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Squamish, British Columbia

Squamish (IPA: [skwɔːmɪʃ]; Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, IPA: [sqʷχʷoʔməʃ]; 2016 census population 19,512)[5] is a community and a district municipality in the Canadian province of British Columbia, located at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway. The population of the Squamish census agglomeration, which includes First Nation reserves of the Squamish Nation although they are not governed by the municipality, is 19,893.[6]

Squamish
Newport
District of Squamish[1]
Cleveland Avenue in Squamish with Mount Garibaldi looming in the background
Nickname: 
Squampton[2]
Squamish
Location of Squamish in British Columbia
Squamish
Squamish (Canada)
Coordinates: 49°42′06″N 123°09′32″W / 49.70167°N 123.15889°W / 49.70167; -123.15889Coordinates: 49°42′06″N 123°09′32″W / 49.70167°N 123.15889°W / 49.70167; -123.15889
CountryCanada
ProvinceBritish Columbia
RegionHowe Sound/Sea to Sky Country
Regional DistrictSquamish-Lillooet Regional District
Government
 • TypeElected council
 • MayorArmand V. Hurford
 • Governing bodySquamish Council
 • MPPatrick Weiler
 • MLAJordan Sturdy
Area
 • Total104.88 km2 (40.49 sq mi)
Elevation
5 m (16 ft)
Population
 (2022 is over twenty thousand people)[3]
 • Total25,512
 • Density186.1/km2 (482/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Squamite, Squamishite, Squamolian[4]
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific Time Zone)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
Forward sortation area
Area code604
Websitesquamish.ca

Indigenous Squamish people have lived in the area for thousands of years.[7] The town of Squamish had its beginning during the construction of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in the 1910s. It was the first southern terminus of that railway (now a part of CN). The town remains important in the operations of the line and also the port. Forestry has traditionally been the main industry in the area, and the town's largest employer was the pulp mill operated by Western Forest Products. However, Western's operations in Squamish permanently ceased on January 26, 2006.[8] Before the pulp mill, the town's largest employer had been International Forest Products (Interfor) with its sawmill and logging operation, but it closed a few years prior to the pulp mill's closing. In recent years, Squamish has become popular with Vancouver and Whistler residents escaping the increased cost of living in those places, both less than one hour away by highway. Tourism is increasingly important in the town's economy, with an emphasis on outdoor recreation.

Squamish people

The Squamish people are an indigenous people whose homeland includes the present day area of Squamish, British Columbia. Oral stories and archaeological evidence show that they have lived there for thousands of years.[9] They have inhabited an area of southwestern British Columbia that includes North and West Vancouver, Howe Sound, Whistler, the areas surrounding the tributaries entering Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet, and English Bay. The word Squamish derives from the name of the people which in their language is Sḵwx̱wúʔmesh. The people reside primarily on a number of Indian Reserves owned and managed by the Squamish Nation in the Squamish Valley area. A few places and names in the Squamish area derive from Squamish language words and names. Ch’iyáḵmesh is the name of an old village that was located on the Cheakamus River. St’á7mes is a community located near the south entrance to the town of Squamish, which lies below the Stawamus Chief, which gets its name from that village. Mámx̱wem is where the Mamquam River name comes from as well.

Squamish territory comprises 6,732 km², though lands controlled by the Squamish Nation band government are relatively scarce, and on Indian reserves only, though the Squamish Nation must be, like other native governments, consulted on developments within their people's territory. Residents of Indian Reserves are not governed by the District of Squamish but by the Squamish Nation. The Squamish Nation's population and Indian Reserves also include villages in North Vancouver and a number of other reserves at Gibsons and elsewhere in the general region.

The name Keh Kait was the traditional name for the site of downtown Squamish.[10]

Activities

 
The Stawamus Chief
 
Squamish and the Squamish Valley from the summit of the Chief

Squamish is known for mountain biking, hiking, climbing, and more

Attractions include the Stawamus Chief, a huge cliff-faced granite massif favoured by rock climbers. As well as over 300 climbing routes on the Chief proper, a majority of which require traditional climbing protection, there are steep hiking trails around the back to access the three peaks that make up the massif, all giving views of Howe Sound and the surrounding Coast Mountains. In all, between Shannon Falls, Murrin Park, The Malamute, and the Smoke Bluffs, there are over 1500 rock-climbing routes in the Squamish area (and another 300 or so climbs north of Squamish on the road to Whistler). In recent years, Squamish has also become a major destination for bouldering, with over 2500 problems described in the local guidebook.[11]

Kiteboarding and windsurfing are popular water sports in Squamish during the summer. Predictable wind on warm sunny days makes the Squamish Spit a top kiteboarding location in western Canada.[12]

Squamish's extensive quality trail system is a key feature of an annual 50-mile ultra trail run, the Squamish 50. Solo runners and relay teams run on many of the same trails as the Test of Metal, and pass through Alice Lake Provincial Park and the campus of Quest University. "The Double" is an award offered annually to the participant with the fastest combined time for both the Test of Metal and Arc'teryx Squamish 50.[13][14]

Other tourist attractions in Squamish include Shannon Falls waterfall; river-rafting on the Elaho and Squamish rivers; snowmobiling on nearby Brohm Ridge; and bald eagle viewing in the community of Brackendale, which has one of North America's largest populations of bald eagles.[15] Squamish is also a popular destination among Greater Vancouver hikers, mountaineers and backcountry skiers, who visit the large provincial parks in the surrounding Coast Mountains.

Politics

The current mayor of Squamish is Armand Hurford, who won the 2022 election, after having served as a council member. Previous mayors have included Karen Elliot (2018-2022) Patricia Heintzman (2014-2018); Rob Kirkham (2011-2014); Greg Gardner (2008-2011); Ian Sutherland (2002–2008) among others. Current council members are Karen Elliot, Eric Andersen, John French, Doug Race, Chris Pettingill, and Jenna Stoner.[16] The municipality is part of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

On the provincial level, Squamish is in the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky electoral district. The MLA is Jordan Sturdy (BC Liberal). He was elected in the 2013 provincial election after his predecessor, Joan McIntyre, also of the British Columbia Liberal Party, retired from politics. Sturdy was the sitting mayor of the town of Pemberton at the time of his election to the British Columbia Legislature. He was re-elected in the 2017 provincial election and appointed the critic for Transportation and Infrastructure.[17]

Federally, Squamish is a part of the West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country electoral district. It is represented by Patrick Weiler of the Liberal Party of Canada, who took office after the 2019 Canadian federal election.

Education

Squamish has five English language public elementary schools: Brackendale Elementary, Garibaldi Highlands Elementary, Mamquam Elementary, Squamish Elementary, and Valleycliffe Elementary. Under the Sea to Sky Learning Connections, the public schools district also manages Sea to Sky Online, Sea to Sky Alternative, Cultural Journeys, and Learning Expeditions. The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique operates one Francophone primary school in that city: the école Les Aiglons.[18] There are two public secondary schools – Howe Sound Secondary School and Don Ross Middle School – as well as the board office for School District 48 Howe Sound.

Squamish hosts three private schools: Squamish Montessori Elementary School, Cedar Valley Waldorf School, and Coast Mountain Academy for grades 7 through 12. Coast Mountain Academy is located in the campus of Quest University.

Capilano University offers post-secondary education through its Squamish campus, including diploma programs and university transfer courses. Quest University, which opened in September 2007, is Canada's first private, non-profit, secular university, though only has an enrolment of less than 5000 students.[19]

 
A panorama from the summit of the Stawamus Chief in Squamish

Society and culture

Squamish is home to a variety of faiths. There are eleven churches and religious organizations, including several Christian denominations, as well as the Baháʼí Faith, and a Sikh temple.

The Squamish Public Library is located in the downtown area on Second Avenue. The library houses a collection of books, CDs, DVDs, and magazines. It has an Art for Loan collection and an online historical archive of various photographs, periodicals, and other items. Nearby museums include the Britannia Mine Museum and the West Coast Railway Association.

In 1998, Squamish was briefly the home of the world's first unionized McDonald's franchise, although the union was decertified by the summer of 1999.[20]

Every year, Squamish hosts the popular Squamish Valley Music Festival, though they did not proceed with the festival in 2016.[21] Usually taking place in August, the festival has hosted artists such as Eminem, Bruno Mars, Macklemore and Arcade Fire.

In media

Squamish has been a filming location for a number of media works and is a very popular place to film movies and TV shows. Examples include the films Free Willy 3: The Rescue (1997), Insomnia (2002), Walking Tall (2004), Chaos Theory (2008), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011), The 12 Disasters of Christmas (2012), Star Trek Beyond (2016), Woody Woodpecker (2018), the television series Men in Trees, The Guard, A&E's U.S. adaptation of The Returned, the Hallmark Channel's Aurora Teagarden mysteries, and Netflix's Lost in Space reboot. Sneaky Sasquatch, an Apple Arcade game, is also based there.

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
198110,272—    
198610,157−1.1%
199111,709+15.3%
199613,944+19.1%
200114,247+2.2%
200614,949+4.9%
201117,158+14.8%
201619,512+13.7%
[22]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Squamish had a population of 23,819 living in 9,191 of its 9,906 total private dwellings, a change of 22.2% from its 2016 population of 19,497. With a land area of 104.71 km2 (40.43 sq mi), it had a population density of 227.5/km2 (589.2/sq mi) in 2021.[23]

Ethnicity

Panethnic groups in the District of Squamish (1996−2021)
Panethnic
group
2021[24] 2016[25] 2011[26] 2006[27] 2001[28] 1996[29]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European[a] 19,030 80.82% 15,355 80.35% 14,045 83.08% 11,990 80.55% 11,435 80.61% 12,045 86.44%
South Asian 1,525 6.48% 1,295 6.78% 1,010 5.97% 1,675 11.25% 1,690 11.91% 1,245 8.93%
Indigenous 920 3.91% 950 4.97% 685 4.05% 550 3.69% 360 2.54% 325 2.33%
East Asian[b] 735 3.12% 520 2.72% 280 1.66% 215 1.44% 305 2.15% 85 0.61%
Southeast Asian[c] 550 2.34% 635 3.32% 550 3.25% 265 1.78% 145 1.02% 80 0.57%
Latin American 350 1.49% 120 0.63% 130 0.77% 95 0.64% 70 0.49% 70 0.5%
Middle Eastern[d] 165 0.7% 40 0.21% 25 0.15% 25 0.17% 10 0.07% 10 0.07%
African 155 0.66% 120 0.63% 95 0.56% 40 0.27% 100 0.7% 80 0.57%
Other[e] 120 0.51% 75 0.39% 75 0.44% 25 0.17% 75 0.53% 0 0%
Total responses 23,545 98.85% 19,110 97.94% 16,905 98.53% 14,885 99.57% 14,185 99.56% 13,935 99.58%
Total population 23,819 100% 19,512 100% 17,158 100% 14,949 100% 14,247 100% 13,994 100%
  • Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses.

Religion

According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Squamish included:[24]

Climate

Squamish has an oceanic climate (Cfb) with warm summers and moderately cold winters. Squamish is one of the wettest inhabited locations in Canada, with over 2,200 millimetres (87 in) of rainfall per year, often falling in long stretches through the winter.

Climate data for Squamish
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.5
(58.1)
20.5
(68.9)
26.0
(78.8)
30.5
(86.9)
36.5
(97.7)
43.0
(109.4)
37.0
(98.6)
36.9
(98.4)
37.0
(98.6)
29.5
(85.1)
17.5
(63.5)
13.0
(55.4)
43.0
(109.4)
Average high °C (°F) 5.6
(42.1)
8.7
(47.7)
11.3
(52.3)
15.1
(59.2)
18.1
(64.6)
20.5
(68.9)
23.1
(73.6)
23.3
(73.9)
20.7
(69.3)
14.6
(58.3)
8.7
(47.7)
5.2
(41.4)
14.6
(58.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.7
(36.9)
4.6
(40.3)
6.7
(44.1)
9.9
(49.8)
12.9
(55.2)
15.5
(59.9)
17.8
(64.0)
17.8
(64.0)
15.0
(59.0)
10.3
(50.5)
5.5
(41.9)
2.5
(36.5)
10.1
(50.2)
Average low °C (°F) −0.3
(31.5)
0.4
(32.7)
2.1
(35.8)
4.6
(40.3)
7.6
(45.7)
10.4
(50.7)
12.4
(54.3)
12.2
(54.0)
9.2
(48.6)
5.9
(42.6)
2.3
(36.1)
−0.2
(31.6)
5.5
(41.9)
Record low °C (°F) −20.6
(−5.1)
−14.5
(5.9)
−8.0
(17.6)
−2.0
(28.4)
0.5
(32.9)
3.5
(38.3)
6.0
(42.8)
5.0
(41.0)
1.5
(34.7)
−7.0
(19.4)
−15.8
(3.6)
−20.0
(−4.0)
−20.6
(−5.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 326.1
(12.84)
192.8
(7.59)
206.5
(8.13)
152.6
(6.01)
115.7
(4.56)
82.6
(3.25)
59.3
(2.33)
66.2
(2.61)
82.6
(3.25)
255.5
(10.06)
391.3
(15.41)
299.0
(11.77)
2,230.2
(87.80)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 300.2
(11.82)
179.7
(7.07)
198.4
(7.81)
152.5
(6.00)
115.7
(4.56)
82.6
(3.25)
59.3
(2.33)
66.2
(2.61)
82.6
(3.25)
255.5
(10.06)
382.2
(15.05)
268.4
(10.57)
2,143.3
(84.38)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 25.9
(10.2)
13.1
(5.2)
8.1
(3.2)
0.1
(0.0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
9.2
(3.6)
30.6
(12.0)
87.0
(34.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 19.4 14.8 18.5 16.3 14.2 12.1 8.3 8.3 8.8 17.1 21.1 19.7 178.4
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 17.2 14.0 18.2 16.3 14.2 12.1 8.3 8.3 8.8 17.1 20.5 17.6 172.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 4.3 2.0 1.1 0.05 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.8 4.1 13.3
Source: Environment Canada[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]

Industry

Carbon Engineering, a company focusing on the commercialization of direct air capture technology, is headquartered in Squamish.[38][39]

Transit

Public transportation is provided by the Squamish Transit System; this service is free over the summer to students at school age (elementary and secondary).

Daily bus service to Vancouver and YVR Vancouver Airport is provided by YVR Skylynx with multiple departures every day.

Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhoods of Squamish include:

  • Brackendale
  • Valleycliff
  • Downtown Squamish
  • Dentville
  • Northyards
  • Garibaldi Highlands
  • Garibaldi Estates

Nearby localities

Notable people

Sister cities

Squamish has a sister city arrangement with the following city:

Freedom of the City

The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the City of Squamish.

Individuals

  • Lois Wynne: 3 July 2018.[49]

Notes

  1. ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  2. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  3. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  4. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  5. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.

