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Volume 19, Issue 02
Sunshine Coast, British Columbia • www.thelocalweekly.ca • Thursday, January 14, 2021 COVID Updates Page 3
Coast Homicide Court Date Set
Bear Sanctuary
Page 2
Housing Affordability Page 5
Stop Work Order Page 6
shíshálh-BC Land Use Plan Page 7
Consumer Debt Study Page 10
Chapman Water Update Page 11
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After first hiking into the Dakota Bear Sanctuary in August 2013, the environmental group Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) has managed to keep the proposed logging of this ancient forest from occurring. The area is found on steep slopes and a ridgetop running behind Mt. Elphinstone. It contains big red and yellow cedar trees that hollow out at the base providing ideal conditions as hibernation dens for black bears. In addition, the Archaeology Division (Victoria) registered 77 of the cedars as heritage sites due to First Nations’ historic harvesting of cedar fibres. Studies show that the majority of the harvesting took place in the 1500s. For more information, go to loggingfocus.org. ELF PHOTO All sales subject to $599 admin fee, $99 fuel surcharge, and $500 finance fee where applicable. *OAC. Please see dealer for complete details.
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The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021
Court appearance on murder charge set
WE WANT YOUR INPUT! Share your ideas on the 2021 budget and 2021– 2025 financial plan. Information on the budget process and municipal services is on our website. Active surveys: • Sewer System • Parks Department A number of surveys will be posted in the coming weeks including Public Works, Planning & Development and Arts & Culture. • Online: sechelt.ca/budget • Paper copies can be picked up from the Library or Municipal Hall at 5797 Cowrie St, 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday Public budget discussion via Zoom to be announced for a date in late March. www.sechelt.ca | info @ sechelt.ca | 604-885-1986
Kevin Christopher Webster, 31, is slated to appear in provincial court on Jan. 27 on the charge of second-degree murder of his mother, Moirin Gladys Webster. Mr. Webster was charged on Dec. 28, following the discovery of the deceased at her home in Gibsons on Dec. 27. The accused, who is not eligible for bail, made an appearance before Judge Steven Merrick in Sechelt on Jan. 6 via a video link from the North Fraser Pre-trial Centre in Port Coquitlam. The reason for his appearance was listed as “To Consult Counsel.” Webster was unmasked and provided verbal responses to the judge’s reading of his trial rights. His attorney, Paul McMurray, participated in the hearing via telephone.
Moirin Webster was found dead in her home on the 500 block of Sargent Road in Gibsons on Dec. 27. MICHELLE MACNEILL PHOTO McMurray advised the judge that he planned to attend the next appearance of his client also via telephone. No plea was entered. The judge, Crown prosecutor Trevor Cockfield, the court clerk, a sheriff and two gallery attendees were present for the appearance, which lasted
about three minutes. Due to physical distancing requirements related to COVID-19, the capacity of Sechelt courtroom number one is limited to nine people. Observers seating is appropriately spaced out, using only two of the six available gallery benches. Connie Jordison
The RCMP, BC Coroner’s Service and Pender Harbour Fire Department recovered the body. Investigation of the
incident was turned over to the Coroner’s Service. Foul play is not suspected. Connie Jordison
Man’s body recovered from Ruby Lake North Pender Harbour’s Ruby Lake was the scene of a suspected drowning over the New Year’s Day weekend. Sunshine Coast RCMP Media Relations Officer Karen Whitby released a statement that a 22-year-old male, who was not a resident of the Sunshine Coast, was reported as missing from a nearby cabin at about 1pm on Jan. 2. The caller said the man had not been seen for several hours. Before police arrived at the scene, the man’s body was located in the water by friends.
Ruby Lake near Earl’s Cove.
CONNIE JORDISON PHOTO
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The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021 3
Sunshine Coast COVID-19 Physician Task Force community update #42 Dear Fellow Sunshine Coast Residents: The new year has brought some good news, as we have seen our local case numbers (people with symptoms who test positive for COVID-19) drop from an average of two per day in early December to less than one case per day over the past few weeks. This is a reflection of how careful most of us have been since the new public health orders came out in November and a good indication of how well we can do as a community if we continue to do everything we can to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. Thank you! We are hopeful that our local trend will continue over the next few weeks, but given widespread reports of larger family gatherings and other high-risk scenarios across the province, we may see a bump in cases here on the Coast over the next few weeks as well. Across BC, we did see a clear response to the current public health orders, with a drop in the number of new cases per day through most
of December. Unfortunately, and not unexpectedly, there has been an upward trend in the number of positive cases since the start of 2021. This appears mostly to be driven by family gatherings and other ill-advised social activities over the holidays. As a result, and as most of you are probably aware, the current public health orders have been extended to Feb. 5. Please review the orders to make sure that you are familiar with the current recommendations. As per the current orders, you must wear a mask in any public indoor space; you can be fined $230 if you do not comply. It is also crucial to avoid indoor and outdoor gatherings; please do not have anyone outside of your immediate household (or core bubble of up to two additional people outside your household) in your home or vehicle. This means no carpooling up to Dakota Ridge and no backyard parties or playdates. Exceptions are made for carpooling kids to and from school, and going
for walks, hikes, runs and other outdoor activities, provided that you do not hang out in a group before or after the activity. Please continue to avoid non-essential travel outside of our community and, when in doubt, err on the side of caution. On the vaccine front, we aim to start administering our first COVID-19 vaccines here on the Coast this week. As per the national vaccination plan, our first priority will be to vaccinate our highest risk community members who live in our long term care facilities, as well as the frontline healthcare workers who work with them. Once the first phase of vaccinations is complete, there will be a sequential rollout starting with those community members who are at highest risk, according to the provincial vaccine plan. This includes those 80 and over in the general community, and 65 and older in our First Nations communities, as well as others in higher-risk settings. We hope that all of our higher-risk groups will be vacci-
nated by the end of March. Provided that there is adequate vaccine supply, everyone else in the community will start to be vaccinated once our highest risk groups have been vaccinated. Vaccinations for the general population will be distributed by age groups until everyone has been vaccinated. The current plans do not include vaccinations for children, as neither of the two approved vaccines have been approved for people under 16. Please check the BC CDC website for updates on provincial vaccine distribution. We will update you as more information becomes available. In the meantime, until we have achieved a sufficient level of immunity in our community through vaccination, we must continue with our current measures: it is only with each of us doing the best we can for ourselves, our family members, friends and neighbours that we will maintain the success that we have had so far. Please continue to take every precaution that you can: wear a mask, wash your hands frequently (especially after contacting high touch surfaces in public, and before and after touching your face or mask), and maintain physical distancing wherever possible. Each and every one of us is tired of COVID-19, and like all of you, we would like nothing more than to get back to
