West Kelowna mayor won’t seek re-election next year

West Kelowna mayor Gord Milsom isn’t going to be running for re-election next year after a long career in municipal politics. 

Milsom issued a written statement today, Nov. 17, to announce his decision to step away from city hall after the end of this term. 

“I have made the tough decision not to seek re-election in the next British Columbia municipal election on October 17, 2026. I have always received tremendous support from my family while serving our community. Our family has grown over the past few years with the happy addition of three grandchildren, and I look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with both my family and friends,” Milsom wrote in the statement. 

He served as a city councillor from 2007 until 2014 and then he was elected mayor in 2018. He said he’s committed to finishing the term and passing the torch next year. 

Milsom pointed out some of the projects the city undertook while he has been in office. 

“Over the past few years, we have completed many key pieces of municipal infrastructure, including the multi-sport dome, the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, the City Hall/Library Building, the centralized operations yard, Fire House 30 and the new Fire Station 32, and major road and intersection upgrades,” he wrote. 

The Rose Valley water treatment plant has been the subject of controversy due to water quality issues, and the new City Hall and Library project sparked backlash because of its $22.8 million price tag. 

Milsom said he led the city through numerous crises from the COVID-19 pandemic to the McDougall Creek wildfire in 2023. 

He thanked the city councillors that sat next to him over his 15 years in office and neighbouring governments like Westbank First Nation and the Regional District of Central Okanagan. 

“It has been an incredible journey, and it remains my honour to serve our West Kelowna community. I will continue to remain fully engaged until the end of the council term with full steam ahead as we deliver on key priorities important to our community. As West Kelowna continues to grow, our city will continue to face opportunities and challenges, and I am fully confident that our future will remain bright and successful,” he wrote.