Canada’s 45th election campaign is almost in the books, after five weeks of cross-country campaigning.
Here in the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding, candidates have had ample opportunities to familiarize themselves with each other and their constituents, whether through all-candidates meetings, town halls, or going door to door themselves.
Millions have already voted in advance polls, and by the time this week’s issue of Pique hits the stands, election day will be mere days away. But if you’ve yet to solidify your vote, here’s one last chance to hear from each candidate in their own words.
As with every election, Pique gave all candidates the same four questions and 1,000 words to answer them as they see fit.
The below answers have been lightly edited for style and grammar, and the responses are arranged in random order (determined by pulling names out of the office sombrero—not for any symbolic reasons, it was just the closest receptacle we had to put the names in).
So read on, get informed, and most importantly, make sure you vote on April 28. Your country will thank you for it.
Lauren Greenlaw—Greens
1. Please share a short bio and any relevant experience
I grew up in Ottawa, talking politics around the dinner table. I left home when I was 18 to pursue a degree in geological engineering, after which I moved to the West Coast to work as a geologist. After about 10 years of industry experience, I got my MSc, then started a family. I’ve been living in Squamish for about 7 years, where I currently serve as a municipal councillor.
2. Trade with the U.S. aside, what do you see as the top three issues in our riding? How would you address them?
For our riding the biggest issues are housing, affordability and economic resiliency, all of which are deeply intertwined. Our housing and affordability crises are both rooted in this growing wealth disparity that we see globally. There are systemic issues that need to be confronted, like: introducing regulations for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and foreign ownership, both of which are artificially inflating our housing prices; and increased investment in our social infrastructure, including housing and health-care, paid for by ending fossil-fuel subsidies that cost Canadians tens of billions of dollars a year and modernizing our tax structure to increase big-corporate tax rates and increasing the tax free income level to $40,000 a year which will keep $300/month in the pockets of people making less than $100,000/year.
To further address affordability and economic resiliency, as part of the campaign (and beyond) we are working to connect businesses, producers, growers and makers in the riding to each other and to their markets. This network will simplify our ability to support local, facilitate circular economy and serve to determine barriers-to-market. This program will improve farm-to-table access, build up local businesses and help to build a more resilient economy and food system that will provide stability in a time of political and environmental upheaval.
3. If elected, how will you make life better for Whistler residents?
I'll be working to protect our ski industry by fighting climate change! That is good for the local economy and the health and well-being of residents.
4. If elected, how will you help Whistler businesses?
With great crisis comes great opportunity: we need to use these economically volatile times to really invest in local businesses and promote them in any way that we can. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. I want to work with businesses in Whistler to determine which bureaucratic barriers are inhibiting businesses, and how we can increase access to market.
Keith Roy—Conservatives
1. Please share a short bio and any relevant experience
I was raised on the Sunshine Coast, live in Whistler with my wife Stephanie and our four-year-old son Kai, and I built a business in the Lower Mainland. Like you, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country is my home.
I have a BA in political science from the University of Guelph in Ontario and a diploma in sales and marketing from the Sauder School of Business at UBC.
Over the last 19 years I’ve been a real estate professional. During this time, I’ve helped almost 2,000 families buy and sell homes.
I was the host of the UnReal Estate Show podcast which explored best practices to housing solutions around the globe and sat on the Professional Conduct Committee of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver where I was a strong advocate for increased realtor ethics, transparency, and oversight.
I’m running to restore the promise of Canada for your family and mine where hard work could buy you an affordable home in a safe neighbourhood.
2. Trade with the U.S. aside, what do you see as the top three issues in our riding? How would you address them?
When I talk to people at the door, the issues I hear about most are the cost of living, crime, and housing.
The cost of living skyrocketed during 10 years of Liberal government, and people are struggling. We will cut income taxes 15 per cent, make housing more affordable, fully eliminate the carbon tax, and let seniors keep an extra $10,000 tax free.
Our Conservative government will repeal soft-on-crime laws and bring jail, not bail, for repeat violent offenders. We can’t afford another four years of Liberal government leaving criminals on our streets.
And we will make housing more affordable by taking the GST off new homes and providing incentives to get more homes built.
