Maple Ridge is getting feedback on plans to convert the Maple Ridge Golf Course into new sports facilities – and it’s not all favourable.
Golfers are arranging a petition to try and prevent the loss of the downtown course.
The city calls three new rec projects in the works its “largest-ever investment in critical community infrastructure.”
Plans include creating a new 40-acre multiuse community park, by re-purposing the city-owned golf course lands; a new aquatic and recreation facility at Hammond Community Park, with indoor pools, fitness facilities, and multi-purpose gathering spaces; and an arena expansion at the Albion Fairgrounds, adding two new rinks.
More details are available at engage.mapleridge. ca, along with an online survey. Plus, there will also be information booths at upcoming city events.
Some of the facilities being pitched at the golf course include two stadium-style ball diamonds, pickleball courts, tennis courts, dog off-leash area, disc golf course, community garden, playground, splash park, basketball courts, cricket pitch, soccer fields, skateboard park, dirt jump park, toboggan hill, park paths and viewpoints overlooking the Fraser River.
Mayor Dan Ruimy sees the golf course turning into a waterfront park akin to the
This Saturday’s Joint Forces Jamboree is exactly the kind of event Const. Rick O’Brien would have loved.
“This is everything he stood for, in one event,” said his widow Nicole O’Brien.
“That’s what Rick was about – joy and laughter. And he loved hockey. He would have been out there lazer tagging and playing hockey,” she shared days ahead of the event which honours her late husband.
Emotion makes her voice falter as she talks about Rick, a father of six, who was fatally shot during a police operation in Coquitlam in September 2023. He was 51, and had worked with the Ridge Meadows RCMP for seven years.
She explained how he enjoyed working with youth, and he saw positive interactions between them and police officers as benefiting both impressionable young people with good role models, while at the same time putting smiles on the faces of cops. He talked to Nicole about his ideas.
“It’s everything he envisioned, rolled into one event,” she said of the coming jamboree.
“I know he’ll be standing be-
side me. We’ll do it together.”
The second annual ball hockey tournament is taking place at Planet Ice and the Albion Fairgrounds (23588 Jim Robson Way) from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The ball hockey tourney will feature youth games where they play alongside police officers, a Guns N’ Hoses game where police officers take on a team of firefighters, an adaptive game for every skill level, and much more.
The first responder zone will allow kids to sit in a police car and meet an officer, and there will be members of the Emergency Response Team, firefighters, B.C. Ambulance paramedics, and search and rescue volunteers. In addition, there will be a free family skate from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., a kids zone with a bouncy castle and games, food trucks, and more.
The interactive Kidz Zone will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring a toddler arena, fire escape obstacle course, ninja warrior obstacle course, laser tag, and more.
“It means a lot for me that there’s so many people showing up for him,” said Nicole.
Organizers are expecting crowds of up to 1,500 for the event.
“Ridge Meadows RCMP is proud to support and participate in the second annual Joint Forces Jamboree. We look forward to seeing everyone come out to remem-
ber and honour Const. Rick O’Brien,” said Ridge Meadows RCMP Insp. Rochelle Kokkoris.
“This event is an excellent opportunity to continue Rick’s legacy in bridging the
gap between law enforcement and young people. Ridge
Meadows RCMP understands the commitment and dedication that has gone into the meticulous planning of this event by the Joint Forces
Foundation and we look forward to celebrating it together with the community,” the inspector added.
For more information, or to donate, people can see jointforces.ca.
Ridge Meadows RCMP welcomes new senior officer
Ridge Meadows RCMP has a new senior officer in Insp. Rochelle Kokkoris, who takes on the role of operations support officer for the detachment.
Kokkoris comes to Ridge Meadows with 25 years of experience in the national police force.
Her first posting out of depot was in 2000 to the North Vancouver detachment. Since then, she has served in several locations in the Lower Mainland including Langley, Burnaby, and Surrey.
Kokkoris has an extensive background in major crime investigations, working in
serious crime units and specializing in child abuse and sexual offences.
“I look forward to working with all our officers and support staff, and building on connections with local residents, partner agencies, and businesses to uphold the safety of our community,”
she said. Kokkoris reinforces the senior leadership team at the detachment. Her arrival comes after Supt. Wendy Mehat left with a promotion, and Adam Gander was promoted from inspector to superintendent to become the officer in charge of the Ridge Meadows RCMP.
With the addition, the senior leadership team is looking forward to continue with the growth of a highly visible, community-based policing model in the City of Maple Ridge, City of Pitt Meadows, and Katzie First Nation, said spokesperson Const. Tisha Parsons.
KOKKORIS
Neil Corbett
Hundreds of people attended the first-ever Const. Rick O’Brien Joint Forces Jamboree at Planet Ice. (The News files)
Nicole O’Brien and her family organized the first-ever Const. Rick O’Brien Joint Forces Jamboree. (The News files)
2 more charges added to list against Yousef
Neil Corbett
Maple Ridge city councillor Ahmed Yousef is facing two criminal charges laid in Surrey, in addition to firearms and assault charges laid in Port Coquitlam Provincial Court.
On May 9, in Surrey provincial court, Ahmed Antar Yousef Mohamed was charged with two counts of disobeying a court order, the BC Prosecution Service announced on May 16.
Yousef, as he prefers to be known, has also been charged with four counts of assault involving four different alleged victims, as well as a count of pointing a firearm, and unsafe storage of a firearm. Those charges were sworn on May 9 in Port Coquitlam. There is a ban on publication prohibiting the identification of victims or witnesses involved in these charges.
tigation by the Upper Fraser Valley Regional RCMP detachment into allegations against Yousef.
“The appointment of a special prosecutor is intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice considering the nature of the allegations and the identity of the accused as an elected public official,” noted a press release from the prosecution service.
Hatcher is a senior Vancouver lawyer in private practice. Her mandate included providing legal advice to investigators as may be necessary, conducting any related charge assessment, and assuming conduct of the prosecution if any charge was approved.
A hearing about these counts was scheduled for May 12 in Port Coquitlam provincial court, but the matter was put over to June 9.
City rec plan is ‘largest-ever’ investment
Continued from A1
Port Moody’s Rocky Point.
“This is our Rocky Point,” said Ruimy.
Taken as a whole, the projects meet a lot of demands, and Ruimy said the user groups have spoken positively about the projects so far – particularly during discussions at the city booth at the Ridge Meadows Home Show.
“Council has heard loud and clear about the demand for recreation in Maple Ridge – the need for more field time, ice sports at capacity, and families unable to book swim lessons,” said Ruimy.
