When you walk down a street, turn on your tap, or visit a District park – you are seeing the results of our budget process.

There are few communities that have experienced the growth pressures we have in Squamish. Since 2016 our population has jumped 46%. Squamish is a highly desirable place to live, work and play, and we are balancing the challenges that come along with this reality.

What we are working to solve:

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

The District of Squamish is among just a few B.C. municipalities to newly adopt a 10-year Financial Plan, using long-term projections of revenue, expenses, reserve balances and debt requirements, to meet short-term needs and address long-term financial sustainability.

What We Heard

We are thrilled to publish our Budget 2026 What We Heard Report - a summary of the public input for this year, in addition to all the comments thematically categorized. You can also watch the Council presentation here.

Public Engagement objectives for the fall budget engagement campaign were as follows: 1) To build understanding about how the District of Squamish makes financial decisions given competing priorities; and 2) To seek public input prior to the adoption of the 10-Year Financial Plan.

Please note that comments received on recreation facilities comprised most of the feedback received. Other themes are highlights from the rest of the public input, in no specific order.

Feedback will continue to be compiled until the readings of the Financial Plan bylaw (see Ways to Engage). This newer feedback will be shared with Council prior to adoption. Also note that feedback is gathered year-round on a variety of topic areas, all of which helps to support the development of budgets by our Budget Managers.

Public Input Themes

•We’ve heard calls for an expanded recreation centre with some or all of the following: a second ice rink, larger aquatic facility, and additional amenities such as a fitness centre, indoor track, and multipurpose room.

•We also heard the need for reduced program waitlists, particularly swimming lessons.

•In terms of cultural services and facilities, Squamish Arts has made requests for a mural repair, arts equipment storage at Junction Park, and an Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy update.

Please note that comments received on recreation facilities comprised most of the feedback received. Other themes are highlights from the rest of the public input, in no specific order.

•Some residents are willing to pay more for recreation upgrades; others suggest that increases be aligned with inflation as household affordability is a concern.

•There were suggestions to explore public-private partnerships and grants for major projects.

•Concerns about the Recreation Centre Task Force timelines, consultant costs, and not incorporating enough community expertise.

•Appreciation for budget tools and continued financial transparency.

•Comments referenced improved streetscapes, sidewalks to support mobility, and community design.

•Input around amenities and infrastructure needed before additional population growth.

•There’s been concern about increased vandalism and theft in parts of Downtown.

•Requests for additional fire fighters to respond to taller buildings.

•Request to invest more in emergency management, firesmart work, and increased access to neighbourhoods with one access road.

•Request from Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, Squamish Search and Rescue, and the Squamish Paddling Club for a water safety facility in the blind channel.

•Frustration with the lack of Downtown parking and winter parking regulations.

•Interest in Downtown parking infrastructure.

•Appreciation for investment in multi-use paths.

•Request for continued investment at bus shelters

•Request for stanchions at Braemar and Skyline.

•We heard general affordability concerns relating to food, housing, cost of living.

•And the need for more affordable and diverse housing options.

•There was concern about wildlife at Smoke Bluffs Park and a suggestion for bear-proof food lockers.

•Comment supporting net zero future builds, suggestion for household metering to encourage conservation, and one about the dump nearing capacity and wondering about the long-term waste management strategy.

•Tourism Squamish sent in a letter requesting a Tourism Master Plan, programming to support small businesses and the outdoor recreation economy, and other matters.

•SORCA has requested that the District revisit their funding level.

Principles of the Financial Plan

  • Stable and Sufficient

  • Sustainable and Equitable

  • Prudent and Flexible

  • Efficient and Measurable

Ways to Engage

We invite you to learn how tax dollars are spent and how we are working to create a healthy, vibrant, livable and accessible community for all. There are various ways to engage and weigh in:

View Budget Book: our public friendly digital version of the 2026-2035 Financial Plan so you can learn what's proposed.

Contribute to this year's What We Heard Report by submitting your input through the form below. Otherwise, send your feedback via email to budgetfeedback@squamish.ca.

Watch the recordings of budget discussions in Council and explore the aligned documents.

Recent Council meetings below:

  • October 28: Utility Fund Operating Budget
  • October 14: Capital and Special Operating Projects
  • October 7: General Fund and Service Level Changes, Cheekeye Debris Flow Barrier, Library Financial Plan
  • September 16: Budget Kick Off, Squamish Aquatic Centre Budget Request

Stay tuned to this year's budget process and conversations about the 2026-2035 10-Year Financial Plan by clicking '+ Follow' (top left of the page).