Listening, Learning, and the Occasional Brain Blank
"What happens to me when I'm provoked is that I get tongue-tied and my mind goes blank."
- Kathleen Kelly, You’ve Got Mail
I wasn’t provoked at the All Candidates Meeting, but sitting on stage for two hours, under bright lights, with nearly 200 people listening to your every word… it’s intimidating. I walked off stage knowing there were things I wanted to say that simply didn’t make it from my brain to my mouth.
AWARE, Whistler Community Services Society, and Whistler Multicultural Society hosted an engaging and robust All Candidates Meeting on Thursday. They efficiently moved 21 (!) hopeful candidates through the evening, giving everyone equal time at the microphone. I was also struck by the number of young people in the audience, asking thoughtful questions about how council will make decisions with their futures in mind—and how we can do a better job of sharing information along the way.
Prior to Thursday’s ACM, all candidates were sent questions from the three host organizations. In the interest of time, each candidate was assigned one question to answer on stage. I answered the Whistler Multicultural Society’s question that night, but I wanted to share my notes for the other two questions as well. Here’s how I would have answered them:
AWARE - Question provided by youth participating in our Young Voices, Big Impact Program
“As young people, we are directly affected by municipal climate decisions, yet we do not have the power to vote. We see the impacts of local environmental challenges every day, from trees damaged by the budworm increasing wildfire risk, to habitat loss bringing bears onto school grounds, to the need for infrastructure that supports reliable public transportation and emergency evacuations.
We hope candidates will consider the needs and perspectives of everyone in the community, including those who cannot yet vote. As future voters, we want elected officials to take action on these issues now rather than leaving them for future generations to solve, especially as the costs and impacts will only grow over time.
If elected, what specific steps will you take to ensure young people are informed, engaged, and meaningfully involved in municipal decision-making, and how will you demonstrate that their input influences council decisions and budget priorities?”
Mandy’s response:
I would start by familiarizing myself with the current outlets in place. From there, I would like to explore a ‘mock government’ day for youth to participate in, and ask if there is an appetite for a ‘youth councillor’ seat on RMOW’s council.
I’d be curious if the RMOW’s weekly newsletter is reaching young people, as it features good content in an easily digestible format.
I would also explore community programming for youth to pursue governance training, if that is an area of interest.
I believe good governance consists of listening & engaging with community where they are at. If there’s an appetite to chat local politics with youth, I will happily be there!
It’d be good to know what key goals & metrics youth want government to report back on, and see if we could add quarterly check-ups to report on these.
Whistler Multicultural Society
"Since 2023, Whistler employers have brought in over 600 foreign workers on closed work permits - meaning their work permits lock them to one employer. Many of them live in staff housing.
Tenancy rights on paper don't protect workers in real life, because standing up for your rights or leaving a bad job means losing both your work permit, your chance to become a permanent resident, and your home on the same day.
Council Policy K-01 sets a goal for the WHA to house 75% of our resort workforce, yet workers on closed permits are excluded from WHA eligibility, even though they are legally bound to Whistler employers and can't just move away.
If elected, what is your strategy to resolve this contradiction in Whistler’s workforce housing policy?"
Mandy’s Response:
I would ask WHA if amendments can be made to eligibility requirements to include access to rentals for those on closed work permits. If not, why? And what other solutions can we pursue?
I would meet with the Whistler Multicultural Society & WHA to better understand what steps have already been taken, if any, and confirm what is available to council to address this.
I’d reach out to the Whistler Valley Housing Society (WVHS) to find out if there are options with them?
I’d also advocate to other levels and departments of government to make sure that support and services are in place, as housing is not the only piece of the solution.
Whistler Community Services Society
"Whistler has community members experiencing homelessness, living in vehicles, or facing unstable and precarious housing.
If elected, what specific actions do you believe the RMOW should take to address their immediate safety and longer-term housing needs? "
Mandy’s Response:
I would refer to the vulnerable population housing needs assessment conducted in 2024; look at what we could potentially action
For more recent information, I’d want to hear from organizations such as WCSS, WVHS & W. Multicultural Society to learn what solutions they want to see.
I’d continue advocating for long-term housing
If you’re curious about what questions the audience posed to candidates, I’ve compiled them below. And if you don’t see your question there, there’s still one more opportunity to ask it: the final All Candidates Meeting of this campaign is Tuesday, October 6, from 7–9pm at Whistler Secondary School.
I’m learning a lot from this campaign journey, and it’s reinforced why I decided to put my name forward. I’m excited about bringing fresh perspective and energy to Council, backed by my experience both serving on governance boards and reporting into them. I’d make the time to do the work, listen to community members and understand the different perspectives around the table. I plan to bring curiosity, a willingness to learn and, with any luck, fewer brain blanks along the way!
Audience Questions:
Will you assure a senior’s centre is built?
How do we build more housing & cut taxes?
How do we ensure no disturbance on natural areas and thresholds, and limit visitation?
How do you plan to reach all groups? And will you create a non-denominational multifaith space close to the village for everyone to have access to?
How would you address the budworm infection & help create more biodiversity?
What is the status of Vail Resorts building housing on Glacier Lane?
How will you stay accountable to your campaign promises?
What will you do to continue the success of Lost Lake via fire protection in the summer?
Will you be more transparent on the decision making behind why bears are being destroyed by conservation officers?
Will you support a working group to address human-bear conflict & support peaceful co-existence?
How will you hear from youth more & plan & protect our local environment & bears? How will you show that you’re listening?
How will you help address gender-based violence in Whistler?
How do we engage more multicultural representation on council?
How will you increase safety to address the increase of theft and property damage in Whistler?
All development is tourism facing and unaffordable. What can you do to create accessible, affordable spaces for youth?
Would you implement home pick-up for garbage, or better educate residents and visitors?
Permanent Residents cannot vote. Would you petition the provincial government to let permanent residents vote in municipal elections?
What will you do to address Valley Trail safety?
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