Lance Bright for Mayor of Whistler
For decades, I've watched Whistler's expansion amid the danger of wildfires. As mayor, addressing this would be my priority.
Who I Am
My History
I am proud to say I'm a second-generation Whistler business owner. I came to live in Whistler as a newborn as my father, Jack Bright, was Whistler's GM from 1967-1977.
In that period, we lived in staff housing and as a result, my father never second-guessed his decision to come here, he never worried about being evicted or having our residence sold out from us. He was free to put his passion and commitment to building the resort into a world-class destination. Whistler, during that time, had some amazing growth.
Today I'm a father myself, to a five-year-old daughter in kindergarten and a 19-year-old son.
“I want all staff and employees of Whistler to have this same confidence now, that they have a secure place to live, yet it seems so out of reach these days.”
My Passion for Whistler
When my father passed away in 2013, I took over the main responsibility for the family business, and what followed was five years like I have never seen.
We all faced one of the most challenging and changing times in the history of Whistler. Real estate doubled. Rents tripled. And the resort had record-breaking visits. What should have been a boon has been fraught with new issues--staffing and housing shortages--necessitating many business closures.
Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) cannot run my businesses; we cannot run a resort town without our greatest assets—our people. I live in fear of how we can replace Whistler's workers and middle class, middle management and accountable employees--the glue that keeps it all together. Affordable housing, transit, daycare, decent wages—these things are all necessary to draw people to want to move to Whistler and work here, and then to stay here and make this town their home. They are the true partners in our success. Why do we make it so hard for them?
“We simply have too much to lose.”
I have many passions for Whistler's future. I'm concerned about our environment, our transportation, and most importantly, fire mitigation. In my life, I have witnessed trees grow from saplings into major, identified forest fire hazards. Open spaces I played in as a kid are now so densely treed that today, if a fire broke out, it would be impossible to outrun it.
I firmly believe that we cannot allow our town, our livelihood, and our investments to be this vulnerable—and yet, it appears we do not have the funds to fix it. Extraordinary measures are needed; we simply have too much to lose. This problem requires tactful government lobbying, for if Whistler burns, so does much of the tax money we generate.
Why I am Actively Trying to Make Changes
“That's when I found the politician within me.”
I was not looking to enter the world of politics. Instead, it grabbed me when a development threatened our family business. I felt shut out, alone from the RMOW, and without any recourse, as I was told there was nothing I could do to stop it. That's when I found the politician within me. I gathered like-minded people, we shared concerns, and when the time came, we stopped it. Our good RMOW council was the conscience of the people!
Despite not being elected to council in 2018, I have continued to help others as I was helped. I will continue to speak out and be a champion for your safety, and an advocate for you and your family in Whistler, the place we all love. I believe that any triumphs in the causes true to my heart are ones that will benefit all, equally and fairly.
When you feel passionately about something, you fight for it. In 2018, after taking on City Hall and winning, I ran for council and left behind ideas and plans for our town. That campaign never really ended for me. I kept pressing on the concern closest to my heart, and eight years later, too little has changed. So I'm running again, this time for Mayor, to make sure wildfire is finally treated as the serious threat it is.
“Could you imagine being in a fire in those trees?”
Lance on a ski run above Whistler Village, in forest that was logging slash when he was a boy.
“This used to all be logging slash when I grew up here, and since then it has been overgrown.”
“One of the frightening aspects of this is that less than a kilometre away is Whistler Village.”
Read the transcript
Hi, just to give you some concept of what mismanaged forest is like. I'm going down a ski run that eventually leads me up in the Whistler Village Centre. This used to all be logging slash when I grew up here, and since then it has been overgrown. If you look behind me, the trees are almost impossible to ski through.
And that, my friends, is a terrible situation if you're in a fire. Trees jump from tree to tree and move at the speed of the wind, and even faster. One of the frightening aspects of this is that less than a kilometre away is Whistler Village.
I would submit that the damage, not only to the season that it takes place, but in the infrastructure and rebuilding, is catastrophic and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Again, take one look, last look, at those trees. Could you imagine being in a fire in those trees? Your likelihood of survival would be very slim. Thanks.
My Main Concerns
I've stated many times over the years that my main concerns for Whistler are:
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Wildfire Mitigation
“In my life, I have witnessed trees grow from saplings into major, identified forest fire hazards. Open spaces I played in as a kid are now so densely treed that today, if a fire broke out, it would be impossible to outrun it.”
8 letters & articles · 2018
- Nov 8, 2018: WILDFIRE PREVENTION NEEDS ATTENTION Letters to the Editor
- Candidate profile: Lance Bright Articles on My Advocacy
- Why does Whistler spend so little on Fire Response & Prevention? My Blogs, Whistler Politico
- Wildfire Mitigation Recommendations – The Blackwell Report My Blogs
- July 12, 2018 “Wildfire is the Greatest Threat” Letters to the Editor
- Sept. 3, 2018 – “Bus Route 21: Spring Creek” Letters to City Council
- Aug. 23, 2018 – “Fire Concerns on Whistler Blackcomb” Letters to the Editor
- July 26, 2018 – “It’s Our Problem Now, But Not Our Fault” Letters to the Editor
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Rental Housing & Daycare
“Affordable housing, transit, daycare, decent wages—these things are all necessary to draw people to want to move to Whistler and work here, and then to stay here and make this town their home.”
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Environment
“As one who is concerned about the future of our world and the life we give our children, the question I ask myself is: What more can I do?”
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Transportation / Valley Trail
“Concepts to improve access via transit and the Valley Trail, which benefits all citizens south of Twin Lakes and improves safety and efficiency on Hwy 99.”
Now imagine if that same fire took place on a hot day in August instead of February. Flames would quickly climb the mountain behind it.
That is the fire I fear.
From “Wildfire is the Greatest Threat,” Lance’s letter to The Pique, July 12, 2018
The following letter will introduce an idea that will not only improve transit efficiency, Fire Department response, and wildfire mitigation, but will also give Bayshores its own bus service and achieve this goal with no increase in operating costs.
In order for transit to win, it must be better than driving on your own.
From “Bus Route 21: Spring Creek,” Lance’s letter to Whistler’s Mayor and Council, Sept. 3, 2018
On the Record
I believe that if I feel passionately about something, I need to be an advocate for it. In 2018 I began by writing some blogs and articles, and those links are below. Since then, I've spoken with groups and continued my advocacy in these areas.
You can read more on this below by clicking on the different topics, or read my letters to City Council, my articles in The Pique's Letters to the Editor, my posts in Facebook's Whistler Politico, and my blog entries.
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