June 26, 2025

Learn about a demonstration of an all-electric passenger ferry

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025

JUDGE REJECTS ‘FLOATEL’ CHALLENGE AGAINST WOODFIBRE

A federal judge has rejected a legal challenge against Woodfibre LNG’s plan to house workers on the floatel

STEFAN LABBÉ news@squamishchief.com

Afederal judge has turned down a legal challenge against Woodfibre LNG over an approval to repurpose a cruise ship housing workers brought in to build a major liquefied natural gas facility near Squamish

The advocacy group Citizens for My Sea to Sky had sought a judicial review of a federal decision that granted the company the ability to amend its environmental authorizations to accommodate the parked ship, dubbed the “floatel.”

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada had approved Woodfibre LNG’s request under the federal Environmental Assessment Act. In court, My Sea to Sky argued that decision was unreasonable and failed to properly address the heightened risk of gender-based violence that arises when a large number of construction workers are housed near small or remote

Local creates SparkBlocks toy

communities.

The group also claimed the decision breached procedural fairness by failing to hold a public comment period before making the decision, and failed to consider how the decision would impact human rights protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

In his decision released June 20, Justice Sébastien Grammond found the federal agency had acted reasonably and balanced Charter

rights The judge also rejected the notion that procedural fairness had been breached, ruling there was no legal duty to allow the public to weigh in on the matter

“If procedural fairness did not require the Agency to provide My Sea to Sky with an opportunity to make submissions, My Sea to Sky cannot create such a duty simply by asking,” wrote the judge.

Woodfibre LNG is building the gas processing

facility at the site of an abandoned pulp and paper mill on Howe Sound. Once finished, it will receive gas from extraction sites in northern B.C. A pipeline is currently under construction to bring the required gas the last 47 kilometres from Metro Vancouver. Construction is currently estimated to be completed by 2027 In 2012, the Impact Assessment Agency

WOODFIBRE: Continued on 3

FILE PHOTO/VIA WOODFIBRE LNG

The floatel, the MV Isabelle X, is moored at the Woodfibre LNG site

cal cr es

SEE HOW MUCH DISTRICT STAFF AND EMPLOYEES MADE IN 2024

The Statement of Financial Information report was shared with council on June 17 and shows the pay and expenses of elected members and staff

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

ilemayconway@squamishchief.com

The District of Squamish has revealed its top earners in its Statement of Financial Information (SOFI) report for 2024.

SOFI documentation is provincially mandated to be released by all municipalities on an annual basis for transparency reasons.

The report was shared to council at their June 17 special business meeting.

WHO EARNED THE MOST OUT OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS?

Collectively, council members brought home a total of $374,502, with Mayor Armand Hurford bringing home the biggest bucks at $100,945

His fellow six councillors brought home almost half of that figure, with Chris Pettingill and John French earning $47,082 each; Lauren Greenlaw, Jenna Stoner and Andrew Hamilton earning $45,593, and Eric Andersen with $42,614.

Anderson’s salary was reduced for a portion of 2024 after he was found to have breached a section of the Community Charter and a portion of council’s Code of Conduct by disclosing confidential information.

Council members reportedly issued a motion of censure against Andersen on Oct. 24, 2023, which resulted in his pay being reduced, his appointments to external and internal committees and boards revoked, removal from the acting mayor rotation, and

On June 19th, in the 2025 Grad feature a “Poem for Graduation” written by Joy Lee & Brody Bain, was incorrectly credited to Florence Wilson, HSSS Poet Laureate. The Squamish Chief apologizes for this error.

a pledge of his recommitment to the Code of Conduct.

The penalties were in place for 12 months from when council considered the investigator’s report.

EXPENSES

Council members claimed a total of $37,362 of expenses, with Mayor Hurford claiming the highest amount at $11,188,

followed by Coun. Stoner with $4,936 followed by Coun. Pettingill with $4,576

In comparison with 2023, elected officials took home a total of $361,900 in remuneration last year between them, with Mayor Armand Hurford earning $97,558, and the six councillors earning $44,057 each

That same year, they claimed a total of $44,426 in expenses, with Hurford claiming the most at $11,503

DISTRICT STAFF REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES

The District is also required by provincial legislation to report on remuneration paid to employees who earn over $75,000, of which there were 183 in 2024

Collectively, the employees earned a total of $27,835,006.

SOFI: Continued from 2

In comparison, in 2023, there were 108 employees who earned a total of $11,679,085 between them

Of the top-paid public servants in 2024, the highest-paid employee was the chief administrative officer (CAO), Linda Glenday. The CAO brought home a total of $265,605 and claimed $13,733 in expenses This is up $31,184 from last year when Glenday took home $234,421

Next up was general manager of community development Julie Wengi, who earned $184,750 and claimed $2,295.

WOODFIBRE: Continued from 1

produced an analysis report, including a four-page document looking at the socio-economic effects of constructing the facility

“Temporary in-migration of workers to these communities may attract some economic benefits, but there is increasing evidence of a wide range of negative social impacts associated with industrial work camps, particularly incidents of violence against Indigenous women, girls and sexual minorities,” the document stated.

“Concerns raised by community members often relate to sexual abuse of Indigenous women and young girls, sexually transmitted infections due to rape and sex trafficking, safety concerns from increased crime and drug and alcohol abuse.”

A number of measures were proposed to mitigate the risk from workers.

Under conditions imposed by B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), Woodfibre LNG is required to mitigate risk of gender-based violence from workers through clear reporting and response protocols. Among other measures, those protocols would allow people to report complaints of harassment and

Also in the top five paid employees was the general manager of financial, information technology and procurement services, Heather Boxrud, who earned $184,159 and claimed $1,106 in expenses

Alongside Boxrud was general manager of corporate services William (Bill) Stoner took home $180,767 and claimed $848 in expenses, followed by Squamish Fire Rescue fire chief Aaron Foote, who earned $173,787 and claimed $3,722 in expenses

GOODS AND SERVICES

Also included in the SOFI report is the list of payments to suppliers of goods and services

violence and create a worker code of conduct that includes standards for behaviour when off-duty in Squamish.

Workers are also forbidden to access the District of Squamish for “recreation, entertainment or other non-work-related activities.”

In 2024, the Squamish Nation Elder Roberta Jacqueline Williams and a now 17-year-old high school student challenged the agency’s analysis report In submissions, they expressed concerns that the presence of the Woodfibre LNG workers could result in a higher risk of gender-based violence

They argued it will be difficult to enforce a prohibition on workers accessing the community of Squamish, and that more comprehensive provisions could have been made with respect to monitoring and data collection.

“In particular, [the teen] is concerned about her safety when she engages in outdoor recreational activities around Howe Sound or when she works at the restaurant,” wrote Grammond in his ruling.

Lawyers for the federal government argued in court that the analysis report was not legally subject to judicial review, and that objections to the decisions on the floatel should be directed at

that are over $25,000

GOT NEWS?

Email your news tip or story idea to: jthuncher@squamishchief.com ilemayconway@squamishchief.com inapace@squamishchief.com

Topping the list was a figure of $8,319,826 that was paid to Tritech Group Ltd., a company that, according to their website, provides “integrated design, project management, and construction services for water infrastructure projects.”

Next up were payments to Kinetic Construction Ltd., totalling $7,213,190 and the Receiver General of Canada, which received $6,104,379 for Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) services.

Wrapping up the top five highest paid goods and services suppliers were Unitech

the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change for not exercising his powers in the case.

The judge rejected that argument. But according to his ruling, Grammond was also not persuaded that the Impact Assessment Agency had failed to follow laws governing its decisions when it approved the worker housing plan In other words, said Grammond, My Sea to Sky and the two Squamish applicants “failed to deliver a ‘knock-out punch.’”

Ultimately, Grammond found the agency acted reasonably when it decided not to impose conditions beyond those applied through B.C.’s EAO. He also found there was no evidence showing additional measures needed to be placed on workers.

“Nothing in the constitutional division of powers required the federal government to take a more active role,” the judge wrote.

REACTION

Tracey Saxby, executive director of My Sea to Sky, said the organization will continue its advocacy work.

“The law is changed one small step at a time,” she said. “This ruling puts Woodfibre LNG on notice that the courts will hear issues regarding the floating workcamps and that each permit

Construction Management Ltd., which received $5,939,879, and the SquamishLillooet Regional District, which was paid $5,057,929 throughout the year

Also among the listed companies was the parent company of The Squamish Chief, Pacific Coast Publications, which received $141,313 for legislatively required public notices and advertisements.The District also paid a sum of $65,989 to Amazon

The entire SOFI document can be read on the District of Squamish website.

With files from Scott Tibbals/The Squamish Chief

must be met on its own terms—getting one permit does not mean you get another,” she added.

“My Sea to Sky was recognized by the federal court as holding public-interest standing, and we will continue to defend the public interest from harmful fossil fuel projects Now that everyone knows what law applies, My Sea to Sky will continue to advocate for people, the climate and the environment within that framework.”

As for Woodfibre LNG, spokesperson Sean Beardow said that the company is pleased that the court has dismissed the applications challenging the federal regulatory process followed for the MV Isabelle X floatel.

“We have always fully supported the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office, and the Squamish Nation’s analyses and recommendations regarding the floatel. It was a rigorous amendment process that has led to a workforce housing solution that has demonstrated success in addressing community concerns and minimizing community impact,” he said.

~With files from Jennifer

Thuncher

B.C.’S FIRST ‘FLYING FERRY’ MAKES WAVES AT THE OCEANFRONT

Squamish’s

Oceanfront is the latest dock to trial the newest 100% electric water taxi

INA PACE

Local

Journalism Initiative reporter

Aflying ferry? Yes, you read that right. It uses hydro-foiling technology—“wings” that lift the vessel out of the water—only this one is fully electric

The Artemis EF-12 Escape, a zero-emission passenger vessel built by Belfast’s Artemis Technologies, has arrived in B.C. in its latest run of demonstration voyages across North America.

Leaving the Matthews West Harbour Air dock on Monday, June 23, hosts FRS Clipper and Greenline Ferries took The Squamish Chief, as well as representatives from the District of Squamish—including council members and Mayor Armand Hurford—representatives from the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Squamish BIA, Tourism Squamish, Vancouver City council member Rebecca Bligh, and Sea to Sky MLA Jeremy Valeriote, in the Artemis EF-12 Escape for a literal spin around the harbour at 25 knots.

