ELECTION 2026: Meet the Prince George-Valemount candidates

The Provincial Election will be held on Saturday, October 24th.

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

1. Can you provide a brief bio of yourself?
2. Why are you running for MLA, and what makes you the best candidate for the position?
3. What are the most important issues in the riding and how do you plan to address them?
4. What opportunities are available to diversify the economy in Northern BC?
5. Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?

In alphabetical order (by last name):

Rosalyn Bird – BC Conservative Party (incumbent)

I was elected MLA for Prince George-Valemount in October 2024, following more than two decades of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. My military career began as a Boatswain, and I later commissioned from the ranks as a Naval Logistics Officer. That experience instilled in me the importance of duty, integrity, accountability and service to others.

During my first term, I served as Official Opposition Whip, held several critic portfolios and participated in legislative committees. One of my proudest accomplishments was successfully introducing the Veterans and First Responders Act, which received unanimous support in the Legislature and became law in May 2026.

I have worked extensively with constituents, community organizations, local governments and industry to advocate for stronger healthcare, community safety, housing, infrastructure and economic opportunities throughout Prince George, McBride, Valemount and the Robson Valley.

I believe public service is a privilege, and representing the people of Northern British Columbia is a responsibility I take seriously.

Carol Bourque – BC NDP

My late father is Ernest Bourque, born and raised in Philomena, Alberta.  My late mother is Viola Bourque (Gauthier), born and raised in Faust, Alberta.  She attended Faust Residential Day School.  My maternal grandmother is Elizabeth Parris (Gauthier/Sutherland) and my maternal grandfather is Albert Gauthier.  My paternal grandmother is Lucy Bourque (Wydel) and paternal grandfather is Alfred Bourque. I am a non-status Cree Indian and a descendant of Treaty Six, Michel Band, Alberta.

I’ve spent over three decades working in Health Information Management with Northern Health, serving patients, families, and frontline staff across the region. My career has been rooted in advocating for people, improving systems, and making sure care is delivered with dignity and compassion. I was also a Community Coroner, a role that has deepened my understanding of the challenges people face and the gaps in support that urgently need attention.

I’ve lived in Prince George for all of my life — it’s where I raised my children, built my career, and invested in my community. I’m someone who believes in showing up, doing the work, and making things better for the people around me. Whether it’s healthcare, mental health and addictions advocacy, Indigenous rights, or supporting families, my commitment has always been the same: listen, act, and lead with integrity.

Jodie Capling – BC Green Party

Jodie Capling is an environmental advocate, educator and community volunteer with a background in resource and environmental management, energy efficiency and climate action.

She grew up in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, where time spent camping, exploring local lakes and being outdoors helped shape her lasting connection to the natural environment. She later completed a Master’s degree in Resource and Environmental Management and spent five years working in energy efficiency in the private sector.

After returning to Williams Lake with her partner, Jodie focused on raising their children and became increasingly involved in community life. She volunteered with Yoga Outreach and later moved into teaching yoga and movement. She also enjoys gardening and growing and preserving food for her family.

Jodie has been active in climate advocacy in several communities, organizing public meetings and local events connected to national and international climate movements and participating in initiatives led by others. She is also a member of the Williams Lake Climate Change Circle.
Her political experience includes running as a Green Party candidate in the 2026 federal election. Through that experience and her community work, Jodie has continued to advocate for stronger climate action, environmental protection and more resilient communities.

Jodie is running in Prince George-Valemount to bring her experience in environmental management, energy efficiency and community organizing into public service and to advocate for a more just, sustainable and resilient future.

Mitchell Lukoni – OneBC

Born and raised in Prince George, I am proud to call Northern B.C. home. As a father, community volunteer, and the OneBC candidate for Prince George–Valemount, I am running to ensure our region has a strong voice at the provincial level.

I hold a Bachelor of General Studies from Athabasca University, with a focus on psychology and political philosophy. My professional background includes experience in federal politics, business, communications, and policy. I have also volunteered with the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society, supporting children and families navigating grief and loss.

These experiences have reinforced my belief that public service begins with listening carefully, treating people with respect, and following through on commitments. My priorities are lower taxes, a smaller and more accountable government, strong resource industries, and communities where families can build a secure and prosperous future.

