January 1, 2026

PAGE 3

WLNG CEO

A Q&A with Luke Schauerte

PAGE 20

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DARRELL BAY BOAT LAUNCH DEEMED FEASIBLE

Council reviewed a feasibility report confirming that Darrell Bay is a viable location for a new public boat launch JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca

F

PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

or local boaters, it is a beacon of hope that a new public boat launch may move from a dream to a reality—one day.

The Darrell Bay Boat Launch Feasibility Review Report was discussed at a District of Squamish council committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Bottom line, the consultants found what boaters have long argued: Darrell Bay is a feasible location for a Squamish boat launch due to its proximity to the Sea to Sky Highway,

The Darrell Bay site.

its potential for ample parking, and its protection from winds.

In late 2024, the District initiated a $25,000 technical feasibility assessment of the site’s boat launch.

Previously, the Squamish Marine Access Review highlighted that a minimum two-lane boat launch facility with proper parking is

needed to reduce congestion, conflict, and launch and retrieval times.

“Darrell Bay was identified as a front-runner location to investigate first, given the water and upland access area and potential for transportation network integration, and having potential to reduce truck and trailer launch congestion downtown and boat traffic in the

narrow navigation channel,” reads the staff report to council for Tuesday’s meeting.

As visiting and local boaters know all too well—a grassroots lobby group, “Squamish Needs a Boat Launch,” formed over the issue—the local boat launch beside the BOAT: Continued on 2

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BOAT: Continued from 1 downtown yacht club leaves much to be desired.

Council heard that from staff on Dec. 16 as well.

“We know that launch capacity and associated parking are limited. We have a single lane launch in Squamish, and it’s viewed as undersized for the volume and concentration of peak users. It’s an unmaintained facility. It’s highly dependent on tides, and the boat launch does see a mix of motorized and non-motorized use, as well as commercial and industrial operators for vessel launching, as well as project freight landing and launching via barge,” Sarah McJannet, District manager of community planning, told elected officials.

Currently, the boat launch is on private land.

The existing infrastructure at the 4.75-hectare Darrell Bay site includes a ferry trestle ramp, floating leads, parking lot, upland access and power supply.

The terminal is owned by the provincial government and managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.

It is a designated emergency facility in the Sea to Sky Multimodal Evacuation Plan and is currently licensed for marine transportation services, providing access to the Woodfibre LNG site.

The key findings of the report, which were presented by Daniel Leonard, vice president at Westmar Advisors, the consultant firm that did the feasibility review, were that “Darrell Bay is well-suited for potential development of a shared-use marine boat launch facility that may be co-located with the existing ferry terminal.”

Leonard said that some issues with the Darrell Bay launch include that a lot of maintenance would be needed to pick up wood log debris brought to shore, and the use of the site for the emergency ferry.

Further, the site has a likelihood of containing undiscovered artifacts, which would require professionals to be on site during construction.

The consultants considered two ramp options

at the site—north and south. The south side is the most feasible for the boat ramp, as it has more room, and there isn’t a structure on that side of the property.

In terms of the operator for the boat launch, Leonard said that a study of the province shows the publicly owned boat launch is the most common.

“Most boat launches, City of Richmond, City of Delta, City of Vancouver, are all operated by the municipalities themselves.”

He noted that in North Vancouver, the city runs the boat launch with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

There is a private model at Porteau Cove, where BC Parks provides an operating lease to the private Sea to Sky Parks, which runs the boat launch, collects all revenue at the park, and uses it for maintenance activities. The boat launch is free for users.

In terms of next steps, District staff will seek input from the Sḵwx̱w ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and its Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation.

However, that is the only plan at the moment.

“There are a lot of details left to confirm, which will require resourcing, and that is not currently budgeted within our financial plan,” McJannet said.

She also said there are other options besides Darrell Bay that warrant review.

GLIMMER OF HOPE Back on the Squamish Needs a Boat Launch, Facebook page, members celebrated the report’s conclusions, but were also wary of the timeline for action, and encouraged residents to make a boat launch an issue for council candidates this fall.

Former Squamish resident Gord Gunner, who spearheaded a call for a boat launch at Darrell Bay almost a decade ago, welcomes the consultants’ conclusion on the viability of the site, but it is very late for him.

“Just the fact that they finally agreed with what I said a long time ago, I was just like, OK, we’ve just got to keep the ball rolling,” he told

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“It shouldn’t have taken 10, 11 years to get to the point where it is right now.”

Gunner now lives in Saanichton, where he has access to a couple of boat ramps.

However, in 2017, he was quoted in The Squamish Chief—in a story that featured him standing in front of the Darrell Bay site— arguing that the current launch was not up to snuff.

“It is not up to the standards of what a boat launch should be. And it could be taken away from us at any time,” Gunner had said in a letter to council in 2016.

He said at the time that a new launch would not only be a boon for local boaters, but for tourism, too.

“If we had a better boat launch, we could promote what I call the Howe Sound triangle… going from Squamish to Gibsons, over to Bowen Island, over to Horseshoe Bay, making their way up,” he said.

SHOW US THE MONEY The consultants determined that a boat ramp would cost roughly $7 to $8 million to construct.

The cost estimate is based on experience and price quotations garnered this year from marine contractors for similar projects.

These estimates do not include cost escalations, allowances for future maintenance or upgrades, washroom facilities or highway modifications, District staff said in the report.

Anticipated maintenance costs for ramp and float inspections, repairs, debris management, surface and anchor maintenance, vegetation management and lighting/signage/drainage work are estimated at $27,000 to $40,000 per year.

While the amounts may seem daunting to some, Gunner said in comparison to what the town spends over the years on other things, like trails, it isn’t that much.

“It seems to be small in the big scope of things.”

Ultimately, council unanimously passed the

Coun. Jenna Stoner said she didn’t see the boat launch happening soon unless another body within the community took it on to lead it, and asked McJannet about the process for that.

“If I’m being very frank, I don’t see this happening from a District-led perspective in the next 5 to 10 years, given the number of demands in our community,” she said. “That doesn’t mean that I don’t want it to happen. It just means that we need to get creative on how we do that.”

McJannet threw the discussion back to council.

“At this point, I think we need to take it back to kind of larger discussions around facilities and master planning and priorities. And so that’s really something that happens at the council table,” she said.

She added that there is a lot of consultation that needs to be done with the wider community and adjacent landowners, as well.

Answering a different question, Leonard said that municipalities often run boat launches because it is challenging to have them as profit-making amenities.

“Over the years, we’ve heard aspirations of the community that this could be a good spot and it’s nice to have that validated and to have and understand the order of magnitude that we’d be looking at to advance the project,” Mayor Armand Hurford said. “I think it is just so critical to understand … as we try to address our complex challenges that manifest themselves in capital [budgeting].”

Coun. Eric Andersen said he hoped things could move forward holistically.

“I hope that we’re going to be able to maintain momentum and working within a holistic planning approach because there’s a lot of different facilities and different facility BOAT: Continued on 5

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WOODFIBRE LNG IS 55% COMPLETE, SAYS CEO

Q&A with Luke Schauerte on the year that was, the year ahead and the company’s relationship with Squamish Nation and the District JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca

W

ith the end of 2025, The Squamish Chief sat down with CEO of Woodfibre LNG Luke Schauerte at our Second Avenue office to talk about where the project is at, the company’s relationship with various levels of government and what is next in the new year.

In the works for more than a decade, the under-construction Woodfibre LNG will be a natural gas liquefaction and export facility, producing 2.1 million tonnes of LNG per year for overseas markets.

The $8.8 billion LNG facility sits on a square kilometre site that was previously home to a former pulp mill and company town, from which the LNG company got its name—Woodfibre—on the southwest shore of Howe Sound, about seven kilometres from downtown Squamish.

The facility is set to be completed in 2027.

The interview with Schauerte has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: How are you feeling about where the project is at in terms of timelines and where you’ve come so far this year?

A: I think it’s been an incredible year. Really, really strong progress overall. We’re currently at 55% complete. We have 13 of our 19 modules on site.They’re on pedestals, and we’re waiting for the others to show up over the next few months.

You start seeing the shape and size and magnitude of the site come together. It’s been a really great step forward with bringing on the second floatel, worker accommodation. That’s really allowing us to make sure we can get our Canadian energy to market as soon as possible. And seeing that happen in just six

PHOTO COURTESY OF WOODFIBRE LNG

CEO Luke Schauerte at the Woodfibre LNG site.

months was quite a big step forward, I think, from an overall regulatory efficiency perspective. And it’s still an absolutely high watermark in terms of what we had to achieve and how we had to consult and engage.

From a 2025 perspective, we feel like the global energy context has changed. Definitely a view of more demand across the globe for Canadian LNG. We’ve seen the story play out. We’ve seen how it impacts the diversification of our own energy segment. And we’ve seen the ability to actually ramp up our workforce to be sure that we can finish strong. So it’s been, I think, an incredible year.

Q: Have the workers moved on to the second floatel yet?

41294 Horizon Dr

A: We got through anchoring and hookups over the last two weeks and we’ve actually started ramping up to get people onto the floatel itself.

Once you get the floatel in place, there’s a few permits and things to finish to actually get that done. We’re actually ramping up the workforce as we speak.

Q: Can you speak to the role Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) has? Let’s look at the floatels in particular, what influence they had?

A: They are a full regulator of all the work that goes on on-site. They do regulatory and permit-associated reviews, and they do that really in cooperation with various provincial and federal regulators. So you see that across

almost all the permits that we have in place, they will do their own independent review of the material, and they tend to use those standards in conjunction with traditional knowledge.

So you see them do regulatory approval and reviews. You also see them as our on-site monitors. So Squamish Nation—either members or associated and affiliated regulators—are there every day, all day. And they’re reviewing to make sure that we’re actually continuing to comply. And they’re also working with us on some of the challenges where you have to find regulatory solutions to move forward. So they’re deeply involved in what’s happening on-site.

