January 2, 2025

PAGE 6

WHAT DOES THE NEW GREEN DEAL MEAN?

PAGE 14

WANT TO DINE WILDER? New roaming foodie events launched

What you need to know about the Green-NDP pact

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

S Q U A M I S H C H I E F. C O M

GET READY TO DRIVE SLOWER

Council supports decision to lower speed limits to 30km/h at the Oceanfront and downtown areas INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

iLemayConway@squamishchief.com

S

peed limits are set to be reduced along the Oceanfront and downtown areas in 2025.

District of Squamish councillors voted to support a staff recommendation to lower posted speed limits in the two areas down to 30km/h as of mid-next year.

The decision made at the Dec. 17 regular council meeting also saw staff directed to include a “blanket speed limit reduction to 40km/h” across the remainder of the community, for consideration in the 2026 budget process.

BACKGROUND

POST HOLIDAY VIBE : Local sea lions looking how most of us feel after the holidays full of more food and less work.

Happy New Year!

SPEED Continued on 2

Wishing everyone happiness, good health & new adventures.

THANK YOU TO ALL MY CLIENTS FOR YOUR TRUST AND FOR BEING YOU!

PHOTO BY RICH DUNCAN

PHOTO BY RENÉE NICOLE/@ CAPTURINGINTHEWILD

District manager of transportation, Brent McMurtry, spoke on the item at the committee of the whole meeting on Dec. 10.

“Speeding contributes to approximately 30% of all traffic-related fatalities in British Columbia, and there’s evidence that shows that reducing posted speed limits can lead to increased traffic safety for all modes,” McMurtry said.

The community consultation revealed that 67% of Squamish residents who took part in the engagement process had “speed-related concerns on collector streets”—which are the classification of streets that are

2 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

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SPEED: Continued from 1 for moving vehicles throughout the community—with 33% raising concerns over local roads and laneways.

“This is consistent with the collision data that we saw as well, where there are more collisions on collector streets than there are on local streets in the community,” McMurtry said.

“There was fairly broad support for speed limit reduction within our community, with the greatest support for the downtown and Oceanfront area, followed by local and collector streets.”

“When we asked about the level of support for specific speeds in the downtown area, approximately just over a third felt that 30 km/h is the preferred speed.”

The BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) sets 50 km/hr as the default speed limit for municipalities.

Three options were proposed to council in relation to speed limit changes.

- Option 1: a reduction to 30 km/h at the Oceanfront and downtown - Option 2: a blanket 40km/h speed limit change across Squamish - Option 3: 30 km/h at the Oceanfront and downtown and 40km/h elsewhere According to the Municipal Speed Limit Reduction report, a blanket approach “would apply to all roads not already part of another speed limit approach. It wouldn’t apply in school zones, neighbourhood ways or potentially in an area already designated via an area-based approach.”

There is $165,000 in the 2025 budget for the implementation of the 30km/h speed limit reductions in the Oceanfront and downtown areas, which includes signage and communications. It does not include traffic calming, enforcement or transit operating expenses.

McMurtry also said that there would be financial impacts associated with transit as a result of each speed limit reduction option.

“As speed limits are reduced, you need more service hours to provide the same level of service to our transit … BC Transit supported us by completing an analysis and showed that the additional cost would range from $60,000 to almost $370,000 annually,” he said.

Staff recommended Option 1—reducing the speed limit to 30km/h at the two locations only—which the council opted for, but amended the motion to also consider the blanket speed limit reduction to 40km/h in the 2026 budget process.

COUNCIL COMMENTS “This approach allows us to move with the budget that we have allocated to this project already and secondly, provides the direction to staff to further investigate what the impacts would be,” Mayor Armand Hurford said at the

PHOTO BY INDIGO LEMAY CONWAY/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

The speed limit through the Oceanfront will be marked at 30km/h as of mid-2025.

committee of the whole meeting.

“I hear the concern of the community and of the folks around this table that they want to push out further than the downtown core, and I generally agree with that, and I think this is a way that we can do that in a better-informed way, which also gives us time to work with the community, to get them ready for this change that’s coming.”

Coun. Andrew Hamilton was in support of only changing to a blanket speed limit of 40 km/h but ultimately backed the motion to also reduce the limits in the two localized areas.

“I don’t believe that the 30 km/h zone downtown is going to achieve our objectives, but I am in agreement that the 40 km/h blanket zone, coming later, may achieve some of these objectives,” Hamilton said.

“The speed limit change is a necessary step in having enforcement actually happen. If we change the signs, that’s not going to automatically make everybody drive slower, but it is a necessary first step.”

Coun. Lauren Greenlaw supported the motion but said further consultation with the

trucking and transit industries should be completed to fully “understand the impacts” on them.

“I don’t necessarily think that this is a step that needs to be taken prior to increased enforcement on speeding. We just need increased enforcement on speeding because we already have people speeding a lot through all of our neighbourhoods.”

There were a lot of question marks around what kind of enforcement would be in play once the speed limit changes come into effect, but Coun. Jenna Stoner suggested a creative approach.

“I envision this brigade of citizens who have pledged to just always drive the speed limit.

That’s one of the most legit ways to slow everybody down, is if there’s one car who’s going at or below the speed limit,” Stoner said.

“So, do we have 100 people in the community who sign on, who say, I will always drive just below the speed limit, and then you slow everybody down?

“I think that there are other ways that we can really think about [enforcement] that actually engages our community, and there

The speed limit change is a necessary step in having enforcement actually happen.

COUN. ANDREW HAMILTON

are a lot of really active, vocal citizens who are concerned about street safety and road safety, and how do we empower them to take action, and how do we support them in doing so.”

Council members unanimously supported the motion at the regular council meeting Dec.17.

According to the report, “staff will develop a communications plan that will accompany the signage installation. The anticipated timeline for signage to be in the ground is mid-2025.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 3

GOT NEWS? Email your news tip or story idea to: jthuncher@squamishchief.com iLemayConway@squamishchief.com bchatterjee@squamishchief.com

NEW CO-HOUSING PROJECTS: A SOLUTION FOR AFFORDABILITY AND ISOLATION? Zoning challenges for the third co-housing project by Responsible Living JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

F

or Squamish’s Imran Ashraf, 41, co-housing developments are a solution to several social challenges in town.

Ashraf, who works in construction, has lived in a Responsible Living co-housing unit at Cheakamus House, at 1477 Depot Rd., Brackendale, for one year since it opened.

It has 14 one-bedroom and den suites with individual washrooms, shared kitchen and living room spaces, as well as a garage gym and communal outdoor space.

Originally from the U.K., Ashraf has lived in Whistler and Squamish on and off since 2007.

Behind Responsible Living are builder Dave

Ransier and Lior Ishai, a social entrepreneur.

So far, there are two such co-housing properties, the other being Britannia House in Dentville, which has 12 units and was built in 2022.

MAMQUAM HOUSE The duo are now planning a third, more ambitious project, called Mamquam House, that is slated to include five “micro-communities,” with a total of 30 units.

Mamquam House, at 40215 Government Rd, will have shared-bathroom suites, with rents starting at $1,100 per month, plus utilities and household expenses.

This month, on Dec. 3, though, the plans were put in jeopardy when the District council passed three readings of a bylaw that would change the

current R-1 zoning to R-3, meaning they could not go ahead with their plans as designed.

While it doesn’t change the unit count, it means a significant delay and loss of about $150,000 in designing plans.

A District spokesperson said this rezoning has to do with increasing density, but also addressing increased density in higher flood-risk areas.

The rezoning that impacted this property is part of a broad, District-wide rezoning amendment.

“The proposed zoning change is in line with Bill 44—Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing— [provincial] legislation that requires municipalities to amend their zoning bylaws to increase minimum density standards to allow more housing options in residential neighbour-

hoods,” the spokesperson said.

The District completed the first Bill 44 zoning bylaw amendment to increase density in some of these residential neighbourhoods through the adoption of the R-1 Zone in June 2024, except for the high flood hazard residential areas of Squamish.

A flood consultant was hired to determine how to address the Bill 44 requirements in high flood hazard areas of the district while also aligning with the District’s Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan and the flood hazard policies and guidelines in the Official Community Plan, according to the spokesperson.

“The R-3 Zone (along with several other CO-HOUSING: Continued on 5

EVIDENCE WRANGLING SLOWING LOCAL WOMAN’S ALLEGED TERRORISM CASE Kimberly Polman was arrested and charged by the Pacific Region RCMP Federal Policing Integrated National Security Enforcement Team with allegations in Richmond and Syria JEREMY HAINSWORTH Glacier Media

T

he pending B.C. Supreme Court jury trial of a Squamish woman charged with alleged ISIS-related terrorism offences is being bogged down as the Crown wrangles evidence from agencies both in Canada and abroad.

Kimberly Polman has pleaded not guilty and elected to be tried in English.

In July, the RCMP’s Federal Policing Integrated National Security Enforcement Team announced it had arrested and charged the 51-year-old woman.

TING! NEW LIS

Court documents indicate she left B.C. on July 21, 2015, information that is in count one of charge documents.

The charges allege Polman left Canada to knowingly participate in the activity of a terrorist group for the purpose of enhancing the ability of such a group to perform its activities. That is alleged to have happened in Richmond.

A second count alleges she participated in the work of the Islamic State between July 25, 2015, and July 27, 2019. That is alleged to have happened in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Federal Crown prosecutor Ryan Carrier appeared before Justice Martha Devlin on Dec. 18 and said retrieving evidence continues and a

2232 Crumpit Woods Drive

witness list is being compiled.

He said retrieval of some evidence from government agencies and elsewhere was beyond the control of police.

“That’s going to take a bit of time,” he told the court.

He said the Crown has made it clear to government departments that the evidence work needs to be done.

Polman was repatriated to Canada in October 2022.

REPATRIATION A federal government parliamentary question period briefing note dated Oct. 25, 2022, for

then-minister of public safety Marco Mendicino said Polman and another woman were repatriated from a camp in northeast Syria on received information that their health was deteriorating.

The other woman is Oumaima Chouay, who was repatriated with her two children.

She was arrested in Montreal on her return to Canada on Oct. 25, 2022.

Chouay was charged with leaving Canada to participate in the activity of a terrorist group, providing, making available property or services for terrorist purposes and conspiracy for leaving Canada to participate in the activity of a terrorist group.

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NEWS

4 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

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HOW BILLS C-31 AND S-3 CHANGED THE INDIAN ACT What does this mean for the Squamish Nation?

Members have raised concerns that the current Membership Code leaves out some of our grandchildren and children.

BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE

Local Journalism Initiative reporter

W

ho gets to decide who belongs?

Bills C-31 and S-3 changed the rules for Indian status, aiming to fix decades of unfair policies in the Indian Act. But these changes have brought new questions and challenges for communities like the Sḵwx ̱w ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), where membership and identity are deeply tied to these rules.

Here’s what these bills changed and why they still matter today.

Removal of the 1951 Cut-Off Date: Status eligibility was extended to descendants of women who lost status as far back as 1869.

However, while Bill S-3 corrected these gender-based inequities, it created new challenges for First Nations.

Community membership rules don’t always align with the federal government’s changes to status eligibility.

BILL C-31: CORRECTING DISCRIMINATION IN 1985 In 1985, the federal government passed Bill C-31 to address discrimination that had been embedded in the Indian Act for decades.

Before this amendment, Indigenous women lost their status if they married non-status men. By contrast, Indigenous men kept their status when marrying non-status women.

PHOTO BY LINDA YOLANDA/E+/GETTY IMAGES

The Squamish Nation is now reviewing its Membership Code with its members.

WHAT BILL C-31 CHANGED Women who lost their status through marriage were reinstated as Status Indians.

Their children also gained status, restoring rights to generations affected by this unfair

policy.

However, the bill introduced a new issue—two categories of status.

Section 6(1): Both parents are entitled to registration, so their children automatically receive status.

Section 6(2): Only one parent is entitled to status under Section 6(1).

This distinction created what is now called the “second-generation cut-off.”

Under this rule, if someone registered under Section 6(2) has children with a non-status partner, those children are no longer eligible for status.

Over generations, this has reduced the number of individuals eligible under the Indian Act.

BILL S-3: ELIMINATING MORE INEQUITIES IN 2017

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In 2017, the federal government passed Bill S-3 following a court decision in Descheneaux v. Canada.

The case highlighted ongoing inequities in the registration system, which Bill S-3 aimed to address.

The Cousins Issue: Descendants of women who lost status before 1985 are now treated equally to descendants of men.

The Siblings Issue: Children born outside marriage to entitled fathers between 1951 and 1985 gained status.

The Omitted Minor Children Issue: Children who lost status because their mothers remarried non-status men were reinstated.

The Gehl Decision: Greater flexibility was introduced to prove status when a parent or ancestor’s identity is unknown or unstated.

WHY IT MATTERS FOR THE SQUAMISH NATION The Nation’s Membership Code, first developed in 1987 and updated in 2000 and 2013, outlines the rules for becoming a Sḵwx ̱w ú7mesh member based on the Nation’s laws and traditions.

Under the current code, Indian Act status remains a requirement for membership.

However, changes brought by Bill S-3 have led to concerns among members.

According to the Nation, the updated registration rules have exposed gaps that leave out some grandchildren and children.

“Members have raised concerns that the current Membership Code leaves out some of our grandchildren and children,” the Nation states on its website.

“Bill S-3 provides an opportunity to engage our members on what changes they would like to see and update our Code.”

The Squamish Nation is now reviewing its Membership Code with its members.

The review is being led by Ts’ixwts’ixwnítway (Member Services), with support from the Membership Committee and the Membership Appeals Committee, and under the guidance of Nexwsxwníw ̃ntm ta Úxwumixw (council).

Members are encouraged to share their thoughts on the proposed updates: Phone: 604-982-7610 Email: membership@squamish.net Note: The Squamish Chief has reached out to the Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and is waiting for a reply.

Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous and civic affairs reporter.

This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 5

CO-HOUSING: Continued from 3 residential zones, including R-2, R-4 and R-5, that apply to other flood hazard residential areas in the District) is the culmination of this flood hazard policy and analysis work. Aligning zoning with the Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan also ensures that zoning does not exceed the risk tolerance levels established through that process,” continued the muni spokesperson.

“This property was initially zoned R-1.

However, further work with the flood consultant identified additional properties that needed to have their densities and setbacks adjusted to align the property with the Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan.”

Engagement for the project occurred over the fall, including an Open House on Oct. 9, 2024, with approximately 35 attendees, according to the District.

The Responsible Living folks didn’t hear about the change before it happened and are asking the council and District to pull their property out of the rezoning.

“With over 120 residents on our waiting list for Mamquam House, we encourage the mayor to champion affordable housing in Squamish by removing 40215 Government Rd. from the new zoning changes,” Ransier said in an email to The Squamish Chief.

Asked if it would be possible for the District to pull the Responsible Living property out of the rezoning, the District spokesperson said no.

“It is not possible for a single property to be exempted from Bylaw 3104 as this would not be equitable for the other hundreds of properties being rezoned in high flood hazard areas across the District to comply with Bill 44 and District flood policy,” the spokesperson said.

“Individual property owners can apply to rezone their properties if they would like to develop in a way that is not compliant with their current zoning. Properties that are located in high flood hazard areas generally need to engage a flood hazard engineering consultant to review their proposed development to determine if it meets the District’s flood policies, guidelines and regulations. Doing this ensures that the properties can be developed in a way that is safe for the intended use.”

CO-HOUSING DRAW For Ashraf, the first problem co-housing solves is affordability.

“When I lived here in 2011, I had a basement, one bedroom suite, $600 a month,” he recalls, though he isn’t bitter about the rent increase over time, seeing it instead as inevitable, given the beauty and central location of Squamish.

“You would expect that right, living between Vancouver and Whistler, Squamish—it’s got the potential for growth,” he said.

What he pays per month for his unit is low compared with other rentals in town, and he doesn’t pay for utilities, he said.

They are purpose-built rentals, too, which means renting a unit doesn’t come with the anxiety that your landlord may sell or “renovict” you.

The other challenge that co-housing solves is isolation.

A single guy, Ashraf, said that given how

PHOTOS COURTESY RESPONSIBLE LIVING

Design of Mamquam House, before the recent rezoning.

exhausting construction work can be, he could tend to get into a routine of working, going home and maybe playing a video game, sleeping and doing it all again the next day without much socializing outside of work.

Now, he has a built-in community.

“It’s a way to force you to be somewhat social,” he said. “Because you have to cook in the kitchen, which means you interact with other people. And I always thought that concept was really good because I’ve lived in rental accommodation for, I’d say, over half of my life now, and when I came here, I always thought that was something that had been missed as an opportunity [in Squamish].”

He said the mix of ages in his building means that tenants can learn and be inspired by each other. He gave the example of a younger tenant who is into snowboarding, which reminded Ashraf of when he worked in Whistler.

“It’s nice in that aspect, there’s a good mix of people, different ages, different backgrounds, different hobbies,” he said.

While there isn’t a strata, Ashraf said the house co-ordinator is the go-between for the residents and the owners.

Most everything to do with living in the home is done by vote, for example what outdoor feature they want in the yard, paid for with a monthly allowance from the owners.

“In the summer, a bunch of the tenants are into gardening. One of the tenants is a landscaper. And so Responsible Living were like, ‘OK, we’ll pay for materials. You put in the labour.’ So we had, I think, four planters, and they were growing zucchini, tomatoes, chillies, flowers. And there were a bunch of people who were involved in that kind of thing,” he said.

“There has been talk of a sauna.”

He said he knows that some locals don’t like the idea of these co-housing developments, but for him, more are needed in town.

“There’s resistance to change,” he acknowledged.

“If I came into money, this is what I would do because you can look at a townhome, say, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, townhome,

with a master bedroom with an ensuite being rented for, like, $1,500. And then you got bills on top of that, and what I pay is very close to that, and I have no bills … Hydro, internet, it’s all included. And so for me, I think it’s a great idea. I

feel that more of this type of housing would be beneficial.

To find out more about Responsible Living’s co-housing options so far, go to www.responsibleliving.ca.

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6 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

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WHAT DOES THE GREEN PARTY’S DEAL WITH THE NDP MEAN FOR SQUAMISH? Regional transit in 2025, but no cancellation of Woodfibre

On this, Valeriote acknowledged his two-MLA Green Party couldn’t get traction.

“This is an area where our BC Green caucus was not able to budge the government,” he said.

“This is tremendously disappointing to me, but we did not have the negotiating leverage to get Woodfibre cancelled, and LNG is deeply entrenched in the government’s plans. However, there is still the possibility that updates to CleanBC regulations and/or global gas market conditions serve to bring an end to this misguided project or future LNG export projects that will contribute to destructive climate impacts,” he added.

“The Greens being at the table to update and set a new direction for CleanBC is a major win for the climate and environment, and we will absolutely continue to hold the NDP government accountable on fossil fuel development and meeting our emissions targets.”

JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

E

arlier this month, the BC Green Party anounced its caucus had entered a four-year agreement with the BC New Democratic Government.

The deal, which was signed Dec. 12, can be reviewed annually.

This agreement secures Green support for the NDP on big-ticket items—confidence and supply—in exchange for advancing Green initiatives on health care, housing, renter support, homelessness, transit, climate, forestry, tax and legislative reform.

“We are glad to have reached an agreement that champions Green initiatives,” said Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, in a news release.

“We’ve witnessed how unchecked inequality and polarization erode trust in government, and this is our chance to rebuild faith in our public institutions by delivering for everyone, especially those British Columbians who’ve been left behind.”

NOT SURPRISING

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BC GREEN CAUCUS

During the swearing in ceremony on Nov. 12 for the two Green MLAs: the Sea to Sky’s Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.

WHAT DOES SQUAMISH GET FROM THIS DEAL?

Eyco Building Group has been building in the Lower Mainland and Sea-to-Sky Corridor since 1979.

We are highly experienced in all facets of construction ranging from custom home builds and renovations to tenant improvement projects of all sizes.

Our team is focused on providing superior standards, quality craftmanship, and extraordinary customer service.

Reach out to us today regarding your project in Squamish, Whistler, or the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District—we’d love to hear from you!

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Sea to Sky regional transit is the biggest thing Squamish looks to get out of the deal.

On transit, the agreement states: “Government will commit, in collaboration with [the BC Green Party Caucus], to implement frequent, reliable, affordable regional transit on key inter-regional routes on Vancouver Island, along Highway 16, and along Highway 1, with a focus on Sea to Sky Corridor transit in 2025.”

Asked for more details on if this means buses will be rolling by this time next year Valeriote told The Squamish Chief that is the idea.

“There are many details still to be determined.

However, a lot of planning work has been completed by local governments and First Nations, so I expect that regional transit can be implemented in 2025,” he said in an email exchange with The Squamish Chief.

“It is one of the intentions of the agreement that accountability for outcomes is built into continued support from the BC Greens, and this is one example where I will be pushing hard for fast implementation—Sea to Sky residents have waited long enough for transit service!”

TREMENDOUSLY DISAPPOINTING What isn’t in the agreement is any mention of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or more specifically, Woodfibre LNG. Movement on this was something Valeriote touted as separating him from other candidates throughout the campaign.

In a release after Valeriote’s win, members of the environmental group My Sea to Sky congratulated themselves on making Woodfibre LNG an election issue.

“My Sea to Sky has made Woodfibre LNG an election issue at the local, provincial, and federal level for nearly 11 years now,” said the organization’s executive director, Tracey Saxby, in a post on the My Sea to Sky website on Oct. 24.

“After nearly electing a BC Green to the West Vancouver Sea to Sky riding in 2020, this election, we have finally made history as Jeremy Valeriote becomes the first BC Green elected to the mainland. This sends a clear message about the increasing opposition to Woodfibre LNG, as the BC Greens are the only party opposed to fracking and LNG export projects.

“Thank you to everyone that voted, and helped to get out the vote.”

Asked about how the organization views the inability to get the LNG issue into the agreement, Saxby said that My Sea to Sky has successfully made Woodfibre LNG an election issue for every local, provincial, and federal election since 2014.

“The BC Greens are the only party opposed to fracking and LNG export projects, so it’s not surprising that they were unable to reach an agreement with the BC NDP on this issue,” she said, in an email to The Squamish Chief.

“We’re excited to see the commitments to regional transit, climate action—including funding for heat pumps—forests, and water management for the first year of this agreement,” she added.

“The review of CleanBC will also provide another opportunity for the BC Greens to call to cancel the permits for Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC’s fracked gas pipeline, both of which have now received several warnings from regulators for violating the conditions of their permits. The continued expansion of new fossil GREENS: Continued on 7

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GREENS: Continued from 6 fuel infrastructure like Woodfibre LNG will make it impossible for B.C. to meet its climate targets once these projects are operational.”

Saxby said My Sea to Sky will continue to hold “Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC accountable and raise awareness about how these fossil fuel projects are harming our climate, health, safety, and environment, and worsening the cost-ofliving crisis when so many British Columbians are already struggling to make ends meet.”

She said the organization reiterates its call on the government to cancel the permits for Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC’s “high-pressure fracked gas pipeline.”

WE CHOSE TO FIND COMMON GROUND Ultimately, Valeriote pointed to the addition of the Greens and what they were able to get in the deal with the NDP as positive.

From the agreement, he highlighted “built-in transparency and quarterly progress reporting on specific deliverables, community health centres and integrating mental health into our health care system, permanently protecting Fairy Creek and continuing the conversation on electoral reform.”

He also stressed the common ground the agreement speaks to.

“In a time of deep division and polarization, we chose to find common ground and focus on what really matters, addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, the climate crisis, and making B.C. a better place for everyone,” he said.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 7

My Sea to Sky has made Woodfibre LNG an election issue at the local, provincial, and federal level for nearly 11 years now.

TRACEY SAXBY “With the NDP holding a majority, they didn’t need to work with us, but we worked hard to secure a deal that prioritizes real solutions people need right now,” he said.

The agreement will deliver immediate relief, he added, including mental health care covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP), increases to Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Rental Assistance Program (RAP), more affordable homes protected under the Rental Protection Fund, and action on homelessness with the village model.

“What we’ve secured for 2025 in budget terms is $298 million, just 0.3% of the 2024 budget. This is real progress, but it’s just the start. We’ll keep pushing for Green initiatives beyond this accord, and the one-year renewal means we can adapt and improve. We are excited and hopeful about what’s to come in 2025, and the more that is realized in the coming months, we think British Columbians will be too.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF EVELYN SCHELLENBERG

THE GIVING KIND: The Squamish Women’s Hockey Academy, which is coached by women and is a program for beginners and intermediate players, wrapped up its annual Holiday Cup tourney just before Christmas. Part of the tournament is for teams to donate food to the food bank. The women, with help of these fine young men, dropped off two truckc loads of donations.

CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL Trees must be bare Remove all decorations, lights and tinsel No artificial snow SQUAMISH

Drop-Off Locations

WHISTLER

Squamish Landfill

Function Junction Depot

Nesters Depot

DAILY 9 am - 5 5:45 45 pm

DEC 26 - JAN 12 7 am - 7 pm

DEC 26 - JAN 12 7 am - 7 pm

Tipping fees apply

No tipping fees

No tipping fees

Curbside collection (where applicable) Cut tree into smaller pieces <10" and a diameter <3" Place in organics tote - lid must close fully

Scouts Tree Chipping Event (fees apply) January 11 & 12 from 10 am - 5 pm at Canadian Tire, Squamish

PEMBERTON

Pemberton Transfer Station JAN 3 - 31 Mon, Wed, Fri 12 - 7 pm Sat & Sun 10 am - 5 pm Tipping fees apply

8 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

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View this ad online.

Payment Options Changing As of December 31, 2024 the District of Squamish will no longer accept credit card payments over the phone. The following payment options are available.

• In person payment at 37955 Second Avenue with credit card (maximum $2,000), debit card, cheque, or cash.

• After hours cheque drop box at 37955 Second Avenue.

Please include your contact information, account number or folder number (e.g. Building permit number, Development permit number) or your address and reason for payment.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

IN RECREATION AND CULTURE Start your year off right—our winter sessions begin January 7.

Curbside Collection NO CURBSIDE PICKUP

COLLECTION CHANGED TO

Wednesday, January 1

Saturday, January 4

Never miss a collection day!

Visit our website to get a free reminder email, app notification, or phone call. Just enter your address or download the free app. squamish.ca/curbside-collection

Caregiver Support Group

Kick off the New Year with Winter Fun!

Our Winter Programs begin January 7, and there’s still time to find your favorite!

From sports and fitness to arts and activities for all ages, there’s something for everyone.

Don’t miss out—sign up today

Choir with Ian Brown

Love to sing? Join Ian Brown’s Choir Class and let your voice shine!

Every Friday, 11 AM–1:30 PM, at The 55 Activity Centre.

Best of all, it’s completely FREE!

Trained volunteers offer practical and emotional support to caregivers. Drop-in to this welcoming space to socialize and for support in a group setting.

This program is offered by Sea to Sky Hospice.

For registration information contact 778.319.7934 and ask to speak to Jody Kramer.

Last Tuesday of every month 11:45 AM -1:15 PM This program takes place at the Westwinds.

Know before you go! squamish.ca/pool

New! Seniors Open Gym Program - 55+

Starts January 14 | Westwinds fitness room | $8 drop-in fee* Join us for 90 minutes of non-instructional time in the Fitness Room at Westwind’s Senior Living. We have a variety of equipment including treadmills, ellipticals, recumbent bikes and free-weights with staff supervision included. *Westwinds does not have a payment counter, so pre-paying for your drop in is required. Prepayment can be made at The 55 Activity Centre, Brennan Park or online.

for details:

squamish.ca/rec

Way to go Squamish!

Squamish has been the first community in British Columbia to offer a curbside battery recycling pilot program through a collaboration with Call2Recycle, GFL, and the District of Squamish.

During one week each in June and November, Squamish residents were asked to put their collected batteries on top of their recycling bins to be collected. A total of 683 households participated. Over 1,300 kg of batteries were collected for recycling.

Batteries are hazardous and can never be left in residents’ curbside totes. However, they can be dropped off year-round at many locations in Squamish. Find all the Squamish drop-off locations 2025 battery collection dates: April 21 - 25, 2025 & November 3 - 7, 2025 squamish.ca/battery-recycling

Winter Parking Restrictions

Parking on select streets in Squamish is restricted to one side only until March 1, 2025.

This ensures snow plows and emergency vehicles can safely navigate during winter conditions.

For a list of affected streets and more details, visit squamish.ca/winter-parking

Business Opportunities • Xwu’nekw Park Sea Dike & Upgrades - Request for Proposals • Sanitary Sewer Master Plan Update - Request for Proposals • Lift Station Repairs - Request for Proposals squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district

Sign up for eNews squamish.ca/enews

squamishchief.com

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 9

DARTS & DAFFODILS DAFFODILS AND POINSETTIAS OF GRATITUDE

from The Squamish posties.

We all appreciated the love, support and kind donations from locals and businesses alike that kept our hearts warm.

It was meant to be a friendly reminder, that we are so lucky to have so many bike lanes throughout our community, so single up and use it.

You give all cyclists a bad name with this sense of entitlement. Just follow the rules of the road already, stay safe out there, and save the social for post-ride.

A TRUCK LOAD OF DAFFODILS to Miller

Capilano, Ken Harris & Sons, Tupper, Lindsay Equipment, Rental Network, Howe Sound Hauling, JBD and all the other incredible trucks for your hard work the last few weeks! ~From a very grateful community

DARTS TO THE TWO CYCLISTS pedalling

north on Government Road, just past the three-way stop intersecting Garibaldi Way on Dec 18th. From a fellow avid road cyclist, why you think it’s OK to ride two abreast, with one in the bike lane and the other easily a foot into the car lane, boggles me. I was the vehicle that gave three taps of my horn, which resulted in a scowl.

Got something nice to say or some constructive criticism? Send your Darts & Daffodils: Email: news@squamishchief.com or drop off at The Chief office (38117 Second Ave.) during business hours. Deadline for submissions is Monday at 4 p.m. for Thursday’s paper. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number for verification. Maximum length is 75 words. Darts are intended to be an anonymous critique between private parties.

Darts must not directly or indirectly identify an individual or business.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED AT THE 55 ACTIVITY CENTRE! DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR RECREATION AND SUPPORTING THE 55+ COMMUNITY? We’re looking for Volunteer Drivers to help provide more out-trip opportunities for our members.

Requirements: • Class 4 driver’s licence • Driver’s abstract • Police information and vulnerable sector check (cost covered by us) If you’re dynamic, community-minded, and ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

PHOTO BY RENÉE NICOLE @CAPTURINGINTHEWILD

WALKING ON WATER: Have a spectacular photo to share? Send it to news@squamishchief. com.

Call 604.848.6998 or email recreation@squamish.ca.

10 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

squamishchief.com

View this ad online.

Notice of Intention to Dispose of Land WHAT’S PROPOSED: Disposition of District owned road allowance bordering 1360 Victoria Street for canopies extending from the Aegean Homes Development.

The District of Squamish (“District”) hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 26 of the Community Charter that the District intends to grant an easement, beginning after January 2, 2025, that will expire when the building is demolished or significantly structurally altered, to 1158307 B.C. Ltd., for a 69.1m2 portion, for the purpose of two canopies, over District owned road allowance bordering 1360 Victoria Street, with a legal description of PID 012-002836 Lot A Block 18 District Lot 486 Plan 3960, for a $1,000 processing fee.

This is the second of two notices, dated this 2nd day of January, 2025, at Squamish, British Columbia.

Notice of Intention to Dispose of Land WHAT’S PROPOSED: Disposition of District owned road allowance over that portion of Sp’awk’us Landing Village Crescent bordering the Oceanfront Squamish Presentation Centre (37010 Village Crescent) for the purposes of an awning.

The District of Squamish (“District”) hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 26 of the Community Charter that the District intends to grant an easement, beginning after January 2, 2025, that will expire when the building is demolished or significantly structurally altered, to Matthews West Developments Ltd., for a 9.8m2 portion, for the purpose of an awning, over District owned road allowance (Sp’awk’us Landing Village Crescent) bordering 37010 Village Crescent, with a legal description of PID 031-768-865 Lot C District Lot 5717 Group 1 New Westminster District Plan EPP115271, for a $1,000 processing fee.

This is the second of two notices, dated this 2nd day of January, 2025, at Squamish, British Columbia.

2025 Landfill Tipping Fees On January 2, 2025, the tipping fees at the Squamish Landfill changed to the following: Minimum charge for waste

$10

Waste residual waste with no recycle or reuse options

$244/tonne

Banned materials surcharge contains more than 5% recyclables or organics

$305/tonne

Recyclable materials

FREE

Appliances

FREE

Appliances with Ammonia

$80/unit

Asphalt

FREE

Mattresses and box springs

$25/piece

Tires passenger and light truck only

$15 no rim $30 rims

Gypsum board NO asbestos

$421/tonne

Food waste from residential sources

FREE

Invasive plants Residential sources (small load)

FREE (Bin located at Recycle Depot)

Commercial sources with Invasive-Free Certification

$43/tonne

Commercial sources without Invasive-Free Certification

$91/tonne

Clean wood and yard waste suitable for compost

$128/tonne

Dirty wood painted, glued etc. suitable for biofuel

$185/tonne

Surcharge for contaminated wood load (> 5%)

$144/tonne

Concrete (up to 110kg)

$183/tonne

Surcharge if concrete is >110kg

$87

RV, Boats, Trailers

$300/tonne

Dismantled and liquids and recyclables removed Glass > 100kg

$80/tonne

Weighing service

$48/load

More than 15 materials continue to be accepted for free recycling at the Landfill Recycling Depot and Transfer Station. These include cardboard, plastic bags, books, clothing, and white foam packaging. squamish.ca/landfill

COMMUNITY

squamishchief.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 11

BRITANNIA BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT DONATES PLAY KITCHEN TO COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARE Firefighting training spreads community spirit JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

I

t’s a full-circle moment of sorts.

On Dec. 20, Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Rob Nicholls slides the Ikea play kitchen out of the back of a department pickup outside The Squamish Chief.

He is dropping it off as a donation to Squamish Community Christmas Care, given the paper’s Second Avenue office always serves as a donation drop-off location.

It is full circle in that the playhouse was assembled as part of a communications exercise, and the newspaper is, well, a form of communication.

Earlier in December, for the third year in a row, the Britannia Beach department conducted a radio communications exercise.

“One officer was sequestered away and using a portable radio to communicate with the firefighter team that was on the incident scene and was providing instructions over the radio on how to assemble this product,” Nicholls said of the Ikea play kitchen.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

Fire Chief Rob Nicholls dropping off the play kitchen just before Christmas.

Each year, they assemble something different.

“None of the firefighters knew what it was.

The officer for that team is blindfolded, so he or

she is taking the communications from the incident commander ... They are having to say to the workers, ‘OK, take a one-foot by two-foot

piece of plywood, and then find two sides that go to it.’ Because IKEA has no written instructions, it’s all pictures, so the incident commander is communicating from the picture instructions to the team.”

The two teams of eight get two hours to finish the project. Then, the blindfolds are taken off, and if not completed yet, the rest of the item is assembled.

According to Nicholls, in addition to being a lesson in teamwork, this exercise is a fun way to learn other important firefighting skills.

“They have to learn proper radio protocols ... and then also, it’s a problem-solving exercise for both the firefighters and the incident commander in communicating limited information as succinctly as possible to support the team in assembling it,” he said.

“It’s a fun, entertaining and educational opportunity for the firefighters to really hone the radio skills and their problem-solving skills.”

The 120-year-old Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief boasts 38 active firefighters and averages about 11 (10.8) firefighters per call out.

To learn more about the department, go to bbvfa.ca.

WHAT'S NEXT @ THE BAG Highlights Battle of The Bands

Fri Jan 10, 17 & 24 @ 7:00 pm

Local bands, one stage. Who advances?

$10

Chess Tournament Challenge opponents & win prizes!

Sat Jan 18 @ 9:00 am $20

Marc Charron

Sat Jan 18 @ 8:00 pm

Local singer-songwriter

$20 adv | $25 door

Jennamae & The Groove Section

Sat Jan 25 @ 8:00 pm

Soulful pop with irresistible R&B grooves

$20 adv | $25 door

Battle of The Bands Final

Fri Jan 31 @ 7:00 pm

Ultimate showdown! Who wins?

$10

Joni Mitchell Tribute Concert

Sat Feb 1 @ 8:00 pm

Celebrate timeless songs!

$25 adv | $30 door

STOP BY AND TRY OUR NEW MENU! Café open daily from 8 am

EXPLORE ALL EVENTS PHOTO BY RENÉE NICOLE @CAPTURINGINTHEWILD

TOOT TOOT!: A local pygmy owl. According to All About Birds, the pygmy owl song is a series of high, hollow toots spaced a couple of seconds apart. Couples will sometimes sing simultaneously.

brackendaleartgallery.com

SCAN NOW, GRAB YOUR TICKETS, AND JOIN THE FUN!

12 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

squamishchief.com THE SQUAMISH CHIEF NEWSPAPER, PRINTED EVERY THURSDAY

BY GLACIER MEDIA INC. 38113 Second Avenue Box 3500, Squamish BC, V8B 0B6

CT US

PRINTED EVERY THURSDAY BY GLACIER MEDIA INC. T: 604-892-9161

news@squamishchief.com ads@ squamishchief.com classifieds@squamishchief.com subs@squamishchief.com production@squamishchief.com obituaries: ads@squamishchief.com EDITOR JENNIFERTHUNCHER jthuncher@ squamishchief.com follow @thuncher REPORTER INDIGO LEMAYCONWAY iLemayConway@ squamishchief.com REPORTER BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE bchatterjee@ squamishchief.com SALES MANAGER CATHIE GREENLEES cgreenlees@ squamishchief.com MULTI- MEDIA SALES REPRESENTATIVE KIM BOATMAN kboatman@ squamishchief.com CIRCULATION MANAGER DENISE CONWAY dconway@ squamishchief.com PUBLISHER SARAH STROTHER sstrother@wplpmedia.com

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

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

EDITORIAL WHAT A YEAR IT WAS

W

e all know that time is an arbitrary construct (it certainly feels that way between Christmas and New Year’s Day, doesn’t it?).

However, the start of the New Year gives us a chance to think about all that has happened in the previous 365 days.

In Squamish, a lot happened in 2024!

Here’s an incomplete list of just some of the significant happenings this year: • The revived Brackendale Art Gallery: Café & Culture Centre opened to great fanfare last spring, welcoming new artists’ tastes, groups and patrons.

• May saw the opening of Sp’akw’us Feather Park at Oceanfront Squamish.

The park has fast become a favourite stop for kids of all ages, locals and tourists alike.

• While the Squamish Community Housing Society was founded in 2021 and was operational in 2023, it really picked up steam in 2024, with, for example, operating 48 below-market rental units.

• Capilano University Squamish opened on the old Quest University campus, welcoming its first students in the fall of 2024.

Soon after, its new turf field hosted soccer cleats from across the country in the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer National Championship action.

• We got a new MLA from a political party that we haven’t ever seen in this riding, with Jeremy Valeriote of the Green Party winning in October.

He’s also the first BC Green elected on the mainland.

• After about a decade of buildup—and division— Woodfibre LNG and the associated FortisBC pipeline project both began construction, with the floatel moving to the site this past summer.

• Many developments progressed as well, including the start of the $89-million Cheekeye Debris-Flow Barrier, to make way for the Cheekeye River Development.

• The new Fire Hall on Tantalus Road was completed and became operational as well, giving more tools and comfort to firefighters, and enhanced safety to the community.

• A new CT scan for Squamish hospital and a new long-term care home were both announced this year, too.

Of course, it is not as grand a beginning as those mentioned so far, but The Squamish Chief underwent changes this year, too. We have new employees—general reporter Indigo Lemay-Conway and Indigenous affairs reporter Bhagyashree Chatterjee. We also moved offices to our new location at 38113 Second Ave, where H&R Block used to be. ( H&R Block is now at 1305 Pemberton Ave.) Many other businesses opened, moved or grew this past year than we could ever list here, but we know we are better off for their success.

It has been quite a year.

We can’t wait to see what is in store for 2024.

A JOURNEY ACROSS BORDERS: HOW I FOUND A HOME IN SQUAMISH YOUTH COLUMN JOAQUIN DAVILA

M

oving throughout my 17 years of life has been a long, yet adventurous journey that ultimately brought me to Squamish, a place I now call home.

I grew up in Guatemala, surrounded by family, close friends, and a vibrant culture I grew to love deeply. My family moved around Guatemala City seven times, each time introducing me to new places to explore.

However, growing up, I often heard adults say how much better life was in the U.S. or Canada. It wasn’t until I left Guatemala for the first time in 2021 that I began to really appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of my home country.

Our first move was to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where we lived in a small apartment for a year while waiting for our Canadian permanent residency cards.

Though I enjoyed discovering a new place, I quickly began to miss Guatemalan food—nothing beats a good traditional dinner! After a year, we returned to Guatemala for four months to finalize our permanent residency (PR) applications. Those months reconnected me to the culture, family, and food I missed so much.

In 2022, our PR cards arrived, and we moved to Pemberton. This was a big adjustment—from city life to a remote small town. On top of that, our house had

no internet, so we had to drive 10 minutes into town or visit neighbours just to connect online, and can you imagine living without constant access to the internet?

I sure can’t. Despite these challenges, though, Pemberton was only a stepping stone; our goal was Squamish.

After months of searching, we found a place near Westway Avenue in Valleycliffe. I started Grade 10 at Howe Sound Secondary and grew attached to Squamish’s cosy, tight-knit vibe. I was really enjoying my time studying, and classes were teaching me a variety of different things. Unfortunately, we moved again—this time to Nelson. But after just seven months, we returned to Squamish, where we truly felt at home, due to not being able to find jobs over there and overall missing Squamish’s ambiance.

That second arrival was very encouraging. Reuniting with friends lifted my spirits, even as we lived in a cramped studio apartment while applying for affordable housing. Though we didn’t get into affordable housing, we were lucky enough to win a random draw for a house near the Montessori school, finally giving us a permanent place to settle. Our not qualifying for affordable housing, though is still one of the oddities of the journey I still don’t quite get, but it is what it is.

It’s been a long journey to get here, but every step shaped my perspective and helped me appreciate where I’ve come from and where I am now. I’m grateful to call Squamish my home.

Joaquin Davila is a Grade 12 student who interned at The Squamish Chief.

squamishchief.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 13

Ha7lh skwálwen cht kwis emút cht iy sts’its’áp’ cht iy kw’shétsut cht na7tkwa temíxw tl’a Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw

JOIN US ONLINE

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

QUESTION OF THE WEEK If a federal election were held today, who would you vote for?

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR LET’S CHOOSE PEACE

A

t this time of year, we get to reflect on what we have done in the past 12 months and what the New Year might hold.

We are surrounded by challenges.

For many, these are personal ones.

Global ones—greenhouse gases, decreasing biodiversity, and violent conflict suggest that we are exceeding the planet’s capacity to support us—crowd in on us further.

While it is natural to focus on the issues that are closest to one’s doorstep, we increasingly see that everything is linked.

As a physician, I would like to point out how important peace is for our health.

Peace affects every aspect of our existence. Internal peace is a cornerstone of good mental health. Peace in the family is foundational to the relationship between women and men. It contributes to parenting that helps children to understand who they are and how they can contribute to community well-being.

It helps to create communities where everyone is included. It allows us to look at the environment that supports us through a different lens.

On the other hand, violence does exactly the opposite. Whether psychological or physical, it ruins internal equanimity and dissolves relationships, creating communities that breed fear and where love is absent. It is mirrored in how we treat the environment.

Thankfully, we live in Canada, where violence is largely illegal and only allowed in very prescribed circumstances, such as in defence of our security.

Peacekeeping is vital, whether in Squamish or across the globe.

Yet, we have a world where peacemaking seems to be on the back burner.

Violent conflict rages in more countries than at any time in the past generation.

Global security is dependent on the use and the threat of use of nuclear weapons.

We are convinced that our safety is ensured by a mutual suicide pact. Simply, if we are attacked, our response will make sure that none of us will survive.

At the very least, the thinking that has led us to this impasse is unhealthy. We

have grown accustomed to using violence to resolve conflict. Nuclear weapons are its worst symptom. We have global bans on chemical and biological weapons, cluster munitions and land mines. The Total Prohibition on Nuclear Weapons bans nuclear weapons, but none of the nuclear weapons states and their allies have supported it.

Obviously, abolishing nuclear weapons will not prevent us from using violence, but it will allow us to explore pathways to security that do not hold the potential to end life as we know it.

In the New Year, Canada has an opportunity to change this. There is a meeting of the parties to the TPNW in New York in March. Canada could send a representative to explore what is possible to make the world safer. I urge you to ask Patrick Weiler to support this.

This is not a partisan issue.

Recently a motion in our House of Commons to support engagement with the TPNW was supported by all parties.

We are one human family that inhabits an increasingly fragile homeland.

Nuclear weapons must not be used.

If you feel like me, share those concerns with others. Bring it up in conversations with those who are involved in making policy at the local, provincial, national and global levels. Join the various civil society organizations that educate and advocate for peace.

Perhaps, this time next year we will be a little closer to the peace that will make all our lives a little healthier.

John Guilfoyle, President of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada Squamish

NO TO PAID PARKING

P

arking in Squamish is a problem of entitlement, privilege, and sometimes, inconvenience. The District intends to solve this “problem” by framing paid parking on our public streets and parking lots as a climate solution that is “tourist-based.” This is misleading. Just like the “tourist-based” no-camping bylaw that targets working locals and visitors (but negatively impacts locals more than

tourists), this is paid parking for everyone, tourists and locals alike. A cash grab aimed to profit off others while pricing certain people out, furthering the class divide and the commodification and privatization of public lands.

Increasing the cost of car ownership before alternatives are in place is a regressive approach, as it hurts those who rely on street parking and who are financially struggling while leaving the wealthy and their private parkades unscathed.

Ironically, Squamish vehicle residents have been asking for a paid permit system for years, yet the DOS rejected this idea. In the end, it’s about who is seen as more valuable and desirable, isn’t it?

It is time the DOS address the realities of class and the colonial idea that land is a commodity to be used for “highest value”. Instead of further privatizing public land, focusing on practical mobility alternatives (more buses, bike lanes, a one-stop paid parkade, etc…), may be a better idea.

If paid parking proceeds, a project that will cost tax-payers $600,000+ to implement and will result in locals having to pay to use the adventure center and Smoke Bluffs parking lots, it’s time to think about future council candidates who care more about people than helping private parking corporations profit off public land.

We must also consider “democracy” and what that really means. I am referring to Squamish council’s approval of a motion to “prioritize the implementation of a paid-parking pilot”, despite the fact that the survey is not yet complete. Like all DOS surveys, there’s no box to check “no”, leaving no way to show quantitative objection, but in the comments. I will not be surprised that even if survey data shows that the public doesn’t want this, they will proceed regardless in their patronizing “we know better” way.

Squamish is not Whistler, and I’m sure many do not desire it to be so. Please say NO to paid parking.

Thomasina Pidgeon Squamish

LETTERS POLICY The Squamish Chief welcomes letters to the editor of up to 400 words. Letters should be exclusive to this publication and are meant to respond to a local story in The Squamish Chief or raise an issue happening in town. Please include your name, neighbourhood and daytime phone number. The deadline is 5 p.m.

Monday to be considered for Thursday’s edition. Full names and neighbourhood will be published with the letter. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and edit letters for length and clarity or to address legal concerns. Email letters to: editor@squamishchief.com.

Have your say at squamishchief.com

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

Do you make New Year’s resolutions?

NO! SOMETIMES YES

64% 19% 17%

MOST READ STORY Squamish business beat: KiddoSTEAM opens new facility in Squamish

TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK This week, Indigo Lemay Conway drove around checking out the best light displays in town. Find this and many other videos on our TikTok channel: @squamishchief.

14 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

squamishchief.com

Dine Wilder—an exclusive roaming restaurant experience

foodbeat

The unique dining experience aims to connect women and help inspire and motivate diners INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

ilemayconway@squamishchief.com

H

PHOTOS BY GABRIELA LE PHOTOGRAPHY

ave you ever had a meal fill you up physically and spiritually?

Well, Dine Wilder, an exclusive roaming restaurant for women, has set out to do just that.

Emily Shimwell, one half of the duo behind Graze Wilder—a Squamish-based charcuterie business she runs with her best friend Rosie Stephens—launched Dine Wilder in September and has since connected dozens of women with her unique dining experience.

“All the time that we’ve been doing Graze Wilder, which is nearly four years now, Rosie has always said to me, you need another arm of this, or a separate business that is about bringing people together,” Shimwell said.

“I’ve got two little ones, and so I’m constantly invited to for drinks on an evening, and it’s really hard to get out when you’ve put your kids in bed.

But then I would go and sit at the table thinking, this is such an effort to push, and the conversations aren’t really filling my cup.”

As a way to combat this, Shimwell came up with the idea of hosting an event with a guest speaker and conversational prompts that would help “foster intentional conversations” with strangers.

“Everyone I walked past in the street, I said, I’m going to do this thing on Sept. 8, in my garden. It’s $85, I don’t know what it is, I don’t know what I’m giving you, but it’s 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., and these are the feelings you’ll leave with,” she said.

Fast forward to the event, and she had a long table covered with beautiful food under a willow tree in her back garden and 28 diners ready to experience the unknown.

“It was actually so magical,” she said.

Since then, Dine Wilder has grown at a rapid speed.

“I said we’ll do one in September, and then I’ll probably do one in the spring next year.

Fast forward three months, and we’ve done five dinners, and now I’ve got the full year mapped out for next year in Whistler, Squamish, North Van, West Van and Vancouver,” she said.

What does a dining experience look like?

Described by diners as a roaming restaurant or a dinner retreat, the Dine Wilder events are set up at a different location, each with a new theme based on a feeling.

“So, we’ve had intent, abundance and joy, [and coming up] we’re going to do, confidence, and grief,” she said.

“There’s a dress code that fits the feeling, which I love because there’s not many places in Squamish that warrant getting really dressed up.

“It’s not actually a black tie or a dress or suit; it’s a feeling. So, if you feel the most elegant in your jeans, come in your jeans; it doesn’t need to be a dress. But if you happen to have this amazing ball gown that also makes you feel elegant, come in that.”

The dinners feature a three-course menu, with appetizers organized by Graze Wilder and both main and desserts prepared by a chef or catering company.

A guest speaker helps to keep the conversation flowing between prompts that aim to foster relationships and gain inspiration and motivation from one another.

Typically, the long table dinners can seat up to 36 people, but Shimwell said she tries to vary the numbers depending on the topic and location.

Exclusivity While she describes the dining experience as exclusive, Shimell said she doesn’t want people to think the event is “excluding”— instead, welcoming women from all walks of life to dine at the table.

“I know it’s a high price point; the tickets are $180, it’s a lot of money,” she said.

“People have messaged me to say it’s out of their price range, and I’ve said, ‘Come and pay what you can afterwards.’ People can pay what they think it was worth or pay in full, and if they don’t think it’s worth it, I’ll give them a refund.”

Her main hope for Dine Wilder is that people leave feeling fulfilled.

“The purpose of it is that you leave feeling fulfilled in whatever role it is that you’re playing at the moment, and you’re the most full version of yourself in that role,” she said.

By connecting with other women, either in similar or different places in life, she hopes it can allow diners to “see their natural strengths” and have the confidence to back themselves.

As for what the future looks like, Shimwell has big goals.

“I want it to be the most exclusive roaming women’s dinner series in North America,” she said.

“I know that sounds so far-fetched … but I can see that’s what it can be.”

The next Dine Wilder event is on Jan. 24 and has a theme of Energy.

To buy tickets, visit the Dine Wilder website.

Offering Traditional Indian Delights.

Experience a taste of exotic succulence at Essence of India restaurant!

We provide catering for all sizes.

DINE IN & TAKE OUT 40367 Tantalus Road, Garibaldi Highlands, BC • 604-898-1000 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4:00pm - 9:30pm • Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:00pm - 9:30pm • Tuesday: Closed

COMMUNITY

squamishchief.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 15

WHAT’S INSIDE THE SQUAMISH NATION’S HOLIDAY HAMPERS? How the Squamish Nation is scaling up its cherished Christmas hamper program for next year

EXPANDING THE PROGRAM’S REACH BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE

As the program’s impact grows, so does its scope.

“Last year, we put together 900 hampers,” said Williams in the email. “This year, it was 1,000.

For the 2025 holiday season, we hope to increase that number to 1,200–1,500 hampers.”

Hampers are delivered door-to-door for those living on reserve, while off-reserve members can pick them up.

This accessibility ensures no one is left out, fostering a sense of inclusion and care across the community.

Local Journalism Initiative reporter

H

ow does a community get together to ensure no one is left behind during the holidays?

The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw’s (Squamish Nation) annual Christmas hamper program is doing just that, bringing joy and unity to families across the Sea to Sky region.

This cherished initiative continues to evolve, ensuring that no family goes without during the holidays.

PLANNING AHEAD

A TRADITION ROOTED IN CARE

PHOTO BY FREESTOCKS ON UNSPLASH

Hampers are delivered door-to-door for those living on reserve, while off-reserve members can pick them up.

Britannia Mine Museum gratefully acknowledges their community sponsors:

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AT I N G 5 0 Y

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Each hamper is thoughtfully designed to provide everything needed for a full holiday celebration. This year’s packages included: - A turkey - 10 pounds of potatoes - Carrots - A box of stuffing - Gravy mix and cranberry sauce - Coffee, tea, cake mix, pancake mix, and

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WHAT’S IN THE HAMPERS?

syrup The goal is “to provide enough food for a family of four to six people.”

“We want everyone to have a beautiful holiday meal and Christmas morning together,” said Williams.

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for the past five or six years we have expanded the program, reaching more and more people.”

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The Christmas hamper program has grown from humble beginnings.

“The program began by helping those who were truly in need and on social assistance,” said Sxwixwtn, Wilson Williams, the Nation’s spokesperson and council member in an email to The Squamish Chief. “But it has evolved to support all community members, living on reserve and beyond.”

This year, the Nation distributed approximately 1,000 hampers, reaching families in North Vancouver and Squamish, with additional packages available for off-reserve members.

The program’s expansion was particularly significant during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the heightened needs of the community.

“It grew substantially during [COVID-19] when so many people were struggling. And every year

The Squamish Nation team is already preparing for next year, aiming to expand and enhance the program even further.

“The team just had a meeting about next year—we’re already planning for 2025!” shared Williams. “We hope to increase the number of hampers to 1,200–1,500 for the next holiday season.”

With plans already underway for 2025, this program promises to spread even more joy in the years to come.

Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

N year!

Happy New 19

75 - 2025

From all of us at Britannia Mine Museum

PHOTO AAFREEN ARORA

SPECTACULAR SQUAMISH: We likely won’t have a clear day like this for awhile. Environment Canada is calling for a chance of flurries or rain showers on the weekend.

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16 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: UNCOVERING THE 100-YEAR-OLD MYSTERY OF A SQUAMISH SKELETON

A 1924 news article headlined ‘Skeleton of man found in Squamish: Condition of remains indicated that man died years ago,’ appeared in The Daily Province on Dec. 2, 1924 JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

A

1924 news article reveals a Squamish mystery.

The piece headlined “Skeleton of man found in Squamish: Condition of remains indicated that man died years ago” appeared in The Daily Province on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1924.

The piece on page 20 of the paper was recently discovered by veteran investigative reporter Bob Mackin, who stumbled on it while doing research for a different story. He forwarded it to The Squamish Chief.

The text of the article reveals interesting tidbits of local history.

“While driving logs on the Squamish River, about two miles from the mouth, Chas Schoonover made a gruesome discovery on the river bank when the crew stopped to make a fire for lunch,” the story reads.

“While hunting firewood, the party came across the skeleton of a man lying in the brush above the water line. The state of the remains

indicated that they had been there for about three years,” the story continues.

It seems likely there is an error in the first name and that the correct name was Charles Schoonover, who was known in Squamish at the time.

A photo of Schoonover in the Squamish Public Library archives shows Schoonover building his home at 417477 Government Rd, in 1932.

The library image description says he worked as a hunter, trapper, and logger.

An entry in the book “The Judds of Squamish Valley: Volume Three” notes that Schoonover’s home was in the line of the Squamish River, and that after the floods of 1921—there had also been a flood in the spring— “he was afraid that the next flood would wash his home away.

He spent the next few years… hauling rocks in his wagon” to build a large bank of rock along the shore of the river, saving his home for many years thereafter.

THE 1921 FLOOD The Daily Province article suggests what locals thought about the mysterious deceased man.

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“The theory is being advanced that the skeleton is that of a man named Wilson who lost his life in the big flood of October 29, 1921, when thirty-five were drowned at Britannia. Wilson was a settler who located shortly before the flood at some distance above Squamish.”

A Britannia Mine Museum social media post notes that the Oct. 28, 1921 flood was “the deadliest recorded natural disaster” and “one of the worst in Canadian history.”

The deadly flood even made The New York Times.

According to the museum, a total of 36 people were killed, with 15 seriously injured.

It notes that more would have died if locals had not rushed to help.

A recent UBC thesis on local flooding by master’s degree grad Emi Celeste Schreyer Kingan notes the severity of the flood.

“Heavy cloudburst rains caused severe flooding along at least the Squamish and Mamquam Rivers, flooding the valley floor from Squamish to Brackendale and submerging the PGE rail lines. Water ‘reached halfway up the walls of houses.’ Flooding was more disastrous south of the community in Britannia Beach,” Kingan writes.

The Daily Province article goes on to describe more about what was known about Wilson.

“When last seen, he was wearing rubber boots. His small house was carried away by the water. Many of those who met a similar fate at Britannia were badly mauled, and the debris in the river might have caused the fractured skull, it is argued,” the story continues.

“Constable Renner of the provincial police was notified and proceeded to the place, at the same time advising Dr. McLean of Woodfibre, the coroner for the district.”

The British Columbia Provincial Police (BCPP) force was created in 1858 in New Westminster, which was then the capital of the mainland colony and operated until 1950, when it joined with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), according to the UBC Library archives.

The site of present-day Woodfibre LNG was previously a mill and town site. According to the Squamish Public Library archives, the area was established in 1921 under the name Woodfibre as the result of a contest. “The previous was Mill Creek and had to be changed because there was another post office of the same name. The winner of the contest and $50 prize was Cathy Haar,” the library entry reads.

THE DAILY PROVINCE

See the Squamish story in the top right.

GRUESOME TELLING The Daily Province 1924 article shows how much more raw news telling was at the time, with blunt descriptions of the body that would not be published today.

“The remains were brought down to the Courthouse and on examination, proved to be those of a man of about five feet four inches in height, medium weight, aged about 30 or 35.

Three teeth were missing in the upper jaw, and about the same number in the lower jaw, the rest being in a good state of preservation,” it reads.

“The man’s clothes had rotted away, just fragments of the underclothes adhered to some of the bones. It was noticed that there was a fracture on one side of the head, probably caused by a fall or by frost. At some time, the man had broken his right leg above the ankle,” it continues.

“There was a pair of logger’s low rubber boots, size five, lying a few feet away from the remains, also the sum of $1.35 in coins, the newest coin being dated 1915.”

According to the Inflation Calculator, that would be $23.85 Canadian today.

If locals know more about this man, Wilson, get in touch by emailing news@squamishchief.com.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 17

SEA TO SKY SCHOOL DISTRICT STEPS IN OVER PARKING ISSUES AT SQUAMISH ELEMENTARY

SD48 has written a letter to the District of Squamish over commercial vehicles parking unsafely in the access lane of the school: District says not its jurisdiction JUMAR RESPONSE

Property managers for the Jumar building, Avesta Strata and Property Management told The Squamish Chief they are aware of delivery drivers parking incorrectly on the easement.

“We were first contacted by the school in late October regarding vehicles parking in the easement,” strata manager Francis Nguyen said.

“We instructed the school to advise us each time there’s a vehicle improperly parked. Since then, we’ve consistently reached out to delivery drivers and companies to remind them that parking in the easement is not permitted.

“Additionally, we’ve asked Wave Developments to inform their commercial tenants to advise their delivery drivers of this restriction.”

Nguyen said the vehicles at fault do not solely relate to the Jumar building.

“It’s important to note that delivery drivers to both the school and Jumar are contributing to the improper parking in the easement area. As such, Jumar and the school will be working together to install new signage along the easement area.”

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

iLemayConway@squamishchief.com

T

PHOTO BY INDIGO LEMAY CONWAY/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

The entrance to Squamish Elementary and Jumar.

enforce on municipal property, and the easement is not municipal,” Turpin said.

“So the concern is that when the people are parking in that easement allowance, the enforcement has to be throughout other means.”

She did note that the District’s bylaw department was engaged in working on the matter but encouraged the board to voice their concerns through official channels.

The board unanimously supported the recommendation to write a letter to the District of Squamish to “take additional measures for traffic and parking safety around Squamish Elementary.”

Members Turpin and Celeste Bickford abstained from the vote due to conflicts of interest.

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• Service is extended to 5:30 p.m.

DISTRICT RESPONSE The muni told The Squamish Chief they received the letter from SD48 on Dec. 3 and had responded with copies of the legal agreements that are on the title of the Jumar property.

“The staff response clarifies to SD48 that the property agreement for this laneway is held between SD48 and the owners of the Jumar property, therefore is private property and not under District jurisdiction,” a spokesperson for the District said.

“The lane access between École Squamish Elementary and Buckley Avenue is on private property, so the jurisdiction to enforce No Parking regulation lives with the school, strata and their agreements.”

• New added holiday service.

For more information, visit bctransit.com/ Squamish or refer to your Rider’s Guide and handyDART user guide to view full changes.

10255

he Sea to Sky School District has written a letter to the District of Squamish asking for increased traffic and parking safety after safety issues were noted at École Squamish Elementary.

At the Nov. 13 committee of the whole meeting, board members spoke on the safety concerns around commercial vehicles parking incorrectly on the access lane into the school at Jumar.

“Very simply, we’ve noted increased concerns around safety when crossing from the main road through the Jumar shared property to Squamish Elementary School,” SD48 Supt. Chris Nicholson said.

He explained that despite having designated commercial parking, vehicles have been parking along the easement during the beginning and end of school times.

“Many commercial vehicles are choosing instead to park in the easement in the access lane entering into the school, so kids who are walking; families who are driving, staff that are trying to get in and out, are having to go around parked vehicles,” Nicholson said.

“The suggestion [for the District] is to improve signage, improve the painting of the lines and some enforcement, because as we know, if there’s a few tickets or towed vehicles, word will get out, and hopefully it will stop.”

Minutes from the meeting said the shared lane is “intended for vehicle flow” and the unsafe parking “obstructs traffic and creates hazardous conditions.”

Jumar is a seven-storey mixed-use building located at 38310 Buckley Ave. Ground floor commercial buildings include a vet, food establishments, a childcare centre and a gym. Above are 101 residential condominiums.

SD48 vice chair Cynthia Higgins said the recommendation to write a letter to the muni was the best decision for the local school community.

“I think it’s important to enforce that, it’s a huge safety concern, especially if there’s big commercial vehicles in the way, that is very scary and very concerning,” Higgins said.

Board member Lisa Turpin was unable to vote due to a conflict of interest with her day job as a District of Squamish employee; however, she revealed the easement in question was not under muni jurisdiction.

“My day job is to work within the bylaw department, and I feel that it should be mentioned that the bylaw department can only

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CAN SQUAMISH LEAD THE WAY IN INCLUSIVE MIDWIFERY? Local midwives and BCCNM are working together to build trust and break down barriers

It’s not enough to articulate our commitment; we must demonstrate it through real action.

BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE

Local Journalism Initiative reporter

H

ave you ever wondered what it takes to make health care truly inclusive?

In Squamish, midwives and health care leaders are coming together to answer that question.

Local midwife Kazuko Hiroe, who has worked in the industry for nearly two decades, noted the importance of understanding and addressing barriers Indigenous families face.

“It’s not just about providing care—it’s about listening to the communities and understanding what they need,” she said.

CYNTHIA JOHANSEN from the community itself.

“Right now, we’re trying to work with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation by asking what their needs are and what they would find helpful,” she said.

“It’s about being allies, not leaders, and really listening to what the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation and other Indigenous communities tell us they want and need.”

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH MIDWIFERY Hiroe, who delivered 15 babies in Squamish in June alone, shared how midwifery is all about building trust and strong connections with families.

“When I work with Indigenous families, it often feels like I’m providing care for the whole community—not just one individual,” she said.

According to Hiroe, midwifery care is “fundamentally built on respect, collaboration, evidence-based practice, and client-centred care.”

“When working with Indigenous

PHOTO BY FATCAMERA/E+/GETTY IMAGES

To help midwives and nurses meet these new standards, BCCNM offers resources and training.

communities, it’s especially important to take the time to build relationships. That trust forms the foundation for collaboration between provider and client,” she said.

Hiroe also believes “these inequities often stem from historical experiences Indigenous

families have had with health care and other systems.”

The In Plain Sight report (2020) found that racism is a widespread problem in B.C.’s health care system. It revealed that 84% of Indigenous people surveyed had experienced discrimination while seeking medical care.

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According to Hiroe, historically, midwives in Squamish have had few Indigenous clients.

Upon asking the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) for feedback, they discovered one significant barrier: geography.

“Our practice used to be on Tantalus Road in Garibaldi Estates, which was simply too far for many families. Accessing prenatal appointments became too challenging,” Hiroe said.

The feedback prompted a re-evaluation of the approach.

“A simple modification like offering care on a reserve, visiting homes, or being in an environment where families feel supported and safe could make a big difference,” she said.

In addition, many Indigenous families who travel to Squamish for prenatal care are from northern communities like Mount Currie.

“Squamish isn’t their home community. Their families and housing are not here, yet they’re sometimes required to stay in Squamish for four or more weeks before giving birth,” Hiroe said.

This extended stay creates significant stress for families.

Hiroe and her team are working to better understand and address these challenges.

“We’re trying to find ways to support these families during that time, whether it’s making them feel more comfortable in our hospitals or at prenatal appointments or helping them with practical needs like access to vehicles to get to their appointments,” she said.

Hiroe stressed that these changes must come

HOW BCCNM IS SUPPORTING CHANGE British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives regulates over 75,000 nurses and midwives in BC. A recent article, ‘A Continuous Journey: Addressing Indigenous-Specific Racism as a Nursing and Midwifery Regulator,’ co-authored

by Louise Aerts and Cynthia Johansen, among others from the BCCNM, highlights how racism in health care impacts Indigenous birthing individuals.

“We’re committed to eliminating systemic racism and supporting Indigenous communities. It’s not enough to articulate our commitment; we must demonstrate it through real action,” said Johansen, BCCNM’s registrar and CEO. “We’ve set standards for cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism that every nurse and midwife in BC must follow.”

To help midwives and nurses meet these new standards, BCCNM offers resources like handbooks and training.

HONOURING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Aerts, BCCNM’s chief officer of strategy, reconciliation, and transformation, said that Indigenous midwifery often focuses on the whole community, which fits well with midwifery’s client-centred approach.

“It’s about supporting autonomous decision-making while honouring cultural traditions,” she said.

BCCNM has also worked with knowledge keepers from local Nations, including Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh.

“For so long, the truth was hidden,” Johansen said. “Now that we know it, we must act differently—not just as a college but as a country.”

Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

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COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 19

‘A DOUBLE WHAMMY’ OF FOOD THIS YEAR FOR BEARS

Local bear researcher Michael Allen on his annual fall bear count, and what led him to his never-ending fascination with the misunderstood mammal LIZ MCDONALD

emcdonald@piquenewsmagazine.com

M

uch of the rugged terrain in the Coast Mountains is only intimately known to animals who range between its peaks.

But for Michael Allen, who spends countless hours monitoring grizzly and black bears, the backcountry is like an old friend.

Allen is an independent bear researcher who has been monitoring black and grizzly bears for 31 years. Each spring and fall, he gives an update on the number of bears he’s identified in the Squamish and Elaho River valleys, Whistler, Upper Lillooet River, and Upper Birkenhead River valley. But what drew Allen to his pursuit of bears in the first place?

A LIFE-LONG PASSION Growing up in the West Kootenays, he felt at home outside. At 10 years old, he would head out alone to search for the animal that fascinated him, and while it concerned his mother, he never heeded her or anyone else’s warning.

“I identified with bears,” he said. “I was just drawn to the outdoors, and I grew up on the edge of a mountainside. I didn’t really like school, and I was just pulled into nature.”

He grew curious about bears despite what his culture taught him: bears are aggressive killers and people should shoot them.

“I was nervous but nothing really bad was happening, so I kept going. I remember seeing the first one by myself when I was probably 12 or 13,” he said. “What I saw was not what everybody was telling me that bears were, and it just clicked.”

After the first encounter his interest “soared.”

He kept coming across more black bears near Trail and Rossland, and as they ran away, he would follow, hiking further and further into the alpine, eventually giving up as bears’ aversion to humans won out. That passion has continued to this day.

While he’s not a biologist, and is quick to stress that point, Allen has studied bears all the same while also working various environmental jobs.

He worked as a bear-viewing guide for 19 years at Whistler Blackcomb, has given talks to school kids since 1997, and also delights travelling adults with his talk for international tour groups from Australia and New Zealand.

“I was a very shy person, so I kind of broke the barrier with school kids. If you can handle kindergarten and Grade 1 class for 30 minutes, you can pretty much handle anything,” he said.

FALL BEAR UPDATE Attendees of Allen’s sold-out free public talk at the Whistler Public Library Dec. 3 became enthralled with his footage, watching sows and their cubs rub on trees, seeing grizzlies’ incredible claws as they wander by and sniff at his camera or laughing as bears get overwhelmed by the number of fish in a stream. But

aside from the fun videos, Allen is capturing a massive amount of data on the mammals and the changing climate they live in.

“Nobody’s really put in the time that I have out there. And I think a lot of people in the beginning thought it was kind of nuts and a little bit obsessive,” he said. “But it’s my 31st year. I’m still doing it… largely, I do it for me, and I think it’s important. I think bears are indicators of change.”

He monitors the interplay between scarce food sources in years with berry crop failures or fewer salmon, and how many cubs a sow has each year. Weather data and proximity to humans are other important data points that impact bears’ behaviour and survival.

“If it’s good berry season you get lots of fat females, and you got more cubs. But if it’s a bad berry season, those bears living in Whistler and Squamish, they know that there’s alternate food sources [in the Village], but that’s risky, those moms with their offspring trickle into the valley, and then they get shot,” he said.

