Penticton councillor James Miller loses seat after Ontario conviction
James Miller, who lost his Penticton council seat Sept. 18 after being convicted of an indictable offence in Ontario.
Photo: City of Penticton
PENTICTON — James Miller is no longer a Penticton city councillor after being convicted of an indictable offence following a trial in Sarnia, Ont.
The City of Penticton confirmed the conviction Friday, Sept. 18. Under B.C. law, Miller’s council seat became vacant on the date of the conviction.
The Local Government Act states that the office of a local government official becomes vacant when that person is convicted of an indictable offence.
The legislation also says that if the conviction is later overturned on appeal, the former officeholder is not entitled to return to the seat for the remainder of the term.
Miller had been on a mandatory leave of absence from council before the conviction. Under the Community Charter, a councillor on mandatory leave continues to hold office but cannot exercise the powers or duties of a council member.
The city’s current council page no longer lists Miller. Penticton is now represented by Mayor Julius Bloomfield and councillors Campbell Watt, Isaac Gilbert, Ryan Graham, Jason Reynen and Shannon Stewart.
Miller was first elected to Penticton council in a June 2021 by-election and won a full four-year term in the October 2022 municipal election, receiving 4,488 votes.
His removal comes less than a month before Penticton voters choose a new council.
Nominations for the 2026 general local election closed Sept. 11. Miller is not among the 19 candidates seeking six council seats.
General voting day is Oct. 17, with advance voting scheduled for Oct. 7, 10 and 14.
An Influenza A outbreak remains active on the medical unit at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail.