Trevor Bolin - City Of Fort St John

08/25/2026

I have worked alongside Byron Stewart for 15 years on council, i can remember the first election he was sworn in and the last.

Byron and i haven’t always agreed, we have had great debates over the last decade and a half and both did it with passion for our community and care for its residents and i always respected his opinion, views and voice .. and always will.

Thank you Byron for your dedication, your passion and your leadership.

To the residents of Fort St. John, friends & family,

After much thought and internal debate, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from municipal politics and make it clear that I will not be running for re-election this Fall.

I believe that leadership is more like a relay than a solo sprint. You run your leg, you do your best for the team, and then, most importantly, you hand over the baton. Holding onto it forever isn’t leadership; it is not teamwork; it’s just refusing to let go. And it is that time for me.

Municipal politics has certainly been an experience. You quickly learn that when you put your name forward, you become the unofficial expert on everything from potholes and snow clearing to dogs, cats and neighbourhood safety. My Dad and I spoke often about the topics in front of him when he was on Council (1998-2006) and the responsibilities involved. I remember thinking I was prepared way back then. I was not. It truly has been a steep learning curve.

You hear plenty of opinions about budgets, staffing, unions, wages, zoning and development cost charges. And then there’s social media, where facts sometimes take a back seat to confidence, creativity and the occasional misunderstanding of what municipal government is actually responsible for.

And through all challenges, serving this community I love for the past 15 years has been a true privilege. I was first elected at age 39 and I am stepping away now at age 54. I want to thank my wife Lisa for her patience, encouragement and love. I too want to thank my friends and family for your support and care when I needed it.

I encourage anyone who is considering putting their name forward, to do so. The election process is challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. If you’re fortunate enough to be elected, you have the opportunity to represent a wonderful community and make a real difference.

And now, as I prepare to pass the baton, I do so with a great deal of gratitude. To the people I’ve worked with, the people who challenged me, supported me, encouraged me, and occasionally reminded me that they know better, thank you.

Over these past 15 years, I have enjoyed the privilege of being elected alongside respected community leaders: Larry Evans, Dan Davies, Lori Ackerman, Bruce Christensen, Trevor Bolin, Gord Klassen, Lilia Hansen, Tony Zabinsky, Becky Grimsrud, Jim Lequeire, and Sarah MacDougall. Our community has a truly amazing staff, who are passionate about our community, and their daily roles of working toward improving every aspect of our city. During my time, we have had two CAO/City Managers. I have greatly enjoyed learning from and watching the quality of tireless work done by Dianne Hunter and now Milo Macdonald. Thank you for the trust, the conversations, the debates, the laughs, and the opportunity to serve our community alongside you all.

September 1st – 11th is the nomination period, and the Municipal Election is October 17th. I’m looking forward to watching the next person take the baton, bringing a fresh perspective, new ideas and their own energy to the role.

My leg of the race is coming to an end, and I’m proud of the distance covered. I am proud of our community.

And to end my statement with some humour: There’s an old saying that I believe Robin Williams said best: “Politicians and Diapers should be changed often – and for the same reason.”

Coincidently or not, my initials are BS.
______________________________________
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve. It has been a pleasure!

Sincerely,
Byron Stewart

08/25/2026

Well City of Fort St. John Residents we are officially one week away from nominations! I haven’t heard of anyone interested, or seen any posts .. so i want to help YOU.

What does nominations mean? Well if you are seriously considering running for one of 6 Council seats, you need to file your nominations package between September 01 and the 11th.

Running for Council is tough, but being elected and understanding your roll, is tougher. This is where i can possibly assist YOU.

I have been fortunate to serve YOU for 18 years on Council in our great city, and i want to help those that interested in running.

If you have any questions on the nomination, the election, what it is Council does, what YOU can expect … I’ll set aside 30 mins for a phone call, teams meeting or just open up my dm’s to YOUR questions.

If serving this city and its people excites you, if you are passionate about our community and its future .. let’s talk.

PS - Please no weirdo’s

08/24/2026

I would be lying if i said i wasn’t disappointed in the Conservative Party losing MLA’s, regardless of who they are and where they represent.

I have belonged to the party for a very long time, started the riding locally as a young man, and was leader of the Provincial Party from 2019-2023.

It’s not easy being the leader of the party - i’m not here to lay blame on anyone or tear after MLA’s that don’t feel like the fit and have left or are leaving. Rumours circulating are that +5 more seated MLA’s will be departing before October’s sitting of the house… and it’s time to recognize there is a problem in the hen house.

I do however think both Milobar and Paton leaving, is a warning sign for the leader and the provincial executive. The Conservative Party existed as a coalition; a coalition of centre to right members coming together under a big tent to keep the NDP out of power. That was what it always was, regardless of the name they flew their flag under, and what it needs to remain.

I can tell you what happens when that coalition is broken, we have seen it before, as recent as 2020, and will see it again if these new centre parties keep popping up, splitting the pie between who’s a centrist, who’s a conservative, who’s the darker shade of blue.

We need to stop this “Liberals are bad, Conservatives are bad” polarization of politics in BC. Some 60% of voters align to the centre and right .. being focused on economy, financial sustainability, job creation and less government in our day to day lives .. but lean mostly centre for social responsibility and issues around environment etc.

The Conservative Party of BC needs to welcome Red Tories as MLA’s and members, just as they do Blue. They need to work with and listen to all members centre to right and they need to build policies and platform that benefit British Columbians in their day to day lives.

