Cariboo-Chilcotin Politics
Discussion of the issues that affect you on a local, provincial and federal level
Friday, October 16, 2026
Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government/Board of Education Meeting - Week of October 19-23, 2026
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Quesnel Council Highlights - October 6, 2026 mtg
Snow Contractor Liability Insurance
Council approved adding one snow removal contractor to the City’s liability insurance program. This helps ensure the City can continue to provide reliable winter maintenance services, as liability insurance can be costly and difficult for smaller contractors to obtain.
Food Hub Replacement – Award of Contract
Council has awarded the contract to rebuild the Food Hub at 101 Marsh Drive to Fresno Construction Ltd. The project is valued at approximately $2.4 million and is being funded through insurance proceeds and grant funding.
Following the fire in May 2025, work has been underway to design a replacement building that includes required code upgrades and improvements that were planned before the fire.
The total project budget is $3 million, and insurance and grants are expected to cover all costs. No City funds have been allocated to the project at this time.
NDIT Business Façade Improvement Grant
Council approved an application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust’s Business Façade Improvement Program for 2027.
This annual program helps local businesses and organizations enhance the appearance and functionality of their storefronts and building exteriors. The program continues to see strong interest in Quesnel, supporting investment in the community and helping keep our downtown and commercial areas looking their best.
UBCM Community to Community Grant Application
Council approved a grant application to the UBCM Regional Community to Community Program to support meetings with local First Nations regarding the future of the former Quesnel Junior School property.
If approved, the grant would provide up to $20,000 to support collaboration, relationship-building, and early discussions on land use planning. These conversations will help develop a shared vision for the site and explore partnership opportunities for its future development.
Hillside Hazard Development Permit for 1142 Purmal Avenue
Council approved a Development Permit to allow the reconstruction of a home destroyed by fire in the Hillside Hazard Development Permit Area. The approval is subject to registering a restrictive covenant on the property referencing the geotechnical report submitted stating the site is safe for redevelopment on the existing foundation and is within acceptable risk tolerances in the West Quesnel Land Stability Area. Additional conditions include restoring rear lane access for utility servicing and maintenance.
Bylaws
Announcements/Events
Mayor and Council provided closing remarks for the 2022-2026 Council term, reflecting on key accomplishments, key initiatives undertaken, and collaborative efforts over the past four years. Members expressed their appreciation to fellow Council members, City staff, community partners, and residents for their support and contributions throughout the term. The closing remarks can be viewed in the Council Meeting video recording beginning at 27:23.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Advanced Voting - Day 2 of 2 (City of Williams Lake)
If you are in Williams Lake -- you have a 2nd opportunity today from 8am - 8pm at Williams Lake City Hall (450 Mart Street) to cast a ballot for Mayor of Williams Lake or up to 6 Williams Lake City Councillors' for a 4 year term, commencing November 2026
Full details on what you need to know is hereTuesday, October 13, 2026
EDITORIAL: Should there be a "residency rule" to run in BC Local Government?
7:30pm
Over the Thanksgiving Long Weekend (October 10-12, 2026) -- Williams Lake City Councillor Scott Nelson posted on Facebook -- being critical of those not residing within the City of Williams Lake (Ruth Lloyd. etc.) and running for Williams Lake City Council and their potential tax policies being implemented during the 2026-2030 term, should they be elected to Williams Lake City Council on Saturday, October 17, 2026
Williams Lake Community Forest Now Accepting Grant Applications
The Williams Lake Community Forest’s 2026 Granting Program is accepting applications for 2027 projects until 4 pm on Thursday, November 19th, 2026.
Grant applicants must be living and/or working in the WLCF “local area” which is defined as the City of Williams Lake and Cariboo Regional District Electoral Areas D, E and F. This area extends west to the east side of the Fraser River, North to Marguerite and south to Dog Creek. Along Highway 97 the eligible area extends south to include 141 Mile, then east to Bosk and Crooked Lakes and north encompassing Quesnel Lake and Mitchell Lake. A map is provided on the WLCF website under the “About/Location” section.
Applications can come from a variety of local non-profit and/or community organizations such as Parent Advisory Councils, clubs including 4-H clubs, registered charities and community associations. Public, Private and Indigenous schools and educators are also invited to apply if they are within the “local area” described above.
Funds are targeted toward:
- Capital improvements to facilities available for public use.
- Creation/enhancement/expansion of recreation structures including trails, signs, kiosks.
- Outdoor opportunities relating to sustainable forestry.
- Education/outreach projects.
- Environmental stewardship.
- Other special projects such as community-based culture or arts projects related to forest resource values or nature.
There is a pre-established set of evaluation criteria provided with the application form, along with a budget template. Five per cent of annual WLCF profits are set aside to be distributed to the community through this granting program.
Paper application forms are available at the Williams Lake Community Forest Office at 177 Yorston Street, or locate digital forms online at https://williamslakecommunityforest.com/community-granting/.
