2026 Municipal Election: Meet the two Smithers mayoral candidates

The Municipal Election will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17.

My Bulkley Lakes Now reached out to each candidate running for Mayor in Smithers for their responses to the following five questions:

1. Can you provide a brief bio of yourself?
2. Why are you running for mayor of Smithers, and what makes you the best candidate for the position?
3. What are the most important issues in Smithers and how do you plan to address them?
4. What is your vision for Smithers over the next four years?
5. Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (Last Name):

John Buikema (Incumbent):

I grew up in Winnipeg. In the early 80’s I earned my teaching degree, and I then went on to teach middle school students for 15 years. While teaching, I started taking some educational leadership courses. In 1999, I moved with my wife and 2 daughters to Smithers because I had accepted a principal position there.

This was not an easy move for us because we were leaving all our family behind in Winnipeg and moving to a community where we didn’t know anyone. However, it did not take long for Smithers to become home for us. Since 1999, I have worked for 20 years in schools in Smithers and have often held leadership positions.

I also spent 7 years working for an accounting firm in Smithers. While working for this firm, I did a lot of bookkeeping, payrolls, and personal income taxes. These 7 years were good for me as I learned a lot about the world of finance.

I have served as a town councillor from 2018-2026. Prior to that I served on the Library Board for 4 years. My wife and I have 6 grandchildren and are thoroughly enjoying the grandparent stage of life.

Robert Judzentis:

I was born in Prince Rupert and grew up in the Terrace and Smithers Area. I have worked in many different trades, most recently finishing my degree in water/waste water management in 2018.

Currently I am a small contractor. I’m a partner in Dig It Excavating and Dirtwork. I believe in family and friends, being honest and I always want and try to help someone in need.

2. Why are you running for mayor of Smithers, and what makes you the best candidate for the position?

John Buikema:

I have received a lot of encouragement to run for mayor, including encouragement from those I presently serve on Council with. I’ve heard it said that the best preparation for being mayor is to serve on Council first, and that is the path I have taken.

During the past 8 years, I have learned a lot about how municipal governance works, about how the Town of Smithers functions, I have developed relationships with town staff, and I have frequently chaired Council meetings which is a big part of the mayor’s job. I have also been assigned to many Boards/Committees during my eight years on Council and these have been excellent learning opportunities.

Being Council representative on the Chamber the last 4 years has shown me the importance of local business. I have also enjoyed chairing the Finance Committee the last 4 years and have learned a lot about town finances along the way.

I think it is important that whoever fills the mayor’s seat have political experience, and I am the only candidate for mayor who can say they would bring political experience to the job. I am also recently retired and have time for the demands of the job.

Robert Judzentis:

I decided to run for mayor this year because after talking to residents and businesses in my line of work and hearing how unhappy everyone is, I felt it would be a good idea to bring back common sense/rational governing to Smithers, have the council look outside the box and open new doors, and expanding Smithers in infrastructure, growth, and housing being some of my goals.

3. What are the most important issues in Smithers and how do you plan to address them?

John Buikema:

Affordability is a big issue. Town Council and the Finance Department was mindful of that as they prepared the 2026 budget. During the 2026 budget process, we knew that it was important to maintain the present levels of service that the town provides, and we also knew that we had to keep the property tax increase under 5%. We accomplished both these goals.

Safety is also a significant issue. The present council added a second community safety officer during the past term, and it is our feeling that we have an excellent team of community safety officers. Our council has also committed to funding 10 RCMP positions. This is a huge commitment for a town our size, but council believes this is a level of staffing that is needed.

Aging infrastructure is an issue in Smithers, but Resource Benefits Alliance funding has allowed us to address a lot of our infrastructure needs. It is also important that we keep our airport open, that we ensure that BC Housing adds the shelter beds and low-cost housing units next to Town Hall, and that we continue to pressure the province to honour their commitment to build a long-term care home in Smithers.

Robert Judzentis:

My priorities are housing, infrastructure growth, strong and safe neighbourhoods. Prioritize spending of town funds, make decisions that benefit the residents (senior and youth) and less red tape for business in Smithers. Let’s have tax dollars show a real return for the community and transparency of what the funds are spent on.

4. What is your vision for Smithers over the next four years?

John Buikema:

I have frequently held leadership positions, and one thing I have learned is that the best vision is one that is jointly shared. If elected mayor, one of the first things I will do is sit down with the new council to do some visioning work.

This visioning work would focus on where we want to take the organization from 2026-2030. When all members of Town Council can say that they have contributed and felt heard about the direction the organization needs to go, I think you are setting up Town Council for success.

I am also a good listener, and if elected would be happy to hear from my constituents as to what they think are pressing priorities for Smithers. When answering questions about vision, I also think that those running for elected office must be careful about making too many promises.

As I follow this election campaign on social media, I have often observed candidates making promises that might be very hard to keep. I’m happy with how Town Council functions and I’m happy with the work the town does on behalf of its citizens. Those 2 things keep from feeling the need to make too many promises.

Robert Judzentis:

Over the next 4 years, my vision for Smithers would be to increase infrastructure, reduce housing costs and increase housing options, have a strong dialogue with businesses and residents, safe options for youth and seniors and rules/permits that apply to everyone. No more exceptions for this business or that person.

There also needs to be a clear and simple dialogue that everyone can understand.

I have a lot of small thing I’d like to tackle, to make more efficient and less of a financial cost, working with council and the regional district.

5. Are there any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?

John Buikema:

I have often served in leadership roles in my lifetime, and my understanding of leadership is as follows. A leader should have a servant heart, should care deeply about people, and should be very skilled at building a team where every member of the team feels valued and feels that their particular skillset is being well utilized in service to the organization they are a part of, and should have good people skills. I also believe strongly that leaders should have a very positive mindset. Positivity leads to positivity. Negativity leads to negativity.

Robert Judzentis:

Running a business requires many of the same skills needed to be an effective leader. You need to plan a budget, build strong partnerships with others and discuss projects with them with an open mind to solve issues for the best financial outcome.

I love to solve problems and help. If I don’t know the answer I’m not afraid to spend hours looking online or asking someone for help. In a business, if you don’t balance the books and deliver the results, you don’t survive. I will bring that exact same accountability to the mayor’s office.

Editor’s note: My Bulkley Lakes Now would like to thank the two candidates for taking the time to respond to our questions. Reading their responses should better prepare each voter for the candidate of their choice.

Voting stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Muheim Elementary School.

Advance voting will take place Oct. 7 and 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at town hall.