Lauren Greenlaw is running for a seat on Squamish Council on October 15th. A long-time geologist, Lauren Greenlaw is running on a 3-part platform of affordability, livability, and the environment.
“I want to be a part of decision-making that is future-looking and prioritises the long-term best interests of the people, lands, and waters of this place we are so fortunate to call home,” she says.
“Lack of affordable housing is hollowing out our community,” Greenlaw says “We are losing friends, family and essential workers because of housing prices and an unworkable rental market.” While there is not much that can be done municipally to address the global issue of increasing housing prices, Greenlaw says supporting development focused on lower price point units and rental units will help. She would like to see more units given to the municipality as community contributions from developers:
“These units would be income-generating, tangible assets for the municipality that we could earmark for essential workers and rent controlled units,” Greenlaw says. She also points out that “affordability isn’t just about housing: it includes food security. I will work with local groups, like SquamishCAN, to see what we can do to improve food security within our municipality.”
Greenlaw feels strongly about prioritising livability in Squamish: “Livability is how well a place meets the physical and emotional needs of its residents,” she says. As a mother, Greenlaw has first-hand experience with the childcare crisis. “We have childcare for about 20% of eligible children and years-long waiting lists for daycares. It disproportionately affects women who are giving up their careers to be stay-at-home parents out of necessity, not by choice, and decreases the earning potential of households, compounding the affordability crisis,” she says.
As a councillor she will support measures to attract and support childcare workers. She also supports the promotion of transit and active transportation to reduce our carbon footprint and decrease traffic downtown. “Sometimes we need to drive. I get it. But if we could reduce the number of cars going downtown, and revisit our municipal policy of cash-in-lieu of sufficient parking for residential units, I think it would make our downtown more accessible for everyone,” she says.
As a geologist, Greenlaw has a lot to say on the environment. “The environment will be a primary consideration in my decision-making as a councillor. I’ve spent over 20 years studying the earth: I am genuinely concerned about where we are and where we are heading. Municipal-level decisions can add up to big changes,” she says.
She supports streamlining Squamish’s recycling programs and educating the public about the impacts of mass-consumerism and waste production. “As a councillor I would prioritise keeping Squamish on track to meet or exceed our climate action plan goals. I will lobby the provincial and federal governments to stop the subsidisation and expansion of oil and gas. Multi-billion-dollar industries should not be receiving corporate welfare on the backs of taxpayers who are struggling to access basic needs like shelter, food and healthcare. It’s absurd,” she says.
When asked if there’s anything else voters should know, Greenlaw replied “I’d like people to know that I’m just a local resident who cares about my community and fellow residents. I have no financial backers. It’s just me and a couple of passionate people trying to facilitate change. I am compassionate and persistent and I think I would do a good job of listening to the concerns of residents, and advocating for them in Council.”
The municipal elections are being held on October 15th, with several early voting as well as mail-in options. For more information about Lauren Greenlaw, please visit her website: www.squamishgreenlaw.ca
