TEMPORARY HOUSING AND OUTREACH PLANNED FOR SQUAMISH ENCAMPMENTS
The District is partnering with the provincial government through BC Housing to bring emergency shelter options and outreach services under two major initiatives
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
t is news Squamish folks who are unhoused this winter likely hope comes to fruition sooner rather than later.
The provincial government announced on Feb. 9, that Squamish will join six other communities in B.C. in participating in its HEART and HEARTH programs
What this means is that the provincial government, through BC Housing, will work with local
‘LITTLE BIT FREAKY’: STAWAMUS CHIEF ROCKFALL CAUGHT ON LIVE WEBCAM
Local describes hearing what sounded like an explosion when a significant chunk of the Stawamus Chief gave way
LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
Alive webcam caught the moment a rock came crashing down from the stawamus Chief on Feb 11. The sound was so loud that one resident thought it was caused by an explosion
“I had just finished making my cup of coffee, and I was standing out on my balcony, and I heard a loud rumbling noise. And at first I thought it was maybe just a really big truck, and then it got a whole lot louder,” said Kayla Kempers, a resident of Valleycliffe, the neighbourhood closest to the Stawamus Chief.
“I thought maybe something was going on with the construction for the pipeline that they’ve been doing on the [forest service road]. And then it faded a bit, and I just saw a little bit of dust near the Chief. So at that point, I kind of figured that it was a rockfall.”
Residents took to social media to say they heard it in Garibaldi Highlands, about eight
kilometres away.
The Squamish Chief has contacted the Ministry of Environment and BC Parks for more information
They said in an emailed statement that the “rockfall occurred on Zodiac Wall that has had rockfall events in 2015 and 2021. There are no observed impacts to Mamquam Forest Service Road but a boulder approximately the size of a small minivan is visible on the new debris pile in addition new marks on the wall. There are some unsanctioned climbing access trails and boulder areas in this area below the rockfall, however, no parks infrastructure or facilities The area of the rock fall is not used by climbers because of the instability.”
HAZARDOUS TERRAIN
Rock falls are not uncommon on the Stawamus Chief.
A series of slides triggered by fluctuating temperatures in late December has closed the main Stawamus Chief hiking trail for over a month, with no reopening timeline
provided by BC Parks. BC Parks has begun a procurement process to hire scalers and a cleanup crew. Trails connecting to the main Stawamus Chief trail, including the Sea to Summit Trail from the Sea to Sky Gondola, also remain closed.
BC Parks has lifted other 2025 closures for the Grand Wall, Western Dihedral, Zodiac Wall, Sheriff’s Badge and Photofobia climbing areas in Stawamus Chief Park, which were shut down after major rockfall events in 2021.
However, they note rockfall hazards remain throughout the park BC Parks has installed warning signage along popular trails and climbing access routes and does not recommend travel in identified hazard areas. The spokesperson said there are no sanctioned trails within those zones, and anyone who enters does so at their own risk
In the meantime, Kempers said it was certainly a loud alarm clock
“[It’s] little bit freaky to wake up to when you’re about to have your morning coffee,” she said
COUNCIL DEFERS $300K WOODFIBRE LNG SPLASH PARK OFFER AMID LITIGATION
The offer of a voluntary donation surfaced during staff discussions with Woodfibre LNG over the temporary use permits for the floatels
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
Squamish council has deferred any decision on a voluntary offer of $300,000 toward a Splash Park until the litigation brought by Woodfibre LNG is resolved
The issue came up on Feb. 3 at the regular council meeting as a motion brought forward from the Dec. 9, 2025, special business meeting.
The motion read, “That council defer the decision of a voluntary donation of $300,000 to the Splash Park from WLNG until the litigation is resolved.”
The offer of a voluntary donation surfaced during District staff discussions with Woodfibre LNG over the temporary use permits for the floatels, which were granted in July.
Any donation is not tied to the temporary use permit and would be strictly voluntary f it were to proceed, according to Rachel Boguski, manager of District communications.
Boguski confirmed that the Feb. 3 motion means that council will not consider the proposed donation at all until the current litigation is fully concluded.
Woodfibre LNG General Partner filed a notice of civil claim seeking damages from the District on Nov. 6 in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.
The claim alleges “misconduct” by the municipality, including the mayor and some on council, in order to delay or stop the project.
Woodfibre LNG also alleges the District applied “an illegal” major industry tax rate in 2025, which only applied to Woodfibre LNG.
The allegations in Woodfibre LNG’s claim have not been tested in court. The District has
not responded in court to the claim.
“WLNG had initiated legal proceedings against the District to preserve its rights before expiry of applicable limitation periods, but has not required the District to respond to these proceedings yet,” an emailed statement from the District in December stated “This is not unusual when there is a possibility of a mutually satisfactory resolution being reached. The District remains committed to a collaborative process to reach an agreement with WLNG that would address WLNG’s future contributions to the community.”
According to the Jan. 13, third quarter key projects update District staff presented to council, the timing of the Splash Park construction will be determined by the work of the newly-formed Recreation Centre Task Force
With files from a previous story by Liz McDonald and Jennifer Thuncher/The Squamish Chief.
The District remains committed to a collaborative process to reach an agreement with WLNG that would address WLNG’s future contributions to the community.
EMAILED STATEMENT FROM THE DISTRICT
HOUSING: Continued from 1
governments, in our case the District of Squamish, to help tackle the housing crisis for those most in need.
“HEART [homeless encampment action response teams] work to quickly assess the needs of people in encampments and to provide rapid access to the support services they need to exit homelessness,” reads a Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs news release.
HEARTH—which stands for the homeless and encampment response temporary housing solutions—provides emergency housing and sheltering options and immediate coordinated supports.
Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Christine Boyle told The Squamish Chief that the District is looking to identify a property that would work for this type of temporary housing, near Under One Roof.
“The District of Squamish was very keen in proactively requesting participation in the program. They have been working to identify a site and to move quickly on any permitting that may be required. So we can get those homes built as quickly as possible And people moved into them,” Boyle said, just after finishing a tour of the Squamish Public Library on Monday afternoon.
She later said she would think there could be tangible movement toward the HEARTH housing this year
The next steps are confirming a site and community engagement around that site After that will be beginning work to plan and construct the homes.
The HEART outreach work will begin much sooner, she said.
Boyle said she recognizes that there is tension in the community over the encampments and over these types of proposals to house folks within the neighbourhood, but she added that it is important to note that these programs are aimed at people who are already here, in the community.