References

  1. ^ "British Columbia Regional Districts, Municipalities, Corporate Name, Date of Incorporation and Postal Address" (XLS). British Columbia Ministry of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  2. ^ Thuncher, Jennifer. "About that 'Squampton' saying". Squamish Chief.
  3. ^ Census Profile, 2016 Census - Squamish, District municipality Census subdivision, British Columbia and British Columbia Province
  4. ^ Wittenburg, Wolfgang (2 February 2013). "Squamisher or Squamolean ?". The Squamish Reporter. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  5. ^ Statistics Canada. Squamish District Municipality Census Profile, 2016 Census – 100% data Retrieved on: July 22, 2017.
  6. ^ Statistics Canada. Squamish Census Agglomeration Profile, 2016 Census – 100% data Retrieved on: July 22, 2017.
  7. ^ "Bowl an inspiration for Squamish archaeologist". Squamish Chief. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  8. ^ Western Forest Products . Press Release, May 12, 2006. retrieved on: July 30, 2007.
  9. ^ "Bowl an inspiration for Squamish archaeologist". Squamish Chief. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  10. ^ "Squamish (district municipality)". BC Geographical Names.
  11. ^ Squamish Bouldering, 2nd Edition, Quickdraw Publications, 2010, ISBN 978-0-9732593-7-7.
  12. ^ Squamish Spit
  13. ^ "Home". Squamish 50.
  14. ^ Gracie, Jim. "Not just for biking: Garibaldi Highlands". Squamish Chief.
  15. ^ "Eagle & Bird Watching". squamish.ca.
  16. ^ "Council". squamish.ca.
  17. ^ "About | MLA Jordan Sturdy". jordansturdymla.ca. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  18. ^ "Carte des écoles." Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britanique. Retrieved on 22 January 2015.
  19. ^ Millar, Erin (22 October 2012). "The great experiment: Quest University's radical step in higher education". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  20. ^ "McDonald's workers decertify union". CBC News. Canada.
  21. ^ "Squamish Homes and Condos for Sale". squamish.com.
  22. ^ Population 1981/1986[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), British Columbia". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
  25. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2021-10-27). "Census Profile, 2016 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  26. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2015-11-27). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  27. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-08-20). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  28. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  29. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02). "Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
  30. ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data". Environment Canada. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  31. ^ "Daily Data Report for December 1968".
  32. ^ "Daily Data Report for January 1969".
  33. ^ "Daily Data Report for October 1984".
  34. ^ "Daily Data Report for November 1985".
  35. ^ "Daily Data Report for July 2015".
  36. ^ "Daily Data Report for August 2016".
  37. ^ "Daily Data Report for June 2021".
  38. ^ "Carbon Engineering | Direct Air Capture of CO2 | Home". Carbon Engineering.
  39. ^ Katie Brigham (June 22, 2019). "Bill Gates and Big Oil back this company that's trying to solve climate change by sucking CO2 out of the air". cnbc.com. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  40. ^ Keh, Andrew (2012-01-19). "Sarah Burke, Freestyle Skier, Dies From Injuries in Training". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  41. ^ "Squamish hereditary chief Ian Campbell mulls running for mayor with Vision Vancouver". The Georgia Straight. 2018-05-10. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  42. ^ Carney, Mike. "Biography". mikecarney.com.
  43. ^ "ARGOS SELECT OT JOE EPPELE". Toronto Argonauts. 2010-05-02. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  44. ^ "Grimes In Reality". The FADER.
  45. ^ "Our Culture | Squamish Nation". www.squamish.net. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  46. ^ "Catching up with soccer great Mike Sweeney". Squamish Chief. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  47. ^ "Alpine Canada | News | Ski Community Mourns Ski Cross Racer Mikayla Martin". alpinecanada.org. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  48. ^ Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada. "List of Canada-Japan Sister and Friendship Cities". Retrieved 2017-02-05.
  49. ^ "Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting held Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 6-00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, BC" (PDF). DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH. Retrieved 17 September 2022.

