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 StoryEditorials
Questions Raised About New City Hall Plan
14 December 2021
“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 StoryHardwired for What?
12 July 2022
Adventure? Or have the District of Squamish and Council been “hardwiring” for something else?
Read StoryThe Ups and Downs of Van Life in Squamish
11 July 2022
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 StoryAn Open Letter To Council from Bob Brant
5 July 2022
“Squamish has a long, proud history of working together to achieve community benefits. Please, let’s continue that tradition.”
Read StoryThe Curious Case of the Unattended Pool at AQUA
27 June 2022
Would a developer build a badly needed amenity for the citizens of Squamish to use? Say, for example, a pool and exercise room somewhere downtown?
In fact, one did.
Read StoryCouncil Commenced Planning to Replace our Public Facilities with the Wrong Premise
17 June 2022
“Is there a secret cabal conspiring against us as some council members are implying, or are we, as a community, feeling growing angst within Squamish?”
Read StoryRental Anxiety-The Squamish Norm
13 June 2022
“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 StoryDo We Need Neighbourhood Advisory Committees?
11 May 2022
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 StoryThe Spirit that Built Squamish
27 April 2022
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 StoryAn Alternative to Parking Variances
21 April 2022
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 StoryThe Changing Face of the Character of Dentville
1 April 2022
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 StoryA Better Way to Fund Our Public Buildings
24 March 2022
“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 StoryHow Much Development is Too Much Development?
18 March 2022
“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 StorySquamish Needs A Traffic Plan
27 February 2022
“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 StoryHave Your Say On Reduced Setbacks – Public Hearing
14 February 2022
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 StoryHow Did Langford Get So Many Community Amenities? What Can Squamish Learn?
14 February 2022
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 StoryYes, you can tell Squamish Council where to spend our money.
27 January 2022
We’re getting close! If just under 1500 Squamish citizens sign the petition, we can tell the Squamish Council that we do not agree to millions in new spending and a property tax increase.
Read StoryIs biking the best solution for the parking issues around Squamish?
6 January 2022
Now that winter has hit, the bike lanes are covered in snow. The District of Squamish’s website does not include that the removal of snow from bike lanes is a priority.
Read StoryWill Densification Reduce Housing Prices in Squamish?
2 December 2021
If affordable housing is what the District of Squamish seeks, densification may not be the cure.
Read StoryGot Parking Problems, Squamish?
15 November 2021
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 StoryCollaborating for a More Resilient and Innovative Future
13 October 2021
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 StoryThe Day They Gave Squamish Away
14 September 2021
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 StoryRealigning for our Future
25 August 2021
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 StoryMore than a Bedroom Community
17 August 2021
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 StoryAfter the Pandemic
28 July 2021
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 StoryWhy Squamish Forward?
28 July 2021
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 StoryWhy I Left Squamish
28 July 2021
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.
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