BURSTGearing up for B.C.’s general local elections, voters from Smithers, Telkwa and New Hazelton will be heading to the polls to vote on Oct. 17.
Shaping the future of local governance for the next four years, voters will elect directors for the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako’s (RDBN) Electoral Area A, Town of Smithers mayor and council members, Village of Telkwa council members, New Hazelton councillors
Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako’s director of Electoral Area A (Smithers Rural)
Candidates for the office of director of Electoral Area A:
Stoney Stoltenberg
Colin Kerr
General voting will be open to qualified electors of Electoral Area A on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Muheim Memorial Elementary School (3659 3rd Ave., Smithers), Round Lake Hall (13706 Round Lake Rd., Telkwa), and Telkwa Community Hall (1390 Birch St., Telkwa).
Town of Smithers
Candidates for the office of mayor include:
John Buikema
Robert Judzentis
Candidates for the office of councillor:
Thomas Camus
Calvin Elliot
Murray Hawse
Laura Leonard
Scott Marko
Genevieve Paterson
Sam Raven
Frank Wray
General voting will be open to qualified voters on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Muheim Memorial Elementary School (3659 3rd Ave., Smithers).
Village of Telkwa
Candidates for the office of councillor:
Lee Ewald (Stewart)
Michelle Finch
Grace Francis
Cathy Frenette
Karen Hilchey
Annette Morgan
Simon Schat
Derek Meerdink has been acclaimed mayor.
General voting will be open to qualified voters on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Telkwa Community Hall (1390 Birch St., Telkwa).
District of New Hazelton
Candidates for the office of councillor:
Brenda Barritt
Allan Berg
George M Burns
Jutta M Hobenshield
Ray Sturney (Albert)
Bambie Tait (Myrtle)
Mike Weeber (Michael)
Gail Lowry has been acclaimed mayor.
General voting will be open to qualified voters on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Erwin Stege Community Centre (4633 10th Avenue, New Hazelton).
Hazelton
Both mayor and councillors have all been acclaimed. Mayor: Julie Maitland. Council: Wendy Blackstock, Shanna Lawrence, Charles (Buddy) Smith, Morgan Yee.
School District 54 (Bulkley Valley)
Candidates for the office of trustee Zone 1 (Lake Kathlyn/Evelyn/Witset (1 to be elected):
Ann (Priscilla) Michell
Jessica Michell
General voting will be open to qualified voters on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Centennial Hall (504 Yellowhead Hwy, Witset).
Zone 2 (Smithers/Glentanna/Driftwood (3 to be elected):
Phil Brienesse
Frank Farrell
Kristina Graham
Diane MacKay
Casda Thomas
General voting will be open to qualified voters on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Muheim Memorial Elementary School (3659 3rd Ave., Smithers).
Zone 3 (Telkwa/Quick (1 to be elected):
Rodney Taylor
Kimberly Unger
General voting will be open to qualified voters on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Telkwa Community Hall (1390 Birch St., Telkwa).
School District 82 (Coast Mountain)
Candidates for the office of trustee Electoral Area 5 (Hazelton) one to be elected:
Alison Campbell
Beverley Clifton Percival
Bryana Jack
Monica Simms
General voting will be open to qualified voters on Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at:
Village of Hazelton, Riverboat Building, 4265 Government Street
District of New Hazelton, Erwin Stege Community Centre, 4633 10th Avenue
Kitwanga Valley, Kitwanga Valley Recreation Centre, 3754 Mill Road, Kitwanga
Village of Gitanyow, Gitanyow Independent School, 4th Avenue
Village of Gitsegukla, Gitsegukla Elementary School Gymnasium, 305 Park Drive, Kitseguecla
Village of Glen Vowell, Glen Vowell Band Office, 7900 Sik-E-Dakh Road
Village of Kispiox, Kispiox Community Hall, 1296 Lax SE’EI St., Kispiox
Kispiox Valley, Kispiox Valley Community Assoc. (rodeo grounds), 2489 Kispiox Valley Road
General
Voters are required to provide identification when voting in the 2026 General Local Election.
If you have questions about voter eligibility, forms, or required ID, information can be found through the appropriate municipal election authority.