Photo Courtesy Gladys Blackmore

By Tanner Smith

Candidate profile

City of Grande Prairie Council Candidate Profile: Gladys Blackmore

Sep 22, 2025 | 12:24 PM

Gladys Blackmore is one of over 20 residents running for a City Council position.

She was asked to answer the following four questions with a 600-word limit.

1. What has inspired you to run for mayor/council/school trustee in the Oct. 20, 2025, municipal election?

I am passionate about Grande Prairie and the people who live here. To me, Grande Prairie means growth and change, providing both exciting opportunities and daunting challenges. We need strong stewardship to enhance opportunities and mitigate challenges. My draw to council has always been to build a better city every day — a city my grandchildren will thrive in. That means drive-able streets, great facilities and affordable services. I feel my role on council is to balance costs and outcomes with what is best for our people, for our future.

2. What skills or experience do you have that you feel would make you a good fit for the role?

First, I have experience running businesses and managing non profit organizations. I have a degree in Business Administration, and a good understanding of financial and operational management. These experiences are key to understanding the day to day operations of a large organization, to identifying cost savings and bringing a voice of reason to the table.

Secondly, I have served four terms on council. My first three terms were from 2001 to 2010. I spent the next nine years meeting the challenges of managing non-profit organizations in the city. In 2019, I retired from my role as Executive Director of Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention, and my husband and I ventured off on a trip around the world. Covid sent us home and my interest in municipal politics led me to re-election in 2021. The last four years have been exciting, challenging and very rewarding.

3. What do you feel are the key or main election issues in your community, and what are the issues of priority for you?

Living in the north is expensive. Everything costs more — groceries, fuel, recreation — you name it. This includes the cost of managing a great city. For the last 2 terms, your council has worked very hard to minimize tax increases to bring Grande Prairie closer to provincial average. I will work hard to keep that trend going, even in the face of a very challenging global economy. Municipal councils are very limited in how we raise funds, and it’s important to maximize every revenue source outside of residential taxes. The city owns a significant amount of undeveloped land at the airport, and I believe it is time we rolled up our sleeves and put that land to work for us. The city will never give up ownership of our airport; however, we do need to get more value from that investment. Additionally, I look forward to our own police taking jurisdiction next fall, the opening of the multi-sport dome facility, and the many other projects in the city that make our lives more enjoyable and safer.

4. Where can people learn more about you?

Questions? Email me at gladys.blackmore@gmail.com

General Information? www.gladysblackmore.com