Bowen Island Undercurrent February 3 2022 by Bowen Island Undercurrent

SECONDARY SUITE EXPANSION?: More rentals eyed on island PAGE 6

$1.50

inc. GST

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022

PUZZLE TIME

VOL. 48 NO. 03

BIUndercurrent

BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com

Bowen artist Di pieces together new project PAGE 8

Funding agreement reached for Snug Cove sewage upgrades FINANCE PLAN IS LEGALLY SOUND, SAYS MUNICIPALITY ALEX KURIAL

Editor

Lisa Brougham captured her own version of ‘Friday Night Lights’ as the sun went down following a foggy Friday last week. In the foreground a bird snags a fishy catch of the day to start the weekend off on a high note. / Lisa Brougham photo

TUNSTALL BAY

JUST SOLD

The ongoing Snug Cove sewage saga took a big step forward Monday with the approval of a funding plan for upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The $1.64 million proposal was detailed by engineering director Patrick Graham at last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting. It outlined a series of necessary fixes at the plant to ease its capacity problems, which had become so serious a moratoriumonbuildingpermits fortheCovewasintroduced. This included, much to the dismay of property owners, pausing several active permits. Many of them spoke during the meeting about the impact this has had on their plans. But there was good news for someofthemduringMonday’s Special Council meeting. After referring the plan to the Finance Advisory Committee, the group managed to adjust the proposal to include the five properties with active permits,

1506 WHITE SAILS DRIVE

all on Rivendell Drive. This was managed by opting for a larger equalization tank and deferring some aspects to the next phase of the project. The current work, known as Phase 1, will cover about 500 residents on the Snug Cove system. The trade-offs allowed the price tag to remain the same, thoughitsparkeddebateabout where the money would come from. The recommendation was for $1 million to be taken from the Capital Renewal and Replacement Reserve (CRRR) and the remaining $640,000 from Unappropriated Surplus. Brad Hawthorn, the municipality’s former public works superintendent and engineering and operations director during the 2000s, wrote a letter and addressed council to express his belief this approach violated municipal and provincial laws. Hawthorn said general taxpayer funds were ineligible for use toward local service areas, and that the Snug Cove Sewer Reserve fund should be used instead. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

$1,498,000

With limited supply of active listings on Bowen Island, now is the time to list and take advantage of our LISTING INCENTIVE! Touch base with us for a free market evaluation. Kim Whittall: (604) 720-3659 | Sean Whittall: (604) 880-9400 www.WhittallRealEstate.com The strength of teamwork... the reputation for results.

A10 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, February 3, 2022

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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A11

COMMUNITY CALENDAR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4

18th Annual Mini Artworks Exhibit and Silent Auction We are all Collectors: Will you add to your collection or find your first piece? Every year we raise funds with professional and amateur artists contributing to this event to continue the Hearth’s commitment to culture in our community. Show opens Friday and runs until February 26, when there will be a grand finale including a DJ and the final auction.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Rotary Club Speaker Series 7:30 PM Bowen Island Mayor Gary Ander. All are welcome. Zoom meeting info on www.bowenrotary.com

TO FEBRUARY 12

LUNAR NEW YEAR SCAVENGER HUNT, BOWEN LIBRARY Come find all the letters hidden in the Kids’ section to unlock the hidden Lunar New Year phrase!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 12

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5

BOOK DONATION DAY, BOWEN LIBRARY 1 PM UNTIL 3 PM (OR WHEN BIN IS FULL) A volunteer will pre-screen your donations while you wait and will accept those that meet donation guidelines. Donors will need to take back any items that do not meet the guidelines, available at bowenlibrary.ca/donated-materials

BRING YOUR OWN BOOK CLUB 12-1 PM For Bowen Islanders 18-35 years old, 12-1 pm @ Bowen Library Annex. A welcoming drop-in group where you can rave (or rant!) about a book you’ve read, find your next great read, and meet other young book lovers. Vaccine verification required. Questions? info@bowenlibrary.ca

TO FEBRUARY 14

Write & Share a Valentine’s Haiku at the Bowen Library During February, people of all ages are invited to write Valentine’s Day haiku and submit them at the Bowen Library! We’ll post them in the library for all to read and share some on our social media, website, and newsletter. Short poems also welcome. Pick up a submission sheet in the library or submit your haiku to info@bowenlibrary.ca

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14

Bowen Island Municipal Council 6:15 PM Meetings will be streamed live on the BIM YouTube page and will remain up for viewing after the meeting is finished. Please contact the municipality if you wish to speak or enter a written submission.

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Thursday, February 3, 2022

What you need to know about new groundwater licensing requirements COAST REPORTER What do islanders and British Columbians in general need to know about their wells ahead of new B.C. groundwater licencing requirements coming into effect March 1? Provincial staff, in partnership with the Islands Trust, are offering a free online information session Feb. 3 at 7 pm, moderated by the Trust’s senior freshwater

specialist, William Shulba. The provincial staff come from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. March 1 is the deadline for those who started using groundwater from a well or dugout before March 1, 2016, for non-domestic uses (irrigation, commercial, industrial, waterworks, or business) to apply for a water licence with the provincial government.

While domestic well owners aren’t required to have registered their wells, they’re encouraged to register their wells for free “so their water use is known and considered by provincial decision-makers when dealing with other licence applications,” said an Islands Trust press release. “The sustainability of freshwater resources is crucial across the Islands Trust Area,” said Peter Luckham, Islands Trust Council chair in the release, encouraging those in the Trust area to hear about the legislation and what it could mean for islands. “Licencing water helps protect aquifers and streams, along with the businesses and livelihoods that depend on reliable access to water.” With this legislative change, non-domestic groundwater is included in the same regulatory structure as surface water, according to the release. To register and receive a Zoom invitation link, visit https://bit.ly/3KLDRkr. Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance to programs@ islandstrust.bc.ca.

B.C. slated to receive 16 million COVID19 rapid test kits by mid-February CINDY WHITE

Castanet

B.C.’s health minister says millions more COVID-19 rapid tests from the federal government are coming this month. “Currently B.C. expects to receive 16,597,515 tests between Feb. 1 and the middle of February. This is an increase from the 15,719,920 that we were expecting as of Jan. 20, and an increase from the number that we provided last week,” announced Adrian Dix. “This is good news. Clearly, the supply of tests is substantial but it’s also in flux as orders and deliveries get firmed up by the federal government.” Still, the tests are being distributed based on a priority list set by public health officials. The province received more than 2 million kits in the past three days and will be sending out 1.2 million in the next week. 350,000 to replenish supplies at COVID-19 test sites, 100,000 for acute care centres, 260,00 to long-term and continuing care, 130,00 for rural and Indigenous communities, and another 300,000 for K-12 education. Dix and B.C. public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry were asked about the more than three million doses being held in supply, and why they aren’t being given to people for more at-home testing. Henry pointed out that with 600,000 children in the K-12 school system, plus staff, those three million would be used up pretty quickly if they were

all shipped out. She says many are being distributed now. Dix made it clear that the three million are not tests that are just sitting around. “We’ve had tests, in the millions, come in in the last three days. What happens is they come in, we process them and then go out. I laid out in detail where 1.2 million are going this week. So, what you’re seeing is us taking the tests when they arrive, they’re not always consistent on their arrival, and then distributing them to the areas of priority,” he said. As spring break approaches, people are wondering about the availability of PCR testing to meet the guidelines for travel outside the country. Dr. Henry made it clear, publicly-funded tests are not intended to ease the way for leisure travellers, and anyone looking for one for that purpose should be going to a private clinic and paying for their test. “There are some provisions in places, I know private clinics, to be able to get a confirmation associated with a rapid test-positive, at a person’s own expense, like other travel clinic services that are provided,” she noted. However, she also said talks continue with federal officials on updating international travel rules. “We have had ongoing discussions about the border measures and what tests are required when and why. And I know they are reviewing those in the next few weeks.”

A2 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Bowen Island Fire Rescue recruiting new volunteer members

Events February 4, 2022 1:00 pm Mayor’s Standing Committee on Community Lands Meeting February 8, 2022 7:00 pm Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting February 14, 2022 4:00 pm Committee of the Whole Meeting - Conservation Development Policy February 14, 2022 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting February 15, 2022 11:00 am Ground Breaking/Land Blessing for BICC February 21, 2022 1:30 pm Snug Cove Gateway Mural Launch Party

Help stop COVID-19:

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Celebrating Heritage Week with the Gateway Mural Launch Party

Apply to be a volunteer ﬁreﬁghter with Bowen Island Fire Rescue. Submit your application by 4:30 pm on February 24, 2022 if you want to dedicate your time, skills and physical ability to helping your community.

Join us at 1:30 pm on February 21, Family Day, at the launch party for the Snug Cove Gateway Mural! A community art project brought to life by three local artists Di, Paula Love and Sarah Haxby. The mural painted on sixteen wood panels is to be installed on the lock block wall at the gateway to Snug Cove www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/apply-fire-fighter as a welcoming and inviting entrance to Bowen Island that shares and celebrates our environment, local heritage, culture and community spirit. The mural was made possible thanks to a donation from Sangre de Fruta Botanical. This is a public notice under Section 26 of the Community The event kicks off 2022 BC Heritage Week. The theme this Charter that Bowen Island Municipality intends to dispose year is “Altogether Inclusive”. of lands that are not being made available to the public for acquisition. The Municipality intends to enter into a renewal agreement with Bowen Fuels Inc. for the continued operation of the current gas station, located on an approximate 596 m2 area of 1060 Mt. Gardner Road, which is also used as the public works service yard. Family Day 1060 Mt. Gardner Road is owned by the Municipality. The legal Monday, February 21 description is PID: 008-899-363 BLOCK 1 DISTRICT LOT 491 GROUP 1 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT PLAN 12372 EXCEPT Celebrate a community PLAN BCP39511. The area for lease is shown in bold outline in art project brought to subdivision plan EPP40609. life by local artists Di, The Lease Agreement is a renewal agreement, and includes the Paula Love and following changes: Sarah Haxby. • 10-year lease, with an option to renew for an additional 10 1:30 pm at the Snug years. Cove North Dock • Increased basic rent amounts. • Ability to assign the premises should the business change (next to the ferry) ownership, giving BIM absolute discretion in its approval to grant such assignment. Songs, stories and You can request to inspect a copy of the Lease Agreement at snacks for all, and Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, during our hours activities for the kids! of operation of Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed on statutory holidays). Questions? Please contact Hope Dallas, Corporate Officer at 604-947-4255 ext 229 or email hdallas@bimbc.ca

Public Notice of Intent

Snug Cove Gateway Mural Launch Party

Get vaccinated - everyone 5 years and older is eligible.

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BIM is looking for proposals for a one-year contract for cleaning services at Municipal buildings, including Municipal Hall and Public Works ofﬁces. Closing date for proposals is 4 pm on February 11, 2022. www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/rfps-and-tenders

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Kicking off 2022 BC Heritage Week!

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Thursday, February 3, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A3

ISLAND NEWS

Total Snug Cove sewage upgrade costs now more than $8 million CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

As of last week this reserve had $53,000 total, and would require a large loan from the general pool. Chief administrative officer Liam Edwards responded he was confident in the approach. “Municipalities can use general revenue at its sole discretion for local area services whenever it deems appropriate,” he says, pointing to a 2010 example when the municipality used $720,000 from unappropriated surplus for another sewer expansion project. Edwards outlined several reasons the upgrades should be considered eligible for general funds. “Why are we doing this project in the first place?... There’s a renewal component to it because the original existing plant wasn’t built with sufficient equalization storage at the front end to allow for all of the bioreactors to be used… We’re also having to do it because we’re pushing up against regulatory requirements that will require us to have improved treatment quality and capacity.” Bowen exceeded their provincially mandated wastewater limit in 2018 and came close again in 2020. “Perhaps the most pressing reason is that capacity that was once there was given away to projects that were deemed to be strategically important to the island, but there was never any funding identified to fill in that capacity that was

given away,” added Edwards. “So here we are at the day that we have next to no capacity left, and inadequate funding in the Snug Cove Sewer Reserve. So then the question is, ‘who is responsible to pay?’” Coun. David Hocking says “Snug Cove is more than a local service area, we all use the shops and the restaurants and the pub and so on. So it seems reasonable for us to be paying to some degree.” While a legal opinion hadn’t been sought before Monday’s meeting, Edwards said Tuesday that on request from council he consulted with the municipality’s legal counsel and was “advised that the approved financing approach is legal and does not contravene local or provincial laws.” Coun. Alison Morse expressed concern about tapping into the CRRR, and said she was “definitely not in favour of taking it from unappropriated surplus.” She also wanted to know more about how inflow and infiltration (I&I) were impacting the overall flow numbers. I&I occurs when water from unintended sources enters the sewage system. Inflow is rainwater, and infiltration is groundwater. Together they can contribute to sewage overflow, particularly after periods of heavy rainfall. Graham says the wastewater plant has overflowed three times in the past six months following these heavy rains. Inflow monitoring is currently inconsistent in the Cove. There are a

few metres but a notable absence of readings at the plant itself. The planned upgrades include installing one there. Four manholes have also been discovered where infiltration is taking place. They are scheduled to be sealed with grout sometime in the next month. Morse wasn’t comfortable moving forward with the expensive project without knowing if solving the cheaper I&I issues could reduce some of the necessary work. Graham said I&I impact is “probably a fraction” of the overall problems at the plant. “It’s a problem right now to not have the amount of equalization storage we need for peak days… To rely on being able to address the whole problem with inflow and infiltration reduction measures, it’s not enough to get the system functioning the way it needs to be,” says Graham. But he added any progress on I&I may help connect an extra few properties to the system. Coun. Rob Wynen said the situation has put the municipality “up against a wall, and I really don’t see a way out of it.” He agreed the island benefits as a whole, particularly since the municipality’s desire to see more homes in the Cove won’t be achievable without a functional sewer system. But he acknowledged it may be hard to accept for people who aren’t on the Snug Cove system yet will be contributing to the bill. Wynen

expressed a desire to switch to a user pay system goingforward,whereheavywateruserspaymore. Phase 2 of the project was also discussed, meant to address long-term Snug Cove sewage upgrades over the next 20 years. Last week it was estimated to cost $5.81 million, but that’s now jumped to $6.57 million due to Phase 1 deferments and time factors. There’s not yet any indication where this money will come from. For now council voted, with opposition from Morse, to approve the Phase 1 funding plan and pursue a contractor to carry out the work. Council unanimously decided to continue negotiations with Metro Vancouver to purchase the 102 square metres of Crippen Park required for future Phase 2 upgrades. “We still have a long way to go on this. This is just the beginning, it is not the end,” says Mayor Gary Ander.

Exterior of the Snug Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant / Bronwyn Beairsto photo

Come together, Bowen Island! Celebrate community at a land blessing ceremony for the Community Centre

With special guests S7aplek and Spakwus Slolem (Bob Baker and the Squamish Eagle Song Dancers), and representatives from the federal, provincial and local governments. A land blessing will be followed by a guided walkabout of the future Community Centre grounds and building site.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Bowen Island Trunk Rd next to the BICS grass field While all events will be outdoors in the open air, rain or shine, we ask that everyone maintain physical distancing wherever possible and wear a mask if within 2 metres of others. Please refrain from parking in the BICS parking lot.

A4 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, February 3, 2022

VIEWPOINTS LETTERS

Make water users foot the bill

Dear Mayor Ander and Members of Council: Re: Item 3.1 Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades I read the Agenda and Mr. Graham’s report and recommendations with some dismay. The Sewage Treatment system is a Utility and as such should be paid for entirely by the users of the Utility, not as a general new increase for all taxpayers across Bowen Island Municipality. There is little point in going back in hindsight and regretting that DCC’s have not been collected or this or other public works. The idea of using $1 million of carefully saved tax funds from the Capital Renewal and Replacement fund plus an additional $640 thousand from Unappropriated Surplus is patently unfair to the non-users of the Snug Cove Sewage system. Anyone not on the sewer system is solely responsible for the entire capital and operating costs of their own septic systems; the same should be true for property owners that benefit from the community Snug Cove Sewage Treatment Plant and system. When 2021 Property Tax deliberations were underway a year ago, the 660 users of the Cove Bay Water system were assessed all the new costs for that Utility upgrade over ten to thirty-year repayments through additional property taxes and user fees. The same should hold true for the borrowing of new funds and repayment by the users of the Snug Cove Sewage System. Lending funds to the Utilities from the Statutory Reserve Funds identified at interest-bearing cost over a stipulated number of years would be a far better and more equitable way to proceed, in my view. Thank you. Take care, — Bill Granger Lenora Road

Lost your kayak? Ed Chiasson informed the Undercurrent that he’s recovered a wayward kayak he found drifting about 100 yards off the shore north of Bluewater Beach, and would be happy to return the vessel to its rightful owner. If you’re missing the kayak - topside yellow lime - please call Ed at 604-947-0259, or 604222-0259.

