Public Safety
There have been improvements with public safety initiatives but the work needs to
continue to be a top priority. We need to expand the scope of the security camera
program, increase overnight patrols and beef up the Bylaw department. As well,
continue to advocate the provincial government for increased housing supports
and fund a 7 day a week downtown daytime shelter. The RCMP downtown safety
unit needs to be fully staffed and enhanced. The newly announced Secure Care
facility in Prince George will make a real difference when it opens in December 2027
The announcement of Secure Care Facility for Prince George is one
example of effective and persistent advocacy by Prince George City Council. We
need to strengthen public safety initiatives to have a safe, welcoming and thriving
downtown.
Infrastructure
We have closed some of the infrastructure gap with this council’s record
investment over the past 4 years but we have a long way to go. The city’s
average age of its’ infrastructure is nearly 45 years old and we need to
continue that serious investment to further close the gap. With our massive
footprint and relatively smaller and spread-out population we need to be
laser focused on improving our sidewalks, roads, water, sewer, parks, waste
water and more. Targeted investments in road rehabilitation over a few years
greatly increased in the quality of our roads. The number of potholes
needing to be filled dropped by 70 per cent. Our roads still aren’t perfect,
but they’re much better than they were. The City’s Parks Strategy
recommended removing a number of old playgrounds and reinvesting in
others. We are now over halfway through the replacement program with new’
Economic Opportunity and Diversification
With 90 billion dollars in Mega-projects in the cue for Northern BC in the next few
years, we need to continue to position Prince George as the industrial and
logistics hub for these projects to Prince George. Build on our strengths of being
one of the most affordable small cities in BC for housing, our diverse, and growing
population and our wonderful parks and recreation opportunities. Prince George is
poised for economic growth and prosperity! One example is the health sector, as it
continues to expand to serve a growing and aging population. The 1.6-billion-
dollar Acute Tower Project is ready to commence construction in late 2026, the
200-bed long term care facility in currently under construction and Enbridge’s
expansion of the Sunrise natural gas pipeline will create 2500 plus local jobs over
the next 5-7 years.
Federal Major Projects list
Of the 35 major projects representing potential investments worth about $88 billion currently being pursued in BC, about 20 of them in the Cariboo, Nechako, North Coast and Northeast regions could use Prince George as a hub.
Those projects within proximity of Prince George have potential investments values of greater than $50 billion with more than 20,000 construction jobs likely needed for them.
These six example projects near Prince George:
BC Hydro’s North Coast Transmission line project, with $6 billion in investment and around 1,400 construction jobs required
Phase 2 of Blackwater Mine, with $1 billion invested since 2022 as well as 800 construction and 170 operations jobs
Mount Milligan mine expansion, with $400 million in investment sustaining more than 1,000 existing jobs
Gibraltar Mine, with $800 million invested to date representing 700 direct jobs and 2,860 total jobs
Nilhts’I Ecoener wind project, with $425 million in investment
Angus Silica Sand Mine, with $300 million in investment supporting 150 construction and 290 operations and delivery jobs
Other projects not on the list but will have a major impact on Prince George.
The first is the acute care tower project at the University Hospital of Northern BC, with an estimated investment of $1.6 billion. Yhis project will benefit local workers both from construction or ongoing operations and local contractors.
The second is the potential sustainable aviation fuel facility that Tidewater Renewables has expressed interest in building on the site of its existing refinery and renewable diesel facility.
This project, will benefit workers from both a construction and operational standpoint, local contractors during the construction process and contribute to the city’s tax base if it goes ahead. However, the company behind this exciting project has not made a final investment decision on the project.
Civic Core Development
I strongly believe the Civic Core District Plan can transform the downtown core
and leave a very positive lasting legacy for downtown Prince George! PG City
Council received an update on the Civic Core District Plan on June 22nd 2026 and
it included the next step in the process: developing a comprehensive business
case. Information and recommendations from the Civic Core Business Case are
expected to be presented to Council in late September to support decision-making
on next steps. If council moves ahead with the next step, I believe we should go to
a referendum to finance the game changing phased downtown development.
The Civic Core District Plan (CCDP) will be a long-term phased project that will
redefine the downtown.
The project goals are to:
Strengthen the local economy.
Enhance the vibrancy of downtown.
Provide amenities to enhance the quality of life of Prince George citizens.
These goals align with Council’s strategic goals:
Grow the city.
Build a strong, resilient, and diverse economy.
Maximize the quality of life for all residents.
Ensure a safe, healthy, and clean community for all.
Accessibility and Inclusion
I want to champion and lead this important work for the City of
Prince George. want to enhance and accelerate the City’s work to address the challenges for people with disabilities in our community. In my other professional life as a leader at AiMHi, (Prince George’s Association for Community Living), I know first-hand of their everyday challenges. They are significant issues with accessibility, housing, transportation, funding and more. I have enjoyed my liaison role on the city’s Accessibility and Inclusion committee but I know there is a lot more advocacy and work to be done. I want to champion and lead this important work for the City of Prince George. Here is the link to committee’s work.
https://www.princegeorge.ca/city-hall/mayor-council/committees-boards/advisory-committee-accessibility