After working for politicians behind the scenes back east, Jacquie Menezes is hoping to fill the role as a leader herself, by taking a seat in Squamish council chambers.
Her policy platform is based on the four pillars of ‘Live,’ ‘Play,’ ‘Work’ and ‘Grow,' according to her press release.
"We have to choose the kind of town we want to become, now. If the right decisions are made by District council in the next couple of years, I see a thriving, dynamic community with good middle-class jobs from new local industries, a diverse and growing tax base, housing for everyone, more and better transit, more recreational activities and a cultural life filled with arts and entertainment," she said.
The pressures of development locally seem to be at a critical point, she said.
In terms of housing, Menezes said residential development should follow a municipal plan that includes a balance of family housing for modest and mid-level incomes and much more rental accommodation.
She supports Squamish having living wage jobs and better opportunities.
The District should be getting more of its fair share, she said, by accessing more government funds and investment via public-private partnerships and tax revenue — “including gasoline and soon, cannabis taxes."
Since moving to Squamish last October, Menezes has joined the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, volunteered with the Squamish Motorcycle Festival and was appointed to the District’s Public Arts Select Committee.
She has also been an active supporter of the Squamish Arts Council.
Menezes has worked as a communications and issues advisor to cabinet ministers in the Ontario legislature, as well as a stakeholder engagement and policy professional with Ontario’s transit plan at Metrolinx, an Ontario Crown agency.
She has also worked as a government affairs, communications and media advisor for private-sector technology firms, a bio-scientist for agri-food industries, a tourism and arts marketing manager and as a campaign organizer at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.
She has volunteered with women’s shelters and has an ongoing interest in personal development opportunities for at-risk youth.
*Please note, this story has been updated since it was first posted to include when Menezes moved to Squamish. It was also clarified that she volunteered with the Motorcycle Festival, but was not the organizer.
