2026 Provincial Election: Meet the Nechako Lakes MLA Candidates

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.

The Provincial Election will be held on Saturday, October 24.

My Nechako Valley Now has reached out to each candidate running for MLA in the Nechako Lakes riding for their response to the following questions:

1. Tell us about yourself
2. What do you think is the most important issue for the area and why?
3. Why should someone vote for you?
4. Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?

In alphabetical order (Last Name):

Diane Black, BC Conservatives:

My Nechako Valley Now reached out to Black and did not receive answers in time for publication.

Black’s website can be found here.

Jesse Gervais, BC NDP:

My name is Jesse Gervais, and I live on the beautiful North Shore of Fraser Lake. I currently work as the Director of Community Services for the Village of Fraser Lake.

I was born in Northern B.C. and grew up all over the province, also living as an adult in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Madrid, and Mexico City. I’ve been working in economic development at different levels of government for a decade now. I’m passionate about building diverse, sustainable economies at the community level that provide local jobs and help pay for the services we all count on.

I’m also a member of the Fraser Lake Community Foundation board of directors, which supports community groups with disbursements from an endowment fund, and I am on the University of Northern British Columbia Board of Governors, providing direction and oversight to one of the top-rated research universities of its size in Canada.

Gervais’ website can be found here.

Clint Lambert, Unaffiliated:

My Nechako Valley Now reached out to Lambert and did not hear back in time for publication.

Lambert’s Facebook page can be found here.

2. What do you think is the most important issue for the area and why?

Jesse Gervais:

I think the most important issue for the Nechako Lakes is both affordability and stable economies, which are really two sides of the same coin. When people have good jobs available to them, life is inherently more affordable. It means they have more income to spend at local small businesses, which then helps build out that local economy even further.

We’re hard at work providing more jobs across B.C., approving a new mine or mine expansion every two months, including Mt. Milligan and Artemis Blackwater, along with new energy production and transmission projects in the Northwest like Ni Ti Mountain Wind, the North Coast Transmission Line, and Phase II of LNG Canada.

We’re also committed to lowering prices at the gas station and grocery store through new measures that will help make life more affordable for everyone.

And it’s not just about putting a roof over your head and food on the table; I want people in the Nechako Lakes to have the opportunity to enjoy the lives they work so hard for and to take advantage of this incredible region we get to live in.

3. Why should someone vote for you?

Jesse Gervais:

I’m asking for peoples’ votes because I’m someone who is committed to doing the job. We all deserve a representative who is there when they’re needed and does the work to move the dial on the challenges our communities are facing. We need someone who will be at the table helping find solutions, and that’s the person I am committed to being.

I’m also someone with a lot of experience in economic development at all levels of government. I understand how economies work, and how something like improving healthcare can have a huge impact on the ability of small business owners to find the employees they need to succeed.

I’m committed to working with all the communities in the Nechako Lakes. That means showing up and listening to what local and First Nations elected officials, community groups, and larger organizations are trying to accomplish, and then working within the province to provide the supports to see these visions come to life.

4. Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?

Jesse Gervais:

As part of my commitment to being an MLA that is truly engaged with people across the Nechako Lakes riding, I am very interested in connecting with people and groups in every corner of it. Please reach out anytime, and for those who are curious to hear more, please attend your community’s all-candidates forum!

Editor’s note: My Nechako Valley Now would like to thank the three candidates for taking the time to respond to our questions. Reading their responses should better prepare each voter for the candidate of their choice.

Voting stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday at the following locations:

• David Hoy Elem School – 450 Birch St W, Fort St. James
• Fort St James Sec School – 450 Douglas Ave, Fort St. James
• Nechako Valley Sec School – 2608 Bute Ave, Vanderhoof
• Saik’uz First Nation Band Office – 135 Joseph St, Vanderhoof
• Sinkut View Elem School – 3348 Sinkut View Rd, Vanderhoof