Prince Albert realtor and entrepreneur announces bid for mayor’s chair

Prince Albert entrepreneur and realtor Brittany Marie Smith is the third candidate running for mayor. -- Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Prince Albert entrepreneur and realtor Brittany Marie Smith touted her plans for improved public safety, economic development, and a revitalized downtown while announcing her plans to run for mayor.

Marie Smith is the third candidate to join the mayor race, filing her papers the last day nominations were open. She said some acquaintances wondered why she wanted the role, since she could make more money in real estate, but she wanted to help the community, even if it cost her business opportunities.

“I want to do this because in the end, I think I can make a difference,” Marie Smith said during an interview with the Daily Herald.

“If you don’t make bold moves, then how am I going to help and what’s going to actually change?”

Marie Smith said she thought about running for a council seat, but chose mayor because she could make a bigger difference in that role. She was also concerned about the lack of younger candidates, and lack of women on the ballot.

“I’m a little spicy entrepreneur and mayor is a little more aligned with who I am and leadership,” she explained. “I just think that’s where the change happens.

Before becoming a realtor and entrepreneur, Marie Smith worked in corrections where she supervised offenders teaching job skills, among other duties. As a realtor, she’s represented property owners struggling to evict bad tenants who refuse to leave, and handled estate cases involving property. She said all those experiences have given her the skills necessary to be a good mayor.

“I really would like people to realize I’m going to be a hands-on mayor,” she said. “I’m going to show up on site. I’m going to use my skills…. I’m 39, and I’ve already been doing long hours. I want people to know that I’m going to be there. I’m going to show up. I’m not just going to be pushing paper.”

Policy wise, Marie Smith said her focus will be on making Prince Albert, safer, cleaner, and more attractive to business and property owners, especially in the downtown. As a realtor, she said too many property owners are concerned their business location is not safe, and that’s hampering economic growth.

If elected, Marie Smith said she would hire more bylaw officers to handle vandalism and other petty crimes, which ideally would free up police officers for more dangerous duties. She also said she would give those bylaw officers more power, which she also said would help take the burden off of police.

Marie Smith also said she would install security cameras in high-crime public areas, and provide targeted supports for landlords and tenants victimized by criminal activity. The list of possible locations includes downtown, Second Avenue, the Cornerstone Business District and “anywhere people are feeling uncomfortable.”

“I actually do believe that that will take the pressure off the police so they can focus on other things,” she said. “It’s also going to help with crime reporting, because, boom, we have a video.

“Other cities are doing this,” she added. “I’m not re-inventing the wheel on security cameras.”

As a realtor, Marie Smith said she’s already involved with projects to revitalize downtown, but public safety concerns make it a challenge.

“I can almost fill the downtown as a commercial realtor right now, but we’ve got it two-fold,” she said. “They don’t want to be down here because it’s unsafe.”

Marie Smith said she supports building a new homeless shelter in Prince Albert, and would promote more partnerships with non-profits, community groups, and Indigenous organizations to help reduce addictions and homelessness.

Marie Smith is a third generation business-owner who was raised in Prince Albert. Her family established Smith Hatcheries in the 1940s.

Marie Smith is running against incumbent Greg Dionne and challenger Bill Powalinsky for Mayor. The municipal election is scheduled for Nov. 13.

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