normal. Unfortunately, this is going to be a long process; we have to continue to be patient and kind with ourselves and others and do everything we can to help until this pandemic is under control. If you feel like you need additional support or are having difficulty coping, please do not hesitate to reach out to your family doctor or a counsellor. There are many online support resources, as well. Although criteria for COVID-19 testing were revised recently, the same principles apply. It is vitally important that you stay home if you feel unwell. Symptoms that warrant immediate testing for COVID-19 include: fever, chills, new cough (or worsening of a chronic cough), difficulty breathing, or loss of sense of taste or smell. If you have two or more of the following symptoms for more than 24 hours, you should also arrange for testing: a sore throat, headache, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and muscle aches. School-aged children may be monitored at home for 24 hours if their symptoms are mild but should be tested if their symptoms persist over 24 hours or if their symptoms worsen. Please keep your child home from school, daycare or other activities if they have any symptoms that could be related to COVID-19. If you meet the criteria
for testing, please contact the Respiratory Assessment Clinic by phone or text at 604-740-1252 or by email at coastrespclinic@gmail.com. The clinic remains open seven days a week from 8:30am to 4:30pm. If you are awaiting assessment or test results, you must self-isolate at home, ideally in a separate space where you can limit contact with other members of your household. This means staying home from work, school, and all other activities until you have tested negative and your symptoms have resolved. If you test positive for COVID-19, you will have to continue self-isolating until you are cleared by Public Health. If you have more severe symptoms and believe you may need to be admitted to hospital, please go to the Sechelt Hospital Emergency Department. If you need an ambulance, please call 911. Please remember that the Emergency Department remains open and safe for anyone with a medical emergency. Keep well, and please keep doing everything you can to keep our community safe! Sunshine Coast COVID-19 Physician Task Force Dr. Jennifer Baxter Dr. Ted Krickan Dr. Herman Mentz Dr. Brian Nelson Dr. Daren Spithoff
SUNSHINE COAST FERRY SCHEDULE For schedules, fare info or to reserve 1-888-223-3779 or www.bcferries.com
Schedule in Effect: October 13, 2020 to March 31, 2021 Crossing Time: 40 minutes Distance: 10.5 nautical miles
The BC Centre for Disease Control local COVID-19 numbers for December show 45 reported cases on the Lower Sunshine Coast, bringing the cumulative cases from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020, to 96. More recently, from Dec. 27 to Jan. 2, there were three reported cases on the Lower Sunshine Coast. BCCDC MAP
Province makes changes to simplify, clarify emergency orders The Province is fine-tuning compliance and enforcement provisions for orders on face coverings, gatherings and events, and food and liquor serving premises. These changes are designed to provide greater clarity and certainty for enforcement officers and violators who are ticketed under the orders. The orders fall under the Emergency Program Act. These changes simplify the language and make the orders, and what constitutes a contravention, easier to understand. The intent of the orders remains unchanged and will continue to allow violation tickets to be issued
to non-compliant persons, owners and operators, and hosts to ensure public safety and alleviate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes include: • More clarity around the specific prohibitions found in public health orders for gatherings and events and for food and liquor serving premises. • An amended face coverings order, with an additional exemption for persons who need to remove a face covering to communicate with a person who is hearing impaired. No other substantive policy changes have been made. British Columbians are reminded under current public
health orders, police and provincial enforcement officers can issue: • $2,300 tickets to hosts/ organizers who do not comply with the provincial health officer’s (PHO) orders. • $230 tickets to patrons/ attendees who do not comply with the PHO orders. • $230 tickets for contravening the face coverings order. • $230 tickets for abusive or belligerent behaviour and/or for refusing to comply with the direction of enforcement officers. In addition, courts can impose penalties of up to $10,000 and/or up to oneyear imprisonment for egregious offences. Submitted
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The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021
Letters to the Editor – Opinions Cat bylaw
Correction
(Re: “Call for Gibsons cat control,” article, the Local, Dec. 31) I have been a cat owner/ lover for a very long time. I also love birds, squirrels and all wildlife. The facts are known and recorded as to how many birds and other wildlife we lose every year to cats. Cats do not belong outside and free-roaming. They have been a domesticated species for a long time. Cats deserve to be treated as house pets, not as “throw away life.” It’s not okay for a cat to be taken by coyotes, eagles, cougars or run over by cars. It’s also not okay for a cat to use someone’s garden as a litter box. We need to protect our birds/wildlife from cats while at the same time we need to protect our cats from predators, poisons and from becoming roadkill. By building a “catio” or enclosing an existing patio or balcony with wire, cats can enjoy the sun or be outside. Once accustomed to it, cats can also be walked on a leash. It is high time we have a cat bylaw for the whole Sunshine Coast, Gibsons, Sechelt and the SCRD. Our birds and wildlife are needing protection from cats, habitat loss, and man-made obstacles like glass balcony panels or large windows, to name a few. Cornelia van Berkel, Sechelt
(Re: “Many thanks from the Grandmothers,” letters, the Local, Jan. 7) In last week’s paper, I was pleased to see that my letter was published thanking everyone who helped us raise money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Unfortunately, I was overenthusiastic with my zeros and added one too many. So, in fact, we were happy to raise $3,500 for the Children’s Chair Auction, not $35,000 as previously advertised. Many thanks again for your continued support of the Grandmothers Campaign. Betty Masson, Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign
Sanctuary “I’m thrilled to share SANCTUARY with my Vancouver area friends through PuSh Festival Feb. 3-7. It’s hard to put the experience into words, so I hope some of you can visit it for yourselves. Due to COVID-19 safety – which is our top priority – there are very limited opportunities, so I encourage you to book now: www.pushfestival.ca/ shows/sanctuary. What an adventure this has been, with my creative friends Cease Wyss, Olivier Leroux and many others. This past summer, I got a call from Ross Muirhead at Elphinstone Logging Focus – tireless defenders of forests on the Sunshine Coast – about a rare ecosystem,
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home to 2,000-year-old yellow cedars and dozens of families of black bears. All on the chopping block from planned clearcut logging. I reached out to some of the most talented creative people I know, and they all stepped up to join the effort. In September and October, we took two short trips into this incredible place with cutting-edge gear – a Titan 360 camera loaned graciously to us from the iM4 Lab, Zach Moxley and his Inspire 2 drone with 360 camera, Edo Van Breemen and his ambisonic microphone system – and proceeded to record an immersive story with our amazing guide Cease. This forest is part of her unceded Skwxwú7mesh territory and her history as a voice for conservation, coupled with her knowledge as a cedar weaver and ethnobotanist, made her the perfect host for this 360 experience. Working with Edo and his colleague Alba Vega Mulet, we supported Cease’s narration with a blend of music and the sounds of the forest. Cease added a traditional drum song in the forest to complete the soundscape. With projection technologist Eric Chad, we built our own geodesic dome and mapped projectors to it to create a fully immersive experience that is surely the closest you can come to being in this forest without actually being there. We launched the experience with the help of Sadira Rodrigues, M. Simon Levin and the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre in November, part of a beautiful multi-artist meditation on this and other wild places. And now, we embark on the next phase of sharing this experience with the world, starting with Vancouver’s PuSh Festival. For my first time working with VR, this has been an incredible crash course that has opened my eyes to the potential for immersive experiences like this to help preserve wild places and drive conservation values. Above all, this is about the Dakota Bear Sanctuary, which should never, ever be logged. If you get a chance to enter the SANCTUARY, I’m sure you’ll agree. Join the effort to protect it at www.loggingfocus.org and come see us at PuSh. Damien Gillis, Campbell River
