Premier David Eby announces guidelines for involuntary care for youth
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
Bereaved Squamish mom Brenda Doherty has been waiting eight years for what she heard Nov. 5.
Doherty and her husband Andrew were at a press conference at the Vancouver Cabinet Office on Friday morning where Premier David Eby announced guidelines under the application of the Mental Health Act that will strengthen access to involuntary care for young people, if the health-care provider treating them and the child’s parents think it is in the youth’s best interest.
Doherty, whose daughter Steffanie GeorginaAnne Lawrence, 15, died of fentanyl poisoning in 2018, has been advocating for clarity on
involuntary care since days after her child’s death.
Lawrence, shortly after turning 15, was experiencing mental health and addiction
issues at the time. She had run away from her Squamish home and been picked up by RCMP in the Lower Mainland and taken to Lions Gate Hospital. She was assessed and released with a
bus pass without her mother being notified. She was dead from an overdose within 24 hours.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Premier David Eby announces involuntary care guidelines, as Brenda Doherty looks on (in pink).
CARE: Continued from 1
Doherty has repeatedly said that if her child had been held, it would have given her family and medical support team time to come up with a plan that could have saved her life
At the press conference, Eby said that up until these guidelines, how a child like Lawrence would be dealt with depended on which doctor they were seen by or which hospital they went to in B.C.
GUIDELINES PROVIDE CLARITY
The guidelines make it clear and uniform what the options are.
The guidelines are not new legislation, but rather work with the already existing Mental Health Act provisions.
B.C.’s chief scientific adviser for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders, Dr Daniel Vigo, who crafted the guidelines with a team, said that up until now, physicians have often felt they shouldn’t or couldn’t contact parents or hold a young person against their will
He has developed the guidance document for doctors and psychiatrists that makes clear how the Mental Health Act can be applied to provide involuntary care for young people younger than 19
A minor 16 years old and older cannot be admitted against their will at the request of a parent.
The parental consent aspect is for minors under 16.
Voluntary care is always preferred, and involuntary care remains a last resort, Vigo said.
To be considered for involuntary admission and treatment, the youth must:
• have a mental disorder that seriously impairs their ability to react appropriately to their environment or associate with others, and requires treatment;
• requires care, supervision and control in or through a designated facility to prevent their substantial mental or physical deterioration, or for the protection of the person or for the
protection of others;
• the person cannot suitably be admitted as a voluntary patient.
“A minor under 16 years of age may be admitted on the request of a parent or guardian if a physician or nurse practitioner examines the minor and concludes that they have a mental disorder for which inpatient treatment would be indicated, but a minor 16 years old and older cannot be admitted against their will at the request of a parent,” the guidelines read Vigo said that in a case like Lawrence’s, the girl was smart and articulate and presented well in the emergency room so was let to leave as a “mature minor.”
“My colleagues had been told to think that in
that context [of Lawrence], they could not intervene.”
The guidelines make it more clear that parents can be involved and that, in the best interest of the child, they can be held
OPIOID BLOCKERS
There is also medication, long-acting opioid antagonist (blockers) that can be administered, but only if under care, while the person is detoxing It requires a period of time in hospital to have it be given.
“It is not, but it is almost like a vaccine against overdose for a period of time,” Eby said.
He said if a child who is addicted receives that medication, it gives them protection against brain injury and death due to overdose.
“These are the kind of treatments that can be administered with a brief involuntary stay when a young person comes in,” he said Involuntary care not only gives the youth an opportunity to be stabilized in a health-care environment with their parents, physicians and social workers in hospitals and potentially to connect with services in the community, but also gives the physician the chance to administer the drug to help protect them
CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE
While parents like Doherty have been advocating for the clarity these guidelines provide for years, Eby said that it took trying everything else to get him to the place where he could support the guidelines.
“Around young people, my apprehension came from advocates saying, ‘Look, what you are going to do if you involuntarily treat a child in hospital is that if that child overdoses in community, their friends are going to be more reluctant to call an ambulance. They are going to be reluctant to call for help because they understand that it might result in the child being detained,” he said
“That’s is a powerful argument We want people to call for help We want people to go to hospital when they are in crisis,” said the
Had we had something like this in place, it may have helped save her life.
BRENDA DOHERTY
premier.
He said Vigo’s research makes it clear that if intervention happens at the moment when the child is in crisis—and they can be held—the chance of the child dying or suffering a brain injury can be significantly reduced.
He said what “drove it home for him” was sitting across the table from parents like Doherty.
“Brenda came to my office, just down the hall here and spent time with me and shared the story of her daughter and the profound failure of the system,” he said
“There is no answer I could even contemplate that would explain why the system acted the way it did in response to that obvious crisis It was a catastrophic failure and completely unacceptable,” he added.
“Those horrific stories, as terrible as they are, give us what we need to respond to the reasonable arguments on the other side.”
He said those opposed to strengthening involuntary care have a strong argument, but “at the end of the day, sending a kid out with a bus pass, instead of with a medication that could save their brain and save their lives and letting their parents know—there is just no argument There’s no answer except that we have to do this.”
Doherty summed up what the guidelines would have meant for her daughter and family
“Had we had something like this in place, it may have helped save her life,” she said
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Squamish mom, Brenda Doherty.
GOT NEWS?
your news jthuncher@lodestarmedia ca
Email your news tip or story idea to: jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca ipace@lodestarmedia.ca
HOUSING ADVOCATES URGE DISTRICT TO RESERVE REMAINING PIONEER WAY LANDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Zero Ceiling’s Lizi McLoughlin and DWIFT Housing Society are calling on the District to set aside public land for nonprofit housing
LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
Housing advocates in Squamish are urging the District to reserve remaining public land on Pioneer Way for affordable housing instead of selling it to private developers.
Lizi McLoughlin, a Squamish resident and Whistler-based co-executive director of Zero Ceiling, a non-profit who provides housing and employment support to at-risk youth, appeared before mayor and council on Dec. 2, calling on the District to preserve a portion of 8.5 acres on 1221 and 1311 Pioneer Way for community benefit.
“As a community member and a resident, I was disappointed to see that another 8.5 acres of public land is about to be sold for private development,” she said “Public lands are our greatest assets, and once they’re gone, they’re gone They can no longer be used to bring long-term benefit and opportunities to our community.”
McLoughlin said an affordable housing provider has already submitted a proposal to acquire part of the land.
“For me, this is a vital opportunity that we cannot afford to pass up,” she told council. “Please put the community’s most pressing need first … and prioritize affordable housing developments.”
A PUSH FROM DWIFT HOUSING SOCIETY
The applicant she referenced is DWIFT Housing Society, led by Sean Easton, who also
works with McLoughlin at Zero Ceiling. DWIFT submitted an expression of interest to purchase a portion of the site in early 2025 to deliver permanently affordable housing.
On its website, DWIFT says it deprioritizes profit by building “homes for less money and [selling] them at cost … We are striving to make home ownership attainable for Squamish residents.”
Easton said the town’s escalating prices are pushing many longtime residents away “Squamish has so much potential,” he said in an interview. “I’ve had many friends have to leave this community because of the rising costs.”
DWIFT has hired real estate veteran Robert Brown—who helped establish Catalyst Community Developments and was appointed to BC Housing’s board in 2023—to advise on the project. A related change.org petition asking for community support that council considers DWIFT’s proposal has gathered more than 900 signatures.
ADVOCATES SAY PUBLIC LAND COULD DELIVER HOMES AND AMENITIES
McLoughlin said selling the land to non-profit housing providers could still raise funds for critical infrastructure while also
delivering community amenities such as parks, commercial space, child care and social services
“But most importantly,” she said, “they would provide stable, affordable homes for the people who keep Squamish running, who are raising their families here, who love this town, and want a future for themselves here.”
She also cited analysis showing Squamish now has the second-highest cost of living in B.C., behind Whistler, as part of the pressing need for affordable housing.
WHY THE DISTRICT IS SELLING THE LAND
The District is preparing to close on half of the land at Pioneer Way Dec. 9 to Solterra Acquisitions Corp for $13.3 million. Staff say the money is needed to fund major infrastructure replacements.