3. If elected, how will you make life better for Whistler residents?
You know this is the most important election of our lifetimes. You want to feel safe in your neighbourhood. You want to keep more of what you earn. You deserve a government that spends your money wisely and produces great results. You don’t want to reward the Liberals with another term. You desire a country that is self-reliant in the face of external economic and military threats.
Only the Conservatives will deliver real change that puts Canada first. We won’t get that change if we give a fourth Liberal term to Trudeau’s economic advisor.
4. If elected, how will you help Whistler businesses?
We need to put Canadian businesses first and make our country less reliant on the U.S.
Conservatives have a plan to help local businesses and grow the economy.
We will remove the capital gains tax if you reinvest the proceeds in Canada, giving local businesses the ability to unlock money to grow. This will be like rocket fuel for the economy.
We will cut taxes so people have more money in their pocket to spend on what they need and want.
We will get nation-building projects built, creating more work for businesses in Whistler and across the region.
Gordon Jeffrey—Rhino Party
1. Please share a short bio and any relevant experience
I am several years old and work full-time in Whistler at a job doing work. I enjoy a quiet mountain life with my dog, so I will not be divulging any personal information beyond that. I may not be as skilled a liar as some of the other candidates, but I can promise my lies will be much more amusing.
2. Trade with the U.S. aside, what do you see as the top three issues in our riding? How would you address them?
Trade war with the U.S. will not be an issue under the Rhino Party. We will turn the U.S. into the fourth Canadian territory and enjoy free trade with Trump after demoting him to Premier.
Somehow, the top three issues of this election are the same as the previous election. It’s almost like the government we keep electing back has been completely unable to solve our problems. Those issues, of course, are: the economy and cost-of-living crisis, the housing crisis, and the environment. I have previously suggested radical ideas to attempt to tackle these issues, but have been met with few votes and little excitement. Between that and my party being in crisis this past year (leadership change, party restructuring, empty party coffers), we are pivoting in order to be more in line with the popular parties and delivering what the people apparently want.
We will work just as hard as the Liberal Party to get your hard-earned money out of your pocket and into the government’s pockets where it belongs. Just like the Liberal and Conservative parties, we are now committed to getting rid of the middle class once and for all, turning them into working-class slaves who exist to make more money for the oligarchs. To ensure you can be as productive as possible, we will gamble away pensions and get rid of the retirement age altogether. If you’re worried you might still have some time left for leisure and loved ones, don’t worry, we will introduce a six-day work week to ensure you will be too tired with your time off for anything other than looking forward to the coming work week!
Regarding housing, we will again copy the Liberal platform of overpromising and under-delivering. Housing costs have gone up more than 61 per cent during their reign, we think it would have been nice if they had gone up at least another eight per cent. Most people have given up on home-ownership altogether, barely breaking even after paying for rent, bills, and groceries, but we can do even more. By prioritizing protection of the assets of the wealthy, we can surely make rent go up even further and increase the cost of living. Then we will build small apartment ghettos for the worker bees.
Finally, to address the environment, we will also turn China (the largest emissions producer by far) into the fifth Canadian territory. Both they and the U.S. will then be subject to our environmental regulations.
3. If elected, how will you make life better for Whistler residents?
We see now from repeatedly voting the Liberal Party in, that the people do not want life to be better. In light of this, we will promise to work in conjunction with the winning party to make life worse for all! You’re welcome!
4. If elected, how will you help Whistler businesses?
Again, we have seen how the people have actively voted against their own interests, so we will pledge to ruin Whistler businesses by providing tax breaks to big corporations and doing what we can to further increase retail rental costs. We won’t rest until the town is essentially one giant Walmart.
Peyman Askari—People's Party
1. Please share a short bio and any relevant experience.
I’m a small business owner, researcher, and political outsider. I moved to Whistler two years ago and previously lived in West Vancouver. I was born in Iran, immigrated to Canada as a child, and studied computer science before founding my own software company.
Until the COVID lockdowns, I had no interest in politics. But government overreach and economic mismanagement changed that. I volunteered with the National Citizens Inquiry and began interviewing Canadians from all walks of life. What I’ve learned is clear: our system is broken, and Ottawa is not listening. That’s why I’m stepping forward.
