Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Board Appoints New CAO

Craig Dalton to move into role as of March 7, 2022

Pemberton, BC – The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Board of Directors has announced that Craig Dalton has been named as the organization’s new Chief Administrative Officer.

Formerly the City Manager with the City of Lethbridge, Dalton will begin his new position with the SLRD on March 7, 2022.

“We are pleased to welcome Craig Dalton to the SLRD, and look forward to his leadership,” said SLRD Board Chair, Jen Ford. “With a strong track record of community engagement, relationship-building and collaborative problem solving, we are confident he will be an exceptional fit with the organization, and the region.”

Dalton was named to the position after an extensive nation-wide search to fill the role. He brings more than 30 years of public sector leadership experience at the local, provincial and federal orders of government, enjoyed a 25-year Army career, has served as Deputy Minister of Public Safety and then Deputy Minister of Social Development (New Brunswick), the Deputy Minister of Family and Human Services (Prince Edward Island) and held the position of Canada’s Veterans Ombudsman.

“I am very excited to be joining the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District team and look forward to working with the Board and the staff, along with the communities, citizens, stakeholders and partners to advance the goals of the Regional District,” said Dalton, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the Royal Military College of Canada and Master’s Degrees from Central Michigan University (Strategic Leadership), the United States Army Command and General Staff College (Strategy) and from Deakin University, Australia (Policy).

Dalton replaces Melany Helmer, who announced to the SLRD in September, 2021 that she plans to retire.

“I am grateful to the SLRD Board of Directors, and the dedicated team of professionals I’ve been blessed to work with, for their support during my time as CAO,” said Helmer.

Helmer will stay on with the SLRD to support Dalton’s transition into the CAO role.

“On behalf of the SLRD Board of Directors, I’d like to thank outgoing CAO Melany Helmer.” said Ford. “Melany has shown tremendous leadership for the organization and we are grateful for her contributions."