October 9, 2026

MUNICIPAL ELECTION ALL CANDIDATES ISSUE FIND IT INSIDE!

$1.50

inc. GST

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2026

VOL. 52 NO. 40

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

WATER TOP OF MIND FOR SCIENTIST PAGE 7

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY Islanders gathered at the Sp’ákw’us Gathering Stage on September 30 to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Those in attendance heard from speaker Simon Daniel James (left), listened to drumming and singing by Indigenous youth (right), silk screened Hummingbirds, braided sweetgrass, and learned about and committed to the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Find out more about the day and the continuing work of reconciliation inside on Page 9. / Alex Kurial photos

Frances Frost PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

604 657 0660

frances@bowenislandrealestate.com

Jade Weismiller PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

604 992 4468

jade@bowenislandrealestate.com

BowenIslandRealEstate.com

Happy Thanksgivin ng from f our families to yours! Wish hing g everyone a wonderful d f l weekend k filled with good food, good company,, and time spent with family and friends.

Frances & Jade

A2 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, October 9, 2026

Make it count, Bowen. 2026 General Local Election. Saturday, October 17, 2026

NOTICE OF ELECTION BY VOTING

VOTING DATES & LOCATIONS

PUBLIC NOTICE is given to the electors of Bowen Island Municipality that an election by voting is necessary to elect six Councillors (6) and two Municipal Trustees (2) for the Islands Trust Council, and that the persons nominated as candidates and for whom votes will be received are: COUNCILLOR - Six (6) to be elected Surname

Given name

Jurisdiction

BARNES

Constance

Bowen Island

COTTER

Terry

Bowen Island

DAVIDSON

Keith

Bowen Island

FAST

Sue Ellen

Bowen Island

GEDYE

Judith

Bowen Island

HAUSCH

Tim

Bowen Island

JURGENSEN

Alex

Bowen Island

MORSE

Alison

Bowen Island

PARKER

Caroline

Bowen Island

REAKES

Patrick

Bowen Island

MUNICIPAL TRUSTEES FOR ISLANDS TRUST COUNCIL Two (2) to be elected

GENERAL VOTING will be open to qualified electors of Bowen Island Municipality on: Saturday, October 17, 2026 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM at Bowen Island Community School 1041 Mt. Gardner Road, Bowen Island

ELECTOR REGISTRATION If you are not on the list of electors, you may register at the time of voting by completing the application form available at the voting place and making a declaration that you meet the requirements to be registered as set out below: RESIDENT ELECTORS: To register as a resident elector you must: be 18 years of age or older on general voting day; be a Canadian citizen; be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting); be a resident of Bowen Island on the day of registration (at time of voting); and not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

Surname

Given name

Jurisdiction

COTTER

Terry

Bowen Island

FAST

Sue Ellen

Bowen Island

GEDYE

Judith

Bowen Island

LEONARD

Andrew

Bowen Island

NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS:

MORSE

Alison

Bowen Island

To register as a resident elector you must: be 18 years of age or older on general voting day; be a Canadian citizen; be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting); be a registered owner of real property in Bowen Island Municipality for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting); not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and ·not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

MAYOR ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION Andrew Leonard was elected Mayor by acclamation. There will be no ballot for the Office of Mayor in this election. SCHOOL TRUSTEE ELECTIONS The School District #45 Trustee Election is administered by the District of West Vancouver. For information on School Trustee Candidates, please visit their website election.westvancouver.ca/general/candidate-profiles. For more information, please contact the District of West Vancouver Election Office via phone 604-925-7004 or via email election@westvancouver.ca.

In addition, for non-resident property electors: The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust. If more than one individual is registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the individual owners, register as a non-resident property elector. In addition, in order to register at time of voting: Resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity. Non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners.

TYPES OF DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE ACCEPTED AS IDENTIFICATION

You must produce at least two (2) documents that provide evidence of your identity and place of residence, at least one (1) of which must contain your signature. The following classes of documents will be accepted: a Driver’s Licence; an Identification Card such as a photo BC services card; a non-photo BC services card; an Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by ICBC a BC CareCard or BC Gold CareCard; a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8, (now “Monthly Form EA181); a Social Insurance Number card; a Citizenship Card; a real property tax notice; a credit card or debit card; or a utility bill, (such as electricity, natural gas, water, telephone or cable services). The above listed identification documents MUST be accepted by election officials. An election official may also accept other forms of documents that provide evidence satisfactory to the election official (e.g., a valid, current passport). If you may require some assistance as a result of physical challenges, you are invited to contact the Chief Election Officer as soon as possible in order to facilitate your voting g experience.

CONTACT INFORMATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION

Sophie Idsinga, Chief Election Officer at 604-947-4255 ext 246 Stef Shortt, Deputy Chief Election Officer at 604-947-4255 ext 253 Email: Election2026@bimbc.ca Paid Advertisement: October 9, 2026

Bowen Island Municipality 580 Bowen Island Trunk Rd Bowen Island BC V0N 1G2

Regular business hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays

Publication date: October 9, 2026

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A3

Friday, October 9, 2026

Make it count, Bowen. 2026 General Local Election. Saturday, October 17, 2026

MAIL BALLOT VOTING AVAILABLE

HomeSafe FREE SMOKE ALARM INSTALLATION & HOME SAFETY INSPECTIONS

Any eligible elector can apply to vote by mail ballot. Applications may be made as follows:

Events

Step 1: Make sure you’re registered to vote. Contact Bowen Island Municipality to check. Step 2: Complete the Application to Vote by Mail Ballot (available on our website or at the Municipal Offices) and submit it to the Chief Election Officer. Step 3: Get your mail ballot package. Ballots are now available at the Municipal Offices. Step 4: Mark your ballots according to the instructions provided.

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/bowen-island--homesafeprogram/

Free HomeSafe Inspections Now Available for Bowen Island Residents

Step 5: Make sure you return your ballots to the Chief Election Officer as soon as possible, and by the close of voting at 8:00 pm on October 17, 2026.

Bowen Island Fire Rescue is helping residents protect what matters most with the launch of the HomeSafe Program. Supported by a donation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms from Kidde Canada, the program offers free home fire safety inspections and smoke alarm assessments for Bowen Island residents.

Please note, mail ballot packages will be sent as soon as possible after the ballots are available. If your Application to Vote by Mail Ballot is received after October 9th, time may not permit mailing. Contact the Chief Election Officer to arrange g pick-up p p from the Municipal p Offices.

During a HomeSafe Inspection, firefighters will review smoke alarm placement and replacement requirements, identify common fire hazards, provide practical fire safety tips, and help residents develop or update a home fire escape plan. Working smoke alarms are one of the most effective ways to save lives by providing early warning in an emergency.

All Council meetings are open to the public to attend in person or electronically, unless noted otherwise. October 13, 2026 1:00 pm Regular Council Meeting October 26, 2026 1:00 pm Regular Council Meeting

During a HomeSafe Inspection, firefighters will review smoke alarm placement and replacement requirements, identify common fire hazards, provide practical fire safety tips, and help residents develop or update a home fire escape plan. Working smoke alarms are one of the most effective ways to save lives by providing early warning in an emergency.

SCAN ME

Register here: bowenislandmunicipality.ca/bowen-island-homesafe-program

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/2026-election

Questions? Contact Steve Edwards, FireSmart Coordinator, at 604-947-4255 ext. 333 or sedwards@bimbc.ca.

Rainy Days Are Coming Did you know? Keeping driveway runoff channels and culverts clear is the responsibility of the property owner.

Decorating With Pumpkins This Fall? Dispose of them in the compost bin, never in the woods. Consider bringing them inside at night to avoid attracting prey and other animals to your property.

With fall rains just around the corner, now is a great time to remove leaves, branches, and other debris from your culverts. A little maintenance now can help keep water flowing properly when wet weather arrives. If culverts are not kept clear, dangerous road conditions and damage can result from water, dirt, and gravel discharging from private property onto public roadways. Questions? Contact Public Works at 604-947-4255 ext. 3 or email roads@bimbc.ca. sedw wards@bimbc.ca

PAID ADVERTISEMENT October 9, 2026

Phone: 604-947-4255 Fax: 604-947-0193 Email: bim@bimbc.ca

Bowen Island Municipality 580 Bowen Island Trunk Road Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday Closed statutory holidays

Bowen Island Municipality

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A4 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, October 9, 2026

VIEWPOINTS

THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Please limit to under 500 words. HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication. The Undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs.

#103–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com DEADLINE for advertising Monday, 4 p.m. DEADLINE for editorial Tuesday 5 p.m. Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year subscription on Bowen Island: $62.50, including GST. Within Canada: $85 including GST Newsstand (Single Copy) $1.50 per copy, including GST

ISSN 7819-5040

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR Alex Kurial editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Sarah Strother publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com 2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com or call 604-947-2442. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A5

Friday, October 9, 2026

VIEWPOINTS Plan to Feel Fabulous MARY LETSON Contributor Sometimes getting the motivation engine started for healthier habits is as simple as making a thumbnail sketch of a plan. Nothing elaborate. Just a few ideas targeting “would like to do” along with a few “would be good to do” activities to get you started. Making a plan now before we are deep into the darkness of winter gives us a little habit building traction when cold, grey November comes along. Here are a few easy top picks to set you on your way. “Go play outside!” What my Mom would always say to me when I was sluggish or grouchy, or generally uninspired. Likely delivered to get me out from under her feet. Miraculously, it also cured any winter blues lurking in my bones. Now they call it forest bathing. Call it what you will, for those of us lucky enough to call Bowen Island home, the trails await. Bird calls from above, mushrooms bursting impossibly from below and enough fresh air to brighten any mood.

Work the hills: Once you have warmed up (10 or so minutes), take the hills with a little more focus than you might otherwise do. Whether you are running or walking, try a shorter, faster gait so that you feel your breath deepening and your legs beginning to fatigue. Adjust your pace so you can get to the top of the hill without stopping. Slow down if you need to. At the top of the hill, adjust your gait again and enjoy the glorious flat bit. Allow the miracle of “steady state” exercise to settle in: where the energy demands of your body equals the oxygen delivered to fuel your body. Lean into this recovery state and ready up for the next delicious, heart building incline. Do this two or three times a week and the (unavoidable) hills get easier. The infinite possibilities of planking: If you have time for only one core exercise, do some form plank. It can be done anywhere; the living room floor, or at the gym on a mat. Travelling? No problem. Throw a bath towel down and plank in your hotel room. Either from your elbows or from your hands, it works the entire body: shoulders, arms, legs and - oh yes - your core. There are dozens of options for every fitness level. Start at the wall, move to a bench, work towards the floor, use

straight arms, bent arms (from your elbows), alternate legs. The list is marvellously endless. Planks done properly should always feel like comfortable work in your legs, arms and core. Not sure if it’s right for you? Hold off and check in with your health care practitioner or a fitness professional to find the best fit for you. Balance, the Kale of Exercise: Perhaps not everyone’s favourite exercise, balance is rich in everything your body needs and will have a lasting impact to literally carry you over a lifetime. And, like the mighty plank, there are endless variations. On one foot in a 1/4 squat, or standing at the window sill or kitchen counter to steady yourself as you build more ankle, knee and hip strength. Or maybe explore the balance board with two feet with weights, or one foot and no weights. Or heck, one foot with weights. So many options. How do you know you have found the right fit? You will feel comfortably challenged while still feeling safe and your muscles working without feeling “vulnerable” in your joints. Schedule a few of these gems consistently throughout your week and the winter months might feel a little lighter, a little easier as we settle back and enjoy the change in seasons and the quiet that winter brings.

Live independently, thrive together - Fall 2027

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A6 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, October 9, 2026

What We Heard: Aging & Dying on Bowen BOWEN DEATH CARE COLLECTIVE Our recent Aging & Dying on Bowen: A Community Conversation brought together a full room of Islanders to talk openly about what it means to age, care for one another, and eventually die in this community. Almost perfectly, every seat was filled - and, just as importantly, everyone had an opportunity to speak. The group brought a remarkable range of experience to the conversation. Around the circle were longtime Bowen residents, community leaders, people working in health and care, a clergy member, and retired palliative care professionals, including a highly respected palliative care physician and nurse. Some participants had lived on Bowen for decades and had witnessed firsthand the ways our community responds to illness, caregiving, death and grief. One participant, now 84, shared that between May of last year and Christmas, 11 of their friends on Bowen had died. It was a striking reminder that questions around aging and death are not abstract ones for our community. Another participant shared the experience of caring for a parent with cancer on Bowen. During that time, they found themselves witnessing a parent’s “lasts” alongside a child’s “firsts.” Their parent died at home on Bowen in what they described as a sacred experience. They also spoke about what happened afterward: much of the practical support that had surrounded the family during the illness disappeared once the

death occurred. They reflected that there had been little space to grieve, and that having more knowledge, preparation and connection to community resources beforehand might have changed that experience. When we talked about what people hope for at the end of life, many of the wishes were beautifully simple: to have children and family nearby; to be able to die outside or close to nature; to have symptoms well managed; and to experience a peaceful death rather than one marked by distress or agitation. There was also discussion about the importance of allowing children to be present around death. Rather than shielding them completely, some participants hoped that a peaceful death could be modelled as a natural part of life - something that can hold beauty, closeness and meaning, rather than only fear. The fears people expressed were equally revealing. Participants worried about pain or other symptoms not being adequately managed, family conflict or estrangement, sudden death without the chance to say what needs to be said, and whether family members would realistically be able to provide the level of care needed at home. We also began identifying some of the practical gaps that can make remaining on Bowen difficult: transportation, meals and food support, and hands-on caregiving were among the recurring themes. At the same time, the conversation reminded us that we

are not starting from nothing. Programs such as Better at Home already exist, the Bowen Island Community Health Centre can help connect residents with community resources, and there are options for meal delivery, home care and private personal-care support. Bowen also now has community support coordinators, while Seniors Keeping Young continues working toward ways for seniors to remain connected and supported on the island. Perhaps the clearest takeaway from the afternoon was that Bowen already holds an enormous amount of knowledge, experience and willingness to care for one another. The next question is how we connect those pieces more intentionally - and how we make sure people know where to turn before a crisis arrives. This conversation was never intended to provide every answer. It was meant to begin asking the questions together. Judging by a full room, thoughtful sharing, and the willingness of every person present to contribute, it is a conversation our community is ready to continue. The Bowen Death Care Collective is a resource for those wanting to learn more about the supports available in our community. Visit the resources page on our website or contact us directly. We offer free 20-minute phone calls for people planning ahead for end of life, navigating grief, or looking for in-home care or vigil support. For more information, visit www.bowendeathcare.com

A conversation circle ready for Bowen participants to arrive. / Submitted photo

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A7

Friday, October 9, 2026

Meet the Conservancy’s Scientists: Dr. Peter S. Ross BOWEN ISLAND CONSERVANCY On October 8, 2024, Dr. Peter Ross collected a large water sample at the outflow of Grafton Lake for contaminant measurements. The work was familiar, as he has been sampling water throughout British Columbia as part of his pollution studies with Raincoast Conservation Foundation. This time, however, the work was closer to home, as Peter lives on Bowen, and the lake supplies drinking water to nearly half the island’s residents. It also supports fish habitat downstream in Terminal Creek and the estuary at Kwilákm. Peter was looking closely at water his own neighbours depend on. Peter’s interest in pollution reaches back to age five, when he saw a television report about Tokyo police officers wearing gas masks in heavy air pollution. He imagined smog spreading over the whole planet. The image stayed with him and grew into a curiosity about where contaminants come from, how they move and what they do to living things. Harbour seals later became his “lab animal of the ocean,” helping him trace contaminants through marine food webs. Fieldwork left Peter with less formal memories, too. He estimates that seals bit him about 30 times and says, with some affection, that he probably deserved every one. They might also look him in the eye or doze briefly on his lap.

That curiosity led to decades of research on pollution in fish, seals and whales. Peter spent 16 years as a Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientist and later built pollution-research programs at the Vancouver Aquarium and Ocean Wise. His studies helped reveal high PCB concentrations in Pacific killer whales, and the widespread reach of microplastics in Pacific and Arctic waters. Peter is now Senior Scientist and Healthy Waters Program Director at Raincoast Conservation Foundation. The program works with Indigenous Nations and community partners, pairing laboratory analysis with knowledge held in each watershed. Peter is not interested in “science for the sake of science.” He wants research to help communities understand and care for their water. The Grafton Lake report is careful about what one sample can tell us. Raincoast detected 125 of 587 contaminants measured and described the lake’s overall water quality as fair. No drinking-water or environmental guidelines were exceeded, though guidelines are only available for a small fraction of the substances tested. Traces of several contaminants detected in Grafton Lake can be linked to human activity, and show why continued attention matters. Peter’s response has been measured. The findings point to the value of regular monitoring and a closer look at likely sources.

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John Leslie Hoover died peacefully in September 2026 at the age of 82, at his home on Bowen Island. Born in Vancouver to Margaret and Frank, John attended UBC and spent most of his career teaching in West Vancouver, where he loved sharing the wonder of the world with generations of students. John’s creativity found expression throughout his life in building homes, beginning in Lions Bay and later on Bowen Island. Building provided both a sense of home and an opportunity for his creativity to flourish through design and craftsmanship. On Bowen, his creativity expanded into gardens, ponds, carving and painting, while he developed a deep community of friends through his art.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

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Wed Oct 21, 28 & Nov 4 · Thu Nov 12 7:00 pm Bowen Island Community Centre $25.00 per participant

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Bowen Island became a particularly important part of John’s life, providing opportunities to observe, learn, create and connect. His art was also a way of exploring himself, his relationships and the world around him. John approached life with curiosity, gratitude and a playful spirit. He loved observing, learning, creating and connecting, and shared his sense of wonder generously with family and friends. Predeceased by his brother Brian, he is remembered with love by his son Lorne, brother Donald, family and many friends in Lions Bay, Bowen Island and beyond.

SCAN TO REGISTER or visit forms.gle/tSLazqsdwtZ1rXHg8 Built on the Power of Nine, the shared habits of the world’s longest-lived communities

Please contact john.bowen.memorial@gmail.com for more information about memorial dates and plans.

A8 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, October 9, 2026

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Reporting on all things Bowen since 1975

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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A9

Friday, October 9, 2026

Truth and Reconciliation Hummingbirds: Thank You BRENDA MORRISON Contributor We came together to honour and acknowledge our National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. We heard the invitation of TRC Commissioner Justice Sinclair: “Pick one” of the 94 Calls to Action. One young person committed to Call to Action #43: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation. They are following in the footsteps of our Mayor, who committed to the same Call to Action. Together we committed to over 50 different Calls to Action and we raised more than $800 for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. To remember our commitment to reconciliation each and every day, we silk screened Dukdukdiya, the little hummingbird, to an orange flag. Dukdukdiya reminds us to “Do what we can”, and reminds us that reconciliation requires reconciliACTION that creates a ripple effect each and every day in our communities. We created a strong and heartfelt ripple on a sun kissed day. Thank you Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas for gifting us

your beautiful illustration of Dukdukdiya, from Parable of the Hummingbird. Thank you to the Bowen Island Library and the Hearth Gallery for hosting us at the Eagle Descending Stage. Thanks to Hamish Bryan and Saffron Gurney for helping with silk-screening. Thank you to the Social Echoes, Simon Fraser University alumni students, for their on-going commitment to the TRC calls to action. This year we welcomed young Asher, whose smile warmed our hearts. Thanks to Soraya and Lou for bringing their endless energy and young son. Winadzi James shared his poem, heart and stories with us. Big heartfelt thanks, Winadzi. Suzan Philippe shared her teachings of the sweetgrass and taught us how to braid sweetgrass, with a good heart and mind. Many of us now have our own sweet braid at home. Big heartfelt thanks, Suzan. Cree Dubreuil and Jacob Deschenes sang and drummed for us as we gathered, inviting others to join the big drum. Big heartfelt thanks, Cree and Jacob. Thank you to everyone who came out. The ripple effect of all the hummingbirds, doing what you can, is felt in our community. May our commitment to reconciliation echo each and everyday in our community, and in all our circles of life.

Scenes from Truth and Reconciliation Day included drumming and singing by Indigenous youth Jacob and Cree (top left), and a station to silk screen hummingbirds, seen here being led by Brenda Morrison (bottom right). / Fraser Jane & Anne Coyle photos

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A10 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Studies show that people who decorate for fall are happier Pop in and see what makes you happy

HOME & GARDEN

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Friday, October 9, 2026

Squamish Nation Elders gathering on Bowen EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON OCTOBER 24 AT THE BOWEN LIBRARY

BOWEN ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY Bowen Island community members are invited to a very special event here on Nexwlélexwm — an afternoon of listening, learning, and connection with a small group of Elders and one youth from the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw, the Squamish Nation. The gathering offers an opportunity to hear the experiences and stories they choose to share, in a welcoming and intimate setting. The Squamish Elders Gathering is on Saturday, October 24 from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Bowen Island Public Library. It is free to attend, but registration is required. You can register at bipl.ca/Elders. Guests are encouraged to come with curiosity and bring their questions. Following the shared discussion, attendees will have time to chat, introduce themselves, and continue conversations informally. This additional time is intended to support relationship-building and create space for neighbours to meet, listen, and learn from one another. This is a complementary program to our Skwxwú7mesh History Book Club which has been running throughout

the year, where we discuss sections of the book, Tiná7 Cht Ti Temíxw: We Come From This Land: a Walk Through the History of the Squamish People (2024), written by the Squamish Nation. You do not have to have read this book to attend the Elders Gathering event, but attendees may be interested in picking up one of our many copies of this beautifully illustrated book at the library, to enrich understanding and gain further context for the stories that will be shared. Find out more about this book club at bipl.ca/2026 Library staff are grateful to our presenters, and to the Bowen Island Community Foundation for generously providing the funding for this event so we can properly honour the Elders and youth who are sharing their stories. We are also thankful to the community member volunteer who has co-organized this event with us and connected us with the Elders, as well as the volunteers who have been running and consulting on the Book Club. Admission is free and registration is limited, and can be done at bipl.ca/Elders For more information, please contact the library at info@ bowenlibrary.ca or call 604-947-9788.

