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July 29, 2026

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Take a look inside North Vancouver’s

Charity fund created in memory of advocate killed in bike crash

SPECIAL SECTION 17 Pride Week

There are many ways to celebrate Pride on the North Shore this year

Chaos and courage emerge in shopping centre rampage

The province’s police watchdog is asking for witnesses to step forward after North Vancouver RCMP officers shot and killed a suspect following an armed robbery at the Westview Shopping Centre July 21.

The civilian-led Independent Investigations Office is automatically tasked to review any incident in which a member of the public faces serious harm or death in their interactions with police.

There were dozens of witnesses and cameras rolling in the busy plaza when the dramatic scene broke out just after 1 p.m. July 21. Perhaps no one had a closer view than Arman Abadi, a Good Samaritan who stepped in and wrestled a knife away from the suspect inside the McDonald’s. Abadi, a 31-year-old East Vancouver man, had stopped to get an iced tea. He realized something was wrong when he saw an erratic looking man behind the counter.

“It immediately got a lot worse. He put one of the female employees in a headlock and put a knife to her throat,” Abadi said. “I wanted to help, but it was kind of a helpless situation.”

Most people inside the restaurant fled but Abadi stayed

Continued on A30

Arman Abadi returns to the scene where he tackled a suspect who was holding a knife to the throat of an employee at the Westview Shopping Centre on July 21. Moments later, the suspect was shot and killed by police. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

UP AND RUNNING

New Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre opens

The finish line is here.

After two decades in the making, the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre is now open to the public.

The City of North Vancouver held a grand celebration Saturday afternoon with facility tours, recreation demonstrations, a ribbon cutting, live music and food trucks carrying fun fare like hot dogs and cotton candy.

“I’m really proud, there’s a lot of emotions,” said Mayor Linda Buchanan. “It’s a great accomplishment and it’s been a long time coming, so just really happy that we’ve been able to give this to the community.”

The new rec centre in Central Lonsdale has an NHL-sized ice surface with seating for 500 people, a community kitchen, an aquatics centre that has a 25-metre lap pool and leisure pool, a gymnasium, a pre-school, art space, multipurpose rooms, indoor and outdoor fitness spaces, a skate park, and a slide between the first and second floors in the building’s atrium.

Operating the new facility is North Van Recreation and Culture. A soft start to use the centre’s facilities and programming began with drop-in activities Monday, July 27. Everything, including the aquatic centre, will be in full swing by the fall.

Foundation Goals Certification for Accessibility.

Buchanan said the facility also has a zero carbon building design certification, helping reduce energy use by 53 per cent compared to a conventional rec centre, and the aquatics centre has an advanced low energy, low chlorine water filtration system, the second facility in Canada to have one.

As part of revitalizing the area, Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre reopened last month as the new home of Flicka Gymnastics Club, and Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre moved in to a new building beside the finished rec centre, soon ready to bring programming spanning the generations to the site.

“We get a lot of senior citizens that use our community recreation centres,” said Heather Turner, director of NVRC. “If we can find ways to take our preschoolers and have them interact with older adults, that would be really cool.”

Olympian who grew up in North Vancouver. His family faced discrimination and racism living on the North Shore.

Valerie Jerome was in awe walking around the new centre, but seeing her brother’s name at the entrance carried the deepest meaning.

“I’ve cried a lot of tears of joy … I feel like I belong here,” she said, adding that wasn’t always the case in North Van. When the Jerome family arrived in the city when Valerie and Harry were children, a petition was circulated to keep the family from moving in. Children threw stones at the Jerome kids on their first day of school.

“This eradicates all of that,” Valerie said about the new community centre named in her brother’s honour.

Saturday’s grand opening also had an unveiling of a portrait of Harry Jerome created by Yared Nigussu, alongside public installations from artists Qʷənat Angela Paul and Jill Anholt.

With the rec centre now open, Turner expects turnout to be high, even from people who don’t typically use these kinds of facilities.

The facility replaces the old Harry Jerome rec centre from across the street, built in 1966. The new building is now the largest rec centre on the North Shore, with more than 189,000 square feet of program space.

Designed by HCMA

Architecture and Design, the focus of the mass timber-constructed building is on publicly accessible spaces, meeting the Rick Hansen

The community has been waiting for the Harry Jerome rec centre for a long time. Talks about a rebuild started more than a decade ago and construction broke ground in the fall of 2022. The project stayed in its $230-million budget approved by council, Buchanan said.

The centre is named after Harry Jerome, a three-time

“There’s something for everyone here,” she said.

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

Byelection for North Vancouver-Capilano federal seat called for Aug. 31

JANE SEYD

jseyd@nsnews.com

August is traditionally a time off for politicians as federal and provincial houses take their summer break.

But aspiring federal politicians in North Vancouver will be hitting the barbecue circuit hard over the next month after Prime Minister

Mark Carney called a byelection in the North Vancouver-Capilano riding for Aug. 31.

Local candidates have already hit the ground running in anticipation of the announcement made July 26, which came a week after the Liberals announced party insider Braeden Caley as their candidate.

The byelection is being held to fill the seat left vacant by longtime Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson, who was handily re-elected in 2025 but recently stepped down to take up a post as Canada’s ambassador to the European Union.

Caley, who is originally from Richmond, has worked behind the scenes for the Liberals for the past

20 years, most recently serving as Carney’s deputy chief of staff. Conservative candidate Stephen Curran, a commercial lawyer who ran against Wilkinson in the last federal election, is challenging the Liberals’ grip on the riding.

The Green Party has also recently put forward a candidate

– environmental scientist Shelley Luce, who has worked with the Sierra Club and is focused on environmental issues.

To cast a ballot in the byelection, voters must live in the riding and be 18 or older. Ahead of the byelection day at the end of the month, advance polls will be open Aug 21 to 24.

The main entrance hall is the first thing you’ll see when walking in the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. Visit nsnews.com to see more photos of the new facility. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

DNV council rejects mayor’s pitch for Rice Lake connector road

District of North Vancouver council has quashed a proposal from the mayor to build a new bridge for drivers to cross Lynn Canyon.

Mike Little had proposed adding a non-binding referendum question to the next municipal election ballot to gauge public support for building a Rice Lake connector bridge.

In a motion put before council on July 20, Little proposed a new bridge over Lynn Creek at or around Dempsey Road and Rice Lake Road to connect Lynn Valley with the Inter River community and address traffic problems stemming from the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing.

The Rice Lake Road connector was considered in the 1990s but never pursued. The project idea came after the district completed the Montroyal Connector and the Braemar Connector to make a continuous alternative vehicle route from Capilano River to Lynn Creek.

The district has made efforts to alleviate congestion on the Keith Road and Main Street corridors and it is pursuing bus rapid transit, Little said. But with limited federal and provincial funds for producing transit-dedicated lanes and support for projects like expanding the highway, Little said it has forced the district to look at alternatives that the municipality can deliver on its own land.

“I just think that with 160,000 daily trips over the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, tens of thousands of people stuck in traffic every single day, we have to start looking at options,” Little said.

“I’m not going to characterize it as a solution,” he added. “But in an emergency, it gives a backdoor exit to the Inter-River community, to the Capilano University community and it does provide us some alternatives for accessing those spaces for emergency purposes.”

But the other six council members promptly rejected the referendum idea, citing environmental concerns, the loss of park land, doubts that it would help traffic problems and the inappropriateness of using a referendum question.

Coun. Lisa Muri said she was “shocked” and “disappointed” on the motion. Muri raised concerns that the district would be proposing a ballot question without any analysis on finances and environmental impact assessments being done first.

Before Monday’s meeting, Muri said she

In an attempt to help with North Shore traffic woes, DNV Mayor Mike Little has pitched a new bridge across Lynn Canyon near Rice Lake. BRENT RICHTER / NSN

reached out to the community on Facebook to see their thoughts. Many spoke against the connector idea.

“It is not sustainable. It is not a solution to the problem, and before we exhaust every single option at our disposal, this community will not support a discussion in regards to impacting the pristine wilderness that we hold so dear and the reason that we live here,” Muri said.

She also criticized Little’s bringing the motion at the last council meeting before the summer break.

Coun. Jordan Back echoed the importance of protecting green space and said the project will only increase demand on roads.

“Our focus always needs to be on moving more people, not simply more vehicles, better transit, active transportation and improving the efficiency and resilience of the transportation network that we already have,” Back said.

North Vancouver residents Eric Godot Andersen and Katherine Fagerlund also spoke against the plan during the public input period. Andersen said he was “extremely disappointed” in the motion, saying many people use Lynn Canyon and that the topography alone would make such a project prohibitively expensive while Fagerlund argued putting one specific option on an election ballot before a proper analysis wasn’t realistic.

Coun. Jim Hanson said while he appreciated Little’s good intention behind the connector idea; he suggested talking about the project by engaging the public through the election via all candidate meetings.

With the motion going down to defeat, Little said he appreciated council’s comments and that he looked forward to continuing to look for traffic solutions on the North Shore.

