Mike Sudnik (filed as Michael Sudnik)
Candidate for Councillor (incumbent). All council candidates
| Running for | Councillor |
|---|---|
| Status | Sitting councillor, elected 2022 (topped the poll, 1,352 votes)[1] |
| Occupation | Owner of Custom Creations (auto accessories and lighting), over 20 years[2] |
| Ties to Dawson Creek | Born and raised here[2] |
| Campaign page | |
| Nomination package | City PDF (redacted) |
Background
Born and raised in Dawson Creek. Owner of Custom Creations, an auto accessories and lighting business, for over 20 years. Board member of the South Peace Health Services Society. Owns the building leased by the Step Up 'N' Ride Society (both declared as conflicts). Two daughters.[2]
His wife, Deanna Sudnik, is a department manager at the South Peace Community Resources Society, a director of Ending Violence BC, and a 2026 candidate for School District 59 trustee.[3][4]
Electoral history
2020 by-election: lost to Darcy Dober, 559 votes to 466.[5] 2022: topped the council poll with 1,352 votes (60.7 percent).[1]
Unverified In a 2022 Facebook exchange a commenter asked how he voted "being a resident of Pouce Coupe," and he replied that a non-resident property owner may vote using the non-resident property elector form. His 2026 nomination lists a Dawson Creek address.[6] Residence was not independently confirmed.
Council record
- Attendance. 105 of 116 meetings (11 absences, second-most after MacDonald), and left several meetings early.
- Motions. Moved 190, seconded 414. Moved motions are mostly procedural, tenders and financial reports. Notable: the $1.25M covered outdoor rink (2023); the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan (2023); the Grandview Neighbourhood Concept Plan "with the word 'affordable' removed" (August 2025); making the Kin Arena sports floor permanent (March 2026); waiving policy so the mayor and all six councillors could attend FCM 2026 in Edmonton. Seconded the travel-centre exemption, the revitalization bylaw, the January 28, 2026 budget package and both financial plans.[7][8]
- Recorded opposed votes. Against the splash park at every stage (January 2025, September 2025). Against receiving Van Spronsen's 2022 transit letter (with Dober). Against a letter supporting a health-impact assessment of the gas industry (February 2026, with Dober). Against waiving Ovintiv Centre fees for Doig River's conference (October 2025). Against cricket-facility engagement (May 2026). Against deferring SD59's running-track request (July 2026). Generally aligned with MacDonald and Dober on split votes.
- Health portfolio. Council noted on February 10, 2025 that he "has demonstrated considerable engagement in numerous healthcare initiatives and debates." BC Rural Health Network; Hospital Capital Project Advisory Committee and Community Advisory Working Group; Primary Care Network; South Peace Retention and Recruitment Committee. Accepted the 2024 Rural BC Community Award for the Eljen clinic with Mayor Dober.[9]
- Water. Went with Dober and MacDonald to meet Premier Eby on the drought in January 2026.[10]
- Public statements. His only substantive quoted remark in four years: opposing a change to the 17-year-old city flag.[11] He did not respond to CBC on animal control.[12]
- Conflicts declared. SPHSS lease and grants; Step Up 'N' Ride funding. On January 15, 2024 council received a funding letter from Deanna Sudnik on behalf of SPCRS; no conflict was declared on that item (whether one was required is a question, not a finding).
- Remuneration, 2025. $27,954 plus about $6,751 in expenses.
2026 campaign
Energeticcity.ca, September 4, 2026: "The last term has been one of learning and growth as a councillor, and with your vote, I hope to continue the great work that's been started."[13]
Facebook, UBCM week: "Discussions around more sufficient and available mental health and addiction services, water supply and security because we all like water coming out of the tap. Safe and reliable transportation through our community corridors, think 8st and Alaska ave which are NOT city streets."[14]
In 2022: "I don't have all the answers... I can promise you I have opinions and I will ask uncomfortable questions."
What the record shows
Facts. The strongest 2022 mandate but the thinnest public voice: no memos, no substantive press quotes, and 11 absences. Health care is his real portfolio. He has been the anti-splash-park, fiscal-caution vote alongside MacDonald.
Our reading (inference, not fact). Likely to run as a continuity ally of MacDonald.
Questions worth asking. The Step Up 'N' Ride landlord relationship (the society received $165K a year in the 2026 budget and was floated as a BC Transit replacement). The SPCRS letter. Where he lives. Which water option he supports.
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…
- City of Dawson Creek, Councillors page (official biographies). dawsoncreek.ca/our-government/council/councillors/
- South Peace Community Resources Society, About page. spcrs.ca/about
- Energeticcity.ca, Sept 16, 2026, "School Districts 60 and 59 announce school trustee candidates". energeticcity.ca/2026/09/16/school-districts-60-and-59-announce-school-…
- Dawson Creek Mirror, Oct 18, 2020, "Dober takes DC by-election" (Wayback Machine). web.archive.org/web/20201018222226/https://www.dawsoncreekmirror.ca/daw…
- Nomination package, Mike Sudnik (City PDF). media-002-ca.cdn.govstack.com/dawsoncreek-013-ca/media/5fmdesu0/sudnik-…
- Council minutes, Jan 28, 2026 (2026 budget package). dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/158743/
- Council minutes, Apr 13, 2026 (Highway 2 travel centre tax exemption). dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/160497/
- CBC News, Mar 27, 2025, Dawson Creek health clinic award. cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dawson-creek-health-clinic-1.7481933
- CJDC-TV, Jan 22, 2026, "Dawson Creek councillors meet with Premier Eby over drought concerns". cjdctv.com/news/article/dawson-creek-councillors-meet-with-premier-eby-…
- Energeticcity.ca, Nov 24, 2025, "Dawson Creek council ponders new city flag". energeticcity.ca/2025/11/24/dawson-creek-council-ponders-new-city-flag/
- 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…
- 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…
- Mike Sudnik for City Council 2026, Facebook post during UBCM week, Sept 2026. facebook.com/mikesudnikforcitycouncil/posts/1703169088483825/