There are few communities that have experienced the growth pressures we have in Squamish. Between 2016 and 2023, our population has jumped 46.8% and Squamish has become one of the fastest growing communities in Canada. It is a highly desirable place to live and work, and we are balancing the challenges that come along with that.

What we are working to solve:

How can we continue to manage future growth, upgrade our infrastructure, and create complete neighbourhoods that meet our community needs, all while ensuring that tax increases to residents and businesses are manageable?

Each year, we develop a Five-Year Financial Plan that speaks to the needs of the District’s current Strategic Plan (aligned with each Council’s term), as well as more than 15 Master Plans. The District’s Master Plans guide our decisions to ensure we are making sound infrastructure investments into the future of our town. All of this is guided by the Squamish 2040 Official Community Plan that reflects community values and vision. The Five-Year Financial Plan considers external economic opportunities and pressures and the long-term vision for the District, balanced with the need to provide the essential services that residents rely on every day.

Your Involvement

We are all impacted by the Financial Plan, every day. When you walk down a street, turn on your tap, or visit a District park – you are seeing the results of our budget process. This is why it’s important that you are involved and provide feedback along the way. We invite you to take some time to learn how tax dollars are spent, and how we are working to create a healthy, vibrant, livable and accessible community for all.

We would like to know:

Does the Draft Financial Plan align with your community priorities? What have we missed?

There are many ways for you to take part and answer these questions. Explore the draft budget as sections are released (see Council videos and documents, right side) and follow along with Council’s budget conversations throughout October. And click ‘Follow Project’ at the top of this page to stay up to date!

Connect Online and In-Person

• Mayor’s Drop-in – Wednesday, October 16 from 12:30-1:30pm at Municipal Hall (Council Chambers)
• Council Coffee Crawl – Three dates in late October (dates/times and locations to be announced)
• Public Information Night – Wednesday, November 6 from 6-8pm at Brennan Park Recreation Centre
• Ask a Question (below) – A staff member will provide an answer to your question on this page. Questions may also be answered by Council during a live meeting.