20 Days to 2026 Local General Voting Day!

20 days from today (September 28, 2026) -- voters in Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and the rural areas of the Regional District will proceed to vote for new Mayors', Councillors', Electoral Area Directors' in CRD Areas B,C,E,G,H,K and L plus School Trustees in SD#28 (Quesnel) plus School Trustees for Zones 1,3,4,5 in School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) on Saturday, October 17, 2026

The list of candidates can be accessed, as follows: 

a) District of Wells --

https://www.wells.ca/application/files/9717/8978/5300/Declaration_of_Election_Wells_BC_2026.pdf

b) City of Quesnel -- 

https://www.quesnel.ca/city-hall/elections/2026-local-government-elections

c) City of Williams Lake -- 

https://www.williamslake.ca/651/2026-Nomination-Documents-Filed

d) District of 100 Mile House -- 

https://www.100milehouse.com/city-hall/2026-elections

e) Cariboo Regional District (Elections in Areas B,C,E,G,H,K,L) -- 

https://www.cariboord.ca/regional-government/elections-and-voting/2026-local-election-information/

f) School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) (Elections in Zones 1,3,4,5) --

 https://www.sd27.bc.ca/school-trustee-elections

g) School District #28 (Quesnel) -- 

https://www.sd28.bc.ca/2026-general-election

There will be All Candidates Forums in Quesnel/100 Mile House this week.  Quesnel's will be on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 from 6-9pm for Quesnel Mayor/Councillor candidates only at the CNC/UNBC's Quesnel Campus on Campus Way while the one in 100 Mile House will be this Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 6-10pm at the 100 Mile Community Hall at 265 Birch Avenue for 100 Mile Mayor/Councillor candidates as well as those running for CRD Director for Areas G,H,L

There are, currently, no all candidates forums scheduled for School District #27 or #28 School Trustee candidates while there is an All Candidates Forum scheduled for Williams Lake Mayor/Councillor candidates on Monday, October 5, 2026 from 5:30 to 8:00pm in the Gibraltar Room, Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (525 Proctor St, Williams Lake)

Candidates have been hitting the doorsteps to get the support of voters' until the 1st Advanced Vote on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 and there may be local governments' that offer a 2nd Advanced Vote prior to General Voting Day on Saturday, October 17, 2026 -- you are advised to check your local government or local Board of Education for full details 

Please stay tuned to your local election, wherever you live, so you can cast an informed vote for the person that will best represent you - whether as Mayor, Councillor, School Trustee or Electoral Area Director!

Williams Lake Council Highlights - Sept 22, 2026 mtg

Present in WL Council Chambers:

Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Delainey, Flaspohler, Lyons and Nelson

Present via Zoom:

Councillor M. Moses

Meeting called to order at 6:00pm

Mayor Rathor recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional unceded territory of Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw 

Meeting Agenda adopted - click here

Meeting Video - click here

Minutes of the previous Council meeting were received/adopted

Delegation:

1) Jane Wellburn & Sonja Dodig, Fraser Basin Council appeared before Council to provide an update on the Williams Lake Active Transportation Working Group 

Presentation here

Following their presentation - a Question/Answer period ensued...

Mayor Rathor thanked the delegation for their time/information

Response to Delegations:

Council received for information the presentation of Jane Wellburn and Sonja Dodig, Fraser Basin Council regarding an update on the Williams Lake Active Transportation Working Group and request for continued support of research and funding opportunities for implementation of the Active Transportation Network Plan and that the Plan be endorsed and budget resources be committed in support of the Williams Lake Active Transportation Network Plan over multiple years 

Business:

1) Council received or received for information

* the accounts payable computer cheque and Electronic Funds Transfers listings dated September 10 and 17, 2026

* Proclamations, Lighting Requests & Flag Raisings - as of September 22, 2026

* Council Information Package, as of September 22, 2026

2) Council approved a 2026 application to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Community Emergency Preparedness Fund ‘Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training’ Program for funding of up to $30,000 to enhance the capacity of the local Emergency Support Services (ESS) team

3) Council directed the Corporate Officer to file a Notice on Title (Section 57, Community Charter (BC)) for property at 3018 Edwards Drive for not being in compliance with the City of Williams Lake's Building Bylaw/BC Building Code

4) Council awarded the Works Yard Zone 2 Loop Upgrade contract, a phase of the Mackenzie Fireflow Rezoning project, to Morben Construction Ltd. for the construction tender amount of $154,707.94, excluding GST, for a total project value of $184,707.94

5) Late Items: 

* Council received a verbal report of the Mayor regarding the 2026 UBCM/Union of BC Municipalities Convention from Sept 14-18, 2026

* At request of Councillor Nelson -- 

That a letter be forwarded to the Provincial Government requesting information on the status of the San Jose Watershed (water entering Williams Lake and flowing into Williams Creek) and the plan of the Provincial Government 

And then Council adjourned at 7:09pm

Vandalism of Local Election Signs/We're better than that

Letter to the Editor:

It took barely a day.

Campaign signs started going up around Williams Lake and almost immediately some were vandalized or damaged. I will be sending a photo with this letter because sometimes an image says more than another paragraph ever could.

Election campaigns are supposed to be about choices. Different candidates. Different ideas. Different values. Sometimes very different visions of what our community should look like. That is democracy.

I call myself progressive, a supporter of diversity and I am proud to call myself woke. You don’t have to be and I will respect your choice. Call me whatever you like.

What I can’t support or respect is vandalism and the oppression of other people’s choices. If you dislike a candidate, don’t vote for them. If you disagree with their policies, challenge them. Write a letter. Ask them hard questions. Put up a sign for someone else. Knock on doors. Have a debate at the coffee shop. Democracy gives us plenty of ways to disagree.

