DC Election 2026

An independent voter's guide to the October 17, 2026 local elections in Dawson Creek, Pouce Coupe and the Peace River Regional District, B.C.

James Wall

Candidate for Councillor, Pouce Coupe (incumbent). All Pouce Coupe candidates

James Wall

Photo: Village of Pouce Coupe, Mayor & Council page (cropped)

Running forCouncillor, Pouce Coupe
StatusIncumbent; elected 2022, tied second with 170 votes[1]
OccupationCivil infrastructure drafting technologist, Brighton College diploma, 2017 (self-reported)[2]
Ties to Pouce CoupeMoved to the Peace in 2019; bought a home in Pouce Coupe in 2020 (self-reported)[2]
SpouseKurtis Rabel, fellow councillor and 2026 candidate[2]
Place of residence (official)Peace River Regional District, Electoral Area D[3]
Campaign pageFacebook post, Sept 1, 2026

Background

From his Village biography (self-reported): born and raised in a small village on B.C.'s South Coast; moved to the Peace in 2019 and bought a home in Pouce Coupe in 2020 with his husband, Councillor Kurtis Rabel; Civil Infrastructure Drafting Technologist diploma from Brighton College (2017); director of the South Peace Arts Society; member of the B.C. Potters Guild.[2] Council created a Legion liaison role for him in November 2023.[4]

The September 23 Notice of Election lists his place of residence as Electoral Area D, not the village; the September 21 declaration listed every candidate as "Pouce Coupe."[3][5]

Electoral history

2022: elected, tied second with 170 votes.[1] His 2022 campaign: "There is a real disconnect between residents of the village, and council... Councillors have a duty to do what is best for the community they serve – not fight amongst council." He proposed community events, a park path, fire hall grants and a BC Transit bus loop with Dawson Creek.[6]

Council record, 2022 to 2026

About 20 absences, the second-most on council, concentrated in spring 2024 and spring and summer 2025 (approximate). Moved about 258 motions, the most of any councillor.

2026 campaign and platform

Facebook, September 1, 2026 (self-reported): "Over the past four years, I've worked to be an effective advocate for our community through responsible financial management, long-term planning and building strong relationships with our provincial, regional and industry partners." He pledges to "build partnerships, secure outside funding, keep taxes affordable and make practical decisions to strengthen Pouce Coupe."[18][19]

Promises and delivery

All from "Wall looking to mend fences as Pouce Coupe candidate," Dawson Creek Mirror, September 25, 2022.[6]

What they promisedWhenWhat happenedVerdict
A grant to expand the fire hall: "Why not apply to free money when it is a grant?"Sept 2022[6]He moved the 2025 letter asking the Regional District to fund the expansion, which approved $250,000 (Peace River Agreement money, not a senior-government grant), then the feasibility study and the 2026 design request for proposals. Not built yet.[20][21][22][23]In progress
A BC Transit bus loop with Dawson Creek "a couple times a day."Sept 2022[6]He moved in 2023 that staff contact BC Transit, Dawson Creek and the Regional District, and look into a rural transit fund.[24][25] BC Transit said a feasibility study was needed; none was found afterward.[26]Not delivered
A walking or bike path connecting Pouce Park to the village.Sept 2022[6]He moved adding a Pouce Coupe to Dawson Creek trail (a different route) to the strategic plan in 2024.[27] No path was built.Not delivered
More community events ("A dance. A movie, a BBQ, a potluck. Karaoke night.") and sports leagues.Sept 2022[6]He moved the motions bringing Canada Day back under council and the Christmas light contest.[28][29][26] No Village sports league was found.Partly delivered
"More enforcement – if there is crime on the rise."Sept 2022[6]Moved a council meeting with the bylaw officer (2023) and third reading of the Municipal Ticketing Bylaw (2025).[30][31]Partly delivered
Highway safety through the village.Sept 2022[6]Moved a 2023 request to the ministry on Highway 2 snow removal.[32] The 2026 plan includes safer school crossings and Highway 2 pedestrian work.[33]In progress
Councillors should "not fight amongst council."Sept 2022[6]Not measurable. The minutes record repeated procedural disputes with Wall as a party, without assigning fault.[15][34]No record found

What the record shows

Facts. The most active mover on council and author of its highest-profile resolution (property rights). Moved an "up to 15%" increase in 2023, then opposed the 2024 to 2026 increases. Recorded several procedural complaints against the chair. Relatively high absences.

Our reading (inference, not fact). He is positioning on taxes and regional advocacy. His record mixes spending initiatives (seniors program, transit, events) with votes against the tax increases that pay for spending, a tension worth asking about.

Questions worth asking. How does the 2023 "up to 15%" motion square with "keep taxes affordable"? His attendance. What was the conflict on North Winds items?