And then overall, you have then the relationship with the Nation itself and how we actually do all of our work for making sure we’re meeting the expectations of the Impact Benefit Agreements (IBA) we have with them and the business agreement and the associated employment opportunities, the associated contracting opportunities, and everything else. So what you see is a distinction. They have a regulatory arm that works to actually understand the regulatory components and review and make sure compliance is going on. And then also you have the business relationship with them overall.

Q: Some folks have the impression the Nation is token-involved, not actively.

A: No, they have deeply technical people going through everything. They’re on all of the different technical advisory committees. It’s a deep, busy relationship. Here’s a specific example.

They really worked hard with us on our CEO: Continued on 4

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CEO: Continued from 3 in-water work for the last season—for the marine works. And their advocacy around how do you get to a zero-spill environment?

How do you really make sure these barges have that ability to have absolute containment? And in that expectation, we did a lot of work with them on improving various systems across all the barges to actually figure out how do you achieve that? So I’d say that their advocacy input around almost every aspect of what’s going on site has either had a bar-raising, or was a partnership looking at how to actually find a practical way forward.

Q: Can you speak to concerns for herring around the site, particularly in light of the two floatels there now?

A: Understanding and protecting herring is an important part of our commitment to be an environmental steward of Howe Sound. As a keystone species, herring play a foundational role in the overall health and biodiversity of the local marine environment.

Herring spawning in the area has been drastically reduced since we removed the thousands of creosote-treated pilings from the previous Woodfibre pulp mill. While the piles attracted herring to lay their eggs upon, the creosote was toxic to herring and would lead to not viable eggs.

Since we have begun active construction, we do not see herring spawning near our active site. In 2023, we observed a small spawn event in the southwest corner of the certified project area – about 200 metres from where the MV

Saga X is currently moored.

While we have not observed herring spawning on vessels at site, we are still taking precautions. We’ve set a log boom around the south-facing hull of the MV Saga X with a silt curtain to prevent herring from moving towards the hull. We also conduct weekly dive surveys across the project area, supplemented by surveys conducted in Howe Sound by the Marine Stewardship Initiative, during spawning season to monitor and map any potential activity.

We’re also working to develop new spawning areas through working with various partners on kelp restoration near our site and throughout Howe Sound.

Q: Are you concerned about a saturation of the LNG market and that degrading the price of LNG by the time you go to market? Or are our advantages in B.C. going to outweigh those, like our price of natural gas, shorter shipping routes to Asia, etc.?

A: In any commodity business, you have cycles.

So you’re selling a commodity, it’s going to have cycles where there’s scarcity and their prices are particularly high. You’re going to have a cycle where you actually have an abundance of the commodity, and it’s going to get low. So when you’re talking about LNG, then you’re talking about, OK, there were periods where LNG was exceedingly expensive, and you saw build-outs happen, where you saw more project sanctioned, more capacity brought on. You’ve also seen cycles where you get to an abundance where you see that there’s an oversupply, and typically those

are corrected by the market.

So if there’s an oversupply situation, then you find that more of Asia will do faster conversions of their power stations. There’ll be more pickup. But equally, if the global energy demand continues to grow, it’s almost 1.5% per year, there’s more energy needed just globally, period. And if you look at where most of that growth is anchored, it’s all anchored in Asia. So when I look at it, there will be cycles.

There will be predicted troughs.

My confidence is that the quality of the product remains high. We have really good supply and long-term supply from B.C. We have the ability to have a shorter trading route to Asia, and that market continues to grow, and it’s the leading growth area for global demand for LNG. So, I feel like over the long term, we look at a 40-year cycle, there’ll be ebbs and flows or peaks and valleys, but it’ll still be a thriving market for us to supply to.

Q: It is no secret that there are some on Squamish council who have been very open with their displeasure with the project from the beginning. And as you said, it’s a 40-year project. Can you speak to that relationship and where it’s at with the District?

A: I think over the past year, we’ve actually really deepened our relationship with the District of Squamish. We’ve had to do a lot of work together when we actually looked at getting the second floatel in place. There was a tremendous amount of work with the District to understand what their perspectives were, a number of different votes that had to happen and things like that. Equally, we’ve been

working on getting the building permits in place—site administration buildings, the control buildings.

On a day-to-day basis, it’s been a deeply collaborative working environment where we’re actually getting a lot of things done. In terms of the larger relationship, we have a 40-year view. We see ourselves as a long-term good neighbour, and we need to be able to come to things like a tax agreement together.

And we have to be able to do that in a way that’s both balanced and fair. So when we look at that, we understand that we’re going to continue to work with the District on all those topics, including the tax agreement. And we look forward to resolving them.

Q: Can you speak to the lawsuit Woodfibre LNG launched against the District of Squamish?

A: It’s a procedural step. We’re still working every day to actually deepen the relationship, move it forward. And we look forward to the long term and resolving those issues, being that good neighbour, contributing across volunteerism, grants, making donations, and ultimately becoming part of the fabric of this community. I’m looking forward to next year.

Q: There’s also supporters of the project in town who have made the case that had the relationship with the District been better earlier, Squamish would have seen different or better benefits like a new rink or a new pool?

A: I don’t spend a lot of my life looking in the rearview mirror. I think that the relationship CEO: Continued on 5

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BOAT: Continued from 2 users to take into account together as we move forward,” he said.

Coun. John French said he hoped to see momentum on the issue continue. “[I] will put some emphasis on the word momentum. This report has been much anticipated by our boating community and I think well received in the last few days with a significant amount of interest in the report itself,” he said. “This is a great start and I hope that we’ll see momentum carry this through to the point where we can find some partners to get involved with this and hopefully make some applications for grants to get some CEO: Continued from 4 has continued to mature. I think that there were a lot of different feelings and views at the start of figuring out how we’re going to have a long-term relationship with Squamish. And I respect that all those processes were followed and done. I think there’s a bit of an urban legend going on about an ice rink.

I’ll just be forward about that. We have never had any discussions with the District about any particular amenities, including ice rinks.

So in that sense, although we see that we want to get to a long-term tax agreement, we want to work together, I don’t have a view that says that something would have been different.

And I’m confident in the work that’s been done in the last year. I see things actually

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 5

money in place to press it forward.”

Like Stoner, Coun. Chris Pettingill looked to others to help carry the boat launch through to operational.

“Coming out of this, I would really like to have a conversation about what things are deal breakers for us and what things we must be part of—like relations with Squamish Nation and … the province—and then what pieces we can let go of, maybe operational models and so on … if we’re going to allow the community to manage this, we can be more flexible on operational models and we don’t need to analyze those pieces,” he said. “Knowing that we’re going to have capacity constraints that make it hard for us to deliver a boat launch on

this [timeline] the community wants, what can we do to make it easier for the community to step up where it can. But again, I think a touch point with Squamish Nation does need to come first and then let’s figure out how we can work in parallel.”

Coun. Andrew Hamilton said he thought the District was heading in the right direction.

“I do agree that Darrell Bay is a very sensible place to put a boat launch and that collaboration [and] engagement with the Squamish Nation is an appropriate next step,” he said.

Coun. Lauren Greenlaw said she would like to see Woodfibre LNG step up for the boat launch.

“I think another obvious collaborator would

be Woodfibre, who I believe is the primary user currently. And that’s an obvious way for them … especially with their deep pockets from the fossil fuel industry, unlike our very shallow pockets as municipal governments.

So, let this be a call out to them that this could be a way that they can contribute to our community and hopefully some collaboration with staff can happen on that,” she said. “Our community has been limping along for a long time with the existing boat launch and I think our entire community would be happy to see this amenity updated. Oh, also bathrooms are a must.”

Watch the whole meeting on the District’s YouTube channel.

going forward into 2026 in a really good way.

Q: Continuing with other things that we hear, there is a lot of concern around flaring and a comparison of flaring in Kitimat at LNG Canada and flaring here. Can you speak to that concern?

A: We’re going to have a large engagement through 2026 and 2027 across the community and we’ll speak to all the different features. I think the underlying focus we have is to make sure that the community feels safe. That they understand what’s happening and that there’s not some sort of a mystery to it. That takes a lot of engagement.

It is a heavily regulated space. This is all something that we work strongly with the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) and work to meet or exceed all of their regulations and limits. And

there’s associated permits that come along with the ability to flare in terms of waste discharge authorizations and things like that.

So there’s quite a bit of work to do over the next two years to actually have everybody start to understand and hear that story. And we’ll bring that all forward. And with LNG Canada in Kitimat, we’re one-seventh of the size of LNG Canada. So if you look at it, it’s a structurally much more significantly sized facility on all levels. But what I would say is flaring is part of commissioning. It’s part of normal operations. That’s something we’re going to talk deeply about. But yeah, we’re not on the same scale as LNG Canada.

Q: Going back to the beginning of this conversation, what’s next in 2026, say in the first quarter?

A: From a construction perspective, a little bit of a splashy finish in Q1, where you’ll see a bunch of bigger modules show up. And then it’ll kind of look the same for quite a long time.

Maybe a few buildings being built in terms of the actual admin buildings, control buildings and things. But the facility will have taken its shape. And it’ll be a lot of just work in the back end to actually make sure it’s all connected.

The second part of the workforce is that we’ll start getting into our long-term operational workforce next year. We’ll be able to start to hire the people into positions for those long-term jobs that’ll be here for the next 40 years—from the maintenance, the operations, the engineering teams. And ultimately, they’ll get us ready for our startup operations and get us into production.

6 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

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‘OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN’: SQUAMISH NATION ENACTS EMERGENCY MEASURES TO FIGHT AGAINST TOXIC DRUG CRISIS The Nation’s council declared a state of emergency in a letter to members ABBY LUCIANO

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

T

he Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) has announced emergency measures after losing loved ones to the toxic drug crisis.

