Most Squamish residents still rate their town as a good place to live, though a new District-commissioned survey suggests many fear the community’s rapid growth is eroding quality of life faster than the municipality can keep up.
In April, the District mailed a 24-question satisfaction survey to 1,800 randomly selected households. Discovery Research, an independent firm, received 403 completed responses. The questionnaire asked residents to grade municipal programs, services and overall well-being.
Key findings
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Quality of life: Sixty-nine per cent of respondents described Squamish’s quality of life as “good” (51 %) or “excellent” (18 %). Yet, 58 percent said things have worsened compared to five years ago. Among that group, 44 percent blamed over-stretched amenities and infrastructure, 33 percent cited the cost of living, and 29 percent felt that the town is becoming overcrowded.
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Top concern: Thirty-eight percent named keeping amenities, infrastructure, and services in step with population growth as the most pressing issue, well ahead of housing affordability and general living costs (22%). Parking, traffic, and transit improvements ranked third (14%), followed by economic development (12%).
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Housing: While 79 percent feel secure in their current homes, 38 percent said a lack of affordable homes for sale affects them directly, and 88 percent want the District to intensify efforts with partners to tackle affordability.
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Taxes and services: Forty-three per cent favour maintaining existing service levels even if that means higher taxes; 18 per cent would accept service cuts to limit increases; and 39 per cent were unsure or offered other suggestions. More than half left the question on paying beyond the minimum hike unanswered, but 21 percent would pay extra for new recreation amenities, and 11 percent for better transportation and parking.
Voices from the survey
Many respondents used the open-ended section to describe the strain they experienced. “Residents are desperate for improvements in infrastructure,” wrote one participant, pointing to pressure on the hospital and community centre. “There is so much money here and we don’t see it going back into the community.”
Another urged the council to “stop allowing developers to build without adding any infrastructure,” warning that reduced parking requirements are “devastating the town for visitors and residents.”
A downtown resident called for “immediate action on homeless encampments,” saying open drug use and petty crime are making the neighbourhood feel unsafe for children.
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