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Editorial Opinion Rediscovering our place in nature The following is adapted from “The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place in Nature,” a book I wrote with Amanda McConnell in 1997 and updated in 2007. It seems as relevant today as when we wrote it. I hope you enjoy it and that the year ahead brings new ways of seeing and thinking about the world. For thousands of years, small communities of people ensured relative tranquillity while providing for the social needs of their members. The explosive rate at which our species has been converted to an urban creature has been accompanied by a deterioration of the social fabric that held people together. The 20th century witnessed an unprecedented shift from predominantly rural community living to big city living. In cities, distanced from nature and the primary means of production like agriculture, fishing, logging and even manufacturing, we accept that it is the economy that provides our needs. Technology has enabled us to travel rapidly and communicate over vast distances, while television, computers and portable entertainment devices sever the shared activities with neighbours and communities. Consumerism has taken the place of citizenship as the chief way we contribute to the health of our society. Economic rather than social goals drive government and corporate policies. The resulting high levels of unemployment produce stress, illness, and family and community breakdown. Stable communities and neighbourhoods are a prerequisite for happiness, for productive and rewarding lives, for a crucial sense of security and belonging. They are a bottom line for the health and happiness of human beings. It is not economics that creates com-
munity but love, compassion and co-operation. Those qualities exist in individuals and are expressed between people. And they cannot be fully expressed in isolation, without context, cut off from their place in time and space, their source in the natural world. The stability of family – whatever its form – within a community provides an environment within which a child develops curiosity, responsibility and inventiveness. Ecological degradation – deforestation, topsoil loss, pollution, climate change and so on – destabilizes society by eroding the underpinnings of sustainability. This consequence was graphically illustrated in 1992 when all commercial fishing of northern cod in the Canadian province of Newfoundland was suspended. Overnight, 40,000 jobs were lost as the foundation of that society for five centuries vanished. All across Canada, towns boomed as forests were clearcut around them, only to crash when the trees were gone. The coast of British Columbia is dotted with villages that once supported fishing fleets and canneries but were abandoned as salmon populations declined. Ecological health is essential for full community health. War, terrorism, discrimination, injustice and poverty mitigate against that social stability that is so important. Chronically high levels of unemployment, such as those found in the Atlantic provinces in Canada, on American Indian reservations or in Australian Aboriginal communities today, result in despair, alcoholism, illness, even death. The need for meaningful employment is critical to the well-being not only of family but of community. Besides the economic benefits to government and individuals, there are compelling reasons to seek
full employment as a social goal. An economy was once created to serve people and their communities. Today economic rationalists contend that people must sacrifice and give up social services for the economy. As we reflect on our fundamental needs as social animals, it is clear that families and communities assured of biodiversity, full employment, justice and security constitute the real non-negotiable starting point in the delineation of a sustainable future. From family to neighbourhood, from neighbourhood to nation, out into the commonwealth of our species – the connection seems to attenuate as it becomes more inclusive. But as we explore the continuum of relationships in any human life, we start to see that the circle of inclusion extends further still; the “continent” of which we are each a part encompasses the Earth. The “law of love” is as fundamental, and as universal, as any other physical law. It is written everywhere we look, and it maps our intimate connection with the rest of the living world. David Suzuki
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Housing needs implementation report Gibsons is on track to be the first area local government to look at suggestions for improving housing affordability. The Sunshine Coast’s Housing Needs Report Implementation Framework is on the agenda for this week’s planning and development committee meeting. The report, drafted by consulting firm Urban Matters, is a follow-up to the Sunshine Coast Housing Needs Assessment released in October. The implementation document looks at ways to address gaps between the housing that exists and what residents need. It has been forwarded to Gibsons, the District of Sechelt and the SCRD. The three entities partnered in the sponsorship of the project aimed at resolving what each has referred to as a “housing crisis” on the Coast. The report has recommendations specific to each of the local governments. These are divided into four categories: plans and regulations, incentives, partnerships, and advocacy. Suggested actions each jurisdiction can take to positively influence the state of housing affordability are provided. These were developed by considering the Coast’s housing needs and approaches used by more than a dozen BC and Alberta communities to address similar challenges. For Gibsons, the report encourages adjustments to land-use policies, such as
pre-zoning locations for future homeless shelter sites, supportive housing, and market rental type developments. It also suggests increasing density through bonusing as well as allowing and providing incentives for the building of secondary suites in more residential zones. Encouraging property owners to maintain housing for the long-term accommodation market instead of using units for short-term rentals is another report suggestion. Collaboration among the project partners to create a cross-governmental staff position to oversee housing interests throughout the area is another report recommendation. This was included in the list of potential action items for the Town and the other jurisdictions. The first phase of the project was a needs assessment – presented to local governments last Fall – that pointed out about 2,000 area households were living in unacceptable conditions in 2016. It noted that accommodation affordability further deteriorated in subsequent years. That change was linked to the escalation of similar costs elsewhere in BC. Both the needs analysis and implementation reports say this situation made buying a single-family detached home – the most prevalent type of housing in the area – too expensive for most medi-
The housing wheelhouse illustrates the different types of housing that can be developed to meet the housing needs of different people. CITY OF KELOWNA
an income households. It also contributed to cost increases and availability strains in the housing rental market. In summing up the state of rental accommodation affordability on the Coast, the most recent project report states, “Between 2016 and 2019, cost of rent nearly doubled in the electoral areas, while it increased by close to 40 percent in the municipalities. In 2016, 40 percent or more of all renter households were living in unaffordable housing across the Coast.” It notes that this situation has resulted in a rise in the numbers housed in spaces that do not meet their needs or being homeless. Any recommendations on the report from Gibsons’ committee’s review will be forwarded to council for consideration. Council decisions would direct further actions by Town staff on the matter. Connie Jordison
Municipal January 2021 Regular Council Meetings All meetings are held on-line via Zoom and live-streamed to YouTube. The meeting link and the agendas are available online at sechelt.ca. There are no in-person council or committee meetings • Committee of the Whole: January 13 at 3:00pm • Regular Council Meeting: January 20 at 7:00pm • Committee of the Whole: January 27 at 3:00pm
Budget Planning 2021 Staff and Council are planning for 2021 and invite you to be informed and participate in the conversation. Information on budget proposals and services levels as well as several surveys are posted on the District website. Community meeting information will be posted when dates are determined. Learn more at Sechelt.ca
Dog Licences When you purchase a dog licence it ensures you can be found when your pooch has gone wandering. • $20 for spayed or neutered dogs • $50 for dogs not spayed or neutered • 50% discount for senior citizens (the owners – not the dog).
