Doug Richardson to lead Anmore’s new council as mayor

Anmore voters chose a different direction. Councillor Doug Richardson, perhaps council’s most vocal critic of the proposed Anmore South development plan, is set to become the village’s next mayor after running unopposed. He will replace John McEwen, who is leaving the mayor’s office as he moves into provincial politics.

McEwen campaigned on greater transparency and trust between village residents and village hall. When he announced his campaign, he said Anmore was unique and that he wanted to protect what made it home. He added that planning for the years ahead should be done by Anmore residents, in pursuit of the future they want for themselves, their neighbours and their families.

In 2025, Richardson objected to what he viewed as a compressed timeline for public feedback on the proposed Anmore South plan. “We’re going to potentially change Anmore forever and we’re going to give residents one shot to talk to people and three weeks time for reports they haven’t even seen yet? It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in like forever,” he said at the time.

The new council includes Carl Schmidt, Harriette Chang, Rod Rempel and Will Crocker. Rempel, representing the Anmore Neighbours Community Association, questioned the credibility of technical studies for Anmore South. Chang also questioned the project at a 2023 meeting, telling council: “This is paradise. I don’t want it to change. And maybe I’m selfish, but I’m thinking about my children and their children.”

Incumbent councillors Kim Trowbridge and Paul Weverink both lost their bids for re-election. Councillor Polly Krier chose not to run again.