Bowen Island Community Health Centre releases 2025-2026 Impact Report Health care close to home This year’s second annual report details how our growing Health Centre team is significantly improving the health and well-being of our community.

Read how we are expanding access to health services, delivering collaborative integrated care, responding to community needs and making a big difference to BC's healthcare landscape.

Read the report: bowenhealthfoundation.com

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A11

Friday, October 9, 2026

Rotary talk explores energy & the environment

Bowen Island Properties LP Since 1988, building communities where people love to live

HILARY BUTLER Bowen Island Rotary Club The Bowen Island Rotary Club will be welcoming Anton van Walraven as our guest speaker at our meeting on Tuesday, October 13 at Artisan Eats. The title of his talk? LNG: Let’s Picture Something Better for Bowen and Beyond. Anton is well known on Bowen for his work with Concerned Citizens Bowen and his anti-LNG position. He will be addressing the problem of greenhouse gas emissions and its dangers, both for Canada and globally. He will discuss the cause of this crisis, what consequences that has on the health of our planet, and... what we can learn from Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound - the place we are part of about some of the steps humanity has to take to aim for a liveable future. Questions such as the following will also be discussed: How fast should we move? What exactly is clean renewable energy? What is its environmental impact? What about carbon capture technology? How is Canada doing in addressing this crisis, compared to other countries? What can I and my community do about this crisis? Is it too late for me to bother about this at all? We are hoping for a lively discussion on the above, and we cordially invite other community members to join us at our meeting this coming Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm at Artisan Eats.

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LOT 3

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APPLE DISPLAY, MUSEUM COTTAGE OPEN BEST APPLE PIE CONTEST & MORE!

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• Now under construction. • Move in early 2027. • Flexible design ideally suited for aging in place. • Options for live-in caregiver accommodation. • Home with 2,063 sq ft, 3 bed, 3 bath. • Expansive, partially covered decks. • Level entry off main road. • 2-car carport.

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E

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$2,560,000 + GST. (Pre-construction price)

791 Seymour Bay Drive (Lot 4) • Vacant lot. Designs available.

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October 2026. Prices & descriptions of real estate in this publication are subject to change without prior notice. E.&O.E.

A12 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, October 9, 2026

Celebrating Howe Sound as Home BOB TURNER Contributor I’m delighted to be a part of Bowen Gymnastics upcoming Art Gala and Speaker Event that celebrates the wonders of Howe Sound, the ocean and West Coast culture. The event is being held at the Community Centre theatre from 6 to 8:30 pm on Saturday, October 17 and will bring together artists and speakers. As Lisa Brougham, the ringleader of the enterprise says, “This is more than a fundraiser. It is a chance for Bowen Island artists, athletes, and community to come together and share our creativity, our landscape, and our love of this place with the world”. The event supports the Gymnastics Club’s journey to the 2027 World Gymnaestrada in Lisbon, Portugal to present their Ocean Journey routine, a performance that includes a community-produced 12-foot humpback whale puppet and ocean mural. I’ll be presenting one of two talks along with the remarkable Canadian explorer Kevin Vallely. I’m calling my talk “The

VOTE SHEELAH

DONAHUE ON OCTOBER 17TH

Great Howe Sound Recovery”, highlighting the remarkable recovery of Átl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound’s marine life over the past 25 years, and showing two of my short movies. It’s my opportunity to remind all of us that this recovery didn’t just happen; people made it happen. And that when given a chance, nature is resilient and can bounce back. The Great Howe Sound Recovery is a story of community activism and NGO whistleblowing – the Save Howe Sound Society, Greenpeace, Squamish Streamkeepers, Future of Howe Sound Society to name a few - that pushed government to improve environmental policies and action, with lots of citizen heroism along the way. Telling this history challenges us – the current stewards of our ocean inlet - to step up to today’s challenges for Howe Sound from climate change, ocean change and ongoing development. You might assume that the humpback whales, orca and sea lions that swim our shores today have always been out here. But, back in the 1990s, a seal was the biggest animal you’d see break the surface out on the water. Back then, we’d heard the stories of

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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A13

Friday, October 9, 2026

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A Seal swims among Anchovies. / Bob Turner photo how the last Howe Sound humpback whales were hunted to local extinction in 1907. None of us expected to see humpbacks here in our lifetimes. Because from the 1920s to 1990s, two pulp mills and a copper mine had poisoned the Sound, greatly damaging the

marine ecosystem. Back in the 1990s, a recovery of the Sound to a healthier state seemed almost impossible. But it turned out that it wasn’t. And that’s the story I want to tell. Hope to see you there to celebrate our remarkable home.

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A14 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Bowen Island 2026 Local Trustee Election As part of the 2026 general local elections on October 17, 2026, Islands Trust Area residents will elect two trustees for each local trust area and island municipality. Learn about Islands Trust and the role of a local trustee at the Islands Trust Candidate Information Session webinar: August 20, 2026 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. www.islandstrust.bc.ca

Get more information about the election process from Bowen Island Municipality: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca Preserving and protecting over 450 islands and surrounding waters in the Salish Sea

Friday, October 9, 2026

CANDIDATE PROFILES ALEX KURIAL Editor Hello and welcome everyone to the Undercurrent’s Candidate Profile issue! The many pages ahead are for getting to know your local contenders for a variety of positions ahead of the Municipal Election on Saturday, October 17. In order to gather this information we sent out questions to all the candidates and we are very gracious to have received a 100 per cent response rate, 18 out of 18, between those seeking council, Islands Trust and school board positions. Thank you everyone! These questions will appear on our website on Friday as well, with each profile going up in intervals. We weren’t able to include every question and answer here in the print version, so the online copy will also have a little more info on candidates’ backgrounds and their takes on local issues. To make sure as much of the candidates words as possible fit in the paper, you’ll notice bolded one-word topics in the pages ahead. Following is the full question they were asked which corresponds to each heading: OCCUPATION What is your occupation? (Current and/ or past) INSPIRATION What inspired you to run (or run again) for the position you’re seeking? PRIORITIES What are one or two of your top priorities on council for the next four years? HOUSING What are your goals regarding housing on Bowen? (Ie. more affordable housing, density outside the Cove, pocket neighbourhoods, etc.) PROPERTY TAXES What will your fiscal approach be towards property taxes, and how will you balance municipal financial obligations with tax increases to property owners? TOURISM What will your approach to tourism on Bowen be, and how would you strike a balance between the tourism economy and issues that arise from it (ferry capacity, increased strain on island services, Snug Cove congestion, etc.) POPULATION GROWTH Bowen’s population is approaching 5,000 and may even hit it this census. What is your

opinion on continued population growth on the island, and the best ways to manage it? MEDIA RECOMMENDATION And for fun, what is a piece of media you’ve enjoyed in the past year? (Novel, movie, comic book, etc.) Moving on in the questionnaire, on Pages 20 & 21 you’ll find answers from candidates running for positions as Islands Trust trustees. All candidates were offered the Islands Trust related question in that section, with those running for trustee able to expand on their answer. Bowen will select two representatives to represent the municipality at Islands Trust on election day. Finally, we end this section by hearing from candidates for school trustee with the West Vancouver School District. Bowen Island Community School falls under this umbrella, along with many schools where Bowen kids receive their education on the mainland. The question selected to answer was: Q: What do you think the biggest challenges in education are today, and how will you work to tackle them? School board trustee candidates answered several other questions as well, which will be available in their online profiles. The top five finishers in the election will form the school board for the next four years. And of course most importantly be sure to head out on Saturday, October 17 and vote away! Polls will be open at Bowen Island Community School from 8 am to 8 pm. Results will be available later that night and updated along the way, so barring an extremely tight race we should know who all of our elected officials will be before we call it a day. Mayor Andrew Leonard has already won his position by acclamation, and as far as councillors go we’ll be choosing six of the following 10 individuals to join Leonard in Council Chambers and in our decision-making process for the next term. We hope you enjoy this issue and most importantly hope it might aid you when you go to mark those ballots. If you want to see some of the candidates in action, check out a recording of the Candidates Forum hosted by the Undercurrent and the Bowen Island Public Library from October 4. It’s available on the Library’s YouTube page, or on the Undercurrent website by following the tabs News > Civic Election 2026 Wishing you happy election researching!

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Constance Barnes OCCUPATION Accredited Recovery Coach at The Orchard Recovery Centre, Actor, Past Elected Chair and Commissioner of Vancouver Park Board, served 2 consecutive terms, Operations and marketing manager Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 15 years. Manager Overdose Prevention Site, 3 years INSPIRATION I’ve realized over the years that I’m not much of a city gal even though I was lucky enough to work and live in Vancouver for many years. I grew up in Port Moody, one of six in a family of four kids, in a tiny bungalow. It was very different back then — little money, lots of greenspace and

community. The forest was our backyard. We picked huckleberries, had a salt lick for the deer, built forts and made shag rugs out of soft green moss. Sometimes we slept outside under the stars in our flannel sleeping bags. Port Moody was a melting pot and made for a very diverse communiy.At 14, we moved to 100 acres in Metchosin. I hated it! Splitting wood and carrying rocks for the foundation of our family built home was not my idea of fun. Little did I know those would become treasured memories. Bowen feels like coming home. I feel blessed to be here and want to help protect what makes it special. PRIORITIES My priorities are simple: housing and protecting what makes Bowen special. I want to see housing that allows people to remain on Bowen — seniors, young families, young people, workers and long-time residents. I also want us to manage tourism thoughtfully and responsibly. That means protecting our environment, making sure growth doesn’t overwhelm our infrastructure or community, and listening to the Islanders whose livelihoods depend on tourism. We need to find a balance that works for residents, businesses and visitors. HOUSING I would like to see housing people can truly afford. Housing that allows people to stay on Bowen. Homes that provide safety and security for all stages of life. Smaller and simpler homes that dont require a million dollar budget. Basically keeping Bowen livable for those of us that call it home. As an elected official I was able to see some amazing opportunities for innovative housing. I’d relish the opportunity to bring some innovative and fresh eyes and ideas to the table. PROPERTY TAXES I have not had the opportunity to dive into the details of

Bowen’s budget and I would need to educate myself so that I am very clear on what’s working and what is not. I would also ask what our responsibilities and obligations are. I have found taking a different approach can be very beneficial. If elected I can promise you I will do my homework. TOURISM I honestly do not see tourism slowing down and I think we need to be painfully realistic about that. When I was in the tourism industry for 15 years the first thing we clarified is who are we as a community and what is our message to visitors? Bowen is a small island with limitations. When Snug Cove is overwhelmed, the ferries are packed, and everything from our roads, trails, “secret spots” are all under pressure. I have 15 years of experience in tourism. I understand how important visitors are to the economy. I feel like we need to look at tourism with a new lense goal being finding the right balance. Ferries, parking, congestion, impact on the environment. What are our expectations of our visitors? Number one could be a fabulous town hall where the community comes together to share ideas, then it becomes a community effort, and we all can win! POPULATION GROWTH My answer is similar to the question asked above. What do we want as a community and who are we. Bowen needs to come together, homeowners. renters, workers, store owners, muni and all. A collaboration works best when everyone has a voice and is heard including the Mayor and Council. MEDIA REC Maya Angelou is my everything: her books, interviews, podcasts, her calm voice as she speaks her wisdom, perspective, strength and humour. Best of all she has no fear of speaking the truth. WHEN YOU LEARN TEACH, WHEN YOU GET GIVE. I mean does not just make you smile!