GOT NEWS?
Email your news tip or story idea to: jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca ipace@lodestarmedia.ca
“What we see again and again in communities where we’re able to work to provide these supports, is that bringing people indoors, connecting them with services, improves safety for those folks and everyone in the community,” she said.
“People are struggling in the community right now. They don’t have a safe place to sleep. It’s hard to stay connected to health supports, or to get connected to addiction supports if you don’t have a home. And so the housing first model exists to support folks to bring them inside. And then help build all those other stepping stones that are so important.”
HIGH COST OF RENT
Asked about the high cost of rent in Squamish—which can be $3,200 per month for a two-bedroom, according to rentals.ca—that is forcing more folks to end up without housing, Boyle said the province is working hard to solve that problem.
She said the government has “historic investments in non-market housing along the whole continuum, from these HEART and HEARTH programs that bring people out of encampments, to social and supportive housing and [the] low end of market housing,” she said, noting the province is working with
local governments “to end restrictive zoning and reduce red tape.”
“We’ve been taking strong action on speculators and short-term rentals to ensure that more homes are available for long-term renters living and working in communities. And we’ve seen thousands of units return to the long-term rental market as a result of that work,” she added.
“So really looking to use every tool in the toolbox. We’re seeing it make a difference in a lot of communities with increasing vacancy rates and decreasing rents. And we know there’s a lot of work still to be done.”
Mayor Armand Hurford said the District was thankful for the help.
“We are most grateful to be included in the HEART and HEARTH program to meet the urgent need of Squamish residents experiencing homelessness,” he said in the news release. “Housing is a fundamental right, and this program offers a chance for our unhoused residents to experience a sense of dignity, safety and belonging as an important step to stabilize their lives. Our sincere thanks to the province of B.C. for its partnership and support.”
While the housing minister was in town, the BC Green Party announced it would not renew its Co-operation and Responsible Government Accord (CARGA) with the ruling government. The HEART and HEARTH programs were part of the 2025 CARGA.
The minister said she looks forward to continuing to work with the Greens
“I have certainly appreciated getting to work closely in partnership on delivering on those objectives,” she said. “And I think HEART and HEARTH is an excellent example of what we’ve been able to do together here in Squamish, six communities around the province who are seeing an expansion of Heart and Hearth, 15 local governments altogether who are now Heart and Hearth communities. So there have been good successes. I hope we continue to find ways to work together to deliver for residents across the province.”
PHOTO JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs for British Columbia, Christine Boyle, at Squamish Public Library on Feb. 9.
NEW ‘HOLISTIC’ WELLNESS CLINIC OPENS FOR SQUAMISH NATION
A clinic for Indigenous cultural support, alongside primary care services, has opened
INA PACE ipace@lodestarmedia.ca
Anew health clinic, incorporating “holistic” wellness, has opened on Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) reserve lands.
Ha7lh sḵwalwnawtxw (Healthy Hub) opened on Feb. 12 at Siyí7ch’em in Brackendale.
The clinic is the first of its kind on the Nation’s reserve land to provide primary care services as well as cultural support.
This means Nation members will not only no longer need to travel off reserve to the District of Squamish or to North Vancouver to access primary care, they will now be able to access care in an environment of familiarity and relatability.
According to the Nation’s website, Healthy Hub’s services include; nurse practitioner and physician support, nursing services, counselling for children, adults, families and groups, access to traditional medicines and landbased knowledge, medical and social work support, and Family Circles.
“We’ve planted a seed here,” said
Nexwnínlhewá7nem Ch’áwch’aw (People Services) executive director Yetaltenat Kelley McReynolds
“For a long time, our people have carried the hope of having care that reflects who we are and how we heal.”
McReynolds explained how the Nation’s approach to healing is addressed “holistically,” meaning they address “everything that’s going on for a person physically, mentally [and] spiritually.”
She clarified that these holistic services are not provided in clinics outside the Nation’s community, and that the location of Healthy Hub is particularly helpful in saving members from travelling long distances.
“We [now] know our people don’t have to navigate systems that were just not built for us,” she said
Being able to access care services that are meaningful to Nation members, she explained, would “restore balance” for future generations, strengthening connections to identity, language, and ancestral teachings.
Healthy Hub includes services provided by traditional knowledge keepers and Elders, who can provide patients with traditional medicines on-site; some of the ingredients are harvested from the Squamish Valley, and processed into products such as teas and balms.
Gardens are also being developed around Elders’ homes to save time and travel, McReynolds confirmed.
Staffing at Healthy Hub is co-mananged by
Services are provided in ways that honour Sḵwxwú7mesh knowledge, traditions, and relationships, creating a safe and welcoming environment where our people feel seen, respected, and understood.
SXWÍXWTN-WILSON WILLIAMS
Health and Wellness staff from Ayás Ménmen and Yúustway Health and Wellness The team currently includes two doctors, one nurse practitioner, one primary care registered nurse team lead, two public health nurses, and one wellness coordinator, according to the Nation’s website.
The co-managers anticipate they will hire more doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and Elders/ Healers during the coming year
“The Healthy Hub was created by recognizing that true health is rooted in culture and connection,” Nation chairperson SxwíxwtnWilson Williams said in an emailed statement.
“Services are provided in ways that honour Sḵwxwú7mesh knowledge, traditions, and relationships, creating a safe and welcoming environment where our people feel seen, respected, and understood,” the statement reads.
‘The services the Healthy Hub offers support self-determination, healing, and long-term wellness by caring for our people in the ways of our people.”
The building itself is modular, with a permanent fixture and full services expected to be in full swing by the spring
The clinic is for Nation members only, and will not be available for walk-ins
Patients must register by calling 604-8986771 or by emailing svclinic@squamish.net, providing their name and contact details, as well as their personal health number (PHN).
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
PHOTO BY INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
A ceremony was held at the new Squamish Nation Healthy Hub in Brackendale on Feb. 12
Britannia Mine Museum gratefully acknowledges theircommunity sponsors:
WILL OTTAWA’S GROCERY BENEFIT ACTUALLY HELP SEA TO SKY FAMILIES?
A new federal benefit replaces the GST credit and boosts payments by 25%, while new funding targets food banks and domestic supply—but Sea to Sky advocates say affordability challenges remain structural
LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
With the Federal government’s new rollout of the Canada Groceries and Essential Benefit, only time will tell if it does what the feds say it will—lower costs for Canadians.
