Okotoks Blog

This month, I’m taking over the blog but I promise to give it back soon. As we step into a new year, I wanted the chance to write about something I’m genuinely passionate about: fulfillment. At the beginning of a new year, the conversation often turns to health. We talk about exercise routines, nutrition plans,…

On January 12, I attended the council meeting to ask about the additional transparency the Town has said it is planning around finances. Transparency is something I care about, and I wanted to better understand what changes might be coming and what that would look like in practice. Clarifying the Town’s Current Approach During the…

A new wellness space has quietly taken root in Okotoks, offering residents a place to slow down, reconnect, and tend to their whole selves. The Healing Cocoon Collective is more than just a health and wellness centre. It’s the result of decades of experience, personal loss, and a deep belief in healing the mind, body,…

As 2026 approaches, I’ve found myself reflecting a lot on this past year, especially on the unexpected ways it shaped my holiday season. Running in the recent mayoral race may not have ended the way I hoped, but it opened doors I never anticipated. The connections made throughout the campaign in the forms of conversations…

On Sunday, December 21, my family and I had the privilege of volunteering with Baby It’s Cold Outside Charity for their annual Christmas Feast, and it was an experience we won’t soon forget. Our day began at Sobey’s in Okotoks, where we collected the food that would become a festive holiday meal for families in…

Sometimes the most meaningful community initiatives don’t start with a big plan. They start with simply wanting to help. Hannahlyn’s Backpacks began eight years ago when a local mom and her young daughter had friends heading into Calgary to cut hair for people experiencing homelessness. Wanting to support that effort in a practical way, they…

For many families, Opening Gaits is more than a riding program. It’s a place where confidence grows, voices emerge, and people of all abilities experience freedom from the back of a horse. Samantha Lethbridge, the Executive Director at Opening Gaits, was nice enough to provide me with some information on their organization including the impact they have on our community.   A…

There’s something special about people who make a community feel more alive. People who quietly create spaces for connection, joy, and creativity. Recently, I attended a concert that Kevin Levacque organized, someone who’s been doing exactly that in Okotoks: bringing world-class live music right into our living rooms, barns, and community spaces. What started as…

Reflections After the Mayoral Election Losing an election is a humbling experience. It forces you to pause, take a breath, and really sit with the journey you’ve been on. Over the last few weeks, my wife Amanda and I have had a lot of those reflective conversations; the kind you only have after a season…

Earlier this week, I stood before Okotoks Town Council during what will be their last public meeting before the 2026 budget is finalized. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, but I felt it was important. I went there to appeal directly to council to keep spending in check and to remind them that behind…