2. Trade with the U.S. aside, what do you see as the top three issues in our riding? How would you address them?
1. Housing affordability.
Whistler’s affordability crisis isn’t just about demand—it’s the product of bad federal policy. Inflation, speculation, and bank-driven asset bubbles have turned housing into a rigged game. The PPC would regulate commercial banks to stop speculative lending, pause immigration to ease pressure on housing demand, and restore a zero-per-cent inflation target to stabilize the dollar. Housing should serve Canadians—not speculators or foreign capital.
2. Health-care access.
More than 700,000 people in B.C. are without a family doctor, and Whistler is not immune. Canada is a vast country, yet Ottawa insists on micromanaging provincial health systems by attaching strings to cash transfers. We would repeal the Canada Health Act and replace cash transfers with permanent tax points, giving provinces full authority and stable funding.
We will also launch a federal investigation into why provinces like B.C. are spending more and more on health-care, yet nurse-to-patient ratios are declining. Our suspicion is that funding is being swallowed by an expanding management class, rather than frontline care. It’s time to demand accountability for where health dollars are actually going.
Additionally, we would push for the rehiring of unvaccinated nurses who were unjustly terminated, with full back pay. These health-care professionals were unfairly removed from the system during a crisis, and it’s time to right that wrong.
3. Drug use and public safety.
Small towns across B.C., including Whistler, are grappling with the consequences of the drug crisis. We would launch a full federal investigation into the fentanyl pipeline, ban the most addictive pharmaceutical drugs, and impose tougher sentencing for traffickers. We’d also work with provinces to eliminate "safe supply" programs, and withhold education funding from provinces that promote drug use to minors under the guise of harm reduction. Our focus is on recovery, not normalization.
3. If elected, how will you make life better for Whistler residents?
Most of what’s hurting working families—skyrocketing housing costs, health-care shortages, food inflation—can be traced back to policy failure at the federal level.
A PPC government would eliminate corporate welfare, scrap unnecessary regulatory regimes, and simplify taxes. This would allow us to lower personal income taxes and capital gains taxes once the deficit is eliminated, giving people more control over their own finances.
We would also restore integrity to Parliament. As your MP, I will vote independently—not by party whip. Our current system puts party control ahead of voters. That’s how we ended up with bad bills, big budgets, and immature debates. I’ll report directly to you through livestreams, town halls, and regular updates.
Beyond that, we need to fix the root: our monetary system. So long as the dollar is being devalued and our country runs on debt, everything else—from housing to wages—will remain unstable.
Whistler doesn’t need more slogans from Ottawa. It needs policy rooted in reality. I’m offering that.
4. If elected, how will you help Whistler businesses?
Whistler’s businesses don’t need handouts—they need Ottawa to get out of their way.
We’ll cut corporate and income taxes, eliminate capital gains tax on small business growth, and stop subsidizing large corporations that undercut local competition. Big business should compete on merit—not on government privilege.
We’d also simplify the tax code and review all federal regulations that drive up costs for small, seasonal operations. From payroll compliance to environmental paperwork, many policies serve bureaucrats—not business owners.
Finally, I’ll fight to give small businesses a direct voice in Parliament. Too often, policy is written by and for billion-dollar lobbyists. I’ll consult directly with local operators and bring their concerns to Ottawa—unfiltered.
Whistler’s economy is built on hard work, tourism, and local ownership. That model works—if government doesn’t ruin it. I’ll make sure it doesn’t.
Jäger Rosenberg—NDP
1. Please share a short bio and any relevant experience
I'm Jäger Rosenberg, your federal NDP candidate. I was born and raised in our riding. I’ve spent the last few years actively involved in politics, youth advocacy, and grassroots campaigns focused on affordability, climate justice, and mental health.
At 17, I made history as the youngest person to ever run for office in Canada, seeking the B.C. NDP nomination in Powell River–Sunshine Coast. That experience deepened my commitment to building a more just, democratic, and sustainable future—one that puts people and communities first.
I currently serve as Diversity Director for the BC Young New Democrats and have held executive roles on two NDP riding associations. I also participated in the Gibsons Citizens’ Assembly on housing. In these roles, I’ve worked to elevate youth voices in politics and champion policies for affordable housing, stronger public health-care, climate action, and democratic renewal.
