Cheekeyebarrier almost complete Cheekeyebarrieralmost
THURSDAY,APRIL23,2026
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RARE SIGHT: Squamish’s Niall Bell was up around Joffre Lakes Park north of Whistler on April 15, when he spotteda Canada lynx, an animal that notoriouslyavoids human contact. Bell hasa career of wildlife highlights, but big cats are a favourite of his, he said.
“I’m hugely passionate about big cats—I’ve spent time in India with tigers too—and feel it is quite incredible to know we share this amazing landscape with such majestic and elusive creatures,” he said.
Practicing ethical wildlife photography guidelines, Bell is not sharing the exact location where he saw the animal. Bell, who is heavily involved withthe conservation group Nature Squamish, said a big reason for sharing his images is to send the message of how important it is to input such things into iNaturalist and, in the case of birds, into eBird.
VCH ANNOUNCES SMALL CARE HOME FOR TOWN
VCH announced the news during a Sea to Sky health-care webinar, which included updates to health systems in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton
LIZ MCDONALD
emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
Anew CT scanner is still on its way to Squamish General Hospital,a small long-term care home is in the works for the community, anda purpose-built seniors facility on Loggers Lane remains in limbo—those were among the key announcements at a Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) public forum webinar for the Sea to Sky Corridor held April 15.
The modular unit to house thenew scanner arrived on site roughly three weeks before the forum, said Darlene MacKinnon, VCH vice-president of coastal community. The scanner is projected to perform about 7,000 scans a year (roughly 20 a
“It’s super important that when people see cool things, they share it,” he said “It reinforces the data we have and we can better predict where they should be and we can better protect their habitats,” he added. HEALTH: Continued on2
day) and is expected to be operational by summer 2026.
“People in the Sea to Sky Corridor will benefit from anew CT scanner,” MacKinnon said, adding the project also includes a minor building expansion, a secondary imaging waiting room and clinical space for staff.
The CT scanner was slated to open in 2025, but was delayed.
The Squamish scanner announcement came alongside an update on a separate, longer-running concern: the shortage of long-term care (LTC) beds in the corridor.
MacKinnon acknowledged residents are waiting both at home and in acute care for LTC placement. As a stopgap, VCH is introducing what it calls small care homes— existing residential properties renovated and repurposed to provide 24/7 care for six to 10 residents. The goal is 200new beds across the VCH region over several years.
A small care home has been purchased in Squamish, MacKinnon said, with renovations and planning underway Rizwan Damji, executive directorof regional long-term care, assisted living, and supported housing who oversees the file for VCH, told forum participants an update would likely come in the fall.
“We are looking at the Squamish community going through those steps,” he said.“Towards the fall, we will be happy to share some new, exciting news about the small care home in the Squamish area.”
Meanwhile, the larger Loggers Lane facility VCH purchased in 2024 for long-term care development remains on hold.
The property was slated to have 152 beds, replacing the 90 spaces at the aging Hilltop House facility and adding 58 LTC beds and four hospice beds. Construction was earmarked for 2027 and ready for use by 2030.
Fernando Pica, VCH’s chief financial officer, told the forum the provincial government has paused some LTC construction projects to
find ways to bring down costs, whichhe said have risen drastically.
“If you go back about 10 years, we were building long-term care homes at about $750,000 a bed,” Pica said. “Some reports in thenews” put current costs approaching $2 milliona bed.
The figure he’s referring to came from Health Minister Josie Osborne, who pegged the cost at $1.8 million shortly after the province announced the pause.
Pica said the Loggers Lane project has not been cancelled, and that design work to reduce construction costs is progressing.
Elected officials previously told The Squamish Chief the pause was disappointing, especially given the increasingly ageing population.
In thenext 10 years, the province is projected to have a 26% increase in people aged 65 andolder, according to the Office of the Seniors Advocates.
WHISTLER AND PEMBERTON
In Whistler, VCH is planning to replace the CT scanner at the Whistler Health Care Centre, with budget and design work currently underway No construction
We arelooking at the Squamish community going through those steps. Towards the fall, we will be happy to share some new, exciting news aboutthesmall care home inthe Squamisharea. DARLENEMACKINNON
timeline has been set. A recently completed renovation added a second triage space and improved patient visibility at the centre’s registration and triage area.
Anew full-time psychiatrist is also joining the Whistler and Pemberton mental health team.
In Pemberton, VCH is evaluating a modular expansion of the Health Centre, with a focus on emergency, primary care and ambulatory space. Infrastructure questions—including power supply and site access—are being worked through, with a cost study expected later this year. X-ray services were expanded last year to include weekend hours.
VCH also launched a patient portal in February called Access My Health, which allows BC residents 12 andolder with a BC Services Card to view lab results, imaging and clinical documents online.
FORMER LOCAL MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD SEXUALABUSE CONTENT
Adriaan Schipper, 70, faces sentencing after pleading guilty to child ‘pornography’ charges. Victims described living in fear years after their abuse was captured and shared online
LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
Content warning: This story contains descriptions of child sexual abuse.
Aformer resident of Squamish, who previously lived near two schools, awaits his fate following his sentencing hearing in North Vancouver Provincial Court on April 10 for charges of child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
Adriaan Schipper, born in 1955, pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2025 to one count of possessionof child ‘pornography’ and one count of transmitting, making available, distributing, selling, advertising, importing or exporting child ‘pornography.’ On April 1, 2026, Schipper was additionally charged with one count of failure to comply with his bail conditions for being in the presence of someone under the age of 16.
His original charges stem from an investigation into offences ranging from 2018 to 2023, according to Sea to Sky RCMP.
Sea to Sky RCMP confirmed in an emailed statement to the Squamish Chief that no news release was released after the charges were pressed against Schipper.
“A news release was not put out at the time, however,I can tell you that in February 2023 the Sea to Sky RCMP – Squamish GIS began a child sexual abuse and exploitation material investigation (formerly referred to as child pornography). On April 27, 2023, police executeda search warrant at Mr Schipper’s
residence wherein Mr Schipper was arrested Charges were recommended and ultimately approved for offences ranging between 2018-2023,” said Cpl. Ashley MacKay.
The offences occurred in Squamish and Vancouver.
In North Vancouver Provincial Court, Schipper appeared with his defence counsel, David Karp, before Judge Adriana Ward.
Prosecutor Eleasha Sabourin appeared for the Crown.
A sentencing hearing occurs aftera guilty plea or verdict, and the judgehears arguments by prosecution and defence, victim impact
statements and any statement from the accused. These inform the sentence imposed by the judge, which Ward will issue in the coming month.
CHILD EXPLOITATION TIP
While addressing Ward, Sabourin said the investigation into Schipper began after a tip from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a U.S.-based group that flagged two jpegs uploaded to a Google Drive account linked to Schipper. They proceeded to forward the information to a group in Ottawa, who then contacted authorities in British Columbia.
What would follow was the discovery of a portfolio of over 1,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material on devices owned by Schipper, anda series of conversations with people online where Schipper was discussing the sexual abuse of children between the ages of two to 15 yearsold.
An IP address linked to the tip from NCMEC was connected to a Squamish residence, and internet provider Telus confirmed its accuracy.
The jpegs uploaded and flagged were named “smoothboy.jpeg” and “viewphoto. jpeg.” An investigation determined one image estimated the child to be between the ages of 12 and 15, and the second was of a boy between three and five yearsold.
As graphic and disturbing descriptions of these images were provided to the court by the prosecutor, Schipper put hishead in his hands. Members of the gallery, relatives of Schipper, walked out.
Throughout thehearing, gallery members left several times, and one member yelled at Schipper upon exiting. Judge Ward expressed
sympathy for those in attendance, but said they must also restrain their reactions.
SEARCH WARRANT ISSUED FOR ARREST
The investigation determined Schipper was the sole owner of a condo facing Squamish Elementary School. Surveillance confirmed he lived at the address, and monitoring activity to and from the home confirmed the occupant matched images of Schipper found online.
The courtheard Schipper had been a realtor for 40 years in Vancouver.
A search warrant was issued for the property, computers, digital storage devices, and his internet services.
RCMP went to Schipper’s home April 27, 2023 where he was arrested. The Crown noted the RCMP file included that his bedroom overlooked Squamish Elementary and Howe Sound Secondary School.
During his arrest, Schipper saidhe did not understand why.
“He was arrested for possession of child pornography occurring between Sept 20, 2019 and Dec. 28, 2022,” Sabourin said. “When he was asked if he understood,he initially said, ‘No, I don’t understand, no.’ It was re-explained to him, andhe stated, ‘No, I don’t understand, becauseI don’t have child pornography. I’m disgusted with people who do that.”
Upon questioning, Schipper claimed that the Google Drive containing the materials had been a shared drive and that a former aggrieved colleague was responsible for uploading the images during a transfer between accounts.
COURT: Continued from3
Authorities found the two images flagged on various devices in Schipper’s home.
THOUSANDS OF ABUSE FILES
Schipper used an app called Mega, in which he had an account named “AndyTrump333. me.” He had numerous contacts with whom he discussed child exploitation and shared files with, and also used WhatsApp for connections, the courtheard.
In one encounter, he describeda story of engaging with a 15-year-old boy and exploiting him while in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, at a nudist resort, which the prosecution did not say they believed to be true, but the creationof the story and submission was considered production and distribution of child pornography.
Schipper described himself as interested in young, hairless boys between the ages of five and 13.
He openly shared details about himself and his family with connections who were interested in sexual abuse and exploitation of children, though there was no evidence he shared sexual content of his family members with his contacts.
