Last Saturday featured a market doubleheader as the traditional morning Farmers Market was followed up with a Night Market The evening featured many of the popular vendors plus an assortment of foods. There was also live music throughout which eventually broke out into a lively line dancing display. As the sun set on the Night Market, it was a reminder that the Farmers Market is also approaching its final weekend of the season. Be sure to stop by Bowen Island Community School this Saturday starting at 10 am for a final shot at local foods, crafts, goods and more! / Alex Kurial photo
Sea to Sky MLA calls for halt to LNG expansion over health concerns
JENNIFER THUNCHER
Squamish Chief
Following a newly released research study on the impact of flaring at liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants, West Vancouver–Sea to Sky MLA Jeremy Valeriote called on the provincial government to stop the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure, including LNG Canada Phase 2, Cedar LNG, Ksi Lisims, and the under-construction Woodfibre LNG.
“This government has sacrificed climate, air and water quality, ecosystem integrity, and Indigenous title and rights considerations to push LNG projects forward,” said Valeriote, in a news release. “It’s now obvious they are fine to sacrifice the health of British Columbians The premier needs to get real about LNG flaring, and include it in emissions reporting and environmental assessments.”
The findings on flaring were recently published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
Flaring at LNG export facilities is when the plant is burning excess methane the main component of natural gas as it’s processed into a liquid for transport overseas
Study into flaring activity examines air quality and public health
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Emissions from flaring have been linked to health impacts, such as worsening asthma.
The study, Analysis of Flaring Activity at Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Export Facilities Worldwide, found the amount of natural gas burned during the start-up of a liquefied natural gas export terminal is nearly three times higher than during regular operations, yet those emissions during the start-up phase are not considered in the province’s Environmental Assessment Office certificate for these projects, according to Tim Takaro, a physician and researcher at Simon Fraser University who supervised the study.
Following Valeriote’s statement, environmental group My Sea to Sky joined the call on the province to act
“This is a glaring loophole that has direct impacts on communities in British Columbia. The Eby administration continues to advance the false premise that Canadian LNG is ‘clean’ while massive amounts of greenhouse gases and toxic air pollution are going unmonitored,” said Tracey Saxby, executive director of My Sea to Sky, in a news release.
“The B.C. government must respond to whether they’re going to let residents be exposed to possibly years of unmonitored pollutants, like particulate matter, volatile organics, and other toxins that are harmful to human health,” she added.
“We’re calling on the BC government to immediately require full modelling and accounting of flaring emissions in the LNG commissioning phase, including for projects that have already been approved We endorse the call by doc-
tors, nurses, and First Nations leaders for an independent, cumulative, comprehensive human health impacts assessment of the gas industry in B.C. from fracking to transport, liquefaction, and export.”
For its part, a spokesperson for both the Environmental Assessment Office and the Ministry of Environment and Parks told The Squamish Chief that potential impacts to human health and local communities are “important factors” examined by the EAO during the environmental assessment process.
“For each LNG project reviewed in B.C., the EAO assesses how project construction and operation may affect human health in consultation with technical experts,” the spokesperson said.
Using the LNG Canada project as an example, the spokesperson said that project was required to develop and implement comprehensive air quality management plans during both construction and operations phases, including monitoring flaring activity during operations
“This work is carried out in collaboration with the B.C. ministries of environment and health, the BC Energy Regulator, the local health authority, and other technical experts.”
LNG Canada also completed a human health risk assessment focused on air quality at its workforce accommodation centre and developed a Workforce Air Quality Health Plan. LNG Canada is expected to engage First Nations “meaningfully” in the development and implementation of these plans
“In addition, LNG Canada, as well as Cedar LNG, are required to participate in
The under-construction Woodfibre LNG export facility is located approximately seven kilometres southwest of downtown Squamish on the shores of Howe Sound. / Woodfibre LNG photo
regional air quality and deposition monitoring programs for the Kitimat airshed,” the spokesperson added.
In terms of air quality monitoring, the EAO and Ministry said that Kitimat has an extensive network of air quality monitors for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and other air contaminants.
(That data is publicly available at: Latest air quality data - Province of British Columbia.)
According to the spokesperson, analysis of available data “does not demonstrate adverse impacts on air quality due to flaring.”
“It is recognized that flaring can result in a short-term increase in the concentrations of certain air contaminants, including PM2.5, SO2 and NO2,” the emailed statement from the EAO and ministry continues
“With regards to elevated asthma and COPD rates, this could be attributed to a combination of factors. Correlation does not mean causation. Considering limita-
tions on data, it is challenging to attribute these rates to any specific cause. Also, to clarify, there has been no Northern Health study into this. There was a community presentation by Northern Health using publicly available data.”
