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ATMOSPHERIC RIVER
Rain and wind wallop region as residents brace for flooding HILARY ANGUS
Contributing writer
North Shore residents are being asked to avoid riverbanks and creeks as the municipalities brace for potential flooding from the second atmospheric river to hit the Lower Mainland in just over a week.
Approximately 48 millimetres of rain fell at Environment Canada’s official weather station in West Vancouver during the latest storm to hit the South Coast on Dec 14 and 15. That amount was even higher in North Vancouver. One backyard weather station in Lynn Valley measured 38 mm on Dec. 15 alone, while another in Blueridge measured 35 mm. B.C.’s River Forecast Centre issued a flood warning for the North Shore on Monday, stating that “river levels have or will exceed banks imminently, and that flooding of areas adjacent to the rivers affected will result.” Peter Cohen, the District of North Vancouver’s general manager of engineering infrastructure services, said crews are actively monitoring the situation, with a particular focus on the Seymour River. The district has already deployed sandbags to protect properties in low-lying areas, he said. District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little made a Continued on A22
Residents deal with a massive downed tree in West Vancouver’s Gleneagles area on Monday. PAT BELL
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A2 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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A4 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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GET OUR DAILY EMAIL: NSNEWS.COM/NEWSLETTER ‘OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN’
Squamish Nation enacts emergency measures for drug crisis ABBY LUCIANO
aluciano@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) has announced emergency measures after losing loved ones to the toxic drug crisis.
The Squamish Nation council declared a state of emergency on Dec. 4, after listening to community concerns and recommendations from staff and health experts. “Our hearts are broken. [Last] week has brought so much tragedy to our Nation, and we wrap our arms around all those who have lost loved ones,” Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, chairperson for the Squamish Nation said in a statement. “But condolences are not enough. Our Nation is in crisis, and we have lost too many of our people.” Williams outlined the council’s actions to address the crisis in an Instagram video Thursday. Williams said the state of emergency letter has allowed the nation to increase staffing for its Community Safety Team, expanding coverage to 24-7 in the North Shore and Squamish Valley, especially during the holiday period. For the holidays, a second Wellness on Wheels, a mobile outreach service with medical supplies, has been added to the North Shore. Another vehicle will soon be added to the Squamish Valley, he said. The nation will also implement allhours private security in Hiy̓ám̓ Housing
Squamish Nation chairperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams has announced several emergency measures to address the toxic drug crisis in the Nation. ABBY LUCIANO / NSN buildings, install additional CCTV cameras across the North Shore (three in Capilano, one in Esla7han, and one in Waiwaikem), and provide free TELUS Lifeline emergency response services to members aged 75 and older, and to those 60 and older with disabilities.” Williams said he has asked the West Vancouver Police Department, North Vancouver RCMP and the First Nations policing unit to meet with council. Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, media relations
officer for the North Vancouver RCMP, said the issue is deeply personal for the First Nations unit team members. The team’s role is to provide policing in a manner that is culturally sensitive, trauma-informed and guided by community priorities, he said. The team will continue to focus on supporting life-saving and harm-reduction efforts, alongside public safety responsibilities. “The losses connected to toxic drugs are felt directly by our team, and we stand
alongside the community and families who are grieving,” Sahak said. B.C. has been under a public health emergency for the toxic drug crisis since 2016. According to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Indigenous people accounted for 17.7 per cent of toxic drug deaths in the first six months of 2023, despite representing just over three per cent of B.C.’s population. In a statement, the FNHA said in the first half of this year, the death rate from toxic drug poisonings among First Nations people in the Vancouver Coastal region was 10.6 times higher than for other residents. “The unregulated drug supply in B.C. remains highly potent, unpredictable and dangerous, and the toxic drug public health emergency continues to disproportionately affect First Nations individuals, families and communities,” FNHA said. FNHA said disparities are rooted in the ongoing impacts of colonialism related to experiences of intergenerational trauma, including the removal from land, culture, communities and language, the enforcement of residential school systems, the Sixties Scoop and ongoing impacts of child removal from communities. The FNHA spokesperson added that the organization has developed a range of programs and initiatives to help combat the toxic drug crisis that are designed to be culturally safe and address systemic inequity in Canada’s health system. These initiatives include First Nations land-based Continued on A30
TRAGIC OUTCOME
Teen driver dies, passenger injured in single-vehicle crash ABBY LUCIANO
aluciano@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A 19-year-old man from North Vancouver died and a passenger was injured in a single-vehicle crash Friday night.
North Vancouver RCMP and paramedics were called around 10:30 p.m. Friday about a collision near the intersection of Berkley Avenue and Sechelt Drive. At the scene, first responders found a white BMW 535
crashed into a tree. Despite life-saving efforts, the driver died, North Vancouver RCMP said in a press release Saturday. The passenger was taken to hospital in serious condition and is expected to survive, police said. The intersection in the Blueridge neighbourhood was closed for several hours after the collision. The Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS)
is assisting local Mounties with the investigation. “Sadly, this incident has had a tragic outcome, and our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, media relations officer for the North Vancouver RCMP. Drugs and alcohol have been ruled out as factors in the crash, Sahak said. Those who have been impacted by this event can reach the North Vancouver
RCMP’s Victim Services Unit at 604-969-7540. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam footage, or has information to contact the North Vancouver RCMP at 604-9851311, referencing file number 25-25963. Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
A 19-year-old man from North Vancouver has died after crashing into a tree near the intersection of Berkley Avenue and Sechelt Drive Friday, Dec. 12. SUPPLIED
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A5
Construction activity at the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2025 focused on concrete pours, according to an update from Metro Vancouver. Longer pours required overnight curing, as shown in this photo from February of 2025. METRO VANCOUVER
FLUSH IT OUT
West Van council grills Metro over sewage plant project JANE SEYD
jseyd@nsnews.com
Metro Vancouver may have halted its independent review into how the new North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant went $3 billion over budget, but that hasn’t stopped the public’s desire to know how and why the project ballooned so massively – and why North Shore taxpayers are still significantly on the hook for the cost overruns.
Members of West Vancouver council put Metro Vancouver CAO Jerry Dobrovolny and Cheryl Nelms, general manager of Metro’s project delivery, in the hotseat during an update on the beleaguered sewage plant project at the regular council meeting Dec. 1. “We get asked a lot about costs. How on earth could the costs go as high as they have from the $700 million original estimate … We continue to get the questions,” Dobrovolny acknowledged. The time that elapsed from the original budget of $700 million in 2013 to the projected completion date of 2030 has played a significant role, said Dobrovolny. “There’s a tremendous amount of escalation that takes place over those decades,” he said, especially after Metro terminated its fixed-price contract with Acciona, the original contractor. Dobrovolny said that kind of cost increase in big infrastructure projects wasn’t limited to the North Shore. In Winnipeg, a similar sewage plant also saw its budget skyrocket from $750 million to more than $3 billion, he said. Estimates for another of Metro’s projects
– the new Iona sewage plant which serves most of Vancouver – went from $1.9 billion to $10 billion, said Dobrovolny. Most recently, the Metro board voted to phase that project in, reducing that projected budget to $6 billion. Once Metro’s new contractor was on the job for the North Shore plant, more than 1,500 deficiencies in the original project also had to be fixed, said Dobrovolny. ”None of that makes it OK, but it does help to explain it,” he said. Ballooning costs of the project have resulted in a projected tax increase of $590 annually for the next 30 years across the North Shore to pay for the sewage plant. That’s $135 lower than an earlier figure which would have seen North Shore taxpayers forking over an additional $725 a year. Instead, the Metro board opted to tax households across the region an extra $10 annually to slightly offset the tax wallop to the North Shore. Under the scenario adopted by the board, North Shore taxpayers will still be on the hook for 37 per cent of the almost $2.8 billion cost of the plant cost overrun while the rest of the region will pick up 63 per cent of the tab. The North Shore’s annual cost increase will be phased in over a five-year period. North Shore politicians had asked for a much larger share of the costs to be split across the region, but that request was voted down by Metro’s board. “Those of us on the North Shore aren’t giving up,” said West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager. Continued on A11
Holiday Drop-In Visits The most wonderful time of year is upon us! We invite you to celebrate the holidays as you explore senior living with warmth and ease at Amica West Vancouver. Sip on a coffee, chat with our team, tour our beautifully decorated residence, and take home a complimentary poinsettia gift. Any day from December 17 – 31 | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Drop in any time, or call to arrange a personal holiday tour at 604-921-9181. Plus, December is your last chance to lock in 2025 pricing, with flexible move-in dates for the new year! We look forward to seeing you.
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A6 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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West Van OKs OCP update but won’t follow housing directive BRENT RICHTER
brichter@nsnews.com
District of West Vancouver council has cleared the way for roughly 900 new homes to be built – but the municipality remains on a collision course with a provincial government ultimatum.
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B.C.’s municipalities were given until the end of the year to update their official community plans to create enough capacity to meet the community’s expected housing needs 20 years into the future. In the district’s case, that’s at least 10,742 new homes. While the district’s OCP foresees new growth, it was about 900 units short. Council voted unanimously Dec. 1 on an OCP update that will bring the district into compliance with the law, mostly through allowing more infill housing – smaller single-family homes on subdivided lots, more coach houses and multiplexes and more rowhouses on the Marine Drive corridor. “We have heard from the public support for these housing types. There is a need for these housing types, and also we’ve got great ideas on how and where to achieve these,” David Hawkins, senior manager of community planning, told council at a Nov.
