Not every local resident lives within the city limits of Prince George. Those residing in the city’s surrounding areas are actually governed by the greater Regional District of Fraser-Fort George in which the city resides, and have a different list of electoral candidates and possibly different municipal priorities. Extricating the details of these overlapping levels of local government for us, is Manager of Communications and Culture at the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, Hillary Erasmus. Photo Credit - Ian Gregg
As local government elections approach communities across BC for October 17th, some of our audience asked for clarification between the City of Prince George, and the Regional District of Fraser Fort George (RDFFG) in which the city resides. It’s not lawless territory beyond Blackburn, but who runs the show isn’t necessarily obvious. Prince George and the Regional District are governed by elected officials, who will be selected October 17th, and their decisions could affect local residents within city limits, and outside. Some City of Prince George councilors also serve as Directors for the Regional District which can lead to confusion, especially when voters get to a ballot box.
Examining the interconnected tissue between these layers of local governance with CFURadio is Manager of Communications and Culture at RDFFG, Hillary Erasmus. She kept it simple, “If you live within the municipal boundaries of the City of Prince George, you will be voting in the City of Prince George elections.” If you reside outside of city limits in the surrounding area, you will be voting for Directors in one of the Regional District’s Electoral Districts.
Erasmus also took time to explain the intricacies of this Regional District as a federation of many smaller governing bodies, which can operate independently, affect one another, and collaborate for a collective benefit. One of these collaborative projects is solid waste management, with the regional landfill on the northwest edge of Prince George servicing communities as far away as Valemount.
Making change in such a large system can be challenging but the opportunity to vote is coming up fast, and in addition to that opportunity to participate in the decision making, citizens can also be nominated to run as an Electoral Area Director until September 11th.
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Check out more of our stories on FrequencyNews.ca
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