City of Prince George City Council
Mission
- To provide high-quality services and good governance for the City of Prince George within available resources.
Vision
- To be a highly functioning, focused, effective, efficient, responsive, productive, and accountable Council.
Priorities
- Council's focus areas and priorities are described in the Annual Report and Corporate Plan.
Meet Council
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- Email:
- Phone:
- Office: 250-561-7609
- Mobile: 778-675-6753
Biography
Mayor Simon Yu has been an active member of the Prince George Community for nearly 50 years.
Mayor Yu's scope of work and community involvement includes:
- Director for University of Northern British Columbia
- Director for the Prince George Airport Authority
- Founding committee member of Woodwords Initiative
Mayor Yu is a professional engineer who has taught engineering at College of New Caledonia and he had an active consulting engineering business servicing the Northern B.C. region prior to becoming the Mayor of Prince George.
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- Email:
- Social Media:
- Twitter: @tiben12
- Facebook: Tim Bennett
- Instagram: @tiben12
- TikTok: @tiben.12
- Phone:
- Mobile: 250-649-8316
Biography
Tim Bennett grew up in Prince George and is proud to live, work and play on the ancestral lands of the Lheidli T’enneh. As a believer in the power of community, Tim and his wife Carli have chosen Prince George as the community to live, work, play and raise their four children. Tim is Tsq’escenemc (Canim Lake Band) part of the Shuswap Nation.
Tim is the Executive Director of Commercial Ventures with Scouts Canada. Prior to joining Scouts Tim had a long career working for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC doing marketing, fundraising and serving as their Executive Director for 10+ years. Before joining BigsNBC, he spent time working with Active Support Against Poverty, running a youth drop-in program and summer camp and Exploration Place working in their child care programs. Before being elected to City Council in 2022, Tim served the region as a School District 57 Trustee from 2011 to 2022 serving as Board Chair from 2016 to 2020. Tim also served five years on the Board of Directors for the BC School Trustee Association, including one year as Vice President.
In his spare time, he works on his Executive MBA through the University of Fredericton in Social Enterprise Leadership, finds new adventures with his kids or grabs coffee at a local shop.
Current Involvement
- City Councillor, City of Prince George
- Director, Integris Credit Union
Previous Positions
- School District 57 Trustee (2011-2022)
- Board Chair (2016-2020)
- Vice Chair (2012 – 2016)
- BC School Trustee Association
- Vice President (2021-2022)
- Director (2018-2021)
- Branch President, Northern Interior (2015-2018)
- 2022 BC Summer Games
- Co-Chair, Public Relations
- Volunteer with various organizations including
- Project Friendship
- Huble Homestead
- Nechako Community Theatrics
- Founder and Event Coordinator
- Hearts Seniors Christmas Dinner (2000 – 2008)
Awards and Recognition
- 2002 Queens Golden Jubilee Medal
- 2015 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada Trailblazer
- PG Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 – 2013, 2016 and 2018
- 2018 PG Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year
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- Email:
- Social Media:
- Twitter: @garthfrizzell
- Facebook: Garth Frizzell
- Instagram: @garthfrizzell
- Phone: 778-349-5322
Biography
Garth Frizzell is currently serving his fifth term as Councillor. He is currently:
- Chair, Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
- Council Trustee, Prince George Public Library
Garth is past-President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the first in Prince George's history. His term in 2020-21 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, FCM's advocacy achieved unprecedented success. This included:
- "Safe Restart" operating funds -$8.6 Bn
- doubling of Canada Community Building Fund (Gas Tax) -$2.1 Bn
- public transit projects -$14.9 Bn
- permanent transit fund -$3 Bn/year
- the Rapid Housing Initiative -$2.5 Bn; and
- the expansion of the Universal Broadband Fund -$2.75 Bn
During his 11 years volunteering with FCM, Garth’s economic development work with FCM International in Asia and South America earned him the 2013 Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.
