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PADDLEBOARDERS REMEMBERED
FROM ICE TO SEA
Local woman charts a course with the Coast Guard
Online campaign launched for couple who died
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
S Q U A M I S H C H I E F. C O M
PROVINCE UNVEILS OUTDOOR RECREATION STRATEGY
Squamish trail groups say the plan acknowledges longstanding funding gaps LIZ MCDONALD
emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
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PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD PHOTOGRAPHY
HAPPY PRIDE!: Hundreds turned out for the second annual Squamish Pride Parade held downtown Sunday. The parade is put on by Pride Squamish. After the parade, there was music, live performances and vendors that kept the party going at Junction Park & O’Siyam Pavilion.
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he province has unveiled its outdoor recreation strategy aimed at coordinating outdoor recreation between stakeholders, Indigenous partners and government ministries. The news was announced May 22 in Kamloops, B.C. The document outlines five goals: inspiring action, investing in growth, delivering experiences, supporting people and protecting what we love. It’s part of the province’s “Look West” plan, which the government says in an explainer is “designed to deliver major projects, create good jobs and strengthen B.C. and Canada’s economic security in the face of economic threats.” Tourism is one of eight sectors under the Look West umbrella. The fourth and final sector engagement meeting for the strategy wrapped in 2023 in Kamloops, At the time, it had been 20 years since the provincial government PLAN: Continued on 2
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PLAN: Continued from 1 had a coordinated strategy for this sector, according to John Hawkings, executive lead, recreation strategy and service transformation for the Ministry of Environment and Parks. The reason for coordination, according to the policy explainer, is that multiple ministries make decisions that influence outdoor recreation, “including land-use planning, natural resource management, climate adaptation, access, tourism, public health, collaboration and agreements with First Nations and economic development.” Getting various ministries to coherently talk to one another requires a coordinated strategy. “In 2023, outdoor recreation participation directly contributed $4.8 billion to the provincial economy, representing 1.5% of real GDP. It supports jobs, local businesses, and community development, especially in rural regions that are diversifying beyond traditional resource industries,” reads the report. The release includes details about establishing a provincial outdoor recreation advisory committee, the potential for an office of outdoor recreation, growing the gear sector and tech manufacturing in rural areas, supporting Indigenous-led recreation, improving permitting, the list goes on. For a bite-sized version of the strategy, visit the province’s two-pager, B.C.’s Outdoor Recreation Strategy at a Glance.
SHIFTING WINDS? While no new funds were announced in the strategy for specific organizations in Squamish, Ian Lowe, executive director of Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA), says he views the strategy as evidence that the province is finally listening to the needs of associations and organizations like his. “There’s no kind of tangible silver bullet here for addressing (financial need), but because I knew that that wasn’t coming out of this plan, I actually found it quite positive,” he said. “Sometimes in the past, it’s kind of felt like we’re calling on deaf ears when we’re advocating
PHOTO COURTESY OF LIZ MCDONALD/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
A new provincial strategy for outdoor recreation is a sign of the changing tides for stakeholders working in the sector in B.C., according to Ian Lowe, executive director of the Squamish Off Road Cycling Association.
for additional funding, and it seems like those deaf years are now fully listening to us. So, the acknowledgement of the problem that we see is 100% in that document.” When it comes to the economic benefit of outdoor recreation, the proof is in the foundations of Squamish’s landscape, according to studies from groups like SORCA and Squamish Access Society (SAS). SAS’s self-commissioned study asserts climbing brought in $25.4 million to the community in 2025 alone. SORCA’s 2023 study found mountain biking brought in $60 million from visitors and residents spending. On the tourism front, a study commissioned
by Tourism Squamish found visitation brought $408 million in 2024, generating $85 million in tax revenue. All of this money means a lot of infrastructure and volunteer strain. Trails like Tracks from Hell in Alice Lake have had 83,200 visits in 2025, according to data from Rec Sites and Trails BC, which was shared with SORCA. In its most recent semi-annual report, SORCA’s financial statements show 56.8% of resources go towards trail maintenance and construction, and 61% of its money comes from grants and donations. Louise Pederson, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, says the plan reinforces the need for long-term financial backing. ORCBC administers a $10 million fund for the province, giving money to various recreation groups. “The strategy itself hasn’t changed how the Outdoor Recreation Fund operates at this stage, but it does reinforce the importance of stable, long-term support for community recreation organizations,” she said in a statement to The Squamish Chief. “We were pleased to see the strategy recognize the Outdoor Recreation Fund as part of the province’s existing recreation system and acknowledge the critical role volunteer groups play in building and maintaining recreation infrastructure and experiences across B.C.” She added the fund is meant as a starting point, and the strategy validates a push for investing further in the sector. “We also recognize the province is operating in a challenging fiscal environment. At the same time, outdoor recreation delivers significant benefits for public health, local economies, tourism, and community wellbeing, and continued investment helps communities manage growing recreation pressures responsibly,” she said. In the 2026 budget, Parks and Recreation saw a $6 million cut. Lowe also sees the challenge of advocating for
Sometimes in the past, it’s kind of felt like we’re calling on deaf ears when we’re advocating for additional funding, and it seems like those deaf years are now fully listening to us. IAN LOWE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SORCA more resources from a government that is cutting spending. “B.C. is obviously not in a great spot economically right now, and needing to kind of focus light on some of its shining stars. Tourism is one of those shining stars, and obviously, as an extension of that, the outdoor rec. industry,” Lowe said.
TOURISM SET TO SKYROCKET THIS SUMMER On June 11 to 19, the FIFA World Cup comes to Vancouver. Visitors will flock to Hollywood North, and towns like Squamish are also expecting an increase in visitors who aim to make the most of their travel for the cup. And aside from FIFA, Lowe thinks the Sea to Sky Corridor’s propensity for big sporting events mean the region is well suited to seeing funding in the future. “We have this iconic trail network, we have these giant events coming into our corridor… these are big economic drivers, and I think if there is an area that will see funding and will see additional attention in the future, we’re in a very good place.” PLAN: Continued on 3
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‘HE COULD LIGHT UP A ROOM’: FAMILY MOURNS SQUAMISH PADDLEBOARDERS WHO DIED EXPLORING THEIR NEW HOME Genesis Jeru Bagu and Mariz Bello moved from the Philippines to Canada to support their families LIZ MCDONALD
emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
“H
e was Mr. Charismatic. Everyone knew him,” said Joel Lacsina. “He’s just a very loving and fun guy, who’s very talented, an absolutely amazing singer, and a very loving family man.” Lascina’s cousin, Genesis Jeru Bagu, died after falling from a paddleboard while with his wife, Mariz Bello, on Browning Lake in Squamish on May 30. Browning Lake is located in Murrin Park, along Highway 99, just south of Squamish. Their bodies were recovered June 2, according to Squamish RCMP. Lascina says the couple, originally from the Philippines, moved to Vancouver, Canada, to provide for their families.
PLAN: Continued from 2
NEW LOCAL STRATEGY FOR FUNDS
Tourism Squamish and SORCA are teaming up to make it clear to visitors just how beneficial the trail network in town is. Cue a new advocacy campaign, ‘For the Love of Trails,’ created by Tourism Squamish. Starting this June, visitors will be targeted with digital messaging for pre arrival, during the visit and post departure. There is also signage slated for the trail network. “It is a little bit of an experiment to see if we can move the dial on educating visitors that this work is not free. It costs a lot of money to maintain trails, a lot of money to build trails, and
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“Him and Mariz obviously moved to Canada, didn’t know anybody, and basically had to stop and start from ground zero, and they did it with the sole purpose of providing for the families back home in the Philippines. They are actually the primary providers of both of their respective families.” Jeru’s father, Lascina’s uncle, has health complications and is on dialysis, according to Lascina. He also says Mariz lost her father a few months ago, and she became the primary provider.
GOFUNDME LAUNCHED FOR DECEASED SQUAMISH PADDLEBOARDERS
Lascina’s launched a GoFundMe to help ease financial strain from the sudden loss of Bagu and Bello. The money will go towards funeral costs, paying bills and helping the
that as much as we appreciate their support and all the businesses that they support, while they’re here, it’s helpful to give back to the actual trail network (and) funding all of the work on the trails themselves,” Lowe said. Tourism Squamish’s executive director, Lesley Weeks, confirmed in a statement to The Squamish Chief that they have partnered “with SORCA to help visitors better understand the role they can play in supporting the trails and outdoor spaces they enjoy. By sharing the story behind the work required to maintain these world-class experiences, we’re encouraging visitors to contribute to the long-term health of the trail network and the community that supports it.”
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family that’s suddenly left without aid from their children, according to the fundraiser. “In this time of deep sorrow and uncertainty, we find comfort in our faith, trusting that God is holding Jeru and Mariz in his loving embrace. We ask for continued prayers, not only for their safe return, but for strength, peace, and guidance for our entire family in the days ahead,” says the family on the fundraiser page. “As our family faces this heartbreaking uncertainty, we are also preparing for the possibility of funeral arrangements and the many unexpected expenses that come with this tragedy. We are humbly asking for any support you can give—whether through donations or sharing this page.”
LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS Lascina said one of the draws of Canada for
She added the move aligns with the destination management organization’s goals of ensuring tourism positively impacts Squamish, a vision that was solidified during its study on the impact of tourism in 2025. It’s also in alignment with the province’s goal “support people” which aims to “explore innovative funding approaches for recreation organizations that develop and maintain recreation infrastructure and assets.”
‘STABLE AND SUSTAINABLE MODELS’ In a statement, the Ministry of Environment and Parks said the aim of this part of the strategy is to move from
his relatives was the natural environment. “I think Canada is starkly different from the Philippines, you know. It’s a beautiful place, and when you move to a new country, you want to be able to explore as much of it as you can. So they had recently just got into that knack of adventuring and hiking and exploring.” And while the death of his family members is a tough reality to face, he says what keeps him going is remembering that his cousin would want them to hold their heads high. “Unfortunately, this is a tragic situation, but Jeru was one of, if not the most optimistic and loving (person), and the way he could light up a room as soon as he walked into it was second to none. I know that if he was alive, he’d tell us all to just smile and keep going, because what happened happened, but he’s in a better place now.”
short-term project funding “toward more stable and sustainable models that support capacity for clubs, volunteers, and stewardship groups.” The statement went on to say that the strategy focuses on direction rather than specific funding for different regions. “Outdoor recreation contributes far beyond clubs and trails, supporting tourism and other local economic activity. The strategy highlights the need for a sector-wide approach, including work such as developing an Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account to better capture the indirect economic benefits that volunteer-driven recreation infrastructure often supports.”
