The Jasper Local, March 15, 2020 by The Jasper Local

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thejasperlocal.com

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sunday, march 15, 2020 // ISSUE 165

SOCIAL DISTANCING // @EXPLORERSEB WITH PLENTY OF BREATHING ROOM ON MOUNT WILCOX. // ELIOT SCHARNAU

COVID-19: Schools, daycare cancelled Classes at all K-12 schools in Alberta, including Jasper, have been closed indefinitely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Licensened childcare centres were also ordered closed, the province announced. “Do not send your children to school. All school buildings are closed to students and community,” a March 15 update from Grande Yellowhead Public School Division (GYPSD) said. Public officials in Jasper have been taking measures to support the provincial and federal response to the Corona virus.

On March 11, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Canadians are being asked to help “flatten the curve” and take measures to slow down the spread of the virus to reduce the load on the country’s healthcare system. On March 13, after completing a risk assessment for mass gatherings provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the municipality elected to cancel several events including Parent Link and Community Dinners. The Habitat for the Arts and local sports organizations followed suit. Marmot Basin ski area remains open. “We are monitoring the situation

daily and following all official health authority and regulatory recommendations,” a March 14 update from Marmot Basin reads. GYPSD board chair Brenda Rosadiuk said she expects expect every student to receive a final mark and that students will progress to their next grade level next year. “We are confident that every student who is eligible to graduate from Grade 12 this year will graduate,” she added. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts from the Municipality of Jasper via the town’s website, www.jasperalberta.com. Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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page A2 // the jasper local // issue 165 // sunday, march 15, 2020

editorial //

Local Vocal

Things are moving fast. As The Jasper Local was sending this paper to press—a publishing schedule which had already been delayed by COVID-19’s effect on community events—the Alberta government announced the closure of all schools and government-licensed childcare centres, effective immediately. Two days ago, the editorial I’d planned for this space was a caution against haphazard sharing of COVIDrelated pseudo-information—unnecessary “noise” which would surely impact Jasper’s visitation numbers. I didn’t see the point of spraying social media with stories of Jasper staff in self-quarantine, for example, when we know how radioactive those types of messages are to potential visitors. Raising awareness of actual health threats and fanning out time-sensitive information which the community depends on are important functions of the media, of course. But judging which stories to run and what headlines to write is a fine balance. As a town dependent on tourism, many residents of which have painful memories of the economic turmoil wrought on local businesses during the 2003 SARS epidemic, we have to be mindful of the frenzy that can be whipped up with irresponsible social media use. I think that before Dear Editor, one shares a sensational, click-bait story, one School board members should consider the indirect effects of those clicks. across the province are meeting to study the However, now that the pandemic is directly recent funding formula affecting our schools, our institutions and our for education. School workplaces, I think we can all accept that the staff cannot help but be economic fall out of COVID-19 lands somewhere lower on our list of concerns. Our fellow residents’ stressed as they wait to see just what this will health—particularly that of our most vulnerable look like at the school populations—is of utmost importance. And although things are moving fast, I must say level. Right now, things my fears are slowed when I remember that as a don’t look too rosy. community, we’ve got built-in capacity. We have How many teachers can dedicated health experts to lean on for advise. We we afford? How many have emergency plans built into our municipal services. We have innovative educators. We have educational assistants The Jasper Local // leadership who we can trust will take action.

Budget 2020 will impact our children and school staff

Yet, the onus will remain on individuals to do their part. Every person must know the signs and symptoms and how to protect themselves and others: Stay home if you’re sick. Avoid unnecessary travel and large social gatherings. Comply with the advice of the local health authority. Find and share reliable information. Finally, as members of a community, remember that a dependable anecdote to the fears we might be feeling is the act of helping those around us. Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

for special needs children? Library clerk? School secretary? How many split classes will there be? How many students in each class? What courses can we offer at the high school level? Can we fund a school library? A music program? Parents will be wondering the same things too. And they will be wondering if school fees will increase.