Destroying somebody else’s campaign sign is not debate. It does not make an argument stronger. It simply says that someone decided their opinion mattered more than another resident’s right to express theirs. That should concern all of us, regardless of where we sit politically.

We are going to disagree during this election. Good. We should. A healthy community can handle disagreement. A healthy democracy depends on it. But disagreement has to come with some basic respect for each other, for candidates willing to put their names forward and for the neighbours who choose to support them.

Leave the signs alone.

Thomas A. Schoen

Williams Lake

2026 Declaration of Election by Voting | Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments or Boards of Education

Following the candidate challenge or withdraw period which expired on Friday, September 18th, 2026 at 4pm

The Chief Election Officers for Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Cariboo Regional District and School Districts #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) and #28 (Quesnel) have now declared that an Election by Voting is Required, as follows:

1) District of Wells

Following the close of the nomination and withdrawal period, the District’s Chief Election Officer has declared eleven candidates for office in the District of Wells.  Eligible voters will elect one Mayor and four Councillors.  

The term of office will be four years starting November 2026. 

Candidates for Mayor – One to be elected 

1) Jillian Merrick – Wells, BC 

2) Rocky Nenka – Wells, BC 

Candidates for Councillor – four to be elected 

1) Eric Andersen – Wells, BC 

2) Molly-Lynn Dehaan – Wells, BC 

3) Miriam Dumitra – Wells, BC 

4) Brodey Lamarche – Wells. BC 

5) Kathleen Landry – Wells, BC 

6) Joy Peters – Wells, BC 

7) Elyssia Sasaki – Wells, BC 

8) Mischele Stevens – Wells, BC 

9) Josh Trotter-Wanner – Wells, BC 

General Voting Day Saturday October 17, 2026, 8 am – 8 pm Wells District Office, 4243 Sanders Avenue Advance Voting Wednesday October 7, 2026, 8 am – 8 pm Wells District Office, 4243 Sanders Avenue 

2) City of Quesnel

MAYOR – One (1) to be elected (alphabetical)

OAKES, Coralee

PAULL, Ron

WATERS, Brian

COUNCILLORS – Six (6) to be elected (alphabetical)

ADAMS, Ryan

CAVE, Michael

DAVIS, Joni

DREW, Jeremy

ELLIOTT, Scott

FREEMAN, Ben

GOULET, Tony

JARDOSH, Jay

LECLERC, Robert

MACNEILL, Susan

MCKELVIE, Debra

NELSON, Linda

ROODENBURG, Laurey-Anne

RUNGE, Martin

SCHULTZ, Duane

STUMP, Chad

SUTTON, Richard

VIK, Mitch

Option to when/where to vote including Mail In Ballot option can be viewed here

3) School District #28 (Quesnel)

School Trustee – Seven (7) to be elected 

The candidates for School Trustee are: 

CAMPBELL, Vickie 

BOUDREAU, Lisa 

PAGE, Mike 

GOULET, Tony 

HUSKA, Melissa 

LEFEBVRE, Tarin 

FREEMAN, Ben 

SCHORCHT, Blanca 

RUNGE, Julie-Anne 

GRAHAM, Megan 

SCOTT, Lisa 

TELFORD, Tracy 

BEAUVILLIER, Kathy 

Information on where to vote can be viewed here

4) School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin)

Questions on when/where to vote can be emailed at Trusteeelections@sd27.bc.ca

5) City of Williams Lake

Questions on when/where to vote can be accessed here

6) District of 100 Mile House

Mayor (1 to be elected): 

i) David Jurek

ii) Maureen Pinkney (incumbent) 

Councillor (4 to be elected): 

i) Donna Barnett

ii) Erin Filtness

iii) Aaron Fulber

iv) Ryan Hindmarsh

v) Ralf Holzapfel

vi) Dave Mingo

vii) Norm Knutsen

viii) Marty Norgren

ix) Darren W Wilkinson

x) Dave Wishnowski

Information on when/where to vote can be viewed here

7) Cariboo Regional District (Electoral Area Directors)

Electoral Area B – Quesnel West/Bouchie Lake: Barb Bachmeier, Denice Bardua, Heloise Dixon-Warren and Robert Merz.

Electoral Area C – Bowron Lake/Barlow Creek/Barkerville: Clint Cave and John Massier.

Electoral Area E – South Lakeside/Dog Creek: Mary Forbes and Melynda Neufeld.

Electoral Area G – Lac La Hache/108 Mile House: Roz Griston, Al Richmond and Michele Spence.

Electoral Area H – Canim Lake/Forest Grove: John Kellett and Margo Wagner.

Electoral Area K – East Chilcotin: Betty Anderson and Bonnie-Jean Bathgate.

Electoral Area L – Lone Butte/Interlakes: Eric de Vries, Bo McKinney, Jake McLean and Dan Parker

Information on when/where to vote in Areas B,C,E,G,H,K and L (when known) can be accessed here

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings | Week of September 21-25, 2026

During the week of September 21-25, 2026 -- the following Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments will be holding meetings, as follows: 

Quesnel - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 5:30pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda: 

* Staff Reports: Response to Deepening Crisis in British Columbia’s Forest Sector; City of Quesnel Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 1986 of 2026; Sensitive Ecosystem Development Permit for 196 Tatchell Road; Temporary Use Permit or TUP - 395 Elliott Street (current status and next steps)

* Several Letters on the Temporary Winter Shelter at 395 Elliott Street

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Williams Lake - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 6:00pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers (450 Mart St, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda: 

* Delegation: Williams Lake Active Transportation Working Group Update

* UBCM Grant Application - Emergency Support Services Equipment and Training Program