“With a population of over 100,000 and growing at twice the national average, the pressure on our parks, arenas, and pools will only increase. That’s why council is planning for the future of our city and creating spaces for youth, families and seniors to stay active and healthy. We encourage everyone to have their say,” he said.
Alan Hesla is organizing to save the 40-acre riverfront site for a golf course. He lives nearby, and said he has played at the course regularly.
predicting: “They won’t get started until 2027, and the costs will be higher, and there will – of course – be cost overruns.”
B.C. Prosecution Service also announced that on Jan. 29, Claire Hatcher was appointed as a special prosecutor involving an inves-
None of the charges against Yousef has been tested in court, and he is considered innocent until proven guilty.
“We suddenly found out the golf course is going to be taken away from us, and they’re going to spend untold millions to build an aquatic centre,” said Hesla.
“We don’t know the cost,” he added,
Hesla, a former Hammond Mill employee of 42 years, said people who are on the edge of no longer being able to afford city property taxes could be pushed over by these projects.
“Nobody in the neighbourhood wants it,” He said of the city plan for the golf course.
Hesla said people shouldn’t approve any city plans until they know the
bill, and the impact on their taxes. He is calling for a vote on the plan. His petition is at change.org, and it is titled “Demand a referendum on Maple Ridge recreation facilities.”
The city reproduced a 1971 article from the Gazette newspaper noting the municipality had bought the golf course for $283,000 for future park land. The city also notes Maple Ridge residents make up only 40 per cent of the golf course users, and asserts there are 16 golf courses within a 30-minute drive of the site.
YOUSEF
The city is proposing a number of sports facilities in place of a golf course. (City of Maple Ridge/ Special to The News)
Event organizers upset by $350K for city fest
Our Neck of the Woods is a single-day event put on by City of Maple Ridge
Colleen Flanagan
Maple Ridge has struck a negative chord with local festival organizers after the city announcement it will be hosting another Our Neck of the Woods celebration downtown.
Event organizers who work to put on festivals in Maple Ridge are angry the city is budgeting $350,000 for the single-day event to be held later this year, when their own festivals – which are staples in the community – are forced to operate on budgets at a fraction of that cost.
The Our Neck of the Woods festival was first held in September last year to celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary.
Thousands of people packed Memorial Peace Park for the 2024 free, day-long event that featured headliner Juno award winning artists, The Strumbellas.
Based on the festival’s success, and people’s positive feedback, city council approved the money to keep the event going.
Ayden Shearer, vice-president of Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Country Fest, who is also involved with Ridge Meadows Home Show, thinks the amount of money the city is sinking into the event is “unacceptable.”
Shearer explained both Country Fest and Home Show bring in more than 50,000 people to the city per year, and their budgets combine for far less than $350,000. And, he added, Country Fest is 124-years-old this year, not to mention the Home Show has been taking place for more than 30 years.
“Think of the impact on the city,” he said.
“And to hear that the city is spending $350,000 for this one-day event, versus our combined five days of events, I think it’s astronomical in spending of city taxpayer money,” he said.
Deddy Geese, who is behind the Maple Ridge Caribbean Festival –which is now called Tropical Vibes Music Fest – was “flabbergasted” when he read the headline in The News about the city getting into the festival business.
He was especially disappointed when he read the views shared by city councillors.
After questions to city staff, Coun. Korleen Carreras noted there was $2 million in “wiggle room” in the
budget for 2025.
Geese questioned why this “wiggle room”wasn’t used to put money into existing festivals.
“If they had wiggle room, then they should have operated that wiggle room every year to contribute more money to the existing festivals that are viable, that have proved themselves over the years,” he said.
“They have staged one event – grant it, it was a great event – but you know with that kind of budget, you know, I can do much, much more,” added Geese.
He believes the city should put money into revitalizing the downtown before even contemplating putting on a large-scale event again.
City of Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy explained the $350,000 invest-
ment in Our Neck of the Woods is part of a broader strategy to activate public spaces, draw new visitors, and celebrate Maple Ridge’s identity in fresh and inclusive ways.
“This event complements – not competes with – our long-standing festivals and is designed as a signature experience that helps tell a new chapter of our story,” he said.
Ruimy noted that large-scale, city-produced events come with significant infrastructure and operational needs – everything from staging and artist bookings to safety, accessibility, and environmental planning.
Although he understands and appreciates the concerns being raised by organizers of long-standing festivals in the community, they continue to bring tremendous value to the city – both culturally and economically, he said.
“Their contributions aren’t overlooked. In fact, the city remains committed to supporting a wide variety of events that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of our community,” said Ruimy.
Geese was also dismayed the city was also looking for sponsorship for this year’s Our Neck of the Woods.
“Sponsorship, you know, is our lifeline. And it’s drying up,” said Geese, noting they just won’t be able to compete with this kind of budget.
“It would just put the nail in some of the existing festival operations,” he said.
The Caribbean festival operates on a budget of around $70,000, about 20
per cent of $350,000 allocated for Our Neck of the Woods, said Geese, and they put on a two-day festival with 16 to 18 bands on contract.
“And we’ve done that consistently, you know, come hell or high water – we’ve had tough times, we’ve had good times – but we just pulled through,” he said.
“Just imagine what I could do with $350,000,” he added.
Maple Ridge event organizer Graham Vanstone noted that although the Our Neck of the Woods event is great for the community, it comes at the expense of other events that have been the backbone of tourism and economic growth in the city for more than three decades.
“The amount of money the city has put aside for the 40-plus annual events, is less than half of what they are willing to spend on a one-day event,” said Vanstone.
“I think it’s an insult to all organizations and non-profits that spend their entire time raising funds for events like this,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ruimy said Our Neck of the Woods is not just about putting on a show, it’s about building community pride, supporting local businesses, and creating the kind of city where people feel connected and inspired.
“We believe this is a responsible and forward-looking use of taxpayer dollars – one that builds on momentum and helps position Maple Ridge as a vibrant, welcoming, and thriving place to live and visit,”he concluded.
The Strumbellas performed at the 2024 Our Neck of the Woods event in celebration of Maple Ridge’s 150th anniversary. (Scott White/Special to The News)
Mayor Dan Ruimy spoke at the Our Neck of the Woods event in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Maple Ridge. (The News files)
RCMP drive home costs and dangers of speeding
One person was rushed to hospital after a single-vehicle crash in the 17900-block of the Ford Road Detour at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday night.