Community Investment Program Deadline Registered non-profit and charitable organizations seeking assistance from the District of Sechelt are invited to apply for a community grant. • Deadline Monday, February 8, 2021 at 4:00pm • Application forms and program details are available at the District of Sechelt office, or at sechelt.ca under the “Live” tab. • Contact: Siobhán Smith, Arts, Culture & Communications Coordinator at grants@sechelt.ca or 604-740-8476 www.sechelt.ca | info @ sechelt.ca | 604-885-1986
The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021 5
Sechelt Public Works and Parks Operations Building Project The District of Sechelt proposes building an Operations Centre for Public Works and Parks staff and equipment and requires financing to do so. What is an Operations Building for? • 18 Parks and Public Works staff have worked out of damp, cold, portables and tents since 2012. • An Operations building will provide a safe place to work and a secure place to store equipment. • The building design and construction will comply with the new BC Energy Step Code requirements and include consideration of environmentally friendly factors, such as, but not limited to, clean energy options and rainwater collection to be considered in the facility design. • The current proposal is consistent with a needs assessment which recommended a 1,000 square-metre facility. What is the cost? • The estimated cost for the project is $3.8 million. • $800,000 will be funded through District reserves and $3,000,000 in longterm borrowing. • The loan will be repaid over 20 years at an interest rate of 2.15%. • The loan payments will require a property tax of approximately $ 31.29 per average household. • Borrowing these funds requires approval of the electorate through the Alternative Approval Process. Questions: Project: engineering@sechelt.ca Financing: finance@sechelt.ca Alternative Approval Process: corporate@sechelt.ca
DISTRICT OF SECHELT NOTICE OF ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS
Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 594, 2020 (Public Works/Parks Operations Centre) This notice is to advise electors in the District of Sechelt of the intention to adopt Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 594, 2020 (Public Works/Parks Operations Centre). The purpose of Bylaw No. 594 is to borrow an amount not to exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) to finance the cost of design and construction of a Public Works and Parks Operations building that will be repaid over a period not to exceed 20 years. It is estimated that the borrowing will result in a tax increase of $31.29 per year, based on an average residential property valued at $638,000. The Operations Centre building will replace existing portables and tents to house the District’s public works and parks staff and provide a secure place to store equipment. District of Sechelt Council proposes to borrow the money and undertake design and construction of a Public Works/Parks Operations Centre unless, by 4 pm on February 26, 2021, at least 10 percent of eligible electors in the District of Sechelt sign an elector response form opposing this proposal without the District holding a referendum. The number of elector responses required to prevent the District from proceeding unless a referendum is held is estimated to be 860. Elector responses are required to be submitted to the District on forms available at the municipal hall (5797 Cowrie Street), from 10 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday, except Statutory Holidays; in the lobby area of the Sechelt Library (5797 Cowrie Street) during regular business hours; or on the District’s website at www.sechelt. ca. Forms will be emailed to anyone requesting a copy by contacting the District by phone at 604-885-1986 or by email at corporate@sechelt.ca The only elector response forms that will be accepted are the ones provided by the District from January 14 to February 26, 2021, or an accurate copy of the form. Bylaw No. 594, 2020 and a summary of the proposal may also be viewed at these locations. Only qualified electors of the District of Sechelt are eligible to sign the elector response forms. There are two types of electors – resident electors and nonresident property electors. At the time of signing the form a Resident Elector must: be 18 years of age or older; be a Canadian citizen; have lived in British Columbia for at least 6 months; have lived in the District of Sechelt for at least 30 days; and, not be disqualified under any law or enactment from voting in a local election. A Non-resident Property Elector must: be 18 years of age or older; be a Canadian citizen; have lived in British Columbia for at least 6 months; have owned property in the District of Sechelt for at least 30 days; and, not be disqualified under any law or enactment from voting in a local election. More information on the AAP may be obtained by contacting Jo-Anne Frank, Corporate Officer at 604-740-8455 or by emailing corporate@sechelt.ca. Jo-Anne Frank Corporate Officer
www.sechelt.ca | info @ sechelt.ca | 604-885-1986
6
The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021
Gibsons tight-lipped on tree cuts Statements of disbelief came from Gibsons’ council members at their Jan. 5 meeting in the discussion of a Stop Work Order for illegal tree cutting at the Gospel Rock development and sharing of details surrounding that event. While not a business item
on the meeting’s agenda, the subject came up during council reports. Chief Administrative Officer Emanuel Machado explained that the order was issued on Dec. 21. It was issued in response to what appeared to be the cutting of trees in a protected area. He
said that on Jan. 5, the Town received a Registered Professional Biologist’s report on the incident, including recommendations for next steps. That revelation led to requests for a copy of the report and additional information during a meeting public
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inquiry session. A number of questions came from Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA) Executive Director Suzanne Senger. These focused on requests for full information disclosure and on Town measures to ensure the developer honours commitments to protect sensitive areas. The SCCA and the Land Conservancy of BC are partners with the Town and the property owner Greenlane Homes on the administration of environmental protection covenants registered to the land. About half of the 47-acre site is to be protected as parks and open space. The company has plans for a commercial and residential development, including an estimated 360 living units on the remainder of the property. In an email to the Local on Jan. 11, Senger stated, “The SCCA was informed of tree removal in the sensitive forested area on Block 7 by citizens of Gibsons on Dec. 31. We attended the site on Jan. 2 and 3 and documented the cutting. SCCA staff called and spoke
with Town staff on Monday, Jan. 4. Through phone calls, we learned that the tree cutting took place on Dec. 18 at the recommendation of the owner’s environmental professional, Diamond Head Consulting. We also learned that the Town did not issue a tree cutting permit under the Tree Preservation Bylaw, which was adopted on Sept. 19, to allow this cutting.” Councillors Stafford Lumley and Annemarie De Andrade, as well as Mayor Bill Beamish, asked that the available details be made public as soon as possible. Town staff advised that the requested documents could be released through a Freedom of Information request. Senger objected, noting that process could take up to 90 days to have the paperwork provided. Staff also suggested that the SCCA, which has a relationship with the developer, could get the information from that source. The Town issued a press release related to the order on Jan. 6. The release details that “at a site meeting to discuss future tree-cutting, staff
noticed that two trees in the lot’s designated conservation area had sustained minor damage during earlier tree removal. We also discovered that a buffer zone at the edge of the protected area had been surveyed and flagged at five metres, instead of the 10 metres stipulated in the development permit. As a result, at least one tree may have been felled in the buffering root protection zone. Among the Town’s conditions for issuing the Block 7 DP were that an environmental monitor always be present on-site to oversee tree removal and that no disturbance of trees occur in the root protection zones of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas. As these two conditions had not been met, a Stop Work Order was issued immediately.” The release states that the Stop Work Order will remain in place “until the Town is confident that measures have been put in place to ensure that no similar incident occurs in the future.” Connie Jordison