The two-pronged approach provides tax benefits to those most in need and strengthens domestic supply chains by funding food banks and food producers.
The new benefit replaces the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit and increases it by 25%, according to the Prime Minister of Canada’s Office’s release. Carney made the announcement Jan. 26 in Nepean, ON Qualifying families of four will get “up to $1,890 this year, and about $1,400 a year for the next four years; and a single person will receive up to $950 this year, and about $700 a year for the next four years.”
As reported by John Paul Tasker with CBC when the news broke, eligibility depends on
household or individual income and family makeup The GST rebate is income-tested and changes each year with inflation. To qualify, you must be a Canadian tax resident and at least 19 years old
For the 2024 tax year, a single person with no children qualifies if their adjusted net income is $56,181 or less A married or common-law couple with two children qualifies if their combined family income is $66,841 or less
QUESTIONABLE FIX
But in the Sea to Sky, where the cost of living is higher in Squamish and Whistler than the rest of the province, the executive director of Squamish Helping Hands Society (SHS) questions whether the enhanced rebate can tackle the structural nature of the problem.
“[I’m] unsure if [the grocery benefit] is going to be enough to close the gap for the individuals that are accessing the food bank,” said Lori Pyne. The Squamish Food Bank serves 900 people per month, with a 10% increase in 2025 in the number of people accessing it, which is above
FOOD: Continued on 7
PHOTO BY LIZ MCDONALD/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
The Squamish Food Bank is within Under One Roof at 37871 Third Ave.
the national average of 5%, according to Pyne. The need is great enough that they’ve had to limit access to residents only.
“Food insecurity is not because people have made bad choices; it’s because the systems around them have become out of sync Housing has gone up [and] food has gone up quicker than wages have gone up.”
And while the federal government has promised a $150 million cheque for food banks, Pyne said there are more than 5,000 in Canada The Calgary Food Bank alone spent $14.8 million in cash on its programs and provided $42.2 million worth of food for the 2024 fiscal year
LESS FOOD RESCUE, HIGHER OPERATING COSTS
One of the most valuable streams of food at the food bank comes from items rescued from local grocers. But even that’s starting to shrivel.
“We rescue food from several of the grocery stores in town, and they’ve started to tighten up their belts as well, so they don’t have as much waste, so we’re seeing less food being rescued, so we’re having to spend more food on hard goods,” Pyne said.
That means they are relying more on cash and food donations than before, which raises operational costs.
“We are all very precarious as Canadian citizens right now, and so one illness, one job loss, one rent increase, you could become food insecure And so it’s being compassionate and understanding of and not judging people that
are accessing food banks,” she said.
“Come to the food bank if you need food.”
FEDERAL PLAN BETS ON DOMESTIC SUPPLY
Part of the Fed’s plan includes $500 million from the Strategic Response Fund to provide funding to businesses facing supply chain disruptions and to prevent those costs from being passed on to consumers.
It includes funding for greenhouses and abattoirs (slaughterhouses)
That’s welcome news to Sea to Sky Farms owner Daniel Cruz He’s the owner of two vertical farms, though only one in Alberta is operational. His Squamish Valley farm is in the process of repermitting to start building a controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) facility
“It very much would stimulate the growth of this project. I’m in discussions with Farm Credit Canada, which is the financier or lender of agriculture companies and landowners in Canada. So we are looking forward to learning more about this particular new program, which is multifold, right? It not only would benefit someone like myself and a company like ours building a controlled environment agriculture structure, but it also opens up some funding related to securing food supply logistics and infrastructure in Canada,” he said
WILL VERTICAL FARMING QUALIFY?
But it remains unclear whether CEAs will be counted as greenhouses, a move Cruz said
would be shortsighted.
“The greenhouse is obviously a very old structure for agriculture, which, given Canada’s climate, isn’t the most… strong building structure to grow food, given, obviously, our climate and limited sun during the year. You know, vertical farming does not need sunlight to generate a farming product. So if the federal policy did not include vertical farming, I agree it would be very nearsighted,” he said
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency told The Squamish Chief that the Food Security Fund is in development.
“Therefore we are not able to answer your questions at this time,” a spokesperson said
When Cruz last spoke with The Squamish Chief in 2024, he said businesses like his faced challenges gaining access to major grocery chains That may be changing
“Because of the tariff position in the world, and obviously with our neighbour and the current government really putting food security forward, I’ve noticed a dramatic change in the tone from the major retailers and even some of the major greenhouse players, because the consumers are finally stepping up and demanding Canadian content,” he said.
The change in tone means he’s aiming to fast-track the Squamish vertical farming development to fulfill a new contract that will see his product in a major B.C. grocery chain.
FOOD STRATEGY ROLLOUT COLLIDES WITH FEDERAL JOB CUTS
The PMO also highlighted the rollout of a National Food Strategy, which is set to
“strengthen domestic food production and improve access to affordable, nutritious food,” according to the release.
“This strategy will also include measures to implement unit price labelling and support the work of the Competition Bureau in monitoring and enforcing competition in the market, including food supply chains.”
Two days after the program’s announcement came major cuts to public service sector jobs in food production Jan. 28 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency employees were let go, with CFIA losing 1,371 agency jobs.
CFIA is responsible for enforcing food regulations, inspections, recalling food and protecting against diseases and pests in animals and food The AAFC is responsible for funding, policy and support for growing Canada’s agriculture and food sector The cuts are part of the federal government’s cost-cutting initiatives.
Food Secure Canada, a food security advocacy organization, said it was “deeply concerned” about how these cuts would impact consumers and farmers in a public release.
The Squamish Chief asked AAFC for comment on whether job cuts would affect the program’s rollout, administration, or timing
A spokesperson said they have no role in the program administration, and directed the outlet to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, which has not responded in time for deadline
Business Opportunities
Request forProposals
•Environmental Consulting squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district
InfrastructureUpgrades
•Loggers East StormSewer projectcontinues on Finch Drive.
• X̱ wúneḵwPark SeaDike upgrades continue, with intermittentnightworks ongoing. squamish.ca/building-our-future
DevelopmentReview
• LotO –Zoning Amendment
• Oceanfront–Pop-UpVillage DevelopmentPermit squamish.ca/review
NoticeofGrant of Assistance
BC Housing
PursuanttoSection 24 of the CommunityCharter, the Council of the DistrictofSquamishhereby givesnoticeofits intention to grantassistance to BC Housing by allowing use of land at 39900 GovernmentRoad forone year forone dollar.