Ridge Meadows RCMP confirmed firefighters, paramedics, and police all responded to the call, that saw a small car crashed into – and shear off – a utility pole on the rural road.
Witnesses on scene reported one person was treated and taken to hospital with what RCMP Const. Tisha Parsons later described as non-life-threatening injuries.
At this time there is no criminal investigation or violation tickets that have been issued to the driver, she explained.
Thankfully, Parsons said, this was the only major vehicle incident reported locally during the weekend. Long weekends can tend to see higher numbers and more serious incidents with the increase in traffic volumes and people hurrying to and from their vacation destinations.
The Ridge Meadows RCMP officers broke out their radar
guns and their iconic Stetson hats for traffic enforcement on the Lougheed Highway on May 6 – in part as an effort to increase awareness about the costs and dangers associated with speeding.
The detachment’s road safety target team (RSTT), in response to community concerns, conducted traffic enforcement along the Lougheed corridor – which resulted in numerous violations being issued.
In total, 66 violation tickets were handed out, including excessive speed (more than 40 km/h over the speed limit), no insurance, and driving without a driver’s licence.
Mounties noted that the fine for excessive speeding is $368, and three penalty points on the driving record. The driver’s vehicle could also be impounded for seven days. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h increases the fine to $483, with impound times of up to 60 days for repeat offences.
The road safety team was working in support of a speed campaign taking place across
the province.
Speed is often a top contributing factor in crashes during the Victoria Day long weekend, with an average of four people killed and 575 people injured in crashes in B.C., according to ICBC statistics.
“As we look forward to the start of long weekend road trips and summer vacations, we want everyone travelling on our roads this season to stay safe,” Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC’s road safety program manager, said.
“Do your part by driving at a safe speed and leaving enough following distance to reduce your risk of crashing, and help keep motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists who share our roads safe,” Nadalin said.
Officers are out all month during this campaign.
In the meantime, following Sunday’s crash in Pitt Meadows, power was knocked out to a small number of residences in Pitt Meadows and Port Coquitlam (about 250), and BC Hydro crews were called in for repairs of the severed pole.
through your lens
Our View
Canada still needs its postal service
For-profit enterprises can’t fully replace Canada Post
The potential of another Canada Post strike has again highlighted how many Canadians rely on the service – including for some extremely unusual services. It was a little surprising when the postal agency announced that mail delivery could halt by Friday, with the exception of income assistant payments and live animals.
Yes, Canada Post ships some live animals, including newly-hatched chickens, bees, leeches, and “small, non-poisonous cold-blooded animals.” So, no rattlesnakes or poison arrow frogs, but you can send an appropriately packed tortoise by post!
Canada Post is caught in a classic modern dilemma.
Email and competition have eroded its most profitable functions, reducing daily letter and parcel deliveries in urban centres to a fraction of what they once were.
Meanwhile, it still has a responsibility to provide a low-cost service that covers rural Canada and a host of small businesses that can’t afford to use the larger delivery services.
Because of this, it’s bleeding money, losing $845 million in 2023. Yet, at the same time, it remains indispensable to vast areas of the country and thousands of small
businesses.
The best case scenario would be for Canada Post to be restructured in such a way that it becomes a breakeven enterprise.
There may be a version of Canada Post that can achieve that goal, but it’s probably wise to consider the alternative as well.
What if Canada Post, with its responsibilities to rural and northern Canada, isn’t capable of breaking even? After all, it was created as a public service, not a for-profit enterprise.
The federal government is likely to ask a lot of Canada Post via a
restructuring, whether or not the union and employers can strike a deal before this weekend’s deadline.
A recent report recommended the end of direct-to-home mail delivery and the closure of a number of post offices.
A restructuring might help get Canada Post back on an even keel. But if it can’t, the goal has to be to preserve its key public functions.
The goal of government is not to make a profit. Canada Post can’t go on running a deficit of this extent, but it’s likely that in a post-email, post Purolator world, there is no version of the letter carrier that
GENERAL MANAGER: Charlie Costa charlie.costa@mapleridgenews.com
DISTRIBUTION: Circulation manager: Brian Yip circulation@mapleridgenews.com
breaks even.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t a vital service for millions of Canadians.
The goal should not be to ditch Canada Post, and leave all deliveries to the free market.
There will always be parts of Canada where vital government documents and small business mail needs to be delivered, where for-profit companies simply can’t be bothered to operate because the margins are too low.
A public service is just that – a service. Who else is going to deliver live bees and chicks, if not for the national mail carrier?
Address: 22568 Lougheed Hwy., Maple Ridge, B.C., V2X 2V1
Office: 604-467-1122
Delivery: 604-466-6397
Classified: 604-575-5555
Website: mapleridgenews.com
Email: news@mapleridgenews.com
SHARE: Landscape photographer Joseph Bartalis of Maple Ridge captured a few pics in the Pitt Polder area of Pitt Meadows, including this view of Pitt Lake from Swan Dike Trail, where Grant Narrows meets the tidal lake. (Special to The News)
Letters
Letters to The News should address topics of interest to residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Include name, home address, as well as contact information for verification. Keep letters to 500 words or less. Letters may be edited for clarity and length. Send letters to editor@ mapleridgenews.com.
TransLink lags behind growth
Dear Editor,
[Re: Mayor applauds TransLinks’ investment plan, The News, May 9]
I am glad to hear that TransLink has an investment plan.
I am not sure if it will help the students of Thomas Haney Secondary School (THSS) with their wet jackets and soaked backpacks! The school has been without a bench or a bus shelter since the inception of this transit line. How do young students, who are future leaders, form any kind of positive attitude towards public transportation if the only bus stop that serves their school has no bench or shelter?
Has Mayor Dan Ruimy or those on the board of TransLink every tried to catch a bus in Maple Ridge during a rainy day?
Have any of them seen the adults and teens and children who have to sit on the grass outside of the A&W on 227 Street, waiting for a bus because there is no bench?
Have they seen the groups of people hunkered down on concrete dividers at the Haney bus loop waiting for a bus? These are only three examples in a small area of Maple Ridge.
While throwing all their weight behind more and more rapid transit (still haven’t heard the word SkyTrain) is laudable, we need basic necessities for the average transit rider. For example a bench, and a shelter.
Until the TransLink group and the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation gets serious about making public transit in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows attractive and convenient, ridership will stay low.
There is no excuse for such a poor-
ly equipped local transit system. Expanding road widths, and adding more R-3 type buses are all just Band-Aids for an ever-growing population. If Maple Ridge keeps approving large residential buildings and communities, we will become Gridlock Ridge in five years.
