Speaking on the ancestral, unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, longtime city councillor Garth Frizzell announced Wednesday that he will seek election as mayor of Prince George in 2026, emphasizing his 18 years of service over five terms on council and his national leadership as President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
Frizzell highlighted that his decision is rooted in a commitment to deliver the safe, strong, future-ready Prince George residents are calling for.
“You deserve leadership that cares and listens, that works for everyone, and that delivers,” he said. “In our part of the world, we need leadership that brings people together instead of pushing them apart.”
Over nearly two decades on council, Frizzell has been a central figure in advancing Prince George’s profile provincially and nationally. As President of FCM, representing more than 2,000 municipalities across Canada, he led national advocacy efforts that secured historic investments in infrastructure, public safety, and community development. Locally, he has served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, helping secure commitments for major projects.
Frizzell underscored the urgency of strengthening Prince George’s economic future. “Potential alone isn’t enough,” he said. “We need resource industries. We need medical care. We need services and small business. And we need economic diversification that creates jobs we can count on.”
He referenced his 9.5 years teaching Economics and Business at the College and UNBC, his leadership rebuilding Innovation Central during the pandemic, and his experience founding an award-winning software company that grew to 12 employees and led him to work with municipalities in seven countries.
He also spoke about the Canfor mill closure, recalling a conversation with a friend who learned of layoffs at a barbecue.
“I listened. We talked. Then I went to work,” Frizzell said, noting that he immediately ensured coordinating efforts to secure provincial community transition funds and advocate for bridge-to-retirement supports.
Public safety remains another central pillar of his platform. Frizzell reflected on a tragic fire 18 years ago at the Columbus Hotel, an event that occurred during his early days as a local entrepreneur, and praised Prince George Fire Rescue for preventing further disaster. He
emphasized the need to expand the work of the Public Safety Committee and strengthen community-level supports.
“Every family deserves to feel secure walking home at night,” he said. “Public safety must be addressed at the root causes, not just the symptoms.”
Frizzell stressed that restoring trust in government is essential.
“Trust is earned through transparency, integrity, and results,” he said. “Prince George deserves leadership that is accountable, honest, and focused on rebuilding confidence in our institutions.”
He described his leadership style as steady and results-driven: “I am not one for flashy promises that don’t get delivered. I set a path and quietly get it done.”
Frizzell concluded by outlining the path forward: economic diversification, public safety, trust in government, and a commitment to serve every resident with integrity.
“For all those reasons,” he said, “today I am announcing that in 2026 I will be seeking election as your next Mayor of Prince George.”
Fellow councillor Kyle Sampson and Roy Stewart are also seeking the mayor’s chair.