Squamish

Why you need to get informed and vote!

This election is critical and who we elect will shape the future of Squamish for decades to come. We engaged with candidates, and asked them to complete a questionnaire to find out where they stand on climate action and other key issues affecting Squamish.

CHECK OUT THE CANDIDATES

How much should Woodfibre LNG pay in taxes?

The next elected council will be responsible for setting the major industry tax rate, which will determine how much Woodfibre LNG will pay in municipal taxes every year, based on community needs.

What should the tax rate be?

For 2026, the District of Squamish set the major industry tax rate at $125 per $1,000 of assessed value, which generated $8 million in taxes from Woodfibre LNG during construction.

As the project moves towards start-up and operations, this tax rate will likely be adjusted by the next council. How much Woodfibre LNG pays will depend on the tax rate and the assessed value which District staff conservatively estimate at $400–600 million.

The average tax rate for B.C. communities with major industry in 2026 was $40.57 per $1,000 of assessed value (ranging from $3.44 to $125.24). If Woodfibre LNG paid a similar tax rate, it would contribute $16 to $24 million in taxes every year.

Before it closed in 2006, the Woodfibre pulp mill in Squamish paid a tax rate of $58.86 per $1,000 of assessed value. If Woodfibre LNG paid a similar tax rate, it would contribute $24 to $36 million in taxes every year.

Here is how much tax revenue could be generated from Woodfibre LNG every year:

*******

How Woodfibre LNG undermined democracy to get a sweetheart tax deal

During the last election in 2022, My Sea to Sky exposed that Woodfibre LNG covertly funded Squamish Forward, a local group led by Evan Drygas and Gord Addison, which started a petition to stop the District from borrowing money it needed to upgrade critical infrastructure to supply Squamish with clean drinking water and to manage our wastewater. This stunt cost Squamish taxpayers half a million dollars.

Woodfibre LNG actively undermined trust in local government to influence voters in the leadup to the election, in the hopes that a pro-LNG council would give them a sweetheart deal on taxes. LEARN MORE

Why Woodfibre LNG needs to pay its fair share

Squamish has a lot of aging infrastructure that has not kept pace with population growth. For example, we need a new Recreation Centre, which we estimate will cost at least $250 million based on one NHL-sized rink ($65 million) and an aquatic centre ($185 million) with parking infrastructure. And no, Woodfibre LNG never offered to pay for a new Recreation Centre.

• In 2014, Woodfibre LNG offered $2-3 million per year.
• In 2015, Woodfibre LNG told the province it would pay $21 million in municipal taxes per year.
• In 2026, Woodfibre LNG offered a tax deal of $14.2 million per year, which is below the average tax rate for major industry, will not increase with inflation, and puts the District of Squamish at risk if Woodfibre LNG defaults on a payment. LEARN MORE

If Woodfibre LNG doesn’t pay its fair share in taxes, it shifts that tax burden to homeowners and businesses.

We need to elect a council that will ensure that Woodfibre LNG pays their fair share in municipal taxes.

CHECK OUT THE CANDIDATES

How will air pollution from Woodfibre LNG harm the health of Squamish residents?

As Woodfibre LNG moves towards start-up in mid-2027, there are several sources of harmful air pollution from the liquefaction facility, the 140m high flarestack, FortisBC's gas-powered compressor station, and LNG carriers / tugs. These components will emit significant air pollution including hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds such as benzene, all of which are known to harm human health even over short exposure periods. Known health risks include increased asthma, heart attacks, pre-term birth, certain cancers, and early mortality. Seniors and youth are most vulnerable. Learn more about the potential health impacts from LNG facilities.

In its 2015 application for an environmental assessment certificate, Woodfibre LNG claimed that start-up flaring would last for one month. In its August 2026 update to Squamish Nation, Woodfibre LNG is now stating that flaring during start-up and early operations will last up to three years, and the flare will be up to 90 metres high.

In May 2026, a former air quality regulator, Tim Doty, used an optical gas imaging camera to document the invisible pollution being released at LNG Canada and Tilbury LNG. These pollutants consist of uncombusted and partially combusted hydrocarbons, methane, and volatile organic compounds, all of which are harmful to human health.

We need to elect a council that will advocate for the health and safety of Squamish residents.

CHECK OUT THE CANDIDATES

Proposed development projects

Cheema Lands

The Cheema Lands consists of Lot 509 and 510 north of the Garibaldi Highlands (see map). The next council will need to decide whether or not to change the Growth Management Boundary in the Official Community Plan so this development can proceed. This is one of the only tools that local governments have to stop developers and urban sprawl.

Garibaldi at Squamish

Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) is a (ski) resort development that will nearly double the population of Squamish and add 20,000 vehicles to the highway. This proposal has been around for decades (since the 70's) and it has not been able to proceed due to significant concerns about access to drinking water, and impacts to wildlife and habitat. GAS needs the Squamish Lillooet Regional District to change the Regional Growth Strategy to allow this resort development to proceed.

North Crumpit

North Crumpit is a development proposal by Diamond Head Land Company to develop up to 255 acres (103 hectares) in Crumpit Woods, located north of the Valleycliffe Neighbourhood in Squamish. The current proposal will double the population of Valleycliffe, and will have significant climate and environmental impacts. The next council will approve whether or not this development goes ahead, how big it is, and what it looks like.

CHECK OUT THE CANDIDATES

Why we need to elect climate leaders

Updating the Official Community Plan

The next elected council will play a big role as the District of Squamish (DoS) will begin public engagement to update the Official Community Plan (OCP) in 2027.

The OCP guides decision-making for current and future Councils, and provides guidance for DoS staff on every aspect of community including growth management, housing, land use, environment, economic development, food systems and arts, culture & heritage.

Building community resilience

Climate change is already harming our communities and increasing the cost of living. We need to prepare our communities for future climate disasters to protect ourselves and our neighbours, keep everyone safe, ensure food and water security, improve energy security, and keep critical infrastructure working.

Investing in climate action now is the most fiscally responsible choice. Every $4 dollars invested in climate action now will save $8.6 dollars in future costs.

Local governments are uniquely positioned to take a leading role on climate action as decisions on land use, buildings, local transport, and waste are largely controlled at the local level.

We asked candidates to commit to 26 climate policies and principles related to buildings, climate justice, ecosystems, land use, transport, watersheds, and zero waste. Check out the candidates to see their commitments.

CHECK OUT THE CANDIDATES

What about other issues?

Want to learn more? Check out these resources to find out more about each candidate.

Squamish Chief election coverage

Check out the central hub for Squamish Chief's 2026 election coverage. There are interviews with each candidate, and other election coverage.

CBC News election coverage

All candidates debate article and video.

Squamish Chamber of Commerce

Squamish Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association, and Tourism Squamish, in partnership with The Squamish Chief, hosted a Municipal All-Candidates Meeting on October 5, 2026, providing residents and business community members with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking municipal office.

Watch the livestream

Outdoor recreation

SORCA hosted an all-candidates event on September 23, 2026. Read what candidates for mayor and council said.

Affordable housing

Advocacy groups are calling on local governments across B.C. to step up on affordable housing.

Public safety

PearlsSpace is asking candidates to treat intimate partner violence as a critical public safety policy issue.

Community engagement

Watch interviews with candidates via Meet Squamish.

Sea2Sky Podcast has interviewed some candidates.