Kyle Sampson pitches experience and fresh leadership in mayoral run

While acknowledging the city faces significant challenges, he also believes major opportunities lie ahead. Sampson said navigating those opportunities will require a leader who understands municipal government, complex legislation and how to move projects forward.

“I think Prince George has some real challenges, absolutely, but real opportunities,” Sampson said.

He believes his eight years on council have provided the experience necessary to lead while still bringing fresh energy to the role.

“I’ve been there long enough to have that understanding, but not so long that I’m part of the furniture,” he said.

Sampson added that running for mayor was driven by a desire to continue serving the community and to offer what he describes as a different leadership approach.

Throughout the campaign, Sampson has emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting when presented with new information. He reflected on being elected at a young age and growing into the role of councillor in full view of the public.

“You have to be able to admit when you have things wrong,” Sampson said. “You have to be able to admit when you just didn’t know and learn from those mistakes.”

He argued that public officials who are unwilling to acknowledge shortcomings limit their ability to become stronger leaders.

One example Sampson cited was last year’s debate surrounding funding for seniors organizations in Prince George. At the time, council considered a proposal to provide direct financial assistance to a local seniors organization facing challenges. Sampson opposed the motion, arguing taxpayer dollars should not be distributed outside an established process.

“Popular decisions aren’t always the right ones, and the right decisions aren’t always popular,” he said.

While his position drew criticism from some members of the seniors community, Sampson said the controversy ultimately led to a more sustainable solution.

A month later, he brought forward a program that created a dedicated $50,000 grant fund for seniors organizations, allowing multiple groups to access support through a formal application process. Sampson said the experience also highlighted a gap in his own understanding of the financial pressures facing local seniors groups.

“I learned that seniors were underserved financially,” he said.

Since then, he has worked to build stronger relationships with seniors organizations and better understand their concerns.

When asked which quality is most important for a mayor, Sampson ultimately settled on one answer: active listening.

While acknowledging that leadership, communication skills and government experience are all important, he said those qualities are only effective when grounded in understanding community perspectives.

“You can’t be decisive if you haven’t actively listened,” Sampson said.

“You can’t communicate out if you haven’t listened in the first place.”

He said a successful mayor must not only hear concerns from residents but also be prepared to act on what they learn.

“If there was one [trait], it is somebody who can listen and then act from it,” he said.

If elected mayor, Sampson says he hopes to use his council experience and community connections to help guide Prince George through what he views as an important period of growth and opportunity.

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Kyle Sampson pitches experience and fresh leadership in mayoral run

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