Candidate profile: Jackie Clayton

I bring a unique mix of public service, community involvement, and business leadership that has prepared me to lead Grande Prairie with both heart and strategy.

● Public Service: I’ve served two terms as a City Councillor, as Interim Mayor, and now as Mayor for the past four years. In this time, I’ve worked to strengthen healthcare recruitment, revitalize infrastructure, launch the Grande Prairie Police Service, expand recreation spaces, support arts and culture, and create permanent supportive housing. I’ve also led City Council in addressing affordability, keeping taxes significantly below inflation increases, ensuring essential services remain strong.

● Community Involvement: Since moving to Grande Prairie in 1999, I’ve been deeply engaged in community life. I served six years on the Chamber of Commerce Board, where I was elected as the second female President in over 90 years, which sparked my passion for public service. Over the years, I’ve volunteered with numerous community groups, acquiring insight into the challenges and opportunities facing residents at every stage of life.

● Regional and National Advocacy: As Mayor, I’ve built trusted relationships with leaders across Alberta, British Columbia, and Canada. I’ve successfully advocated for funding in critical areas such as healthcare, post-secondary, infrastructure, policing, and economic development. I also helped create the Community Rail Advocacy Alliance, which brings together municipalities, industries, and associations to advocate for fairer and more reliable rail service.

● Professional Background: My career spans over 20 years in business, including the opening and operation of a successful retail franchise and many other small businesses. Later, as Vice President of Public Relations & Partnerships at Pomeroy Lodging, I oversaw government and external relations for 19 hotels across multiple markets. These experiences have shaped my business-minded and collaborative approach to leadership..

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

My “Stronger Together” plan focuses on six key priorities:

1. Cost-Smart Services & Fiscal Discipline – Protect essential services like policing, fire, roads, and recreation while keeping taxes stable, significantly lower than inflation through innovation, efficiency, and regional partnerships. Every budget should start with a 0% increase so we fully understand the trade-offs required to keep Grande Prairie affordable.

2. Strategic Growth & Economic Diversification – Develop new opportunities to expand the tax base and reduce the burden on residents. This focus includes advancing agricultural and plant-based protein development at Hughes Lake lands, growing sport and festival tourism, and supporting new industries alongside our established strengths in energy, forestry, and agriculture.

3. Advocacy – Grande Prairie deserves its fair share of Provincial and Federal funding and that requires regular, consistent conversations about the importance this region offers to Alberta and Canada. From Electricity Distribution and Healthcare Attraction to Post-Secondary Trades funding and Enhancing our Economic Corridors we must not stop being at the forefront of conversations and ensure that our priorities are heard and ultimately acted upon.

4. Collaboration – With that we must continue to strengthen partnerships with the County of Grande Prairie, MD of Greenview, and other regional leaders through Invest NW and a Peace Country Coalition. At the same time, increase direct engagement with residents and businesses by hosting quarterly community roundtables.

5. Equitable Public Safety – Equitable public safety means more than policing— it includes many things from strengthening oversight and transparency to investing in prevention and youth engagement. It is a comprehensive approach that keeps Grande Prairie safe, fair, and welcoming for everyone.

6. Engagement & Proactive Communication – Residents of Grande Prairie deserve a clear understanding of what is happening at City Hall. We can do better. I will work with City Council to implement guidelines and timelines so that details about City business and transactions are easy to find and easy to understand.

Where can people learn more about you?

● http://jackieclayton.ca/

● https://www.facebook.com/VoteJackieClayton

● https://instagram.com/jclaytonjackie

● https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jclaytonjackie

● https://x.com/jclaytonjackie

by Curtis Galbraith