In total, the investigation uncovered 1,039 images and videos of abusive files, including content with sadism, bestiality, penetrative and non-penetrative acts, child nudity and child sexuality.
‘CANNOT ESCAPE IT’
Prosecutor Sabourin also read out four victim
impact statements relating to threeidentified individuals who were victimized and whose images Schipper possessed.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection and its General Counsel, Monique St. Germain, facilitates victim impact statements in Canadian legal proceedings. The centre connects with victims of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), their parents, and their lawyers, and submits victim impact statements on their behalf—but only when at least one image of that victim has been found in the offender’s collection and the victim or guardian has given consent.
Victimimpact statements from Jenny, Pia, Pia’s mom, and Violet’s mom (nameshave been changed to protect victims’ identities) spoke of the life-altering repercussions, incalculable damage and fear that they live with because of the crimes committed against them.
“She does not want to be defined by her abuse, but she cannot escape it either. When we go to a public place like a mall, theatre, a sporting event, I wonder, whohere has seen my child’s abuse? Like my child, I’m suspicious of everyone andI no longer believe in the goodness of other people,” Sabourin read from Pia’s mother’s submission.
“I fear that strangers may come after my child seeking to perpetrate or reenact the abuse they’ve witnessed, perhaps even trying to kidnap her. My child andI are defensive and fearful in ways that other children don’t have to bebecause their privacy is not invaded on a regular basis by strangers, like the defendants
Do you have anyidea how this has affected us?”
One of Schipper’s family members provided a statement, which Sabourin read, detailing the harm, concern for the victims, and wish for healing.
CASE LAW, LEGAL PRINCIPALS
The prosecution brought up various similar cases for comparison which informed the request for length of sentencing While similarities existed in these cases, others, like the privileged life and general good health of Schipper, and the size of his collection of images, differed and should be taken into account for his sentencing, Sabourin argued.
She described him as living a privileged life, notinghe was able to navigate changing jobs and countries. He had no observable mental illness, but may have suffered from depression at one point, anda period of heavy drinking and cannabis use.
Schipper’s childhood was marked by some corporal punishment andhe struggled reconciling his sexuality with his Christian faith. Earlier in his life, he lived in Chilliwack and was not accepted for being in a gay relationship.
In Sabourin’s argument for the Crown’s sentencing position, she cited R. v Friesen. The decision established that sentences for child sexual offences must reflect the severe, long-term harm caused by such abuse and align with Parliament’s intent to strengthen child protection.
She noted Schipper has sinceobtained
counselling for his crimes, and reengaged with his faith community. He is 70 yearsold at the time of thehearing, and has no criminal record, the court heard. He also had no cognitive or medical challenges which could act as mitigating factors for sentencing.
The Crown asked fora sentence of two years in jail and three years’ probation, his DNA registered, entry into the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and a victim fine.
DEFENCE’S POSITION
Karp saidhe took no issue withthe sentence or conditions, but sought for it to be served in the community.
He described Schipper as a “law-abiding, kind citizen,” and highlighted that although Friesen said sentencing for crimes against children must reflect the severity, it was not a legislated requirement.
He highlighted Schipper has had no criminal record and pleaded guilty, saving court resources.
Describing Schipper’s childhood, Karp said he was bullied for being effeminate, and while living in Rosedale in the Fraser Valley he was disapproved of for being gay. He moved to Chilliwack, where he struggled further and disavowed his sexuality and sought to become straight.
He married a woman in 1979 He moved from teaching to real estate until 2022, and has since retired, with Karp naming the court case as a strong reason for retirement.
COURT: Continued on7
CHEEKEYE DEBRIS FLOW BARRIER 90% READY
Construction crews move to a ‘more robust’ granite design following river erosion from fall debris events
the concrete at the base of the outlet.
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
The multi-million-dollar CheekeyeDebris Flow Barrier is almost complete.
At council on April 7, Jessica Gagne, a project engineer withthe District of Squamish, told council that final acceptance of the barrier will be in early July.
Final acceptance is formal acknowledgement that the project is totally complete.
Council voted unanimously at the meeting to authorize the mayor and District corporate officer to execute anamendment to the Debris Flow Barrier Services Agreement, in order to mostly adjust timing on aspects within to align with where the project is currently at.
BACKGROUND
The barrier is currently being constructed undera services agreement approved on July 16, 2024.
This agreement is between the District of Squamish and Sqomish Sea to Sky Developments Ltd. (SSSD) SSSD is a partnership betweenSḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Matthews West, the developer responsible for Oceanfront Squamish.
This agreement requires SSSD to fund and complete the constructionon the District’s behalf while the District will ultimately take ownership of the completed barrier and related infrastructure.
The District is responsible for the cost of ownership, includingoperation, maintenance, and repair costs of the structure once construction is complete.
In September 2024, the District entered into an Indemnity Agreement withthe provincial government It says the province will indemnify the District for debris removal, restoration, and capital costs related to debris flow events
The Indemnity Agreement requires the District to start making reserve contributions when SSSD is awarded what is called
Substantial Performance, which is estimated to be in May 2026.
In lay terms, an indemnity agreement is when one party promises to cover the costs of another party, under specific conditions.
Substantial performance is when there is little work left to doon a project.
CONSTRUCTION STATUS
Constructionof the barrier began in July of 2024 and is about 90% complete, Gagne told council.
“Work completed so far has included placement of the roller compacted concrete … which makes up the bulk of the structure. They’ve completed constructionof the reinforced concrete outlet that the river will flow through. They’ve installed the timber bridge across the top of the outlet, and they’ve
completed the downstream access road and the majority of the south berm,” she said.
To pay for all this, the District is planning to recover a portion of costs associated with barrier ownership by levying a Local Area Service tax.
Such a tax is levied over a “sub-area” of a municipality, in this case from thenew developments—1,395 units—that will exist thanks to the barrier.
“On Oct. 7, 2025, council passed a resolution to direct staff to allocate the taxation to recover costs associated with barrier ownership 50/50 between LAS taxation and general taxation in the 2026 to 2035 financial plan.”
In this case, for this year, because the housing developments have yet to be built and occupied, the developer will be required to pay the District the amount ($420K) that would otherwise be collected through LAS taxation.
Two weather-related debris flow events occurred in the fall of 2025 and impacted costs, but constructionof the Cheekeye Barrier, including any design changes during construction, is paid for by the developer.
TIMELINE OF CONSTRUCTION
Construction involved the temporary diversion of the Cheekye River from August of 2024 to July of 2025 through a temporary river channel to allow for construction of the outlet as well as the right abutment.
According to Gagne, construction of the outlet—the concrete opening in the barrier structure that the Cheekye River flows through—was completed in June of 2025 and roughly one metre of fill was placed on top of
The river was then diverted back through the outlet in July of 2025 so that the contractor could begin constructing the left abutment, which is the anchoring point for the barrier on the left-hand side.
The debris flow events occurred on Sept 21 and 29th, 2025.
“It is worth noting that there were no safety incidents on site due to the event or during the entire length of the project so far,” Gagne said.
After the weather events, the concrete base was inspected. “Limited” damage was noted to the concrete, Gagne said, but all of the protective fill was “wiped out.”
Over the course of October, November, and December of 2025, the concrete base was eroded due to the river flowing directly on the concrete, rather than over the fill, as it was supposed to.
The erosion led to exposure of the rebar matting under the concrete.
“The speed and extent of the erosion was not anticipated and therefore required remediation to the concrete and a redesign of the base,” Gagne said.
“The redesign of the outlet base included placing large granite stones over the existing concrete base, as the stones are more abrasion
CHEEKEYE: Continued on7
RENDERING BY BGC ENGINEERING VIA DOS REPORT
A rendering of the debris flow barrier.
Continued from5
resistant than the concrete. Ultra high-performance concrete will then be poured between and underneaththe stones to hold them in place,” Gagne explained.
The design includes a series of check dams that protrude from the grouted stone pitching These will encourage sediment to accumulate within the channel to help protect the underlying granite stones from abrasion.”
Gagne added that this mitigation is viewed as a secondary level of protection.
“The redesign ultimately has resulted in a more robust design and is intended to meet the originaloperations and maintenance requirements for the outlet, including repair frequency.”
The redesign work in the outlet required the Cheekye River to be rediverted, this time by dewatering the river with 14 large pumps that are taking the flow from the river up and over the Barrier through flexible pipes. The water is then being discharged downstream.
The repair work is anticipated to be completed by the end of this month (April, 2026).
The redesign means theoperations,
COURT: Continued from4
ASSERTIONS OF SEX ADDICTION
Karp contextualized the crimes as an extension of sex addiction, which began after the accused overcame kidney disease in 2013.
He said Schipper became drawn into a lifestyle of kinky sex, extreme cannabis and alcohol use, wherehe met hundreds of men for sex over a number of years. He would attend anonymous sex parties at Wreck Beach and connect with fetish subcultures.
Karp argued his client has a low risk to reoffend, and was using the pornography to entice adult men into connecting over a short period of time. He says Schipper is not attracted to the images or the physical act.
Since the charges and his guilty plea, he has returned to his Christian community and been celibate for three years. He left Squamish and moved to the Vancouver area.
Karp highlighted his client was sincerely remorseful, and that rehabilitation is an important part of the Canadian justice system.
The defence asked for five years of time served in the community with court supervision, arguing Schipper’s age and homosexuality would lead to negative interactions in jail He highlighted the principle of restraint in sentencing, and noted that prison should be a last resort.
