Thank you very very much to everyone who helped push me over the goal line – from the core campaign team to friends and supporters who promoted my candidacy, and of course everyone who voted for me.
About Brian
Brian and his wife Susan Wiggin came to Vernon in 1994 and raised their sons Graeme and Thomas here. He founded and led a successful business based in downtown Vernon (Summit Environmental Consultants), growing the company to a staff of about 35 before the company merged with Associated Engineering in 2010.
He is a committed father and while his boys were young he coached in the NOYSA youth soccer program. While his boys were growing up, he also found time to volunteer with youth-focussed community groups including the Okanagan Science Centre and the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.
He and his wife introduced their children to the outdoors at an early age, and the family enjoyed many hiking, camping, canoeing, and kayaking trips. They also exposed their children to other cultures through national and international travel, helping them learn to value and respect others, and to develop an appreciation for diversity.
He loves the Vernon area and participates in many of the outdoor activities the region is famous for – nordic and alpine skiing, running, hiking, backpacking, camping, kayaking, paddleboarding, and cycling.
Highlights:
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A leader with a proven track record of success in the business and non-profit sectors.
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Founded and led a successful business based in downtown Vernon (Summit Environmental Consultants), bringing more than thirty-five young professionals and their families to the community.
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Built environmental consulting businesses across western and northern Canada (after merging the company with Associated Engineering).
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A Professional Geoscientist, with extensive experience in Okanagan water issues.
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Has made extensive volunteer contributions to the community.
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A leader in addressing the impacts of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to make communities stronger and more livable.
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Co-chair of the City of Vernon Climate Action Advisory Committee, which developed the City’s Climate Action Plan which was approved by Council in 2021.
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Worked with Purppl, a Kelowna-based social purpose accelerator, to coach an Indigenous-owned environmental consulting business to help achieve long-term success.
Volunteer Experience includes:
- Canadian Water Resources Association: BC Branch President and National Vice-President 1992-1994
- NOYSA youth soccer coach 1996-2006
- Okanagan Science Centre: Board of Directors 2000-2004, Board Chair 2002-2003
- Sovereign Lake Nordic Club: Board of Directors 2004-2007
- RDNO Solid Waste Management Committee 2005
- Okanagan Water Stewardship Council: member 2006-present, Chair 2016-2018, Past Chair and Policy Committee Chair 2018-present
- Okanagan Basin Water Board: Board of Directors 2016-2018
- City of Vernon Climate Action Advisory Committee: co-chair 2018-present
Why I’m Running for Council
The City faces numerous challenging issues. I believe that my experience and expertise in governance, leadership, financial management, strategic planning, risk assessment, and decision-making will help City council provide the leadership the community needs to effectively address these issues. I have the time to commit to the work as I’m now retired.
I believe that my thoughtful, comprehensive, balanced, collaborative, fiscally prudent, and inclusive approach will help council reach decisions that benefits all members of the Vernon community. A focus for me will be implementing the Climate Action Plan, which was approved by Council in 2021.
Finally, I believe that Vernon can become more resilient, economically stronger, more livable, healthier, and more diverse, and I am committed to working with Council and the community to achieve those goals.
Professional Life
Brian is a leader with a proven track record of success in the business and non-profit sectors, and is well-known as a collaborative leader and decision-maker.
In 1994, he founded and led a successful business based in downtown Vernon (Summit Environmental Consultants), bringing more than thirty-five young professionals and their families to the community. After merging with Associated Engineering in 2010, Brian grew its environmental consulting business in communities throughout western and northern Canada before retiring from full-time work in 2017.
He is a Professional Geoscientist with expertise in hydrology and water management and has led or contributed to many water-related initiatives in the Okanagan (and across western and northern Canada) over the past 28 years, both in a paid and a volunteer capacity…
Summit Environmental, the early years: Brian presents a donation from Summit to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre
Corporate Leadership & Governance Experience includes:
- Summit Environmental Consultants Ltd.: President and Chair of the Board of Directors 1994-2010
- Associated Environmental Consultants Inc.: Vice-President and General Manager 2010-2015, Board of Directors 2010-2017
- Associated Engineering Group Ltd.: Senior Management Committee 2010-2015; Board of Directors 2014-2017
Professional Awards
- BC Water and Waste Association Award of Excellence in 2012 – for the Okanagan Water Supply and Demand Project.
- Awarded the CJ Westerman award in 2017 – Engineers and Geoscientists B.C.’s highest award for contributions to geoscience.
Key Issues on My Radar
HOUSING
My vision is that everyone in Vernon has housing that meets their needs. The City should continue to fill gaps in the housing supply, and help make housing affordable for all. The City should work with higher levels of government to encourage them to continue contributing to subsidized housing in Vernon.
CLIMATE CHANGE
As co-chair of the City of Vernon Climate Action Advisory Committee since 2018, I was instrumental in developing the community’s Climate Action Plan. Implementing the plan will reduce costs to taxpayers over the long term, and will make the city more attractive, competitive, and livable. I will advocate for Council to provide the resources and policy direction needed to fully implement the plan.
PARKS and RECREATION
I believe that everyone should have good access to recreation amenities and parks. I will support projects that contribute to this vision. If the electorate supports the Active Living Centre on October 15, I will support and promote the project.
CULTURE
A strong art and cultural sector is fundamental to a healthy, vibrant, diverse community, and contributes significantly to the economy of the city. I will support plans and initiatives that contribute to building a stronger art and cultural community, including the proposed new Cultural Centre.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Vernon must become more attractive and competitive to business, and more economically diverse. We need to attract younger workers and their families, and work to provide appropriate and affordable housing. We also need to ensure that existing businesses are well supported by the City.
INDIGENOUS RECONCILIATION
I believe that local governments have a responsibility to engage in the process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. I will support and promote the ongoing process of relationship-building that is underway between the City and the Okanagan Indian Band, at both the Council and staff levels.
Explore Further
Various organizations have asked council candidates to answer surveys. As these surveys are published we will link to them here:
We’re with Brian
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Dagmar Maquire
John Maguire
Don Smith
Susan Smith
Sandi Dixon
Gary Huston
Hugh Hamilton
Joanna Rainer
Sid Kwakkel
Nicky Kirkpatrick
Rob Sawatzky
Juliette Cunningham
Al Gee
Jacquie Friesen
Len Clarke
Sharon Clarke
Fran Wood
Barb Frame
Marci Healy
Rich Healy
Ed Wilson
Stan Eaman
John Lent
Jude Clarke
Brent Barker
Sue Abbott
Harry Abbott
Cliff Cross
Rick Smith
Coreen Smith
Peter Richter
Colleen Richter
Karmen Brown
Jesse Brown
Dave Lee
Lori Lee
Karen Peterson-Woods
Dagny Fanfani
Phillipe Fanfani
Cathy Maxwell
Rob Maxwell
Michele Blais
Jamie Currie
Chris Martin
Lori Borchert
George Borchert
Don Hagen
Nancy Adams
Craig Tilander
Bridget Trainor
Roseanne Van Ee
Rebekka Lindskoog-Wicklund
Wayne Wicklund
Michael Tindall
Pete de Vries
Jeremy Fyke
Carrie Nadeau
Dan Nadeau
Marta Green
Alex Lane
Paul Williamson
Marni Williamson
Dave Smith
Kathleen Lainsbury
Contact
Please use the contact form if you’d like let me know about issues you’re interested in, or even if you’d just like to say hi. I’d love to hear from you! Follow me on: