Whistler’s trees are weathering an outbreak of Western spruce budworm—what comes next? - By Braden Dupuis
06 OPENING REMARKS
Wildlife reports in Whistler leave much to be desired, writes editor Braden Dupuis.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR In this week’s letters, a reader weighs in on the RCMP’s pledge to crack down on helmetless bike riders.
17 RANGE ROVER The use of diquat—a substance banned in multiple countries but unregulated in the U.S. and Canada—is a “regrettable substitution,” writes Leslie Anthony.
38 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST
Lizi McLoughlin poses the question: What would happen if we all woke up tomorrow morning and decided we had enough, right now?
10 NIFTY FIFTY
The Resort Municipality of Whistler detailed plans for its 50th anniversary celebrations on July 8.
11 FARE COMMENT
Bus riders in Whistler could see a small price increase on Whistler Transit routes this fall.
22 FULL CIRCLE
Squamish cross-country rider Ella MacPhee reflects on winning her first World Cup this spring.
26 CANADIAN CLASSICS
Canadian pop-rock mainstays 54•40 hit the stage for the Whistler Summer Concert Series July 11.
COVER OK, OK, so the trees aren’t actually dying (yet). But never let the facts get in the way of a cool cover design! - By Louise Stevens // lobriencreative.com
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com
Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com
Justa Jeskova
Whistler wildlife reports lacking
ON SUNDAY, JULY 6, at about 4:30 p.m., Pique received a report of yet another cougar sighting in the Whistler area—the sixth in just three weeks.
As was the case with the previous five, the report didn’t come from an actual Conservation Officer, but a third party—in this case, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).
It contained just four lines, two of which have appeared nearly verbatim in every other cougar report of late.
“The Conservation Officer Service (COS) has shared a cougar sighting in the Tamarisk / Bayshores area,” the RMOW said, on behalf of the COS. “The COS reports they are continuing
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
to monitor and assess cougar activity and will respond as necessary to ensure public safety.”
That was it. No specifics, no chance to ask follow-up questions directly—just a couple vague sentences dashed off by some unknown person, presumably the overworked Conservation Officer who attended the scene.
(Before we continue, it’s worth saying here that none of this is meant to demonize the BC COS, the hard job they’re doing with limited resources, or the difficult decisions they often have to make—it’s purely about transparency, effective communication, and by extension, proper resourcing from higher up.)
After Pique followed up with the Ministry of Environment, a couple more lines of info were provided.
“There was a cougar hanging around a bus stop and car park area in Whistler last night,” a spokesperson said.
“We cannot confirm if it’s the same cougar(s) behind the recent activity in Whistler. Not much we can add but wanted to give a heads up.”
Why that info wasn’t provided to the RMOW in the first place—or shared directly with media, for that matter—we can’t say.
But this type of bare-bones report has been the norm for some time. Pique has not received direct communication from an actual Conservation Officer in nearly two years,
despite repeated requests to rectify that issue.
It wasn’t always this way. For the first nine years of my tenure at Pique, COs would email us directly, and be happy to discuss reports, answer follow-up questions, and provide public guidance. As both a news enjoyer and a journalist, I can tell you for a fact those stories were far better than what we’re now able to produce. I never considered the relationship to be strained, and always enjoyed talking with our local COs. But maybe they feel different.
Could it be that they took offence to some of Pique’s recent coverage? A Stefan Labbé cover feature that ran in July 2022, with the headline “A culture of killing?” perhaps? Or maybe it was the story Pique ran featuring a tourist’s first-hand perspective of an old, emaciated bear being killed in Whistler Village (a perspective we have never had before. Usually it’s just the COS’ version of things).
Maybe they just don’t like that we’ve stopped using their sanitized language (sorry, but bears are not “destroyed”—they are killed or euthanized).
Or maybe it is purely a matter of resources—it’s no secret local COs cover a vast territory, with more calls than officers to respond.
supporting community-wide efforts to reduce conflict and keep both people and wildlife safe. We leave the work of wildlife management—and communicating that work—to the professionals within the COS and Ministry of Environment who hold that expertise.”
But the fact remains most of Pique’s information about wildlife encounters now comes second-hand through the RMOW.
It’s concerning for a few reasons— timeliness, accuracy and transparency chief among them—but sadly it’s not surprising, and the COS isn’t the only organization guilty of this kind of communication.
Under the current way of doing things, Pique can’t rely on getting accurate, timely information to you, the public—the ones who pay the COS’ salaries—in the manner you deserve. We can’t ask pertinent follow-up questions directly to the source, for example, but instead must go through Ministry of Environment communications officials, who have a habit of ignoring interview requests (and even certain questions asked by reporters) in favour of sending along the bare bullet points.
Take ‘em or leave ‘em.
Whatever the reasoning, the fact of the matter is Pique no longer receives firsthand accounts from Conservation Officers themselves. The COS sends its reports to the RMOW, which then sends them on to media.
Asked for official comment, an RMOW communications official had this to say: “The RMOW is strongly supportive of the Conservation Officer Service and we will continue to share relevant information on their behalf in a timely manner within our working hours. As a BearSmart community, our role is primarily preventative, with our coordinators providing public education on proper co-existence with wildlife and
This was after the COS sent a report of a bear in Creekside accessing homes to the RMOW, which then informed Pique. Our story on the bear had 500 views before the RMOW made the notice public.
“For example, with regards to the Creekside incident referenced, officers canvassed and connected with area residents for their awareness. If there is an urgent concern for public safety, the COS will immediately inform the public via its own social media channels and ensure this information is received by its municipality and law enforcement partners, as well as local media,” the Ministry spokesperson said in response.
“The COS is confident its current practices, which include regular communication with RMOW, are sufficient to inform the public of any bear activity. As noted, the COS can escalate the distribution of information, should a specific situation require it.”
But cutting off journalists from direct access—instituting another government middle-man, or maybe even two, who often ignores reporter questions, and declines to set up interviews or even acknowledge the request for one—is doing the public a disservice.
It allows the government and its officials to completely control the messaging, when it
Pique has requested on multiple occasions to have wildlife reports sent directly to media—and every time, we’ve been ignored or hand-waved away.
“Conservation Officers work closely with the RMOW through their wildlife alert program, which disseminates information on bears to the community, as necessary. In some incidents, depending on circumstances, signage will be installed advising people that a bear is in the area. Conservation Officers may also canvass area neighbourhoods,” a Ministry of Environment spokesperson said in response to Pique raising the issue last year, after a three-week delay in responding.
goes out, what it contains.
Again—none of this is to demonize Conservation Officers, and this problem is not at all exclusive to the COS. Every provincial ministry is guilty of ignoring interview requests and specific questions from local media in favour of canned talking points and sometimes useless bullet points.
But no matter the ministry, the public deserves better. The government will never agree with this take (can you believe it?) but more transparency—open and timely, warts and all—is always better than less, in the end. Want to build public trust? Be transparent. It really is that simple. n
‘Disappointed’ in focus on helmetless bike riders
As both a practicing family physician and as an environmentally-concerned citizen, I am disappointed to learn that the RCMP is directing some of its limited resources towards the enforcement of our unfortunate mandatory bicycle helmet law. I can appreciate the potential value of wearing a helmet for recreational riders on trails where the risk of head injury is relatively high. But unless our local police force has a fleet of electric mountain bikes at its disposal, I imagine that most of the victims of this witch hunt will be innocent people riding our local streets and roads, just trying to get from point A to point B, favouring a quiet, healthy, harmless and environmentally-friendly mode of transport.
A direct result of car culture’s windshield perspective of road safety, bicycle helmet law delivers a clear message to the public: “If you should choose to ride a bicycle without a helmet, YOU MIGHT SUFFER SERIOUS BRAIN DAMAGE OR DEATH.” Sounds like something you’d read on a pack of cigarettes. Confronted with this information, the reasonable person naturally chooses to forego utilitarian cycling altogether in favour of the perceived safety of our society’s default option: driving. Yet cycling is much healthier than smoking! In fact, despite a transportation system designed for cars rather than for human beings,
cycling is actually healthier than DRIVING! Indeed, the average regular cyclist lives longer than the average motorist.
I have a question for authorities who wish to impose bike helmets on everyone, all the time: what ultimately is a more effective strategy to minimize brain injuries, protection or prevention?
If the answer is self-evident, then I wonder why politicians are so reluctant to implement and enforce measures to make cycling safer? The primary threat to cyclists and all other vulnerable road users is of course motorists. For every silly police ticket issued
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Just like local government representatives, MLAs and MPs work year-round (aside from a standard few days of annual leave) while the Legislative Assembly in Victoria and Parliament in Ottawa are in recess.
to a helmetless cyclist, that is one less ticket for dangerous motor traffic violations such as speeding, illegal overtakes, distracted driving and accelerating through yellow lights.
Thomas DeMarco MD // Whistler
Elected reps still ‘hard at work’ over summer: MLA Valeriote
I am writing to assure local residents that their elected representatives are still hard at work even when their legislative bodies are not sitting.
“Our provincial constituency office is open year-round.”
- JEREMY VALERIOTE
The focus of the representative’s role simply shifts. While the Leg is in session my work is mostly focused on examining and debating proposed legislation and meeting with provincial organizations and other representatives. Outside of these sessions, we have more time to hear from local constituents, stakeholders and organizations in our respective communities. Both are important functions of the role, as my work in the constituency plays a large part in informing my work in the Leg, and vice versa.
Our provincial constituency office is open year-round. Constituents can drop in at the Squamish Adventure Centre 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., email at jeremy.valeriote.mla@leg.bc.ca or phone 778-655-5768 or 1-888-424-1658. Jeremy Valeriote // MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky n
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Everything, for everyone, everywhere: Whistler marks 50 years with blowout
summer bash
FROM RETRO DANCE PARTIES TO STAR-GAZING SOCIALS, THE RMOW’S FOUR-DAY 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PROMISES SOMETHING FOR EVERY AGE AND INTEREST—PLUS A FEW SURPRISES STILL UNDER WRAPS
BY LIZ MCDONALD
WHISTLER’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY celebration is shaping up to be an allencompassing, village-wide spectacle, as municipal staff finalize plans for a packed fourday festival this August with events spanning trivia shows, pop-up art, live music and even a lakeside outdoor cinema.
“You won’t be able to avoid our celebrations—even if you try,” said Karen Elliott, the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) general manager of community engagement, at the July 8 council meeting. “All roads will lead toward the Whistler Olympic Plaza.”
Scheduled to run from Thursday, Aug. 21 through Sunday, Aug. 24, the anniversary launch weekend is designed around a hybrid model of programming that will activate both the village core and several municipal parks, in addition to leveraging events in the fall and winter for extended celebration.
The festival’s tagline, “From Trailblazers to Tomorrow Makers,” highlights the community’s twin goals of honouring its past and investing in the next generation of leaders, creatives, and changemakers.
“This is really a celebration about doing both—looking back and acknowledging and expressing gratitude for those who were here
before us, and getting excited about those who will start to lead us into the next 50 years,” Elliott said.
A FULL WEEKEND OF FREE PROGRAMMING
Thursday night, Aug. 21, kicks off with a family-friendly retro dance party headlined by Halifax-based DJ duo PINEO & LOEB and special guests, with an opening set by DJ Foxy Moron. Guests are encouraged to wear gear
markets, giveaways, and all-ages hangout zones encircling the Olympic Plaza lawn. Programming begins at 1 p.m. with welcome remarks from council, followed by a Whistler 50th Trivia Show, a Trailblazers panel, and a mass sing-along led by Canadian group Choir! Choir! Choir!
“We’re going to be learning a song—to be revealed—and the whole community will sing it together, live,” Elliott said. “They’ll make people laugh, they’ll make people dance, and they are certainly going to make people sing.”
“You won’t be able to avoid our celebrations—even if you try. All roads will lead toward the Whistler Olympic Plaza.”
- KAREN ELLIOTT
from their favourite decade or après-ski attire in a nod to Whistler’s quirky mountain culture.
Friday night features a headlining Whistler Summer Concert Series set by the Sam Roberts Band, which has strong ties to the community after performing at both the original and post-pandemic re-openings of Whistler Olympic Plaza. DJ Whitness will open the show.
Saturday’s theme is “Picnic with Trailblazers and Tomorrow Makers,” with
PARKS, PUPPIES AND THE ‘SUNSET SOCIAL’
On Sunday, attention shifts to local parks. Rebagliati Park hosts WAGFest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with dog-friendly activities and photo ops, while the Audain Art Museum offers programming in its meadow and outdoor spaces.
Rainbow Park will feature casual sports pop-ups from 2 to 5 p.m., including acro yoga, volleyball and even an in-lake sound bath.
“We want people to try something they maybe haven’t done before, with fellow community members,” Elliott said. “It’s not for hardcore athletes … it’s about connection.”
The grand finale, dubbed the “Sunset Social at Lost Lake,” aims to resonate especially with Whistler’s 20- to 35-year-old demographic. Subject to toad migration (with Meadow Park on standby), the event includes illuminated installations, circus arts, an outdoor cinema, contemporary dancers and star-gazing with telescopes guided by an astronomer.
FALL PROGRAMMING, MUSEUM EXHIBIT AND HANDOVER TO WINTER
Beyond August, the RMOW is supporting additional community-led 50th events throughout the fall via microgrants distributed by the Whistler Community Foundation. The Whistler Museum will host a special exhibit during launch weekend exploring the founding of the RMOW and kick-off a capital campaign for a new museum building.
Arts Whistler is developing a mentorship program pairing emerging and established artists to co-create work for a show running from Sept. 6—the day the RMOW was officially incorporated in 1975—to Oct. 4. A community celebration led by RMOW staff and council is also in the works for fall.
Whistler Blackcomb is collaborating with the RMOW on a “handover” event this winter to align with its own 60th anniversary, which Elliott hinted will “have a little fun” as one legacy milestone rolls into the next. n
Whistler transit fare changes discussed amid rising costs
ALL BUT ONE MEMBER OF COUNCIL SUPPORTS STAFF
RECOMMENDATION
TO RAISE FARES AND PHASE OUT SELECT PASS TYPES
BY LIZ MCDONALD
WHISTLER TRANSIT users may pay a little more starting Oct. 1.
Following a comprehensive fare review led by BC Transit and municipal staff, Whistler council voted last month to receive a fare review report which could see an increase in transit fares for the first time since 2011 and phase out the 10-Ride Pass and 30-Day Concession Pass for students and seniors.
The changes are part of a broader push to improve cost recovery amid inflation, service expansions and growing operational demands. Most of council endorsed a staffrecommended option that raises the adult cash fare by 25 cents to $2.75, and increases the 30-Day Pass by $5 to $55.
Funding for the Whistler Transit System (WTS) is shared between the province (46.69 per cent) and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (53.31 per cent), with RMOW contributions supported through a mix of fare revenue, parking fees, hotel taxes, advertising and property tax.
“This is how we pay for our 31-bus system—approximately 86,000 hours of transit service,” said transportation demand management coordinator Emma DalSanto at the June 24 council meeting.
HISTORIC FARE CONTEXT AND RIDER HABITS
Transit in Whistler launched in the winter of 1991-92 with cash fares set at $1.25 and monthly passes priced at $50. The fare has only increased three times since then—in 1995, 2007 and 2011. A notable fare decrease occurred in 2017, when the 30-Day Pass was reduced from $65 to $50 to align with the cost of monthly parking in Day Lots 1 to 5.
That fare strategy was designed to support a broader transportation shift toward sustainable travel by making transit more competitive with vehicle use.
BC Transit estimates if fares had kept pace with inflation, the current adult cash fare would be $3.42.
WHAT’S PROPOSED
Under the new fare structure:
• Cash fares rise to $2.75 from $2.50;
• The 30-Day Adult Pass increases to $55 from $50;
• The 10-Ride Pass will be eliminated in favour of a new Umo DayPASS system that automatically caps fares after a second tap in one day;
• The 30-Day Concession Pass will also be eliminated, though six- and 12-month concession passes remain.
The decision to cut the 30-Day Concession Pass stems from Umo fare card data, which revealed an unusual spike in concession pass
purchases. “Our community hasn’t changed, or suddenly gotten a ton more seniors and students,” DalSanto said, suggesting some customers were self-identifying without verification.
Whistler students already ride for free through a separate program. The six-month and 12 month passes must be purchased at municipal hall, which ensures staff can verify buyers qualify.
“This is how we pay for our 31-bus system— approximately 86,000 hours of transit service.”
- EMMA DALSANTO
PUBLIC FEEDBACK AND EQUITY CONCERNS
The fare review included an online survey with 440 responses. Fewer than a third of respondents agreed passenger fares should increase to reduce the need for higher property taxes. Many respondents suggested parking revenues should play a larger role in transit funding.
Several residents also pointed out that a monthly parking pass for Day Lots 4 and 5 is cheaper than a 30-Day transit pass, which could incentivize driving.
Councillor Jessie Morden, the lone vote against receiving the fare report, voiced concern about affordability. “Wages aren’t going up, rent is going up, everything is going up,” she said. “Twenty-five cents, or $5 might not seem like a lot to us—but people are telling us different.”
NEW PASS OPTIONS IN THE WORKS
Staff are working with BC Transit to introduce new fare products tailored to Whistler’s needs. These include:
• A ProPASS and EcoPASS, which would allow employers to offer discounted transit passes to staff through payroll deduction;
• A Multi-User DayPASS, enabling groups of up to four people to ride using one Umo account—ideal for visiting families;
• A Pemberton-Whistler Multi-System Pass to address a gap left by the elimination of the Pemberton-Commuter Top-Up when Umo was introduced in June 2024.
The proposed Multi-User DayPASS would be priced at the cost of three individual passes plus $1.
If approved, the updated fares will be included in the 2025-26 AOA. n
Fundraiser launched for family of man swept away in Cheakamus River on Canada Day
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR ILLYA RECHYTSKYY, 65, WHO WAS VISITING WHISTLER FROM ISRAEL
BY LIZ MCDONALD
A GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN has been launched to help ease the financial burden on the family of Illya Rechytskyy, a 65-year-old man who was swept away by the Cheakamus River’s strong current on July 1.
The fundraiser, created by Laura Henrist, aims to raise $5,000 to cover essential costs such as accommodations and other expenses while the family remains in Whistler to support the search. As of July 8, Pique’s weekly deadline, it had reached more than 50 per cent of its goal.
“We are launching this fundraiser to support Illya’s family during this unimaginably difficult time,” the page states. “Your donations will help ease the financial strain—covering essential expenses, accommodations, and allowing them to focus fully on the ongoing search for Illya.”
The campaign also encourages community members to help by sharing the fundraiser, even if they’re unable to donate.
To contribute, visit gofundme.com/f/helpsupport-the-family-of-illya-rechytskyy.
Rechytskyy, a visitor from Israel, was last seen being carried downstream near the Cheakamus Crossing area, according to witnesses. He had been visiting family in Whistler with his wife, according to his daughter, Veronika Misyura, after the family’s
return flight to Israel was postponed due to ongoing conflict in the region.
“We actually just celebrated his birthday here in Whistler on June 15,” Misyura told Pique. “He is an Israeli citizen and also originally from Ukraine.”
Since the incident, Misyura and her husband, Roman, have coordinated daily
search efforts along the river between the Cheakamus Crossing entry bridge and Daisy Lake. They’ve been joined by the RCMP, Whistler Search and Rescue, and a group of licensed and volunteer drone operators. Helicopters have also been deployed.
Volunteers are urged to follow safety precautions while helping: maintain a safe
distance from the water’s edge, search in groups, leave children at home, and only bring dogs if they are trained and under control. Binoculars are recommended for improved visibility along the riverbanks.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 604-932-3044 and reference file number #WP2025-3432. n
Myrtle Philip grizzly sighting in 2023 held up as ‘success story’
WHISTLER BEAR WORKING GROUP PROVIDES UPDATE TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
WHEN REPORTS OF a grizzly bear hanging around Whistler’s Myrtle Philip Community School began to surface in October 2023, many in the community were rightfully on edge.
But nearly two years later, the case is now held up by the Resort Municipality of Whistler as a coexistence success story.
“That was one of our first real interactions with the grizzly bear within our community,” said Dale Mikkelsen, general manager of climate action, planning and development services, in a presentation to the July 8 committee of the whole. “So we want to start telling that success story.”
The incident is a good example of how a community can coexist with wildlife, Mikkelsen said.
“Understanding there was a bear located near Myrtle Philip school, particularly around the Halloween period, engaging that community actively, giving that bear space to just do what a bear does, teaching the community about that, minimizing the number of lookers and people trying to observe the bear,” Mikkelsen said.
“The bear has now been tracked. It happily
moved on, and is living its best bear life in the alpine sector, and that was through communication. So rather than having to say, tranquilize the bear, move the bear, or have the bear become a hazard bear, that spatial separation, that learning and education, the community allowed that bear to move on to its regular existence.”
It’s just one of several high-profile wildlife sightings in the resort in recent years, not all of which had such favourable outcomes. Mikkelsen referenced the incident in Kadenwood earlier this year, in which a mother bear was killed and three cubs abandoned after she attacked a woman walking her dog.
“There’s been a lot of learning from that and a lot of shared collaboration among the [Whistler Bear] Working Group, as well as among the folks who were a part of that story and those that care deeply about that story on the internet and social media,” Mikkelsen said. “So there’s been a lot of work in debriefing that action.”
The Whistler Bear Working Group—“a pretty diverse group of very knowledgeable individuals” that includes Conservation Officers, police, Whistler Blackcomb, waste management, AWARE, municipal staff, and members at large—meets monthly, and in 2024, its biggest task was reviewing the local grizzly bear mitigation strategy, Mikkelsen said.
Looking forward, the group aims to establish Whistler-specific bear-viewing guidelines.
“There’s a good collaboration with the bearviewing operators in town, as well as consulting with the province,” Mikkelsen said. “And the goal here is to get those folks to all sign on to a standard set of guidelines and operating principles so that bears are treated with respect and we keep them happily in our community.”
One recent addition that may “seem like a novel little add-on, but it’s quite important,” is new Ministry of Transportation signage installed in the Callaghan, he added.
“We’re starting to have a lot of looky-lous driving up and down the Callaghan, as bears frequent the boulevards and sides of roads there, because things are delicious, especially early season,” Mikkelsen said. “And that signage has helped cars that are viewing bears understand that they just need to move along and let them snack in peace.”
The RMOW also plans to continue offering support with bear education and communication, and “that’s anywhere from schools to door-knocking in sort of bearpresent communities, etc., and then input into community bear management best practices,” Mikkelsen said. “So we really need to be always getting better at debriefing our bear incidences, working with communities to
identify those attractant issues, provide bearsighting updates in a way that doesn’t mean, ‘Come look at the bears,’ but in a way that we understand how bears are moving through our community and our valley.”
After the presentation, Councillor Cathy Jewett noted the sharp increase in reports of a different animal this year.
“Are we limiting ourselves too much by just thinking about bears? Because there’s a new critter in town—the cougar. Actually, there’s been cougars here for a long time. And I mean, the feline type, of course,” Jewett quipped. “Has there been any thought about including them in some of our mitigation efforts and including them in the agenda of the Bear Working Group?” Coun. Arthur De Jong, who sits on the Bear Working Group, gave a shout-out to Conservation Officers in Whistler.
“They never miss a meeting. They give us the essential information on recent wildlife conflicts, and in this case … they went in-depth in the meeting with respect to our current challenge with mountain lions,” De Jong said. “It is very unusual. I mean, [Jewett and I] both have a 40-plus, 50-year history here, and it’s just been the odd sighting. This is very unique, and our COs will provide whatever level of focus is required. And I feel our group is always well-advised by the COs.” n
MISSING Illya Rechytskyy was last seen July 1 at 5 p.m. near the Cheakamus River Bridge in Whistler.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VERONIKA MISYURA
Whistler Blackcomb Foundation announces spring grant recipients
NON-PROFITS IN the Sea to Sky are once again getting a boost thanks to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation (WBF).
The WBF announced its spring intake grant funding recipients on July 7.
Topping the list was the Squamish Search and Rescue Society, which received $75,000 to help fund the steel framework for its new facility. The structure will house rescue equipment and vehicles and serve as a communications hub for coordinating complex operations and tasks.
The Whistler Community Services Society was awarded $60,000 to support food security and community outreach services programs supporting Whistler’s most vulnerable.
The Whistler Search and Rescue Society, meanwhile, received $50,000 to help with the purchase of a new side-by-side Utility Terrain Vehicle, allowing for effective search-andrescue operations in remote areas with varied and steep terrain, while Whistler Secondary
School also received $50,000 to support the school’s planned fitness and training centre.
Pemberton Search and Rescue was awarded $41,000 to support the acquisition of a Remotely Piloted Aerial System—a robust, portable drone designed for public safety operations, equipped with advanced capabilities to support both operational tasks and training.
A grant of $30,000 went to PearlSpace Support Services Society to help fund its Counselling Subsidy Program sessions, and another $30,000 was granted to Mountain Muskox to further establish its Sea to Sky chapter.
Several other groups were awarded grants of up to $25,000, including the Axemen Rugby Club; Junior Achievement of British Columbia; Pemberton BMX Society; Pemberton Off Road Cycling Association; Pemberton Youth Soccer Association; Signal Hill Elementary; Squamish Helping Hands Society; The Whistler Writing Society; Whistler Field Hockey Club; and the Whistler Independent Supported Housing Society.
“We are incredibly grateful to the many individuals and businesses whose continued
support drives the success of our fundraising efforts. The commitment we see year after year is truly inspiring,” said WBF executive director Mei Madden, in a release. “We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Whistler Blackcomb and Vail Resorts EpicPromise, TELUS, and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for their very generous and ongoing support of our mission. We remain dedicated to funding organizations that make a lasting impact in our community, and it is deeply rewarding to help these groups continue their vital work.”
The WBF’s next big fundraiser, the Telus Golf Classic, is set for Sept. 5 at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club.
Read more about the WBF, and make a donation, at whistlerblackcombfoundation.com.
SUMMER PAVING UNDERWAY
Drivers in Whistler can expect some delays this month, as the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) 2025 road reconstruction work is now underway.
The RMOW is focusing on four main stretches of local roads with this year’s
workplan: Lorimer Road, from Balsam Way to Piccolo Road; Blackcomb Way, from Glacier Drive to the bridge; and Blackcomb Way northbound, from Sundial Crescent to the Pan Pacific, and from Chateau Blvd to the bus stop.
Alpine Paving is doing the work, with Lorimer scheduled to be completed by Friday, July 11. Crews will be working 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
“During construction, vehicular traffic may experience minor delays and congestion. Before construction starts, notices will be given to affected residents, businesses, schools, and services,” reads the RMOW’s project page.
“Construction activities will also result in equipment noise and an increase in the number of construction vehicles. Minor delays and single-lane alternating traffic may occur throughout the project duration. To ensure safety and smooth traffic flow, traffic control personnel will be present on-site. We kindly ask everyone to follow their instructions and adhere to all construction signs.”
The RMOW’s 2025 project list included a budget of $1,290,000 for road upgrades. n
Swimmer’s itch outbreak at Alta Lake raises concerns over broken showers
A WHISTLER FAMILY SAYS INADEQUATE SIGNAGE AND NON-FUNCTIONING SHOWERS AT RAINBOW PARK LED TO PAINFUL RASHES AFTER A SUMMER SWIM. THE RMOW SAYS REPAIRS ARE NOW COMPLETE
BY LIZ MCDONALD
AFTER PAUL HECHT and his family waded into the waters of Alta Lake at Whistler’s Rainbow Park the weekend before Canada Day, they left with more than memories of an afternoon swim—they came home with swimmer’s itch.
“It’s beautiful and the lake is wonderful, except for its dangers… My kids enjoy it. It’s great for kids and adults. It’s accessible by bike or walking or even transit and car, and it’s got beautiful views of the mountains. It’s one of the best places in Canada,” Hecht said.
But the newly renovated park’s showers weren’t working—a problem Hecht had noticed the day prior on a bike ride, when tape blocked off the facilities.
“I figured, well, they would remedy this at some point. And then we went the next day,” he said.
As the sun beat down, many others were swimming in the lake. When Hecht asked a grounds crew worker for information about the showers, they couldn’t provide any.
“So my wife and I sort of deliberated and determined, well, they wouldn’t be so irresponsible, after spending all this money, to let all these people be exposed to this without remedy. There was no signage by the showers. There was nothing by the public toilets.”
Hecht also noted that the hot, prolonged weather often associated with swimmer’s
itch hadn’t occurred yet—another factor in his assumption conditions were safe.
“I put my son in a little blow-up raft, and I clipped it to my paddle board and towed him across the whole lake. He actually didn’t even swim, he was just sort of bobbing in the water from the raft. And that turned out to be disastrous,” he said.
“He woke up in the middle of the night
after swimming,’ yeah, which I felt kind of humorous, because there was no way to wash thoroughly,” Hecht said.
The RMOW confirmed signage warning of swimmer’s itch is posted at the beach’s entrance, but said in an email there are no plans to install additional notices at this time.
Staff discovered the broken showers in mid-
“He woke up in the middle of the night in agony, and we were really dismayed to see his entire backside just covered, there must have been 50 welts.”
- PAUL HECHT
in agony, and we were really dismayed to see his entire backside just covered, there must have been 50 welts.”
Hecht began to show symptoms himself about 24 hours later, and his wife developed a milder case.
While the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) does post signage at the park advising swimmers to rinse off after being in the water, the showers were not functioning.
“It says, ‘Please wash thoroughly
May, when they attempted to turn on the water supply. Initially, it was believed the concrete slab had shifted over the winter, crushing the water lines and damaging the valves.
“As it turns out, the lines were not crushed, coring was not necessary, and the repair went better than expected,” a municipal communications official wrote.
The showers were repaired on July 4 and 7 and are expected to remain functional for the rest of the summer.
The repairs cost roughly $500, and the showers originally cost $13,451 to install.
“We had other higher priorities in May and June to get our parks ready for summer, including installing new docks at Lakeside and Wayside parks, which had specific permit timelines attached,” the official added.
According to HealthLink BC, swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction to tiny parasites called schistosomes that spend part of their life cycle in snails and waterfowl, and tend to concentrate in shallow, warm water near the shore. The larvae can burrow into human skin but die shortly after, triggering an itchy rash that appears within minutes to days of exposure and usually clears within about a week. Preventing it involves avoiding shallow, weed-filled areas, towelling off or showering immediately after swimming, and applying a greasy barrier—such as waterproof sunscreen or baby oil—to inhibit parasite penetration.
For added protection, Parks Canada recommends steering clear of beaches where swimmer’s itch has been reported, rinsing thoroughly in fresh water after exiting the lake, and drying with a towel—especially for children, who are more susceptible according to HealthLink BC.
If a rash occurs, over-the-counter remedies such as antihistamines, hydrocortisone creams, oatmeal or bakingsoda baths, and soothing lotions can help ease symptoms. Repeated exposures may heighten sensitivity, making prevention through awareness and prompt post-swim cleaning crucial. n
SLRD top salaries rise again as total staff payout nears $5.2M in 2024
A TOTAL OF 33 EMPLOYEES EARNED MORE THAN $75,000 IN 2024
BY LUKE FAULKS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
THE SQUAMISH-LILLOOET Regional District (SLRD) has released its 2024 financial statements, revealing a continued rise in spending and remuneration across the organization as the regional district juggles a growing slate of capital projects, planning initiatives and emergency management demands.
Total expenses for the year reached $19.5 million, an increase of nearly $1.1 million over 2023 and $3.4 million higher than in 2022.
Remuneration for SLRD employees saw a noticeable jump, with $5.15 million paid out in wages, taxable benefits, and expenses in 2024, up from $4.55 million in 2023 and $3.91 million in 2022.
BOARD COSTS ALSO TRENDING UP
Payments to the SLRD board of directors and alternates also rose, with $358,631 in total remuneration and expenses reported in 2024, compared to $322,508 in 2023 and $290,109 in 2022.
Board chair Jen Ford earned $39,739 in remuneration, with vice-chair Vivian BirchJones close behind at $36,803.
Notably, director expenses increased by
nearly 37 per cent in 2024, rising to $48,276 from $35,338 in 2023. Director Sal DeMare (Area A) reported the highest board expenses at $15,608—a figure Birch-Jones noted during the meeting was exceptional among directors largely due to his shouldering the expenses associated with driving during carpools.
Directors DeMare and Laurie Hopf
organizations and local governments continued to rise, hitting $5 million in 2024— up from $4.53 million in 2023.
Notable recipients in 2024 included the Village of Pemberton ($1.65 million), District of Squamish ($1.44 million), Pemberton & District Public Library ($409,109), and the Lillooet and Area Public Library Association ($327,824).
“We still want the transparency, we still want to be accountable to the public, but in small towns it can be really problematic for privacy and security.”
- JEN FORD
both suggested future SOFI reports include breakdowns of where expenses went to help inform the public.
Ford added that more clearly outlining expenses can help the SLRD accurately budget for director expenses in the years ahead. She cited the example of needing hotels for Lillooet directors to prevent their driving back and forth, particularly during winter time when meetings occur two days in a row.
The SLRD’s financial support to partner
The district’s supplier costs show a significant year-over-year expansion. In 2024, the SLRD paid $11.4 million to suppliers with payments exceeding $25,000, up from $9 million in 2023.
MORE TOP EARNERS
A total of 33 employees earned more than $75,000 in 2024. Chief administrative officer Heather Paul once again led the pack with
$201,513 in remuneration and $12,374 in expenses, for a total compensation of $213,887.
The SLRD’s report notes employee totals include vacation payouts, taxable benefits and retroactive pay increases—not just base salary. Further, expense figures cover costs such as training, event registrations, travel and professional accreditation.
Squamish director Chris Pettingill questioned whether there were any efforts to raise the $75,000 threshold for having an SLRD employee’s name and pay published in the annual financial report—particularly given the threshold was set in 2002 and hasn’t been adjusted to match inflation.
Ford cited two previous Union of BC Municipalities resolutions in 2019 to address the issue. One, to omit an employee’s name and just attribute the wages to the job title, and another to raise the threshold for disclosure to a yet-to-be-determined figure. Those resolutions, Ford said, “probably went into a long list of things for UBCM staff to negotiate with the province on.”
“We still want the transparency, we still want to be accountable to the public, but in small towns it can be really problematic for privacy and security,” said Ford of the issue.
The full 2024 financial disclosure document is available for public inspection through the SLRD website and office, as required under the Financial Information Act. n
VILLAGE EYES HOUSING ACCELERATION, INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AND STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS WITH LIL’WAT NATION MOVING FORWARD
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
THE VILLAGE OF Pemberton’s 2024 Annual Report, released last month, details a yearlong push on affordable housing, critical infrastructure and regional transportation.
Among the highlights are the Village’s moves to accelerate housing development.
In March of 2024, the Village of Pemberton (VOP) secured $2.7 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to fast-track the building of 98 housing units over three years and 1,995 homes in the next decade. That funding came with a commitment to deliver on eight key initiatives aimed at boosting supply by reducing red tape around development, most of which the Village completed last year.
As part of the work, the VOP updated its zoning to permit small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) on all single-family lots. Parking minimums were reduced, pre-zoning for higher densities was adopted and new incentives were introduced to encourage the development of purpose-built rental housing.
The Village adopted a new housing strategy
in November 2024 to guide the work covered by the $2.7 million HAF grant. Pemberton’s strategic direction under the plan includes updates to regulations and development approval processes.
Pemberton’s development pipeline also progressed last year. The Harrow Road project, led by Sea to Sky Community Services, received a building permit for 63 market and affordable housing units. The final building is set to host a Foundry community services location.
The Nkwúkwma Benchlands, Parkside and Hillside developments also advanced, following Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning amendments.
SERVICE UPGRADES
Infrastructure planning was another key priority.
The Village secured $6 million in federal funding for a long-planned water treatment facility, moving forward with detailed design work in 2024. Additional water infrastructure upgrades included well redevelopment, pressure valve retrofits and significant paving works.
Work on the new treatment plant is a major step in addressing Pemberton’s aging water system, which has long been flagged as a barrier to future growth. It will also address the Village’s safe-but-higher-than-usual levels of manganese and iron.
Regional transportation saw a boost
in 2024 with the completion of Phase 1 of Pemberton’s Multi-Modal Transportation Hub. The new facility encourages residents to shift to carpooling, cycling and transit, and will be expanded in 2025 to include public washrooms, bike storage and gardens. The Village is currently seeking funding for the hub’s second phase, which aims to add a bus loop, lighting, EV chargers and concrete sidewalks.
The VOP also partnered with BC Transit to add 1,500 new hours of transit service on the Route 99 Commuter.
In pursuit of its climate goals, the Village installed two new electric vehicle charging stations downtown and expanded active transportation programming—including temporary street closures during community events to promote walking and cycling.
Pemberton Fire Rescue completed its new live-fire training facility in 2024 and provided five weeks of wildfire assistance across the province—including teaming up with Sechelt, Whistler and Squamish fire departments. The department responded to 436 calls last year, while also leading the community’s first evacuation exercise in the Tiyata neighbourhood.
The Village collaborated with the Pemberton Valley Dyking District to pursue further flood mitigation funding and contributed to the final planning report for the Meager Creek Landslide Debris Restoration Project.
Financially, the Village posted a surplus of $2.64 million in 2024, though its net financial
assets declined as it drew down reserves to fund major capital projects.
PARTNERSHIP WITH LIL’WAT NATION
A key project on hold since 2023—the Village’s OCP review—remains on hold as the Village and Lil’wat Nation work toward a new protocol agreement to guide their collaboration.
The annual report said communities made progress on the agreement in 2024 by developing a draft framework and forming a joint steering committee. They also partnered on a Complete Communities Assessment, aiming to improve planning coordination between Pemberton and Mount Currie. Community engagement on the assessment is planned for 2025.
The Village also attended the fourth annual Nukw7ántwal Regional Gathering—an event that aims to strengthen the connections between First Nations and local governments like the VOP and SLRD. The Village also marked its first ‘Lunch and Learn’ session on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, hosted by Dr. Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams.
Looking ahead, Village officials say they will continue to focus on emergency preparedness, infrastructure renewal and strengthening partnerships with the Lil’wat Nation as they work to accommodate a growing population.
The Village’s annual report is available online on its website or at Municipal Hall during regular office hours. n
REPORT IN The Village’s 2024 Annual Report is available online and at municipal hall during regular office hours.
Join our Board of Directors!
Join the Whistler Community Services Society Board of Directors and play an essential role in guiding, creating and building the future of this vital and dynamic community social service organization whose mission is to support and advocate for a healthy community
Successful candidates will have a strong background in one or more of:
• Financial Management
• Risk Management
• Board Governance
As well as the capacity and interest to grow into a leadership role New Board Directors must be able to attend a monthly board meeting (can occasionally attend virtually), and a monthly committee meeting (mainly virtual attendance), as well as time to support the work of the board
To apply, please submit the following to info@mywcss.org by July 25, 2025:
1. Board Director application form available at: mywcss org/about-wcss/employment/
2. Your current resume and references
The initial term is to September 2027 Board meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month
All applicants will be contacted. If you would like assistance with the application process, send your question via email to info@mywcss.org and we will make a WCSS Board Director available to you as an advisor
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We welcome applications f rom all qualif ied candidates!
‘Ghost’ landed at last: record-breaking sturgeon caught and released near Lillooet
LOCAL ANGLERS CELEBRATE ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CATCH OF 10-FOOT FISH SOUTH OF LILLOOET
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
AFTER MORE THAN a decade, the legendary Ghost has finally been caught.
On a guided expedition just south of Lillooet, River Monster Adventures (RMA) landed the biggest sturgeon in its history. The fish, nicknamed “Ghost” for his infrequent appearances, is a hulking, untagged white sturgeon measuring 10 feet, two inches long with a five-foot girth—outpacing RMA’s previous record holder, Pig Nose.
“Ghost is easily identified by his curled dorsal fins, a rare feature that indicates he’s a very old fish estimated to be over 120 years old,” RMA owner and boat captain Jeff Grimolfson wrote to Pique
“We believe we’ve seen him a couple of times over the years—either on our sonar or possibly breaching—but actual sightings have been rare.”
The catch, which took more than an hour to reel in, was the result of what Grimolfson called “a total team effort” involving himself, longtime clients Ian and Glen and deckhand Wynn.
“Everyone agreed it was the best day ever … and couldn’t stop talking about it! When we realized we had Ghost, everyone’s adrenaline was through the roof,” Grimolfson wrote. “To land a fish this size in our rocky waters is truly an accomplishment.”
Sturgeon of this size are exceptionally rare. Thanks to the team’s participation in the sturgeon conservation tagging program, Ghost’s capture may help researchers better understand the population health of this
ancient species. White sturgeon in the Fraser Basin are federally listed as threatened, and the population has been in long-term decline due to habitat loss, migration barriers and historical overfishing.
Ghost had never been tagged before— suggesting he had eluded both commercial and conservation crews for decades.
“When we realized we had Ghost, everyone’s adrenaline was through the roof.
- JEFF GRIMOLFSON
“We are strictly catch-and-release,” said Grimolfson of RMA. “We tagged Ghost and recorded all the relevant data before releasing him back into the river.”
Ghost now joins the ranks of mythical fish landed in the Lillooet region, an area known for producing river monsters of epic proportions. In 2016, RMA made headlines when it caught “Pig Nose,” a similarly massive sturgeon distinguished by his red nose. That fish weighed more than 600 pounds (272 kilograms) and was believed to be more than 80 years old.
As for Ghost?
“He’s now the talk of the town,” said Grimolfson. “To finally catch a fish we’ve been chasing for over a decade … it’s something none of us will ever forget.” n
DINOSAUR DAYS River Monster Adventures caught a white sturgeon measuring 10 feet and two inches long in July.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RIVER MONSTER ADVENTURES
A ‘regrettable substitution’
AS ON MOST DAYS, reading today’s news wasn’t an uplifting affair. As usual, the headline hogs of War, Disease, Hunger and Stupidity jostled for attention, but they had another disquieting item to wrestle with.
A research study had found that diquat—a substance banned in the U.K., EU, China and other countries but unregulated in the U.S. and Canada—can kill gut bacteria and
BY LESLIE ANTHONY
damage human organs in multiple ways. Bad enough given diquat’s cavalier use in North American crop fields, vineyards and orchards—even on aquatic plants—but worse when you consider it’s the ingredient being swapped for potentially carcinogenic glyphosate in Roundup and other herbicide products. Worse because the study found diquat is actually more toxic than glyphosate.
“From a human health perspective, this stuff is quite a bit nastier than glyphosate so we’re seeing a regrettable substitution, and the ineffective regulatory structure is allowing it,” said Nathan Donley, science director with the Center for Biological Diversity, which advocates for stricter pesticide regulations.
Sigh. Maybe this actually fit under the Stupidity banner after all.
It was certainly a kind of déjà vu that had me thinking about my own academic swan song in aquatic toxicology. That was back in 1995 when something went terribly wrong at a Minnesota farm pond.
And then again the next summer across the entire state. In the narrow band of time from spring to fall, between egg-laying and metamorphosis, whole populations of frogs took a wrong developmental step and turned up deformed. Schoolkids sounded the alarm and the North American media went wild because the photos were gruesome—multiple limbs, missing eyes, you name it. The public assumed, correctly, that deformed frogs weren’t a normal occurrence, that something in the water caused the deformities, and that if the water could do this to frogs, it could have harmful effects on people.
I was stationed in a lab at McGill University’s Redpath Museum at the time, and, coincidentally, had two years prior finished up an extensive investigation of
populations before they manifested either acute illness, physical dissonance, or death would be an important advance in wildlife management and conservation biology, and that’s where I came in. I’d been using a sensitive technology called Flow Cytometry (FCM) to look at DNA in salamanders with multiple sets of chromosomes, and it seemed perfect to screen for so-called invisible hazards like DNA damage that might result from chemicals. In a previous FCM study, variation among cellular DNA characteristic of replication error and “broken” chromosomes was demonstrated in a population of turtles exposed to low levels of radiation in the effluent ponds of nuclear power plants. A lab friend and I similarly hypothesized that both healthy-
The public assumed, correctly, that deformed frogs weren’t a normal occurrence...
this very phenomenon in the farm country of Québec’s St. Lawrence River Valley. Our study, then in press, would be the first to link pesticide use to deformities, acute and chronic toxicological effects, and abnormal DNA profiles in frogs. It was, to quote the study’s initiator, Martin Ouellet, who’d been tracking Frankenfrogs since 1992, “clear-cut.”
While parasites and UVB radiation were two other potential culprits behind the sick and scarily deformed frogs Ouellet had been finding, these were easily dismissed by the data. Ouellet, along with colleagues at the Canadian Wildlife Service, carefully collected data on every imaginable physical and physiological parameter in the frogs, as well as assessing the genotoxicity of water they were found in or near. The ability to identify toxically stressed animal
looking and deformed frogs from Ouellet’s populations would show similar increases in hidden DNA damage.
Ouellet spent the summer of 1993 collecting frogs from ponds and ditches adjacent to corn and potato fields subject to heavy rotation of pesticides and herbicides. Corn fields were treated with four major chemicals: atrazine, glyphosate and butylate in the spring, and later in the summer, carbofuran, a notorious mutagen whose severe toxic effects had sparked a World Wildlife Fund call for a total ban. This was alarming, but nothing compared to our discovery that potato crops required a toxic cocktail of 11 chemical treatments with linuron, metribuzin, phorate, azinphosmethyl, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, oxamyl, mancozeb, metalaxyl, chlorothalinol, and diquat (hello!). I list these not because of the
sheer molecular poetry of their names, nor to infer that each is a deadly toxin (some are likely safe, designed to break down quickly in the environment after completing their job). Rather, I list them because it’s the magnitude of this chemistry and its breakdown products, and how these might interact alone or in concert with other compounds and stressors, that should be under scrutiny. The application of so many substances together, each of which has at least some unpredictable consequence, has the effect of administering a vastly unpredictable drug to an equally unpredictable environment. The whole of it a giant, scary, uncontrolled experiment. For an amphibian, whose tissues and semipermeable skin is bathed in this chemical soup both in terrestrial adulthood and the watery womb of development, it’s a double whammy.
Our data yielded the expected revelations: 1) Both adult and juvenile frogs from ponds near corn fields showed a greater incidence of abnormal DNA in comparison with control (non-agricultural) sites, and physical deformities in juveniles were highly correlated with abnormal DNA profiles; 2) Adults from ponds near potato fields showed similar evidence of DNA damage while juveniles from these populations did not, suggesting there can be both acute and chronic effects of chemical exposure; 3) DNA damage was also apparent in normal-looking juvenile and adult frogs, and how this would affect them was unknown.
Like the diquat study in the news today, our study was published to much acclaim, the media glommed onto it, and I did the rounds of interviews for print, radio and TV, and then… nothing happened. No government did anything.
But that’s not news.
Leslie Anthony is a biologist, writer and author of several popular books on environmental science. n
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Get outside, meet people, have fun and save the world!
MOST PEOPLE CARE about the planet and each other. Yet we watch in dismay as moneyed and powerful forces destroy the natural systems our health and lives depend on. Addressing global heating and biodiversity loss—which affect everyone, but disproportionately the marginalized and vulnerable—requires those in government and industry to act with urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
That’s a challenge but, thanks to enlightened leadership in many governments and some sectors outside the fossil fuel industry, nations have made commitments and signed climate and biodiversity agreements. And many jurisdictions are shifting to
year and expects to plant 30,000 this year. Unfortunately, some have been destroyed by increasing wildfires as the planet heats, unlike previous years when trees were cut down for fuels, timber, mining and agriculture.
In New York, a non-profit founded by the multi-talented Bette Midler is enlisting volunteers to plant native chestnut saplings. Chestnuts were plentiful in the eastern United States until a blight from Asia killed billons in the early 1900s.
July 15
Doors open 6:45 pm - 8 PM @ Audain Art Museum
Trees sequester carbon and help stabilize climate, and cool and clean the air. They also provide food and shelter for insects, birds and other life, retain water and prevent erosion, flooding and landslides.
“Rewilding” projects worldwide have benefited ecosystems, climate and people.
BY DAVID SUZUKI
renewable energy much faster than expected as technologies improve and costs plummet.
But because we took so long to act, and our actions are still inadequate, we must focus on adaptation as well as slowing and reversing
Although we may feel powerless given the enormity of the climate and extinction crises, what we each do in our lives matters—for the
We understand the environmental benefits of reducing and recycling, using energy more efficiently, driving less and eating plant-based foods. But many ecoconscious actions also help us connect with others, get outside and have fun—often sparking widespread positive change.
Getting involved in environmental or rewilding initiatives can be fun. The Foundation’s Butterflies in My Backyard, or BIMBY, program has teamed up with iNaturalist to track and photograph butterflies and their habits, allowing “Rangers” to spend time outdoors exploring the world of these fascinating insects while contributing to a wider volume of knowledge. This also builds public awareness about pollinators, the threats they face and solutions.
Other community science projects include apps that identify birds, mushrooms or plants, with information added to a geographical database. Again, the user gets out into nature, learns about animals, plants and fungi and contributes to increased knowledge.
Any of these activities, but especially those that get us outside and connect us with others, are good for our well-being and can be part of the antidote to the despair, grief or anxiety that many understandably struggle
Although we may feel powerless ... what we each do in our lives matters— for the planet and our well-being.
Take pollinator gardens. Thanks to programs like the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project, gardens throughout the country are blooming with native, pollinator-friendly plants—from balconies and boulevards to backyards and schoolyards. These create corridors and habitat for butterflies, bees, birds and more, at a time when many face precarious declines. They also build community, beautify neighbourhoods and can supply food and herbs.
Local reforestation projects also provide tremendous benefits to communities and the planet.
In 1999, Armando López Pocol gathered volunteers and community members in Pachaj, in western Guatemala, to plant trees in an area devasted by decades of deforestation. The Chico Mendes Reforestation Project—named for the Brazilian eco-activist who fought for Indigenous rights and rainforest preservation until he was murdered by a cattle rancher in 1988—has planted as many as 25,000 trees a
with in the face of ecological emergency and other greed-fuelled local and global crises.
Sometimes, like a tree or flower seed planted, a small idea can bloom into something beautiful and strong. If we continue to plant seeds, literally and metaphorically, and encourage others to join us, we can grow a movement, restore nature, beautify our communities and use our growing numbers to push those in power to lead the way to a cleaner, better future.
Getting outdoors and connecting with others are just a few of the personal benefits we can enjoy while being part of a greater cause. What’s good for the planet is good for us all.
David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington.
Learn more at davidsuzuki.org. n
Join Dr. Suzanne Simard, author of Finding the Mother Tree, for a discussion on the ecological significance of Mother Trees in forest ecosystems. This talk emphasizes the crucial role these ecosystems play in local and global ecological health.
Price: $30 | AWARE Members receive 15% off
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
WHISTLER SHARES many parallels with its mountain-town cousin in Jasper, Alta.
Stunning mountain vistas, millions of annual tourists, forests as far as the eye can see.
And, in recent years, the colour of said forests.
In late 2017 and throughout 2018, the increasingly red-tinged forests surrounding Jasper started to make headlines.
In that case, the trees were killed by a mountain pine beetle infestation, sparking fire concerns among residents and researchers.
In 2024, those concerns turned into a nightmarish reality, when a lightning-caused wildfire burned through 33,000 hectares of forests, and the Jasper townsite itself, causing an estimated $1.23 billion in insurable damage.
Whistler watched with the rest of the world as Jasper burned, “heartbroken” for our alpine neighbours one province over—that other potential parallel placed squarely front of mind.
“My initial response is similar to most of us I expect… deep sadness,” said Mayor Jack Crompton in a statement to Pique at the time. “It does make me grateful for the comprehensive emergency planning we have done and motivates a desire to do even better.”
RED HERRING?
Luckily for Whistler, the parallels to Jasper don’t extend to the infestation itself.
Whereas Jasper’s trees were killed by mountain pine beetle, Whistler’s forests are currently dealing with an outbreak of Western spruce budworm—a native defoliator of interior Douglas-fir in British Columbia.
“Certain insects, like bark beetles—that’s what killed most of the trees in Jasper—they kind of outbreak and kill trees as a result of stand conditions,” explains Kate Mitchell, a provincial forest entomologist with the Ministry of Forests. “So if trees are unhealthy, they’ll go in and take advantage of that, and that leads to tree mortality. But defoliators are regulated by these predator/prey cycles, so we expect outbreaks to occur more or less around set periods of time.”
On the Coast or even in the Southern Interior, outbreaks of Western spruce budworm are expected about every 20 to 25 years, and can persist for five or six years at a time, “and then the populations kind of go down again,” Mitchell says. “That doesn’t mean that they’re not, like, around the forest chewing on things every once in a while, but just in terms of the really widespread, synchronous outbreaks, we kind of know when to expect those.”
While Whistler’s current outbreak began in 2023, Mitchell notes there weren’t many
Whistler’s trees are weathering an outbreak of Western spruce budworm—what comes next?
areas affected around the resort at that time.
According to Heather Beresford, executive director of Whistler’s Cheakamus Community Forest (CCF), the rapid spread came as a surprise.
“I’m not a forester, so for me, it kind of came out of the blue last summer, along with everybody else in the community, when we started seeing those trees turning red,” Beresford says.
Flash forward to 2025, and the impact is visible nearly everywhere.
“I think it should be something that we’re very aware of, and that it could have serious consequences on the forest health,” Beresford says—not just for the CCF, but throughout the Sea to Sky corridor and beyond.
“If those trees die, I don’t think you have to tell people that that’s not good from a variety of lenses, whether you look at it from forest health, from wildfire, First Nations cultural values and just pure aesthetics,” she says.
“So this is a big deal, and that’s why I’m pushing really hard to make sure the province can get through the public engagement piece on the pest management plan this year as best they can for my area of responsibility, because if 2026 rolls around and we see another big expansion of the infestation and trees starting to die, I want to be able to take action in our community to protect our forests.”
PAINTING THE TOWN RED
According to a CCF fact sheet, Western spruce budworm feeds primarily on Douglas-fir, though true firs, larch and spruce may also be affected.
“The caterpillars feed on the new needles, but will move onto the older needles if all new foliage is consumed. Trees appear reddish in colour once needles have been fed upon. Attack does slow down growth and can affect tree form,” it reads.
To hear it from Mitchell, the current outbreak is not altogether unexpected. The ministry has conducted regular aerial overview surveys of B.C.’s forests since 1999, compiling decades of historical data for insect infestation, disease, wildfire—”you name it, if it’s killing or damaging trees, we’ve been mapping it for a very long time,” Mitchell says.
Surveys would have shown a slight increase in red trees in 2023, followed by a big uptick last year, she says, noting more than a million hectares of forests were defoliated by Western spruce budworm this year, the vast majority—about 900,000 hectares—in the Southern Interior.
It’s not unprecedented. Mitchell says the last really large outbreak occurred in 1987, and impacted 800,000 hectares of forest.
“It’s not that the ministry is not concerned … like all things which affect and potentially damage large swaths of the province, we obviously want to understand, contextualize and manage it where we need to,” she says, noting the Interior has had a pest management plan for decades, and regularly sprays to manage native defoliators like spruce budworm.
It’s important to note Western spruce budworm infestations, unlike other insects, don’t necessarily lead to tree mortality, Mitchell adds.
“If you don’t know what you’re looking at, or you don’t think of bugs every day like we do, you might see them and go, ‘Oh my God, all these trees around Whistler are dead,’ right?’” she says. “That’s not true. They got munched on by caterpillars, which is what turned the leaves red and caused them to fall. Next year, if the defoliators don’t come back, those are going to flush green, and no one’s ever going to know anything happened.
“Really, the way that we deal with this is just by continually monitoring it.”
As they monitor the situation, officials are also working this year on a pest management plan, complete with public engagement, should spraying Whistler’s forests become a necessity.
WHAT IS Btk?
Said pest management plan is currently in draft form, and describes how and when the Ministry may take action to reduce the outbreak. It is currently out for referral to affected First Nations, and general public input will also be sought in the near future.
“At this time, there is no plan by the province to take action such as spraying in the corridor,” Beresford says. “The CCF will undertake egg mass sampling in about a month to gain insight into what to expect for 2026. Those results will be shared with the provincial team.”
If it comes down to it, Whistler’s forests will be sprayed with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), “a biological agent that kills the caterpillar when it eats the treated tree needles and is harmless to other species,” according to the CCF.
But not everyone agrees with that assessment. In an email to Pique last summer, Bob Brett with the Whistler Naturalists
disputed that last point.
“It’s of course BS that such a chemical can target only one species, the most obvious proof being that the same one is used to kill other insect ‘pests’ including [spongy] moths in Vancouver,” Brett said.
“I’m not keen on any non-specific chemical treatments since we already have a global crash in insect populations. Btk is designed to target lepidopterans, but the proponents don’t clarify that means it can potentially kill all moths (which include butterflies) and even other insects. A quick web search shows that even though it primarily affects insects, other invertebrates can be affected too ... That’s a big group!”
Btk is indeed also used to kill spongy moth, Mitchell says, though she clarifies it’s not about targeting species, but rather families or genuses of insects.
“The reason why it works on spongy month is because it’s related in a very similar way, when we think about taxonomy and the tree of life, to native defoliators. So it has that same alkaline gut content, which is why we use it to spray for eradication,” she says.
“And I think we even say that on our website, that it only affects the caterpillars of larvae and butterflies. So there are a group of insects which are affected by it, not just Western spruce budworm … we could use it for a number of defoliating species.
“So that that is true, it’s not just one species, but it is, I think, key to think that it’s this group of insects, and that there has been no evidence of toxicity to salmon and fish-bearing streams, or mammals or even humans.”
Btk is a naturally occurring bacterium found in the soil and water of forests across Western North America.
When caterpillars eat the Btk, it “goes into their gut system, and then their gut system activates the bacteria, because they have a
1. BUGGING OUT Mature larva of Western spruce budworm on a Douglas-fir shoot.
Photo courtesy of Dion Manastyrski Centre de foresterie du Pacifique, Victoria (ColombieBritannique) / Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, British Columbia.
1.
highly alkaline gut, which is kind of cool,” Mitchell says. “And so it can only be activated in a very basic alkaline environment, which these very specific species of caterpillars have. And then basically it releases a bunch of toxins and they die.”
Entomologists culture the bacterium in a lab, which is then attached to booms on planes and sprayed in a diluted solution across targeted spray blocks, Mitchell says.
“And so what you’re doing is, you’re spraying the bacteria, it falls through the air column and then it bonds to all of the plant matter, like the foliage and leaves and everything else. And then it’s actually only active for like, a couple of days,” she says. “So you have to time it really tightly in a synchronized way with a certain life stage of the caterpillars, when you know they’re going to be feeding, and when they’re the most susceptible to the Btk, and it degrades very quickly in the presence of sunlight, and if it rains, it just kind of washes off.”
The bacterium has been used more than three decades in Canada and the U.S. to manage defoliator populations, Mitchell adds.
“Over that time period, there have been extensive studies in situ in these spray programs, in labs, and there is no evidence to date of it being toxic to humans, to other mammals, to fish, to birds or to honey bees or other insects of interest,” she says. “Basically, because it’s so specialized, with that alkaline gut activation, it can only release toxins and become harmful to caterpillar larvae of moths and butterflies.”
And for those with concerns about spraying the forests, Mitchell gets it.
“I totally understand why people are like, ‘you want to spray what?’ I get it … you should ask, right? But there’s a lot of misinformation out there. And so I think it’s important for people to know that it’s not a synthetic
chemical, because it is naturally occurring, and it’s a bacteria,” she says.
“And so I think it’s kind of cool, because basically, as entomologists and forest managers, we’re using something from the environment just to our advantage at a very key life stage to try and do something which has very minimal impacts, or no impacts to other target species when we manage for this. Which I think is cool.”
NEXT STEPS
None of that is to say the outbreak is not cause for concern.
Beresford notes the current spread is of a magnitude not seen before in the Coastal region.
“Provincial staff shared [on July 2] that larger Douglas fir (roughly above 30-centimetre diameter) should be able to withstand the defoliation caused by the Western spruce budworm larvae for four to five years, while younger Douglas fir will experience more damage and mortality because the Western spruce budworm can feed on proportionally more of their needles making it harder for the tree to photosynthesize properly,” she says.
Officials are hopeful the outbreak will decrease before significant large tree mortality occurs. In the meantime, they will continue to monitor the outbreak and collaborate on a response if one is warranted in the next year or so.
“The main message for now is that the trees are not dying even though the tips where the new buds grow are turning red,” Beresford says. “The situation is being monitored. If the outbreak continues at this level into 2026, 2027, serious consideration will be given to undertaking a spraying program with Btk, the only viable option for knocking down the Western spruce budworm population.” n
“[T]here is no evidence to date of [Btk] being toxic to humans, to other mammals, to fish, to birds or to honey bees or other insects of interest.”
2. A VALLEY OF RED Impacts of a Western spruce budworm are visible across the Whistler Valley.
Photo by Heather Beresford
3. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION You don’t have to look far to see the effects on the ground.
Image by Braden Dupuis
2.
3.
Kate Mitchell provincial forest entomologist with the Ministry of Forests
‘I always set pretty high goals for myself’
SQUAMISH CROSS-COUNTRY RIDER ELLA MACPHEE WON HER FIRST WORLD CUP THIS SPRING
BY DAVID SONG
WHILE MANY of her peers built lifestyles (and in some cases, careers) around downhill and enduro mountain biking, Ella MacPhee took a road relatively less travelled. She became a cross-country athlete.
MacPhee was raised in an active and adventurous Squamish family, so bikes were a natural part of her childhood. However, she didn’t fall in love with riding until the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted her routine as a competitive dancer. Her first race was held in 2021 and she didn’t look back.
“I think [dance] helped me learn how to work hard and be dedicated and driven to something. It’s definitely a very different sport compared to mountain biking,” MacPhee said. “I really love the physical side of sports: cross-country running, crosscountry skiing as well. I love pushing my limits everywhere possible. With crosscountry mountain biking, we get to go out and do intervals and super hard training sessions … and then also focus on the technical side.”
Two years ago, MacPhee raced three times in the UCI World Cup’s U23 division as natural talent and a penchant for aerobic endurance fuelled her athletic growth. Her first full World Cup season came in 2024, and she authored her first victory on May 23 in Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic.
One hour, 20 minutes and 19 seconds is what MacPhee needed to finish her crosscountry Olympic (XCO) race that day ahead of
short track races as well this year I’m super proud of.”
BALANCED DEVELOPMENT
One of MacPhee’s mentors, retired pro mountain biker Serena Tasca, was on hand to witness her inaugural World Cup breakthrough. The duo were matched up via Ride Like a Girl, a non-profit organization in British Columbia, at
“I really love the physical side of sports: crosscountry running, cross-country skiing as well. I love pushing my limits everywhere possible.”
- ELLA MACPHEE
Swiss runner-up Fiona Schibler (1:20:36) and Sara Cortinovis of Italy (1:21:01).
“Oh, it’s pretty crazy. I always set pretty high goals for myself, but winning a World Cup this year was not something I could have really anticipated or expected,” said MacPhee. “It’s always a dream. I think everybody dreams that they’ll win a World Cup, but not everybody gets to, so it’s a pretty surreal feeling.
“I prefer the cross country Olympic as it’s always suited my strengths more, and I tend to get stronger at the end of races. With only 20 minutes for short track, it’s a lot harder to have that, but I’ve had some breakthrough
a time when MacPhee hadn’t started racing yet. Now Tasca works for Vittoria, a key sponsor of the Wilier-Vittoria MTB Factory Team MacPhee represents.
It’s a full-circle moment, to say the least.
These days MacPhee is coached by fourtime Olympian Catharine Pendrel, who earned bronze at the Rio 2016 Games. She also thanks former coach Greg Day and former team Charge BC-XC for helping her unlock her potential.
“Catharine is exceptional,” MacPhee remarked. “It’s super cool for me to have someone that’s won an Olympic medal and had World Championship titles because I can
fully trust her. I know that she’s listening and has experienced the same ups and downs as I have. She’s connected to the process, too, thinking longevity rather than just right now, which is super important to me that I can be strong well into my elite career.”
Balance is key to the Squamolian’s physical and mental health. She follows the “80-20” rule: committing 80 per cent of her time to training and nutrition but leaving 20 per cent for hobbies and a personal life. Wilier-Vittoria is a good fit for her, as is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at the University of Victoria.
As of this writing, MacPhee leads the XCO World Cup overall in her age bracket with 521 points earned by way of six podium appearances. She intends to fight tooth and nail for a top-three overall result, as well as add to her two bronze medals in the short track (XCC) discipline.
If she can impact a few others along the way, so much the better.
“Now I’m an ambassador for [Ride Like a Girl] so it’s super cool to be able to work and connect with these local athletes,” MacPhee said. “I always try and take the time to ride with the next generation and engage with them, too, letting the younger athletes know they can always reach out if they have any questions.
“I want to support them in any way possible to reach their goals. I know it can be a big step to make, reaching out and asking questions to people you look up to, but I don’t want it to be a hard step.” n
CZECHMATE Ella MacPhee won her first XCO World Cup on May 23, 2025 in Nové M sto na Morav , Czech Republic.
PHOTO BY ROSS BELL
Tarayao, Kobelin win World Series Team category at Swimrun Whistler 2025
ADRIAN CAMERON ON TOP AMONG WORLD SERIES SOLO
BY DAVID SONG
KAWIKA TARAYAO and Kayla Kobelin completed last year’s inaugural Swimrun Whistler with different teammates, but elected to join forces on Sunday for their second attempt.
That proved to be an enlightened decision, as Tarayao and Kobelin (known collectively as Team Pannben) reached the finish line in four hours and 17 minutes: quicker than any other duo in the World Series Team category.
“I actually think I liked this year’s course more,” said Kobelin in a press release. “I loved the variety of the lakes and the temperatures. It really is super fun and makes each swim super exciting.”
Amanda Martin and Fiona Larsen notched an impressive second overall result (4:35:35.17), as third went to Matt and Blaire Kniaziew Gervais (4:44:29.13). Michael Chastain and Ramses Peroza were the fastest men-only unit in 12th (5:27:55).
Adrian Cameron struck gold among World Series soloists after finishing as runnerup in 2024. The 45-year old former collegiate swimmer and University of Florida alum led wire to wire in a powerhouse outing (4:01:01.24) as Tim Raschle netted silver (4:26:53.27) and Jack Fairfield earned bronze (4:27:14.98).
Maria Tupayachi captured the World Series ladies’ solo victory (5:06:23.66).
In the Sprint discipline, Annie Molsberry and Chris Douglas proved to be top team (2:43:59.23) in front of Charlotte and Jason Bell (3:02:51.2) as well as Anne Maletta and Matthew Boin (3:06:41.73).
Moana Chinson emerged as the fastest Sprint solo athlete (2:31:35.89). Andrew Leach (2:34:38.38) and Alex Currie (2:39:56.6) rounded out the top three, with Lena Hottner as quickest woman (11th overall in 3:06:13.2).
Kezzia and Matthew Ness won the Experience team division (1:02:40.17), and Olivier Jumeau placed first among soloists (55:27.82). An honourable mention goes to
2Locations in Whistler! Whistler Athletes Centre in Cheakamus Whistler Marketplace119-4368MainSt
ATHLETES
Whistler’s own Heather Parlour, who finished second overall behind Jumeau (1:01:56.94).
The “Experience” setup involves a total distance of approximately 6.4 kilometres and 56 metres of elevation gain, while “Sprint” ups the ante to 17 kilometres and 175 metres of elevation. Last but not least, the “World Series” benchmark features a demanding 38.3 kilometres and 868 metres of elevation change.
‘WHISTLER
IS AN ENDURANCE MECCA, AND THIS SHOWED’
This year, Swimrun’s Sea to Sky course began and finished at the Whistler Mountain Ski Club in Creekside. Approximately half of the field of 150 racers originated from Canada, with the remainder representing Hong Kong, French Polynesia, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic, Great Britain and the United States.
Sunday’s weather conditions were favourable, with warm air temperatures and cold water swims in each of Whistler’s five lakes: Alpha, Nita, Green, Lost and Alta. Competitors had the option of racing as a twoperson team (in which both athletes tackle both swimming and running legs together) or as an individual.
ÖTILLÖ North America race director Lars Finanger said that his event organization is thrilled to see the hybrid sport of Swimrun continue to gain popularity in Canada.
“Whistler is an endurance mecca, and this showed as we had athletes fly in from all over the world to test themselves on this unrelenting course,” Finanger commented in a release. “We’re not supposed to pick favourites, but those 12 athletes who joined us from Hong Kong really embodied that positive can-do spirit we can’t get enough of.
“Even with teeth chattering and hands shaking from that last cold swim crossing in Nita Lake, they stayed at the finish cheering until the last athlete arrived.”
For complete results from Swimrun Whistler 2025, visit runsignup.com/ Race/Results/158401/#resultSetId564450;perpage:100. n
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SWIM, RUN, REPEAT Athletes in action at Swimrun Whistler on July 6.
PHOTO BY TYLER NG
Cool kid fun in the hot summer sun
CAN I OFFER YOU A FRESH SLICE OF DIRT PIE?
IT LISTS shortbread and brownies, and chocolate chip cookies (some of those were even flown in to the front lines in the Gulf War to boost the morale of U.S. troops there).
Even mooncakes are there—those lovely little goodies with a rich pastry wrapper molded
BY GLENDA BARTOSH
around a centre of lotus, red bean or even durian paste that pop up in Asian bakeries and stores during the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated around the world.
But nowhere in my handy-dandy copy of 1001 Foods You Must Taste Before You Die can I find dirt pie or its adult-version predecessor— mud pie. What?!
With summer in full swing, and the sweet sounds of kids running and laughing across grassy fields and beaches, or wherever your kids’ favourite non-digital hangouts might be, I couldn’t help but think about mud pies the other day. That’s mud pies, plural, with an “s”, not mud pie, which we’ll get to in a sec.
Growing up in central Alberta with all that gorgeous black dirt everywhere, us kids loved making goopy, gloppy mud pies.
Down alongside the creeks in the forested ravines near our house, we’d dig up rich Alberta soil and mix it with just the right amount of water to get the appropriate result. It looked like a glob of sort-of melted chocolate if you squinted just right. Plus me
and my neighbourhood pals had another specialty—mud pies made from the sand in our backyard sandbox. It must have been pretty dirty sand, which we loved because if you got the ratio just right you’d get a nice puddly sand pie that would dry a bit in the sun. If you timed it right, even the little drip on top would keep its shape. But we could never pick a whole one up after it “baked” without it at least busting in half.
My five-year-old mom and her friends, however, had a much better technique when they lived in the wee town of Wimborne, southeast of Red Deer as you head towards the Rocky Mountains.
Like so many of our sweet prairie towns now, the last of Wimborne’s four grain elevators was torn down more than a decade ago, and the trains have stopped running altogether. The grand population, as of 2021, was some 15 people, down by half from 10 years earlier. They live in 12 of the 14 houses still standing. (Hey, don’t knock it: You can buy a charming four-bedroom home there for $267,000!)
But in Wimborne’s heyday, when my grandad managed the local Crown Lumber outlet where you could buy everything from fencing to shingles to keep your farm or ranch
DIRT PIE
1 9-INCH graham cracker crust
6 C. chocolate ice cream
ABOUT 20 chocolate Oreo-type cookies
1 C. miniature marshmallows
Gummy worms for decoration
Let the ice cream soften slightly in the fridge until it’s a creamy consistency. Meanwhile, coarsely grind the cookies in a food processor, or chop them with a
going strong, the kids often made mud pies, usually after it rained. And here’s the trick: They’d mix up the water and mud in a small lid to just the right consistency, then trot over to their neighbours’ homes on horseback, a stick in one hand and their fresh “mud-piesin-a-lid” in the other.
Everyone would “ooh” and “aah” appreciatively, and even pretend to eat them. And you could well expect a delivery of same from your pals the next time it rained.
FROM MUD PIES TO DIRT PIE
To me, it was a mid-’70s, early ’80s thing, mud pie: A rich chocolatey, fudgy, ice-creamish sort of pie, originally from the states. Many say Mississippi, although one good blog run by the winkingly-named “Food Dictator” mentions a former food editor at The New York Times who was raised on the Mississippi Delta and said he’d never heard of such a thing despite growing up there. More, he thought as I do—it’s pretty much a recent invention.
Here in Canada, if you’re lucky enough to enjoy a slice at someone’s home, it’s usually not quite as complicated and layered as the mud pie recipe at the site above. Still, it
large knife. Measure the ice cream into a bowl and work it with a wooden spoon until it’s soft enough to fold in the mini marshmallows and 1 3/4 c. of the cookie crumbs. Keep the rest for topping. Spoon the ice cream mixture into the pie shell and top with the remaining cookie crumbs. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm. To serve, remove from the freezer and decorate it with the worms. Let stand in the fridge about 15 minutes before serving.
invariably honours the tradition of a crust of crushed Oreo cookie bits (sans icing), and more crumbled Oreo cookie bits on top. That’s the so-called mud.
The Keg—born and bred in Canada, namely in North Van by one George Tidball in 1971—has been serving a sort-of-mud pie for ages. Called Billy Miner Pie dessert, it has a mocha ice cream base with caramel sauce, almonds and those hallmark Oreo-like crumbs. I can’t confirm it (lordy, where’s a copy of Nathalie Cooke’s, Tastes and Traditions: A Journey Through Menu History when you need it), but a lot of steakhouses of that ilk and/or era had mud pie on their menus. I guess to balance all that fine booze and heavy meat you needed an equally rich, heavy dessert.
Kids, however, have a much lighter and often smarter take on life, as did Barbara McQuade, the Vancouver Sun’ s food editor for ages who compiled Sun readers’ favourite recipes into several great recipe books over the years. I’ve still got a very yellowed 1992 clipping of one of her articles from, you guessed it, summer. It’s for dirt pie—with worms. Gummy worms, that is. A kids’ version of mud pie.
This summertime treat is as easy and playful to make as mud pies themselves. Kids of all ages love to help—then gobble it down. And I say put some gummy worms on top of the real posh mud pie, or any dessert you make. Sure to lighten it up.
A couple of cautions: You’ll need to firm up your dirt pie in the freezer a few hours before serving. If you make it the day before, it’s tough slicing brick-hard ice cream, so pop it in the fridge a couple of hours beforehand. Hold the gummy worms, too, until serving time. Otherwise, as Barbara noted, you’ll end up with rigid worm corpses.
Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who still loves the real dirt. n
BIT OF A STRETCH Gummy worms work their alluring magic just as well in the kitchen topping dirt pies as outdoors surrounded by the real dirt.
PHOTO BY VAWILEY / E+ / GETTY IMAGES
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE
‘We’ve never really wanted to be one of those bands that are disposable’
54•40 JOINS THE WHISTLER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES JULY 11
BY DAVID SONG
IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD of 54•40 before, you might be wondering: “what kind of a band name is that, anyway?”
Turns out it’s derived from American politics: specifically the slogan “54-40 or fight!” which once represented the unsuccessful expansionist agenda of U.S. president James K. Polk and his administration’s role in the 19th-century Oregon boundary dispute. An esoteric historical reference, but one that sums up 54•40’s penchant for socially and politically conscious lyrics.
Founding member Neil Osborne and his partner-in-crime, Brad Merritt, have never been shy about treading on that kind of ground.
“It’s an innate characteristic of Neil, who writes all the lyrics,” Meritt says. “We’re very present in the world. As artists, we reflect on a personal level, or what’s happening at a societal level, or whatever it might be. It’s just part of what we do and who we are. We’ve never really wanted to be one of those bands that are disposable, trying to write top hits that are meaningless.”
54•40 came together in 1981, with guitar
player Phil Comparelli and drummer Matt Johnson uniting their gifts with Osborne’s soulful vocals and Merritt’s bass work. Comparelli ended up leaving, his place taken by Dave Genn who’s been on board for 22 years. Osborne’s brother, David (a.k.a. Oz) has rotated in and out of the lineup as a keyboardist, saxophone player, occasional flutist and tour manager.
The group has combined for multiple Juno nominations and four albums certified platinum in Canada.
that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. There’s something which melds together, the way the four of us play.”
‘IT’S EITHER FUN OR IT’S FUNNY’
Osborne has been the driving element behind 54•40 during the last four decades. Merritt describes him as “very generous, extremely funny, serious about what he’s trying to do but
“We’re very present in the world. As artists, we reflect on a personal level, or what’s happening at a societal level, or whatever it might be.”
- NEIL OSBORNE
“A friend of ours in California calls us a pop-rock combo,” remarks Merritt. “Obviously the rock is kind of self-explanatory, you know: strong back beat, it kind of chugs along like rock music does. The pop thing is, well… we like melodic hooks. We like them where we can find them: in the vocal line or a background vocal, or a guitar thing.
“Pop-rock implies that we’re stylists, and
finds the funny when it’s there.” Both embrace a modus operandi first voiced by Courtney Taylor-Taylor of the Portland-area psychedelic rock band Dandy Warhols: music is “either fun or it’s funny.”
Put differently: the life of an artist is fun when it’s going well and funny when it’s not, but both extremes give you a chance to move forward instead of getting bogged down over
past mishaps.
“One of the reasons why we stayed together is we’ve had enough success to keep going, but not so much success that there’s forces tearing us apart,” Merritt adds. “When Neil and I started this band, we considered that its own reward. We weren’t looking for external validation, and all we really wanted to do was to write songs, make records and play music. The fact that we’ve been able to do that for 44 years is really incredible.
“[I would tell my younger self]: ‘it’s going to be OK. Enjoy yourself.’ We were very serious when we started out … and I think we didn’t appreciate how fun the whole thing was. We do now.”
54•40 has visited Whistler several times before COVID-19, gracing venues like Olympic Plaza, the Longhorn Saloon and the Whistler Conference Centre. Merritt feels the Sea to Sky boasts an attractive small-town feel—and that its people genuinely enjoy good music.
“When I’m a fan going to see bands play, there’s a power, there’s a pulse. There’s something which makes you feel and something which makes you want to move a little bit,” he says. “It’s very primal, and I think the people in Whistler appreciate that as much as anybody.”
On July 11, expect DJ ShotSki to start the party at Olympic Plaza around 6:30 p.m. before 54•40 make their appearance at 7:30 p.m. Visit whistler.com/events/concerts for more information. n
Self-proclaimed hip hop ‘missionary’ Chali 2na returns to Whistler July 17
CHALI 2NA WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS BAND, THE HOUSE OF VIBE
BY DAVID SONG
CHALI 2NA CONSIDERS himself a painter who can rap, not the other way around.
That might seem an odd label for a guy who’s done what he’s done as a performer. Chali co-founded legendary hip hop group Jurassic 5 and rock band Ozomatli while also gracing numerous festivals like Shangri-la, Riverfest, Levitt Pavillion Denver and so on. He’s been around the world with his own band, the House of Vibe.
Nonetheless, the man says: “I was brought into the world of hip hop and the world of music through my participation in graffiti art. I’ve always known how to draw and always had more, shall we say, confidence in my visual artistic skills than anything else. The music part developed in a way that I didn’t expect.
“I wanted to pursue a career in visual arts somehow, maybe being a commercial artist or comic book artist or a graphic designer. That was really where I think my career was headed in my mind—but, you know as they say: man planned and God planned, and God is the best of planners.”
Chali grew up on the rough-and-tumble streets of Chicago’s south side. He was surrounded by music his friends and family enjoyed, but didn’t write his first poem until a pair of boys embarrassed him before his childhood crush. Not one to take such an offence lying down, Chali penned a diss track on a sheet of paper and practised until he was able to perform it in a way that seemed like he was freestyling.
He saved face in front of the girl he liked, but also remembers feeling inspired as his impromptu audience oohed and aahed at every punch line.
Moving to California as a teenager exposed Chali to the hip-hop world at large. More reps and like-minded friends eventually inspired him to give the music industry a try, and away he went.
“There’s a lot of things I’ve learned on a day-to-day basis, but one thing that I did learn is about the nature of people and humans,” Chali says. “Being in a group with five other dudes trained me to see other
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people in ways that are clear. I feel like I’m a really good judge of character, per se, and also I feel like I’m a good judge of vibe … sound itself has power and can change things if you use it in the right fashion.”
‘MISSIONARY WORK’
Chali and his old Jurassic 5 running mate Cut Chemist have worked together on numerous occasions, even after Jurassic 5 officially disbanded in 2007. They’ve just dropped their latest single, “Melt Like Plastic,” and hope their partnership will go on for years to come.
“I met Cut Chemist in 1987. He’s a unique individual. He’s unapologetically himself,” Chali describes. “A lot of people put on airs and try to be somebody that they’re not, but when we were young, I noticed that he was not afraid to be himself in this hip-hop world trying to make you conform to what the trends are. I just love that dude … ‘Melt Like Plastic’ is just a celebration of me and that guy’s friendship. We just get together and make some s—, and if we agree that we like it, f— what everybody else thinks.”
The spraypaint can remains Chali’s artistic tool of choice whenever he’s not rapping, but he also taught himself oil painting 20 years ago. He has enjoyed figuring out different techniques and keeps an eight-by-eight-foot canvas in his backyard to scratch his creative itches.
Regarding Canada, Chali says he’s never done a bad show north of the border. The Sea to Sky corridor may not be your typical hip-hop hot spot, but that fact doesn’t faze him.
“I’ve always looked at what we do as missionary work. Let’s be real about it,” he remarks. “We’ve been agents of this thing called hip hop, and we’ve been able and blessed to travel to different parts of the world, see how this art form affected that area, and contribute to what’s actually happening in that area. I’m blessed to be the dude, or one of the dudes who [are] still able to do that. I’m 54 years old … amazes me every time I think about it.”
Whistler’s own DJ Vinyl Ritchie will open the July 17 show at 6:30 p.m. before Chali 2na and his House of Vibe strut their stuff at 7:30 p.m. Visit whistler.com/events/concerts for more details. n
Ju ly 18 &A ug us t2 9
From $199 perperson
GOOD VIBES Chali 2na (middle) and the House of Vibe.
Roland's Pub is open for lunch Wednesdays & Thursdays from 11:30am!
Join our lunch club!
Get 10 stamps on your lunch card and your 11th lunch is free* (Restrictions apply)
Children are welcome everyday until 10pm, so bring the kids in for brunch on the weekends from 11am - 2pm.
ARTS SCENE
PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE
Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events
CRAFTS IN THE PARK
MOUNTAIN TOP SUMMER FEAST
WHISTLER FARMERS’ MARKET
Head up to the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain for an incredible, mountain top dining experience with live music. Enjoy mouthwatering mains, fresh salads and delicious desserts at 1,800 metres (6,000 ft) high in the mountaintops with the whole family.
> July 11-13, 5:30 p.m.
> Roundhouse Lodge
FAIRMONT FRIDAYS
Kick off your weekend right at the Mallard Lounge’s famous Fairmont Fridays with boot stomping live music, refreshing cocktails and delectable shared plates. Each week features a different handcrafted cocktail for you to discover.
> July 11, 5 p.m.
> Mallard Lounge
YOGA AT THE AUDAIN
Revel in the stunning architecture of the Audain Art Museum every Thursday as you work through a calming one-hour practice with rotating instructors. Classes emphasize breathing, alignment and ease as you stretch and strengthen your body and mind. Registration includes access to the galleries on the day of from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
> July 12, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
> Audain Art Museum
MOVIES IN THE PLAZA: THE CALL OF THE WILD
Experience a variety of free films, spanning from timeless classics to recent releases, amidst the scenic backdrop of Whistler Olympic Plaza on select Wednesday and Saturday nights. Don’t forget to bring blankets or low chairs for a cozy evening under the stars.
> July 12, 8 p.m.
> Olympic Plaza
A feast for your senses, the Whistler Farmers’ Market features local produce, tasty food, local artisans, live entertainment and family activities. Markets happen every Sunday until Thanksgiving on Oct. 13, with the addition of Saturday markets on June 28, Aug. 2, Aug. 30 and Oct. 11.
> July 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
> Upper Village Stroll
DOC FINGERS TRIO
The doctor brings his boogie-woogie A-Team from Vancouver! Hang out lakeside, on the lawn, the dock, or under the marquee tent for an afternoon of live musical entertainment. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Tickets are $10 and kids are free!
> July 13, 3 to 6 p.m.
> The Point Artist-Run Centre
MOVIES IN THE PLAZA: WAYNE’S WORLD
Experience a variety of free films, spanning from timeless classics to recent releases, amidst the scenic backdrop of Whistler Olympic Plaza on select Wednesday and Saturday nights. Movies begin at 8p.m. Don’t forget to bring blankets or low chairs for a cozy evening under the stars.
> July 16, 8 p.m.
> Olympic Plaza
CRAFTS IN THE PARK
Join the Whistler Museum on Wednesdays for a weekly summer event featuring a Whistler-themed craft with some local history. A fun and educational way to enjoy summer with your little ones! All supplies provided and suitable for kids aged six and under with an adult.
> July 17, 11 a.m. to noon
> Florence Petersen Park
PHOTO
Building a Fortress
BY ALLYN PRINGLE
IN 1974, a closed ski hill in Alberta developed a surprising number of connections to the Whistler area.
Snowridge Ski Resort opened in Kananaskis County in 1967 as a family ski area. A daylodge designed by Joseph K. English had been constructed that summer and included hotel rooms, a restaurant, and a cafeteria that could seat up to 300. Two T-bars and a chairlift had also been installed and Snowridge advertised “acres of exotic powder and undulating packed runs.” Located along the gravel and rarely-plowed KananaskisColeman Forestry Road, it wasn’t the easiest to access, but it was close enough to Calgary to attract skiers, many of whom would come for the day.
Snowridge closed at the end of the 197071 ski season and didn’t reopen. In 1973, the bank foreclosed on its mortgages and Snowridge declared bankruptcy and was put up for judicial sale by the Federal Business Development Bank (FBDB; then called the Industrial Development Bank). That same year, construction began on Highway 40, which would have provided more consistent access to the ski hill. By 1974, Snowridge was still for sale.
Over in British Columbia, Hugh Smythe
took the summer of 1974 off from Garibaldi Lifts Ltd. and took a trip to Alberta. On his trip, he stopped at Fairmont Hot Springs and visited with the owner, the Wilder family. The Wilders were interested in purchasing Snowridge, and Hugh decided to go take a look. According to an oral history interview with Hugh, he thought, “Maybe this is something that could be intriguing,” and he was still thinking about Snowridge when he returned to work at Whistler Mountain in August.
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the days before lighthouses, some coastal communities used “fire beacons”—elevated structures where people tended open flames to guide sailors. In the coming weeks, Aries, I invite you to be like both the keeper and the flame. People will be drawn to your brightness, warmth, and persistence as they navigate through their haze and fog. And surprise! You may find your own way more clearly as you tend to others’ wayfinding. Don’t underestimate the value of your steady, luminous signal. For some travellers, your presence could be the difference between drifting and docking. So burn with purpose, please. Keep your gleam strong and visible.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The ancestors of my American friend Arisa lived in Ukraine, Indonesia, the Choctaw nation, and the Great Lakes region. Her new husband Anselme is of Japanese, Italian, and French descent. Their wedding was a celebration of multi-cultural influences. Guests delivered toasts in five languages. Their marriage vows borrowed texts from three religious traditions. The music included a gamelan ensemble, a band that played Ukrainian folk music, and a DJ spinning Choctaw and Navajo prayers set to Indian ragas. I bring this to your attention in the hope you will seek comparable cross-fertilization in the coming weeks. It’s an excellent time to weave richly diverse textures into your life.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I predict a future when women will hold half of the leadership roles, when their income and time devoted to childcare will match men’s, when women’s orgasms are as common as men’s, and when most guys know that misogyny is perilous to their health. Until the bloom of that wonderful era, I invite Geminis of all genders to invoke your tender ingenuity as you strengthen female opportunities and power. In my view, this work is always crucial to your maximum spiritual and psychological health—but even more so than usual in the coming weeks. Boost the feminine in every way you
can imagine.
WEEK OF JULY 11 BY ROB
CANCER (June 21-July 22): In Yoruba cosmology, ase is the sacred life force that animates the universe. It’s divine energy that can be harnessed by humans to make things happen, to speak and act with ardent intention so that words and deeds shape reality. I am pleased to report that you Cancerians are extra aligned with ase these days. Your words are not casual. Your actions are not mild or minor. You have the power to speak what you mean so robustly that it has an enhanced possibility to come into being. What you command with love and clarity will carry enduring potency.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In medieval bestiaries, unicorns were said to be fierce, wild creatures. They were very real but also hidden. Only people with pure hearts could see or commune with them. I suspect you now have the chance to glide into a potent “pure heart” phase, Leo. My fervent hope is that you will take this opportunity to cleanse yourself of irrelevancies and rededicate yourself to your deepest yearnings and most authentic self-expressions. If you do, you just may encounter the equivalent of a unicorn.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Some Buddhist monks create mandalas on floors from coloured sand. They work meticulously for days or weeks to build intricate, symmetrical masterpieces. Once their beautiful work is done, however, it typically doesn’t last long. The creators sweep it away either immediately or soon. The sand may be disposed of, perhaps poured into a river or stream. What’s the purpose of this strange practice? Most importantly, it displays a reverence for the impermanence of all things—an appreciation for beauty but not an attachment to it. I recommend you consider taking a cue from the sand mandalas in the coming weeks. Is there anything you love that you should let go of? A creation you can allow to transform into a new shape? An act of sacred relinquishing?
Dave Mathews was operations manager for Whistler Mountain at the time, and Hugh’s boss. Not wanting to take on “a derelict ski area” alone, Hugh talked to Dave about his interest in Snowridge, and they and Dave’s wife Lynn formed HUMAT Management and Consultants Ltd. They didn’t have the financing to purchase Snowridge, so Hugh and Dave approached the FBDB. Though they didn’t really expect their pitch would go anywhere, they were contracted to get the ski
BREZSNY
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Glassblowers shape molten sand with breath and fire, knowing the material can only be formed while it’s hot and glowing. If they wait too long, the stuff stiffens, turns brittle, and resists change. But if they push too soon, it collapses into a misshapen blob. In this spirit, Libra, I urge you to recognize which parts of your life are now just the right temperature to be reshaped. Your timing must be impeccable. Where and when will you direct the flame of your willpower? Don’t wait until the opportunity cools. Art and magic will happen with just the right amount of heat applied at just the right moment.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “I have often been racked by obsessive urges that plague me until I act them out.”
So says my Scorpio friend Fatima, a conceptual artist. “Fortunately,” she continues, “I have finally retrained myself to focus on creative obsessions that fuel my art rather than on anxious, trivial obsessions that disorder my life. I’d be an offensive maniac if I couldn’t use my work as an outlet for my vehement fantasy life.” I recommend Fatima’s strategy to Scorpios most of the time, but especially so in the coming days. Your imagination is even more cornucopian than usual. To harness its beautiful but unruly power, you must channel it into noble goals.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The Igbo people of Nigeria have a term: ogwugwu na-adị n’ulo. It means “the medicine is in the house.” It’s the belief that healing doesn’t necessarily come from afar. It may already be here, hidden among the familiar, waiting to be acknowledged or discovered. Dear Sagittarius, your natural instinct is to look outward and afar for answers and help. But in the coming weeks, you should look close to home. What unnoticed or underestimated thing might be a cure or inspiration you’ve been overlooking? How can you find new uses for what you already have?
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I invite you to celebrate the holiday known as Be Your Own Best Helper. How should
area up and running and turn it into a sellable prospect. That September, Hugh, Lynn and Dave left their jobs at the lift company and moved to Snowridge, along with the Mathews’ two small children.
According to Lynn, she and Dave had sold some properties in Whistler and had a bit of money saved, and so were open to taking on something new. Hugh was interested in learning more about the operation of a ski area. Garibaldi Lifts Ltd. is often described as being “in the uphill transportation business.” They ran the lifts on Whistler Mountain and looked after the grooming and patrolling while the food operations, ski school and ski shop were contracted out. At Snowridge, they had the opportunity to “do all of it,” from operating the lifts to running a hotel, restaurant, bar, ski school, and rental and retail shop. As Hugh recalled, “I felt that’s something that I really wanted to get involved with, was all of the aspects of running a resort.”
Upon arrival, Hugh and the Mathews were confronted with a chairlift whose cable had been blown off the towers and whose chairs were lying on the ground, and a hotel that was “just a total disaster.” It was already snowing in the first week of September and the area needed to be operational by December. Keep reading next week for tales of their efforts, featuring some more familiar faces from Whistler Mountain. n
you observe this potentially pivotal transformation in your relationship with yourself? Divest yourself of yearnings to have someone clean up after you and service your baseline necessities. Renounce any wishes you harbour for some special person to telepathically guess and attend to your every need. Vow that from now on, you will be an expert at taking excellent care of yourself. Do you dare to imagine what it might feel like to be your own best helper?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the ancient practice of astronomy, the stars were considered “incorruptible.” Unlike the planets, their movements were unchanging, their lights stationary, their destinies steady and stable. We human beings are the opposite of all those descriptors, of course. There’s no use in hoping otherwise, because constancy just isn’t an option for us. The good news, Aquarius, is that you are now poised to thrive on these truths. The inevitability of change can and should be a treasured gift for you. You’re being offered chances to revise plans that do indeed need to be revised. You are being invited to let go of roles that don’t serve you. But what initially feels like a loss or sacrifice may actually be permission. Evolution is a tremendous privilege
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The axolotl is an amphibian that never outgrows its larval form. Unlike most creatures, it retains its youthful traits into adulthood. Amazingly, it can regenerate its limbs, its spinal cord, and parts of its brain. Let’s make the axolotl your inspirational animal, Pisces. What part of your “youth” is worth keeping—not as immaturity, but as righteous design? Where are you being asked not to evolve past a stage, but to deepen within it? And what might be regenerated in you that seemed to have been lost? Your magic will come from being like an axolotl. Be strange. Be playful. Be ageless and original and irrepressible.
Homework: Can you figure out a way to have more fun while you do your work? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
JOIN THE CREW Patrol at the top of the Red Chair in 1967, years before Hugh Smythe moved to Snowridge. PHOTO COURTESY OF CLIFF JENNINGS
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(Regular, Full-time)
Looking to contribute to your local community? Consider a career in local government. Join the SLRD’s team of dedicated staff who work together to make a difference in the region.
Headquartered in Pemberton, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) delivers a wide range of regional, sub-regional and local services to its residents. The SLRD is a BC Regional District consisting of four member municipalities (Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Lillooet) and four electoral areas Services include land use planning, solid waste management, building inspection, fire protection, emergency preparedness, 911 services, recreation, water and sewer utilities, regional transit, trails and open spaces as well as financial support for various community services The region contains some of the most spectacular forests, waterways, and mountains in the province and affords an endless range of opportunities for outdoor adventure, making it an exceptional place to live, work and play
The SLRD is seeking a collaborative individual with excellent technical and analytical skills to fill the position of GIS and IT Support Technician. The GIS and IT Support Technician is responsible for delivering geographic information systems (GIS) services and supporting the SLRD’s information technology (IT) infrastructure
Th e id eal ca ndi dat e has a mi ni mu m of 2 ye ar s of GI S wo rk ex per ie nc e and a post-secondary diploma or degree in Geographic Information Systems, Information Tec hnol ogy, or a re la te d fie ld Fo r fu rt her in fo rm at io n, pl eas e re fe r to th e fu ll jo b description at www.slrd.bc.ca/employment
The salary range for this position is $76,194 - $85,757 annually A comprehensive extended benefits package, participation in the Municipal Pension Plan, compressed work week (9-day fortnight), and professional development opportunities are also available.
Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume (preferably in pdf format) by email, no later than August 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm to careers@slrd.bc.ca
We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.
for you!
nlswhistler1@gmail.com
JOBPOSTING:
Clinical Services Manager
Salary: $100 000 -125 000
Position Overview: Position Overview:Providesleadershipofa comprehensiverange of nursingprogramswithincommunity and public health,homecareand patienttravelinthree FirstNations communities of N’Quatqua, Samahquam, andSkatin.
Qualifications:
•Bachelor’sDegreein Nursingfroma recognized university
•5+years nursingexperience including:
•Public health (maternal, infant,child,youth,mental wellness, addictions)
Do not move the position or change the typesetting of the headline. The bottom angled keyline should always align with the angled gradient jolt. images mixed matched as needed.
“Carve out path” always with a image
copy is block nudged balance visually
CA reeR ON A
COORDINATOR, TRAVEL MEDIA
Full Time, Year Round
FACILITIES ENGINEER
Full Time, Year Round
The Facilities Engineer is responsible for the oversight, maintenance, repairs and efficient operations of all main mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and the overall common areas at the Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler Golf Course and Driving Range.
