FRIDAY APRIL10, 3, 2015 APRIL 2015 1 VOL. 42, NO. 12
$1
including GST
Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Going, going, but not gone War ship finds a new home at the bottom of Howe Sound
Is it right for Howe Sound?
Concerned Citizens of Bowen Island take their concerns off-island
Remembering Toller
Edye Hanen and Kami Kanetsuka writing from San Miguel, Mexico
Council unveils strategic plan for 2015 MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
Tina Nielsen and library volunteer Allie Drake show off a few of the many pieces of medical equipment available for loan through the Bowen Island Med Shed. Meribeth Deen, photo
Med Shed continues to grow as library evolves nificantly since 2012 even though items that are too worn or no longer in good shape are discarded as necessary. “Sandy Logan comes here about once a year to go through everything and ensure that it is all fit for use,” says Nielsen. “We’re not medical people, so we don’t necessarily know what’s good or not.” She adds that donations keep coming in, and they accept all kinds of medical equipment, except for things that are made of soft fabric and hard to wash. According to library records, the Med Shed was accessed an average of five times per week in 2014. “I think there are still a lot of people who don’t know about us,” says Nielsen. “But more and more, we are getting calls from people before they go in to the hospital asking about a piece of equipment they might need after surgery. Otherwise, people might have to purchase a piece of equipment they could easily get for free here on Bowen.”
MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
It was back in the summer of 2012 when one of the unassuming sheds behind the library found a higher purpose: as a storage room for medical equipment to be lent to members of the community in times of need. Previously, this equipment was housed and leant out by Adrienne Lawson and Massoud Najare, but when they put the call out for someone else to take over the service, the library stepped-up. Since then, Chief Librarian Tina Nielsen and library volunteers have attended to the Med Shed in the same way they attend to books: they help members of the community find what they need, whether it be child-sized crutches, an elevated toilet seat or a walker, and put them away neatly when they’re done. Neilsen says the size of the Med Shed’s collection has grown sig-
Banking in your own backyard ... just got a whole lot easier!
SATURDAY HOURS Starting April 11 2015
Mon to Fri 10am to 5pm
|
www.firstcu.ca | 604.947.2022
Saturday 9am to 1pm
Visit us on April 11 for FREE coffee and treats!
This Tuesday, council approved and released a document outlining six strategic pillars containing eleven priorities in the coming year. Within each of the priorities fall specific projects, the steps required to move each forward, and a member of council or staff assigned to work on it. The plan was developed following two “retreat style” day-long meetings, and a great deal of emails sent back and forth over 2.5 months, facilitated by Andrea Verwey and Joyce Ganong. Prior to the official approval of the plan, Mayor Skeels explained that council sorted all of the proposed priorities and projects into groups. “In simple terms, we had to deal with outstanding infrastructure and administrative issues, and move ahead with some important projects,” said Skeels. “Our overarching goal is to build community, and an important part of that is achieving a balance where a broad cross-section of our community can feel that the things that matter to them are being addressed.” The strategic pillars of the plan include protecting and preserving unique ecosystems, maintaining accountable and effective government, enhancing the caring community of Bowen Island, supporting a diverse population, minimizing Bowen’s ecological footprint, and creating a robust and resilient local economy. These tie in directly to the 12 Goals of the OCP, the Vision and the Mission of the Municipality. “Continue to plan for a new fire hall,” for example, falls under the strategic pillar of building a vibrant community. The success of this project will be realized when, by January of 2016, The Undercurrent runs a photo of the sign on the new fire hall site with a story on when the shovels will hit the ground to accompany it. Facilitator Joyce Ganong, who at the swearing-in of this council in December, urged a focus on values, says this council created a draft set of values that is included in the 2015 Island Plan. They want input from the community on them. “When they discussed values, it was about how we as Bowen Islanders relate to one another, how we communicate, and how we make decisions,” says Ganong. She adds that in the process of developing the priorities and the values, it was exciting to see the group becoming a team.
2 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
The HMCS Annapolis: Bowen Islanders get a front row seat to watch the warship sink
The HMCS Annapolis as she sinks to the bottom of Halkett Bay.
Adam Taylor, photo
MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR
For Brian Biddlecombe, owner of Bowen Island’s Cormorant Marine water taxi service, watching the HMCS Annapolis sink to the bottom of the ocean for the purpose of becoming an artificial reef was a once-in a lifetime experience. Biddlecomb says that he waited in his water taxi with a group of people who were eager to watch the event at the edge of a boom blocking off Halkett Bay for nearly two hours while more than 100 other boats rallied for a spot along the edge of the Bay. “As I watched it go down, I thought about
what a great day it must have been for so many people, seeing this state of the art ship being launched back in 1964. But I also thought how great it is that there will be a continued use for it, as opposed to seeing the ship being destroyed into tiny pieces as scrap metal. Maybe some of the veterans who served on the Annapolis will even get a chance to dive down and see it underwater,” said Biddlecombe. Biddlecombe says the sound of the charges exploding in the hull of the boat were louder than he expected, and they were accompanied by cheers and whistles by the people watching. “It was interesting how they prepared the boat,” he adds. “You could see the holes cut
2015 - 2019 FINANCIAL PLAN BUDGET CONSULTATION MEETING
at various heights to allow diver access, and at first the boat was sinking slowly but once the water started seeping into those wholes, it disappeared in about two minutes. It was very dramatic.” For Howard Robins, the President of the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia, the sinking of this ship was a long awaited success. “I feel like I’ve got 3,000 tonnes of weight off my shoulders,” he told The Coast Reporter. “The project is finished. It’s been delivered to the province and we’re very pleased. It’s a successful project — number eight — and now she’s going to be our living laboratory of study and research.” Rick Wall, also with the Artificial Reef Society, says there’s no need to monitor for environmental impacts, as “the ship is so clean there shouldn’t be any.” However, the society will be monitoring diver feedback on new marine life that grows on, in and around the ship over time. The GB Church Coastal Freighter, sunk by the Artificial Reef Society in 1989 is now considered to be a mature reef, and an estimated 150 species inhabit it.
Please be advised that there is a special Council meeting scheduled to review the proposed 2015 ‐ 2019 Five Year Financial Plan on: Monday, April 20, 2015 at 7:15 pm Location: Council Chambers 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC This meeting will provide an overview of the 2015 ‐ 2019 Five Year Financial Plan and will allow members of the public to make comments or ask questions. For more information please contact: Kristen Watson, Manager of Finance Bowen Island Municipality 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 FAX: 604‐947‐0193 e‐mail: kwatson@bimbc.ca
Bowen Island diver Adam Taylor was also at the sinking, and said that it was great watching the boat go down, and that there was a collective sigh of relief among the dive community as it did. “There were 800-odd divers who volunteered over the years to clean the ship, and get it ready to be sunk,” says Taylor. “But there was never any guarantee that was going to happen. So there are a lot of people who were just very happy to see this ship go down.” Taylor says that so far, he has been happy to spend his time underwater exploring natural reefs, but he will likely head out to the Annapolis just because it’s in the neighbourhood. “I will probably take photos of the ship as it is now, bare, and then go back and document how that changes over time,” he says. “Who knows, my experience might even inspire me to check out some of the other artificial reefs in British Columbia.” Taylor adds that with the level of interest this project has generated, he expects full boatloads of divers to be heading out to the Annapolis site regularly over the next few months. With files from Jacob Roberts at The Coast Reporter.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Woodfibre LNG concerns aired Event at Gleneagles Golf Course draws crowd from Bowen Island, West Vancouver and Sunshine Coast
FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 3
The Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival comes to BICS!
Hosted by Outside 45 students, this event will take place on April 25. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets at Phoenix & at the door - $15 adults, $10 students/seniors cash only please
BOWEN ISLAND CONSERVANCY
GARIBALDI PARK: ALPINE JEWEL OF HOWE SOUND Our 2015 Speaker Series wraps up for Spring on April 18th with a presentation by Bob Turner, island resident and Conservancy Board Member. Garibaldi Park has the most accessible, most diverse, and arguably most beautiful alpine landscapes in the Vancouver region. Its unique volcanic origins have created a landscape of rolling alpine meadows, rich in wild flowers, and have made it a popular hiking and ski-touring destination for nearly a century. The Park’s diverse volcanic features are famous: the lava-dammed and turquoise-coloured Garibaldi Lake, the great landslide scar of the Barrier, the dark tower of Black Tusk, the curious flat-topped Table, multi-hued desert-like Opal and Cinder cone volcanoes, and the great peak of Mt. Garibaldi rising above it all. There are also the stunning glaciers of today, and the debris fields that mark their rapid retreat over the past century. And beyond Garibaldi’s gentler ridges are backdrops of craggy granite spires. So there are lots of stories to tell! • When: April 18th, at 3:00 pm • Where: The Gallery at Artisan Square More information about this presentation is available at bowenislandconservancy.org. Refreshments will be served. We hope that you’ll be able to join us; everyone is welcome.
Paul McGrath, photo
CHRIS SLATER NORTH SHORE NEWS
If we are actually prepared to invest our lives in this way, the most glorious fjord in the world, what else in our country will be immune to such violations? “This is not simply about a local issue in Howe Sound, this is a metaphor for who we are to be as a people,” he explained to the audience. “If we are actually prepared to invest our lives in this way, the most glorious fjord in the world, what else in our country will be immune to such violations?” he asked. The meeting came four days after hundreds of protestors took to the streets of Squamish last Sunday to express their opposition to the proposed project. Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation said it’s too early for the nation, which has been conducting an independent review of the LNG proposal, to have an official position on the project. “We’re certainly interested in the potential benefits and risks. We need to understand those very clearly in order to make an informed decision,” he said. Campbell said the nation had no official involvement in either the protest or last Wednesday’s meeting. Byng Giraud, vice-president of corporate affairs with Woodfibre LNG Limited said in a statement that the company is committed to finding a project that works for the area. Giraud said the use of seawater cooling is a “proven technology” that has been used in over half of LNG plants built since the 1960s. Giraud also said that LNG shipping is “absolutely safe,” citing that in the past 50 years there has not been “one incident of loss of containment.” Although the public comment process for the project closed the week before, speakers at the meeting encouraged concerned residents to spread word to friends and neighbours, share those concerns with their elected officials and to participate in future public events. Woodfibre LNG recently announced the launch of an interactive website, askwoodfibrelng.ca, that allows for people to send questions they have about the project. The public can also review existing questions and responses.
BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon
FOOD BANK
Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m. Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Lynn Williams
DROP-OFF
BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Clinton Neal 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Mass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey
604-988-6304
CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260
(661 Carter Rd.)
10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to Teens Pastor: Dr. James B. Krohn
REGULAR SCHEDULE BC Ferries REGULAR SCHEDULE April 1 to May 5, 2015 In Effect May 15 to October 13, 2014
▼
BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove
5:30 am** 5:30 am 6:30 am** 6:30 am 7:30 am** 7:30 am 8:30 am * 8:35 am 9:30 am 9:35 am 10:30 am# 10:35 am 11:30 am 11:40 am 12:30 pm 12:45 pm 1:30 pm^ 3:10 pm 3:00 pm 4:15 pm †† 4:00 pm 5:15 pm 5:00 pm* 6:20 pm 6:00 pm* 7:20 pm 7:00 pm*# 8:15 pm 8:00 pm# 9:10 pm 9:00 10:05pm pm 10:00 pm
VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay
6:00 am * 6:00 7:00am am* 7:00 8:00am am* 8:00 am 9:00 am† † 9:05 am# 10:00 am 10:05 am 11:00am am 11:05 12:00pm pm 12:10 1:00pm pm^ 2:35 2:25pm pm 3:45 4:45 3:30pm pm 5:50 4:30pm pm * 6:50 pm 5:30 pm 7:50 6:30pm pm* 8:40 pm # 7:30pm pm* 9:40 8:30 pm# 9:30 pm
Distance: 3 NAUTICAL MILES Crossing Time: 20 MINUTES
Leave Horseshoe Bay
Speakers at a presentation in West Vancouver on the risks associated with the proposed LNG project in Howe Sound voiced concerns, Wednesday, over everything from environmental contamination to the risk of explosions from transporting natural gas. Hosted at the Gleneagles Golf Course clubhouse by the Future of Howe Sound Society and in collaboration with MySeatoSky.org and Concerned Citizens of Bowen, the “Woodfibre LNG Is it right for Howe Sound?” event saw four speakers and area residents voicing concerns over the potential dangers the project could present if approved. The event saw an attendance of well over 100 people. “Canada doesn’t have a whole pile of rules about LNG because it doesn’t have a whole pile of plants,” said Eoin Finn, a seasonal resident of Bowyer Island in Howe Sound, and speaker at the event. Finn holds a PhD in physical chemistry and is a close follower of the LNG project. He said an LNG plant of this size has never before existed in Canada. He has concerns over the country’s lack of environmental regulations in place against this particular resource. “There are no LNG export plants on the West Coast of Canada nor on the U.S. except a tiny one in Alaska but that’s 100 miles from anywhere and it’s about one-tenth (the size of) Woodfibre.” When it comes to the risks associated with the proposed development, Finn said there are many, including emissions output, the risk of shipping accidents and the plant’s cooling system, which would use seawater. “One of the big issues is that the plant will be cooled by seawater from the Sound. This is pretty old technology that’s been dismissed and refused and abandoned in California and Europe.” He said that the current proposed cooling system for the plant would suck in 17,000 tonnes of seawater (3.7 million gallons) per hour, and chlorinate it while it circulates through the system, before releasing it back into Howe Sound. Finn explained that any such practice would be “extremely damaging” to marine life and that similar systems down the coast in California have been banned. Although the plant will be powered by electricity, Finn said it will still produce emissions, including 140,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year. Among Finn’s other concerns was tanker traffic associated with the project, which would see between six and eight tankers navigating through the sound per month. He cited a risk of explosions associated with the ships, which could have potential negative effects on area property values. Large waves generated from
those vessels could also be a problem for the area, something Finn compared to the BC Ferries Fast Cat situation years before. Wade Davis, Bowen Island resident and professor of anthropology, said the issue of whether or not the plant will go in place holds a deeper meaning than simply a local environmental danger.
Places of Worship Welcome You
Leave Snug Cove
Wade Davis, Bowen Island resident and professor of anthropology, speaks at the Woodfibre LNG Is it right for Howe Sound?
*
DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS # DAILY EXCEPT DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS SUNDAYS
#
**
DAILY EXCEPT DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS & SATURDAYS SUNDAYS & SUNDAYS
** **
DAILY EXCEPT DAILY EXCEPT SAT, SUN SAT, SUN && MAY 19, JUL FEB. 93 1, APRIL AUG 4, SEPT 1 & OCT† 13 THE WEDNESDAY SAILINGS WILL BE REPLACED BY DANGEROUS THE WEDNESDAY CARGO SAILINGS. SAILINGS WILL NO OTHER BE REPLACED PASSENGERS BY DANGEROUS PERMITTED. CARGO SAILINGS. NO OTHER PASSENGERS ^Wed to Fri PERMITTED. ONLY
†
4 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
viewpoint
EDITORIAL
Special thanks and huge shake of my paw...
The volunteers MERIBETH DEEN
EDITOR
The week of April 12 is National Volunteer Month in Canada. As the editor of the Undercurrent, I’ve taken the liberty to turn one week into a whole month, and recognize a variety of volunteers on the front cover of the paper each week. On Tuesday, I asked people who walked into the office which volunteer group or initiative should be recognized, who I might be overlooking. This question often led to the bigger picture on volunteering on Bowen - even if we’re not volunteering as part of a group or organization, we Bowen Islanders have a tendency to help out in all kinds of ways. This is so true. We take care of each other’s kids, let people drive our cars, give rides to strangers standing on the side of the road, pet- sit, set up meal-trains and so, so much more. So, for the sake of balancing out my earlier gripe about our poop and beer-can littered roads (and yes, the gripe still stands - I intend to get back to work this weekend) it is the every-day generosity and thoughtfulness of people around here that makes this place home.
Yes I’ll keep griping about the people who litter. And I’ll keep hearing gripes about people who cut into the ferry line-up, or drive around with their high-beams on... fair enough. But we can’t let these annoyances bring us down, we just have too much to lose. Without the impulse to help out, we don’t just lose that warm and fuzzy community feel, but here on Bowen, we might actually cease to function altogether. So, I’m glad the municipality is doing their part to recognize the critical work of local volunteers: Mayor Skeels mentioned while introducing the new Strategic Plan that success would depend on the work of the many volunteers serving on committees, and a municipal volunteer wine and cheese event is coming up next week. Among the many, many people I would like to thank are all the people who read this paper, writein, buy ads and also understand the chaos, limitations and challenges of a small weekly newspaper. Also, I would definitely like to keep these pages open to any words of recognition and gratitude people have for those who are helping them out - in volunteer month an beyond. Thanks Bowen Island!
...to the awesome big guy in the red shirt who came along at just the right time on Easter Monday when, in a decision I would - ahem - of course question in retrospect, I jumped off the boardwalk at the end of Killarney Lake to investigate a truly interesting “thingy” down there and found - to my surprise and increasing distress - that I couldn’t jump back up. Nor could I seem to stand on those darn weedy things growing up from the lake. And as far as lily pads being called “pads”? Forget it! My owner looked like she wasn’t going to be much help (was she gonna jump in? then what?) when YOU miraculously came along, sized up the situation, lay down on the boardwalk, grabbed me by the shoulders and lifted me straight up over your head! WOW. Amazing! Thank you thank you thank you. You rescued me! Deep thank you’s also from my owner: Wendy Holm...
The Write Stuff. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Here’s how. To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com. B.C. Press Council. The Undercurrent is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 1-888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.
All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication. The undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 Deadline for all advertising and editorial: Monday, 4:00p.m.
Editor
Advertising
Contributor
Publisher
Meribeth Deen
Maureen Sawasy
Pauline Le Bel
Peter Kvarnstrom
www.bowenislandundercurrent.com Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year Subscription (With in Canada) $65.00, including GST Newsstand (Single Copy) 75 cents per copy, including GST
editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com
ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com
pkvarnstrom@glaciermedia.com
2011 CCNA
CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Bunny-love in Crippen Park
FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 5
End of the world? Not quite. Dear Editor, There were two very interesting articles about the trip to Squamish in the April 3 edition of the Undercurrent and several others on the LNG issue on previous occasions. I agree with many concerns almost without exception. I wonder if I can get the opponents to agree with mine? First, the world is not going to come to an end as suggested by a member of the Squamish Nation. I trust we can agree on that. Next point, BC Ferries pass Bowen Island 80 TIMES A DAY and to my knowledge there have been no collisions. The fearful super tankers will pass Bowen only 3 TIMES PER MONTH, initially, but at no time will that number get anywhere near the 80 BC Ferries trips. That should ease the concerns of those that think little children paddling their canoes will be at grave risk. Why would little children be paddling in shipping lanes anyway? I have read of no dreadful accidents from other ports around the world where LNG has been being shipped for years. Compared to the old factory system that some of us remember very well there will be no filthy black smoke belching from the stacks at the proposed Woodfibre plant. There will be a small amount of particulate. Compared to other parts of the world the citizens of BC enjoy a high degree of prosperity. We became prosperous because we are fortunate to have products that others want - forest products, minerals, seafood, and more recently LNG. Do none of the opponents believe in prosperity? Prosperity creates employment. Employment creates income not just for those employed at the plant, but for the dozens of spin-off industries as well – towboat operators, BC Ferry workers, bus drivers, merchants in Squamish, plumbers, carpenters, electricians. So why the big fear about LNG in Howe Sound? The tourist industry will continue to thrive because nature (which we all cherish) will continue to flourish. BC Ferries is converting its ships to burn natural gas. I don’t have to remind you that natural gas is relied upon by thousands of people (not us on Bowen Island, unfortunately) to heat their homes, cook their food, and recently power their cars and trucks. There will be risk. Risk is involved in everything we do. Risk will be managed. The last thing anybody wants - even the proponents of the LNG plant – is an accident. We are assured that every possible precaution will be taken. Respectfully, R. Gerry Sear
Time for an economic assessment of LNG Dear Editor, On Wednesday April 1st, a crowd packed the Gleneagles Golf Course Club House in West Vancouver to hear the presentations of opponents to the proposed Woodfibre LNG plant in Howe Sound. The opening was done by members of the Squamish Nation. The audience was made up of people from the Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast, and many from West Vancouver. The meeting was organized by the Future of Howe Sound Society with support from My Sea To Sky, Save Howe Sound, and Concerned Citizens Bowen. At this evening, and at previous public meetings organized by the above groups, the point was driven home that this project and, the drive for exporting LNG to Asia, don’t make any environmental or economic sense for BC. Environmental concerns are pretty obvious and there is not as much room to maneuver, as we have found out with earlier industrial development, not only in the Howe Sound, but in many places in the world. However, when it comes to economics, things become a bit fussy. Economics is not a science; it is a set of economic ideas all about how we design our society. This should mean we have choices. Do we share the wealth with many or, keep the wealth accumulation for one small group? Do we sell of our resources for next to nothing, or do we make sure we get our a fair share back in taxes and royalties? Do we treat this land, we live on, as a colony or do we make it into to a well functioning sustainable society? The dominant set of economic rules in Canada, when it comes to resources, has been to treat the land as a colony, rely heavily on foreign investors to make the investments, negotiate very few requirements to add value, and have low taxation on the units of resources exported or, as is the case with LNG investments in BC, tax only the net-profit of the company. During the last 150 years in BC, we thought this worked well. Many of us profited off the sale of resources coming from the very rich lands here. Many did so well, that the fact that the imbalance fact that investors, mostly foreign, made hundreds of billions off of these resources didn’t seem to be an issue. Now we see the downside: -BC is in debt. There is no heritage fund filled with the billions of royalty taxation on fishery, forestry and mining. Something went wrong. It is clear that Christy Clarke’s election promises were all about LNG heritage funds and 1 million jobs paid off for her. But winning an election is only the start, and we need proof that the government live up to its promises instead of repeating the mistakes made over the past century or so. Now that the Environmental Assessments for a number of LNG projects are underway, it makes total sense for an economic assessment of the whole BC LNG project, to see if it is really such a good deal, as we are all made to believe it is. Anton van Walraven
Bowen Island Recreation Easter Egg Hunt on April 2.