17 public hearing into the matter. The OCP update, however, does not bring the district into compliance with three directives handed down by the province in July – mandatory fixed heights and densities around Park Royal, extending the allowable area for high-rises in Ambleside and an order to pass a local area plan for Ambleside, which remains deadlocked at council. “Council has raised very serious concerns regarding its land use authority, its autonomy and the need for process. To be very clear, the OCP presented to the public and council does not enact those three provincially-issued land-use directives. It does instead provide a made-in-West-Vancouver response,” Hawkins said. That work includes creating a new local area plan for Taylor Way and Park Royal that will allow council to shape heights and densities through its usual planning process, allowing more mid-rises between Ambleside and Dundarave and allowing council to pass the Ambleside Centre local area plan on its own. “It allows for council to direct this work, Continued on A7
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A7
Council and housing minister butting heads Continued from A6 council to direct staff to work with the community, to work with stakeholders, and also provides an ability to work with other agencies and jurisdictions,” Hawkins said. West Vancouver council and B.C.’s housing ministers have been exchanging strongly-worded letters pitting the provincial government’s demand for action on the housing shortage against the power local councils have traditionally had to make decisions on land use. West Vancouver has routinely been called out by the province for failing to see enough new homes built. In her October letter, Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Christine Boyle warned council that if they don’t follow through on the directives by the deadline, the senior level of government may step in and update the district’s bylaws for them. “If the district does not implement the directives, it is forfeiting the opportunity to further influence the local context in the directives and relying on the province to complete implementation,” she wrote. Council’s limited discussion before the Dec. 1 OCP update vote focused
Housing directives are a sore point for West Van council. NICK LABA / NSN FILES only on the pending deadline and lingering dispute with the province. Coun. Nora Gambioli stressed that if council is going to try to negotiate a better arrangement, time was of the essence. “There’s a lot of interest in this because we’re currently a little bit under the gun with the provincial government as well, who have sent us directives to be completed … and that doesn’t form part of this by law,” she said. “We didn’t say unequivocally in that letter that we would not support the directives. That’s why I agreed to sign the letter. I think there’s quite a bit of wiggle room and not a lot of time.” Coun. Sharon Thompson, however, said West Van council has been quite clear on where it stands and that other municipalities need to jointly push back against the province’s
“remarkable” override of local councils. “It would be really irresponsible for us as representatives of your community just to roll over and say, yes, we’ll do that. We have to measure each and every mandate,” she said. “There’s things that just do not make sense, if not in West Van, in other communities as well, throughout B.C.… That’s the fight that we really need. It’s hard for us as West Van to push against the province solely.” On Dec. 11, 16 Metro Vancouver mayors signed a letter calling on Premier David Eby to repeal the legislation mandating multiplexes on single-family lots and requiring minimum levels of density near transit. The mayors criticized the one-sizefits-all approach to development and said municipalities cannot fund the new infrastructure required to accommodate population growth. Sager and District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little signed the letter, but City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan, who has voiced opposition to the province’s incursion on municipal decision-making power, did not.
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Detached from reality
T
he mayors of 16 Metro Vancouver municipalities – including our own from the District of West Vancouver and District of North Vancouver – have signed a letter calling on Premier David Eby to repeal housing legislation that allows multiplexes on single-family lots and mandates density along transit routes. The one-size-fits-all approach ignores careful local planning efforts, they argue. It strips away the traditional authority of councils to make land use decisions. And cities don’t have the resources to service all of these new homes. In these respects, they are correct. But mandating new homes, while not without its problems, is still the right thing to do. The causes of the housing crisis are complex. We now have policies to crack down on foreign ownership, speculation and short-term rentals. We’ve seen a return
to government investment in new affordable housing. It’s time to admit the decision-making model used by our local councils is also part of the problem. For decades, housing supply has been governed by official community plans that prioritize, to the detriment of almost everything else, preservation of neighbourhood character. It’s left housing policy detached completely from the realities of a growing population. It’s led to stagnation. It’s left the vast majority of our residential land with a multi-million-dollar price point to entry. It’s driven our family members and our working class away. It’s been almost a decade since assessments for even the most meager single detached lots on the North Shore blew past $1 million without ever looking back. If we are serious about solving the housing crisis, that is not a legacy worth protecting.
North Van house a happy place for Group of Seven artist EVE LAZARUS
Contributing writer
One of the best things about messing with history is finding connections, and it’s always exciting when they’re right under your nose.
When I found out that Group of Seven artist Fred Varley once lived in an old brown house on Rice Lake Road just minutes from my own, I started poking about in his life. In 1932, Fred Varley was sketching in his favourite North Vancouver spot when he noticed a small house high up on the bank of Lynn Creek. He tried to get through the forest to explore it but couldn’t find a road that would take him there. The next time he came, he saw that the weeds had been
cut back along the side of the road, and he could see a small path leading to the cottage. Varley walked around the place, peered in the windows and saw that it was deserted. The boxy little house was in rough condition. It had porches tacked on to the front and back and an unfinished room on the main floor. He climbed up on the veranda and looked out over the valley and saw Mount Seymour and Lynn Peak. When he looked down, he saw a deep narrow canyon below. To his delight, the house came with a piano and was available for $8 a month. He could commute to Vancouver by streetcar and ferry. “That was the happiest time,” Varley
told a reporter 20 years later. “The only place in the world that I truly felt was mine.” Frederick Horsman Varley was a talented artist, more than a decent teacher, and as a founder of the Group of Seven, he was a Canadian icon. He was also an irresponsible alcoholic who loved women, and with his handsome face, clear blue eyes and shock of copper-red hair – women loved him back. None of this was much consolation to his wife Maud and their four children Dorothy, John, Jim and Peter. The family was evicted from two rented Kitsilano homes in the short time they’d lived in Vancouver, and were about to be abandoned for Varley’s current girlfriend,
19-year-old Vera Weatherbie. Varley had moved out to B.C. in 1926 to teach at the Vancouver School of Decorative and Applied Arts – the forerunner to Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Varley had never held down a teaching job for more than a year, and he was not as productive as other members of the Group of Seven. But by 1933, Vancouver was deep into the Depression. Faced with reduced hours and a huge cut in salary, Varley opened the BC College of Arts. The following year, he left Maud and the kids to fend for themselves and rented the cottage on Rice Lake Road in Upper Lynn Valley. The next three years were supposedly his spiritual high. Varley painted Dharana, Continued on A9
CONTACT US 114-400 BROOKSBANK AVE. NORTH VANCOUVER B.C. V7J 2C2 nsnews.com North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and qualified under Schedule 111, Paragraph 111 of the Excise Tax Act, is published each Wednesday by North Shore News a division of Lodestar Media. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40010186. Mailing rates available on request. Entire contents © 2025 North Shore News a division of Lodestar Media. All rights reserved. Average circulation for the Wednesday edition is 51,000. The North Shore News, a division of Lodestar Media respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at www. nsnews.com. North Shore News is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@nsnews.com or call the newsroom at 604-985-2131. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.
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MAILBOX A COUPLE OF REMINDERS THAT WE LIVE IN A WONDERFUL PLACE
Dear Editor: I have lived in North Van my whole life, and I would like to share two profound events that happened to me. So, my left hand became immobile, my wonderful doctor looked at it and said go to emergency NOW! I arrived and it was full, nurses running, putting up with abuse, and being amazingly professional. I had staff infection. The doctor set up a series of tests, which lead to a series of amazing treatments from some wonderful nurses, specialists and technicians. That was a year ago, and my hand is almost back to normal. Last week, I fell in front of Westview Safeway. I am a big man, and right away five or six people came to my assistance right away. These are two examples of the Canada I want to live in.
Kelvin Hoyle North Vancouver
OUR REC CENTRES OFFER MANY OPTIONS TO HELP SENIORS STAY ACTIVE Dear Editor: RE: More Classes For Seniors Would Help Prevent Falls, Dec. 10 letter I write in response to Mr. John Consiglio of North Vancouver for his excellent comment that regular active classes are the best
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A9 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR must include your name, full address and telephone number. Send your letters via our website: nsnews.com/ opinion/send-us-a-letter. The North Shore News reserves the right to edit any and/or all letters based on length, clarity, legality and content. The News also reserves the right to publish any and/or all letters electronically.
way to prevent falls in old age. However, I’m at a loss that “community centres have lots of empty rooms that could be used for [courses to help seniors stay active].” Where are all these empty rooms he references? While I can’t speak to the other centres, North Vancouver’s John Braithwaite and Ron Andrews are absolutely chock-ablock full of beginner yoga classes, beginner Pilates classes, stroke-recovery classes, 55-plus circuit classes, 55-plus swimming classes…. And that doesn’t even touch the personal trainers available at a very reasonable price for individuals or small groups with special fitness needs. All these are perfect for retirees wishing to maintain fitness and balance. My hat is off to our recreation centres for their essential role in falls prevention among the elderly.
Christine Williams North Vancouver
HOSPITAL STAFF HAVE A LOT TO DEAL WITH AND HANDLE IT WITH CLASS
Dear Editor: After a four-day stint at Lions Gate Hospital, I just want just say a big thanks to all the staff who looked after me there. You worked so hard and very professionally, particularly the staff down in ER, where you have more than just patients to deal with. Major shoutout to ER nurses Vanessa and Emily, and to Dr. Greiner.
Larry Sewell North Vancouver
Sketches scattered through house Continued from A8 Birth of Clouds, Lynn Creek, The Trail to Rice Lake and Weather-Lynn Valley – many from the second story window of his house. When Varley moved to Ottawa, Maud, Jim and Peter moved into the house. In 1937, she received a small inheritance from her mother and used the money to buy the house and add a bathroom and bedroom. Dorothy and her daughter Liz moved in to take care of Maud and kept the house until Dorothy’s death in 1974. Peter’s son Chris Varley, an art dealer, visited many times. He spent a week there with his grandmother in the summer of 1962. “It was a magical spot, although in seriously dilapidated condition,” he told me when I was researching the house a few
years back. “At that time it was still stuffed with Varley’s paintings and drawings. Church at Yale, now in the B.C. Archives, hung in the stairwell.” Chris remembered an unframed portrait of his Aunt Dorothy wrapped in a green garbage bag and stored under the kitchen sink. “There was an old bureau with a drawer full of scattered, unmatted drawings,” he said. “An early Tom Thomson sketch was reputedly used to patch a leak in the ceiling of the attic, which was also my grandfather’s studio.” Fred Varley’s former house last sold in 2020 for a little more than a million dollars. Eve Lazarus is a North Vancouver resident and author. Her latest book is Beneath Dark Waters: The Legacy of the Empress of Ireland Shipwreck. eve@evelazarus.com
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JJonathan onathan Wilkinson FEDERAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT NORTH VANCOUVER-CAPILANO
December 17, 2025
Health, hope and hard truths The holiday season on the North Shore often slows our pace just enough to take stock of our lives and our community. For some, that reflection is rooted in faith, for others in family traditions or time outdoors, but for many of us it leads to the same questions: how are we really doing, and what kind of place are we building together? This year’s Vital Signs Report, released recently by the West Vancouver and North Shore Community Foundations, offers a timely mirror - celebrating our strengths while spotlighting where we truly must do more. One of the most striking findings is how often residents of the North Shore report good health and a strong sense of connection. Many who live here describe their mental and physical health as better than the provincial average, and the data on activity levels bear that out. With hundreds of trails and easy access to the water, being active is part of everyday life for many North Shore residents – much more than for BC residents overall. Echoes of the pandemic At the same time, the report makes clear that not everyone experiences the North Shore in the same way. Since the pandemic, demand for mental health services has sharply increased, and illicit drug toxicity deaths in the region have risen over the past decade, from very low levels in 2015 to between 10 and 20 deaths in 2025. More and more youth say they feel pressure from school, social media, and an uncertain future, and most 16 to 25-year-olds report climate change harms their mental health. The report’s data on discrimination is also sobering: many residents worry about experiencing racism, and a significant share - especially among Squamish Nation members - report
that they already have. These numbers describe neighbours who may not feel the safety or inclusion that many of us take for granted. Housing and the cost of living form another thread that runs through the report. Even in one of Canada’s wealthiest areas, there are households spending so much on rent that basics like food and medicine are out of reach. Homelessness counts have remained roughly the same, but we have more unhoused people sleeping outside. This sits uneasily alongside the image many have of the North Shore - and it should. A community’s strength truly must be measured at its margins as much as at its centre. Environmental promise and risk The environment is another area where the report shows both promise and risk. Tree canopy coverage in West Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver has already exceeded 2050 targets, and work on salmon habitat and biodiversity in places like Howe Sound is starting to show encouraging results. At the same time, hotter and drier summers are increasing wildfire risk, and changes in marine species such as Dungeness crab point to broader shifts in ocean health. The report also traces the deep and ongoing impacts of colonial actions on Burrard Inlet and on Tsleil-Waututh harvesting, reminding us that environmental health and social justice are tightly linked. The Vital Signs findings invite us to see the North Shore as it really is - very fortunate in many ways, but with real fault lines that cannot be ignored. Recognizing both truths at once is the first step toward creating the kind of community we all want to live in - one where health, safety, environmental sustainability and belonging are shared and expected and not simply assumed.
Contact us: Constituency Office 604-775-6333 Email: Jonathan.Wilkinson@parl.gc.ca Website: JonathanWilkinson.libparl.ca
A10 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
Run away with great gifts for the runner in your life!
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A11
Construction ‘full steam ahead’
Continued from A5 Coun. Nora Gambioli asked why there was no information released about the project being so badly off track for almost two years between 2019 and 2021. Nelms and Dubrovolny said part of that was because Acciona had fired its engineering firm and consequently there wasn’t much work being done on the project. Coun. Scott Snider added the public has also voiced concern about the length of time it took Metro to identify project deficiencies. “That’s a lot of deficiencies not to be identified at a much earlier date,” he said. Dubrovolny said Metro staff did know about the problems, although not the full extent of them. That was part of the reason for firing the contractor, he said. Councillors also voiced concern about the potential for project costs to climb even higher, noting the potential for additional tariffs on construction materials. Gambioli also questioned staff on additional costs for decommissioning the old sewage plant once the new one is built. Dubrovnik said $20 million towards design of that is included in the latest $3.86 billion project cost. But the costs of decommissioning and environmental clean up of the site – yet to be determined – are not. Work on the sewage plant under the new
contractor is currently going “full steam ahead” with about 400 staff and five cranes on site, said Dubrovolny. Steel for the project is being brought across Canada from Quebec, and large pieces of equipment are starting to arrive, he said. More than 50,000 cubic metres of an anticipated total 80,000 cubic metres of concrete have also been poured, he said. When finished, the plant will treat the equivalent of 40 Olympic swimming pools of waste every day, said Dubrovolny, and will remove 99 per cent of “solids” coming into the plant, compared to 60 per cent being removed by the current plant. “It’s a tremendous benefit to the environment,” he said. Significant questions remain about the cost overruns. Metro Vancouver and its original contractor Acciona are embroiled in a huge court case over the project. Meanwhile Metro announced – then subsequently halted – an independent audit of what went wrong. Most recently, in September, B.C.’s Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs rejected a North Shore citizen group’s request to hold a public inquiry into the project.
Change a Life Today Your gift provides care & hope for local families Many North Shore residents are finding themselves struggling to make their way forward. They need help now. Harvest Project is your community-based partner ‘extending a hand up’. We bring tangible assistance to our neighbours: Coaching and Counsel, Grocery and Clothing Support, and connections to specialized services, Thanks to you - North and West Vancouver households, businesses, and community organizations, we are able to continue our work. Together, we can help save lives. Close to home.
Our community cares. H A P P Y
H O L I D A Y S
Wishing everyone in our community all the best in the new year! A message from the North and West Vancouver Teachers' Associations
Please make your donation online at harvestproject.org
Or, by e-transfer, by mail or by phone info@harvestproject.org 1073 Roosevelt Cr. North Vancouver V7P 1M4 ph. 604-983-9488 Registered Charity #BN140525205RR0001
A12 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A13
ARTS | ENTERTAINMENT | FOOD | HOME |
| HEALTH | COMMUNITY
COPPERPENNY DISTILLING
Gin joint wins big at international Masters competition HILARY ANGUS
Contributing writer
Copperpenny Distilling’s founders, Jennifer Kom-Tong and Jan Stenc, are no strangers to praise.
When the husband and wife duo decided to ditch their careers as film set decorators in favour of opening a distillery in 2021, they thought they should get some critical feedback on their flagship gin. So they sent their first recipe, the No. 005 social gin, off to the 2022 Global Gin Masters in London, England, hoping to get some tasting notes that would help them improve future recipes. Instead, mere months into their operations, they won the highest award possible, the title of masters at the prestigious blind-tasting competition in the very country that first popularized gin. “That set the standard for us, and so everything that we’ve done since has to meet and exceed Gin No. 005,” Kom-Tong said, while showing the North Shore News around the fastidiously decorated barroom of their Brewery District distillery. Last month, Copperpenny met and exceeded their own expectations by taking home three more gold medals at the 2025 Global Gin Masters, for their lost horizon rare tea gin and their ember smoked gin. The lost horizon rare tea gin, which incorporates a loose-leaf Ceylon tea as its botanical note, earned gold medals in both the contemporary and microdistillery categories, rounding out a winning streak that also saw it take home a gold medal at the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition in April of this year. The not-yet-released ember smoked gin
Copperpenny Distilling co-founder Jennifer Kom-Tong shares some of the North Vancouver establishment’s award-winning gin. HILARY ANGUS / NSN won gold in the ultra-premium category. Kom-Tong said the new gin, which they made by smoking a blend of European and B.C. juniper berries over coastal pine embers, encapsulates the motivation that Kom-Tong and Stenc shared when they decided to open the distillery in the first place, which was to create a truly West Coast distillery. “When we did a lot of traveling, we found that gin, to me, really resonated with a taste of place,” Kom-Tong said, noting that through its regionally unique botanicals, the popular global spirit takes on the flavours of each area it’s produced in.
“When we kind of decided to do this … I didn’t really find that there was anything that really reminded me of B.C.,” she said. “If you were to travel here, what would you bring home that was really B.C. or Canada, besides, like, Crown Royal?” she said. To that end, Copperpenny was the first Canadian distillery to incorporate oyster shells into a gin with their No. 006, which they developed in collaboration with Fanny Bay Oysters. Kom-Tong describes the No. 006 gin as having a notably coastal minerality that makes a mean martini. The distillery still
collaborates regularly with Fanny Bay – the iconic B.C. shellfish company sends shuckers to the distillery once a month for oyster night. The ember gin, which will be available for purchase towards the end of January, has a distinctly “mountainous terroir” and finishes smoky, almost like a mezcal, but smooth and easy to sip on like a gin, KomTong notes. Following a big year for awards and a busy year trying to keep up with the demands of the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch strike, Kom-Tong said they’re looking forward to finding their footing with a few more initiatives in 2026. They hope to finally launch their longplanned members club for regular tasting nights, and continue to build out their events program in their expanding space, which includes a bookable not-so-secret-topsecret speakeasy at the back. With an unexpectedly elegant, transit-adjacent tasting room whose attention to detail rivals a film set, and a growing lineup of award-winning spirits and liqueurs, Copperpenny seems well-positioned to show the world what a true B.C. gin can taste like. Although Canada is not generally considered among the best spirit-producing countries in the world, Kom-Tong said B.C.’s abundant wild foods and enviably clean fresh water make the province the perfect location to change that global reputation. “There’s no reason we can’t have the best spirits in the world,” she said. Hilary Angus is a Vancouver-based journalist writing for the North Shore News. She can be reached at info@hilaryangus.com.
Holiday Gift Shopping Concierge Service from Rides By Shylo Take the stress out of gift shopping this holiday season!
We can help with:
• preparing your shopping list (and checking it twice) • drive you, and a friend or two, to the stores of your choice • carry the bags • get you safely home with all your shopping, • local Christmas Lights Tour (we know of some amazing displays in the city and we’re happy to add an extra 30 minutes after shopping to show them to you) • wrap your gifts Of course, if you just want to go do some regular grocery shopping, or want a ride to your doctor, we’re always happy to do that too.
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If you have mobility challenges and would prefer that we guide you comfortably in a wheelchair, we can certainly assist with that - we will require advanced notice if more than one passenger will require a wheelchair, so we can book an extra Elf.
A14 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
north shore news nsnews.com COAST SALISH CRAFT
MONOVA workshop weaves together art and holiday season ABBY LUCIANO
aluciano@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter IN CONVERSATION WITH LANDSCAPE ON NOW UNTIL - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025 4:00 PM (PST) SILK PURSE ARTS CENTRE, 1570 ARGYLE AVE. WEST VAN Painters Don Ruherford, Anna Skorut & Alfonso L. Tejada share their personal dialogues with locations that carry an emotional resonance, through their individual interpretations & stylistic expressions of landscapes. Meet the Artists Sat. Dec. 6, 2 - 3:30 pm Join us in celebrating these talented artist! Experience the artwork & meet the creators. https://westvanartscouncil.ca/event-6427060
Don Rutherford ‘Beach’
O CHRISTMAS TEA: A BRITISH COMEDY ON TOUR DEC 29 AT 3:00PM - DEC 30 AT 9:00PM Centennial Theatre 2300 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver Fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, and Dr. Seuss… Grab your teacups! 3x London Impresario Winners, James & Jamesy, bring their wildly popular ‘O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy’ on tour this season! https://ochristmastea.com/ NEW YEAR’S EVE PUBLIC SKATE WITH LIVE DJ MUSIC DEC 31 AT 5:00PM - 8:00PM The Shipyards Skate Plaza 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver The City of North Vancouver invites you to start your evening celebrations at the Shipyards Skate Plaza on December 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a special public skate with live DJ music. https://www.cnv.org/parks-recreation/the-shipyards/skate-plaza
AnnaSkorut‘MorningAuroras’
AlfonsoL.Tejada‘FalseCreekPond’
An upcoming workshop in North Vancouver is sharing Coast Salish wool weaving with a festive twist.
The Museum of North Vancouver (MONOVA) is holding the first Weaving for Winter workshop on Sunday, where attendees will learn the basics of the weaving practice and create a custom decoration that will hold candy canes in a pouch on the Christmas tree. MONOVA Indigenous cultural programmer Jordan “Just the multicultural Dawson holds two of her works that will be on display at part of it, it’s really exciting the upcoming Weaving for Winter Coast Salish weaving workshop. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN to have guests come in the museum and share Dawson is a member of both the how their culture practices weaving,” Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish said Jordan Dawson, Indigenous cultural Nation) and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw (Musgamagw programmer with the museum. “The idea of Weaving for Winter is gathering together, Tsawataineuk Tribe). She first learned wool whether it be culturally or generationally.” Continued on A15
Councillor J im
Hanson
from my family to yours
NOV 12 – JAN 4
@thepolygongalleryshop | thepolygon.ca
North Vancouver District Councillor
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A15
Weave your own tree ornament Continued from A14 weaving as a little girl from her mom. Dawson will lead the two-hour workshop, providing wool in holiday-themed colours like red, white and green. Attendees will also have the chance to learn more intricate designs and patterns to customize the decoration as well, she said. “Our living room was always full of looms and yarn. We were always shopping for different things, like shuttles and spindle whorls,” she said, adding that she tagged along with her mom. The inspiration for Sunday’s workshop comes from the weaving work of her mother, whose woven bag designs are taught across the Lower Mainland. Dawson, inspired by Christmas-coloured wool she had on hand, realized it would make a unique workshop for guests at the museum. Coast Salish wool weaving was an almost lost practice. However, years ago, a dedicated group of 10 women, including Dawson’s mother, came together to study weaving techniques and ensure the practice was passed down to future generations. “Today it’s something that people practice like as if it was an everyday thing,
where really there was a lot of work that went into it,” Dawson said. Traditionally, weaving was an art as well as something that people would do to keep busy and warm throughout the cold winter months, she said. Although Dawson learned the basics of weaving as a child, she began to practice it on her own when she started working at the museum four years ago, as weaving is a key focus of their school programs. She then asked her mom to help her learn the art. “It really became a generational connection between us,” Dawson said. “Just sitting in a living room, more one-to-one.” Now, Dawson said it’s a gift to be able to pass on the weaving practice to others. “It’s my identity, it’s really settling,” she said. Weaving for Winter When: Sunday, Dec. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. Where: Museum of North Vancouver (115 Esplanade West) Cost: $27.96. Tickets can be purchased at monova.ca/events. Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
A free Christmas Market with a European Flair! Friday, Nov 28 – Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025 Join us at the Shipyards Christmas Market in North Vancouver for a delightful holiday experience. Elevate your festive experience and immerse yourself in holiday cheer.
Weave your way through the sparkling lights and aisles of 100+ wooden stalls selling unique artisanal gifts, enjoy festive music, skate on the ice rink, admire the City’s Christmas tree, appreciate community entertainment, and indulging in seasonal treats like bratwursts, mulled wine and hot cocoa. Come hungry! Our vendors are bringing the finest European cuisine to the City of North Vancouver.
shipyardschristmasmarket.com Nov 28 11am-10pm Nov 29 – Dec 21 Sun to Thurs 11am – 9pm | Friday and Sat 11am – 10pm Dec 22 – Dec 23 11am – 10pm | Dec 24 11am – 8pm
A16 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A17
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Ambleside and Dundarave BIA gets green light for 7 more years ABBY LUCIANO
aluciano@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Ambleside & Dundarave Business Improvement Association (ADBIA) has been renewed for a seven-year term.
On Dec. 1, West Vancouver council approved the renewal of the ADBIA for another seven years, along with an annual funding increase of four to five per cent. A staff report states the ADBIA will Ambleside & Dundarave BIA executive director Maureen receive a maximum grant O’Brien checks out the newly opened Graydon’s Cheese of $4.1 million over the Cellar in Ambleside. The ADBIA contract has been renewed for another seven years. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN seven-year-term. The ADBIA, a non-profit organization established in 2016, replevel, the BIA worked with district staff and council on commercial rezoning to resents local businesses and promotes the increase shop diversity, provided input on shopping, dining, and cultural attractions the Ambleside Local Area Plan and offered near the waterfront. solutions to help with the implementation In June, the ADBIA presented to council of pay parking. a summary of its accomplishments over the past nine years. At the municipal Continued on A19
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2308 Old Dollarton Road, North Vancouver, 604.985.1914 • dykhofnurseries.com
A18 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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Stories of strength and support shine in Harvest Project’s Season of Hope When Ann first walked through the doors at Harvest Project, she was exhausted, feeling isolated and carrying the weight of a traumatic accident that had left her financially ruined and mentally incapacitated. What she found was something she didn't expect — a team ready to extend a hand up, not a hand out. "The kindness, compassion and non-judgemental understanding, along with all the other supports, enabled me to find the strength to blossom again ," she says. Ann's story is just one of many that show how a single act of generosity can change the trajectory of a life. And this holiday season, through Harvest Project's Season of Hope campaign, donors and volunteers can help write the next chapter of hope for someone on the North Shore. Every day, Harvest Project assists people facing family trauma, illness, job loss and the heavy realities of poverty — challenges affecting more North Shore neighbours than many realize. As a former client and parent of two, Stephen, shares, "Being part of Harvest Project has been a huge help and I want to thank each and every one of the staff and volunteers who put their time and effort into making this non-profit organization run so smoothly; it does not go unnoticed." Stories like Stephen's are a reminder that hope thrives when the community shows up together. The power of a gift Monthly or one-time donations through the Season of Hope giving page ensure Harvest Project can support clients through some of the most overwhelming times of their lives. As a Canadian registered charity, donors are eligible to receive a year-end tax-receipt for a onetime or monthly gift. "More than ever, donors want to hear about the results of their investment," says Kevin Lee, Chief Development Officer, Harvest Project. "We’re honoured to share news of the positive impact (change) that individual and collective support brings in the lives of those we are serving. We trust that makes us a truly valuable part of the North Shore community." And the impact of even the smallest gift is profound.
"$30 is an amount that is very significant to our Client Care work — that is, the one-to-one coaching and counsel that we provide," he explains. "It's the core of HP's work and requires that we provide a safe space with trained case workers ('Client Care Partners') day after day. We focus considerable training for each one and provision of welcoming places for these sessions." The heart of volunteering When Julia arrived at Harvest Project as a new immigrant facing family breakdown and job loss, she felt she had lost all hope. What she found was compassion and a path forward.
A team ready to extend a hand up, not a hand out. Photo via istock
"The ability of the staff and volunteers at Harvest Project to be present to their client´s needs, to treat us with dignity, to truly help us get past the poverty that we were facing and start to move forward to healthier lives, was crucial to my success," she says. "I am extremely grateful for all the support I have received and I am excited to finally graduate and move on to the next chapter in my life." For those who want to give in a hands-on way, Harvest Project offers meaningful volunteer opportunities and the experience is often transformative.
helping restore lives and making the whole community healthier." These encouraging stories are exactly why Harvest Project aims to grow its reach and deepen its support system. "We are enlarging and enriching the quality of our service to clients and hope to add more clinical oversight and day-to-day quality of care as the year begins and more throughout 2026." For more information or to donate, visit harvestproject.org
"Many volunteers have noted that they themselves have benefitted from their engagement with HP, though they signed on with the organization to serve others," says Lee. "Making new friends continues to be an ongoing positive and brings greater understanding of their own community. We recognize volunteers by highlighting their participation via our ongoing social media and at events hosted by HP for volunteers." Looking ahead with hope Harvest Project's vision for the year ahead centres on understanding and meeting the changing needs of the North Shore community. "Our priority is to gain an even better understanding of the challenges of those finding themselves on the margins and to continue to share the very best level of care," says Lee. "Our hope is that we are able to continue serving each individual and family with timely, tangible assistance —
Harvest Project assists residents from Deep Cove in the east to Horseshoe Bay in the west, helping the North Shore become Canada’s most inclusive, healthy and diverse community. Harvest Project is a communitybased urban relief organization and a registered Canadian charity.
north shore news nsnews.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A19
BIA bringing in more live music Continued from A17 The ADBIA also revived the Dundarave Hoedown after a 20-year hiatus, finished eight murals, repaired sidewalks and established a beautification fund to help members enhance storefronts. Future plans include maintenance of the Dundarave boardwalk, continued advocacy at all levels of government, improvements to sidewalk infrastructure, and the addition of public seating and live music/buskers in the commercial area. BIAs are funded by a special levy applied to commercial properties within the designated area. These funds are used for marketing, neighborhood improvements, and initiatives that support business growth. Provincial law requires a council to allow commercial property owners to reject the BIA if at least half of the owners, representing half of the assessed property value within the area, petition against it. In November, the petition process concluded with only 12 per cent of property owners (representing $82 million, or six per cent, of the total assessed property value) petitioning against the BIA’s renewal. There was little discussion from council about the ADBIA. However, Coun. Nora
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Gambioli asked questions about the organization’s budget. In addition to the annual grant amounts, the ADBIA will use their reserve funds to support its budget. The staff report notes that the ADBIA has over half a million dollars in reserves, representing accumulated unspent levy funds from previous years. Gambioli, speaking from the perspective of a business owner, questioned why the ADBIA needed additional funding given its existing reserves. Maureen O’Brien, executive director for the ADBIA, said while the organization has a $500,000 budget, it routinely draws from its reserves every year to cover expenses. “We’ve not had an increase in our levy since we started,” O’Brien said. “Looking forward over the next seven years, everything’s going up.” O’Brien also said the BIA has kept some reserves aside to replace some of the lights and trees within the area. The motion carried. The ADBIA’s term will run until 2032. “I look forward to the next seven years,” O’Brien said to council. Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A21
PEAK SEASON
Mount Seymour Park day-use passes start up again for holidays HILARY ANGUS
Contributing writer
Would-be hikers and snowshoers will need to plan two days in advance this holiday season, as B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Parks fires up their Mount Seymour Park pass program for the busiest weeks of the year.
