Issues That Matter Most
Safety
Every Squamish resident deserves to feel safe in their home, on their streets, and throughout their community.
Safety
Safety is a fundamental responsibility of local government. I will work to ensure Squamish is a community where everyone — regardless of age or neighbourhood — feels secure.
Community Safety Is Everyone's Business
Safety in Squamish is not just a policing issue — it is a community issue. It involves well-lit streets, maintained sidewalks, responsive bylaw enforcement, mental health supports, and a community that looks out for its neighbours. I will take a broad, collaborative approach to safety that addresses root causes, not just symptoms.
Bylaw Enforcement That Works
Squamish residents have told me that bylaw enforcement is inconsistent and slow. Complaints about noise, unsightly properties, illegal suites, and parking violations often go unaddressed for weeks or months. I will push for a bylaw enforcement service that is adequately resourced, responsive to complaints, and consistent in its application of the rules — regardless of who owns the property.
Safe Streets for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Too many Squamish streets are unsafe for people on foot or on bikes. Missing sidewalks, poor lighting, dangerous intersections, and speeding traffic are issues I hear about constantly. I will push for a systematic audit of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, with a funded plan to address the most dangerous gaps — starting with routes used by children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Addressing Mental Health and Homelessness
Visible homelessness and mental health crises on our streets affect the sense of safety for everyone — including those experiencing them. I will push for Squamish to work collaboratively with BC Housing, Vancouver Coastal Health, and community organizations to ensure that people in crisis have access to appropriate supports. Enforcement alone is not a solution; we need housing, treatment, and outreach.
A Plan We Can Measure
Encampments don't go away by moving people from one spot to the next — they go away when people have somewhere to go and someone is keeping track of whether they get there. Squamish already has provincial support through the HEART and HEARTH programs: HEART sends outreach workers into encampments to connect people to services, while HEARTH provides temporary housing with a permanent supportive housing building planned for Government Road. I'd push to get a HEARTH site chosen and move quickly — we can't afford to lose that provincial funding. I'd also push for Squamish to join Built for Zero, a national program run by the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. It helps communities maintain an up-to-date list of every person who is unhoused, so all local agencies work from the same information and nobody falls through the cracks between temporary and permanent housing. With about 125 people counted as unhoused, Squamish is small enough to make real progress — we just need a plan we can measure.
Emergency Preparedness
Squamish faces real risks from floods, wildfires, and other natural hazards. I will push for a robust, well-resourced emergency preparedness program — including clear evacuation plans, regular public communication, and investment in the infrastructure that protects our community when disaster strikes. Being prepared is not optional; it is a core responsibility of local government.
A Safe Community for Seniors
Seniors are disproportionately affected by safety issues — from falls on icy sidewalks to elder abuse to isolation that makes them vulnerable. I will push for safety measures that specifically address seniors' needs: accessible infrastructure, community check-in programs, and a bylaw and enforcement environment that protects the most vulnerable members of our community.
Taxation
Our property taxes are way too high. Increasing more than 3 or 4 per cent annually is not sustainable. People are leaving Squamish because it costs too much to live here, and property taxes are one of the contributing factors.
The Numbers Are Not Sustainable
Taxes on an average single-family home in 2026 are over $4,000 and cost the taxpayer $350 per month. That itself is not sustainable. In 2027, based on the District of Squamish's 10-year financial plan, our property taxes are expected to go up by another 13%. The new Council is going to have to dissect that 10-year plan to get those figures way down.
My Commitment for 2027
For 2027 I will encourage Council to direct staff to bring Council a final budget demonstrating a zero increase in property taxes. In future, and to keep property taxes the same as the previous year, Council is going to have to go over the projected annual budget with a fine-tooth comb. Needs must be taken care of, but wants will be carefully considered.
Retiring Debt Creates Room
Always research which borrowings were retired the previous year and know those commitments are gone, making room for some of the needed spending. We need to follow a model of zero-based budgeting.
Zero-Based Budgeting
The Finance Committee will take the proposed budget, breaking municipal services down into departments. Then, starting from a blank line, every item in that department's budget must be scrutinized and decided upon. The committee must consider if there is a more effective way to achieve the desired results more efficiently at a lesser cost. The end result will be an annual budget that Council can manage and will keep the property tax increase to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Squamish Evacuation Plan
Reference document · PDF · 1.6 MB