Meet Your Candidate: Michael Broughton

5 hours ago

7 min read

Current Councillor seeks Mayor's seat

Editor's Note: The Watershed has contacted all the current candidates running in the upcoming Municipal Election to give them the opportunity to answer a few questions. All the candidates were offered the same questions, (apart from those which differ to reflect the experience of candidates who have not held office before). Responses have been edited for brevity, style and clarity.

Mayoral Candidate Michael Broughton. Submitted photo.

You have held the position of Councillor before. What makes you want to step into the role of Mayor?

As Mayor I will create responsible spending, strong services and fair taxes. As Mayor, I understand local government and Village matters along with the importance of working collaboratively to support getting things done.

My experience, knowledge, and decades of community involvement will provide the leadership Lions Bay requires. My approach is based on inclusion, transparency, mutual respect, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility. I will continue to work constructively with Council, Staff, Emergency Services, residents, and senior levels of government to find practical solutions, achieving positive results.

Differences of opinion often lead to better decisions when approached with respect and an open mind. My goal is to build on what we have accomplished, address the challenges ahead, and bring our community together.

“Moving Forward Together” is more than a campaign phrase. It is how effective leadership works — and how I will lead Lions Bay

Should you win your seat, what is the most important challenge facing the Village in the upcoming term?

As Mayor, the most important challenge will be to foster a Council culture based on mutual respect, collaboration, transparency and constructive problem-solving. This will support effective municipal operations and the implementation of a substantial infrastructure plan, including water metering and watermain replacement on Centre Road, Upper Bayview and Bayview Road. Seeking grant funding will remain an ongoing priority.

Many municipal matters require attention, including extreme weather impacts and mitigation related to climate change, both drought and excess water, slope stability, and wildfire mitigation and alerts. These issues will remain on Council and Committee agendas.

Tension at the Council table has been palpable for most of the current term. As Mayor, how do you plan to set the tone to achieve a more collegial and productive atmosphere?

As Mayor, I am committed to ensuring strong municipal services, sound financial management and fair taxation, with Village resources focused on the priorities that matter most to our community.

As Mayor, I will encourage informed, respectful debate where Councillors can express different views while keeping the focus on what is best for Lions Bay and its residents. I will lead by example, with open, ethical and responsible leadership.

Early in the new term, the updated Lions Bay Code of Conduct will be brought forward for discussion, any changes and adoption.

We will not always agree, and we shouldn’t. Healthy debate is essential to good government, disagreement must remain respectful and productive. Conflict is costly — in time, taxpayer dollars and emotional capital. My goal as Mayor is to help Council work together, focusing on solutions, responsible decisions and the best interests of Lions Bay.

In the last term, Financial Officer Joe Chirkoff introduced the reality that the Village faces at least $10 million in pending infrastructure upgrades not covered by grant money. How would you prioritize these projects?

The Infrastructure Master Plan looks ahead 5–10 years. The estimated $10 million in potential infrastructure needs over the next decade does not represent current requirements.

Each year, Council prioritizes projects through the budget process, considering public safety, infrastructure condition, service reliability, environmental impacts and responsible funding. Council and Staff will actively pursue grants and other outside funding, bringing forward suitable projects as opportunities arise. The Plan remains a living document, adapting as needs, conditions, and funding change.

My approach is simple: plan ahead, prioritize carefully, pursue outside funding, and invest and spend responsibly.

What strengths do you bring to the Council table?

As Mayor, I bring extensive experience as a Chair, innovator, executive, and business owner, turning vision into action through a team approach. I am deeply committed to community and consultation. As an effective Chair, I ensure every Council member is heard and encourage calm, orderly and meaningful debate.

I chaired the Lions Bay Beach Park Revitalization Committee, handing over the project to staff for completion, and ensured the dedication of the Erin Moore Playground. I have chaired the Lions Bay Community Scholarship Foundation since 2014 and served as a Charter Board Member, helping confer 93 scholarships to Lions Bay students since 2004.

With a Doctorate in Education, I created, administered, and grew Burnaby Online, a K–12 online school for the Burnaby School District, including hiring staff. Concurrently, I owned the Lions Bay General Store & Café (1998–2016).

I envisioned and chaired 99Watch, building partnerships among Sea to Sky communities, ICBC, RCMP and Highways to improve Highway 99 safety. The initiative received awards from ICBC and the Squamish RCMP.