“[The] Pioneer Way land sale is offsetting budget pressures from major capital projects as part of the original strategy to fund facility replacements (in particular Public Works) using land disposition proceeds,” a District spokesperson said in an email.
The cost of replacing the Public Works Facility climbed from $26.4 million to $37 million. In a 2023 explainer, the District said industry consultants underestimated the pace of post-2021 inflation, supply-chain volatility and labour shortages. Costs also rose because of delays linked to a second Alternative Approval Process, new climate-resiliency and emissions standards—including flood and 2030 GHG requirements—along with contamination cleanup and expanded
HOUSING: Continued on 4
MARINE RESCUERS PUSH FOR SQUAMISH BASE AS WATER SAFETY NEEDS GROW
RCM-SAR says a new facility in Blind Channel would strengthen emergency response, training and public access on Howe Sound
LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
The Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM-SAR) is calling for a permanent base in Squamish’s Blind Channel, saying the community urgently needs dedicated water safety infrastructure.
In a letter to the District of Squamish, the volunteer marine-rescue organization outlined its case for a new facility that would bolster emergency response, training capacity and public safety along the northern waters of Howe Sound.
“Squamish currently lacks dedicated water safety infrastructure on our oceanfront, and an appropriately sited facility is urgently needed to improve response capability, training capacity, and public safety,” the group wrote.
RCM-SAR says it has spent the past five years fundraising for a boat shed and training facility, but has exhausted its search for a suitable site with long-term security Its preferred location fronts Xwúneḵw Park at the east end of Main
Take Flight thisWinter
Street.
Mayor Armand Hurford pulled the letter for council discussion, asking staff to report back on the concerns and proposed solutions.
“I appreciate the detailed recommendations in the letter,” he said, adding council needs staff’s assessment of what is possible on the site before giving more specific direction.
“This likely turns into a combination of capacity, budget and priorities, but I want to understand what that actually looks like before moving forward.”
Coun. Eric Andersen noted the district’s Marine Action Strategy, endorsed in 2018,
HOUSING: Continued from 3
archaeological work Additional scope, including relocating salt sheds, further increased the price.
COUNCIL RESPONDS
McLoughlin spoke under “unscheduled public attendance,” a rarely used mechanism reserved for time-sensitive issues tied to agenda items. The format allows community input but not debate.
Coun. Jenna Stoner thanked McLoughlin and acknowledged the tension between competing needs.
“There are limited opportunities with public land … to actually advance the issue of affordable housing,” she said. “We also as a municipality need to provide fire halls and
already identifies many of the needs outlined by RCM-SAR.
“We should be mindful that the tasks or requests outlined here are all addressed in that strategy We just haven’t got to it yet,” he said, urging council to integrate staff’s comments into an updated work plan
Coun Andrew Hamilton added that as Squamish becomes more connected to the water, demand for marine search and rescue services will grow
“We absolutely will need more marine search and rescue service,” he said. “We need to keep pursuing all the opportunities we can here.”
Coun. Jenna Stoner also supported Hurford’s motion, noting “the offer for capital funding commitments is always beneficial and makes supporting these sorts of works a little bit easier.”
RCM-SAR’s letter highlights gaps in existing resources, including limited marina space and reduced readiness for marine incidents in the upper Sound. The proposed concept includes a non-motorized public dock, secure moorage for rescue vessels, and space for equipment storage and training The dock would also need to accommodate a new RCMP patrol boat and Squamish Search and Rescue’s swift water jet boat
“A public non-motorized access dock [can be] integrated to preserve and enhance recreational access while separating motorized safety operations from non-motorized uses,” the letter states “We believe that a new water safety facility can be integrated with the intended public access dock currently designed.”
The group is asking council to direct staff to collaborate with partners on a water lot plan, hire consultants for technical design, and begin pursuing provincial and federal permits.
The Squamish Paddling Club and Squamish Search and Rescue have also expressed support, saying secure moorage and shared infrastructure would benefit multiple parties.
public works facilities.”
She said the District spent a year exploring alternatives before moving ahead with the sale
“We knew that we needed to dispose of some land in order to pay for the over $70 million that we have invested in core infrastructure.”
Coun John French said McLoughlin’s concerns were “real and legitimate,” and committed to reviewing DWIFT’s petition Coun. Lauren Greenlaw emphasized the need for multi-level advocacy.
“[Housing] is something we take seriously around this table,” she said. “It is a crisis that’s affecting our entire nation.”
Mayor Armand Hurford thanked McLoughlin for bringing the matter forward, noting discussions about the remaining lands will occur at a future meeting.
FILE PHOTO BY INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Crew members left to right: Heidi Specht, Kelly Dean, Danielle Samels, Helen Honig, and Will Turner, at Squamish Harbour.
SEE HOW MANY TIMES SPECIALIZED RCMP TEAMS WERE CALLED TO SQUAMISH
Various I-Teams were called in from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025 to support local Mounties
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
If it were a western movie, a character would say the local police “called in the big guns.”
In the Squamish context, it is calling in the I-Teams to support the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment
A report from Bert Ferreira, chief superintendent, officer in charge of the Lower Mainland Integrated Teams (LMD I-Teams), which includes Squamish, was submitted to council for Dec. 2, which outlines the times I-Teams were called in from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025.
The I-Teams work with municipal police services throughout the Lower Mainland which is the Mounties in Squamish—to provide specialized policing services such as collision analysis, emergency response, forensic investigation, homicide investigation and police dog services ICARS
There were 11 calls for the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS) from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept 30, 2025, with five
coming in the third quarter of the year, July, August, September. ICARS is the specialized unit of the BC RCMP that investigates serious or fatal motor vehicle collisions
IHIT
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in once, in the first quarter of 2025 IHIT is called in to investigate homicides,
suspicious deaths, and high-risk missing persons where foul play is suspected.
IERT
There were four calls for the Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team (IERT) to assist the Squamish RCMP over the time period, all were in the first quarter of 2025, January, February, and March. One was for a barricaded person, the rest were for search
warrants
These officers come in for situations where there’s extreme danger, involve firearms or are above the ability of the local RCMP detachment IPDS
There were 88 calls for the Lower Mainland District Integrated Police Dog Service (IPDS), spread out over the time period Six of those were to assist the IERT, seven were for a break and enter call Other calls included one homicide, and 11 weapons calls.
IFIS
The Lower Mainland District Integrated Forensic Identification Services (IFIS) was called in 22 times, seven in the third quarter of 2025, six of those seven were for stolen vehicles.The IFIS team provide specialized forensic support for local detachments, such as crime scene examinations and the collection and recording of physical evidence
I-Teams receive funding from the three levels of government: federal, provincial and municipal. The teams cover The Lower Mainland District (LMD) RCMP and Integrated Teams cover from Pemberton to Boston Bar and south to the United States border
FILE PHOTO VIA RCMP ICARS ICARS team members are expertly trained in the use of highly sophisticated equipment that helps them investigate the factors that caused a crash.
NEWS BRIEFS
FALL NOT CRIMINAL, SAY POLICE
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says its investigation into the death of eight-year-old Squamish girl, Gandom Taheri, who fell from a Yaletown high-rise last month has found no criminality.
Investigators from VPD’s Major Crime Section have concluded that criminality was not a factor in the child’s death, and that the Nov. 11 fall was the result of a “tragic accident.”
“Vancouver Police extends its condolences to the child’s family, friends, and everyone impacted by this horrible tragedy,” reads the VPD news release published Dec. 4.
SNOWBOARDER DIES
Sadly, French Canadian beloved snowboarder Martin Gallant died on Nov. 28, after battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which he was diagnosed with in August
“It’s a hard one, friends; it’s a sad day to lay to rest another one of our precious snowboard community mentors and members,” reads the GoFundMe page previously organized by friend Megan Pischke to raise funds for Gallant’s fight against the disease.
“As I drop into this final update, we honestly thought Martin would be the miracle, and that with his tenacious will to get through the roughest road of his life, he could beat this,” she wrote.
