Mackenzie is a small town of approximately 3,500 people located at the southern end of Williston Lake — the largest reservoir in BC, created by the W.A.C. Bennett Dam on the Peace River — approximately 190 kilometres north of Prince George via Highway 39. The town was built in 1966 to support the forest industry and remains almost entirely dependent on forestry. Mackenzie's mills have produced dimensional lumber and pulp for decades, though the industry has gone through significant restructuring. The town also serves as a staging point for recreation on Williston Lake.
Mackenzie is a small and relatively remote community. Banking services are limited, with residents often travelling to Prince George for full-service banking needs.
Integris Credit Union serves Mackenzie with a branch, making it the primary financial institution in the community. Integris understands forestry-dependent towns, including the income volatility, mill shift work, and occasional layoffs that define life in places like Mackenzie. Their local lending decisions and community investment philosophy are well-suited to small northern BC towns where big-bank credit departments in Vancouver may not appreciate the local context.
Mackenzie residents have embraced online banking out of necessity:
Mackenzie homes are exceptionally affordable — some of the lowest prices in BC, with detached homes often under $200,000. The challenge is that small, single-industry northern towns can have limited mortgage lender interest. Integris Credit Union is the primary mortgage provider; a mortgage broker with northern BC experience can also help access lenders comfortable with resource town properties.
First-time buyers in Mackenzie are almost certainly fully exempt from BC PTT given price points well below $500,000.
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