Bruce Wayne says transparency, fiscal responsibility key to Prince George council run

Wayne described his frequent attendance at council meetings as an “internship” that helped him develop a better understanding of municipal government and ultimately led him to seek elected office.

If elected, Wayne said his campaign is built around four pillars: supporting families, protecting taxpayer dollars, keeping the community safe, and building trust through transparency at City Hall.

He acknowledged that council decisions require collaboration among multiple elected officials and said he would focus on fostering greater cooperation around issues that benefit residents.

“I think we need to keep the idea in mind that it’s the principles before the personalities,” Wayne said. “No matter who brings a motion to the table, we need to work together on the things that are really important to Prince George.”

Wayne also said he would dedicate his full attention to serving the city if elected.

“I would be spending at least the first two years of my council term only focused on being a city councillor and working for the City of Prince George, with no other outside influences competing for my time.”

One of Wayne’s primary campaign themes is ensuring residents receive value for their tax dollars. Rather than committing to a specific tax policy, he said he would support greater transparency and earlier access to financial information during the budget process. Wayne pointed to the city’s lengthy budget documents and said elected officials need more accessible tools to evaluate spending decisions.

“I’ll be very interested in getting something along the lines of a taxpayer value report,” he said.

At the same time, Wayne stressed the importance of maintaining essential services while recognizing financial pressures facing many households.

“We’ve got people in our community who have lost their jobs in different industries,” he said. “I think we need to be cognizant of that as a city council, that we’re tightening our belt the same way people might be doing around their kitchen tables.”

Wayne said council should also encourage administration to identify efficiencies and reduce unnecessary spending wherever possible.

A key part of Wayne’s campaign has been what he calls the “Empty Chair Project,” an initiative designed to gather direct feedback from residents throughout the election campaign. He said the project aims to ensure community voices help shape his platform rather than having priorities dictated solely by the candidate.

“It’s really about listening to the community,” Wayne said. “I’m allowing the empty chair to organically shape more of the details around my four pillars.”

The conversations have already produced ideas that Wayne says could influence his approach if elected. One example involved concerns about neighbourhood playgrounds that were removed several years ago and have not yet been replaced.

“That would be a feedback that I got from a few people in the community,” he said. “For me, that comes in around the supporting families piece.”

According to Wayne, taxation and transparency are among the most common issues raised by residents he has spoken with during the campaign. While some residents want lower taxes, he said many are equally concerned about understanding how city money is being spent.

“They want to know more about how their money is getting spent, and they want that communicated to them in a fashion that’s palatable,” Wayne said.

He pointed to city infrastructure projects such as water treatment facilities as examples of where clearer communication could help residents see the value of their tax and utility payments. Wayne said he has noticed improvements in the city’s communications efforts but believes more work remains to better connect residents with the decisions being made at City Hall.

For Wayne, that emphasis on transparency remains closely tied to fiscal responsibility.

“I think we need to have a real good look at waste,” he said. “For council, it’s for us to ask that difficult question.”

The municipal election is scheduled for Oct. 17.

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Bruce Wayne says transparency, fiscal responsibility key to Prince George council run

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