(Image Credit: CKPG Today/File)

By Victor Kaisar

Downloading Report Advocacy Tool

PG council being asked to greenlight new report into downloaded costs

Jan 11, 2026 | 3:00 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Prince George City Councillors are being asked to allow staff to take a deep dive into costs that have been downloaded onto local taxpayers by higher levels of government.

The discussion at Monday’s (Jan. 12) council meeting will follow a similar one that took place at the Jan. 6 Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs meeting.

“The committee discussed the impacts of costs and responsibilities that have been downloaded from senior levels of government to municipalities and further discussed the effectiveness of data as an advocacy tool,” a report from Committee Chair Garth Frizzell said.

In that report, Frizzell – who is a past-president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) – said the hope is for Prince George committees, council, and staff to use the data compiled by staff to “strengthen conversations held between the City and other levels of government.”

He said the move will follow similar efforts undertaken in Kamloops and Coquitlam.

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“Recent reports produced by other BC municipalities have identified millions of dollars in downloaded costs that are being borne by local governments, taking budget away from municipal services such as roads, water, parks, and snow removal,” Frizzell said.

“As this initiative requires staff time to access and analyze data and prepare the report and as the completed report may be used by all of Council as an advocacy tool, the Committee is seeking Council approval to direct Administration to complete the intended work.”

Monday’s city council meeting will get underway at 6:00 p.m. at Prince George City Hall.