Former Osoyoos mayor/MLA passes away

OSOYOOS – A long time politician from the south Okanagan has passed away.

John Slater was a councillor in Osoyoos for many years before successfully running for mayor in 2002.

In 2009, Slater became the Liberal MLA for Boundary-Similkameen.

He resigned the position before the 2013 provincial general election in a fallout with the Liberal party, saying he intended to run as an independent candidate.

However, he later changed his mind saying “the politics of person destruction” was the reason he wouldn’t run for provincial office again.

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, premier Christy Clark said she was deeply saddened by the loss of a friend and caucus colleague.

“John Slater was passionate about his home and the people who make Osoyoos special. That passion led to 30 years of dedicated service to the community he loved. But no matter what his official title was, John always thought of himself first and foremost as a farmer.”