Northern B.C. mayor plans to stay in office while working 2nd job — in Saskatchewan

The mayor of a northern B.C. municipality, Rob Fraser, has recently taken on a new job in Saskatchewan while still intending to fulfill his duties as mayor. Despite the 2,600-kilometre round trips required to travel between the two locations, Fraser is determined to balance both roles.

Fraser, who serves as the Mayor of Fort Nelson and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, explained that he accepted a temporary position as a safety supervisor for a seismic survey program in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. This decision was made in order to continue his career outside of his part-time mayoral role, which is common for many rural B.C. mayors.

During a regional council meeting on October 15, Fraser shared his plans to work 14 days at a time in Saskatchewan before returning to B.C. for seven days. Despite the distance, he expressed confidence in his ability to effectively represent his community and attend important meetings either in person or online.

Christopher Beach, a political science instructor, noted that while it’s not unusual for rural mayors to hold second jobs, leaving the municipality or province could impact Fraser’s chances of re-election. Residents typically expect their mayor to be present and responsive, especially during times of community need.

To accommodate his new job, Fraser appointed Coun. Lorraine Gerwing as deputy mayor for a year, citing an increase in mayoral responsibilities. This change also reflects the shifting nature of employment opportunities in rural areas, where many residents work outside of their civic duties.

Despite the challenges, Gerwing expressed confidence in Fraser’s ability to fulfill his mayoral duties, emphasizing the importance of teamwork within the council. With a mayor’s annual salary of $44,000 and councillors earning nearly $22,000, it’s clear that additional employment opportunities are often necessary to make ends meet in rural communities.

Fraser anticipates his job in Saskatchewan will conclude in March, allowing him to focus fully on his mayoral responsibilities. The B.C. Ministry of Municipal Affairs confirmed that local governments have autonomy in setting bylaws regarding electronic attendance at meetings, recognizing the part-time nature of many mayor and council positions throughout the province.

Overall, Fraser’s decision to balance multiple roles highlights the challenges and opportunities facing rural mayors in today’s evolving employment landscape. By adapting to new circumstances and working collaboratively with his council, he aims to continue serving his community effectively despite the distance.