“If there’s one thing we know and understand about this unfair situation— everyone’s love, support, hugs, prayers, wishes, kind thoughts, and financial support made all the difference in the world to Martin, Nat, and his family.
Unfortunately, cancer is vicious, and it takes, but it will never take away our memories and the love we have, or the stories—the endless stories in the Book of Mart.”
NATION DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY
On Dec. 4, a new State of Emergency was announced due to the toxic drug crisis
Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) council declared the emergency as a response to the ongoing toxic drug crisis, and its disproportionate impact on Indigenous people, families and communities.
The crisis “is causing deep and lasting harm to Squamish families, communities and loved ones,” the Nation’s website reads.
According to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Indigenous people made up 17.7% of toxic drug deaths in the first six months of 2023, despite accounting for just over 3% of B.C.’s population
Furthermore, the crisis is responsible for a rapidly declining life expectancy rate among Indigenous people in B.C.
The FNHA explains that between 2015 and 2021, life expectancy for Indigenous people decreased by 7.1 years due to the dual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the toxic drug public health emergency, declared provincially in April 2016 Emergency public safety measures are now being implemented by the council, while long-term planning takes place.
“These actions are being set in place to strengthen community safety, protect our people, and build pathways toward long-term healing grounded in Squamish teachings and values,” the Nation’s website continues.
The council wrote a letter to Nation members, which can be viewed on the website.
According to this letter, emergency safety measures include:
- The address of drug trafficking on reserve,
- Enforcing tenancy and safety standards, including eviction processes for dangerous individuals, to protect community members,
- Establishing an administrative team comprised of Nation council and community members, including Elders, to plan culturally grounded, land-based healing and treatment options,
- Collaboration with external partners to address prevention and recovery support.
“Our people have carried too many losses for too long. Council acknowledges the deep pain felt across the Nation, and we extend our prayers, strength and compassion to all who are hurting. This State of Emergency is an urgent call to action,” the letter reads.
“It reflects our responsibility to protect the safety, health, and well-being of our people.”
The letter explains that the council’s approach will remain true to cultural values and collective care
“All actions will follow the guidance from community knowledge keepers and frontline workers,” the letter continues.
The Squamish Nation Emergency Fund will support the emergency measures during the next four months.
The Nation’s Health & Wellness team provides direct helplines and services for treatment access.
The province also continues to expand its mental health and addictions services,
acknowledging that the crisis has “become more dangerous, with stronger and less predictable drugs.”
GOT A CHRISTMAS TREE?
Thinking of legally cutting your own Christmas tree this year? You’ll need a permit
Anyone planning to harvest a Christmas tree on Crown land must obtain a free permit from the B.C. Natural Resource District where the tree will be cut.
For those celebrating in the Sea to Sky, several designated locations are available.
According to the permit, “Christmas trees may only be cut from areas of Crown land on power line rights-of-way … defined by the cleared area immediately under the power lines.”
In Squamish North, permitted areas include the hydro right-of-way from Highway 99, past Squamish Valley Road and across the Cheekye River.
In Squamish South, trees may be harvested along hydro corridors from Valley Drive past Guilford Drive, above Plateau Drive, and east of Powerhouse Springs Road
Permits became available Dec. 1 and are valid until Dec. 31 Each permit allows one
tree per person. Applications are completed through an online form. Once submitted, the permit is emailed directly to the applicant and outlines where trees may be cut, size limits, and conditions of use. The province also provides maps for Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, including links compatible with mobile mapping apps
Safety on forest service roads
The province urges caution when travelling into remote areas to harvest a tree Drivers should be prepared for winter conditions and limited cell service.
Recommended supplies includes bringing “ropes, gloves, tools, tire chains, a first aid kit, phone and warm clothing,” according to the province.
Christmas tree cutting etiquette
To ensure safety and environmental care, the province advises:
- Choose your tree before you cut it.
- Make sure it will fit in or on your vehicle.
- Cut the tree cleanly at the base of the trunk.
- Avoid leaving sharp, unsafe stumps
- Pack out all branches and debris to reduce wildfire risks.
Notice is hereby giventhat Inlailawatash LimitedPartnership is seekingpublic review and comment on thefollowing Forest Operations Map(FOM)for a thirty-day periodbetween December 11th,2025 and January11th,2026.
FOMID: 2683
Natural Resource District:Sea-to-Sky
Timber SupplyArea: Soo
LandscapeUnit: Mamquam
Maps areavailablefor review and comment through thefollowing Government of BritishColumbiawebsite: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects
Printedmapscan alsobemade availablefor review by appointment only at the Inlailawatash LimitedPartnership Office in NorthVancouver,BC, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.Appointmentsmay be arranged viathe emailaddressbelow
Commentsmay be submittedonlineduringthe thirty-day review periodat https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects, by emailtomatthew.marziali@ inlailawatash.ca,orbymailto Inlailawatash LimitedPartnership,3178 Alder Court, NorthVancouver,BCV7H 2V6.Ifcommentingvia mail or email, please referencethe FOMID.
This FOMmay be reliedupon duringroad and cutting permitsubmissions fora period of up to threeyears,ending January11th,2029.
•Sanitaryliftstation rehabilitation on PiaRoad continues
•Construction of anew chlorine injection chamber near Powerhouse Springs is nowcomplete.
•VictoriaStreet ActiveTransportation will continue next year.
•Xwu’nekwParkSea Dike upgrades continue
•The Garibaldi Cemeteryexpansion continues
•EVCharging Stationsinstallation work at Junction Park continues
•Loggers East StormSewer projectcontinues on Finch Drive.
squamish.ca/building-our-future
Winter programs arenow online!
Registrationopens December 16 at 8 am
Regular Pool Hours
Regular Pool Hours BeginDecember 21
MondaytoFriday: 6 am–9 pm
Saturdayand Sunday: 9 am–8 pm
Swim lessons will resume in January2026!
Visit squamish.ca/rec to register beginning December 16.
Check out the arena and pool schedules!
Forhours and schedules visit
SEA TO SKY COMMUNITY CELEBRATES SEASON WITH LIGHTS IN BRITANNIA VILLAGE
For the first time, Britannia Village has launched its annual festive light display
INA PACE ipace@lodestarmedia.ca
Everything is merry and bright in Britannia Village.
The community development, located at Britannia Beach on Highway 99, has launched the first of its annual light displays for the holiday season
The festive decorations include an illuminated tree, visible from the highway, and a selfie spot located by Autostrada Oyster Bar & Grill: a giant photo frame with a glowing maple leaf.
There’s also a boulevard of illuminated trees on the road leading into the main square, where the shops, pubs, and buildings are decorated with more lights and garlands.
These include the Britannia General Store, Copper Beach Bar & Kitchen, Beaucoup Bakery, and Copper & Fern boutique
“The holiday season is a special time in Sea to Sky country. We’re very excited to launch the first year of what will be our annual holiday light celebration in Britannia Village,” said president of Macdonald Communities, Rob Macdonald.
“We hope locals and visitors alike will find the spirit of the season while wandering through our historic village all wrapped in festive lights.”
The village is also home to EV chargers, a kids’ adventure playground, and the recently opened Sea to Sky Gallery in the Community Hall, which features rotating exhibitions by contemporary and First Nations artists.
Britannia Village was transformed this year from a historic mine site—with some buildings over a century old—into nine original buildings.
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter. This reporting was produced through the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) which supports original civic journalism across Canada
Public Noticeof2026Council Meetings
Section127 (1)ofthe CommunityCharter provides that Councilmust make availabletothe public ascheduleofthe date,timeand placeofRegular Business meetings andgivenoticeofthe availabilityofthe schedule at least once ayear.The following is alistofmeetingsofthe Municipal Council of the District of Squamish for2026. This schedule is also available on theDistrict’s web page andisposted on theNotice BoardatMunicipal Hall.RegularCouncil meetings will take placeonthe firstand thirdTuesdays of each monthunless otherwisenoted.
Meetings will be heldinCouncil Chambers at Municipal Hall,37955 Second Avenue,Squamish,B.C., commencing at 6 PM unless otherwise indicated.
