Each year, the Squamish Chamber of Commerce surveys its members to better understand the realities, pressures, and opportunities shaping our local business community. The 2026 Member Survey offered a candid and thoughtful look at how businesses are faring, what challenges they’re navigating, and how the Chamber can continue to evolve in meaningful ways.
The results tell a nuanced story: while many businesses are demonstrating resilience and optimism, real pressures remain. Here’s what we heard:
Business Health: Steady, With Signs of Strain
When asked how their businesses are performing at present, most respondents reported being in acceptable, good, or very good shape. That’s encouraging. It reflects a community of entrepreneurs and employers who continue to adapt, problem-solve, and push forward despite external challenges.
At the same time, relatively few described their situation as “excellent,” and some expressed concern about maintaining stability in the face of rising costs and shifting consumer behaviour. The overall tone suggests resilience — but not without effort.
The Top Challenges: Rising Costs and Shrinking Margins
Across responses, several themes surfaced repeatedly regarding the biggest challenges faced in the past 12 months:
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Rising labour costs and wage inflation
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High commercial rents and overhead
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Shrinking profit margins
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Increased cost of living impacting customer spending
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Competition from online retailers and larger urban centres
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Inconsistent or unpredictable customer traffic
Many business owners described a squeeze from both sides: operating costs continue to climb while customers have less disposable income. For some, variability in business levels has made staffing and forecasting particularly difficult.
This feedback aligns with what we’re hearing anecdotally: businesses are working harder than ever to maintain profitability in an increasingly complex environment.
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Photo: Oisin McHugh
Staffing Pressures: Housing and Cost of Living Dominate
Recruitment and retention remain significant concerns for a portion of respondents. While not every business reported staffing challenges, those that did pointed to two dominant factors:
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Lack of affordable housing in Squamish
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High overall cost of living
Employers noted that even when qualified candidates are available, wage expectations often reflect the realities of housing and living costs in the Sea-to-Sky corridor. For some sectors, a shortage of skilled or experienced applicants also presents a barrier.
The connection between housing, workforce stability, and economic vitality continues to be clear. This is an area where advocacy and collaboration remain critical.
Looking Ahead: Cautious Optimism
Despite the pressures outlined above, many respondents expressed optimism about the future of their businesses. While a smaller number indicated neutrality or pessimism, the overall outlook leaned positive.
This cautious optimism speaks volumes about the entrepreneurial spirit in Squamish. Business owners are realistic about challenges but remain forward-looking and growth-oriented.
When asked to rate the overall business climate in Squamish, responses clustered around neutral to good. This suggests that while conditions are not without difficulty, the broader environment remains supportive enough to sustain opportunity.
Photo: Oisin McHugh
Why Members Join the Chamber
Understanding why businesses join helps the Chamber refine its value proposition. Members most commonly cited:
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Brand exposure through marketing and the Business Directory
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Education and training opportunities
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Advocacy and having a voice in the business community
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Networking and connection
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Increased purchasing power and benefits programs
The data reinforces that members see the Chamber as both a promotional platform and a connector — a place to amplify visibility while building relationships and influence.
Education and Programming: Growing Demand
One of the most encouraging themes in this year’s survey was the appetite for educational programming.
Members expressed interest in workshops covering topics such as:
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Artificial Intelligence (AI 101 and practical applications)
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Business planning and strategy
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Marketing and brand development
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Tools and software training
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Community-focused and locally empowering initiatives
Some respondents also shared thoughtful suggestions around accessibility — including pricing considerations for non-profits and scheduling that better accommodates sole proprietors and parents.
The feedback affirms the direction of the Chamber’s Business Essentials programming. What began as quarterly offerings have grown in frequency due to demand — and based on this survey, there is room to expand even further.
Communication: The Newsletter Leads
When it comes to staying informed, the Chamber newsletter remains the primary channel for most members. This highlights the continued importance of consistent, relevant, and concise communication.
While digital platforms and social media play supporting roles, email remains a trusted and direct line of connection. Maintaining clarity, value, and frequency in our communications will continue to be a priority.
Satisfaction and Support
Overall membership satisfaction trends toward positive, with many members describing themselves as satisfied. A smaller segment expressed neutrality, offering valuable insight into where we can deepen engagement.
When asked how the Chamber can best support them in 2026, members emphasized:
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Increased marketing support
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Strong advocacy for local business
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Greater visibility for “support local” initiatives
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Continued educational programming
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Ongoing connection and networking opportunities
There is a clear desire for the Chamber to champion local business more loudly and visibly — particularly in a climate where independent businesses face intense competition and economic pressure.
What This Means for 2026
The 2026 Member Survey confirms that Squamish businesses are resilient, adaptive, and forward-thinking — but they are operating in a challenging economic environment.
Key priorities emerging from the data include:
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Advocacy around housing, affordability, and commercial costs
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Expanded educational programming focused on practical tools and emerging technology
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Stronger “support local” messaging and marketing amplification
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Continued networking and community-building opportunities
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Clear, consistent communication with members
The Chamber’s role is to listen, respond, and lead where possible. These results provide both validation of what’s working and direction for where to focus next.
Thank You to Our Members
We are grateful to every member who took the time to share honest feedback. Surveys like this are essential to shaping a Chamber that reflects the real needs of the business community.
Squamish’s business landscape is evolving — and so are we. With your input, we can continue building a stronger, more connected, and more resilient local economy in 2026 and beyond.
If you have additional thoughts or would like to be more involved in advocacy or programming discussions, we welcome the conversation.