With the election just around the corner, The 小蓝视频 posed three questions to West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country candidates in an online survey.
Each question was the same, and each candidate was given the same amount of time to answer.
We are publishing each of their responses separately.
The answers are unedited (other than for the odd punctuation correction).
Below are Patrick Weiler, Liberal Party of Canada’s answers:
Q1. As you see it, what is at stake in this election for the Sea to Sky
A: This election is about two starkly different visions for Canada and our region. It’s about the kind of country we want, the role the federal government should play, and how we stand up to Donald Trump. His re-election has made this the most pivotal election in generations.
Together with Mark Carney and the Liberal Party, I’m offering a forward-looking vision for our country where the federal government is a true partner in building a stronger, more resilient Canada, not one that mimics Trump-style politics and leaves everything to the free market. That means real investments in things like $10/day childcare, affordable housing, public transit, and helping municipalities to get housing built faster and at lower cost.
It is ensuring that services that matter, like dental care and pharmacare, are there for those that can’t afford it. It means protecting our cultural institutions like the C小蓝视频 by strengthening it with a local bureau in Squamish to cover the Sea to Sky. The Conservatives are planning to cut all the funding for below market housing that has built 1,100 units in our riding, deride $10/day childcare as a slush fund and will eliminate the funding that established 600 spaces, will end our partnership with Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton that is speeding up housing, will defund the C小蓝视频, and end dental care that is already providing coverage for over 12,000 residents in our region.
As we navigate global uncertainty, the key question is this: who can lead Canada through the next chapter and build a future we’re proud of?
For me, that means delivering on regional transit, taking action on climate change, making life more affordable, and growing our economy by unlocking interprovincial trade and expanding international agreements. If re-elected, those will be the priorities I’ll champion as your Member of Parliament.
Q2. Define the relationship that would exist between you/ your party and the Squamish Nation, should you be elected as MP.
A: We have been the first government to take reconciliation seriously, passing legislation on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into Canadian law, fundamentally changing the relationship with Canada and Indigenous Peoples from one of antagonism to one of partnership, the pursuit of truly co-developed pieces of legislation, and major progress in closing the infrastructure and service gap that exists.
I am steadfastly committed to building a trusted relationship with the Nation, its leadership and its membership to help advance priorities for the Nation and the whole region. I would like to build on the partnerships we have made on housing projects (like Sen虛á岣祑), on environmental stewardship (like Átl'岣礱7tsem / Howe Sound Biosphere), on economic reconciliation, creating opportunities, especially for young people, and more.
I also want to continue to advance action on reconciliation nationally through work in Parliament, where before this election I served as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs. Together, we can walk the path of reconciliation in true partnership.
Q3. How will things be better, if they will be, for the average working family in Squamish?
A: I’m running for re-election because I fundamentally believe that as your MP, and with Mark Carney as Prime Minister, we can make life better for everyone in Squamish. I won’t mislead you with slogans or obscure our policies, and it’s going to be hard work, but I’ll fight every single day for this community.
Here’s what I’ll work to deliver for families in Squamish: We’re in a housing crisis, and we’re going to build our way out of it. We have an ambitious plan to build 500,000 homes a year, unlock private capital, and build faster by cutting red tape to reduce costs and speed up construction.
This will help create more housing overall, including cutting GST for first-time homebuyers on homes under $1 million, and increasing the amount of below-market homes. We’ll cut income tax by 1% for the lowest tax bracket, saving up to $412 per person so you have more money in your pocket while maintaining and building on critical public services, like pharmacare and dental care.
We’ll invest in regional transit that is so essential in our community, be a partner in community infrastructure projects like Brennan Park, continue to create more childcare spaces, and take action on climate change, which is felt so acutely here.
In a time when our closest ally and trading partner can no longer be trusted, we’re going to be focused on building a strong and resilient economy. That means working with businesses, attracting investment, and creating good jobs so that we can all afford to live in this beautiful community.