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PENDING MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ‘EYESORE’ IN BRITANNIA VILLAGE An unfinished flood berm in Britannia Village is drawing growing concern from residents, though the SLRD and the province say a management plan is in discussion
value of our property will be better if we’re not next to a rubble building site that looks a mess. We would like to have some conversations, rather than it just be like this in six years time.”
INA PACE
ipace@lodestarmedia.ca
A
A CHANGE OF PLAN
flood berm in Britannia Village is drawing concern from some residents, who say it is incomplete, and seems to have a number of safety and environmental issues, as well as being an eyesore. The berm, which has no vegetation nor topsoil, is located adjacent to a new townhouse development (351 Copper Drive) along Britannia Creek.
RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS Some residents have been looking for definitive answers about the berm’s completion. Britannia Village resident of seven years Jonathan Mahec is one of them. He said the “unsafe eyesore” has been bare for approximately the last two years, and appears to be attracting invasive species of plants in its disturbed soils, in which there is already “unsafe rubble.” In April, Mahec showed The Squamish Chief scraps of rebar and metal protruding from the berm’s surface, also in the ditches dug either side. He said he worries children from the
PHOTO BY INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
The unfinished berm at Britannia Beach.
townhouses, who play on and around the berm, may be particularly vulnerable to injury from the metal. Mahec had contacted a government of B.C.
Britannia Mine Museum gratefully acknowledges their community sponsors:
engineer in March to ask for an approximate timeline for the berm’s completion, and for the assessment and removal of any safety hazards. “It is my understanding that the Crown (province) bears responsibility for the final completion of this berm, including the application of topsoil and either hydroseeding or appropriate landscaping works,” Mahec wrote in an email to the engineer, which he shared with The Squamish Chief. “The community had hoped to see these important erosion control and stabilization measures completed in reasonable time following the structure’s construction … The delay is a source of growing concern among residents.” Mahec, who owns and operates local contracting company South Shore Designs, also offered in the email to carry out the finishing work on the berm himself alongside other contractors in the area, saying there “is genuine interest and capability within the community to take this on.” Mahec told The Squamish Chief that residents wish to have a landscaping plan prioritized. He suggested that water features, such as drinking fountains, would be an effective addition to the village’s commercial development. Copper Drive resident of two years and Britannia Beach strata councillor Duncan Reid backed Mahec’s concerns. Reid clarified that, as Mahec said, some of the community would welcome the opportunity to complete the berm themselves, as well as maintain it. “The kids are currently tripping over the berm. It’s a good two foot drop in. There’s wrought iron lying around that’s not being cleared up, and other dangers that keep coming out from underneath the hard rock,” Reid said. “As a person who’s purchased here, our minimum is getting what we were sold. The
MacDonald Corporation development manager Brent Kapler, who has worked on-site at Britannia Village for the last four years, said the berm’s construction has been delayed since 2024 because the original grading plan was altered by the province’s consultants. The original plan, Kapler clarified, would have had the entire site slope away from the townhomes. The grading was then proposed to slope towards the town homes, which would thereby, Kapler continued, create some drainage issues. He said there is now a large drainage swell that runs adjacent to the townhome site. “In [MacDonald’s] opinion, the landscaping could have been done during the first year,” Kapler said. “From that point on, I have no idea what the holdup has been. We have been in touch with the province constantly, trying to find out what the timeline is, and what their plans are. I can only surmise as to why the plan was changed. “I understand that with the province, they must go through a public process, and so sometimes these things aren’t as simple as they should be, so I sense the frustration of the community.”
RESPONSE FROM THE PROVINCE AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT The province’s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, which regulates and authorizes flood protection structures and dikes, explained in a statement to The Squamish Chief last month that they were not responsible for the berm’s construction, and suggested that local government are best positioned to provide community information on hazard protection for the area. The Squamish Chief thereby contacted the Squamish-Lilooet Regional District (SLRD), who clarified in an emailed statement that the berm is owned by the province as it is situated on provincial land. The berm, the spokesperson wrote, was put in place as part of the adjacent site redevelopment in 2024, and that plans to develop the berm are now being enabled.
WHAT IS CURRENTLY BEING DONE? The SLRD wrote that they are working with the province “to update tenures/licenses associated with the [berm], which will include a management plan.” Hydroseeding and revegetation have been identified as future next steps,” the statement reads, though at the time of print the SLRD are yet to confirm a timeline for the berm’s completion, or specific stages of further development. BERM: Continued on 5
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SQUAMISH CUTS RIBBON ON $12.8M WASTEWATER UPGRADES New clarifier, bioreactor and septic receiving station will add capacity and resiliency as the community grows
This is built to a much higher seismic standard, much more resilient piece of infrastructure, as well as upsized overall.
LIZ MCDONALD
emcdonald@lodestarmedia.ca
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Some successes may not smell sweet, but they deserve recognition all the same. To mark the completion of crucial upgrades to Squamish’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), elected officials and District staff held a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 1. Patrick Weiler, member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, and Mayor Armand Hurford provided remarks before cutting a caution-tape ribbon. They stood atop the new circular clarifier/bioreactor, above murky brown water thick with dark bubbles. A clarifier is a tank that separates solids from wastewater, and a bioreactor breaks down pollutants. “This project here represents a substantive investment in our infrastructure to help us be ready for the growth that we know is coming to the community, and also to add redundancy to our existing system, as well as resiliency if there are any sort of large events. This is built to a much higher seismic standard, much more resilient piece of infrastructure, as well as upsized overall,” Hurford said. The upgrades at the WWTP cost $12.8 million and included construction of a new clarifier and concentric ring bioreactor, a septic receiving station and optimization of existing infrastructure. Squamish’s population is projected to grow by 53% by 2046. This growth, combined with ageing infrastructure and higher standards for disaster-resilient builds, factored into the decision to upgrade. The upgrades will make the infrastructure more resilient to floods and seismic activity. Without the upgrade, wastewater could flow into rivers and houses during a flood or earthquake. The work also enhances plant performance, BERM: Continued from 4
The province is currently advertising for contractors to work on the The Britannia Mine Remediation Project- Crown Lot Landscaping, which includes the flood berm site (Crown parcel) via BC Bid. The berm site is listed under opportunity RFPCCSP2027-03, with a closing date of June 26, 2026 at 4 p.m. for bidders. The project’s request for proposal (RFP), which is listed on the BC Bid website, was issued by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship on May 20. “The Ministry has recently remediated a Crown parcel in the Britannia Beach fan area by installing an engineered impermeable cap consisting of compacted aggregate and soils,” the RFP reads. “The general scope of work for this project is to complete a simple predesigned surface finishing
MAYOR ARMAND HURFORD
PHOTO BY LIZ MCDONALD/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
Mayor Armand Hurford (left) and MP Patrick Weiuler (right) cut a ribbon to mark completion of critical upgrades to Squamish’s wastewater treatment plant.
decreases carbon emissions, grows treatment capacity and adds redundancy to the system. “Wastewater infrastructure operates behind the scenes. It does play an absolutely essential role in our lives, protects public health, safeguards local waterways, and supports sustainable community growth,” Weiler said. “[In] a community like Squamish that’s fast growing, that matters now more than ever, because we know that building homes requires more than housing alone. Communities also need the infrastructure that supports them: roads, transit, water systems, and wastewater treatment facilities like this one. In fact, that’s a critical component of the work that we’re doing right now, so investments in critical infrastructure can help communities welcome new residents while maintaining the quality of life that makes them such a great place to live.” plan for the Crown parcel that compliments the surrounding areas, while incorporating a number of existing features (e.g. the surface drainage swale and rip-rap flood protection wall).” The RFP also includes a procurement schedule, which lists contract dates for work on the berm’s site, starting July 13, 2026, and ending October 31, 2027. Following the contract award (on July 13), according to the RFP, there will be a project initiation meeting with the Ministry to review the work scope and schedule. A project communication plan will be established after that. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
The price breakdown for the work, which began in 2023: $7.38 million came from senior levels of government, with the federal government providing $4.03 million and the province contributing $3.36 million through the Investing
in Canada Infrastructure Program. The remaining $2.96 million came from the municipality. Both Hurford and Weiler credited the municipal government and partnerships with senior governments for achieving the project. “This is a great example of how, in my opinion, the different orders of government can come together to ensure that investments like this are possible for communities to make. So, thank you so much to our partners, funding partners on this project,” Hurford said.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Squamish United Football Club members are invited to attend the 2026 Annual General Meeting. Your voice matters. We encourage all members to be present and engaged as we shape the future of football in Squamish. A free family registration for the upcoming season will be drawn at the meeting.
JUNE 18, 2026 | 7:00PM Brennan Park Recreation Centre
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STILL A HAPPY LIBERAL: MP PATRICK WEILER ON GUILBEAULT’S RESIGNATION, THE ECONOMY, HOWE SOUND AND MORE With high-profile Quebec MP Steven Guilbeault set to resign from Parliament this summer, questions are swirling about whether other environmentally minded Liberals will follow JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
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here has been quite a lot of chatter since Liberal Party Member of Parliament Steven Guilbeault announced in late May that he will resign from his seat this summer. His choice came after he previously stepped down as environment minister. His announcement basically said that he feels he can fight for the environment better outside the House of Commons than in it. Liberal MP for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country Patrick Weiler, a former environmental and natural resource management lawyer, posted to his social media about Guilbeault’s resignation, calling the Quebec MP a friend and saying Canada was better because of his service. There has been talk about other Liberal MPs who aren’t comfortable with what Guilbeault called “backsliding” on the environment. Is Weiler considering leaving as well? The Squamish Chief sat down with Weiler, 40, to ask that question earlier this week when he was in town for a ribbon cutting for the Squamish Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion. It was ultimately a wide-ranging discussion of various topics over coffee at Peak Provisions in downtown Squamish. What follows is a version of that conversation edited for length and clarity. Q: With Guilbeault resigning, what keeps you where you are? Or are you one of the Liberal MPs who are struggling with the Feds’ environmental policies? A: I’m definitely sad to see Steven go, because he was one of the folks that inspired me to run in 2019. I knew of him for a long time, didn’t really know him until getting elected, but he’s someone whom I’ve long had a lot of respect for. It’s easy to advocate from the outside, but to actually get involved in politics and be involved in the compromises, a lot of people aren’t willing to do that. And he did that, and as a result, he was able to accomplish some amazing things on the climate side, but also on the environment and nature conservation side that I think maybe people don’t understand as well. Particularly what he did to bring the world together to agree on protecting 30% of land and water by 2030. He’s had a huge impact, and I’m sure whatever he’s going to do next, he’s going to have a big impact. But, no, I’m sad to lose him as a colleague when his resignation becomes official, but I’m sure we’re going to stay in touch and work together in different ways.