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The Town of Gibsons issued a Stop Work Order at the Gospel Rock – Block 7 development following a breach in conditions outlined in the site’s Development Permit. Access to the site is off Chaster Road. MICHELLE MACNEILL PHOTO
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shíshálh-BC land use plan engagement The shíshálh Nation and the Province are looking for public input about land use planning in the Nations’ traditional territory. Residents have until Jan. 31 to submit views via an online survey at
landuseplanning.gov.bc.ca. The shíshálh-BC Land Use Plan (LUP) area extends from Roberts Creek through to the head of Queen’s Reach on the Upper Sunshine Coast. As some of the Nation’s land-
shíshálh Nation swiya (translated as world, birthplace, lands or “territory”), scope of the shíshálh-BC land use plan – the swiya extends from xwésám (Roberts Creek) in the southeast to the height of land located north of xénichen (head of Queen’s Reach) in the north, kwékwenis (Lang Bay) to the west and spílksen (Texada Island) to the south. GOV.BC PHOTO
holdings and federal and fee simple properties are excluded from the plan area, the process will look at setting the direction for the future of about one-third of the Lower Coast’s land base. The survey was launched as part of the first phase of a four-year plan development process. The shíshálhBC Land Use Plan Table, an outcome of the 2018 Foundation Agreement between the Province and the Nation, coordinates the work. The Table is a “government-to-government” technical working group, made up of two individuals with professional planning backgrounds from the Nation and two from the Province. Jeff Juthans, land and resource specialist with the Province, who works with the Table, explained that the results of the questionnaire are to be summarized in a report that will be posted on the website. This report will also contain input received from a “long list” of stakeholder groups that were identified through contacts with Coast local governments. These include timber and aggregate licence holders, as well as The Highway 101 bypass linking Upper Gibsons with the Langdale Ferry Terminal reopened on Jan. 9. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure closed the route on Jan. 6 to address culvert stability issues. Damage to the road substructure was linked to heavy rain in the area over the past two weeks. Replacement of the culvert and repair of the road base was completed slightly ahead of the estimated reopening date of Jan. 10. IAN THOMSON PHOTO
Local government surveys under way Jan. 25 is the updated response deadline for a community survey on the Town of Gibsons updated strategic plan, 2021 budget, and best ways to deliver information to residents. The survey launched in December is available on the Town’s website at gibsons.ca. The input extension was announced at the Jan. 5 council meeting, as only about 40 responses to the survey were received. “As council begins the second half of its four-year term, we are seeking guidance from the community on where we should focus the Town’s financial and human resources,” said Mayor Bill Beamish. “We are also looking for suggestions from residents on small changes they would like to see in their neighbourhoods. While a large proportion of the Town’s annual revenue is dedicated to maintaining essential infrastructure, like our water and sewer systems, there are some funds available for smaller local enhancement projects. Survey responses will also help council understand which social issues are most im-
portant to our citizens so that we can reflect those values in our decision-making.” The District of Sechelt also has an online survey underway, seeking input on its sanitary sewer system. Four of the seven questions included related to the costs of maintaining and potentially expanding sewer services. Input is also being sought on preferred locations for a potential sani-station to receive liquid waste from recreational vehicles. The District is exploring the installation of a publicly accessible station if funding is available through the provincial COVID-19 restart grants for communities impacted by the downturn in the tourism sector. The survey and background information related to Sechelt’s 2021-2024 financial plan is available on Sechelt.ca. Public discussion and input on the plan and current year’s budget has been delayed with District committee of the whole meetings cancelled on both Dec. 23 and Jan. 13. Round one of the SCRDs 2021 budget debate is slated to begin at a special corpo-
recreation, environmental and economic development groups. “Typically, the Province likes to have group meetings and workshops in these types of processes. We had a communications plan for the engagement ready last Spring, then COVID-19 came,” said Juthans. “We’ve had to revise our plans and re-start in the Fall, to develop engagement that was more virtual.” Over 90 percent of BCs land base is covered by some sort of provincially endorsed LUP. These set general management direction and help define “what activities can occur where.” Goals are to guide sustainable resource stewardship over land, water, and resources by balancing economic, environmental, social, and cultural values. This LUP project will focus
The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021 7
on the themes of protecting biodiversity, ensuring watershed integrity, recognition of resources important to shíshálh culture, and fostering sustainable economic development. Key drivers that will be considered in plan development include First Nations reconciliation, engagement of local communities and stakeholders, growing the Coast’s economy, as well as addressing issues like climate change. Development activities already permitted will not be impacted by the planning process. Any new land use applications or permits for resource extraction within the Nation’s swiya (or traditional territory) will be. These will be subject to the joint decision-making processes outlined in the Foundation Agreement.
The current information gathering stage will be followed by an assessment phase where studies are conducted to fill information gaps. Management options and recommendations will be developed in a third phase. A draft land use plan is slated to be shared with the public in the project’s final phase. A separate public engagement on that draft is to follow by October 2023. During the 2020 Provincial election campaign, Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons stated that land-use planning would bring a level of certainty to the Coast’s future. Simons said he believes it will help resolve the “proposal and protest” cycle that has been experienced in the past related to land and resource development. Connie Jordison
WE VALUE BC With concerns for our health, safety and finances, the past year has been a challenging time for us all. At BC Assessment, we know that your home matters. You can expect reliability and accuracy when you receive your 2021 property assessment, based on the market value as of July 1, 2020. If you haven’t received your assessment notice or you have concerns, we are here to help. Connect with us at bcassessment.ca or at 1-866-valueBC. Access and compare property information using our free assessment search service at bcassessment.ca.
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Tracing Footsteps, an exhibition of sketches drawn by Bruce Black (killed in action 1944) and the paintings created by his niece Lynda Manson who was inspired by his work. She will guide you through the story behind the creation of this exhibition. Tracing Footsteps was exhibited recently in New York City. Her work has been shown in Le Caroussel du Louvre, Paris and other galleries and exhibitions Go to www.eventbrite.ca or www.cfuwsc.org to purchase tickets ($10) or an illustrated Tracing Footsteps book. Soft-cover $25 or digital copy $10 Donations to CFUWSC Bursary Society at www.cfuwsc.org gratefully accepted. Tax receipt for donations over $20. www.lyndamanson.com
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The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021
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5-Minute Film Contest The 2021 Annual 5-Minute Film Contest is now taking entries for youth between the ages of 15 and 24. Prizes will be awarded in seven categories, including Best Documentary, Best Drama, and Best Script. This is an open contest, so all genres of film are accepted. You just cannot be a professional filmmaker, actor, or other film-industry professional as this is an amateur contest. Also, the film has to be made this year and can be no longer than five minutes in
Due to current BC health orders, please contact local event coordinators to confirm events.
