Eunice Friesen to run for Mayor of Grande Prairie in October election

“I am very good at bringing stability to a group, and I am also very good at creating change.”

Friesen says some of that change will be to work to bring the community back together following months of public health restrictions and regulations, which have brought with them much division in the community.

Being a leader who wants to bring stability and change to council chambers, she feels she can also take that leadership into the community.

“We have such a unique culture in Grande Prairie where we help each other out and we get things done. We are innovative and we really are in it together with our neighbours,” said Friesen. “I have no doubt that can be restored.”

Friesen’s career in Grande Prairie has spanned a variety of industries after first moving to the community in 1984. After graduating from GPRC, she worked as a nurse for 14 years at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, moving on to become a manager and leader within the health-care industry over the following 11 years.

She and her husband, Doug, founded and opened the Bear Creek Funeral Home in Grande Prairie in 2013.

Friesen has also served on the GPRC Board of Governors, the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, and has volunteered for things such as the Special Olympics and Grande Prairie Live Theatre.

As for her work on council, Friesen says as she looks ahead to the next four years it will be vital to bring forward a “laser-focused” economic recovery plan.

“We’ve taken a beating with the price of oil… but that’s returning,” Friesen said. “So, how do we support that return? Advocate for traditional economic drivers like oil and gas, agriculture and forestry, while also looking at ways that they can add value… And, how we can innovate like only the Peace Country does.”

She says what cannot be forgotten is the small- to medium-sized business sector, which has taken one of the harder hits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Friesen sees much positive change on the horizon in the community, which she thinks that sector will both play a role in and benefit from.

“We know that we have a shift happening with the new hospital, where we should see an influx of residents to Grande Prairie,” said Friesen. “And GPRC changing to a polytechnic institute will have, again, a shift.”

“So, if we can leverage some of those partnerships, and leverage those shifts and be ready for them with what we as a city need bring, which is a strong business sector: retail, restaurants, having recreation for the folks that are coming in, and also helping the development community so that we have got the infrastructure and housing available for these folks to move into.”

Friesen adds that she wants residents to have their concerns heard and brought forward to the council table.

“I am just truly here to understand what is good for the residents of Grande Prairie. To understand it, to strategize on how to get there, and to follow through like I have done in life so far.”

Friesen becomes the third candidate to announce their intention to run for Mayor of Grande Prairie. Interim Mayor Jackie Clayton has also announced her intention to run for Mayor, as has local Bryan Petryshyn.

The next municipal election goes on October 18.

by Shaun Penner

Eunice Friesen to run for Mayor of Grande Prairie in October election

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