New and familiar faces elected to mayor’s chairs across northern B.C. and Cariboo

Oakes said the forest sector is facing perilous times, while residents are also concerned about public safety, affordability and access to good-paying jobs.

She said her experience in provincial government, including serving as the minister responsible for local government, should help Quesnel navigate senior levels of government and advocate for the community.

There was considerably less election-night drama in Vanderhoof, where incumbent Mayor Kevin Moutray was acclaimed to another term.

Moutray said he views his acclamation as a vote of confidence in the direction Vanderhoof has taken over the past four years.

Housing remains one of his biggest concerns.

Moutray said Vanderhoof has dealt with a tight housing market for years, while major projects can bring an influx of workers that puts additional pressure on the limited supply.

Over the next four years, he wants to see more housing starts, continued medical services and greater economic diversification as the community moves away from being almost entirely dependent on the forest sector.

Elsewhere, voters produced another mixture of returning and new leadership.

In Williams Lake, Surinderpal Rathor secured re-election as mayor, while Martin Elphee was re-elected in Fort St. James.

Sarrah Storey will also return to the mayor’s chair in Fraser Lake after being acclaimed.

Peter Kyllo cruised to victory in the mayoral race in Mackenzie.

Several communities, however, will have new faces in their top elected office.

Jillian Merrick won the mayor’s race in Wells, while Cody Yetter emerged as the new mayor of McBride.

Burns Lake will also have new leadership, with Charlie Rensby winning the mayor’s chair.

The results mean northern B.C. communities will head into the next four-year term with a blend of experienced municipal leaders and newcomers.

For Oakes, the move represents a return to elected office in a different political arena. For incumbents such as Moutray, Rathor and Elphee, the results provide an opportunity to continue work already underway in their communities.

Together, the results paint a varied political picture across the region, with voters in some communities opting for change and others choosing continuity.

by Greg Fry

New and familiar faces elected to mayor’s chairs across northern B.C. and Cariboo

What's Trending