* Section 57 Notice on Title - 3018 Edwards Drive

* Works Yard Zone 2 Loop Upgrade (Phase of Mackenzie Fireflow Rezoning Project) - Award of Contract

View the full Meeting Agenda here

100 Mile House -- Meetings, as referenced below, to take place on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue)

a) Committee of the Whole - 5pm.  On the Agenda: 

* Future amendment to Fees/Charges Bylaw

View the full Meeting Agenda here

b) Regular Council Meeting - 5:30pm.  On the Agenda: 

* 2026 Capital Budget Update - as of September 22, 2026

* Bylaw Officer's Report for August 2026

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District:

1) South Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus - Regular Meeting on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 11am in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue, 100 Mile House).  On the Agenda:

* 108 Mile Heritage Site Contribution Agreement Renewal – South Cariboo Economic Development

* Fishing Highway 24 Contribution Agreement – South Cariboo Economic Development

* Lone Butte Historical Society Contribution Agreement Renewal – South Cariboo Economic Development

*  Contribution Agreement Renewal with the District of 100 Mile House for Sani-dump Operation

* Discussion Items: South Cariboo Community Enhancement Foundation and South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2) South Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 12pm in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue, 100 Mile House).  On the Agenda:

* Delegations: 

i) 100 Mile House Youth Initiative/Rotary Club re: collaboration on the skate park project, discuss next steps on funding, fundraising, and timelines

ii) Trekor re: update on Trekor’s Yellowhead Project, with a focus on the latest milestone the project has reached

* Information or Discussion Items: 

i) 108 Mile Heritage Site - A Regional Heritage and Tourism Asset 

ii) BC Transit - 100 Mile House Fare Review Report 2026

iii) South Cariboo Recreation 2026 Business Plan, Financial Plan, and Capital Plan (for direction and next steps) 

iv) South Cariboo Recreation Centre - Outdoor Rink

v) South Cariboo Recreation Centre - Media Booth 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

3) Central Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 5:30pm in the Rick Hansen Boardroom (Basement, 450 Mart St, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda: 

A) Delegation: Williams Lake Stampede Association Representatives Court Smith, Lorina Sundt, Liz Crosina and Kayla Jasper re Williams Lake Stampede 100th Year Event Planning Update

B) Business Items (where a Resolution of the Committee is REQUIRED): 

* Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Fee for Service Agreement Renewals - 2026-2028

* Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society - Contracting Services Agreements Renewal

* Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024-2027 Recommended Updates

* Indoor Sport Facility Working Group Minutes & Feasibility Study RFP Award Recommendation

C) Information/Discussion Items (where a Resolution of the Committee is NOT REQUIRED): 

* Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's 'Spring 2026 Grant Awards' Report

* Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's '2026-2028 Arts & Culture Fee for Service Agreement Contribution Recipients' Memo

* 2026 Pool Operating Schedule Update

* 2026 CMRC Operational Update

* Central Cariboo Recreation and Leisure Services 2026 Business, Financial and Capital Plans (for feedback to inform 2027 CCRLS budget development)

* 2026 Williams Lake Mustangs & Williams Lake Stampeders Update

* CMRC Naming Rights Policy Brochure

* Letter from Billie Sheridan re CMRC Naming Rights Policy (referred by Williams Lake Council)

* Available Grants for Gibraltar Room Fee for October Rick Hansen Foundation Fundraising Gala

* Date Options for December Special CCJC Meeting re Central Cariboo Grant Applications

* Verbal Update re CMRC Heat Recovery Project (Stacey Miranda)

* 2026 BC Consumer Protection Act Changes and CMRC Operations

View the full Meeting Agenda here

 

 

 

Rathor vs. Cobb for Williams Lake Mayor - Round 2

Surinderpal Rathor(L) and Walt Cobb (R)

In a repeat of the 2018 Williams Lake Mayoral Election -- it will be -- subject to a candidate withdrawing by Friday, September 18th, 2026 -- Surinderpal Rathor vs Walt Cobb for the top political job (Mayor) in Williams Lake during the October 2026 City of Williams Lake Local General Election

In the 2018 Local General Election -- Walt Cobb beat Surinderpal Rathor by a vote count of 1,843 (Cobb) to 1,177 (Rathor) however in the subsequent Local General Election in 2022: Surinderpal Rathor came out on top with 1,091 votes with Cobb finishing in 3rd with 773 votes...

While this is Surinderpal Rathor's first term as Williams Lake Mayor -- Walt Cobb has previously served as Mayor of Williams Lake from 1990-1996 and 2014-2022 (14 years in total as Williams Lake Mayor vs 4 years for Rathor)

Walt Cobb talks with the Williams Lake Tribune about his reasons why he wants to become Mayor of Williams Lake again --

https://shrlnk.ca/s/105Wxy5C

While current Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor explains to "My Cariboo Now" why he is looking for a 2nd consecutive term as Mayor of Williams Lake --

https://shrlnk.ca/s/dzBld90z

Advanced Voting for 1 Williams Lake Mayor/6 Williams Lake City Councillors' will occur on October 7/14, 2026 with General Voting Day set for Saturday, October 17th, 2026

More details are available on the City of Williams Lake website at https://www.williamslake.ca/562/Election-2026

Meanwhile in other Mayor Races in the Cariboo-Chilcotin: 

Wells - Rocky Nenka vs Jillian Merrick 

Quesnel - Ron Paull (Incumbent) vs Coralee Oakes vs Brian Waters 

100 Mile House - Maureen Pinkney (incumbent) vs David Jurek 

2026 Unofficial Candidate List - City of Williams Lake

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Nomination Period - Day 8 of 8

Today (September 11th, 2026) is the FINAL day of the 8 day local elections nomination period that candidates can submit their candidate papers for formal approval to the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy of the local government or Board of Education that they are interested in seeking a position (Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director or School Trustee).

