Grande Prairie interim mayor Jackie Clayton says she will run for the mayor's seat in October's municipal election (Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP)

By Shaun Penner

Running for Mayor

Jackie Clayton to run for Mayor of Grande Prairie in October municipal election

Jun 25, 2021 | 2:38 PM

Jackie Clayton will be seeking to reclaim the seat she has held on an interim basis over the last six months.

On Friday, Grande Prairie’s interim mayor announced she would be running for mayor in the October municipal election.

Clayton was unanimously elected by council members to fill the role in January 2021, becoming the first woman in the city’s history to serve as mayor.

She took on the role after Bill Given resigned from that post following 10 years as mayor, leaving to take the role as Chief Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Jasper.

Clayton says the last six months in the role, in the middle of a pandemic no less, gave her a clear look into what the job all entailed, and she found it was something she was passionate about.

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“I always compare this to the longest job interview in history, in the worst of times,” said Clayton.

“I’ve always known how much I love this city, but being there every day, working in the organization on a regular basis, it truly reignited my love for the City of Grande Prairie, and how important we are in the country and in the province.”

She says one of her top priorities, should she retain the mayor’s chair, is to emphasize economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not only that, she also says she wants to push for Grande Prairie to get the recognition at a provincial and federal level she feels somewhat went away.

“Grande Prairie has always been known as a regional hub for services and retail. It’s always been known as an industry leader,” she said. “However, in the past few years it hasn’t been as much of a priority for the City of Grande Prairie, and we need to really regain our position in the province and in the country, as the leader for everything we provide.”

Clayton’s experience as mayor comes during one of the most unique times in the city’s history with the pandemic. She says she feels if she can lead through such strange times, she knows she can handle the role.

“Just being positive, keeping focused on what’s at hand, and not letting the things that were happening around us really bring down the work and the decisions that you are making for the city.”

Clayton has lived in Grande Prairie since 1999 and has been involved with several community groups during that time, serving with the QEII Hospital Foundation, Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta, the GPRC Board of Governors, and for a time as president of the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce.

As of now, Clayton will be running against Bryan Petryshyn, who is the only candidate to have submitted their nomination forms.

The next municipal election will take place on Monday, October 18.