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Well, THAT didn’t go quite as planned. We recorded this episode on Wednesday, October 28th, still clinging to the faint hope that we’d manage to pull together a roundtable with all the newly elected candidates. Spoiler alert: it didn’t happen. Apparently, getting everyone around the same table is harder than getting elected in the first place. So, Plan B it is! In this episode, Marcus & Fryer break down the Squamish municipal election results, share a few observations on the provincial election, and offer up some thoughts on what it all means for our little corner of the world. But there’s a bigger question looming: Should we keep doing this? We’d love to hear from you. Do you want more Marcus & Fryer? Interviews? Local issues? Political gossip? Community conversations? Something completely different? If we’re going to keep dusting off the gear, we’d like to know what you’d actually like to hear. After all, talking to ourselves is fun, but there’s only so much of that we can get away with. Give us your two cents. We promise not to run for office with it.

The messages keep coming. The questions keep coming. Apparently, everyone wants to know who we're voting for in the local election. Have we finally lost what little political neutrality we had? Mike Quigley joins us once again as we reflect on our conversations with all the local candidates, share our observations, and probably a few things someone will disagree with. We’re not handing out endorsements or telling anyone how to vote. Just a few thoughts, a little analysis, and our two cents... for what it’s worth. You’re welcome. Or sorry. We haven’t decided yet. Or have we?

Before we wrap up our local election interviews, a little behind-the-scenes explanation. We’ll talk about how we approached the questions, why the candidates appear on our website in the order they do (spoiler: it’s who showed up at the studio first, not who we like best), and whether we can convince some provincial candidates to join us next. And we’re not done yet. We’re putting together our own candidate report card, so stay tuned. Apparently, we just can’t leave well enough alone.

John brings a lifetime of experience in the industries that helped build Squamish. Through his leadership at Squamish Mills, and background in accounting and finance, John understands what it takes to manage budgets and work through complex decisions that organizations face. His experience working with provincial and federal counterparts will be a major asset in advocating for Squamish’s priorities, and ensuring that the town’s voice is heard at both levels of government. He is running to bring clear direction and financial discipline to the Council table. His objectives are to keep spending under control, strengthen the local business and industrial tax base, and ensure there are diverse housing choices so that families can stay in the community. John believes Council needs to set the priorities, give staff clear direction and take responsibility for the results. He wants to see a Squamish where families can build a future, businesses can thrive, and taxpayers see real value for their money.   johnlowe.ca

Luc Perreault is a former career firefighter, a Senior Engineering Technologist, and a Certified Public Works Inspector, with 15 years in municipal infrastructure and development services. He is also the proud dad of an eight-year-old daughter, which is undoubtedly the most technical job he’s ever held. Luc is running for Squamish Council because decisions about growth, infrastructure and public services shape daily life here. He knows what it takes to move complex municipal projects from planning to delivery and get lasting value from public investment. He believes roads, utilities, parking, transportation and recreation need to keep pace with the homes we approve. His priorities are responsible growth that delivers for residents, maintaining infrastructure before costly emergencies arise, and building a strong foundation at Municipal Hall with accountability for results. He wants earlier community engagement, clear explanations of the options and trade-offs, and decisions grounded in listening, truly listening, to what residents want. Squamish is growing. Let’s get the basics right. https://www.lucperreault.ca/

Anders Ourom is a lawyer, avid climber, and longtime community volunteer running for Council. A recipient of the 2022 BC Achievement Community Award, Anders has spent decades advocating for climbing access, conservation, and the outdoors, helping establish parks including Stawamus Chief and Skaha Bluffs. He brings a background in law, governance, and community service to his council bid, with a focus on the issues shaping Squamish’s future.Email: [email protected]: Andersourom

Sean Easton is a community leader and advocate with over a decade of experience creating housing, support services, and community for those who need it the most. A Squamish resident since 2015, he is Co-Executive Director of Zero Ceiling, and a founder of DWIFT Housing Society, a local non-profit bringing WHA-style affordable home ownership to Squamish. Sean is running for Mayor to create a government that truly works for the people of Squamish. He believes we're falling behind because the government isn't listening to residents or working effectively in partnership with them. A youth worker by trade, Sean has spent his career empowering people to overcome homelessness, poverty, and marginalization. He's an expert at navigating complex systems, collaborating effectively, and delivering results - even when money is tight. As Mayor, Sean will focus on affordability, investing in infrastructure and amenities, and making local government truly accountable to local residents. He'll deliver a new approach to engagement, partnerships, and governance that puts resident needs at the centre of every District decision: now and for generations to come. www.seaneaston.com