Q: But for you? We’ve known you for your environmental stance. So, how are you feeling with the rollbacks in climate policy and not being able to make targets? A: I mean, the one thing with the changes that have been done, it makes meeting our 2030 targets near impossible. And probably in 2035 as well, unless there’s some very significant shifts. Mind you, it’s a very different world today than the world seven years ago, much less two years ago. So, you have to be aware of the different context. The prime minister has a very different approach on how to address climate change. Under former prime minister Justin Trudeau and a lot of the policies that Steven had worked on, it’s a big focus on using different regulatory tools, pricing systems. And those did cause frictions in some parts of the country. And, you know, in many ways, I don’t envy the prime minister. He’s got a lot of very difficult things to be juggling at once. The internal unity of the country always has to come first and foremost. And dealing with the incredible pressure that we have on our economy right now from the tariffs in the United States. So, he looks at it from a different point of view. What he’s focused on is trying to find ways of bringing the provinces together and really focussing on ways to accelerate investment into the economy in all ways. But what that has meant is a reduction in the ambition in some of our policies overall, and there’s going to need to be a real focus on things that are going to replace them. And one of the things that maybe hasn’t gotten talked about enough is the national electricity strategy. That’s really going to be the backbone of everything that we do in fighting climate change. And I think there’s really strong merit to that. The other thing that’s very different today than seven years ago is the relative cost of renewable energy. That has plummeted. It’s now far and away the cheapest form of electricity all around the world. And we’re seeing countries accelerate their transition as a result. And investing in those areas, we’ve got supporting policy to do that. That’s going to allow us to do the same thing. Q: When now prime minister Carney was running in the last election, I remember you saying Carney had listened to you personally and to MPs more than Justin Trudeau had in his time in office. Have you expressed to him concerns about not meeting targets and the environmental policy rollbacks? Do you feel listened to? A: Absolutely. I’m not going to discuss what’s talked about in caucus meetings, because that’s confidential as it needs to be. We
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
MP Patrick Weiler in downtown Squamish last week.
definitely have robust discussions about that. And a lot of folks have important perspectives. Not only to bring from what they’re hearing in their own ridings, but also from their experience prior to politics as well. So yeah. We certainly have discussions about that, amongst a lot of other topics in our caucus. Q: We recently learned we are in a technical recession. This is likely concerning to a lot of business folks in the Sea to Sky, who are already under a lot of pressure. Should they be worried? Are you worried? A: I’m not worried. They shouldn’t be. You can call it a technical recession, but if you ask most economists, they would say that we’re actually in a recession right now—by the slimmest margin, our economy contracted. But actually, if you look at it on a per capita level, our economy is actually growing fairly significantly. It was almost 1% growth per capita. And I think a lot of the criticism we’ve seen in recent years is that our productivity was declining. It’s a big, big reason for our economy having a slight shrinking right now is because our population is dropping. So I think we need to keep that in mind. But we also need to be mindful of context. We have our largest trading partner, which is about three quarters of our exports, going to a country which is now levying tariffs on us. And that has a very real impact, particularly in a number of targeted sectors like lumber, steel, aluminum and automotive. So that’s having an impact, as well as the uncertainty of long-term market access and driving investment. So that remains what the government’s focused on, as well as dealing with things that we can deal with, trying to diversify our trade as much as we can. We’ve increased our non-U.S. exports by 18% already in the last year. We’re doing all we can to build the infrastructure to access new
markets, to deepen those relationships with other countries, and to try to trade more internally. And I think that’s an area I’ve been very frustrated with. While there was a lot of progress last year, the provinces have really slowed that down recently. We’re supposed to have direct-to-consumer alcohol sales in all provinces (by the end of May). And we’ve only got a couple that have now agreed to it, after they’d all agreed in principle to do it about six months ago. So, we need to do what we can in this space. We do have a huge amount of incentives for businesses to invest. And I’m quite confident, if you look at the projections over the coming years, Canada is projected to be the fastest-growing economy in the G7. And you’re going to continue to see the fruits of a lot of the efforts that have been done over the last year and a half to make our economy more resilient as well. Q: Switching gears again, can you tell us about your private members’ bill, the Clean Coast Act and what it’ll address? A: It’s meant to address two main things. Number one, the issue of marine dumping. And this act will make marine dumping a strict liability offence, which in simple terms will mean that you’ll need to take steps to ensure that you’re not leading to marine dumping. The other one is dealing with the issue of abandoned and derelict boats, which we know is a huge issue throughout Howe Sound and beyond. And this will require when you’re selling a boat to take certain steps to make sure that you’re properly disposing of the condition of it and ensuring the person that you’re selling it to can manage that boat so it does not become an abandoned and derelict boat. That last issue is a huge concern because we see a lot of examples where you have bad faith transfers to someone that cannot manage it [which has led] to boat sinking, marine pollution, and major costs for Canadians. So these two things, working very closely together, make sure that our oceans are going to be cleaner and better for all users. It was introduced at first reading last September. It passed second reading in February.And I’ve just been waiting for my bill to be heard at the committee stage. My understanding is that’s going to happen in the next couple of weeks or at the very latest, the very beginning of the fall session. And we’ll have quick debates. I’ll have a chance to present it. We’ll have other witnesses, and then it’ll go through line by line. And if it passes again, back to third WEILER: Continued on 7
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WEILER: Continued from 6 reading in the House, and then we’ll have another vote on it, and then the Senate will do the same thing. Should be by the end of this year. Q: With the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, which you formerly chaired and now the chair is MP Hedy Fry, can you speak to what you were asking about in terms of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the allowable catch in Howe Sound? This has been an issue for some constituents for some time. A: This has been a long frustration in that there hasn’t been opportunities for retention of salmon in Howe Sound. And the reason why is the risk of catching a stock of concern that’s here. But what I’ve seen from the data in recent years is that there’s a very, very low risk of catching a Fraser River stock of concern. And so especially given the recent data that we’ve seen, it should provide the peace of mind for the department to provide those opportunities. They haven’t. Each year, I’ve been asking for it on behalf of many recreational fishermen that are in this area. Because it’s not just folks that are local, which is reason enough, but also it’s a huge driver for tourism. The one big change we’ve made, I guess two months ago now, is we introduced the new nature strategy for Canada. As part of that, we announced a number of changes to what we’re doing to protect
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026 | 7
salmon. But a big part of it is we’re going to go for mass marking at all hatcheries, which people have been calling for. What that’s going to allow is, you’ll know for sure when you’re catching a fish, if it’s a hatchery fish or not. So you’ll know very easily if you can keep that. That’s going to make it much easier to pursue a mark-selected fishery, both in Howe Sound and across southern B.C. That’s going to apply all throughout southern B.C. That’s going to happen over the next few years. And so that will provide extra push to be able to get there. But it is very frustrating that we haven’t had those retention opportunities in recent years in Howe Sound. I’m hoping that’s going to change soon. Q: You have often talked about the importance of tourism. In Squamish that sentiment is a little tricky. Tourism Squamish had a recent survey that showed quite a lot of locals struggling with seeing the benefits of tourism, despite its economic impact. A: Tourism Squamish and a number of other tourism organizations have changed from a destination marketing organization to a destination management organization. So, I mean, it’s critically important that people see the benefits of tourism locally, that people will be responsible when they visit, but also that contributes to the local economy, and I think that that’s a lot of the work that Tourism Squamish is doing. The more that we can get into regenerative tourism, the better. Q: Can you speak to the $7 billion investment in the apartment construction loan
program your government announced? As you know very well, Squamish has been struggling with housing. We had provincial grant funding cancellations. Housing is a big issue. A: That’s one of the big items in the spring economic update is to have another $7 billion into the apartment construction program. For Squamish, it’s been hundreds of units and tens of millions of dollars. It’s a really good program because it allows developers to access below-market interest rates for mortgages over long terms, so up to 50-year amortization. They’re for projects that are 30% below market at least. So it’s a great program B.C.’s benefited the most from, and it’s made a huge difference locally, especially when we’re having a time right now where there’s been a major slowdown in our construction industry. And the other part that I’d like to bring up is in the spring economic update, we have a major investment in the trades. There’s a $6 billion investment to train 100,000 more Red Seal trade folks. That’s one of the other big issues we have in the construction sector is actually finding people to build. As much as possible, we’re trying to get more towards pre-fabricated and modular, but even so, we have a huge, huge labour shortage, and it’s just going to grow as a lot of people get to the age of retirement. This is going to help stem that a little bit. And then the last thing, we also made some changes to the Home Buyer’s Plan, which is going to give you more flexibility on the amount of time that you
have to repay investments that are taken out of RRSPs to go into purchasing. So I think all these things will help a little bit, building on some of the work that we did last year, like cutting the GST on new homes to help the market. But we are still looking for more things right now. Q: Thank you for letting me pepper you with a lot of different questions. Is there anything else you would like to say? A: The Liberal Party is a big tent. And it’s a tent that has, I think, gotten bigger in the last year and a bit. And I think that’s actually a very good thing, because we’ve had some very robust discussions within our caucus. So, yeah, I am very sad to see Steven (Guilbeault) go. But I’m going to continue to be as strong as I was for climate and environment… but importantly, that we’re going to be able to benefit from the energy transition that’s fast happening. And I think there’s a lot of ways of doing that. And the focus of this government is really on building things, having a robust plan on that. And those are things I’m going to look forward to working with the prime minister and colleagues on. Q: So you’re a happy Liberal and you’re not jumping ship? A: I’m not jumping ship. I’m a happy Liberal. Although I have had offers from other parties to join their caucuses. But, no, I’m not going to change parties. I ran and was elected as a Liberal three times, and I’m committed to that, and also committed to the constituents in this riding and being their representative.
8 | THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
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Stage 1 Outdoor Water Use Restrictions remain in effect.
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Trees, flowers, shrubs or gardens is allowed anytime.
For more information and to see the full water restrictions, head to our website: STAG E
AGE ST
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1
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Dance Sampler Half Day Camp (5–12YRS)
at Brennan Park Recreation Centre Daily, July 6–10, 9 am–12 pm
June 17,
11:30 am–12:30 pm AGE ST
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and COUNCILLOR HAMILTON
Get ready to move, groove, and explore movement! This camp introduces young dancers to a variety of styles in a fun, playful environment. Perfect for all levels, this camp encourages imagination, coordination, and confidence, all while having a blast with music and movement. A great way for dancers to discover their favourite style and build a love for dance! There will be a short performance at the end of the week, allowing the students to perform the dances they have learnt. Please arrive by 8:50 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start. No Drop ins.
