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Intergovernmental Affairs

Council trio hails Victoria visit a success

Apr 27, 2026 | 10:09 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – There were a host of issues discussed around Council Chambers, including the update on the Aquatic Centre pool renovations, the Transit system and residential taxes. But an honourable mention was made around a recent trip taken to Victoria by three members of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

The trio met with Premier David Eby, 12 minsters including the Jobs Minister, the Forests Minister, the Public Safety Minister, Housing, and Emergency Management. They also got to bend the ears of the several Deputy ministers and the Oppositon.

“The environment down there has gotten more sophisticated over the years, noted Councillor Garth Frizzell, Chair of the Committee. “And there are more and more municipalities out there trying to get their needs heard. So being heard above the constant requests is really tough. And if one thing came back,really really, it was that Prince George’s is being heard. The goal is to ensure our needs are being heard above the really big cacophony of other voices.”

Councillor Susan Scott was part of the tour and says the City has needs.

“We want to dig into what’s needed and if we need to tweak or chnage direction to get those needs met, we’ll take that into consideration.”

Councillor Kyle Sampson noted municipalities cannot approach government with party politics when trying to get their issues to top of mind for government to affect chance.

“It’s our time to build the opportunities together, whatever side of the aisle we need to to get the message across that Prince George is the economic backbone of this province. So whatever it takes to do that – talking to Oppositon members, talking to minsters – we’re going to build those relations.” 

And there were some pointed messages to those who can affect change.

“It’s definitely the long-form approach,” notes Councillor Frizzell. “It’s taken a long time to get here. It’s been 15 years working on homelessness to finally get to the point where the last person in the last encampment has a place to stay. But through these repeated visits and the repeatedly development of relationships, we’re getting there.”

The same tack will be used when the group heads to Ottawa in June.