Difficult decisions will have to be made to do the best with the funding that is provided to each board and then to each school. Once the budget is set, timetables will be created and staff assignments put in place. These decisions impact the quality of education that the kids in our community ...Continued on A3

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sunday, march 15, 2020 // issue 165 // the jasper local// page A3

The Jasper Lions Club, including members Dave Neilson, Dean Cull and Nancy Aikman donated $5,000 to the Evergreens Foundation, represented here by Christina Richards, Ornesto Tassoni and Julie Des Becquets. // Bob Covey

Lions donate to seniors bus Every spring, a small, dedicated group of volunteers come together. Their goal: to knock on the doors of most every home in Jasper.

Over icy sidewalks they slip. Up and down staircases they climb. Through wet and cold they slog. Each step is a hopeful one—the members of the Jasper Lions Club are hopeful the person answering the door will purchase one of their Community Spirit Calendars. “It’s a lot of work,” club chairperson Dave Neilson says. “There’s a lot of time and effort involved.” Eventually, however, all those steps add up. The Lions Club sells about 500 calendars each year. At $20 a pop, the Community Spirit Calendars represent a significant part of The

Lions Club’s fundraising revenue. “It’s our biggest campaign of the year,” Neilson said. Last week, the beneficiary of all that hard work was the Evergreens Foundation. The Lions donated $5,000 to the Alpine Traveller—the local seniors bus. Thanks to that cheque, and along with another recent $5,000 bestowal by The Raven Bistro, the Evergreens Foundation is well on its way to purchasing a replacement vehicle— valued at $120,000. “We wanted to donate to the bus because it helps so many of our community’s seniors,” Neilson said. For 50 years The Lions Club has taken up community causes, one door knock or one repaired bicycle or one filled sandbag at a time. Recruitment isn’t easy— dedicated membership numbers hover around 10

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receive. They impact the working conditions for the staff. With the UCP government’s mission to balance the books, public education faces a crisis as there is simply not enough funding to meet the complex needs of today’s classrooms. Public education should be a priority in our province. An

individuals—and in an age of web-based fundraising tools, service clubs’ bootsone-the-ground approach seems positively old fashioned. But it works, Neilson says, because the Lions Club have the type of connections that aren’t measured by clicks. Their community engagement is the stuff that content creators covet, and it can be seen every time a local kid climbs the monkey bars or takes a turn on the slide at the Lions Park. “That equipment gets a lot of use,” Neilson said. In that regard, stay tuned to these pages for another announcement from the Lions. In the meantime, check out the Alpine Traveller Seniors Bus schedule on Facebook and the next time a Lion knocks on your door, thank them for their community spirit.

B Covey//bob@thejasperlocal.com

investment in our youth. Alas, it is not. I am hoping to raise awareness about the impacts that funding will have on our children and on our school staff. As these details emerge, a letter writing campaign may be necessary to voice our concerns to our MLA, Martin Long. I hope you will help. - Sandy Cox, a retired teacher, Jasper

page B1 // the jasper local // issue 165 // sunday, march 15, 2020

local health //

“It’s going to take vigilance from all of us” has overwhelmed the health care systems, the virus has spread at the community level. While only six per cent of people who test positive become critical, the resources to provide services are finite. “Flattening the curve”—avoiding a spike of incidents—will help prevent communities, and the country, from running out of ICU beds and ventilators. Canada only has 2,300 intensive care units and 5,000 ventilators, according to Health Canada.

Local doctors are pledging their support to the community during the COVID-19 global pandemic while urging any residents displaying symptoms to follow strict selfisolation protocols. Jasper GP Dr. Lisa Wilson, who has been busy staying up-to-date with the rapidly-changing information flow coming out of the federal and provincial governments, along with the World Health Organization, says any Jasper residents who think they might have come in contact with the virus should immediately take the self-assessment tool available at myhealthalberta.ca. “It’s going to take vigilance from all of us,” Wilson said. Screening will help public health officials take action if necessary. Identifying potential carriers is extremely important. Anyone who has been in contact with others who have tested positive, or who has recently travelled outside of Canada are advised to self-isolate. People who think they may have COVID-19 should use the screening tool via myhealthalberta.ca so at-risk individuals can determine whether a test for COVID-19 is appropriate. If it is, public health will come to residents’ homes to administer a test. The three main symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and extreme tiredness.