”Sometimes great people make terrible mistakes,” Karp said.
On the matter of Friesen, Karp noted there is no parliamentary legislated mandatory minimum for cases such as these, as the previous laws instilling those sentences were struck down.
He asked for the court to make an exception to the bail conditions, so Schipper would be permitted to continueattending church and
maintenance and repair costs for the District need to be reassessed.
According to David Roulston, District senior manager of infrastructure planning, though the District doesn’t know the cost of the repair, it won’t be a massive change.
The re-design is intended to maintain future operations and maintenance costs within the estimate previously provided by SSSD’s consulting engineer Work is ongoing to review and confirmoperations and maintenance costs, a District spokesperson confirmed in a follow up email after the meeting.
The staff report said, until this can be completed, the District cannot start establishment of the local service area Therefore, LAS taxation cannot be levied in 2026 as the March deadline for commencement of the local service area has passed.
The agreement the District has withthe provincial government, the Provincial Indemnity Agreement, requires the District to contribute $840,000 per year toward operations, maintenance and repairs.
The staff proposed amendment to the Services Agreement, passed by council, ensures that the District can get the 50% ($420K) of the District’s financial obligations
under the Provincial Indemnity Agreement directly from the developer, until the District is able to levy LAS taxation. The remaining 50% ($420,000) required by the agreement is funded througha combination of $210,000 transfer from the General Operating Reserve, and $210,000 of general taxation in the adopted 2026-2035 Financial Plan.
If council had not voted in favour, District staff wouldneed to find an alternative source of funding for 50% of the reserve contribution required by the Provincial Indemnity Agreement( its half of $420K) before Substantial Performance of the Barrier kicked in, which is estimated to be in May.
The District takes over after a two-year warranty and maintenance period.
This warranty covers any construction deficiencies.
Staff will eventually return to council to get approval to establish the LAS area.
SAMPLE COUNCIL COMMENTS
“This is really an important piece to ensure that we remain whole in our 2026 financial plan and recover $420,000 into theoperation and maintenance reserve for when we take this asset on,” said Coun. Jenna Stoner. “That was going to be done through local area service tax and because of this delay we’re not able to do that.”
volunteering, which may involve being around children.
In April of 2026, Schipper was charged with breaching his conditions for being in the presence of persons under the age of 16 He did so while volunteering with his faith group, providing food to people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
JUDGE’S COMMENTS
Ward noted that Schipper’s therapist believed he minimized his actions, which was common for cases of this nature due to shame.
She also questioned the narrative that his actions were part of a condensed period of time, but instead were “a very long dark time.”
The judge noted in his psychological assessment, Schipper never saidhe had an addiction, and that while “every day comes with new insights,” his psychological assessment indicated some type of self-centred hedonism and that recovery would require a tremendous amount of work.
“There’s something pathological going on that Dr Bartell has been getting at, hasn’t uncovered, and it’s reflected in self-centred hedonism, self-satisfaction of the cost of other people, compartmentalization that’s unhealthy. Perhaps these are things that can be explored at counselling,” she said.
In a statement to the judge, Schipper expressed regret and asserted he didn’t know how to access child sexual exploitation materials.
The Crown called that part of his submission “alarming.”
Court was adjourned for a month, withthe defence and Crown to decide with a case manager whether Schipper’s bail conditions could be varied.
The case will come before the courts no earlier than May 14 or 15 for Ward’s decision.
Though Coun Chris Pettingill had questions around validating thenew design that had to be done after the debris flow incidents, he was comfortable supporting the recommended motion.
“Happy to support the motion, which is really
just …[that] timing has had to adjust as we’ve been working on the project, and so it’s making sure our financials align with the timing in my mind. So that makes sense,”he said.
Coun. John French saidhe felt confident that the events of the fall had been dealt with.
“I’veheard from a few folks about the impact of the high water events back in September on the debris barrier construction, and want to reassure those folks with those concerns that the District is taking on no additional financial burden because of that damage that was made clear tonight. So, I appreciate that.I also believe that the damage that we’rehearing about really highlights theneed for that protective structure.”
Closedareas at BrennanParkRecreationCentreare startingtoreopen afteralmost twoyearsof retrofit work!
Thank youfor yourpatiencethroughthenoise,dust,anddetours— we reallyappreciate it.Mostupgradedspacesare openagain,anda fewareasarestillbeingfinished.
We were fortunateto receive$11.7 millionin grantfundingviathe Greenand InclusiveCommunity Buildingsprogramfrom the federalandprovincial governments.The grantwas awarded forveryspecific upgradesincludingenergy efficiencyandaccessibility improvements.Thisisthefirst ofmanyprojectsanticipatedfor Brennan Park and we look forward tocontinuedenhancementofthis importantfacility.
Campsarefillingupfast, sosignupsoon to secure yourspot!
SportballStreet
Hockey Camp
Iceallocation requestsfor the August17,2026–May30,2027 period arenow beingaccepted. RequestDeadline
May1,2026
IceAllocation Meeting
Wednesday,May 20 at6 pm at Brennan ParkRecreation Centre
Applicationdetailsandtheapplication form are available at squamish.ca/iceallocation,orcall Brennan ParkRecreation Centre at 604-898-3604 to request apaper copy.
Business Opportunities Request forProposals
•TransitShelter Design
•Junction Park Building: Feasibility Study &Options Analysis
NOTICEisherebygiveninaccordance with Section494ofthe Local GovernmentAct thatthe DistrictofSquamishhasreceived applicationand will be consideringissuanceofa Temporary UsePermit asindicated herein. The DistrictofSquamishwill receiverepresentationsfrompersons whobelievethat theirinterestinproperty is affected by theproposed temporary use.
AffectedLands
1509EagleRunDrive, Squamish, B.C.
LegalDescription
Lot89, South 1/2oftheNorth West 1/4of Section14,andofthe FractionalSouth 1/2 ofNorthEast 1/4ofSection15, Township50, Plan16297
Existing Zoning R-2(Residential2)
Proposed TemporaryUse
UndertheDistrict’sZoning BylawNo. 2200,2011, short-term rentaluseisnot permittedin adwelling unit thatisnot aprincipal residence; short-term rentaluseisalso notpermittedin asecondary suiteoraccessorydwellingunit (coachhouse).Ifapproved,the TemporaryUse Permit would allowtheshort-term rental useinthesecondarysuitefor aperiodofthree years. The applicantcanapply to renew thepermit foranadditional periodofup to three years followingthe expiryofthe originalpermit.
Acopyoftheproposed TemporaryUse Permit and related informationthathas beenormaybeconsidered by the SeniorDirectorofCommunity Planningmay beinspectedonlineor at Municipal Hall.
•Online at: squamish.ca/showcase
•MunicipalHall at 37955 SecondAvenue,Squamish,British Columbia,from April17,2026 to April30,2026between8:30a.m.and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Publicinputwillbe considered by theDistrictin reviewoftheapplication. Personswhobelievethattheirinterestinproperty isaffected by the proposed temporary usepermitmaysubmitwrittensubmissionsto planning@squamish.ca or,inperson to the Senior Directorof Community Development. Writtensubmissionscanbeaddressed to the SeniorDirectorof CommunityDevelopmentandwillbe receivedupuntil4:00 p.m. April30,2026. Allsubmissionswill form partofthepublicrecord.
Datedthis23rdday of April, 2026, at Squamish,British Columbia
TemporaryUse Permit
NOTICEisherebygivenin accordancewith Section494ofthe Local GovernmentAct thattheDistrictofSquamishhas receivedapplicationandwill be consideringissuanceofa TemporaryUse Permitasindicatedherein. The DistrictofSquamishwill receiverepresentationsfrompersonswhobelievethat theirinterestinproperty is affectedbytheproposed temporaryuse.
AffectedLands
40500 Highlands Way North, Squamish, B.C.
LegalDescription
Lot21,Block P, DistrictLot511, Plan14870
Existing Zoning R-1(Residential1)
Proposed Temporary Use
UndertheDistrict’sZoning BylawNo. 2200,2011, short-term rentaluseis not permittedin adwelling unitthatisnot aprincipal residence;short-term rental useisalso not permittedina secondary suiteoraccessory dwellingunit(coachhouse). If approved,the Temporary UsePermit wouldallowthe short-term rentaluseinthe secondary suitefor aperiod ofthree years.Theapplicant canapplytorenewthepermit foranadditionalperiodofup to three years followingthe expiry of theoriginalpermit.
Acopy of theproposed TemporaryUse Permitand relatedinformationthathas beenormay be considered by the SeniorDirectorofCommunityPlanningmay beinspected onlineoratMunicipalHall.
•Online at: squamish.ca/showcase
•MunicipalHall at 37955 Second Avenue,Squamish,British Columbia,from April17,2026 to April30,2026between8:30a.m.and4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Publicinputwillbe considered by theDistrictinreviewoftheapplication. Personswhobelievethattheir interestinproperty is affectedbythe proposed temporaryusepermitmay submitwrittensubmissions to planning@squamish.ca or,inperson to the SeniorDirectorofCommunity Development. Writtensubmissionscanbeaddressed to the SeniorDirectorof Community Developmentandwillbe receivedupuntil4:00 p.m. April 30,2026. Allsubmissionswill form partofthepublic record.
