The City of Fernie has appointed Jeremy Johnston as its new director of planning and development services.
Johnston previously served as community planning lead for the Community Energy Association, where he supported sustainable growth, land use and development initiatives in communities across the province.
Before that, Johnston retained senior planning roles with the municipalities of Elkford and Sparwood. In those positions, he built strong regional proficiency in land use planning, development approvals and extended community planning within the Elk Valley. He said he hopes to bring that experience to his new role in Fernie.
“My work across BC has shown me what works well in different contexts, and I’m excited to apply those lessons in Fernie in a way that reflects our community’s unique character, priorities, and growth pressures,” Johnston said.
Johnston expresses his excitement to bring his professional expertise to the community, council and staff of Fernie.
“I’ve called Fernie home for the past 10 years, so it’s meaningful to bring my professional experience to the community where I live. I’m looking forward to working alongside Council, staff, and the community to support thoughtful planning and responsive development services,” said Johnston.
Mayor Nic Milligan and chief administrative officer Michael Boronowski welcomed the appointment, saying Johnston’s background will help support the city’s growth and planning goals.
“Council is committed to supporting a community that is vibrant, diverse, and liveable. Jeremy’s appointment strengthens our ability to advance key priorities around housing diversity, sustainable growth, and thoughtful development, ensuring that Fernie continues to grow in a way that meets residents’ needs and reflects our long-term vision,” said Mayor Milligan.
“We’re excited to welcome Jeremy to the City of Fernie. Jeremy has a proven track record of collaborative leadership and, and we’re looking forward to bringing his broader perspectives to practical, locally grounded planning and the services we provide to the community in support of high-quality development,” said Boronowski.
Johnston is set to officially begin his new role on Feb. 2, 2026.