External links

  • Official website  
  •   Squamish travel guide from Wikivoyage

squamish, british, columbia, squamish, skwɔːmɪʃ, sḵwx, wú7mesh, sníchim, sḵwx, wú7mesh, sqʷχʷoʔməʃ, 2016, census, population, community, district, municipality, canadian, province, british, columbia, located, north, howe, sound, highway, population, squamish, . Squamish IPA skwɔːmɪʃ Sḵwx wu7mesh snichim Sḵwx wu7mesh IPA sqʷxʷoʔmeʃ 2016 census population 19 512 5 is a community and a district municipality in the Canadian province of British Columbia located at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway The population of the Squamish census agglomeration which includes First Nation reserves of the Squamish Nation although they are not governed by the municipality is 19 893 6 Squamish NewportDistrict municipalityDistrict of Squamish 1 Cleveland Avenue in Squamish with Mount Garibaldi looming in the backgroundLogoNickname Squampton 2 SquamishLocation of Squamish in British ColumbiaShow map of British ColumbiaSquamishSquamish Canada Show map of CanadaCoordinates 49 42 06 N 123 09 32 W 49 70167 N 123 15889 W 49 70167 123 15889 Coordinates 49 42 06 N 123 09 32 W 49 70167 N 123 15889 W 49 70167 123 15889CountryCanadaProvinceBritish ColumbiaRegionHowe Sound Sea to Sky CountryRegional DistrictSquamish Lillooet Regional DistrictGovernment TypeElected council MayorArmand V Hurford Governing bodySquamish Council MPPatrick Weiler MLAJordan SturdyArea Total104 88 km2 40 49 sq mi Elevation5 m 16 ft Population 2022 is over twenty thousand people 3 Total25 512 Density186 1 km2 482 sq mi Demonym s Squamite Squamishite Squamolian 4 Time zoneUTC 8 Pacific Time Zone Summer DST UTC 7 Pacific Daylight Time Forward sortation areaV8BArea code604Websitesquamish wbr caIndigenous Squamish people have lived in the area for thousands of years 7 The town of Squamish had its beginning during the construction of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway in the 1910s It was the first southern terminus of that railway now a part of CN The town remains important in the operations of the line and also the port Forestry has traditionally been the main industry in the area and the town s largest employer was the pulp mill operated by Western Forest Products However Western s operations in Squamish permanently ceased on January 26 2006 8 Before the pulp mill the town s largest employer had been International Forest Products Interfor with its sawmill and logging operation but it closed a few years prior to the pulp mill s closing In recent years Squamish has become popular with Vancouver and Whistler residents escaping the increased cost of living in those places both less than one hour away by highway Tourism is increasingly important in the town s economy with an emphasis on outdoor recreation Contents 1 Squamish people 2 Activities 3 Politics 4 Education 5 Society and culture 6 In media 7 Demographics 7 1 Ethnicity 7 2 Religion 8 Climate 9 Industry 10 Transit 11 Neighbourhoods 11 1 Nearby localities 12 Notable people 13 Sister cities 14 Freedom of the City 14 1 Individuals 15 Notes 16 References 17 External linksSquamish people EditMain article Squamish people The Squamish people are an indigenous people whose homeland includes the present day area of Squamish British Columbia Oral stories and archaeological evidence show that they have lived there for thousands of years 9 They have inhabited an area of southwestern British Columbia that includes North and West Vancouver Howe Sound Whistler the areas surrounding the tributaries entering Howe Sound Burrard Inlet and English Bay The word Squamish derives from the name of the people which in their language is Sḵwx wuʔmesh The people reside primarily on a number of Indian Reserves owned and managed by the Squamish Nation in the Squamish Valley area A few places and names in the Squamish area derive from Squamish language words and names Ch iyaḵmesh is the name of an old village that was located on the Cheakamus River St a7mes is a community located near the south entrance to the town of Squamish which lies below the Stawamus Chief which gets its name from that village Mamx wem is where the Mamquam River name comes from as well Squamish territory comprises 6 732 km though lands controlled by the Squamish Nation band government are relatively scarce and on Indian reserves only though the Squamish Nation must be like other native governments consulted on developments within their people s territory Residents of Indian Reserves are not governed by the District of Squamish but by the Squamish Nation The Squamish Nation s population and Indian Reserves also include villages in North Vancouver and a number of other reserves at Gibsons and elsewhere in the general region The name Keh Kait was the traditional name for the site of downtown Squamish 10 Activities Edit The Stawamus Chief Squamish and the Squamish Valley from the summit of the Chief Squamish is known for mountain biking hiking climbing and moreAttractions include the Stawamus Chief a huge cliff faced granite massif favoured by rock climbers As well as over 300 climbing routes on the Chief proper a majority of which require traditional climbing protection there are steep hiking trails around the back to access the three peaks that make up the massif all giving views of Howe Sound and the surrounding Coast Mountains In all between Shannon Falls Murrin Park The Malamute and the Smoke