The vessel’s interior is comfortable and spacious, making up the “premium” experience promised by Artemis Technologies, all with very little noise, which some may expect to be very

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RE:LIQUORCONTROL ANDLICENSING ACT

APPLICATIONFOR ALOUNGEENDORSEMENT

Application fora lounge(with patio)has been received by theLiquorand CannabisRegulation Branch from HouseofLager BrewingCompany located at 37020 Village Crescent in Squamish BC V8K0K1

Proposed licensedhours are: 9:00 AM –12:00 Midnight7 days aweek. Person capacity will be limited to 200 personsinteriorand 63 personsonthe patio. Residentslocated within a0.5 mile (0.8 km)radiusofthe proposed site maycomment on this proposal by:

1) Writing to:

TheGeneral Manager

C/OSeniorLicensing Analyst

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Victoria,BCV8W 9J8

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Toensurethe consideration of your views, your comments, name and addressmustbereceivedonorbeforeJuly19th,2025. Please note that your commentsmay be made availabletothe applicantor local government officialswhere disclosure is necessary to administer thelicensing process.

much otherwise.

Artemis Technology states on its website that they aim to create “a more sustainable maritime future committed to pioneering sustainable solutions that tackle the global climate challenge.”

“We want to create a sustainable business to serve the people of Squamish, and we have to test certain things like speed, durability, and energy consumption,” said CEO of FRS Clipper Mark Collins.

“This technology represents a fundamental change in operating costs; that’s a game changer for the economics.”

Other FRS Clipper and Greenline staff aboard explained how the vessel’s technology works using hydro-foils, so as it accelerates and comes out of thew water, 70 to 90% less energy is used for the engine.

The foils or “wings” can also be used to sail the boat, enabling it to turn at high speeds

With hydro-foiling, in addition to the Artemis EF-12 Escape being made of lightweight carbon fibre, the vessel’s weight is very limited; staff explained that the vessel’s minimal weight also significantly reduces its wake

A boat’s wake can disturb local life in waterways and the surrounding environment

“The wake can damage the shoreline, and there are both cultural and economic problems with that,” said Collins, “So if you take out the wake, you reduce the chances of damage to people’s private property, to cultural sites, archaeology, and history.”

We

want to create a sustainable business to serve the people of Squamish, and we have to test certain things like speed, durability, and energy consumption.

MARK COLLINS

CHARGING

The electric vessel will have “charge barges” (like EV stations); the founder and CEO of Greenline Ferries Callum Campbell, said that a trip to Bowen Island from Downtown Vancouver, for example, could be done with charge only from Vancouver.

However, if the vessel were to travel to downtown Vancouver from Squamish, which staff estimate would take just under an hour, it would need a charge at both docks.

“The ideal scenario [is] having charging everywhere so the [vessel] can always have an available fuel source, but you don’t have to build up the system to the ideal right away; you do the operational plan with the infrastructure that you have for minimum viable service, and build up from there over time,” said Collins.

The Artemis EF-12 Escape is the demonstrative vessel that is part of a wider sustainable transport project to be completed by 2027, which will feature larger passenger vessels, such as The Artemis 24-EF Passenger.

The project will consist of an express ferry service between Gibsons, Bowen Island, and downtown Vancouver, taking approximately 56 minutes dock to dock at a maximum speed of 30 knots.

FRS Clipper and Greenline Ferries staff said they plan to expand the express service to Victoria.

Regarding Artemis Technologies’ demonstrations taking place in B.C., Campbell explained Greenlines’ affiliation and like-mindedness with the manufacturer.

“One thing we really want to showcase is that the technology is here, right? The engineers have done their work; the shipbuilders have done their work

“This technology exists [in B.C.], so it’s important for us to show that this is not one of our challenges in deployment and services; it is a big, ambitious project to bring in a new, all-electric ferry service into B.C.”

Artemis Technologies is currently providing voyage demonstrations across North America; you can find more details about their technology and range of vessels to be launched on their website. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.

PHOTO BY INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Officials took a tour in the vessel on Monday

B.C. TOURISM MINISTER REFLECTS ON SEA TO SKY VISIT AND FUTURE OF LOCAL TOURISM

As British Columbia’s summer season ramps up, Minister of Tourism Spencer Chandra Herbert shared insights from his recent tour of the Sea to Sky Corridor, highlighting both opportunities and challenges facing the region

JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

Editor’s note: This interview took place on June 9, before the Dryden Creek wildfire started.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for British Columbia, Spencer Chandra Herbert, was in town on a tour of the Sea to Sky Corridor from June 4 to June 6.

The Squamish Chief caught up with him by phone after the tour to discuss all things tourism and a bit about the film industry. What follows is a version of that conversation edited for length and clarity.

Q: How was your visit to the corridor? Locally, you stopped at the Squamish Adventure Centre, correct?

A: Yes, it was wonderful. We also got to visit the Britannia Mine Museum That, of course, was great. I hadn’t been in years, and I’m so glad we got in because, wow, it’s a stunner, that’s for sure

Q: You also visited Whistler. In terms of our history with tourism, it’s a newer focus for us, and it hasn’t been easy for some local folks, just juggling how popular some of our favourite spots have become, for example. Can you speak to that balancing act, and also the importance of tourism economically?

A: I think it can be a challenge, especially given that a lot of the traffic folks might see are people from Vancouver, people like me who love coming up to Shannon Falls, or to hike the Stawamus Chief. It is also locals who are using these resources in bigger numbers, because there are a lot more folks living in the area than there used to be, too. That will increase the pressure You know, as Whistler has developed, as Pemberton, as Squamish developed. Of course, there’s going to be more pressure on the great secret campsite or river system, but I think that’s why we have to work hard to improve our infrastructure, support our park system Make sure that trails and those systems get the attention, but also that we support our private sector partners who do adventure tourism in the backcountry as well, to maintain the backcountry trails or mountain bike trails and those kinds of things. The message I always try to bring is what’s good for locals is good for tourism. And so if we can remember the locals here, we also benefit tourists. If you build it for tourists, the locals don’t like it, and the tourists don’t like it. And, maybe this is just me being in

downtown Vancouver, but I’ve always known that the weekend is going to be busier on the Seawall than it will be during the midweek. So, you know, there are adjustments we might have to make. But it also means that our restaurants are open year-round, instead of places that have to close half the year. I think it’s good to have tourism as an option for the economy. I also think obviously there’s a need for more hotel space in the region. That’s an issue in many jurisdictions now, because investors found it more lucrative to build condominiums than hotels So that’s an issue to work on, for sure

Q: Some residents have raised concerns that while the province promotes tourism in this region, there isn’t enough infrastructure support—such as rangers in the parks—to manage increased visitor numbers. We don’t have enough infrastructure to keep all the trails clean and keep things updated or enough people monitoring and enforcing things. That is part of the frustration.

A: We’ve seen that all over the province, especially post-COVID, as a lot of folks shifted their behaviours and went outdoors, which was great, but many of them did not have the training and knowledge about how to look after the outdoors. So, something that we did was partner with tourism providers in the region, including Tourism Squamish, for the Don’t Love It To Death

campaign, which was a way of educating the public And I think we need to do more of that

Q: Switching gears, people here are certainly feeling the tariff uncertainty with the current U.S. president. Can you speak to that, and the role of tourism can play there?

A: I think this year is looking like it will be one of our better years for tourism, and people just touring their own town and province. I think we have a huge opportunity. We just have to find ways to ensure that people are welcomed. Americans still need to know that they are welcome to visit us, because they are one of our best markets. Our fight isn’t with them individually. I think that’s one worry I’ve heard from some tour operators, which is how visitors from the U.S. will be treated. We need to be clear, they’re still welcome. They provide a lot of resources to help fund their education and our nurses and hospitals, with their choice to visit here

Q: Under your umbrella is Indigenous tourism, which has increased. There are some great Squamish Nation

entrepreneurs here who’ve started up businesses in the last few years. Can you speak to that?

A: One thing we know is that people want to know where they’re visiting, and that’s not just the name of the place, but the geography and the people who live there. And obviously, that includes, and needs to include, Indigenous Peoples’ history since time immemorial. Indigenous Tourism B.C. is one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism economy.

Q: In all of the ministers’ mandate letters, Premier David Eby notes how important good wages and good jobs are. But, from what I see, tourism jobs don’t seem to have the highest wages. Can you speak to that, and where you’d like to see these jobs head?

A: What I’ve seen, and it’s been a change in the tourism industry, is a strength and understanding of the need to pay good wages to attract staff. And so certainly in Whistler and Squamish, you’re making quite a bit more than minimum wage at

TOURISM: Continued on 6

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PHOTO VIA PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FLICKR Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert.

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES: FREE PALLETS MEAN NAILS ON RIVERBANKS

Local man wants to reduce the environmental hazard that results when pallets given away by businesses are burned and leave behind nails on the Mamquam River

JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

Marc-André Gagnon is on a mission to educate locals and visitors about the downside of free pallets being used in the corridor for campfires.

Squamish currently has a campfire ban in place, as does Whistler, but this is a longer-term and larger issue than now or even this summer.

Some businesses, likely as a community-minded gesture, Gagnon notes, are leaving their pallets out for the taking

What they may not realize is that some people use this as fuel for campfires, and when those pallets are burned, the nails holding them together are left behind and contaminate the environment, including the sand and rocks of the beaches and riverbanks

Moreover, people extinguishing their fires with sand create a mix of ashes, rocks, nails and other residues from tin cans, plastic, beer caps and the like, he added.

He noticed this was a problem on the banks of the Mamquam River, near the golf course.

When The Squamish Chief visited the spot on June 22, there were seven spots where campfires had burned

Having such hazards in a place like Canada is something Gagnon finds inconceivable and unacceptable

“You have our children here playing in the sand full of rusty nails, like in your face. It’s, to me, it’s impossible,” he said.

“When the water level rises in the fall and winter, all the nails will be dispersed everywhere, making the beaches, trails, and river bottoms hazardous for everyone.”

