Summerland Mayor Toni Boot Seeks Council Seat After Contentious Term

Toni Boot is running for re-election in Summerland, but after a divisive experience as mayor, she has decided to run as a councillor again.

She wants to be able to dedicate more time to her new business endeavour – the Oasis Lavender Co-op.

However the extra friction Boot felt as a female and person of colour in politics also contributed towards her decision to seek a lesser role on council.

“There was always a level of tension that was unnecessary,” she said about the current slate.

“I don’t want to put myself through that again.”

And while politicians have always been subject to intense scrutiny, Boot feels like social media, combined with recent events in the US, has taken divisiveness to new levels.

“And the pandemic didn’t help,” she said.

When Boot saw the video of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland being aggressively approached by an angry, burly man in Alberta – she found it relatable.

“I felt for her, but I also felt for the staff that was with her,” she said.

“I suspect if it was a male MP surrounded by male staffers it may have been a little bit different.”

In 2020, during her time as mayor, Boot ran in the provincial election for the NDP and lost to Liberal incumbent Dan Ashton.

She also engaged in a high-profile conflict with the owner of a local dollar store over the sale of bandanas with Confederate flag designs.

The 2022 municipal elections take place on Oct. 15.

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