We need to start the plan for a SkyTrain expansion now, not in five years.
But before that, can the students of THSS get a bench and a shelter from the rain?
Tim Suddaby, Maple Ridge
Golf course worth saving
Dear Editor,
[Re: Council intends to replace golf course with ball diamonds, The News, May 2]
It has come to our attention and many others that a large 40-acre piece of land that has been called the Maple Ridge Golf Course is on the plans to be chopped up and used for a many sport facility.
This is a travesty of our history as it is 100 years old this year.
This golf course is used all year for many residents and visitors both young and old and in between for a reasonable cost.
It is challenging and a beautiful setting for this use. This new plan would cost mega millions or billions in today’s economy to the taxpayers of Maple Ridge. Yes, it would provide other sports, however Maple Ridge is a large area and there must be other land that is not being used that could provide these sports. Please let your council and mayor know how you feel about this issue. We are heartbroken to hear about this issue. From a resident of 51 years.
Alice Sanderson, Maple Ridge
Maple Ridge Golf Course sees 30,000 rounds per year. (Ron Paley/Special to The News)
TransLink held an open house in Maple Ridge earlier this year. (The News files)
Congratulations Class of 2025 University Offers
The Class of 2025 is graduating from one of the most rigorous academic programs in the world. Throughout their journey with us at Meadowridge, they have exhibited courage, intelligence, and kindness. They are all going on to prestigious schools nationally and internationally and, most importantly, to make a positive impact in our world.
International Baccalaureate Graduates 59
The University of Alabama
University of East Anglia
University of CaliforniaDavis
University of CaliforniaIrvine
University of Gloucestershire
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
University of Portsmouth
University of Warwick
University of Galway
Flinders University Griffith University Medical University of the
University of CaliforniaMerced
University of CaliforniaSan Diego
University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara
University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz
University of Cincinnati
University of Delaware
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Oregon
University of San Francisco
University of St. Thomas
University of Washington
State University
Owen Jaggers
Maya Sandhu
Julin Liu Zain Khan Ash Mohamedali
Aneet Jawanda
Sam Sindhar
Ainsley Mazur
Yuting Li Abigail Ogunremi
Vivian Jiang
Brayden Sekhon Oliver Low Derek Lee
Carmen Nisipeanu Maggie Joudrey
Jordan McIntosh Keni Liang Safiya Patel Jianuo Liu Ahmad Ramadan
Eliza Sun Lily Sun Sophia Virk Wendy Wei Julianne Wiss Annora Wu
Jiakang Xu Nicole Zhang Anyan Xu Fiona Yang Yizhe Zhang
Daniel Ashtiani
Congratulations Class of 2025 University Offers
The Class of 2025 is graduating from one of the most rigorous academic programs in the world. Throughout their journey with us at Meadowridge, they have exhibited courage, intelligence, and kindness. They are all going on to prestigious schools nationally and internationally and, most importantly, to make a positive impact in our world.
International Baccalaureate Graduates 59
The University of Alabama
University of East Anglia
University of CaliforniaDavis
University of CaliforniaIrvine
University of Gloucestershire
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
University of Portsmouth
University of Warwick
University of Galway
Flinders University Griffith University Medical University of the
University of CaliforniaMerced
University of CaliforniaSan Diego
University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara
University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz
University of Cincinnati
University of Delaware
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Oregon
University of San Francisco
University of St. Thomas
University of Washington
State University
Owen Jaggers
Maya Sandhu
Julin Liu Zain Khan Ash Mohamedali
Aneet Jawanda
Sam Sindhar
Ainsley Mazur
Yuting Li Abigail Ogunremi
Vivian Jiang
Brayden Sekhon Oliver Low Derek Lee
Carmen Nisipeanu Maggie Joudrey
Jordan McIntosh Keni Liang Safiya Patel Jianuo Liu Ahmad Ramadan
Eliza Sun Lily Sun Sophia Virk Wendy Wei Julianne Wiss Annora Wu
Jiakang Xu Nicole Zhang Anyan Xu Fiona Yang Yizhe Zhang
Tax bills are being sent, and city halls in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are encouraging residents and businesses to use online services with ongoing Canada Post labour negotiations, and the potential for disruptions.
Maple Ridge homeowners and businesses are being advised that their 2025 Property Tax Notice, which includes charges for utilities, are arriving by mail or email.
Pitt Meadows tax notices will be mailed this Friday, May 23, unless there is a disruption in service.
A Canada Post Strike looms, and could begin as soon as noon on Friday, May 23. The company received a strike notice from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) for both urban and rural bargaining units on Monday, May 19.
Property taxes are due on Wednesday, July 2. Cities say it is the responsibility of property owners to pay property taxes by the due date to avoid a late payment penalty, whether or not a bill is received.
Those who do not receive your notice in Maple Ridge are asked to sign up for a MyCity account at MapleRidge. ca/MyCity to access account balances and download a copy of current and past tax notices.
Maple Ridge recommends paying taxes by these methods, to avoid lineups or late charges:
• Online or telephone banking through your financial institution.
• By cheque (not cash) using the se-
The City of Maple Ridge has sent out tax notices. (City of Maple Ridge/Special to The News)
cure 24-hour drop box at the north entrance of City Hall.
• Extended hours for in-person payments City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and until 8 p.m. every Thursday in June.
More details on payment methods are available at MapleRidge.ca/PayingYourTaxes.
Pitt Meadows asks residents to login to their account at mypittmeadows. com, to view their bill, or contact the finance department by email at pmtaxes@pittmeadows.ca.
The City of Pitt Meadows offers tax payments:
• In person at city hall, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Online banking, by adding City of
Pitt Meadows as a bill payee and your folio number (without the decimal) as your account number.
• In person at most chartered banks, credit unions and participating trust companies.
• Via cheque in the secure city hall drop box (located at the west side main entrance door to city hall).
The Home Owner Grant is a provincial program that helps reduce the amount of residential property tax you pay. Eligible property owners must submit their grant application directly to the Province at Gov.BC.ca/HomeOwnerGrant or call 1-888-355-2700. Claim your Home Owner Grant by July 2, 2025 to avoid penalty.
Payments received on or after July 3 are subject to a five per cent penalty on unpaid 2025 taxes and unclaimed grants.
Payments received on or after Sept. 3 face an additional 5 per cent penalty to outstanding 2025 taxes and unclaimed grants
Residents may qualify for the Provincial Property Tax Deferment Program, for their principal residence, if they meet the provincial criteria. Visit gov.bc.ca/PropertyTaxDeferment for information.
