About Your Council

The mayor and six councillors were elected on October 20, 2018 for a four-year term.  Find out more about the mayor and each councillor below or view the Q&A to get to know them better. 

Mayor Jack Crompton

Jack Crompton has deep roots in Whistler and is passionate about the future of his community. His grandparents were original shareholders in the Garibaldi Lift Company and the Cromptons have been engaged in business and community organizations since the beginning.

Jack's professional life has focused mainly on transportation and software. He founded Whistler Resort Cabs and operated the company until selling the company in 2008. He then founded and served as CEO for Ridebooker; a Whistler based transportation software company. In October 2018, Jack resigned his position with Ridebooker to serve full-time as Mayor of Whistler.
Jack likes to talk politics of any description. He is fascinated by political history, local government and international affairs.

Jack and his wife Carolyn have four children; Georgia, Margaret, Van and Harriet. They enjoy "the beautiful game", mountain biking, skiing and being in the mountains.

Councillor Arthur De Jong

Raised on a dairy farm in the Fraser Valley, Arthur joined the Blackcomb professional ski patrol at the age of 19 – the season Blackcomb opened.

Whistler instantly became the perfect outdoor office for Arthur as he moved from one management role to the next including Ski Patrol Director, Manager of Mountain Operations, and his present role as Senior Manager of Planning and Environment at Whistler Blackcomb.

Arthur’s passion is to find solutions at both the local and international levels to the challenges of climate change and loss of bio diversity.  

Having travelled and consulted in resorts throughout the world, he has a very deep appreciation for one of Whistler’s most unique and significant aspects – a very large portion of the community lives in the resort.

Arthur is also the longest serving volunteer member of the Vancouver crisis line.

His other passion in life is to spend time with his wife Nicola biking, hiking, skiing and kayaking together.

Portfolio lead: Environment

Councillor Jen Ford

In 2012 Jen was elected to represent residents and waitlist participants on the board of the Whistler Housing Authority. She also volunteered for two years on the board of Whistler Animals Galore. 

Originally from Thornhill, Ontario, Jen always had the itch to get to the mountains. While studying Political Science at York University, she joined the Canadian Ski Patrol System and volunteered at a variety of Ontario ski hills and clubs. After university, she headed for the west coast. Jen has worked in the Retail, Sales, and Operations divisions at Whistler Blackcomb. She is passionate about sharing Whistler with the world.

Jen and her husband, John, welcomed their son in 2013. They are actively engaged with a booming group of young families that seek to raise their children in the corridor.

Portfolio lead: Social Services & Regional Cooperation

Councillor Ralph Forsyth

For over 25 years Ralph has called Whistler home, he moved to Whistler in 1991 in pursuit of the dream of the perfect run and a life in the mountains!

A passionate advocate for the citizens of Whistler, Ralph previously served on Council from 2005-2011.

When not serving on council Ralph keeps busy as a small business owner (Peak Vending Corp.) and teaching skiing and biking on the mountains, he’s also a keen contributor and columnist for Whistler’s local newspapers.

Ralph’s most cherished time is spent with his (very understanding and tolerant) wife, Stephanie and on the football field coaching the Whistler Saints. He also tries to keep up with his sons Jack and Liam on the mountain bike trails.

Portfolio lead: Finance and Audit

Councillor John Grills

Whistler has been part of John’s life since the mid seventies and it has been his permanent home since the mid eighties. His career in the food and beverage industry spanned over 30 years including two restaurants of his own, Zeuski’s Taverna and Thai One On. He and his wife Lorraine raised three children who are now young adults and off starting their own careers.

They certainly realize how lucky they were to grow up in Whistler. When John is not attending to his duties as a third term Councillor he sits on two Strata Councils. He enjoys playing hockey, skiing, biking and a variety of summertime watersports.

John has always volunteered in the community either for committees or coaching teams. So it was a natural progression to local politics.

“Whistler has been very good to me and my family, it is my turn to do what I can do to keep this place special for our residents and guests.”

Portfolio lead: Tourism Economy

Councillor Duane Jackson

Duane first came to Whistler in 1991 to ski. After meeting his wife Tracey here, they decided to make the permanent move to Whistler in 1993, and have since raised three children in the valley.

Duane was previously elected to Council in 2011, and has volunteered on a number of Whistler Boards including the WHA and the Whistler 2020 Development Corporation (WDC) since 2003.

Duane has worked in the design, development and construction industry for more than 35 years. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from Auckland University in New Zealand, and a Masters in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California. During his time in New Zealand, Duane focused on the design and development of Urban Infill, Seniors Housing, and Retirement Villages.

In Whistler, Duane has worked exclusively in the design, construction and development of residential property, most recently the completion of “Stonebridge”, a 500 acre subdivision, and the Cheakamus Crossing neighborhood, through WDC. 

Duane and family enjoy as many of the seasonal outdoor pursuits available in the corridor as they can fit into a busy family schedule.

Portfolio lead: Housing

Councillor Cathy Jewett

Cathy came to Whistler from Toronto in 1976 for a season and stayed for a lifetime.

She has worked on the mountain for more than forty years as a liftee, dispatcher, patroller and now supervises the Mountain Safety program on Whistler and Blackcomb.  Cathy has also been involved with many community organizations including WORCA, AWARE, VANOC, CFOW, the Audain Museum and currently chairs Communities That Care Whistler.  While her two children Max and Bryn were growing up, Cathy chaired the local Myrtle Philip Parent Advisory Council and the Sea to Sky District Parent Advisory Council and served on the Board of Directors of the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils. In 2016, Cathy was recognized as Whistler's Citizen of the Year.  

In 2017, Cathy was elected in a by-election after Councillor Andree Janyk passed away.  She served on TAG, FWAC, May Long Weekend and the HR committees as well as the Boards of  WCSS, AWARE and the Whistler Public Library. She also supported the Artists-in-Residence program at Myrtle Philip and the art work is still displayed at the school.

Her son Max lives in Vancouver working as an Engineer for an alternative energy company and daughter Bryn is travelling the world and working in a local restaurant.  Both of them always consider Whistler a great place to come home to. Cathy enjoys mountain biking, skiing, cooking and thankfully - reading.

Cathy's focus has been to support families and children.​

Portfolio lead: Arts, Natural History, Traditions & Heritage