| abstract
| - After the bombs fell and communications went dead, mayor Elmer Mercier assured the people of Prince George that all was fine and the situation was in control. After several days of no contact outside the city, a small group were sent west to Vanderhoof and further on to Prince Rupert to see what was going on. The situation was similar in Vanderhoof, but when reaching Prince Rupert things changed. Several refugees fleeing Alaska had arrived bringing news of nuclear strikes on the state, and within several more days, word was brought of Vancouver's destruction. The scouting party returned to Prince George with the news and Mercier declared a state of emergency. The city council decided that the bombings must be a precursor to an invasion, and it was believed Prince George would be a target as a staging point for further excursion across the mountains and to secure the region's many resources. Despite Mayor Mercier's pleas that more information was needed, city council voted to enact emergency measures for the defence of the city with the majority of BC's military destroyed in Vancouver. With no military presence in Prince George, responsibility for the defence of the town was given to the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detatchment. The RCMP went about recruiting a militia and directing the construction of fortified outposts on the outskirts of town along the main route west, where an invasion would most likely come from. Machine shops were refitted to start producing parts for weapons and ammunition. After several months of training and preparation with no invasion forthcoming, Mayor Mercier deemed the invasion a fantasy and attempted to have the emergency provisions lifted so more important matters such as food production and re-establishment of communications could commence. This was not to be, as more paranoid members of the council, along with the RCMP leadership prevailed in convincing the rest of the council that it was nearing winter, and Northern BC would be a low priority in the winter months, and that while an invasion was imminent, it would not likely come until spring, which just meant more time for preparation. It was agreed that food production and communications were important priorities as well though, and programs for agricultural development and a radio communications network were put into place. In spring, RCMP and Militia leadership decided if there was no invasion yet, it would be best to attempt to stop it before it reached Prince George, and the militia was sent to Vanderhoof the the east to secure the town, and aid in establishing local defences. After months there, building militia numbers and local defences, the force moved on to Burns Lake, further east. At this time Elmer Mercier demanded the emergency provisions be lifted, as it was obvious there was no invasion coming. By this time though, many of the more paranoid members of the militia had risen in ranks and had been spreading their fears to the populace. Despite Mercier's diplomatic skill, he could not overcome the fears of the people. By summer of 1984, the militia's numbers had grown to roughly 3000 split into Williams Lake, Vanderhoof, and Prince George divisions. With still no invasion, the militia turned its sights south, believing perhaps the invading army would be coming north from the Vancouver area rather than west from Prince Rupert. The city of Quenel was brought under the Prince George militia's control by fall of 1984, and Elmer Mercier, tired of fighting the city council, called a municipal election. He was defeated by William Quinn, an ex-army local businessman and member of the militia.
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