Check out the pool schedule! squamish.ca/poolschedule
LEAP: Fantasy & Fairytales (3–5YRS) at Brennan Park Recreation Centre Daily, July 6–10, 9 am–12 pm
at Municipal Hall (Council Chambers)
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN
RECREATION CULTURE
Step into a world of magic this summer! Our AND Fantasy & Fairytales LEAP camp brings enchanted stories to life for ages 3 to 5. Your little knight, princess or friendly dragon will enjoy whimsical games, magical crafts, and interactive storytelling. They’ll build confidence, make friends, and create memories that last happily ever after!
Check out the arena and pool schedules!
Summer Pool Schedule!
The summer pool schedule will be in effect Sunday, June 28. Know before you go! View the schedule at squamish.ca/pool
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026 | 9
COUNCIL SUPPORTS REZONING TO ADD 66-UNIT HOTEL
Council voted 5-2 to support three readings of a rezoning amendment that would replace a planned office building with a 66-unit, five-storey hotel at 37870 Cleveland Ave, alongside roughly 200 housing units and commercial space JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
A
plan for office space in a large, long-anticipated downtown residential development is being flipped into a hotel at 37870 Cleveland Ave. At the council meeting on June 2, elected officials voted 5-2 to support three readings of a rezoning amendment for the hotel that will be alongside 200 housing units—including affordable and market rentals—with commercial space. Locals may recall this property was rezoned in 2018 for a mixed-use development dubbed the Plaza at Junction Park, with ground-floor commercial space and residential units above, across two buildings, with a third office space building at the northernmost end of the block. A development permit (DP) for the site was issued in 2021. The project has yet to come to fruition, however. The amendments for the new proposal, by applicant Cleveland Acquisition Corp., were to add tourist accommodation as a use and increase the height of the north building to not more than 20.8 metres. The height increase, though, is just from 20 metres to 20.8 m to accommodate Step Code changes that occurred partway through the development process and required increased floor and roof thicknesses to increase energy efficiency, Aja Philp, District planner, told council. The five-storey hotel would have 66 units. Philp explained further the height situation and how it has evolved over time. “In the original (zone), the property was portioned into a southern building and a northern building. The northern building included both the mixed-use residential and commercial building as well as the office component attached to the northern building, and that was given a height maximum of 20 m, and so the applicant is asking for 20.8 m in this rezoning application, which would apply to both the mixed-use component as well as the hotel component,” she said. “The hotel component was originally four storeys, and the developer has asked to go to five storeys in order to accommodate more financial viability of the project, and that would still be less than the 20.8 m.” She also spoke to the need for the hotel, rather than the originally proposed office space. “Recent hotel occupancy rates in Squamish... exceed 80% throughout the year,” said Philp, referencing a stat from the 2025 Tourism Squamish annual snapshot. Another amendment was to remove the tandem parking ban on the property so that such parking is now allowed on the site.
“Eighteen tandem spaces would be allocated to the two-bedroom units in the south building and 11 tandem spaces would be allocated to the hotel in the north building,” said Philp. Philp noted the developer plans that the hotel will operate with a valet, allowing for coordination of the hotel tandem spaces. A total of 271 parking spaces are included, with 29 being tandem. The developer is offering to commit to a car share cooperative to provide car share memberships for the 30 affordable rental units. Council’s approval also included the following amendments to the Land Development Agreement: • 15% of the residential units will be affordable rental housing units • 5% will be market rental housing units • at least one of the affordable rental housing units will be an adaptable unit with one accessible parking space allocated to this unit at no additional cost to the tenant • a no gas covenant be placed on the whole project Staff said that overall, the rezoning presents a “trade-off,” giving up office space for tourist accommodation. Staff recommended the first three readings “because analysis suggests that demand for office space has declined and the loss of the proposed 1,540 square metres of office space is the equivalent of 8.5% of the office space supply in the development pipeline.” The changes will make the whole project more likely to come to fruition. “The trade-off of office space for tourist accommodation will improve the constructability of the project and support the delivery of 30 affordable housing units, 10 market rental housing units, and the in-kind public amenities secured through the original rezoning—two public plazas, public art, and a sidewalk along the site’s Loggers Lane frontage,” the report continues. Under provincial legislation, local governments are now prohibited from holding public hearings related to rezoning applications for developments that are primarily residential and that align with official community plans; thus, none was held for this project.
SAMPLE COUNCIL COMMENTS Ultimately, the majority of council supported the three readings, with Couns. Andrew Hamilton and Lauren Greenlaw opposed. Hamilton and Coun. Chris Pettingill expressed concern over the south building being eight storeys, when Squamish Fire Rescue has said that is higher than ideal. Philp noted the plan for the storeys was set in the original agreement years ago and that, while a newly understood best practice, there isn’t a policy that prevents this height.
Though the Squamish Fire Rescue has more recently stated six storeys and over are harder for the fire department due to the number of firefighters required, Philp said the department had reviewed the current amendments and had not provided any negative comments. Coun. Eric Andersen spoke to the public art and history aspects proposed in the development plan. “In addition to the proposed double-headed serpent mural facing the channel waterfront— which will really be something special—the proponent has made a plan in the plaza together with local railway heritage community partners, namely the West Coast Railway Association,” he said. “I mention this because this celebration of railway heritage of Squamish and of this particular site, Main Street, where every single steam locomotive the railway ever had was photographed very nicely in front of the (Stawamus) Chief, will be well received by the tourist clientele of the proposed hotel. I believe that this proposed building on the northern end of the development will be well located for hotel use.” Coun. Jenna Stoner spoke to the messiness of this process whereby a former plan was approved and then five years after the development permit was approved, the project
hasn’t started and a rezoning amendment is brought forward. She said it speaks to the need for sunset clauses on big projects like this. But she was also supportive of the move to hotel space and the overall project. “We’ve approved a few hotels in the past that also haven’t really come to fruition, but we know that our community desperately needs them, and it would be well served, I think, in this location. The amount of parking spaces on site, I think, meet and exceed our parking requirements. I am curious how the tandem parking will work out, but that’ll be for the folks who decide to live there,” she added. “I definitely have some hesitations around the height, the total height of the building on the south end. But that is an approval that we have provided in the past. So this is increasing the amount of employment space (because of the hotel), increasing the number of affordable rental units on site, and providing a new use that I think our community has been asking for for a long time.” Next, staff will finalize the Land Development Agreement amendment with the commitment for car share memberships, and then the bylaws will be brought back before council for final adoption.
Call for Expressions of Interest
The District of Squamish is seeking expressions of interest to lease portions of the Squamish Adventure Centre. Create a standout retail experience in one of Squamish’s most visited destinations! This is a rare chance to secure a high-profile retail space right at the gateway to the Sea to Sky Corridor. Located inside the iconic Squamish Adventure Centre, this space’s unparalleled visibility ensures your business stands out to everyone driving along Highway 99. For more information or to apply, head to squamish.ca/adventure-centre-eoi or contact Nav Triplett, Portfolio Manager at ntriplett@squamish.ca
10 | THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
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2026 Property Tax and Utilities – Payment Due July 2, 2026 A late penalty of 5% will be applied after July 2, 2026. A second 5% penalty will be applied after July 31, 2026. Property owners will be sent separate property tax and utility notices. If you have not received your notices by June 9, please contact Financial Services for assistance. New owners should ensure taxes and utilities are paid on their property. If there is any doubt, please call Financial Services at 604-815-5035.
Please Note Property owners are responsible for payment of the 2026 property taxes and utilities regardless of whether or not notices are received. Property owners are responsible for applying for the homeowner grant. Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Payee: District of Squamish Property Tax Account#: 13 digit number/roll number Some financial institutions hold payments before forwarding to us or are in different time zones. Avoid the risk of a penalty by paying two to three business days before the due date.
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Annual Municipal Report
• Hand delivery to 37955 Second Notice is hereby given that the District Avenue, Squamish of Squamish 2025 Annual Municipal Report will be presented at the June 16, The deadline for written submissions is 2026, Special Business Meeting in 12 p.m. on June 16, 2026. Council Chambers, Municipal Hall, Council will receive the 2025 Annual located at 37955 Second Avenue, Report at the June 16, 2026 Special Squamish, B.C. Business Meeting. Members of the The 2025 Annual Report is available for public can watch the Council meeting public viewing either: in person or view the live stream at squamish.ca/live-meetings. In person at Municipal Hall (37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, B.C.), Pursuant to Sections 98 and 99 of the Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Community Charter, municipalities in Online at squamish.ca/annualreport British Columbia are required to produce Questions and input from the public are an annual report before June 30 each year and to make the report available welcome and may be submitted by: for public inspection. The annual report • Email to info@squamish.ca must include the following: • Mail to PO Box 310, Squamish, B.C., • The audited annual financial V8B 0A3 statements for the previous year.
By Mail
Cheque only. Do not mail cash. Postmarks will not be accepted as date of payment.
After Hours Drop Box
Cheque only. Do not leave cash in the drop box. The yellow after hours drop box is located at Municipal Hall on the wall to the right of the doors. Please deposit cheques only. Do not leave cash in the drop box.
In Person
Cheque, cash or debit. (Payments by credit cards are not accepted). Please be sure to check your daily spending limit before you arrive. You may need to request a temporary increase from your bank. No post-dated cheques.
• Information and amounts of each permissive tax exemption provided. • A report respecting municipal services and operations for the previous year. • A progress report respecting the previous year in relation to the objectives and measures established for that year. • Any declarations of disqualifications made under Section 111 of the Community Charter. • A statement of municipal objectives, and the measures that will be used to determine progress respecting those objectives, for the current and next year. • Any other information the Council considers advisable.
Squamish Sustainability Corporation Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the Squamish Sustainability Corporation annual general meeting, for the receipt of the 2025 financial statements and annual report, will be held during the June 16, Special Business Meeting in Council Chambers, Municipal Hall, located at 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, B.C. Copies of the financial statements are available for inspection on the District’s website squamish.ca/annualreport The meetings can be live streamed at squamish.ca/live-meetings
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026 | 11
BUSINESS PARK PROPERTY FACES LEGAL ACTION OVER FIRE SAFETY VIOLATIONS
It started with a dryer fire and ended with council approving steps toward legal action for several non-compliance issues JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
C
ouncil has voted unanimously to support staff taking legal action against a property and business owner in the Squamish Business Park for non-compliance in two units turned into one. At its June 2 meeting, elected officials heard during the presentation from Andrea Stokes, District license and property use inspector, that the properties—Units 2 and 3 at 38921 Progress Way—have been used as housing above and a commercial laundromat below. The business is legally known as Sea to Sky Linens. Jay Brar, who attended the council meeting, and was identified as the property and the business owner. “Squamish Fire Rescue (SFR) and Building Services have inspected the property that identified safety issues and continuous non-compliance with BC Building Code, BC Fire Code Regulation and District bylaws,” reads the staff report to council.
