Here are some highlights from the April 27, 2026, City Council meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – read the Regular Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.
Aquatic Centre project update
Council received an update on the renovation project currently underway for the Prince George Aquatic Centre.
The Aquatic Centre closed on January 1 to the public for two years while significant work takes place. This is the first of the quarterly construction updates that will be presented to council.
To date, the following construction and demolition activities have taken place:
- Interior finishes demolition including reception area fixtures, tile and carpet, washroom and changeroom fixtures, etc.
- Mechanical and electrical equipment demolition, removal, and disconnection
- Construction site and safety measures including safety barricades, storage setup, and shoring design work
The project currently remains on schedule and under budget due to the City’s methodical approach during the value-engineering phase.
2026 financial plan approved
Council approved the first three readings of the 2026 - 2030 Financial Plan Bylaw and the 2026 Tax Rates Bylaw.
The report explains that the Community Charter requires a municipality to adopt a five-year financial plan by bylaw. The financial plan must set out the proposed expenditures, the proposed funding sources and the proposed transfers to or between funds. The Community Charter also requires that Council impose property taxes for the year by bylaw and both bylaws must be passed before May 15th of each year.
The financial plan represents the decisions concerning revenues, expenses, debt and transfers that were made by Council during the budget meetings held in January where a tax levy increase of 4.94% was approved.
Transit system operating agreement
Council approved the first three readings of the bylaw for the Annual Operating Agreement between BC Transit and the City of Prince George for continued operations of the Prince George Transit System.
Transit in Prince George is funded and operated through an agreement between the City and BC Transit, known as the Annual Operating Agreement (AOA). Each year, the AOA must come before Council for approval prior to going into effect. The AOA encompasses all costs associated with operating the transit system in Prince George.
The report to council show the budgeted costs for the City for providing the service for 2026-2027 fiscal years is $5.86 million. An additional motion was also passed directing administration to work with BC Transit and report back to Council with options to expand Custom Transit Service in Prince George specifically the handyDART program. The handyDART is a door-to-door, shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using regular transit services without assistance.
March building permit summary
Council received a building permit and development permit summary for March 2026. The report includes all residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional permits, and the estimated total construction value of each development. The March total is made up of 16 commercial/industrial permits and 21 residential permits, worth a combined total of $13.9 million. This is up on previous years, with the 2025 March total being 21 permits totaling $6.9 million. The year-to-date figure for 2026 is 84 permits valued at $29 million.
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Media contact:
Claire Thwaites, communications manager
Mobile: 778-349-1386
Email: media@princegeorge.ca