Love a good challenge? Passionate about the place you call home? Tourism Whistler is looking for community-loving, mountain-appreciating, environment-respecting individuals to join our team. With excellent written and verbal communication skills and a highly organized approach, the Coordinator, Travel Media is responsible for supporting the delivery of engaging and positive editorial coverage for Whistler and its members. This includes managing the department’s media database and online media room, tracking and reporting media coverage, distributing media communications, and coordinating in-resort media visits. The role also provides administrative and logistical support to the Travel Media Managers.
What We Offer:
• A nine-day fortnight schedule
• Whistler based with a hybrid approach that balances both in-office and remote work
• A commitment to health and wellness, and a fun and supportive team environment
This position requires an individual who possesses a 4th Class Power Engineering Certificate (or is currently enrolled), complimented with five years of related experience gained in a commercial building or hotel. Experience and knowledge of direct digital controls, energy management systems and green initiatives is also important. Previous leadership experience, with knowledge of applicable buildings codes and health and safety practices is an asset.
Starting salary range: $50,000 - $54,000 annually
TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT: WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.
TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.
WE’RE HIRING
Location:DowntownPemberton
Schedule:Mon-Fri,8:00am-5:30pm (42.5hrs/week) Pay: $35-$40/hr (based on experience)
Our team of people is what sets us apart from other builders. As we continue to grow as the leader in luxury projects in Whistler, our team needs to expand with us
We are currently hiring:
Labourers ($20 - $30 hourly)
Carpenters Helpers/Apprentices 1st to 4th year ($25 - $35 hourly)
Experienced Carpenters ($30 - $45 hourly)
Carpentry Foremen ($40 - $50 hourly)
Rates vary based on experience and qualifications. Red Seal is a bonus but not required Crane Operator experience considered an asset.
EVR is committed to the long-term retention and skills development of our team We are passionate about investing in our team’s future
WE OFFER:
• Top Wages and a Positive Work Environment
• Flexible Schedule - Work Life Balance (We get it, we love to ski and bike too.)
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement (Need help getting your Red Seal?)
• Assistance with work visa and Permanent Residency (We can help!)
BENEFITS & PERKS:
• Annual Leisure & Tool Benefit – Use toward ski/bike pass, tool purchase, etc. – you choose!
• Extended Health and Dental Benefits for you and your family
We promote from within and are looking to strengthen our amazing team Opportunities for advancement into management positions always exist for the right candidates. Don’t miss out on being able to build with the team that builds the most significant projects in Whistler
Send your resume to info@evrfinehomes.com We look forward to hearing from you!
Duties
• Offer a warm welcome to guests
• Provide thorough, timely service
• Maintain high levels of cleanliness
• Be on time for your shift, prompt with each appointment and perform services within the appropriate time allotted for the task
We are looking for organized, experienced individuals to join our fantastic team! Located in the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel, 4356 Main Street, Whistler Contact us on
JOBOPPORTUNITIES AT SSHS
Health Program
Clinical Services Manager
Provides leadership of acomprehensive range of nursingprogramswithincommunity andpublic health
CommunityHealthNurse
Providecaretoadult members(19+),being responsibleoffullscope nursingcaretoa variety of clients, constantly promoting health and wellnesseducation,and aligning care outof community
Home &Community Care Nurse
Providecaretoadult community members (19+), beingresponsible forfullscope nursing care to home care clientsand memberswithchronic diseases,constantlypromoting health and wellnesseducation,and aligningcareout of community
Child& Family Services
Family Preservation Worker
SupportsSSHSfamiliesthrough culturally sensitiveprogramsand services,promoting children’s safety andquality of life. This role coordinatesresources to enhancefamilyunity empowering familiesasprimary caregivers
JordansPrinciple
JordansPrinciple Administrative Assistant
Providesadministrativesupport to theJordan’s PrincipleService Coordinator, Service Coordination delivery, andsupport community building activities as needed.Disseminate informationtothe public andtoservice providers andcommunity-based professionalstopromote Jordan’s Principleand reduce servicebarriersfor Indigenous childreninBC.
SSHS is anon-profit Indigenous Health Organization dedicatedto improvingthe health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities.Our organization provides culturally appropriate healthcare services,programs andinitiatives to support the holistichealthofIndigenous individualsand families.
SSHS team memberstravel from ouroffice in Mount Currie, BC into thecommunities, oftendriving alonga Forest ServiceRoadfor up to two hours or beinghelicoptered in.Thisensures that SSHS members-from newborns to Elders-haveaccesstothe health andwellnesssupports at theirhealthstations, or health space, in theirhome communities
APPLYNOW
Applybysending your resume andcover letter viaemail: Julia.schneider@sshs.ca
View thefulljob postings on ourwebsite: sshs.ca/careers/ www.sshs.ca
Headlines & images can be mixed and matched as needed.
NOTE: “Carve out a new career path” should always be paired with a winter image
ÚlÍus Community Centre
•Director of Human Resources($93,475.20to $101,556 per year)
•Accounts Payable Coordinator ($38,038 to $53,599 peryear).
•Program Accountant ($25.65 to $35.15 per hour).
Infrastructure
•Housing Administrator ($46,683 to $63,973 per year)
Child &Family Services
•Transition House Support Worker($20.90 to $29.45 perhour)
•Receptionist ($17.85 to $20.90per hour)
Lil’wat Health &Healing +Pqusnalhcw Health Centre
•Healing Program Manager ($57,330.00 to $64,610.00 per year)
•OperationsManager ($59,878.00to$73,564.40 per year)
•Assistant Director,Health &Wellness ($93,475.20 to $101,566.00 per year)
Community Program
•Early Childhood Educator -Infant Toddler ($24.00 -$29.45/hr based on experience +this position is eligible for wage top up)
Xet’òlacw Community School
•Custodian ($17.85to$20.90 per hour)
• Education Assistant ($20.90 to $29.45 per hour)
• Language Resource Worker or Language Teacher ($46,683to$109,520per year)
Community Development
•Community Justice Development Facilitator ($57,330.00 to $64,610.00 per year)
•Policy Analyst ($46,683.00 to $63,973.00 per year)
•Band Social Development Worker ($38,038 to $53,599 per year)
Do not move the position or change the typesetting of the headline. The bottom angled keyline should always align with the angled gradient jolt.
https://lilwat.ca/careers/
If body copy is shorter, copy block can be nudged down to balance out visually in column
FACILITIES ENGINEER
CRANKWORX EVENT SURVEYORS
Temporary Contract
Full Time, Year Round
The Facilities Engineer is responsible for the oversight, maintenance, repairs and efficient operations of all main mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and the overall common areas at the Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler Golf Course and Driving Range.
The people make the place, and in Whistler's case that couldn't be more true. Tourism Whistler is looking for people passionate about mountain culture and sharing this special place we get to call home.
Crankworx Surveyors gather key information about the guest experience during Crankworx by conducting face-toface intercept surveys with visitors on the Village Stroll using an iPad. This position requires individuals who are outgoing, comfortable engaging with people along the Village Stroll, and able to work independently while collecting accurate data. Surveyors must be reliable, selfmotivated, and prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions from August 8 to August 17.
What We Offer:
• $21 per hour
• One Trackside VIP ticket to either the RockShox Canadian Open DH or Red Bull Joyride event, depending on your shift schedule
This position requires an individual who possesses a 4th Class Power Engineering Certificate (or is currently enrolled), complimented with five years of related experience gained in a commercial building or hotel. Experience and knowledge of direct digital controls, energy management systems and green initiatives is also important. Previous leadership experience, with knowledge of applicable buildings codes and health and safety practices is an asset.
TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.
TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT
P: Mark Mackay
The Museum is currently seeking:
Marketing Coordinator
Support with all marketing and communications efforts including social media, content creation, advertising,media relations, sales, and digital engagement.
•Full-Time, Permanent
•$55,000 -$57,500 per year
•Health Benefits
•Transit Allowance
•WellnessBenefit
Applicationdeadline July16, 2025
Apply and lear nmorevia theQR code, oremail applications to rparsons@audainartmuseum.com
BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY
Employee Health&Wellness Planavailable
HEAVYEQUIPMENT OPERATOR – Minimum 5years or 5,000 hoursoperating experience on excavator.Full-time, Monday –Friday. $33-$46 perhour.
CRUSHING &EARTHWORKSMANAGER– Must have experiencewith mobile crushing plantand heavy civil construction. $33-$46 perhour
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Greatopportunity to lear non-the-job.Stamina forphysically demanding work andperseverance to brave inclement weather required.
Previousexperience preferred but not required. Training provided. $28-$33 per hour
PIPE LAYER –Minimum 5years experience in civil construction. Full-time, Monday –Friday.$33-$43 per hour.
TRUCK DRIVER –BCDL Class 1orClass 3with air brakesrequired. Manual transmission 2 yearsexperience preferred. $35-$41.50per hour
SENIOR MANAGER, CONTENT MARKETING
Full Time, Year Round
Tourism Whistler is seeking a strategic and creative content leader to shape our brand narrative across digital channels. As Senior Manager, Content Marketing, you’ll lead a talented team in producing audience-first content for whistler.com, blog, app, and social media. You’ll oversee content strategy, SEO/ GEO, digital projects, and the use of tools like Google Analytics, CMS platforms, and AI technologies.
We’re looking for a collaborative leader with proven content marketing experience, a passion for Whistler, and strong proficiency in analytics, performance metrics, and content optimization tools.
What We Offer:
• A nine-day fortnight schedule designed to enhance work-life balance
• The opportunity to contribute to the success of your community
A commitment to health and wellness, and a fun and supportive team environment
• Starting salary is $80,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package TO VIEW OUR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, AND TO APPLY, VISIT US ONLINE AT: WHISTLER.COM/CAREERS.
Enough is enough
IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver has more than doubled. The price of groceries has gone up about 40 per cent, and gas costs nearly 50 per cent more today than it did in 2015.
Meanwhile, (assuming wages continued to grow at the same rate as 2016-2021) median income has probably only increased about 24 per cent over the last decade.
BY LIZI MCLOUGHLIN
Most of us don’t need to hear those numbers to know the truth they expose: money has become more scarce. The average Canadian is doing more with less, and spending a bigger proportion of their income on basic needs like housing, food, and transport. When we pay rent, pop to the grocery store, or fill up the gas tank, we experience the familiar feeling that we don’t quite have enough.
But, in one crucial way, we do have enough. Since 2015, total global wealth has grown from roughly US$250 trillion to US$471 trillion. On a global scale, money isn’t actually scarce: there’s more wealth in the world today
than at any point in human history.
So what gives?
Here’s a clue. In 2024 alone, the wealth of the world’s billionaires grew by $2 trillion. That means last year the wealthiest 3,000 people on the planet collectively made $5.5 billion every day, $228 million every hour, and $3.8 million every minute.
I think most of us know, in an abstract way, that the wealth is here, it’s just not ending up in our pockets. But it’s hard to understand the extent of that upwards flow of funds, in part because the numbers involved are so incomprehensible.
For example: with a good salary and a generous pension plan, you might be able to save $500/month for retirement. If you did that every month from age 25 to 65, you could retire with $1 million in the bank—enough to live comfortably for many years, and more than most will ever see in their lifetimes.
Those billionaires? Last year they made $1 million every 20 seconds.
This absurd inequity makes me angry, of course. But it doesn’t really surprise me that, when given the opportunity, some people will pursue the accumulation of wealth beyond any logical limit.
And it also wouldn’t surprise me if, even today, they still don’t feel they have enough.
Because, as the author Robin Wall Kimmerer has said, “modern capitalist societies, however richly endowed, dedicate themselves to the proposition of scarcity.”
In today’s world, however much we have, we rarely feel we have enough. And not just money. We don’t have enough time, enough energy, enough friends, enough experiences.
We’re not successful enough or attractive enough or fit enough. That sense of scarcity is so deeply engrained in the Western psyche that we assume it’s a natural part of the experience of being human.
But not all people and cultures conceptualize our shared resources and wealth as finite and scarce, as something to be hoarded and scrapped over. Many Indigenous cultures see the world as inherently abundant, containing everything we need for all living things to thrive, if only we know how to engage with it wisely.
For those of us who grew up in Western cultures, this perspective shift can be hard to square. After all, our day-to-day experiences constantly reinforce that niggling feeling of scarcity. Money is hard to find and even harder to hold on to. Many people do struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. In this context, it feels almost churlish to suggest we should be focusing on the abundance we have around us.
But I can’t put it better than Wall Kimmerer: “recognizing ‘enoughness’ is a radical act.”
Because to play the game of scarcity is to play the game of the billionaires. To agree that we don’t have enough, and to dedicate our efforts to accumulating more, is to say we accept the rules of a game we can’t win. Because let’s be honest: when some can make $3.8 million a minute, the rest of us aren’t catching up any time soon.
But if we recognize that we already have enough? There’s power in that.
It helps to create some space between us and the incessant messages telling us we’ll
have enough soon. It gives us breathing room to decide what to do with the wealth we do have—our health, our relationships, our time, our energy.
So often, we feel we have no other choice but to trade those things in to stay in the endless game. And of course, sometimes we do. But we have more opportunities to say “enough” than we think we do.
When we choose to upgrade our iPhone, or finance a new car, or take on that extra project at work. When we choose between another commitment, or getting a good night’s sleep. When we scroll down to the next reel, or swipe left on the next guy, knowing what we’ll find won’t fill the void.
Every day, we each have tiny moments where we can choose to say: I’m good. I have what I need. This will do. It feels strange, even scary, because so much of the modern world depends on us believing the scarcity story. It doesn’t negate the very real constraints we face. But it does hand us back a little bit of power and agency in our own lives.
Because as long as we keep buying into the myth that stability, security, and happiness are just around the corner, the wheels will keep spinning, with the same predictable, unequal results. We’ll keep feeling like we don’t have enough, and we’ll keep chasing more, while others quietly take it all.
On the other hand, if we all woke up tomorrow morning and decided we had enough, right now? What would happen then?
Lizi McLoughlin is a local non-profit leader, an average-but-enthusiastic mountain athlete, and an eternal optimist. n