BACKGROUND In December, there was a dryer fire in the laundromat that Squamish Fire Rescue (SFR) was called to. Upon entry and inspection, firefighters found “significant safety issues,” including a lack of fire protection, unpermitted construction, non-compliant work, and unpermitted residential occupancy. Thus, “these units are in contravention with BC Building Code, BC Fire Code Regulation, and District of Squamish Building Bylaw No. 1822, 2004,” the staff report states. On Dec. 31, staff, with District building services, issued a “Not to Be Occupied” notice for the second floor of the units, “with the requirement that safety and compliance with applicable bylaws be achieved by Jan. 21, 2026.” A “Not to Be Occupied” was also posted at the main floor commercial laundromat business. A letter was sent in March notifying Brar that the business licence had been revoked. On April 21, building services’ staff requested a code analysis to ensure safety, structural, and legal requirements are achieved, due to alterations over the years, according to the staff report to council. The report notes that the two-storey building that holds these units contains eight groundlevel commercial units with one residential unit on the second floor. Units 2 and 3 were altered to make them into a single unit. “Fire separations, egress from floor areas, and the safety of plumbing or electrical alterations and compliance have not been
PHOTO JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
The notice on the laundry late last week.
verified through a building permit and inspection process.” Staff were recommending that council approve a Notice on Title being put on the property to ensure the non-compliance is known to anyone interested in the property. The staff report states an injunction process will provide legal means to make sure the non-compliance is fixed within three months, or through legal remedies if no action is taken. “(Squamish Fire Rescue) responded to an emergency that has significant potential to recur without remedy,” the staff report states. “Building Services has requested the property owner engage with a code consultant to address safety concerns and non-compliance. The property owner will be required to apply for a building permit and apply for a new business licence, which will provide building services and SFR the opportunity to inspect the property on a regular basis.” Stokes said that the building services department has received “very little” communication from the property owner. “Nor have we received a completed building permit application or code analysis report to resolve non-compliance issues.” The business was continuing to operate as of June 2, despite not having a District of Squamish business licence. However, there is no one living in the units currently, according to Stokes. Stokes said the District was told June 1 that a code inspector was scheduled, but the results were not yet known. The full staff recommendations were: • for council to instruct the corporate officer to place a bylaw and BC Building Code Contravention Notice for the units on the land title to advise interested parties that there are outstanding issues. • for council to instruct the corporate officer in their discretion to seek injunctive relief if a complete code analysis followed by a building permit application is not received by Sept. 1.
‘HOW I BOUGHT IT’
SAMPLE COUNCIL COMMENTS
Brar was present at council and spoke to the situation. He said he has been running the laundry business since 2011, and it was operating prior to that. “That is how I bought it,” he said, adding the changes were made to the units before he purchased it. “I have no idea if they are legit or not legit or whatever. I am inheriting all that from whatever was there.” He also added that he was working to be compliant. “We (will) do whatever needs to be (done) … from the building code inspector.” “It is not that I am trying to avoid it. It is just that I have inherited it.” He said it is easy to say not to continue operating the business without a licence, but he has contracts with hotels, adding it is almost a $1.5-million business. “You can’t shut it down, because with the hotels, we have signed the contracts that we will give them laundry 365 days (a year). So, I am working every single day.”
In supporting the staff recommendations, councillors spoke to the hope that the owner could get the changes done sooner and be back up and running within compliance. They also spoke to the safety issue the situation currently poses for employees and other people in the building. Coun. John French, who moved the staff motion, said it was a simple decision. “I support life safety. I support the fire code. I support the BC Building Code and the good work of our fire fighters and the diligent work of our building department and other District of Squamish employees who support those two functions within the District,” he said. It is as simple as that for me. This is a life safety issue that needs to be dealt with, and this is the course of action that needs to be taken on this file.” Once in place, the Notice on Title Section 57 on the units can be lifted by the District’s corporate officer once the issues have been resolved, and a new business licence is obtained. The removal process does not involve council.
Infrastructure 2027 Permissive Tax Exemption Applications Upgrades Permissive Tax Exemptions are a method that the District of Squamish, supported by Council, may support voluntary nonprofit organizations by exempting land or improvements or both, from taxation under Section 224 of the Community Charter. The District of Squamish is now accepting applications for Permissive Tax Exemptions. Section 224 of the Community Charter and the requirements of the District of Squamish Permissive Tax Exemption policy apply. If your organization can demonstrate eligibility you are welcome to apply for an exemption. The application and policy are available online. The deadline to apply is July 31, 2026 for exemptions beginning for the 2027 taxation year. For more information, please contact us at 604-892-5217. squamish.ca/grants
• Wastewater System Upgrades continue in Dentville. • Annual Watermain Upgrades continue in Brackendale. • Centennial Way Lift Station upgrades are underway. Expect single-lane alternating traffic during work hours (7 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday to Saturday) through June 26. • Pemberton Avenue Lift Station upgrades will take place June 15–26. Overnight work expected Saturday, June 20. • Construction on Squamish River Dike at Dryden Pump Station continues. This is the first phase of construction that will continue through November. squamish.ca/building-our-future
12 | THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 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 PUBLISHER SARAH STROTHER sstrother@lodestarmedia.ca 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
THE FINE PRINT
T
he proposed BC Hydro Stage 2 transmission line project to feed Woodfibre LNG is a cautionary tale about how we don’t always have as much control over our properties as we think we do, and to take the small print very seriously when you buy real estate. The transmission line is a proposed additional line within an existing BC Hydro statutory right-of-way. In areas where the corridor crosses over about 40 properties, these rights-of-way were registered on title and outline both BC Hydro’s rights and responsibilities and the landowner’s obligations. In Brackendale, these rights-of-way were established in1956 and 1957, for the construction and operation of transmission infrastructure. The Stage 2 expansion would involve adding a new 138-kilovolt overhead transmission line within that existing right-of-way. A spokesperson for LandSure explained that a statutory right-of-way is a right created by section 218 of the Land Title Act. It allows a public agency to access a private property and grants the right to use a portion of the property to install and maintain infrastructure needed for the delivery of a service. “Once registered on title, the statutory right-of-way becomes a charge on the land, and the public agency gains legal rights to use the land as specified. The terms of the right-of-way bind current and future owners and continue in perpetuity unless explicitly limited or discharged.” There can be water, sewer, or gas statutory rights-of-way on title, as well as easements, like a shared driveway, or restrictive covenants. “When looking to purchase a property, a prospective buyer should consult with their legal professional to review any charges on title,” the LandSure spokesperson said. That is likely cold comfort for the folks who are anxious about what the next few years will look like in their yards should the new line come to fruition. They were going about their lives assuming the 2015 public plans released more than a decade ago that showed a different route for the transmission line were what was going to happen. They assumed a continuation of their home’s property value, crafted yards and gardens, and imagined how their neighbourhood would look. And it is a fair point that Brackendale was a much different, more rural place when the right-of -way was put in place decades ago. It is more than understandable that residents are shocked and concerned. For its part, BC Hydro says it recognizes that “even when work occurs within an established rightof-way, it can still feel impactful.” They say they will be working with individual property owners who may be impacted directly. Hopefully, the situation with the 40 homes in Brackendale can come to a satisfactory resolution for all parties.
GRADS, ‘BE SOMETHING YOU LOVE AND UNDERSTAND’ EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK
JENNIFER THUNCHER
W
ith Squamish graduation upon us for hundreds of Squamish youth, I write in praise of pursuing a simple life. Graduates, so many adults will be congratulating you and asking you what you will do with your life. There’s more pressure on you now than there was in the ‘80s when I graduated. What was bad about back then was it felt a lot like the Breakfast Club movie depiction—you were set in a certain stereotype and the path was laid before you: brain, athlete, basket case—likely called Goth or quirky today—princess, and criminal. Success was for the brain, athlete and princess. I was more quirky. The world didn’t expect a lot from kids like me, and there was a lot of freedom in that. It didn’t feel like there were eyes on everything we did. Today, with social media and helicopter
parenting, it feels like much is expected from graduates. But, at least the social media part, seems superficial—a pressure to be “on” all the time, fit, attractive at all angles, travelling constantly, surrounded by a large group of equally beautiful and supportive friends who laugh around a bonfire on a beach at sunset. The message seems to be: Be more. Make more. Be the best. Constantly strive. Have a picture perfect car, job, social life, house, relationship—life. It must feel paralyzing. I have four adult sons and a song I think of all the time for them is Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” “Oh, take your time, don’t live too fast Troubles will come and they will pass You’ll find a woman, yeah, and you’ll find love.” “And be a simple kind of man Oh, be something you love and understand Baby, be a simple kind of man. Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold All that you need is in your soul And you can do this, oh, baby, if you try All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied.” NOTEBOOK: Continued on 13
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THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026 | 13
Ha7lh skwálwen cht kwis emút cht iy sts’its’áp’ cht iy kw’shétsut cht na7tkwa temíxw tl’a Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw
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(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation) NOTEBOOK: Continued from 12 Some of the best things in life don’t require optimization. At the end of your—hopefully—80-odd years on this Earth, a rich life can have included an ordinary job you enjoyed that never had an impressive title, a relationship where
you felt safe, a quiet hobby that built you a community, one good friend who was there for you during the inevitable hard times, a place that was never renovated but felt like home, a car dented and old but paid for, vacations you took rarely and close to home, but that refreshed you, and a lumpy, bumpy body that got you through it all
in its own unique way. None of this is flashy or what you likely will want to say when folks ask you what your big life plans are, but lofty goals nonetheless. Chase sparkly dreams, if that is what you truly want, but know there is much happiness, community, value and satisfaction in a simple life.