The Squamish Nation council declared a state of emergency on Dec. 4, after listening to community concerns and recommendations from staff and health experts.

“Our hearts are broken. This week has brought so much tragedy to our Nation, and we wrap our arms around all those who have lost loved ones,” said Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, chairperson for the Squamish Nation at the time. “But condolences are not enough. Our Nation is in crisis, and we have lost too many of our people.”

Williams outlined the council’s actions to address the crisis in an Instagram video Thursday.

He said the state of emergency letter has allowed the Nation to increase staffing for its Community Safety Team, expanding coverage to 24-7 in the North Shore and Squamish Valley, especially during the holiday period.

PHOTO BY ABBY LUCIANO / NORTH SHORE NEWS

Squamish Nation chairperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams has announced several emergency measures to address the toxic drug crisis in the Nation.

During the holidays, a second Wellness on Wheels, a mobile outreach service with medical supplies, has been added to the North Shore.

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Another vehicle is being added to the Squamish Valley, he said.

The Nation will also implement all-hours private security in Hiy̓ ám̓ Housing buildings, install additional CCTV cameras across the North Shore (three in Capilano, one in Esla7han, and one in Waiwaikem), and provide free TELUS lifeline emergency response services to members aged 75 and older, and to those 60 and older with disabilities.

Williams said he has asked the West Vancouver Police Department, North Vancouver RCMP and the First Nations policing unit to meet with council.

Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, media relations officer for the North Vancouver RCMP, said the issue is deeply personal for the First Nations unit team members.

The team’s role is to provide policing in a manner that is culturally sensitive, trauma-informed and guided by community priorities, he said. The team will continue to focus on supporting life-saving and harm-reduction efforts, alongside public safety responsibilities.

“The losses connected to toxic drugs are felt directly by our team, and we stand alongside the community and families who are grieving,” Sahak said.

B.C. has been under a public health emergency for the toxic drug crisis since 2016. According to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Indigenous people accounted for 17.7% of toxic drug deaths in the first six months of 2023, despite representing just over three per cent of B.C.’s population.

In a statement, the FNHA said in the first half of this year, the death rate from toxic drug poisonings among First Nations people in the Vancouver Coastal region was 10.6 times higher than for other residents.

“The unregulated drug supply in B.C. remains highly potent, unpredictable and dangerous, and the toxic drug public health emergency continues to disproportionately affect First Nations individuals, families and communities,” FNHA said.

FNHA said disparities are rooted in the ongoing impacts of colonialism related to experiences of intergenerational trauma, including the removal from land, culture, communities and language, the enforcement of residential school systems, the Sixties Scoop and ongoing impacts of child removal from communities.

The FNHA spokesperson added that the organization has developed a range of programs and initiatives to help combat the toxic drug crisis that are designed to be culturally safe and address systemic inequity in Canada’s health system. These initiatives include First Nations land-based healing, hiring harm reduction educators, and offering First Nations treatment and healing centres, among others.

“To establish and maintain continuity of care, we continue to advocate and call upon our government partners to work in true collaboration to ensure the toxic drug response is Nation led, evidence-based, and consistent with the principles of harm reduction,” the statement said.

In an email statement, the Ministry of Health said addressing the toxic drug crisis continues to be a top priority.

“First Nations, Indigenous Peoples and communities need programs and services that meet their specific needs,” the ministry said.

“Indigenous-led services play an integral role in providing connection to community, promoting person-centred wellness and supporting culturally safe healing that is informed by Indigenous ways of knowing, and we are committed to supporting that work.”

The Ministry of Health, in conjunction with Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, often helps provide a “short-term crisis response role” in ensuring communication between regional health authorities, the FNHA, and other available provincial supports. The role is provided when requested by communities.

Vancouver Coastal Health also continues to be involved with the Squamish Nation, with a mental health and wellness worker who works under the nation.

Squamish Nation council is working on other initiatives, and will announce them in the next few weeks, Williams said.

“You are not alone. Please reach out to family, friends and our resources for supports,” Williams said in the video. “The health and safety of our people is our greatest No. 1 priority.”

Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

squamishchief.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 7

DISTRICT TO ASK FOR PIPELINE SAFETY PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL Council votes 4-3 to have FortisBC and the energy regulator make the presentation JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca

R

esidents interested in learning more about the FortisBC pipeline related to the under-construction Woodfibre LNG project will have an opportunity to do so in the new year, along with how the District is prepared to handle any associated emergencies.

At the end of a 12-hour day of meetings, at a special business meeting on Dec. 16, council passed a motion to direct District staff to invite both FortisBC and the energy regulator to come back before elected officials to discuss pipeline safety.

Also part of that motion was to have staff present to council the industrial part of the District Emergency Management Plan before the spring budget amendment period.

Not all members of council were on board with the motion. The motion passed 4-3, with Mayor Armand Hurford and councillors John French, Eric Andersen and Andrew Hamilton voting in favour, and councillors Chris Pettingill, Jenna Stoner and Lauren Greenlaw voting against.

Pettingill had spearheaded the issue over concerns about the FortisBC Eagle MountainWoodfibre Gas Pipeline.

On Nov. 25, council had backed a motion to have staff bring back options for a deeper look at

safety risk around the pipeline as part of its budget discussions. The resolution presented at the special business meeting was staff’s response to that direction.

After much back and forth discussion and failed and successful amendments at the meeting Dec. 16, what ultimately was passed by council was that: Council direct District staff to invite FortisBC and the appropriate energy regulator to provide their presentation to council on quantitative risk assessment of gas pipeline safety and address any outstanding council questions or concerns.

And that staff present the scope of the Emergency Management Plan—Industrial at a future committee of the whole meeting, before the spring 2026 budget amendment.

The last time FortisBC gave such a safety presentation to council on the pipeline was in 2022.

COUNCIL COMMENTS Hamilton said that with the Woodfibre LNG and associated FortisBC pipeline becoming more of a reality for locals, it is important to have an open understanding of the risks and safeguards.

“As the pipeline construction actually comes through town in January, I think that this will become more front of mind for folks in the community. And I think that having a

conversation about the emergency management plan will be timely in light of the construction that people will see coming.”

Pettingill’s opposition came from the resolution not being robust enough in terms of the discussion he ultimately wants to see happen. He wanted to see how any pipeline risk could impact land planning—for example, the risk of having more development along the pipeline.

“I think it’s important to think about how risk works. And so for emergency management, you’re assuming a high consequence, worst case.

And so risk is not in the picture because you’re just dealing with consequence, and how do you react to a consequence? What risk does is bring in the probability of that consequence,” he said.

“That’s the piece that is fundamentally missing in this, and that we won’t address.”

In supporting the motion, Hurford responded that the conversation could be framed in the emergency management portion of the discussion. He also said he thought having the regulator and FortisBC present publicly had value.

“It is an opportunity to ask questions and engage with them in a public format and get their answers—or lack thereof—on the official record. So, I think that the question around probability goes to resourcing as well. Are we resourcing for something that is an extremely

low likelihood or are we resourcing for something that is highly likely? [That discussion] may close the loop on your risk piece. It may not, but that’s the discussion that I think is best situated [with the emergency management planning], which will happen prior to the spring amendment, as per this motion.”

Stoner, who opposed the motion, said she didn’t think the FortisBC and regulator presentations would provide the clarity council wanted.

“While I appreciate the additions and the amendments that have been made that I think make it stronger and provide a little bit of a certainty that if this comes before the spring amendment that we might have some flexibility to do some further work on the societal and individual risk assessments that my colleague has been asking for consistently for many years now, I don’t think that this is going to get us to where we hoped we would and we’ve had Fortis come through these doors many times. The presentation is publicly available. So I’m not sure if any additional information will actually be of utility there or will be presented,” she said.

Hurford had amended the motion to include the addition of inviting the energy regulator to come to chambers, along with FortisBC, while Hamilton had added to the original motion the deadline of the spring budget amendment period for the emergency planning piece.

TASTE OF THE SUMMIT

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8 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

squamishchief.com

View this ad online:

Happy New Year

from allll off us at the District of Squamish!

Dates not listed will operate on the regular schedule.

January 1

Extended Regular Service (extra late-night Route 1 service) Transit free after 8 PM Sunday Service

Curbside Collection Changes

Please be aware that totes must now be at the curb by 7:15 a.m. on collection days. This is a permanent change as of January 2, 2026.

NO CURBSIDE PICKUP

COLLECTION CHANGED TO

Thursday, January 1

Saturday, January 3

squamish.ca/collection-schedule

Winter Programming Winter programs and swimming lessons start January 5.

There are new operating hours for the Squamish Landfill. Also as of January 2, there will be increased tipping fees. Visit squamish.ca/landfill for more information.

DAILY (March–November)

9 am–5:45 pm

DAILY (December–February)

9 am–4:45 pm

December 24 & 31

9 am–2:45 pm

December 25 and January 1

Closed

Field Allocation Meeting

Transit Holiday Service December 31

New Landfill Hours and Fees

A Field Allocation Meeting will be held on January 28, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Brennan Park Recreation Centre. Calendar will be posted online no later than February 16, 2026.

Season 1: March 1–August 31, 2026 Fields: Centennial Fields (1–4, 7, 8), Field 5 (Homer Dome), Field 6 (LaRoy Watt), Hendrickson Fields, Artificial Turf, Howe Sound Secondary Community Field, and Beer Garden or Tournament use within the District of Squamish.

2026 Field Closures

Hendrickson Fields: March 30–April 10 Centennial Fields 1–6: April 20–May 1 Hendrickson Fields & Centennial Field 5: June 22–July 3 Centennial Fields 1–6: July 6–17 Hendrickson Field & Centennial Field 5: August 3–7 Centennial Fields 1–6: August 17–28 squamish.ca/rec

Brennan Park Recreation Centre Closed January 2 for renovation work.

