Update:

This website was made when I had decided to run for Mayor, and is in the process of being edited to reflect recent changes that I am now running for a seat on Council instead.

See the full update by watching this video where I explain the change

On October 17th

Vote Jesse Wright for Mackenzie Council

Why I Want to Serve Another Term on Council

I have always struggled with finding a career that matched my desires (hence all the different jobs you will see listed below), something that made me feel fulfilled. I am driven by a passion for helping others and making the communities we live better for all. Since being first elected in 2022 I have felt the fulfillment I had been looking for, I feel there is no better way to do what I am driven to do than being part of the democratic process. Being on Council the last 4 years has only confirmed this for me and I want to do more of it!

People have asked me during my first term on Council how I like it and I always tell people, I am doing my dream job. I want to use my passion for helping people and building communities up to help make the life of Mackenzie residents better!

Check out the video in this CKPG article talking about my rationale in running for Mayor of Mackenzie (even though I am now running for Council instead)

https://ckpgtoday.ca/2026/05/07/wright-sets-sights-on-mayors-chair-in-early-campaign-launch/

Platform

I have 4 Broad Categories of Polices I would pursue (I call them my 4 C's)

1. Communication

As you know now, I am no longer running for Mayor and rather a Council seat. Of my 4 C's, Communication is the C that takes the biggest hit, as the Mayor as a unique role in communicating that members of Council do not.

However, that does not mean I am powerless! I firmly believe Communication is one of the biggest challenges facing Mackenzie, and I have ideas on how to fix it!

What I can do on my own (things not needing rest of Council to vote to do):

Monthly Recap Videos that I would film to tell everyone what I had done the previous month
Offer to the radio station to have a regularly scheduled Radio show to talk about the issues of the moment.

What I Can't Do on My Own (things that require a Council vote):

Bring in an External Communication Expert to do a Communications Audit of the District of Mackenzie to give us the advice on how to improve.

2. Community Economic Development

My guiding principle as an elected official is to ensure Mackenzie is a place people love to live. And that means taking a holistic view of the community

What I can do on my own (things not needing rest of Council to vote to do):

Be laser focused on economic development and diversification.
Using a holistic vision of Community Development, ensuring the livability, health and sustainability of the community are front and center of every decision (the social determinants of health)

What I can't do on my own (things needing rest of Council to vote to do):

Prioritize and Action the Parks Master Plan that has been on the Strategic Plan.
Advocate to make the 2nd Economic Development Officer a Permanent position

3. Generational Change

Strong communities are built when people of different generations are all represented and have a voice. We need the wisdom and experience of those who have spent decades building this community, alongside fresh perspectives, new ideas, and the energy to tackle the challenges ahead. I feel like this balance has been off the last 4 years, with myself the youngest member of Council by more than a decade. We need more young people on Council, full stop.

Part of the need to have younger members of Council is the need to understand, speak to and feel the issues of being a young person today, which are unique. Being someone exiting their youth years and entering adulthood means I am living with and dealing with the challenges of people in this co-hort. I am navigating the rising cost of living, housing affordability concerns, economic uncertainty, climate crisis, and other challenges young people are facing today. The decisions made by Council today will shape our community for decades to come, and I will spend decades living with those outcomes. That gives me a strong personal stake in ensuring we make thoughtful, responsible decisions that position Mackenzie for long-term success.

I believe leadership change is not only healthy but essential for any organization, and part of good leadership is helping develop the next generation of community leaders. Our community is strongest when we are constantly creating opportunities for new people to step forward, contribute, and serve.

Check out this article talking about my vision for Mackenzie

https://livinghere.ca/putting-people-first-the-path-for-mill-town-revival-in-b-c/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSTVHxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEePeQRaHPsfcgmeYGTHGQWyYtuW8vs-mfrwX9mHSs7MYVZJRuFKAizYroJn4Y_aem_eA4x0DYumMOzH5bFE40bog

4. Regional Collaboration

I am a firm believer that we are stronger as part of bigger wholes than we are as individual parts. That is why I will prioritize Mackenzie's place in Regional and Provincial Bodies.

