Here are some highlights from the December 1, 2025, City Council meeting. For more information – including the full agenda listing – read the Regular Council Meeting Agenda and its attachments.
Capital request for dive platforms at Canfor Leisure Pool
Council approved a new capital project to allow for the purchase of three additional platforms at the Canfor Leisure Pool to ensure local swim clubs can host swim meets during the Aquatic Centre Closure which is scheduled to take place from January 1, 2026 to early 2028.
The cost of the dive platforms is $36,200 and will be funded from the Northern Capital Planning Reserve Fund.
The two-year closure of the Prince George Aquatic Centre has prompted concerns from local swim clubs about hosting meets and maintaining training time at the Canfor Leisure Pool. The clubs require additional dive platforms, electronic timing equipment, and assurance that flip turns can be safely performed. Aquatics staff have confirmed that existing timing equipment can be relocated and that the pool depth meets safety requirements.
The report acknowledges the closure of the Aquatic Centre will be challenging for all pool users and the additional diving platforms represent meaningful solutions to maintain the long-term viability of competitive swimming in Prince George.
The Aquatic Centre upgrade project was also discussed as part of a request for a reconsideration of a defeated motion. The motion was asking for administration to return a report on options to avoid a two-year shutdown of the Aquatic Centre, but the motion was defeated.
Creation of a “Fast Track PG” program for development approvals
Council received a notice of motion proposing the creation of a “Fast-Track PG” pilot program to speed up building and development approvals, improve consistency, and increase accountability in the permitting and inspection process.
The program would introduce a streamlined channel for eligible projects—such as single-family homes, multi-family housing, and commercial/industrial tenant improvements—with a goal of issuing approvals within 10 business days for complete applications. It recommends establishing clearer service standards, consolidated deficiency letters, and exploring an Approved Professional/Builder List that enables rapid turnaround for qualified applicants, supported by a cost-recovery fee model.
A dedicated Fast Track Coordinator would manage expedited files and improve communication. The program would also include monthly public reporting and a communication/engagement plan developed with the building community. Staff would report back to Council in Q1 2026 with the program framework and later with a full evaluation before deciding whether to continue or expand the initiative.
There were nine recommendations within the motion and all were approved.
Stormwater utility bylaw moves forward
Council approved the first three readings of the stormwater utility bylaw, stormwater reserve bylaw, and amendments to the comprehensive feed and charges bylaw to make way for a new dedicated fund for stormwater infrastructure for required ongoing operation and maintenance. At the October 6 meeting, Council directed Administration to begin charging all properties on January 1, 2027, at less than the full funding level with phased increases over two years to reach the full funding level.
Roads and sidewalks update
Council received a report with information on the annual road and sidewalk rehabilitation program. In 2025, 57 lane kilometres of road rehabilitation and 5,077 metres of sidewalk renewal was completed in various neighbourhoods throughout the community. 820 metres of new sidewalks were added along Trent Drive, Ferry Avenue, Vista Ridge Drive, 22nd Avenue, and Ross Crescent. The budget for 2025 included $7 million for road rehabilitation, $1.575 million for sidewalk rehabilitation, and $441,000 for new sidewalks.
October building permit summary
Council received a building permit and development permit summary for October 2025. The report includes all residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional permits, and the estimated total construction value of each development. The October total is made up of seven commercial/industrial permits and 38 residential permits, worth a combined total of $37.77 million. The year-to-date total as at the end of October 2025 is 372 permits worth more than $278 million. This is up from the year-to-date total for the previous year (January-October 2024) was 346 permits totaling $247 million.
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Media contact:
Claire Thwaites, communications manager
Mobile: 778-349-1386
Email: media@princegeorge.ca