Erwin Warkentin Runs Again For Vermilion Town Council

Erwin Warkentin. Photo submitted

Erwin Warkentin has once again put his name forward as a candidate for Vermilion town council in the upcoming municipal election on October 20. This will be his third time running, and he says his motivation remains rooted in a strong desire to help guide the town through important decisions that will shape its future.

“This is my third time running for council, we need dedicated leadership to ensure our town’s infrastructure projects like housing development and the future of our airport are successful and beneficial for everyone,” said Warkentin. “I believe I have the skills and experience to make a real difference. I want to contribute to shaping a future where our community thrives and all residents see tangible improvements.”

For Warkentin, the role of councillor is about stewardship and responsible governance. “The most important role of a councillor in a town like Vermilion is to serve as a responsible and effective steward of the community’s interests,” he explained. “We must respect the expertise of town staff and professionals who handle the day-to-day administration.”

His long-term vision is to see Vermilion move forward with purpose rather than reacting to challenges as they arise. “We need to be a proactive community and not a reactive community,” he said. “Over the next five years, we need to have serious conversations and have a firm plan for our infrastructure needs. By planning ahead, we can reduce unexpected surprises and ensure growth that is both efficient and sustainable.”

If he could accomplish only one major change during his term, Warkentin said it would be establishing a comprehensive long-term plan that reflects the town’s shared priorities. “Our growth should be balanced and community-driven,” he noted.

Addressing what he sees as Vermilion’s biggest challenge, Warkentin believes council must lead with a clear vision and stop putting off difficult decisions. “We have to stop ‘kicking the can down the road’ on major decisions, and actually make hard choices recognizing not everyone will be happy with our choices,” he said.

Warkentin, who is a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Vermilion and a past president, said his values are guided by the principle of service. “As a Rotarian, I’m guided by the principle of ‘Service Above Self.’ My decisions will prioritize the well-being of the whole community, grounded in integrity, transparency, and a commitment to seek expert advice when needed.”

He also stressed the importance of listening to residents, particularly those who don’t often voice their opinions. “I genuinely enjoy hearing people’s ideas and believe that creating an open and respectful environment can encourage sharing,” he said.

Transparency and accountability, Warkentin added, are essential in public service. “Council decisions should be explained clearly, with the reasoning and impacts easy to understand. These are choices that affect people’s lives and they shouldn’t need to search through 40 pages of material to find them,” he explained.

When it comes to working with fellow councillors, town staff, or residents, Warkentin believes respectful dialogue is key. “Disagreements are natural, but they don’t have to be negative. By setting egos aside and focusing on our shared goals for the community, we can find solutions that work for everyone,” he said. At the same time, he added that he has “a firm zero-tolerance stance toward harassment or disrespectful behavior because healthy dialogue should never come at the cost of respect.”

Warkentin, who is originally from outside Vermilion, said one of the things he is most proud of is the sense of belonging the community fosters. “I love how Vermilion makes people feel at home. I’m not originally from here, but Vermilion welcomed me, it’s a great place to raise a family. I love the diversity that Lakeland College brings, the friendships built with neighbors, and the everyday kindness that you find here,” he said. “Those are the things that make Vermilion special.”

At the end of his term, Warkentin said he would measure his success as a councillor by the progress made on infrastructure projects and by whether residents felt heard. “At the end of my term, I’d like to see Vermilion further ahead on infrastructure projects so we are creating opportunities for housing and growth, I’d also hope that people feel they’ve been listened to,” he said.

Warkentin, a married father of two, has a background in the aviation industry but now works as a legal assistant. He is active with the Rotary Club, Vermilion River Flying Club, the Airport Advisory Committee, enjoys soccer, taekwondo, computers, and gardening, and describes himself as busy in his favourite role—Dad.

If you have any questions or would like to speak with Erwin directly you can contact him at erwin4council@gmail.com