Debra Stringfellow, photos
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
From one apparent paradise to another:
Notes from San Miguel, Mexico KAMI KANETSUKA SUBMISSION
I am once more in this incredible city that has recently experienced some rainy B.C.-like days. After several weeks of an overload of lectures, films, theatre, and festivals around town, it was rather comforting to find myself sitting at a sing-along concert by Bram Morrison, one of Canada’s iconic folk singers. Famously known for being part of the group ‘Sharon, Lois and Bram,’ he is a versatile singer who sings in English, Spanish and French. This was a benefit for Amistad Canada that supports some good educational causes in San Miguel, of which Bram is a member. It seems to me that there are now more Canadian than American visitors during the winter months and having had nine Bowenians here at one time, made me fantasize somehow of twinning this city with Bowen Island and doing exchanges. A couple of years ago Condé Nast claimed San Miguel de Allende to be the best city in the world to live in. Since then the masses have swarmed here and for many this paradise is now bursting at the seams
and when walking in the center and one often sees more foreigners than Mexicans. That changes over Easter weekend, as San Miguel is known for its Semana Santa, holy week, events and parades which brings in thousands from all over Mexico. Today, as I write, it is the Friday of Sorrows, a day of mourning but also of faith and tradition. This evening one can roam the streets to visit Mexican households where they have set up elaborate altars with personal statues of the Virgin Mary. They will also offer refreshments to the passers by. Certainly this visit has had its share of somber moments. I arrived shortly after the death of Toller Cranston and his many close friends and his devoted staff were deeply grieving. Many visitors to town had lingered in his exotic garden after spending time at his various gallery exhibits. To walk past his now shuttered house with the fading wreaths was a truly sad moment. Indeed this little heritage city is a microcosm of the world where nothing goes unnoticed and everything passes through.
continued PAGE 7
.com
-2
U
P
3%TO
Get exclusive access to the best offers in the city
Seven-Night Alaska Cruise Package Aboard Norwegian Pearl Cruise Line, Taxes and Fees Included Tours Cure-Vac
$1,429
$1,099
From
U
P
7%TO
Multiple Cities
-6
6 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015
120g OR 240g of Organic Infusion Matcha Green Tea, Tax and Shipping Included Wicked Tea Redeem Online
$51.80
From
$17
Get these and other exclusive offers at SocialShopper.com Visit us online
Find an offer you like
Buy it
Enjoy it!
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
A postcard from San Miguel
FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 7
What will we do with the maple syrup? EDYE HANEN SUBMISSION
Kami Kanetsuka, left. “I had recognized and admired the belly dancer’s Afgan and Indian jewellery and she then presented me with a beautiful little heart hanging from a chain, probably from Afghanistan.” from PAGE 6 The Spring Equinox was celebrated in the Botanical Gardens, with a ritual and a concert with three very talented young percussion musicians. There was also the annual spring parade of kindergarten children dressed as flowers, insects and animals. Recently there was a Fringe Festival with several free events. One of the highlights was ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’ a one woman show performed by London actress Janet Prince about Agatha Christie and Margaret Rutherford, which was a sold out hit at Edinburgh, London and New York and now San Miguel. It is difficult to know the future of San Miguel, where there has been an international community living here since the 1930s. It used to be “the thing” to come for creative pursuits or to study and many settled. As Toller Cranston said in an interview on living in San Miguel, “people come here to reinvent themselves and discover what it is that they want to do.” Now many people come for retirement. With all the exiting events happening in the heart of this town, it does feel like we are all living in a bubble and it is easy to fantasize that it is paradise. One only has to move a few kilometers out of the city to the villages to see another world where people live without some of the barest necessities of life. Thankfully many of the events in San Miguel are benefits that go towards alleviating some of these problems. Programs of awareness abound and hopefully more of the changes will be for the better and for the local people.
It was this winter’s gift to Toller Cranston. Each winter we come to San Miguel with a gift; always something sweet. Toller loved sweets. Real Canadian maple syrup for Toller’s famous breakfasts seemed like a good idea. And then the news, leaping out from the message box on my computer. Toller gone.Unthinkable. No more conversations over breakfast that inevitably spiral into brilliant and uncharted territory. No more hearing about how he’d need a ‘Valium drip’ to get through whatever crisis loomed on his horizon. No more of those treasured moments when we might find him alone in the kitchen on a Sunday morning, lounging in bare feet, reading a book, then getting to spend two uninterrupted hours talking with him: about our lives, our foibles, our fears. No more dinners with cakes and roses and candies strewn across the tabletop, towers of ice cream topped with a single pink rose. No more lying in bed late at night, laughing until the tears came, over one of Toller’s particularly amusing witticisms heard over breakfast that morning. No more breakfasts.
Toller Cranston and Edye Hanen. David Darling, photo
Breakfast at Toller’s was a mostly informal affair but with unspoken parameters: you must have been invited or brought by someone who was invited. If you felt comfortable enough in your friendship with him, dropping in was acceptable; he would always make room. Breakfasts began promptly at 9 am. Toller arrives, often wild-haired from leaving his bed just moments before. He may be wearing lime green cords and an inside-out shirt – the label sticking out from under his chin – or a cashmere jacket he had just bought at the Tuesday market. There may be twelve people at breakfast; there may be two. Musicians, poets, painters, composers, social workers, writers, or anyone who walked through his gate could be there. Most of us came to know him because we have his paintings hanging on our walls at home. Over Toller’s breakfasts friendships were forged, e-mail addresses exchanged. But regardless of who was there, it was always a gathering of people who felt a deep loyalty and love for the brilliant, witty and wildly extravagant Toller Cranston. Breakfasts were varied: coffee, waffles or hotcakes, toast, eggs and always fresh fruit: mango, pineapple, banana, strawberries, papaya. Often there were rich cakes and tortes, oddly served up alongside the waffles and bacon. Antonia and Graciela worked for Toller for many years. Sweet and always gracious, they moved through the glass sculptures and the masses of roses and served each person individually, silently appearing at your shoulder to pass platters of food or refill coffee cups. The conversation flashed through the room like the sunlight that sparkled off the coloured crystals that filled the centre of the table. Toller’s stories were thoughtful, amusing, outrageous; his exaggerations legendary. He once told the story of chasing Nina Simone down a Montreal street when she left his place wearing his coveted fur coat.
