Whistler has always been a place of dreamers and visionaries. The history of the village proves that nothing is impossible when we dream big. From the first notions of the Olympics dream to the creation of a world-class skiing destination, amazing biking, and a unique village centre, this community has done some incredible things. It’s time to dream big again and renew the vision of what our town can be – a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community for decades to come. My vision for Whistler is about putting community first through:

Rent that is fair and affordable for small business owners and tenants

Decision-making that reflects a community for all

A sustainable strategy that puts locals first

Fair and Affordable Housing and Rents

My main priority is to introduce a social housing policy and to use every tool at our disposal to lower the cost of living for locals. I will campaign for an empty retail commercial property tax to address vacancy issues in the village. I will work to identify opportunities to lower costs for small local businesses. This will include reforming municipal approval processes to ensure business is not held back by unreasonable delays and costs.

Community for All

I will focus on a comprehensive community spaces strategy. We need to look ahead and plan for our community needs well into the long-term. All voices across the community need to be heard as part of this process. In the short-term, I will focus on bringing back the cinema to the village by providing dedicated funding for cultural partners to screen regular movies in our town again. Our community is a world-class sports tourism destination. We can build on that success and diversify our local economy by showcasing our amazing arts, culture, and heritage scene through a dedicated strategy that brings together all community partners.

Sustainable Strategy

The Sea-to-Sky corridor is truly unique and has many of the building blocks for a sustainable region. Thinking sustainably supports a more resilient economy as well as enhancing movement throughout the corridor. I will implement a circular economy policy to make the most of local abundance and to share these economic opportunities. Let’s celebrate and support our local farmers, trades, entrepreneurs, and non-profit groups through an economy by and for locals. The Cheakamus neighbourhood has seen extensive development over the last few years. I will enhance services in Cheakamus by listening to the needs of residents. By focusing on neighbourhood amenities in this growing neighbourhood we can reduce congestion and provide opportunities for local businesses. Our town needs a long-term traffic strategy to address the problems of Highway 99. Investment is needed in the rail, bus and bike network to offer real and viable alternatives for our community.

MEET MARCO

Marco first came to Whistler for a season in 2014 to learn to ski and he immediately fell in love with the energy and dynamism of the town. Born in the UK to immigrant parents, Marco felt at home in a town bustling with an international community thriving from the strengths of its diversity. Whistler’s pedestrianized core, ski-out access to the village, and proximity to the ocean and city, showed him a unique community that was prospering through its relationship to its natural environment. In 2021, Marco decided to return to this truly remarkable place to settle permanently. Through his work at the Bank of England, Marco has a deep understanding of how the public sector operates and the interplay between government bureaucracy and accountable decision-making. He worked for nearly a decade at the central bank across a number of areas including communications, project management, and regulatory reforms in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis. The increasingly drastic effects of climate change changed his view of the world. He came to understand a successful future would depend on a transition from linear, resource-dependent growth. A more circular economic approach would minimise waste through reuse, repair, recycling, and regeneration as well as ensuring that economic activity creates inclusive, equitable, and healthy outcomes for people and communities. He left financial services and completed a masters degree in Sustainable Urbanism at the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, a world-renowned urban planning and design school. His studies included food systems planning, regenerative agriculture within the urban context, circular resource and energy flows, and inclusive planning practices. In 2022, Marco joined the team at Arts Whistler where he currently works as Finance and Development Manager. He sits on the boards of Whistler Valley Housing Society, Whistler Farmers Market, and the Recreate Our Community Kitchen Society (ROCKS), reflecting his deep belief in the importance of building community. Marco understands the unique synergy between working in the public sector and non-profit leadership. Through years of professional experience, community service, and academic study, he has proven his dedication to Whistler and gained deep insight into community-based decision-making. Energized by Whistler’s potential, Marco is ready to lead with purpose, vision, and a heartfelt commitment to our community.

Marco’s Work Around Whistler

Bringing back the cinemaCommunity KitchenArts, Culture, and Community

Your Voice Matters

Your ideas, opinions, and perspective matter to me. If you’d like to share your thoughts, get involved, volunteer, or help in any way, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and be part of the conversation.

Marco for Mayor – Putting Community First.

Authorized by Marco Zunino, financial agent,
change@marco4mayor.ca