Keep sewage issues in the spotlight

I read with interest the news of the Bowen Island waste water treatment plant in the latest edition of the Undercurrent, If my memory serves me correctly there has been ongoing issues with the plant since I moved to Bowen fifteen years ago so I am somewhat surprised that the Municipality has continued to make new connections to the system. Unfortunately sewage treatment plants are not so publicity worthy as Community Centres, Health Centre and new Fire Halls etc. so we tend to forget the more basic functions of a Municipality such as the provision of waste water treatment, potable water supply, roads and sidewalks. I sympathize with the munici-

pality’sdifficultyinfinancingtheeverincreasing cost of maintaining infrastructure but suggest that limited resources should be used to fulfill the basic needs of our community. I also note that during the early days of my time on the Island the treatment plant appeared to be maintained by a weekly visit by an outside contractor, but now appears to need the daily attendance of a Municipal employee ( except during the Christmas and snow storm period!). Presumably the plant has deteriorated enough to require this. As to funding the work required it should surely be the responsibility of those who enjoy the benefits (?) of the plant; the rest of us have

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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. Please limit to under 500 words. 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.

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the expense of installing and maintaining a septic system. There appears to have been occurrences of faulty advice and misunderstanding so it is important going forward that the municipality receives reliable professional advice and money is not wasted on short term solutions. I would be interested to know whether, in fact, a well designed septic system is better for the environment than discharging waste water into the ocean? A possible solution?

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR Alex Kurial editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Peter Kvarnstrom publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com 2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@bowenislandundercurrent. com or call 604-947-2442. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A5

Islands Trust seeking input on $9 million budget BOWEN’S SHARE TO RISE 4 PER CENT

ALEX KURIAL

Editor

Residents have until Sunday, February 6 to give their thoughts on the proposed 2022/23 Islands Trust budget. Bowen’sshare,appliedthroughamunicipaltaxlevy,is$324,000. This is a four per cent rise from last year (up $12,497) and will be split three per cent to the current tax base and one per cent to new development and construction. On Bowen, the primary focuses of the budget are the creation of an affordable housing model bylaw, and a groundwater science and mapping program. Development of a heritage preservation overlay mapping and model bylaw is also in the works. “The proposed 2022/23 budget supports work we have heard

is important to communities such as land use policies and regulations that support affordable housing, increased knowledge of groundwater, and protection of species at risk,” says Islands Trust council chair Peter Luckham. Islands Trust trustee Michael Kaile, who represents Bowen Island along with Sue Ellen Fast, made it clear he wasn’t in support of the rising costs. “I make no secret of the fact I will not be voting in favour of this budget. When I look at this budget and I itemize it and I go through it line by line by line, and I review how the various lines have increased over the recent years… we are now in the nine millions. Go back to just the beginning of our term and it was around $7.3 million,” says Kaile. “It’s one of the largest increases in Islands Trust history. So it’s going to be a matter of pretty strenuous debate, because it certainly isn’t going to be accepted as it stands 100 per cent. This is not going

to be a unanimous vote at all,” predicts Kaile. The handling of the survey, which opened Jan. 21 and closes Sunday, also frustrated Kaile. “How did the Islands Trust intend, in this period of time, for this budget to get out in the community for people to do the survey?” Kaile says despite the time frame he hopes Boweners will still find a chance to fill it out. “There’s no point issuing a survey if no one completes it. And I’m sure it’s not the intention of Islands Trust to issue a survey and then have no one complete the survey, because that is the epitome of a pointless exercise.” But Kaile did acknowledge that while there will almost certainly be revisions, he will likely be in the minority voting no, and the budget is expected to pass. The budget and survey can be found on the Islands Trust website.