View other Holiday Hours at squamish.ca/rec

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN

RECREATION AND CULTURE

Sparkle Skate!

12–3 pm, January 1, 2026 (Today!)

2026’s first skate is your chance to bedazzle in your sparkly outfit.

Come and meet up with friends and socialize while skating in this fun environment.

New Fees and Charges

New recreation fees and charges will take effect on January 3, 2026, affecting pool and arena admission fees, skate rentals, and multi-passes. Take advantage of this opportunity to stock up on passes before the rate change! Passes are valid for two years from the date of purchase. Available in-person or online at squamish.ca/rec.

Check out the arena and pool schedules!

For hours and schedules visit

squamish.ca/rec

squamishchief.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 9

SLRD REVIEWS DIRECTOR PAY

Presented by

Unlike many other regions, the SLRD does not provide additional per-meeting allowances LUKE FAULKS

lfaulks@lodestarmedia.ca

L

ooking to represent your community on the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) board? You’ll earn roughly 15% more than comparable regional B.C. districts.

Still, that pay may not be enough to cover the costs of stepping into public office.

At a Nov. 20 committee of the whole meeting, the SLRD board heard the findings of a remuneration review by Harbour West Consulting.

The consultants’ report confirmed the board’s stipends—$36,298 for electoral area directors and $18,153 for municipal directors—are among the highest for 12 comparable regional districts in B.C. But unlike many other regions, the SLRD does not provide additional per-meeting allowances. Directors flagged it as a hurdle to participation.

“I would love to see the wages at a point where they’re actually high enough to attract people who are able to do the position or interested in running for election, if they have to give up part-time jobs or other careers to do this,” said Area B alternate director Paula DeJong.

Directors also raised concerns about the absence of paid travel time, child-care reimbursements, or mental-health benefits. The review comes ahead of next year’s local elections, with some current board members warning of low interest among potential successors.

While SLRD directors currently receive higher-than-average base stipends, the district is one of the few that does not compensate directors on a per-meeting basis. Instead, the stipend is intended to cover all core duties, including meeting attendance and related preparation time.

That distinction puts the SLRD at odds with most of its peers. According to Harbour West Consulting, 10 out of 12 regional districts surveyed provide additional meeting payments on top of base salaries. These can range from $83 to $300 depending on meeting length, role, or geography.

“What differentiates Squamish-Lillooet … is that your meeting allowance is part of that stipend,” said Harbour West’s Shelagh Levangie.

“In other regional districts, in addition to that stipend, they’re also receiving a regular meeting allowance.”

Consultant Kathryn Orde said the total value of those allowances in other regions is often substantial: “Those allowances may increase your basic stipend by up to 20 to 30%.”

The result is that while the SLRD’s stipends may appear generous on paper, they do not necessarily translate into higher overall compensation—particularly for directors with greater travel and workload burdens.

SLRD directors typically attend 32 to 51 meetings per year. Meeting time alone adds up to approximately 145 hours annually, not including travel, preparation or community engagement work.

Currently, only alternate directors receive remuneration for travel time. Full directors are reimbursed for mileage at CRA rates ($0.72/km) but are not compensated for hours spent in transit. This policy sparked concern among several board members.

“It’s basically three-and-a-half, four-hour drive in the wintertime for the Area A director at Pemberton for meetings,” said that area’s director, Sal DeMare. “That’s one way.”

The report notes other regional districts are more flexible. Some pay travel stipends for trips exceeding 60 kilometres; others fold travel time into meeting remuneration. The ThompsonNicola Regional District, for example, compensates all directors for travel hours when attending official business in person.

Board members also raised concerns over how alternate directors are paid. According to the current remuneration bylaw, alternate directors are compensated between $130 and $232 per meeting, depending on duration. Several directors said this was insufficient given the level of preparation required.

“My alternate [takes] two days off work,” said Lillooet director Laurie Hopfl. “She’s got to learn all this stuff. She’s got to come prepared. It’s a lot of time for a couple hundred dollars.”

As the 2026 election approaches, some directors expressed concern that the current pay structure could deter candidates, especially in high-cost communities like Whistler and Squamish.

Area B director Vivian Birch-Jones said a strong potential candidate recently declined to run in her area.

“She told me plain and simple, ‘I just can’t afford to give up what I’m doing and [run],” Birch-Jones told the board. “Do we want to keep these [meetings] for wealthy pensioners? I’d really like to see a whole bunch of young folks at the table.”

SLRD’s current benefits package includes extended health and dental, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and up to six months of paid maternity or parental leave. However, the district does not currently offer mental-health supports, child-care reimbursements, or retirement benefits—items several directors flagged as desirable.

A 2019 UBCM resolution also supported the idea of including elected officials in the Municipal Pension Plan, though provincial legislation has not yet changed to allow for that.

Harbour West recommended the SLRD adopt a formal compensation review process every term—consistent with UBCM best practices— and clearly define its compensation philosophy going forward. That would include total compensation analysis and selecting comparator districts based on geography, population, and service budget.

The board ultimately voted in favour of a motion from Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman to have staff return with potential bylaw updates for consideration at a future committee meeting.

Congratulations to Nucci Walsh!

Lucky winner of the $1,012 prize package supplied by our generous sponsors.

Euphoria Natural Health • Marks • Britannia Mine Museum XOCO • Squamish Canyon • Parkside Dental

Contact us for more information on how your business can be a part of our next Contest! ads@squamishchief.com

10 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

squamishchief.com THE SQUAMISH CHIEF NEWSPAPER, PRINTED EVERY THURSDAY

BY LODESTAR MEDIA 38113 Second Avenue Box 3500, Squamish BC, V8B 0B6

CONTACT US PRINTED EVERY THURSDAY BY LODESTAR MEDIA T: 604-892-9161 news@squamishchief.com ads@ squamishchief.com classifieds@squamishchief.com subs@squamishchief.com production@squamishchief.com obituaries: ads@squamishchief.com EDITOR JENNIFERTHUNCHER jthuncher@ lodestarmedia.ca follow @thuncher REPORTER LIZ MCDONALD emcdonald@ lodestarmedia.ca REPORTER INA PACE ipace@ lodestarmedia.ca SALES MANAGER CATHIE GREENLEES cgreenlees@ squamishchief.com MULTI- MEDIA SALES REPRESENTATIVE KIM BOATMAN kboatman@ squamishchief.com CIRCULATION MANAGER DENISE CONWAY dconway@ squamishchief.com

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The Squamish Chief is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact Editor Jennifer Thuncher at jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

Reproduction of any material contained in this publication is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the publisher.

EDITORIAL

SQUAMISH UNITED

A

s we prepare for the dawn of a new year, there are things we hope are left in the trail dust of 2025.

Let’s say goodbye to doing most of our shopping online. If the drama with the U.S. this last year has taught us anything, it is that we have to be there for each other in good times and in bad. If we want Squamish to be a unique town, we have to resist the online shopping addiction and put our money where our mouths are.

On the topic of unity, let’s endeavour to do away with the old Squamish–new Squamish divide. Of course, we should honour those who came before us and those who are new to town should learn its history, but it is silly to keep up the “When did YOU move here?” snobbery, when all of us are far more alike than different—we chose the same magical place to spend our precious years of life, after all.

Also, can we be done with tokenizing Squamish Nation? They are a thriving, powerful government that has and will continue to have a massive impact on all who live here and come after us. Their policies and decisions should be taken as seriously by locals as those of District council. (If you haven’t read the Ta Skwekwiy̓ íntsuts ta Sx̱wéx̱wel Squamish Valley Community Plan, which describes a 10-year vision for the valley, it would be wise to do so.)

And, in 2026, can we collectively go back to openly being proud to be Canadian, especially on Canada Day, while also acknowledging that horrors were done by those who came before us?

We are an imperfect country with an imperfect past, but we aren’t a 51st state, and that is something to celebrate, warts and all, at least for that one day per year.

Next, is a request worthy of a letter to Santa Claus, but can we do away with the false environmental divide? The majority of us in Squamish are pro-environment, those who support the LNG project and those who don’t. The plant is here to stay for the next 40 years-ish, like it or not.

Let’s make 2026 the year we continue to hold the company’s feet to the fire to ensure all environmental standards are upheld and that it gives back to the community in the best ways, but let’s drop the open hostility to the project at council and in town. We are shooting ourselves in the foot at this point, not making anything in the environment better.

Finally, let’s stop vilifying folks who are unhoused. It is inhumane.

At the same time, the powers that be need to deal with the street disorder and crime. Tolerance of this behaviour is actually intolerance toward the majority of our civil society. We all deserve to live in peace, whether we have a home or not.

I WISH YOU JOY IN 2026 EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK

JENNIFER THUNCHER

L

ike for many of our readers and sources, 2025 was a bit of a rough-sea year in my house, for a combination of reasons.

Chief among the waves was my mom’s spiral into dementia, which was dramatic and short-lived, with her dying suddenly of a heart attack in August in her memory care residence, less than a year after she was moved there.

We don’t talk much in our culture about the complicated nature of some mother-daughter relationships where love lives, but understanding is never found.

We loved each other, but not in the way either of us needed.

Dementia takes away the chance for any satisfying resolution.

The grief that comes with that loss is odd and untethered to the ways we typically think of grief.

There’s no “comfort in the memories” that many offer to soothe.

But life goes on, and moments of comfort came in my partner’s hand on my back, literally and figuratively. We also adopted from my dad my mom’s two beloved labrador retrievers. I know she would be happy about that.

There was magic in 2025, too, like our son Zach’s summer wedding, the engagement of our son Jesse,

and my dad’s pending remarriage, which is set for Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve. In the end, love always wins.

