BC ELECTION 2024: Meet the three Prince George-Valemount candidates

The Municipal Election will be held on Saturday, October 19th.

MyPGNow reached out to each candidate running to become the MLA in the Prince George-Valemount riding for their response to the following four questions:

1. Tell us about yourself?
2. What do you think is the most important issue for the area and why?
3. Why should someone vote for you?
4. Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (Last Name):

Rosalyn Bird:

My journey as a dedicated leader began in my youth when I joined Sea Cadets, a national youth program jointly sponsored by the Department of National Defence. My passion for being part of a team led me to a remarkable career with the Canadian Forces.

My career is marked by dedication and success. I embarked on my journey in 1990, joining as a Boatswain and later re-classifying to a Resource Management Clerk. My outstanding performance and commitment to excellence led to my selection, in 2005, to be commissioned as a Naval Logistics Officer.

During my career, I deployed in support of NATO and played a crucial role in Forward Logistics Support for Southeast Asia relations, Op Apollo, and Op Altair in support of Afghanistan. My service took me across Canada, from BC to Nova Scotia and as far north as Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, at CFS Alert. My career in the Canadian Forces reflects my dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to achieve positive results.

My passion, commitment, and dedication to public service are evident through my more than twenty-two years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as my continued volunteer work with the Legion and various community support agencies and organizations.

I bring a wealth of leadership, critical thinking, organizational, logistical, and strategic planning experience. My personal and professional experiences have well prepared me to work toward rebuilding a strong, safe, healthy, and prosperous British Columbia.

Rosalyn Bird’s website can be found here.

Gwen: Johansson:

Having been born and grown up in McBride, I have deep roots in the Prince George Valemount Electoral District.  After high school, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree from UBC and later a Master’s from the University of Oregon.  I worked in communities in north and central BC before settling in Hudson’s Hope in the Peace River area, where I was active in community and local government affairs.  I served on municipal council for 22 years, the last six as mayor.  During my tenure as mayor, we constructed several capital projects, including a large maintenance workshop, sewage lagoon system, and an award-winning solar generation project, all within budget and without borrowing.  My work on local issues led to my appointment to various provincial bodies, including the BC Hydro Board of Directors, the BC Hydro Integrated Electricity Planning Committee, BC Energy Council, Peace Williston Advisory Committee, and as Co-Chair of the Northeast Energy & Mines Advisory Committee.

Gwen Johansson’s website can be found here.

Clay Pountney:

Clay Pountney has been a resident of Prince George for 30 years and was former Chief of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. With careers in multiple trades, and working in different roles in forestry, mining, and oil and gas, he understands the challenges resource workers face because he has lived them. As elected Councilor and then Chief of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, he worked with other levels of government to build homes and infrastructure. Now he is ready to tackle today’s challenges as an MLA, and give back to the community and region that he is proud to call home.

Clay Pountney’s website can be found here.

2. What do you think is the most important issue for the area and why?

Rosalyn Bird:

Over the period of my campaigning, I have heard stories of heartbreak, loss, and hope. Every individual I have spoken with has an issue they feel needs to be addressed. It differs door to door, person to person. Everyone is concerned about the cost of living, healthcare and public safety. Here in the North, there is also significant focus on the resource sector and a desire to revitalize forestry, open mines, and extend pipelines as a means of strengthening the BC economy.

All these stories, experiences, and hopes are important. We have a tremendous amount of work to do. As an MLA for Prince George Valemount, my priority will be to work with my colleagues to determine what is working, what isn’t working and what legislation and policies need immediate attention.

I have heard again and again the frustration and anger people feel regarding the lack of transparency and accountability they are experiencing under the current government. We are so fortunate to live in a democratic country. Preserving that privilege is of the utmost importance! One of my priorities as an MLA will be to rebuild and strengthen the relationship that constituents have with their representative. The importance of open, honest communication, collaboration, transparency and accountability within our governance can not be underestimated. Strong, healthy and respectful relations between all levels of government are imperative and will be a goal I work toward.

We are at a pivotal point here in British Columbia, it has never been so important to have your voice heard, and to Vote!! We all have choices, each choice has consequences, sometimes they are good, sometimes not. The choice is yours; this is not the time to be silent. Your VOTE MATTERS!!

Gwen: Johansson:

Clay Pountney:

There are many important issues, but housing affordability is coming up time and time again, across the riding.

BC is a great place to live, but housing is too expensive. For many people, rent prices are too high and they can’t find a safe place to live in their budget, or people are worried that they won’t be able to afford their own home. In small communities like Valemount and McBride, healthcare workers at the local hospital can’t afford a place to live so they’re forced to leave, and in PG, more and more people end up homeless and on the streets because housing is just too expensive. When we address housing, we help improve people’s health outcomes, street disorder, safety and security, financial security, and so much more.

The Conservative record on housing is letting bad actors run wild and drive housing prices up, which is what got us to this mess in the first place. We’re already seeing the impacts of the BC NDP’s housing investments right here in the riding- rents are coming down for the first time in years and 200 supportive housing homes just opened in Prince George.