VOTE OCT. 17! INSPIRATION I am hoping to return to Council. I Chaired the Governance Study that led to the Municipality, and I still feel the responsibility to help make it work as well as we hoped. This step seems very natural to me. More about that is at HeartsLegacy.ca/Terry PRIORITIES

Terry Cotter OCCUPATION In 1992 our family moved to Bowen when we purchased the Bowen Island Pub business. The 13-years of pub work was some of the most enjoyable of my career. We became deeply integrated into the community, very quickly. My daughters were 3 and 5 years old at that time. Now Lauren and Megan are both mothers living on Bowen again, and we moved back to be with them in August. Now I am semi-retired. I help families by leading Celebrations of Life and Funerals. Some will remember Eddie’s event at the Legion.

I have heard the Mayor talking about getting back to the core mission. I completely agree. This will help the run-away tax situation, and hopefully get systems working properly. HOUSING Bowen seems to have lots of huge fenced and shuttered estate properties. I’m not worried about creating more. The beauty of this community is the people who participate, and make things happen. The mansion-dwellers don’t tend to do that, in my humble experience. By assuring a mix of housing options, we retain a broad spectrum of working blue and white collar families. It enriches all of our lives. We have some capacity limits. Some constraints are based upon neighbourhoods and specific sites, others are based on watershed regions of the island.

PROPERTY TAXES I think families and seniors are desperate to see some responsible action to stop the inflationary bills. I think we can do that by getting back to basics. TOURISM I have heard ideas about resident-only passes, and differential weekend ferry prices. Lots of ideas to punish visitors float around. I have a long history of working with BC Ferries, on the local committee, and on the provincial committee. Ideas must keep in mind that the ferry service is for the benefit of all British Columbians. Ferry solutions must factor in that aspect of the provincial perspective. MEDIA REC I am a lover of live music, and I always love to catch a show by people who played on our pub stage in the past. Many of those pros are still working and I was exhilarated when I managed to get to a rare show in early August. Music events, like most shared experiences, help build the fabric of our community.

A16 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Keith Davidson OCCUPATION I bring two decades in tech and telecom, most recently leading innovation and strategy at TELUS. I led teams through high-stakes change, built new business lines from scratch, and worked in lockstep with municipalities and government agencies to bring new human-centred technologies into the real world. That career has taught me to stay calm and creative when the road isn’t obvious, and to get things done rather than just talk about them. INSPIRATION While I do feel I bring a useful skill set to council, honestly, I am running because believe it’s important to have younger voices at the council table, as they’ll live with today’s deci-

Sue Ellen Fast OCCUPATION Naturalist, elected citizen, conservation and learning consultant, currently serving democracy on Bowen and Islands Trust Councils. INSPIRATION Following through — on updating Bowen’s official community plan (OCP); on using the Bowen Conservancy’s new biodiversity plan in island planning; and on updating the Islands Trust Policy Statement. This last is like an umbrella OCP protecting all the unique ecologies and island communities in the area defined by the international border, the mainland, a line above Hornby, Denman and Lasqueti but below Texada, to halfway up Vancouver Island. An area like

Friday, October 9, 2026 sions for decades to come. We make it hard for younger people to take part in municipal politics: employers have little incentive to support civic service, and council remuneration is too low to make serving feasible for many. I find myself in a position where I can serve and it would be a privilege to do so. PRIORITIES Infrastructure is where I’d start, but my career has taught me that today’s top priorities will likely not be tomorrow’s. I see the role of a councillor as managing the tension between everything our island needs (water, environment, housing, the ferry, social programs, tourism, arts, emergency preparedness) and not letting any one thing fall too far down the list. HOUSING An island where young people, families, seniors, and people on fixed incomes can’t afford to live is not a resilient community. When people are priced out, we lose volunteer firefighters, businesses lose staff, and schools and community groups shrink. I support a “yes, and” approach to housing. Do we need infill density, secondary suites, and multiplexes? Yes! And we should try new ideas too, such as co-housing, tiny homes, modular construction, and community-led models like housing co-ops and land trusts. I’d prioritize increasing density where human impact on the environment has already taken place and where walkable neighbourhoods can reduce car reliance. PROPERTY TAXES Fiscal responsibility starts with the basics, asking of every budget line: what do we need, what do we merely want, and what are we willing to say no to? Infrastructure needs major investment, yet we have a small tax base spread over a large land area. We need to pursue every available provincial grant to offset the extra burden our small community carries

that the province doesn’t. I’d favour modest, predictable increases over sudden spikes. An effective council should explain plainly where the money goes, what we got for it, and what the trade-offs were. TOURISM Without any push from us, visitation will keep growing, so we can either react or plan. I’d rather plan. We need to pass the MRDT (a visitor accommodation tax) and dedicate every dollar to tourism management: better signage, wayfinding, visitor guidance, and bylaw enforcement. I’d invest in infrastructure that visitors and residents share: trails, washrooms, parking, and waste. I’d press BC Ferries and the province to tie ferry capacity to our population and visitation, and ask the province for additional tax levers, so the burden doesn’t land solely on residents. Our business owners say their year-round operation depends on summer tourism, and we should believe them. POPULATION GROWTH People want to live on Bowen, and I don’t think we can or should close the door. A Bowen that can’t house its young people, workers, and seniors isn’t healthy either. But growth has to follow capacity: water, sewer, roads, emergency services, and especially the ferry. I’d direct density to where development already exists, keep our long-term plans current, and press the province to tie ferry capacity to our population. Our rule of thumb should be simple: don’t add residents faster than we can serve them. MEDIA REC Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is a video game about a doomed expedition racing to stop “the Paintress” who wakes each year and erases everyone of the age she paints on her monolith, a number that counts down every year. It’s a stunning, French-inspired world and a look at what people choose to do with the time they have left.

a greenway, or a blueway, with 450 islands and the size of PEI but saltier.

Might it also be time to ask businesses to shoulder more of the costs? What about tourism businesses?

PRIORITIES Water will be my focus. An extraordinary El Niño is forecast, adding to the climate challenges already impacting Bowen. With no rivers or snow pack, we have only rain to supply our wells and freshwater systems year round, including through longer drier summers. Rising sea levels bring salty water higher into the land. Atmospheric rivers in winter threaten our culverts and roads with storm water. We need to protect our infrastructure, including our healthy forest ecosystems on our three crown land water towers, so we can remain a resilient “sponge island”. Let’s call on the Island Trust’s freshwater strategy, and let’s be proactive.

TOURISM Tourism is straining services and infrastructure. I plan to advocate for a visitor levy, to address the accelerating impacts on our community and infrastructure. Stewart Island/Rakiura in New Zealand is one example passed along to me. I have professional background in planning for visitor experience and site sustainability, such as in parks and protected areas where visitor impacts can be severe. I was part of a consulting team who wrote a practitioner workbook and training guide for the Canadian Tourism Human Resources Council. I hope to support the work of addressing tourism.

HOUSING I’m proud of the progress made towards more diverse and affordable housing while I have been on council. Careful planning is required to protect our healthy green oasis of trails and clean tap water. I see the province’s recent housing legislation as the most significant change in land use legislation since the Agricultural Land Reserve and Islands Trust were formed. Yet the Islands Trust mandate to preserve and protect does still stand. Let’s protect water supply and quality first; and then add housing where and when evidence shows that both can be sustained. PROPERTY TAXES I will work to strengthen the flow of grant revenue coming in to Bowen, as I have over the past three terms. A climate lens can help to coordinate and combine projects and grants to multi-solve in a frugal way. And to strengthen the flow of provincial funding to Islands Trust, which has decreased over the years leaving residents to make up the difference.

POPULATION GROWTH Let’s manage growth sustainably through our excellent Official Community Plan that so many Islanders have contributed to over the decades. This is what it is for. Let’s also use more of the tools in the Islands Trust basket to fend off unbridled development. Tools are waiting to be picked up, and some are being updated through the Trust Policy Statement/Islands 2050 project as mentioned. I want to stay involved in both of these updating projects for Bowen’s benefit. Slow, carefully planned growth has served us well so far - let’s hold the course. MEDIA REC “Ten years in the tub: a decade soaking in great books” by Nick Hornby. What fun, and introduced many new-to-me writers that got me reading more books. Books are piling up on the floor again, and I feel fine.

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Friday, October 9, 2026

COUNCIL CANDIDATES PRIORITIES More on-island transportation options, more collaborative efforts with BC Ferries and CIRQL Ferries.

Judith Gedye OCCUPATION Psychiatric Nursing Assistant, Group Home “parent”, lawyer (criminal defence and family law), Prison Legal Services (staff lawyer for Oakalla), Associate Professor of Law (Hong Kong), Gastown Legal Aid criminal clinic supervisor, Provincial Court Judge, failed retiree. INSPIRATION Our legacy document (Official Community Plan) needs more community discussion, the Islands Trust is developing some interesting reconciliation work, and I enjoy working for this community.

Tim Hausch OCCUPATION I retired last October after working for Rogers Communications maintaining their wireline system on Bowen for 24 years. Over the past year, I’ve been travelling, volunteering in the community and working on my house. Now, I finally have the time to pursue something I’ve wanted to do for years: serve on council. INSPIRATION It’s been said that if you love where you live, get involved. That idea has stuck with me since I moved to Bowen. I decided I wanted to run for council during a conversation with Councillor David Wrinch while we were both helping out with PPP many years ago. I’ve been waiting until I could give the role the time and commitment it deserves. Now

HOUSING Searching for a variety of land opportunities, advocating for and applying for higher level government funding, and collaborating with not-for-profit organizations to build, preferably with local trades, while balancing housing needs with natural and social resources. We have sufficient zoning for predicted regional growth, but we need more variety, especially smaller rental units. PROPERTY TAXES For both the Muni and the Trust, I would like to change the process to decide first on a reasonable per cent increase (eg. cost of living) and keep all departmental “wishlists” within that limit: in effect, a freeze on spending. Exceptions must be exceptional.

ue to push for BC Ferries to collect a fee for services; support more local projects (eg. walking tours). POPULATION GROWTH Bowen’s resources (water, in particular) are finite, especially with the sorts of changes we are experiencing and what we have been told to expect, but we’ve been putting off an evidence based inventory of any of our essential resources. I have a somewhat dystopian view of where we could end up and an optimistic view of how we could be a model for the Region. MEDIA REC Last week, with Seniors Keeping Young, I visited, for the first time, the Audain Museum of Art in Whistler. It is fabulous. The collection of mostly BC art is outstanding: there’s a large collection of ancient masks and carvings, a large collection of Emily Carr and EJ Hughes, Gordon Smith and a variety of contemporary artists, including Michael Yahgulanaas.

