17 Candidates, One Microphone, and a Lot of Questions

On Thursday, September 24, I participated in the All Candidates Meeting hosted by the Whistler Chamber, Arts Whistler, and Pique Newsmagazine. Between Pique Editor Braden Dupuis’ geographic easter egg and Arts Whistler’s Mo Douglas’ moderating prowess, this politically-forward evening was buoyed by humourous moments.

The format allowed each of us 17 council candidates to introduce ourselves before flowing into a Q&A period. With so many candidates, the organizers did their best to provide each of us microphone time, but we really just scratched the surface of what we all have to say.

In addition to the recording and Pique’s recap, I’ve compiled my moments on the microphone for easy reference, below.

Full disclosure: it was my first “on stage” all candidates meeting, so there were some nerves, and I’d be happy to elaborate on my responses further, if you’re interested.

Watch the recording: https://youtu.be/1fnKHhX2W8c?si=ZGeNRyCmtqBmGiey&t=472

Read the Pique’s recap: https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/local-news/permitting-affordability-and-growth-dominate-whistler-council-candidates-first-all-topics-debate-12823132

Mandy’s ‘Microphone Moments’

I’ve included the timestamps, should you wish to jump to my live responses in the video recording directly:

22:40: My introduction

43:20: WAG, Whistler Museum & Archives, Sea to Sky Invasive Species, WORCA & Arts Whistler all have fee for service agreements with the RMOW where we deliver our specialized services to the community cost-effectively and with appropriate expertise on behalf of the RMOW. They’re guaranteed three-year agreements, but they don’t guarantee us an annual CPI increase. Rather we have to request them annually form the RMOW and we entered in 2025. In 2026 we were all turned down our CPI requests but without CPI increases all five essential not for profits were financially falling behind each year. If elected would you make annual CPI increases to the fee for services agreements a mandatory part of the contract, yes or no?

-       Mandy: yes.

49:25: What’s missing from current council & why are you the person to deliver it?

-       I would say that very similar – building on what Claire said and what Ivan said during his introduction, I really believe in the democratic process. I think that there would be stagnation if the same seven people ran and got in every single time. So I think it’s important that different perspectives raise our hands and come to the table with different skill sets. It’s not that we can do the job better, it’s just that we bring a different approach. We have that freshness. Change is our only constant.

57:27: AWARE has spent 30 years working with the RMOW in the absence of a fee for service agreement. Each year we ask for money on an individual programmatic basis. Yes or no from everybody: would you support the notion of AWARE being granted fee for service?

-       Mandy: Yes.

1:02:45: If the CN Rail Line from Squamish to 100 mile through Whistler is abandoned or left fallow, would you support a bike trail on this section?

-       Mandy: Yes

1:10:37: [the slowness of permits from the building department]… are you willing to commit to try and do something about this?

-       Mandy: yes.

1.11:40: [from Ashley Oakes, Executive Director at PearlSpace]: Recognizing that Whistler has made provisions for an RCMP Officer to be dedicated to intimate partner violence, Whistler still sees very high rates of gender violence including sexual assault. What do you see as the municipal government’s role in mitigating gender-based violence, including in taxis, bars, and in staff housing?

- Mandy: Thank you Ashley. I think about the work you do at Pearl Space and when we sat around the table at the non-profit network meetings and we talked about the things that need to take place. And, I think as a councillor, if I was elected, part of it would be doing the research and engaging with organizations such as yourself and the RCMP to figure out what are the lowhanging fruit so to speak to address these issues, and what is it that is within the municipality’s realm to address, so I understand that recently, council looked at having cameras at the taxi loop, so I know that there’s steps being taken… so I would look to your expertise on what other steps we could be taking as well.

1:15:27: Do you support a shock clock policy for permits, where if they’re not issued within a set period of time, they’re just deemed issued?

-       Mandy: no.

1:22:00: Do you own property in Whistler other than your primary residence? If yes, do you rent it to long-term tenancies at below market rate?

-       Mandy: Yes. And No.

-       *This was a mistake! My husband and I own one property, which we live in full-time. I meant to say ‘yes, I own property, no I don’t rent it out to long-term tenants, because we live in it.’

1:26:39: We are losing at lot of local businesses, for example the cinema, Zogs, Stinky’s, etc. to increasing rent due to landlords. What will you do to help this issue?

-       Mandy: Thank you for the question… I was trying to figure out what are the tools available to municipal government to address this? Are we able to restrict commercial landlords continuing to increase rents? I don’t believe so, so I think for me to be able to address this properly.. I would reach out to the chamber and see what is available to us. I would check in with friends who are business owners and see what has already been explored.

1:32:29: Would you support a four season camping space for local employees who are living in their vehicles that is humane, clean, safe, and affordable on provincial, municipal or federal land?

-       Mandy: Maybe.

If you’d like to chat with me about my answers, or if you have your own questions, please reach out at mandyforoffice@gmail.com.

I will be at the next All Candidates Meeting is Thursday, October 1.