continued PAGE 8
2015 METRO VANCOUVER
TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT PLEBISCITE
Grand Opening Weekend Sale This Weekend Only!! 25% OFF ALL RETAIL HOME BREW BEER & WINE SUPPLIES 25% OFF HOME BREW BEER EQUIPMENT RENTALS START A WINE KIT AND GET 50% OFF NEW WINE BOTTLES!! NOW OPEN DAILY & by appointment CALL OR TEXT 604-813-0848 Email: iwine@bowencoffee.ca • twitter: @boweniwine Located between the FIRST CREDIT UNION & THE BOWENCOFFEE STORE
Elections BC is administering the vote-by-mail plebiscite from March 16 to May 29, 2015. You can vote if you are:
■ A Canadian citizen ■ 18 years of age or older, on or before May 29, 2015 ■ A resident of B.C. for at least six months, on or before May 29, 2015 ■ Registered to vote in B.C. ■ Living in Metro Vancouver You can ask for a voting package to be mailed to you by calling 1-800- 661-8683 or online at elections.bc.ca /ovr. You can ask for a voting package until midnight on Friday, May 15, 2015. Elections BC must receive your completed ballot package before 8 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015. Visit elections.bc.ca or call 1-800-661-8683 for more information.
ele c tio n s . b c .c a 1- 8 0 0 - 6 61- 8 6 8 3
8 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
You can stay here: Free Tour of 11 great Bowen Island vacation rentals
Breakfasts with Toller from PAGE 7
CAROL PETERSEN
Conversations pole-vaulted between Toller’s story about Napoleon eating cheese and potatoes on the battlefield (he insisted this story was true) and his angst over a soon-to-be house guest. We all shared stories but there really was only one voice. There was never another voice as cutting, as brilliant and as clever as Toller’s. He likened his breakfasts to gatherings in Paris in the ‘20s, the ‘illuminated years’ when the artistic minds of the day met, where discussion fueled the day and where no topic under the sun was off-limits. His breakfasts, he said, were what fueled his day before he headed for his studio to paint. After arriving in San Miguel every winter, talking with him always helped bridge the inevitable abyss that I experienced between North American and Mexican culture. I looked forward to that first hug, that first welcome back. But this time there was no welcome back. We did not continue the conversation we’d been having for the past couple of years: the one about the unwelcome surprises of the aging journey; our talks about the youth of today that he spoke of with both joy and longing, knowing that these young people have their whole creative lives ahead of them. His advice to my daughter was something she has never forgotten: Be creative now. It is the tenet he believed every young person should live by. Though Toller lived in the Wonderland he created, he was painfully human. Despite his successes, his flamboyant reputation, his look-at-me posturing – the face that he presented to the world – he was so very vulnerable. At close range, that shadow was always there and visible to anyone who was paying attention. He would not want to be remembered in that way but he also would not have denied its truth. “I’ve accumulated quite a few barnacles on the hull of my ship,” he told me once. There are hundreds of Toller stories. We each had our unique relationship with him. We all somehow found our way into Toller’s world and we all have our stories. I think for those of us who knew him and loved him, (because in knowing him close up you had to love him), it seems impossible that we now must find a way to say goodbye. His death is exactly the kind of event that Toller would insist on being discussed at length around the breakfast table. There is also something crazily appropriate about his sudden and unexpected death. Leaving his own party before anyone knew he was gone was what Toller did. He hated goodbyes. Edye Hanen has spent winters in San Miguel, Mexico for the last 10 years. She and her partner have been sharing breakfasts with Toller Cranston for the past 8 years. She is an award winning writer who is published in many literary magazines including This Island We Celebrate and is the author of Bowen Island: Reflections
SUBMISSION
On Saturday April 18 everyone will have a great opportunity to tour some of the great vacation rental accommodation choices we have on this island. First Credit Union, along with the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, felt that it was time to let the secret out about how many diverse and wonderful places there are to stay on Bowen. From the west side with views of the Paisley Islands, to a mid island farm or mid island place overlooking Killarney Lake, to the many ‘suite’ locations closer to the cove, this tour is exciting in that it covers so much that is great about staying here with a relatively small sample
size. The idea is to show the island a cross section of what vacation accommodation is available and to enlighten off-island folks how easy and relaxing a 15 minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay can make you feel a world away! You are welcome to drive to the locations or take the free shuttle bus (courtesy of the vacation rental owners) that will take you to each accommodation. The first bus will leave the cove (by the library) at 11. Both self drives and bus riders must pre-register to receive your map. Upon arrival at the various accommodations, owners or representatives will tour you through their beautiful properties! Join us for a great tour but please… pre-register at carol@simplysafarisuite.com or 604-947-9005.
Prediabetes: What Is it?
AGORA FORUM:
ELLEN MACKAY
A conversation on Assisted Suicide
SUBMISSION
Type 2 diabetes is caused by either the body not being unable to make enough insulin to meet it’s needs or not properly using the insulin it makes. This may take months or years to develop but Prediabetes may be diagnosed in the meantime. It is during this transition period that we have a great opportunity to reduce our risk of diabetes and to help improve our overall health. North Shore Chronic Disease Services is pleased to announce our Diabetes Educators, will offer a free presentation on “Prediabetes – What Is it?” Bernice Evans and Ellie Mackay are Certified Diabetes Educators with years of experience educating clients of all ages and stages of diabetes. They will assist you in determining if you are at risk for diabetes and will bring insight into understanding what steps you can take towards prevention. The presentation is hosted by Caring Circle (432 Carder Drive in the Cove) at 1 p.m. on April 15. For further information, please email ellen.mackay@vch.ca.
