Terrace Mayor Sean Bujtas says he feels good about securing another term in office, with a long-term revenue-sharing deal, homelessness and community concerns among his priorities moving forward.
Bujtas received about 62 per cent of the vote in Saturday’s municipal election, defeating challengers Terrance Fulljames and Diana Penner. He was acclaimed in the previous election.
“I was acclaimed last term and as much as it was nice to be acclaimed, I think to actually win the election feels better,” Bujtas said. “It really demonstrates that you have support of the community, so I feel fantastic about that.”
He believes the result reflects some of the work done by council over the past four years, including securing $35 million in grant funding, a Northwest Resource Benefit Alliance deal and funding to cap the city’s landfill.
However, Bujtas acknowledged that some residents remain frustrated with issues affecting the community, particularly homelessness.
He says the number of people experiencing homelessness in Terrace fell from 156 in 2023 to 131 in 2025, according to the city’s homeless counts, but the issue continues to affect residents and businesses.
“I think it’s impacting the people that are living on the streets. It’s not fair to them, it’s not good, and it’s hard on their families,” Bujtas said. “But it’s also hard on the businesses, and I think that is probably one of the key things that people are still upset about because it’s been a hard thing to move the dial on.”
Bujtas says he plans to keep pushing the provincial government to address homelessness, despite many of the underlying issues falling outside municipal jurisdiction.
Fiscal responsibility is another concern he expects council to focus on, particularly as Terrace works to secure more reliable long-term revenue.
Bujtas says securing a 20-year revenue-sharing agreement with the province remains his top personal priority, arguing the existing five-year deal does not provide the financial certainty the city needs.
“Long-term revenue-sharing is on my radar, and it is my number one priority personally to get that across the finish line,” Bujtas said. “If I can get a 20-year deal in place, I feel like I’ve really got my work done.”
He added that Terrace should receive a long-term agreement as major industrial projects continue to advance in the region, including LNG Canada’s proposed Phase 2 expansion.
Bujtas also addressed concerns from residents about the possibility of a data centre coming to Terrace. He said no formal proposal has been brought before council, but acknowledged that the idea has generated strong opinions in the community.
“I have my own reservations with data centres as well,” Bujtas said. “I think it’s super important to hear from those folks, and we need to make sure they’re heard if any kind of proposal does come to council.”
Looking ahead, Bujtas says his immediate priority is bringing the new council together, with four newly elected councillors joining the group.
He says he is looking forward to working with the new team, hearing different perspectives and continuing the work started by the previous council.
“You don’t want seven people with the same opinions. You want people that are of a different opinion because that’s how good governance works,” Bujtas said. “I’m super excited about this group because I think they’re super diverse.”
Bujtas thanked residents who voted, regardless of whom they supported, and encouraged those who did not vote for him to reach out with their concerns.
“For the folks that didn’t vote for me, I am listening,” Bujtas said. “Please reach out and tell me your concerns or things, and I really want to thank everyone who came out and voted.”
He also thanked the other candidates for putting their names forward and said he looks forward to working with the incoming council.