As previously reported by Lodestar Media’s Stefan Labbé, the scientists from the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, and Texas A&M University, who were behind the flaring study, plan to publish another research paper in 2026 assessing Woodfibre LNG’s anticipated impact on air quality and how it might harm public health and the local economy.
Once complete, the Woodfibre LNG terminal is expected to produce 2.1 million tonnes of liquefied gas per year, almost seven times less than the 14 million tonnes of fuel expected to be produced annually at the now complete LNG Canada Phase 1 facility.
- With files from Stefan Labbé
VIEWPOINTS
EDITORIAL
HappyThanksgiving!
TheThanksgiving longweekend is ahead, and hopefullywe’ll all be able to spend it surroundedbygood food,family andfriends. Don’t forgettocheck outthose Apple Festivals too! Details areahead in thecalendar.
Next week we’ll turn ourattention to Halloweenassome delightfullyspooky events -both old and new -will soon be making their waytothe island. Youwon’t want to miss these fun frights!
Have agreat Thanksgivingeveryone!
-AlexKurial, Editor
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The Harvest Moon over Bowenon Mondaynight. /Lisa Brougham photo
VIEWPOINTS
Apple lovers rejoice! This weekend there are not one but two Apple Festivals on the island. The Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association is reviving its beloved Applefest on Saturday (it’s yet to be determined if Murray Atherton will return in costume) and the Bowen Cider House is hosting a long weekend full of Harvest celebrations including roast dinner. Find details for both events in the Calendar!
This Seal had the perfect perch for observing the full Moon on Monday night. / Lisa Brougham photo
andPerformingartists.Beone of thefirst tento register andyou could be selected as aFEATURE ARTIST.Register at bowenartstour.com
have anew roll-onessentialoil perfumemadewithOud!The warm muskyscent is perfectfor fall.Open 10-4 on weekends and10-4:30 during theweek.
TheBowen NightMarket took placeunder aMoon just afew slivers shortof the full Harvest Moon which delighted on Monday night. /AlexKurial photo
NERP Tip
IMPORTANCE OF OFFISLAND CONTACTS
In the eventyou areseparated in an emergency,every family member should have thecontact information (phone, email,etc.) of an offisland individual who can coordinate family communication.
Edward Wachtmanislead coordinator with the Neighbourhood EmergencyResponse Program, commonly knownas NERP./BIM photo
The Fall edition of DiveAgainst Debris is takingplacenextweekend onSaturday, October 18. Volunteer divers willsplash into the SnugCove watersatUSSC Marina and scour the seafloor forall sorts of debris and garbage.Cans,bottles,styrofoam, rope,and dozens ofother materials areoften among the haulwhich is broughtupfromthe bottom. On theshore,land-based volunteers work hardtosortall of the items for recycling,disposal,orinsome cases forkeen folkstotake home for projects.The eventisstilleagerfor volunteers-both divers and sorters -sothere’s aplacefor everybody to be involved whether they’re comfortableunderwater or on land. Write to AmberSpitkovski (right)at underwaterangel@hotmail.com for fulldetails. Goes 9:30amtoNoon.
QUEEN OF CAPILANO FERRY
HORSESHOEBAY
am 6:50 am 8:05 am 9:20 am -exceptWednesdays 10:35am 11:55am 1:10 pm 2:35 pm 3:55 pm 5:20 pm 6:35 pm 7:50 pm 8:55 pm -exceptSaturdays 10:00pm 11:00pm
Where’sthe ferry rightnow?- liveupdatesatwww.bowenferry.ca Schedule changesonstatutory holidays. Stay up to date at www.bcferries.com
BowenIsland Heritage PreservationAssociation is bringingbackthe island tradition of Applefest.AtDaviesOrchard in Snug Cove from 11 am to 1pm. Applepiesfor sale,pie contest, Museum Cottagetours and more.
Saturday, October11toMonday, October13
BowenCider HouseApplefest
Celebratethe harvestand enjoy an appledisplay highlightingour cider apple varieties,plus gamesand firepit fun for children with smores.Wewillbeconducting orchard tours, graftingdemonstrations as well as pressingapples from the orchards.The fun continuesall weekend with apple-themedfood,dessert anddrink specials all three days,and aSunday roastdinner.