Bluffs there are over 1500 rock climbing routes in the Squamish area and another 300 or so climbs north of Squamish on the road to Whistler In recent years Squamish has also become a major destination for bouldering with over 2500 problems described in the local guidebook 11 Kiteboarding and windsurfing are popular water sports in Squamish during the summer Predictable wind on warm sunny days makes the Squamish Spit a top kiteboarding location in western Canada 12 Squamish s extensive quality trail system is a key feature of an annual 50 mile ultra trail run the Squamish 50 Solo runners and relay teams run on many of the same trails as the Test of Metal and pass through Alice Lake Provincial Park and the campus of Quest University The Double is an award offered annually to the participant with the fastest combined time for both the Test of Metal and Arc teryx Squamish 50 13 14 Other tourist attractions in Squamish include Shannon Falls waterfall river rafting on the Elaho and Squamish rivers snowmobiling on nearby Brohm Ridge and bald eagle viewing in the community of Brackendale which has one of North America s largest populations of bald eagles 15 Squamish is also a popular destination among Greater Vancouver hikers mountaineers and backcountry skiers who visit the large provincial parks in the surrounding Coast Mountains Politics EditThe current mayor of Squamish is Armand Hurford who won the 2022 election after having served as a council member Previous mayors have included Karen Elliot 2018 2022 Patricia Heintzman 2014 2018 Rob Kirkham 2011 2014 Greg Gardner 2008 2011 Ian Sutherland 2002 2008 among others Current council members are Karen Elliot Eric Andersen John French Doug Race Chris Pettingill and Jenna Stoner 16 The municipality is part of the Squamish Lillooet Regional District On the provincial level Squamish is in the West Vancouver Sea to Sky electoral district The MLA is Jordan Sturdy BC Liberal He was elected in the 2013 provincial election after his predecessor Joan McIntyre also of the British Columbia Liberal Party retired from politics Sturdy was the sitting mayor of the town of Pemberton at the time of his election to the British Columbia Legislature He was re elected in the 2017 provincial election and appointed the critic for Transportation and Infrastructure 17 Federally Squamish is a part of the West Vancouver Sunshine Coast Sea to Sky Country electoral district It is represented by Patrick Weiler of the Liberal Party of Canada who took office after the 2019 Canadian federal election Education EditSquamish has five English language public elementary schools Brackendale Elementary Garibaldi Highlands Elementary Mamquam Elementary Squamish Elementary and Valleycliffe Elementary Under the Sea to Sky Learning Connections the public schools district also manages Sea to Sky Online Sea to Sky Alternative Cultural Journeys and Learning Expeditions The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie Britannique operates one Francophone primary school in that city the ecole Les Aiglons 18 There are two public secondary schools Howe Sound Secondary School and Don Ross Middle School as well as the board office for School District 48 Howe Sound Squamish hosts three private schools Squamish Montessori Elementary School Cedar Valley Waldorf School and Coast Mountain Academy for grades 7 through 12 Coast Mountain Academy is located in the campus of Quest University Capilano University offers post secondary education through its Squamish campus including diploma programs and university transfer courses Quest University which opened in September 2007 is Canada s first private non profit secular university though only has an enrolment of less than 5000 students 19 A panorama from the summit of the Stawamus Chief in SquamishSociety and culture EditSquamish is home to a variety of faiths There are eleven churches and religious organizations including several Christian denominations as well as the Bahaʼi Faith and a Sikh temple The Squamish Public Library is located in the downtown area on Second Avenue The library houses a collection of books CDs DVDs and magazines It has an Art for Loan collection and an online historical archive of various photographs periodicals and other items Nearby museums include the Britannia Mine Museum and the West Coast Railway Association In 1998 Squamish was briefly the home of the world s first unionized McDonald s franchise although the union was decertified by the summer of 1999 20 Every year Squamish hosts the popular Squamish Valley Music Festival though they did not proceed with the festival in 2016 21 Usually taking place in August the festival has hosted artists such as Eminem Bruno Mars Macklemore and Arcade Fire In media EditSquamish has been a filming location for a number of media works and is a very popular place to film movies and TV shows Examples include the films Free Willy 3 The Rescue 1997 Insomnia 2002 Walking Tall 2004 Chaos Theory 2008 The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 2011 The 12 Disasters of Christmas 2012 Star Trek Beyond 2016 Woody Woodpecker 2018 the television series Men in Trees The Guard A amp E s U S adaptation of The Returned the Hallmark Channel s Aurora Teagarden mysteries and Netflix s Lost in Space reboot Sneaky Sasquatch an Apple Arcade game is also based there Demographics EditHistorical populationYearPop 198110 272 198610 157 1 1 199111 709 15 3 