Bib currently serves as Councillor at Large for Lake Country. In addition, he also balances his District role with being the Retention Manager at Evergreen Maintenance. His career spans more than 18 years across customer success, revenue operations, purchasing and procurement, general management, and sales, giving him a broad, grounded perspective on how organizations serve the people who depend on them. That same approach shapes his work on Council: building relationships, listening closely, and finding solutions that lift the community or move it forward. Before settling in Lake Country, Bib brought that same commitment to community through nonprofit involvement with organizations including TEDxCalgary, Classroom Champions, and Timeraiser, work that reinforced his belief that strong communities are built through consistent, hands-on engagement.
What Patel said at the Rogers tv panel. Each summary was written by AI and checked by a person. The quote under it is exact, and the link opens the video at that moment.
Asked And with that, we'll start with introductions. To the candidates, as a reminder, you have two minutes to present your introduction.
Summary Bib Patel has served as councillor at large for four years and is running again. Patel says sidewalks for safety and a business park are not done yet. Patel wants to keep moving them forward and increase community engagement, including hearing residents' opinions.
I ran on sidewalks that needed to be built for safety. They're not done. We have a lake, we have a business park. It's not done.
Asked As Lake Country continues to grow, do you have any opinion, observations, or comments about specific infrastructure projects, such as roads, water, sewer, and sidewalks?
Summary Bib Patel says sidewalks are a safety issue, pointing to kids walking on the road near Peter Greer. Patel wants to keep pushing for safety first, such as filling sidewalk gaps on Okanagan Centre. Patel supports doing road work with District-owned equipment to save money, and wants smart decisions on development.
I want to keep advocating to make sure that we're focusing on safety first.
Asked Do you have a position, opinion, or comment related to the district's support for local farmers and need to protect agricultural land while accommodating growth, food security, and agritourism opportunities.
Summary Bib Patel says local farms and roadside sales are part of the community's identity. Patel supports the Farmgate Trail and wants to expand it. Patel wants an online tool that shows people where to find specific local produce.
Farmgate Trail is one of my favorite things in the world and I stand behind it. I think Ruth in our business developments have done a fantastic job. I want to expand on that.
Asked How will you ensure you make decisions that benefit the whole community, including residents who may not share their priorities?
Summary Bib Patel says every decision will leave some people unhappy. Patel would ask whether a choice lifts the whole community, including businesses, youth and seniors. For people who disagree, Patel wants to talk with them so they respect the answer even if they dislike it.
talking to all the community. Looking at businesses, looking at our youth, looking at our seniors and saying, does this lift the community? Does this move the community forward?
Asked What is one accomplishment or project in your past work or volunteer life or other experience you would share with the audience that would demonstrate your ability to lead, collaborate, and or solve complex problems?
Summary Bib Patel says the first motion Patel made on council was to diversify the tax base, and council passed it. Patel says relying on residential taxes is not sustainable and wants less reliance on them. Patel supports small business growth and serves on the Chamber of Commerce.
I identified that early on with our large tax increase that this isn't sustainable as a community. We have to find different ways.
I want to continue to offer my perspective on issues. I want to keep showing up for this amazing community that welcomed me and my family with open arms.
Across those roles and my time in Council, I learned that good outcomes come from a place of curiosity. Learning not only what the issue is, but how we got there.
Asked Lake Country businesses often struggle to recruit and retain employees because of housing costs and availability. What actions would you support to increase attainable workforce housing?
Due to low housing development over the course of many years, we’ve fallen substantially behind. However, over the past few years, Lake Country has approved a number of building projects aimed at increasing rentals and what’s called, the missing middle (more attainable priced homes).
Asked Lake Country businesses often struggle to recruit and retain employees because of housing costs and availability. What actions would you support to increase attainable workforce housing?
The challenge is that less than 20% of approved projects make it to completed stage. This is where some of the disconnect between Council and the community lies. It looks like we’re approving so many projects, but in actuality, very few are getting built.
Asked What is the most important topic that needs to be dealt with in Lake Country and how would you go about dealing with it?
I am committed to continue asking practical questions, working with the residents, businesses and staff to ensure while Lake Country grows, we are able to keep the identity of our amazing community.
Asked What is the most important topic that needs to be dealt with in Lake Country and how would you go about dealing with it?
When people ask what Lake Country needs most, my answer is a more diversified tax base. Too much of the load sits on residential property owners, which makes it harder to fund what residents care about, like sidewalks, safer roads, and the infrastructure that keeps a growing community connected.
Asked How would you address traffic congestion, parking limitations and transportation challenges affecting employees, customers and commercial deliveries?
Ensuring that adequate parking is available and the flow makes sense. This is done through traffic reports and deep analysis on traffic flow in development plans.
Asked How would you address traffic congestion, parking limitations and transportation challenges affecting employees, customers and commercial deliveries?
In addition, promoting alternative means of transportation by ensuring sidewalks, bike paths and bike storage are present. As well, allowing for transit as a viable option by ensuring bus stops are within a respectable vicinity of the development.
Asked What is your plan to attract new businesses and investment while also supporting established locally owned businesses?
I would like to create an informal small business committee that gathers quarterly to discuss their issues and what we can do to help, including utilizing tourism to promote our businesses.
Asked What specific changes would you support to make building permits, development applications, inspections and business approvals faster and more predictable?
We, as a council and administration, streamlined the process to an approach of development from a customer service mindset as opposed to a “You’re on your own” system.
Asked What are the three most important actions the District should take to support the growth and success of local businesses?
Keep focused on the development of the Lake Country Business park and our smaller Industrial Park off Beaver Lake Road. These will allow expansion of our small business and help diversify our tax base.
Asked What steps would you support to improve public safety, cleanliness and security in Lake Country’s commercial areas?
The goal is to evolve into 24-hour police coverage which will help ensure potential threats are kept to a minimum as the commercial developments are built out.
Asked How would you ensure businesses receive adequate notice and meaningful consultation before roadwork, construction or other municipal projects disrupt access, parking or customer traffic?
Within the development portal, we should be showing projects with their start and completion dates. In addition, emails to all affected businesses with updates on the project’s progress and timelines will ensure businesses are able to plan accordingly and communicate with their clients.
Asked How should the District work with the Lake Country Chamber of Commerce and local businesses when developing policies, budgets and long-term economic plans?
This would be attended by members of council, business owners and members of business development to create conversations and updates that affect the business community.