“If we do the math, if we have a significant number of infected patients we’ll quickly run out of resources,” Wilson said. LOCAL DOCTORS, INCLUDING DR. DECLAN UNSWORTH AND DR. LISA WILSON, ARE CONFIDENT WITH ALBERTA’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19—AS LONG AS RESIDENTS ARE COMMITTED TO BEING PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH. // BOB COVEY

As of March 14, Wilson said so far no cases have shown up in Jasper.

as a whole is if mildly sick people are going to the clinic or the emergency department,” she said.

To help keep it that way, residents need to follow Alberta Health AHS is advising anyone who has Services’ travelled outside guidelines, she “If people are presenting of Canada from insisted. March 12 onwards mild to moderate to self-isolate symptoms they need to “If people are for 14 days. Self stay home and call that presenting mild isolation means to moderate emergency number.” not leaving the symptoms they house, for any need to stay home reason. and call 8-1-1,” Wilson said. It is critical, Wilson said, that unless they are in medical distress, patients do not go to the medical clinic or emergency department for treatment. “The greatest risk to the community

“Don’t go to the grocery store, don’t go to a friend’s house, don’t entertain people,” Wilson said. “It’s important people take this seriously.” In countries where COVID-19

As a community, Jasper currently has one ventilator and zero ICU beds. Critical cases, such as those needing help breathing, would have to go to Edmonton, where facilities may already be at capacity. On Friday, March 13, some Alberta communities were being serviced by drive-through screening stations. All over the province, including in Jasper, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) was sending nurses on home visits to conduct swab tests based on screening results. On Friday the Health Link information centre was experiencing an overload of calls even though the province had reportedly tripled its number of 8-1-1 operators. Wilson said if Jasperites presenting mild symptoms are experiencing Continued on page B2

sunday, march 15, 2020 // issue 165 // the jasper local// page B2

Local health//

Docs urge residents to follow COVID protocol Continued from page B1

extended wait times or busy signals on 8-1-1, they can call the Cottage Medical Clinic, but she insisted they do not go to the clinic. If symptoms are more severe (for example, extreme shortness of breath), they should get more immediate help. “If they are feeling severely ill they should dial 9-1-1 and identify themselves as a possible COVID-19 patient,” Wilson said. Jasperites who’ve travelled outside of Canada since March 12 have a responsibility to self-isolate once they’re home, the Alberta government recommends. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure. Wilson said, according to WHO, 20 per cent of COVID-19 patients may present symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. Six per cent will become critical, with statistics skewing to elderly residents. Proper hand washing, “sneeze etiquette,” surface sanitization, strict quarantine for those presenting symptoms and

following hygienic protocols when visiting the vulnerable will buy health care professionals valuable time, Wilson said.

“Italy is serving as a warning to the rest of the world as to what happens if you don’t flatten the curve and you overwhelm the healthcare system,” she said. Italy had more than 21,000 cases and 1,400 deaths from Coronavirus as of March 14, according to WHO. Canada had 244 total cases—79 per cent of which were travellers—and one death as of March 14. By the same day, across the globe, more than 142,000 cases and more than 5,000 deaths were counted by WHO. Wilson said she has been encouraged, overall, by Alberta’s response, but that individuals will have to continue to be part of a comprehensive, strategic approach. “We need to retrain ourselves,” Wilson said. “If we can prevent community spread it will keep us all safe.” Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Community Dinners may have been cancelled, but community spirit is strong. Get in touch with COS if you need a dinner.// b covey