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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DNV OKs big changes to rules for single-family homes

District of North Vancouver council has adopted a new zoning bylaw that simplifies the process for building new single-family homes and makes some significant changes to their form.

Perhaps the biggest shift is removing the exemption of basements from new homes’ total allowable square footage and compensating with higher height limits of up to 38 feet or three storeys.

Broadly speaking, council is looking to make houses of the future more livable, environmentally friendly and cheaper to build.

In addition to being the most costly and carbon-intensive parts of a home’s construction, basements also disrupt the natural water table and kill tree root systems leading to more flooding. They’re also where secondary suites are most likely

to be located, putting renters in dark, damp quarters.

Garages will also lose their exemption from floor space allowances and the bylaw increases the maximum size of coach houses.

Importantly, the new zoning will apply to almost all of the 20,000 or so single-family properties in the district, replacing a patchwork of rules for different

neighbourhoods.

At a public hearing in June, council heard from supporters as well as residents who worried the scope of the changes was too large with taller homes being hindrances to privacy and sunlight. Several said the public hadn’t been adequately consulted.

Coun. Betty Forbes, who voted against the bylaw at third reading on July 13, said council had moved too quickly without considering how the zoning would affect the properties of today’s residents.

“I’m worried that this is just going to destroy neighbourhoods in the short run, maybe long run. It’s going to remove the character. And I would rather have seen us still keep the neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood mentality,” she said.

Coun. Lisa Muri also said council didn’t have a solid enough understanding of the bylaw’s implications and

ceremony to

predicted worse outcomes for stormwater management.

“We’re going to take our knocks when those are realized,” she said.

For others, the changes don’t go far enough.

“Personally, I would have preferred bylaws that prohibited basements, given the environmental harms of basements with all of the concrete used and the encroachments on the water table,” said Coun. Jim Hanson. “Having said that, I believe these are a step in the right direction.”

Coun. Herman Mah acknowledged the tradeoffs that come with the new zoning but he expressed hope the streamlined process would make new homes more affordable.

“We have listened and heard the community’s feedback. I think staff had to balance many perspectives from the community, the desired environmental outcomes and consider the goals of this council. I think they

did a very good job,” he said. “Some may feel different and it may not be perfect, but it’s good and we need to move forward.”

Mayor Mike Little said the biggest benefit will be cleaning up the “great big spaghetti mess” of regulations across the district’s single-family zones that had been the source of conflicts with the planning department.

But with construction costs for houses around $500-per square foot on top of land costs, Little said nothing in the bylaw is going to make single-family neighbourhoods affordable again.

“If you want affordability, it’s going to be in town centres properly supported by transit and properly built with purpose-built rental plans and condominium strata plans that can produce units at about half the dollar-per-square foot rate than you can see when you’re building single-family homes,” he said.

District of North Vancouver council has approved a zoning change to discourage basements and allow single-family homes to go up to three storeys. DNV

Another scuba diver dies near Whytecliff Park

A man in his 60s has died following a scuba diving incident off of West Vancouver’s Whytecliff Park.

The West Vancouver Police Department received a call just before 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, July 26 regarding a scuba diver in distress, according to a WVPD press release.

Despite the efforts of fellow divers, West Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services, and BC Emergency Health Services Air Ambulance, the diver was declared deceased at the scene.

There are no early indications of suspicious circumstances related to the death, according to the police report, but the BC Coroners Service has been notified and is investigating.

Sunday’s incident follows a very similar incident from May, when a 50-year-old man from Chilliwack died while scuba diving off of Whytecliff Park.

calling 604-925-7468, or through the WVPD website at westvanpolice.ca Hilary Angus is a Vancouver-based journalist writing for the North Shore News. She can be reached at info@ hilaryangus.com. REPEAT OCCURRENCE

“The West Vancouver Police Department extends our deepest condolences to this man’s family and friends, and all those who witnessed this incident,” a police spokesperson said in the report.

Police said anyone impacted by Sunday’s events can reach out to Victim Services for assistance by

First responders provide aid to a scuba diver in distress near Whytecliff Park Sunday. The diver, a man in his 60s, was declared deceased at the scene. PAT BELL

Great Samaritan

Horrific scenes of chaos unfolded at Westview Shopping Centre

July 21. A man obviously not in a normal state of mind threatened and attacked several people before being fatally shot by police. The events last week were shocking and tragic.

But this week, we also recognize a part of the story that was bright and hopeful – the actions of Arman Abadi, who stepped in to save the life of a stranger, despite the danger he faced.

When the suspect held a knife to a woman’s throat inside the McDonald’s, most people inside the restaurant fled, but Abadi didn’t. He stayed. And when the right moment came, he acted, wrestling the knife from the suspect.

There were many people in the plaza that day. Often in a crowd, the “bystander effect”

diffuses our sense of responsibility. But it just takes one person to overcome that.

We’re reminded of the off-duty nurse who – trapped between two landslides in the 2021 atmospheric river – rappelled down the edge of an embankment to help an injured family.

And the West Vancouver mom who dove into Burrard Inlet to rescue a teen being swept out to sea.

To act in a crisis takes clear thinking and extraordinary courage.

In a world where onlookers are more likely to record traumatic events on their phone than help, we’re grateful for Good Samaritans like Abadi.

Abadi is an everyday hero. He reminds us that there is still much to admire in our fellow citizens. May we all aspire to be more like him when such a moment calls.

This isn’t the first fight to preserve Lynn Canyon Park’s heart

EVE LAZARUS

Contributing writer

On Saturday, July 18, North Vancouver District Coun. Lisa Muri’s post popped up on my Facebook feed.

Muri wrote that Mayor Mike Little was bringing up a motion at the next meeting. He was asking council to support putting a referendum question on the ballot in the upcoming October election. Little wanted to ask: “Do you support connecting Dempsey Road in Lynn Valley to Rice Lake in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, to accommodate cars?”

The idea, he said, was to find out whether the community was interested in proceeding with a traffic bridge across Lynn Creek in Upper Lynn Valley to connect with Lillooet Road.

Muri was shocked. She thought the plan to open up this slice of pristine, forested wilderness was stomped out three decades ago. If implemented, this connection would not solve east-west traffic, she said, but would only redistribute it and further delay the expansion of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge.

When 92-year-old Maureen Bragg read Muri’s post she was furious. Bragg spearheaded the fight to save Lynn Canyon Park and the surrounding area back in the late 1980s.

I didn’t move to the North Shore until 1994 and knew little about the history of this David versus Goliath battle. I made a trip to the Archives, another to the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre and had conversations with Muri and Bragg. Here’s what I discovered.

Lynn Canyon Park opened on Sept. 12, 1912. It consisted of five hectares of land donated by the McTavish brothers. The District of North Vancouver then added another four hectares.

Fast forward to 1985. The district revealed the Official Community Plan and plans for massive development.

Bragg, a local realtor, was reading the North Shore News. She lived near the canyon and hiked the park every morning. She couldn’t believe what she was reading – the district intended to build 1,900 houses in two large developments.

Lake Forest would be a 65-hectare plateau situated just below Rice Lake. Directly south would be the 56-hectare Lynnden Forest development. Both would be wedged between Lynn Creek and the Seymour River.

A four-lane east-west connector would get cars in and out of the developments. To achieve this, a bridge would go from the end of Dempsey Road over Lynn Creek, cross Lillooet Road, and a road would wind its way down and over to Blueridge.

A Vancouver Sun article from 1989 reported that the preferred location for the connector was an extension of Ross Road east across Lynn Creek and Seymour River to Hyannis Drive. The story noted: “Such a route would be controversial, and more detailed analysis would be required prior to any decision to build.”

Bragg, who had never participated in any kind of political activity, took up the gauntlet. She copied the North Shore News article, and every night after work, popped it

MAILBOX

TAILGATING DRIVERS MAKE ME WONDER IF IT’S TIME FOR ROBOTS

Dear Editor:

What is it with drivers who have no respect obeying the 40 kilometres per hour speed limit through the Tsleil-Waututh Nation reserve and insist on tailgating those drivers who do respect the speed limit?

Recently I travelled to an appointment at Dollar Centre and both going and coming, I was tailgated by drivers in more expensive cars – Mercedes and a BMW. This is not the first time. I hate to say it, but every time I drive through the reserve, I encounter this problem. What about a little respect and courtesy for being allowed to travel?

Having a handicap sticker and veteran’s licence plates on my car also mean nothing to these entitled drivers. At 85 years old, I fortunately do not drive that often anymore but what I do encounter is less civil behaviour among drivers. Why? Maybe we would be better off if the computers did the driving – less accidents and bad driving.

never lived in our riding), is paraphrased saying no other potential Liberal candidate came forward to challenge him in the nominations race, so it made sense to get on with the campaign.

Please note after the announcement of our friend, MP Jonathan Wilkinson, to become the Canadian ambassador to the European Union, I was constantly in touch with several of my Liberal colleagues to see if they had received any letter regarding the nomination date. None of my Liberal friends, who are longtime prominent members of the party, had any knowledge of any nomination. In fact, to the best of our knowledge, there were no nominations that members were aware of.

