Council

Summerland Council 2026 - 2030

Mayor: Doug Holmes

Councillors: Richard Barkwill, Adrienne Betts, Taryn Davis, Amie Harbor, Doug Patan, and Erin Trainer

The District of Summerland is governed by an elected Council comprised of a Mayor and six Councillors. The Local Government Act and Community Charter give Council the authority to establish policies to guide the growth, development and operation of the District and to levy taxes to provide services.

Doug Holmes was elected Mayor in 2022 and re-elected in 2026 after previously serving eight years as Councillor. He represents Summerland at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and serves on the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB). Doug has long advocated for a culturally and economically vibrant community and has been Council’s liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council, and Summerland Secondary School Youth Council. Known in the community for coaching youth tennis and for his work to support refugees, Doug settled in Summerland to raise his family in 2004 after an international career in business and journalism. Based in Paris and London, he worked for Microsoft Corp for 10 years and authored a book on the use of Internet technology in the public sector, which was translated into seven languages. He has been a company director and magazine publisher in the UK, a foreign correspondent in Eastern Europe, a copy editor in Hong Kong, and a newspaper editor and CBC radio reporter in the Northwest Territories. Doug has been to every Canadian province and territory and has visited more than 90 countries. He has a degree in journalism and political science from Carleton University in Ottawa. Contact Mayor Holmes at dholmes@summerland.ca.

Erin Trainer is a fourth-term councillor. She grew up in the Lower Mainland and moved to Summerland in 2011 to be closer to her parents. (Her mother was born and raised in Summerland.) Erin lives in Trout Creek with her husband Erick Thompson and three young children. 

Erin has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (UVic), and diplomas in both Broadcast Journalism (BCIT) and Public Relations (UVic). She worked as a TV news writer and producer in Victoria, and prior to having children, worked as the marketing coordinator for Summerland Credit Union and manager of the Penticton Farmers' Market. She also co-founded the Trout Creek Residents Association, an informal group that organizes events and community clean-ups. 

She is a strong advocate for healthy living and is the council liaison for the Parks and Recreation Committee and Friends of the Summerland Ornamental Gardens. She has served as both a Summerland director and alternate director on the RDOS board. She enjoys hiking, running and biking. Contact Councillor Trainer at etrainer@summerland.ca. 

Richard Barkwill is a retired Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and has a degree in  Agriculture from UBC. He was born and raised in Summerland and currently lives on a   small farm in Prairie Valley. His goal while on council is to preserve Summerland as the   unique community it is, while accommodating growth and maintaining respect for the environment.  He is particularly interested in Summerland's water supply, which includes storage, distribution, and management for both the domestic and agricultural user.

Recently Richard has been resurrecting the Summerland Citizens on Patrol organization and he encourages anyone who might be interested to contact him at the email address below. Richard has been a Councillor since 2014 and is the representative on the Summerland  Museum & Archives Society. Contact Councillor Barkwill at rbarkwill@summerland.ca.

Adrienne Betts is a second term councillor who grew up east of Edmonton, AB and spent nearly 10 years living in Ottawa where she met her husband Mike Boersma. Together with their children Alex & Jane, they migrated west to beautiful Summerland in 2019 to operate the landmark Granny’s Café & Bakery.

Adrienne has 25+ years of experience in the Food and Hospitality Industries. She holds a degree in Political Science (UofA) and has lived across Canada and the world. Her excellence in customer service comes from a commitment to authenticity, quality, and acceptance of people’s unique qualities.

As a business owner and employer of many local youth; wife, mother, contributing community member and woman under 50, Adrienne is passionate about bringing a fresh perspective to governance and priority setting. Seeing a future for all our children includes a serious commitment to climate change action. Contact Councillor Betts at abetts@summerland.ca.

Doug Patan and his wife, Julie, chose Summerland as their home in 2008, raising two of their four children, Joel and Kyle, in our vibrant community.  Doug brings over 26 years of invaluable municipal government experience to District Council.  He built a distinguished career with the City of Kelowna, serving as the Building and Permitting Branch Manager, Chief Building Official, and Technical Safety Gas Manager.  Doug is passionate about education and safety standards; Doug has taught the BC Building Code at the Centre for Arts and Technology, served as a Zone Director for the Building Officials Association of BC, and collaborated on HVAC systems and design with the Pembina Institute. 

With his extensive background, Doug excels at bringing people together.  He is dedicated to working collaboratively with local citizens, business owners, and community partners to keep Summerland a safe, welcoming, and thriving place to live. Contact Contact Councillor Patan at dpatan@summerland.ca  

Amie Harbor - Photo and bio coming soon!
Contact Councillor Harbor at aharbor@summerland.ca

Taryn Davis - Photo and bio coming soon!
Contact Councillor Davis at tdavis@summerland.ca