Thursday, January 14 • Virtual Storytime – the whole family can share in songs, rhymes, and stories (all-day), details at gibsons.bc.libraries.coop/explore/calendar/ • Pender Harbour Literacy Crawl (ends Jan. 29), explore your neighbourhood and search for the “Words in the Woods” to win a draw prize, details (on p.32) at www.harbourspiel.com/files/ harbour-spiel-january-2021-issue.pdf • Sarah Ronald Art Exhibition “Territory” (Jan. 14 to Feb. 7), mixed media – an exploration of boundaries represented by wildlife camera captures, 11am-4pm, Gibsons Public Art Gallery, 431 Marine Drive, Gibsons, 604-886-0531 · info@gpag.ca · https://gpag.ca/ • Karen’s Paint Day/Night – Macramé wall hanging, $45, 1-3pm, CREATE, 6538 Sunshine Coast Hwy, Sechelt, 604-989-3345 · Createsechelt@telus.net · http://facebook.com/createbykaren
Friday, January 15
• Dine Out Sechelt (Jan. 15 to Feb. 12), enjoy special offers at your favourite downtown participating restaurants, 10am-10pm, info at secheltdowntown.com/event/dine-out-sechelt • Sunshine Coast Botanical Gardens are open, 5941 Mason Road, Sechelt, winter hours 11am-4pm • Karen’s Paint Day/Night – Monet’s Water Lilies, $75, 1-4pm, CREATE, 6538 Sunshine Coast Hwy, Sechelt, 604-989-3345 · Createsechelt@telus.net · http://facebook.com/createbykaren • Friday night mixology meetup with mixologist extraordinaire Hayden Humphries: Rotary FUNdraiser – $50 includes access to remaining six mixology sessions, Friday nights at 6pm, details at www.rotarysunshinecoast.org
Saturday, January 16
• New Painting Patagonia live online workshop with Lucas Kratochwil – learn Lucas’s personal landscape painting techniques alongside him from the comforts of your home, 9:30am to 12:30pm, details at www.lucaskratochwil.com/workshops
Sunday, January 17
• Off the Page: “Ocean Blue View” by David King – live streaming of play reading (with Dave Hurtubise, Wanda Nowicki, Boyd Norman and Nathan Barrett), 1pm, Zoom link on Facebook page at www.facebook.com/events/236177421445499/
Monday, January 18
length. Winners will be announced at the Powell River Film Festival’s public screening at the Patricia Theatre and posted online. Films must be submitted and received by Feb. 23, 2021. There is no entry fee. Visit prfilmfestival. ca for contest details and rules. Submitted
• Japanese Conversation Group, all levels welcome, 4-5:30pm, details at gibsons.bc.libraries.coop/ explore/calendar/ • Monday Night Tapworks Trivia with Crispy Buoy Kolsch – virtual, 7pm, for the Zoom link email tapworkstrivia@gmail.com
Wednesday, January 20
• Gibsons Library Movie Club: Shameless: The Art of Disability by local filmmaker Bonnie Sherr Klein – watch the selected free movie at your convenience and then meet on Zoom for the meeting and chat, 7-8pm, details at gibsons.bc.libraries.coop/explore/calendar/
Includes listings compiled by the Coast Cultural Alliance. More details & more listings – including virtual events – at suncoastarts.com
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DKMYF open to Coast youth Sunshine Coast Community Services and Coast Cultural Alliance are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for this year’s Daniel Kingsbury Music for Youth Endowment Grant (DKMYF). Applicants may request funding assistance for opportunities such as music lessons, musical instruments, software, and/or electronic production (e.g., studio time or studio mentoring). COVID-19 does not eliminate the possibilities for youth to expand their musical interests. In this unusual time, there are unique virtual opportunities, and the DKMFY committee is open to youth taking advantage of music initiatives online. The endowment is held by the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation. Generous donations in Daniel’s memory have grown the holdings in the endowment to more than $45,000. Anyone wishing to donate to the endowment can contact the Foundation at 604-741-7360 or admin@ sccfoundation.com. With the increase in the
endowment returns, we will be able to offer several grants up to and including $500 this year. The grant is open to Sunshine Coast youth ages 13-19 looking for financial assistance. Those who applied in the past may apply again. The application may be completed by the youth themselves or by a nominator who would like to recommend a youth and represent them through the process, with the consent of the youth. The financial and emotional boost this award has made to the recipients in the past has been significant, and we are excited to be able to offer this opportunity again. The deadline for applications is 4pm Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. For more information and the application can be found at suncoastarts.com/ event/dkmfy-music-foryouth-grants/2021-01-10/ Submitted by Coast Cultural Alliance
The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021 9
Community input is integral to council goal-setting. Recently, Town of Gibsons’ senior staff and council met (online) to update the Strategic Plan we first created near the start of this council’s four-year term. It’s a central document that lays out our six core objectives, along with the planned action items which will help us
reach those objectives. Since November 2018, we have realized many key goals, including live-streaming council meetings, developing and adopting a cannabis policy, extending the Gibsons Aquifer service area to Zone 3 residents and facilitating the development of 82 units of affordable housing. We’ve also focused on increasing transparency and community engagement, though we’ve been somewhat thwarted on the latter by COVID-19 restrictions. Now, as we enter the second half of our term, we are
evaluating which priorities (in a very long list of potential items) we should focus on advancing over the next 22 months. We know from previous consultation that affordable housing and climate change are top-of-mind issues for a majority of community members. But, given the limitations of municipal government powers and the Town’s financial resources, how do we best translate those concerns into positive, on-theground action? To help inform our decision-making, the Town
Bravo Zulu. If you follow any of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) stations or other maritime services such as the Canadian Coast Guard or Navy, you may have heard this term or seen it in the comments. Bravo Zulu or “BZ” is an international naval signal meaning “well done” when referencing actions, operations, and performance. It is part of a system of signals displayed by either a flag hoist or voice radio to communicate and relay messages back and forth between various naval vessels. While the use of flags is no longer common on small rescue craft, a verbal or written Bravo Zulu is always appreciated by our crews.
Today, we would like to extend heartfelt Bravo Zulus to everyone who contributed to the search and rescue community on the Sunshine Coast in 2020. To all our amazing donors and supporters: your hard work and generosity ensure that our SAR members on land and sea are provided with the best equipment and training possible to keep them safe while assisting those in need. Thank you for recognizing the need and importance of volunteer SAR services and dedicating funds to our efforts. From individual donors to community foundations and all levels of government, every dollar raised deserves acknowledgement for a job well done. To our fundraising societies and members: thank you for all your hard work ensuring grant applications and reports are successfully submitted and for looking for creative fundraising activities during this challenging year.