NO nominations can be accepted after 4pm sharp today! The Chief Election Officers for the Districts of Wells/100 Mile House, the Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District and School Districts #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) and #28 (Quesnel) will then declare the unofficial list of candidates for the Offices of Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director and School Trustee after 4pm today with the official candidate lists announced September 18, 2026 following the 7 day period for a candidate to either withdraw or if their nomination is to be challenged in the BC Provincial Court

The following individuals have filed, as of 5:00pm on Thursday, September 10th, 2026, with the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy for the Districts of Wells/100 Mile House, Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District or School Districts #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) or #28 (Quesnel) (information provided by CivicInfo BC's 2026 Local Elections Candidate Portal - click here)

Wells - none

Quesnel - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent - Ron Paull 

Candidates - Brian Waters, Coralee Oakes'

Councillor: 

Incumbents - Tony Goulet, Mitch Vik, Martin Runge, Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, Deb McKelvie, Scott Elliott

Candidates - Ryan Adams, Mike Cave, Joni Davis, Jeremy Drew, Ben Freeman, Robert Leclerc, Susan McNeill, Linda Nelson, Duane Schultz, Chad Stump

School District #28 (Quesnel) - 

Incumbents: Tony Goulet, Lisa Boudreau, Julie-Anne Runge, Melissa Huska

Candidates: Vickie Campbell, Tracy Telford, Ben Freeman, Megan Graham, Kathy Beauvillier, Blanca Schorcht, Lisa Scott, Tarin Lefebvre

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin): 

Zone 1 - Ella Brown, Eric DeVries, Sheri Elgersma

Zone 2 - William Shepherd

Zone 3 - Willow Macdonald (incumbent)

Zone 4 - Melissa Coates (incumbent) 

Zone 5 - Laura Zimmerman

Zone 6 - Mike Franklin (incumbent)

Zone 7 - Jenny Philbrick 

Williams Lake - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent: Surinderpal Rathor 

Councillor: 

Incumbents: Micheal Moses, Sheila Boehm, Scott Nelson

Candidates: Jason Ryll, Paul French, Dr. Rafiullah Sahibzada, Greg Jeannotte, Billie Sheridan, Whitney Spearing, Kayla Zaruk, Charlene Hays, Cianna O'Connor

100 Mile House - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent: Maureen Pinkney

Candidates: David Jurek 

Councillor: 

Incumbents: Dave Mingo, Marty Norgren, Donna Barnett

Candidates: Aaron Fulber, Norm Knutsen, Erin Filtness, 

Cariboo Regional District - 

Area "A" - Nicole Audet (incumbent Director)

Area "B" - Barb Bachmeier (incumbent Director); Heloise Dixon-Warren and Robert Merz (Director, Area "B" candidates)

Area "C" - John Massier (incumbent Director)

Area "D" - Steve Forseth (incumbent Director)

Area "E" - Melynda Neufeld (incumbent Director)

Area "F" - Maureen LeBourdais (incumbent Director)

Area "G" - Al Richmond (incumbent Director); Corey Gilmore and Michelle Spence (Director, Area "G" candidates)

Area "H" - Margo Wagner (incumbent Director)

Area "I" - Jim Glassford (incumbent Director)

Area "J" - Tolin Pare (incumbent Director)

Area "K" - Betty Anderson (incumbent Director); Bonnie Jean Bathgate (Director, Area "K" candidate)

Area "L" - Eric DeVries (incumbent Director); Jake McLean, Bo McKinney, Dan Parker (Director, Area "L" candidates) 

2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Nomination Period - Day 7 of 8

Today (September 10, 2026) is the 7th day of the 8 day local elections nomination period that candidates can submit their candidate papers for formal approval to the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy of the local government or Board of Education that they are interested in seeking a position for (Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director or School Trustee)

CivicInfoBC's 2026 Local Elections Candidates Portal (click here) reports that the following individuals have filed with the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy for the Districts of Wells/100 Mile House, Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District or School Districts' #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) or #28 (Quesnel) -- as of 5pm on Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Wells - none

Quesnel - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent - Ron Paull 

Candidates - Brian Waters, Coralee Oakes'

Councillor: 

Incumbents - Tony Goulet, Mitch Vik, Martin Runge, Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, Deb McKelvie

Candidates - Ryan Adams, Mike Cave, Joni Davis, Jeremy Drew, Ben Freeman, Robert Leclerc, Linda Wilson, Susan McNeill

School District #28 (Quesnel) - 

Incumbents: Tony Goulet, Lisa Boudreau, Julie-Anne Runge, Melissa Huska

Candidates: Vickie Campbell, Tracy Telford, Ben Freeman, Megan Graham, Kathy Beauvillier, Blanca Schorcht, Lisa Scott 

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin): 

Zone 1 - Ella Brown, Eric DeVries, Sheri Elgersma

Zone 2 - William Shepherd

Zone 3 - Willow Macdonald (incumbent)

Zone 4 - Melissa Coates (incumbent) vs Laura Zimmerman

Zone 5 - None 

Zone 6 - Mike Franklin (incumbent)

Zone 7 - Jenny Philbrick 

Williams Lake - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent: Surinderpal Rathor 

Councillor: 

Incumbents: Micheal Moses, Sheila Boehm, 

Candidates: Jason Ryll, Paul French, Dr. Rafiullah Sahibzada, Greg Jeannotte, Billie Sheridan, Whitney Spearing, Kayla Zaruk

100 Mile House - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent: Maureen Pinkney

Candidates: David Jurek 

Councillor: 