History:
Garth received his double major in Computer Science and Asian Studies from the Faculty of Engineering at UVic. In 1995, his student United Nations work led to his appointment as the first Canadian Secretary-General at the model UN in New York, which he opened with Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali, onstage at the General Assembly.
Garth spent two years in Ottawa working at Statistics Canada where he and his team were awarded Gold Medals for employee recognition for fostering a novel employee recruitment/retention initiative.
Garth came to Prince George in 1996 for his Masters' degree at UNBC in International Studies. He met his wife Sue, and they have three children. Garth and Sue successfully invested in Prince George, spending 10 years building an award-winning software company with a dozen highly skilled staff.
Garth served 4 years on the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, including as President. This led to his appointment for six years on the Province of BC Small Business Roundtable.
With a 15-year business background in technology entrepreneurship, Garth currently teaches technology, business, and economics courses at the College of New Caledonia.
During the pandemic, 2020-21, Garth was seconded part-time as acting Executive Director and Director of Entrepreneurship for the Innovation Resource Centre Society’s Hubspace facility in Prince George.
Community Involvement:
- President, Nechako Rotary Club (2023-24)
- Past President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
- Founding Member, International Students' Welcoming Committee
- Past Executive Board Member, Decentralized Energy Association of Canada
- Past Board Member, Northern Interior Mining Group
- 2015 Canada Winter Games volunteer: Information Technology and Official Languages
- Past Board Member, Province of BC Small Business Roundtable (6 years)
- Past President, Prince George Chamber of Commerce (2007-2008)
- Past Chair, Prince George Society for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities (Employment Action)
- Past Board Member, Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society
- Past Board Member, Innovation Resource Centre
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- Email:
- Phone:
- Mobile: 250-613-8299
Biography
Ever since we moved our family to Prince George in 1994 I have believed in it’s potential. Our city and region is full of vast opportunity in the natural resource sector, from tourism to industry, to forestry, food production and mining.
Raised in a homesteading community in northern Alberta, my husband and I moved to Prince George in 1994. Together we operated a logging business- my husband mostly working in a logging camp while I stayed at home to homeschool our six children and manage the administrative, financial and legal details of running a business. During these intense years I volunteered where I could, children in tow.
Over the years wherever I volunteered I worked to improve accountability because leadership, government, and politicians exist to serve the public. That is their first and most important role.
I am a problem solver. I love to be productive. I research and listen to different opinions to determine the best path forward. Those strengths will guide me as I work together with Mayor and Council to solve the issues that we face today and those that are to come, as well as we plan and build for a future that we can be proud to pass along to the next generation.
Community Involvement
- Salmon Valley submission to Report on Rural Education
- Canada Games, Para Nordic Skiing Championship, BC Summer Games PG,
- Advocacy for northern development
- Written and implemented a Child Protection Plan for a charity
- Columnist for the Prince George Citizen
- Political Panelist and Radio Show Host on CFIS-FM
- President of the Prince George and District Music Festival Association
- Vice-President of the Prince George Speech Arts and Drama Festival Society
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- Email:
- Social Media:
- Twitter: @ronpolillo
- Facebook: Ron Polillo
- Instagram: @ronpolillo
- Phone:
- Mobile: 250-612-8645
Biography
Councillor Ron Polillo has been active volunteer and community leader for nearly three decades! Ron has held every executive position on the Northern BC Crime Stoppers board and part of the program for 20 years. Ron is currently president of the Prince George Italian Society, St Mary’s Council chairperson and a longtime referee and player with the Prince George Soccer Association.
Ron enjoyed a very successful 27-year broadcasting career in the city, including 18 years as Program Director at Pattison Media. In the fall 2020, Ron joined the AiMHi team and is currently a Residential/Home Sharing manager.
In 2018, Ron was elected to the SD 57 Board Education and served 4 years including 14 months as vice chair. Ron is the proud father of two beautiful girls Sophia and Lauren, who are currently attending CNC and UNBC.
It is an honour and privilege to serve the people of Prince George and I’m looking forward to the next four years! Together we can build a positive, thriving, and inclusive Prince George!
