A longtime West Vancouver resident and two-term District councillor has formally entered the race for mayor, setting the stage for a municipal campaign focused on planning, transportation and community amenities.
Candidate background and platform
Sharon Thompson announced her candidacy for Mayor of West Vancouver in a news release, saying the decision follows encouragement from residents across the community. Thompson brings eight years of council experience, a decade of work with the provincial government and an academic background in Urban Studies from UBC to her campaign.
Thompson moved to West Vancouver about 40 years ago, where she and her husband Rex raised three daughters. Her candidacy statement framed municipal leadership as practical and collaborative, and emphasised the need for a mayor who is known and trusted by residents.
“With strong support from so many residents, I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Mayor of West Vancouver,”
In the same release she said residents want a leader who listens, brings people together and gets things done.
Policy priorities
The news release outlined several priorities Thompson intends to pursue if elected. They centre on managing relationships with senior levels of government, improving local and regional transportation, and safeguarding West Vancouver’s voice as Metro Vancouver considers potential restructuring.
- Provincial downloads and mandates: Thompson identified navigating new provincial requirements and associated costs as a key issue for council attention.
- Transportation improvements: She singled out major transport projects as critical, alongside street-level safety concerns such as traffic speeds, parking availability and multimodal conflicts.
- Waterfront vibrancy: The candidate pointed to operators such as The Boatshed, Batch and Gatherwell Saunas as examples of businesses contributing to a lively shoreline.
- Long-term planning: Thompson stressed the need for forward-looking work on arts, health care, infrastructure and recreational facilities that she says are overburdened or approaching the end of their service lives.
Community context and questions ahead
Thompson framed her experience as an asset in addressing West Vancouver’s immediate and long-term challenges. Her emphasis on listening and collaboration reflects ongoing local debates over growth management, transportation solutions and how to fund municipal services in the face of provincial policy changes.
Her mention of Metro Vancouver’s possible restructure touches on a wider regional conversation that could have repercussions for how services are planned and delivered across the North Shore. West Vancouver residents will be watching how candidates propose to protect local interests while cooperating within a larger regional framework.
Street-level concerns such as speeding, parking shortages and multimodal conflicts are perennial issues in West Vancouver’s dense neighbourhoods and commercial centres. Thompson’s platform ties these everyday matters to broader aims: improving mobility, enhancing waterfront commerce and ensuring municipal amenities remain fit for purpose.
Experience in office
The candidate said her council tenure has reinforced the importance of listening, planning and acting. She also noted the value of incumbency but expressed an openness to welcoming new perspectives and voices into municipal government.
| Experience | Detail |
|---|---|
| Council service | 8 years |
| Provincial work | 10 years |
| Time in West Vancouver | Approximately 40 years |
Thompson said she plans to engage with residents over the coming weeks to gather feedback and share her vision for the municipality ahead of the October 2026 municipal election.
As the campaign unfolds, voters in West Vancouver can expect discussions on how to pay for and prioritise upgrades to community infrastructure, how to manage traffic and parking while supporting multimodal travel, and where the municipality should position itself during any regional governance changes. The mayoral race will determine which approach West Vancouver takes on these pressing matters.
The candidate’s news release did not include specific cost estimates or detailed project timelines; those figures typically emerge as campaigns develop and proposals are formally presented to residents and council.