Continued from 5

these jobs, because otherwise they just can’t get employees. I certainly was impressed by Whistler’s approach to workforce housing and working incredibly hard to develop and deliver more affordable housing so people can actually live where they work, compared to, say, Aspen. It’s an incredible accomplishment to have that many people who work in Whistler actually be able to live in Whistler. But you know, I know that still, there are a ton of stories of folks who struggle with housing affordability, and that’s one of the challenges I think I’d also say, too, that a lot of tourism jobs are stepping stones In many cases, they’re the first job before moving into other jobs, whether or not it’s in the tourism industry or anywhere

Gagnon weighed approximately 45 nails at 0.36 pounds (about 163 grams), estimating that he has collected around 35 pounds (15 kilograms) of nails so far—equivalent to roughly 100 burned pallets.

SOLUTIONS

Gagnon has several suggestions to deal with the problem

- Post educational signs by the river explaining the issue to the public.

- Post educational signs about the “Leave no trace” principle.

- Mention the issue to the business offering free pallets and stop them from doing so

- Incentivize businesses to dispose of their

I also always say to employers, if you pay people a little better, employees put in a bit more, and they’re more likely to stick with you. And I think that’s true for tourism as well.

Q: Pivoting again, you have a history with the film industry. It has been hurting, and there are worries about the future. Can you speak to that?

A: It’s been a challenge I think the last couple of years, with the strike in the U.S., with a real pullback in investments from the streamers, from the big studios, many people in the film industry have been struggling for work, and getting by on small projects But I think we’ve started to see a turnaround in B.C., I believe the increase in tax competitiveness that we brought forward in the most recent budget has helped We’ve had a whole

pallets at the landfill at a lower cost

- Organize a community clean-up to restore the beaches and river banks to their natural state.

“I’m not sure what the final solution is, but I think we should raise awareness on this issue and educate our population on how to make campfires that don’t end up like a pile of burnt trash on the beaches and river banks,” he said

He has gone to several businesses in town to let them know the unintended consequences of giving away free pallets.

“Some businesses have already changed their practice and removed the pallet piles they had by the street So that is positive

bunch more of our biggest customers agree to film here, so Last of Us Season 3, Shogun Season 2, for example. We’ve got a number of big productions that are coming or just about to or just about to begin production, but I think the tariff threat from President Donald Trump obviously worries everybody. It’s really hard to say how his tariff threat would be achievable under international law in any sense, but that doesn’t mean that they might not try anyway. But again, from what the major studios have told us so far, they’re proceeding as if nothing’s happened, as if these threats don’t mean anything

Q: With the state of the U.S., particularly for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, do you think we may get more of that tourism? Are we marketing that we are a safer place?

news,” he said.

He has also had positive feedback from some local organizations that want to help campaign.

CAMPFIRE BAN IN PLACE

The District of Squamish’s manager of communications, Rachel Boguski, said the municipality appreciates the “community-minded and thoughtful concerns” raised regarding nails being left behind when free pallets are used for waterside campfires.

However, she said the District does not have a bylaw that regulates the disposal of pallets, as there is no mechanism by which businesses can be required to vet the end-use of materials they give away for free

“Furthermore, businesses are encouraged to give away free materials that can be reused or repurposed, as it diverts material from the landfill,” she said.

The District continues to enforce the current campfire ban that is in effect.

“Fires in any public space are strictly prohibited within District of Squamish boundaries, and Squamish Fire Rescue and/ or Community Bylaw Services respond to reports of all unpermitted fires,” Boguski said

Additional signage will be posted at key locations to increase awareness that fires are not permitted along riverbanks, she added, in addition to public messaging regarding the importance of leaving no trace.

Residents are encouraged to help keep our community safe by reporting fires right away by calling 911, she added.

Asked about the issue, the Squamish Chamber of Commerce declined to weigh in at this time.

However, executive director Anne Mackenzie said, the chamber “is always happy to share resources and information, and support in any way we can.”

A: Yeah, we’ve heard that, even with doctor and nurse recruitment, there’s in particular renewed interest from LGBTQ people from the U.S. to come here. And we’re also seeing it from conferences, where international delegates might face issues with the border in the States, for example, and where some film companies might have a star who just doesn’t want to be in the States right now, for whatever reason; they’re rerouting and directing to B.C.

B.C. seems like a pretty safe haven to be, and I think we want to make sure people understand that we are welcoming and that we are doing what we can to be a safe jurisdiction While there are some in our political environment who want to roll back the clock, the B.C. government is not one of them, and we will stand for human rights and equality

PHOTO BY MARC-ANDRÉ GAGNON

Marc-André Gagnon collected nails left in the ashes of fires along the Mamquam River.

TOURISM:

FAMILY-RUN FRUIT STAND KEEPS SQUAMISH STOCKED WITH FRESH PRODUCE

With planes flying overhead battling wildfires and smoke lingering in the air, you might expect business to slow down—but not at Daniel’s Fruit Stand

JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

The stand has been open only a few minutes, but long-time local Daniel Costa, owner of Daniel’s Fruit Stand in the parking lot of Canadian Tire, and his niece Deanna Costa are already fielding customers

Despite the Dryden Creek wildfire, which, at the time, could be seen in the distance with aircraft going back and forth trying to put it out and a slight haze of smoke, traffic at the fruit stand is non-stop

The fruit stand, which is tucked under large white canopies, opened at this location in Garibaldi Village in 2017

Previous to that, they were closer to

MEET SPARKBLOCKS, THE NEW STEM TOY FOR KIDS

‘I actually call it the learning mullet, you’ve got toys up front, but then in the back, it’s really STEM skills and learning,’ says co-creator

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY ilemayconway@squamishchief.com

Have you ever made something out of Lego bricks and wished it could do something more?

Well, two dads have brought out a new toy that works in conjunction with Lego and is both educational and fun—not to mention it makes things move.

Squamish local Holden Bonwit and West Vancouverite Mark Vaughan launched SparkBlocks on Kickstarter (a crowdfunding platform for creative projects) this week with hopes to fill a gap in the STEM toy world.

“SparkBlocks are electronic building blocks that teach real STEM skills—that’s science, technology, education and math skills—but in a way, that’s kind of almost disguised as a toy, because that’s what it is,” Bonwit told The Squamish Chief.

“I actually call it the learning mullet, you’ve got toys up front, but then in the back, it’s

really STEM skills and learning,” he said with a laugh.

The SparkBlocks click onto Lego blocks and other building block toys and transform them into new creations.

“This is a system of learning that builds on one of the most proven open-ended toys we’ve ever seen. So this is built on the Lego system that has basically no limits. The limit is your imagination, right? And so by building on that and leveraging that, we start introducing a new stream to it that’s specifically teaching around circuits,” Bonwit said

“We’ve designed them so that they’re equivalent in the brick format, but inside it, we’ve embedded real electronics with circuit boards and lights and batteries and everything else so that the bricks come to life, and that’s why we call them blocks instead of bricks.”

SPARKBLOCKS: Continued on 14

Abrighter

We areproud to sponsor the WoodfibreLNG Scholarship Program at Howe Sound Secondary School, helping local students pursue careers in Science,Technology,Engineering,and Mathematics fields thatwill shape abettertomorrow

Pleasejoin us in congratulating this year’s Woodfibre LNG Scholarship recipients Brodie Bain, Ivanna Gomez, Cohen Scott,and Brenna Sherk!

FRUITSTAND: Continued on 9

PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Daniel Costa and his niece, Deanna Costa.

2026 PermissiveTax ExemptionApplications

PermissiveTax Exemptions areamethod that the DistrictofSquamish, supportedbyCouncil, maysupportvoluntarynon-profit organizations by exempting land or improvements or both, from taxation under Section 224 ofthe CommunityCharter.

TheDistrictofSquamish is nowaccepting applications forPermissiveTax Exemptions.Section 224ofthe CommunityCharterand the requirements ofthe DistrictofSquamish Permissive TaxExemption policy apply.Ifyour organization candemonstrate eligibilityyou arewelcometoapplyfor an exemption.

Theapplication and policyare availableonline.The deadlinetoapply is July 31, 2025, forexemptions beginning forthe 2026 taxation year Formoreinformation, please contactus at 604-892-5217. squamish.ca/grants

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN RECREATION AND CULTURE

Field Allocation

Allocation period: September 1–February28, 2026.

Request Deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025.

Field Closures: Allfields except Artificial Turf Field: December 15 –January15(weather dependent).

Field Allocation Meeting

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Please contactRecreation and Culture at 604-898-3604 with anyquestions

Business Opportunities

Requestsfor Proposals

•Financial Audit Services

•Loggers East StormSewer Construction

Requestsfor Quotations

•Crosswalk Installations&SafetyUpgrades squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district

HolidayHours

July 1

Municipal Hall Closed

BylawServices Call 604-815-5067 forassistance 8 am–4:30 pm

Brennan Park Recreation Centre 9 am–3 pm

Public Works Foremergencies: 604-815-4040 Office Closed

Squamish Fire Rescue Foremergencies: 911 Office Closed

Squamish Public LibraryClosed

The55ActivityCentreClosed

Check out the pool schedule:

squamish.ca/rec/pool

NEW! Youcan nowskipthe clicks and head directly to registration with our new URL. It’s super easy! squamish.ca/booknow

citing Aquatic Courses

Brennan Park Recreation Centre (13–18yrs)

National Lifeguard July 4–19

Bronze Medallion July 21–25

BronzeCross July 28–August 1

Swim Instructor gust 11–15

ActiveKids Camps (6–9yrs) at Rose Park Camps startJuly 21

Getyour kids outdoors this summer with instructorRyanJohnston! Activities and games include yoga, hiking,gymnastics,soccerand more!

LEAP:T-Rex Trekkers (3–5yrs) 9–11 am, July 21–25

In this session, we’ll be trekking back in time to tracethe tracks of the T-Rex and otherdinosaurs.Your budding paleontologists will love to explorethe worldofthe dinosaurs!

Circuit Training 101 at Westwinds Senior Living Fridays,10:30–11:30 am

Improveyour balance, agilityand mobility, while strengthening cardiovascular endurance. Drop-ins welcome,ifspacepermits

InfrastructureUpgrades

Installation work continues on awatermainbetween Bill’s Placeand Highlands WaySouth.

