For much of my life, I’ve worked in roles that focus on education, community development, communications, youth engagement, and building opportunities for future generations. Youth are not simply the leaders of tomorrow, but important contributors today.

A Mayor’s role is to set priorities, bring people together, and create conditions where young people can succeed. As Mayor, one of my focuses will be ensuring that youth have opportunities, services, and support they need to build successful lives in Prince George.

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Educator and Mentor:

As a post-secondary instructor, I spent the last decade working directly with youth at CNC and UNBC as they prepare for careers, community leadership, and citizenship. The classroom provides a unique opportunity to hear firsthand about the concerns facing youth, including:

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• Finding affordable housing

• Accessing good jobs

• Mental health challenges

• Cost of living pressures

• Transportation issues

• Community inclusion and belonging

• Challenges unique to international students

 

I will build on that experience to create direct connections between policy and the realities youth face every day.

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Building a Stronger Local Economy:

One of the most important ways municipal leaders can support youth is by creating the environment where young people can find meaningful work and choose to remain in the community after graduation. I’ve continually built on economic development, community growth, and maintaining the services and infrastructure that support local employers and entrepreneurs. I will focus on retaining young talent. It’s critical to the long-term success of Prince George.

 

Fostering Future Community Leaders:

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I was deeply involved in political simulations when I was younger, participating in, then leading Model United Nations simulations. I cofounded the Pacific UN Conference, for high school students across BC, and managed post-secondary student simulations at UN Headquarters in New York and in Anaheim as a Canadian representative.

As Mayor, I’ll actively encourage programs that help young people develop skills in leadership, volunteerism, and local governance. Specifically, I will work to:

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• Strengthen youth advisory opportunities

• Expand engagement with high schools, colleges, and universities

• Create regular opportunities for dialogue between youth and municipal leaders

 

Local government must be accessible to and meaningful for youth.

 

Support Housing Affordability:

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Prince George cannot retain young talent if young people can’t afford to live there.

My priorities will include: supporting diverse housing options, incentivizing housing near education and employment centers, and advocating to provincial and federal governments on affordable housing initiatives

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Invest in Recreation and Community Spaces:

Healthy communities provide opportunities for arts, sport, culture, and social connection. I will support increased investments in: parks and trails, recreation facilities, arts and cultural programming, and improved sports infrastructure.

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Champion Career Development and Workforce Readiness:

Youth should be able to build careers without leaving Prince George. Our city has opportunities in: Forestry, Construction, Health Care, Clean Energy, Technology, Trades, Entrepreneurship, Warehousing and Logistics. I’ll work with our educational institutions, employers, industry groups, and community partners to strengthen pathways from education to employment.