North Van MLA warns of vaccine payment scam

SCAM COMES VIA AUTHENTIC-LOOKING TEXT MESSAGE

BRENT RICHTER

North Shore News

North Vancouver-Lonsdale NDP MLA Bowinn Ma is warning the public about an attempt by scammers to fleece people seeking a government payment for getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The scam comes via text messages purporting to be from the B.C. government’s “Vaccine Incentive Program,” promising a $100 e-transfer. The bogus message includes a link for people to click on. “I very carefully tested it out. It is very convincing. It starts with a check to see if you’re a robot and then it asks you to sign into your online banking system and it all looks very realistic, but it is 100 per cent a scam,” Ma said. “The B.C. government would never ask you for your banking information through text or email like this.” The Ministry of Health became aware of the scam last week, Ma

said, and she has reported it to the North Vancouver RCMP. “Anybody could fall prey to it if they didn’t know that there was no such incentive,” she said. The province is not and has never offered money to people to get their shots, as some other jurisdictions have tried. The incentive to get vaccinated should be the well-documented proof that it will likely keep you out of a hospital gurney, Ma said. “It is still very effective at preventing serious injury and illness due to COVID-19 and that’s really important to our communities right now because our health-care systems are just stretched so, so thin,” she said. “We need to be able to help them out by keeping ourselves out of hospital and also keeping others out of hospital by encouraging them to get vaccinated as well.” As of Jan. 28, 90 per cent of B.C. residents over the age of 12 had been double vaccinated while 47 per cent had received a booster dose.

The local newspaper editor was exploring around the ferry terminal last week when he spotted a mist in the distance. / Alex Kurial photo

North Vancouver-Lonsdale NDP MLA Bowinn Ma’s tweet alerts residents to a scam, Jan. 31, 2022. / Bowinn Ma Twitter photo

Our metropolitan neighbour slowly waking up for the day across the water. Caught with a keen eye, and a sharp lens. / Haig Farris photo

online success for your business here, there and everywhere

For details call 604-947-2442 or email ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

A6 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Secondary suite lot sizes up for review

A BID TO MAKE BUILDING DETACHED HOMES EASIER COULD OPEN UP THE OPTION TO HUNDREDS OF PROPERTIES Martin added that lot size alone though doesn’t mean a property could support a secondary suite. Water and sewer capacity, density provisions and development permit guidelines also factor into the equation. He recommended the idea go to the Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) and Advisory Planning Commission (APC) for approval. This prompted thorough discussion from councillors. “I don’t see that reflecting our Official Community Plan or the integrated way that decisions (are made) around transportation planning or ecosystems,” says Coun. Sue Ellen Fast. She adds there’s a conservation development policy coming before council this month that should also be factored in. “To me this just looks like ‘more’. And I don’t see the information yet that it’s helping with the urgent housing crisis and employee availability. It’s probably helping some people out and it’s probably legalizing some existing housing… but I’m not in favour of just adding more without the conservation development policy and the Official Community Plan process to inform this,” says Fast. Coun. Rob Wynen was concerned the new suites wouldn’t be in the right place, and that the plan is “moving away from the idea of concentrating growth in the Cove area (instead of) the peripheries of the island.” “I think by going to these somewhat smaller, but still relatively bigger lots, we’re moving in that direction again where this will not increase housing in the Cove, where we want to see it increase,

ALEX KURIAL

Editor

In an effort to increase rental opportunities on the island Bowen is setting its sights on creating more detached units on existing properties. Currently a lot must be at least 0.36 hectares (0.89 acres) to be considered big enough for a secondary detached suite. There’s 888 properties on the island in this category. But these owners have not been leaping at the idea. In the last six years (201621) just 14 detached units have been built on the island. There were another 32 secondary suites built as part of a home and three are planning a suite in the future. “There hasn’t been a lot of uptake on it,” says mayor Gary Ander. Taking into account the municipality’s goal of encouraging more secondary suites, outlined during an October 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting, manager of planning and development Daniel Martin made a presentation to council of what expanding eligibility for smaller lots could look like. A reduction to 0.30 hectares would add 111 lots, and moving to 0.26 acres would add another 85 lots on top of that. Adding these extra 196 lots would boost eligible properties by 22 per cent. Martin says it could be a factor in future purchases. “It definitely changes people’s planning. We see the question all the time when a lot goes up for sale, people are very aware of ‘can we build a detached secondary suite?’”

but it will likely increase housing and transportation and all that goes with that outside of the Cove. And that concerns me,” says Wynen. A majority of councillors saw merit in the plan though. “I don’t see this as urban sprawl, I see the sensible use of existing space throughout the island,” says Coun. Michael Kaile. “Sooner or later this island is going to accommodate more folk anyway, as are all the Gulf Islands. That can only be done in a very measured way and in a very thoughtful way,” says Kaile. Coun. David Hocking also supported the idea, noting the move to 0.30 or 0.26 hectares as an acceptable incremental step. “We know very clearly that a lot of the people who work on Bowen can’t afford to live here. A lot of people who want to live on Bowen can’t afford to live here.” Hocking says he appreciates the concerns over urban sprawl, but notes “this is using existing lots, and perhaps adding to the transit availability on existing roads.” Ander also reminded everyone of Snug Cove’s current sewage issues with regard to future housing there. “The Cove could potentially be shutdown here for an extended period of time, so there won’t be any (new) housing coming out of the Cove.” Council voted 5-2, with Fast and Wynen in opposition, to send the lot reduction proposal to the HAC and APC for consideration. Any potential changes would also be subject to an open house and public hearing.