The ministry confirmed last week that visitors to the popular North Vancouver mountain will need to reserve a vehicle day-use pass, beginning on Dec. 19. The pass program began in 2020 as a method to manage peak-season crowds and vehicle traffic in some of the region’s more popular parks, including Seymour. “Each year, approximately one million people visit the park,” B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Parks said in a press release. “The limited number of passes provide a more predictable and enjoyable experience by reducing congestion in the busy areas.” The passes are free but mandatory, and parks staff will be checking them at the entrance to the mountain’s parking lots. B.C. Parks encourages visitors to print their ticket or take a screenshot of the
A snowshoer enjoys a sunset hike on Mount Seymour. KEVIN HILL / NSN FILES QR code, as cellphone reception can be limited on the mountain. Day-use passes will be required every day until Jan. 4, 2026, after which they’ll only be required on weekends and holidays until March 29. Passes are not required after 4 p.m., and anyone with a valid Mt Seymour ski resort pass does not require an additional day-use pass. Passes can be booked online, beginning at 7 a.m. two days in advance of a planned visit, at reserve.bcparks.ca/dayuse/. Hilary Angus is a Vancouver-based journalist writing for the North Shore News. She can be reached at info@hilaryangus.com.
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A22 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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Flood warning issued for North Shore region as storms roll in
Continued from A1 Facebook post Monday evening stating that the Seymour had been holding at 2.7 metres, which is below the 3.25 flood level. “Please stay clear of all of our creeks and rivers until we get back to our seasonal normal levels, which should be by Thursday or Friday,” Little said. As of Tuesday, water levels on the Seymour had receded somewhat and the river was “staying within the banks,” Cohen said, but the second intense rainstorm was due to arrive later in the day. Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley on Tuesday, notifying
residents that the already-drenched region could see an additional 50-70 mm of rainfall by Wednesday morning. Environment Canada and North Vancouver-Lonsdale’s MLA are asking local residents to monitor alerts and forecasts. “Six inches of rushing water can knock an adult off their feet, and two feet of water can carry away most vehicles, including trucks and SUVs,” noted MLA Bowinn Ma in a release. “Be prepared for flooding and follow all emergency instructions provided by local governments.” The storms have created dangerous conditions in forested areas as well. “If you’re going to go into the trail
system, really be cautious of hearing for cracking branches and falling trees,” Cohen advised, adding that several trees have fallen due to strong winds already, and they expect that to continue to be an issue over the next few days. In a warning posted to Instagram, North Shore Rescue cautioned that there is a high risk of landslides across higher terrain this week. “Please give a wide berth from rivers and creek[s] should you choose to recreate the next few days,” the post reads. In West Vancouver, more than 1,000 BC Hydro customers spent hours in the dark on Monday from Continued on A23
A downed tree rests on BC Hydro wires on Keith Road in West Vancouver’s Cypress Park area, Monday. PAT BELL
HOPE • PEACE • JOY • LOVE
Sharing the Christmas story that started it all…
Celebrate this special time of year at your local United Church – ALL ARE WELCOME! ST. ANDREW’S UNITED
1044 St. George’s Ave, North Van 604-985-0408 www.st-andrews-united.ca Wednesday, December 17 6 pm Blue Christmas Service Gentle music, candle-lighting, and a message that gives hope for the year to come. Presented by St. Andrew’s United and St. John’s Anglican churches. Thursday, December 18 St. Andrew’s Free Community Christmas Dinner 11:30 am – 12:30 pm First Sitting 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm Second Sitting Come and enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings! Sunday, December 21 4 pm Taizé Contemplative Service (Longest Night of the Year) Christmas Eve 4 pm Jesus’ Birthday Party You and your little ones are invited to an hour-long birthday party for Jesus with music, sing-along carols, fun activities and, of course, a birthday cake! 7 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Experience the joy of Christmas at a traditional service of lessons and carols in our candlelit Sanctuary. Christmas Day 10 am Christmas Day Service Join us for a joyous Christmas Day service. Everyone is welcome at St. Andrew’s!
LYNN VALLEY UNITED
3201 Mountain Hwy. North Van 604-987-2114 www.lynnvalleychurch.com Saturday, December 20 3 pm Lynn Valley Voices Presents Wintersong & Requiem Christmas Eve 4:30 pm Family Christmas Service 8 pm Candlelight Communion Whoever you are, wherever you’re at on your journey, there is a place for you at LVUC.
MOUNT SEYMOUR UNITED
1200 Parkgate Ave, North Van 604-929-1336 https://mtseymourunited.com Wednesday, December 17 7 pm Blue Christmas Candlelight Service with music by Marcus Mosely & Julian Pattison, for those who find this season difficult due to grief, loss or other struggles. Thursday, December 18 2 pm Christmas Carol Singing in the Café Sunday, December 21 4 – 6 pm Light the Night ST. DAVID’S UNITED Community Solstice Celebration 1525 Taylor Way, West Van for all ages to celebrate our new 604-922-3961 outdoor labyrinth and sacred www.stdavidsunited.com garden. Crafts and refreshments, Sunday, December 21 quiet space for reflection. All are 10:30 am An Advent service of welcome. love with musical gifts from harpist Christmas Eve Rebecca Blair. 4 pm Young Families Christmas Eve Christmas Eve 10 pm A service of Scripture, Carols Service with an interactive pick-up pageant and Candlelight with musical gifts from Monique, Michael and Michelle 7 pm Traditional Candlelight Service Recorded services available online Creber and the St. David’s voice at https://www.youtube.com/@ and bell choirs. MountSeymourUnitedChurch/videos Sunday, December 28 10:30 am A relaxed recap of the Christmas Season.
NORTH LONSDALE UNITED
3380 Lonsdale Ave, North Van 604-985-4911 www.nluc.org Christmas Eve 5:30 pm All Ages Celebration Service Join us for a Christmas Eve celebration service of carol-singing and all-ages fellowship. All children who attend are invited to join in our “pop-up Christmas pageant” (just show up on the night of!) as part of this service. Costumes will be provided, or you can bring your own! 11 pm Contemplative Communion Service. You’re invited to come and rest in a quieter, contemplative space late-night on Christmas Eve, as we gather to reflect and to celebrate Holy Communion together. This service will include simple songs, Scripture readings, and times of silence. All are welcome.
HIGHLANDS UNITED
3255 Edgemont Blvd, North Van 604-980-6071 www.highlandsunited.org Christmas Eve 4 pm Pageant with God’s Free Spirits Choir and Genesis II Choir 7 pm Carols with the Spirit Singers 10 pm A service of readings and choral music in a contemporary style to welcome the birth of Christ.
WEST VANCOUVER UNITED
2062 Esquimalt Ave, West Van 604-922-9171 • wvuc.bc.ca Christmas Eve 4 pm Christmas for Kids Come experience the joy of Christmas in this 30 minute familyfriendly service. 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm Carols and Candlelight* Both evening services will be filled with candlelight and beautiful music, including traditional Christmas hymns. *Also available online and throughout the evening at wvuc.bc.ca/live and on Facebook.
north shore news nsnews.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A23
Rainfall not expected to reach levels of 2024 atmospheric river
Continued from A22 power outages due to trees falling on power lines. Thousands more in Ambleside and Dundarave lost power due to a transmission circuit failure. BC Hydro reported that about 90,000 customers were without electricity on Monday across the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands. “After several years of drought, weakened vegetation across the province has made trees and branches more susceptible to wind damage,” BC Hydro said in
an operational update. “Many dead or damaged trees have fallen onto BC Hydro’s electrical equipment, causing widespread outages.” Environment Canada has warned that a “vigorous cold front” will bring strong winds to parts of the region overnight. Although there is some concern over flooding, the rainfall is not expected to reach anywhere near the level of the October 2024 atmospheric river that dealt damage across the North Shore, Cohen said. “In certain locations in the district, we received over 300 mm of rainfall from
that event, and we had rainfall intensities that exceeded 20 mm per hour. When we compare it to the last couple of days, we’ve had roughly a third of that rainfall, and the rainfall intensities so far have rarely been going over 10 mm per hour,” he said. “It’s a much different and smaller storm than what we experienced last October.” Still, some weather records have fallen, according to Environment Canada. At higher elevations, Metro Vancouver’s weather station at the Seymour Falls Dam measured 226 mm of rain over a two-day period, Dec 14 to 15 while 71 mm of rain fell
at the Cleveland Dam. Much higher than normal temperatures were also recorded, with West Vancouver setting a Dec. 15 record high of 13.2 C. The old record high was 11 C, set in 1980. The latest warm wet weather has been brought up to the south coast from the tropics, said Brian Proctor, Environment Canada meteorologist. That’s expected to shift later in the week and into the weekend when temperatures are expected to drop back to more seasonal norms. -with files from Jane Seyd, Brent Richter and Abby Luciano
604-929-9201 | admissions@brocktonschool.com | www.brocktonschool.com | @BrocktonSchool
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A24 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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West Van council puts temporary protection on former mid-century gas station ABBY LUCIANO
aluciano@nsnews.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A former mid-century gas station along Marine Drive may be facing demolition.
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West Vancouver council voted Dec. 1 to place a 60-day temporary protection order on the property at 2196 Marine Dr., site of several former businesses such as the Pacific 66 Station, a Petro-Canada and, most recently, an OK Tire auto service centre. Suncor, the property owner, has requested a demolition permit for the now-vacant building. Suncor is set to discuss development options with district staff. According to a staff report, a local government may order temporary protection for a property if the building is or may be a heritage property. Susan Walker, vice-president of North Shore Heritage, shared with council the site has historical value. Walker said the building, built in 1965, is one of the last surviving
A mid-modern gas station at the corner of 22nd and Marine Drive in West Vancouver has been placed on a temporary protection order. District staff will work with owner, Suncor, to figure out a creative plan to save the building if possible. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN mid-century modern gas stations in Canada, noting architectural details such as its folded plate roof, clerestory windows and caramel-coloured
stone veneer. North Shore Heritage proposed re-purposing the station into a cafe Continued on A25
North Shore GIVES – Together North Shore Community Foundation is making it easier for each of us to make a difference across a range of local causes. Choose from any of our Impact Funds, updates to the new North Vancouver Seniors Centre, or help provide timely support after a local emergency. Give by December 31st and your gift will be doubled.
Care when Needed
Emergency Relief Fund Established by the DNV Firefighters’ Charitable Society
Learning from past tragedies, this fund was created to ensure North Shore residents can quickly and compassionately receive the support they need in times of crisis.
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Silver Harbour Centre
Project fund for new location
North Vancouver’s senior centre offers over 70 programs, including affordable food services.
