Rick Ingram has brought a level-headed, entrepreneurial and diplomatic voice to council. He listens first, does the homework, and shows up for Peachland — and he's asking for your vote to keep doing it.
Rick's path to Peachland's council table started far from the Okanagan. Born and raised in Ottawa, he earned a Bachelor of Mathematics in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo in 1984, then spent the next three decades as a software entrepreneur — a principal in five startups — and as a technology and business development consultant. He brought that same builder's instinct to Canada's high-performance computing community, serving as the final president of Super*CAN before it rolled into the C3.ca Association, and staying on its board until 2005.
Rick and his wife Janice bought their piece of Peachland in 2010, broke ground on their home in 2015, and moved in the following spring. Around the same time, he began redirecting his energy toward climate science and advocacy, joining the Mayor's Task Force on Climate Change in January 2017 — the same year he became a permanent Peachland resident.
What followed was nearly a decade of hands-on community work: Director of the Peachland Wellness Centre, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, a founding member of the Peachland Recovery Task Force, a seat on the Bulyea FireSmart Community board, Vice-Chair of the Peachland Hub Society, and a place on the Fire Hall Advisory Select Committee.
In 2022, Peachland elected him to Council, where he chaired the Climate Action Task Force.
A record built on preparation and follow-through, not headlines.
Through the DRIS process, Rick backed the Task Force members who fought to keep Beach Avenue frontages to one or two storeys with real step-backs above, guarantee multiple distinct storefronts instead of one monolithic building, and require all residential parking to stay on-site.
During the OCP update, he pushed to keep Lower Princeton building heights at a reasonable level and to define sensible, defined boundaries for the 13th Street mixed-use area — growth that fits the town rather than overwhelming it.
Rick chaired the Task Force that produced Peachland's Climate Action Plan, and has kept pressing to see its Recommended Actions actually completed — not just adopted and shelved.
Long before and during his term on Council, Rick put in the hours most residents never see: Director of the Peachland Wellness Centre, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, a seat on the Bulyea FireSmart Community board, the Fire Hall Advisory Select Committee, the Peachland Recovery Task Force, and Vice-Chair of the Peachland Hub Society.
His entrepreneurial background trained him to scrutinize financial statements and build workable business plans. Rick puts in the time to review every report in detail before offering comment or recommendations — a skill his fellow councillors have specifically recognized in council discussions and debates.
Rick's own words on what still needs doing.
The waterfront and small-town feel are why most of us live here. Rick will keep building on the height limits, storefront rules, and on-site parking requirements he helped establish through the DRIS and OCP processes.
This year's early, significant water restrictions made it clearer than ever: our watershed is Peachland's top priority. Rick will keep pushing to give Engineering & Operations the resources to explore reservoir and water source enhancements, update the Water Master Plan for a climate that brings more persistent drought, and lobby to give Peachland a voice in the governance of our watershed.
Peachland's infrastructure deficit is real, built up by past Councils choosing low tax increases over healthy reserves. Growing the tax base through development has to go hand-in-hand with protecting our small-town character and water supply — which is why Rick has pushed to make sure Development Cost Charges cover new development's fair share of water and infrastructure upgrades.
Rick chaired the Task Force that wrote Peachland's Climate Action Plan. The job now is finishing it — working through as many of the Plan's Recommended Actions as possible, not letting the report gather dust. Key actions relate to forest fire mitigation, securing our water supply, composting organics, and expanding active and public transportation options.
The Peachland Wellness Centre and the Peachland Food Bank provide services this town depends on, but their home at 4th Street Place has always been temporary. Both organizations need a permanent home.
"Peachland needs a level-headed, entrepreneurial and diplomatic voice on Council — a champion for its vibrant small-town character. That's the councillor I've tried to be, and it's what I'll keep being if you re-elect me." — Rick Ingram
Reach out directly, or send a note below — he reads every one.
Check back at RickIngramForCouncil.ca for updates as election day approaches.