Places of Worship Welcome You

Queen of Capilano Ferry Schedule to March 31, 2022

BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH E v l M

www.biuc.ca | 1122 Miller Road

FOOD BANK

Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev. Lorraine Ashdown

DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 00 Sunday Mass at 9.30

Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515

604 988

CATES HILL CHAPEL

www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260

(661 Carter Rd.)

Now offering worship services via Zoom. o A link available on website.

Pastor: Phil Adkins

SHIRAT HAYAM (Song of the Sea) BOWEN’S JEWISH COMMUNITY Shabbat Gatherings ~ Holidays Contact aryana.rayne@gmail.com

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Locations of properties by lot size (above) and number of properties per lot size (below). The HAC and APC will now decide whether to unlock nearly 200 additional properties for detached secondary suites. / BIM map & chart

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Thursday, February 3, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A7

B.C. doctors can now prescribe a year-long pass to Canada’s national parks STEFAN LABBÉ

Glacier Media

Doctors across several Canadian provinces can now prescribe patients a pass to the country’s national parks system in a bid to improve their mental and physical health. On Monday, Parks Canada said it was joining the national nature prescription program known as PaRx, or A Prescription for Nature, which aims to get patients into nature for a minimum of two hours per week. A growing body of research has shown anxiety and mental health problems, including those triggered by global heating, can be effectively treated by spending time in nature. That can include everything from digging your hands into a backyard garden to exploring the backcountry (though studies have shown increased biodiversity, as well as sweeping views of green space and water, are best). What matters, say experts, is that patients feel like they have had an experience in nature. “We need to reduce barriers to nature,” said Dr. Melissa Lem, a Vancouver-based family physician who launched PaRx in 2020 with the BC Parks Foundation. “(The park pass) makes the message even more powerful and easier to follow.” “It is a big deal.” In a written statement, Minister of the Environment and Climate change Steven Guilbeault described the new collaboration as a “breakthrough” in how practitioners treat mental and physical health. With the impacts of COVID-19 still felt across much of the country, it couldn’t come at a better time, he said. Lem says the nature prescription program is expected to spread across every province and territory by the end of 2022. With Parks Canada backing the program, health care professionals in B.C., Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba can now prescribe a Parks Canada Discovery Pass — worth over $70 — to a patient. The pass, which pays for itself in roughly seven visits, offers unlimited admission for a year at over 80 national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas, territory that together covers more than 450,000 square kilometres of land and water. “When we can offer real

incentives for patients. I think that will be a motivator,” said Lem. “It’s part of the whole master plan.” Other parts of that plan include reducing barriers to transportation so new Canadians and people in inner-city neighbourhoods — two populations who often struggle to access green space — can walk along a forest or mountain trail. “Nextonourlistisapproaching major transit organizations… giving people free transit that, say, stops at a park,” said Lem. “We’re also hoping it will inspire other people.” Lemsaystheparkpasseswill be prioritized for people living close to national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas. For people in British Columbia, that could include Vancouver Island residents near Pacific Rim National Park Reserve or Mount Revelstoke National Park in the province’s Interior, among five national parks in the province. For her patients — and others living in Metro Vancouver, B.C.’s largest urban area — the University of British Columbia has also moved to open up its botanical and Japanese gardens to people with a nature prescription. So far, there are over 1,000 health care professionals across Canada prescribing nature with guidance from PaRx. Those who are registered can independently prescribe passes during a patient’s regular check-up; prescribers who aren’t registered can sign up at the PaRx website. Lem says the program encourages time in nature for individuals suffering anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. Research has shown that access to nature can also reduce chronic diseases (like diabetes, high blood pressure and lung disease), improve birth outcomes and even help children succeed in life. People are more likely to do something if it’s written down. With polls showing doctors, nurses and scientists are among Canada’s most trusted professionals, health care professionals are uniquely qualified in this role. The expansion of the nature prescription program comes a week after a study showed extreme climate events lead to increased anxiety levels among Canadians. Focusing on B.C.’s June 2021 heat dome, the landmark study found over 60 per cent of participants