On Saturday July 18, all of us as LPC members received an email indicating the appointment of Caley as the selected candidate for the North Vancouver-Capilano riding. I find Caley’s assertion that no other candidates came forward insulting. How could someone challenge him if there was no official nomination held?

Vancouver

PROCESS FOR PICKING LIBERAL CANDIDATE WAS UNDEMOCRATIC

Dear Editor:

RE: Candidates Line Up As Federal Byelection Looms, July 22 news story

In this article, Braeden Caley, the candidate appointed by the Liberals (and who

If Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to recommend someone, that it is only fair and democratic if this person goes through the normal democratic nomination process. I expect other Liberal members to protest this non-democratic choice and remind the prime minister the government is not a corporation and the members will interview the candidate and hire him/her by vote.

This process has made many of the members upset. The community is also upset by this non-democratic process.

Sid Mirhashemy North Vancouver

Organizing was a grind in 1990s

Continued from A8

through the letterboxes of 50 houses in the area. Soon more people were involved and they formed Save Lynn Canyon Association. It worked. More than a thousand people turned out to the council meeting and more than 300 signed up to speak.

“When it got to about midnight the meeting closed to be resumed, only it was never resumed,” she says. It still took a three-year-long, hard fought battle to stop development, says Bragg.

In 1991, the district added another 241 hectares to the park, including the land slated for the two housing developments and what is now the soccer fields at Inter River. Lynn Canyon Park now takes up 250 hectares – roughly two-thirds the size of Stanley Park.

Bragg says in the 1980s the only technology the group had available was the landline.

“We organized a telephone tree where we got 10 people to phone 10 people and get them to phone 10 other people, and that’s how we passed the word around. This time around, I sat at my computer emailing everybody I could think of, and instead of three years, it took me three days.”

Once again, there’s a happy ending. Social media lit up. People were outraged. Dozens of emails flooded into the district, and the mayor’s motion was unanimously voted down.

Eve Lazarus is a North Vancouver resident and author. She is giving a talk at the Lynn Valley Legion on History, Heritage Buildings and Murder, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. eve@ evelazarus.com

How one North Shore program is redefining childhood through outdoor learning

With preschool programs, summer camps and a B.C.-certified Nature School now ser ving students through Grade 6, Saplings Outdoor Program is giving families an alternative that combines strong academics with meaningful time outdoors.

Many parents are asking different questions than they were a decade ago.

Academic success still matters, but so does confidence, independence and a genuine excitement for learning. As families look for alternatives to traditional childcare and classroom environments, naturebased education is becoming an increasingly appealing option.

On the North Shore, Saplings Outdoor Program has spent the past 15 years building programs around that philosophy What began as outdoor preschool has grown into a continuum of learning that now includes toddler programs, preschool, after-school care, summer camps and a B.C.certified Nature School serving students from kindergarten through Grade 6.

“Families are no longer only asking, ‘ Will my child be ready for school?’ They are asking, ‘ Will my child be happy? Will they be known? Will they develop confidence?”’ says Heather Fraser, founder of Saplings

A different approach to learning

At Saplings, instead of treating outdoor time as a break between lessons, nature becomes part of the learning itself

Children explore forests, creeks, beaches and neighbourhood parks while building literacy, numeracy, communication and problem-solving skills through play, inquiry and handson experiences.

A walk through the woods might inspire scientific observation, storytelling or creative art. Measuring sticks and counting rocks introduce early math c oncepts. Older students journal about local ecosystems, map trails or investigate questions sparked by the changing seasons, all while following the B.C curriculum.

Children are encouraged to explore, imagine and build confidence through hands -on experiences in the natural world.

“ The difference is that the learning has a real-world purpose and context,” says Fraser “Children are not simply learning answers to put on a worksheet. They are applying skills in meaningful ways.”

Learning through real experiences

For many families, one of the biggest surprises is not how much time children spend outdoors, but how quickly they thrive there.

Parents often arrive wondering how children will handle rainy days or whether outdoor learning will support academic development. Fraser says those concerns usually disappear once families see children becoming more engaged, independent and eager to learn.

One moment that has stayed with the Saplings team involved a group of preschoolers discovering a stream after a heavy rainfall Without direction from educators, the children began experimenting with dams, measuring the flow of water and

working together to solve problems.

“ What was so powerful was that none of this was prompted by an adult,” says Fraser. “ The learning emerged naturally through their own curiosity, perseverance and excitement.”

That sense of discovery continues as children grow With the recent expansion of Saplings Nature School through Gr 6, families can now remain connected to the same educational philosophy for years, allowing children to build lasting relationships while developing academically, socially and emotionally

Beyond the classroom, Saplings is also welcoming children ages 3 to ten for summer camps, giving families another opportunity to experience its outdoor, play-based approach.

“ We have created a complete educational pathway rooted in the same philosophy,” says Fraser. “Children do not have to choose between an outstanding education and meaningful time outdoors. They can have both.”

Discover how Saplings Outdoor Program is helping North Shore children learn, grow and explore through nature-based education at saplingsoutdoorprogram.ca.

For more than 15 years, Saplings Outdoor Program has been creating opportunities for children to learn, explore and grow through nature-based education. Today, its preschool programs, summer camps and B.C.-certified Nature School continue to support families seeking a learning environment that values curiosity, connection and lifelong learning.

Through outdoor exploration and supportive relationships, Saplings Outdoor Program creates opportunities for children to discover the joy of learning. Photo via Saplings Outdoor Program
Photo via Saplings Outdoor Program

Former police officer who killed North Van woman granted day parole

jseyd@nsnews.com

A former Vancouver Police Department member who killed his North Vancouver girlfriend more than 30 years ago has been granted day parole.

Cheryl Duggan, whose twin sister Lynn was murdered by Brock Graham, says the Parole Board of Canada decision has been like a punch in the stomach for their family.

Duggan said she has always attended the parole hearings for her sister’s killer, hoping to keep him behind bars.

“I never wanted to stop fighting for Lynn,” she said.

Duggan said she suspected Graham would be granted day parole after she attended the June 23 hearing virtually, along with her sister Kim and brother Brad.

“They were asking different questions this time,” she said.

Those questions were less about the two women Graham killed and “more about what he planned on doing when he was out,” she said.

“It brings everything back up again. The feelings that you thought you had buried or that maybe counselling had helped alleviate … To actually hear it was a real punch in the stomach.”

Graham, 66, was convicted of murdering Lynn by hitting her in the head with a hammer multiple times. He later loaded her body into the trunk of his car and drove out to the area now known as the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, where he covered her body with dirt and leaves before driving home to Surrey. Although Graham was always a suspect, he provided an alibi and the crime scene had

been cleaned up.

Three years later, Graham killed his common-law wife Patricia Ducharme, a mother of four children, by beating and strangling her. He left three notes with her body, including a letter apologizing for killing her. He was arrested two days later, convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Lynn’s murder remained unsolved until her brother Brad visited Graham in jail and eventually got him to confess.

well as their belief that your risk will never be manageable on conditional release.”

Graham’s most recent psychological assessment put him in the “low to low-moderate” risk to reoffend, according to the board’s decision.

“It remains a concern that you continue to be assessed as presenting an enhanced risk in relation to intimate partner violence,” the board stated.

In its final decision, the board told Graham his release on day parole “will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.”

Graham’s plans upon release include getting a membership at the YMCA, attending a Zen centre and going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Duggan said at one of the hearings she attended, she was able to stand and address Graham directly.

Although Graham has been allowed out of jail previously for more limited periods of time, this is the first time he has been granted day parole. Graham will live at a halfway house, which he must return to nightly during his parole. He has also been ordered not to access any online dating platforms and to report all relationships and friendships with women to his parole supervisor. The decision to grant day parole also comes with the condition that his cell phone use be monitored.

In handing down its decision, the parole board referred to victim impact statements from the Duggan and Ducharme families conveying “extreme feelings of grief and loss … as

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“That really got to me too because he just had a smug blank look on his face like I was talking to a wall,” she said.

As twins, she and Lynn shared a special bond, said Duggan, adding she was the last family member to speak with Lynn. The next morning, she found herself getting emotional, already knowing there was something wrong.

“Then, at noon that day, we got the call that she was missing. She didn’t show up to work,” she said.

Duggan said she remembers Lynn as “really funny,” adding the two sisters would frequently crack each other up. They spent their last shared birthday together, she said.

“We just said, ‘You know what. We’ll always have each other,’” she said. “The next birthday she was gone.”

Lynn Duggan, a North Vancouver woman, was murdered by her ex-cop boyfriend Brock Graham in 1993. DUGGAN FAMILY

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PASSIONATE ADVOCATE

Family of crash victim launches charity fund in her honour

The family of the woman killed in a bicycle crash in the Norgate neighbourhood of North Vancouver last month has launched a memorial to support causes she was passionate about

Anemone Dekker, 64, was pronounced dead after she was hit and then run over by the driver of a landscaping truck on West First Street at MacKay Road on June 29.