HANS BEHM SUBMISSION
The third of the CSA sponsored four part discussions has the topic: “Doctor Assisted Suicide”. It will be held at the BIAC Gallery in Artisan Square on Thursday, April 16th, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Recent assisted death cases, here on Bowen Island and in the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to allow an appeal by Carter et al and the BC Liberties Association, are reminders of the importance of this topic to so many. In their reasons the Justices suspended “for 12 months” the effect of Criminal Code sections 241(b) and 14 ff as “ unjustifiably infringing on section 7 of the Charter (of Rights). You are invited to a discussion on this subject, which will effect most of us at some stage in our lives. The moderator will be Judge Judith Gedye. For further information please contact Hans-Christian Behm at 604 947 9447 or hcbehm@shaw .ca.
BOWEN BULLETIN BOARD “WEARABLE ART” Featuring magnificent creations By over 20 artists from Bowen and the mainland 27 Mar - 18 Apr Reception: Fri, 27 Mar 7-9pm Dress Code: Over the Top
Brannon Brothers roofing& sheet metal
Call Mike at
778-829-2516
OIL PAINTED PORTRAITS 9” x 12” 14” x 18” $150.00
ALAN BLAIR WILL PAINT A LIMITED NUMBER OF PORTRAITS IN OIL
@ $150
ea.
No obligation to buy.
Contact Alan at 947-0211
or on his website adblair.com
Randall Yip,
CPA, CA
ACCOUNTING, TAX, CONSULTING Tel: 604 -817-9536 Email: randallyip@shaw.ca
BOWENSHIRE Stonework & Landscape
The public is invited: Annual General Meeting of the Bowen Agricultural Alliance Society (BAA) Tues., April 21, 6:30-8:30 pm, BICS Multi-purpose Room 6:30-7:30 pm: Speakers, healthy soil workshop + soil amendment sale, seasonal cooking demo 7:30-8:30 pm: Meeting, projects review, 2015 farmers mkt schedule + board election
info: bowenagalliance.ca SLEEK 30-FT SLOOP
RELIABLE VERL900 FOR SALE BY OWNER
$16,000 OBO
Insured and WCB coverage
-231-7283 Phone Andy 604-947-0674 Cell: 778 www.bowenshirelandscaping.com
Fully Equipped, New main and jib, Like-new 13HP Volvo Engine, GPS, Radar, Depth Sounder, Winch, Dinghy & more. Photos at llia http://miellyttava.wix.com/bomi
Info Call Peter 1 (250) 507-3257
LANCE’S RECYCLING
I’ll pick up your recycling and deliver to BIRC for $25/load Kindling $20/box at Building Centre CALL 947-2430
LOST
PRESCRIPTION GLASSES somewhere between Eagle cliff to recycling depot. Grey case. Yvan Petrimaux
778-892-4476 aprilfoool1@gmail.com
ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com
Gallery @ Artisan Square Presents
Advertising deadlines: 4pm Friday to book the space 4pm Monday for artwork Contact Maureen to book your ad today.
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 9
10 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
On the calendar FRIDAY APRIL 10
UPCOMING
Legion Dinner Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 6:30
...APRIL 25 CONTINUED
Bowen Grows, Community Gardeners Information event & mini farmers’ market seedling, seeds & garden starts sale Focus on vegetables, fruit and edible plants. Bowen gardeners are welcome to book a table to sell their extra starts and seedlings. 10am-noon at BICSContact shaxby@sd45.bc.ca to book a table at this event.
APRIL 17
Future of God - Part 2 Bowen Island Yoga
SATURDAY APRIL 11
Youth Open Gym: 6 - 8:30 p.m. at BICS
APRIL 18
SUNDAY APRIL 12
Municipal Special Waste Drop-Off Day Bowen Island Recycling Depot 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Purchase receipts per-load at the General Store or Municipal Hall. Payments will not be accepted on-site.
Bowen in Transition Potluck 5:30 p.m. potluck 7 p.m. meeting Dedicated to creating resilient, vibrant communities through positive, grassroots local action. All welcome.
Best of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, hosted by grades 6 and 7 students at BICS Doors open at 6:30, films start at 7 Tickets at Phoenix and at the door - $15 adults, $10 students and seniors - cash only please
Bowen Island Vacation Rental Tour Starting 11 a.m. at the library Pre-register by contacting: carol@simplysafarisuite.com or 604-947-9005.
MONDAY APRIL 13
Seniors Keeping Young (SKY) 9:00 – Exercises 10:00 – BICS Visit to SKY with Sarah Haxby 11:00 - yoga with Diana Kaile
April 26
Wild Food Tour Register by calling 604-947-9563
APRIL 19
AA Meeting Collins Hall 7:15 p.m.
Bowen Heritage AGM and Heritage Basics workshop to follow. 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., at Evergreen Hall, 464 Melmore Road. The workshop is free for members and $10 for non-members. If you’re planning to attend the workshop, please email bowenheritage@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 15
APRIL 21
TUESDAY APRIL 14
Knitting Circle 2 - 5 p.m. Bowen Court - All levels welcome! Diabetes Educators visit Caring Circle (432 Carder Drive) at 1 p.m.
THURSDAY APRIL 16
Duplicate Bridge @ Bowen Court Call Irene @ 2955
Bowen Ag Alliance AGM at BICS starting at 6 p.m. On the agenda: John Reid, Kim Howden, Matt Matheson and Sarah Haxby
APRIL 24
MAY 5
Free hearing tests, hearing aid cleaning and checks Caring Circle. Call 604-281-3691 Synergy Cabaret, dinner at the Rowing Club Fundraiser for Tir-Na-Nog Theatre School For more info contact Karen Cowper at 947-2403
MAY 14
Free hearing tests, hearing aid cleaning and checks Caring Circle. Call 604-281-3691
“Beyond the Edge” photographs by Emmett Sparling and Tristan Deggan Gallery at Artisan Square, opening at 5:30 p.m.