Annual road painting refresh programisunderway. Crewswill be working at nighttolimit traffic impacts squamish.ca/building-our-future

Stage 1Outdoor WaterUse

During Stage 1, lawn wateringwith asprinkler is allowed twodaysper week from 4–10 am and 7–10 pm based on street address.

•Odd numbered addresses can water on Thursdays and Sundays.

•Evennumbered addresses can water on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

NEW GENERAL STORE OPENS IN BRITANNIA BEACH FOR (ALMOST) ALL YOUR NEEDS

In the latest redevelopment of Britannia Village, a new general store has opened, offering not only groceries but also liquor, coffee, and fresh handmade pizza

INA PACE

Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Anew highway hotspot has arrived, and it’s more than about convenience or the usual grocery run.

With the new Britannia General Store opening in Britannia Beach’s newly refurbished village, residents don’t have to travel to Squamish for their day-to-day supplies, and neither do travellers who may want an earlier pit-stop from Vancouver, with a bit of rustic charm.

The store, which opened earlier this spring, not only stocks local, high-quality groceries from suppliers such as Tree of Life and Avalon Dairy; it also features a café bar serving Umbria coffee, a liquor section with select wines and beer, and brick-oven-made pizza that may be all too

FRUIT STAND: Continued from 7

downtown for a couple of years.

Costa and his family have been in Squamish since 2005.

The idea for the fruit stand began when Costa and his children would head to a farm to pick fresh berries together

When they returned, neighbours would want to buy flats off him, he said

“So then we thought, well, let’s make a business out of it, where we could pick up fresh from the farm,” he said

His day starts with picking up fresh fruit and produce directly from farms and bringing them back to Squamish

“We just strictly do B.C. produce and get it straight from the farm we’re getting it [for sale] sometimes an hour after it’s picked.”

He says during the week, his customers are mostly locals, and on the weekend, he sees tourists come through.

He doesn’t plan to do a brick-and-mortar location as people like picking it up from a stand outside, and he runs the stand

familiar to some

The store’s cuisine and management are The Boat Shed Hospitality Group’s latest venture; they are known for combining venues with vistas, such as those at Cypress Mountain, and Ambleside in West Vancouver.

The Squamish Chief spoke with The Boat Shed’s managing director Jason Kittler, who gave a show-round of the store and its patio, and expressed his sentiments about the store’s new Sea to Sky location in an upcoming community hub.

“We want to open the doors and generate some traffic, and we’re waiting for the rest of the [Britannia] Village [to open up],” Kittler said.

“There are 10 million people on Highway 99

BRITANNIA: Continued on 14

seasonally when produce is available. To open all year round he would have to move away from B.C. fresh fruits and produce.

The business has been a family affair, with his kids and even his mom helping out at times over the years.

His niece is here from Ontario for the summer to work at the stand.

She is a self-confessed “theatre kid” and a natural with the customers, outgoing and authentically gushing about the fresh raspberries, potatoes, carrots and garlic

His daughter, Jasper, has long worked with her dad, too.

“I have worked alongside my dad for a number of years since the beginning of the Costa fruit stand, even going to the farms with him at the early hours of 4 a.m. to bring fresh produce and berries to Squamish,” she said

The stand, located at 1851 Mamquam Rd., is open 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., seven days a week, until the middle of September.

Go to Daniel’s Fruit Stand on Facebook for more

Canadian Navigable Waters Act

Bosa-Kingswood Properties(Squamish) Inc.herebygives notice that an application hasbeen made to theMinister of Transport, pursuanttothe Canadian NavigableWatersAct forapproval of thework described herein andits site andplans.

Pursuant to paragraph 7(2) of thesaidAct,Bosa-Kingswood Properties (Squamish) Inc. hasdepositedwith theMinister of Transport,onthe online NavigableWatersRegistry(http://cps.canada.ca/) and underthe NPP File Number 2017-500268 adescription of thefollowing work,its site and plans: MamquamBlind Channel Lift SpanPedestrianBridge in,on, over,under, through or across theMamquam BlindChannel at Squamish, British Columbia in front of Victoria Street to ChannelRoad.

Commentsregarding theeffect of this work on marine navigationcan be sent through theCommonProject Search site mentioned above under the Comment section(search by theabove referenced number) or,bysending your commentsdirectly to (NavigationProtection Program -#820-800 Burrard St., Vancouver BC, V6Z2J8) if you do nothaveaccesstothe internet

However, commentswill be considered only if they areinwriting (electronicmeans preferable: NPPPAC-PPNPAC@tc.gc.ca)and are received not laterthan30daysafter thepublicationofthe last notice. Although all commentsconforming to theabove will be considered,noindividual response will be sent.

SignedatVancouver this 24th day of June, 2025

(Sandra Aeng on behalf of Bosa-KingswoodProperties(Squamish) Inc.

PHOTO BY INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

The Britannia General Store is open daily between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

The stand, located at 1851 Mamquam Rd., is open 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., seven

the middle of September.

THE SQUAMISH CHIEF NEWSPAPER, PRINTED EVERYTHURSDAY BY LODESTAR MEDIA 38113 Second

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TheSquamishChief is amemberof the National NewsmediaCouncil, whichisanindependentorganization establishedtodealwithacceptable journalistic practicesand ethical behaviour. If youhaveconcerns abouteditorial content, please contactEditorJenniferThuncherat jthuncher@squamishchief.com. If you arenot satisfiedwiththe response andwishtofilea formal complaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free1-844-877-1163for additional information

Reproduction of anymaterial containedinthispublicationis expresslyforbiddenwithoutthe prior writtenconsent of thepublisher.

EDITORIAL

LOOK AHEAD

The wayour politicalsystemworks in Canada encourages electedleaders to focusonlyon short-term,four-year gains.

If they want to keep theirseats,politicians need to be able to pointtothingstheyaccomplished during their term.However,whatis best forthe community mayrequire alonger-term vision.

Often, themembers of agovernmentwho putin motion long-terminitiatives areall butforgotten by thetimethose thingscometofruition.

Let’sexamine onesuchpolicy.

In Squamish,revitalization taxexemptionsput in place yearsago arelikelyseeds that have growninto thefruit we areseeing today.

Starting back in 2013,revitalizationtax exemptions—basically, taxrelieffor newbuilds—were open to properties in thedowntowncore, industrial park and laterthe oceanfront.

Thecouncil of theday included then-mayor Rob Kirkham, Patricia Heintzman, Bryan Raiser,Ron Sander, Doug Race,Susan Chapelle andTed Prior.

Inthe downtown core andindustrialpark, that revitalizationtax exemptionwas open to “eligible new construction or renovationsofexisting buildingsinspecified areas,”reads theDistrict’s 2013annualreport. “The program[was] intended to encourageinvestmentthat[would] createnew commercial, mixed-useand industrial space.”

The next counciladopted arevitalizationtax exemptionbylaw forthe oceanfront in 2015 to “generateinterest, investment,activityand employmentopportunities in theSquamish Oceanfront Lands, thus achievingarange of social, economic andenvironmental objectives fora priority area that hadbeenvacantfor many years prior to theDistrictobtaining thelandin2004,” reads theDistrictwebsite.

The councilofthe dayincluded Heintzman, as mayor,along with Prior, Race,Chapelle, PeterKent, Karen Elliott, andJason Blackman.

TheDistrictcurrently only hasone active revitalizationtax exemptionfor apropertywithin the oceanfront area,which expiresonDec.31, 2026

“Since 2013,downtownSquamishhas seen an increasein investmentand development of new buildings,”saidJonas Velaniskis,seniordirectorof communitydevelopment,in a recent emailtoThe Squamish Chief.

“The oceanfront hasalsoseenmajor investment, whichhas ledtocommercial andpedestrian activation of the downtown core andthe oceanfront developmentunderway. Anumberoffactors have contributed to this,and whilethere hasnot been a fullanalysisastowhatextenttowhich thetax revitalizationtax exemptionhas contributedtothe last decade of investment in Squamish,itislikely thatithas hadapositiveimpact.”

Thepoint is,wewantour leaderstobethinking not just of citizens today, butofthe town in the future,though it doesn’tbenefit them or us today.

WILDFIRE REALITIES

The Dryden Creekwildfiremay no longer be considered athreattonearbyhomes,but the realityofhow closeitcametoresidential destructionislikelytoremainfront of mind formany.

Whilefires around Squamish in thewarmermonths areno rarity,our beautifulmountaintownhas been lucky to avoidmajor damage from them

Butwhenthe fire brokeout abovethe easternend of Depot Road during theafternoon of June 9, it felt like everything couldchange.

As ajournalist, it is ourjob to follow thenewsand so whenwordspreadofthe fire,our smallbut mighty team here at TheSquamishChief quicklyjumpedinto actiontofindout what we could.

Little didIexpecttolearn that thefire—whichwould grow from five hectares in size allthe wayupto59.5 hectares in days—would be scarilyclose to whereI was pet-sitting forthe month.

Forsomebackground, when Iwas 18 yearsold,the homethatIspent my entire childhood in burned down inafire.

Afterwards,for insurancepurposes,myfamilyand I hadtowalkthrough what remained of thepropertyto identify allofthe things that hadbeenlost.

Andwhile awildfiredidn’tcause it—itwas determined to be caused by an electrical fault—seeing your home completely gutted of allits memories,isa feelingIwouldn’twishuponanyone.

Theharsh realityofhow devastatingfirecan be only really hits homewhensomething youknowand love is destroyedbyit.

So like manyotherslivinginthe Garibaldi Highlands, when Iheard therewas awildfireslowly makingits waytowards ournew temporaryhome, I wasimmediately struck with fear

Butthankstothe amazingefforts of localfirefighters andfirst responders,nohomes were damaged, even as theblaze grew

So,how canyou helpprotect your property froma wildfire?Well, accordingtoFireSmart BC thereare threequick andeasythingsyou cando.

1. Cleanyourroofand gutters: Combustibledebrislike branches,leaves, andpineneedles burn easily when embers come in contactwiththem, so it’s important to makesureyourroofand guttersare completely clearedofthese materials.