I’m running to represent the people of West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country and give a voice to the people who feel shut out of the political process.
2. Trade with the U.S. aside, what do you see as the top three issues in our riding? How would you address them?
Housing affordability is one of the most pressing challenges across our communities. People who work here can’t afford to live here, and the dream of home ownership is out of reach for an entire generation. The federal NDP is committed to bold action: banning corporate landlords from buying up affordable rentals, building 500,000 units of below market and co-op housing, publicly backed mortgages for first-time home buyers, and using federal tools to incentivize affordable developments—not luxury real estate that sits empty.
Climate action and emergency preparedness are also top priorities. Our region is already feeling the impact of the climate crisis—from wildfires to floods and extreme heat. The federal government must invest in renewable energy, wildfire prevention, and resilient infrastructure. The NDP will end fossil-fuel subsidies, cap oil and gas emissions, and fund a just transition that supports workers and communities—so no one is left behind as we move toward a net-zero, green economy.
Health-care access is another major concern. Residents across the riding struggle to access timely care—from family doctors to mental-health services. The federal NDP will deliver universal pharmacare and dental care, ensure mental health is covered under our public system, and increase federal transfers tied to hiring more frontline staff, especially in rural and remote communities.
3. If elected, how will you make life better for Whistler residents?
Whistler residents are dealing with some of the highest living costs in the country—while seeing basic services like health-care, childcare, and public transit stretched to the limit.
As your MP, I’ll fight for:
- Affordable housing: support co-ops, fund below-market rentals for workers and locals, and crack down on property speculation and vacant home flipping.
- Better health-care access: attract and retain health-care professionals in underserved communities through federal funding, improved training programs, and incentives for rural practice.
- Improved public transit: fund regional transit networks that connect Whistler, Pemberton, and the Lower Mainland, so people don’t have to rely on cars.
- Environmental protection: safeguard alpine ecosystems and support sustainable tourism policies to ensure Whistler remains a livable and resilient community for generations to come.
- Strengthen democracy: advocate for proportional representation and a lower voting age, so every vote counts equally, and our government reflects the will of the people.
The NDP’s vision is one where communities like Whistler don’t just survive—they thrive.
4. If elected, how will you help Whistler businesses?
Whistler’s economy is powered by local businesses, hospitality workers, and tourism—yet many small businesses are struggling with labour shortages, high commercial rents, and supply chain instability.
Here’s how I’ll help:
- Address labour shortages by investing in affordable housing for workers, speeding up credential recognition for newcomers, and expanding childcare so parents can rejoin the workforce.
- Ensure small businesses have access to fair credit and recovery support—including better access to federal grants and loan forgiveness from pandemic-era programs.
- Push for sustainable tourism development, including federal investments in infrastructure, environmental protections, and workforce development that support long-term economic stability.
- Support digital infrastructure improvements, especially for businesses in rural and remote parts of the riding that need reliable high-speed internet and online tools to grow.
I’ll be a strong advocate for a thriving, inclusive economy that supports small business—not just big corporations.
This election is about choosing who we want to work for us in Ottawa: corporate lobbyists or community voices. I’m not a career politician. I’m someone who grew up here, who understands the urgency of climate action, affordability, and making our democracy work better for everyone.
If elected, I’ll bring integrity, energy, and a strong voice for working people, renters, youth, and small businesses in West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country. Let’s build a future where no one is left behind.
Patrick Weiler—Liberals
1. Please share a short bio and any relevant experience
It’s been the honour of my life to represent Whistler and our entire riding since you first elected me as your MP in 2019 and to make a real difference in the region where I was born and raised. Before politics, I worked as a lawyer for municipalities, Indigenous governments, and small businesses on environmental, constitutional, and business law issues, while also working internationally with the United Nations to improve how countries manage shared waterbodies.
In Parliament, I served as Chair of the BC Liberal Caucus and the All-Party Tourism Caucus, helping advance important federal investments for our province, from salmon restoration and old-growth forest protection to growing our tourism economy and supporting small businesses and B.C. entrepreneurs. I also chaired the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee and served on Finance, Environment, and Fisheries committees—helping shape legislation and policies that reflect our region’s values and priorities.