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- Email:
- Social Media:
- Twitter: @corrams
- Facebook: Cori Ramsay
- Instagram: @corrams
- Phone: 250-613-2610
Biography
Cori Ramsay has lived in Prince George for the last 16 years and is proud to call the region home. In 2010, she graduated from the University of Northern British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in English and is currently working on her graduate diploma in Public Relations through the University of Victoria.
Upon graduation, Ramsay started work in the financial services industry and has spent the last several years working in marketing and strategic communications.
New to politics, Ramsay grew up living in poverty and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of those she serves. in 2017, she gave a TEDx talk titled, "Poverty and the Power of the Living Wage" and in 2018, the Prince George Chamber of Commerce named her a "Top 40 under 40".
On being elected, she said, "It is an incredible honour to serve the people of Prince George and I look forward to the next four years learning and growing to make our community the best it can be".
Community Involvement
- Board Chair, Two Rivers Gallery
- Alumni Senator, UNBC
- Past Committee Chair, Advisory Committee on Council Remuneration
- Finance and Audit Committee
- Advisory Committee on Accessibility
- 2nd Vice President, NCLGA
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- Email:
- Social Media:
- Facebook: Kyle Sampson
- Instagram: @sampsonkyle
- LinkedIn: Kyle Sampson
Biography
Councillor Kyle Sampson was re-elected for a second term in October 2022. He was first elected to City Council in October 2018, and at the time, his public appointment made him the youngest person ever elected in the City of Prince George. Through his term Sampson has worked with and on behalf of residents, businesses, community stakeholders, and other levels of government while looking for ways to build financial stability, resolve social and economic issues, diversify our local and regional economy and industry, enhance operational efficiencies, and develop better governance and transparency throughout the organization.
Sampson is committed to continue to support and champion initiatives such as:
- Building financial resiliency, responsibility, and transparency – including through initiatives to reduce administrative spending and budgets, as well as build a more robust tax base and new diverse revenue streams.
- Achieving clean and safe neighbourhoods and downtown with a focus on reducing crime.
- Ensuring development is efficient with less red tape for those looking to invest in our community, and that development is informed through public engagement.
- Enhanced transparency and oversight on capital projects.
- Supports for vulnerable citizens, as well as our aging population.
- Long range planning and vision for our community.
- Advocacy for Prince George with other levels of government.
Sampson moved to PG with his family in 2002 where he completed his schooling and began a career in broadcasting, as well as the entertainment industry. After moving back to Edmonton for a two-year stint, he returned to Prince George in 2013. His roots in PG are firmly planted, and he and his partner are committed to maintaining Prince George as their home. When not at work or City Hall, Sampson often takes in our communities’ amenities, natural assets, and the fun activities that frequently occur around town with friends.
Professionally, Sampson currently manages the marketing, communications, branding, sales, events, community partnerships, and charitable giving in Northern BC for local company Pacific Western Brewing, where he also oversees their environmental reforestation program. In addition, he continues to work in a freelance capacity in the events, entertainment, and music industry, and he also volunteers a significant amount of his time and expertise supporting several local organizations, groups, not-for-profits, and events.
In 2016, Sampson was awarded the Community Ambassador Award at the Prince George Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. In 2017, he received the Above and Beyond Award from Premier John Horgan for his efforts and selflessness in service of the province in the response to the 2017 Wildfires. He was named a Top 40 Under 40 in the 2018/19 publication from the PGCoC for his accomplishments in business and significant community involvement. He has also been awarded and recognized in various other ways for his work in marketing, business leadership, and event experiences/operations.