I am currently the 2nd Vice President of the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA), an advocacy organization representing all Municipalities North of 100 Mile House. In this role I also serve as Chair of the Resolutions Committee. This ensures that I am at the table when Regional discussions are happening, I can make sure Mackenzie's voice is heard and also bring back to Mackenzie what is happening elswhere.
I am currently the Chair of the Mental Health and Addictions Accord working group, bringing together signatories of the Accord from across North Cental BC to talk, network, learn and advocate around the mental health and addicitons crisis.
I also sit on the Northern BC Crime Stoppers Board, the BC Climate Caucus , their smaller High Hazard's Working Group, our local PCN Steering Committee and regularly attend the Community Energy Association NorthCAN group meetings and Foundry's Rural and Remote Champions group. All these groups bring Mackenzie's voice and amplifies it beyond what is available if I did not serve on these Boards/Organizations.
I have been Mayor Atkinson's Alternate on both the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George and the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) Community Advisory Committee, filling in for her multiple times over the last 4 years. This means I can hit the ground running when elected and not be held back by as much of a learning curve.

"I have the experience, education and vision to make Mackenzie the best place to live in all of British Columbia!”

A Little About Myself

I moved to Mackenzie in 2019, initially as a teacher. I taught for one year at Morfee Elementary and quickly figured out Education was not the long term career for myself. I bounced around after that first year and worked numerous jobs, including:

Mackenzie’s Regional Business Liaison for Community Futures of Fraser-Fort George,
An Instructor at the College of New Caledonia,
Constituency Assistant for MLA Mike Morris,
Environmental Services Worker at the Mackenzie Transfer Station,
Tourist Information Officer for the Mackenzie Chamber of Commerce working at the Visitor’s Centre Caboose.
Check out my Linkedin profile if you want a full recap of all the different roles I have held.

I have worked for all three level's of Government in my life (Federal, Provincial and Municipal) giving me a unique set of skills to navigate the bureaucracy that is Canadian government.

Outside of Politics, it took some time but I eventually found my passion for individual support and mental health. I am currently studying in a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University with the end goal of being a BC Registered Clinical Councilor to provide therapy and mental health support for Mackenzie. Mid way through my Term I would be looking at starting up a Private Practice as well as supporting the Youth Wellness Society by being a Clinical Councilor supporting Mackenzie's youth.

Volunteer Experience

I have had the privilege to volunteer with some of Mackenzie's and larger Northern BC's amazing non-profits over the years! Here are some highlights:

I was part of the Board that brought the Mackenzie Rainbow Swim Club back from their hiatus and served as their Director of Fundraising and Grant Writing.
Founding President of the Youth Wellness Society of Mackenzie (YWS) whose goal is to establish a Youth Drop In Centre in Mackenzie.
Leading the efforts to host a Mental Health Summit in Mackenzie November 2026.
Currently serve on the Northern BC Crime Stoppers Board ensuring Mackenzie's voice is at the table.
Chair of the Mackenzie College of New Caledonia Campus' Community Advisory Committee.
Elected to the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance's (CSIA) BC/Yukon Board, representing all of the Northern BC and Yukon Region to support and build up the ski instructing community.
Have sat on the Boards of Special Olympics Mackenzie and Mackenzie Chamber of Commerce at different times.

I Commit to Continuous Learning and Self Improvement

Proof of this Commitment:

I am currently the first and only elected official from Mackenzie to ever earn their Local Government Level 1 Leadership Certificate, and I commit to getting my Level 2 should I be re-elected on October 17th.

A Couple Specific Policy Priorities I Would Pursue

1. The District of Mackenzie should provide more support to St. Peter's Pantry. Mackenzie residents are struggling and your municipality should be helping. We need to engage in a Fee for Service Agreement to provide them with more support in line with their importance to the community.

2. Mackenzie has land. We should have better Dog Park infrastructure than we do. I would advocate for more Dog Parks. Within the first year I would ask (needing rest of Council to agree) a report back on a Dog Park plan as part of the prioritization of the Parks and Beaches Master Plan.

3. I want to show off Mackenzie to others. I think we as Mackenzie need to host events like Minerals North or the Outdoor Recreation Council's yearly AGM. Within the 4 years I would ask for staff (again something I would need the rest of Council to also support) to look into what is needed for Mackenzie to host an event like Minerals North.

4. The District of Mackenzie should apply for the Canada Summer Jobs program to hire Mackenzie students during the Summer season. This will provide the District with more capacity while at the same time offering valuable experience or youth to work in the local government space.