TOURISM Educate tourists: change the message from “easy access” to the Islands Trust mandate of preserve and protect as everyone’s responsibility, encourage “lighter” tourism (photography, hikes, theatre); more signage on the boat (eg. the Bowen Pledge); incentives to leave the car at home; continI can. PRIORITIES One priority is seeing important projects through to completion, particularly the OCP and the water and sewage treatment plants. These will shape Bowen for years to come, and we need to stay focused on getting them completed properly. Another is ensuring Bowen’s infrastructure keeps pace with the community. Roads, water, sewer and transportation may not be glamorous, but they are essential to daily life. We need clear priorities based on urgency, cost and community needs, backed by realistic plans for funding and delivery. HOUSING My housing priorities are helping Bowen’s young adults buy starter homes and build equity, improving opportunities for seniors to age on island, and providing housing for people who work here. Affordability is a major challenge. We risk losing a significant portion of the next generation because they cannot afford to establish a life here. Aging residents should also have options to remain as their needs change. I would support smaller homes, a broader range of rental and ownership options, and appropriate increases in density in well-planned neighbourhoods. Growth must be supported by infrastructure and services. PROPERTY TAXES Unfortunately, taxes rise as costs rise, but every increase must be justified. I would scrutinize spending, prioritize essential services and infrastructure, and pursue grants and other funding. Delaying necessary maintenance can leave taxpayers with larger bills later. Before approving an increase, I would expect clear evidence that spending is necessary, alternatives have been considered, and taxpayers are receiving good value. Council must explain its decisions plainly and consider residents’

ability to pay. We need to meet Bowen’s obligations while keeping value central to every budget decision. TOURISM Tourism supports Bowen’s businesses and local jobs, but it also puts pressure on roads, ferries, parking, infrastructure and services. I’d like to explore a fair way for visitors to contribute to those costs, including a possible tourist levy. Any proposal would need careful consideration of how it would be collected, its impact on businesses, and how to avoid additional ferry delays or complications. Tourism and a good quality of life can support each other. Our approach should welcome visitors while protecting the community and environment that make Bowen special. POPULATION GROWTH I don’t think we should set an arbitrary population limit. Growth should be guided by what Bowen can sustainably support. That means considering water, sewer, roads, transportation, emergency services, schools and the capacity of our natural environment. It also means planning development that fits our neighbourhoods and addresses community needs. Existing residents should not be left carrying the cost of infrastructure primarily required by new development. Proposals should demonstrate that adequate infrastructure and services are available, or contribute appropriately to the improvements needed. We need to plan for growth responsibly. MEDIA REC I’m a bit of a sucker for an old western. I love the scenery and the sense of space, and I enjoy a classic antihero. Also, I’m halfway through and enjoying Papillon by Henri Charrière, which I picked up at the Knick Knack Nook.

A18 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Alex Jurgensen OCCUPATION I am a current Bowen Island Municipal Councillor and President and Director of Operations and Community Engagement for the Canadian Organization of the Blind and DeafBlind. My work portfolio includes Camp Bowen, accessible programming, transportation, financial management, hospitality, trades work, and community partnerships. INSPIRATION At 33, I am seeking re-election as Bowen’s youngest Councillor candidate because I believe the youth perspective is important to the work still needing to be finished. Four years on Council have strengthened my belief that thoughtful questions, careful listening, and persistence mat-

Friday, October 9, 2026 ter. I want residents of all ages, including our youth, to feel heard and understand how decisions affecting their lives are made. Bowen deserves representatives who can weigh competing needs, stand by their judgment under pressure, and explain their decisions openly. I also believe a little humour helps us work together through difficult conversations. PRIORITIES My priorities are completing necessary infrastructure and keeping Bowen livable: affordable, accessible and connected by transportation. That means finishing the water treatment plant and tackling essential maintenance with clear priorities and realistic budgets. Affordability must shape both financial decisions and housing policy. Residents should understand what their taxes fund, while people at different stages of life need practical housing choices. Council should concentrate on delivering work already needed and ensuring that commitments made today remain manageable tomorrow. Accessibility and transportation are the through lines because we need a Bowen Island where all residents and visitors can live, work and play. HOUSING I support attainable, diverse housing that helps people remain part of our community as their needs change. The Official Community Plan should guide thoughtful decisions about where different housing forms belong. I would assess proposals against neighbourhood character, what residents in established neighbourhoods want, community input, environmental limits, and available infrastructure. More homes on a map are not enough: we need to consider who can afford them, whether they meet local needs, and where they are welcomed by neighbours. PROPERTY TAXES Every budget decision should begin with a clear explanation of the need, alternatives, and ongoing cost. Residents deserve

understandable financial information and fewer surprises. I’d scrutinize proposed spending, distinguish essential obligations from nice to haves, and pursue grant funding before supporting expensive new projects. Deferring necessary maintenance can create larger bills , but that doesn’t make every expenditure urgent. TOURISM I would favour tourism that supports local businesses while respecting residents’ daily lives. Decisions should account for ferry capacity, congestion, service demands, and environmental impacts. I would work with businesses, residents, and transportation partners on practical ways to encourage walking, transit, and visits outside peak periods. Proposals that attract additional visitors should explain how resulting pressures will be managed and funded. A welcoming island first and foremost needs to remain a functioning home for the people who live here. POPULATION GROWTH I would approach growth through careful planning rather than treating a population target as a goal in itself. We need to consider housing needs alongside water, sewage, roads, transportation, and environmental capacity. The Official Community Plan should establish a clear direction informed by residents and realistic assessments of what the island can support. Managing growth also means asking whether new housing contributes to a lasting community and whether the services it requires can be delivered affordably. MEDIA REC If I had to choose one book that has stayed with me, it is Radical Trust by our own Angelyn Toth. While I don’t agree with everything in the book it is a good reminder of how life can fall into place and that having faith that life will get you to where you need to be is important, especially when life throws challenges in our paths.

VOTE OCT. 17! our community. PRIORITIES

Alison Morse OCCUPATION Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC, retired. INSPIRATION There are still projects that are in progress that I want to see through to their finish such as the Official Community Plan (OCP) Update where I am one of the two Council Liaisons to the steering committee and the development of the asset management plan which I hope will give us a clear path forward for keeping our assets in a good state. I want to continue contributing my knowledge and skills to

Aside from the above I would like to see the provincial public land blocks on Bowen protected as they are our watersheds as well a place for recreational hiking. This will mean collaborating with the Squamish Nation. The other would be developing the guidelines for the development permit areas set out in the OCP. HOUSING We need more housing diversity, rental housing, housing for workers. Snug Cove House is one step in housing for seniors. We need housing that is affordable and accessible. PROPERTY TAXES Costs will go up due to normal inflation increases so it is reasonable to expect that taxes will go up. We have a Policy called Guiding Principles for Planning and Budgeting Decision Making which we should be following. Keeping our assets in a good state is a key policy and the asset management plan will address this. We also need to budget for sufficient reserves to fund major replacements or save for future acquisitions.

TOURISM We will have tourists; we are not marketing Bowen but given our proximity to Vancouver and with a Regional Park and a short ferry ride we will have tourists coming. Tourism Bowen Island is doing their best to manage tourists, educate them about being responsible tourists and treading lightly and educating them before they arrive through their website. The MRDT should provide further revenues to assist with Tourism Management. POPULATION GROWTH As with Tourism, our proximity to Vancouver and being a safe community for families means we are a good place to live. The ferry acts as a growth deterrent. When approving new development, we need to ensure that there is a sustainable supply of water and that septic can be safely provided and encourage cluster housing leaving part of the area in green space. MEDIA REC The book Pineapple.

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COUNCIL CANDIDATES PRIORITIES Completing the update of the Official Community Plan is a priority of the next Council, and it’s important that this plan protect our neighbourhoods and natural surroundings and keep taxes down by ensuring that we live within our means as a small island community. Tourism management is also a top priority (see below). HOUSING

Caroline Parker OCCUPATION My professional background is as a mergers & acquisitions lawyer, a campaign finance lawyer, and an educational assistant at Bowen Island Community School (2020-2025). INSPIRATION I enjoy community engagement, negotiating, and policy work, and feel that serving on Council would be a good match for the skills I developed as a professional and as a volunteer. Several timing factors convinced me it was the right time to offer to serve our community in this way.

Patrick Reakes OCCUPATION I’m a Red Seal automotive technician and the owner and president of Van-Centre Forklift & Industrial Repairs Ltd. I reopened the family business in 2010 and have spent most of my career troubleshooting mechanical systems, managing operations, finances, employees and the day-to-day realities of running a small business. INSPIRATION I’ve been interested in politics for most of my life, but over the last few years I realized municipal government is probably the level that affects our daily lives the most. I also got tired of commenting from the sidelines. At some point, if you’re going to complain about how things are being done, you should also be willing to put your hand up and do the work. I care enor-

Maintaining a diversity of housing options that are neighbourhood-appropriate within our rural community is important for the long-term health of our community. Non-market housing unquestionably has a role and is most likely to succeed when carefully integrated within our community in an age-friendly way. PROPERTY TAXES This balance entails anticipating and coordinating the timing of significant municipal financial obligations so that taxpayers bear these costs in measured, sequential phases whenever possible. Affordability remains a top concern.

Tourism challenges have intensified and require political accountability. The time has come for Council to take more ownership of shaping tourism management. Ongoing negotiations with BC Ferries are necessary, but we also need a tourism management strategy (including a public communication strategy) for peak travel season/times. POPULATION GROWTH Careful, thoughtful growth through the OCP and other related mechanisms is the best approach. Ill-conceived, rapid expansion would only lead to a strain on resources and degradation of the island culture we cherish. MEDIA REC Watching the 1985 classic movie Witness (starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis) again with my 17-year old daughter was one of the past year’s highlights. The movie not only has a terrific plot, but it also deftly explores the challenges and strengths of living in a small, tight-knit community.

