Candidates reveal costs
MP Pam Goldsmith-Jones was one of the top Liberal spenders in the federal election campaign in October and the second biggest spender in the West-Vancouver-Sea to Sky Country riding, according to Elections Canada data.
Goldsmith-Jones won the riding Oct. 19 with 54.6 per cent of the vote over Conservative incumbent John Weston, who received 26.2 per cent, according to Elections Canada.
Her election expenses totalled $177,892, which is 74 per cent of the Elections Canada $241,170.76 allowable spending limit.
Weston spent $199, 351 on the election campaign, which is 83 per cent of the allowable limit. The Green Party’s Ken Melamed spent $129,042, or 54 per cent of the limit. As of this week, NDP candidate Larry Koopman’s expenses had not yet been submitted, according to Elections Canada.
Advertising accounted for the greatest expense for the candidates. Goldsmith-Jones spent about $82,000, Weston spent roughly $121,000 and Melamed spent approximately $73,000.
The 43rd Canadian federal election is scheduled to take place on or before Oct. 21, 2019.
Pizza party time
The District of Squamish has officially launched phased two of its Official Community Plan (OCP) review with a call for residents to host “OCPizza” parties. A public workshop to focus on key topics related to renewing the OCP is also planned.
The pizza parties will involve working through an OCP workbook, according to a district news release. The workbooks will guide discussions on: A Growing Squamish, A Resilient Squamish and A Thriving Squamish, the release states. The district will pick up the tab for up to $30 in pizza upon receipt of completed workbooks and proof of purchase.
A public workshop is scheduled for Monday, May 9 at Brennan Park Recreation Centre from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for those who don’t attend a pizza event.
Councillor suspended
The Squamish Nation has suspended one of its councillors for releasing confidential information it announced Tuesday.
In a letter to members published on its website the Nation said on April 8, Chiefs and Council said Councillor Deborah Baker “violated a number of the code of conduct provisions.”
Baker is suspended from her council duties for three months, the letter states.
“The breach was a result of Councillor Deborah Baker discussing and releasing confidential and misinformation that could have a negative impact on future negotiation and strategy,” the letter states.
While the document does not say what information was leaked, another letter published by the Nation on Tuesday clarifies a former Porteau Cove land deal that never came to pass. The Nation published the clarification “in light of recent unauthorized release of confidential and misinformation about the history and current state of the Porteau Lands.” The original agreement was for a purchase and development of the lands with Concord Pacific, however, the partnership fell through.
Pot bylaws in works
A roadmap is beginning to be set for how marijuana dispensaries will be handled by the district.
Tuesday night, council passed first reading of a marijuana dispensary zoning bylaw amendment that is a step toward district regulations for the businesses.
Staff also presented a draft marijuana dispensary business licence bylaw.
Should the zoning and business licence bylaws be adopted, marijuana dispensaries will be permitted in all zones that allow a retail store as a principal use except on Cleveland Avenue.
In all zones, a dispensary will have to be more than 300 metres from a school, youth centre or another dispensary.
Theoretically, a maximum of 13 pot shops could set up in Squamish, based on zoning and distance requirements.
Licences are slated to cost $5,000 each, a reflection of the additional staff time that goes into the regulation of dispensaries, according to a report submitted to council.
Refresh Market is back
It’s time to shop for local handmade and vintage items. This year’s Spring Refresh Market is scheduled for Saturday (April 23).
Refresh Market will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