Visit our websitetofind information about Council,meeting videos,schedules, minutes,and more. squamish.ca/meetings
January January 6, 2026 January 20,2026
February February 3, 2026 February 17,2026
March March3,2026 March 17,2026
April April7,2026 April21, 2026
May May5,2026 May19, 2026
June June 2, 2026 June 16, 2026
July July 7, 2026 July 21,2026
August No CouncilMeetings
September September 1, 2026
October October6,2026
November
November 3, 2026 (Inaugural Meeting) November 17,2026
December December 1, 2026
December 15,2026
LocalElection– Voting Day: October 17,2026
Holiday Hours
Please note the following exceptions to regular hours of operation during the holidayseason.
Curbside Collection
CommunityBylawServices
Call 604-815-5067
Afterhours or on holidays call Squamish RCMP:604-892-6100
MUNICIPAL HALL
(Hours open to thepublic) (Online Services available 24/7)
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE
Foremergencies, call 604-815-4040
SQUAMISH FIRE RESCUE OFFICE
Foremergencies call 911
December 25 &26Closed
January 1Closed
December 22–26Closed
January 1Closed
December 25 &26Closed January 1Closed
December 25 &26Closed January 1Closed
Transit HolidayService
Datesnot listed will operateonthe regular schedule squamish.ca/collection-schedule
Fields: Centennial Fields (1–4, 7, 8),Field 5(Homer Dome), Field 6(LaRoy Watt), Hendrickson Fields,Artificial Turf,HoweSound SecondaryCommunityField, and Beer Garden or Tournamentuse within the DistrictofSquamish. 2026 Field Closures
Hendrickson Fields: March30–April10
Centennial Fields 1–6: April20–May 1
Hendrickson Fields &CentennialField 5: June 22–July 3
Centennial Fields 1–6: July 6–17
Hendrickson Field &CentennialField 5: August 3–7
Centennial Fields 1–6: August 17–28
ContactRecreation Services at bookings@squamish.ca or call 604-898-3604 forthe Field User Requestforms.
AField Allocation Meeting will be held on January28, 2026, at 6p.m. at Brennan Park Recreation Centre.Calendar will be posted online no laterthan February16, 2026. squamish.ca/rec
RAILWAY MUSEUM OF BC TO RESTORECENTURY-OLD CAR SHOPDOORS
TheRailway Museum of BritishColumbiahas secureda$50,000 grant, matched by itsown funds, to restorethe massive barn-styledoors on itshistoric CarShopbuilding—oneofthe last remainingstructuresfromthe PacificGreat Eastern Railway era
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
Theyare agateway to history, literally.
TheRailway Museum of BC has received a$50,000 grant, matching the museum’s own$50,000 to restorefivegiant barn-typedoors of theCar Shop building.
Theso-called Historic RailcarMaintenance Shop Conservation Projectbythe West Coast RailwayAssociation involves theentrance doors to thebuilding, whichwas originally builtin1914bythe PacificGreat Eastern Railway(PGE)
Thebuildingisthe oldestofonlyfive remainingstructuresfromthe PGEera andis nowthe oldestindustrialbuildingin Squamish
barn-style doors on its historic Car Shop building—one of the remaining structures from the Pacific Great the
A1917, TheContractRecorddescribesthe doorsasequal to theheightofatwo-storey building,at14feetby22feet(four by seven metres).
“You cansee thecondition is very poor,” said museum operations managerTom Arnott,pushing thegiant doorsopen, letting in awallofoutside light. “Also, theframing at thetop needsreplacing.”
This work,which will be commissioned to a localcompany,willbeone of acoupleof phases to complete thedoorrestoration.
Theaim is forthe work to begininJanuary.
Askedtoexplain theimportanceof maintainingsuchstructures, Arnott can rattle offreasons that amount to it being “historic.”
“It’sthe oldestindustrialbuilding, probably in Squamish.It’sone of only five left,thatwe know of,ofPGE railwayhistoricbuildings Andplusit’sgot that historic part of [the building]being movedinone pieceaswell,” he said
“Asanoutsider. there’snot alot of [preserved]history in Squamish,” he said Thebuildingallowsthe biggestevent of the museum’s fiscal year to occur, too.
“And withoutit, we can’treallyfunction very well as amuseum,”headded,“We cannotsurvive withoutthe NorthPole Express. Andwithout that kind of facility... this organization couldn’t exist.”
(The NorthPoleExpress is currentlyonat themuseum, running Dec. 13-14, 20-21.)
Arnott notedthatagroup of folksmade sure thebuildingwas movedtothe current site at themuseuminthe early‘90s, so restoringthe doorsisrespectingthat communityeffort.
(
Back in 1991,BCRaildonated thebuilding, whichsat at theSquamishshopcomplex, southofthe currentmuseumsite. The80foot by 151footstructure hadbeenusedtorepair freightand passengercarsaswellasfor maintenanceofequipment.
In thesummerof1991, SupremeHouse Movers Ltd. moveditintoits currentlocation.
Accordingtoa historypresented at the museum,itwas thelargest building ever movedinone pieceinB.C.
Restorationofitbegan in 1992.
Thefunding forthe latest door restoration is part of Heritage BC’s latest releaseofclose to $500,000 in grants awardedtosupport heritage projects across BritishColumbia throughthe Heritage Legacy Fund
Arnott said he knowsthe museum is lucky to have gotten thegrant,asthere wasstiff competition.
In 2025 alone, Heritage BC received grant requests totallingmorethan$1.8million “Weare proudtosupport this year’s projects,yet it is clearthatthe need is far greaterthanthe fundingavailable,” said Keri Briggs,chair of theHeritageBCboard of directors, in anewsrelease.“We trulywish more projects couldhavebeensupported.We will continue to advocate forthe resources required to preserve theheritagethat enriches ourcommunities andstrengthens ourprovince.”
ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades ToysThroughtheDecades *UndergroundTour and BOOM!shownot included
DEC 13th&14th 2025 |10AM –3PM
Walk through atwinklingdisplay of 50 yearsoftoys, from the1970s to the2020s,and capturenostalgic family photos withSanta. No booking required and no admissionfee!
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Some of thedoors to be restored;(Right) An articleabout thebuildingbeing moved.
TheSquamishChief is amemberof theNationalNewsmedia Council, whichisanindependentorganization establishedtodealwithacceptable journalistic practicesand ethical behaviour. If youhaveconcerns abouteditorial content, please contactEditorJenniferThuncherat jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca.Ifyou arenot satisfiedwiththe response andwishtofilea formal complaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free1-844-877-1163for additional information
Reproduction of anymaterial containedinthispublicationis expresslyforbiddenwithoutthe prior writtenconsent of thepublisher.
EDITORIAL
AMOTHER’SFIGHT
Never doubtaSquamishresidentcan have a provincewideimpact.
Readerslikelysaw thenewsabout the provincial clarificationofinvoluntary care foryouth on allthe majornetworks, andtheymay have noted that localmom Brenda Dohertywas involved.
But shewas much more than that.
We were at thepress conference Friday,and it was clearthatshe hadamassive role in convincing the premierthatclarity wasneeded
Dohertyconvinced thepowersthatbethatparents need to be more involved when ayouth in crisis ends up sittingacrossfroma medicalprofessional, and that sometimesinvoluntary admissionand treatmentisalifesavingopportunity forkidsand theirfamilies.
As most locals know,Doherty’s beautiful, smart and articulate 15-year-olddaughter, Steffanie Lawrence died eightyears agofromanoverdose. Hoursbefore, shehad been broughttoLionsGate Hospital by theRCMP, butshe wasreleasedfromthe hospital with abus pass.
Hermom was nevercontacted to lether know her daughter wasthere.
At thehour-long pressconferenceinVancouver, PremierDavid Ebysaidthatthe storytoldby Dohertyhad abig role in convincing himthatwhile thearguments againstinvoluntary care for youth—includingthatitwould discourage youth from callingfor help forthemselvesand their friends—werestrong, they weren’tasstrongasthe reality of dead children andstaring into theeyesofa bereavedand broken parent.