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hank you for covering this important issue and for giving Brackendale residents an opportunity to express our concerns about the proposed transmission line expansion project. I would like to clarify several points, from the story published online on May 22 and printed in the June 4 newspaper as some of the information presented could leave readers with an inaccurate understanding of the scope of what is being proposed. (“Squamish council seeks answers on Woodfibre LNG power line shift.”) The project would involve constructing a second set of 230kV transmission lines alongside the existing 138 kV lines through residential properties, Fisherman’s Park and Brackendale Eagle Provincial Park. When I tell friends and neighbours about this proposal, they are often shocked. When I show them examples of 230kV lines in Squamish—such as those crossing the parking lots at Independent and Garibaldi Village— their reaction is usually the same: “How can they do that?” Many are even more surprised to learn that the Woodfibre LNG project was originally approved with the expectation that power would come from existing transmission infrastructure across the river. They struggle to understand why BC Hydro is now proposing to route a new transmission line through Brackendale. The joint statement from BC Hydro and Woodfibre LNG was particularly
frustrating to read, especially since residents have received no response to questions raised since the March 31 open house. We have requested meeting minutes, information about the decision-making process, and an explanation of why the original plan changed. None of these questions were addressed. The statement claims the proposal “builds on infrastructure that’s already in place” and “limits the need for new construction.” This is misleading. BC Hydro is proposing to add a second transmission corridor within the existing right-of-way, effectively doubling the transmission infrastructure through Brackendale requiring approximately 19 kilometres of new transmission line being built. Describing this as limiting new construction downplays the true scale of what is being proposed. I would also like to clarify Coun, Andrew Hamilton’s statement that Squamish already has 230kV lines running through residential areas. After hearing this, a neighbour and I drove the entire route of the existing 230kV lines from Brackendale to Valleycliffe. What we found was, with very limited exceptions, the lines pass through green space and commercial areas—not directly over residential backyards as proposed in Brackendale, and certainly not through neighbourhoods. Having seen the size of these lines firsthand, it is even more concerning to think that BC Hydro wants to build a new set of 230kV transmission lines through my backyard and through approximately 40 other properties. I would invite BC Hydro
Have your say at squamishchief.com
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR DISAGREE WITH STORY ON NEW BC HYDRO LINE
QUESTION OF THE WEEK How supportive are you of the job MP Patrick Weiler is doing so far this term?
decision-makers to come and walk through Brackendale and see firsthand the backyards, homes, and community spaces that would be affected by this proposal. In its January 2026 media release announcing the decision to abandon the original plan of using the existing transmission corridor across the river, BC Hydro stated that routing a new transmission line through Brackendale “minimizes environmental and community impacts.” We strongly disagree with that assessment. For residents who would live directly beneath or beside these lines, that claim is difficult to reconcile with the reality on the ground. Vairdy Frail Squamish
Do you think the Mark Carney Liberal government has been good for the Sea to Sky so far? NO 32% YES 28% MAYBE NOT GOOD FOR US SPECIFICALLY, BUT GOOD FOR CANADA 24%
MOST READ STORY
Missing 15-year-old reportedly found safe
Editor’s note: BC Hydro says the new transmission line will be designed and built to a 230 kV standard, but it is currently planned to operate at 138 kV, the same as the existing transmission line in Brackendale.
QUESTIONING BC HYDRO/ WLNG STATEMENTS
I
am writing in response to the joint BC Hydro/WLNG media release provided to The Squamish Chief regarding their connection proposal. (“Squamish council seeks answers on Woodfibre LNG power line shift,” published on May 22.) I am dismayed by a number of statements made to the media, detailed below. Statement (1):A key difference comes down to how much electricity the LETTERS: Continued on 14
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.
PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD PHOTOGRAPHY
SQUAMISH PRIDE: Squamish Pride parade founder and Pride Squamish president Trevor Wulff enjoys the occassion on Sunday, June 7.
14 | THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR LETTERS: Continued from 13 project needs now compared to what was expected in 2015. Since then, Woodfibre’s electricity requirements have been reduced. Why is so much less power required? This is difficult to understand and requires further explanation. What was the projected power demand in 2015? What is the current projected power demand? Regardless, stepping down the power from any high power transmission line would be required. Additionally, the recent announcement of WLNG‘s intention to double or triple its capacity makes this statement even less understandable, WLNG is going to need more power soon enough. Statement (2): The 500-kilovolt option is no longer considered the more practical approach. It would provide far more capacity than required—essentially overbuilding the system—and wouldn’t align with Woodfibre’s project timeline. Again, an explanation is needed. BC Hydro/WLNG will need to step down their power requirement regardless of the chosen power supply, be it the 500-kV line, the line at Port Mellon, or a new 230 kV-line . Stepping down from the 500 kV-line is far less invasive than constructing an
additional 19km, 230-kV standard line alongside an already established 138-kV line ROW through 40 properties and biodiverse areas. WLNG only needs to take as much power from the 500 kV-line as required. When WLNG’s capacity increases as advertised, more electricity will be available. Statement (3): The March 31 open house focuses on using the existing 138-kilovolt system, including the current right of way through Brackendale. This builds on infrastructure that’s already in place, limits the need for new construction and better matches the actual electricity demand— while still meeting reliability requirements and project timelines. BC Hydro is not building on infrastructure that’s already in place. They are doubling the infrastructure on a ROW that’s already in place. They are not limiting new construction, it’s a brand new 19 km transmission line versus less than 1 km of line construction from the 500-kV line. Regarding the project timeline: there is no reason for BC Hydro/WLNG to speak now of a timeline restraint, this project has been delayed for years. Issues in meeting timelines seem to be a direct result of the lack of forward planning and inactivity regarding the electrical needs for this project. There has been ample time.
Also, how can less than 1km of transmission line take longer to construct than 19 km? Yes, BC Hydro would need to acquire approximately 600 km of Crown land, however, in this day and age of governmental fast tracking, this cannot be given as an excuse. BC Hydro/WLNG have had more than ample time to secure this land. BC Hydro and WLNG have not provided a reasonable explanation for their about face on how to provide electricity to the site and need to reevaluate. Diane Gould Squamish
NCH’KAY / MOUNT GARIBALDI CELEBRATION?
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quamish is located in an amazing mountain and river valley that offers endless possibilities. Here is another possibility. A Squamish celebration and recognition of Nch’kay / Mount Garibaldi. Squamish is the only municipality in the world overlooked by Nch’ Kay / Mount Garibaldi. It is there every day and was the source of a weekend festival in 2004. The festival had an Italian theme based on Giuseppe Garibaldi’s July 4th birthday. Events included a wine festival in the park
Your story starts here
along with music and food. Presentations took place at the Library, followed by a rededication of the Garibaldi plaque on the highway. The First Nation’s recognition of this mountain predates the Garibaldi reference. Yet, the Nation’s stories and cultural links are not well known. As Squamish continues its reconciliation journey, much can be gained by celebrating the past and present links with our Mountain. July 4 is so close to Canada’s July 1, a time of major tourist travel. Could such an event happen again? Towns and municipalities are always seeking an economic, historical and tourism advantage. The Test of Metal does not happen and the August Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival remains a local event. Why hasn’t our ‘mountain’ received the attention that Smoke Bluffs or the Stawamus Chief receive? We have the advantage but we lack a dedicated focus on integrating it into Squamish’s story fabric. A renewed interest in the First Nations story and the Garibaldi reference could make for a most interesting summer event. In 2004, a small group of interested citizens met to plan and undertake that one-time event. Is there momentum to do this again? Larry Murray Squamish
Previous to my time at Woodfibre, I was on the road a lot, away from my family. The work-life balance wasn’t there. I want to spend as much time as I possibly can with my family, and with Woodfibre I’ve got that opportunity. Tyler P. Dad | Electrical & Instrumentation Supervisor
Find your story at woodfibrelng.ca/careers
squamishchief.com
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026 | 15
View this ad online:
Notice of Public Hearing – Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 6 p.m. Council Chambers at the District of Squamish Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, B.C. or electronically at squamish.civicweb.net
What’s Proposed:
Removing the Zoning Bylaw’s “rental unit maximum” limit for a development in the CD-69 Zone. This would allow for an additional 42 rental units on Lot O of the Oceanfront.
Proposed Bylaw
FILE RZ000064: District of Squamish Phased Development Agreement Bylaw No. 2387, 2015, (Lot O Density Clarification Zoning Update) Amendment Bylaw No. 3222, 2026
How to Participate
LOCATION MAP
Persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed Phased Development Agreement amendments will have an opportunity to be heard and to present written submissions for the Hearing.
Affected Lands
Oceanfront Peninsula lands within Comprehensive Development Zone No. 69 (CD-69), Squamish, B.C., as shown on the Location Map.
In Writing
You may deliver a written submission to hearing@squamish.ca, or drop off to the Corporate Officer at Municipal Hall before 4 p.m. on the date of the Hearing. For those participating via telephone or electronically, the District is encouraging that a written version of thei statement be submitted as well.
Proposed Amendments
The Phased Development Agreement (PDA) is a 20-year agreement with the developer, Matthews West Development Ltd, that expires in 2035 and secures certain zoning provisions, contained within the agreement. This PDA amendment proposes to delete the 207 rental unit maximum from the density regulations in the CD-69 zone. The overall density of 1.15 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) maximum for residential rental tenure use would not change. This would allow for an additional 42 rental units to be included as part of the development proposal on Lot O of the Oceanfront.
By Telephone
You may participate by telephone during the Hearing by calling 1-604-449-3026 and entering the Access Code 277 351 97595. Dial *3 to ‘raise your hand’ indicating that you’d like to speak. You will hear a message that “your line has been unmuted” when it is your turn to speak. Prior to the meeting, please visit squamish.civicweb.net for detailed instructions.
View the Proposed Bylaw
A copy of the proposed Bylaw and related information that has been or may be considered by Council may be inspected online or at Municipal Hall. • Online at squamish.ca/public-hearings-and-meetings • In person at Municipal Hall; 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia, from June 4, 2026 to June 16, 2026 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Electronically
You may participate electronically in the Hearing through the use of the WebEx platform by visiting squamish.ca/participate. Instruction for electronic participation on WebEx can be found at that site. If you have any questions regarding participation in electronic hearings, please call the District at 604-892-5217.
In Person
Questions?
Contact the Planning Department at 604-815-5002.
All submissions will form part of the public record.
Council will not consider submissions received after the close of the Public Hearing. This is the second of two notices. Publish date: June 11, 2026.
You may participate in person during the Hearing in Council Chambers at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia. If you do not wish to participate but would like to watch the meeting, you can do so by streaming the meeting at squamish.ca/live-meetings.
squamish.ca/public-hearings-and-meetings
16 | THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
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View this ad online:
Temporary Use Permit
Temporary Use Permit
No. DTU00085
No. DTU00086
NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Section 494 of the Local Government Act that the District of Squamish has received application and will be considering issuance of a Temporary Use Permit that would allow the short-term rental use in a secondary suite for a period of 3 years. The District of Squamish will receive representations from persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed temporary use.
NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Section 494 of the Local Government Act that the District of Squamish has received application and will be considering issuance of a Temporary Use Permit that would allow the short-term rental use in a secondary suite for a period of 3 years. The District of Squamish will receive representations from persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed temporary use.