Jenna Stoner is running to be Mayor of the amazing community of Squamish.After eight years on Council and experience working with the region, our hospital board, and the province, Jenna has the experience, skills, and relationships to do this job and do it well from day one. During her time on council, Jenna has helped bring 446 below-market homes (with 300+ more on the way), 125+ new childcare spaces, two new firehalls, and an expanded wastewater treatment plant to our community. A mom of two who chose Squamish as home, she's running to ensure there is a strong, effective leadership voice for Squamish, disciplined infrastructure investment, and a local government that's easier to work with for residents and businesses alike. She describes Squamish as being in its "awkward teenage years": growing fast, but not yet at its full potential. We talked about what it'll take to get there.jennastoner.com

Janice Desjardins has been giving back to Squamish for decades, with deep experience in community planning, conservation, and seniors’ advocacy. She served on District of Squamish committees involved in developing the community’s first tourism plan and the Squamish Estuary Management Plan. Today, Janice is Vice Chair of the Vancouver Coastal Association of Family Councils, Co-Chair of the VCH Regional Resident & Family Councils, and a member of several organizations focused on long-term care and aging in the community. Janice is running because she believes Squamish needs practical decisions rooted in community needs, common sense, and affordability—and she wants to be part of the team helping tackle those challenges and protect the community’s livability. Livability * Affordability * Fiscal Responsibility * Accountability …… with Common Sense! janicedesjardins.com [email protected]

Shaun Veltkamp brings more than 25 years of business leadership and governance experience to his campaign for District Council. As a business owner, community volunteer, two-term elected member of the Tourism Squamish Board of Directors, and father of two young children, Shaun understands the importance of making thoughtful decisions that serve both today’s residents and the generations who will call Squamish home. For Shaun, municipal government is fundamentally about good governance—understanding what Council can and cannot do, setting clear priorities, holding the organization accountable, and making responsible decisions on behalf of taxpayers. Shaun believes Squamish needs a renewed focus on leadership at the District. That begins with a broad search for a strong, capable Chief Administrative Officer and a commitment to rebuilding productive relationships with District staff, community organizations, advocacy groups, businesses, and provincial and federal partners.CLEAR, FOCUSED LEADERSHIP.

Kieran Brownie’s priority is Community Relations. He brings a strong understanding of this valley and a unique skill set to help bridge differences and find common ground through tangible frameworks that build on existing policy.IG: @kb.squamishFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594398792763.

Serving in local government carries a responsibility to listen, become informed, and make difficult decisions that impact people every day.  To help make difficult decisions amid conflicting perspectives, I strive to follow these three core principles: open and humble community consultation, informed and respectful debate, and timely and transparent decision-making. One of the Council’s core responsibilities is to prioritize resources (your property tax dollars) to keep Squamish an amazing place to live for all members of our community, both present and future.  I believe in having informed conversations, and I understand it can sometimes be a challenge to get the information needed to have them.  To help the community (and myself) be informed, I have created bcmunicipaldata.org - a site where anyone can explore and compare property tax data for any BC municipality from 2005 to 2026.  https://www.andrewforsquamish.ca/

Daniel Deal is a 34-year-old Squamish resident and candidate for Mayor, bringing a real-world background in construction, environmental remediation, green building and carbon capture to local politics. His campaign is focused on making Squamish work for the people who live here: responsible growth, infrastructure that keeps pace, attainable and workforce housing, practical transportation and parking, public safety, recreation, environmental stewardship, and responsible municipal spending. Daniel also wants to strengthen the local economy by supporting existing businesses, protecting employment lands, attracting good-paying jobs and reducing unnecessary red tape. Above all, he wants to bring people together and build a Squamish where people can afford to live, work, raise a family and put down roots.

John French has served two terms on Squamish Council. He was born in Squamish and raised his two children in Squamish. John and his wife, Heidi, have been married for 30 years. When he isn't working to make a difference for the community you will find him on the Pickleball court. 604 815 7318 LinkedIn | Bluesky | Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Threads @[email protected] www.JohnFrench.ca

Sean Goodwin is running for Squamish Council after 40 years as a member of the community. Having grown up alongside Squamish’s rapid changes, he believes the community faces challenges that affect residents in different ways, but also sees opportunities for meaningful solutions and greater public engagement.For the past six years, Sean has given back to Squamish by volunteering, organizing others, and supporting community initiatives. He hopes to take that commitment to the next level by bringing his time, willingness to learn, and community experience to Squamish Council.