The race in context
Six council seats, thirteen candidates. Two mayoral candidates. Mayor Darcy Dober (councillor from 2020, mayor from 2022 with 83 percent of the vote) is not running. Councillors Jerimy Earl and Charlie Parslow are not running. Turnout in 2022 was about 25 percent, or 2,227 voters.[1]
Darcy Dober won the 2022 mayoral race in a landslide. The 2022 council results, with six elected, were:[1]
2022 council results
| Candidate | Votes | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Sudnik | 1,352 | 60.7% | Elected |
| Kyle MacDonald | 1,250 | 56.1% | Elected |
| Amy Kaempf | 1,096 | 49.2% | Elected |
| Gregg Apolonio | 1,080 | 48.5% | Elected |
| Jerimy Earl | 1,075 | 48.3% | Elected |
| Charlie Parslow | 1,061 | 47.6% | Elected |
| Sue Kenny | 958 | 43.0% | |
| Aaron Rogers | 848 | 38.1% | |
| Johanna Martens | 742 | 33.3% | |
| April Cire Floriant | 643 | 28.9% | |
| Raistlin Van Spronsen | 479 | 21.5% |
Six elected (bold). Source: Energeticcity.ca, October 16, 2022.[1]
Issues the next council inherits
Water supply
The Kiskatinaw River, the city's only water source since 1942, has been in a multi-year drought. Council declared a State of Local Emergency in October 2025 and renewed it in January 2026. The Phase 1 feasibility study presented in August 2026 priced the options: stay on the Kiskatinaw ($55M in maintenance plus $85M if overland pumping is needed), the Pine River ($194M), the Peace River at Clayhurst ($255M), or the Peace River at Taylor ($272M).[2]
Where candidates stand: only Kyle MacDonald (water security as a platform plank, without numbers) and Monica Rogers (supportive of a long-term project, "no band-aid fixes") have said anything. No candidate has taken a position on the Pine River versus Peace River options or on financing a project priced at $194M to $272M.
Budget and taxes
The 2026 budget is $92M with a 5.45 percent tax-rate increase (the first draft was 6.5 percent), about $113 more for the average homeowner, and a recognized $10M-a-year infrastructure deficit.[3][4]
Where candidates stand: Angela Healey, Steven Reynolds and Dwaine Dilworth run on spending restraint without naming a number. Gregg Apolonio voted against the January 2026 budget package but for the final rate. Amy Kaempf moved the final 5.45 percent budget. Kyle MacDonald authored the package. Judy Kucharuk's "scarcity mindset" essay argues against a survival-only spending posture.
Tax exemptions and downtown incentives
Council adopted a revitalization tax-exemption bylaw, including a $3M, ten-year exemption for a Saulteau First Nations-backed travel centre on Highway 2 (April 2026).[5][6] MacDonald moved it, Sudnik seconded it, and Apolonio and Kaempf voted for it.
Crime and policing
A 2022-23 citizen movement ("Citizens Take Action" and the Community Action Group) pressed council for more RCMP. Council reviewed the cost of added officers in 2024 and voted in December 2024 to keep the contract at 25 members.[7][8]
Where candidates stand: Dilworth and Reynolds come out of the 2022-23 citizen movement. MacDonald and Kaempf voted in December 2024 for adding RCMP members rather than holding at 25. Kucharuk's columns favour more police tools without punitive rhetoric. Healey and Raistlin Van Spronsen pair compassion with accountability language.
Homelessness and the Nawican shelter
The Nawican Friendship Centre shelter, now operated with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, is seeking to relocate about 300 metres and expand from 17 to 24 beds after neighbourhood complaints.[9]
Where candidates stand: no candidate has taken a position on the relocation. Dilworth's 2023 remarks opposed safe-injection sites; Healey is a long-time Nawican volunteer; Karen Tom's surname matches Nawican's board chair (unverified).
Public transit
Council debated cancelling BC Transit service during the 2026 budget deliberations.[10] Van Spronsen, a daily rider, delivered a petition of nearly 500 signatures against elimination in February 2026.[11]
Animal control
Council decided in a closed meeting in May 2026 to end the SPCA animal-control contract. Apolonio was the only incumbent candidate to explain the decision to CBC.[12]
Where the candidates stand
A one-line summary per candidate and issue, compiled from votes, statements and campaign material as of September 23, 2026. "(M)" marks the mayoral candidates. Follow the candidate's name for the details and sources behind each line.