Let’s stop fighting over who’s more conservative, and let’s take the fight where it belongs, to the NDP.

08/24/2026

At today’s regular council meeting (one of two remaining before voting starts), i will ask Council for an endorsement of the below resolutions.

These are not to control your life on your private property - these are to ensure bad neighbours don’t get away with allowing crime, theft and disturbances in family neighbourhoods, and when they do, they will be investigated and fined with “any available collection mechanisms”.

If these are passed today, we will get to work crafting the bylaws for final approval with full and open transparency .. the days of being a sh*tty landlord, property owner, or neighbour are coming to an end.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
“THAT, Council direct staff to review the City's Nuisance Abatement and Cost
Recovery Bylaw and report back with proposed amendments to:
1. update enforcement and cost recovery provisions to reflect current
service delivery and enforcement costs;
2. establish a process for invoicing property owners for costs associated
with recurring nuisance incidents and demands on City resources; and
3. include options for payment terms, including a 60-day payment period,
and any available collection mechanisms;
AND THAT, staff provide Council with recommendations respecting
implementation, financial impacts, and enforcement considerations.”

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
“THAT, Council direct staff to review Good Neighbour Bylaw models used by other municipalities, including the City of Williams Lake, and report back with
options for a City of Fort St. John Good Neighbour Bylaw that addresses
properties generating recurring nuisance complaints and calls for service,
including potential cost recovery and fee mechanisms.”

08/23/2026

The Kids Arena was built in 1974 to replace an existing facility that had burned down.

The entire community came together and raised funding and donated work to see this facility built for the kids and the families in this great city.

Fast forward some 35 years, after the opening of the Pomeroy Sports Centre, the Kids Arena sat empty and unused for 18 months. In 2010 Council received a report recommending to tear the building down. This was a lively discussion; being the days prior to social media use, it was all about discussions in person and grocery store conversations.

Council decided to strike a committee to repurpose the facility as an indoor field house, kids play area and field sport house. I was honoured to be on the committee along with Larry Evans and a great team of dedicated staff.

This once amazing community centre would see a return to its glory days filled with kids and laughter in its opening in 2012.

Fast forward another 15 years, and the planning of a brand new proposed Field House has been well underway, and could be a reality if the referendum passes.

It will mark 55 years later that council goes back to the residents sharing the excitement a new use of this community built and community loved building.

Who played hockey here, who played soccer here?

08/23/2026

As you know, election time is upon us in The City of Fort St. John.

Over the first 11 days of September, candidates need to file their nomination papers, with the Elections officer, in order to run in the October 17th Municipal Election.

I don’t know if it’s the Cancer, the Chemo, the losses of loved ones, or the gains over the last 18 years, but something really has me thinking of how far we have come as a growing city and amazing community.

Did you know this October marks 16 years since we went from bagged trash on the curb (and garbage down the boulevard) to our automated curbside garbage pick up that we enjoy today?

I remember this vote, I remember this picture being used, i remember the questions of uncertainly from the community, and I remember the change we all embraced for a better Fort St John.

08/21/2026

Out having a little fun in the downtown today, thanks to Emily-May Photography.

I showed my Niece my very first, and only, campaign picture from August 2007. We thought it would be fun to recreate it… minus the hair, and add some wrinkles of course lol.

Would you believe it; 18 years ago this August, i stood in this exact same location to announce I would be running for City Council. I seriously had no idea what i was getting into, but i felt a calling. A calling i couldn’t ignore, and was grateful for the residents believing in me and working with me to achieve OUR goals and dreams for Fort St John.

I didn’t have a list of campaign promises that election, or any election. I had a vision to help build Fort St John, make it a city where families are proud to call it home, where businesses flourish and serve and a council that listens to its residents.

I stood on the stage at the Pioneer Inn that fall and promised open and transparent governance, financial sustainability, the completion and opening of the “Enerplex”, and to never stop working for the people of Fort St John.

I didn’t realize how fortunate i would feel to be back standing on 100th ave today; thinking about all the positive changes WE have made together over the last 18 years.

Fort St John’s future, built on OUR past.

08/20/2026

I was back on the Jill Bennett show this week to discuss recent polling which is showing Premier Eby gaining in popularity as The Leader of the opposition drops.

Polarized views of politics is splitting our Province and our Country. Let’s get the focus back on what’s wrong in our communities and less about Liberal VS Conservative.

Podcast Episode · The Jill Bennett Show · August 19 · 37m

08/18/2026

Council met with the Minister of Transportation Friday right here in The City of Fort St. John.

Some great conversations over:
-the need for a replacement of the Taylor Bridge inside the 10 year budget.
-winter and summer care of roads from the north Taylor Hill up the highway,
-cell connectivity north of FSJ,
-rail infrastructure,
-highway speeds, lights and safety.

Was a great meeting with lots of concerns shared and received on the ministers side.

08/13/2026

Pool Committee Presents in HH

Councillor MacDougall and I were privileged to present an update on the new proposed pool and fieldhouse to The District of Hudson's Hope this evening.

Hudson’s Hope and The City of Fort St. John have many unique benefit between our residents and a facility like this in a community that is the service centre for its neighbours is something both Councils appreciate.

Sarah and I have been meeting with our neighbours, friends and families in communities around the city asking for letters of support for the project. We are extremely fortunate that communities like Hudson’s Hope understand how important this is for the entire region.

Special thanks to Darrell, our Dep CAO, for the support of all our presentations .. and a great pic of Sarah from this one.