TOURISM mously about Bowen and want to contribute to where it goes next. I’m running because I think government should solve problems, not create process around them. PRIORITIES Water is my biggest priority. We need to understand the condition and limitations of each system, including storage capacity, leaks, watershed protection and what our needs will look like 25 years from now. We need to finish the work already underway and make sure residents are actually receiving what they are paying for. My second priority is infrastructure more broadly. Roads, wastewater, ferry congestion and our major capital projects all need realistic plans, realistic costs and completion. Process is one thing. Completion is very different. I want council focused on getting important work across the finish line. HOUSING I want more practical and accessible housing choices, but I don’t think housing can be discussed separately from infrastructure. Secondary suites, coach houses, duplexes, rentals, modular housing and properly planned pocket neighbourhoods can all have a place. I also don’t think every new housing option has to be concentrated in Snug Cove. Small, carefully planned communities can fit into a heavily forested island without turning Bowen into a suburb. But water, wastewater, roads and transportation have to support what we approve. I support creating housing opportunities. I don’t support growth simply for the sake of saying we created density. PROPERTY TAXES I’m not running on the idea that taxes can never increase, infrastructure does cost money. What I do expect is that every increase has a clear purpose and residents can see what they are receiving for it. Before asking taxpayers for more, I want council asking what is necessary, what can be completed more efficiently, what can wait and what other

revenue sources are available. That includes grants, appropriate user fees and finding ways to leverage tourism rather than putting every new cost onto property owners. I would also scrutinize new management and administrative layers before increasing taxes to support them. TOURISM Tourism is already part of Bowen’s economy. My focus is making sure it works for residents too. Available ferry and tourism data suggest roughly 80,000–90,000 visitor vehicles may come onto Bowen annually. At an average $8 parking charge, capturing 50–75 per cent could generate approximately 540,000 in gross revenue. That could increase significantly using separate parking zones in the Cove, beaches, parks and popular trailheads, with resident households receiving a pass. For comparison, an 8 per cent increase in Bowen’s current property-tax levy would generate roughly $770,000. These are estimates and operating costs would need to be considered, but the potential is significant enough to warrant a proper business case. POPULATION GROWTH I don’t think population growth is simply good or bad. The real question is what Bowen can responsibly support. Reaching 5,000 residents also has real consequences. Provincial rules change, including responsibility for policing costs, and the 5,000-person threshold is also significant under provincial housing legislation. That makes planning even more important. Water, wastewater, roads, ferry capacity and community services all have practical limits. I’m not opposed to growth, but I’m also not interested in growth for its own sake. We need to understand both the infrastructure and financial consequences before adding more demand. MEDIA REC The artist I’ve probably spent the most time exploring this year is Ren. His music deals heavily with mental health and the push and pull between different parts of yourself.

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Andrew Leonard OCCUPATION Currently, I’m the Mayor of Bowen Island. Before (and at points during), my working life ran almost entirely through non-profit, cause-based service work: program manager for housing and outreach with a non-profit housing provider, where the job was encampment response, transitional housing, shelter operations in Burnaby and the Tri-Cities; clinical coaching for parents across BC with the CMHA. I also ran medically supported summer camps, family programs and peer-support programs for children, youth and families across Ontario to BC. The common thread is service based work for vulnerable populations, which has been solid prep for local government. INSPIRATION I’ve been acclaimed as mayor, so the only ballot where you’ll find my name is for Islands Trust municipal trustee. I’ve stood for office again because the next four years are implementation years – finishing the Official Community Q: How do you view Bowen’s relationship with the Islands Trust and what do you hope to accomplish as a Trustee? Terry Cotter The local Islands Trust devolved into an obstructive and combative situation here. It was actually the main reason the community sought change. I viewed governance change as a way to preserve the viability of the Islands Trust. I still believe that. My understanding is that the role we set out for the Islands Trust in this structure is weakening and drifting back to finding ways to obstruct responsibilities that were intended for a locally elected Council. I have worked with many Island Trustees on other matters. My participation was always appreciated. I hope to do that again for the benefit of both the Islands Trust and the Municipality. Sue Ellen Fast I view the relationship as solid, and working as designed. When a large unpopular campground was proposed for Cape Roger Curtis recently, the Islands Trust found it to be contrary to the Trust Policy Statement, backstopping our concerns on Bowen council. The application was then withdrawn. MetroVancouver cannot overrule this protective policy or the provincial Islands Trust Act that requires it. What could this have cost us, had BIM had to handle the campground proposal alone? I was happy to pay an increase of $7.30 to total $120.54 for this portion of our household’s

Friday, October 9, 2026 Plan, locking in the infrastructure program – and the Islands Trust touches both. I’ve spent this term working on Bowen’s Trust relationship from the outside: the tax requisition, the Policy Statement, the gap between what we pay and what we receive. I’d prefer to stop sending letters from the outside, as they’re issues settled at Trust Council. That’s the seat I’m asking for, similar to the other regional bodies I sit on. PRIORITIES First, finish the Official Community Plan properly – not just adopt it, but write it so its environmental protections rest on measurable limits rather than the mood of a given council, and then thread it through the rest of our bylaws. A flaw of the previous OCP was that much of it was never implemented. Second, lock in the asset management and infrastructure program so that roads, water, sewer and the public works yard are funded on a realistic schedule rather than deferred to whoever comes next. HOUSING Build it ourselves through leveraging community partnerships, and stop accepting promises. BIRCH, our community-owned housing organization, is the vehicle, and my goal is to move the development plan for Lot 1 of the community lands forward as below-market, mixed-use, purpose-built rental. The second piece is how we deal with private development. We’ve watched several applications promise affordable units that were never built. The better path is direct cash contributions – collected today from private development and directed to planned projects like Lot 1, where the community controls the outcome. PROPERTY TAXES Live within our means, and be honest about what that costs. This council made the hard decision to raise taxes and point the money at the tangible things – roads, culverts, water – funding capital at the level it needs rather than chasing a target percentage. It worked. Our first year’s increase, driven by what we inherited, was 14.3%; two years at 9.5% built up the reserves; this year it was 6.6%, and the plan projects 5% in the years ahead, so the next council starts

from a responsible place rather than the hole we did. In an affordability crisis, financial plans must be realistic, not aspirational. By the end of the term, I’d like to see us track our increases with inflation. TOURISM Start by being clear about authority. We can’t stop people boarding the ferry any more than we can stop them buying a house. The region will add a million people by 2050; visitation and residency will rise with it. What we do control is everything off the pier: pedestrian choke points, transit, the trail links to Crippen Park, Davies Orchard and Dorman Point, parking and traffic along Trunk Road, and land use between the Library and the four corners. That’s where we’ve focused – plus a tourism tax we’re seeking to adopt this month – that puts visitor dollars into housing and visitor services, and steady pressure on BC Ferries and the Province over the downloaded cost to taxpayers of running a provincial ferry service through our town centre. POPULATION GROWTH Growth isn’t a Bowen phenomenon; it’s a human one, and it’s happening everywhere. A municipality constituted under provincial law can’t hinder it where there’s room and capacity – nor should we want to. I have no interest in becoming a gated community that ends in a socioeconomic monoculture, a West Vancouver bedroom. So, good land planning: an OCP with strong ecological protections that makes definitive use of our statutory authorities, real provision for social need, and infrastructure sized for the people who live (and will live) here. MEDIA REC My guilty pleasure this past year has been the Dungeon Crawler Carl series – and I’ll insist on the audiobook, which is less a reading than a performance. It’s absurd, violent, unexpectedly tender, and a sharper satire of bureaucracy and bad incentives than it has any right to be. (NEW ACHIEVEMENT: Mayor publicly recommends a book about a man, his ex-girlfriend’s cat, a very hostile dungeon, all against the backdrop of interstellar capitalism gone amok.)

property tax bill this year. Like insurance, there is an annual fee, but when you need it you need it. This key policy is currently being updated as mentioned, and I wish to continue a strong defence and support to its updating process. Today I see the Islands Trust as an extra layer of protection for nature, rural character, and our quality of life as Bowen Islanders. To be part of the federation of islands in the Salish Sea “entrusted” with the mission to protect this special part of the world is wonderful. I hope to help Bowen further contribute in the next term — by leading by example.

the work of the organization, so much so, that they could easily work for more pay and fewer hours but choose to stay. They are the backbone of the organization and a delight to work with. Next term, I hope to work on increased reconciliation efforts that the Trust is embarking on and continue work on the Trust Policy document. Andrew Leonard

Compare our forest cover with back-country, inaccessible wilderness areas, and then consider how we got here: 50 years and thousands of rezoning applications that have been examined through a preserve and protect lens. That’s the “preserve” part of the mandate.

We need to know what we’re getting. Bowen residents now send over $550,000 a year to the Islands Trust – more than $15 million over the next 30 years, and a bill that has risen 70 per cent in about a half decade. Spent on-island, that would service millions of dollars in borrowing – for protected land, or the infrastructure we desperately need – or fund four or five staff, or community grants for projects Islanders lead themselves.

Also compare some of the “destination tourist” developments in BC (Whistler, River Rock) or parts of Delta, Langley, Richmond with similar densities that have been proposed for Bowen. That’s the “protect” part. When Trust councils flourish, depending on who gets elected, there is much good work to protect and advocate for the environment, endangered species, and “rural” communities. The Trust federation requires 26 Trustees to agree, with considerable pressures, since its inception, from development interests, and strong support from most of the people who consider the islands to be sanctuaries for themselves and all their living neighbours. Trust staff are dedicated to

Yet Bowen’s biggest conservation wins haven’t come from the Trust: roughly 230 acres around Grafton Lake, the Art Rennison Nature Park, were secured through a rezoning, and 160 acres at Cape Roger Curtis were bought and protected by the Bowen Island Conservancy. So I see a relationship that needs redefining in two ways. Financially, residents should pay a fair share for services received… and be shown that math. Substantively, the Trust must define – across all its islands – what “preserve and protect” means and what “unique amenities” are, then carry that into concrete, binding pol-

Judith Gedye

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John Calimente

Sheelah Donahue

Richard Loat

The biggest challenge is dealing with the amount of funding per student in the District in the face of inflationary pressures. I will be a champion for equitable funding for the West Vancouver School District and push to seek targeted grants for new technology and upgraded facilities, particularly in terms of energy efficiency. We are also in the midst of a rapid technological revolution with the rise of artificial intelligence. While there is a great deal of uncertainty with this technology, I believe that we must approach it as an educational tool like the internet before it. Schools need to provide ethical guidelines, critical thinking skills, and the digital literacy needed to adapt to this new future.

Funding is the biggest challenge facing education today. Provincial funding has not kept pace with inflation, and school boards are responsible for covering unfunded cost increases. Declining enrolment compounds the problem by reducing our resources further. In response, we must manage every dollar carefully and be creative in generating local revenue. That revenue is how we balance our budget and provide enhanced student supports, music programs, and other opportunities that enrich children’s lives. It is also how we have maintained positions like teacher librarians, which have been cut in other districts. Student safety and the rise of artificial intelligence are also at the forefront of the challenges facing education today, and I will continue to make them a focus of board discussions and decisions.

I think the biggest challenge we face is an annual challenge: funding. With extraordinary inflationary spikes and provincial funding remaining flat, my focus will be protecting the core funding for K–12 education. Previous school boards have been fiscally prudent and our school district administration has done a good job of creating self-generated revenue streams that allow us to deliver the quality of education we do. We will need to continue to be smart with how we use our funding and how we generate additional revenue, advocate at the provincial level for funding increases, and deepen our collaborations and partnerships with community stakeholders.

