Editorials

Is Squamish actually an oceanfront town?

Is Squamish actually an oceanfront town?

Squamish is an oceanfront town – but with our lack of recreational access to the waterfront, you might never know it. While we may eventually see some better access when the Oceanfront project is completed, some key elements are still missing for Squamish residents & tourists alike.

Read Story
Questions Raised About New City Hall Plan

Questions Raised About New City Hall Plan

“Developers own city hall” is usually a figurative accusation tossed out when it seems developers are getting their way too often with the local government. Is this just an urban legend, or is there some truth to it?

Read Story
The Ups and Downs of Van Life in Squamish

The Ups and Downs of Van Life in Squamish

Why do some people live in vans? It could be for the simplicity, freedom and minimalistic lifestyle it offers, or it could be some people’s only option to live in this rapidly growing community.

Read Story
Rental Anxiety-The Squamish Norm

Rental Anxiety-The Squamish Norm

“Wages in town don’t match the cost of living here, so most people either work to live or work in the city,” Sarah Bulford said. “This removes that community feel and creates a sense of desperation when it comes time to move again. Housing has become a massive issue here, making it difficult to commit to jobs or build friendships and community when you may have to leave if you can’t find somewhere to live or get priced out.”

Read Story
Do We Need Neighbourhood Advisory Committees?

Do We Need Neighbourhood Advisory Committees?

Should neighbourhoods have a greater say in how population growth is accommodated in their area? Could this help with the concerns we are seeing in Garibladi Estates and Dentville? Here are some thoughts from Bob Brant:

Read Story
The Spirit that Built Squamish

The Spirit that Built Squamish

Squamish wouldn’t be the place it is today without the hard work and dedication of the volunteers that gave us our hospital, airport, recreation centre and trails.

Read Story
An Alternative to Parking Variances

An Alternative to Parking Variances

If fewer residential parking spaces are available, residents and visitors park elsewhere. Soon, parking for employees and customers or clients is filled up, and people stop visiting commercial areas because they cannot find parking.

Read Story
The Changing Face of the Character of Dentville

The Changing Face of the Character of Dentville

In Squamish, we are no longer desperate for development. It is time for Squamish leaders and residents to take control of their town’s destiny rather than allow developers to drive the process and irrevocably and negatively change the character of established neighborhoods.

Read Story
A Better Way to Fund Our Public Buildings

A Better Way to Fund Our Public Buildings

“With the public works building estimates rising from $12 million to now over $22 million, one wonders why the District is even trying to defend this project without looking at alternatives. If the cost of your household renovation went from $12,000 to $22,000, I am sure there would be a lot of questions asked of the contractor. Or would you hand them a blank cheque?”

-Brian Hughes said in his opinion piece

Read Story
How Much Development is Too Much Development?

How Much Development is Too Much Development?

“The District moves to approve high rise buildings in our downtown and moves to densify our neighbourhoods are tearing asunder the nature and qualities that we love about Squamish, leaving residents disillusioned and angry.”

Read Story
Squamish Needs A Traffic Plan

Squamish Needs A Traffic Plan

“Hwy 99 is problematic. And nowhere is traffic congestion more of a problem than downtown. We have not planned, nor are we prepared for, the density & growth we have.”

Read Story
Have Your Say On Reduced Setbacks – Public Hearing

Have Your Say On Reduced Setbacks – Public Hearing

They say good fences make good neighours – but having a bit of space between buildings can also help a happy neighbourhood. We certainly could use more laneway houses or carriage suites in Squamish, but we don’t necessarily need them to be overlooking our back yards while the kids are… Read More

Read Story
How Did Langford Get So Many Community Amenities? What Can Squamish Learn?  

How Did Langford Get So Many Community Amenities? What Can Squamish Learn?  

What Can Squamish Learn from Langford?  

Langford was voted “Best Place For Work” and “‘Most Resilient City” and “Most Liveable City.” These titles were determined by calculating home price growth, nightlife, scenery, property taxes, proximity to commercial airports and population growth, among other factors. This year the city’s already snagged another title – Most Economically Resilient City in B.C., awarded by the B.C. Business Magazine.

Read Story
Got Parking Problems, Squamish?

Got Parking Problems, Squamish?

There’s nothing that quite fires up a conversation in Squamish like parking – or the lack thereof. There’s no way around it, parking in downtown Squamish is frustrating and the situation has only been exacerbated by the town’s rapid growth.

Read Story
Collaborating for a More Resilient and Innovative Future

Collaborating for a More Resilient and Innovative Future

Squamish doesn’t have to become an unbalanced bedroom community. By engaging in a community dialogue with people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, we can all collaborate to build a more resilient and innovative future for Squamish.

Read Story
The Day They Gave Squamish Away

The Day They Gave Squamish Away

When you add new housing, you need more recreation amenities, services, roads, sidewalks, traffic control – more everything.  Current taxpayers, who have paid for the amenities that the new residents will benefit from, should also benefit from the added density in their community.

Read Story
Realigning for our Future

Realigning for our Future

By removing access to the Spit … What does that leave us with? Absolutely no safe public oceanfront access in Squamish over the next two years. Don’t you think that it’s odd for our growing community, one of the most populous in Sea-to-Sky country, not to have access to the Sea?

Read Story
More than a Bedroom Community

More than a Bedroom Community

If Squamish’s past has taught us anything, it’s that we’re a versatile and resourceful bunch. As more people move in, we must ensure that our local economy is sufficiently diversified. Our core industries are a pathway to the economic growth we need to support our rapidly growing population

Read Story
After the Pandemic

After the Pandemic

Squamish has faced an unprecedented challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this presents us with an incredible opportunity to build the Squamish that we want to live in – a thriving community for our kids, for our families, and for each other.

Read Story
Why Squamish Forward?

Why Squamish Forward?

Squamish has changed over the past years. Our community has transformed from what was once a scenic stop-over into a desirable destination for families, entrepreneurs, and investors. We are a community that has reinvented ourselves in the past, and we are ready for whatever the future has in store.

Read Story
Why I Left Squamish

Why I Left Squamish

Squamish is home to some amazing people, but more and more of us have found it impossible to stay. Working class families have been priced out, and more and more big-city problems are coming into our small-town community. Those of us who have left, have done so for a reason – but we haven’t forgotten our home, and many hope to be back.

Read Story