Incumbents: Dave Mingo, Marty Norgren, Donna Barnett

Candidates: Aaron Fulber, Norm Knutsen 

Cariboo Regional District - 

Area "A" - Nicole Audet (incumbent Director)

Area "B" - Heloise Dixon-Warren, Robert Merz (Director, Area "B" candidates)

Area "C" - John Massier (incumbent Director)

Area "D" - Steve Forseth (incumbent Director)

Area "E" - Melynda Neufeld (incumbent Director)

Area "F" - Maureen LeBourdais (incumbent Director)

Area "G" - Al Richmond (incumbent Director); Corey Gilmore (Director, Area "G" candidate)

Area "H" - Margo Wagner (incumbent Director)

Area "I" - Jim Glassford (incumbent Director)

Area "J" - Tolin Pare (incumbent Director)

Area "K" - Betty Anderson (incumbent Director); Bonnie Jean Bathgate (Director, Area "K" candidate)

Area "L" - Eric DeVries (incumbent Director); Jake McLean, Bo McKinney, Dan Parker (Director, Area "L" candidates) 

2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Nomination Period - Day 6 of 8

Today (September 9, 2026) is the 6th day of the 8 day local elections nomination period that candidates can submit their candidate papers for formal approval to the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy of the local government or Board of Education that they are interested in seeking a position for (Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director or School Trustee)

CivicInfoBC's 2026 Local Elections Candidates Portal (click here) reports that the following individuals have filed with the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy for the Districts of Wells/100 Mile House, Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District or School Districts' #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) or #28 (Quesnel) - information current as of 5pm - September 8, 2026

Wells - none

Quesnel - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent - Ron Paull 

Candidates - Brian Waters, Coralee Oakes'

Councillor: 

Incumbents - Tony Goulet, Mitch Vik, Martin Runge, Laurey-Anne Roodenburg

Candidates - Ryan Adams, Mike Cave, Joni Davis, Jeremy Drew, Ben Freeman, Robert Leclerc, Linda Wilson, Susan McNeill

School District #28 (Quesnel) - 

Incumbents: Tony Goulet, Lisa Boudreau, Julie-Anne Runge, Melissa Huska

Candidates: Vickie Campbell, Tracy Telford, Ben Freeman, Megan Graham, Kathy Beauvillier, 

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin): 

Zone 1 - Ella Brown, Eric DeVries, Sheri Elgersma

Zone 2 - None

Zone 3 - Willow Macdonald (incumbent)

Zone 4 - Melissa Coates (incumbent) vs Laura Zimmerman

Zone 5 - None 

Zone 6 - Mike Franklin (incumbent)

Zone 7 - Jenny Philbrick 

Williams Lake - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent: Surinderpal Rathor 

Councillor: 

Incumbents: Micheal Moses, 

Candidates: Jason Ryll, Paul French, Dr. Rafiullah Sahibzada, Greg Jeannotte 

100 Mile House - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent: Maureen Pinkney

Candidates: David Jurek 

Councillor: 

Incumbents: Dave Mingo, Marty Norgren, Donna Barnett

Candidates: Aaron Fulber, Norm Knutsen 

Cariboo Regional District - 

Area "A" - Nicole Audet (incumbent Director)

Area "B" - Heloise Dixon-Warren, Robert Merz (Director, Area "B" candidates)

Area "C" - John Massier (incumbent Director)

Area "D" - Steve Forseth (incumbent Director)

Area "E" - Melynda Neufeld (incumbent Director)

Area "F" - Maureen LeBourdais (incumbent Director)

Area "G" - Al Richmond (incumbent Director), Corey Gilmore (Director, Area "G" candidate)

Area "H" - Margo Wagner (incumbent Director)

Area "I" - Jim Glassford (incumbent Director)

Area "J" - Tolin Pare (incumbent Director)

Area "K" - Betty Anderson (incumbent Director), Bonnie Jean Bathgate (Director, Area "K" candidate)

Area "L" - Eric DeVries (incumbent Director), Jake McLean (Director, Area "L" candidate), Bo McKinney (Director, Area "L" candidate), Dan Parker (Director, Area "L" candidate) 

Williams Lake Council Highlights - September 8, 2026 mtg

Present in WL Council Chambers:

Mayor Rathor; Councillors Boehm, Delainey, Lyons and Nelson

Present via Zoom:

Councillors Flaspohler and Moses

Meeting called to order at 6:00pm

Mayor Rathor recognized that the meeting was taking place on the traditional unceded territory of Williams Lake First Nation within Secwepemculecw 

Meeting Agenda adopted - click here

Meeting Video - click here

Minutes of the previous Council meeting were received/adopted

Delegation:

1) Janda Group appeared before Council to provide a verbal update on the Boitanio Mall Residential Housing Development

Following their presentation -- A Question/Answer period ensued

Mayor Rathor thanked the delegation for their time/information 

Business:

1) Council received/received for information the following: 

* accounts payable computer cheque and Electronic Funds Transfer listings dated August 27 and September 3, 2026 

* "Council Information Package" as of September 8, 2026

2) Council endorsed a recommendation from a previous Committee of the Whole meeting, as follows: 

Council receive for information the report of the Community Well-Being & Safety Coordinator and further:

 A. That Council use the attached summary to inform discussions and advocacy efforts at the upcoming UBCM Convention focussing on the reports top recommendations and requesting:

    i. expanded access to mental health, detox and withdrawal services in Williams Lake,

    ii. additional policing resources in Williams Lake, and

    iii. the creation of 50 additional complex care housing units in Williams Lake.