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COUNCIL SUPPORTS SUBMITTING MORE LAND TO CANADA’S CONSERVATION DATABASE
In a unanimous vote this week, the District of Squamish council approved the submission of over 70 hectares of municipal parkland and public-use parcels to Canada’s official conservation database
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
Squamish and Canada aim to protect 30% of land and water by 2030, with the federal government announcing the goal in 2022
In a step towards that, this week, District council unanimously voted to direct municipal staff to submit 70 hectares of District-owned park and public-use parcels of land to the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas database.
The parcels include more than 26 ha in Smoke Bluffs Park and adjacent lands, Merrill Park, in the Garibaldi Highlands, which contributes almost 11 ha, about five hectares of John Hunter Park in Valleycliffe, and select Crumpit Woods parcels that total about four hectares
A representative of the Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society, which is leading the way on engaging with municipalities to do this work, presented to elected officials on the initiative at council’s Feb. 10 committee of the whole meeting.
There was urgency for this to be OK’d by council now, as the society only has federal funding for this project until March 31
What is the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD)?
The database, compiled and managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada, contains records of all protected areas across the country.
The database establishes a baseline for measuring progress and tracks Canada’s performance on its 30x30 Project—a goal of conserving 30% of Canada’s land and water by 2030.
There are two categories to submit to the database: protected areas, which are lands where conservation is a primary objective of the land management, and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM), which are “lands that are not primarily zoned or managed for conservation but still provide conservation outcomes,” according to the staff report to council.
“Some of the major attributes supporting the selected parcels as good candidates are that many of these parcels provide essential buffers between protected and developed areas, facilitating not only the effective movement of wildlife and supporting ecological connectivity and function and thereby biodiversity. They also provide essential buffers for drainage,” said Erin Urton, an environmental specialist with the District.
“Most, if not all, of these parcels are located in areas mapped as environmentally sensitive and include forests and or riparian areas or
wetlands.”
Urton also noted that the designation has no legal ramifications and places no additional restrictions on these parcels.
OTHER LANDS ALREADY SUBMITTED
Thirty-two District owned parcels zoned as ecological reserve (P-4 zoning) were already submitted in 2025, and have since been accepted into the database.
These approximately 85 hectares include riparian areas dedicated to the District along Loggers Lane Creek, the Mamquam Reunion Channels, Meighan Creek, Britannia Slough, and the Stawamus River.
“These parcels are now registered and recognized as protected areas in the region,” confirmed Urton.
Within the region, Bowen Island Municipality, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the Village of Lions Bay, the Town of Gibsons have also submitted OECM and Protected Area data to the database
SAMPLE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council unanimously supported the two staff recommendations. The first is to receive the project update about the submission of ecological reserve lands to the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database. The second supported recommendation was to direct staff to submit the proposed additional submission of District-owned parks and public use parcels to the database by the Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society in 2026.
“I do think it’s important that the protections we have in place in their various forms
are recognized, and we can contribute in a way to this initiative So I’m happy to support,”
said Mayor Armand Hurford.
Coun Jenna Stoner noted that, if the latest contribution to the database is accepted, it would bring the District’s protected land to 21% of its total.
“I think that is a big piece of this work is making sure that we have the information in our system, in our processes, and in our decision making so that we can make informed decisions on every little bit that will matter,” she said.
Coun. Andrew Hamilton noted that these initiatives relate to people getting out in nature.
“We know that it’s important for humans to get out into nature. It’s important for us. It’s important for education. It’s important for us to understand what we need to conserve. And I think that in order to have that, we need humans going into these zones. We need humans going into nature,” he said “And by having these zones deliberately recognized as buffer zones, which balance human activity with things like biodiversity and other ecological factors is an important step to take.”
NoticeofIntention to Applyfor aDisposition of CrownLandUnder theLandAct
Take notice that BC Hydro&Power Authority, from Vancouver, BC hasapplied to theBritish Columbia Ministry of Water, Land andResourceStewardship (WLRS),South CoastRegionfor aStatutoryRight of Wayfor thepurpose of Electric PowerLinesituatedonProvincialCrown land located at Part of Blocks M, Nand O, District Lot6958Group 1New Westminster District,containing0.024 hectares,moreor less.
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Be advisedthatany response to this advertisementwillbeconsideredpartofthe public record Access to theserecords requiresthe submission of aFreedom of Information(FOI) request. Visit gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learnmoreabout FOIsubmissions
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
John Hunter Park is one of the areas being submitted into the database
LOCAL MAN TO ROLLERBLADE AROUND THE WORLD TO SAVE THE BEES
$1 million. Six months. One pair of rollerblades. That’s what it will take for Zach Choboter as he embarks on his Blading For Bees campaign across continent
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
Local Zach Choboter is the kind of guy who buzzes when he talks about what he is passionate about, which in this case is apropos, because he is passionate about bees, and their survival
And the 29-year-old is putting his money and—er—his blades where his mouth is Decked out in a bee costume, Choboter aims to skate around the globe—30,000 kilometres across 25 countries—over six to eight months of continuous travel with the goal of raising $1 million to support pollinators and help feed communities.
That means he will be skating an average of 170 km (100-plus miles) per day on skates that’s around 10 hours per day.
He started a non-profit, Blading For Bees, and has a small support crew of folks who will be helping him along.
“Bees are important because if you help the bees, you help everyone You help the bees and
sudden, really had this, like this purpose and I really wanted to care about the planet and people and adventure and community. And I wanted to find a way to bring those all together,” he said
His adventures started by skating coast to coast in Canada in 2021, followed by other endurance feats.
Rollerblading isn’t exactly the first thing folks think of when they think of Squamish sports, but for Choboter, it is an activity he picked up as a kid in Aldergrove, and never let go of
DARTS & DAFFODILS
A HOSPITAL FULL OF DAFFODILS to Squamish General Hospital for their outstanding care after my fall and an ambulance full of daffodils to Eric and Natalie for their care and transportation of me to Lions Gate Hospital Special thanks to Dr McGraw Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Thank you to my daughter Brittany for transporting me and staying by my side
you help the trees, you help us, and you help our food systems. So the bees are such a good mascot for the planet and the environment and for us. And they’re simple and they’re cute and they’re lovable.”
Choboter moved to the Sea to Sky Corridor about five years ago and said it was a shift for him to think more about the environment and wanting to do things to protect it and spread awareness.
