DESJARDINS for Council
Time for Change! who i am and where i stand!
Livability, Affordability, Fiscal Responsibility, Accountability — using Common Sense!
Today, Squamish is at a point where sound decisions based on community needs, common sense, and affordability are paramount. I am running because Squamish needs help and I want to be part of the team that addresses your concerns and contributes to our livability.
Learn About JaniceI acknowledge that the land on which I live is the unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).
Janice DesJardins
Candidate for Squamish Council
My platform for Squamish
Who I Am and Where I Stand
My roots here go back to 1912 when my grandfather, Alex Munro, moved to Squamish. He spent his life giving back to the community. He founded our volunteer Fire Department, built the first firehall and served as the first Fire Chief for 38 years — all as a Volunteer. Community service is in my genes.
I have been volunteering in Squamish for decades. I sat on both the DoS committees that developed the first tourism plan and the Squamish Estuary Conservation Society who developed the Squamish Estuary Management Plan. I am currently the Vice Chair of the Vancouver Coastal Association of Family Councils, Co-Chair of the VCH Regional Resident & Family Councils, and a member of the Independent Long Term Care Councils Association of BC and Senior's Aging at Home Community Network.
Today, Squamish is at a point where sound decisions based on community needs, common sense, and affordability are paramount. I am running because Squamish needs help and I want to be part of the team that addresses your concerns and contributes to our livability.
Watch
Hear from Janice
Janice shares her vision for Squamish — livable, affordable, and accountable local government.
Campaign Highlights
Livability
Making Squamish a great place to live for all residents.
We expect our local government to provide the infrastructure, services, and recreational needs for those who live here. Unfortunately, there are too many issues NOT being addressed! My priorities will be to tackle issues concerning housing including density, parking, recreation facilities, transit, safety, and property taxes. All these issues are critical to making Squamish a truly livable community again! Check back here as we add more issues individually throughtout the campaign season. Housing, Parking, Recreation, Taxation, Seniors, Safety, Transit, and more!
Affordability
Community-focused initiatives that keep housing and life accessible.
Squamish is no longer affordable. We keep using the word affordable when some of the most important things in life — housing, utilities, groceries, gas and property taxes — are nowhere near affordable to many. Although the living wage in Squamish is $28.00 per hour, the minimum wage is $18.25. Many working in our restaurants, shops and small businesses in the service sector are making $18.25 or something close to it. We need all these people and these jobs. Most of these people are not homeless, but they are struggling and we are not doing enough to help them. I have ideas to help turn that around. As well, I want to attract industry that will function as an 'economic engine', providing new jobs and attracting new business.
Fiscal Responsibility
Responsible governance with taxpayer dollars.
We need to put more emphasis on fiscal responsibility. Once again, we forget that many of us do not make a living wage. When we set the budget, we need to exercise spending discipline — living within our means. We need to focus our priorities on our needs not our wants. We need to achieve market value for any district land sales. We need to review our practices and streamline the processes. We need to limit further increases to debt. Annually, we should strive for zero increases in property taxes. Zero based budgeting can get us there. Spending discipline, clear priorities and value for money — because every tax increase lands on the same households already stretched by the wage gap.
Accountability & Transparency
Transparent, common-sense decision-making for the community.
I will do my best to seek your support on major issues and keep you better informed and involved. Residents should not have to guess how or why a decision was made. There are many ways to keep the public in the loop and better informed, involved and onside. I would encourage: The Chief to make space for a "Council Corner" where members of Council report out on the issues and meetings weekly. All letters to Mayor and Council should appear on the agenda. Council can also go to the public annually with a questionnaire asking "How are we doing?" and then hold another meeting to convey the results and introduce new topics for the coming year. When a major capital project is needed, a referendum can be held on the major capital expenditures. Council have given Staff too much authority and council must take it back. Check back here as we add more issues individually throughtout the campaign season.
Quick Responses
Short answers to questions I hear on the doorstep.
Your question here? Parking
Retail employees, medical offices, and downtown employees all need parking options immediately. We have to explore all options including managing the empty stalls sitting in downtown residential developments, cafe onstreet stalls taking up parking spots, and many other aspects. A parking committee made up of stakeholders and one Councillor would be ideal. Inventory, management and other considerations.
Another question? Housing
High density should be in new developments and not in existing, long established neighbourhoods who do not want it. I believe in development outside of our existing OCP in order to get outside of the flood plain and to higher ground. I also am for creating a land bank starting now for future employee housing, and housing society projects.
Get in Touch
Have questions about Janice's platform or want to get involved in the campaign? Reach out — every conversation matters.