APRIL 25
Rotary Club of Bowen Island Presents Kate Coffey 7:30 p.m. at Collins Hall, all welcome
Wild Food Tour Register by calling 604-947-9563
AGORA Forum Converstation on Doctor Assisted Suicide Starting at 7 p.m. at the Gallery at Artisan Square
InHabit
Somatic Centre
566 Artisan Square Somatic Patterning Massage Craniosacral Therapy Ball Rolling Classes T’ai Chi Chih (778) 952-3757 Breathe Move Touch
Contact Maureen to advertise in this space.
HEALTH & WELLNESS Dr. Utah Zandy 604-947-9830
CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
Dr. Susanne Schloegl M.D.
Open Mon.Wed. Thurs. Fri. Call for an appointment Artisan Square
604-947-2442
ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com
604-947-9986
Dr. Gloria Chao
Dr. Dana Barton
Family Dentist
Artisan Square 604-947-0734 Alternate Fridays 10am - 4:30pm Horseshoe Bay 604-921-8522 www.bowenislanddental.com
Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square
604-730-1174 Natural Family Medicine
BOWEN ISLAND MASSAGE THERAPY @ #597 Wellness Centre & #595 next door!! 604-947-9755 EXT #1 TEXT: 604-653-9755
OPEN 7 days a week! MARY MCDONAGH RMT
HARMONY SHIRE RMT ROBYN IZARD RMT ALICIA HOPPENRATH RMT designation pending
778-996-5911
Celebrating 27 years Community Healthcare
BODY VITALITY MASSAGE THERAPY Now 7 days a week! James Goldfarb RMT Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon 604-288-2860 Jenni Griffiths RMT Tue, Wed, Thur 604-240-6485 www.bodyvitaliy.ca
Psychologist Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt PhD, R.Psych #1484
604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com
At entrance to Artisan Square Suite #597
CATHERINE SHAW
Bowen Island Community Foundation
Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist
Annual General Meeting
❦
Rivendell Retreat Centre
MARY MCDONAGH RMT, DCH Registered Massage Therapist
❦
SANDY LOGAN Registered Physiotherapist
❦
COURTNEY MORRIS R.Ac, DCH Acupuncturist / Homeopath
Life Labs Tue @ Dr. Schloegl Thur @ Dr. Zandy 6:45am - 8:45am
For routine lab tests. Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.
Thursday, April 30, 2015, 7pm-9:30pm
All Welcome
Learn more about the Bowen Island Community Foundation: bowenfoundation.com
May 5th Cabaret - A truly delightful event 6 for 6:30 at the Rowing club in Stanley Park. A benefit for Tir-na-nOg hosted by Synergy.
Cruise to and from Snug Cove with Cormorant Water Taxi (25$) or meet us there. Enjoy dinner, complementary wine tasting, 2 sets singers, raffle, cash bar, Musical guests- Angie Inglis and Ross Douglas with Synergy’s own, Beverly Elliott, Yvonne McSkimming and Mark James Fortin. Donations to Tir-na-nOg of $50 (- or more if you wish!) 100% Tax receipt given. Meet your friends, invite your Mom (Mother’s day follows.) Please treat yourselves and support Bowen’s Theatre School for young people. Tir-na-nOg, teaching confidence, insight and delight to Bowen’s young people for 28 years
Reservations/enquiries - please call Karen 604-947-2403
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015 • 11
12 • FRIDAY APRIL 10 2015
WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Multiplying The Benefit WoodfibreLNG will employ more than 650 people each year of construction, and we will create more than 100 local jobs during operation. During construction, our project will also help to create another 1,080 jobs in the community through indirect* and induced** employment. This means Woodfibre LNG can help contribute throughout the local economy.
Jobs Here At Home We know that some people have to leave the community each day for good-paying jobs. If our project is approved, we will hire a quality local workforce and contract local businesses and suppliers whenever we can. This has already started, as our project employs eight people in Squamish. That means more people can work and live in the community they love.
Community Benefits I M P O R TA N T TO YO U. I M P O R TA N T TO U S .
Building A Strong Community We want to support the things that give Squamish its strong sense of community, so we’re providing financial support to youth sports and education programs, as well as community events and other local groups. So far, we have given more than $100,000 to groups in the community.
There are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of Squamish. Having been with Woodfibre LNG since the tant beginning, Byng Giraud understands how important it is to build a project that is right for Squamish.
Paying Our Share
For him, it’s about ensuring Woodfibre LNG is an at active member of the community; a company that
We are a member of the community, so just like you, we’ll pay our fair share of property tax to the District of Squamish. In fact, as the site’s official owner, Woodfibre LNG is now a contributing tax payer to the District of Squamish. We have offered to pay at least $2 million in property tax each year of operation, an amount that will help ease the burden on local residents.
respects the local environment and that works to create long-term local jobs.
Building a project that’s right for Squamish, and right for BC. That’s our number one priority.
* Indirect impacts arise from changes in activity for suppliers. ** Induced impacts arise from shifts in spending on goods and services as a consequence of changes to the payroll of the directly and indirectly affected businesses.
woodfibrelng.ca
s
BRITISH COLUMBIA ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES COMMISSION
Tell us your views on our Preliminary Report before May 26, 2015.
Now is the time to have your say and shape your province.
In a Preliminary Report to the Legislative Assembly, the British Columbia Electoral Boundaries Commission is proposing changes to the area, boundaries and names of electoral districts in B.C. Read the Preliminary Report at www.bc-ebc.ca/reports. Tell the commission your views on the Preliminary Report online at www.bc-ebc.ca, at a public hearing during April and May, or by email at info@bc-ebc.ca. All submissions and presentations to the commission must be made before 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015. For a schedule of public hearing locations and dates, and more information, visit www.bc-ebc.ca
WEBSITE:
www.bc-ebc.ca EMAIL:
info@bc-ebc.ca PHONE:
1-800-661-8683