Quesnel councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg seeking re-election

“I’ve really embraced the concept that you have to go big or go home,” Roodenburg said while reflecting on her involvement in local government over the years.

Roodenburg said her decision to seek re-election comes down to unfinished work.

“The work’s not done,” she said. “When you think you’ve reached the goal post, something shifts or changes, or there’s something new that you have to address as a community.”

She said maintaining momentum is important for Quesnel, particularly as the city continues to navigate economic challenges tied to its forestry-based economy.

“We can’t afford to move backwards. We need to keep moving forward,” she said. “Knowing that we’re in a community that’s very involved in forestry, we have to figure out ways how we keep our community viable.”

Roodenburg said many of the issues facing Quesnel are similar to those confronting communities across northern B.C., including public safety concerns, homelessness, mental health and addictions.

She emphasized that addressing those challenges will require cooperation between local governments, community organizations and the provincial government.

“It’s not a one-stop shop to solve those problems,” Roodenburg said. “You have to work with your community, you have to work with the province, and you have to figure out what kind of partnerships you can build.”

Roodenburg pointed to housing affordability as a growing concern, noting that rising costs are leaving some residents struggling to maintain stable housing.

“When you have seniors going to the homeless shelter, that speaks volumes to what’s going on in communities,” she said.

She added that issues surrounding seniors, mental health and addictions will continue to require collaborative solutions rather than simple fixes.

“It’s not a one-stop shop, one and done,” Roodenburg said. “It’s going to take a lot of collaboration and figuring out how we can work together, not necessarily spending more money, but doing with what we have and trying to create opportunities to make things better.”

Municipal elections in British Columbia are scheduled for October 17, 2026.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your inbox every evening.

—

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Quesnel councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg seeking re-election

What's Trending