I have championed clean energy projects, nature conservation, and climate adaptation measures that help communities like Whistler become more resilient to wildfires, floods, and drought. I am seeking re-election to continue building a future where people can thrive with good jobs, affordable homes, and an environment that can be enjoyed for generations to come.
2. Trade with the U.S. aside, what do you see as the top three issues in our riding? How would you address them?
Housing is one of the most urgent issues in Whistler, and through collaboration with the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) and organizations like the Whistler Housing Authority, the federal government is stepping up to tackle the housing crisis—more than $78.5 million in funding and 295 affordable homes in Whistler that have been built. We are also working with the RMOW to help them expedite the way homes are permitted to get more housing built, fast. Investments like these are critical to ensure that the folks that work in Whistler can afford to live in Whistler, and keep the community as vibrant as it is.
This remains a critical issue and we are proposing the most ambitious housing plan in Canadian history to build half a million homes per year. We’re eliminating GST on homes under $1 million and reducing it on homes between $1 million and $1.5 million. We will support housing-enabling infrastructure so municipalities can reduce development cost charges, and support prefabrication of homes to speed up the construction process. Together, we will build, using Canadian resources and skill, to make sure everyone has a home they can afford.
To tackle the congestion on our highways, and better connect the Sea to Sky for all, we are focusing on supporting transit improvements. We have invested 10-times what the previous Conservative government did, and are committed to long-term predictable funding so that transit expansion can move ahead. Tens of millions have been invested in Sea to Sky transit, and regional transit needs to be core to the future transit plans for the corridor. A Liberal government would be a key partner in this and the future of transit.
Finally, we need to continue growing our local economy, and sustainable tourism in particular. When we do this right, visitors will support our businesses, create good jobs, and contribute to economic growth without negatively affecting the quality of life of residents. Working in partnership with the businesses and organizations like Destination Canada, Whistler can continue to attract visitors that grow our economy, celebrate our nature, and return year after year.
3. If elected, how will you make life better for Whistler residents?
In a community like Whistler, I have seen how affordability and access to services can be major challenges. Beyond advancing housing investments through the Whistler Housing Authority and regional transit upgrades, I’ll also focus on services that directly improve people’s quality of life.
We’re going to continue expanding programs like dental care and pharmacare, so people who need it can receive the preventative health-care and medication they need, as well making sure we have more $10-a-day childcare spaces to help families. If we want a strong economy, we have to support our workforce and our health, and not make parents choose between working and childcare, or neglecting health issues that will unnecessarily push people into our hospitals. We’ll also cut taxes for the middle-class that leave more money in people’s pockets, while maintaining strong public services.
I’ll also continue advocating for climate adaptation investments, like wildfire prevention and infrastructure upgrades, to protect homes, businesses, and our community. These projects will help Whistler thrive in all seasons for generations to come as we confront the reality of climate change—something some political parties are unwilling to acknowledge.
Most importantly, I’ll continue collaborating with and supporting those who work the hardest for Whistler. From the small businesses, the municipality, affordable housing advocates, and our social service providers that dedicate themselves making this community the best it can be. I’ll be your voice and advocate in Ottawa, not the other way around.
4. If elected, how will you help Whistler businesses?
Whistler’s businesses are the backbone of our local economy. To support them, we need to address the source of the challenges they face: labour shortage, affordable housing, and the rising cost of living.
I’ve heard from business owners who, due to a lack of local staff, have been able to fill their labour gaps through federal programs but I’m also hearing that these programs need to be more responsive to local business needs. The long waits, uncertainty, and convoluted process puts a strain on businesses and business owners. For the people who leave their home countries to support our local economy, it puts them in an incredibly vulnerable position. That’s why it’s important that we work towards improving immigration pathways and support faster processing for workers in sectors like food and beverage, tourism, and hospitality, and treat areas like Whistler separately from large urban areas.
On the tourism front, we have an opportunity to welcome Canadian and international visitors reconsidering their vacation to the U.S. As part of my role Chairing the National Tourism Caucus, I work with organizations like Destination Canada to attract folks here, and develop programs and incentives that lead to investment in tourism-enabling infrastructure like better transportation and conference centres.