These moments are—to use my profession to find a metaphor—headline-making, but what I learned most this year was that what makes life the most beautiful and—well—tolerable in the storms are the tiny, almost mundane moments of joy that, ideally, we can all find.

These are found not necessarily in the clichéd view from the summit as the sun rises (or sets), though those are picture-worthy.

You don’t need a marathon hike, bike, paddle, or climb to find joy, either, though I highly recommend those activities.

In 2025, I found abundant joy, as I often did when I was a little girl, in movement down at sea level. A few years ago, I got back into dance, taking a few Soiluva Dance Company classes, which were the energetic blast of fun I forgot I needed. Then I also took Taeko Terauchi’s Zumba class and met the wonderful, authentic, kind women who attend it.

There have been some particular moments in that Zumba class when joy is so present that it overwhelms. During a balance exercise, Terauchi played Frank Mills’ “Music Box Dancer.” It made me feel like I was six years old again, on Vancouver Island, in Mrs. Carlson’s attic class, wearing my pink tights and bodysuit, my ballet shoes proudly circling on the hardwood. My mom and the other moms who are now gone were still there in the waiting room just on the other side of the door. Everything had potential.

JOY: Continued on 11

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 11

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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)

QUESTION OF THE WEEK How did you spend your Christmas Day?

AFTER A YEAR OF IMPLOSIONS, THE 2026 OUTLOOK IS SURPRISINGLY COMPETITIVE FOR THE RIGHT PROVINCIAL VIEWS ROB SHAW

F

or a political party that basically imploded this month as it ousted its leader, the BC Conservatives end 2025 in a surprisingly competitive position.

Roughly 44% of decided British Columbians say they’d vote NDP if an election were held now, compared to 39% BC Conservatives, 9% BC Greens and seven percent OneBC, according to figures Monday by polling firm Pallas Data.

That despite John Rustad’s messy ouster Dec. 4, following months of turmoil and infighting within the Conservatives. Under normal circumstances, a party that just detonated its leader would be sinking fast.

But voter anger with the government seems to be acting like a flotation device for the Conservatives.

The Pallas Data numbers line up with other recent polling. Angus Reid, for example, put the NDP at 43% and the Conservatives at 40% last week.

It’s a small, but not necessarily comfortable, lead for the BC NDP as it enters its ninth year in power. It’s also an opening the Conservatives might be able to take advantage of, if they could get their act together. Interim leader Trevor Halford said stability is his top priority.

“I really want to make sure that there is no free pass with the NDP,” he said.

“When you look at every single issue that we’ve got, it’s our job to take these guys to the mat and show British Columbians that they have a government in waiting with the Conservative Party [of B.C.].”

Premier David Eby ends 2025 with lower approval ratings than at any other point during his three years in office.

JOY: Continued from 10 No conflict, no fears, just the movement, music—and joy.

After the first time that song was played in Terauchi’s class, other women shared

showed British Columbians have the second-least favourable view of their government’s performance in the country.

B.C. is in the basement on most issues, and rock bottom on drugs, addictions, street crime and public safety.

Even amongst past NDP voters, the polling firm found 66% of people felt the party was performing poorly on cost of living, 63% on health care, 73% on housing affordability and 65% on public safety.

Those are the kinds of numbers that usually show up when a government has outstayed its welcome with voters.

But Eby said he still feels on track, despite a year in which Trump’s tariffs and global instability took his agenda sideways.

“You have your plans but events happen in between,” he said. “And so we’ve had to respond to that, and we’ve had to move quickly. And I think that for the most part, we have been pushing in the right direction.”

The strange takeaway from all of this data is that after a year of chaos, implosions and record deficits, British Columbia appears headed into 2026 with two main political options: a government many voters are tired of, and an opposition that has yet to prove it’s ready.

That may not be either party’s ideal position. But it’s the matchup we carry into the new year.

Editor’s note: For the Pallas Data poll, 923 people were surveyed by an automated phone system, with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 %.

Eby had hit a high of 53 % in March when he was fighting U.S. President Donald Trump with one-liners about how Americans could “keep their watery beer” out of B.C. liquor stores.

But by summer, the public turned its attention back to the core issues of health care, cost of living, housing and public safety, and the premier’s popularity tumbled 13 points by December as a result, according to Angus Reid Institute tracking.

“I think that for the most part, we have been pushing in the right direction,” said Eby. “I’m really proud of where we’ve ended up at the end of the year. We’ve had some false starts, we’ve had some pieces we’ve had to change, but to have four times more major projects on the board than any other province, to be driving major private sector investment in the country and leading that work, I think British Columbians have a lot to be proud of.”

New Democrats point to more affordable rental rates and housing prices as proof policies like mandatory housing density and short-term rental restrictions are having a positive effect.

Halford said the government has “completely over promised and under delivered on every single file,” citing a failure to get a handle on emergency room closures, as well as the widespread unintended consequences of Indigenous reconciliation policies on private property rights.

“When you look at 2025 and the fact that we have the largest deficit in the history of this province, what can you say that has gotten better under this David Eby NDP government?” said Halford.

“And the answer to that is absolutely nothing.”

That dissatisfaction is reflected in an Angus Reid survey from Dec. 17, which

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.

that they felt like little girls again, too. How absolutely magical. After that, each class, a hush has fallen over us mostly middle-aged women as we time-travel back to where carefree lives.

My wish for you in 2026, dear reader, is

not a 2026 without problems, or one with headline-making big moments—challenges and achievements will come regardless—but for small, beautiful moments of joy in the swells.

Happy New Year.

LETTERS POLICY 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.

Have your say at squamishchief.com

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

Do you think it is harder to feel good about your body in Squamish, due to the level of athleticism here? (Top 3) NO

39%

ACTUALLY, I FIND THE ATHLETICISM HERE INSPIRING/MOTIVATING

20%

IT FLUCTUATES—SOME DAYS IT’S INSPIRING, OTHER DAYS IT’S INTIMIDATING 19%

MOST READ STORY

Squamish snowfall warning ends, some power outages continue

PHOTO BY YUKO IWANAGA

THE GIVING KIND: Yuko Iwanaga, whom many likely know as the founder and director of the Sea to Sky String Orchestra or as a private music teacher, is also an artist.

Each Christmas, she gifts the people in her life, such as her orchestra members, students, and friends, with personalized tree ornaments—over 100 this year.

12 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 13

Every day, the world’s first net zero LNG export facility is moving a little closer to completion, with new and exciting developments along the way. Catch the latest updates from our site and our team.

Net zero by design Woodfibre LNG is committed to achieving net zero. This involves electrifying operations with BC Hydro power and advanced technologies, and minimizing our emissions. Our approach also includes repurposing LNG carriers, removing over 304,000 tonnes of legacy waste, implementing robust marine protection, and making substantial community investments. It’s a comprehensive strategy for responsible operations and local stewardship.

Another year of progress

Woodfibre LNG kicked off construction in November 2023. Two years later, it’s inspiring to think of the progress we’ve made: 13 modules now on site, marine piling underway, and the first ever graduates from our Operator Training Program.

We’re eager to see what next year will bring.

2024 Sustainability Update Discover how we're building the world's first net zero LNG facility, championing environmental stewardship, forging strong Indigenous partnerships, ensuring top-tier safety standards, and investing in community. woodfibrelng.ca/sustainability

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Never miss an update

Subscribe to our newsletter, the Woodfibre Current, and stay in the know about all things Woodfibre LNG. woodfibrelng.ca/newsletter

14 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

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COULD THE COWICHAN RULING AFFECT B.C. PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS? Experts debate controversial decision’s implications for real estate values JAMI MAKAN

jmakan@lodestarmedia.ca

T

he bombshell B.C. Supreme Court ruling granting the Cowichan Tribes “senior” title over some private property in Richmond could potentially affect future property assessments in the province, some lawyers say.

Property assessments for 2026 are set to be published online on Jan. 2, but experts say it may be too early for the Cowichan decision to make a difference. Experts also disagree with the decision’s applicability beyond Richmond, with some saying it’s highly circumstantial and others saying it rocks the very foundation of Western economies.

“One might predict more challenges to BC Assessment’s real property assessments, but only time will tell if the property owners and their professional advisors can develop the basis for justifying a reduction in assessed value,” said John Shevchuk, associate counsel with Lex Pacifica Law Corp.

MARKET EVIDENCE NEEDED Any challenge or appeal of property assessments depends on market evidence, he said.

The Cowichan decision has created concern and uncertainty, but “unless this concern and uncertainty can be measured by declines in market value for specific properties, there will be no evidence upon which BC Assessment, the [Property Assessment Appeal] Board or the courts can accede to a reduction in an assessment,” Shevchuk said.

Quantifying any negative impact to property values requires evidence from the market about the price at which a willing seller and a willing buyer will agree to transact a property, he said.

“It all comes back to whether the buyers require, and sellers agree to, a reduction in price to account for the uncertainty generated by the Cowichan decision,” Shevchuk said.

Bruce Hallsor, managing partner of Crease Harman LLP, said assessments come out every January, so there has been no opportunity to appeal an assessment since the Cowichan decision came down in August. Property owners have until the end of January to appeal their assessments, “so that’s really when we will find out whether there are appeals or not.”

Hallsor said it’s tricky because assessments are based on the market value of a property the previous July. The Cowichan decision was released on Aug. 7, 2025 so the decision may not actually affect the forthcoming 2026 assessments.

“We may really have to wait a year in terms of assessment appeals,” Hallsor said. “I think it’s way too early to speculate if there will be any successful assessment appeals, just because of the timing of the appeal and assessment cycle in B.C.” Thomas Isaac, chair of the Aboriginal law group at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, said he’s aware of real estate deals being “directly impacted” or “falling apart” in the Lower Mainland and beyond.