To all the outdoor enthusiasts by land and sea: your planning, preparedness, and willingness to help others often means an incident is avoided altogether or mitigated before a SAR crew can arrive on scene. Thank you for doing all you can to keep yourselves safe, for lending assistance to others, and for calling for help when you need it. To our duty crew members and their supporters: for all the days spent on call, all the hours participating in training and maintenance, and all the administrative and other tasks that keep our stations and members ready to respond, Bravo Zulu. Every minute of your dedication is inspiring and contributes to each life saved and person assisted. To our support crew, the family and friends that stand beside us, cheer us on and make sacrifices of their own to help us in our mission, thank you, we couldn’t do it without you.
Spring is one of the most popular times to buy and sell properties on BC’s Sunshine Coast. Flowers are in bloom, the weather starts to warm up, and potential buyers are looking for a home to move into before the new school year. It may still be winter, but if you’re considering putting your property on the market this spring, here are 10 things you can do now to get your home ready for listing in spring. 1. Get started with an early “spring clean.” From windows to inside cupboards, a top to bottom clean is a great way to prepare your home for sale. 2. Give the gardens a onceover, including weeding, removing dead plants, planting some new plants in dead spaces and adding a layer of mulch to ensure your home looks as good on the outside as it does on the inside. 3. Look after those longterm maintenance issues you’ve been putting off – fix up any peeling paint, get the
carpets cleaned professionally (or replaced if they are worn through), clean grout and replace any tiles that are cracked. 4. Declutter by donating or disposing of any items you no longer need – paperwork, kids’ toys, unused furniture. Consider whether you need to replace older furniture or if you transform pieces by using throw rugs or cushions to give your home an affordable “makeover.” 5. Open the windows to get the fresh air flowing through the house. This will help get rid of any smells that may have built up over winter. Keep an eye out for any mould or mildew that may have built up on windows, window frames, ceiling fans or lights and give it a good clean. 6. All the decluttering and cleaning will disturb pests that may have been in hiding. If you do have a pest problem, it is a good idea to get this done now. The Pest Detective on the Sunshine Coast offers a full array of pest control services – visit them at www.pestdetective.com or call 604-886-7373. 7. If the property you are selling is vacant, consider staging it or getting some virtual staging done. This
will ensure your home is looking its best. You only get one chance to make a first impression. An option on the Coast is Nest Coastal Home Staging (nestredesign.com or 604-741-2654). 8. Replace any burnt-out light bulbs. Philips LED are my personal go-to. Just as the sun’s true natural daylight brings colours to life, Philips LED provides that instantaneous warm glow to enhance your home interior. Available at London Drugs. 9. Get a valuation from a local realtor. You’re best to get three or four valuations so that you get a good idea of where your home is sitting in the market and the list price you should be looking at. 10. Get professional photos, video and floor plan done. Video is something that buyers expect to see and is an absolute must-have for every listing. A lot of Sunshine Coast buyers come from outof-market, and a video tour allows them to experience your home wherever they are in the world. Tony Browton is an award-winning realtor who lives and works on BC’s Sunshine Coast. His weekly blog can be found here http:// www.truebluerealty.ca/blog
launched an online survey in December which asks participants to comment on the updated Strategic Plan, share related ideas for neighbourhood projects and tell us how best to communicate about Town happenings. You can find a link to the survey at www.gibsons.ca/ strategic-plan, and I strongly encourage you to spend 10 or 15 minutes sharing your thoughts.
In late 2020, the Town learned that we will be receiving $1.5 million under the federal government’s Safe Restart Agreement. In order to ensure those funds provide a maximum benefit to those organizations that deliver essential support services to the Town’s residents, we’ll also be consulting separately with local non-profit groups on how they have been affected
by COVID-19 and where additional funding might help. Council’s mandate is to make decisions that reflect the diverse needs and desires of our citizens. We can do that best when we hear from a range of voices, so please complete a survey, send me an email at mayor@gibsons. ca or give me a call at 604989-2364. I look forward to hearing your ideas.
Tip of the Week: The Capricorn triple conjunction New Moon with Sun, Moon, and powerful and transformational Pluto has begun. Amidst all the revolutionary Aquarian planet activity, this heavy hit of the Capricorn establishment was lost in the fray. Mercury having formed a conjunction with Pluto on January 4 was the foreshadow and the synchronistic announcement of severing lockdowns on that very day and a day on either side, revealed its destined expression. So, now it gets the spotlight, but it will have a good deal of competition from all the Aquarian activity that not only continues but steadily escalates. What should we expect by measures that are producing an economic earthquake of unprecedented magnitude? On January 19, the Sun enters Aquarius to begin that 30-day cycle, which is destined to be epic. Mars forming an exact conjunction to Uranus, the modern ruler of Aquarius, on January 20, and followed 2-days later by a square to the blue, gas giant of eccentric rotational behavior that Uranus is, together promise to launch Aquarius time with big booms and bangs. Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) Your sights are firmly set on the future. As if suddenly awakened by a blinding lightning bolt quickly followed by deafening thunder, you are now at full attention. Deciphering how to exercise your power and authority to make any form of meaningful impact that makes sense is your top priority. Forward-thinking is all you can do as you realize the new norm has fully arrived. Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) Big change is the theme of the day and you are fully swept-up into its wake. Positively, this is a very expansive time for you. However, it is the sort that comes from contraction as well. Discipline is among the keywords that express this emphasis. It also refers to focus and to realism. Given the circumstances in the world, you are fully awake and soberly so.