Dated this23rd dayof April, 2026, at Squamish, British Columbia
No.DTU00082
Notice of PublicHearing April28,2026 at 6p.m.
at The55ActivityCentre, 1201VillageGreen Way, Squamish, B.C.or viewedelectronically at squamish.civicweb.net
Noticeisherebygiventhata PUBLICHEARING willbeheld at The55Activity Centre, 1201VillageGreen Way, Squamish,British Columbia at 6p.m.on April28,2026,sothatCouncilmayhearandreceiverepresentations from personswhobelievethattheirinterestinproperty isaffectedbythe following proposedamendments to the DistrictofSquamish Zoning Bylaw2200, 2011 AmendmentBylaw(CD-Zone107, TheVillageon BaileyStreet)No.2671, 2023.(RZ000004)
Personswhobelievethattheirinterestsareaffected by theproposed amendmentswillhave anopportunitytobeheardand to presentwritten submissions fortheHearing.Thereare twowaystoparticipate:
1. Written. If youare unable to attendthepublichearing,ordo notwish to speak at thehearing, youcanstillparticipateby submittingyourwritten comments to hearing@squamish.ca,orby droppingthemoff at Municipal Hallbefore 4p.m.on April 28,2026 to the attentionof the CorporateOfficer.Written
submissionswillbeacceptedup to andduringthehearingand will form partofthepublic record.
2. In Person Attendance. You areinvited to participate in person during thepublic hearing at The55Activity Centre,1201 VillageGreen Way, Squamish, British Columbia.
if youhaveany questionsregardinghowtoparticipateinthe hearing,please calltheDistrictat 604-892-5217.
A copy oftheproposed bylaws andrelatedinformationthathasbeenormay beconsidered by Councilis available forpublicinspection at MunicipalHall (37955Second Avenue)from April16,2026, to April28,2026,between8:30 a.m.and4:30 p.m., Mondaythrough Friday, excludingstatutoryholidays;or online at squamish.ca/the-village-on-bailey. Councilwillnot considersubmissionsreceivedafterthe closeofthe PublicHearing.
Thisisthesecondof twonoticesof aPublicHearing.Datedthis23rdday of April,2026, at Squamish,British Columbia.
Land Act:NoticeofApplication foraDispositionof CrownLand
TakenoticethattheDistrictofSquamishfromSquamish, B.C.hasapplied to theBritish Columbia MinistryofWater,Land,and ResourceStewardship (WLRS),Surrey, fora CrownLand Tenure foraUtility–Sewer/Effluent Line situatedonProvincial CrownLandlocatedatBLOCK B, DISTRICTLOTS4273, 7957,GROUP1,NEW WESTMINSTERDIST.,SECTION3, TOWNSHIP50,NEW WESTMINSTERDISTRICT; and,UNSURVEYEDLANDSWITHINANDADJACENT TO THESQUAMISHRIVER.
WLRSinvites commentsonthis application. TheLands Fileis 2412894. Comments concerning thisapplicationshouldbe directed to the SeniorLand Officer, Surrey, WLRS, at #200-10428153 Street, Surrey, BC V3R 1E1.
Comments will be received by WLRSup to May14,2026.WLRS maynotbeable toconsider comments receivedafterthisdate.
Pleasevisitthe Applications, Commentsand Reasons for DecisionDatabase websiteat comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca for moreinformation.
Be advisedthatany response to thisadvertisementwill be consideredpartofthepublic record.
Accesstothese recordsrequiresthesubmissionof aFreedomof Information (FOI) request Visit www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learnmoreabout FOIsubmissions.
WILDFIRE RISK AND PREVENTION: COUNCIL MULLS NEW PLAN
The proposed resiliency blueprint calls for changes ranging from additional firefighting equipment and a water-delivery assessment to improved coordination of fire bans across agencies, as officials look to strengthen suppression capacity while reducing threats in the wildland-urban interface
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
The District of Squamish is looking at more ways to both prevent wildfires and fight them when they arise.
Simon Svane, District emergency program manager, presented the 2026 Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) to council at the committee of the whole meeting on April 14.
The plan is foundational in allowing the District to effectively prepare for wildfires, and it is also required for continued FireSmart funding—the 2026/2028 Community Resiliency Investment Program– FireSmart Community Funding and Supports Grant—as anew plan has to be endorsed every five years, said Svane.
The adoptionof the CWRP is required by April 30 for that funding.
Squamish’s previous Community Wildfire Protection Plan was completed in 2017.
“Squamish’s fire history reflects a predominance of small, human-caused ignitions with occasional larger events under extreme conditions The municipality’s expanding
interface footprint, extensive trailnetwork, and longer dry seasons underscore the importance of continued public education, prevention, and FireSmart outreach,” the plan reads.
Brin Farrell, with Blackwell Consulting, the
firm that wrote the plan, told council the goals of it include increasing the efficiency of fire suppression and emergency response in Squamish, reducing potential losses and impacts on critical infrastructure, and reducing wildfire
behaviour threats within town.
This plan, which includes 53 recommendations, leans more heavily on FireSmart principles than the previous plan.
STRENGTHS
Farrell said in terms of the advantages of Squamish when it comes to its vulnerabilities to wildfire, it does not receive the same hot dry climate as other areas, like the Interior.
Squamish also has more moisture-laden foliage—trees and plants—which is a positive in terms of not encouraging wildfires.
The built-out area is also mostly on flat terrain and has good access to water, Farrell said. New construction is also typically FireSmart compatible.
VULNERABILITIES
A “big” vulnerability in Squamish, Farrell told council, is the influx of recreational tourists in the summer months, which coincides with the wildfire season.
“So they’re in those trails in the forested land We noted that 80% of fire conditions in the area are human-caused,” Farrell said.
FIRE: Continued on 15
FILE PHOTO BY ALEX RATSON Flames from the Dryden Creek fire burn through forested hillsides near Squamish, British Columbia, in July of 2025.
Reproduction of anymaterial containedinthispublicationis expresslyforbiddenwithouttheprior written consentofthe publisher.
EDITORIAL
BURNING BUREAUCRACY
Itisaclichétosay that thegovernmentoften moves slowly,especiallyin comparison to business.
If youwatch councilmeetings, youknowthis.
Butthere aretimes when thedisconnectbetween the urgencyofthe matter andthe lack of it at thelocal government levelisalarming.
Consultantspresented the2026Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (CWRP) to councilat thecommittee of thewhole meetingonApril 14.
Oneoftheir 53 recommendationswas to conduct mock evacuation exercisesfor areaswith“complex access”for emergencyrespondersinthe eventofa wildfire,suchas Paradise Valley,Garibaldi Highlands/ University area anddowntown.
“[This]would allowthe District andpartner agencies to test differentscenarios,identifyoperational constraintsand refine procedures in advanceofareal emergencyevent.”
With lastsummer’s Dryden Creekfirestill in our nervoussystems,thislikelysoundslikeagreat idea to most locals.These same locals mightexpectthe drillsto be scheduledsoon, like before summer.Nope.
District staff notedthere wasnosuchplaninthe foreseeablefuture, givenalackoffunding forsaiddrills.
Thisis not to scare you, dear reader;the report stressed that theDistricthas “a strong emergency management foundation.”
However, alayperson mayhaveexpectedthese drills before theupcomingfireseason.
With climatechangeandourincreased popularity,the likelihood of anotherblaze this summer is pretty high.
Government is slow by design andmostofthe time, forthe better.
U.S. Strategist John EstalillawritesonMediumabout attendingacitycouncilmeeting regardingablinking lightatanintersection that hisneighboursfeltshould become afour-waystop.
Adozen people showed up and gottosay theirpiece on theissue.Ittookanhour.
“A fast,unpredictable government wouldcreate chaos,”hesays, noting that people need time to learn aboutchanges,toconsider, to speakup.
“We maynot always like thepace, butwebenefit from thestability it creates. Theslownessisintentional.It’s theguardrail that keepsthe system from swerving wildly everytimethe wind changes,” he says.
Buthealsonotesthat“whilethe federalgovernment moveslikeacargo ship,local government movesmore like abike. Slower than acar,sure, butnimbleenough to turn quicklywhenit needsto.”
We have seenthattoo,onsomeissuessuchasthe speeding up of some developmentprocesses,orsimple things like OKingthe expansionofthe ebikerental program.
Wishingitdoesn’t make abudgetlineappearfor the drills, we know.And we need theguardrails, forsure, butsometimes,likeinthe case of wildfire planning,we need them takenoff too.
The B.C. government wantsthe same new federalhousing fundingasOntario—but maynot useitthe wayOttawawants—to bringdowndevelopment cost chargesorlower taxesonnew homes.
HousingMinisterChristine Boylesaidtalks areongoing with PrimeMinisterMarkCarney’s government to access aB.C.versionofthe $8.8-billion Ontarioreceivedthismonth to help municipalities afford localinfrastructureand reignite thestalled condoconstructionmarket.
“We’redeepinconversationwiththe federal government aboutamade-in-B.C.infrastructuredeal,”saidBoyle.
Theministerhas been noncommittal about whetherB.C.ispitchingOttawatotakesomeof thecashand useittoresurrectprovincial housingprogramsthather cash-strappedNDP government just paredbackinits February budget.
That couldinclude alifelineforthe CommunityHousing Fund used to buildand
“We’re pushingfor adealhereinB.C.thatis as good as Ontariogot,and that worksfor the challenges that communitiesand thehousing industry arefacinghere,”saidBoyle.
Theproblem with that,though, is that it may notmatch up with theambitions of theCarney government.
Thefederal fundingisdesignedtobe cost-matched with Ontarioand used to help pay formunicipal infrastructure forcitiesthatagree to lowerdevelopment cost chargesonbuilders by up to 50 percent. It also goes towardsthe eliminationofthe GSTonnew homes valued up to $1 million—whichcombinedwithOntario’s provincial taxmeans a13per cent reductionin that province’s HSTfor thenextyear.