She had been on her way to visit her 92-year-old mom, who she saw three times per week, said her sister Kim Little.

Now Little and her mother are hoping to channel their grief into something positive, launching a memorial fund through the Vancouver Foundation. Money raised in Dekker’s name will go to the North Shore’s Avalon Recovery Society, which helps women and families emerging from trauma and addiction, and the West End Seniors’ Network’s Oasis program that supports seniors facing homelessness.

Dekker led an incredible life in which she reinvented herself many times, Little said. The family moved to the North Shore from the Philippines in 1979. She fought passionately against injustice and discrimination and she was a dogged advocate for those

facing hardship.

Dekker had careers doing everything from working as a security guard to hotel management and working as a high-ranking executive in finance in Europe.

Following a divorce, she found herself facing homelessness for a time and addiction, Little said.

“She got through all of that and really just built herself back up and was a really strong

advocate for people in that community because she felt that we judge people so quickly based on their appearance or what they’ve been through,” Little said. “And having been through all of those stages in her life, she felt really strongly that that was wrong and that we needed to be there for people and hear them.”

After the crash, Little met with her sister’s neighbours at their Downtown Eastside apartment.

There, Dekker had helped new residents decorate their homes and took them for sushi. She also organized the first ever Halloween trick-or-treating event for the building’s kids.

“It was amazing to me, the outpouring of people that came,” Little said. “It was just so heartwarming to see this side that we really didn’t know – that she had been so good for so many people.”

Since the crash, Little said the BC Coroners Service confirmed Dekker’s cause of death. She hasn’t heard anything, however, from the RCMP’s investigation.

“It would have been awful but quick,” she said. “I had a feeling that it just literally hit her and she didn’t even know.”

Knowing the driver of the truck would also be traumatized, she has reached out to the landscaping company but hasn’t heard back.

“From my understanding, there’s no fault here. It’s a total accident,” she said.

To contribute to the Anemone Dekker Memorial Fund, visit give.vancouverfoundation.ca/s/ anemone-dekker

Before she was killed in a crash, Anemone Dekker was a passionate advocate for justice. SUBMITTED
The family of Anemone Dekker has launched a fund to fight addiction and homelessness in Vancouver, two causes she was passionate about. SUBMITTED

HARMONY ARTS FESTIVAL | WEST VANCOUVER, WEST VANCOUVER

JUL 31 - AUG 9, 2026

West Vancouver Waterfront

The Harmony Arts Festival returns to the West Vancouver waterfront from July 31 to August 9, 2026. Enjoy live music, visual art, culinary experiences, and more in a vibrant waterfront setting.

https://westvancouver.ca/harmonyarts?utm_source=nsnews. com&utm_medium=referral

DECKCHAIR CINEMA V

Deckchair Cinema treats audiences to a summer of al fresco screenings of the greatest sports films ever made.

ON NOW UNTIL AUG 27, 2026

The Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver

You are invited to enjoy classic films under the stars on Cates Deck in front of the Gallery Now in its fifth year, Deckchair Cinema treats audiences to a summer of al fresco screenings, which commence at sunset and are complemented by music and entertainment leading up to curtain time.

https://store.thepolygon.ca/products/deckchair-cinema-vippicnic-tables?utm_source=nsnews.com&utm_medium=referral

GREG GIRARD

ON NOW - OCT 25, 2026

The Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver

The Polygon Gallery presents the first major survey of Greg Girard, one of Canada’s most influential contemporary photographers.

https://thepolygon.ca/exhibition/greg-girard/ ?utm_source=nsnews.com&utm_medium=referral

Kozak Ukrainian Restaurant serves up a taste of home

When I spot a “Ukrainian Restaurant” sign hanging above the space that once housed Burgoo at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue, I’m intrigued. The location is prime, and with multiple restaurants, Kozak Ukrainian Restaurant has clearly found an audience.

Ukrainian cuisine is still relatively underrepresented in Vancouver’s dining scene, so I’m pleased to see a restaurant bringing these dishes to a wider audience. And Kozak’s story is one worth knowing.

Owners Irina Karpenko and Sergey Kuznetsov moved from Ukraine to Vancouver in 2012, selling their food at farmers markets before opening their first restaurant in New Westminster in 2015. Following the start of the war in Ukraine, the couple hired more than 100 Ukrainian refugees and continue to support those back home. Today, Kozak has five locations across Metro Vancouver.

When I arrive, my server Alice points out details connecting the new space to Ukrainian traditions, including handcrafted clay pots, or “glechyk,” displayed at the entrance and used to serve dishes like the glechyk lamb stew.

I arrive expecting the usual suspects: steaming bowls of borscht, hearty potato perogies and meat-stuffed cabbage rolls. And the familiar foods are all there.

I’m immediately surprised by the selection of varenyky (handmade perogies), with fillings ranging from mushroom truffle to duck and basil to wild boar. I remember the perogies of my childhood as thick and doughy, but Kozak’s delicate pouches are surprisingly light.

Guided by a picture menu, I settle on the Deruny Potato Latkes, made with finely grated potatoes, eggs and onions, topped with crispy bacon, grilled mushrooms and sour cream. They’re crispy on the outside with a tender centre.

and topped with sour cream, a strawberry and wine reduction, smoky paprika, mustard shoots and caramelized onions. The combination of sweet, savoury and smoky flavours makes this my clear favourite. I wash it all down with a Cherry Love cocktail, made with traditional Ukrainian cherry nalyvka, lemon and sugar syrup. Bright and refreshing without being overly sweet, it’s an ideal pairing for a summer meal.

But it’s dessert that brings me back home. I grew up eating Ukrainian food at my Oma’s house, and one of my favourite childhood memories is making sour cherry varenyky with her. We would pit the cherries, wrap them tightly in dough, boil them and eat them topped with granulated sugar and a giant dollop of sour cream.

Then comes the Shashlyk, a huge meat skewer served dramatically on what looks like a sword, alongside roasted baby potatoes, fermented red cabbage salad, marinated onions and house-baked lavash. The meat is tender and flavourful, but it’s the presentation that makes this dish particularly fun.

And, of course, I couldn’t visit a Ukrainian restaurant without ordering varenyky. I choose the wild boar, with tender meat tucked into delicate dough

So when I spot sour cherry varenyky on Kozak’s dessert menu, I know I have to try them. Kozak’s version is decidedly different, drizzled with sweet condensed milk dressing and sour cherry jam, then finished with crunchy poppy seeds. But that familiar combination of tart cherries and soft dough brings back memories with every bite. Best Bite: I tried to resist the pull of the perogies, but the wild boar varenyky are the clear winner. The meat is perfectly tender, while the strawberry and wine reduction adds just enough sweetness to balance the smoky paprika and savoury filling. It’s a creative take on a dish I grew up eating – and a delicious reminder that sometimes, the best bite is the one that tastes like home. Kozak is located at 3 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver. Bianca Bujan is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in National Geographic and Food & Wine. She is a Lonely Planet guidebook author and cookbook contributor. As the food columnist for North Shore News, she writes about local food and the stories behind it. Contact: bitsofbee@yahoo.ca

Photo: Alison Boulier
Kozak Ukrainian Restaurant is serving comfort food in the space that formerly housed Burgoo. BIANCA BUJAN / NSN

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

West Van council wants to crack down on derelict building sites

West Vancouver councillors say they want the municipality to take a tougher stance on derelict building sites that are left in a half-constructed state for extended time periods –sometimes for years.

Couns. Linda Watt and Christine Cassidy say even though the property owners aren’t breaking any rules, the ugly construction fencing, Tyvek and plywood create an eyesore for neighbours. Those properties should be landscaped and returned to a “well-maintained residential appearance,” they said.

Other councils members agreed something should be done.

There’s probably a similar house under construction in every neighbourhood, Coun. Scott Snider said. In one case, a home he looked at had been under construction for eight years.

“All they do is continue to pay, and they’ve been paying a significant amount of money to the district to extend their building permits but nothing seems to change on these,” he said. “ I don’t think it’s really fair to the neighbours around you. You can buy into a community beside a home that’s under construction and six years later it can still be under construction with nothing happening.”

Coun. Sharon Thompson said she’s known some properties to linger for “a decade or more.”

date it is issued. After that, permit holders can apply for extensions in six-month increments by paying escalating fees.

“In reviewing extension requests, staff consider a range of factors, including whether it is in the best interests of the community and surrounding neighbourhood to work with the property owner to bring a structure into compliance, rather than (requiring) complete demolition,” said spokesperson Natalie Roizman.

One challenge is there is no definition of what constitutes a “derelict” home under construction, according to an earlier staff report on the issue for council in 2023.

The two councillors say they want to know what other municipalities do about such sites and what the costs of enforcement might be.

Watt and Cassidy have been keeping an eye on a number of “problem properties” over the past couple of years “and some

of the properties that we saw absolutely, singularly horrified us,” Cassidy said.

Cassidy said the municipality should have a “three strikes” rule on extensions of building permits.