2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Advanced Voting - Day 2 of 2 (SD28/Cariboo RD)
Today (October 13, 2026) is the last advanced voting opportunity for the 2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections, for both School District #28 (Quesnel) and the Cariboo Regional District in Areas B,C,E,G,H,K,L prior to General Voting Day on Saturday
For the Cariboo Regional District:
Cast advanced votes for a Director for Electoral Areas B,C,E,G,H,K,L. Full details on what the electors (voters) need to know before voting in these areas are here
For School District #28 (Quesnel):
Cast ballots for up to School District #28 Trustees (up to 7) - more details here
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government/Board of Education Meetings | Week of October 13-16, 2026
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Advanced Vote #1 | Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments/Boards of Education for 2026-2030 Term
9:20am
Today between 8am to 8pm -- voters in Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and the surrounding rural communities can cast an advanced vote to elect the following for a new 4 year term from 2026-2030:
Mayors in Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House
Councillors in Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House
7 Trustees in School District #28 (Quesnel)
Trustees in Trustee Electoral Areas 1,3,4,5 in School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)
A Director for Electoral Areas B,C,E,G,H,K,L within the Cariboo Regional District
Links:
1) Wells -- https://www.wells.ca/application/files/1317/9002/4211/Voting_Information_notice_2026-09-21_1.pdf
2) Quesnel --
https://www.quesnel.ca/city-hall/elections/2026-local-government-elections
3) Williams Lake --
https://www.williamslake.ca/562/Election-2026
4) 100 Mile House --
https://www.100milehouse.com/city-hall/2026-elections
5) Cariboo RD (Areas B,C,E,G,H,K,L) --
https://www.cariboord.ca/regional-government/elections-and-voting/election-information/
6) School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) Trustees in Trustee Zones 1,3,4,5 --
https://www.sd27.bc.ca/documents/fe47fb84-ca55-4e54-b309-e493178586db/SD27-Notice-of-Election-by-Voting.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260922194423
7) School District #28 (Quesnel) Elect 7 Trustees --
https://www.sd28.bc.ca/sites/default/files/documents/2026-09/Notice%20of%20Election%20by%20Voting%20Final%20for%20Posting.pdf
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Williams Lake Council Highlights - October 6, 2026 mtg
Monday, October 5, 2026
Williams Lake All Candidates Forum - Oct 5, 2026
Earlier this evening (October 5, 2026) in the Gibraltar Room at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex -- those running for Williams Lake Mayor or City Councillor attended the Meet and Greet put on the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce in a full Gibraltar Room....
Those in attendance:
Mayoral candidates — Surinderpal Rathor, Walt Cobb (2/2)
Councillor candidates — Sheila Boehm, Scott Nelson, Nathan Wiebe, Greg Jeanotte, Micheal Moses, Jason Ryll, Rafiullah Sahibzada, Charlene Hays, Billie Sheridan, Paul French, Ruth Lloyd (via recorded video), Kayla Zurak (via recorded video) (12/14)
Others: Steve Forseth, Cariboo RD Area "D" Director (recently re-elected by acclamation); Mary Forbes, Cariboo RD Area "E" Director candidate/School District #27 Zone 5 Trustee candidate
After 2 mins introductory speeches of Williams Lake Mayoral and City Councillor candidates -- the candidates sat at individual tables to have one-on-one discussions with Williams Lake voters
I was pleasantly surprised by how often Williams Lake Mayoral candidate Surinderpal Rathor was interrupted by applause during his 2 mins introductory speech (3 or 4 times as I recall) and also was the recipient of an endorsement from Williams Lake First Nation for his re-election bid
A big thank you to the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Board/staff for putting on this event -- these all candidates forums (whether in Williams Lake, 100 Mile House or Quesnel) help voters in determining their local governments (Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, SD27, SD28, Cariboo RD Area Directors) for a new 4 year term...
As a side note -- I was surprised to run into one of my McLeese Lake residents' who had a local concern they wanted to address -- I have given them my business card and they will be emailing me the details so I can follow-up with Cariboo RD Staff in the next number of days....
~Steve
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Cariboo-Chilcotin Region MLA candidates set
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings | Week of October 5-9, 2026
Friday, October 2, 2026
Cariboo Regional District Board Highlights - October 2, 2026 mtg
Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board Highlights - October 2, 2026 mtg
Thursday, October 1, 2026
100 Mile House Council/Cariboo RD Areas G,H,L Directors All Candidates Forum - October 1, 2026
Steve's Meeting/Expense Calendar - September 2026
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
2026 National Day of Truth and Reconcilation (and Orange Shirt Day)
“Orange Shirt Day has deep roots here in Williams Lake and its message asks something of all of us.
Phyllis Webstad, the founder of Orange Shirt Day, is from Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation and lives in Williams Lake. She was just six years old when the new orange shirt her grandmother had bought her was taken away at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. Her willingness to share that experience helped people understand something every child should know: that they matter.
Today, we honour residential school Survivors, remember the children who never came home, and hold their families and communities in our thoughts.
For those of us who call Williams Lake home, this history is close to home too. We have a responsibility to learn about it, listen to those who carry it and let that understanding shape how we treat one another and the decisions we make in our community. I hope we can each make time today to listen and learn.
Every Child Matters. 🧡
Read Phyllis’s story in her own words: https://orangeshirtday.org/about/phyllis-story/?




