A decisive win for the District councillor in Barriere who decided to make a push for higher office.

Rob Kerslake, the two-term councillor who had earned the endorsement of his predecessor, easily took the by-election on Saturday.

Kerslake was running against former Mayor Bill Humphreys.

In a margin of victory that would make even a hardened dictator blush, Kerslake took the race with 453 of the 478 votes cast, with Humphreys picking up 24.

“It’s good to have the community support behind you,” Kerslake told Radio NL in the wake of the election.  “That’s a lot of support.”

Despite a nearly 95% mandate as Barriere’s new mayor, Kerslake says he doesn’t plan to suggest any major overhaul to what they’ve already been doing but does say he looks forward to instituting the District’s new Strategic Plan.

“We’re really breaking down the whole organization.  Going through each line-item and looking for efficiencies,” said Kerslake.  “In the end, that should prove to be a savings in taxes.”

While he’s been the interim Mayor since Ward Stamer began his campaign in September, Kerslake will officially take over at a time of extreme uncertainty for his community, and many others, in the region, given the threat of more tariffs from the Trump administration.

On top of separate anti-dumping and countervailing duties expected to be coming down the line from the US Commerce Department — separate from the Trump threat — it’s possible that lumber producers could be leaving more than half the value of their shipment at the US border on deposit to get their shipments through.

“I spoke with major industry, like Gilbert Smith Forest Products a couple of weeks ago.  Of course, they’re concerned,” lamented Kerslake.  “If those tariffs come on full stock…like the whole 25%… that could have a huge impact on our town.”

Kerslake to be joined on Council by political rookie

The political newcomer in the field to fill Kerslake’s former seat on Barriere Council was the clear winner in that four-person race.

35-year old Brody Mosdell took 260 of the 472 votes cast for councillors, more than doubling the 114 taken by former councillor Alan Fortin.

Steve Boylan would earn 67 votes, while 92-year-old Bob George rounded out the race with 31 votes.

Kerslake — who led the way during the Council elections in 2022 — will officially take over from Ward Stamer once the vote goes through final determination, which will take place at 4pm on Monday.

The 478 votes in the by-election represents just over 31% of the 1,528 eligible voters, which is down a bit from the 557 people who turned out in the last election, which saw Ward Stamer acclaimed as the mayor for a 2nd term.

Stamer gave up his position on October 21st, not long after he became the new BC Conservative MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson.

Since becoming incorporated in 2007, Barriere has not had a mayor complete two terms in office, with Kerslake becoming the fifth person to fill the seat.