Nicole Fraser pitches strategic growth, collaboration in bid for city council

After being hired by the city before graduating from the University of Northern British Columbia, Fraser began her career writing bylaws and policies for Legislative Services. The role gave her insight into the relationship between administration and elected officials and how decisions are made at City Hall.

Upon completing her degree in Northern and Rural Community Planning, she moved into the planning department, working closely with residents, builders and developers on projects ranging from rezoning applications to development proposals. That experience, she says, exposed both the strengths of local government and areas where the city could improve.

A key theme of Fraser’s campaign is the belief that Prince George should stop trying to become a northern hub and instead focus on advancing its role as one.

“We are the epicenter of the north,” she said. “We’re at the crossroads of major highways. We have rail. We have access to ports. We are this regional hub that serves all of northern B.C.”

However, Fraser argues that despite the city’s strategic location and economic importance, residents are not seeing enough direct benefits from the wealth generated throughout the region. She points to examples of communities elsewhere in northern British Columbia that have developed strong partnerships with industry through resource benefit agreements and collaborative infrastructure projects.

“I think we can do a lot more to advocate for our community and really connect the great people and organizations that are already here,” she said.

Perhaps the central pillar of Fraser’s platform is collaboration.

She believes Prince George already has the resources, organizations and expertise needed to tackle many of its challenges but lacks sufficient coordination between groups. Fraser referenced work she completed with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce that examined how community organizations interact with one another.

“What we found was there was a real disconnect,” she said. “We do not lack the resources or capacity in Prince George. I believe we lack a lot of the connection that brings those together and helps us move things forward.”

She highlighted the downtown area as an example, noting that dozens of organizations receive provincial funding and provide essential services, but often operate independently of one another. According to Fraser, better communication, collaboration and resource sharing could help maximize the impact of existing investments while improving outcomes across the community.

Another area Fraser says needs attention is providing greater consistency and clarity for those looking to invest in Prince George. Having worked both inside City Hall and as an applicant navigating municipal processes, she says residents and developers need a clearer understanding of expectations and requirements.

“I can tell you it’s very frustrating when policies and procedures are not consistently applied to everyone,” Fraser said.

She believes council should establish clear priorities and policies, ensuring both staff and applicants understand the rules and processes involved in development projects. For developers, she says, certainty is critical.

“When you come to the table and you want to build in Prince George, you know what that looks like.”

While Fraser supports the city’s ongoing efforts to advocate to provincial and federal governments, she believes municipal leaders must also focus on maximizing opportunities that already exist.

She says council has an important responsibility to lobby senior levels of government for support while also ensuring Prince George is making the most of available programs, grants and funding opportunities.

“We need to look at our community and be proud of it and protect it and absolutely lobby for its interests,” Fraser said.

At the same time, she believes the city must ensure it is getting value for taxpayers and taking advantage of every opportunity available to strengthen the community.

A lifelong Prince George resident who raised her family in the city and plans to remain here long into the future, Fraser says her campaign is rooted in a desire to help guide Prince George through a period of economic and social transition.

Municipal election day is scheduled for October 17, 2026.

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Nicole Fraser pitches strategic growth, collaboration in bid for city council

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