Roman Nurpeissov

John O’Flynn

A central challenge is meeting students’ different learning needs while maintaining strong academic expectations and financially sustainable schools. District-wide results can conceal individual students who are struggling, disengaged or waiting for help. I would seek clear reporting on learning progress, access to support and student well-being, then use that evidence to assess priorities and spending. I would listen to teachers and support staff about what prevents them from helping students effectively, and examine administrative processes for opportunities to free up time and resources. Technology and AI present another challenge: students need to evaluate information, reason independently and use tools responsibly. I would assess educational technology for demonstrated learning benefits, privacy, accessibility and cost. For Bowen families, transportation can compound these challenges. I would work with fellow trustees, district staff and community partners to investigate workable improvements, while being clear about what the board can influence.

With 30+ years of experience in education as a teacher and Principal, I want to ensure accountability for the decisions to be made and that Community Voices on Bowen Island, in Lions Bay and West Van remain heard.

BE SURE TO VOTE OCT. 17! icy from the Islands Trust Policy Statement down to local land use bylaws. Until then, Bowen is paying for ambiguity. That’s the work I’d take to Trust Council, because the problems are federation-wide and the federation’s only municipality can provide real leadership in fixing them. Alison Morse Bowen’s Letters Patent, the document that created our Island Municipality states in section 13.0 that Council must have regard to the object of the Islands Trust in adopting a bylaw or issuing a permit. I am supportive of the object of the Trust to preserve and protect the trust area and its unique amenities and environment for the benefit of the of the residents of the trust area and BC generally. The Trust also must approve our Official Community Plan. But I am not sure if the trust is being as fiscally responsible and accountable as they could be. I have Islands Trust organization charts for 2019 and 2025, and three staff were added in administration and eight staff in trust area services between 2019 and 2025. I did not look at the local planning area as we do not contribute to those costs. I believe the policy on how costs are allocated to Bowen should be reviewed. I have a financial background and have been on the Boards of large not for profit organizations. I am familiar with the Trust and its financial aspects having been a trustee in the past and member and chair of the Financial Planning Committee, all of which make me a good candidate for Islands Trust Trustee.

SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES *More profiles on Page 25

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Re ect A Re-elect Alison Morse Counc i 4 Council I understand good financial management and the need for careful budgeting I do my research and look at issues from all sides with the goal of building consensus to reach, reasonable balanced decisions. I support open, transparent government and respectful listening and dialogue. The knowledge I have gained on Bowen Council along with my community and business experience all help me contribute to addressing our challenges and arriving at made on Bowen solutions that meet our needs.

and Trust a nd tto o IIslands s l a nd s T rust lison M Authori zed b Authorized byy A Alison Morse orse 6 604-813-3826 04-813-3826 a isonmorse4counci @gmai .com alisonmorse4council@gmail.com

RE-ELECT SUE ELLEN FAST

Council and Islands Trust

Nature and Community Authorized by Sue Ellen Fast, sefast3@icloud.com

Friday, October 9, 2026

Woodfibre LNG details flaring plans at Squamish open house INA PACE & JENNIFER THUNCHER The Squamish Chief Air emissions, flaring specifically, from the Woodfibre LNG (WLNG) facility is a literal hot topic. Woodfibre LNG is applying to the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) for a Waste Discharge Authorization (WDA) permit for air emissions from its export facility, including from flaring. The application process includes a public comment period that will open once the application is submitted. The plan is for the application to be submitted by the fourth quarter of this year. As an environmental regulator on the project, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) is involved during the permit development and will continue to be a regulator as it moves forward. Flaring was discussed at the WLNG open house on Oct. 1, held at the Executive Suites Hotel and Resort in Squamish. Discussion points included why WLNG deems flaring necessary, how flaring supports the facility’s operation, and the pending commissioning process. At the time The Squamish Chief visited the open house, about 60 to 70 people were rotating along a circle of information boards. Woodfibre LNG representatives and data experts were stationed alongside the boards to address individual concerns and queries. At the facility, air emissions will be produced from flaring, the thermal oxidizer (which uses high heat to incinerate acid gas and other waste components), the heat medium furnace (which heats liquid distributed throughout the facility), the electric compressors, and LNG carriers and tugboats. Flaring, set to begin during WLNG’s commissioning (facility start up and testing

phase) in 2027, is the controlled burning of a facility’s excess natural gas to maintain operational system pressure and safety conditions. When natural gas is flared, it burns with oxygen to produce mostly carbon dioxide and water; everything else is a “trace byproduct” of the combustion process, reads one of the boards at the open house. Flaring also releases less greenhouse emissions than would otherwise be released with venting, the company states. Flaring will be most prevalent during the six to eight months of commissioning, occurring several days a week during that period. After the first cargo, during the stabilizing of operations, lasting about two years, flaring will decrease. By three years after commissioning, flaring will become much less frequent—less than once a month. According to the company, pollution from flaring will involve the release of small amounts of combustion byproducts like nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and soot. There will also be a slight increase in light and noise. Affected areas will be Darrell Bay, Stá7mes, Squamish, Furry Creek, and Britannia Beach. Flaring is one of the more controversial aspects of the LNG project, with many locals concerned about its impact. One concern is black smoke. This happens when there is a higher amount of particulate matter released, and is a result of incomplete combustion. During unplanned flaring, black smoke is regulated to only be allowed for 15 minutes within a two-hour period. Beyond that it is considered non-compliance. The company says while black smoke can’t be avoided completely, the frequency is being reduced as much as possible by the flare’s design. CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

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Curiosity drives Bowen scientist CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

Water treatment can make drinking water safer, but it cannot remove all contaminants or protect the fish and wildlife living in Grafton Lake or downstream. For the Conservancy, Peter’s work strengthens the case for an island-wide freshwater protection strategy. Bowen Island Municipality is currently developing the Grafton Lake Watershed Management Plan. This Plan will guide how the watershed is protected, used, and managed over

the long term. Caring for Grafton Lake reaches beyond its shoreline to the forests and wetlands that hold water, to the ocean that receives this water, and the choices made around homes, activities and septic systems. Peter, along with Bob Turner and Will Husby, will together present “Water Connects Us All” at the Bowen Community Centre Theatre on October 24 at 2 pm, followed by conversations about caring for Bowen’s water. We hope you can join us.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday November 7, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Collins Hall. 10:30am Collins Hall Refreshments provided Refreshments provided

The meeting will include a vote on the motion: Be it resolved, as a special resolution of the Snug Cove House Society (the “Society”), that the bylaws of the Society be amended to provide that written notice to members may be given to members by way of electronic messages, including email messages.

AYDEN AND ODIS

Say hello to Ayden and Odis, the sweetest Yorkie brother-and-sister duo! These two are full of personality and always make their visits a little more fun. Whether they’re busy checking out everything around the clinic or keeping a close eye on what’s happening, Ayden and Odis are always together and ready for their next adventure.We love seeing these two sweeties at the clinic!

REGULAR HOURS Mon-Fri 9-5

CONTACT

Closed Sat & Sun

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SCHOOL TRUSTEES

Caroline Parker for

Council Karen Straith The biggest challenges in education today are insufficient provincial government funding and declining enrolment. I will work to tackle them by advocating to provincial government for better funding, and working with trustees and school district leadership to ensure we do the very best with the resources we have to make sure every student feels they belong and can succeed in our schools.

Felicia Zhu Our biggest challenge is meeting students’ changing needs with limited resources. Rising costs and declining enrolment put pressure on programs and staffing, while AI brings new questions about learning, privacy and cybersecurity. I would advocate for stable provincial funding and responsible use of taxpayers’ money. I would also support clear guidance and training so students and staff can use new technology safely and thoughtfully, while maintaining strong teaching and student support.

Barnes for Bowen Experience. Leadershipp. Community.

As a two-term elected Vancouver Park Board Commissioner and Past Chair, I bring years of experience working extensively with provincial and federal governments. I know how to build relationships, work collaboratively, make the case for our community and bring people together to get things done, I've spent many years navigating the government. I understand that getting results often comes down to relationships, persistence — and knowing who to talk to.

Lets protect and preserve our home. I know how to get in the room. I know how to make the case. And I won’t be afraid to ask.

Committed to Our Community

Vote on October 17th 8am - 8pm

Bowen Island Community School Authorized by Caroline Parker 604-318-9506

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Could Bowen Be a Blue Zone? Islanders put the idea to the test STEVEN TRENDE Bowen Island Rotary Club This summer, a group of Bowen Islanders spent four Monday evenings asking a simple question: what would it take to live a longer, healthier life right here on the island? Led by Dr. Hyunjoo Lee and hosted by the Rotary Club of Bowen Island, the Blue Zone Inspired pilot course gave them some practical answers. This fall, a second group gets the chance to find their own. The idea draws on research led by Dan Buettner, who identified five places where people live measurably longer, healthier lives: Okinawa, Sardinia, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, and Loma Linda, California. What these “Blue Zones” share isn’t a diet plan or a gym membership, but nine everyday habits known as the Power of Nine: move naturally, have a purpose, downshift, follow the 80 per cent rule, eat a plant slant, enjoy wine at 5, belong, put loved ones first, and find the right tribe. Hyunjoo, a Bowen Rotarian and Blue Zones Certified Health Professional, turned her June talk to Rotary into the four-week pilot. Each evening paired a few of the habits with practical steps for island life, from

building movement into ordinary days to eating more plants, finding purpose and easing stress. By the end, participants reported real change: better eating habits and weight management, more regular movement, a stronger sense of purpose, and better ways of handling stress. One summed it up by saying Bowen is “well on the way to becoming a Blue Zone.” In the final session, the group mapped about 65 Bowen community groups against the Power of Nine, from walking groups to gardens, food programs and seniors’ groups. The result, the Bowen Blue Zones-Inspired Community Directory, helps anyone find local people who share the habits they want to build. Why does it matter? Blue Zones research suggests that how long and how well we live depends far more on daily habits and surroundings than on our genes. Bowen already has many of the ingredients: trails, gardens, a strong volunteer culture and neighbours who show up for one another. The course is about leaning into those strengths, one small habit at a time. Anyone on Bowen is welcome to join the fall course, Blue Zone Inspired: Living the Power of Nine, whether they already live many of these habits or are just curious

Participants work through the Power of Nine during the summer course. / Charles McNeill photo where to start. Dr. Hyunjoo Lee, PhD, DipIBLM, will lead four evening sessions at 7 pm at the Bowen Island Community Centre, on Wednesdays October 21, October 28 and November 4, ending Thursday, November 12. The fee is $25 per participant. Register online at: forms.gle/tSLazqsdwtZ1rXHg8

The course is inspired by Blue Zones research but developed independently here on Bowen, and is not affiliated with Blue Zones LLC. Visit https://bowenrotary.com/2026/09/ bowen-islands-blue-zones-inspired-pilot/ for more on the course, the summer pilot and the Community Directory.

Snug Cove Ramp Rehabilitation Project Construction: October 29, 2026 to March 1, 2027 All construction activities will occur overnight. There are no anticipated impacts to sailings or service levels.

