Mayor & Council

Victor Cumming

Mayor

250-938-0022
250-545-1361

mayor@vernon.ca

Victor Cumming is a regional economist, rural development specialist and local volunteer. In 1992, he relocated his family (wife Mary-Ann and 4 kids) and business (including some staff), to Vernon, based on the…

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250-938-0022
250-545-1361

mayor@vernon.ca

Victor Cumming is a regional economist, rural development specialist and local volunteer. In 1992, he relocated his family (wife Mary-Ann and 4 kids) and business (including some staff), to Vernon, based on the excellent regional airport and the affordable high quality of life.

Born in Golden and raised primarily in Naramata, he holds a BA in Economics and Geography (Victoria), and an MA in Rural Planning and Development (Guelph). His consulting firm provided economic development, planning and operation assistance to businesses and local, regional and First Nations governments across Canada. In his 40-year career, Victor worked in Africa, the South Pacific, all provinces and territories in Canada, except Quebec (you guessed it … no French language capability) and Newfoundland. He has also taught community economic development for Simon Fraser University and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. 

When not at work you can often see him enjoying the Okanagan lifestyle; cross-country skiing, trail walking, sailing, kayaking, biking, or taking in live music and theatre events, usually with his wife and their 4-legged companion.

Victor was elected Mayor in the fall of 2018.

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Teresa Durning

Councillor

Cell: 250-306-3248
tdurning@vernon.ca

Vernon and area captured my heart over 12 years ago, I am excited to make it my forever home and serve all of the voters in this community. My husband, Harvey Harker, and I have a blended family of 5 children and 4…

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Cell: 250-306-3248
tdurning@vernon.ca

Vernon and area captured my heart over 12 years ago, I am excited to make it my forever home and serve all of the voters in this community. My husband, Harvey Harker, and I have a blended family of 5 children and 4 grandchildren.

I have a strong business background and am a committed community volunteer and outdoor enthusiast who is dedicated to making Vernon a great place to live and work.  

After 11 years contracting to the City of Vernon providing tourism and visitor services, I was fortunate to switch gears in 2020 and since then have been a non-partisan employee for the House of Commons constituency office in Vernon.

I studied business at Thompson Rivers University and hold a National Tourism Supervisor Designation from the National Tourism Human Resource Council of Canada, as well as graduating from the Digital Marketing Management program through the University of Toronto.

Goals:

  • Advocating for improved access to affordable housing within the City including families, seniors and people with diverse abilities.
  • Supporting initiatives that help Vernon reach its Climate Action Plan goals, including efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on our community.
  • Collaborating with the business community to support resilience through the pandemic rebound and support initiatives that ensure future business growth and sustainability within the City of Vernon.

Community Involvement :

  • BC Games - Greater Vernon 2022 BC Games – Vice President
  • Silver Star Rotary Director 
  • Vernon Public Art Gallery Director
  • North Okanagan Regional District Stream Keeper Program
  • Queen Silver Star Excellence Program Instructor
  • Vernon Winter Carnival Director
  • Vernon Monday Night Toastmasters President
  • BC 55+ Games Vernon BC Director
  • Special Olympics Vernon BC Winter Games Director
  • Schubert Centre Volunteer
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Kelly Fehr

Councillor

Cell: 250-306-8115
kfehr@vernon.ca

I have been a Vernon resident since 2003. I am married to Delma Fehr and we have a blended family of four adult children.  Since 2007 I have served Vernon as a senior manager and executive director for a local non-government…

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Cell: 250-306-8115
kfehr@vernon.ca

I have been a Vernon resident since 2003. I am married to Delma Fehr and we have a blended family of four adult children.  Since 2007 I have served Vernon as a senior manager and executive director for a local non-government organization. During this time my focus has been on poverty reduction, reducing food insecurity, housing, addiction recovery, sexual assault services and equality. I have also had the privilege of serving on several local Boards.

Goals:

  • Maintain and strengthen relationships with municipal, provincial and federal partners
  • Expand affordable, accessible and supported housing options
  • Long term, fiscally responsible and sustainable planning with a focus on utilizing best practices

My Community Involvement has included:

  • Sexual Assault Services Committee
  • Male Sexual Abuse Awareness
  • Okanagan Bad Date Program
  • Violence Against Woman in Relationships Committee
  • High Risk Domestic Violence Committee
  • Supports for Survival Sex Workers
  • Women’s Only Drop in Center
  • Harm Reduction Strategy
  • Homelessness Strategy
  • Partners in Action
  • Welcoming Communities Committee
  • Opioid Crisis Response
  • Okanagan Recovery Day
  • Women’s Second Stage Addictions Recovery
  • Access to Local Detox Services
  • Homelessness Action Week
  • Suicide Prevention Committee
  • Temporary Winter Shelter expansion
  • Hospital Discharge Action Team
  • Emergency Food Action Network
  • COOL Team, The Camp Okanagan Outreach/Liaison Team
  • Community Dental Access Center Committee
  • Housing First Committee
  • Centerville Neighbourhood Council
  • Harwood Neighbourhood Council
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Kari Gares