B. That, following the 2026 UBCM Convention, staff review the immediate, local level recommendations from the attached survey for potential options to consider in the near/medium term; and

C. That information gathered through the survey, interviews, and public engagement session be used to help inform future strategic planning and current community safety initiatives, as well as the 2027 budget process.”

At the request of Councillor Nelson, it was RESOLVED:

That Council request Staff to arrange a meeting between Red Road Recovery/Interior Health with the key goal to establish expanded access to mental health, addictions, involuntary and detox beds for Williams Lake 

Motion for Closed Council Meeting - 6:48pm:

It was RESOLVED:

Following adjournment of the Open Council Meeting -- Council proceed into a Closed Meeting according to Section 92 of the Community Charter for discussion of items identified under Sections 90(1) of the Community Charter, as follows:

1a - personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality, 

1c - labour relations or other employee relations AND

1j - information that is prohibited, or information that if it were presented in a document would be prohibited, from disclosure, under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

And then Council adjourned at 6:49pm

2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Nomination Period - Day 5 of 8

Today (September 8, 2026) is the 5th day of the 8 day local elections nomination period that candidates can submit their candidate papers for formal approval to the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy of the local government or Board of Education that they are interested in seeking a position for (Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director or School Trustee)

CivicInfoBC's 2026 Local Elections Candidates Portal (click here) reports that the following individuals have filed with the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy for the Districts of Wells/100 Mile House, Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District or School Districts' #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) or #28 (Quesnel) as of 4:30pm on Friday, September 4th, 2026:

Wells - none

Quesnel - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent - Ron Paull 

Candidates - Brian Waters

Councillor: 

Incumbents - Tony Goulet, Mitch Vik, Martin Runge

Candidates - Ryan Adams, Mike Cave, Joni Davis, Jeremy Drew, Ben Freeman, Robert Leclerc, Linda Wilson

School District #28 (Quesnel) - 

Incumbents: Tony Goulet, Lisa Boudreau, Julie-Anne Runge

Candidates: Vickie Campbell, Tracy Telford, Ben Freeman, Megan Graham, Kathy Beauvillier, 

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - none

Williams Lake - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent: Surinderpal Rathor 

Councillor: 

Incumbents: Micheal Moses, 

Candidates: Jason Ryll 

100 Mile House - 

Mayor: 

Incumbent: Maureen Pinkney

Candidates: David Jurek 

Councillor: 

Incumbents: Dave Mingo, Marty Norgren

Candidates: Aaron Fulber, Norm Knutsen 

Cariboo Regional District - 

Area "A" - Nicole Audet (incumbent Director)

Area "B" - Heloise Dixon-Warren (Director, Area "B" candidate)

Area "C" - John Massier (incumbent Director)

Area "D" - Steve Forseth (incumbent Director)

Area "E" - Melynda Neufeld (incumbent Director)

Area "F" - Maureen LeBourdais (incumbent Director)

Area "G" - Al Richmond (incumbent Director), Corey Gilmore (Director, Area "G" candidate)

Area "H" - Margo Wagner (incumbent Director)

Area "I" - Jim Glassford (incumbent Director)

Area "J" - Tolin Pare (incumbent Director)

Area "K" - Betty Anderson (incumbent Director)

Area "L" - Eric DeVries (incumbent Director), Jake McLean (Director, Area "L" candidate)

Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Government Meetings - Week of September 8-11, 2026

Following the BC Labour Day Long Weekend -- the following Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments will be holding meetings during the week of September 8-11, 2026, as follows:

Wells - Meetings of Wells District Council on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 in Wells Council Chambers/Zoom (4243 Sanders Avenue)

Closed Session from 2-3pm to discuss HR matters and Strategic Planning

Open Session from 3:15pm to 4:30pm

When available - the Open Meeting Agenda can be viewed here

Williams Lake - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 6pm in Williams Lake Council Chambers (450 Mart St).  On the Agenda: 

* Delegation: Janda Group re Boitanio Mall Residential Housing Development Verbal Update

* September 1, 2026 Committee of the Whole recommendation for endorsement: Community Safety Concerns - Public Safety Feedback

* Closed Council Meeting - Sections 90(1a - appointment, 1c - labour, 1j - information prohibited from public disclosure) of the Community Charter

View the full Meeting Agenda here

100 Mile House - Following meetings to occur in 100 Mile House Council Chambers (385 Birch Avenue, 100 Mile House) on Tuesday, September 8, 2026

a) 100 Mile Development Corporation at 4:30pm.  On the Agenda: 

* VIC (Visitor Information Centre) Volunteers / Staffing 

* Development Corporation Budget Amendment 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

b) District Municipal Council at 5:30pm.  On the Agenda: 

* Delegation: 108 Heritage Site 

* High Zone Booster Station 

* FireSmart August 2026 Report

* 5 Bylaws for Adoption 

* 100 Mile House Museum Lease Agreement 

* Closed/In-Camera Council Session -- Section 90(1c - labour) of the Community Charter

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Cariboo Regional District: 

a) North Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 3:15pm in the CRD Quesnel Office (101-410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda:

* Delegation: BC Transit 

* North Cariboo Community Committee Reports

View the full Meeting Agenda here

b) North Cariboo Joint Committee - Regular Meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 5:30pm in Quesnel Council Chambers (4th Floor, 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  On the Agenda: 

* Quarter 2 Leisure Services Budget and Statistics Report

* Event Summary – Canada Day 2026

* 2027-2031 NCRP/North Cariboo Recreation and Parks Business and Financial Plans

* Proposed Letter of Support -- Quesnel Kangaroos Hockey Club's bid to host the 2027 Western Canada Savage Cup Hockey Championship

View the full Meeting Agenda here

c) Policy Committee - Regular Meeting on Thursday, September 10th, 2026 at 10:00am in the Cariboo RD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda: 