2. Safely storecombustibles: Firewood piles, patio furniture, propanetanks,and toys canact as fuel for awildfirewhenthey’re stored closetoyourproperty. To reduce your risk,moveall combustibles 10 to 30 metres away from your home

3. Mowand wateryourlawn: Ahealthy lawn is a fire-resilient lawn.Thiswildfireseason, keep your grasscut below10cm. If possible,ensureyourlawn is wateredand hydrated (while followingall applicable waterrestrictions) to furtherreducerisk. If we alldoour part in beingfiresmart,weare one step closer to protecting thelands (and ourhomes) from wildfires. It’s theleast we cando. Abig thankyou to everyone whohas helped getthe Dryden Creekwildfireunder control. Youare ourlocal heroes!

MOUNTAIN VIEWS INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

Ha7lh skwálwen cht kwis emút cht iy sts’its’áp’ cht

(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)

LEARNING TO LIVE WITH FIRE

RJ85 Airtanker dropping its bright red fire retardant payload. The caption from my straight-to-the-point friend reading:

In all the times I’ve written about wildfires in this column, it’s mostly been about how lucky Whistler has been A mountain town nestled amongst coniferous rainforest—baked dry during spring and early summer heat waves—is incredibly susceptible to the swift and destructive nature of an out-of-control wildfire (just ask the residents of Jasper, Alta.). During my years here I’ve seen Blackcomb Mountain ablaze in 2009 (a fire ignited by a lightning strike that almost burned down the old Crystal Chair) and several summers when smoke has blanketed the town from fires in surrounding valleys. But other than the odd flare-up from careless human behaviour (the story about the guy burning his toilet paper in the woods and the wind picking it up is a prime example of not-funny), there hasn’t been a fire in Whistler where I’ve genuinely feared for our homes and lives.

That changed for me June 9. Not in Whistler, but at my new home on the northern end of Squamish As I write this, the Dryden Creek wildfire is classified as “under control,” which is an immense relief after watching the DeBeck’s Hill smoke plume up from my bedroom window

It began as a video in a group chat in the early evening on June 9, showing an Avro

RELIABLE CHILDCARE ISN’T A LUXURY

As a parent who has benefited deeply from the excellent early childhood care at Discovery Kids Childcare in Squamish, I am writing out of growing concern over how the B.C. government is quietly undermining the success of the $10-a-day childcare program by changing how funding is allocated.

The shift to only fund minimum staffing ratios might look like efficiency on paper, but the reality is far more troubling. This new structure erodes the stability of high-quality childcare centres. Working with young children makes staff illness

“DeBeck’s Hill fire.” A couple hours later, I was sitting on my patio doing my best to relax during a warm summer evening. In the span of about 90 seconds, I spotted three fixed-wing aircraft flying to and from the fire with the thwap of a couple helicopters soon thereafter

The social media wave soon hit with ocals posting images of a wall of flame making its way down the hill toward their homes. Few folks slept well that night, even those of us who weren’t in immediate danger The evacuation alert was in place for dozens of homes in the Brackendale and Tantalus Road areas, but no one was ordered to leave yet Have your bags packed and be ready, was the word.

As all this was shaking out, I was doing my best to manage my own preparation. I was texting with neighbours who were visiting family in Ontario, asking them to send me a list of what I should grab from their house if our part of town had to evacuate in a hurry. I made my own list and plan, tracking down higher-value items that still hadn’t found their permanent place in my new home after the recent move. I placed them all in a corner of my room next to a duffle bag of clothes, rain gear and warm layers I made sure I had enough dog food for a couple of weeks and checked my truck had at least three-quarters of a tank of gas.

Concentrating on my work responsibilities for the first half of the week proved challenging I was in my home office,

inevitable, and smaller centres—already operating on tight margins—are forced to close their doors when even one educator is away This leaves parents, including frontline workers, business owners, educators, and sole providers, without care and unable to work

Reliable childcare isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation that allows our communities and economy to function Instead of squeezing centres into an unsustainable model, the BC government should invest in what works. Look at centres with high parent satisfaction, low unplanned closures, and strong staff retention—these should be the benchmarks for funding.

checking for online wildfire updates every few hours and more often looking out my bedroom window for first-hand evidence of how the fire was progressing. The southern flank near the Brackendale homes was holding, with a few of the residential lots on the frontline now rigged up with sprinklers constantly spraying the roofs, trees and ground brush (kudos to the community members who pitched in for this hard work alongside the BC Wildfire personnel) I had done all I could at this point. Now came the anxious wait

While me and my home were not directly threatened during the Dryden Creek wildfire, I understood the anxiety of people who were affected. You crave information—how big is it now? Is it growing? When can I expect the next update?—but the people communicating that information can only tell you what they know. The size of fire can become difficult to estimate when smoke or hazy skies are obscuring aircraft observation.

Waiting it out a few kilometres away from an out-of-control wildfire certainly didn’t make me more comfortable, but it did make me realize the situation is very much, well, out of my control. I did my best to take the advice from the evacuees of the Sandy Lake First Nation wildfire in northern Ontario: “Don’t panic. Eat bannock!”

With the spring and summer seasons as hot and dry as they are now, I know this won’t be the first time I’ll be on edge about a wildfire encroaching on my community. But if and when it does happen, I know I’ll be prepared, and a little more calm

We have been so incredibly thankful for the care, consistency, and professionalism shown by Discovery Kids over the years. All three of our children have flourished there, thanks to a team that deserves fair compensation for their education and experience, sufficient paid sick time, and the staffing depth to avoid closures This is what a successful childcare model looks like—one that should be supported, not undermined.

Please, let’s not jeopardize the very system we’re trying to expand

Catherine Wilson Squamish

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

If there were a ferry from Squamish to Vancouver, would you take it often?

Have your say at squamishchief.com

Of current council members, who do you think is most likely to run for mayor to replace Mayor Armand Hurford? (Top 3) LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

Strong words’ from King leave Squamish Nation delegation feeling empowered

DARTS & DAFFODILS

A HUGE THANK YOU to the Men’s Shed for agreeing to build a Little Lending Library for Furry Creek community. Thanks, too, to Jim Lorman, who built this for us; it is beautiful and exactly what we had hoped for. The residents will enjoy this for years to come Also, a thank you to SLRD for providing a grant, which enabled this to happen

A BUSLOAD OF DAFFODILS to the friendly, helpful bus drivers of Squamish Transit. ~Grateful passenger

A BAG FULL OF DAFFODILS to my customers throughout all my years of service. ~Retired paper lady

Got something nice to say or some constructive criticism? Send your Darts & Daffodils:

Email: news@squamishchief.com or drop off at The Chief office (38117 Second Ave.) during business hours. Deadline for submissions is Monday at 4 p.m. for Thursday’s paper. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number for verification. Maximum length is 75 words. Darts are intended to be an anonymous critique between private parties Darts must not directly or indirectly identify an individual or business.

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At WoodfibreLNG, we’rebuilding morethan a world-class facility—we’re creating real opportunities forCanadians.

With astrong commitmenttolocal hiring, Indigenous partnerships, and best-in-class workforce accommodation, we’resupporting good-paying jobs thatcontribute to families, communities, and Canada’s economy.

woodfibrelng.ca

BUSINESS BEAT

SPARKBLOCKS: Continued from 7

The invention was created by Vaughan during COVID-19, but it was when he met Bonwit that it transformed into a real-life product.

“[Vaughan] had this idea, and he prototyped it the last few years, and I met him last summer, and I immediately said that this is not just an invention, this is a product, and we need to let this see the light of day and get it to kids everywhere. And so that’s what we’ve been working on for the last year, shifting it from an invention to a product,” Bonwit said.

WHAT’S ON OFFER

There are four kits currently on offer through their Kickstarter: the Intro to Circuits Kit, the Advanced Kit, the Family Pack and the Smart Classroom Kit.

Also available are add-ons which include a walking ant, patrol car, fire truck, and a three-in-one mighty machines kit.

Bonwit describes the Intro to Circuits Kit as an academic approach to learning the basics of circuitry.

“It’s kind of designed for kids aged eight to 12, but really kids as young as five, and certainly adults have fun playing with it,” he said.

“Alongside that kind of academic thing, we include a bunch of pieces that can build fun things like helicopters and other things with that same kit.”

Also in the kit is a learning guide that explains STEM ideas such as polarity, current flow, control systems and electronic systems, which kids can opt to follow, or not.

“Students can choose either to follow the learning guide mode, or we’ll include a set of Ikea-like instructions that are word-free. So they can build a helicopter, and if it doesn’t work well, that’s because the circuit isn’t built right, and then they can follow the guide more closely,” Bonwit said.

The Advanced Kit takes kids from a beginner circuit knowledge through to complex inventing.

It includes everything from the Intro Kit plus a remote control block, extra LEDs, stud-to-wire connectors, advanced components and more bricks.

The Family Kit includes one Intro Kit and one Advanced Kit, while the Smart Classroom Kit includes eight Intro to Circuit Kits.

All blocks are labelled with real electronic symbols used by engineers to help kids understand why a circuit is or isn’t working.

WHO IS IT FOR?

While the targeted age group for SparkBlocks is eight and older, Bonwit says their toys are for people between the ages of five and 105.

“I get lots of comments that say ‘My kids are going to love this,’ but I also love the comments that say, ‘I want this for myself because it is fun,’ and I think as adults, we sometimes forget to

play,” he said.

“The reality is that play is very good for our brain and creates new neural pathways, and so getting a kit like this for yourself is not that crazy.”

The duo ran trial sessions at different learning centres in the North Shore as well as KiddoSTEAM Academy in Squamish earlier this year.

“Both the students at the Pro-D Day events, as well as the families that we hosted for a Family Science Day, pretty much across the board said, ‘Can we take this home? Where can we buy it?’ So it seems like people are excited about it,” Bonwit said.

“That’s why we’re running a Kickstarter, because we want to make sure that it’s a real sentiment that enough people share, to go through the effort of cutting the actual production moulds ... that can make these in real life.”

PRICING

Kit pricing starts at $163 with special discounts for early bird buyers.

- Intro to Circuits Kit: $163 (or $149 for the first 70 buyers)

- Advanced Kit: $308 (or $286 for the first 55 buyers)

- Family Pack Kit: $464 (or $423 for the first 70 buyers)

- Smart Classroom Kit: $1,199 (or $1,095 for the first 10 buyers)

SparkBlocks will be available to purchase on Kickstarter until July 16, and all orders are anticipated to be shipped in the fall.