Together,the politicalframing by Carney at thelaunchpress conference wascrystal clear: “Weare reducing taxesand fees fornew homes in Ontariobyupto$200,000,” he said.
AnditgetsOntario’s stalled-outprivate developmentsectorbuildingagain.That’sa vote-getting promiseonaffordability for middle-class Ontarians.
(We have good feelings that we live,wework and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)
PROVINCE: Continued from 12
Carney can’t make the same pitch to middle-class voters in British Columbia if the provincial government here tries to spread the cash around to affordable housing projects, homeless shelters, low-income seniors rentals and subsidized housing.
B.C.’s PST doesn’t even apply to new homes in B.C.—instead it is embedded in all the materials used in construction along the way. So the province can’t partner with Ottawa to offer the same tax break on new homes as Ontario.
That means the PM won’t be able to
LETTERS POLICY
stand at a construction site somewhere in Surrey and say: British Columbians, here’s hundreds of thousands in savings on your home purchase, courtesy of the federal Liberal government.
The NDP’s vague “made-in-B.C plan” already has Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim worried. He came out proactively and called on Victoria to follow Ontario’s lead on cutting development cost charges to help this province’s many paused or cancelled high-rise concrete condo tower projects.
“All we’re asking the province to do is approach the feds and strikea deal similar to what Ontario did, be it
getting funds and matching funds and to go towards development charges for municipalities as opposed to directing that money elsewhere,” Sim said in an interview.
“We’re not asking them to reinvent the wheel. There’sa precedent set. To me it seems pretty simple If the province does this we will be a very committed and constructive province.”
We’ll see if the B.C. government heeds the message.
Rob Shaw has spent more than 18 years covering B.C. politics, now reporting for CHEK News and writing for BIV. He hosts the weekly show Political Capital.
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PHOTO BY BRIAN AIKENS
SPECTACULAR SQUAMISH: Leia Kite is a 15-year-old competitive dancer with Howe Sound DanceAcademy. Photograher Brian Aikens said it was cold and windy during theevening shoot, but Kite “braved the harsh conditions to come up with some fabulous poses. ” Indeed!
Stewardship starts here
Afamiliar faceis back at the WoodfibreLNG site!
Forthethirdconsecutiveyear,aresidentbald eagle returnedfromitswintermigration to nest hereonceagain.Its returnis apowerfulsignal: withthe right care,industry andwildlifecanshare the samespace.
Onland,intheair,andinthe water, Woodfibreis working to protectthebalance of theHowe Soundecosystem—building asitedesigned to coexistwith wildlifefordecades to come.
“Many local ignitions are human-caused, including those associated with unsanctioned target shooting, encampments and recreation activity along trails and forest service roads,” the report reads.
The fact Squamish is putting more homes on slopes—asopposed to on flat land—is also a wildfire risk.
“We are moving up slope. More homes are just being built mid-slope. So we have 33% of the wildland urban interface on a 30% slope and fire moves quicker up slope. So that is a risk factor,” said Farrell.
“It was noted by first responders that topography is a major factor that influences wildfire behaviour in the area, and we do have high fire danger conditions sometimes during the summer, even though we are a coastal community. It doeshappen and it happens more andmore lately.”
Intermixed neighbourhoods are those that are embedded in the forest, which are more vulnerable to wildfire. Such neighbourhoods include the Garibaldi Highlands, Skyridge and Crumpet Woods.
“The June 2025 Dryden Creek wildfire illustrated how the intersectionofhot dry weather, steep topography, and highly used public areas can result in unwanted fires in the interface,” the report reads.
The interface is the zone where homes, infrastructure, and human development meet with forests.
THREAT ANALYSIS BY THE NUMBERS
The consultants conducteda wildfire threat analysis based on fuel types, climate, slope and historical fire occurrences.
Private land is not included in the report, Farrell noted.
They found that 24% of public land in Squamish hasamoderate threat rating.
About 60% hasa low threat rating, while 14% has a very low threat rating, and 3% has a high to extreme wildfire threat rating.
The higher assessments are associated with fuel types and sloped terrain.
“Low areas generally have less volatile fuels and are located in areas with low potential for fire spread and they’re typically flat,” Farrell told elected officials.
High assessments are typically where there is continuous forested land where candling or intermittent or continuous crown fires can take shape, which are tougher to fight, Farrell said.
BC Wildfire Service defines candling as “when the foliage on a single tree or a small clump of trees ignites and flares up, usually from bottom to top.”
Crown fires are when the part above the trunk of trees catches fire and it spreads from crown to crown.
SAMPLE OF HIGH-PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS
Of the 53 recommendations in the plan, some stood out and were listed as high priorities. For example, the plan recommends the District review fire department staffing needs
and ensure capacity remains aligned.
“Squamish Fire Rescue has noted that staffing levels have not kept pace with Squamish population growth,” Farrell said.
The department consists of three fire chiefs, 16 full-time firefighters, one administrative assistant and over 50 paid-on-call members.
In the report it notes, “Squamish Fire Rescue reported that summer presents staffing challenges due to concurrent peak recreation and wildfire-hazard periods.”
“On average, Squamish Fire Rescue responds to approximately 1,200 to 1,300 emergency incidents each year, including structure and interface fires, medical emergencies, motorvehicle incidents and specialized rescues.”
A related recommendation is for the purchase of more firefighting equipment, including a dedicated water tender, or tanker, as well a side-by-side utility vehicle, large-volume relay pump anda second Type 6 engine—which is a manoeuvrable wildland fire apparatus—“to improve water delivery and interface response capacity of the fire department.”
Squamish Fire Rescue recognized these resources as able to help fill gaps in their firefighting capabilities, the report states.
Another recommendation is for a water delivery assessment.
“Emergency services and [the] fire department identified limited water availability as an operational challenge in several areas that are not serviced by hydrants,” Farrell said.
Another recommendationofnote is for the District to conduct mock evacuation drills for Paradise Valley, the Garibaldi Highlands and University area, as well as downtown.
“To explore different potential scenarios that could complicate access,” she said.
“Those areas were noted as neighbourhoods that have some different factors that could complicate evacuation,” Farrell said.
Asked by Coun John French for a timeline for those drills, Svane said there are no plans for any upcoming drills, but staff are hoping to potentially apply for evacuation grant funding from the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) next year.
“That could be a way to get there,”he said.
Hiring a full-time FireSmart coordinator is another recommendation, but it has already been fulfilled.
This person will take on implementing the plan.
In addition to the multi-agency working group that already exists, the plan recommends creating a fuel management forum.
“This would be a different working group that really focuses on fuel management in the area and then can align our fuel management treatments with adjacent jurisdictions and all of these different agencies that are working on fuel management,” Farrell said.
A further high priority recommendation is to coordinate the posting and communication of fire bans and fire-use restrictions across all relevant agencies.
“Where fire bans are implemented at different times or under different authorities, agencies should clearly communicate the applicable restrictions, jurisdictional boundaries and rationale to the public using consistent terminology and messaging,” the report reads.
The consultant’s plan also recommends the District update its hazard risk vulnerability assessment, the Community Risk Assessment, as it was last done in 2015.
Asked about this by Coun. Jenna Stoner, Svane said that the District is awaiting direction from the provincial government to move forward on this.
“They implemented thenew Emergency and Disaster Management Act in 2023, which provided direction around response, but we’re still waiting to see what it actually looks like for emergency planning So, once we have that clear direction, it’ll be easier for us to know where we want to put our efforts and how we want to move forward with emergency planning,” he said.
“Current plans we already have in place are to conduct a review of existing District of Squamish emergency plans, once we see the new regulations and how we can move forward from there.”
There were also several recommendations related to vegetation management, including to develop and launch a cedar hedge reduction incentive program to encourage property owners to replace thehedges, which are flammable.
“These cedar hedges often create fuel pathways throughout neighbourhoods,” Farrell said.
In response to questions from Stoner, Woodfibre LNG and Tourism Squamish were identified as worthwhile future participants in the plan.
“I think as we learn more about the industrial
hazards or the hazards present at that site, they would likely be a very worthwhile participant in that project or in those forums moving forward,” said the District’s Pascale St-Louis, general manager of community safety and development regarding Woodfibre LNG.
She noted there is work being done with Tourism Squamish regarding wildfire risk, but suggested they could be involved in other plan-noted forums as well.
Coun Andrew Hamilton asked about the corridor that runs from Indian Arm through to Valleycliffe, which is soon to be home to the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline.
“There area… fair number of historical fires along the Indian Arm as it comes into Valleycliffe Presumably that’s a fairly high recreation zone, [it] obviously would be prone to lightning strikes and whatever other natural occurrences happen We also have or will have in the very near future, the Eagle Mountain pipeline passing through that valley and passing very close to the residential edge of Valleycliffe. Is there an elevated risk in that zone due to the existence of the Eagle Mountain pipeline?” he asked.
While that was outside of the scope of the plan, given its location, Farrell said the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations plans to do a wildfire resilience reduction plan within thenext two years and that area would be within their scope.
She also added that she wouldn’t determine a pipeline developmenta wildfire ignition risk.
FIRE: Continued on 16
SEA TO SKY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES THREE-YEAR CALENDAR
Approval comes aftera month-long consultation resulting in changes to Don Ross’s calendar.
LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
Sea to Sky School District No 48’s board of education has approved school calendars for the 2026–27, 2027–28 and 2028–29 school years, with Don Ross Middle School emerging as the main point of change followinga 30-day public consultation period.
The calendars were due to the Ministry of Education and Child Care by March 31.
Paul Lorette, assistant superintendent for SD#48, told trustees that Don Ross had revised its proposed calendar after feedback from the school community.
“This sort of demonstrates that that’s why we have these consultation periods, because there was some feedback to the school regarding
their plans,”he said. “They made adjustments to their calendar as a result, and so they have reverted back to a similar calendar to what they’ve had over these last three years.”
Don Ross was set to implement earlier dismissals on Fridays, but after parent feedback, the school dropped the proposal.
He said feedback at the district level was otherwise limited, and that most input during the consultation window was directed to individual schools.
One correction was also made to Pemberton Secondary, which had listed its semester turnaround day as a regular instructional day. The school adjusted its bell schedule to meet minimum instructional hour requirements.
SAMPLE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Ultimately, as staff recommended, council voted unanimously to receive the report, with an amendment by Mayor Armand Hurford that Woodfibre LNG be added to the“Hazardous Values” section of the report.
“I feel there’s just a paragraph missing of this facility that’s currently under construction and we’re hearing will be operational through the time span that this plan’s meant to be relevant,” Hurford said.
In her supporting comments, Stoner noted that fire resilience funding from the provincial government through Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) program has been reduced.
She called it “really disappointing.”
“This has been a really important funding program for local governments across the province in doing the really critical work that we know saves time, saves money, saves lives, saves structures at the end of the day.”
She praised staff for proactively trying to gain funding from UBCM.
A separate elementary calendar change, moving the final day of school from a one-hour early dismissal to a full non-instructional day, means students’ last day next year falls on a Monday Several parents flagged the change, but the district said adjusting it at that stage would have required all elementary schools to revise their bell schedules.
Trustees also raised concerns about school start times in light of B.C.’s move to permanent daylight saving time, which takes full effect Nov. 1, 2026, meaning winter mornings will be darker than in previous years.
Trustee Celeste Bickford asked why additional instructional time is typically added to the beginning of the school day rather than the end, particularly given research supporting later start times for older students.
“I’m curious, especially given the time change, and given that in some months, kids are going to be travelling to school in the dark,” she said. “Why is that time typically put on at the beginning of the day, before 9 a.m., rather than being after3 p.m.?”
Lorette said bell schedule decisions rest with individual principals, who set times in consultation withtheir school communities and in coordination with bussing.
Trustee Bickford asked whether the board could seta policy floor on start times.
Lorette said it was worth discussing but couldn’t be acted on at that meeting, noting the time change had come too late in the calendar process to address this year.
“I do think it’s a really important topic that I have a feeling we’ll probably hear more about moving forward,” he said.
The board voted to approve the calendars as presented.
Coun. Eric Andersen saidhe was happy to see Merrill Park, in Garibaldi Highlands, and Smoke Bluffs Park singled out for wildfire prevention attention.
“Merrill Park hasa tree disease problem, which likely exacerbates the risk potential for fire,” he said.
“Smoke Bluffs Park has had four serious forest fires, more thanany other part of the valley including DeBeck’s Hill, which has had two or three.”
Coun Lauren Greenlaw said she liked theidea noted in the report to build and maintain a roster of community champions to supportneighbourhood events and FireSmart initiatives.
“I think this is a great way to keep the community involved. And if possible, these community champions could eventually evolve into community groups that could be activated if there’sa case of emergency.”
Next, staff was set to bring back the plan for official endorsement at the April 21 council meeting, after press deadline. Staff will then review the plan in-depth, and return to council with some prioritization of what to tackle first.
FILE PHOTO/GRANT BOGUSKI
Don Ross Middle School
FIRE: Continued from 15
BESPOKE BRANDY AT TOWN’S NEW DISTILLERY
Locals and visitors can now use their own fruit fora tipple, by taking it to a newly opened distillery
INA PACE ipace@lodestarmedia.ca
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade Or when in Squamish growing fruit in your backyard, make a bottle of brandy.
In addition to purchasing the distillery’s products, folks can now bring their apples and pears, peaches and plums (their fruit of choice) to 39279 Queens Way, where it will be pressed and fermented into brandy or gin.
Six Cats Distillery has been in the works for the last few years. It’s the brainchild of geophysicist David Butler, who moved back to Vancouver after working overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic, wanting to find “something else to do inlife.”
“I’d always had this bubbling away in my mind,” he said.
The Squamish Chief, of course, took full advantage of theopportunity to point out this pun, whilst Butler was working in the early stages of “production mode” before theopening in mid-April.
“Vancouver has pretty much got rid of a lot of its industrial land, so it tooka while, but I’ve been quite charmed bySquamish,” Butler continued.
“I’m offering to take apples from people and grind them up, chuck in the yeast, and then make them their bespoke apple brandy only from their tree Nobody else will have it.”
Butler, who enjoyed fruit picking as a kid in Southern Ontario, explained that 90% of apples which fall from trees in the summer are raw and ready to be pressed.
As such, Six Cats offers an alternative to food waste or a “bear buffet” in folks’ backyards.
Regarding the inspiration for his distillery’s name, Butler recalled that when he lived in Qatar he would often let stray cats visit his home on the weekend. One dayhe shooed off an alpha male moggy to leta small female cat seek refuge This cat brought with her five kittens one by one, which stayed in Butler’s bedroom closet.
Butler showed The Squamish Chief around the Six Cats premises, and demonstrated the productionof foreshots (toxic distillate), a waste product from the boiling cider, which would eventually be reduced to the sellable 40%.
The distiller (handmade in Sidney on Vancouver Island), Butler explained, produces around 500 millilitres of 80% alcohol every five minutes, slowing down after a few hours.
“We produce stuff that doesn’t taste very good right at the beginning,” Butler said, whilst collecting theheated and condensed alcohol dripping to the bottomof the distiller.
As apple brandy will be his prime product, Butler saidhe gets thousands of litres of apple juice delivered from the Okanagan, noting that it will take around 50 kilos of apples to make around three bottles of his brandy.
He described the fermentation process as
I’moffering to take applesfrom peopleandgrind themup,chuck inthe yeast, and then make them their bespoke apple brandy onlyfrom theirtree. Nobody else will have it.
DAVIDBUTLER
something which “doesn’t take much skill;” throwing in half a packet of yeast, after which the juice will take around two days to start fermenting.
Most alcohol at Six Cats will be produced after a week, sitting in oak barrels for enhanced flavour, and will be distilled after four weeks. Butler noted it may taste “medicinal” if distilled prior to four.
“So, it’s worth the patience and there aren’t too many distilleries making brandy,” he said.
Butler confirmed over email that Six Cats is holdinga soft launch party this month, though a date has not yet been set.
Six Cats is open six days a week; Monday to Saturday during the winter, and Tuesday to Sunday in the summer, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“But people are welcome to try their luck at any time,” Butler added.
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter.
This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
PHOTOS BY INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
Six Cats is open six days a week; Monday to Saturday during the winter, and Tuesday to Sunday in the summer,
Norman Foote Bu !
The Myrtle isters
Mike B tie
BRITANNIA VILLAGE TO LAUNCH FIRST INAUGURAL BRITANNIA DAY
The community event on May 17 will celebrate the village as a budding social and business hub
INA PACE ipace@lodestarmedia.ca
The folks behind thenew village at Britannia Beach aim to make it a draw for families andneighbours, hearkening back to days of yore in the community.
A brand-new community and family event will be held on May 17; the first of the Britannia Village’s inaugural events to celebrate “what makes Britannia Beach special.”
The day will be known as Britannia Day; a day of parades, art, and live music.
“If you think about Squamish, there aren’t many places where you’re right on the water,” Britannia Village spokesperson Paul Done said.
“That’s what’s really special about Britannia. I think even for some people, Squamish is getting a bit big now, and Britannia still has that real small town community feel.”
This year, Britannia Day will fall on the 100th anniversary of the first Copper Queen celebration, held back in May 1926.
The Copper Queen was anannual community festival for residents of the Mt. Sheer and Britannia townsites. As per the festival’s title, a pageant washeld among the celebrations, though this is not something that Done said will “fit the 21st century,” so that particular tradition won’t be continuing into the celebrations of thenear future.
On the day, folks can expect a kids’ bike parade (around 11 a.m.) led by the Britannia
Beach Volunteer Fire Department’s vintage fire truck. This will likely be the “event of the day,” according to Done. He added that the decorative bike parade is an example of a continuing tradition.
The release states that live music performances or “patio parties” will be scheduled from noon until evening, finishing with a DJ and an afterparty until late at The Sound Public House.
a theme during Britannia Day, Done said he felt copper is about the past of Britannia Village, though it will never be disconnected.
There will also be anarts and crafts sale in the village’s community hall, featuring diverse work from local artists, in addition to anart walk throughout the village. The walk will be curated by the Sea to Sky Gallery, for which artists will demonstrate their skills under tents in “real-time.”
“I’m from Gastown, andI thought people were creative [there, but] it seems like everyone in Squamish hasa workshop,” Done remarked, also mentioning the “irony” that Britannia Day will be held on a Sunday this year largely to accommodate artists showing at the Squamish Farmers Market the Saturday before.
Britannia Village has invited First Nations artists to participate at Britannia Day, according to Done, but as of the time of publication, the village does not have all artists—or all live music acts—confirmed.
Done said thatSḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) artist Gwa Tye Yath Jim Charlie, who has a triptych carving featured in the village’s memorial park, will be working on a second commission to unveil later this year.