* Tangible Assets Policy

View the full Meeting Agenda here

d) Committee of the Whole (Cariboo RD Board) - Regular Meeting on Thursday, September 10th, 2026 at 1pm in the Cariboo RD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda: 

* Discussion Items -- NDIT Intake Application Deadlines (Dir. Forseth), Durrell Road Closure/Fire Protection Impact (Dir. Audet)

* Dissolution of Policy Committee Discussion

View the full Meeting Agenda here

Meeting will NOT be livestreamed but is open to the public to observe 

e) Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) - Regular Board Meeting on Friday, September 11th, 2026 at 9:30am in the Cariboo RD Boardroom.  On the Agenda: 

* Bylaw Amendments for 3 Readings/Adoption -- CCRHD Remuneration and Procedure Bylaws

* Information-only items

View the full Meeting Agenda here

f) Cariboo Regional District - Regular Board Meeting on Friday, September 11th, 2026 at 9:45am or upon recess/adjournment of the CCRHD Board Meeting - whichever occurs first - in the Cariboo RD Boardroom. On the Agenda: 

* Land Use Matters (Area Directors' only)

* Community Works Fund agreements with McLeese Lake Recreation Commission and Big Creek Community Hall 

* Agriculture Biosolids Use Prohibition 

* Committee Recommendation (South Cariboo Joint Committee) for endorsement

* Bylaws -- 103 Mile Water System Service Boundary Expansion Bylaw No. 5591, 2026 (3 Readings); 

Cariboo Regional District Board Procedure Bylaw No. 5590, 2026 (3 Readings/Adoption), Forest Grove Legion Property Tax Exemption Bylaw (3 Readings/Adoption)

* Closed/In-Camera Board Session - Section 90(2b - confidential negotiations between local government, provincial/federal governments and a 3rd Party) of the Community Charter 

View the full Meeting Agenda here

2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Nomination Period - Day 4 of 8

Today (September 4, 2026) is the 4th day of the 8 day local elections nomination period that candidates can submit their candidate papers for formal approval to the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy of the local government or Board of Education that they are interested in seeking a position for (Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director or School Trustee)

CivicInfoBC's 2026 Local Elections Candidates Portal (click here) reports that the following individuals have filed with the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy for the Districts of Wells/100 Mile House, Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District or School Districts' #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) or #28 (Quesnel)

After 4:30pm today -- candidates for Mayor, Councillor, School Trustee or Electoral Area Director can resume submitting their nomination forms to the local Chief Election Officer or their Deputy on Tuesday, September 8th, 2026

Wells - none

Quesnel - 

Mayor - Ron Paull (incumbent Mayor), Brian Waters (Mayoral candidate); 

Councillor - Tony Goulet (incumbent Councillor); Ben Freeman (Councillor candidate), Mike Cave (Councillor candidate), Jeremy Drew (Councillor candidate), Robert Leclerc (Councillor candidate), Linda Nelson (Councillor candidate)

School District #28 (Quesnel) - Tony Goulet/Lisa Boudreau (incumbent Trustees), Vickie Campbell, Tracy Telford, Ben Freeman, Megan Graham (Trustee candidates)

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - none

Williams Lake - 

Mayor: Surinderpal Rathor (incumbent Mayor)

Councillor: Jason Ryll (Councillor candidate)

100 Mile House - 

Mayor: Maureen Pinkney (incumbent Mayor), David Jurek (Mayoral candidate)

Councillor: Aaron Fulber (Councillor candidate), Norm Knutsen (Councillor candidate) 

Cariboo Regional District - 

Area "A" - Nicole Audet (incumbent Director)

Area "B" - Heloise Dixon-Warren (Director, Area "B" candidate)

Area "C" - John Massier (incumbent Director)

Area "D" - Steve Forseth (incumbent Director)

Area "E" - Melynda Neufeld (incumbent Director)

Area "F" - Maureen LeBourdais (incumbent Director)

Area "H" - Margo Wagner (incumbent Director)

Area "I" - Jim Glassford (incumbent Director)

Area "J" - Tolin Pare (incumbent Director)

Area "K" - Betty Anderson (incumbent Director)

Area "L" - Eric DeVries (incumbent Director)

2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Nomination Period - Day 3 of 8

Today (September 3, 2026) is the 3rd day of the 8 day local elections nomination period that candidates can submit their candidate papers for formal approval to the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy of the local government or Board of Education that they are interested in seeking a position for (Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director or School Trustee)

CivicInfoBC's 2026 Local Elections Candidates Portal (click here) reports that the following individuals have filed with the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy for the Districts of Wells/100 Mile House, Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District or School Districts' #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) or #28 (Quesnel)

Wells - none

Quesnel - Brian Waters (Mayoral candidate), Ron Paull (incumbent Mayor); Ben Freeman (Councillor candidate), Tony Goulet (incumbent Councillor). 