The BCNDP plan to take real action on housing includes cracking down on housing speculation and foreign investors. We’re eliminating government red tape to make it easier and cheaper to build housing, while working with local governments to help housing go up faster and quicker. We’ll also work with the non-profit sector to build more non-market housing for people who need it.

Our plan for first-time home owners will make homes more affordable by reducing the up-front cost of buying. New buyers will only pay 60% of their home’s price, while the remaining 40% will be due when its sold or after 25 years, when their home’s equity has grown. This policy will make home ownership possible for people when it was totally impossible before.

Experts agree that our plan will deliver 300,000 middle income homes across British Columbia within a decade, and we can’t stop this good work now.

We’ll also double the number of seats in trade and apprentice programs to make sure we have the people to build homes, while making good paying jobs, and we’ll bring forward a Homelessness Action Response program to get people into secure temporary housing and out of encampments. And, if you’re a renter, the NDP will make sure that purpose-built rentals are pet-friendly.

This is all part of a costed plan to make life better, safer, and more affordable for all British Columbians.

3. Why should someone vote for you?

Rosalyn Bird:

As a veteran I am driven by a profound desire to serve my community and province to build a BC we will all be proud of. I want to see BC residents and communities thrive and grow; I want a government that unites not divides. I believe this party can, and will, forge a brighter future that prioritizes responsible and transparent governance, economic growth, and improve the well-being of every British Columbian.

My candidacy represents a unique blend of military expertise, leadership, and a deep commitment to public service. With my dedication to making a difference, I am ready to be a powerful advocate for the constituents of Prince George-Valemount. I will work tirelessly to create a brighter future for individuals, families and all the communities in this riding.

Gwen: Johansson:

Clay Pountney:

I’m running to take action on the issues that matter the most to Prince George-Valemount residents. Every day, whether it is on someone’s doorstep, in a business, or just in the community, people share heartbreaking stories about the challenges they face. People have real concerns like housing prices, access to healthcare, feeling unsafe at work, or the increasing cost of living.

The BC NDP have an honest and costed platform with actionable ideas and solutions to these problems, not empty words and dangerous ideas like John Rustad’s Conservatives. I am excited to be part of the team that has a real plan that British Columbians can trust. We’re taking action and making good progress and there’s a lot more to do. I’m ready to use my experience in leadership, governance, and industry to be the strong voice that Northern BC needs.

4. Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?

Rosalyn Bird:

Although, I never initially intended to pursue a career in politics, my conviction in making a difference led me to take up this new challenge. As a candidate for the Conservative Party of BC, Prince George Valemount Riding, I believe in the ethical principles I value and live by: Duty, Loyalty, Integrity, and Courage, and I know these principles will benefit my constituents.

My core belief is that positive change empowers individuals who, in turn, build strong friendships, families, and communities. I believe this is the foundation for a resilient, healthy, and prosperous British Columbia. I am determined to leave a selfless legacy coupled with positive leadership for future generations.

I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the Conservative Party of BC, Prince George-Valemount Riding and to demonstrate that my actions embody and honor the values I hold dear. I look forward to rebuilding a strong, safe, healthy, and prosperous province. I am proud to call Prince George and the Province of British Columbia my forever home.

Gwen: Johansson:

Clay Pountney:

Prince George-Valemount needs a strong, local voice that cares about you and your family, and I know I’m that person. I am so proud that I get to run to represent such an outstanding area, and I appreciate the support I’ve received from communities across this riding. The BC Conservatives are too risky- and that’s something we can’t afford. It’s time for change in Prince George-Valemount, and I ask for your vote on Oct. 19 so we can keep moving forward- together.

Voting stations will be open from 8 AM to 8 PM on Saturday at these locations:

• Avola School House (6366 Avola Village Rd)
• Blackburn Elem School (2222 Blackburn Rd S)
• Blue River Elem School (5917 3rd Ave)
• College Heights Baptist Church (5401 Moriarty Cres)
• Dome Creek Rec Centre (13741 Dome Creek Rd)
• Dunster Comm Hall (7085 Read Rd)
• Elks Hall (172 Holdway St)
• Ferndale Tabor Volunteer Fire Dept (16315 Giscome Rd)
• First Baptist Church (483 Gillett St)
• John McInnis Centre (3400 Westwood Dr)
• Pineview Elem School (8515 Old Cariboo Hwy)
• Pinewood Elem School (4140 Campbell Ave)
• Prince George Civic Centre (808 Canada Games Way)
• Prince George Sec School (2901 Griffiths Ave)
• Sinclair Mills Comm Hall (37832 Upper Fraser Rd)
• St. Mary’s School (1088 Gillett St)
• Trinity United Church (3555 5th Ave)
• Valemount Comm Hall (101 Gorse St)
• Van Bien Elem School (311 Wilson Cres)
• Westwood Elem School (2633 Vanier Dr)
• Willow River Comm Hall (55 Willow St)

A full list of voting locations can be found on Elections BC’s website here.