“Whatreallydrove this home formewas sitting acrossthe tablefrompeoplelikeBrenda,” Ebysaid. “Brenda came to my office just down thehallhere andspent time with me andsharedher storyofher daughter andthe profound failureofthe system.And thereis no answer that Icould even contemplatethat wouldexplain whythe system actedthe wayitdid in response to that obvious crisis,” he added, standing inches from Dohertyin frontofthe bright lights of theprovince’s media.
What was also missed by thosecameras washis acknowledgementthatthe system failed Doherty, and herdaughter.
“Itwas acatastrophic failureand completely unacceptable,” he said.“Thosehorrificstories,as terribleastheyare, give us what we need to respond to thereasonablearguments on theother side…. At theend of theday,sending akid outwitha buspass insteadofwitha medication that wouldsavetheir brainand savetheir livesand lettingtheir parents know,there’s justnoargument. Thereisnoanswer except forthatwehavetodothis,”hesaid.
Afteraneight-yearpainful butundaunted fight, a Squamish momchanged theprovince, and hopefullysaved some of its children.
Whilenothing will ever bringher daughter back, thissurelydid rightby her.
AGUIDE FORWINTERFASHION FROM SQUAMISH YOUTH
WYOUTHCOLUMN THEODORPARIAL
hatare thelatestwintertrendsinSquamish?
Winterhas officially startedand old fashiontrendshavefallenawaylikeautumn leaves andnew trends arecoming. With thesenew trends,how arethe youthofSquamishdressingand stylingthemselvesfor theupcomingwinterof2025, andwhere in Squamish canyou locallybuy these clothesand accessories?
Thecurrent styles andtrendsofSquamishyouth from past winterswerecosy, oversizedknits;layered outfitslikedresses over pants; statementbelts, especially over coats; andthe resurgence of specific accessorieslikebalaclavas andslouchy boots.
This winter 2025,fashion trends includejackets with furoutlinedhoodies,longsuedeorvelvetoversized jackets, oversizedpuffercoats,camo, deer print hoodiesand pants.
Thewintercolours arecooltonerichcolours like icy blue anddeepred.There arealsotimelesswinter accessorieslikescarves,gloves, furhats, andboots.
With thesenew winter trends,wehavetoknow wheretoshoparoundSquamish.
Theseare afew shopsthatcarry clothing and accessoriesfor youtowearthiswinter, 2025.Shops
This winter 2025, fashiontrends includejackets with furoutlinedhoodies, long suedeorvelvet oversizedjackets, oversizedpuffercoats, camo,deerprint hoodiesand pants.
THEODOR PARIAL
locatedindowntownSquamishinclude TheSocial Line (insideEmpireofDirt),Whistle Shop Boutique, Wild andHeart,Funky Monkey Boutique,Random & Co,TreelineCollective, andPearl’s ValueVillage. There is also FasinFrank,Urban Alpine andMonsRoyale Outlet.
Thereare so many shopsaroundSquamishthatare affordable.I will be checking these stores outfor the winter festivities.
TheodorParialisaSquamishteenwho is also an alumni of theSquamishYouth Council.
(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)
THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF DRIPA LAND AT BC NDP’S DOORSTEP
PROVINCIAL VIEWS ROB SHAW
When the BC NDP government passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) into law in 2019, it went out of its way to say, repeatedly and explicitly, that it should not be used by a future court one day to strike down other provincial laws
“There will be no immediate effect on laws,” said then-Indigenous relations minister Scott Fraser.
“We are not creating a bill here that is designed to have our laws struck down.”
Still, there was much confusion on the issue. New Democrats admitted they would not be able to control what judges might do when a First Nation used DRIPA as a tool to challenge other laws in court.
“Bill 41 is not bestowing any new laws.
… The legislation does not create any new rights. … It does not bring the UN Declaration into legal force and effect,” were just some of the phrases Fraser used, as he shepherded what was then Bill 41 through the house.
Fast forward almost seven years, and the thing New Democrats said wouldn’t happen has in fact happened.
The BC Court of Appeal last week struck down the Mineral Tenures Act, because it said a lack of consultation and accommodation with First Nations over a new online mineral claims-staking system violated DRIPA.
All of B.C.’s laws are now “justiciable” over whether they violate the Indigenous rights set out in DRIPA, the court ruled in a split two-to-one ruling That’s something judges will decide on a case-by-case basis—of which, suddenly, there is expected to be many
Premier David Eby sharply criticized the ruling, saying it was an overreach by judges into the sensitive issue of Indigenous reconciliation, which is to be handled by elected governments in the
LETTERS POLICY
legislature.
“To be frank, it is absolutely crucial that it is British Columbians through their elected representatives that remain in control of this process, not the courts,” he said
“Too much rides on it in terms of our province’s prosperity and certainty going forward.”
New Democrats hailed themselves as “the leader in the world” on Indigenous rights when they crafted DRIPA in 2019 It promised to “take all measures necessary to ensure the laws of B.C. are consistent with the declaration,” including requiring free, prior and informed consent of First Nations on projects, removing colonial language from laws, rooting out systemic racism and enshrining a duty to consult and accommodate Indigenous communities in government decisions.
But it would all take time, the government said. It would happen over many years (perhaps as many as 20), with annual reports and no set deadline.
During debate in 2019, then-opposition BC Liberal MLA Mike de Jong asked Fraser if, until then, “none of the provisions in Bill 41 could be used to strike down existing legislation?”
“What you’ve described, captures our intention,” said Fraser
“You can’t tell the courts what to do specifically,” the minister added. “But our commitment and intention is to bring our laws into alignment with the UN declaration over time.”
Prophetic words, as the courts begin to sail into the jurisdiction of MLAs at the legislature.
The latest ruling effectively declares open season on using DRIPA as a hammer with which to smash any B.C. law, opening up the floodgates to court challenges, judicial rulings, appeals and counter-appeals.
B.C. may appeal the mineral tenure case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, said Eby.
Or it could amend DRIPA, he said.
“I think it just as likely, or perhaps more likely, that we would proceed with
amendments to provide clarity around what was clearly intended when we introduced this legislation,” said the premier.
Legal opinions are a dime a dozen. But there were several prominent lawyers back in 2019 who warned publicly that DRIPA set an impossible standard for government to ensure every statute and regulation that affected Indigenous people was consistent with DRIPA.
MLAs spent 20 hours over five days debating the bulk of the bill in the house.
Much of it centred on whether DRIPA gave First Nations a “veto” over projects by requiring government to obtain their free, prior and informed consent—a debate still playing out today, with varying answers.
There was also debate over whether DRIPA would impact private property rights—perhaps the hottest topic of 2025 after the courts ruled Aboriginal title sits above private property rights in the Cowichan Nation’s victory over lands in Richmond.
“A person with a fee simple interest in lands that are within the traditional territory of an Indigenous group, need not become afraid that somehow Bill 41 and the attachment of the UN declaration are going to negatively impact that person’s fee simple interest in their lands?” de Jong asked in 2019
Fraser: “That’s correct.”
In theory anyway Almost everywhere you look, the big issues of DRIPA are still playing out in court seven years later, often in ways that are totally contradictory to what New Democrats in government said would occur at the time
“We’re hoping we as a model can show how to do this right,” Fraser said at the time
Unfortunately, it looks like the opposite occurred.
Rob Shaw has spent more than 17 years covering B.C. politics, now reporting for CHEK News and writing for BIV. He is the co-author of the national bestselling book A Matter of Confidence, host of the weekly podcast Political Capital, and a regular guest on CBC Radio.
The Squamish Chief welcomes letters to the editor of up to 400 words. Letters should be exclusive to this publication and are meant to respond to a local story in The Squamish Chief or raise an issue happening in town Please include your name, neighbourhood and daytime phone number The deadline is 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for Thursday’s edition. Full names and neighbourhood will be published with the letter The publisher reserves the right to refuse and edit letters for length and clarity or to address legal concerns Email letters to: editor@squamishchief.com
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Do you agree with the federal government’s MOU with Alberta?