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GIVE 4 IMPACT FUNDS Choose the cause most important to you and through the power of collective giving more community organizations will receive support in 2026. • Wellness & Good Health • Food Security & Poverty Reduction • Belonging & Community Wellbeing • Culture, Arts & Recreation • Environment & Action • General Community Support
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A25
Developer warns against delay
Continued from A24 with EV charging stations. The cafe idea has been successful, with Walker referencing Isetta Cafe, which was a former Chevron station, and a Montreal gas station that was transformed into a community centre. “The Pacific 66 Station can join this lineage, revitalizing our neighbourhood, reducing waste and celebrating history,” Walker said. James Todd, principal of JTA Development Consultants representing Suncor, said that while the company appreciates the district’s commitment to heritage stewardship, they believe the temporary protection order is unjustified because delaying remediation work poses safety, security, and environmental risks. He said removing an underground oil tank on the property and building removal to access contaminated soil beneath the slab are some of the remediation work they must do. “Delaying demolition even for 60 days creates very real challenges to meet regulatory timelines,” Todd said. Mayor Mark Sager questioned whether remediation could be done without destroying the building, but Todd responded that contamination around and
under the building made it impossible, estimating the work would take 12 to 18 months. Todd argued that demolishing the site, which is near multi-family buildings and the West Vancouver Community Centre, presents an opportunity to create more housing and strengthen transit in line with the municipality’s Official Community Plan. Sager said the temporary protection order gives an opportunity for the owner to see if there are any creative solutions that would preserve the building. Coun. Christine Cassidy said she supports the temporary protection, but raised concerns about its timing during the holiday season. “It’s 60 days, 30 of which are the month of December, when most people are just getting ready for Christmas,” Cassidy said. “So it’s kind of a zero month for the building community, and it’s 30 days after which everybody is recovering from Christmas.” “I don’t think everything has to be subject to the bulldozer, so I am happy to give a 60-day [pause] on proceeding,” she added. Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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A26 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
north shore news nsnews.com SHADY PLANS
CNV aiming to increase tree canopy HILARY ANGUS
Contributing writer
As heat waves caused by climate change become more frequent, the City of North Vancouver is making plans to build urban resilience using an age-old tool: trees.
At a meeting on Dec. 8, council unanimously endorsed a presentation from city staff that laid out plans to increase the city’s tree canopy cover to 24 per cent by 2055, up from the current coverage of 20 per cent. That target would add 24,800 new trees to the city’s urban environment. A lack of vegetation in urban spaces is one factor that contributes to heat islands, a phenomenon where urban areas trap heat due to a combination of heat-generating activities such as driving, and heat-absorbing infrastructure such as concrete. Multiple studies have shown that canopy cover is an effective way of mitigating urban heat. According to the presentation, it can reduce the temperatures felt at street level by 1 degree Celsius for every 10 per cent increase in canopy. The Urban Forest Directions Report, presented to council by manager of parks and natural spaces Alexandre Man-Bourdin and manager of city planning and design Daniella Ferguson, aims to not only increase the amount of tree coverage, but also to address the uneven distribution of trees throughout the City of North Vancouver. Currently, 65 per cent of the city’s trees are on public lands – mostly in parks – and many of the busiest streets where the majority of the city’s residents live and work have less than 10 per cent coverage, according to the report. “We need to shift our thinking to think about trees as infrastructure, and invest and prioritize this work as part of building community resilience,” Man-Bourdin said. Man-Bourdin and Ferguson laid out an “equity-based” framework that would specifically target high-density areas of the city for tree planting, to address the current unequal distribution of shade. The priority areas, mostly around Central and Lower Lonsdale, would see a 40 per cent increase in canopy cover by 2055. In order to achieve those targets, the city will need to work with private landowners, developers, and building managers to incentivize planting on private land in addition Continued on A27
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A27
Councillors focus on tree retention Continued from A26 to city-owned spaces like sidewalks. In discussing the presentation, several councillors expressed the need to emphasize mature tree retention as a city priority at the earliest design stages for new developments. Coun. Jessica McIlroy said the city would need to “really do as much early planning as we can for development and redevelopment sites, and then having very clear communication for cases where trees cannot be retained and why.” Coun. Holly Back suggested the city could initiate a similar program to the District of North Vancouver’s Urban Tree Canopy Project, where residents can apply to receive a free tree or shrub from the city. Coun. Don Bell expressed concern that the 30-year target is not ambitious enough, citing a previous target of 24 per cent coverage by 2035 laid out in the city’s 2021 Climate and Environment strategy. Ferguson explained that the 20-year expansion of the target was due to more thorough modelling and the realities of tree life cycles in a dense urban environment. City staff will now develop a more comprehensive urban forest management plan which will break the goals down into manageable, budgeted initiatives by the end
City of North Van council has endorsed a presentation from city staff about plans to increase the municipality’s tree canopy cover to 24 per cent by 2055. GETTY IMAGES of 2026, and staff aim to have the new plan added to the city’s Official Community Plan during its next five-year update in 2028. In the meantime, city chief administrative officer Leanne McCarthy assured council that staff’s intention is to focus on tree retention and planting in the immediate term. “The intention is, has been over the past couple years, to plant more trees,” McCarthy said. “We won’t slow down while the policy environment catches up.” Hilary Angus is a Vancouver-based journalist writing for the North Shore News. She can be reached at info@hilaryangus.com.
A28 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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Players hit the court inside the new 60,000-square-foot indoor pickleball facility at Capilano Mall. ANDY PREST / NSN
KITCHEN PARTY
Massive indoor pickleball facility opens in Cap Mall HILARY ANGUS
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Contributing writer
A free-to-join public racket club that is making a name for itself across Canada with its colourful courts in cavernous spaces opened up a brand new location in Capilano Mall on Friday.
The new 60,000 square foot Fairgrounds club, in the former location of the North Shore Bike Park, features 15 Continued on A29
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FortisBC Energy Inc. uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. (23-005.29 06/2023)
north shore news nsnews.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A29
First Fairgrounds pickleball facility in B.C. Continued from A28 indoor pickleball courts as well as warm-up zones, a hitting wall, change rooms, lockers and social lounges. They plan to add food and beverage service in early 2026. According to the latest estimates from Pickleball Canada, 1.54 million Canadians play the sport, representing a 57 per cent increase in players since 2022. The largest increase in participation over the past year, according to the same survey, has been seen amongst the 35-54 age group. The Capilano courts are the first B.C. location for Fairgrounds, a “community-first” racket club founded in Toronto by entrepreneurs Matt Rubinoff and Drummond Munro. Since opening their first location in 2022, the company has grown to include 100 courts spread over 11 locations across the country. Fairgrounds clubs are free to join for the general public, and offer a range of programming including learn-to-play programs, skills development leagues and all-ages social events. “Fairgrounds has always been
2026 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE The 2026 Council Meeting Schedule is now available on the City’s website at cnv.org/ CouncilMeetings. Agendas for upcoming meetings are available online at cnv.org/ CouncilMeetings or at the North Vancouver City Library, 120 West 14th Street.
Carr Norton, head of community brand programming at Fairgrounds, stands in front of the facility’s Pro Shop, featuring the latest pickleball gear. ANDY PREST / NSN about more than just courts. It’s about reimagining the racket club as a true community hub where everyone feels welcome,” Munro said in a press release. “We are excited to bring this inclusive atmosphere to North Vancouver and look forward to creating meaningful connections within the local
community.” Select free programming for new members will take place until Dec. 21, and kids play free for the entire month of December. Hilary Angus is a Vancouver-based journalist writing for the North Shore News. She can be reached at info@ hilaryangus.com.
Regular Council Meetings are open to the public, held electronically and in person in the Council Chamber, and begin at 6:00 pm. Watch the meetings online at cnv.org/LiveStreaming. Council Workshops begin at 6:00 pm in Conference Room A/B and are not livestreamed, but are open to the public, unless otherwise indicated. 141 WEST 14TH STREET NORTH VANCOUVER / BC / V7M 1H9 T 604 985 7761 / F 604 985 9417 CNV.ORG
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A30 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
north shore news nsnews.com
TIME TRAVELLER
A weekly glimpse into North Shore’s past from MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver
Brandy the Grouse Mountain dog
Photo: NVMA, F218
In 1949, a double chairlift was built at Grouse Mountain, followed by a chairlift for The Cut in 1951. The most avid rider of the chairlifts was Brandy, a 190-pound Saint Bernard, who according to owner Sandy Martin, rode up and down the mountain almost every day for six years. Photos of Brandy riding the lifts became a popular piece of promotional material for the resort, as well as a popular shot for visiting tourists, making the dog the unofficial mascot of Grouse Mountain. Brandy's son Whisky also roamed the mountain and resided at the Village Inn. Discover more of the North Shore’s rich history at MONOVA. Start planning your visit at monova.ca. Do you have a story to tell? Get in touch via archives@monova.ca.
Nation working with VCH, police Continued from A4 healing, hiring harm reduction educators, and offering First Nations treatment and healing centres, among others. “To establish and maintain continuity of care, we continue to advocate and call upon our government partners to work in true collaboration to ensure the toxic drug response is Nation led, evidence-based, and consistent with the principles of harm reduction,” the statement said. In an email statement, the Ministry of Health said addressing the toxic drug crisis continues to be a top priority. “First Nations, Indigenous Peoples and communities need programs and services that meet their specific needs,” the ministry said. “Indigenous-led services play an integral role in providing connection to community, promoting person-centred wellness and supporting culturally safe healing that is informed by Indigenous ways of knowing, and we are committed to supporting that work.” The Ministry of Health, in conjunction with Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, often helps provide a “short-term crisis response role” in ensuring communication between regional health authorities, the FNHA, and other available provincial supports. The role is
The Squamish Nation has declared a state of emergency about the toxic drug crisis. NSN FILES
provided when requested by communities. Vancouver Coastal Health also continues to be involved with the Squamish Nation, with a mental health and wellness worker who works under the nation. Squamish Nation council is working on other initiatives, and will announce them in the next few weeks, Williams said. “You are not alone. Please reach out to family, friends and our resources for supports,” Williams said in the video. “The health and safety of our people is our greatest No. 1 priority.” Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
2026 NORTH SHORE
CONNECTIONS Building Community for Newcomers
Saturday, January 24 North Vancouver District Public Library Connecting new immigrants with local businesses, service providers, and community organizations. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
The 2026 Council meeting schedule is now available online at DNV.org/Council2026 The next Regular Council Meeting is January 12, 2026. Agendas for upcoming meetings and minutes of past meetings are available online at DNV.org/council, where you can also subscribe to receive agendas by email. Council agendas are also available for viewing at all District libraries. Council meetings are held in a hybrid format with a combination of in-person and electronic participation by some or all members of Council, or by staff and the public. The public are invited to attend at the Council Chambers where they will be able to see and hear the proceedings and, at a minimum, the Corporate Officer or designate will be in attendance. Public input on agenda items, both in-person and virtually, will be facilitated by signing up in advance prior to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting by contacting the Corporate Officer at signup@dnv.org. Speakers will then be contacted by the Corporate Officer with instructions on how to participate either virtually or in person. Participation can be in person, via video or telephone. The public may also observe meetings via Zoom. Details are given in the agenda for each meeting, which are available at DNV.org/council on Tuesday preceding the meeting.