BRITANNIA: Continued from 9

every year so ideally, the drive-by traffic should be the core of what’s going on, [we want to make] sure the tourists know and the commuters know that they can stop here and get a coffee, or a pizza, or a bottle of wine

“I think most people have been excited to be able to buy milk five minutes from their doors, but then we also have people coming up who know our brand.

“They come from the North Shore, Lions Bay, and Furry Creek, but it’s a new place for them as well.”

The revitalization of Britannia Village, in which this new store plays a part, as a whole, focuses on retaining the former mining community’s charm and aesthetic.

The store has kept its current building’s woodwork, decking, and columns on its patio; the former general store or its equivalent, according to Kittler and the former store’s Facebook page, was in a separate building on 197

Main Street, and much smaller.

Kittler points out, as a fellow example, how Autostrada’s new restaurant is utilizing the former Britannia Beach School building as part of the village’s restoration; an old village cinema and a church have also been repurposed

In light of potential further development for the store, Kittler said there’s more to come

“We’re starting relatively small, [but] we need to be thinking ‘what are people buying,’ right?

“I think, yeah, people can do their major shops elsewhere, but you know we could probably serve your dinners all week.”

The Britannia General Store is open daily between 10 am and 7 pm; you can follow their social media on Instagram @ britanniabeachgeneralstore

Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter

This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada

The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news. To be considered, please reach out to news@squamishchief.com. While funding for this coverage was provided, The Squamish Chief maintains full editorial control over all content.

Brought to you by Community Futures Howe Sound, The Sea to Sky’s resource for financing and free business support to help local businesses and entrepreneurs in the area. Connect with them directly and learn more at cfhowesound. com or email Kieran at kieran.hale@cfhowesound.com.

PHOTO BY INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF SparkBlocks co-creator Holden Bonwit

PHOTO INA PACE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

The new General Store in Britannia Village.

2025 PROPERTYTAXAND UTILITIES –PAYMENTSARE DUE JULY2,2025

Property owners will be sentseparate property tax and utilitynotices.

If youhavenot received your notices,please contactFinancial Services forassistance.

New owners should ensuretaxes andutilitiesare paid on their property.Ifthereisany doubt,please call Financial Services at 604-815-5035.

Please note, property owners are responsible forpaymentofthe 2025 property taxes and utilitiesregardless of whether or not notices arereceived.

Municipal Hall,37955 Second Avenue

MondaytoFriday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m.

squamish.ca/taxes

Sign-up fora MyCity accounttoaccess Property Taxand Utility notices online

With aMyCitylogin, youcan access your Property Taxes, Utilities,Building Permits,Planning Applications,Business Licenceand Recreation Program Registration accountsonline.

Step 1: LogintoMyCityorCreateanAccount.

Step 2: SelectRegister/EditAccount.

Step 3: Register aTax Accountand Register aUtilityAccount. Youwill need the folio number and access codes from the prior year’s notices squamish.ca/online-services

WAYS TO PAY

Online Banking

Property Taxesand Utilities are separatepayees

Utilities

Payee: DistrictofSquamish Utilities Account#: 7digit number

Property Taxes

Payee: DistrictofSquamish Property Tax Account#: 13 digit number/roll number

Some financial institutions hold payments before forwarding to us or are in differenttime zones.Avoid the risk of apenaltybypaying two to three business days before the due date.

By Mail

Cheque only.Donot mail cash. Postmarks will not be accepted as date of payment.

AfterHours Drop Box

Cheque only.The yellowafter hours drop boxislocatedatMunicipal Hall on the wall to the rightofthe doors.Please deposit cheques only

Do not leave cash in thedropbox.

In Person

Cheque,cash or debit

(Payments by credit cards will not be accepted).

Please be suretocheck your daily spendinglimit beforeyou arrive.You may need to request atemporaryincrease from your bank.Nopost-dated cheques.

NoticeofLease andProvision Of Assistance

What’s Proposed: Five-year lease with Squamish Climate Action Network forthe commercial kitchen in The 55 ActivityCentrelocatedat1201 Village Green Way. The DistrictofSquamish (“District”)herebygives notice pursuant to Section 26 of the CommunityCharterthatthe Districtintends to grantafive-year lease to the Squamish Climate Action Network, anon profit society(the “Society”)for the purpose of operating a commercial kitchen thatfood businesses can rent to process and store food forpublicconsumption, foranapproximately 950ft2 (commercial kitchen and washroom) of The 55 ActivityCentre, with alegal description of PID: 027-861-147 AirSpace Parcel1District Lot4261 Group 1New Westminster AirSpace Plan BCP40449, and acivic address of 1201 Village Green Way, Squamish, British Columbia fora $1 annual lease fee. The leaseshall be made effective as of July1,2025 and shall terminate on June 30, 2030.

The Districtintends to provide assistance to the Societypursuant toSection 24 of the CommunityCharterbyproviding the leasefor less than its market value

INCLUSIVE HIRING—ADDRESSING BIAS AGAINST INDIGENOUS JOB SEEKERS

Insights from a Métis career professional reveal how traditional recruitment methods may be excluding valuable perspectives from the workplace

INA PACE

Local Journalism Initiative reporter

“Diversity is, I mean, it’s Canada, right? Yes, even speaking to you—your accent there,” says HR consultant and career professional Michelle Precourt to the Squamish Chief reporter, who has a British accent

In theory, what springs to mind from these words is that diversity and hence inclusivity should be at the heart of Canada, which means organizations and companies ought to be applying these principles when it comes to seeking potential employees.

In practice, however, not all employers and recruiters are informed or educated as to how to apply these principles universally.

This means employment isn’t always equally attainable for some minority communities, for example, Indigenous job seekers, on the same level as non-Indigenous communities, especially when

perceived strengths, such as cultural values and identity, are treated as impediments within a one-size-fits-all approach

According to government statistics, Indigenous populations in Canada could reach between 2.5 and 3.2 million by 2041, with young Indigenous people aged 15 to 24 outnumbering the growth of non-Indigenous Canadians.

The government’s 2021 Census revealed that, across all age groups, the average full-time, full-year employment income of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples with a university bachelor’s degree or above was 11.4% lower than that of the non-Indigenous population.

That’s a lot of missing potential; a lot of missing expertise and lived experience for the workplace, according to Precourt.

Precourt, of the not-for-profit Career Professionals of Canada (CPC), is a Red River Métis woman originally from Winnipeg, who is now Squamish-based. She works with a variety of demographics with a strong focus on Indigenous peoples and organizations in Greater Vancouver.

Precourt’s prime observation is that, through cultural values such as humility and storytelling, Indigenous people often downplay their inherent skills and knowledge, particularly whilst writing their résumés, and during job interviews

Such humility, which is often considered a positive personality trait, may also be a subconscious hindrance, especially if it is a result of past colonial oppression or harmful social conditioning.

Precourt described how she interviewed a young Indigenous man with a blended name, who was applying for a job working with vulnerable people, and how he got more hits from employers when he dropped the Indigenous part of his name

“I’m like, what a lost opportunity for employers using a name as a basis,”

Precourt said

“I saw his application, and he brought such a calming approach to the interview, and his level of humility stood out as a positive

“[Humility is] also a personal value of mine, and that in itself is a beautiful value, but it can also be a barrier, because relying too heavily on that can get in the way of you really speaking confidently and clearly about your skills.”

Precourt also elaborated on how the Indigenous cultural value of storytelling may work against an Indigenous employee and how a universal recruitment approach contradicts structural assimilation.

“Traditionally, storytelling has been such a strong way of communicating, but that sometimes doesn’t translate well to the

I would say to employers, if you are seeing that you are not getting diversity into your workplace, maybe there is something there for you to reflect on.

MICHELLE PRECOURT

paper process, for employers who rely so heavily on a rubric, matrix-style, selection process, versus something that is subjective,” she said.

According to the Canadian Human Rights Commission, employers must provide accommodations for needs relating to grounds of discrimination, such as those belonging to minority communities, or for those who are disabled.

CPC endorses such principles, “showing respect to all clients [to] ensure their unique needs are met and their dignity is maintained,” according to the company’s declaration

These can be upheld with an educational approach, Precourt explained, encouraging any challenging of internalized prejudice to be executed without aggression or disrespect, to ensure fairness and transparency

Precourt said there isn’t any one answer to overcoming the lack of diversity, but having an open mind and the ability to self-reflect is instrumental

“I would say to employers, if you are seeing that you are not getting diversity into your workplace, maybe there is something there for you to reflect on,” she said

“I’m seeing more and more Indigenous relations positions, which I think is a positive, [but] the core is opening employers’ eyes to [the Indigenous] demographic, and being receptive to different ways of working, and different ways of recruiting.”

You can reach out for support with CPC via info@CareerProCanada.ca or on 866-896-8768.

Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief’s Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAREER PROFESSIONALS OF CANADA HR consultant and career professional Michelle Precourt

SOLAR PANELS, BIRD HOUSES, PIRATE SHIP PLAYGROUND: SEE THESE NEW TOWNHOUSES

ReGen Homes’ latest venture in Chickadee Lane offers zero-emission three-bedroom units for families, close to downtown

JENNIFER

THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

Eight new three-bedroom townhomes— and eight nesting boxes for chickadees—are taking flight at Chickadee Lane

The birdhouses on the south-facing side of the Chickadee Lane townhouse complex at 1165 Wilson Crescent are just one of the touches that builder Cameron Cope highlighted on a recent Squamish Chief tour of the under-construction homes

There is also an outdoor seating area and a wooden pirate ship play structure that Cope’s kids had a hand in testing out.

‘WE CAN BUILD HOMES THAT HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT’

Cope is the founder and managing director of ReGen Homes.

With this project and others he has on the go, the goal is to make the homes as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible, he says.

At Chickadee Lane, the units have EV charger-ready outlets, solar panels on the complex’s roof, pollinator plantings, rainwater collection and garden boxes.

The company only builds infill projects, meaning they don’t clear land that was previously forested for their homes.