Tuesday, October14
Speakthe Spark
Bowen’sown storytellingnight,where Islanderscome to tell and listentoeachother’s stories. Thestories must be true,about the storyteller and 10 minutesmax!Eachnight hasits owntheme.This month is Here ForIt. Bring adrink or snacktoshare if you like. Theseeveningsare by donation Please notenew location -the LibraryAnnex! 7to9 pm
Tuesday,October14
Rotary SpeakerSeries
CathyPeters, awell-known speakeronthe topicofHuman SexTrafficking and Sexual Exploitation, andorganizer of the Be Amazingcampaignwhich spreads awarenessofthis problemfacing oursociety.Authorof ‘Child SexTrafficking in Canada,and HowtoStopIt’,now in its secondedition. Everyone is invited to join us at 7:30 pm at ArtisanEats.
FREE RENT ON BOWENISLAND!!!
In exchange forhouse cleaningand yard work.Liveina beautiful, brandnew One bedroom suitewithanoutstanding view. Ideal fora coupleorone skilled Home Care expert.
Pleasetelluswhy youare interested and qualifiedfor this role,and also include your relatedworkexperienceto: gloriaeden@me.com/ 604-657-1008 References required.
Friday,October 17 (& other dates)
RoughCrossingatthe BowenTheatre
TheatreOnThe Isle is very pleased to presentthis fastpacedoceanic comedy! DirectedbyCalder Stewart, setin the1930s it followsthe desperate efforts of twoplaywright/ directors to pull their waywardcastand composertogether and deliver asmash hit musicalbythe timetheir oceanliner crossesthe Atlantic.Shows also Oct. 18, 24 &25. All shows startat7:30 pm,tickets $25 and available on Eventbrite
Saturday,October18
Dive AgainstDebris
Operation Snug Cove is aimingtoclean up debris from thesea floor.Divers, free-divers and shorecrewvolunteersare still needed to help outinthe waterand on land. Celebrate your love forthe oceanbytakingpart. From 9:30 am to Noon,write underwaterangel@hotmail.com for more.
Saturday,October18
French Connectionsatthe Library
Drop in and join us to practice your conversational French, and gettoknowother Frenchlanguagelearnerson BowenIsland! From 10:30 to 11:30 am.bipl.ca/French
Sunday,October 19
Nature Club Hike
Take aleisurelyhikealong themid section of Bowen’s Cross-Island Trail with naturalist Alan Whitehead. Email bowennatureclub@gmail.com to register. 9:30 am to Noon
Sunday,October 19
Book DonationMornings
Friends of theLibrary arelooking foryourgentlyloved books.10amtoNoon, more at bipl.ca/guidelines
Sunday,October19
MISTY
Grief Circle
FindingYourAnchor: RememberingWho YouAre -asupportiveGrief Circle forages19+. FacilitatedbyRutaYawney, registered clinical counsellorand fellowinguidedimagery andmusic.AtCollins Hall from 2to4pm. $95/sliding scale Registration required, write to ruta@rutayawney.com
WEDNESDAYS
Family Storytime at the Library
Afree30-minute drop-in program of stories, rhymes and songs for childrenage 0-6 and their caregivers!Starts10:30 am in the LibraryAnnex. Familiesare welcome to stay in the Annex until11:30 am to socialize, read booksand hang out!
THURSDAYS
TAGGatherings
Thursday ArtGroup is at Collins Hall from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.We’re aself-directed groupofartists working in differentmediums at different levels,socome join us Membership is $30 permonth,or$10 drop-in, newcomers first drop-in free.Moreinfo at shannonondeau@shaw.ca
FRIDAYS
Baby Connections at FamilyPlace
Afreedrop-in program for families with babies 0-12 months. Runs from11amto1pm. Chat with othernew parentswhile enjoyingsometea,coffee&treats. This week is Stories-on-the-Go with Librarystaff! For more info -contactcoordinator@bowenislandfamilyplace.com
SATURDAYS
Bowen Island FarmersMarket
The Bowen Island Farmers Marketseasonisunderway! Come to Bowen Island CommunitySchool from 10 am to 12:30 pm to check out allofthe vendorsand special events
Thisweek, we’re thrilled tospotlight Misty, asweet and spiritedpup who came in forher routine vaccines. Mistywas an absolutestarduring her visit—calm, friendly, and full of tail wags! Her gentle nature andbright eyes meltedthe hearts of everyone on our team. It’s always ajoy to see petslikeMisty staying healthyand happy