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north shore news nsnews.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A31
Considering downsizing? Have questions on how to prepare your home for an eventual sale...I can help. I have been navigating the North Shore real estate market for over 35 years. Happy to discuss your plans.
Life Member 35 Years
Al Sutton | 604-720-4889 | www.alsutton.org CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. Have a bagel 4. Cement chunk 8. Camp worker 12. See ya! 13. Turnpike fee 14. Boat personnel 15. Can be endured 17. Peeve 18. Epoch 19. Cowboys’ loops 21. Dress shape: hyph. 24. Finds a total 25. Certain chess piece 26. Auditions: 2 wds. 30. Bunk 31. Songbirds 32. Whatever 33. Hiding 35. Journey 36. Carbonated drink
HOROSCOPE WEEK OF DEC 17, 2025 - DEC 23, 2025
37. Stitch loosely 38. Trying experience 41. ____ Diego 42. Complain 43. Rink shoe: 2 wds. 48. Inactive 49. Pig’s comment 50. Carriage 51. Golfer’s gadgets 52. Cole and Turner 53. Small cask DOWN 1. Fade away 2. Nautical response 3. Afternoon beverage 4. Theater 5. Earring’s place 6. ____ aboard! 7. Combining 8. Over
9. Eye feature 10. Take out, as text 11. Meadow mowers 16. Army grade 20. Poems 21. Curves 22. Bounty 23. Pinch 24. Exhibition area 26. Huge number 27. Rowers’ needs 28. Platoon 29. Variety 31. Stop! 34. Public tantrums 35. Gas container 37. Suns 38. Eliminate 39. Took a taxi 40. Chip’s cartoon pal 41. Wired 44. FBI’s cousin 45. Biblical vessel 46. Neckwear 47. Coop product Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling
ARIES March 21-April 19
Take care not to procrastinate with your work or holiday planning this week. Instead, take time to relax and make the most of the season, keeping in mind that you don’t have to aim for perfection.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Your boss will assign you new responsibilities, accompanied by a raise, which could be viewed as a promotion. Your success lies in taking risks and exploring the unknown.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
If you’re single, you may TAURUS April 20-May 20 meet someone special as the Organize a gift exchange holidays approach. You may with your colleagues to bring be able to settle some family some festive cheer. You’ll be arguments with the help of pleasantly surprised to find your charm and your ability that everyone in your family to get along with others, has accepted your Christmas which will make this time of invitation. You’ll have a year more peaceful. fuller house than you were expecting! LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
GEMINI May 21-June 20
Prepare for last-minute changes to your party plans. The festivities will now be hosted at your home. This means you’ll have to handle all the preparations. You’ll also need to be tactful with certain family members.
CANCER June 21-July 22
You’ll be in the spotlight in one way or another this week. On the job, your hard work will be rewarded with well-deserved recognition. In your love life, this is the perfect time to propose to that special someone.
Prepare for a demanding week at work this week. Your boss will pile on responsibilities just before the holidays. Some colleagues who were meant to help you may be absent, so stay focused. If you take the time to resolve any issues that are weighing on your mind, you’ll be better able to enjoy your holidays to the fullest. By dedicating time to your romantic relationship, you’ll strengthen your bond.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Despite wanting to stick to a budget, your generosity may get the better of you and you’ll end up buying gifts for everyone. An unexpected expense will arise, but you’ll balance it out by taking on extra work.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
You’ll brighten everyone’s day and put smiles on their faces this week. However, be careful if you plan to travel. You might even consider treating yourself to a new car as a Christmas gift.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18
As the year comes to a close, you may start to feel fatigued. Focus on maintaining a healthy diet to regain your energy and vitality. This will help you enjoy your holidays to the fullest.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
You may suggest a magical holiday destination for a family Christmas trip. To be sure everyone can be together for an unforgettable holiday, don’t delay on booking flights and accommodations.
SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.
LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS:
Each 3 x 3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3 x 3 box.
A32 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
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MARKETPLACE nsnews.com/classifieds
Call or email to place your ad, Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm
236-889-6595 ahogan@glaciermedia.ca Book your ad online anytime at
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REMEMBRANCES
CELEBRATE YOUR FAMILY OCCASIONS AND SHARE MEMORIES
OBITUARIES
Rigmor Helene Boyum
Brian Mohat
As A you share the stories and thee memories of how they lived theiir m lilives and how much they meantt, may you find comfort... glaciermedia.ca @glaciermedia.ca
OBITUARIES
February 5, 1932 - November 7, 2025
Brian Mohat, a dedicated husband, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2025, at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. Born on July 21, 1953, in Edmonton, Alberta, Brian was the son of Ruth Mohat. He was raised by Bob Mohat, spending his formative years growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan. Brian dedicated his life to two great loves: his cherished wife, Connie, and his career with the railway. For 36 years, he served as a skilled Communications Technician for BC Rail / CN Rail. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Brian will be remembered for his helpful nature, his thoughtfulness, his quiet generosity, and perhaps most notably, his encyclopedic knowledge of all things. Brian is survived by his devoted wife, Connie, and many extended relatives who will carry his memory forward. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Brian's honour to the BC Cancer Foundation.
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OBITUARIES
Call 236-889-6595 or email ahogan@glaciermedia.ca to place your Remembrance.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Rigmor, at the age of 93. Rigmor was the youngest of four children, born in Bergen, Norway, to Olga and Kristian Gjertsen. She had a great love for her family, the outdoors, physical fitness, and adventure. She began her working life as an insurance stenographer and, in the following years, as a much-loved fitness, ski, and swim instructor. She loved her black Labs. Rigmor and Bjorn were happily married for 60 years. Rigmor is survived and lovingly remembered by her four children, Kristine, Kim, Eric(Trish), and Ellen-Marie (Duncan), nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, as well as much-loved family in Norway, Nanaimo, and Alberta. Our love and thanks go to Mum's caregiver, Sheila, whose help made it possible to keep Mum at home for three happy years, and many thanks for the loving care she received at Sunrise and Cedarview Lodge. A Celebration of Life is planned for Mum on January 31, at 2pm, Boal Chapel, North Vancouver. Please visit dignitymemorial.com
Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes. Contact Adam at 236-889-6595 ahogan@glaciermedia.ca
Janice O’Brien
May 20, 1936 - December 6, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Janice O’Brien on December 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family in Delta, BC. Although born in North Vancouver, Janice spent her formative years at the end of Green Lake in 70 Mile House, where she developed her deep appreciation for life's simple pleasures. As a teenager, she attended Ashcroft High School and Whalley High School. As a young woman in the 1950s, she returned to North Vancouver, where she worked as a telephone operator at BC Tel and Woodwards, eventually marrying and raising her family. Janice’s artistic spirit flourished throughout her life through painting, drawing, and countless craft projects that brought joy to all who knew her. Her creative talents were generously shared as a painting instructor at Silver Harbour Senior Centre in North Vancouver, where she was a cherished longtime member, participating in numerous activities and programs that enriched her golden years. Janice approached life with kindness and grace. She leaves behind her devoted children: Tom (Deb), Kathy (Clay), Terry (Shelley), Trish, and Denny (Sandra), along with nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren who will forever treasure her memory. Janice was predeceased by her beloved husband, Patrick, son Clancy, and grandson James. Her legacy of creativity, love, and family devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. We will love you forever, Mom. It was "unreal."
