The incumbent is set to serve another four-year term after a closely watched mayoral contest focused on public safety, housing, economic stability and relationships with First Nations.
WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Surinderpal Rathor has been reported re-elected as mayor of Williams Lake, according to local media reporting following Saturday’s municipal election. The incumbent faced former mayor Walt Cobb in a rematch between two familiar figures in the Cariboo community.
Rathor was first elected mayor in 2022, defeating Cobb and two other candidates. Before becoming mayor, Rathor served on Williams Lake city council from 1993 to 2014. His reported re-election would give him another four years to pursue the priorities he outlined during the campaign.
The City of Williams Lake held general voting day on October 17, with voting at Marie Sharpe Elementary School. The city’s advance and special voting opportunities had already received 1,543 ballots before election day, according to a municipal notice published October 16.
Housing, public safety and affordability among key issues
During the campaign, Rathor identified public safety, housing, health care, employment and affordability as major priorities. He said he wanted to continue working with other levels of government and community partners to address crime, support housing development, strengthen health services and attract funding for local projects.
Rathor also highlighted responsible financial management and infrastructure, including the city’s remaining debt, the water treatment plant, the Cariboo Memorial Hospital project and a proposed indoor sports facility.
In a candidate questionnaire published by My Cariboo Now on October 13, Rathor said he wanted to continue the work of his first term and build a safe, affordable and prosperous community.
Cobb, who previously served as mayor, emphasized economic stability, homelessness and crime during the campaign. He also called for greater economic diversification, including opportunities to expand tourism alongside established industries such as mining, forestry and agriculture.
First Nations relationships featured in the campaign
Relations between the city and neighbouring First Nations also became a prominent issue in the mayoral race.
In an October 15 report, The Tyee described public support for Rathor from Williams Lake First Nation and the Tŝilhqot’in National Government. Their statements highlighted the importance of respectful working relationships between municipal leadership and Indigenous communities.
Rathor said during the campaign that cooperation with other governments and community partners was important to Williams Lake’s future. Cobb also said he was prepared to work with communities across the region.
The issue carries significance for Williams Lake and the wider Cariboo, where municipal decisions intersect with regional economic development, health services, infrastructure and relationships with Indigenous governments.
A rematch between familiar political figures
The contest was another chapter in a long-running political rivalry. Cobb defeated Rathor in the 2014 and 2018 mayoral elections before Rathor won the mayor’s office in 2022.
Rathor’s reported re-election would allow him to continue his agenda on infrastructure, housing, public safety and financial management. The next term will also test the city’s ability to advance major projects while responding to concerns about homelessness, employment and the local economy.
Results verification: Local reporting has described Rathor as re-elected, but the CivicInfo BC results page reviewed for this article still listed Williams Lake as “Yet To Report.” Vote totals, the margin of victory and official certification could not be independently confirmed from the available results page at the time of writing. StudioX News will update this report when official results are available.
StudioX News will continue to follow municipal election results and the priorities facing communities across British Columbia.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, NEPMCC, and the Canadian Freelance Union (Unifor). Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca