Henry Braun (born c. 1950)[2] is a Canadian politician and businessman. He served as the mayor of Abbotsford, British Columbia from 2014 to 2022.
Henry Braun | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Abbotsford, British Columbia | |
| In office December 1, 2014[1] – November 7, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Banman |
| Succeeded by | Ross Siemens |
| Abbotsford City Councillor | |
| In office 2011–2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Velma Braun |
| Occupation | businessman |
Braun was born in Paraguay where he lived with his family until he was three and a half, when they first moved to Steinbach, Manitoba and then to Abbotsford.[2][3] His parents were Russian Mennonite refugees from the Mennonite colonies of southern Ukraine who fled to Paraguay during World War II.[2][4] Before entering politics, Braun was a rancher and the CEO Pacific Northern Rail Contractors Corp.[5]
Braun was first elected as a city councillor in Abbotsford in the 2011 municipal election. As a councillor, Braun was known for his lone opposing votes, with mayor Bruce Banman calling him "(not) a team player".[6] He ran for mayor in 2014, defeating Banman by just over 600 votes. Braun ran on a platform of "fiscal responsibility" and "better accountability" in local government. He received some controversy in his run, as his son was director of development planning for the city, causing a possible conflict of interest.[5] In his campaign, he won the endorsements of former mayors George Ferguson and Dave Kandal.[7]
Braun was re-elected mayor in the 2018 mayoral election, defeating long-time city councillor Moe Gill and accountant Eric Nyvall, taking 57% of the vote.[8]
As mayor, Braun's biggest challenge was having to deal with the 2021 Pacific Northwest floods which ravaged the Sumas Prairie in the city.[9]
Braun did not run for re-election in 2022.
In 2024, he was selected by the provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs to advise Kamloops City Council on how to "work together" during its dispute with mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson.[10] Braun produced a "scathing report" which resulted in council voting to ask Hamer-Jackson to resign.[11]
Personal life
editBraun is married to Velma Braun, and has three children.
References
edit- ^ Lisa Pleadwell (April 7, 2015). Council Report: 2014 Draft Annual Report (Report). Report No. COR 26-2015. Abbotsford, BC: Abbotsford Committee Of the Whole. File No: 1830-02.
- ^ a b c "Henry Braun Running For Mayor". Abbotsford Today. January 10, 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Herar, Ken (January 14, 2017). "COLUMN: From Paraguay to Abbotsford: A closer look at Mayor Braun". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Lehn, Don (January 11, 2020). "Abbotsford Celebrates 25 Years As A City". Fraser Valley News. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ a b "A case of Braun over Banman". Vancouver Province. November 16, 2014. p. A9. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- ^ Olsen, Tyler (August 22, 2018). "United they vote: Abbotsford council votes are consistently unanimous". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ Johnston, Jesse (October 16, 2014). "Spotlight on Abbotsford candidates". CBC. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "Braun back in Abbotsford". Vancouver Province. November 21, 2018. p. 12. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- ^ "3 B.C. mayors reflect on leadership as their terms end". CBC. October 13, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ "Former Abbotsford mayor selected as new municipal advisor for Kamloops council". CFJC Today. February 14, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ "Kamloops, B.C., mayor asked to resign after damning report". CBC. May 7, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.