Online
legacy.com/obituaries/nsnews
north shore news nsnews.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A33
REMEMBRANCES OBITUARIES
OBITUARIES
OBITUARIES
Peter Frederick Morse
Burke Corbet
December 18, 1933 - November 15, 2025
Burke lived well indeed and, aff er nearly 92 years, leaves us in awe of the life he built. Burke Corbet began his career as a civil engineer building bridges and tunnels, then earned an MBA and found his stride in venture capital. He helped bring Yoplait Yogurt to Vancouver, chaired the excellent mining-software company Gemcom, and was a founding member of the BC Technology Industry Association. He sailed the world, skied with enviable ease, and carried a curiosity that never ran dry. As a Dad, he gave his children, Samantha, Blake and Heidi and his grandchildren the very best parts of himself: a love of mountains, water, speed, and the pull of the outdoors. He taught us all to ski. He took us rafting through Canada, Colorado, and Utah. He sailed the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Croatian coast. Holidays were adventures, adventures were holidays. Burke loved Vancouver, but life carried him to Montreal, London, ON, and Edmonton, where he fulfilled a long-held dream of serving as a CEO. His engineering career began with the Deas Island Tunnel and the Champlain Bridge, but after his MBA at Western, he never really stopped building things, shifting from steel and concrete to companies and people. With his beloved Hanneke, Burke sailed Desolation Sound, the Queen Charlotte Islands, and the hidden anchorages of the BC coast. They circumnavigated Vancouver Island in Swell Time and travelled to Alaska in Carpe Diem, twice! Even as dementia slowly took hold, those great journeys stayed vivid, and we returned to them often. His younger brother Barry once wrote words that feel especially fitting now, sent in a handwritten letter that arrived just after Barry’s passing in 2004: “I’ve had love overflowing, impassioned careers, a life of adventure and everything I’ve ever wanted. Nothing missed and no regrets.” The family extends heartfelt thanks to those who cared for Burke with kindness and patience in his final years. A celebration of Burke’s life will take place in March 2026 on the waters of West Vancouver—where he spent so much of his time, and where he was always most himself. Carpe Diem
Dan Fine
1959 - 2025
Dan Fine was one of the most memorable people you could ever meet. He warmed up the room the second he walked in, and loved to engage with every single person there. He could get anyone to smile and laugh, no matter how shy, similar, or different from him they were. He had friends in every corner of the world, and he enjoyed creating connections between the people he knew. He was an expert storyteller, and people loved to listen, even if they had already heard the story before. Most of them were true, though some would be an elaborate joke with an unexpected punchline. Dan was born in Detroit, Michigan. He was the middle of three boys and had two sisters who joined his family when he was a teenager. He attended Washington State University, where he met some of his best lifelong friends. Dan never missed an opportunity to wave his Cougar flag or say “Go Cougs!” He met his wife, Kim, commuting on a bus from New Jersey to New York City.They fell in love and moved to Seattle, the place he considered to be the most beautiful in the country. After raising their two daughters, they made the decision to relocate to British Columbia and made Vancouver their home. Dan was an entrepreneur, unafraid to boldly take risks, but always with a thorough plan. He was a self-made businessman, owing his successes to his innovative spirit, hard work, and magnetic personality. Dan founded and led multiple successful companies, including fine.com, one of the first “dot-com” companies. His innovation in intelligent software agents positioned him decades ahead of his time in the evolution of AI-driven systems. Over the course of his career, Dan received numerous honours, including Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the U.S. SBA Small Business Person of theYear Award. Inspired by the benevolence of Superman, Dan was consistently compelled to leave the world a better place and help those in need. For decades, he and his beloved dogs, Clark and Kal-El, volunteered as therapy teams, bringing joy to first responders, seniors, and children learning to read at libraries. He also provided volunteer service to various organizations such as PAWS, Take A Hike Foundation, and Paws with Cause. Dan founded the Ukrainian War Animals Relief Fund (UWARFg, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and treating animals impacted by the war. He bravely went to war zones in Ukraine multiple times to help coordinate animal rescue and vaccination efforts with the money he fundraised. He was also the Executive Producer of the award-winning film War Tails, a documentary that draws awareness to this cause. Most importantly, Dan was a devoted and dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Despite the demands and pressures of running his companies, he came home every day with a smile, ready to make his family laugh. He shared a joyful marriage of forty years with Kim, living life to the fullest. He couldn’t be prouder of his daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah, his son-in-law Ryan, and loved being a grandfather to his grandson, Ezra. Dan faced life’s hardest chapters the way he lived the rest of it: finding the humour and hope in it all. He refused to be defined by limitations, remaining deeply involved in the causes he cared about and selflessly caring for the people he loved. He leaves behind a world made bett er by him. Donations in Dan’s honour can be made to BC Cancer Foundation at htt p://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/goto/danfine
Peter Frederick Morse, 83, of North Vancouver, passed away peacefully at the North Shore Hospice on December 7, 2025. Peter was born in September 1942 to Dr. Philip Warren Morse and Hilda Esme Morse in Midhurst, England, and will be greatly missed by many. Peter will be remembered for his sharp mind and quick wit. After graduating from the University of British Columbia in 1964, he moved to Montreal to start his first full-time job on the journey to becoming an actuary. He became a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. Peter returned to Vancouver with his family in the late 1970s and began a distinguished career providing pension consulting services primarily with Towers Perrin (now Willis Towers Watson) in Vancouver, retiring in the early 2000s. He was also a keen contributor to the profession, chairing or participating on many CIA committees, and was elected CIA President in 199899, serving the profession with distinction. When Peter was not working, he was a skillful and accomplished golfer, like his father before him, becoming captain of the Magee Secondary School golf team, which won championships in 1959 and 1960. Peter maintained an impressive handicap for many years and, combined with his love of travelling, played many prestigious golf courses around the world (and, yes, he maintained a list of the courses he played). Peter later became a member of the West Point Golf Club in 2008. Peter volunteered many hours over a 25-year period coaching youth baseball with the Forest Hills Little League. He was also a competitive contract bridge player, becoming president of the Vancouver Unit of the American Contract Bridge League for 11 years, and travelling to numerous regional and international tournaments, amassing many Masterpoints. He was an avid Vancouver Canucks fan, with fond memories of the big playoff runs of 1982, 1994, and 2011. Peter is survived by his partner, Kathryn Shannon, and her daughter, Jen Shannon, his children Philip (Margaret) Morse, Ingrid Morse, and Erica Morse, and their mother, Anita Morse, his granddaughters Lauren Morse (Kenzie Timmons), Jaclyn (Craig) Maltais and Kristen Morse, his brother John (Maria) Morse, and his nephew Chris Morse (Jen McParland). Peter’s family held a Celebration of Life in his honour at the Capilano Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Peter will be laid to rest at the Ocean View Funeral Home & Burial Park in Burnaby, BC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, and/or the North Shore Hospice.
Fond memories linger every day, Remembrance keeps them near.
A34 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
north shore news nsnews.com
REMEMBRANCES
COMMUNITY
MARKETPLACE
FUNERAL SERVICES
SPECIAL EVENTS
PET MEMORIAMS
taking care of each other
is what community is all about.
Hollyburn Funeral Home 1807 Marine Drive, West Vancouver Thank you for continuing to place your trust in us now and always. Proudly serving the north Shore for over 80 years
604-922-1221 HollyburnFunerals.com
As you share the stories and the memories of how they lived their lives and how very much they meant, may you find comfort...
Dignity Memorial is a division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC.
Dakota, you were a wonderful dog. I still miss you after all these years. Love, Mom.
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north shore news nsnews.com
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | A35
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GENERAL EMPLOYMENT
ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS
Aurora Design Group seeks experienced Project Managers to lead design-build and retrofit projects for storage tanks, dry bulk systems and dome struc‐ tures. Full lifecycle responsibility from FEED to com‐ missioning, ensuring safety, schedule, budget and quality. Apply: recruitment@auroradesigngroup.ca CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Full-Time Account Manager Location: North Shore, BC Company: North Shore News We have a rare opportunity to work at one of Canada’s best-read online news media companies, Lodestar Media. You will be working at North Shore News, a division of Lodestar Media. In this role, you’ll partner with local businesses to offer cuttingedge marketing solutions: programmatic advertising, social media advertising, SEO, sponsored content, and community display on our website – and yes, we still reach customers through our trusted newspaper as well. HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL DO: • Make outbound calls and proactively set up meetings with new and existing clients. • Use a consultative selling approach to plan and execute both digital and print advertising campaigns. • Build and maintain strong client relationships with exceptional customer service. • Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue targets. • Stay organized and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. WHAT YOU BRING: • • • • • •
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SAND & GRAVEL
On Site
Specializing in residential concrete. Repair, removal and new installation. Patio specialists 604-988-9523 or 604-861-3102 604-988-9495
Hardwood Installation, Sanding/Refinishing, Tiling. + Exterior + Home Renos • 778-858-7263 •
EMPLOYMENT
RENOS & HOME IMPROVEMENT
BATHROOM KITCHEN CONTRACTOR
GL ROOFING LTD
NO JOB TOO small! Serving Lower Mainland 29 Yrs! • Prepare • Form • Place • Finish • Granite/Interlock Block Walls & Bricks • Driveways • Stairs • Exposed Aggregate • Stamped Concrete • Sod Placement EXC Refs • WCB Insured 604-657-2375 604-462-8620 HerfortConcrete.ca WINDOW CLEANING
Designer Interior Renos, Houses, Apts, Offices, Shops. Local Business.
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RES & COM INT & EXT Best Quality Workmanship 1 room from $237. WCB. Ins'd. 25 yrs exp. 604-727-2700 PLUMBING
Re-Roofing & Maintenance Repair SPECIALISTS 20 Year Labour Warranty Available Family owned & operated. 604-591-3500 604-502-8683 allseasonsroofing.ca RUBBISH REMOVAL
LANDSCAPING
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ABE Rubbish Removal + Delivery & Moving Services PROMPT. RELIABLE. 604-999-6020
Find all your renovation needs in in Home Home Services Services
604.630.3300 604-653-7851 236-889-6595
New Year, New Look Refer to the Home Services section for all your home improvement, decorating, and design needs.
A36 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025
north shore news nsnews.com
The XC90. Exclusive, redefined.
2026 Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid Rates from
3.74%
*
up to 84 months
Save up to
$3,000
†
Cash Purchase Savings up to OR
$6,000
‡
Marine Dr
Pemberton Ave
Cap ilano Rd
Tatlow Ave
+ Available Complimentary 3-Service Prepaid Maintenance1
15th St W
Jim Pattison Volvo Cars North Vancouver
Proudly serving the North Shore community with the care, quality, and commitment to safety you expect from Volvo. Customer Satisfaction is Our #1 Priority Northshore Auto Mall 1765 Marine Dr, North Vancouver, BC
604-986-9889 JPVolvoCarsNorthVancouver.com
2026 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD plug-in hybrid Core/Plus/Ultra starts from $92,548/$95,498/$100,098 including freight & PDI ($2,770), documentation fee ($695), air conditioning levy ($100), and environmental levies (up to $32.50). Finance/lease placement fee ($695) and bank lease fee ($350), if applicable, and taxes are extra. *Limited time 3.74% (includes 0.75% reduction for Conquest) lease/finance rate up to a 48/84-month term is applicable on new 2026 XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid Ultra models, provided through Volvo Car Canada Limited on approved credit. Limited time 3.99% (includes 0.50% reduction for Conquest) lease/finance rate up to a 48/84-month term is applicable on new 2026 XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid Plus models, provided through Volvo Car Canada Limited on approved credit. Limited time 4.49% lease/finance rate up to a 48/84-month term is applicable on new 2026 XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid Core models, provided through Volvo Car Canada Limited on approved credit. †$3,000 lease or finance purchase savings applicable on new 2026 XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid models. ‡$6,000 cash purchase savings applicable on new 2026 XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid models. ¹Complimentary 3-Service Prepaid Maintenance is applicable to customers purchasing or leasing a 2026 XC90 Plus or Ultra model. Customers with 24-month lease terms are ineligible for this offer. */†/‡/¹Some conditions and restrictions may apply. Errors and omissions excepted. Offers end January 2, 2026. Offers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Certain vehicles may be factory ordered via Volvo Car Canada Limited. Vehicles shown solely for purposes of illustration, and may not be equipped exactly as shown. Please see Jim Pattison Volvo Cars North Vancouver for complete details. Dealer #10969.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17 2025
$1.25
NEWSSTAND PRICE
NEWS4
Fatal crash
Teen driver dies and passenger injured in single-vehicle crash
LIFESTYLE13
Gin masters
Copperpenny Distilling wins three golds at international competition
SPORTS28
In a pickle
Massive indoor pickleball facility opens in Capilano Mall SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY EMAIL AT
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