Sources cited on this page

  1. Energeticcity.ca, Oct 16, 2022, "Danielle Veach elected mayor of Pouce Coupe". energeticcity.ca/2022/10/16/danielle-veach-elected-mayor-of-pouce-coupe/
  2. Village of Pouce Coupe, Mayor & Council page (official biographies). poucecoupe.ca/government/administration/mayor-council/
  3. Village of Pouce Coupe, Notice of Election by Voting, Notice No. 10-1 (Sept 23, 2026). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/52236/
  4. Village council minutes, Nov 2023 (Legion liaison). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/40671/
  5. Village of Pouce Coupe, Declaration of Election by Voting (Sept 21, 2026). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/52140/
  6. Dawson Creek Mirror, Sept 25, 2022, "Wall looking to mend fences as Pouce Coupe candidate" (Wayback Machine). web.archive.org/web/20220926201427/https://www.dawsoncreekmirror.ca/loc…
  7. Village council minutes, Mar 27, 2023 (2023 tax increase; minutes amended). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/38326/
  8. Village council minutes, Apr 9, 2025 (2025-2029 financial plan, first reading). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/47223/
  9. Village council minutes, Mar 11, 2026 (2026-2030 financial plan, first reading). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/49239/
  10. Village council minutes, Dec 20, 2023 (lagoon work program). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/41271/
  11. Village Committee of the Whole minutes, Dec 2025 (firearms letter). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/47303/
  12. Village council minutes, Jan 14, 2026 (2026 plan Scenario A; firearms letter). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/49235/
  13. Energeticcity.ca, Mar 24, 2026, "Pouce Coupe council calls on province to protect private property". energeticcity.ca/2026/03/24/pouce-coupe-council-calls-on-province-to-pr…
  14. CJDC-TV, Mar 27, 2026, "Pouce Coupe pushes province for clarity and certainty concerning private property rights". cjdctv.com/news/article/pouce-coupe-pushes-province-for-clarity-and-cer…
  15. Village council minutes, Feb 2023 (motion and points of order). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/37910/
  16. Village council minutes, July 2023 (interim CAO appointment). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/39519/
  17. Village council minutes, Feb 2024 (NCLGA attendance). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/41720/
  18. James Wall, Facebook post, Sept 1, 2026. facebook.com/james.wall.7712/posts/pfbid02s1FQtWNR52o9LzLe1zveox1LbgvUC…
  19. Energeticcity.ca, Sept 4, 2026, "2026 B.C. general election nomination period week one wrap-up". energeticcity.ca/2026/09/04/2026-b-c-general-election-nomination-period…
  20. Village of Pouce Coupe council minutes, July 23, 2025 (fire hall funding letter to the regional district) (civicweb document 47244). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/47244/
  21. Energeticcity.ca, Oct 6, 2025, "PRRD approves $250K for Pouce Coupe fire hall expansion". energeticcity.ca/2025/10/06/prrd-approves-250k-for-pouce-coupe-fire-hal…
  22. Village of Pouce Coupe council minutes, Nov 26, 2025 (fire hall feasibility study scope) (civicweb document 47301). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/47301/
  23. Village of Pouce Coupe agenda package with draft Aug 26, 2026 minutes (fire hall design RFP) (civicweb document 51924). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/51924/
  24. Village of Pouce Coupe council minutes, May 17, 2023 (lagoon funding; BC Transit contact) (civicweb document 39232). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/39232/
  25. Village of Pouce Coupe council minutes, June 21, 2023 (Rural Transit Solutions Fund) (civicweb document 39248). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/39248/
  26. Village of Pouce Coupe council minutes, Sept 6, 2023 (BC Transit feasibility; Canada Day; Christmas lights) (civicweb document 39971). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/39971/
  27. Village of Pouce Coupe council minutes, Mar 6, 2024 (walking and biking trail added to strategic plan) (civicweb document 41892). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/41892/
  28. Village of Pouce Coupe council minutes, Apr 5, 2023 (Canada Day) (civicweb document 38328). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/38328/
  29. Village council minutes, Apr 19, 2023 (NCLGA lost wages). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/38544/
  30. Village council minutes, Aug 2023 (remuneration bylaw). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/39734/
  31. Village of Pouce Coupe council minutes, Mar 26, 2025 (Municipal Ticketing Bylaw) (civicweb document 47240). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/47240/
  32. Village of Pouce Coupe council minutes, Mar 1, 2023 (Highway 2 snow removal) (civicweb document 37912). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/37912/
  33. Village of Pouce Coupe Village Voice budget booklet, March 2026 (civicweb document 47491). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/47491/
  34. Village council minutes, Apr 25, 2024 (question period). poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/42968/
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