Cassidy said she visited one site in Caulfield where “if anybody chose to take a match to that property, two neighbours on both sides will be gone.”

“And it begins to rot and attracts weeds and rats,” she said.

Council voted to have staff review the district’s bylaws and permit processes to see what options may be available to ensure derelict building sites don’t remain that way.

According to the district, a building permit is valid for 18 months from the

“Some properties with unfinished, expired building permits are well-kept, with no unsightly exterior material storage or obvious signs of partial construction. Other projects are in an obvious partially-finished state, but are properly fenced, secured and tidy. By contrast, some partially finished projects have been permitted to fall into a state of disrepair, with visual nuisances such as significant amounts of building materials or refuse located on the property,” the report noted.

Work is resuming on side-by-side houses under construction on Stearman Beach in West Vancouver after a long spell of inactivity. Council wants to limit the number of times building permits can be renewed. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

Suspect guilty in aggravated assault on pizza worker

A former North Vancouver man has been found guilty in a brutal assault on a Lower Lonsdale restaurant worker.

Cody Stephen Dinunzio learned his fate in B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday, July 21.

On Nov. 19, 2022, a man wearing a hoodie approached a pizza chef behind a restaurant on the 100 block of West First Street and struck him numerous times in the face with a metal object. He then pulled out what appeared to be a handgun, held it to the victim’s forehead and told him he had 48 hours to get out of town.

After the assault, the restaurant posted on social media that it was a random attack by a stranger. Following Dinunzio’s arrest in March 2023, however, North Van RCMP said the attack was targeted. He was later charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, uttering threats and use of an imitation firearm.

Dinunzio’s defence largely centred around questioning whether the police and Crown were correct that he was the culprit. Taking the stand, Dinunzio didn’t deny being the attacker but he said his memories from that time in his life were foggy.

Reviewing the evidence introduced at trial, Justice Heather Holmes said it was clear Dinunzio had a motive. About 10 days earlier, he had met the victim’s girlfriend while she was working in a North Vancouver coffee shop. He left her a note telling her she was beautiful and asking for her to get in touch. They communicated numerous times over the coming days and she told Dinunzio that she was in a toxic relationship. He texted her to say it was “his responsibility as a man to get her out of the situation,” she testified.

The evening of the assault, Dinunzio texted her to say he was going to the gym. Later that night, he became highly critical

of her when she showed sympathy for the victim who was by then in hospital. They met at the coffee shop the next day and Dinunzio told her not to contact him anymore after “he was met by an accusation that he did not appreciate,” Holmes said.

There was other evidence, albeit circumstantial, that Dinunzio was the person responsible, Holmes said, including eyewitness descriptions of the suspect that were generally consistent with his appearance. CCTV footage captured a portion of the attack and, later, someone wearing similar clothing near ICBC’s office. Police seized those articles of clothing after Dinunzio’s arrest, and data from his cellphone provider showed his phone was in the general area of the assault, Holmes added.

After his arrest, Dinunzio was brought to a jail cell where there was an undercover officer waiting. The two formed a rapport and Dinunzio gave the undercover cop a “remarkable degree of detail” about the attack, which he was still evidently proud of, and told him he would beat the charges with a false alibi and doctored images on his phone, Holmes said.

“He described it as a Batman villain story,” she said. Dinunzio’s defence sought to have the undercover officer’s evidence tossed out at trial, but Holmes deemed it admissible. Ultimately, Holmes found Dinunzio guilty of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

“On the evidence as a whole, the only reasonable conclusion is that Mr. Dinunzio was the attacker. I’m satisfied at that point beyond a reasonable doubt,” she said, Holmes did, however, find Dinunzio not guilty on the imitation firearms charge, finding there was too much uncertainty in the evidence brought to court.

Dinunzio attended the judgment hearing via video from Alberta where he now lives. He is due back for sentencing in September.

Honouring Pride. Celebrating Community.

Exhibition highlighting Canada’s LGBT Purge on display at West Vancouver library

Wayne Davis was on an upward trajectory at the RCMP.

He joined the Mounties at just 20 years old in 1967. Being on the force took him across the country and he moved up the ranks, eventually landing a role in charge of finance for the RCMP in their admin office in Toronto.

But all that changed in 1985 when his boss called him into his office for a chat.

“He says, ‘You were seen in a gay bar on the weekend, why were you in a gay bar?’” Davis said, reflecting back.

Davis didn’t think there was anything

wrong with the question. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms was put in place earlier that year, and being part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community was decriminalized in 1969.

“So I said, ‘Well, I was in a gay bar because I’m gay,’” he said. “The closet is a very tight space and I’d been in it for many years and it was like, ‘Oh good, I can throw this door open at last,’ thinking I [could] still have my career.”

That moment of truth led Davis to his immediate dismissal, with his boss giving him the option to either resign or be fired, and pack up his belongings by 4 p.m. He resigned.

“It was very surreal,” he said. “I was

devastated, angry, upset.” Davis wasn’t alone. The Vancouver resident was one of the roughly 9,000 people impacted by the LGBT Purge, where people from the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and federal public service were investigated, harassed and fired through discriminatory policies and practices due to their sexuality between the 1950s to 1990s.

Continued on page 19

‘Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge’ is an exhibition originally from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, Man. AARON COHEN / CMHR

Honouring Pride. Celebrating Community.

Continued from page 18

Davis is sharing his story as part of a larger exhibition coming to the West Vancouver Memorial Library called Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge

The exhibition was originally put together by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. The selfguided exhibit will be in the West Van library’s main hall, where visitors can learn the history behind the purge and take in first-hand experiences of those involved through 12 visual panels and an audio component.

“The LGBT Purge is an important part of Canadian human rights and workplace history, but not many people know about it,” said Kailash Srinivasan, head of communications at the West Vancouver library. “By hosting this exhibition, we are hoping that the community learns about this chapter and has the space to reflect on it.”

Queer Canadians were falsely constructed as a threat to national security, stemming from concerns in the

Cold War, said Scott de Groot, curator of the exhibition in Winnipeg.

“The

LGBT Purge is an important part of Canadian human rights and workplace history, but not many people know about it.”

But survivors fought back. The exhibit also focuses on the activism and resistance of those who battled against those policies.

“Queer Canadians didn’t simply accept what was happening to them,” de Groot said. “This history is not just one of suffering and injustice but also extraordinary courage, resistance and collective action.”

In 2016, a nation-wide class action lawsuit was filed against the Canadian government, with a $145-million settlement reached in 2018. A non-profit called LGBT Purge Fund was created to distribute funds from the settlement.

Then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally apologized for the purge in 2017.

Davis has been a board member for the LGBT Purge Fund for the last eight years and does talks at schools, churches and conferences sharing his experience. He tells his story to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself, he said. Davis will share his experience at the West Vancouver library Aug. 5. And if there’s anything Davis wants to emphasize, it’s that knowledge is power.

“And to hopefully make people into reactors,” he said. “We want to make sure people are aware and everybody should have a little bit of support and allyship in them because that’s very important to making sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge is running at the West Vancouver Memorial Library from July 31 to Sept. 15.”

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.

Wayne Davis is a survivor of the LGBT Purge, where he was forced to resign from his role with the RCMP. SUBMITTED

Honouring Pride. Celebrating Community.

How to celebrate Pride on the North Shore this year

Pride on the North Shore is coming in hot this year.

Running July 27 to Aug. 3, the North Shore Pride Alliance is marking Pride Week with the theme of “freedom to be,” bringing in old favourites like the annual Pride at the Pier event as well as new activities like a Heated Rivalry trivia night.

“North Shore Pride Week is about celebrating our diverse community and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, valued and included,” said Gary Woods, co-founder of the pride alliance.

Things were popping with colour on Monday, July 27, with all three North Shore councils raising the pride flags at their municipal halls, while Heated Rivalry fans had a chance to test their knowledge at a trivia night Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. inside

the Lonsdale Quay Foodhall, hosted by the fabulous duo of GlimmerRouge and Alter.

Parkgate Society is throwing a drag dinner show tonight, July 29, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Parkgate Plaza. This year marks the fifth annual show, serving barbecue style food and featuring performances from Adam Zapple, Homo Hardware and Eden Essance.

On the evening of July 30, expect to see some drag entertainment before Cates Deck turns into a movie theatre playing action film Speed Racer. Woods said the performance will relate to the movie, but it’ll be a surprise until then.

Woods said July 31 is an exciting day at the West Vancouver Memorial Library, where people can take part in Pride Bingo from noon to 2 p.m., hosted by drag queen Carlotta Gurl.

From July 31 to Sept. 15, the library is holding a free pop-up exhibition originally

Gary Woods, co-founder of the North Shore Pride Alliance, is ready to welcome everyone to Pride Week events happening across the North

from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg called Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge. The West Van library is also hosting a series of talks throughout August, ranging from purge survivor Wayne Davis sharing his story to book talks and history panels.