Is it easy to make friends in Squamish? (Top 3 answers)
Have your say at squamishchief.com Squamish letter: ‘Destruction of a partnership’
READ STORY
PHOTO BY INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF SQUAMISH EXCELLENCE: Squamish Nation councillor K’ána Deborah Baker speaks at the opening of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards held at CapU on Friday night.
Now Open forWinter2025.26
Kids
Embrace the Holiday Season:
As you prepare for the holidays, think local at every step.
School Registrationfor the2026/2027 School Year
OpensJanuary 20th-23rd, 2026
Kindergarten, FrenchImmersionPrograms, and AllNew Studentstothe District
School District No.48(SD48) is welcomingregistrationsfor the upcoming2026-2027school year starting January20th, 2026,at8:00 amand ending January23rd, 2026, at 4:00 pm.
Therewill be twokey steps:
Step One: Parentsand Guardianswill be asked to fill outanonline webform throughthe school districtwebsite. This includesbasiccontact information such as name,email address, physical addressand student nameand grade.Parentswill register as anew student to thedistrictor a current studentregistering forFrenchImmersion.
Step Two: Make an appointment to complete your registration at your Englishcatchment school by booking onlinethroughthe district website or by contacting theschool directly Note -FrenchImmersionregistrations must be completedthrough your Englishcatchment school,not theFrenchcatchment school.For Cultural Journeysand Learning Expeditions,completeyourregistrationdirectlyat St'a7mes School.
Pleasenotethe following importantinformation:
Alottery system will be used to determine priorityplacement order forall pre-registrations on thewebform. This will provideamore equitable processwherespace maybelimited Parentsand guardians will have 10 days to complete theregistration processattheircatchment school. After10days, thepriority placementorder obtained from thelottery will be forfeited. Parentsand guardians whomissthe availabilityofthe webformcan register by contacting theirEnglishcatchment schooltobook an appointment.Inthiscase, atimeand date stamponthe registration form will determine priority placement order.
VOLUNTEERS HELP PURPLE MARTINS REBOUND IN SQUAMISH ESTUARY
With only a handful of natural nesting sites left decades ago, the survival of B.C.’s largest swallow now depends on community-driven projects like the one underway
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
Squamish’s unique seasonal residents settled in nicely this past summer—and we aren’t talking about international kite boarders, though they share the same part of town as these fine-weather locals.
We are talking about purple martins that returned to the 30 nest boxes erected in the Squamish Estuary by Nature Squamish.
This season, 15 of the boxes were used by purple martins to nest, meaning that at least one egg was laid in the nest box, according to the purple martin volunteer project co-ordinator, Davina Dubé
Volunteers saw 35 chicks, but Dubé said that is likely a conservative estimate
“We can often only see two at a time poking their heads out, so there could be more,” she said
Of the chicks, 14 likely fledged from the boxes, meaning flew away
“Every year we’re seeing more,” Dubé said
According to the Purple Martin Conservation Society, the adult birds “exhibit site fidelity, which means that as long as they had a successful breeding season the year before, they will return to that same nesting site.”
Seven of the boxes were used for overnight roosting by the purple martins.
Several boxes were used by European starlings, which are an invasive species.
One box was completely vacant.
MONITORING METHODS
Dubé said Nature Squamish volunteers, like conservationist John Buchanan, monitor the nest boxes from about early May to early September.
The volunteers also do nest box inspections and cleaning at the end of the season
“We go in and clean the nest boxes, and we
gain a lot of information from doing that, including if the nest boxes were being used for nesting, and then a lot of data on if there’s any eggs or chicks remaining, if there were any mortalities, things like that,” Dubé said
A LITTLE HISTORY
Since 2016, Nature Squamish (Squamish Environment Society) has managed the project, with support from the Squamish birders and the wider community.
Prior to that, it was started in 2015 with the Squamish River Watershed Society (SRWS) and involved the installation of a single nest box on a marine piling in the central channel of the Squamish Estuary, then, over the years, more boxes and cameras were added.
In 2023, the boxes were moved to their current new specially-designed land-based structure in the estuary.
WHY THE BIRDS’ RECOVERY MATTERS
According to the provincial government, by the 1980s, the number of natural purple martin nesting spots in British Columbia had dwindled to less than 10
“These declines were mainly due to competition from non-native bird species, and to housing and other development in nesting areas,” the province says.
“During this time, the species was almost lost in B.C., but through collaborative recovery efforts over the last 30 years, purple martins are now assessed at a lower level of conservation concern, being blue-listed by the BC Conservation Data Centre.”
Dubé provided a more detailed explanation of the threats the birds face
“Some of the factors are habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, decline in insect populations—because they’re aerial
edetailedinformation visit: www.sd48seatosky.org o glish catchmentschool principal. We encourage paren storegister as soon as possible to help schoolsplanf ber 2026.
Formor rcontact yourEn tsand guardian or Septem
PURPLEMARTINS: Continued on 17 A
OF
Got something nice to say or some constructive criticism? Send your Darts & Daffodils: Email: news@squamishchief.com or drop off at The Chief office (38117 Second Ave.) during business hours. Deadline for submissions is Monday at 4 p.m. for Thursday’s paper. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number for verification. Maximum length is 75 words. Darts are
STRING
DAFFODILS in the shape of a seatbelt to bus driver Troy with Squamish Connector for the safe ride to the city.
LOOKING TO NEXT SEASON
Nature Squamish aims to address the European starling issue for next season.
“This year was the first year we saw so many,” Dubé said.
“We did some research and we need to adjust the size of the box entrances to limit their access,
This will mean shrinking the entrances to the boxes a little to keep the invasive starlings out.
“In the meantime because the European starlings stay over the winter, we’ve blocked off all the boxes to make sure they don’t get habituated to roosting in the boxes,” she said
Also, looking ahead, volunteers are half way through a two-year study to measure the temperature variations in seven different types of nest boxes.
“We’re hoping to collect enough data to create a new nest box design that’s better going to insulate the purple martins from increasing temperatures associated with climate change.”
PURPLEMARTINS: Continued from 16
insectivores—as well as nest site competitions from non-native species, like the European starling we are seeing in Squamish, as well as the house sparrow.”
(Being aerial insectivores means that purple martins feed exclusively on insects while flying.)
COMPLEXITY TO RECOVERY
Thanks to the work of volunteers putting up
nesting boxes, the birds have rebounded.
Today we’re up to anywhere between 1,800 to 2,200 individuals spread across 120 colonies in the province, Dubé said, noting they aren’t out of the woods, however.
“They are a migratory species, so this adds a level of complexity to their recovery We have to protect them in Squamish, but also in South America where they spend the winters. [And] also along their migratory paths. They travel 22,000 kilometres on their migratory route, so everywhere they stop over, it’s a risk.”
The birds currently rely entirely on humanmade nesting boxes.
“They are secondary nesting cavity users, which means that they rely on other birds to excavate their cavities, but because of habitat loss, a lot of these cavities have been lost, especially around developed areas where they often like to be So that’s why, at this time, they rely almost entirely on artificial nesting cavities,” Dubé said “So without those, we don’t have purple martins at this point.”
“Hopefully, the new design will be out in 2027 and then we’ll be able to share it with other purple martin landlords in North America and upgrade all of our 30 boxes.”
Dube said anyone interested in this project can reach out to Nature Squamish
“If people are curious about the project and are interested in supporting or whether they have experience or not, we’re super keen on sharing our knowledge and inviting people to come monitor for a day or two or the whole season if they’d like.”
Find out more on the Nature Squamish website, www.squamishenvironment.ca.
Construction Progress at WoodfibreLNG
TheWoodfibre LNGsiteistaking shape.Onland,crews are progressingonfoundations afterplacing the pipe rack modules.Offshore, piling hasbegun forthe first permanent supports forthe floating storage tank —amajor step in marine construction.
Allmarine work is supportedbymarine mammal observers and hydroacoustic monitoring.These safeguards pause work if underwater sound nears regulatory limitsorifmarine mammals enterexclusion zones
We’reproud to be building the world’s first net zero LNG exportfacilitysafely,responsibly,and under the oversightof the Sḵwxwú7meshÚxwumixw (Squamish Nation) —follow us to see howit’staking shape righthereinSquamish.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATURE SQUAMISH Purple martins have taken to the nesting boxes in the Squamish Estuary.