Affected Lands
Affected Lands
40174 Bill’s Place, Squamish, B.C., as shown on the location map.
40252 Aristotle Drive, Squamish, B.C., as shown on the location map.
Legal Description
Legal Description
LOT 20 BLOCK R DISTRICT LOT 511 PLAN 15024
Existing Zoning
LOT 56 DISTRICT LOT 512 GROUP 1 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT PLAN BCP27757
LOCATION MAP
LOCATION MAP
Existing Zoning
R-1 (Residential 1)
UH-1 (University Housing)
Proposed Temporary Use
Proposed Temporary Use
Under the District’s Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, short-term rental use is not permitted in a dwelling unit that is not a principal residence; short40252 term rental use is also not permitted in a secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit (coach house). If approved, the Temporary Use Permit ad Ro would allow the short-term rental use m ua in the secondary suite for a period of q 3 years. The applicant can apply to am M renew the permit for an additional period of up to 3 years following the expiry of the original permit. A copy of the proposed Temporary Use Permit and related information that has been or may be considered by the Director may be inspected online or at Municipal Hall. • Online at: squamish.ca/showcase • Municipal Hall at 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia, from June 4, 2026 to June 18, 2026 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Public input will be considered by the District in review of the application. Persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed Temporary Use Permit may submit written submissions to planning@squamish.ca or, in person to the Director of Community Development. Written submissions can be addressed to the Director of Community Development and will be received up until 4 p.m. June 18, 2026. All submissions will form part of the public record. Dated this 11 day of June, 2026, at Squamish, British Columbia.
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Under the District’s Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 2011, short-term rental use is not permitted in a dwelling unit that is not a principal residence; shortterm rental use is also not permitted la c in a secondary suite or accessory e dwelling unit (coach house). If 40174 approved, the Temporary Use Permit would allow the short-term rental use in the secondary suite for a period of 3 years. The applicant can apply to renew the permit for an additional period of up to 3 years following the expiry of the original permit. A copy of the proposed Temporary Use Permit and related information that has been or may be considered by the Director may be inspected online or at Municipal Hall. • Online at: squamish.ca/showcase • Municipal Hall at 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia, from June 4, 2026 to June 18, 2026 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Public input will be considered by the District in review of the application. Persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed Temporary Use Permit may submit written submissions to planning@squamish.ca or, in person to the Director of Community Development. Written submissions can be addressed to the Director of Community Development and will be received up until 4 p.m. June 18, 2026. All submissions will form part of the public record. Dated this 11 day of June, 2026, at Squamish, British Columbia.
squamishchief.com
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026 | 17
LOCAL BANKER ‘MISAPPROPRIATED’ MONEY FROM ACCOUNTS OF TWO DEAD CLIENTS, REGULATOR ALLEGES Ex-BMO rep alleged to have forged signature to create fake bank card GRAEME WOOD BIV
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former mutual fund dealer at the Bank of Montreal in Squamish has been accused of “misappropriating or failing to account for monies” of two deceased clients after transferring more than $25,000 into her personal account. The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, an industry-led regulator for registered investment representatives, issued a hearing notice against Christina (Lorna) Cole on June 3, alleging she forged the signature of an out-of-town client to create a phony debit card to access the alleged misappropriated funds. Cole is set to face a hearing panel June 24. The allegations against her are not proven and Business in Vancouver was unable to contact her for comment. The regulator stated in the notice Cole was registered as a dealing representative with BMO Investments Inc. between Nov. 19, 2020 and Jan. 9, 2024. Cole’s alleged scheme began on Oct. 19, 2023, when she was asked by bank staff to close bank accounts belonging to client “AS.” Cole allegedly did so, apart from one account that was left open. Oct. 23, 2023, in a matter initially unrelated to AS, Cole was notified by bank staff her investment client “WA” had died. Cole then allegedly booked an appointment with WA’s daughter and estate executor “DM,” who wished to commence the estate process. The next day Cole processed a $24,258 redemption of a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) investment for WA’s estate, according to the hearing notice. However, the
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
BMO Squamish.
redemption was directed to an internal suspense account used by the branch. Thereafter Cole allegedly prepared a form to issue herself a replacement debit card that was associated with the AS account. To do so, Cole allegedly signed AS’s signature on the form, and submitted the form to the bank for processing. Three days later Cole then directed $23,801 from the suspense account to a ledger account, and finally to the open account of AS. Once the
money was in the AS account, Cole purchased a bank draft payable to herself in the amount of $25,791, according to CIRO investigators. Cole allegedly deposited the bank draft into her personal credit union account, and spent approximately $3,000 on personal expenses and debts, the notice states. On Oct. 27, Cole took directions from DM to pay out all redemption proceeds to WA’s estate. At the time, DM was unaware her mother had
held a GIC investment at the bank, which Cole did not disclose, according to the hearing notice. Subsequent to alleged “misappropriation” of WA’s funds, Cole used the AS account to handle money from another deceased client “LB,” who had died on July 1, 2023. Cole was instructed on Nov. 27 by LB’s spouse to redeem $94,471 from a TFSA account. Cole did so but not before routing the money through the suspense account, then allegedly siphoning $1,000 to the AS account and then using the replacement debit card to withdraw the money. Prior to that alleged misconduct, the bank discovered Cole had purchased a bank draft from the AS account and deposited it into her own personal account at the bank. Two weeks later Cole was suspended by the bank. The notice states Cole initially “failed to repay or account for the monies that she misappropriated” as described above, however, the bank recovered $23,000 from the personal credit union account on Oct. 8, 2024. The bank also compensated RB and WA for their losses, including interest. If the allegations are proven, Cole faces regulatory sanctions, which may include fines as well as an industry ban. BIV asked CIRO if the case had been forwarded to police. CIRO spokesperson Ariel Visconti stated it was not policy to state if the regulator had done so. “CIRO provides information on police involvement in specific cases only when such details have been made public. This practice is consistent with how our Enforcement division manages all information related to its investigations and proceedings,” stated Visconti.
YO U R TOW N , YO U R N E WS :
COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS Sea to Sky BMX Nationals roll into town The quest for BMX supremacy in the Pacific Northwest shifts to Squamish BMX for the Sea to Sky BMX Nationals, the third of seven national weekends spanning from British Columbia to Ontario. Over 600 competitors from Canada and the United States will clash for national titles and
district points. Riders will be grouped into heats of up to eight, organized by age, gender, and skill level. Beyond the races, attendees will have the chance to browse vendors, meet Olympic hopefuls, and enjoy various food options on-site. The weekend’s races are dedicated to the late Todd Pope, who was active locally with the Squamish BMX Club and nationally with BMX Canada. Admission is free for spectators, with races
scheduled from Friday, June 12, to Sunday, June 12. The event is sanctioned by BMX Canada and supported by Impact Canopy, Tangent Products, and Fly Racing.
WHERE: Squamish BMX Track 42099 Loggers Lane
NEW AND EXCITING THIS YEAR: • Olympic hopefuls in attendance • New Track vs. Track Club Team program • National and District points •Superclass Racing runs Friday and Saturday
WHEN: • Friday - Sunday, June 12-14, • Friday: Racing begins at 3 p.m. • Saturday: Racing begins at 11:30 a.m. Sunday: Racing begins at 9 a.m.
The Squamish Chief welcomes community submissions for local sports achievements and arts events. Submissions must be 300 words or less. Please note that all submissions are final and will be published on a first-come, first-served basis, as space allows. Submit at squamishchief.com by going to the “Connect” tab and clicking Community Submissions.
18 | THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
squamishchief.com
GRADUATE CHARTS A COURSE TO THE CANADIAN COAST GUARD As graduation season arrives in Squamish, Ryelin McCarten is preparing for a different kind of next step but McCarten was quickly onboard. “I really spent most of my Grade 11 and my Grade 12 years making my decision on where I wanted to be. I applied to some other universities as well, but really looking into the courses and what I get to do here, it kind of drove me to make this decision,” she told The Squamish Chief in a phone interview. The Coast Guard Academy is located in Westmount, Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island. The academy officially opened on Sept. 7, 1965 with programs in Marine Engineering and Navigation Officer Training.
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
A
s hundreds of local teens contemplate what they want to do with their lives post-graduation, one Squamish young woman is taking a marine path less followed. Ryelin McCarten is set to graduate June 6 from the Canadian Coast Guard Academy’s Navigation Officer Training Program. The Canadian Coast Guard is an agency within the Department of National Defence that works to ensure the safety of mariners in Canadian waters and to protect Canada’s marine environment.
HOW IT WENT
HOW IT STARTED FOR MCCARTEN McCarten, who moved to Squamish from California in 2012, was always at home on the water, she says, especially aboard the family’s small Boston Whaler boat. She was also at home on the ice. Some locals may remember her from her Skate Sea2Sky Skating Club days. She trained and was a volunteer coach with the club. The idea of pursuing the Coast Guard started out as an idea her dad researched and suggested,
PHOTO COURTESY OF CANADIAN COAST GUARD
Ryelin McCarten skated with Skate Sea2Sky.
Public Comments Camping and Motorized Use Restriction Recreation Sites and Trails BC is seeking public comments on the prohibition of camping and motorized use in the Brandywine Meadows area from June 1st to November 1st annually.
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Brandywine Meadows Section 58 Recreation Closure Forest and Range Practices Act No Camping and Motorized Closure Dates June 1 to November 1 Annually PDF Avenza Compatable
Legal Order Effective Date 01 May 2026
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Next, for her first post-graduation assignment, McCarten will be working for the Canadian Coast Guard’s Atlantic Region on the bridge of an ice-breaking vessel, assisting with navigation. I’ll be on… the largest ship in the fleet, actually. It’s an icebreaking vessel, and we’ll be preparing to go up to the North Pole.” “We join in Norway, and it’ll be a six-week trip up to the North Pole around the Arctic,” she said.
This restriction will support the intent of the Wildlife Habitat Area (WHA) 2-281, which is high value habitat used by grizzly bears to raise cubs every year.
The development of recreational infrastructure (food caches, toilets, campsites ) which would be required for bear safe camping is prohibited within WHA 2-281
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Camping and motorized use disturb these bears, threaten cub survival and create a significant risk for human-bear conflicts.
CALLAGHAN CONSERVANCY
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The training is not for the faint of heart. “It’s definitely some pretty hard work,” McCarten said, quickly noting the four years of the program have been “incredible.” Her program required two eight-month sea phases spent aboard Coast Guard vessels. McCarten spent months operating in the Arctic and crossed the Atlantic Ocean, sailing as far as Tromsø, Norway. “And I spent time in Newfoundland and in B.C., just along the coast as well, doing different programs.” She said she tends to get “a little bit woozy” for her first day or two aboard a vessel or if they hit rough weather, but then it “mellows out.” The Arctic trip stands out for the work she did in remote communities. “We were in Cambridge Bay, and we did some search and rescue, and just how isolated certain communities are up there. We really got to train with them, which was really interesting and see so much different wildlife—seals and whales and a huge walrus migration as well. So it was incredible.”