A pride march will be taking place from Lonsdale Quay to the Shipyards before the grand event, Pride at the Pier, on Aug. 1. Anyone can join in the march, Woods said, with participants asked to meet at the Lonsdale Quay atrium at 4:30 p.m. The

Shore.
PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

Honouring Pride. Celebrating Community.

Continued from page 20

Pride at the Pier celebration will start at 5 p.m. featuring performances, a DJ dance party, a drag show and a market within the Pipe Shop.

“It’s a vibrant gathering place,” Woods said about Pride at the Pier. “With live music, drag, vendors, community organizations and activities for all ages, it’s a great example of the entire North Shore coming together to celebrate diversity and inclusion.”

Last, but certainly not least, North Shore Pride Week is ending off with a pride hangover drag brunch at Khaghan Restaurant near Capilano Mall at noon on Aug. 3. Woods said guests can expect an afternoon of fun, laughter, fantastic performances and delicious food. All proceeds will help support the pride alliance and their year-round work in creating inclusive spaces and programming for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, he said.

Whether it’s your first or 15th Pride, Woods said there’s always something fun to do during Pride Week, adding that

“With live music, drag, vendors, community organizations and activities for all ages, it’s a great example of the entire North Shore coming together to celebrate diversity and inclusion.”

he hopes the week’s events also act as a reminder of the need for Pride recognition year-round.

“Pride continues to be a celebration but also a call for inclusion, allyship and action,” he said. “Everyone deserves the freedom to be themselves authentically. [It’s] about living authentically, feeling safe and knowing that we belong regardless of who we are, gender identity, who we love or what that expression looks like.”

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.

EVENT LISTING

NORTH SHORE PRIDE WEEK 2026 NOR

MONDAY, JULY 27

FLAG RAISING

District of North Vancouver - 8:30am District of West Vancouver 12pm City of North Vancouver - 2pm Pop Up Pride Parklet - 3pm

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29

PARKGATE PRIDE ARKGA DRAG DINNER & SHOW Parkgate Community Center 5:30pm-7:30pm

FRIDAY, JULY 31 EXHIBIT LOVE IN A DANGEROUS TIME West Vancouver Memorial Library Exhibit Opens - 10am DRAG BINGO West Vancouver Memorial Library 12pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 Vancouver Pride Parade

Happ y PRIDE!

Celebrating the streng th, resilience, and contributions of our 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, st aff, and neighbours.

TUESDAY JULY 28

CLASH OF THE QUEENS HEATED RIVALRY TRIVIA NIGHT Lonsdale Quay Food Hall and Mainstay Bar 6pm

THURSDAY, JULY 30

DECKCHAIR CINEMA ‘SPEEDRACER’ DRAG PRE-SHOW Cates Deck / Polygon Gallery Opens at 7pm

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

PRIDE AT THE PIER 2026 A Pride March (Quay to Shipyards) Meet @ Lonsdale Quay Atrlum 4:30pm Pride at the Pler 2026 Shipyards // Shipbuilders Square 5pm

MONDAY, AUGUST 3

PRIDE HANGOVER DRAG BRUNCH Khaghan Restaurant 12pm

DNV confirms approval of Chemtrade chlorine production

District of North Vancouver council has given its final approval to Chemtrade’s application to allow continued production of chlorine at its Maplewood plant, although not without one last procedural attempt to make the controversial matter into an election issue.

After first rejecting the proposal in the spring, council voted 4-3 to approve third reading of the bylaw on July 6.

consideration of adoption.”

Normally, fourth reading or adoption of a bylaw is just a formality carried out with little or no discussion, but this issue remained contentious right up until the final vote on Monday, July 20. Coun. Catherine Pope sought to make a last-minute motion to defer the vote until the first meeting of council following the Oct. 17 municipal elections, which would set the matter up to be relitigated on the campaign trail.

“Nope,” Little responded, ruling that the motion was out of order. “It’s not a debate. We’ve already had the debate. You voted against the matter at an earlier stage. Now it’s up for adoption. Council’s been made well aware that the next step is

Pope protested, but corporate officer Genevieve Lanz confirmed, under the rules, the vote could only be deferred to the next council meeting – not one after the election.

“It would not be appropriate in this instance or advisable as it does put the procedural fairness of the proceedings at risk as it is from a closed public hearing,” she said.

Council members voted along the same lines as they did on July 6 with Couns. Jordan Back, Herman Mah, Jim Hanson and Little in favour and Couns. Lisa Muri, Betty Forbes and Pope opposed.

Chemtrade

SUB-PENTHOUSE WITH STUNNING VIEWS

Panoramic ocean and mountain views from every room define this bright and private sub-penthouse, with only two suites on each level.

Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the living and dining areas with natural light, while the bedrooms capture stunning mountain views. The thoughtful layout features a welcoming tiled foyer, spacious living and dining areas, oversized covered balcony for year-round enjoyment, and a generous primary bedroom. This pet-friendly building (1 dog or 1 cat) offers extensive upgrades including rain screening (2000), roof (2012), balconies and railings (2018), exterior paint (2018), new elevator (2025), and EV charging. Includes in-suite laundry, parking, and a large storage locker Steps from Ambleside shops, restaurants, seawall, and beaches.

Open House Sunday August 2, 2-4pm! 802-1455 DUCHESS AVENUE, WEST VANCOUVER

$1,299,000

WHOLE PENINSULA

A private cove on Whytecliff. A beach below the lawn. A boat at anchor in your sightline. Cliffwinds occupies 2/3 of an acre of waterfront in one of West Vancouver’s most established enclaves, with 28,000+ sq.ft. of terraced grounds running directly to the shore. A mid-century modern post-and-beam by Massey & Watkins Architects, designed to frame the water from every room. The view runs across emerald sea to Anvil Island, Boyer Island, & the coastal mountains, the ferries crossing the channel as part of the daily rhythm. The cove is suited to swimming, scuba, or a quiet evening on the water The home accepts a thoughtful restoration, a considered addition, or a new build for a buyer with a longer view Whytecliff Park, Horseshoe Bay & the marinas are minutes from the door

was built 4 years ago, constructed of steel & glass & the latest technology. Massive walls of windows to maximize the views from every angle. 5 bedrooms & 5 baths, very well equipped gym & about 3,000 sq. ft. oceanside terraces, gardens & lawn. Absolutely stunning opportunity for the most discerning buyer Balance of home warranty

Cliff Road, West Vancouver

NO TICE OF LIS T OF RE GIS TE RE D ELE CT ORS

Public Notice is given as follows:

LIS T OF RE GIS TE RED ELE CT ORS

The District of West Vancouver uses the Province of British Columbia Voters List as the list of registered electors (“ the list”). If your name is not on the current list, and you are an eligible elector, you may register at one of the advance voting oppor tunities or on general voting day October 17, 2026 by completing an Application for Registration form and providing two pieces of appropriate identification. Registration in advance of the election is not required.

Beginning September 1, 2026 until the close of general voting for the election on October 17, 2026, a copy of the list will be available for public inspection at the District of West Vancouver Legislative Services Department during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays). Before inspecting the list, a person must sign a statement that they will not inspect the list or use the information included in the list except for election purposes (Local Government Act, Part 3 – Electors and Elections).

RE QUES T TO OMI

T PERS ON AL IN FO RM AT IO N

An elector may request that their address or other personal information about them be omitted from, or obscured on, the list in order to protect their privacy or security. Written requests must be received by 4 p.m. on August 25, 2026 by the Chief Election Officer at the District of West Vancouver, 750 17th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3.

OBJE CT ION TO RE GIS T RAT ION OF AN EL EC TO R

An objection to the registration of a person whose name appears on the list may be made in accordance with the Local Government Act until 4 p.m. on September 11, 2026. An objection must be made in writing and may only be made by a person entitled to be registered as an elector of the District of West Vancouver and can only be made on the basis that a person whose name appears on the list has died or is not qualified to be registered as an elector of the District of West Vancouver

ELE CT OR QU ALIF IC AT IO NS

RESIDENT ELE CT ORS:

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election; and

• a Canadian citizen; and

• a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before the day of registration; and

• a resident of the District of West Vancouver; and

• not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election and not otherwise disqualified by law.

FUR THER INF ORMAT ION

Visit election.westvancouver.ca election@westvancouver.ca | 604-925-7004

Mark Brown, Chief Election Officer July 29, 2026

NON-RESIDENT PR OPER T Y ELE CT ORS:

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election; and

• a Canadian citizen; and

• a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before the day of registration; and

• a registered owner of real property in the District of West Vancouver for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; and

• the only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust; and

• not entitled to register as a resident elector; and

• not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election and not otherwise disqualified by law; and

• not registered as a non-resident property elector in relation to any other parcel of real property in the District of West Vancouver; and

• if there is more than one registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector

CCGS Camsell

Photo: NVMA, F27-1903

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Camsell was an icebreaker built at the Burrard Dry Dock and completed in Esquimalt, Victoria in 1959. The hull was built at Burrard because its dimensions were too large for the Yarrows yard.