199613 944 19 1 200114 247 2 2 200614 949 4 9 201117 158 14 8 201619 512 13 7 22 In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada Squamish had a population of 23 819 living in 9 191 of its 9 906 total private dwellings a change of 22 2 from its 2016 population of 19 497 With a land area of 104 71 km2 40 43 sq mi it had a population density of 227 5 km2 589 2 sq mi in 2021 23 Ethnicity Edit Panethnic groups in the District of Squamish 1996 2021 Panethnicgroup 2021 24 2016 25 2011 26 2006 27 2001 28 1996 29 Pop Pop Pop Pop Pop Pop European a 19 030 80 82 15 355 80 35 14 045 83 08 11 990 80 55 11 435 80 61 12 045 86 44 South Asian 1 525 6 48 1 295 6 78 1 010 5 97 1 675 11 25 1 690 11 91 1 245 8 93 Indigenous 920 3 91 950 4 97 685 4 05 550 3 69 360 2 54 325 2 33 East Asian b 735 3 12 520 2 72 280 1 66 215 1 44 305 2 15 85 0 61 Southeast Asian c 550 2 34 635 3 32 550 3 25 265 1 78 145 1 02 80 0 57 Latin American 350 1 49 120 0 63 130 0 77 95 0 64 70 0 49 70 0 5 Middle Eastern d 165 0 7 40 0 21 25 0 15 25 0 17 10 0 07 10 0 07 African 155 0 66 120 0 63 95 0 56 40 0 27 100 0 7 80 0 57 Other e 120 0 51 75 0 39 75 0 44 25 0 17 75 0 53 0 0 Total responses 23 545 98 85 19 110 97 94 16 905 98 53 14 885 99 57 14 185 99 56 13 935 99 58 Total population 23 819 100 19 512 100 17 158 100 14 949 100 14 247 100 13 994 100 Note Totals greater than 100 due to multiple origin responses Religion Edit According to the 2021 census religious groups in Squamish included 24 Irreligion 16 500 persons or 70 1 Christianity 5 110 persons or 21 7 Sikhism 1 260 persons or 5 4 Islam 160 persons or 0 7 Hinduism 90 persons or 0 4 Judaism 70 persons or 0 3 Buddhism 60 persons or 0 3 Indigenous Spirituality 40 persons or 0 2 Climate EditSquamish has an oceanic climate Cfb with warm summers and moderately cold winters Squamish is one of the wettest inhabited locations in Canada with over 2 200 millimetres 87 in of rainfall per year often falling in long stretches through the winter Climate data for SquamishMonth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearRecord high C F 14 5 58 1 20 5 68 9 26 0 78 8 30 5 86 9 36 5 97 7 43 0 109 4 37 0 98 6 36 9 98 4 37 0 98 6 29 5 85 1 17 5 63 5 13 0 55 4 43 0 109 4 Average high C F 5 6 42 1 8 7 47 7 11 3 52 3 15 1 59 2 18 1 64 6 20 5 68 9 23 1 73 6 23 3 73 9 20 7 69 3 14 6 58 3 8 7 47 7 5 2 41 4 14 6 58 3 Daily mean C F 2 7 36 9 4 6 40 3 6 7 44 1 9 9 49 8 12 9 55 2 15 5 59 9 17 8 64 0 17 8 64 0 15 0 59 0 10 3 50 5 5 5 41 9 2 5 36 5 10 1 50 2 Average low C F 0 3 31 5 0 4 32 7 2 1 35 8 4 6 40 3 7 6 45 7 10 4 50 7 12 4 54 3 12 2 54 0 9 2 48 6 5 9 42 6 2 3 36 1 0 2 31 6 5 5 41 9 Record low C F 20 6 5 1 14 5 5 9 8 0 17 6 2 0 28 4 0 5 32 9 3 5 38 3 6 0 42 8 5 0 41 0 1 5 34 7 7 0 19 4 15 8 3 6 20 0 4 0 20 6 5 1 Average precipitation mm inches 326 1 12 84 192 8 7 59 206 5 8 13 152 6 6 01 115 7 4 56 82 6 3 25 59 3 2 33 66 2 2 61 82 6 3 25 255 5 10 06 391 3 15 41 299 0 11 77 2 230 2 87 80 Average rainfall mm inches 300 2 11 82 179 7 7 07 198 4 7 81 152 5 6 00 115 7 4 56 82 6 3 25 59 3 2 33 66 2 2 61 82 6 3 25 255 5 10 06 382 2 15 05 268 4 10 57 2 143 3 84 38 Average snowfall cm inches 25 9 10 2 13 1 5 2 8 1 3 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 2 3 6 30 6 12 0 87 0 34 3 Average precipitation days 0 2 mm 19 4 14 8 18 5 16 3 14 2 12 1 8 3 8 3 8 8 17 1 21 1 19 7 178 4Average rainy days 0 2 mm 17 2 14 0 18 2 16 3 14 2 12 1 8 3 8 3 8 8 17 1 20 5 17 6 172 5Average snowy days 0 2 cm 4 3 2 0 1 1 0 05 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 4 1 13 3Source Environment Canada 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Industry EditCarbon Engineering a company focusing on the commercialization of direct air capture technology is headquartered in Squamish 38 39 Transit EditPublic transportation is provided by the Squamish Transit System this service is free over the summer to students at school age elementary and secondary Daily bus service to Vancouver and YVR Vancouver Airport is provided by YVR Skylynx with multiple departures every day Neighbourhoods EditNeighbourhoods of Squamish include Brackendale Valleycliff Downtown Squamish Dentville Northyards Garibaldi Highlands Garibaldi EstatesNearby localities Edit Cheekye Paradise ValleyNotable people EditSarah Burke freestyle skier resided in Squamish 40 Ian Campbell Indigenous Canadian politician one of the Hereditary Chiefs of Squamish Nation 41 Mike Carney realtor a former ski racer who had been a member of the Canadian Olympic downhill ski team 42 Daniel Cudmore actor who starred in the X Men film series and The Twilight Saga film series Joe Eppele football player drafted by Toronto Argonauts in 2010 as an offensive linesman 43 Grimes musician lived in Squamish while recording her fourth studio album Art Angels 44 Xwalacktun Rick Harry Squamish Nation artist 45 Maelle Ricker Olympian Canadian Olympic gold medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games in the Snowboard Cross Mike Sweeney soccer player competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics with Team Canada 46 Mikayla Martin 2018 Ski Cross Junior World Champion 47 Squamish Five an anarchist urban guerrilla group who lived and were arrested in the area Marc Andre Leclerc rock climber and alpinist Known for his solo ascents of numerous mountains in several parts of the world Sister cities EditSquamish has a sister city arrangement with the following city Shimizu Shizuoka Japan 48 