Community Dinners repackaged, distributed to individuals in need Community programming across Jasper has been cancelled to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 but on the afternoon of March 15, meal preparation for hundreds of residents was still underway. Community Dinner coordinator Denise Mellett and her team of volunteers weren’t chopping, grating and mixing in anticipation of 350 souls coming through the Activity Centre doors, however; along with other local events, Community Dinners have been nixed. Instead, Mellett and her crew were packing the food they had allocated for the community get-together into individual portion servings, to be distributed to community members in need.

glory bowls, hearty beef stew and aromatic chicken cacciatore were ordered before local officials—in accordance with risk assessment guidelines for mass gatherings— cancelled the dinners. Director of Community and Family Services, Kathleen Waxer, said residents who would normally take advantage of the Community Dinners can request the meals through Community Outreach Services (COS) via email, community@ town.jasper.ab.ca or by phone, 780852-2100. “Our hope is this is a bit of good news during a difficult situation,” Waxer said.

“We’re serving the community in a different way,” Mellett said.

To protect the health of its staff and clients, Community Outreach Services is adjusting the way it operates. Visit the Municipality of Jasper’s website, jasper-alberta. com, for updates and to stay connected to community resources.

The groceries to make nutritious

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

page b3+B4 // the jasper local // issue 165 // sunday. march 15, 2020

FEATURE story // Story By David harrap

THE REAL REASON WE HAVE REFRIGERATORS IS NOT TO KEEP FOOD COLD BUT TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO POST IMPORTANT STUFF. FRIDGE DOORS ARE CLUTTERED WITH FAMILY PICTURES, POSTCARDS, SOUVENIR MAGNETS OF STONEHENGE AND SIX FLAGS OVER TEXAS, GOOFY PLAQUES LIKE “THEY MISUNDERESTIMATED ME”GEORGE W. BUSH.

fridge and was forgotten. The Queen came through Jasper in 1963. Their Majesties got off the train and stretched their royal legs before continuing on to Vancouver. In 1939 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth came by special train to Jasper and stayed at JPL in Outlook Cabin. Now the Queen was back, it was Sunday and Her Majesty and the Duke were coming to church. I got to the church early just before 8 a.m. Only a few people for now. I fingered my invitation for the Princes. Slowly things started to happen. Yellow rope was strung

handshake. It was Sergeant Drivel. “Oh, does Jeremy ever miss Liam,” he said, with what looked like a tear in his eye. (The two had been in the same grade.) “How’s he doing?” “I didn’t realize you’d left,” I said, reeling from all his attention. “Yes, about a year we’ve been gone. It’s so good to see you, David! ” He was all soap and syrup. Had he got the right chap? Was he confusing me with the Mayor? All the time he lived here he not so much as looked at me never mind speaking, but now he was all over me like a rash. I felt mightily chuffed that the former Sergeant of the RCMP Detachment had singled me out.

On many family fridges you’ll find kids’ wish lists. There was one on ours: Spend time at West Edmonton Mall—Tick. We did. See another country—Tick. We saw America. Fly in a plane— Tick. We flew Canada 3000 to Australia. Have a train ride—Tick. We rode the Skeena to Prince Rupert. Go on a boat— Tick. We took the big Marine Highway ferry to Skagway, Alaska. Eat lobster—Tick. We boiled one in the hotel coffee pot in Halifax. Stay at Skoki Lodge—Tick. Three times! Beating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by a dozen years. But unlike Their Highness’s we had to use the outhouse. Win a three-minute shopping spree—We lived in hope; we’d planned the strategy though, which aisle to hit first, and entered all the competitions. Have fun—Tick. That was a given. At the bottom of the list was Meet the Queen. I told Liam there was more chance of meeting the Man in the Moon than Her Majesty. But little kids are dreaming optimists and it stayed on the list awaiting his tick. Then the list fell off the

“At the bottom of the list was Meet the Queen. I told Liam there was more chance of meeting the Man in the Moon than Her Majesty.” out either side of the church entrance. Men in charge of security appeared. Media rolled up with their cameras and coffee cups and selected the best positions for taking photographs, which would appear in next day’s British newspapers. And heading straight for me was a man in a smart black suit. “David!. How are you?” A big