School District #28 (Quesnel) - Tony Goulet/Lisa Boudreau (incumbent Trustees), Vickie Campbell and Tracy Telford (Trustee candidates)

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - none

Williams Lake - Surinderpal Rathor (incumbent Mayor)

100 Mile House - Maureen Pinkney (incumbent Mayor), David Jurek (Mayoral candidate), Aaron Fulber (Councillor candidate), Norm Knutsen (Councillor candidate) 

Cariboo Regional District - 

Area "A" - Nicole Audet (incumbent Director)

Area "B" - Heloise Dixon-Warren (Director, Area "B" candidate)

Area "D" - Steve Forseth (incumbent Director)

Area "E" - Melynda Neufeld (incumbent Director)

Area "F" - Maureen LeBourdais (incumbent Director)

Area "H" - Margo Wagner (incumbent Director)

Area "I" - Jim Glassford (incumbent Director)

Area "J" - Tolin Pare (incumbent Director)

Area "K" - Betty Anderson (incumbent Director)

Area "L" - Eric DeVries (incumbent Director)

2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Nomination Period - Day 2 of 8

Today (September 2, 2026) is the 2nd day of the 8 day local elections nomination period that candidates can submit their candidate papers for formal approval to the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy of the local government or Board of Education that they are interested in seeking a position for (Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director or School Trustee)

CivicInfoBC's 2026 Local Elections Candidates Portal (click here) reports that the following individuals have filed with the Chief Election Officer or their Deputy for the Districts of Wells/100 Mile House, Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District or School Districts' #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) or #28 (Quesnel)

Wells - none

Quesnel - Brian Waters (Mayor), Tony Goulet (incumbent Councillor)

School District #28 (Quesnel) - Tony Goulet, Lisa Boudreau (incumbent Trustees)

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - none

Williams Lake - none

100 Mile House - none 

Cariboo Regional District - Steve Forseth (incumbent Area "D" Director), Maureen LeBourdais (incumbent Area "F" Director), Margo Wagner (incumbent Area "H" Director), Jim Glassford (incumbent Area "I" Director), Betty Anderson (incumbent Area "K" Director), Eric DeVries (incumbent Area "L" Director)

2026 Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Elections Nomination Period - Day 1 of 8

Today (September 1, 2026) - the local Chief Election Officers' or their Deputies' for the Districts of 100 Mile House/Wells, Cities of Quesnel/Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District and School Districts #27/#28 (Cariboo-Chilcotin/Quesnel) can formally begin to receive completed candidate nomination forms for the elected positions of Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director and School Trustee, starting at 9am today - Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 until 4pm sharp! on Friday, September 11th, 2026 EXCLUDING September 5-7, 2026 (BC Labour Day Long Weekend)

For information on relating to the 2026 Local General Elections such as general candidate information, voting days, etc., including contact information in order to make an appointment to visit the local Chief Election Officer or their Deputy for Cariboo-Chilcotin Local Governments or School Districts' to submit completed candidate nomination forms- please see links below:

District of Wells - click here
City of Quesnel - click here
City of Williams Lake - click here
District of 100 Mile House - click here
Cariboo Regional District - click here 
School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) - click here
School District #28 (Quesnel) - click here

Elections BC Disqualification List for 2026 BC Local Elections - click here

You can monitor who has filed their nomination papers with the local Chief Election Officer or their Deputy for the Office of Mayor, Councillor, Electoral Area Director or School Trustee via the CivicInfo 2026 Election Candidate Portal here 

Later today - I will be visiting the Cariboo Regional District's Chief Election Officer to formally file my Electoral Area 'D' Director candidate nomination forms for a re-election bid for a 4th consecutive term as the Cariboo Regional District's Electoral Area "D" Director

For those seeking re-election or election for the 1st time - best of luck in your election or re-election bids... 

To those who are retiring from local political life - the people of the Cariboo-Chilcotin thank you for your public service, no matter who long you have served and wish you the very best in your future endeavours...

As of this morning, the following individuals have publicly confirmed their intention (either through social or local media) to seek local elected office, as follows:

District of Wells (elect 1 Mayor and 4 Councillors) - 

Incumbents - Ed Coleman won't seek re-election.  Rocky Nenka seeks to become the next Mayor of Wells

Unknown - Incumbent Councillors Dorothea Funk, Jennifer Lewis, Dirk Van Stralen, Josh Trotter-Wanner

City of Quesnel (elect 1 Mayor and 6 Councillors): 

Incumbents -- Mayor Ron Paull seeks re-election for 2nd term

Unknown - Incumbent Councillors Debra McKelvie, Scott Elliott, Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, Tony Goulet, Martin Runge and Mitch Vik

Board of Education (SD28 - Quesnel) (elect 7 School Trustees at large)- unknown at this time

Board of Education (SD27 - Cariboo/Chilcotin) (elect 1 School Trustee per Area with 7 School Trustee Electoral Areas in total) - Zone 5 (WL Rural) Trustee Angie Delainey won't seek re-election.  Re-election plans for School Trustees in Zones 1-4, 6 and 7 are unknown at this time

City of Williams Lake (Elect 1 Mayor and 6 Councillors):

Incumbents - Mayor Surinderpal Rathor seeks re-election for 2nd term as well as Councillor Micheal Moses.  Councillors Jazmyn Lyons, Joan Flaspohler and Angie Delainey won't seek re-election

Challengers - Billie Sheridan, Dr. Rafiullah Sahibzada

Unknown - Councillors Scott Nelson, Sheila Boehm

District of 100 Mile House (elect 1 Mayor and 4 Councillors):

Incumbents - Mayor Maureen Pinkney to seek re-election for 2nd term

Unknown - Incumbent Councillors Dave Mingo, Donna Barnett, Jenni Guimond, Marty Norgren

Cariboo Regional District (elect 1 Director per Electoral Area with 12 Electoral Areas in total):

Incumbents -- Area "A" Director Nicole Audet seeks re-election for 2nd term after completing remainder of late Mary Sjostrom's 2022-2026 term, Area "D" Director Steve Forseth seeks re-election for 4th term, Area "F" Director Maureen LeBourdais seeks 3rd term, Area "H" Director Margo Wagner seeks re-election for 5th term

Unknown -- Directors' for Areas B,C,G,I,J,K,L (Barb Bachmeier, John Massier, Al Richmond, Jim Glassford, Tolin Pare, Betty Anderson and Eric DeVries)

Challengers -- Heloise Dixon-Warren (Area B), Jake McLean (Area L)

~SF