Freedom of the City EditThe following people and military units have received the Freedom of the City of Squamish This list is incomplete you can help by adding missing items January 2021 Individuals Edit Lois Wynne 3 July 2018 49 Notes Edit Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity Statistic includes total responses of Chinese Korean and Japanese under visible minority section on census Statistic includes total responses of Filipino and Southeast Asian under visible minority section on census Statistic includes total responses of West Asian and Arab under visible minority section on census Statistic includes total responses of Visible minority n i e and Multiple visible minorities under visible minority section on census References Edit British Columbia Regional Districts Municipalities Corporate Name Date of Incorporation and Postal Address XLS British Columbia Ministry of Communities Sport and Cultural Development Retrieved November 2 2014 Thuncher Jennifer About that Squampton saying Squamish Chief Census Profile 2016 Census Squamish District municipality Census subdivision British Columbia and British Columbia Province Wittenburg Wolfgang 2 February 2013 Squamisher or Squamolean The Squamish Reporter Retrieved 9 March 2021 Statistics Canada Squamish District Municipality Census Profile 2016 Census 100 data Retrieved on July 22 2017 Statistics Canada Squamish Census Agglomeration Profile 2016 Census 100 data Retrieved on July 22 2017 Bowl an inspiration for Squamish archaeologist Squamish Chief Retrieved 2021 06 09 Western Forest Products Western Forest Products Announces Q1 2006 Results Strategic Acquisitions Closed Press Release May 12 2006 retrieved on July 30 2007 Bowl an inspiration for Squamish archaeologist Squamish Chief Retrieved 2021 06 09 Squamish district municipality BC Geographical Names Squamish Bouldering 2nd Edition Quickdraw Publications 2010 ISBN 978 0 9732593 7 7 Squamish Spit Home Squamish 50 Gracie Jim Not just for biking Garibaldi Highlands Squamish Chief Eagle amp Bird Watching squamish ca Council squamish ca About MLA Jordan Sturdy jordansturdymla ca Retrieved 2018 08 07 Carte des ecoles Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie Britanique Retrieved on 22 January 2015 Millar Erin 22 October 2012 The great experiment Quest University s radical step in higher education The Globe and Mail Retrieved 15 November 2012 McDonald s workers decertify union CBC News Canada Squamish Homes and Condos for Sale squamish com Population 1981 1986 permanent dead link Population and dwelling counts Canada provinces and territories and census subdivisions municipalities British Columbia Statistics Canada February 9 2022 Retrieved February 20 2022 a b Government of Canada Statistics Canada 2022 10 26 Census Profile 2021 Census of Population www12 statcan gc ca Retrieved 2022 11 09 Government of Canada Statistics Canada 2021 10 27 Census Profile 2016 Census www12 statcan gc ca Retrieved 2023 01 08 Government of Canada Statistics Canada 2015 11 27 NHS Profile www12 statcan gc ca Retrieved 2023 01 08 Government of Canada Statistics Canada 2019 08 20 2006 Community Profiles www12 statcan gc ca Retrieved 2023 01 08 Government of Canada Statistics Canada 2019 07 02 2001 Community Profiles www12 statcan gc ca Retrieved 2023 01 08 Government of Canada Statistics Canada 2019 07 02 Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions 1996 Census www12 statcan gc ca Retrieved 2023 01 08 Canadian Climate Normals 1981 2010 Station Data Environment Canada Retrieved October 18 2015 Daily Data Report for December 1968 Daily Data Report for January 1969 Daily Data Report for October 1984 Daily Data Report for November 1985 Daily Data Report for July 2015 Daily Data Report for August 2016 Daily Data Report for June 2021 Carbon Engineering Direct Air Capture of CO2 Home Carbon Engineering Katie Brigham June 22 2019 Bill Gates and Big Oil back this company that s trying to solve climate change by sucking CO2 out of the air cnbc com Retrieved June 25 2019 Keh Andrew 2012 01 19 Sarah Burke Freestyle Skier Dies From Injuries in Training The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2021 03 26 Squamish hereditary chief Ian Campbell mulls running for mayor with Vision Vancouver The Georgia Straight 2018 05 10 Retrieved 2021 06 14 Carney Mike Biography mikecarney com ARGOS SELECT OT JOE EPPELE Toronto Argonauts 2010 05 02 Retrieved 2021 03 26 Grimes In Reality The FADER Our Culture Squamish Nation www squamish net Retrieved 2021 06 09 Catching up with soccer great Mike Sweeney Squamish Chief Retrieved 2021 03 26 Alpine Canada News Ski Community Mourns Ski Cross Racer Mikayla Martin alpinecanada org Retrieved 2021 03 26 Government of Canada Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada List of Canada Japan Sister and Friendship Cities Retrieved 2017 02 05 Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting held Tuesday July 3 2018 at 6 00 p m in Council Chambers 37955 Second Avenue Squamish BC PDF DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH Retrieved 17 September 2022 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Squamish British Columbia Official website Squamish travel guide from Wikivoyage Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Squamish British Columbia amp oldid 1132466847, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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