“My values kind of shifted and I, all of a
“I was a classic Canadian kid playing hockey growing up I owe it to my friend, Mike Hamm For some reason, we just both had rollerblades because we both played hockey together and we would just skate to each other’s houses,” he recalled. “Even when we were driving, we were skating everywhere.”
On March 1, Choboter will leave from the Terry Fox Memorial at BC Place, do a loop around Stanley Park and then head out to Aldergrove the first day.
Folks will be able to follow along on the trip through a live link on his website at www bladingforbees.ca and through his Blading for Bees social media.
A VILLAGE OF DAFFODILS to the companies who helped make the Valleycliffe Elementary Livng Classroom Shelter happen: Steelwood Structures and suppliers—Blackmount log sort, Combustion Solutions, Cardinal Concrete, Harris and Sons Crane Transport, Summit Concrete Finishing, Rona, Van Urban Timber, Sunbelt Tool Rentals, Triton,Lindsay Equipment, Bunbury & Associates Land Surveying Ltd., Arrowstone Archaeological Research and Consulting, Frontera Geotechnical, Squamish Community Foundation, FortisBC, Diamond Head Land Company, Surerus Murphy Joint Venture, Charitree Foundation, Woodfibre LNG Valleycliffe Elementary Parent Advisory Council, and Susie and John Cipolla in memory of Tonny and Bent Mortensen.
Café ExpressionofInterest Brennan
Park Recreation Centre
We’rebrewing something newat Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
The DistrictofSquamish is seeking expressions of interest forour caféspace. Interested parties areasked to submit by Friday, February27 at 4:30 PM.
Available forLease: Café Space181 sq.ft. (shell space)
Formoreinformation and submission details visit squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Zach Choboter, who will leave on his global tour March 1.
BUSINESS BEAT
YOGA WITHOUT THE ‘WOO WOO,’ AT BRITANNIA BEACH
A recently opened yoga studio in Britannia Beach is aiming to build a more relatable practice, without limitations
INA PACE
ipace@lodestarmedia.ca
“Make everything make sense, in a language [people] understand, that resonates with them.”
Such is yoga instructor Marija Stevanovic’s explanation of her philosophy and approach to yoga teaching.
Originally from Ontario, Stevanovic moved to the “incredible” Sea to Sky early during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work as a business coach for yoga instructors prompted her to open her own inclusive studio in Britannia Beach, an intimate space accommodating a maximum of six people per class, which she describes as “a good size for the size of the community.”
“[Britannia Beach] is a really grounding area to be in, and we’re surrounded by people who really care about other types of businesses,” Stevanovic said
“You feel just far enough outside of Squamish to be getting away, but still really close.”
Stevanovic founded the Arka Yoga Collective with her partner Graehme Gourlay last summer, though the business has been steadily gaining momentum since, especially as clients seek like-minded communities with escapism during the darker winter months.
Such was the impression given by participants’ comments in two of her classes, Low Gear and Ignite 90, during which this–very inflexible–Squamish Chief reporter also participated.
But as it happens, you don’t have to be physically flexible to participate in yoga, and certainly not at Arka Yoga, given the evident versatility of the classes, and Stevanovic’s relatable delivery
“I really don’t think yoga needs to be filled with a bunch of–I call it–woo woo. One of the things that really doesn’t influence me about yoga culture is the fact that a class will be faced with all of this language That doesn’t necessarily resonate with a lot of people It doesn’t really encourage a wider audience,” Stevanovic said Yoga at Stevanovic’s and Gourlay’s studio involves “hot-ish tunes” with “a fu*kin vibe,” as the website reads.
“We don’t do yoga to escape the world— we do it to handle it,” it continues.
Stevanovic’s Ignite classes are inspired by the Bikram series, or hot yoga, in both 60 and 90 minute formats in temperatures of
up to 36 C; all 26 poses she teaches are repeated twice during the latter, with classes being divided into a series of work on foot, and on the floor.
Less intense classes, namely Low-gear, Throttle and Grind, last 60 minutes, and are undertaken in temperatures of up to 32 C.
She explained that Bikram can be equally as restorative as it is a workout, and that several of her clients are recreational athletes.
Yoga as a multi-faceted workout is an apparent focus at Arka Yoga, rather than as a sole form of escapism.
“My core belief is that what we learn on our mats, we can take with us to the outside. So instead of using [yoga] as another form of escapism, I look at this as an opportunity to really understand how we process things,”
Stevanovic said
Stevanovic emphasized that yoga “really saved me mentally,” and that it’s very complementary to recreational sport.
“The benefit of yoga that people don’t often look for when they first start out, is the physical thing that gets them in the door, [but] what keeps them here, I think, is the change that they start to feel within themselves, and a deeper sense of calm.”
Arka Yoga holds various classes on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., and is located at 32 - 351 Copper Drive, across from the Autostrada restaurant.
Classes may be booked online from $33, with the option for package deals.
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
The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news To be considered, please reach out to news@squamishchief.com
While funding for this coverage was provided, The Squamish Chief maintains full editorial control over all content.
Brought to you by Community Futures Howe Sound, The Sea to Sky’s resource for financing and free business support to help local businesses and entrepreneurs in the area Connect with them directly and learn more at cfhowesound.com or email Kieran at kieran.hale@cfhowesound.com.
Rolo theRabbit
Rolo arrivedincareasa youngstray,unsureofpeopleand overwhelmedbythe big, noisy world. Butjustlikethe caramel candy she’snamed after, patience andkindness helped hersoft center shinethrough
Today, Rolo hasblossomed into agentle, curiousrabbitwho has learnedthathumanscan be bringers of good things—especially when those humans comebearing freshgreens, veggies, andthe occasional tiny pieceoffruit.Offer hera leafytreat andshe’llgladlytakeitright from your hand, making it aperfect waytobuildtrust anda specialbondwithher. RabbitslikeRoloare wonderfully unique companions.They’re notquite likecats or dogs—nocouch-snuggling or TV-watchingrequired. Instead, they offersomething quieter anddeeply comforting:calmcompany at floor level, apeacefulreading buddy, or a sweet,softpresencenearbyastheyexplore theirspace at their ownpace.
Rolo is an exceptionally tidy girl whousesher litterbox faithfully.Hay is hermainfood source,and shealsoenjoysher youngrabbitpellets.Althoughshe’s undera year old, she’s already reachedher adultsize—petite,perfect,and readyfor herforever home
With hergentlenature, cleanhabits, andgrowing confidence, Rolo is well on herway to becoming adelightfulcompanion forsomeone whoappreciates thespecial magicrabbits bring to ahome. She’ssweet,she’s soft,and she’sready to learnwhatitmeans to be loved.
