2026 Municipal Election Business Survey
Share your insights to influence the Chamber's 2026 election platform.
Thank you for taking the time to share your input. This survey takes approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. Your responses are anonymous and confidential. All results will be aggregated to inform the Chamber's 2026 election platform.
Section 1: About Your Business
Which sector best describes your business?
*
Please Select
Accommodation
Accommodation (Short Term Rental)
Activities + Adventure
Artists + Photographers
Building + Trades
Business Services
Food & Beverage
Events + Festivals
Health + Wellness
Media
Non-Profit
Retail
Transportation
Other
If other please describe:
How long has your business been operating in Tofino?
*
Please Select
Less than 2 years
2 to 5 years
6 to 10 years
11 to 20 years
More than 20 years
Are you currently a member of the Tofino Chamber of Commerce? (For informational purposes only)
*
Yes
No
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Section 2: Trade-Off Questions
These questions represent real trade-offs the municipality could face. Please move the sliders to the area that best represents your view, and afterward, feel free to share specific thoughts or ideas in the text box below. If unsure or seeking a balance, keep the slider to 5. Example: "You are choosing where to open your business. 0 = A small space with cheaper rent. 10= A large space with more expensive rent."
Water Infrastructure: If Council could only prioritize one, which would you choose? (0= Restrict new development approvals until water infrastructure capacity is resolved. 10= Allow development to continue before new water infrastructure is completed.)
Communication with Business Community: If Council could only prioritize one, which would you choose? (0= More public consultation and business community engagement. 10= Faster decisions with less formal consultation but more efficient outcomes.)
Workforce Housing: If Council could only prioritize one, which would you choose? (0= Accept increased density and relaxed zoning to create more workforce housing. 10= Pursue housing solutions that preserve Tofino's current neighbourhood character and scale.)
Development Approvals and Permitting: If Council could only prioritize one, which would you choose? (0= Significantly streamline and speed up the approvals process even if it results in more development. 10= Maintain careful review of all applications even if the process remains slow.)
Bylaw Enforcement: If Council could only prioritize one, which would you choose? (0= Dedicate bylaw enforcement resources primarily to STR compliance and business licensing violations. 10= Distribute bylaw enforcement evenly across all bylaw categories.)
Tofino Housing Corporation Oversight: If Council could only prioritize one, which would you choose? (0 = Increase Council oversight and local control of the THC even if it slows down project delivery. 10 = Allow the THC and its partners to operate independently to accelerate housing delivery.)
Paid Parking: If Council could only prioritize one, which would you choose? (0 = Prioritize visitor and business access by reducing the amount of paid parking spaces and expanding parking availability. 10 = Extend paid parking into shoulder months and generate more visitor revenue to fund municipal programs.)
Business Licensing: If Council could only prioritize one, which would you choose? (0= Reduce or freeze business licensing fees even if it means less enforcement funding. 10= Continue to increase fees if Council commits to transparent reporting and demonstrable enforcement outcomes.)
Property Taxes and Municipal Spending: If Council could only prioritize one, which would you choose? (0= Hold or reduce property taxes even if it means slower progress on community services. 10= Accept higher property taxes in exchange for measurable investment in infrastructure, recreation, and community programming.)
Based on your responses above, what specific actions would you like us to raise with candidates on these issues?
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Section 3: Issue Prioritization
These issues have been selected from issues that were identified by businesses in our 2025 Business Retention & Expansion Report available on our website. Our goal is to focus our platform on the 3-4 highest priority issues for the business community.
Please rate the urgency of the following issues for the 2026 election platform
*
Rows
Critical
Important
Less Important
No Preference
Water infrastructure management
Communication and engagement with businesses
Workforce housing action
Development approvals, permitting & building inspections
Property taxes and municipal spending
Bylaw enforcement
Local roads and parking
Tofino Housing Corporation oversight
Business licensing
Hospital Expansion & Healthcare access
Are there any other critical issues we have not included?
What should be the TOP priorities for the next Mayor and Council? (Select up to 3)
*
Engaging the business community on a water infrastructure solution
Better communication and transparency to businesses
Zoning reform to improve housing availability
Faster development approvals, building inspections and permitting
Controlling spending and the growth of property taxes
Improving bylaw enforcement consistency
Expanding the paid parking program
Tofino Housing Corporation oversight
Business licensing reform
Advocating for hospital replacement and better healthcare options in town
Other
If "Other", please describe:
Do you have any additional comments about priorities for your business or the broader Tofino business community?
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Section 4: Your Experience with the District of Tofino
Have you interacted with the District of Tofino for permits, approvals, or business services in the past two years?
*
Yes
No
Which of the following District of Tofino services have you interacted with in the past two years? Select all that apply
Business licence application or renewal
Short-term rental licence application or renewal
Building permit application or inspection
Temporary Use Permit or Zoning Application
Special event permit
Bylaw complaint or enforcement interaction
General inquiry to District staff
If yes — how would you rate your overall experience?
Very poor
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
Please include any specific thoughts on your business interactions with the District of Tofino
How would you rate the District of Tofino's performance over the past four years in the following areas?
*
Rows
Very Poor
Poor
Neutral
Good
Excellent
Unsure
Water infrastructure management
Communication and engagement with businesses
Workforce housing action
Development approvals, permitting & building inspection
Property taxes and municipal spending
Bylaw enforcement
Local roads and parking
Tofino Housing Corporation oversight
Business licensing
Advocacy on Hospital Upgrades
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Section 5: Election Engagement
Would you attend an all-candidates forum hosted by the Chamber before the election?
*
Yes definitely
Probably yes
Probably not
No
Would you be interested in attending the Chamber's Election Luncheon in September?
*
Yes definitely
Probably yes
Probably not
No
Section 6: Prize Draw — Optional. This information is kept entirely separate from your survey responses to protect your anonymity.
Would you like to be entered into a draw for a gift card?
*
Yes
No thanks
Your name (for prize draw only, responses remain confidential)
First Name
Last Name
Your email address (for prize draw only, responses remain confidential)
example@example.com
Submit
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