Visit MapleRidge.ca/PropertyTaxes to learn more or contact Revenue@ MapleRidge.ca or phone 604-467-7336 if you have any questions.
In Pitt Meadows, phone 604-4652418 or email pmtaxes@pittmeadows. ca.
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45 Disney characterdesigns •Easy-to-use3.2colourLCD
Transit-Oriented Areas in Maple Ridge
Learn how the City is planning for the three provincially-designated Transit-Oriented Areas to allow for housing that meets minimum height and density requirements. (Drop in anytime!)
View displays, ask questions, and share your thoughts with City staff.
History advocate passes away
Colleen Flanagan
A lover of history, who showcased and safeguarded the heritageof MapleRidgefordecades, has passed away.
Val Patenaude, who was the directorof theMapleRidgeMuseum from 1993 to 2020, passed away on Friday, May 16, at the age of 72, following a stroke.
Born in Vancouver, Patenaude moved to Maple Ridge in 1989 with her husband and two children after purchasing a hobby farm.
She had a degree in anthropology, but worked as an archeologist until her two daughters Kristen and Samantha, were born.
When she took over at the Maple Ridge Museum, she worked diligently to digitalize all the records and to make local history more accessible to the public.
Through the years, she also fought hard for a new and larger facility, one in which the museum’scollectioncouldbeproperly showcased.
“I never will be able to swing a cat in my office,” she quipped after the first 20 years of her fight for a new museum. But, a new museum would be
an elusive dream for Patenaude.
When she retired at age 68, she said she had no regrets.
“I’m sorry we didn’t get a bigger facility, but I know how it goes and that it’s very tough and that only a few people ever achieve that step,” she said.
Shea Henry, current executive director of the museum, who worked alongside Patenaude for three years, said she knew she was stepping into enormously
large shoes when she took over.
“Val Patenaude gave her passion and wisdom to the Maple Ridge Museum & Archives for 27 years, and her legacy here is felt each and every day,” said Henry.
“Val was the heart, soul, and knowledge keeper of this place, though she would deny it. She was forever humble about her depth of knowledge and the sheer accomplishments that she
achieved in her time leading the museum,”Henrycontinued,noting that Patenaude – who was always straightforward, honest, and endlessly generous with her knowledge and skills – brought the organization from a volunteer-runlocalmuseumtoathriving charity not-for-profit that is a fixture of the community.
Patenaude was also an avid quilter who would make quilts for the hospice and for veterans, and placemats for clients of the Meals on Wheels program at Christmas.
Retired Pitt Meadows Museum curator Leslie Norman first met Patenaude when Norman was being interviewed for the position of curator, and said she was a really helpful person who wassuperpleasantandveryeasy to talk to.
Val Billesberger, branch operations coordinator with Mission District Historical Society, said she got to know Patenaude through the Fraser Valley Region of the Archives Association of BC, where they would see each other regularly.
Billesberger remembers Patenaudeasbeingextremelybright and knowledgeable and full of ideas.
“Always provided insight and ideas that were refreshing and also very thoughtful, and usually we adopted them,” chuckled Billesberger, remembering how they joked about sharing a same first name. “Just a really good person.”
Kristen Sivertz, one of Patenaude’s two daughters, said her mother was one of her best friends.
“When I went to her for advice, she didn’t just tell me what I wanted to hear. She was my greatest cheerleader, even when I was at my lowest. I’ll miss every conversation,” she said.
Sivertz noted how knowledgeable and passionate she was about so many different subjects from local history, anthropology, philosophy, technology, politics, and art. Not only was she a quilter, said her daughter, but a “master of fibre arts,”including, costuming, knitting, crochet, even carpet making.
“I’m so grateful to her for the beautiful, tangible legacy of her quilts, as well as the intangible legacy of her stories and the many friendships she built here in Maple Ridge and around the world.”
Former Maple Ridge Mayor
Ernie Daykin remembered Patenaude for her great conversations, even though they didn’t agree oneverything.He admired her for her passion and her love of community.
He noted that a lot of what Maple Ridge has today, including the museum and Haney House, is due to Patenaude’s work.
“She took such great care of the heritage and the history of our community,” said Daykin. “She pushed hard and wasn’t afraid to push hard.”
Henry said she will never forget the lessons Patenaude taught her and will always admire her strength.
“How strong she was and how easy it seemed for her to stand up to people and stand up for heritage,” said Henry.
“She was my mentor, my teacher, and my friend and I will miss her very much.”
Patenaude leaves behind her daughters Kristen and Samantha (Paul); brothers Steve (Joanne) and Paul (Mickey); and niecesandnephewsJana,Trevor, Eric, Scout, and Ben.
A celebration of life is being planned for the fall in Maple Ridge.
Former Maple Ridge Museum and Archives director Val Patenaude passed away on Friday, May 16. (Special to The News)
Making the city sparkle
Aclean-up blitz was undertaken by members of the community to add a sparkle to the downtown Maple Ridge core.
More than 80 people were registered for the Downtown Maple Ridge Sparkle Week Clean-up Blitz on May 14, held in collaboration between the City of Maple Ridge and the Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association (DMRBIA).
The participants, who were from a variety of organizations and community groups, met at the bandstand in Memorial Peace Park to check in.
The event is critical to the downtown, said Jeff Baker, business retention and expansion advisor for the City of Maple Ridge.
“It is letting the community show support for the neighbourhood downtown. It’s also showing that, you know, we care about this place and that we have to play a part as a community to come together to show the love for this part of our city,” he said.
Linda Aardmaa, who was with a group of around 14 people from Hannah House InnerVisions Recovery Society, said it was a great cause to help the community out.
Mahit Enan, who was with InnerVisions, said part of their program is reintegrating clients back into society, so they enjoy participating in community events for the city.
“We feel that volunteering is a good way to show our appreciation just for how much the community supports us,” he said. “We’re very happy to be here.”
Debi Picco was with a group from the Maple Ridge Street Outreach Society. She said they were there because they are a part of Maple Ridge.
“We want to contribute to keeping the city clean,” she said.
Groups fanned out shortly after 9:30 a.m., after remarks from the City of Maple Ridge and the DMRBIA, and after safety vests, garbage bags, and trash pickers were handed out. Volunteers then returned to the bandstand after, for a picnic lunch in the park.
Politicians, police, and others support McHappy Day
Neil Corbett
Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy was working the drive-thru window at McDonald’s in Maple Ridge, and Ridge Meadows RCMP officers serving meals to customers, as part of McHappy Day.