This year’s berry crop and salmon run in the Sea to Sky provided a “double whammy” of sustenance. Black huckleberry, dwarf and oval leaf blueberries were highly productive. Chum, pink and coho salmon are another important source for bears to put on weight before denning over winter. Allen explained pink salmon run every other year in late August and September, and they weren’t around this year. Coho are winter fish. That leaves chum as an integral part of bears’ diet before they slumber.

“The bears only really fish October, November, December, and then they got it shut down and hibernate,” Allen said. “November is kind of an effortless month to get fish. You don’t have to battle cold temperatures and snow. But, if there’s no chum, and this could very well be the future, then bears are forced to stay out into December and fish more for coho and even into January.”

This fall, streams and rivers around Squamish were thick with chum, so much so that one mother grizzly’s belly was dragging on the ground.

His fall count followed 13 grizzlies in the Squamish River watershed—five adult males, three immature males, and four adult females including one with one cub from this year.

In upper Lillooet River and Upper Birkenhead River, he observed 12 grizzlies—three adult males, three immature males, three adult females, and three immature females.

He captured a minimum of 108 black bears from remote cameras in 2024—fifty bears in the Upper Squamish River watershed, 10 bears along the lower Cheakamus and 48 bears at Whistler.

With his cameras at Upper Squamish River, black bears he identified included 29 adult males, seven adult females and four cubs, with 10 sub-adults. Lower Cheakamus River had four adults males and three females, two cubs born this year and one sub-adult. Because his cameras near rivers are seasonal, Allen said they don’t reflect the abundance of bears over all seasons.

FILE PHOTO BY BRIAN AIKENS

A Squamish bear with a tag, likely meaning it had been caught and relocated.

Observed Whistler black bears included 18 adult males, 11 adult females, nine cubs from this year and 10 sub-adults.

THE BEAR WHISPERER’S TECHNIQUE Allen’s trail cameras are in strategic locations based on rub trees and food sources—berries,

wetlands and salmon. Rub trees are what he calls “the key” to sampling bear populations.

Bears use rub trees to mark their territory and communicate their presence, leaving their scent as they wiggle their backs against them. They also make for good measuring sticks.

“You’ll see how the bears change in size. The bear stands up and you can see his sex and his neck and chest mark. You see how tall he is, and you think he’s big, and then a huge grizzly comes in and kind of overshadows that,” he said.

Another solid place for permanent cameras is wetlands, so rich in food that bears often don’t need to leave to stay fed as they gorge on skunk cabbage.

Allen’s cameras are in locked boxes and can stay there year-round, with lithium-ion batteries that withstands -40 C. “Most of my camera sites, it’s hell getting to them,” he said. “It’s harder for me, but most years, I’ll get animals and no humans. That’s what I want.”

For those who missed Allen’s talk at the Whistler Public Library Dec. 3, keep your eyes peeled for a spring update in 2025. There’s little doubt he’ll have more to share.

“Nothing’s more interesting than following a bear for 25 years across a changing landscape,” he said.

Meet the 7 English Princes

Please Contact the SPCA for more details!

Visit our website: spca.bc.ca

Zebra finches are actually Australian, but these boys are all named after Princes both here and gone. Finches like to be in a group or as the proper term for a group of Zebra finches is called, a waltzing of finches. We have the boys in a group of 4 and a group of 3. They are not a bird who easily hand tames but are more about enjoying their song (sounds like a squeaky toy) and for watching the tiny, lively birds who love to sit together on a perch in a row.

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

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20 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025

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CASSIE SHARPE EARNS HALFPIPE BRONZE IN COPPER MOUNTAIN The 2018 Olympic champion nets her first World Cup medal since becoming a mom DAVID SONG

dsong@piquenewsmagazine.com

F

reestyle fans haven’t seen much of Cassie Sharpe lately because she took two years off to have a daughter with her husband, ex-Canadian national skier Justin Dorey.

Sharpe reintroduced herself to the World Cup circuit on Saturday, ascending to bronze medal position with 89.00 points at the halfpipe event in Copper Mountain, Colo. Victorious multi-discipline phenom Eileen Gu alone broke the 90-point barrier (90.50), and Zoe Atkin of Great Britain notched silver (89.75).

“Eating chicken nuggets the night before contests for the foreseeable future!” quipped Sharpe on her Instagram account. “Thank you everyone for all the support. So stoked to be back on the box! It’s different, it’s tough and full-on, but these moments make it all worth it!

“Huge thank you to the village behind the scenes; you know who you all are! Especially my mom, though! The real goat behind the scenes!”

The Squamolian’s resume already encompasses two Olympic medals (gold in 2018, silver from 2022), a pair of Crystal Globes (2018, 2019) and five X Games medals (two gold, one silver, two bronze). For these achievements, she was named to the BC Sports Hall of Fame last year.

Gu, who represents China, is one of many freestyle skiers who respect and admire Sharpe.

“I’m really happy for all the girls, especially Cassie,” she said in an interview with FIS. “I want to give her a big shout-out.”

Brendan Mackay joined his fellow Canadian Sharpe on the podium. He finished second (91.25) between two American men, Alex Ferreira (94.75) and Nicholas Goepper (89.25).

PHOTO BY DARREN CALABRESE/COC

Team Canada freestyle skier Cassie Sharpe when she competed in the women’s freeski halfpipe finals during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022.

PHOTO BY PETER STODDART

LUCKY SQUAMISH: A double rainbow over Brackendale during a break in the rain last week.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 21

ANNOUNCEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT NT OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES

DAVID BREWSTER REID

Joachim Hagen, Joachim passed away with family by his side on November 18th, 2024 at the age of 73 in Squamish BC.

Born March 27, 1928, in Regina Saskatchewan. Passed away November 19, 2024, after a well lived life of 96 years.

Dave with his parents and 4 brothers in 1929 moved to Chilliwack BC, to start their own farm. At 11 yrs old, Dave started horse ploughing, and thus began a lifelong passion. Dave worked as heavy-duty mechanic which took him, his wife Olga and their blended family of Karen, Lynn, Jack, and Bev to Squamish.

While in Squamish Dave and Olga welcomed their son Jim to their family. Dave continued working as a heavy-duty mechanic co-owning and operating a logging truck company. Upon retirement he and Olga returned to Chilliwack and spent their later years tending to their small hobby farm and actively involved in the Chilliwack Ploughing Society. Dave was not only involved in the organization of the society, but he was a competitor with his team of beloved horses Queen and Mindy. Once he had hung up the horse harnesses for the final time, he then became a judge and somewhat of a historian for the society.

Predeceased by his wife Olga, son Jack and stepdaughter Lynn. Dave leaves behind his daughter Bev (Lyle), son Jim, stepdaughter Karen and son-in law Tony (Lynn). Grandchildren Doug, Tiffany and Amy, Dave and Jack and Norman. Also 13 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.

He leaves behind his wife Lena, mother Waltraut, son Eric (Kyla,) daughter Candace (Casey,) grandchildren Mary, Adam Jr., Solstafir, nephew Adam, niece Sherry, friends from Winnipeg and Squamish.

He was preceded by his father Herbert, sister Frieda, brother Rolf.

He came to Canada in 1957 from Cuxhaven, Germany, resided in Winnipeg until retirement in 2011 then moved to Squamish.

Special thank you to the Doctors, Nurses at the Squamish General Hospital and Hospice, and Reverend Cameron Gutjahr of the St. John the Divine Anglican Church.

Donations can be made to the Cancer Society (Throat & Neck)

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT APARTMENTS/CONDOS

ES UIT ST aSmish E G u LAR n Sq

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the BC Farm Museum 9131 King Street, Langley Twp BC V1M 2R6

i

A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2025 to coincide with the Chilliwack Ploughing Match.

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HOROSCOPE WEEK OF JAN 2, 2025 - JAN 8, 2025

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Egyptian snake 4. Upper limbs 8. Blemish 12. Also 13. Ooze 14. Mama’s fellow 15. Possessive pronoun 16. Financial officer 18. Ready the oven 20. Ordinary language 21. Footed vase 22. Ballet skirt 23. Salon treatments 26. Vegetable holder 27. Embroider 30. Gather in 31. Sleepy’s roommate 32. Slangy assent 33. On in years 34. By way of

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | 23

35. Like seawater or tears 36. Chilled 38. BPOE member 39. Look hard 41. Neighboring: hyph.

45. Possession 47. Seek to persuade 48. Kind 49. Fog 50. Misspeak 51. Phase 52. Notable periods of time 53. Lay eyes on

7. Luxurious resort 8. Spew 9. Carnival ride 10. Makes like 11. Occasional 17. Whirled 19. Camel’s feature 22. Muscle twitch 23. Amateur’s opposite 24. Slippery as an ____ 25. Brightness 26. Large snake 28. Have a bite 29. Child’s question 31. Achieved 32. Babbles 34. Swerve sharply 35. Inclines 37. Oaf 38. Doolittle of “My Fair Lady” 39. “____ and Lovers” 40. Tease 41. Singe 42. Fleecy females 43. Pierce with a drill 44. Time past 46. Ship’s pronoun Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling

ARIES March 21-April 19

If you’re on holiday, take the opportunity to explore outdoor activities with family or friends. You may feel an intense urge to get active.

Even alone, you’ll want to go on outings to feed your adventurous spirit.

TAURUS April 20-May 20

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

You may plan a spontaneous Now is the perfect time to prioritize self-care and trip or getaway. You’ll be thrilled about the prospect of self-respect. You’ll discover starting a new apprenticeship. what you’re passionate about If you’re going back to school, and start taking the first steps toward an incredibly you’ll take it very seriously. rewarding challenge.

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SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

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Whether you’re on vacation or not, you’ll spend a lot of time with your family or in the home. Take advantage of the next few days to refresh your decor and reorganize your furniture to declutter your home and mind.

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb. 18

You feel under pressure and are concerned about your finances. It can be tough to find balance in times like this. You might find yourself surrounded by people when you crave solitude, yet feeling lonely when you’re on your own.

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

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

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS:

DOWN 1. At the peak of 2. Rotten 3. Skin opening 4. Purplish flowers 5. Telecast again 6. “____ the Press” The Parish of

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