Pity there weren’t any Jasper panjandrums to witness Harrap’s endorsement by the constabulary. “I hear you’ve got something,” he said, lowering his voice. “Yes, right! An invitation—you’ve heard about it?” I was flattered. He nodded his head. “Yes, we know all about it.” I should have spotted that the syrupy voice had disappeared along with the soapy smile. I pulled the invitation from my bag and showed it to Drivel, excitedly thinking he was going to help deliver it to the Duke. What a sport: he was taking one for the

PART 2: The Return

of the Queen

BY: DAVID HARRAP Town. Like an idiot I still hadn’t cottoned on. I gave him the spiel: “It’s the Centennial Climb . . . 100 mountains . . . Mount Christie . . . we’re inviting the Princes . . . do you think—?” “David! This isn’t the place. For God’s sake! The Queen is coming to church!” A voice hard as nails. I was no longer Drivel’s long lost pal. The penny dropped. Those ‘friendly’ cops in the bushes at JPL had turned me in. Or was it Dutton Peabody reporting that there was a lunatic on the loose? All that baloney about “nice to see you,

David . . . Jeremy really misses Liam, David —” was just BS. With his reptilian stealth Drivel had come to warn me off. Well I wasn’t having it, and told him so. It wasn’t a custard pie I was delivering: The Queen wasn’t on a horse Trooping The Colour. They were walking out of church; people gave them stuff. Like flowers. Like an invitation. And I’ll damn well give it to the Duke if I can. CODE RED CODE RED GO TO DEFCON 1 Secret service moved into position. Two guys straight out of a Matt

Damon movie. Shades. One with close-cropped hair. Suspicious wires coming out of collars. Bullet proof vests (I found that out by tapping Agent Bogomil’s). No doubt a slim Sig Sauer P229 DAK in a holster under the immaculate black suit jacket. They stood a metre in front facing me, and stayed in that position the whole time. I was Public Enemy

church. Their Majesties arrived. But where was Liam? He was camping with his mates at Snaring. Just as Her Majesty was coming out of the church Liam arrived (looking like he’d slept in a hedge) and got front row close to the door. Hanna gave him a carnation. Liam gave it to Her Majesty. The Queen said four words to Liam and Hanna: Do. You. Live. Here. Meet the Queen—Tick. The Duke walked down the wrong side. I wasn’t about to slip under the yellow rope, nip between Agent Faltermeyer’s mile-long legs with the invitation and risk being taken out. For all I knew Drivel was on top of the Atha B with powerful binoculars directing operations. A few days later we addressed an envelope in beautiful Chancery script to Clarence House in London (the Princes’ home); Lee-Anne at the post office carefully positioned the Polar Bear stamps, and, with not a hint of protocol, our invitation to the Princes to climb Mount Christie was on its way. We received the answer, via Buckingham Palace, in June. In August 2005 we climbed Mount Christie, fired off a rocket on the summit, left the Centennial register, dined on water biscuits and Russian black caviar, and toasted with Mumm’s Champagne all those dreamers of the world who dream by day.

Number One. I was also number 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10. No one else. Just me. The guests came into the

(Changed names are solely for the entertainment of the punters.)

David Harrap//

harrap2017@gmail.com Jasper’s David Harrap is the author of the soon-to-be-published book Over The Mountains, Under The Stars. Similar to how he made members of the Secret Service feel, his wish list is mostly ticked off.

SUPPORT FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS & REFUGEES

You have questions. We have answers. 627 Patricia St. | Monday to Friday | 9am-4:30pm settlement@town.jasper.ab.ca 780-852-8070 Jasper Settlement Services

Local Development

page B5 // the jasper local //issue 165 // sunday, march 15, 2020

Parks trying to distinguish PHAs from ADUs Parks Canada says it is considering limiting Private Home Accommodations to 10 per cent of the house’s gross floor area as part of its future land use regulations.