Named after Dr Charles Camsell, a Canadian geologist who also founded the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the ship was the first icebreaker built on the Pacific Coast and served as an escort for other ships in the Western Arctic In 1962 the Camsell was the first recorded ship to circumnavigate Qikiqtaq.

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.

Dozens watch drama unfold

Continued from A1

and passed his phone to an older woman and asked her to call 911.

The suspect demanded the money from the register and became angry when there was only $30, Abadi said. The suspect then brought the hostage out from behind the counter, keeping the knife close to her throat. He turned his back for just a moment and Abadi felt compelled to seize the opportunity.

“I immediately grabbed both of my hands onto his knife hand and started struggling with him,” Abadi said. “I know it was still dangerous but as safe as it was going to get to control that hand.”

Abadi was punching and headbutting the man and another bystander came to help restrain him. With some assistance, Abadi grabbed the knife and threw it under a table and the hostage was released.

The suspect did not relent however. He warned he had another knife, which turned out to be a boxcutter, and demanded car keys so he could escape. The fracas continued outside with the suspect stealing a truck, which he promptly crashed into several parked cars. After, he unsuccessfully tried to carjack a person who was parked at the Esso station, said Bahman Afshari, owner of the Freshslice pizza shop at Westview.

Afshari said the suspect also tried to douse himself in gasoline from the Esso, however the pump wasn’t turned on at the time.

It was around that time that police arrived.

“They all came flying in to surround the black Chevy Malibu … with guns drawn screaming and yelling,” another witness told the North Shore News.

The man got out of the passenger side of the vehicle and ran toward one of RCMP vehicles where there was another struggle.

“He then went bolting towards the police. I watched him run right towards the police cruiser and then jump in the seat,” the witness said. “They clearly shot him. I think it was about three or four times.”

Afshari said he saw police try to stop the man with a Taser twice before shooting him with a rubber bullet.

The suspect was taken away in an ambulance but he was pronounced dead at Lions Gate Hospital, according to the IIO, which now must take witness statements, review video footage and gather all available evidence to determine what happened and

whether officers may have committed any offence.

After the incident was over, the McDonald’s employee thanked Abadi and called him a hero. It’s a title the out-of-work software developer is not entirely comfortable with, even though he has a history of intervening when he sees someone in trouble.

“I just did what I feel like other people should have done,” he said. “I feel like it shouldn’t have been a heroic move.”

Although Abadi has had plenty of people cautioning him that he may face trauma stemming from the robbery and shooting, he said he has been feeling OK since the incident.

But there is something that is lingering with him. When he and the other Good Samaritan each had the suspect by one arm, he called for the bystanders outside to come help them hold the suspect down until police arrived.

“There were 15 to 20 people watching. If only two other people helped us hold him, this guy would still be alive. That’s upsetting to think about,” he said.

Recognizing the trauma that such an incident can inflict on a community, the City of North Vancouver is sharing resources that can offer help.

“Seeing an event like this whether on the news, through footage circulating online, or perhaps even in person, can be overwhelming and upsetting,” a message from the city read. “If you or your loved ones are finding online images or media coverage difficult to process, remember free support is available for anyone affected.”

Resources include the BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789, VictimLinkBC at 1-800-563-0808, The RCMP’s victim services unit at 604-969-7540 and the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.

The IIO is now asking for anyone who saw the events play out to contact their witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

North Vancouver RCMP members survey the scene after a suspect was shot by officers at the Westview Shopping Centre Tuesday, July 21. CATHERINE POPE

ARIES March 21-April 19

Even if you’re feeling particularly emotional, an opportunity to celebrate life will arise. A simple gesture, a laugh or a symbolic moment will be enough to shift the mood toward greater positivity and optimism.

TAURUS April 20-May 20

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

You will want to transform your environment by reorganizing or redecorating your home. By daring to express your creativity, you’ll develop new talents and feel a real sense of pride in the results of your efforts.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept 22

Swab

Wood chopper

Urge

Over there, poetically

Leer at

Unconfined

G-men

Fades away

Chicken noodle, e.g.

“____ Rider”

Speck

51 Three minus two

Crossword puzzle answers

A frustrating situation will make you feel like you’re wasting your time. By adjusting your communication style and striving for clearer exchanges, you’ll reduce misunderstandings and maintain much smoother and more harmonious relationships.

GEMINI May 21-June 20

Work obligations may demand most of your time, but the people closest to you will need you. By making time for quality moments with your loved ones, you’ll strengthen both your inner well-being and your emotional bonds.

CANCER June 21-July 22

The return to reality after summer vacation will include surprises at the office. Following someone’s departure, you may be offered greater responsibilities or a leadership position, which will come as a pleasant surprise.

Hunting for bargains will bring you happiness. Sales, thrift stores or dusty boxes in the attic might reveal rare items—or even a valuable antique. That would make your explorations particularly rewarding.

LIBRA Sept 23-Oct 22

After a busy period, your body and mind need a break. A day at the spa, a treatment or a relaxing activity will help you unwind and restore a much more soothing sense of well-being.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Give yourself some breathing room this week. If you’re returning to work or other activities, you can get back on track with a clearer and more efficient plan by reorganizing your priorities, tasks and schedule.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec 21

Your social life will be particularly lively, whether you’re active in person or online. To mark the end of the holidays, throwing a party feels like the obvious choice, promising laughter, camaraderie and unforgettable memories.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

Back-to-school season will awaken a greater sense of responsibility in you. Even without children, you may find yourself devoting more time to supporting certain loved ones, taking on tasks that resemble those of a caring parent.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb 18

Work or practical obligations might get in the way of your holiday plans. By reorganizing your priorities, you’ll be able to fulfill your commitments while still making time to relax.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

Whether you’re on holiday or not, you’ll likely feel a strong need for a change of scenery. A quick getaway, a few day trips or even just a drive down the road will give you the break you need to re-energize.

HO RO SCOPE WEEK OF JULY 29, 2026 - AUGUST 4, 2026

Your Community

Chr istine Helen Chalmers

Febr uar y 1984 - June 2026

We are hear tbroken that our beautiful daughter Chr istine has passed away, with family and fr iends at her side

Deeply loved and forever missed by her parents, Terr y and Judy; brother Trevor (Emily); uncles Bob (Donna) and Donald (Lynn); aunt y Carol (Phil); and cousins Melia, Tiana, Steve, Kyle (Br ittani), Iliana, Aurora, Stetson, and Lyndsay Predeceased by her uncles Br yan, Barr y, and her fur-baby, Cr icket

Chr istine grew up and lived in West Van, attended Irwin Par k Elementar y, West Van Secondar y, graduated from Capilano College, and UBC Her love of animals led her to a career as a veter inar y assistant and then into management with a pet insurance company

She loved to travel to war m and sunny places, with many tr ips to Hawaii, Califor nia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic

Her many fr iends were an impor tant par t of her life, especially Julie, Lise, Shawn, and Megan She was smar t, funny, giving, and car ing, and loved to give hugs

The last couple of years were mar ked by many health challenges, but she faced them with a positive attitude and had such strength and deter mination even as her health declined

Until we meet again

A casual Celebration of Life will be held on August 15 at 11:00 am, at Hollybur n Funeral

Call or email to place your ad, Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm

ahogan@lodestarmedia.ca

Book your ad online anytime at glc.navigahub.com/portal/classified/glc/nsn/entry

Godfrey Fisher

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Godfrey Fisher Geoff passed away peacefully on Monday, July 13, 2026, in his 95th year He was bor n on November 20, 1930, in Sheffield, England

Geoff was an Electr ician and ser ved in the RAF from 1951 to 1954 In March 1955, he marr ied the love of his life, Lily They were blessed with 71 years together

Geoff and Lily immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, in 1966, where they continued their amazing life together full of adventures and wonderful fr iends Geoff is sur vived by his beautiful wife, Lily; children, Mar tin and Julie (Dave); grandchildren, Sarah (Graham), Jeffrey, and Nicholas (Elle); and greatgrandchildren, Chase, Emilia, Theo, and Ever ly

A small gather ing will be held for the immediate family

Ralph Bower

June 16, 1934 - July 21, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph A tr ue Nor th Van boy, bor n, schooled, marr ied, and raised his family there Throughout his life, he was surrounded by his loving family: his wife Joan; daughter Kely (Br ian); son Doug; grandchildren Taylor (Nicki), Brandon (Nicole), Cameron, Austin (Megan), and Laura (Jason); and great-grandchildren Por ter, Presley, and Weston

Ralph and Joan were childhood sweethear ts at Nor th Van High August 4th would have been their 70th wedding anniversar y

Ralph had an amazing career as a photographer at The Vancouver Sun for 40+ years He won several awards, including a National Press Award One of his specialties was spor ts that included Canucks, Lions, Whitecaps, Muhammad Ali, and many more He pioneered the netcam in 1971, getting the approval from the NHL. He photographed many enter tainers from Elvis to Elton, as well as the collapse of the Second Narrows Br idge in the 50s.