Cambridge Bay is on Victoria Island, in the northern part of Nunavut. The wildlife spotting crossing the Atlantic Ocean was next level, she said. “The wildlife all the way across was nonstop. We saw hundreds and hundreds of whales and everything and it was just an amazing opportunity.” Asked for advice she might share with upcoming graduates, McCarten said when thinking about what career you want, consider the big picture. “Make sure you look more towards the lifestyle that you’re interested in and go towards … what kind of opportunities there are for you to make that lifestyle happen for you,” she said, noting her younger sister is graduating this year in Squamish. Her close-knit family, which includes four younger siblings, are moving out east in a few months, so they will be closer at hand. “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to be working only really half the year. You really get to put all your effort into the opportunities you have while you’re at work. But then afterwards, you really get to spend more time with your family and friends and do the activities you want to do.”
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For more information or to provide comments, email the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Recreation Sites and Trails Branch at: RecInfo@gov.bc.ca by June 21st, 2026
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
RUMBLE AND TUMBLE: A rockfall occurred around 9 a.m. on the Zodiac wall of the Stawamus Chief June 8. This location saw large rockfall events in 2015 and 2021, and a smaller one this year in February. There were no injuries or trail closures.
squamishchief.com
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026 | 19
NEW INTREPID TRAVEL FACILITY TO EMPLOY 15 STAFF AND LOCAL GUIDES A new Intrepid Travel facility in Squamish will serve as the backbone for tours running through destinations including Whistler, Wells Gray, Jasper, Banff, Golden and Vancouver Island OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE
JENNIFER THUNCHER
Nikki Johnston, communications and stakeholder relations manager for Tourism Squamish, said the organization looks forward to working with Intrepid Travel as they establish deeper roots in the community. “It is our understanding that Intrepid Travel’s new Operations Hub in Squamish is not expected to have an immediate impact on tourism visitation numbers in Squamish, as there are currently no planned changes to the company’s existing itineraries in Squamish and Whistler. Rather, the new operations hub represents an investment in the local tourism sector through the creation of 15 tourism-related jobs at its Northyards office,” Johnston said, in a statement to The Squamish Chief. “One of Tourism Squamish’s strategic priorities is to help drive visitation during the shoulder seasons in order to foster a more stable, resilient, and sustainable tourism economy throughout the year,” she added. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate in support of a balanced, year-round visitor economy that aligns with our strategic objectives and contributes positively to Squamish’s long-term tourism planning.”
jthuncher@lodestarmedia.ca
T
ravel company Intrepid Travel is opening an operations facility in Squamish that will employ 15 staff, plus local guides. The company will be based in the Northyards, and the new facility will be the base for Intrepid Travel’s Canadian Rockies and Western Canada trips. There is an office and warehouse space, and nearby accommodation for tour leaders. In its first year, there will be 81 departures for five itineraries managed through Squamish. “Canada is one of Intrepid Travel’s most important growth markets, and Squamish gives us the local infrastructure to scale in a way that is consistent with who we are as a company,” said Christian Wolters, president of Intrepid Travel Canada, in a news release. “This hub is not just about logistics. It allows us to bring more of our operations closer to the communities and landscapes our travellers are experiencing, while creating a stronger base for our leaders, partners and future Canadian itineraries.” Intrepid Travel’s Canadian tours include through Squamish, Whistler, Wells Gray, Jasper, Banff, Golden, Vancouver Island. The company’s first departures from the new operational setup begin later this month, with multiple tours already fully booked for summer. “Squamish is such a natural fit for Intrepid Travel,” said Heather Warren, operations manager at Intrepid Travel Canada, in the release. “It’s an incredible adventure hub with direct access to mountains, oceans, trails and parks, but it also has a really strong sense of community. Having our leaders based here adds another layer of authenticity to the guest experience. Travellers aren’t just passing through with someone reading from a script. They’re travelling with guides who genuinely live this lifestyle, know these communities and care deeply about protecting these places.” According to the release, the company also sees long-term opportunities in the Sea to Sky, including collaborating with other local adventure operators, outdoor businesses and community tourism experiences. “There’s huge potential here,” added Wolters. “Squamish has such a strong outdoor culture and entrepreneurial spirit. As we continue growing in Canada, we’d love to explore more partnerships with local businesses and experience providers rooted in this community.” The company started in Australia in 1989 and markets itself as a different, more
PHOTO COURTESY OF INTREPID TRAVEL
The company office is in the Northyards.
responsible travel business. According to its website, tours are typically made up of 12 to 14 people and aim to respect local environments, people and cultures. They worked with World Animal Protection to create Animal Welfare Guidelines for travel, for example, that includes such things as advice for viewing wildlife. The release states that the company encourages “lower-impact travel,” and they work to reduce the carbon footprint of the company and its trips. It has launched a $2-million climate impact fund that will go towards decarbonizing its business and trips, such as transitioning offices to renewable energy and EV vehicles. Intrepid is a certification B Corp company, which means it went through a process to be independently audited and verified by a third party to ensure that it meets social and environmental impact standards. In January, the company announced a partnership with Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, providing them with $500,000 over five years to support the growth and promotion of Indigenous tourism across Canada. “The vision is simple. Every traveller who visits Canada with Intrepid should leave with a deeper connection and understanding of Indigenous culture” said Wolters, in a release at the time. According to the company’s annual report, it garnered $873 million in bookings in 2025 and had a net profit after tax of $22.9 million.
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A Gentle Soul Looking for a Peaceful Home Yuki is a stunning 9-year-old Ragdoll who is looking for a calm, quiet home to enjoy her senior years. She was very loved in her previous home but struggled with the presence of a baby. Yuki did live with another cat and a dog and may do okay with calm, cat-savvy companions; however, she tends to hide around unfamiliar people. Because of this, we feel she would thrive best in a peaceful environment where she can truly relax and feel secure. Her previous family shared that Yuki loves lounging in sunny spots, so a home with access to a catio or an enclosed porch would be a wonderful bonus for her. Yuki’s beautiful long coat will require regular brushing to keep it soft and free from mats, so she’s looking for someone who can help maintain her grooming routine.
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EXPLORE THE ‘TRUE WILD’ WITH HOWE SOUND’S NEW COASTAL GUIDE Nature lovers can explore Howe Sound on an open-concept boat with a guide who will wholly customize their experience I’ve been so lucky to have been taught we’re not apart from nature. We are a part of nature. It’s something here to interact with. I look to learn from it.
INA PACE
ipace@lodestarmedia.ca
“I
mmersive, intentional time in wild nature can imprint lasting change on a person’s life.” That is according to the website of one of Squamish’s latest businesses True Wild Coastal. The tour company, launched last month, is a “one-man operation” frontlined by Brian Hockenstein. Hockenstein says he customizes private tours, or marine expeditions, around Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound, for all sectors of the community, as a way of working and learning together; whether folks are tourists, scientists, commercial businesses, or local artists. “One of the really important things for me is to be a good community member,” he said. “To me, that can look like a lot of things; that’s obviously in being part of tourism, but also in partnering with other local businesses and local people. We can bring each other business or partner up to bring the public a product out on the water.” Hockenstein says he facilitates lasting “change” on a person’s life through nature by planning “unhurried expeditions” that respect
BRIAN HOCKENSTEIN
PHOTO BY INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
Brian Hockenstein at the Squamish harbour.
the surrounding wildlife and environment. This can involve transporting film crews to location, helping photographers get their ideal shots, or
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enabling tourists to explore to go cliff-jumping, or even just to have a leisurely picnic. Freshly caught crabs and prawns (from the boat) are on the menu Hockenstein said, if the time and environment allows of course. “We go where the wildlife lives and we wait,” True Wild Coastal’s website reads. Expeditions are divided into three categories (and subject to change according to the customer): Nature and Photography, Adventure Charters (sports), and Marine Logistics (support for scientific surveys and media production). Hockenstein is a self-confessed nature lover and a professional filmmaker. He has spent decades doing adventure sports in the mountains and the ocean around the Sea to Sky and Vancouver Island. He also spent three months sailing to Alaska last summer. True Wild Coastal, he said, is something he has been “cooking up” for the last couple of years. “Spending time in nature has literally shaped who I am. It really has made me appreciate all aspects of life so much, and I’ve been so lucky to have been taught by many amazing people; amazing Indigenous land defenders, and other filmmakers,” Hockenstein explained. “Nature and the outdoors, especially when we’re younger, can really feel like something for us to use in a bit of an extractive way. I’ve been so lucky to have been taught we’re not apart from nature. We are a part of nature. It’s something here to interact with. I look to learn from it.” The Squamish Chief accompanied Hockenstein on the water for several hours in the morning on May 27, and received a tour of some of his favoured rock climbing and cliff jumping spots. The tour also circled Christie Islet Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and—luckily—saw an orca pod. Hockenstein shared his knowledge of the
Sound’s wildlife, and cultural sites of significance. His observations included talking about the key differences between transient (Biggs) and residential orcas, and commentary on the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) owned Ḵw’émḵw’em/ Defence Islands, which were historically used as sacred burial grounds. “I have nothing but love and respect for the traditional custodians of these lands,” Hockenstein said. He noted Howe Sound is a “tale of recovery,” with its gradual return of wildlife following the clean up of acidic rock from Britannia Mine, which closed in the 1970s. “We need to share and celebrate these stories,” he continued. “The whole catalyst for this project and for this business is to bring people out who want to have a more mindful experience to connect with nature; to share the majesty and magic of nature, and the history of the area … to create a symbiotic relationship. It really is my honour to bring people onto an open-concept boat into the ‘true wild’ of nature. My job is to know the area super well, and know what’s out there.” The name of the business, Hockenstein said, was inspired by a book he read by My Octopus Teacher director and wildlife enthusiast Craig Foster. True Wild Coastal is taking bookings through summer til the fall this year. Folks can go out in the winter too if they desire, Hockenstein suggested, though they may just need to wear extra layers. Prices for half day and full day tours are listed at $449 and $799 respectively (the same for a group or individual), on the True Wild Coastal website. Folks can also make inquiries and see further details about the circumstances of expeditions from a list of Frequently Asked Questions. The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news. To be considered, please reach out to news@squamishchief.com. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
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HOROSCOPE WEEK OF JUNE 11, 2026 - JUNE 17, 2026
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ARIES March 21-April 19
You’ll begin a new life phase by selling the family home. Now that your children have left the nest, you’re ready to embrace new challenges. You’ll approach these changes with optimism, curiosity and serenity.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
Careful budgeting can make your vacation plans a reality. Whether you travel alone, with your partner or with friends, the experience will bring discovery, fun and lasting memories. It will also improve your personal and material well-being.
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LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
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Every project starts with an inspiring dream. You’ll find the drive to turn your dreams into reality. This momentum will help you grow both personally and professionally, fueling your desire for a prosperous and fulfilling future.
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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.
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