PHOTO BY INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Marija Stevanovic and her partner, Graehme Gourlay, at her Arka Yoga Collective in Britannia Beach.
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FOCUSON THE SUPPORT
Whenawful things happen outsideof Squamish,likethe shooting in Tumbler Ridge, mediawalkafineline.
It is obviouslyanincidentthatimpacts us here too. Therelikelyisn’t aparentwho didn’t thinkabout it when dropping offtheir own childatschoolinthe days that followed.Every teacherlikelylookedat theirclassroom andthought aboutwhatpartof the room they wouldheadtowiththeir students to stay outofthe line of fire
On theother hand,itdidn’t happen here andwe don’t, as journalists, want to exploitthe situation. So, our focusshouldbeonthe supportcomingfromour small town to thoseinTumbler Ridge.
TheSea to Sky’sChris Nicholson, superintendent of schools, sent aheartfelt message to families on Feb. 11,the dayafter thedeath of eightpeople, including sixkids. He offered support, resources, andacallfor compassion.
“Duringtimes like this,compassionmatters deeply.Weencourage allmembers of our communitytoextendcareand empathytothose who maybemoredirectlyimpacted,”he wrote.
Indeed.
TheDistrictofSquamishand MP PatrickWeiler were also quicktoshare thegrief with thoseinthe tight-knitcommunity. SeatoSky MLAJeremy Valeriotewenttothe community, joiningPrime MinisterMarkCarney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre,Premier DavidEby, NDPinterim Leader DonDavies, andGreenParty Leader ElizabethMay, alongwithother leaders, at amemorialonFeb.13.
“My12-year-old daughtersdonated oneoftheir favouritestuffiesfor me to leaveatthe memorial in Tumbler Ridge,”Valeriote wroteonsocialmedia.“It’s heartbreaking just to thinkof them notcominghome safely from school todayand everyday.Myheart breaks forthiscommunity,and IknowTumbler Ridgeand allofB.C.willheal, with time andlove.”
Indeed
Squamish SARalsohad aheartwarmingmessage forthose suffering, includingthose whoseprofession requiredtheyrun toward thetragedy
“Our hearts arewiththe TumblerRidge communityduringthisincrediblydifficult time,” the volunteer organization wroteonsocialmedia.“We arethinkingofthe familiesand friendsaffected, as well as our colleagues at TumblerRidge Search and Rescueand allpartner agencies supporting the response.”
Timeslikethese remind us howconnected we all are. Thebestthing we candonow is hold on to the kindnessand compassion we feel in thewakeof thesetragedies andmakethemlastaslongaswe can.
HEAD-ONCRASHES ARETHE MOST DANGEROUSAND KEEP ON HAPPENING
centre line or even amedianand into thepathof oncomingtraffic
It’sone of theworst things that canhappentoa driver —ahead-on highwaycrash.We’re seeing these in B.C. at leasttwo or more timesa month and theresults canbeunimaginable. Becausethey often happen at high speeds,leaving little time for evasiveaction, head-ons almost invariably result in seriousinjuryordeath.Why do they happen and howcan we tryand preventthem?
Research from Europe andNorth American showsthere areseveral common reasonswhich causethe head-oncrash.
Firstupisdriverfatigue.There is more andmore credence beinggiven todaytothe conceptof micro-sleep. Atired driver maynod offfor just a few seconds, anddothatrepeatedly, when they become over tiredwhile driving.
It’s notjustanighttime phenomenon either, daytimedrowsinessisjustaspotent. Atwo second nod-offismorethanenoughtoput youovera
Drowsiness should be regarded thesameas impairment.Ifyoureyesfeelheavy or youstart missingroadsigns -pullover. Freshair andloud musicisnot afix.On long tripsplanbreaksfor everytwo hours, consider sharingdriving duty and avoiddriving during normalsleep hours.
Distraction, as usual, is high on thelistand often connectedtohead-on mishaps. Keepingoff your phoneissoobvious here that it should be acliche by now- butplentyofdrivers stillaren’tgetting it Butthere areother kindsofdistractions, like eating,adjusting navigation,and even talkingto your passengerwhich areparts of thedistraction matrix.Oftentimeswecan pull thoseoff when we’reintowndoing 40-50km/h, butat100 km plus on ahighway thereisvirtually no margin forerror. So setthe tunesand thenavigationbeforeyou startoff anduse handsfreefeaturesonlywhen absolutely necessary. Whilein-carfeaturesmight be handsfreetheyare not“mind free”. Andeven though lotsofcarsnow have peripheral alerts and lane departurewarnings, they arenot substitutes
DRIVING: Continuedon13
GUESTCOLUMN JOHN DUCKER
Ha7lh skwálwen cht kwis emút cht iy sts’its’áp’ cht iy kw’shétsut cht na7tkwa temíxw tl’a Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw
(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)
for being alert and paying attention
No one should need to be reminded about driving impaired, especially in this context, yet the weekly impaired driving round-ups publicized by the local police agencies and the provincial highway patrol sadly keep telling us otherwise.
Impairment affects steering control, reaction time and most importantly - judgment Even small amounts of alcohol or certain prescription medications can cause subtle lane drifts long before a driver feels obviously impaired
The longstanding rule remains simple: if you’ve consumed alcohol, cannabis or any medication which warns about drowsiness, don’t drive. Ask your doctor about any new medication’s potential ability to affect your driving specifically.
Speeding is at the heart of many head-on crashes but there’s a sub-factor with speed that’s equally important and that is: over-correction. Cars today are
LETTERS POLICY
highly engineered and run so smoothly that it’s easy to misperceive your feeling of speed.
When the need to avoid danger suddenly occurs many drivers find out the hard way they’re going at a speed which exceeds the ability of their car to maneuver adequately This is common in wildlife strikes, where the act of avoiding a moose or a deer on the highway results in sudden and improper over-correction, often followed by a rollover or a head-on crash.
It’s important to drive at a speed from which you can recover in an emergency. If your wheels leave the pavement, ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel steady and gently guide the vehicle back onto the road Slamming on the brakes or yanking the steering wheel can lead to catastrophe. If a crash scenario is simply unavoidable, try and react in a way to avoid the head-on, as it is generally the worst possible outcome for survival.
