighted her Ambassador role alongside her longstanding environmental and community commitments and her desire for a community where people feel welcome, respected and cared for.
Leaders shape expectations through what they say, what they tolerate and how they conduct themselves when challenged. Patricia’s public commitment carries the movement’s message into the work of governing: civility helps create the conditions for getting things done together.
Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens also earned another term, bringing 16 years of municipal council service across several terms, including his first term as mayor. His emphasis on cooperation with council, other governments, First Nations and community partners reflects the relationships local government requires.
Jason Lum’s election as Chilliwack’s mayor follows 15 years on council. His conduct during the campaign offers a practical example of standing firm while preserving respect.
He defended his record and affirmed that anyone seeking public office should expect difficult questions. He also drew a boundary around personal attacks and made clear that he would not retaliate in kind.
“At the end of this election,” he reminded his community, “we will still be neighbours.”
His reasoning reached beyond the campaign. Candidates, supporters and residents would still have to live and work together when voting was over.
The work continues
Elections give residents an opportunity to consider both what candidates propose and how they intend to lead. That responsibility continues through public participation, scrutiny and expectations of those entrusted with office.
For elected leaders, every new term brings decisions that test patience, relationships and public trust. Civility becomes meaningful through those choices: how they listen, disagree, respond to criticism and exercise authority.
Congratulations to those taking up that responsibility again, and to those moving into new roles.
We will still be neighbours. We will still have to work together.
Become a Lead with Civility Ambassador
Help strengthen civility in your own council, organization or community. Become a Lead with Civility Ambassador and put the book’s principles into practice.
The Ambassador Resource Hub includes:
A presentation slide deck to adapt for your audience.
A presenter’s guide and speaking notes to help you lead a session.
A one-page fillable handout to support reflection and practical action.
The Lead with Civility Creed—a printable poem to display or share as a reminder of what civility means in practice.
Videos featuring civic leaders to spark conversations about leadership and civic culture.
Use these resources for a council orientation, a workplace conversation or a community gathering focused on the common good.
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