Alice Maitland, B.C.’s longest-serving mayor and a champion of women in politics, dead at 91 [Video]

The longest-serving mayor in B.C.’s history has died at the age of 91.

Alice Maitland was born in the Village of Hazelton and started her career in local politics in 1956 when she helped map out property locations in preparation for the community to be officially recognized as a municipality. She was often a champion for rural issues, living in a community of just a few hundred people, about 1,200 kilometres northwest of Vancouver.

Maitland was first elected to council in 1965, a position she held until 1970. She became mayor in 1976 and held that position until she was defeated in the 2018 municipal election.

Her daughter, Julie Maitland, was elected to her mother’s old job in 2022 and continues to serve in that role.

News of Maitland’s death was shared by the former MLA for the region, Doug Donaldson.

“She mentored many in leadership roles, especially women in …