Various businesses such as Copper & Fern and The Sound Public House (opening later this month, formerly known as Copper Beach & Bar Kitchen) reference the village’s roots. When asked whether copper would appear as
“We’re separate businesses, but we are connected to the mine by history and by geography,” Done said.
“[Britannia Village is] growing, because eventually South Britannia will be put in place. We want to look toward the future and celebrate the Britannia community, as opposed to living in the past.
“Hopefully over the years, it’ll become Britannia Days, and we’ll have a full weekend celebration.”
Britannia Village was bought around 25 years ago by the current developers who transformed it from the former mining site
The village officially opened in August last year after several delays of staggered business and real estate openings within it.
“The intention was always to do a spring opening, because it’s very symbolic of the area. When the sun comes out in the Sea to Sky, it’s really exciting,” Done said.
The first Britannia Day will take place on May 17 at 101 Church St, Britannia Beach, just off Highway 99.
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter.
This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRITANNIA VILLAGE AND BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM
Britannia Village is launchinga new community celebration this spring, which harkens back to celebrations of old, on May 17.
launching a
WILD TIDE EXPEDITIONS BEGINS FIRST SEASON WITH GUIDED HOWE SOUND TOURS
A month-long jet ski journey from Squamish to Juneau, Alaska—more than 2,500 kilometres through remote coastline—has become the origin story for a new Sea to Sky tourism venture
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
Anew Squamish business, Wild Tide Expeditions, was sparked by a wild trip a local couple took.
Britt and Tom Walker made a 23-day personal watercraft expedition from Squamish to Juneau, Alaska, covering over 2,500 km through some of the most remote coastline on the West Coast. Departing from Squamish Marina last summer, they followed the Inside Passage north, navigating open ocean crossings, rapidly changing weather, and long stretches without support, Britt says.
“Along the way, we encountered whales, bears, glaciers, and coastal communities— often going days without seeing another person,” she added.
HOW IT STARTED
The pair has lived in the Sea to Sky Corridor on and off since 2008, and while they had spenta lot of time surfing and on the water elsewhere, they hadn’t explored Howe Sound. They bought a Sea-Doo Explorer for Christmas and then set about doing just that.
“We started to explore on Howe Sound and we fell in love with it—just being able to travel and explore all the coastal areas close to Squamish,” Britt recalled. “We were marine camping and then we bought another [Sea-Doo] and then we decided, ‘Hey, we’ve gone this far, (which was really only the Sunshine Coast at the time), what about doing a big trip where we plan multiple days and travel up the coast as far as we can?’ AndI said, ‘Let’s go to Alaska!’”
Both adventurers have significant experience operating on the water and planning for remote travel, so this wasn’t much of a stretch for them Still, they spent six months to a year planning out their route and what they were going to need—equipment, fuel, food—and all the stops along the way. They departed on July 5 and were gone for almost a month.
It was cold out on the water even in summer—they wore dry suits the whole time—and sometimes challenging, but also spectacular. Their passion project has turned into theirnew business, Wild Tide Expeditions, which offers guided multi-day personal watercraft trips departing from Squamish, designed to take guests deep into the remote inlets and fjords of British Columbia.
“Now we’re just obsessed with the water and the ocean and getting out there and just
seeing new things And it’s just such an experience when you’re out there and it’s so remote and there’s nobody else around you,” Britt said, calling such ocean trips “surreal.”
The couple still have their day jobs—she works with the government and he is a contractor—but this endeavour allows them to share what there is to explore along B.C.’s coast.
“It’s been exciting to build something locally that showcases just how unique our coastline is, while offering a completely different way to experience it,” Britt said.
Tooperate the business, the pair have their necessary certifications and marine insurance They are also working with partners for guest accommodations While spotting wildlife is always a joy of these excursions, the pair places a strong emphasis on operating responsibly, especially when it comes to marine wildlife, Britt stressed. All wildlife viewing is done by following regulations, maintaining appropriate distances, and ensuring their presence does not disturb animals.
“Safety is always our top priority, and trips are planned and guided with a strong focus on conditions, preparation, and decision-making on the water,” she added.
To start, for this first season, they are focusing on Howe Sound trips.
Tom is the lead guide on the trips.
Bookings are made directly through the company’s website and they are also on Instagram.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILD TIDE EXPEDITIONS
Britt and Tom Walker made a 23-day jet ski expedition from Squamish to Juneau, Alaska, covering over 2,500 km through some of the most remote coastline on the West Coast. Departing from Squamish Marina last summer, they followed the Inside Passage north, navigating open ocean crossings, rapidly changing weather, and long stretches without support, Britt says.
BritanniaMine Museum gratefullyacknowledges their communitysponsors:
COAST MOUNTAIN ACADEMY UNITES ALL GRADES ON THE CAPUSQUAMISH CAMPUS
Starting in September, all thestudents in Grades 7 through 12 will be at theCapilano University Academic Building
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
Squamish’s Coast Mountain Academy is moving on up, literally.
The not-for-profit university-preparatory school for students in Grades 7 through 12 has announced that as of September, all grades will be based in the Squamish Capilano University Academic Building.
Coast Mountain Academy (CMA) will take up the entirety of the second floor.
Currently, the private independent school, which boasts small class sizes of typically 16 to 20 students, and lots of outdoor field studies, has senior students already on the Capilano University campus, as well as students in a smaller campus down the hill at 3295 Mamquam Rd., in the Garibaldi Highlands.
The school was founded in 2013 by Camp Summit’s Geoff Park, and leased its smaller campus on 1.2hectares (three acres) from what was then-Quest University in 2014.
In January, council approved a 424-unit housing project by Andrews Development Management Corporation, for the property.
The transition in the fall unites all CMA grades.
“This move allows us to offer the very best learning environment for our students and staff,” said CMA’shead of school, Brett Logan, in
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anews release. “Being together in a single, modern academic space will strengthen our sense of community andopen the door to increased social, cultural, and leadership
This move allows us to offer the very best learning environmentfor our studentsand staff.
BRETT LOGAN
opportunities.”
Because of the move, all students will have access to a range of educational facilities on the university campus, including: a large science laboratory, bigger classrooms designed to foster collaboration, increased access to recreation, and cafeteria facilities.
“This expansion aligns perfectly with CMA’s mission to equip students with the skills and experiences they need to thrive beyond their secondary years,” said Logan. “We’re thrilled to unite our two divisions in a campus that inspires curiosity, focus, independence, and future success.”
Find out more about the school on its website at coastmountainacademy.ca.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Coast Mountain Academy is moving all classes to CapU-Squamish.
HELPING HANDS LOGS $100,00 IN VOLUNTEER TIME
Participationsurged during the pandemic
WILL JOHNSON For The Squamish Chief
They couldn’t get by without them.
There’sa whole variety of roles that volunteers fill in the Helping Hands organization as they aspire to provide food, shelter and community to the Squamish region. Sometimes it’s just a smiling face, and sometimes it’s a lot more.
“Volunteers are incredibly important to our organization. Most of our team considers them theheart of the work we do,” said director of development and partnership Amber Cowie.
“It’s really interesting to work at a place like Helping Hands and to be a part of this community because there are so many elements to the support we provide for participants and the community we build within the shelter and outside of it.”
Volunteers do everything from stocking shelves for the food bank, delivering via Meals on Wheels, andhelping seniors or people with
mobility issues access service. They also have a creative writing club and anart group.
“Volunteering can be so many different things in a place like Helping Hands.”
A PART OF THE COMMUNITY
Henry Marsden has been volunteering with Helping Hands for four years now, and has
found it to be the perfect way to spend his retirement.
“It’s about feeling like you’re part of a community. Once you go in to volunteer somewhere like the food bank you realize there’s lots of other individuals doing the same and you realize how these critical institutions are actually run and function by people giving their time and effort,” he said.
“It gives youa sense of belonging to a community that looks after itself and the people in the community.”
Marsden started off by helping with Meals on Wheels, delivering food to people who are housebound.
“We also provide a bit of a wellness check to some of those people, many who are elderly and alonea lot of the time, and it gives them a chance fora kind of check-in with somebody up to twicea week.”
He really cares about the people he serves.
“It’s kind of sad too because some of your regulars pass on It’s a very brief relationship
HELPING HANDS: Continued on 23
You’re often only talking to them for two to five minutes, butI think it’s an important part of their day,”he said.
“You tend to care about them and sort of follow how they’re doing and you can see when they’re not doing well and ask if there’s anything that can be done.”
Marsden also got involved in Coldest Night of the Year, becoming one of their most successful fundraisers. As a member of Rotary Club of Squamish,hehelped make sure the first year wasa success.
“They reached out to see if Rotary would support them in Coldest Night of the Year so we agreed that we would makesure it worked for them. We would provide enough volunteers and make sure there were enough donations that there was some level of success,”he said.
“We wanted to give them the confidence to launch and get going.”
At the most recent Coldest Night of the Year, his team raised $7,000 alone. He gets a huge amount of satisfaction from that work, as well as from the roleshe fills around the organization.
“I certainly enjoy these roles. It makes you realize there’s lots of us out there who are
A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
willing to worktogether to try to help people out and it gives you a strong sense of belonging to a caring and decent community.”
Helping Hands has an abundance of support these days, especially following a surge of
volunteer interest during the pandemic.
“Sometimes the only thing stopping people from coming to volunteer for us is time.I think most people have a real affinity for the work we do and they really believe in the community. They’re coming to us because they have helping hearts and they want to be part of the solution,” said Cowie.