‘LOTS OF QUESTIONS BEING ASKED’ “Outside of the Lower Mainland or City of Richmond, [there are] lots of questions being asked, additional due diligence being done, deals struggling with some specific assurances in agreements, covenants, conditions, that all directly relate to the Cowichan decision. It’s been very, very active,” he said.

Isaac said the decision affects far more than property in Richmond.

He said another significant aspect of the decision stated the core provisions of the Land Title Act do not apply to Aboriginal title land.

“That applies to the whole province. That was not restricted to the City of Richmond,” Isaac said.

He called the entire system of indefeasible title a “cornerstone” of “our entire economy.” Banks hold it as an asset so that they can lend money, for example.

FRESH START 2026 As we ring in the New Year, it’s the perfect time for individuals to focus on self-improvement and home upgrades—and The Squamish Chief is the ideal platform to connect with this motivated audience.

It’s about having an economy that can rely on private property ownership not being attackable.

THOMAS ISAAC

PHOTO BY ROB KRUYT/BIV

Vancouver lawyer Thomas Isaac says the economic fallout of the Cowichan Nation court ruling “is the most serious issue facing British Columbia right now. Instantly, this is an emergency.”

“It’s about having an economy that can rely on private property ownership not being attackable,” he said.

Other legal experts say the decision may not affect assessments beyond the facts of the case.

“In theory, this decision should not affect the number of property assessment appeals across B.C. It is a fact-specific Aboriginal title decision focused on a historic village site in Richmond, B.C., and not the entire province,” said Gurpal Sandhu, senior associate lawyer with ATAC Law Corp.

“This decision is fact-specific, so it should not be taken as a basis for valuing private property across all of British Columbia.”

PUT THE DECISION IN PERSPECTIVE Sandhu said it’s important to put the decision in perspective.

“Even if Aboriginal title is recognized over

lands that also contain fee simple interests, the court explained that the two can coexist, and that existing fee simple interests and their associated rights remain unaffected in practice unless and until there is remedial action or negotiation with the Crown,” he said.

A spokesperson for BC Assessment said: “As this matter is before the courts and proceeding through the appeal process, it would not be appropriate for BC Assessment to comment on any specific details of this case.”

The spokesperson added: “The local housing market determines property values, and BC Assessment reports those values without predicting future trends.”

Property owners with concerns about their 2026 assessments can contact the agency for explanations, and can file a first-level appeal by Jan. 31, the spokesperson said.

The deadline for a second-level appeal to the Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB) would be April 30, 2026. After that, parties may seek judicial review by the B.C. Supreme Court.

PAAB chairwoman Erin Frew said “a board member panelled to hear an appeal will consider all relevant and material evidence and submissions in the course of adjudicating the appeal.”

She added: “It is up to an individual party to determine how to best bring forward their issues on an appeal, including providing the best available evidence to support a party’s perspective on value.”

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Kim Boatman 289-404-1525

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 15

NEWS BRIEF SEA TO SKY NON-PROFITS GET $450K IN WHISTLER BLACKCOMB FOUNDATION GRANTS

T

he Whistler Blackcomb Foundation (WBF) has officially doled out more than $450,000 in funding to non-profits in the Sea to Sky Corridor.

Receiving the biggest slice of the pie is the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC): $50,000 that will facilitate the purchase of a replacement transport vehicle, ensuring safe and reliable SLCC access from remote First Nations communities. The new vehicle allows SLCC Indigenous Ambassadors and Indigenous Youth Ambassador cohorts to reach key work and cultural activities routinely.

Months after supporting the 2025 Invictus Games, the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program accepted $45,890 to obtain two adaptive bikes and safety equipment for coaches with the Sea to Sky Adaptive Bike Program. $45,000 went to Myrtle Philip Community School to support its Inclusive Playground Swings Project: an initiative designed to foster healthy child development and provide families with accessible public spaces.

The Squamish Helping Hands Society netted $40,000 that is meant for two food

security programs: the Squamish Food Bank and local Meals on Wheels – Seniors Support.

Sea to Sky Hospice received a $39,780 grant to facilitate vital programming for individuals navigating end-of-life or terminal condition diagnoses. $25,000 was awarded to the Whistler Community Foundation to support a fundraising match initiative for their Glow Gala.

The Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association was also granted $25,000 to augment infrastructure upgrades to Meadow of the Grizzly, the only blue-rated descent trail from the top of Garibaldi Park Road.

“We are grateful to the individuals and businesses whose ongoing support makes our fundraising efforts possible,” said WB Foundation executive director Mei Madden in a press release.

“Their continued commitment inspires us every year - from our event sponsors to our volunteers, auction donors, participants, and guests. We express our heartfelt appreciation to Whistler Blackcomb and Vail Resorts EpicPromise, TELUS, and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for their generous and sustained support of our mission. With your support, we can continue to help local organizations that create lasting change in our community.”

SQUAMISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY

Baha’i Faith Reconciliation is Justice The Inherent Harmony of Being Human

Our consciousness allows us to explore the depths of our being and to observe and understand the complexities of nature. It is the gift of being human that seeks purpose and meaning in life.

Bahai’s believe that while we have a material existence our essential nature as humans is spiritual. It is the harmony of these two natures that allows us advance human progress.

Bahá’u’lláh said: “Every created thing in the whole universe is but a door leading into His knowledge…” “Science is the first emanation from God toward man. All created things embody the potentiality of material perfection, but the power of intellectual investigation and scientific acquisition is a higher virtue specialized to man alone.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá has said: “The soul can discover the realities of things, comprehend the peculiarities of beings, and penetrate the mysteries of existence. All sciences, knowledge, arts, wonders, institutions, discoveries and enterprises come from the exercised intelligence of the rational soul.”

He clearly states the unity within the nature of man.

• “Man has two powers; and his development, two aspects. One power is connected with the material world, and by it he is capable of material advancement. The other power is spiritual, and through its development his inner, potential nature is awakened.

These powers are like two wings. We must strive unceasingly and without rest to accomplish the development of the spiritual nature in man, and endeavor with tireless energy to advance humanity toward the nobility of its true and intended station.”

“The light of the intellect enables us to understand and realize all that exists, but it is only the Divine Light that can give us sight for the invisible things, and which enables us to see truths that will only be visible to the world thousands of years hence.” www.squamishbahai.com

Britannia Mine Museum gratefully acknowledges their community sponsors:

PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

THE GIVING KIND: Wearing a green and red Christmas toque, he sits by a crackling virtual fire in the corner of the Station Square Starbucks, hour after hour shaping magical snowflakes.

G. Benoît, who tells anyone who asks to call him Ben, has been making his paper snowflakes around Squamish for about three decades, at various locations, in the lead up to Christmas.

16 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

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Holiday Hours BRENNAN PARK RECREATION CENTRE

January 1

9 AM–3 PM

January 2

Closed

January 1

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MUNICIPAL HALL (Hours open to the public) (Online Services available 24/7)

January 1

Closed

PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE For emergencies, call 604-815-4040

January 1

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SQUAMISH FIRE RESCUE OFFICE For emergencies call 911

January 1

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January 1–4

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THE 55 ACTIVITY CENTRE

SQUAMISH LANDFILL

January 2 & 3 January 1

Business Opportunities

Requests for Proposals

• Community Planning Services Support • Supply & Delivery of Fleet Vehicles – Preferred Dealer squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district

Infrastructure Upgrades

• X̱wún̓eḵw Park Sea Dike upgrades continue.

• Loggers East Storm Sewer project continues on Finch Drive. squamish.ca/building-our-future

District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Lot 15 Aspen Road) No. 3204, 2025 Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 467 of the Local Government Act, that District of Squamish Council will be considering first, second and third readings of District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Lot 15 Aspen Road) No. 3204, 2025.

PROPERTY

Lot 15 Aspen Rd, Squamish, B.C., as shown on the location map.

Community Bylaw Services Call 604-815-5067 After hours or on holidays call Squamish RCMP: 604-892-6100

SQUAMISH PUBLIC LIBRARY

Notice of Bylaw Readings

9 AM–4 PM Closed

PROPOSED BYLAW AMENDMENT

The purpose of the proposed Bylaw is to rezone Lot 15 Aspen Road FROM Neighourhood Node Commercial (C-13) to Comprehensive Development 120 (CD-120) zone to develop a six-storey mixed-use rental building.

When: At the Regular Council meeting on January 6, 2026 at 6.00 p.m.

Where: Council Chambers at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish B.C. The Meeting can be viewed: In Person at Council Chambers at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, B.C., or electronically at: squamish.civicweb.net

LOCATION MAP

NO PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED

In accordance with the Provincial housing legislation, Section 464(3) of the Local Government Act, local governments are prohibited from holding public hearings related to zoning applications for developments that are primarily residential and are consistent with the local government’s Official Community Plan (OCP). This proposal meets those requirements.

HOW TO VIEW THE PROPOSED BYLAW

A copy of the proposed bylaw and related information that has been or may be considered by the Council can be inspected online or at Municipal Hall.

• Online at: squamish.ca/showcase • Municipal Hall at 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia, from Monday, December 29, 2025 to Tuesday, January 6, 2026 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Enquiries regarding the proposed amendment bylaw may be made to the Planning Department at 604-815-5002 or by email to planning@squamish.ca.

This is the second of two notices. Dated this 1 day of January, 2026, at Squamish, British Columbia.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 17

View this ad online:

Notice of Bylaw Readings

Notice of Bylaw Readings

District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Local and Liquor Primary Commercial) No. 3214, 2025

District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Garibaldi Highlands Node) No. 3215, 2025

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 467 of the Local Government Act, that District of Squamish Council will be considering first, second and third reading of District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Local and Liquor Primary Commercial) No. 3214, 2025.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 467 of the Local Government Act, that District of Squamish Council will be considering first, second and third reading of District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, Amendment Bylaw (Garibaldi Highlands Node) No. 3215, 2025.