Medical events are quite common on the island given our aging population. I
once watched a car driven by an elderly gentleman, swerving all over the road, eventually plowing into the back of several parked cars. He was experiencing severe leg cramps and was unable to move onto the brake.
It’s really important to frankly confront medical issues which may affect driving. Sudden problems such as seizures, fainting or a cardiac event can easily cause a loss of vehicle control. Simply “zoning out”, as a result of medical conditions is equally troublesome
Most head-on crashes stem from reduced attention, lowered alertness or a loss of control. Being medically self-aware, staying rested, sober and focused while driving at a safe speed are simple habits which dramatically reduce the risks of crossing the line of no return Head-on crashes have no winners.
John Ducker is a former deputy chief with the Victoria Police who retired from the force after 34 years of service.
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
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK
If you had to pick the ONE issue that determines your Squamish council vote in October, what is it?
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MOST READ STORY
Squamish CAN sprouts in 2025
TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK
This week’s TikTok video features a story on the rockfall from the Stawamus Chief. It has garnered more than 20K views so far. Check it out @squamishchief
DRIVING: Continued from 12
PHOTO BY BRIAN AIKENS
SUNNY VIBE: It is hard to imagine it now, but it felt like spring in Squamish last week Many folks took advantage of the break in winter to soak up some rays
‘THE MOST AMAZING VIEW OF DOLPHINS’
Squamish
slackliner captures incredible footage of Pacific white-sided dolphins in Howe Sound
LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
Evan Willson captured an incredible moment on video in the Howe Sound: a pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins swimming in the ocean at sunset near Britannia Beach, Jan. 18
“The sun was setting… and we saw this float plane fly around the ocean a few times. We were confused about what was going on Then we saw a huge pod of dolphins in the distance… once the plane left, I decided to take out my drone so I could go and get a closer look,” Willson said. “I got to see the most amazing view of dolphins.”
The Squamish resident often slacklines along the coast, and was preparing to leave when he and his friends witnessed the magical moment. The footage shows the dolphins travelling in a group, surfacing and diving as the sun sets over Howe Sound.
FREQUENT DOLPHIN ACTIVITY
Ellika Cairns, project director for Átl’ḵa7tsem/ Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative, said Pacific white-sided dolphins have been very visible throughout the south coast of British Columbia
“So there’s been a lot of recent sightings of Pacific white-sided dolphins in the sound. I first heard of some sightings over on the Sunshine Coast a couple of weeks ago, and then over in West Vancouver and now just this past week,
over the past few days, there’s been some more sightings by Britannia Beach and Furry Creek,” she said
“It seems to be a fairly large pod, around maybe 70 dolphins, which is really exciting to see.”
The dolphins appear to be feeding, and Cairns says that potentially aligns with the herring spawn season
“So we can’t definitively say that the dolphins are here because herring are here, but we can make some guesses. So the dolphins have been exhibiting a lot of feeding activity. So you can see that in the way that they’re swimming together in this big pod,” she said. “You can also see lots of birds hanging out with them. The birds are after all the scraps the dolphins leave behind. And so clearly they’re feeding on something, some sort of small fish. It could be herring, it could also be anchovy or a different small fish.”
Cairns said that the end of January is what’s called Tem Lhawt in Sḵwxwú7mesh sníchim (Squamish language), which means the time of herring spawn in Átl’ḵa7tsem (Howe Sound) Herring spawn from now until the end of April, according to Cairns
‘MOST MAGICAL EXPERIENCE’
The next day, Willson went back to where he slacklines, and he experienced one of the most magical moments of his life
“I went back to the same spot the very next day. The dolphins were there all day long, which was beautiful. At one point, I was on the slackline, and all my friends were yelling, ‘Evan! Evan! Evan!’”
Soon after, he saw a pod of 50 dolphins close by.
“It was one of the most magical experiences I ever had,” he said.
DOLPHIN VIEWING TIPS
Cairns says anyone viewing dolphins from watercraft must abide by federal regulations, maintaining a minimum distance of 100 meters, though the regulations are more stringent under certain conditions.
She also recommends reporting sightings of marine mammals to Whale Spotter, which helps alert vessels to the presence of mammals and prevent possible strikes.
In terms of places to dolphin watch, Cairns has advice for that, too.
“There are some really great locations where you can watch from shore. I would suggest Whitecliff Park, Kelvin Grove Marine Park, there’s a number of sites in West Vancouver and further north in the Sound. Furry Creek has good access, Britannia Beach there’s a few lookouts, and where we are here in Squamish.”
Editor’s note for transparency: Liz McDonald is a slackliner and was slacklining with her social circle when the dolphins appeared and inspired this story.
PHOTO BY LIZ MCDONALD/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Ellika Cairns, project director for the Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative
PHOTO BY BRIAN AIKENS
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ELLIOTT: EllenMargaret (nee Keane)
Itiswith greatsadness thatweannounce the passing of our Mother and long time Squamish community member.Ellenpassedaway peacefullyinher sleep on January30th,2026. Ellenissurvivedby three children,Jackie (Rob),Doug (Deborah) and Ron(Diana) along with two grandchildren, Calvin and Alexia, Ellen alsoleavesmany generations of family and friends in the UK, Ireland, NewZealand and Greece.
ACelebration of Life will be scheduledfor the springof2026 so that family andfriends from outside the community can travel safely
Please send an email to jjmurdoch@telus.net if youwishtoattend this upcoming gathering. Ellen wasinvolved in manyaspectsofthe Squamish Townshipthese past 55 years.Contact informationfor the many friends, peers andcolleagues in the Squamish community is limited andmostly unknownbyimmediate family.Wewould like to ensure thatthose who wish to attend this celebration are accommodated and welcomed.We thank you greatlyfor the support that manyhaveshown in thistime of loss.We’ll meetinthe Spring
To signthe book of condolences, pleasevisit squamishfuneralchapel.com
Previously Century21, ouroffice hasbeen providing exceptional real estate salesand rental accommodation services in the SeatoSky Corridor &throughout BC
101-38142Cleveland Ave, Squamish
Employment Opportunity at SeatoSky School District No. 48
Required Immediately in the Whistler,Pemberton Area
Building Trades -Mechanical/Plumber
This is aunionised position that offers arate of $38.27 per hour,40 hours per week,day shift. Excellent benefit package including pension, health, vacation and sick benefits.
Qualifications:
•Interprovincial Trade Qualifications (TQ) in plumbing with aRed Seal endorsement. (Apprentices may be considered)
•Class BGasfitter licence
•Sufficient physical strength and health to perform the dudes required for this position.
