Vanderhoof Councillor Brian Frenkel has been honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a prestigious new accolade in Canada recognizing outstanding contributions to local communities. The award ceremony was held at the HMCS Discovery in Vancouver on August 27.

The Coronation Medal was established to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and was launched by Canada's Governor General Mary Simon. This award is set to be presented to 30,000 Canadians nationwide.

In British Columbia, Frenkel was nominated by B.C.鈥檚 Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin.

With a career spanning over 24 years in local government, Frenkel has been a staunch advocate for northern B.C., contributing significantly through his roles with the Union of BC Municipalities and the North Central Local Government Association, among others.

Frenkel also served on various boards, including the Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia,  the Municipal Pension Plan and Managed Forest Council of British Columbia among others.

Frenkel shares the honour with other prominent British Columbians such as former Premiers Gordon Campbell, Christy Clark, and John Horgan, as well as former Chief Justice of B.C. Robert J. Bauman and former Chancellor of Simon Fraser University and author Anne Giardini.

鈥淚 see these unbelievable heroes and untold stories go across that stage, and I'm like, B.C. is so full of great people,鈥� Frenkel said about his fellow recipients.

Frenkel told the Omineca Express he is "humbled by the recognition," while candidly looking back at his career. 

鈥淭wenty four years is a long time, and I never wanted to be a politician. I don't know if I consider myself a politician, but I am,鈥� he says, adding that advocating for northern B.C. will never stop. 

While he has enjoyed every moment of serving the public, there are also times when it  does get tough, he said.

"Working as a local government representative, you are also a sounding board for people in your local communities, even if it is a provincial or federal problem,"

So ultimately, in advocating for local communities the job is about making communities a better place and to encourage more people to get involved in local politics, Frenkel said.

鈥淚 think that has been the goal 鈥� trying to make it better for everybody and get newer people into the business of advocating for your community.鈥� 

Looking back, Frenkel says none of the achievements would have been possible without the support of his family, colleagues and friends. While such a  support system is crucial to anybody's success, Frenkel says it's twice as much for a local government person.

鈥淲ithout the support of your family it is very difficult to be in a local politician in the game for so long.鈥