As part of our Squamish Votes 2018 coverage, we invited each candidate to fill out an online questionnaire answering questions about policy and big issues facing Squamish in the next four years. Candidates were emailed the questionnaire and given one week to submit answers.
About You
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Name: |
Armand Hurford |
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How many years have you lived in Squamish? |
Forty |
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How many council or committee meetings have you attended since Sept. 1, 2017? |
Two |
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What do you love most about Squamish? (150 word limit) |
Everything is world class here; the views, the people, the outdoor recreation opportunities and, even the neighbouring communities. It's also my home and has been my families home for three, going on four generations. |
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Are you endorsing a particular candidate for mayor? (question for councilor candidates) |
No/Not at this time |
Squamish Issues
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What do you think is the biggest single issue facing Squamish? (150 words limit) |
Rapid growth and the management of that growth. We have a plan (OCP) and we need to work together to make sure the plan is followed. Developments that are allowed to go forward need to be environmentally responsible and provide the community with the greatest benefits, such as affordable housing units, daycare capacity and economic opportunities. |
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In the last term, what was council's single greatest accomplishment? What was council's biggest failure? (150 character limit) |
The work done the OCP under this council was outstanding and will provide guidance to future councils. The management of the rapid growth and development posed a huge challenge for this council and will not be easy for the next.
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Residents often complain about traffic (speeding, parking etc.) What would you do to improve traffic and parking in Squamish? (150 words limit) |
There is no quick fix for this, the solutions lay in improved public transit, carpooling/ride sharing, active transportation, enforcement of current parking restrictions and posted speeds. |
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Squamish has a housing affordability crisis. What would you do to improve affordability? (150 words limit) |
We should move towards setting up a housing authority to manage the new, low income and rent controlled units that will be coming with new developments already in progress. The units have been negotiated by past councils, but we don't have a handle on managing those at this time. This can be fixed. |
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Do you support stronger regulation of AirBNB? |
Yes |
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How would you attract new businesses and employers to Squamish? (150 words limit) |
We need to make Squamish more liveable (Affordable rentals, public/active transportation) this will allow the current businesses to realize their full potential and make Squamish a more attractive home for future ones. Land set aside for business use needs to be protected as such so the newcomers can have a place. |
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Do you have a strategy to implement regional transit? (150 word limit) |
A regional transit solution will only come with the cooperation of all the stake holders. The province and the municipalities will need to work together to make this happen. With an end of Greyhound service effecting the majority of western Canada this will be a hot topic and solutions will follow shortly. |
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Given limited financial resources, what do you think is the single highest priority for Brennan Park? (150 word limit) |
With the public consultation on this coming back inconclusive I would like to have more information to make this call. There is a case to be made for renovating the existing facility and there is also a case for a new facility. Neither option is cheap but we do need to commit to a path and a projected timeline if we are to accomplish either option. |
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Do you support cannabis retail shops in Squamish? |
Yes |
Major Developments
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Would you consider yourself pro-WLNG or anti-WLNG? |
Somewhat opposed (4) |
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Are you supportive of the Garibaldi At Squamish project? |
Somewhat opposed (4) |
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Do you support development of the Cheema Lands (Lot 509/510)? |
Neutral (3) |
