NUGSS Election Underway - Vote Now

The spring annually brings elections to student governments in Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh with CNC’s Student Union, UNBC’s Graduate Student Society, and Northern Undergraduate Student Society (NUGSS) all casting ballots this week. Outgoing President of NUGSS, Armaan Jamwal spoke with CFURadio about his year in review and what is in focus for the incoming student council.

In review, Jamwal is satisfied with his efforts to incorporate the Society into the BC Federation of Students (BCFS) to then contribute a louder voice towards reducing tuition fees for undergraduate students across the province. A referendum to finalize joining the federation will be coming through in the Fall 2026 semester.

Recently, the Society under direction of the Board of Directors & President put forward a referendum to create the option to increase the annual Health & Dental Plan fee up to 20% each year. Jamwal explained that the reason for this increase was to avoid using other operational funds to cover claim expenses incurred over the year, which over time could interfere with the Society’s ability to deliver other services. Despite a 55% vote in favor, the results did not quite reach the threshold required for implementation, so the next Board of Directors will have to address the issue in their upcoming term.

A change to the NUGSS governance structure has been implemented over the past year which determines that once elected, the Board of Directors will internally select a President from the pool of elected Directors. This update has so far resulted in an increased number of nominations for this 2026 election, compared to past years where the Society has seen a number of seats won by acclamation, with little competition for other positions.

As for increased participation of voters, the telling results will be available Friday March 27th after 10am. Until then UNBC undergraduate students are encouraged to vote, which is done directly through their @UNBC.ca domain email accounts. The successful candidates will be in attendance on the 27th for the Society's Hot Diggity Dog Day, where hot dogs will be served from 11am to 1:30pm in the student centre’s NUSC Event Space.

- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Prince George’s Safe Streets Bylaw scrutinized by expert

A presentation and panel discussion was held March 12th 2026 at the House of Ancestors in downtown Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh, critiquing the city’s Safe Streets Bylaw. University of Toronto Scarborough’s Sociology Dept. Chair Dr. Joe Hermer took an interest in the subject in the bylaw after he was contacted by the BCAFN in 2021. At the event, he summarized his publicly available report, The Complaint is the Crime for the assembled crowd. He primarily spoke to five aspects of the research which included recommending an immediate moratorium on the enforcement of the bylaw’s open drug use section, identifying dubious criteria for enforcing various aspects of the bylaw, and encouraging better communication between bylaw enforcement and assorted outreach services or agencies during encounters.

Notably, a number of outreach, social-service, frontline, and municipal workers were in attendance alongside some elected municipal officials. CFURadio separately caught up with Dr. Hermer, Mayor Simon Yu, and Councillor Trudy Klassen for comment after the presentation, whereupon Dr. Hermer issued plainly:

The city has to start being honest or more frank. This is enforcement. It has impacts. It is a real law. It has to be followed lawfully. Let’s not get into vague sort of discussions around being education. Let’s take it for what it is. That’s law enforcement, and it has impacts. Let’s start the conversation there, instead of pretending it’s something else to obscure, potentially, a real critical discussion.

UNBC's 'Count Us In' Survey

You may have seen the email in your @UNBC inbox, or maybe a handbill or two on a table around campus advertising UNBC’s Count Us In Survey, open until April 1st (no joke). The data collected is intended to inform the further development of an equitable and inclusive environment for UNBC students, staff, and faculty.

This anonymous survey is the first of a series to be launched year over year. In this instance, various demographics are sought. The data is intended to help meet UNBC’s regulatory needs, and among other things, measure progress towards its institutional priorities.

Mindy Gobbi - Manager of UNBC’s office of Equity and Inclusion

UNBC’s office of Equity and Inclusion manager Mindy Gobbi spoke to CFUR about the survey so you can know more before taking the five minute plunge.

CNC’s NorthWorks Career Fair Sees Healthy Attendance

Listen Here

The College of New Caledonia (CNC) held its annual NorthWorks Career Fair this February 2026 with a crowd of students and recruiters on hand. 2025 saw a competitive local market for entry level jobs, and while not every gig at the fair was for a first year apprentice, the employers at CNC’s event were hoping to fill myriads of roles with post-secondary graduates and students.

Photo Credit - College of New Caledonia
Note: None of the students pictured here were part of the associated audio recording

Gail Little, Manager of Student Success and Retention mentioned there seemed to be a theme that emerges each year: 

In prior years were more non-profit or healthcare, and this year we’re noticing a higher intake of trades. Mining companies, Finning is here, engineering companies, so we can see that the focus is definitely more on the trades area this year.

While jobs were on offer in the Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh area, many were located throughout BC’s northern region. Students seemed interested in the prospects of nearly every opportunity regardless of location, excepting Vancouver according to one Automotive Collision and Refinishing student. Have a listen.

Ian Gregg, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Third Annual BHM Exhibit at Two Rivers Gallery Draws from Community Fabric

Two Rivers Gallery, Prince George-Lheidli T’enneh’s preeminent art gallery welcomes back Black History Month with an official exhibit for the third time in recent history. Heading the exhibition and showcase event is Public Programming Coordinator Maya Levy, who has made it her prerogative to represent local talent & expertise. A variety of keynote speakers and hands-on workshops will be open to the public, but so will a collection of art touching on this year's theme, “Community Roots.” Participants are able to bring an item that represents an aspect of their culture and incorporate it into a tree on display, creating an interactive piece that reflects diversity in the local community.

Until February 14th, anyone who identifies in the black diaspora who has created a visual art piece they’d like to share are invited to submit their piece for consideration to the gallery.

The online submission form can be found here.

Featuring visual art, musicians, keynote speakers and more, on Friday February 27th, Levy says, “it’s really for everyone in Prince George to really come out and support and learn about a new culture that they maybe haven’t before.”

This LJI story is also available on FrequencyNews.ca

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