Gemini (May 21-June 21) The final chapter of a deep and prolonged process of change and transformation is underway. Like the proverbial ‘final cut’, the experience and results could prove bittersweet. Beyond the pinch, however, is the liberation. The question is: what kind of freedom is it? Invariably, it comes with a strong impulse and desire to move forward. Doing so to feel secure and to nurture the same in others is a priority. Cancer (June 22-July 22) Measurable shifts and changes on relationships will be apparent by now. These are requiring your full cooperation, which you are determined to give. Returns of various sorts are featured and some of these will come as gifts and earned rewards. In truth, they represent the end of a karmic round which may have proved quite trying. Acknowledge these and accept them gratefully to uplift your spirit. Leo (July 23–Aug. 23) A whole new level of focus on creating positive change in your daily rhythm and for the sake of your health is underway. This impulse may have already begun earlier but now takes a new determined turn. Meanwhile, changes on relationship fronts revealing themes of expansion and commitment have also begun. These will require you to pay your dues, but it will prove worth the investments later. Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22) A creative cycle continues and, with the recent New Moon, will steadily increase. Success will require calculated risk and a willingness to learn new skills. Doing so will require you to face some fears. Fortunately, a boost of confidence is supporting you to advance like a wind at your back. Your main job is to show up and follow through as the circumstances and the creative spirit guide you. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) While some of the weight has been lifted, there remain some powerful indicators of change and transformation occurring close to home and/or within you. These have actually been underway for some time. However, this New Moon will have a powerful activating influence. It is important to be forward-thinking now
and to not only accept but cooperate with the changes. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Significant shifts in your usual scope of perceptions and interpretations have been activated. Digging deep to lay claim to hidden talents, skills, and other such resources, is featured. Technical analysis will likely be required. Fortunately, your confidence levels are strong currently and this will help you to feel the fear and do it anyway. A powerful breakthrough is very possible. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Activating a push to consolidate practical matters in your life is a central theme. Finances are a likely focus. With many new perspectives flowing in, you will not fall short on ideas. Be careful not to scatter your energies but remember the eggs and baskets cliché. Pushing ahead to consider all your options to create an overall better balance is the winning strategy. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Making key investments to bring more security to your future is squarely on your mind. Weighing your options with careful assessments of the possibilities is guiding your focus. Who you know matters more than usual. Yet, what you want from these contacts is solid advice and guidance. This momentum is already underway and will grow progressively this month. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Balancing the urge to expand with the need to contract, to be more focused and disciplined is a central theme now. Digging in deep close to home somehow is featured and this intention will accelerate. Key choices and actions made now will bring rewards especially in about six months and then in 2022. Emphasis on new knowledge and strategy is important. Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) The year is off to a fast pace. The many changes occurring everywhere and beyond anyone’s control are reasons to focus on what you can do and achieve. You are probably busy behind the scenes and this will continue. Positively, this could prove to be a very productive cycle extending into next year. Work before pleasure will take on new meaning, so make it enjoyable. michael@sunstarastrology.com
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The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021
2020 consumer debt study released Sands & Associates, BC’s largest firm of Licensed Insolvency Trustees serving individuals and small businesses, released the results of the 2020 BC Consumer Debt Study this week. This unique annual study polled over 1,800 consumers around the province who declared bankruptcy or consolidated debt using a consumer proposal. In addition to examining causes of debt, and the often-severe impacts for British Columbians facing debt problems, the 2020 BC Consumer Debt Study found that: • Over 55 percent of polled BC residents who eventually consolidated debt with a consumer proposal or filed bankruptcy for debt relief said credit card debt was the main type of debt they were carrying – far outpacing other types of debt such as lines of credit (11 percent) and tax debt (10 percent). • The COVID-19 pandemic was a contributing factor for over half (54 percent) of participants who filed insolvency since BC’s major lockdown in March 2020. Fifty-eight percent of these consumers noted the pandemic caused a loss of income, making pre-existing debt loads unmanageable. Other notable findings include: • Problem-debt may be impacting BC renters disproportionately, with fewer than six percent of respondents describing their housing sit-
uation as “homeowner.” • More than two-thirds (66 percent) of individuals were worried about being able to meet their basic costs of living prior to formally resolving their indebtedness. • Despite the serious impacts of struggling under unmanageable debt loads, 95 percent of participants did not seek professional debt help right away. • More than three in four respondents said their debtstress resulted in anxiety or depression. • Roughly one in six people said the stress of debt resulted in them experiencing thoughts of suicide. • Nearly 70 percent of respondents indicated that their relationships with family and others were negatively impacted by being in debt. According to Senior Vice-President of Sands & Associates and Licensed Insolvency Trustee Blair Mantin, “The COVID-19 pandemic hit some already-vulnerable consumers like a freight train. Though payment deferrals and income replacements like CERB blunted the initial impact, it was startling to learn that the pandemic was a factor in more than half of the insolvencies filed since March 2020. Sadly, it does not take much to push people into financial crisis where they can no longer service their debts or into situations where they feel they must choose between paying their
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debt or meeting basic living costs. As deferrals come to an end and government income replacements are made more restrictive, we expect to see a surge of consumers who are barely hanging on at present take the necessary step of restructuring their debts in 2021.” “This study is in its eighth year, and we hear each year that people just didn’t know what their options were – or where or how to get help without fear of judgment or shame,” said Mantin. “Debt still carries a lot of shame and confusion for consumers. If a friend came to you and said, they were wracked with anxiety and depression, struggling to pay off a credit card that they had used to make ends meet, or because their partner or child was sick, or they lost their job – would you react with judgment or criticism? No, of course not.” He urges consumers: “Don’t wait until you’re experiencing constant debt-stress and anxiety about your financial situation to seek advice. I would really encourage everyone to explore their legal debt options with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee – and above all know that you are not alone.” For a look at the full detailed study report, go to www.sands-trustee.com/ blog/2020-bc-consumerdebt-study. Submitted
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CALL 778-918-7910 TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT! Trail closure at Chapman Creek Infrastructure services staff from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) are continuing work to secure water mains at the Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant. This vital work is necessary due to a landslide that occurred in the area in late December. The landslide occurred close to the two water mains feeding the plant from Chapman Creek. Assessments concluded that the area was unstable and that further erosion or landslides could put the water mains at risk of breaking. Following an emergency board meeting on Dec. 31, the SCRD board approved up to $200,000 for work to secure
the water mains. Through the holidays and into the new year, SCRD staff have been engaged with a contractor to ensure this work could begin as soon as possible. As of Jan. 13, a trail and access areas, which run close to water mains that feed the Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant, are closed to the public. This closure has been implemented so that contractors can safely move machinery into the area and commence work. “We understand that this is a popular walking trail for the community, and staff are working to ensure access is restored as soon as it is safe to do so,� says Remko Rosenboom, general manager of
infrastructure services. “The work to secure our water mains is essential to safeguard water supply for residents on the Chapman water system, and I want to recognize the great work done by staff to have a plan in place so quickly after the slide occurred.� A presentation outlining the work that will be done in the area can be viewed on YouTube (www.youtube. com/watch?t=637&v=1wp pm-k1UJ0&feature=youtu. be). The SCRD will continue to provide updates on the work and the status of the water mains to residents via social media and the SCRD website. Submitted by SCRD
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TO OUR 2020 SPONSORS AND DONORS Sending out boatloads of thanks to all RCMSAR Station 12 sponsors and donors this past year. With their support, we are able to keep our crew and our vessels ready to accomplish our mission - saving lives on the water. đ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠ Sunshine Coast Foundation đ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠ Sechelt Indian Government District đ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠ District of Sechelt - Community Investment Program đ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠ Sunshine Coast Credit Union đ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠ Government of British Columbia - BC Gaming Grant đ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠ GMR Foundation đ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠ Boating BC Association đ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠđ&#x;ŒŠ All private donors
A trail and access areas, which run close to water mains that feed the Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant outlined in the map, are closed to the public while necessary work is done to secure the mains. SCRD MAP
12
The Local - Thursday, January 14, 2021
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