Mayoral hopefuls pitch vision for Prince George at Chamber forum

Advance voting is underway Oct. 7, 8, 14 and 15, while General Voting Day is Oct. 17.

Among the frontrunners, longtime city councillor Garth Frizzell argued public safety requires a collaborative approach that addresses root causes while strengthening enforcement and coordination among agencies.

“We can’t do this alone,” Frizzell said. “The mayor’s role is to bring those people together so that we can work on these. These aren’t simple problems. They’re very nuanced, and they need everybody on board.”

Frizzell also highlighted economic opportunities on the horizon, citing resource development projects and the construction of the new acute care tower as major drivers of growth.

City councillor Kyle Sampson focused heavily on community livability, arguing that economic success depends on creating a city where people want to live and raise families.

“Community development is rooted in my mind, growing the things that make people want to call Prince George home,” Sampson said. “It’s the senior centres, it’s the splash park modernization, it’s investing in the things that make Prince George a place that is comfortable to live.”

Sampson said the mayor’s role is to build consensus, establish priorities and advocate for Prince George with governments and industry.

Incumbent Mayor Simon Yu emphasized compassion and community involvement when discussing public safety.

“We need to reconstruct the village together,” Yu said. “But most important is we need to learn to listen and listen with our heart.”

Yu noted that Prince George has seen improvements in crime statistics in recent years, but said long-term solutions require addressing social issues and supporting vulnerable residents.

Lawyer Roy Stewart focused on infrastructure renewal and what he described as the need for stronger oversight of municipal spending.

“My research indicates that in Prince George we have 386 kilometres of asbestos concrete water pipes,” Stewart said. “The systems we have have been in the ground for a long time and are failing.”

Stewart also called for stricter enforcement of existing bylaws and changes to federal and provincial policies affecting crime and homelessness.

Businessman and marine engineer Ernesto Caranto made transportation a central theme of his campaign platform.

“If we have public transportation that people can rely on, so we can have a nice bus terminal, people can move everywhere,” Caranto said.

He also discussed ideas ranging from expanded bus service to high-speed rail connections and attracting major economic development opportunities to the city.

First-time candidate Zachariah Olson identified RCMP staffing shortages as one of Prince George’s biggest public safety concerns.

“We only have 83 out of the 150 of the RCMP members that we need for the city,” Olson said.

He advocated for expanding community-based programs such as Car 60 while exploring the possibility of a municipal police force if RCMP staffing challenges continue.

Construction and safety professional Randy Danchuk said city hall needs to focus on fiscal responsibility and neighbourhood safety.

“We have to stop spending money. We have to look at each item line by line,” Danchuk said.

When discussing public safety, Danchuk said residents should feel secure in their homes and communities, adding that Prince George’s challenges extend beyond the downtown core.

“It’s a whole city problem. It’s not one area,” he said.

Plumber and business owner Marc Carrier argued that infrastructure renewal, sewer upgrades and affordability should be among council’s top priorities.

“We have a major problem with our sewer system,” Carrier said. “It’s falling apart.”

Carrier said Prince George needs to attract new industry and investment to increase tax revenue without placing a heavier burden on homeowners.

“We have to bring new industry in this town,” he said. “We can’t raise the tax.”

While candidates offered differing solutions, several common themes emerged throughout the evening, including concerns about public safety, infrastructure renewal, economic diversification and keeping municipal taxes affordable.

The one-on-one format allowed candidates to elaborate on their ideas without interruption, providing voters one of the most detailed looks yet at the people seeking Prince George’s top elected office.

Prince George voters will make their decision when they head to the polls on Oct. 17.

by Greg Fry

Mayoral hopefuls pitch vision for Prince George at Chamber forum

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