OUTDATED RULES LEAVE HOWE SOUND WHALES AT RISK, ADVOCATES WARN
British Columbians living along key shipping corridors are demanding stronger protections for marine mammals after a string of fatal whale strikes highlighted gaps in current vessel monitoring practices
LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
With humpbacks feeding offshore and industrial marine traffic expected to increase near Squamish, advocates and politicians say B.C. must move faster to prevent whale strikes by requiring ships to use advanced detection technology in Howe Sound.
Graham Parkinson, who lives on Bowyer Island, and Chris Roper of Pender Island live along major vessel corridors leading into Howe Sound. They say the risks are growing—and that the communities connected to Howe Sound, including Squamish, have a lot at stake.
“Shipping is reaping the benefits of using these waterways, but other beings use them too. Someone has to take responsibility so they don’t hit anything,” Parkinson said
Three humpback whales were killed and one injured in recent weeks on B.C.’s coast, prompting renewed attention from residents and scientists. A recent CBC report by
Alanna Kelly noted that British Columbians and researchers increasingly see detection technology as one of the few immediate tools available to reduce collisions
WHALES AND
SHIPS SHARE A NARROW CORRIDOR LEADING
INTO SQUAMISH
Howe Sound has seen a dramatic ecological rebound over the last decade something celebrated widely in Squamish. Humpbacks now feed regularly on anchovy schools in the same waters used by B.C. Ferries, crew boats, barges, cargo vessels and Woodfibre LNG.
“Shipping users are assuming they can have their freeway right through the children’s playground,” Parkinson said “Humpbacks corralling anchovies are focused entirely on feeding. They’re not watching for vessels.”
With WLNG, BC Ferries, Hullo Ferries and tourism operators all moving through the Sound, advocates say the local collision risk is not abstract—it is immediate and growing.
“This is happening in our backyard,” Parkinson said “We can’t ignore it.”
WHALES: Continued on 19
PHOTO BY NICOLAS COTTREL
A humpback breaching in front of Graham Parkinson’s property on Bowyer Island, looking towards Snug Cove on Bowen Island
WHALES: Continued from 18
‘WE SHOULD BE SMARTER’: TECHNOLOGY EXISTS, BUT NO ONE IS REQUIRED TO USE IT
Roper, whose background is in sensors and monitoring, points to the Whale Spotter infrared system he hosts on Pender Island—technology he says could be adopted in Howe Sound if regulators required it
Developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Whale Spotter detects the heat signature of a whale’s blow and can identify whales seven kilometres away, including in darkness or fog. More than 60 commercial vessels globally use the system.
“This year alone, Whale Spotter has spotted well over 100,000 marine mammals,” Roper said. “The technology is very mature. We have the smarts. We should be smarter.”
While some ships voluntarily use the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS), Roper and Parkinson describe the broader monitoring landscape in Howe Sound as inconsistent.
“It’s a patchwork,” Parkinson said “Without clear requirements, companies aren’t obligated to use tools that work.”
MLA SAYS OUTDATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS CAN’T KEEP PACE
BC Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote, whose
riding includes Squamish, says the issue is tied to deeper policy gaps.
“It really highlights the challenges of having environmental assessments done 10–12 years in the past,” he said, referencing WLNG.
“Suddenly you have northern resident orcas that weren’t there before, and there’s no mechanism for regulators to adjust those conditions.”
He said regulators rely on the “goodwill” of companies—something he argues is inadequate when whale populations are involved.
“As we’ve seen with BC Ferries, they don’t have the three and a half million dollars needed to optimize the whale-detection system, so they don’t spend it,” he said “If they don’t have to under regulation, then they probably won’t.”
Valeriote plans to speak with MP Patrick Weiler, chair of the federal Fisheries and Oceans committee, about whether detection technology could be mandated. He says the issue is becoming increasingly relevant in Squamish as residents express concern about both whale safety and the growing industrial use of Howe Sound.
“With 74 remaining Southern Resident orcas and a couple hundred in the north, this is a symbolic species we need to protect,” he said “That responsibility needs to be put into regulation.”
The Squamish Chief reached out to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) but did not received comment by deadline
INDUSTRY: MEASURES ARE ALREADY IN PLACE
Woodfibre LNG says its crew boats, the BridgeCAT 450 and Amia-X, already use FLIR thermal imaging systems and WRAS.
“Together, these tools provide crews with the best available information to avoid marine mammals and reduce disturbance,” the company said
BC Ferries said whale sightings are common across its 1,600-kilometre coastal network, but strikes are rare Its crews complete Whales in Our Waters training, follow internal protocols for encounters and participate in the ECHO Program to reduce vessel noise.
ADVOCATES SAY VOLUNTARY ACTION IS TOO SLOW FOR HOWE SOUND
Parkinson and Roper say industry interest in whale-detection tools is growing, but voluntary uptake cannot keep pace with rising marine traffic and the rapid return of whales to Howe Sound.
“It does take whale strikes to get everybody’s attention,” Roper said. “It’s like traffic lights—three deaths before they get installed.”
They argue the fjord is exactly the kind of high-risk, narrow habitat where mandatory measures are needed. Their recommendations include:
- vessel-mounted infrared detection on commercial traffic
- strategically placed land-based cameras
Introducingthe elusive andtalentedNEO.
Thelegend. Theninja.The catthatevaded an entire team of rescuers.He’sfinally here and canfinally feel safe afterenduring more battles outsidethanwewill ever know. Survivingoutdoorsmeans that Neodoesn’t recognizeother animalsasfriends,sohe needstothriveinanenvironment wherehe canbethe only prince of thecastle. He is very affectionate andoften vocally demands you don’t walk away from himwithout afew more minutesoflovetogether. We arereviewing applications at this time;aswehavecertain criteria with Neo’spotential home
Suddenly you have northern resident orcas that weren’t there before, and there’s no mechanism for regulators to adjust those conditions.
MLA JEREMY VALERIOTE
- expanded WRAS alert coverage
- integration with AIS vessel-tracking systems
- updated detection requirements in environmental assessments for local projects
Valeriote agrees that regulation is ultimately necessary but hopes operators will act more quickly than government timelines allow.
“I don’t think an individual operator should be OK with striking and killing an orca or other marine mammals,” he said “So it’s in everybody’s best interest to adopt some of these tools voluntarily until we can get regulation or legislation in place.”
PHOTO BY BRIAN AIKENS
EAGLE FEST: How many eagles have you spotted this season so far? Did you know that in the 1994 winter eagle count, Squamish had the world record count of 3,769 eagles? It is true!
LOCAL SKATERS KEEP GLIDING THROUGH ICE HARDSHIPS
From early morning drives to borrowed gym space, the community behind Skate Sea2Sky went above and beyond this fall—helping their young athletes succeed against all odds
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
It is no secret that for sports that need a sheet of ice, this fall has been rough in Squamish, with the closure early on due to humidity in the rink related to the Brennan Park Recreation Centre renovations and then again due to the labour strife at the District
However, head coach and senior director of the Skate Sea2Sky Club, Kari-Ann MacDonald, says the club’s skaters and the wider community rose to the challenges.
“This fall has tested the strength, adaptability, and determination of Skate Sea2Sky athletes like never before—and our skaters rose to the challenge with extraordinary heart,” MacDonald told The Squamish Chief.
“After losing the first week of September ice to a dehumidifier malfunction and a further two weeks while training temporarily shifted to Whistler, our skaters still held strong and delivered impressive performances at Autumn Leaves in Chilliwack,” she added, of the Oct. 2-5 competition
All 17 skaters competing—across 23 events earned personal best performances, according
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to MacDonald. Six of the athletes competed in two separate disciplines.
“Pushing through fatigue, travel, and months of disrupted training to deliver some of their strongest skating yet,” she said.