The annual fundraiser happened on May 8, and the store at Lougheed Highway and 228th Street raised $7,000 for the day. A portion of every order contributes to the cause, and raises money for Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver.
The campaign happened across Canada, with McHappy Day socks and other merchandise also for sale at local McDonald’s restaurants, with proceeds going
to the children’s charities and the Ronald McDonald House. It’s the restaurant chain’s largest fundraising day of the year.
This year’s event raised a best-ever $11.3 million across Canada, and the event has more than $111 million raised since the first event in Canada in 1977.
“McHappy Day is my favourite day of the year because it vividly illustrates the power of community and the life-changing impact of Canadian’s generosity,” said Kate Horton, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada.
“Thanks to the incredible support from our founding and forever partner, McDonald’s Canada, franchisees, guests, and our
national donor partners, we can continue to provide essential comfort and resources to families with sick and injured children, keeping them close when it matters most.”
The 16 Ronald McDonald House locations provide out-oftown families with a home to stay at while their child is being treated at a nearby hospital, while the 18 Ronald McDonald Family Room programs provide a comfortable place for families to rest and recharge, right inside hospitals.
These funds have played a critical role in enabling RMHC across Canada to support nearly 500,000 families with sick and injured children since 1981, according to Michele Boudria, president and CEO of McDonald’s Canada.
Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy at the drive-thru window. (Neil Corbett/The News)
Colleen Flanagan
Sarah Cottrell, right, was with a group from Hannah House InnerVisions Recovery Society, who were taking part in the clean-up blitz. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
Melissa Knapp, left, and Sarah Cottrell, right, were with a group from Hannah House InnerVisions Recovery Society, who were taking part in the clean-up blitz. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
A group photo was taken before the Downtown Maple Ridge Sparkle Week Clean-up Blitz. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
Volunteers taking part in the Downtown Maple Ridge Sparkle Week Clean-up Blitz, fanned out throughout the downtown core to pick up garbage. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
Mad hatters invited to tea party in the park
A tea party with a focus on mental health will be taking place in Maple Ridge.
Everyone is invited to wear their maddest hats to the eighth annual Mad Hatters Tea Party, which will be held in Memorial Peace Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 31.
Or create their very own hat at the event hat table.
The event was started in 2017 by Catherine Larnon-Trout who wanted to bring attention to the struggles of mentally ill people.
Larnon-Trout founded the Mad Hatters Foundation after trying to find housing for her own son, who was diagnosed with a mental illness. She was unable to find anything suitable for him and had to purchase a house on her own.
One in four people are diagnosed with a mental illness and the tea party is meant to break
through the stigma associated with having a mental health condition.
Larnon-Trout believes a lot of people are misinformed about mental illnesses from unreliable sources. She wants to see governments put more money towards mental health and more resources.
Free tea and scones will be available at the tea party along with music and entertainment.
At 11:30 a.m. there will be a parade of hats, where people can show off their creations. There will be prizes for the best hats.
Most importantly, though, Larnon-Trout wants to keep the conversation flowing about mental health.
For more information, people can call 604-308-1949 or go online to: facebook.com/madhattersfoundation.
Notice is hereby given pursuant to s. 94 of the Community Charter and s. 467 of the Local Government Act that the following proposed Zoning Bylaw will be presented for 1st reading at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday May 27, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at 11995 Haney Place.
File: 2024-228-RZ
Address: 12011 223 Street Maple Ridge Zone Amending Bylaw No. 8034-2025
Purpose: To adjust the density provision and make minor changes to the applicable zone to facilitate the future construction of a proposed six-storey mixed use building for Phase 2 of the ERA development.
The proposed bylaw(s) and permit(s) may be inspected at the Planning Counter at Municipal Hall from May 16, 2025 to May 27, 2025 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays) and staff reports and other relevant information may be obtained from the City’s website: https://www.mapleridge.ca/ your-government/city-council/council-meetingsdocuments
Any other inquiries can be directed to Planning staff at 604-467-7341 or planning@mapleridge.ca
As a Public Hearing is prohibited to be held in accordance with s. 464 (3) of the Local Government Act for the proposed Zoning Bylaw, verbal comments, or delegations on this matter by members of the public will not be permitted during the meeting.
Chambers, Maple Ridge City Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC.
Dated this 16th Day of May, 2025
Carolyn Mushata Corporate Officer
Kanaka Education and Environmental Partnership (KEEPS) is hosting an educational event from families on Sunday, May 25.
Off With The Smolts will happen from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre, at 11484 256th St. KEEPS invites those attending to learn about the needs, dangers, and challenges facing juvenile salmon, as they release them to venture down Kanaka Creek and out to the ocean.
They can also find out how peo-
ple can help them in their perilous journey.
Fry are only five to 10 weeks old, while smolts are about two years old, and can migrate from fresh water to the ocean.
KEEPS is a non-profit society established in 1998 to maintain the health of the Kanaka Creek watershed’s natural ecosystem through education, community involvement, scientific research, land preservation, and partnerships based on stewardship principles.
Admission to the event is free.
Funny hats were as far as the eye could see at a past Mad Hatters Parade and Tea Party in Maple Ridge. (The News files)
KEEPS will host Off With the Smolts this weekend. (KEEPS/Special to The News)
Neil Corbett
Sports & Recreation
Burrards ready for WLA home opener
With an up-and-coming team, the Maple Ridge Burrards launch its season this week, first with an away game tonight and then a home opener on Sunday, May 25, where they host the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Their season opener will be at the Q Centre in Victoria tonight (Friday, May 23) between the top two teams from last year.
While the Shamrocks won all 18 of their games last season, the Burrards finished with nine wins and nine losses, a record that was good for second place in the WLA.
“I’m happy to be back and excited for another season in Ridge,” said Burrards captain Anthony Kalinich, who said this year’s team will continue to build on last season’s success.
“It’s a young, fast, athletic team, and we don’t really rely on big names and superstars to win us games.”
This team has been building together, and the captain said they love coming to the rink.
“The chemistry in our room is a big factor – we’ve got a tight group,” he said.
He’s just 26, but Kalinich is a grizzled veteran on the young squad. His career pulled into the fast lane when he was called up to play defence for the NLL Calgary Roughnecks at just 19, on Christmas Day of 2017.
His NLL career is on pause, but he’s now a qualified fire-
fighter, loves being in his hometown to play summer lacrosse, and bleeds Burrards blue.
Kalinich said the Burrards have retained their key roster pieces, and the captain will talk all day about his teammates and what they bring to the game.