He was a huge fan of horseracing at Hastings Par k for more than 60 years and was nicknamed Railbird

Many thanks to the doctors and nurses at Lions Gate Hospital 4 East for their amazing care

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, August 4th, 1:00 - 4:00 pm at Boal Chapel, 1505 Lillooet Road, Nor th Vancouver

As Ralph would say, "Just one more "

Lillian Ver na Ber key

It is with love and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Lillian Ver na Ber key on July 3, 2026, at the age of 92

Bor n in Edmonton, Alber ta, Ver na moved to Br itish Columbia in her ear ly t wenties, where she built a life centered on family, fr iendship, and lifelong lear ning

She will be remembered for her shar p mind, intellectual cur iosit y, and love of reading She enjoyed following the stock and real estate mar kets, discussing current events, travelling with family and fr iends, and watching a wide var iet y of spor ts Her travels to Hawaii, Japan, and Palm Deser t brought her great joy and many treasured memor ies

Despite chronic illness and pain in her later years, Ver na faced life's challenges with quiet strength and resilience, drawing comfor t from the suppor t of those closest to her

Ver na was predeceased in 2023 by her loving husband of 67 years, Don Ber key She is sur vived by her sister, Peggy (Ian); her family, of whom she was ver y proud - daughters, Leslie (Richard) and Robin (Darrell); grandchildren, Cameron (Zoe), Jamie, Taylor (Alex), Sean, and Mitchell; and her greatgrandsons, Beau and Ryland

The family extends hear tfelt thanks to the caregivers and healthcare professionals whose compassion brought Ver na comfor t dur ing her final years.

Nor man Poulin

March 22, 1950 - July 4, 2026

With much love, we share the sad news that Nor m Poulin passed away from natural causes on July 4, 2026, at the age of 76, his loyal pup Kitlope at his side Nor m died at his home in Lynn Valley, the communit y he rarely strayed from and where he’d lived his whole life

Shor t in stature with a big hear t and a reser ved nature, Nor m forged a life of quiet generosit y and grace

His motto: “Wor k hard, show respect, and buy dir t,” ser ved him well Nor m’s low-key lifest yle belied how successful he’d actually become

He contr ibuted time and resources to those who ser ve the people of Nor th Vancouver, including Nor th Shore Rescue, Lynn Valley Lions, Lynn Valley Legion Branch 114, Lynn Valley Communit y Association, and Nor th Shore Hospice

Nor m’s career was in Logistics, and he was a lifelong employee of Reimer Express Lines Ltd and a proud member of the Teamsters Brotherhood.

Nor m was predeceased by his parents Edmond (Ed) and Kathleen (Kay), step-parents Jack and Lila, sister Edna, t win sister Nor ma, and nephew Chr is He is sur vived by his sisters Glor ia (Gerr y) and Karen (Br ian), and step-sisters Rebecca (Matt) and Tr ish (Irwin), and many nieces and nephews, including Ray, Kelly, Jason, Shelby, Hunter, Br ianna, Sarah Jane, Alexis, Thomas, and Tr uman

A Celebration of Life will be held at Lynn Valley Legion Branch 114, 1630 Lynn Valley Rd, Nor th Vancouver, on Sunday, September 20, 2026 Doors open at 11:30am, the remembrance ceremony begins at noon, followed by light refreshments and a cash bar Please come and share your stor ies of Nor m with his fr iends and family

In lieu of flowers, please consider a small donation to North Shore Rescue: www northshorerescue com/support-us/donate

Karen Ethel Rempel (née Adams)

September 27, 1943 - July 21, 2026

Karen Ethel Rempel died peacefully on July 21 at Kelowna General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family She was 82

Karen is sur vived by Hal, her husband of near ly 61 years, their children, Scott (Mo), Laura (Hamish), and Chr ist y (Rollie), and grandchildren Kai, Annika, Sienna, Kessa, and Br yce She was predeceased by her parents, Dr John William Adams and Alice Ber nice (Haynes) Adams

Bor n in Toronto and raised in Saskatoon, Karen spent childhood summers at a family cottage in Muskoka, where she developed a lifelong love of the water She would correct anyone who called her a "prair ie gir l," fir mly declar ing her Toronto roots

At school, Karen was nicknamed "the Adambomb" and was valedictor ian She met Hal while attending the Universit y of Saskatchewan and they marr ied in Saskatoon on August 17, 1965

Calgar y became home for near ly fift y years and Karen completed a Master of Social Wor k at the Universit y of Calgar y She devoted her professional life to mental health social wor k at Alber ta Children’s Hospital and later in her own pr ivate practice

At the centre of Karen’s life was her faith in Chr ist It was the quiet, steady foundation that shaped how she loved her family, cared for others, and saw the wor ld around her A plaque in her living room read, “Bidden or not bidden, God is present,” a tr uth that guided her life

In 2004, Karen retur ned to her water roots, buying a home on Okanagan Lake near where her own parents had once lived Some of her happiest moments were spent on the lake, especially tubing with her grandchildren, who would remind the boat dr iver, "Not too fast for Nana"

Karen saw beauty and goodness in ever ything and ever yone Her smile lit up a room and there was always a spar kle in her eye She loved deeply, laughed easily, and with quiet mischief never far behind

Dur ing her jour ney with Alzheimer ’s, Hal devoted himself to car ing for her at home in West Vancouver, surrounding her with love, dignit y, and the war mth of their West Van communit y With Karen beside him in their wheelchair van, they continued “down the road together,” often enjoying fish and chips in Horseshoe Bay

Karen's family is sincerely grateful to those who helped care for her Grace Margaret and especially Mer lyn Calvo provided incredible care and companionship in Karen’s final years

A ser vice celebrating Karen’s life will be held at West Vancouver United Church on Sunday, August 9, at 2:00pm, followed by a reception at Tudor Gardens at 3:30pm In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Societ y of Br itish Columbia

Sharon Doreen Janousek

June 9, 1951 - June 29, 2026

Sharon Doreen Janousek (née Wallace) was bor n in Trail, BC, where she was raised among seven siblings As a young adult, she relocated to Vancouver, finding employment in banking for a decade There she developed her accounting acumen, later pivoting to par t-time wor k as the bookkeeper for her husband's tile setting business In 1972, she marr ied her husband George, and the t wo eventually relocated to their Nor th Vancouver family home, where they raised their t wo children, Rob and Sarah

Sharon was a meticulous organizer and focused her energy as a loving homemaker to ensure her family would flour ish. She enjoyed planning annual family camping tr ips, which instilled in her children a love of outdoor recreation and the value of self-reliance Ever busy as a hard-wor king stay-at-home mom, Sharon delighted in baking, canning, gardening, thr ift shopping, and hosting garage sales Her foremost hobby was genealogy, through which she passionately researched her ancestr y and nur tured the discovered connections with extended family all over the wor ld

Sharon was also devoted to volunteer ing in her communit y and ser ved as a librar ian and extracurr icular event organizer at Westview Elementar y School Her nur tur ing nature was also appreciated in her role as a dependable nanny and babysitter for fellow young families in her neighbourhood

After her own children had grown into adulthood, Sharon transitioned into a rewarding retirement made possible by her responsible fiscal management She and George travelled the wor ld together, finding well-ear ned relaxation on frequent cr uise vacations that she diligently planned She delighted in witnessing her daughter raise a family of her own and cher ished qualit y time with her grandchildren, Emmett and Sawyer.

Dur ing her later life, Sharon exper ienced a var iet y of illnesses and health complications She courageously overcame breast cancer and endeavoured to remain active as the impact of rheumatoid ar thr itis lessened her mobilit y Sharon died peacefully in her sleep on June 29, 2026, after a prolonged str uggle with the progressive symptoms of MS

Sharon is lovingly remembered by her husband, children, and grandchildren; her siblings Joan, Wayne, Glenn, Lawrence, Lyle, Lor na, and their extended families; and her aunts and many cousins

Her family is grateful for the care and attention provided by the nur tur ing staff at Lions Gate Hospital and Evergreen House, where Sharon was comfor ted and cared for until her passing Nearby loved ones gathered for a pr ivate celebration of life, and she will be dear ly missed by all whose lives were touched by her car ing and war mth

To place an Obituary, In Memoriam, or Memorial Service,

please call Adam at 236-889-6595 or email

please call Nadia at 604-653-7851 or email

please call Adam at 236-889-6595 or email

nmather@glaciermedia.ca

ahogan@glaciermedia.ca

ahogan@lodestarmedia.ca

George &Mildred McKenzie

SERAFINA

CENTENNI AL FESTIV AL :

JULY2 3- AUG 3

GROUSE MOUNT AIN IS CELE BR AT IN GI TS 100T HA NNI VE RS AR Y!

Joi nu sa tThe Pe ak of Va ncouver fo rd ro ne shows ,l ivem usic, outdoor movi es, fo od truc k s, fa mily-frie nd ly ac tivities, limitedtime adventureo ffe rs, and speci al even ts tha tcel ebratea ce ntury of mo untain memo rie s.

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July 29, 2026 by North Shore News - Issuu