Photo Courtesy Wade Pilat

By Tanner Smith

Candidate Profile

City of Grande Prairie Council Candidate Profile: Wade Pilat

Sep 23, 2025 | 11:54 AM

Wade Pilat is one of over 20 residents running for a City Council position.

He 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?

Grande Prairie has been home to me for over 45 years. I have grow up here, started businesses here, and am raising a family here. I care very much about our community and the people in it, and want to see our City continue to grow and provide a great quality of life for our residents.

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

Since the age of 21 I have been self employed and have learned many valuable lessons that have helped me evolve. Starting a business, budgeting, hiring and letting people go are all difficult decisions that I have experienced and grown from.

Outside of business I have also had the opportunity to serve as a board member on the Grande Prairie Home Builders, Grande Prairie Soccer Association, Grande Prairie Airport Commission, Public Library Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pursuit of Excellence and Chamber of Commerce. These various roles in different parts of our community have given lots of experience with budgets, policies, operations and engagement.

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

As Grande Prairie is experiencing low vacancy and population growth I think Council should be focusing on capital spending towards expanding some of our road networks. This would also help increase community safety and provide for further economic development potential. Increased revenue from economic development plays a key role in reducing potential tax increases.

Safety must remain a top priority for the next Council and the transition to Grande Prairie Police Service needs to be a major focus for them to improve community safety. If we can create a transparent, community led and community policed City service it has the biggest impact on the safety of our community moving forward, and I would like to be part of those conversations with feedback from the community.

4. Where can people learn more about you?

My website is pilatforgpcouncil.ca