AFFECTED LANDS

All properties zoned Local Commercial (C-1) or Liquor Primary Establishment Commercial (C-6).

Proposed Bylaw Amendments

The purpose of the proposed bylaw is to add assembly use to the list of permitted uses, require a minimum of 20% employment space in new development, and increase the maximum height to four storeys in the Local Commercial (C-1) Zone. Additionally, assembly, entertainment, and restaurant uses are proposed to be added to the list of permitted uses in the Liquor Primary Establishment Commercial (C-6) Zone.

LOCATION MAP

NO PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED

In accordance with Provincial legislation, Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act, a local government is not required to hold a public hearing on a proposed zoning bylaw if an Official Community Plan (OCP) is in effect and the bylaw is consistent with the OCP. This proposed rezoning meets those requirements.

WHEN

Tuesday, January 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE

Council Chambers at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, B.C. NO PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED

In accordance with Provincial legislation, Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act, a local government is not required to hold a public hearing on a proposed zoning bylaw if an Official Community Plan (OCP) is in effect and the bylaw is consistent with the OCP. This proposed rezoning meets those requirements.

A copy of the proposed bylaw and related information that has been or may be considered by the Council can be inspected online or at Municipal Hall.

Online at: squamish.ca/showcase In Person: Municipal Hall at 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia, from January 1 to January 13, 2025, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Enquiries regarding the proposed amendment bylaw may be made to the Planning Department at 604-815-5002 or by email to planning@squamish.ca.

This is the first of two notices. Dated this 1 day of January, 2026, at Squamish, British Columbia.

AFFECTED LANDS

A copy of the proposed bylaw and related information that has been or may be considered by the Council can be inspected online or at Municipal Hall.

Online at: squamish.ca/showcase Proposed Bylaw Amendments In Person: Municipal Hall at 37955 The purpose of the proposed bylaw Second Avenue, Squamish, British is to add convenience store, café and Columbia, from January 1 to January coffee shop uses to the list of permitted 13, 2025, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 accessory uses on the affected p.m., Monday through Friday. lands, limit the size of these uses to Enquiries regarding the proposed a maximum of 100m2, and require amendment bylaw may be made a minimum of two on-site parking to the Planning Department spaces per 100m2 for these uses. at 604-815-5002 or by email to planning@squamish.ca.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 13, 2025 at This is the first of two notices.

6:00 p.m.

Dated this 1 day of January, 2026, at WHERE: Council Chambers at Squamish, British Columbia.

Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, B.C. Properties zoned Residential 1 (R-1) or Neighbourhood Civic (P-1) with frontage along The Boulevard, located between Skyline Drive and Perth Drive as shown on the Location Map.

18 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

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BC PARKS OPENS CAMPSITE RESERVATIONS FOR 2026 Campers can choose between 110 campgrounds in provincial parks

WHEN DO ALL BC PARKS CAMP SITES OPEN?

ELANA SHEPERT

Vancouver Is Awesome

The parks each have individual opening dates, but many open in late April to mid-May. This means you won’t be able to book them just yet.

However, since BC Parks opened its reservation system on Friday (Dec. 19) you can book space at available sites for as early as March 19, 2026. Spring break 2026 happens for most B.C. students from March 16 to 27.

P

eople who don’t want to miss out on a camping spot for late winter or early spring should make plans soon.

Previously, campers could book frontcountry campsites four months in advance. BC Parks has announced changes to its system, stating people can only book frontcountry camping spots and cabins three months in advance.

Campers can choose between 110 campgrounds in provincial parks. Reservations are required at some popular campgrounds.

IS THE SYSTEM DIFFERENT FOR BOOKING BACKCOUNTRY SITES?

WHAT IS A ‘FRONTCOUNTRY’ CAMPGROUND? BC Parks describes a frontcountry campground as being within one kilometre of a park road or a highway. They’re accessible by vehicle, but have limited services that aren’t available in more remote locations.

Campsites that can’t be reserved are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If a reservable site hasn’t been booked, it can also be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can check if a campsite requires a reservation by checking a park’s specific webpage.

PHOTO BY JAU-CHENG LIOU/ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

BC Parks camping sites are open for reservations for the 2026 season, but the agency has announced changes.

A comprehensive guide to health, wellness and medical services in the Sea to Sky Corridor.

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If you want to camp in more remote areas, check the backcountry camping page. These areas are for experienced campers and come with additional risks.

Backcountry campgrounds are one or more kilometres away from roads and have limited facilities. Get tips on camping in backcountry areas with no campgrounds or other facilities, with BC Parks’ wilderness camping guide.

Reservations are required at backcountry campgrounds in Mount Robson (Berg Lake Trail), Cathedral, E.C. Manning, Garibaldi, Joffre Lakes and Mount Assiniboine parks for all or part of the year.

CALL NOW TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 2026 ISSUE!

IN STANDS March 2026

WISHES will be available at Bridal Fashion Week and widely distributed throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor.

Publication

Deadlines

AD SPACE BOOKINGS Friday, February 20th, 2026

IN STANDS March 2026

Distribution 7,000 Copies

To book your advertising space, call

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 19

FIND YOUR BALANCE: MOVE INTO MINDFUL MOTION THROUGH TAOIST TAI CHI An open house on Jan. 8 invites Squamish residents to learn how to make ‘108 moves in the right direction’ AUNI DAYTON Intern reporter

S

quamish residents have the opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply, and learn about a widespread tradition and philosophy. The Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism is holding a Taoist Tai Chi open house on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 and all Squamish residents are welcome to join in.

The practice will be held at St. John the Divine Anglican Church at 1930 Diamond Rd., from 6 to 8 p.m.

The organizers of this event will introduce attendees to Taoist Tai Chi arts, a practice that involves a series of 108 movements, according to a news release.

Participants will be able to observe and learn some of these movements during the session. The event is intended to raise awareness in our community about the tradition, its history, and its role in health and wellness, the release states.

Introductory sessions will start on Jan. 15.

Taoist Tai Chi was developed in the 1970 by Master Moy Lin Shin, a Taoist monk who created the Taoist Tai Chi society, a volunteer-run registered charity, according to the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism website.

PHOTO VIA FUNG LOY KOK INSTITUTE OF TAOISM

Introductory sessions will start on Jan. 15.

Since its development in Canada, the practice has spread around the world, with volunteer instructors offering classes in many different countries.

The practice of Taoist tai chi is described as a form of moving meditation with a focus on

balance, strength, and relaxation.

The practice is rooted in Taoist philosophy, which values patience, humility, and the ability to listen to ourselves and others. The 108 movements are designed with the intention of combining physical movement

with mindfulness and meditation and they aim to support both physical and mental health.

Taoist tai chi is intended to have a wide range of benefits such as improved balance, better flexibility, pain reduction, and a deeper sense of calm, according to the release. While Taoist tai chi is a specific style with a unique set of movements, it shares many similarities with other tai chi traditions. The practice focuses on slow, deliberate movements, controlled motions, and slow, meditative breathing.

Along with demonstrations and time to practice, attendees can expect explanations about the philosophy behind the practice. The event will focus on mindful growth and “shift[ing] from grasping to giving, and from performance to deep internal change,” the institute’s media spokesperson Ken Perry writes.

The Squamish Taoist Tai Chi open house will be led by volunteer instructors who have trained in the Taoist tai chi set. The lessons are intended for all audiences and no prior experience is required as the organization focuses on accessibility for all ages and abilities.

For more information on the organization visit the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism website.

Squamish Transit

Service Change

Effective January 4, 2026  Route 1 Brackendale -

More weekday trips, with one additional late evening trip on Sundays

-

Route adjustment to provide better transit access; now travels via Rayburn Road instead of Hope Road, with a new stop on Rayburn at Axen

 Additional trips on Route 2 Highlands during the week and one late evening trip on Sundays  Additional trip on Route 4 Garibaldi to meet afternoon school bell time at Skyridge Montessori  Minor trip time adjustments to routes across the system to improve connections

Mountain Psychology

For more information about trip planning, schedules and to sign up for customer alerts, please visit bctransit.com.

and Neurofeedback Centre

Stephen L. Milstein, Ph.D., R. Psych. BC #765 - 604.938.3511 Dawna Dixx Milstein, OT. COTBC # AA0201 - 604.938.3523

Serving sea to sky for 18 years

11823

Squamish: 604.848.9273 Whistler: #107 - 4368 Main St, Whistler, B.C. V0N 1B4

Transit Info 604·892·5559 bctransit.com

20 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

squamishchief.com

GRACE DAVIES BRINGS BODY IMAGE HEALING TO SEA TO SKY

A decade after beginning her own recovery from orthorexia, Grace Davies is bringing a new kind of healing space to the Sea to Sky region LIZ MCDONALD

emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca

Content warning: This article contains references to eating disorders and may be distressing to some readers.

T

en years ago, Grace Davies began recovering from orthorexia, an eating disorder defined by a fixation on healthy food that results in “malnutrition and/or impairment of psychosocial functioning,” according to the U.S.-based National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).

“Everything had to be just so—perfect and organic and exact,” Davies said. “At the root of my eating disorder were two things: a fear of fat and the cultural shame that comes with it. It also served as a protective mechanism to narrow my focus so I didn’t have to feel the really painful emotions in my life.”

While Davies received counselling during her recovery, she came to realize there were few low- or no-cost supports available to people in their mid-20s with disordered eating. In response, she began working in peer support, teaching yoga at a Victoria hospital and developed and delivered a Health at Every Size

PHOTO BY KAT CRAATS PHOTOGRAPHY

Grace Davies is a registered clinical counsellor leading a free group therapy program in Squamish.

(HAES) program in schools.