“Our coaching team could not be more proud of each and every one of our skaters—and parents filled the stands with cheers that reflected the strength of our entire club community.”
Then came the second major setback, she recalled, a full facility shutdown during the District’s CUPE lockout from Oct. 16 to Nov. 14, eliminating all local ice access just as skaters were preparing for BC/YK Sectionals in early November, and the Jingle Blades competition in late November
“Despite these disruptions, the Skate Sea2Sky community rallied,” she said
One skater, Faeryn Sherry, returned to the ice Nov. 15, only days before Jingle Blades
“And still had the courage to step onto competition ice and skate with determination,” MacDonald recalled.
“Though our CanSkate registration numbers are at a record low due to lost ice time, our commitment to delivering quality programming to Sea to Sky families remains unwavering.”
DRIVING TO SKATE
With limited options for ice, MacDonald, who was away in Utah at the time of the closure announcement, immediately began contacting every rink and training partner she could think of
Pushing through fatigue, travel, and months of disrupted training to deliver some of their strongest skating yet.
KARI-ANN MACDONALD
She was able to secure weekly ice in Whistler on Mondays and Tuesday afternoons, as well as an early 6 a.m. ice time on Saturdays.
She also slotted in training in West Vancouver on Wednesday and Thursday mornings
Additional run-through sessions were booked at Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre
Families and the community stepped up too.
UFC flyweight fighter Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels opened The Sound gym, at no cost to support off-ice conditioning, MacDonald said
“A core group of dedicated parents joined in co-ordinated carpools, helping skaters get to practices that often meant leaving school early or arriving late, balancing academic stress with competition readiness,” she said.
“Even with every effort, not all Star and Competitive skaters were able to train consistently—but those who did showed remarkable grit.” MacDonald said.
A MODIFIED SHOW GOES ON
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Brennan Park renovations and repeated facility closures, Skate Sea2Sky will not be able to host the beloved annual holiday Ice Show, a tradition since 2009, and the club’s largest yearly fundraiser
“Even throughout COVID, the show lived on through a special video presentation—but this year’s circumstances simply made it impossible,” MacDonald said, however she couldn’t have no event at all, so there’s “A Magical Christmas Gala” on Dec. 19th at 5:30 p.m.
It will include all Star and Competitive skaters, with a “special appearance,” by junior Star skaters.
“Unfortunately, due to the renos we are not able to include all current members with limited access in Brennan Park, MacDonald said.
There will be limited seating and donations accepted at the door for this event.
The Skate Sea2Sky Club is planning to hold its annual end of year show April 18 and 19, 2026 There will be two matinée performances and one evening. Find out more on the Skate Sea2Sky Club website, skatesea2sky. com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KARI-ANN MACDONALD Skate Sea2Sky Club skaters who competed in October and November
CL AS SI FI ED S
Housekeeping
EMPLOYMENT
ResidentialBuildingSteward –Squamish
Join avibrant 300+ unitcom‐munity!Provide on-site ser‐vice,safety, and supportina dynamic environment
Pleasesubmit your resume viaour Career Portal at www cmiconcierge.com.
December25thPaper will be delivered on Wednesday, December 24th*
BookingDeadline: Friday December 19th at
CreativeDeadline:
BookingDeadline:
*Deliverydates
CreativeDeadline: December 29th at Noon
HEAVYEQUIPMENT OPERATOR – Minimum 5yearsor5,000 hours operating experience on excavator. Full-time, Monday –Friday.$33-$46 per hour.
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Great opportunity to learn on-the-job. Stamina for physically demanding work and perseverance to braveinclement weatherrequired. Previous experience preferred butnot required. Training provided. $28-$33 per hour
PIPE LAYER –Minimum 5yearsexperience in civil construction. Full-time, Monday –Friday. $33-$43 per hour
TRUCK DRIVER –BCDL Class 1orClass 3with air brakes required. Manual transmission 2yearsexperience preferred. $35-$41.50 per hour
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CROSSWORD
Fueled 4. Commentator’spage: hyph.
Iranian ruler,once
Pubdrink
Cat-o’-____-tails
Sick
Dogwood or pine
Onion’skin
Delicate
41.Flock members
42. One or more 43. Boasts 46. Gain 50.Female voice 53. Smartkid 55. Opponent 56. Broil
57.Sole
58. Chimp
59.Slight amount 60.Wise seasoning?
61.Blushing color
1.Flop 2. Fashion monthly 3. Take out, as text 4. Choose 5. Moralistic story 6. “Don’t LeaveMe”
30.Car part 31. Lobeplace 35. Taunting 38. Accompany 40.Tint
44. Great-horned birds
45. Stop!
47.Yonder
48. Lasso
49.Poverty
50.Fireremnant
51.Luau wreath
52. Stocking color
54. Final letter
Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling
LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS:
HOROSCOPE WEEK OF DEC11,
ARIES March 21-April 19
You’ll find it hard to keep everyone satisfied,even if you tryhardand make compromises.Whether it’s on the joborinyourpersonal life,you’ll need to weighthe pros and cons andtakeamore nuancedapproach.
TAURUS April 20-May20
You’ll breeze through your to-do lists,bothatworkand in yourholiday preparations. At home,yourkeenattention to detail will help you create aflawlessand harmonious atmosphere.
GEMINI May21-June20
Your heroic gesturewill bring you praiseand recognition this week.Yourvolunteerwork could earn you an awardor, at least, ameaningful tokenof appreciation.
CANCER June 21-July 22
Be readyfor last-minute changestoyourholiday plans and decorations.Takethe time this week to givespecial attention to afamilymember who needsit.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Youmay consider treating yourself to anew carthis
SUDOKU
Christmas! You’ll be busy with last-minuteshoppingand numeroustrips,sobeprepared to manage all the little details
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Spend qualitytime with your family this holiday season. However,you mayhaveissues with payingyourbills because of asystemfailure. In your love life,you’recravingmore tendernessand attention from yourpartner
LIBRA Sept.23-Oct. 22
Although the shortest dayof the year is fastapproaching, you’ll still feel full of energy Certain activities will help breakupthe monotonyof dailylife.You mightplana trip to celebratethe holidays in style
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov.21
If you want alittle more peace in yourlife,limit how often you read the news Instead, focusonreading inspiringstories or watching entertainingTVshows.This shift will help you feel alittle morepeaceful and lightheartedinyourdailylife.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec.21
Your abilitytobring large
groups of people together will be invaluable.You mayfind yourself in acrowd whereyou don’t feel entirelycomfortable Take the time to review your social mediacontacts
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
You’ll be responsible for organizingthe festivities this year.You have many tasks to completeatwork beforethe end of the year Time is runningout!Certain relationships could prove exhaustingand demand specialattention.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18
Youmight dreamofescaping the harshwinterfor awarm getawayonsun-kissedsands in the tropics.This retreat could evolveintoa spiritual journeythat inspires apersonal revelation.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
It won’t takemuchfor you to feel emotional this week.By making afew small changes to yourdailyroutine,you may rekindle yourzestfor life. Attendingholiday get-togethers will putasmile back on your face,sodon’t hesitate to accept anyinvitations that come your way.
HOWTOPLAY:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3box contains the numbers1through 9only once. Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. Youalready have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeat the numbers1through 9in the same line, column or 3x3box
Exalting Jesus,Equipping His Followers,Engaging theWorld
www.squamishanglicanchurch.ca info@squamishanglicanchurch.ca WorshipService Sundays 10am on ourwebsite and Facebook Live 2262ReadCres. 604-898-3737 www.squamishbaptistchurch.org
The grand prize is valued at $1,012 Winner to be drawnMonday,Dec 22 Enter once to qualify for all the available prizes at thetime of entry. Scan this QR code for the
Squamish Chief Christmas Giving Giveaway Contest rules:Nopurchase required. The contest begins on December 5, 2025, at 10 a.m. PST and ends on December 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PST.Thereisatotal of one [1] prize available to be won (click onthe boxes above for prize details). Skill-testing question required. Open to legal residents of British Columbia, Canada, who arethe age of majority in the province at the time of entry.Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received beforethe contest closes. Limit 1entry per person.
