Prince George Councillor Announces Mayoral Bid, Marking 18 Years of Service and
National Leadership Experience
Prince George, BC — Speaking on the ancestral, unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh
First Nation, longtime City Councillor Garth Frizzell announced today 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 91⁄2 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.”
He thanked attendees and expressed eagerness for continued conversations with
residents in the months ahead.