“The programs I create are about expanding into a neutral zone of respect,” she said. “It

BC SPCA Sea to Sky in Squamish

Please Contact the SPCA for more details!

Visit our website: spca.bc.ca

Whether you are looking to adopt a new furry friend into your family or would like to know more about how you can make difference for animals in our community, we are here to help. The BC SPCA is a not-forprofit organization which relies primarily on community donations to help animals in need.

Please join us in the fight against animal cruelty!

To view more of our adorable pets up for adoption, please visit

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Squamish SPCA • 604.898.9890

doesn’t matter what my body looks like. I’m allowed to have preferences, but I respect the body I’m in and the bodies other people are in.

Health at Every Size is a framework that reorients how we think about health and what health actually is, including the social determinants of health,” she said.

According to NEDA, HAES programs “support a more weight-inclusive paradigm for health that embraces the diversity of human sizes, promotes weight neutrality in health care, and challenges the belief that weight determines health.”

Despite her work in education and peer support, Davies said she eventually realized something was missing.

“I wasn’t getting to the root of the trauma and pain held by people who use food to constrict their feelings,” she said. “That’s what prompted me to do my master’s in the first place.”

Now a clinical counsellor, Davies is bringing that work to Squamish.

BEFREE FOOD AND BODY CIRCLE Davies recently launched BeFree Food and Body Circle, a free, in-person peer support group for people struggling with food and body image. The program runs on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“We really have very little in the Sea to Sky, barring going to Vancouver or having a lot of money for private treatment,” she said. “There’s not much available.”

While Vancouver Coastal Health says its Sea to Sky Mental Health and Substance Use team can assess people with eating disorders and provide general mental health supports locally, there is no specialized eating-disorder treatment program for adults in Squamish.

Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed to The Squamish Chief that the closest specialized eating disorder treatment program it offers is the North Shore Youth Eating Disorders Program, which provides outpatient assessment and treatment for youth aged 12 to 18.

While some supports are available virtually through Vancouver Coastal Health, Davies said in-person connection plays a critical role in healing.

“Those years where I went to free peer support in Victoria and sat in a circle with other people and realized I wasn’t alone—that’s what really kicked my own ass into healing,” she said.

The BeFree Food and Body Circle meets at Breathworks Studio, 38224 Eaglewind Blvd.

Sessions are drop-in and begin with a review of group agreements and language guidelines designed to foster supportive dialogue. The group uses HAES-informed frameworks, is anonymous, open to all genders, and available to people aged 16 and older.

“We don’t talk about numbers or quantify bodies in any way,” Davies said. “We’re really careful not to make people feel vulnerable or compared to others. We can’t guarantee privacy, but we ask participants to practice anonymity.”

Davies is joined by Sea to Sky therapists Julie Miller, Helen Croza and Jenny Lister, who co-facilitate the group. HAES dietitian Karel Robert-Robitaille is also supporting the program. All are volunteering their time.

“All of us believe group work is a deep part of healing,” Davies said. “I’m in awe of the experience the women who signed on bring.”

‘A SKEWED PERSPECTIVE OF NORMAL’ In a region known for endurance athletes and outdoor performance, Davies said distorted ideas of health and fitness can take hold quickly.

“The Sea to Sky has a skewed perspective of what’s normal when it comes to body image and health,” she said. “The bar is set entirely differently than in most other places, and that can really affect people—especially when overachieving is paired with undernourishing.”

Davies said self-comparison is common among all genders and often happens subconsciously.

“We walk into a room and scan, placing ourselves on a social hierarchy,” she said. “One of the biggest steps out of that mindset is noticing when we’re objectifying ourselves or others.”

She encourages grounding practices, such as placing a hand on the body and speaking kindly to oneself.

“It’s a byproduct of systems where women are treated as objects,” she said. “But once we notice it, we can step out of it.”

Davies said shifting internal dialogue around food begins with acknowledging the role those thoughts once played.

“That voice is often trying to protect you from shame, pain or isolation that was real at some point,” she said. “The first step is recognizing that voice as separate from you and offering it compassion.”

She encourages people to speak with trusted friends, family members or therapists to help create distance from self-judgment.

Another key step, Davies said, is reframing ideas of health away from weight.

“Often we think we’re trying to be healthy, but we’re actually engaging in diet culture,” she said. “Cutting out foods ‘to be healthy’ is often really about trying to be thinner so we’ll be loved.”

Davies likened weight-focused health advice to treating lung cancer by bleaching someone’s teeth.

“We’ve inflated weight—the symptom—as the thing to change,” she said. “When we only focus on weight, we ignore the true social determinants of health.”

She also urged people to watch their language during food-centred gatherings.

“Try to remove morality from eating—good food, bad food,” she said.

“Think about what health means to you, separate from weight, and walk alongside friends. Don’t do it alone.”

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The More You

GIVE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 21

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

HOME SERVICES CLEANING

APARTMENTS/CONDOS

by Teresa Piercey-Gates

Res. Cleans SQ. Home 604-898-2333

The more you give, the more you get, The more you do unselfishly

Linda Carol Edmundson Age 65 Linda Carol Edmundson passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025. She was a long-term resident of Squamish and leaves behind a legacy defined by resilience, humor, and an unmistakable spark.

Born in Brisbane, Australia, Linda carried her bold spirit with her throughout her life. She was a devoted mother to her children, Jennifer and Christopher Martin, and a proud grandmother to Charlotte Martin, who brought her immense joy.

Linda had a deep love for horses and anything equinerelated, found peace in nature, and could happily spend hour’s binge-watching horror movies or Coronation Street.

In recent years, she was known for her warm smile, sharp sense of humor, and impressive wheelchair agility—qualities that reflected her determination and adaptability.

Earlier in life, Linda was equally memorable for her spirited temperament, legendary post-bar antics, and her proudly earned reputation as the “baddest bitch on the block.”

She lived unapologetically, loved fiercely, and left a lasting p ess o on everyone who knew her. impression Linda will be deeply missed and fondly remem mbered by her family. To write a condolence to the family, please visit p www.squamishfuneralchapel.com

The more you live abundantly.

The more of everything you share, The more you laugh, the less you fret.

The more you’ll always have to spare.

The more you love, the more you’ll find That life is good and friends are kind.

For only what we give away, Enriches us from day to day.

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HOROSCOPE WEEK OF JAN 1, 2026 - JAN 7, 2026

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Stash 5. Alum 9. Dove’s noise 12. Metal tube 13. Motored 14. Young fellow 15. Aardvark’s lunch 16. Revered person 17. Auxiliary verb 18. Methodology 20. Babies’ napkins 22. Former 24. Certain vipers 27. Andress film 30. Frozen block 31. Dostoevsky novel, with “The” 32. Baking vessel 33. Campers’ covers 35. Winter virus

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026 | 23

36. Avoid 38. Hooter 39. Longing 40.Sample tape 41. Ash or aspen, e.g.

42. Canyon sound 44.Country manor 49. Crony 51. Make text corrections 53. Farm animals 54. Seeing organ 55. Uncommon 56. Ownership paper 57. Get married 58. Changed hair color 59. Gambling numbers

4. Cowboy country 5. Frown 6. Baton 7. Brick house 8. Sandwich shop 9. Categorize 10. Rowboat necessity 11. Emotional poem 19. Type style 21. Not good 23. Choir voice 25. Skier’s aid 26. Shock 27. Raced 28. Possess 29. Glazed 31. Small landmasses 34. Chirped 37. Medic 41. Presently 43. Cow crowd 45. Hubbub: hyph.

46. Cut down 47. ____ off 48. Closes 49. Chapel bench 50. Vote for 52. Great rage Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling

ARIES March 21-April 19

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

You’ll feel the urge to refresh your wardrobe and improve your appearance to boost your confidence. This drive for self-improvement could prove essential, especially if you’ll be taking on more responsibilities or moving into a more prestigious position at work.

Get ready for some big changes!

This week will be marked by concrete and decisive action.

You’ll get some much-needed clarity about your love life and may experience intense passion with your partner or with someone who admires you.

TAURUS April 20-May 20

You must take your time and weigh the pros and cons before accepting a personal or professional offer. On the health front, your doctor may suggest new treatments that could improve your well-being.

Before making a life-changing decision, take the time to weigh the pros and cons. Whatever you choose, this shift promises to open constructive new opportunities.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18

A family matter will demand your full attention this week and monopolize most of your focus. Now is a great time to consider buying property or starting a major home renovation project.

GEMINI May 21-June 20

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Although you’ve just returned from holidays, a group travel opportunity may catch your eye. You may also feel inspired to plan a romantic getaway to create unforgettable moments with your significant other.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

Stress could actually help you You’ll spend a lot of time driving this week by giving you the this week, either accompanying energy and determination you your loved ones to their various need to finish your projects.

However, don’t forget to carve activities or keeping up with out moments for rest and your own commitments. This relaxation once this demanding may inspire you to invest in phase is over. a new vehicle that’s more comfortable and fuel-efficient.

Despite being incredibly busy, you’ll have to organize an event that will bring people together in a spirit of sharing and warmth. On the romantic front, a memorable encounter could inspire you to dream big.

CANCER June 21-July 22

Choosing a career that’s in line with your true aspirations is essential to your well-being.

You could be hit by a sudden wave of inspiration that will push you to explore new paths for improving your situation.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

You’ll come across a new You’ll receive good news about professional challenge this week with promising prospects. your career development.

You’ll be given the opportunity Although it may feel like you never have enough time, this to take on new and exciting pressure will strengthen your challenges. This will fuel your organizational skills and help motivation and bring about valuable personal growth. you become more efficient.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

Each 3 x 3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3 x 3 box.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS:

DOWN 1. Health farms 2. Wee 3. Selects The Parish of

YOUR PLACE OF

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See Website for Service times and location

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24 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

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