They had some of the league
statistical leaders, as Dylan McIntosh was fourth in goals with 34, and piled up 65 points.
Ryan Jones’ 45 assists was third in the WLA, and he led the Burrards in scoring with 24 goals and 69 points.
Marcus Klarich had a great rookie season, with 26 goals and 65 points, and the team will be looking for him to build
on that total in his second year. Goaltender Brandon Humphrey was second in the league in both save percentage (.842) and wins (10), was third in goals against average at 8.86, and led the league in saves with 703.
Some new faces on the roster will be draft-day pickups, including Braydon Laity, a
big defender who plays with the Vancouver Warriors of the NLL, and forward Ethan M’Lot who led Junior A in scoring. The Burrards kept them as territorial protections.
Kalinich and Laity played together with the Warriors, and the captain expects the defender to make an immediate impact.
“I watched him grow up in Ridge, coached by (Warriors coach) Curt Malawysky pretty much his whole minor career,” he said. “He’s another blue collar boy, great guy, and he already knew a lot of guys on the team, so it’s an easy transition. He’s a great addition to have.”
GM Lance Andre also added a former Burrard in well-travelled forward Riley Loewen, who Kalinich played with in the NLL in Calgary and Vancouver.
“He’s a consistent guy, he’s good for a couple points a game, and he’s just a hard working guy,”added Kalinich.
“With the Ridge mentality –blue collar team, he fits in quite well.”
WLA teams will play an 18game regular season schedule followed by August playoffs, with the league champion hosting the Mann Cup in September against the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) champions from Ontario.
The Burrards will play their home games on most Sunday nights at 7 p.m. at the Cam Neely Arena in Planet Ice. All games will be livestreamed and fans can purchase single games or five-game packages on wlalacrosse.com.
“The WLA saw increases in attendance, livestreams, and social media engagement in 2024 and we look forward to capitalizing on that momentum and continuing to grow our fan base in 2025,” said WLA commissioner Paul Dal Monte.
Car dealership gives $10K boost to KidSport
Maple Ridge Hyundai has made a $10,000 donation to KidSport Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows to help local kids get into organized sports.
The donation was made possible through Kot Auto Group’s Operation 500 campaign.
It was launched to drive 500 vehicle sales across all Kot Auto Group dealerships in a single month – with each store contributing $10,000 to a local cause that matters to them.
At Maple Ridge Hyundai, that cause is KidSport – a national non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to help kids access organized sports. The donation will go directly to supporting youth in the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows areas, ensuring more children can get off the sidelines and into the game.
“Supporting youth in our community is something we care deeply about,”said Colin Duckworth, general manager at Maple Ridge Hyundai.
“Sport builds confidence, discipline, and teamwork – and every child deserves that opportunity. We’re proud to support KidSport to help make that possible,” he added.
This cause is especially close to the Kot family, who own and operate the Kot Auto Group.
“Our family has always been passionate about sports,” said John Kot, group president. “It’s played a huge role in our lives, so giving more kids the chance to play is something that truly means a lot to us.”
For more information about KidSport, or to donate, people can visit www.kidsport.ca.
Gary Manson of Kidsport (left) accepted a big cheque from John Kot, president of the Kot Auto Group, and Colin Duckwork, GM of Maple Ridge Hyundai. (Kot Auto Group/Special to The News)
Neil Corbett
Anthony Kalinich is the Burrards captain. (Paul Evans Photography/Special to The News)
Arts&life
Walkathon helps build school
Maple Ridge Christian School (MRCS) is in the middle of a month-long walkathon to raise $50,000 for the completion of the third floor of the new school building. In addition, 10 per cent of all donations will go to the Friends in Need Food Bank. So far, the school is on track to surpass its goal, a week before the main walkathon event on Friday, May 30, as more than $40,000 has been raised. Info: mrcs.ca/walkathon.
Student event showcases art of all kinds
Colleen Flanagan
An Arts Gala Night hosted by Garibaldi Secondary will feature a student visual art exhibition and a new open mic.
About 80 students are taking part in the third annual event with works of art done by students in Grades 9 to 12 and students in the IB visual arts program.
“Coffee House is a vibrant open mic night that is put on by our students,”said teacher Beth Macdougall, who helped organize the event.
Macdougall said Coffee House will have student performances, including singing, acting, dancing, stand-up comedy, and poetry reading.
“This is the one night of the year that the visual arts students can exhibit their art,” said visual arts teacher Maureen Chand. “The students are very excited to exhibit their artwork in a gallery-style, professional setting and in a professional manner.”
The Arts Gala Night takes place Thursday, May 29, and will begin at 6 p.m. with the visual arts display in the cafeteria, with the Coffee House open mic beginning at 7:30 p.m..
Admission is by cash donation at the main school entrance. All funds raised will support the arts programs at the school.
A variety of artwork and art styles will also be exhibited in an art-gallery-style display.
Three Garibaldi graduates received an Excellence in Arts $1,500 scholarship award from the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council. The funds are for studies at an accredited post-secondary university or college.
Appetizers, beverage, and desserts will be served while guest peruse the gallery. There will also be a concession later on in the evening for the Coffee House full of homemade goods and student-made stickers.
Garibaldi Secondary is located at 24789 Dewdney Trunk Rd. And, for more information, people can call 604-463-6287.
Food Truck Fridays coming to Albion
A weekly culinary festival will be launching in Maple Ridge at the end of May.
The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival (GVFTF) announced a new partnership with the City of Maple Ridge to launch ‘Food Truck Fridays’ featuring a rotating lineup of the region’s premier local mobile eateries.
Starting on May 30, and carrying on until Aug. 29, a different food truck will be stationed at the Albion Community Centre from 4 to 8 p.m., offering a multitude of unique cuisines throughout the summer including Malaysian, Greek, Mexican, and Hawaiian, explained Jason Faria, Owner of The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival.
“We’re thrilled to bring Food Truck Friday to Maple Ridge residents,” he said.
“This weekly series showcases the incredible diversity and quality of our food truck community while creating a regular gathering space for families to enjoy throughout the summer months,” Faria added.
This summer-long food celebration represents GVFTF’s ongoing commitment to connecting communities through exceptional food truck dining experiences while supporting local food entrepreneurs, added Faria.
