Another week of campaigning is in the books, and candidates in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country are approaching the home stretch.
In just two weeks’ time, on April 28, Sea to Sky residents will choose their next representative, and Canadians their new government.
Here are just a few notes from the campaign trail this week, presented in no particular order of importance. Be sure to follow the candidates on social media, or stay tuned to their websites for all the latest announcements—and check back next week for one last weekly roundup of all the latest rumblings from the campaign trail.
• Incumbent Liberal Patrick Weiler welcomed Prime Minister Mark Carney at a campaign stop in Vancouver on April 8, along with other Liberal candidates in the region. Weiler spent much of the past week attending all-candidates debates in Squamish and on the Sunshine Coast, along with stops in other communities in the riding. On April 11, he posted an endorsement from one of Whistler’s favourite sons, freeskiing legend and filmmaker Mike Douglas. “I think in these times that we’re going through right now we need smarts, we need experience, and we need people that come with solutions, and Patrick is one of those guys,” Douglas said in a video posted to Weiler’s socials.
• Though he didn’t attend any of the riding’s first three all-candidates debates, Conservative Keith Roy hosted a well-attended town hall in Pender Harbour on April 10, and posted CPC policy points on his social channels throughout the week. Roy shared an endorsement from Squamish Nation Chief Dale Harry on April 13. “I’ve been going to Ottawa for quite some time, and you know, I invited Pierre Poilievre over here to Squamish, and he came,” Harry said in his endorsement. “I firmly believe with the Conservatives that they’re there to help people. We had nine years of the Liberal government, what have they done? They talk the talk, but they never ever walk the talk.”
• The Green Party’s Lauren Greenlaw has no shortage of events on the calendar, whether it’s green drinks in Pemberton, green coffee on the Sunshine Coast, or green tea on Bowen Island. Along with attending all-candidates debates, the Green candidate hosted former BC Green Party leader and founder Adriane Carr at the Brackendale Art Gallery on April 13, and on the same day shared an endorsement from renowned conservationist David Suzuki. “Lauren Greenlaw is a scientist who has contributed her expertise to politics at the municipal level,” Suzuki wrote in his endorsement. “Canada desperately needs people like her to move us away from the destructive practices currently carried out without regard to the environment. I urge all voters to vote for her in this crucial election.”
• Along with attending all-candidates debates throughout the riding, the People’s Party’s Peyman Askari continued his cerebral approach to the campaign in week three, posting another series of policy-focused discussions with other PPC candidates on his social channels. “Canadians deserve better. Better laws, better leadership, and a government that protects your rights,” Askari wrote on X on April 11. “Let’s bring back common sense, transparency, and accountability. It starts with standing up to the bills that don’t serve you. We can build a freer, fairer Canada—together.”
• The NDP’s Jäger Rosenberg also kept up the momentum, joining his fellow candidates at a series of all-candidates meetings. “Super busy week. Three debates in a row with three left to go,” he posted to Facebook on April 13. “Let’s keep this momentum going. Volunteer and donate for a future where no one is left behind.”
• Candidates were confirmed April 9, with Whistlerite Gordon Jeffrey, representing the Rhino Party, rounding out the ballot. Check back with Pique this week for a profile on Jeffrey. Whistler’s all-candidates meeting is April 22 at the Rainbow Theatre. Advance polling taking place across the country from April 18 to 21. Election day is Monday, April 28.
Find last week's update here. Stay up to date with all the latest election news here.