City Involvement
City of Prince George
- Member - Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Resolutions (2018 - Present)
- Ex Officio Member - Standing Committee on Finance and Audit (2018 - Present)
Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG)
- Municipal Director - Regional District Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG) (2018 - Present)
- Vice Chair - Regional Hospital District Board (2018 - Present)
- Member - Agricultural Land Use Committee (2018 - Present)
- Trustee - Fraser Fort-George Cemetery Board (2018 - Present)
- Member - Environment and Parks Committee (2018 - 2022)
Community Involvement
- Director - Prince George Chamber of Commerce (2017-2019)
- Volunteer - 2015 Canada Winter Games - Media & General (2015)
- Volunteer - 2022 BC Summer Games - Venues, Access Control & Ceremonies (2022)
- Volunteer - Ness Lake Bible Camp - Fundraising Committee & Summer Team Support (2009-2019)
- Liaison Officer - Prince George Wildfire Emergency Operations Centre (2017)
- Volunteer - Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life - General Volunteer & Committee Member (2008-2020)
- Volunteer - Prince George Community Foundation, "Prince George Live!" - Event Producer, Creator, and Host (2021/2022)
- Volunteer - Prince George Hospice Society, "Ice Disco at the Oval!" - Event Organizer, Creator (2022 - Current)
Plus various other ongoing and past experiences and volunteer commitments
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- Email:
- Phone: 250-640-0962
Biography
I am honoured to return for a third term and respect the opportunity to continue serving on Prince George City Council. I remain dedicated to working hard to ensure that this remains a vibrant community for those who call it home.
I was born in Edmonton, raised in Vancouver, and came to Prince George in 1992. My husband, Charles, and I are dedicated to this community. We have three adult sons, welcomed two daughters-in-law and delight in two young granddaughters.
For 22 years I worked in the college and university bookstore systems, at Vancouver Community College, Langara College, and the University of Northern BC. I created and monitored budgets and supervised staff. Following this I joined Pacific Western Transportation, supporting the management team of PWTransit Canada in the headquarters of the transit division.
A life-long volunteer, I have been active in community Pastoral Care as a chaplain for the last three decades. I have spent more than 25 years supporting people and their families as they confront grief and loss, working with them through the area funeral homes, past experience and relationships. I also maintain a strong focus on the well-being of seniors.
Community Involvement (Current)
- City Council
- Council Member for Seniors
- Primary Alternate Director to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
- Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Resolutions
- Seniors
- Member
- Provincial Community-Based Seniors Services Leadership Council
- Advisory Committee for Oncore Seniors Society, Riverbend Manor, PG
- Prince George Council of Seniors Advisory Committee - Secretary
- Elder Citizens Recreation Association
- North Central Seniors
- Spruce Capital Seniors
- Member
- Chaplain
- Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 43; Remembrance Day Planning Committee
- Prince George Fire Rescue; Board member - BC Fire Chaplains' Association
- Prince George Army Cadets / 2618 Rocky Mountain Rangers
- Northern Emergency Support Services Training (NESST)
- Annual Conference Committee Support
- Anglican Church of Canada (life-long)
- Lay Minister of Word & Sacrament; book study leader
Community Involvement (Past)
- City Council:
- Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Resolutions
- Ex-officio Advisory Committee on Accessibility
- Ex-officio Standing Committee on Finance and Audit
- Select Committee on Homelessness and Affordable Housing
- Select Committee on a Healthy City Framework
- Spiritual Care:
- Spiritual Advisory - The Prince George Rotary Hospice House (6+ years)
- Assistant Chaplain - University Hospital of Northern BC (more than 20 years)
- Anglican Church of Canada (life-long)
- Parish Council Member; Secretary
- Rector's Warden
- Chair - Interfaith Council of Prince George
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- Email:
- Social Media:
- Twitter: @brianskakuncity
- Phone: 250-961-6585
Biography
"I am proud to have been able to call Prince George home for the past 47 years. I love our four seasons and spend a lot of time outdoors doing a number of things in my spare time.
During the next four years, I look forward to working with groups, individuals, businesses, and other levels of government to help make Prince George one of the most inviting and caring communities possible."
Community Involvement
- Chair Intergovernmental Resolutions Committee
- Alternate Director Fraser Fort George Regional District
- Alternate Director Prince George Treaty Advisory Committee
- Past President and board member local SPCA
- Past Chair Intercon and PG Pulp safety Committee
- Past Alternate Director Fraser Fort George Regional District
- Seniors advocate