I bring extensive knowledge of municipal government, Lions Bay infrastructure and operations, Metro Vancouver and TransLink, and experience working with Village staff, emergency services, provincial ministries, our MP and MLA, and community partners.

Let's look at some specific concerns:

The recent clear-cutting of a private property on Oceanview Road has prompted a petition and a public outcry. Would you support the creation of bylaws addressing tree-cutting, protection of riparian boundaries and steep slopes?

I support a review of additional protections that may be needed for tree cutting in riparian areas and steep slopes in Lions Bay. Lions Bay’s natural environment is central to our community’s character and safety. Recent clearing on Oceanview Road has raised concerns. Council will listen and determine what measures are appropriate.

The Village has a Trees, Views and Landscapes Bylaw No. 393, which regulates trees on municipally owned land. Riparian areas are governed by provincial legislation.

Steep slopes deserve particular attention. Significant tree removal can affect drainage and soil stability, while retaining large trees can also present known risks.

The recommended approach is evidence-based and practical, protecting public safety, our environment while respecting property rights and municipal jurisdiction.

Many residents along Mountain, Sunset and Bayview have expressed frustration with the vast increase in hiker vehicle parking and traffic. Suggestions have been made to offer alternate parking in the gravel pit or elsewhere on Crown land. How would you respond to resident concerns?

As Mayor, I will make reducing the impact of visitor parking on our residential neighbourhoods a priority. Increased hiker parking and traffic along Mountain, Sunset and Bayview has led to serious resident concerns requiring solutions.

Parking at Brunswick Pit will be sought in order to move a significant portion of hiker parking off residential streets. The first step will be to reopen discussions with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and the Province to obtain a formal agreement.

With agreed upon parking at Brunswick Pit, Council will ensure a direct trail from Brunswick Pit parking area to the Lions Trail. The goal is simple: limit and move visitor parking out of our neighbourhoods to protect residents’ quality of life.

The recent trial of public porta-potties positioned near the Village centre has produced calls of concern regarding smell and garbage from nearby homeowners. This is balanced against hard evidence that visitors are relieving themselves on our local streets. Do you have any thoughts to share?

Porta-potties have raised serious concerns for nearby homeowners. These concerns include odour, traffic, and garbage. The porta-potties were a Public Works pilot project intended to provide a practical solution to visitors relieving themselves on public streets and in our neighbourhood areas. This pilot project is scheduled to end September 30, 2026. Council will assess, if the opening of the Lions Bay Beach Park washroom resolves this problem.

Legal costs have exploded over the current Council term, and yet residents remain mostly in the dark about where the money has gone. As Mayor, how would you address this expensive and confusing problem?

Legal costs need to be transparent, understandable and properly managed.

As Mayor, I will ensure residents receive clear reporting on the Village’s legal costs, including where the money has been spent and why.

Several factors have contributed to the significant legal expenses this term, including a major matter originating with the previous Council; substantial Respectful Workplace; and Code of Conduct matters; and when Council has challenged professional staff recommendations, resulting in matters being referred to legal counsel.

As Mayor, I will ensure legal and consulting expenditures are carefully considered, costly issues are identified early, and taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly. Residents deserve transparency and accountability.

What else would you like to share with Lions Bay residents today? Where can they reach you? Do you have a website where voters can read your platform online?

I have lived in Lions Bay since 1974, when Brenda and I built our first home. I served on Council from 1976–1980, becoming Lions Bay’s youngest Councillor ever, and have continued serving our community in multiple capacities ever since.

During my early years on Council, I was involved in the development of Kelvin Grove, advocating for its beach to remain a community beach. I also worked to ensure underground wiring, a parking lot, secondary wastewater treatment and design review were included. I have also spent years working on highway issues, including four-laning, landscaping, sound walls, quiet pavement, and noise mitigation. More recently, I worked directly with Miller Capilano to help ensure the failed and ageing quiet pavement through Lions Bay was replaced.

2022-2026, I represent the Village at the Howe Sound Community Forum, with elected officials and staff throughout the corridor and beyond, including with our Member of Parliament and Member of the Legislative Assembly, which I have strong relations with.

These experiences give me a unique understanding of how Lions Bay has developed and the decisions that continue to shape our Village.

My experience includes knowing the Village, understanding municipal government, building relationships, and focusing on tasks to completion, with positive outcomes.

Please visit: michaelbroughton.ca Email: broughtonformayor@gmail.com Phone: 604-763-6530