“[ReGen] was founded on the belief that we can build homes that have a positive impact on climate and biodiversity and play a role in regenerating the planet So, we’re really focused on building homes now that the future world needs. So to that end, all homes are built zero emissions and also certified to be built green platinum,” he said

Each home has its own built-in air conditioning to deal with the warming summers Squamish has been experiencing

“Zero emissions means that throughout the operation of the building, there’s no additional carbon or emissions going into the atmosphere, because we are reducing the amount of energy that we need as much as possible on site, and [all units] have electric heating and cooling systems and airtight windows and very thick insulation. Each home comes with solar panels on the roof, so that offsets all the non-renewable energy from the grid,” Cope said.

The units are all three-bedroom and 2.5 bathrooms with a side-by-side garage as well. They’re approximately 1,100 square feet plus the additional almost 500 square feet of the garage.

The chickadee nesting boxes were built by long-time local Carl Halverson, and the company consulted with Nature Squamish to ensure that the boxes provide suitable

habitat for local bird species.

“We’re actually contributing new habitat by increasing the biodiversity in urban areas,” he said.

The downtown location, close to schools and amenities, means it is a walkable location, he added, though acknowledging the limited frequency of the bus system to get to outside parts of town

ROOM FOR ADVENTURE GEAR

Asked how a double garage fits into the sustainable plan for the project, Cope pointed to the need for space for equipment for the adventures people move to Squamish for.

“We don’t actually expect each garage here to be filled with two cars I think there might be one car and then a whole bunch of mountain bikes, toys, crash pads, snowmobiles, sleds, what have you,” he said

“People in Squamish work hard, play hard, and they need space for all their stuff.”

Also included in the development are two visitor parking stalls.

‘THE OPERATIONAL COSTS OF THE BUILDING WILL BE LESS’

Acknowledging increases in construction costs, Cope asserts that these sustainable townhomes are still more attainable than a lot of housing in town, with prices starting below $1 million.

The benchmark price—representing a typical property within Squamish’s market for single-family homes was $1,678,300, according to Multiple Listing Service stats.

The benchmark townhome cost in town in May was $1,037,500

“The operational costs of the building will be less because of how efficient it is and because of the on-site electrical generation as well,” said Cope, who grew up on Salt Spring Island, and moved to Squamish 14 years ago for the outdoor lifestyle.

Cope listed his favourite outdoor pursuits including whitewater kayaking, skiing, mountain biking and climbing—as reasons he chose Squamish, while noting a cubby in the garage of one of the Chickadee Land units that could be used to store skis

REGENERATIVE HOUSING TO ADDRESS HOUSING NEED

From the same unit’s kitchen window, future residents can enjoy views of Echo Lake Falls in the Tantalus Range—a scenic backdrop juxtaposed against some remaining single-family homes nearby.

Though multiple studies have shown that single-family homes are less environmentally friendly than multi-family housing, per unit of living space, Cope knows there is resistance from some in Squamish to the building of any new multi-family housing, as

the community infrastructure and amenities struggle to keep up with the population increase

This especially comes from long-time residents who moved here when singlefamily homes with big yards were more the norm and expectation

“I grew up on a farm on Salt Spring Island, so I definitely was used to the space and the wilderness,” he said

“Essentially, we have two really large problems One is the housing crisis Housing prices are very high and out of a lot of people’s attainment, so we do need to build more housing. At the same time, building housing creates a lot of environmental impact.

“We have to build more housing, and it has to be, from my perspective, regenerative housing that actually gives back more than it takes from the environment. That’s kind of the reality that we live in today, and especially in Squamish.”

There will be a Chickadee Lane opening event on June 28.

Find out more on ReGen’s website.

Please Contact

PleaseContact the SPCA for more details! Visit our website: spca.bc.ca

Meet Stella!

Stella is agorgeous 2-year-old tuxedo cat with aheart as big as her bright, curious eyes. She’satotal sweetheart who thrives on attention and adoresbeingaround people. Whetheryou’reworkingfrom home, relaxing on the couch, or just going about your day, Stella will be right by your side, offering cuddles andcompanionship.

She’sthe kind of cat who greets you at the door,follows you around the house, and snuggles up close when it’stime to unwind. If you’re looking for afurryfriend who will truly be partofthe family,Stella is your girl.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Cameron Cope at Chickadee Lane late last week

Eagle Mountain –Woodfibre GasPipeline (EGP)Project

Reducing workforceimpacts

We’re continuing initiativestohelpreduceworkforce impactsand supportgender andculturalsafetyinthe Squamish community, including:

• in-persongenderand cultural safety training forthe EGPProject workforce. Read howSkwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw(Squamish Nation)educatorDeannaLewis came to lead this training: TalkingEnergy.ca/GCS

• ahealthandmedical clinic forEGP Projectworkers’use in Squamish,supportingmentalhealthand overallwell-being

Read aboutour initiallaunch of theseinitiatives includingthe contact informationfor thethird-party Respectful CommunityConduct Line at talkingenergy.ca/reducingimpacts.

• athird-party Respectful CommunityConductLine forany member of thepublic to call or emailabout allegedconduct by an EGPProject worker occurring within the Indian RiverWatershed area anda10-kilometre area aroundthe District of Squamish in violationof theAfter Hoursand Respectfor Communitysection of theEGP ProjectWorkerCodeofConduct,including harassment or violence

THREE STRAIGHT WORLD CUP VICTORIES FOR JACKSON GOLDSTONE

Goldstone is the first men’s elite downhiller to win a third consecutive race since 2016, when Danny Hart managed the feat

DAVID

SONG

dsong@wplpmedia.com

It’s safe to say that Jackson Goldstone is making up for lost time

Squamish’s downhill ace extended his World Cup victory streak to three in Val di Sole, Italy, where a time of three minutes and 38.862 seconds launched him atop the elite men’s podium and helped him wrest top spot in the series overall away from Loic Bruni.

Troy Brosnan placed second for Australia (3:41.284), and French rider Thibaut Daprela battled to third despite losing his chain early in the race (3:42.223)

“That was a really good run [on Saturday],” said Goldstone, the first man to win three straight downhill World Cups since Danny Hart in 2016. “I felt that I was hitting all my lines good, there was moments where I had to dab my foot three times. That came from a lot of motivation from my last two wins and the confidence built in practice. It felt like it was going to happen. I was confident in my run the whole way down. I felt that I didn’t leave anything out there. It was a good one.

“It’s a crazy stat to be a part of, [winning three straight]. I felt like everyone was talking about the wins. I’m just so proud to be able to do it. The goal is to do the best I can in every single race, no matter where I end up as long

as I’m happy with my run. I’ve been happy with these last three runs and they’ve been winning runs I need to keep up that momentum and keep pushing.”

Goldstone remained in full command of his run from start to finish, unlike several of his opponents Not too bad for an athlete who missed all of last year due to a knee injury

WOMEN’S RESULTS

Gracey Hemstreet saw her own win streak end in Val di Sole, finishing just out of medal contention in fourth (4:12.402)

Instead, Marine Cabirou did France proud with a golden effort (4:10.310) to outduel Austrian powerhouse Valentina Höll (4:11.581) Bronze landed around the neck of Slovenian Monika Hrastnik (4:12.191)

Höll also jumped past Hemstreet in the season ranking, which she now leads.

“My beginning of the season was not super good,” remarked Cabirou, who earned her first triumph of 2025. “I was fighting a bit to be on the podium and at the top again. I’m really happy to win today. It was a really challenging weekend. The track was really destroyed, I gave my best and finally that paid off.

“I just tried to push even more and find a better flow. I did too many mistakes [in qualifying] and just didn’t feel good on my run. I just tried to relax, enjoy and take some good momentum on my bike. I really liked the last part of the track, so I tried to push even more on that section because I lost a lot

of time on a big mistake at the top. I didn’t think that would be the run for the win, but finally it is.”

A fast final push ultimately separated

Cabirou from Höll, while Hrastnik qualified in first but proved unable to replicate that speed. Hemstreet faltered in the opening portions of her run, which held her off the podium.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UCI Jackson Goldstone won his third straight World Cup race on June 21, 2025 in Val di Sole, Italy.

PHOTO BY STEVE JACOBS

BRIDGE CROSSING: Construction of the pedestrian bridge over the Mamquam Blind Channel is ramping up

JAMEY-LYN HORTH WESSELS: FIGHT REFLECTIONS AND UFC VANCOUVER PLANS

‘I am feeling good. It’s like nothing has ever happened. It’s crazy,’ Horth Wessels said

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

ilemayconway@squamishchief.com

It’s not too often a UFC fighter escapes a bout relatively unscathed, but that is the reality for Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels after her latest match-up in Atlanta, Georgia.

She won her fight against American fighter Vanessa Demopoulos on June 14 by unanimous decision, and walked away with only a few bruises on her shins.

“I am feeling good It’s like nothing has ever happened. It’s crazy,” Horth Wessels told The Squamish Chief.

“Most of my fights have been a different style [but] this was an opportunity for me to showcase some more of my striking, so, you know, I have a couple bruises on my shins from kicking, but for the most part, like I didn’t take any damage.”

Horth Wessels credits her pre-fight preparation for the positive outcome as well as the addition of a new dietitian to her team

“I just felt like a completely different person,” she said

“My conditioning has never been an issue, but I’ve just never felt as good as I did [last] Saturday night. So I think we’re doing the right things, and that’s a good plus.”

While she was originally matched up to fight Czech Republic fighter Tereza Bleda, a last-minute medical withdrawal saw fate hand Horth Wessels a new opponent

“Well, my plan to fight both of them was the same It was to put my striking on display and sort of keep the distance and touch and move and land my strikes standing,” she said

“Then if things got to the ground, it was to get up if I felt like I needed to, if I was going to be out of strength or outmatched on the ground, it was to hit the ground and get back up and keep it standing. Because we do know that my striking is good, and we wanted to sort of rely on that.”

Horth Wessels trained throughout her fight camp with Lupita (Loopy) Godinez, who had previously fought Demopoulos back in 2020

“I trained my whole fight camp with Loopy, so even though she wasn’t the same body type as the original opponent I had ... it ended up paying off in the end, because of the opponent change,” she said.

“I feel like in some strange capacity, it was like I was preparing for this fight the whole fight camp.”

