What West Vancouver's new mayor, council and school board promised

West Vancouver elected a mayor, six councillors and five school trustees on October 17, 2026. Each of them made promises during the campaign: in platforms, on campaign websites, and in answers to questionnaires from the North Shore News and other groups. The largest and most specific are below, by topic. Each one links to its record, and all of them are marked not started.

Taxes and budget

Kirk LaPointe's platform of September 27 promised a review of spending, services and reserves to bring the projected 2027 tax increase of nearly 7 per cent down to 3 per cent. The Ubyssey reported on October 13 that he said the review would take 60 to 90 days, and that he did not say which programs he would cut. After 2027 he promised to hold spending growth to half the rate of inflation.

On his campaign site, Lee Lau listed an independent review of city spending, separate from council. Tim Webb wrote that he would examine fees such as dog licences against the cost of collecting them. Jaime Webbe named a budget with no surprise tax increases or levies, including from Metro Vancouver, as her first priority.

Housing and planning

Councillor Linda Watt wrote that she would keep pushing back on provincial housing mandates until the province commits to infrastructure, transportation, health care and emergency room services. Councillor Peter Lambur promised to keep pressing for local housing plans that protect the character of neighbourhoods, and to support partnerships for below-market housing.

Lau wrote that West Vancouver should meet its housing targets with townhomes and other mid-sized homes, and reduce permit barriers for multigenerational homes. Webbe wrote that she would support permits to upgrade older rental buildings, saying 80 per cent of purpose-built rentals were built before 1980. LaPointe promised to set aside a share of new townhouses and row houses for seniors, young families and first responders.

Business and the villages

LaPointe promised a business plan for Ambleside, Dundarave, Horseshoe Bay and Caulfeild made with merchants, and to ask the province for the power to tax empty storefronts. Watt wrote that the District should stop storefronts sitting empty for long periods and allow pop-ups while they are vacant.

At a business debate on October 13, Webb said the commercial tax rate is three times the residential rate, the North Shore News reported, and his site asks council to weigh how its decisions add to business costs. Lambur called for a full renewal of the sidewalks, plazas and streets of Ambleside. Councillor Scott Snider wrote that he wants to cut red tape and make permits simpler.

Streets, traffic and parking

The people elected differ on pay parking. LaPointe's platform says he would end pay parking. Watt wrote that the District should refine it, and Webbe that she would work with the business association to revisit it in Ambleside and Dundarave.

LaPointe also promised to fix 50 streetscape problems in 50 days in the spring of 2027. Snider named fixing roads and sidewalks as his first priority. Watt wrote that she would push for Sea to Sky passenger rail and a firm plan for the Second Narrows crossing, and Lau that he would cut rush-hour traffic with more school buses and senior shuttles.

How government works

LaPointe promised Ask-Me-Anything meetings at Municipal Hall twice a month, fewer closed council meetings with the legal reason for each, and to refuse the extra pay for sitting on the Metro Vancouver board. He also promised to start a formal Relationship Protocol Agreement with Squamish Nation.

LaPointe, Watt and Lambur each made promises on the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant. LaPointe promised to demand a review by the province's Inspector of Municipalities. Watt wrote that she would press the province to act on council's call for that inquiry, a call she describes as her own. Lambur wrote that he seconded the motion of July 20, 2026, and promised to seek cost relief for taxpayers.

Webbe promised to adopt a code of conduct for council. Webb promised to ask council to bring back a Community Engagement Committee of volunteers who would review projects before they reach council.

Parks, facilities and the waterfront

The mayor-elect promised to make an Urgent and Primary Care Centre the first project the District takes on with a private partner. Snider promised to keep asking the province and Vancouver Coastal Health for an urgent care centre.

Webb listed picnic tables and seating, pop-up food and markets and a seasonal Christmas market for the waterfront, and promised to explore more sheets of ice. Webbe wrote that she would raise money for the seniors' centre and the ice rink so taxpayers pay less of the cost.

Seniors and youth

LaPointe promised to advance a new Seniors' Activity Centre this term, and to seek the province's approval for a non-binding vote for 16 and 17 year olds at the 2030 election. Lau named seniors his first priority, with neighbourhood senior hubs and a larger seniors' centre. Snider promised to keep asking for more long-term care beds, and Lambur to work on a seniors strategy with community groups. Webbe promised youth seats on community boards such as the library board.

Environment, wildfire and emergencies

For wildfire, LaPointe promised evacuation plans for every neighbourhood, with assembly points and routes, and a full-time FireSmart coordinator. Watt wrote that the coastline protection plan and its test site in Ambleside Park must continue. Lau promised cooling spaces and check-ins for vulnerable residents in extreme heat.

Schools

All five trustees promised to press the province for money: Felicia Zhu, Sheelah Donahue, Richard Loat, John Calimente and Karen Straith.

Loat wrote that literacy and numeracy will always be his first priority, and promised to support sports academies beyond the current eight sports. Donahue wrote that the board's 2027 strategic plan must give priority to reading and math, and to mental health and a sense of belonging. Calimente promised to press the District and the province for safer walking and cycling routes to schools, and to put the money saved on power and upkeep into classrooms. Zhu promised clear guidance and training on AI for students and staff. Straith promised to make sure the district listens and explains its decisions to students, teachers and parents.

Every promise of the 12 people, with its source and its status, is on the West Vancouver promise tracker. The count is on the results page.