Why are you running for MLA, and what makes you the best candidate for the position? 

Bird:

I am seeking re-election because there is important work still to be done, and I believe Prince George-Valemount deserves experienced, determined representation that understands both the opportunities and challenges facing our communities.

Over the past two years, I have developed valuable relationships with constituents, local governments, First Nations, businesses and community organizations. I have also gained firsthand experience navigating government, reviewing legislation, holding ministers accountable and advocating for solutions.

My military background, combined with my legislative experience, has taught me that leadership requires integrity, sound judgment, accountability and the willingness to make difficult decisions.

I have demonstrated that I can turn advocacy into results, including successfully passing my private member’s legislation recognizing veterans and first responders.

I am proud to be running under the Conservative Party of BC banner. I believe our province needs responsible fiscal management, renewed private-sector investment and public services that deliver measurable results.

I do not believe any elected representative has all the answers. What I offer is proven commitment, practical experience, a willingness to listen and the determination to continue working for the people I represent.

Bourque:

I’m running because Northern BC deserves strong, steady, experienced leadership — someone who understands our systems, our communities, and the realities people face every day. After 30 years in healthcare and nearly a year as a Community Coroner, I’ve seen firsthand where people are falling through the cracks. I’ve also seen the incredible resilience and strength in this region.

What makes me the best candidate is that I’m coming in with lived experience. I’ve worked inside the healthcare system, I’ve supported families through crisis, and I’ve advocated for people who often don’t have a voice. I know how policy translates into real life, and I know how to push for change that actually helps people. I’m practical, collaborative, and deeply committed to Northern BC.

I’m running because I care, and because I’m ready to do the work.

Capling:

I am running for MLA because I believe the people in Prince George – Valemount should have a choice to vote for a party that represents their beliefs and their vision for British Columbia. Above all, I think my ability to listen, my curiosity and openness to diverse opinions and ideas, and my aptitude for leadership would benefit the people of our community.

Lukoni:

I’m running because Prince George–Valemount deserves consistent representation rooted in the needs of our communities. Decisions made in Victoria affect our jobs, healthcare, homes and household budgets. Northern residents deserve an MLA who understands those consequences and speaks up.

I offer local roots, parliamentary experience, community service and firm conservative principles. I believe government should respect taxpayers, protect individual freedoms and private property, and create conditions where businesses can succeed.

My commitment is to listen, explain my decisions and remain accessible throughout the riding. That means showing up between elections and reporting back on what I’m doing.

Voters deserve to know what their representative stands for. My beliefs in lower taxes, small government and fiscal accountability will remain consistent. I’m asking people to choose me as their real conservative voice in Victoria and judge me by my work.

What are the most important issues in your riding and how do you plan to address them?

Bird:

The most pressing issues facing Prince George-Valemount are economic uncertainty, access to healthcare, affordability, community safety and the challenges of delivering essential services across a large urban-rural riding.

Forestry job losses and declining investment affect families, businesses and municipal revenues. We need policies that restore investor confidence, support existing industries and attract new opportunities.

Healthcare access remains particularly concerning in rural communities. Emergency department closures, shortages of healthcare professionals and the distances residents must travel for treatment require practical, regionally appropriate solutions.

Housing availability, rising living costs, public safety and infrastructure maintenance are equally important, particularly for seniors, young families and smaller communities.

During my first term, I advocated for rural housing projects, hospice funding, improved healthcare services, transportation infrastructure and stronger community safety measures.

My approach is to continue working directly with local governments, First Nations, service providers, industry and constituents to identify priorities and advance realistic solutions.

Northern communities cannot continue to be governed by policies designed primarily for larger urban centres. We need equitable access to services, greater regional flexibility and accountability for how public dollars are spent and what they actually deliver.

Bourque:

British Columbia has more doctors per capita than any other province, but there is still more work to do. We need more doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, and addiction supports. Our plan includes tripling the already successful US recruitment campaign, cutting wait times for surgical care with new coordinated regional waitlists, and more.