A CHANGE IN STYLE

Throughout her UFC career, Horth Wessels has only fought opponents who are left-handed (southpaw), but this time, she finally got her chance to face an orthodox fighter.

“I feel like I’ve sort of, not mastered the southpaw, but, I mean, I’ve fought six of them in a row, so my brain and my movement have been designed for a southpaw,” she said.

“Although I switch stances, which I did quite a bit in this fight as well ... I wasn’t sure if it would feel like it was foreign to me, but it definitely didn’t. I definitely felt very in tune and ready to go.”

Another difference between previous fights was the significant height difference between the two athletes

At 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) with a reach of 66 inches (168 cm), Horth Wessels towered over Demopoulos, who sits at 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) and has a reach of 59.5 inches (151 cm).

On the experience, Horth Wessels said the height difference allowed her more opportunities to land her knees and elbows.

“When you fight, you want a head fight. It’s about winning the head battle, and you want your head under their chin to keep them standing more upright. So when someone is quite a bit shorter than you, it means you just have to get a lot lower,” she said.

“I wasn’t sure how that part would be, if it would give her an advantage to drop and change levels and sort of get lower on my hips to take me down.”

But Demopoulos was not able to capitalize on the potential advantage, with the overall fight score coming in at 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 in favour of Horth Wessels.

“I didn’t think she could touch me There was nothing she could do,” she said.

Despite the dominant display of skill, the two fighters ended the bout in an embrace, an action not often seen in the UFC octagon.

“It’s not often that everybody’s so grateful. But I mean, look at what I just went through. I went through nine weeks of fight camp just to find out my opponent was out to do a medical injury and that sucks. I don’t get paid if I don’t get to fight,” she said.

“So for her to step up on short notice, it means a lot It means that these last nine weeks were not for absolutely nothing. So that’s pretty special, and pretty cool.”

UFC VANCOUVER

It was announced earlier this month that the UFC octagon will return to Vancouver on Oct. 18 This will be the first time that Vancouver has hosted a UFC Fight Night since 2019, and Horth Wessels has her eyes set on a fight card

“I’ll fight whenever, as soon as and as often as I can, especially being healthy. And my

You know, I’m a trained oiled machine, and I’m training six days a week, twice a day, and to go do absolutely nothing and have no obligations, it’s hard but it’s important.

JAMEY-LYN HORTH WESSELS

team knows that we want to fight on that card. Why wouldn’t I want to fight my own backyard?” she said

But the choice doesn’t lie in her hands.

“It’s not necessarily just up to me I put my name in there, and the matchmakers will obviously take that into consideration, and hopefully I’ll get a match up here in the next little bit and be on that card,” she said.

In the meantime, Horth Wessels is doing her best to enjoy her time off, despite feeling a little restless.

“I always say it’s fun to think about taking the time off and having a break, and then once the break comes, I’m two days into my break, and I’m already losing my marbles thinking what am I supposed to do every day,” she said with a laugh.

“You know, I’m a trained oiled machine, and I’m training six days a week, twice a day, and to go do absolutely nothing and have no obligations, it’s hard but it’s important. Breaks and rests are important, especially for the nervous system

“So I’m going to embrace that I have some fun little day retreats with Lululemon coming up this week and I’m just going to enjoy dog walks and coffee.”

Horth Wessels also has plans to launch a new run club by the end of this month, which will culminate in a five-kilometre race.

“Hopefully, by the end of this month, we’ll have it all set out. We’re hoping to have [it] in July/August … like an eight to 10 week lead up, and then have a little 5 km race sometime in September,” she said

“We’ll partner up with Lululemon and have it be a little event with prizes So stay tuned for that.”

To keep up with Horth Wessels adventures and future fights, check out her social media page.

PHOTO VIA JAMEY-LYN HORTH WESSELS/INSTAGRAM

Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels with her team in Atlanta, GA, United States

MARTIENKOUPRIE

October7th , 1942 –May 30th,2025

FromTheHague,Netherlands

Alossof akind soul,I’llmissour weeklyoutings

Jägermeisterinthe Sky Love Trish

CLASSIFIEDS.SQUAMISHCHIEF.COM

CONSTRUCTION LABOURER– Greatopportunity to learnon-the-job. Staminafor physically demanding workand perseverance to braveinclement weather required Previous experience preferred but notrequired.Trainingprovided. $28-$33per hour

PIPE LAYER –Minimum 5years experience in civilconstruction

Full-time, Monday –Friday.$33-$43per hour

TRUCK DRIVER –BCDL Class1orClass 3withair brakes required.Manualtransmission 2years experience preferred. $35-$41.50per hour

1. Dancing spot

6. Health resort 9. Circle section

12. Oak source 13. Peak 14. Dove sound

15. Bus station

16. Have being 17.Skedaddle

18. Fellowlead performer

20.Hen output

21. Emit fumes

24.Toolbox

25. On the Pacific

26.“Look ye leap”

27.Friendliest

29.Worth

31. Southern nut 35. Boggy

39.Pasturemother

40. Cook, as acake

43. Rival

44.Liquefy

45. Fearful wonder

46. Blazing

48. Happy

49.Fishing gear

50.Honolulu greeting

54. out (barely make)

55. Bad humor

56. Marry again

57. Headed

58. Puttwo and twotogether

59.Squeals DOWN

1.Father,informally

2. Freezer abundance

3. Food fordipping

4.Earthenware pot

5. Atop

6. TV interference

7. Blackbeard, e.g.

8. Copycat

9. “Green ____”

10.Cheek makeup

11. Cuban dance

19.Godownthe slopes

21. Gun amotor

22.Generation

23. Slippery as an 25. Devoured

27.Just out

28. Agent

30.Takeadvantageof

32. So-so grade

33. Hole punch

34. Mesh fabric

36. Be able to payfor

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38. Small vegetable

40.Rollwith ahole

41.Attentive

42. up (tense)

44. Riot

46. Operatic melody

47.Lamb owner

51.Birdthat hoots

52. In the know

53. Station break airings

Crosswordpuzzle answers use American spelling

LASTWEEK’SANSWERS:

HOROSCOPE

ARIES March 21-April 19

Thisweek, work and finances mayoften causeconcern and do little to lowertensions in youralready complicated romantic relationship However, addressingcertain issues mayeaseyourworries.

TAURUS April 20-May20

Cleaningmay feel likea majorchorethat you want to keep puttingoff. At work, confidentlysharing your innovativeideas could prove very lucrative.

GEMINI May21-June 20

You’ll spend time beautifying yourhome,whichwill enhance yourliving space You’ll feel the urge to keep up with the latest technology by addingsophisticated connected gadgets to your home.

CANCER June 21-July 22

Youmay findithardtocurb yourimpulsivenessthis week At work,you’ll quicklyclimb the corporateladder.Be prepared for the significant responsibilities that come with yourarrival at the top.

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

You’ll need to create abudget for yourfamilylife and upcomingprojects.Your vacation is just around the corner.Makesureeverything is organized so you canrelax andfullyenjoy everymoment.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept.22

If you’regenerousbynature, don’t hesitate to reachout to friendsand family who need yoursupport. Just remember to prioritizeyourwell-being to avoid exhaustingyourself in the process.

LIBRA Sept.23-Oct. 22

Whether you’reonvacation or not,let yourmind wander in the comfortofyourown home What better waytoescape realitythanbydivingintoa greatbookorbinge-watching acaptivatingTVseries

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

You’ll feel the sudden need to gather all yourfriends to celebratethe startofsummer. On the job, preparefor abusy week with demandingclients. Expect aconstantflow of people who maybedifficult to please.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec.21

Choosing high-quality materials when renovating yourhome is not aluxury, butasmart investmentfor yourfuture. If you’reinanew relationship,you’ll takethe first step toward buildinga new life together

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

You’ll forge lastingfriendships duringyourtravels,at conferences,intraining sessions or through group therapy. Theseencounters will help you create meaningful connections and allowyou to releasepent-up emotions.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18

In yourrelationship,mere gestures of affection won’t suffice as proofoflove. Your partner must inspireyou to chaseyourdreams andcreate romantic moments with you.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

Your vacation is almosthere. Don’t stay home! Whether you’rewithfamilyorfriends, takethe time to balance your chakras and findinner peace within yourenvironment.

HOWTOPLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3box contains the numbers1through 9only once. Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. Youalready have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeat the numbers1through 9in the same line, column or 3x3box

Holy Communion and Morning Worship

Sundays at 10:00 AM

Rev Cameron Gutjahr 1930 Diamond Road 604-898-5100

www.squamishanglicanchurch.ca info@squamishanglicanchurch.ca

ExaltingJesus,EquippingHis Followers,Engaging theWorld

WorshipService Sundays 10am on our website and Facebook Live 2262ReadCres. 604-898-3737 www.squamishbaptistchurch.org

SUDOKU

PROJECTINFORMATIONMEETING

Adevelopmentapplicationhasbeensubmitted totheDistrictofSquamishforpropertylocatedat

Andyouareinvitedtojoin

Atanopenhousestylemeetingtodiscusstheapplicationandproposeddevelopment.

Date: July2,2025

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Location: GaribaldiRoom,ExecutiveSuites,40900 TantalusRd,Squamish,BC

Detailsoftheapplicationinclude:

Woodfibre LNGProject Site,DistrictLot 8296, Group 1, NewWestminster District

WoodfibreLNGisseekingaTemporaryUsePermit(TUP)toobtainapprovalforanexisting temporaryfloatingworkforceaccommodation(Floatel1)andtoauthorizeanadditional temporaryfloatingworkforceaccommodation(Floatel2).

The meetingisbeing held by theApplicant in compliancewithDistrictofSquamishpolicy. The applicant willpresent details of theapplicationand proposed development,receive inputfrommembersofthecommunity,andrespondtoquestions

If youhaveany questions in regards to this noticepleasecontactthe Planning Department,at 604-815-5002 or WLNG General PartnerInc.(theapplicant)bytelephone 604-620-7883 and/or bringyourquestionsandcommentstothemeeting.

ThisisnotaPublicHearing.Councilwillreceiveareportfromstaffdetailingattendanceand interestintheproposalandwillformallyconsidertheapplicationatalaterdate.

Pleasevisit squamish.ca/showcasetoviewandcommentonthisapplication.