Learn more: bcferriesprojects.ca/ snug-cove-ramp-rehab

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Open house discusses impacts of WLNG flaring CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

For example, the high-pressure flare has a multi-nozzle flare tip that helps maintain strong gas-air mixing across different flow rates. This is designed to encourage more complete burning of gas, reducing the likelihood of black smoke, according to the company. Communities will be notified in advance when it is going to occur. From its modelling for the WDA application, Woodfibre LNG says it found that air pollution levels in nearby communities are expected to remain below B.C.’s Air Quality Objectives. Under the permit, Woodfibre LNG must continue monitoring air quality both at the facility and in the surrounding area. Data will be made available via the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks website. WLNG staff repeatedly said at the open house that WLNG’s goal was to minimize flaring, and gas would be recycled as much as possible. The company said that nearby residents are already exposed to more emissions from everyday local sources, like vehicles and home heating, than they would be from the flaring at the WLNG facility. As for noise during flaring, the largest increase would be at Britannia Beach by six decibels, the equivalent to “the low hum of a fridge compressor.” Flaring will cause a 2.5 dB increase in noise in Squamish and Stá7mes. The flare stack will have a small — likely not noticeable from a distance — constant pilot flame. Flames during flaring events are expected to be up to 60 metres (200 feet), or up to 90 metres (300 feet) in the rare event of an emergency. For light, the flame would be most visible from Britannia

Al Gorithm covers everything. Except your community. Al Gorithm decides what you see online based on your clicks, likes and shares. His job is to keep you scrolling. But would you trust him to tell you what’s happening in your community? Local journalists ask tough questions, investigate issues, attend council meetings and hold decision-makers accountable. They give you verified facts you can rely on. Trust the people who report on your community. Celebrate local journalism. nationalnewspaperweek.ca

Beach at 5.4 lux (a typical street light is 10-15 lux). In Squamish, the flame during flaring could be visible at 3.4 lux and 1.3 lux in Furry Creek. There is permanent aviation lighting for the 134-metre flare stack, as required by Transport Canada. Odours from flaring (similar to those of a car exhaust) are not anticipated in residential communities, only closer to the facility. WLNG acknowledges flaring involves periods of visible flame, light, noise and heat “which could be noticeable to wildlife in the surrounding area. Birds, bats, fish, bears, deer and other terrestrial mammals and marine mammals will be subject to these impacts. Woodfibre LNG says its goal is to schedule flaring where possible for the times expected to have the least impact on wildlife. It will also make regular site inspections for injured or deceased animals, evaluate marine mammal observations and noise effects and record bat and bird interactions with the flare stack. The monitoring results will be used to adapt plans. My Sea to Sky executive director Tracey Saxby, who was at the open house, shared her sentiments regarding the extension of the facility’s commissioning period. “Woodfibre has not been truthful or forthcoming with how much the facility will be flaring,” she said. “This project was approved on a false premise, misinformation, and gross underestimations of how much the facility would be polluting nearby communities.” WLNG had proposed in 2015 that the start up and commissioning period would last three to four weeks, and last up to three or four days at any one time during that month, according to the Planned and Emergency Flaring

supplemental report. The 2015 report also said flaring would occur at the plant during emergency shutdowns as well as during “operational controlled situations.” WLNG’s director of communications, Sean Beardow, said the company was being forthright. “We’re being very forthright about the fact that during the commissioning phase there’s going to be more flaring. It’s going to happen for longer. It’s going to happen more frequently,” said Beardow. Saxby also said that she has “very little trust” that the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) will protect public health, citing the impact of the LNG Canada facility in Kitimat, and the granting of the amended waste discharge permit to FortisBC for the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project at Átl’ka7tsem (Howe Sound), allowing the company to release more effluent into the water. Saxby’s concerns related to emissions potentially surpassing a compliance threshold, and that BCER will take steps to mitigate the situation rather than shut down the facility entirely. If, for example, the emission of black smoke exceeds 15 minutes within two hours. “There is no example of them forcing the industry to shut down when they exceed their permits, even if they are causing harm to nearby communities,” Saxby said of BCER. Beardow said the company expected concerned questions from attendees at the open house. “I find it really encouraging, the number of people who have come out tonight. Some people have some strong feelings, and that’s fine. We’re here to answer those questions and be transparent with folks,” he said.

A28 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, October 9, 2026

VOTE IN THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION The 2026 Provincial General Election is on Saturday, October 24, 2026. WHO CAN VOTE

WAYS TO VOTE

You can vote in the 2026 Provincial General Election if you are: • a Canadian citizen, • 18 or older on October 24, 2026, and • a resident of British Columbia since April 23, 2026.

VOTER REGISTRATION Register now to save time when you vote. You can register or update your information at elections.bc.ca/register or by calling 1-800-661-8683. You can also register when you go to vote. Remember to bring ID that shows your name and home address when you vote. See elections.bc.ca/id for a list of acceptable ID.

Vote at a district electoral office Voting at district electoral offices is available now during office hours until 4p.m. (Pacific time) on Final Voting Day. Advance Voting You can vote in advance from Friday, October 16 to Wednesday, October 21. Advance voting places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time). Voters can vote at any advance voting location. Visit wheretovote.elections.bc.ca to find advance voting places and the dates they are open. Final Voting Day Final Voting Day is Saturday, October 24. Voting places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time). Voters have an assigned voting location on Final Voting Day.

Vote by mail You can ask for a vote-by-mail package by: • Visiting elections.bc.ca/votebymail • Calling Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 Your vote-by-mail package will be mailed to you. Request a vote-by-mail package as soon as possible to make sure you can receive and return it on time. For information about other voting options, visit elections.bc.ca.

WORK IN THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION Election jobs are available across the province. Visit elections.bc.ca/jobs for more information.

WHERE AND WHEN TO VOTE Voting Places for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky Advance Voting Places (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on the dates listed)

Open Dates Fri, Oct 16

Bowen Island Comm School, 1041 Mt Gardner Rd, Bowen Island, BC Gleneagles Clubhouse, 6190 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC

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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A29

Friday, October 9, 2026

VOTE IN THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION Voting Places for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky Final Voting Places (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday, October 24, 2026) Bowen Island Comm School, 1041 Mt Gardner Rd, Bowen Island, BC

Myrtle Philip Comm School, 6195 Lorimer Rd, Whistler, BC

Telus Whistler Conf Centre, 4010 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC

Don Ross Middle School, 42091 Ross Rd, Squamish, BC

N’Quatqua Comm Centre, 762 Nquatqua, D’Arcy, BC

The 55 Activity Centre, 1201 Village Green Way, Squamish, BC

Garibaldi Highlands Elem School, 2590 Portree Way, Squamish, BC

Pemberton Sec School, 1400 Oak St, Pemberton, BC

Valleycliffe Elem, 38430 Westway Ave, Squamish, BC

Howe Sound Sec School, 38430 Buckley Ave, Squamish, BC

Rockridge Sec School, 5350 Headland Dr, West Vancouver, BC

Ts̓ zil Learning Centre, 125 Lillooet Lake Rd, Mount Currie, BC

Lions Bay Comm Hall, 400 Centre Rd, Lions Bay, BC

St’a7mes School, 38030 Clarke Dr, Squamish, BC

District Electoral Office West Vancouver-Sea to Sky 3200 University Blvd Squamish, BC (778) 572-4596 Hours of Operation (local time) Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance voting days 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Candidates for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky Candidate’s Name

Affiliation

Ayla Dumais

Conservative Party

Michelle Livaja

BC NDP

Jeremy Valeriote

BC Green Party

Dan Wood

CentreBC

For candidate financial agent and official agent information, visit elections.bc.ca/candidates.

@ElectionsBC

A30 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A31

Friday, October 9, 2026

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A32 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Friday, October 9, 2026

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Thursday, October 8 Candidate Speed Dating at the Pub Come to the Bowen Island Pub for Cocktails and Conversations with municipal election candidates. Ask questions during one-on-one two minute rounds! Complimentary appies and cash bar, from 6 to 8 pm. Saturday, October 10 Applefest Heritage Association presents Applefest! Davies Orchard from 10 am to Noon. Apple displays, tour the Cottages, baking contests, and of course lots of apple pies. Saturday, October 10 French Connections at the Library Drop in and join us to practice your conversational French, and get to know other French language learners on Bowen Island! Free, 10:15 to 11:15 am. bipl.ca/French Saturday, October 10 to Monday, October 13 Applefest Weekend at Bowen Cider House Come celebrate the harvest with us each day! All events family friendly, check social media for times & full details. Sunday, October 11 Apple Celebration at Riley’s Cidery Come out to sip on tasty cider and enjoy beautiful, live harp music by Grace Wickes in the garden. From 1 to 3 pm. Tuesday, October 13 Community Lunch at the Legion Bowen Island Community Lunches return on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month. Lunch is $10 for a homemade bowl of soup, bread, coffee/tea and dessert. The program is adult only. From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Tuesday, October 13

Rotary Speaker Series The Bowen Island Rotary Club will be welcoming Anton van Walraven as our guest speaker for a talk titled “LNG: Let’s Picture Something Better for Bowen and Beyond.” Artisan Eats at 7:30 pm, full details on Page 11. Thursday, October 15 Bowen Arts Tour Registration Calling all Artists Visual, Literary and Performing. Registration opens for the 2027 Bowen Arts Tour. Be one of the first 10 to register and be considered as the Feature Artist. For more info contact bowenartstour@gmail.com or visit Bowenartstour.com Thursday, October 15 Writers’ Feedback Group at the Library Are you a writer looking to get feedback on your writing? Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this group is for you. Bring your prose, poetry, or other writing and be part of this fun and welcoming group building a creative network of writers here on Bowen Island. Runs from 4:30 to 6 pm. Thursday, October 15 Movie Night with the Film Society Screening of ‘Blonde Venus’ (1932), a captivating preCode Hollywood drama which follows a devoted wife and mother whose life changes dramatically when she returns to the stage to support her family. 6:30 pm start, tickets $10 and available thru Bowen Recreation. Saturday, October 17 Author Talk at the Library Join us for an afternoon with author Daniel Gawthrop as he discusses his latest book ‘Cutting Edge’. This timely and

deeply personal exploration of hockey through a queer lens weaves together memoir, cultural commentary, and sports history. Drop-in, free event from 1 to 2:30 pm. Saturday, October 17 Municipal Election Voting takes place to select Bowen’s next council, Islands Trust trustees, and school board. At Bowen Island Community School from 8 am to 8 pm. Find out more about the candidates inside this paper. WEDNESDAYS Family Storytime at the Library Drop in for a free program of stories and songs! From 10:30 to 11 am in the Library Annex. Ages 0-6 with caregivers. No registration required. Families are welcome to stay until 11:30 am and socialize, read books, and hang out! THURSDAYS Thursday Art Group TAG (Thursday Art Group) meets every Thursday at Collins Hall from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Come join a group of self-directed artists working in different mediums in a supportive environment. Monthly $35, drop-in $12, first drop-in free. Info at jilly.watson@shaw.ca FRIDAYS Legion Dinners Friday dinners are back for fall at the Legion. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Members can purchase tickets every Thursday, non-members welcome to buy tickets Friday if not sold out. SATURDAYS Farmers Market The annual Farmers Market returns with a new home at Davies Orchard. From 10 am to Noon.

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