Regarding mental health and addictions, families are struggling. We need to continue our work, which includes a coordinated, compassionate approach to treatment, prevention, housing, and culturally safe supports. I will advocate for expanded services and better integration between health, social supports, and community organizations.
On housing and affordability, people need stable, safe, attainable housing. I will work to accelerate housing projects, support partnerships with Indigenous communities, and ensure provincial programs meet the unique needs of Northern BC.
And on economic stability and diversification, our region deserves long-term economic security. I’ll champion investments that create sustainable jobs and strengthen local industries.
My approach is simple: listen to the community, collaborate with partners, and push for solutions that are practical, evidence‑based, and rooted in Northern realities.

Capling:

In a riding as big as Prince George – Valemount, the most pressing issues are as varied as the landscape.

We have a cost of living crisis, which is why we will boost minimum wage, restart $10-a-day childcare, implement vacancy control that ties rent increases to a unit rather than a tenant, and build 26,000 permanently affordable homes across the province per year for families, students, seniors, and people with disabilities.

We have issues with healthcare shortages, which is why we plan to increase funding for nurses in the public system, reduce the bureaucracy for family doctors, and make it easier for externally-trained doctors to become registered.

We see food insecurity while valuable agricultural land in the Robson Valley sits empty after being bought up by speculators, and that’s why we will restrict and regulate foreign ownership of Agricultural Land Reserve and support farmers and local food systems.

Lukoni:

The priorities I hear are affordability, dependable healthcare, public safety and protecting the jobs that sustain Northern communities.

On affordability, I support OneBC’s proposed income-tax cuts and PST reduction, alongside spending discipline and fewer unnecessary barriers to housing and small business.

For forestry and resources, I would advocate for dependable access to timber, practical permitting timelines and policies that support investment, processing and employment here in the North.

On healthcare, I want more resources reaching frontline care, better recruitment and retention in smaller communities, and accountability for results. I support repealing and replacing the Health Professions and Occupations Act with a framework that protects patients and respects healthcare workers.

I also support recovery-focused addiction treatment and stronger action against repeat violent offenders.

Protecting private property and restoring public confidence in land-use decisions are priorities. I support repealing DRIPA while respecting constitutional rights and pursuing practical partnerships with First Nations.

In education, I support removing SOGI 123 resources, strengthening parental involvement and focusing on academic achievement while keeping schools safe and respectful for every student.

What opportunities are available to diversify the economy in Northern BC?

Bird:

Northern British Columbia has tremendous untapped economic potential. Our natural resources, skilled workforce, geographic location and existing transportation infrastructure position us to become a major centre for investment, manufacturing, logistics and trade.

Forestry, mining and energy will remain foundational industries, but we must expand beyond resource extraction to include value-added manufacturing, processing, technology and supporting industries that create long-term employment.

One initiative I have been advancing is an Integrated Northern Defence, Training and Trade Hub, incorporating an inland port in Prince George. By leveraging our rail, highway and airport connections, we can strengthen domestic and international trade, support defence-related training and logistics, attract new businesses and establish generational employment opportunities.

We also have opportunities in agriculture, food processing, tourism, aviation, education and innovation.

Diversification requires more than announcements. It requires competitive taxation, predictable regulations, reliable infrastructure, skilled workers and governments willing to work collaboratively with industry, First Nations and local communities.

I want Northern BC to be recognized not simply as a source of raw materials, but as a place where investment, innovation and economic prosperity can flourish for generations.

Bourque:

Northern BC has enormous potential. We can diversify our economy by growing clean energy and innovation that build on our natural strengths. We also need to continue to support Indigenous-led economic development — partnerships that honour rights, create shared prosperity, and build stronger communities — as well as strengthening tourism, from outdoor recreation to cultural tourism. Diversification is about adding new opportunities so families have a strong future.

Capling:

Clean energy is a huge opportunity for Northern BC: producing power locally drives job creation, creates resilient communities, and reduces our reliance on expensive fossil fuels. The Green Party will invest in community-scale renewable energy projects, geothermal energy research, and support education and training programs that will address the skills shortage in the renewable energy sector.