| Candidate | Water supply | Taxes and budget | Crime and policing | Shelter and homelessness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwaine Dilworth (M) | No public position found | "Responsible spending, necessities first"; no number | Core issue; 2022-23 crime group; asked for a dedicated RCMP unit | No 2026 position; 2023 remarks opposed safe-injection sites |
| Kyle MacDonald (M) | First platform plank; seconded the emergency declaration; lobbied the Premier; no route or financing position | Authored the 2026 package (5.45%); voted against the 2025 budget | Voted to add RCMP members (Dec 2024); Crime Stoppers president | No public position found |
| Gregg Apolonio | Seconded feasibility-study funding; no stated option | Against the 2026 package, for the final 5.45% rate; called SPCA contract too costly | No recorded position beyond votes | No public position found |
| Rob Atkinson | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found |
| Colleen Bice | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found |
| Angela Healey | No public position found | "It's taxpayer money"; restraint without a number | "Compassionate while also expecting accountability" | Long-time Nawican volunteer; no position on relocation |
| Amy Kaempf | Moved Stage 3 restrictions and the emergency late item; no stated option | Moved the final 5.45% budget; said in 2018 the city "should not increase taxes" | Voted to add RCMP members (Dec 2024) | No position; voted against a 2019 safer-supply letter |
| Judy Kucharuk | No public position found | "Scarcity mindset" essay defends spending beyond survival infrastructure | Columns favour more police tools, not punitive | No public position found |
| Steven Reynolds | No public position found | Grow the tax base by recruiting businesses rather than "asking more" of residents | In the 2022 delegation asking for a dedicated RCMP unit | No public position found |
| Monica Rogers | Supports a long-term solution, "no band-aid fixes"; no route or financing position | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found |
| Juanita Shields | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found |
| Barb Slowinski | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found |
| Mike Sudnik | Met the Premier on drought; mentions "water supply and security" | Seconded the 2026 package; opposed splash-park spending | Mentions mental health and addiction services; no recorded dissent | No public position found |
| Karen Tom | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found | No public position found |
| Raistlin Van Spronsen | No public position found | No number; wants expanded transit service | "Look together at RCMP resources"; compassion plus accountability | "Compassionate, practical solutions"; no position on relocation |
Who knows whom
Several candidates share nominators, agents or boards. A nomination signature or an agent role is not an endorsement of a platform, but it shows who knows whom.
- Former councillor Paul Gevatkoff is Dwaine Dilworth's financial agent and (likely) Colleen Bice's nominator. Dilworth and Gevatkoff are both South Peace Oilmen's Association figures.[13][14][15]
- Blair Lekstrom (likely) nominated Rob Atkinson.[16]
- The Chamber of Commerce board supplies Monica Rogers (past president), Colleen Bice (director) and Kyle MacDonald (council liaison).[17]
- The crime-prevention establishment (South Peace District Crime Prevention Association, Crime Stoppers) supplies MacDonald's financial agent John Vetter, while the 2022 citizen crime delegation supplies Dilworth and Steven Reynolds.[18][19]
- Gregg Apolonio's page promoted a MacDonald meet-and-greet.[20]
Sources cited on this page
- Energeticcity.ca, Oct 16, 2022, "Darcy Dober new mayor of Dawson Creek in landslide victory". energeticcity.ca/2022/10/16/darcy-dober-new-mayor-of-dawson-creek-in-la…
- CBC News, Aug 12, 2026, "Dawson Creek water pipeline cost nearly triples". cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dawson-creek-water-pipeline-cost-ne…
- CBC News, Dec 30, 2025, "Dawson Creek considering tax increase for 2026". cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dawson-creek-considering-tax-increa…
- CJDC-TV, Feb 4, 2026, "Dawson Creek residents could see a lower proposed tax increase than expected". cjdctv.com/news/article/dawson-creek-residents-could-see-a-lower-propos…
- CBC News, Apr 15, 2026, "Dawson Creek Highway 2 travel centre tax break". cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dawson-creek-highway-2-travel-centr…
- Council minutes, Apr 13, 2026 (Highway 2 travel centre tax exemption). dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/160497/
- Northern Beat (Rob Shaw), Jan 13, 2023, "Dawson Creek residents combat crime 'crisis'". northernbeat.ca/news/dawson-creek-residents-combat-crime-crisis/
- Energeticcity.ca, Apr 17, 2024, "Dawson Creek council discusses costs to add additional RCMP to address crime". energeticcity.ca/2024/04/17/dawson-creek-council-discusses-costs-to-add…
- CBC News, Aug 12, 2026, "Dawson Creek homeless shelter seeking to address issues". cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dawson-creek-homeless-shelter-seeki…
- CJDC-TV, Dec 17, 2025, "Dawson Creek council weighs future of BC Transit during first 2026 draft budget review". cjdctv.com/news/article/dawson-creek-council-weighs-future-of-bc-transi…
- Council document 158268 (Feb 1, 2026 transit petition). dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/158268
- CBC News, May 28, 2026, "Why is Dawson Creek council cutting SPCA animal control?". cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/why-is-dawson-creek-council-cutting…
- Nomination package, Dwaine Dilworth (City PDF). media-002-ca.cdn.govstack.com/dawsoncreek-013-ca/media/cmdnmnkc/dilwort…
- Nomination package, Colleen Bice (City PDF). media-002-ca.cdn.govstack.com/dawsoncreek-013-ca/media/0mpludtl/bice-co…
- South Peace Oilmen's Association, past presidents list. southpeaceoilmen.ca/past-presidents/
- Nomination package, Rob Atkinson (City PDF). media-002-ca.cdn.govstack.com/dawsoncreek-013-ca/media/3mwkfdz2/atkinso…
- Dawson Creek and District Chamber of Commerce, Board and Staff page. dawsoncreekchamber.ca/about/board-staff/
- Nomination package, Kyle MacDonald (City PDF). media-002-ca.cdn.govstack.com/dawsoncreek-013-ca/media/0ywl2o11/macdona…
- Council minutes, Dec 5, 2022 (business owners' crime delegation). dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/130670/
- Gregg Apolonio, Councillor, City of Dawson Creek (Facebook page). facebook.com/people/Gregg-Apolonio-Councillor-Elect-City-Of-Dawson-Cree…