The full summer lineup includes:
May 30: Dos Amigos
June 6: Zerelli’s Sandwich Shop
June 13: Tacosaurus Vancouver
June 20: G’s Donairs
June 27: Wings Food Truck
July 4: Kampong - Taste of Malaysia
July 11: Big Bites Gourmet Burger
July 18: Booster Juice
July 25: Zerelli’s Sandwich Shop
August 1: Alohaaa - Hawaiian Inspired Hot Dogs
August 8: Big Bites Gourmet Burger
August 15: Tacosaurus Vancouver
August 22: Slavic Rolls
August 29: EGG Blanket
Since its founding, GVFTF has coordinated hundreds of successful food truck gatherings across the Lower Mainland, from intimate weekly events to major festivals featuring dozens of vendors.
Events will proceed rain or shine, with any weather-related updates to be shared by The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival’s social channels @gvfoodtruckfest.
Albion Community Centre is located at 24165 104 Ave.
Love of hockey, nature hang on South Bonson walls
Colleen Flanagan
Richard Brodeur knows a thing or two about saving a slapshot.
But even before the now retired Vancouver Canucks goaltender stepped onto the ice in the National Hockey League, he had ventured onto another path – in the arts.
Brodeur, who now lives in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island, is a professional painter, drawing from nature and his childhood memories playing hockey in Montreal. And his art is now on display at the Pitt Meadows Art Gallery.
“My dad used to do a backyard rink. We played there. We played on the street. We played on the lake. We played everywhere,” he explained about his hockey scenes titled “My Childhood Hockey Memories.”
also paints landscapes, which, he described as more emotional.
One special painting called “Standing Tall” Brodeur painted after learning his sister had passed away. The painting features a single red tree, standing tall above the rest, in a motion that points toward the sky.
The mood in his other landscapes depends on the day and on the lighting.
Brodeur also enjoys painting figures of people. And he regularly rotates through all three genres to keep his paintings fresh.
o’clock in the morning,”he said, in order to calm himself down from the adrenalin and the emotion of a game.
Now he is enjoying his second career, especially from his home on the island.
“It’s pretty easy for me living on the island. You go out the door and there’s things to see and things to do,” he added.
Brodeur achieved the nickname “King Richard” for his performance on the ice while playing for Vancouver during the Canucks run to the Stanley Cup finals in 1982.
“It brings me back to a happy place, a happy time. And that’s how the people feel about it, and that makes me feel really good.”
Brodeur explained his hockey scenes are his fun paintings. He
He credits painting for helping ease the pressure he felt during his years as a professional hockey player, from 1972 until 1988.
“Even after a game sometimes I would paint until two, three
Aptly named “The King and the Artist,” this local show runs until Sunday, June 22, on the main floor of the South Bonson Community Centre, 10932 Barnston View Rd., in Pitt Meadows.
The third annual Garibaldi Secondary Arts Gala Night takes place Thursday, May 29. (Special to The News)
Tacosaurus Vancouver will be at the Albion Community Centre on Friday, June 13, and Friday, Aug. 15. (Tacosaurus Vancouver Facebook/Special to The News)
Richard Brodeur’s exhibit at the Pitt Meadows Art Gallery runs until June 22.
(Colleen Flanagan/The News)
Addiction nurses on duty in ER
Addiction assessment nurses are now on duty at emergency rooms across the region, including at Ridge Meadows Hospital.
“When people in crisis require immediate support, they need to be met with care and compassion by those who understand what they are going through and how to best support them,” said Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows.
recovery by helping people access services faster and more effectively.”
Addiction assessment nurses now support patients in nine ERs in the Fraser Health region, with a goal to streamline access to personalized treatment and recovery services. The province announced the new initiative on May 14.
“By having addiction assessment nurses in hospital emergency departments, we are supporting
Addiction assessment nurses work collaboratively with patients, ER teams, addiction medicine physicians, and community services to assess sub-
stance-use and care needs, and then help them access the right treatment and recovery services.
Since 2020, more than 6,000 patients have received this specialized care, and have been connected to treatment and recovery services in hospitals and communities.
“People facing substance-use challenges deserve compassionate, trauma-informed care,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.
“Addiction assessment nurses play a key role in reducing barriers to care and ensuring people in crisis have access to the right supports. These nurs-
es are an important part of the government’s dedication to strengthening mental-health and substance-use services around the province to support people on their journey to recovery,” Osborne explained.
Introduced at Surrey Memorial Hospital and Burnaby Hospital in 2020, the program expanded in April 2024 to 30 full-time-equivalent positions in nine hospitals. The program now includes Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, Fraser Canyon Hospital, Langley Memorial Hospital, Peace Arch Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital, and
Congratulations 2025 Graduating Youth Players!
Ridge Meadows Hospital.
“There is a growing demand to improve access to substance-use services when someone visits an emergency department and our role as addiction assessment nurses helps to connect people with the care they need,” said Decery Frondoso, addiction assessment nurse at Langley Memorial Hospital.
“We had a patient who was worried about relapsing during their transition from hospital to their community, and by securing support and resources, the patient was able to move closer to their goals.”
Special thanks to coaches Simon Andersen, Paul Franco, Brian Denroche, Josef Hans Lara, Robert Muir, Jad Schrader, Andre Williams, and Shauna Williams
Sienna Eales Garrett Evans Anthony Faria Emma Franco Olivia Frobisher James Gaita Noe Gama Leonardo Gama
Madelyn Hudson-Gibbs Danny Hulbert Kate Jensen Adrian Lara Benny Li Enzo Lombardi Isabel Macintyre Mackenzie Makinen
Jakob McIntyre Olivia Neal Karsen Oun Mya Patterson
Ella Paxton Thomas Perez-Ricaurte Elisa Ramos Grace Simpson
Tayshaun Tampus Jack Teller Ava Urbina-Beggs Daniel Woods-Muir Jisu Yoon
BEARE
Remembering Loved Ones
MelvinEinarSoderholm(Sod)
Born January 19,1939passed away suddenlyon May 19,2025. Melissurvivedbyhislovingwifeof60yearsLynda, childrenJanet(Doug),Kelly(Christina)andPatrick. GrandchildrenJoseph,Nicholas,Ashley,Nathan,andDane. HissisterFrances(George)andhisverybestfriendAlSaari whowasreallyabrothertohim,andniecesandnephews. MelwaspredeceasedbyhisinfantdaughterLorraine andparentsBerthaandUuno
Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye; Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky. In the morning sunrise when all the world is new, Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Time for me to leave you, I won't say goodbye; Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky. In the evening sunset, when all the world is through, Just look for me and love me, and I'll be close to you.
It won't be forever, the day will come and then My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.
Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye; Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky. Every waking moment, and all your whole life through Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
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