Tourism and recreation is another fantastic opportunity in this riding which is filled with mountains and lakes and rivers. As we can see from the new interpretative center at Chun T’oh Whudujut (Ancient Forest), there is an appetite for tourism that is aligned with First Nations, local communities, and ecosystems. That’s why we will increase funding for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC, build and improve trails, campsites, and public recreation infrastructure, and provide stable long-term funding to Indigenous Tourism BC.

We’ll also make it easier for small businesses to get started and operate in communities, and improve transit and transportation connections to strengthen the regional economy. Forestry is still a major economic driver in the region, and we want to build a sustainable forest economy tailored to the region that can provide jobs and opportunities for future generations.

Lukoni:

Diversification should build on Northern B.C.’s strengths while creating room for new industries.

In forestry, that includes value-added manufacturing, engineered wood products and finding commercially viable uses for wood fibre that would otherwise go unused. We should aim to capture more value and skilled employment from our resources locally.

Mining, mineral processing, energy development and related manufacturing offer further opportunities. I support responsible pipeline and export infrastructure that can connect Northern products with markets.

Agriculture, food processing, tourism and outdoor recreation can also support a broader economy across the riding. Better transportation and reliable broadband would help smaller communities attract businesses and support people working remotely.

UNBC and the College of New Caledonia can play a role through research, trades training and partnerships with employers.

Government’s role is to provide clear rules, timely decisions and dependable infrastructure. Projects should earn their place through sound economics, responsible environmental practices and meaningful local participation, including partnerships with First Nations.

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

Bird:

One of the growing challenges in public life is ensuring people have access to accurate information. Social media can be valuable, but misinformation, assumptions and personal attacks too often overshadow meaningful discussions about the issues affecting our communities.

I have always valued direct conversations and personal interaction. I encourage constituents to ask questions, raise concerns and seek information directly rather than relying solely on social media narratives. Informed decisions depend on accurate information, respectful dialogue and a willingness to consider different perspectives.

I also believe greater understanding of the responsibilities of elected representatives benefits everyone. Representing a geographically large urban-rural riding involves significant travel and time commitments, alongside legislative, committee and leadership responsibilities. Balancing these demands while remaining accessible to constituents is an ongoing challenge.

Those broader responsibilities provide valuable experience, knowledge and relationships that ultimately strengthen our ability to represent our communities effectively.

Public service is a continuous learning experience, requiring accountability, humility, compromise and mutual respect. Constituents deserve representatives who listen, communicate openly and remain focused on solutions.

My commitment has always been to serve with integrity, acknowledge mistakes, continue learning and encourage respectful, informed conversations, even when we disagree.

Bourque:

Northern BC is resilient, proud, and full of possibility. I’m running because I believe in this region and the people who call it home. My commitment is to lead with honesty, compassion, and a deep respect for the communities I serve.

I want to bring a steady, experienced voice to the Legislature — one that understands our challenges and fights for our opportunities. I’m here to listen, to work hard, and to make sure Northern BC is never an afterthought.

We deserve strong representation, and I’m ready to show up for this region every single day.

Capling:

I would like to encourage everyone to make the effort to vote in this Provisional election. I know there are many elections going on right now and British Columbia needs to hear your voice! Please vote!

Lukoni:

Prince George–Valemount is my home. I want our children to have the opportunity to stay here, find meaningful work, afford a home and raise a family.

I believe conservative representation means respecting taxpayers, protecting freedoms, supporting responsible resource development and holding government accountable. It also means listening respectfully to people who disagree with you.

If elected, I would represent everyone in this riding, regardless of how they voted. I would work constructively with other MLAs when it benefits our communities and speak firmly when Northern interests are overlooked.

My commitment is simple: I will listen, explain my decisions and stand by my principles. People should be able to reach their MLA and expect an honest answer.

I’m asking voters to consider Mitchell Lukoni and OneBC as their real conservative choice for Prince George–Valemount.

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Our thanks to the candidates in Prince George that took the time to respond to our questions.

Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, October 24th.

Listen to 94.3 the Goat or Country 97 in Prince George for results on election night.

Results will also be posted on this website.

–With files from Zachary Barrowcliff and Brendan Pawliw, My Prince George Now