It brings disparate groups of people together.
“It allows them to connect with individuals that they wouldn’t necessarily see on an everyday basis and start building those relationships individually, but also collectively.”
Last year they logged 5,000 volunteer hours from the approximately 100 volunteers they have, which comes to about $100,000 of donated time.
“And we’re calculating that rate at $20 an hour, but some of the work people do here is of higher value than that so it’s a conservative estimate.”
Helping Hands is still looking for more people to join their team.
“It really does make such a positive difference in our world, but also in the world of the people who come out and volunteer. We have so many long-standing volunteers who’ve been with us more than 10 years and they come back every week or every month to give us a hand.”
Go to www.squamishhelpinghands.ca to get involved.
SquamishVolunteer DriversProgram
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SQUAMISH HELPING HANDS
Henry Marsden has been volunteering with Helping Hands for four years now.
HELPING HANDS: Continued from 21
How to attract great volunteers
April is National Volunteer Month. This annual campaign celebrates the contributions of millions of Canadians who donate their time and energy to making their communities better places to live
Designate a coordinator
Assign one or two staff members to oversee the recruitment process. You’ll need someone to make decisions and keep things on track.
Most non-profit organizations depend on volunteers to survive. However, finding enthusiastic and dependable people who want to contribute can be a struggle. Here are some strategies that canhelp.
Define roles and skills
Determine what tasks youneed your volunteers to perform. You may requirehelp for an upcoming event or need assistance with aspects of your day-to-day tasks. You should also think about what abilities you want your volunteers to possess. This may include computer, driving or construction skills. Knowing what you’re looking for will make finding the right candidates easier
Target your recruitment campaign by determining where your volunteers are most likely to work and go to school. You should also look to your donor list; it consists of people who’ve already shown support.
Choose recruitment tactics
Decide how to get your message to the public Several online volunteer recruitment platforms connect organizations with volunteers You can also use social media channels and email campaigns to reach potential candidates Or send a recruiter to a community event or college campus.
After your volunteer drive is over, review your recruitment strategy to determine what you can do better next time.
3 benefits of volunteering as a familys
Volunteering as a family is a rewarding experience that have a positive impact on both your community and your family members. Here are three significant benefits of volunteering together as a family:
1. Strengthens family bonds.
Volunteering together gives families a chance to work towardsa common goal and create shared memories It also provides opportunities for families to learn about and appreciate each other’s strengths and talents.
2. Teaches important life lessons. Volunteering can teach children valuable life lessons such as empathy, compassion and social responsibility. It can also help them to develop leadership skills, learn how to work as part of a teamand appreciate the importance of giving back to others.
3. Makesa difference in your community.
Volunteering as a family is a great way to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of others It can also help to raise awareness of important issues and inspire other families to get involved.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN FAMILY VOLUNTEERING
There are many ways to get involved in family volunteering. Here area fewideas:
• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or animal shelter
• Help out at a community event or festival
• Visit the sickor elderly
• Clean up a local park or beach
• Plant trees or flowers
During National Volunteer Month, find a way to bring your family together to get involved in the community.
Newspaper Toolbox
To allour members,volunteers, veterans, theRCMPand allourinvaluable firstresponders, paramedics andfirefighters. It is your incredible strength and unwavering supportthatenables theRoyal Canadian Legion,Branch #277 to servethe Squamishcommunity.
Inthis Centenaryyear, we’reoffering FREE membership to allnew members!
Joinusfor free this Centenaryyear! 40194Glenalder Place,Squamish BC VONIT0 604.898.9368 •www.squamishlegion.ca
all our amazing volunteers, THANK YOU!
APRIL19–25
The ripple effect of volunteer work
National Volunteer Week (NVW), celebrated from April 19 to 25, 2026, shines a spotlight on the power of giving back. This year’s celebration aligns withthe United Nations International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. Under the theme “Ignite Volunteerism,” the campaign encourages Canadians to find personal ways to serve while contributing to a stronger, more connected society.
Beyond the immediate impact, every act of service createsa ripple effect,helping shape lasting change.
WAVES OF CHANGE
Here are just a few ways your volunteering can make a lasting impact.
• Inspire others.
When you volunteer, you lead by example. Your family, friends and colleagues may see what you’re doing and feel motivated to get involved themselves One person’s commitment can spark a chain reactionof generosity and kindness.
• Strengthen your community. Volunteers help address localneeds, build relationships and create networks of support. Communities with strong volunteer engagement
SquamishTrails Society expresses itssinceregratitude to allofits members,volunteers andfellowtrail stewards foryour efforts andsupport!
If you'dliketojoinusorlearn more aboutSquamishTrails Society, pleas ndus at https://www.squamishtrails.ca Overthelastfewyears, we’veappreciatedworkingwiththe TrailsandRec.SitesB.C., DistrictofSquamish,SquamishOffRoadCyclingAssociation,DirtWizardsJump Park AssociationandSquamishBMXtomakeSquamishagreatplacetoliveandvisit.
tend to be more resilient, connected and better equipped to face challenges together.
• Empower yourself.
Volunteering inspires personal growth It helps you build confidence, developnew skills and deepen empathy. Volunteers often carry these benefits into their workplaces, schools and neighbourhoods, further amplifying their impact.
This National Volunteer Week is a reminder that even small acts of service matter. When people come together,positive change multiplies.
Join the movement and #Ignite Volunteerism in your community today!
ThisNationalVolunteer Week,SORCA thanksvolunteerspastand present fortheir dedicationtotrailsand events that connectustonatureand each other. Yourdedicationkeeps the mountainbikeecosystem thriving in our community.
Want to helpthisseason?
Scan the QR code to explore 2026 opportunities!
CLASSIFIEDS
Contact asales reptoday!
CALL ORPLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD WITH OURONLINE SERVICE FOR EITHERPRINT, ONLINEORBOTH DEADLINE FORPRINTADS: MONDAY BEFORE 11:30AM
Sandrawas alovingpartnertoPeterLeveque,mothertoChrista &stepdaughterKarina. Shewillbelongrememberedforherstrongworkethicthroughout herlife and her great smile.
CelebrationofLife
April29th, 1-3pm, at theSquamish ValleyGolfClub, 2458MamquamRd.Squamish |Allare Welcome
John CecilGuginshas putto seafor hisfinaladventure on March14,2026. Allwho knew and lovedhim wouldagree that thereare fewwho have livedsopassionately foradventure,onland, sea or snow.
Whilehespent hisearly yearsfarmingand mining,John foundhis professionalpassion in electrical technologyand spentover30years with BC Hydro. Many aBCresidentowe theiraccesstoreliableelectricity to John’s keen knackto problem solving. Evenin retirement,hecould notstayaway, consulting at many generation facilitiesacross NorthAmerica. When notstaring at electrical diagrams,Johnspent hislifewithhis closefriends andfamilysailingacrossoceans, ridingbicyclesacross countries, or backcountryskiinginthe mountainsofBC. Hispassion foradventureswas insatiable andhewas thefirsttoencourage others to do thesame. John is survived by hiswifeJanet, daughtersCaitlin (Scott), Jessica(Dave)and fourgrandchildren: Autumn, Heidi,Hannahand Angus. We mayfeeldeepsadnessorsense of lossathis passing, butwecan take solacein John’s oft-used expressionintimes of difficulty: “This tooshall pass.” John
John askedfor thefollowing poemby Lord Tennyson to accompanythe announcement
CrossingtheBar
Sunset andeveningstar, Andone clearcall forme!
And maythere be nomoaningofthe bar, When Iput outtosea, Butsuchatide as moving seemsasleep, Toofull forsound andfoam, When that whichdrewfromout theboundlessdeepturns againhome
Twilightand eveningbell, Andafterthatthe dark! Andmay therebenosadnessoffarewell, When Iembark,
For tho’ from outour borneofTimeand Place, The flood maybearmefar, Ihopetosee my Pilotface to face,WhenIhavecrossed thebar.
The CelebrationofJohn’sLifewill take placeonJune6th at CapU -Squamishmultifunction room from 13:00hours.
Dominic(Nick) HarryMaika
August 4,1930 –March 31,2026
Dominic(Nick) HarryMaika passed away peacefullyonMarch 31,2026, in Kamloops, B.C., surrounded by hischildren.
Born in Barry’sBay,Ontario,Dominicbuilt adistinguishedcareerinthe B.C. forest industry as asaw filer,millmanager,and consultant,working across Canada and internationally. He wasalifelongoutdoorsman andskier andadevoted father.
He is survived by hisbrother Tony Chapeskie, sister Mary Bisch(Ken),and his children Paul (Heather), Patrick, Timothy(Leigh-Ann), Christopher(Rachel), Frances, andJulia,ninegrandchildren andone great-grandson.
The family thanks thestaffatKamloopsSeniors Village, Dr.Peter Loland, CardiacCareatRoyal Inland Hospital,and St.JohnVianney Parish.
FuneralMass:11:00a.m., Friday,April 24,2026
St.JohnVianney Catholic Church,Kamloops, B.C. Reception to follow.
Fillinthegridsothat every row, every columnand every 3x3box contains thenumbers1through 9onlyonce. Each 3x3box isoutlinedwith adarker line. Youalreadyhave afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeatthenumbers 1through 9in thesameline, columnor 3x3box.
TheParish of St.John theDivine, Squamish
Holy Communionand Morning Worship
Sundays at 10:00AM Rev. Cameron Gutjahr 1930Diamond Road 604-898-5100