•Cross Connection control Certificate is an asset
•Valid Class 5B.C. Driver’sLicense
•Knowledge of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)and Workers’ Compensation Board(WCB) safety procedures
•Successful applicants will be required to consent to criminal records search prior to employment.
Apply with cover letter resume/application, cover letter to Kevin Pederson, Posting 6114, kpederson@sd48.bc.ca
Sea to Sky SchoolDistrict No. 48 values an inclusive environment, whereequity is deeply embedded and diversity welcomed. We are committed to creatingand cultivating diverse, inclusive and barrier-free environments for all applicants, employees, students, andtheir families.
BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY
EmployeeHealth&Wellness Plan available
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR – Minimum 5years or 5,000 hours operating experience on excavator. Crushing Experience preferred. Full-time, Monday –Friday.$33-$46 per hour.
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Great opportunity to learnon-thejob. Stamina for physicallydemandingwork and perseverance to brave inclement weather required.Previous experience preferred but not required. Trainingprovided. $28-$33 per hour.
PIPE LAYER –Minimum 5years experienceincivil construction. Full-time, Monday –Friday.$33-$43 per hour
TRUCK DRIVER –BCDL Class 1orClass 3with air brakes required. Manual transmission. 2years experiencepreferred. $35-$41.50 per hour
CRUSHING &EARTHWORKS MANAGER – Must haveexperiencewith civil construction. $33-$46per hour
APPRENTICE MECHANIC –Gain hands-on experienceworking with heavy equipmentand fleet vehicles inafast-paced environment.Weoffer aclear pathway to Red Seal certification.Entry-level: $27.03 per hour
APPLY
We’dloveto welcome a new practitioner to our team.
Euphoria NaturalHealth is looking foraclinically focused practitioner with apassion forwomen’shealth and hormone supporttherapytocollaborate withinour integrativeclinic.
If youvalue evidence-informedcare, community connection,and working alongside asupportive, experiencedteam—we’d love to hear from you.
Practitioner Opportunity
We’reseeking aclinically focused experienced practitioner with astrong interest in:
• Women’shealth •Hormone support& balance
•Root-cause,evidence-informed care
Why CollaborateWith Us
•Established, trusted clinic in the Sea-to-Sky foroveradecade
•Supportiveadmin +front desk team
• Strong patient demand &referral base
•Beautiful, fully equipped clinic space
•Values-driven, collaborativeenvironment
Apply to Collaborate
Submit your resume +letter of intention to:Info@euphorianaturalhealth com We can’twait to hear from you.
What’s in it for you?
WE ARE LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED DRIVERS WHO WANT THE FREEDOM OF A“CHOOSE-YOUR-OWNSCHEDULE” LIFESTYLE. THIS IS AN IDEAL ROLE FOR A SEMI-RETIRED INDIVIDUAL OR ANYONE LOOKING FOR STEADY, LOCALWORK ON THEIR OWN TERMS.
•TotalFlexibility: You tell usyour availability; no minimumdaysrequired.
• Earn While You Learn: We provide fully paid training on the Mixer truck
•StayHealthy: This jobprovides light-to-moderate physical activity (climbing the truck ladder and handlingchutes).
•Competitive Wages: $39.96 -$45.96
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Apply Today: INFO@CARDINALCONCRETE.CA
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57.Enjoyabuffet
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3. Church response word 4. First-aid provider
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9. Triumphed
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19.Murmursfondly
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25. Vicious
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Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling
LASTWEEK’S ANSWERS:
ARIES March 21-April 19
Aperiodofgreat dynamism is on the horizon. If you feel the urge to getaway, nowisthe perfect time to revivethosetravelplans youhad putonhold. Even a shortsolo getawaycould inspire youand leaveyou with lasting memories
TAURUS April 20-May20
You’ll be overflowing with creativitythis week,which could lead to aremarkable achievement, especiallyifyou nurtureyourartistic side. If you align yourlifestyle with your true aspirations,you’ll find greaterease, and everythingwill naturallyfall into place.
GEMINI May21-June 20
Take abreak to regain your energy and find clarity. Letyour creativeorspiritualimpulses flowfreely. Gettinginvolved in acharitablecause could also deeplynourish both yourheart and mind.
CANCER June 21-July 22
Invest moretime in your social life,includingsocialmedia,to expand your circleoffriends Joiningagym with friends to tryanew sportwill also open up new and excitinghorizons for you.
SUDOKU
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Your joyand optimism will be contagious to everyone around you.You’ll become more efficientatwork, whichwill help you better supportyour colleagues.Yourextra efforts won’t go unnoticed, and you will soon be rewarded for them, reinforcingyourmotivation.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Aspontaneousdecision will push you to takeatraining course that will open the door to better career opportunities.A revelation will guide you toward fulfilment. However, you’ll have to work hard to make this change areality.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Youmay soon secure funding for aproject closetoyourheart. Ameetingwithanadvisor will help you consolidateyourdebts, bringingyou financial stability and peace of mind for the future.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Tidyingupyourhome will help you clearyourmind. Before you discuss aseparation, speak openlywithyourpartner to avoid making an impulsive decision that could lead to regrets
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
At work,you must fine-tune yourdocuments and proposals beforepresentingthem;this will maximizetheir chances of approval. Your success will inspireyou to refresh your wardrobe or treatyourself to a well-deservedreward.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
You’ll shareexcitingideas with yourfriends this week and tap into acreativetalentyou’retruly passionateabout.Yourgrowing self-confidence will pave the way for remarkable achievements that will soon fill you with pride.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18
You’ll meet inspiringpeople who will expand yoursocial circleand feed yourspirituality. Aprofessional or personal opportunitymay even prompt you to consider movingsoon.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
Youmustshowcare and affection to prevent misunderstandings in yourrelationship.Open communication will lead to improvements.However, financial uncertainties could linger, so approach the situation with caution and honest dialogue.
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
Holy Communion and Morning Worship
Sundays at 10:00 AM
Rev Cameron Gutjahr 1930 Diamond Road 604-898-5100
www.squamishanglicanchurch.ca info@squamishanglicanchurch.ca
ExaltingJesus,Equipping His Followers,Engaging theWorld
WorshipService
Sundays 10am
onour website and Facebook Live 2262ReadCres. 604-898-3737 www.squamishbaptistchurch.org
coastalchurch.org/squamish
