Ernesto Caranto launches Prince George mayoral campaign

He pointed to communities such as Blackburn as examples of areas where residents have expressed concerns about transit access.

“To be able to invite more people to live in Prince George, you have to establish public transportation,” he said.

Caranto also highlighted winter road maintenance as an issue he would like to see addressed. He questioned whether enough snow-clearing resources are deployed during major snowfall events and said residents deserve reliable service during the winter months.

Another key pillar of his campaign is downtown public safety. Caranto said he believes increased collaboration between city officials and the RCMP is needed to address crime and improve the perception of safety in the city’s core.

“Our downtown is dying,” he said. “There is no police presence.”

If elected, Caranto said he would meet with RCMP leadership to discuss ways officers can better serve the community and improve conditions in the downtown area.

In addition to transportation and safety, Caranto said Prince George should look at ways to diversify its economy beyond the forestry sector. He suggested encouraging greenhouse development and expanding local food production to help strengthen food security and potentially lower costs for residents.

“We cannot depend on lumber,” he said. “We invite more greenhouse here to protect our food supply.”

Caranto noted that Prince George and the surrounding region have significant agricultural potential and said supporting local food production could help the community navigate future economic and supply chain uncertainties.

Asked about his political experience, Caranto said he has previously been involved in politics in Surrey and has relationships with municipal and provincial political figures from the Lower Mainland. While he acknowledged he does not have direct political affiliations in Prince George, he described himself as non-partisan and focused on serving residents.

“I am for the people,” he said.

As he begins his campaign, Caranto is positioning himself as a community advocate who wants to bring a fresh perspective to City Hall.

“You can count on me,” he said. “The name you can trust.”

Editor’s Note: This article is based on comments made by mayoral candidate Ernesto Caranto during a campaign interview. Statements and priorities attributed to Caranto reflect his views and campaign platform.

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Ernesto Caranto launches Prince George mayoral campaign

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