Regional District recognizes UBCM’s proclamation of Local Government Awareness Week, May 10–16, 2026

Pemberton, BC – The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is proud to recognize Local Government Awareness Week (May 10-16), as proclaimed by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). 

This annual province-wide initiative highlights the role of local government in delivering essential services and encourages residents to learn more about how decisions are made and how to stay involved with their local government. 

The 2026 theme, Financial Resiliency, focuses on how local governments plan ahead, adapt to changing conditions and continue delivering services both now and into the future. 

“Financial resiliency is about making thoughtful decisions that empower us to maintain services and infrastructure over the long term for our communities,” said Jen Ford, SLRD Board Chair. “Residents rely on services like water, emergency management and waste systems every day. Strong financial planning ensures services are well funded to support our communities as they change and grow.”

As part of this year’s awareness week, the SLRD is continuing its work to make financial information more accessible and transparent. New budget infographics, developed as part of the SLRD’s financial planning process, are available on the SLRD website to help residents better understand how services are funded and how property taxes are structured.

“Budgeting in a regional district is quite complex, and we want residents to have clear, straightforward information about how our financial decisions are made,” said Ford. “Making this financial information more accessible improves transparency, builds understanding and trust, which in turn supports more informed engagement with the SLRD.”

The SLRD offers many ways for people living in the region to learn about local governance and get involved. This Local Government Awareness Week, the SLRD encourages residents to visit the SLRD website to:

• Review the 2026-2030 Financial Plan and explore the new budget infographics.
• Explore how the Board is structured and how decisions are made.
• Learn about all of the services the SLRD provide.
• Read the SLRD’s 2024-2026 Strategic Plan. 
• Subscribe to the SLRD Update newsletter.
• Engage in SLRD Board and Committee meetings.
• Follow the SLRD on Facebook.
• Follow the SLRD on Instagram.

Local Government Awareness Week also serves as a reminder that 2026 is a local election year. To support voters and potential candidates, the SLRD has developed an information hub on its website with key dates, links to election legislation and bylaws, and resources for voters and candidates. Additional information and resources will be added to this hub as they become available leading up to the General Local Election.

“This week is an opportunity to better understand the work the SLRD and its Board does, stay informed and feel inspired to take part, whether by following updates in social media and the newsletter, attending meetings or participating in public hearings and elections,” said Ford.

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Located in southwestern BC, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is a local government federation consisting of four member municipalities (the District of Lillooet, the District of Squamish, the Village of Pemberton and the Resort Municipality of Whistler) and four unincorporated, rural electoral areas (A, B, C, and D). Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic centre of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of local, regional and sub-regional services to approximately 50,496 residents (2021 Census as certified by the Minister of Municipal Affairs).

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District is found within the traditional territories of several First Nations, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), St'át'imc and Líl̓wat. Small parts of the SLRD also overlap with the traditional territories of the Stó:lō, Tsleil-Waututh, Nlaka'pamux, Tsilhqot'in, and Secwepemc Nations. While the SLRD does not provide direct services to the residents of the First Nations communities located within the region, the organization is committed to enhancing relations with the Indigenous communities and First Nations within whose territories the SLRD operates.