Councillor

Cell:250-306-4655
kgares@vernon.ca

I am a 3rd generation Vernonite who has grass-roots deeply lodged in the fabric of Vernon history. I was born in Vernon but grew up in Kelowna.  I graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan (formerly OUC) with a…
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Cell:250-306-4655
kgares@vernon.ca

I am a 3rd generation Vernonite who has grass-roots deeply lodged in the fabric of Vernon history. I was born in Vernon but grew up in Kelowna.  I graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan (formerly OUC) with a double major in Psychology and History. After moving back to the Vernon area with my family in 2003, I began a targeted career in Finance with an emphasis on Mortgage Lending.   It was not until 2011 that I left the Bank to pursue a more specialized career in Mortgage Origination and Advisory through the establishment of my own Mortgage Brokerage Firm, KL August Financial LTD, dba Verico Mortgage House.  My husband, Tim, and children, Josh & Zack are excited for my new journey as this is another way I can help improve the lives of those who live here.
 
Goals:
 
Building a Strong and Diverse Business Model that creates a more sustainable, and balanced Economic Approach that fosters connectivity between our business sector and City Partners, creates growth and provides a healthy investment atmosphere for alternate sector jobs/industries
Focusing on Family & Youth Initiatives and Programs that are economically sustainable and socially inclusive to attract growth
Focus on Infrastructure Development that encourages growth and ensures a sustainable future for our community
 
Accomplishments:
 
Long-time supporter of Community Initiatives & Fundraising Events such as QSSEP, Sport Sponsorships & Programs, Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship for QSSEP that recognizes the achievements of young women in our community
Regional (Treasurer) and National Board Member Elizabeth Fry Society 
President of the North Okanagan Minor Lacrosse Association
Program Director and Owner – Thompson Okanagan Selects Field Lacrosse
Board Member – Thompson Okanagan Minor Box Lacrosse Commission & Interior Field Lacrosse Commission
Board Member – Vernon & District Land Trust (Affordable Housing)
 
Education:
 
Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Double Major in History and Psychology
UBC - Sauder School of Business – Mortgage Brokering
Investment Funds in Canada
Completed Life Agent’s Insurance 
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Brian Guy

Councillor

Cell: 250-306-3499
bguy@vernon.ca

Cell: 250-306-3499
bguy@vernon.ca

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Akbal Mund

Councillor

Cell: 250-306-1640
amund@vernon.ca

I am delighted to serve the residents of Vernon. We moved here in 1993 and bought into the Wendy’s franchise. I met my wife Tania here and we…

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Cell: 250-306-1640
amund@vernon.ca

I am delighted to serve the residents of Vernon. We moved here in 1993 and bought into the Wendy’s franchise. I met my wife Tania here and we now have two preteen daughters . Over the past 20 years I have been active in our community, playing soccer and softball, sitting on various boards, and helping and supporting many organizations. I was named the JCI Vernon Good Citizen of the Year in 2012.

A few of the roles I have undertaken include:

  • president of the Greater Vernon B.C. 2012 Winter Games
  • president of the Vernon Soccer Association
  • 2nd vice president of Funtastic
  • board member of VantageOne Credit Union
  • director of Extreme Makeover Easter Seals Camp Winfield
  • director 2014 RBC Cup
  • co-founder of Wendy’s Dreamlift Day
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Brian Quiring

Councillor

Cell: 250-309-2594
bquiring@vernon.ca

Our family moved to Vernon in 1993 after I graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Master of Architecture degree. Since moving to Vernon I have had the good fortune of creating and maintaining a successful…

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Cell: 250-309-2594
bquiring@vernon.ca

Our family moved to Vernon in 1993 after I graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Master of Architecture degree. Since moving to Vernon I have had the good fortune of creating and maintaining a successful architectural practice and am currently the managing partner of MQN Architects. My wife, Dorothy, and three children, Alyssa, Natasha and Eli, look forward to my new role serving our community.

Goals:

  • Create a sustainable Vernon, economically, socially and environmentally
  • Promote transit-oriented mixed-use development with a wide range of housing choices
  • Encourage sustainable architecture, landscape and agriculture

Accomplishments:

  • Bachelor of Environmental Studies
  • Master of Architecture
  • Member of Architectural Institute of British Columbia
  • Engineering Ministries International, El Shaddai Trip, Haiti 2010

Prior Community Involvement:

  • City of Vernon Advisory Planning Commission
  • Downtown Design Review Panel
  • Vice President, Vernon Art Gallery
  • MQN Team Captain - CIBC Run for the Cure
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