As they discuss ways to address the housing challenges in the townsite and attempt to introduce more rental options in the community, staff of the Jasper Housing and Realty department are “looking for ways to clearly distinguish PHAs from Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs),” the agency said. “Through public consultations…Jasperites once again indicated that they were strongly in favour of implementing ADUs and restricting PHAs,” JNP Realty staff wrote to The Jasper Local

via communications officer Steve Young on March 11. Last edition (March 1), The Jasper Local reported that Parks Canada officials were applying home based business regulations to PHAs—namely, that they were enforcing a policy which limits home-based businesses to 10 per cent of the home’s gross floor area. At least one Jasper home owner, seeking a development permit, was told by Parks Canada’s development officer that their existing PHA did not comply with the requirement to not exceed 10 per cent of the gross floor area of the house. “I’m ready to cry. So many families and friends will be struggling,” said the home owner, whose identity The Jasper Local agreed to protect. The Jasper Local was told that

Parks Canada is considering regulations to make a distinction between secondary suites and PHAs. “Applying existing rules such as permitting secondary suites an external entrance, which would be different from PHAs using internal entrances as originally envisioned, are areas which are being considered,” Young said. The 10 per cent GFA regulation “has not been applied to PHAs in the past,” Young said. He did not confirm or deny that it would be enforced going forward. “The Agency is currently working on clarifying the rules, within current and future policy, to provide clarity on the difference between a PHA and a secondary suite,” he said.

Calgary’s Emma Chlepkova during the sprint event at the March 6-8 Marmot’s Revenge National Ski Mo Championships. // Bob Covey

Existing, non-conforming suites would be grandfathered, Parks Canada confirmed. However, PHA permits are non-transferrable. A home with permits for non-conforming suites, sold to a new owner, would not be grandfathered. “As stated on the Private Home Accommodation permits, the permits are non-transferable if the lease is assigned to a new lessee,” Young said. Jasperite Karen Phillips was one of two Jasper Home Accommodation Association representatives on the 13-member committee that last reviewed the PHA licensing guidelines, which took effect in 2003. A 10 per cent GFA stipulation was never part of that discussion, she said. “I would imagine that virtually all PHAs are more than 10 per

cent of the GFA of the home they are in,” Phillips said. Parks Canada is currently drafting a new “Land Use Planning Regulation” under the Canada National Parks Act (CNPA). This regulation will guide how decisions are made on proposed development projects, and will replace four outdated regulations under the CNPA, including the 1968 Town of Jasper Zoning Regulations. Public consultation on the new Land Use Planning Regulations is expected in the fall. If you have a grievance with how Parks Canada is enforcing land use regulations, and you think the public should know about it, email thejasperlocal@ gmail.com or call 780-852-9474. Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

The Jasper Grizzlies ended their season with a 5-1 win. sophie Bennett took the MVP award and Daisy McLeod earned the heart & Hustle.

OPENING MARCH 20, 2020 30% LOCALS DISCOUNT (ADULT/YOUTH) SNOWSHOES AVAILABLE FOR RENT

RESERVE YOUR FLIGHT ONLINE:

JasperSkyTram.com 1

local community //

Jasper Sports & Culture Foundation Foundation awards are available to individuals who intend to pursue excellence in the development of sports and/or culture in Jasper. To be eligible, applicants shall: • Be a resident of Jasper; • Apply on an individual basis. per activity; • Indicate the amount of funds being requested and the intended use of the funds; • Submit a budget indicating proposed funding and expenses; • Priority shall be given to youth applications in sports and culture, and coaching development for youth activities; and • Attach a copy of verification of the applicant’s acceptance into an appropriate program related to the intent of the Foundation. Applicants may only receive a grant from the Foundation once. For more information contact Angella at 780-852-6514 or visit the Municipality’s website at www.jasper-alberta.com.

Deadline for application is March 30, 2020 at 4 pm Applications should be forwarded to: Jasper Sports and Culture Foundation c/o Angella Franklin Municipality of Jasper Box 520, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0

sunday, march 15, 2020 // issue 165 // the jasper local// page B6