If you like your draft budget paired with draft beer, you’re in luck.
On Monday, Nov. 25, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is holding Cents and Sensibility Quiz Night: The Municipal Edition at the Crystal Lounge, a chance for locals to learn about the proposed municipal budget for 2025, connect with council members, and win prizes. Oh, there’s also snacks.
Hosted by Rebecca Mason and Ira Pettle, the founders of Whistler’s hit comedy variety show, Laugh Out LIVE!, the municipality urged the community not to “miss out on financial insights about our resort and the chance to give your input on the municipal budget.”
It's the RMOW’s latest attempt at imbuing the decidedly unsexy business of local government with a bit of fun, which grew out of one of the key planks of its four-year strategic plan: community engagement. Historically, the RMOW has scored low on engagement and transparency in its annual poll of permanent residents and second homeowners. The 2024 Community Life Survey found less than half of those polled—45 per cent—were satisfied with existing opportunities to provide input into municipal decision-making.
The RMOW created its community engagement and cultural services department last year to improve civic engagement, particularly with young adults, an historically underrepresented demographic in Whistler politics.
Cents and Sensibility Quiz Night runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Crystal Lounge.
Before that, on Nov. 21 at 6 p.m., the RMOW is hosting Virtual Council Drop-in Hour: Budget Edition online, where virtual attendees can discuss and provide input on the 2025 budget with elected officials.
