In this episode of the Whistler Podcast, Mayor Jack Crompton and Cole Stefiuk are joined by Rodney Payne, CEO of Destination Think, whose purpose is to help ensure the tourism industry’s actions lead to a better future for everyone. 

Rodney begins by discussing how COVID-19 has changed tourism and the effects of the remote workplace on tourism reliant towns. They discuss the delicate balance of tourism and the role of community leaders in managing residents' values and the economy that tourism creates.  How does a destination ensure they have the right visitor with the right values? Rodney poses the question if more tourism is always better, and why do we want more tourists?  He states the importance of aligning resident and tourism values, including capacity, infrastructure and environment. Lastly, Rodney asks the question if climate serves tourism, and what are the risks for climate action or inaction for the tourism industry. 

After 35 years of feeding Whistler, Ingrid’s Village Cafe is closing their doors.  In this episode of the Whistler Podcast, Mayor Jack Crompton and Cole Stefuik host Ingrid’s owners Fiona Minton and Nancy MacConnachie as they reflect on the past 18 years of operating Ingrid’s Village Cafe.  

They discuss what it was like owning a business in Whistler with the ebb and flow of tourism and seasonal staff. They comment on COVID-19, and the importance of creating staffing cohorts.  They share heartfelt memories and stories of their regulars, reflecting on customers coming and going throughout their lives. Lastly, they touch on the overwhelming response and amazing community support they have received since their closing announcement.  

Ingrid’s Village Cafe will be closing its doors on March 29.  Be sure to visit before then, and decide for yourself if the Falafel Feta Wrap is truly underrated!

 In this episode of the Whistler Podcast, Mayor Jack Crompton and Cole Stefiuk meet with Court Larabee, Executive Director of the Indigenous Life Sports Academy. The ILSA provides indigenous youth with unstructured sports, striving to create social change and development within Indigenous communities in the Sea to Sky Corridor.  

Court begins the episode by educating the listener on the proper terminologies for Indigenous groups in Canada, and encourages people to follow the ILSA motto, which is “if you are not falling, you are not learning not learning.”  

He reveals his personal experiences growing up in Thunder Bay as an Anishinaabe, and shares what inspired him to follow his current path.  He discusses what it means to be BIPOC in Whistler, and lastly invites the listener to help with the ILSA mission.  

We want to hear from you!  Do you have comments, feedback or suggestions for the Whistler Podcast?  Reach out to facebook.com/mayorjackcrompton or @jacksoncrompton on twitter and let us know what you think.   

In this episode of the Whistler Podcast, Mayor Jack Crompton and Cole Stefiuk are joined by Whistler’s family doctor, Karen Kausky. Dr. Kausky has been treating Whistler residents for over 30 years, and provides an inside look at the pandemic from her perspective.  

In the conversation, Dr. Kausky touches on the challenges family doctors face today and the battle between practicing medicine and operating a small business. They review the COVID-19 timeline and address specific community challenges including positive cases in dense housing situations. The discussion moves to vaccines and the risk of doing nothing. Lastly, they talk about mental health, and the importance of the first steps in seeking help.    

Do you have feedback, comments or questions for the Whistler Podcast?  Reach out to @mayorjackcrompton on Facebook or @jacksoncrompton on Twitter.   

In this episode of the Whistler Podcast, Mayor Jack Crompton is joined by the voices of the Sea to Sky radio station, Mountain FM’s Darren McPeake and Marshall Whitsed.  

They discuss emergency preparedness, and hear Marshall's first person account of his experience in the Fort McMurray wildfires. They reflect on how COVID-19 has changed their work and lives, and how they are battling the repetitiveness of COVID-19 messaging on air. Lastly, they discuss what they hope to see for the region in ten years from now, and what decision makers should think about in the future including regional transportation and park protection.  

The next Whistler Podcast episode will feature Court Larabee, Vice President of the First Nations Snowboard Team. Submit your questions for Court now to https://www.facebook.com/mayorjackcrompton. 

 The Whistler Podcast is back for its second season! 

 In this episode, host Mayor Jack Crompton introduces Cole Stefiuk as a collaborative voice, and is joined by the Sea to Sky Corridor Mayors for their third Mayors discussion on the Whistler Podcast.  Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott and Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman join in and discuss COVID-19 and where they draw their inspiration from while leading through the Pandemic. They also discuss housing developments, growth and planning in their respective communities.

 We want to hear from you!  Do you have a comment, question or suggestion for the Whistler Podcast?  Contact Jack Crompton at facebook.com/mayorjackcrompton  or @jacksoncrompton on Twitter, and tell us what you want to hear on your local Podcast. 

Long time Whistler Real Estate professional Pat Kelly joins Mayor Jack Crompton with co-host Councillor Duane Jackson as they discuss the Whistler real estate market.
 
 Pat identifies who the Whistler purchaser is and how interest rates affect those purchases. He shares his market forecast, and discusses short term and long term investments while touching on the Airbnb movement and how COVID-19 is affecting that market. They also discuss local resident housing, affordability within the corridor and supply and demand. 
 
 Pat has been active in the real estate business in Whistler and Pemberton since 1981, and is the owner of The Whistler Real Estate Company. Pat is a graduate of the Commerce Program at the University of British Columbia and holds a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies from Simon Fraser University. With offices in Whistler and Pemberton, Pat has had his finger on the pulse of the corridor real estate market for almost 40 years.  

Pique Newsmagazine reporter Braden Dupuis joins Whistler’s Mayor Jack Crompton on Episode 26 of the Whistler Podcast to discuss the BC Election.  Originally from the prairies, Braden holds a bachelor of journalism from the University of Regina.  

They discuss the implications of a ‘snap’ election, the effect of mail in ballots in the Sea to Sky riding, the results for Whistler and the Liberal party's performance during the election.  They also focus on how COVID-19 has influenced this election and the issues involved.  

On episode 25, Councillor Ralph Forsyth joins Mayor Jack Crompton to discuss the municipal budget with the RMOW director of Finance Carlee Price.  Carlee acts as the chief financial officer for the RMOW and is responsible for directing and overseeing the municipal financial operations. 

 They discuss how the budget is composed and the funding benefits of living in a resort community. They touch on key issues including reserves, long term asset management, housing taxes, and budget myths including deficits and affordable housing.

 The Whistler municipal budget community meeting will take place virtually on November 16.  Residents are encouraged to attend and participate.  Feedback is welcomed, and must be
submitted by December 1. Learn more at whistler.ca/budgetopenhouse.

 On episode 24, Mayor Jack Crompton connects with the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky BC Green Party candidate for the 2020 provincial election to learn more about Jeremy Valeriote as an individual, what his party stands for and his perspective on issues that impact Whistler.

Jeremy offers his solutions to tackle the RMOW’s strategic priorities: housing, climate action and community balance. Mayor Crompton also poses questions about current topics of discussion in the Sea to Sky corridor including regional transit, train service between the Lower Mainland and Whistler, tourism, and Woodfibre LNG. 

Regardless of which candidate you support, please vote on or before October 24. Find voting information at elections.bc.ca.