Daniel Boudreau is campaigning to become Kitimat’s next mayor, promising to address aging infrastructure, expand housing options, improve healthcare access, and ensure residents benefit more from the community’s industrial growth.
Boudreau, who has called Kitimat home for five years, said the community has experienced significant industrial development but has yet to see the level of prosperity he believes should come with it.
“Kitimat has experienced tremendous industrial growth, but I don’t believe our community has seen the prosperity that should come with it,” Boudreau said. “I’m running because I believe it’s time for a new chapter focused on delivering real improvements for the people who live here.”
Originally from a small coastal industrial town in Nova Scotia, Boudreau holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology and a postgraduate diploma in Safety Engineering Technology. He served 12 years as a commissioned officer in the Canadian Forces supporting the Canadian Cadet Movement and has held senior leadership positions in the oil and gas industry.
Boudreau has also worked for the City of Terrace, served as president of the Rotary Club of Kitimat and spent the past two years as vice-chair and chair of Kitimat’s Advisory Planning Commission.
He said his background in industry, municipal government and community service has prepared him to bring people together and turn opportunities into results.
“My experience in industry, municipal government, leadership, and community service has prepared me to bring the right people together, strengthen relationships, and turn opportunities into results,” Boudreau said.
If elected, Boudreau said he would work with council, District staff, industry, and the provincial government to establish a four-year strategic plan focused on long-term infrastructure needs, responsible budgeting, and clear priorities.
He identified aging infrastructure, inadequate housing options, healthcare access and schools needing provincial attention as some of Kitimat’s biggest challenges.
“We need to replace aging facilities, improve residential roads, advocate for reliable 24/7 emergency healthcare, and create more housing options without continually increasing the burden on residential taxpayers,” Boudreau said.
He said addressing those issues would require long-term planning and cooperation between local and provincial governments, as well as industry.
Boudreau said he wants to see infrastructure projects moving forward, more housing available for seniors and young families, stronger local businesses and measurable improvements in healthcare and education advocacy by the end of his term.
“I want major industry, the Haisla Nation, and the District working together to build a community where residents and local entrepreneurs share in our industrial success,” he said. “Most importantly, I want residents to see tangible progress and feel confident that Kitimat has a clear direction for the next 20 years.”
Boudreau also stressed the importance of strengthening relationships with major industrial employers and creating more opportunities for local businesses.
He credited previous councils with helping attract major industry to Kitimat but said the community now needs to focus on ensuring that investment translates into better services and opportunities for residents.
“Previous councils deserve recognition for helping bring major industry to Kitimat, but attracting industry was only the beginning,” Boudreau said. “Now we need to strengthen those partnerships, make local businesses industry’s first call, and ensure industrial prosperity translates into better facilities, services, and opportunities for residents.”
Boudreau said Kitimat has the resources and potential to make further progress, adding that his campaign is focused on turning that potential into action for the community.