said heat dome made them either much or somewhat more worried about climate change. Overall, the event led to a 13 per cent average rise in anxiety over the effects of climate change. Nature prescriptions, says Lem, who advised on the study, promise to treat those symptoms and inspire a solution. Studies have found immersing yourself in nature offers a virtuous circle: the more people are connected to nature, the more likely they are to protect it.

Surfers at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island. A new agreement with Parks Canada means doctors can prescribe a free year-long pass to a network of over 80 national parks across Canada. / Natulive Canada/Wikipedia photo

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A8 • bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Putting together the pieces of Howe Sound ORCA NIEGHBOURS THE INSPIRATION - AND BENEFACTORS - OF NEW JIGSAW PUZZLE

ALEX KURIAL

Editor

Forget the traditional corner piece, puzzlers can now tackle their orca-placing abilities thanks to a new creation inspired by local artist Di. The Bowen talent’s painting ‘Rise’ is the focus of Puzzle Lab’s new work. Di’s portrayal of an orca rising above the Howe Sound water – originally crafted for an art show at the Hearth last summer – is now available in 200 unique lazer-cut pieces. “They did an amazing job, I was really excited to see that,” says Di of the end product. The cetacean subject of her work was inspired by the resident orcas that call Howe Sound home. Di, who came to Bowen and began painting in earnest around 10 years ago, says she was immediately taken when she saw the creatures. “I saw the whales the first time out on the water and I said ‘oh my gosh I’ve got to start painting these’, I loved them so much. They’re something to celebrate and behold.” Not only are they beautiful, but Di says her work can help shed light on the struggles they face too. “It’s a really good way to bring awareness to that through art, to highlight their issues and be able to give back to conservation efforts to help support them,” she says. “They help me and I try and help

them.” These problems include a dwindling of their main food source –chinook salmon – marine traffic disturbance and pollution. The latter of these is a point she subtlety highlights in ‘Rise’. The background may look idyllic, but Di says the scene displays Port Mellon, a small settlement on the other side of Gambier Island home to the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill. Di said it was important for her “to put an orca in front of that, to be able to speak to the connection between pollution from the pulp mill and how that pulp mill actually did clean up their act quite a bit (a few decades ago) and the recovery effects that could be tied to that cleanup.” On her website Di describes ‘Rise’ as “a celebration of life – a celebration of Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound. It is a celebration of cleaner air, cleaner water, cleaner land.” “An Orca spyhops to survey her surroundings. What might she see? A bountiful place to eat? A place to socialize, to work, to play, to sleep safely in quiet waters? What can we do to help make Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound suitable for all species to thrive, so that we may too thrive alongside them?” Following a successful summer show Di was contacted by Puzzle Lab, a Victoriabased company founded during the pandemic. Di was excited, not only at how the lazer-cut orca pieces turned out, but also

The puzzle measures 9.5” x 13.5” and is UV laminated print on 5-ply baltic birch. It’s rated 4 out of 5 on Puzzle Lab’s challenge scale. / Puzzle Lab photo

Di had her first solo exhibition ‘Art for Sea to Sky: Exploring the Science, Nature and Beauty of Atl’ka7tsem/ Howe Sound’ last July at the Hearth. It included ‘Rise’, the subject of her new puzzle. / Di photo

at the chance to ensure the project gave back to her mighty subjects. Twenty per cent of the sales go toward the Raincoast Conservation Foundation. “I’m so excited to collaborate with Puzzle Lab for this Puzzle with a Purpose! It combines all the reasons I make art: celebrating the remarkable natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, encouraging others to explore the world through the lens of creativity and art, and giving back to conservation initiatives such as Raincoast,” she says. The organization carries out research and conservation efforts in coastal BC, and recently established a Cetacean Conservation Research Program. “I really love anything that’s science based and can contribute data and that can actually

Puzzle Lab describes the piece as a “uniquely challenging wood jigsaw puzzle composed of just over 200 identical orca-shaped pieces seamlessly tiled in an Escher-style tessellation pattern.” / Puzzle Lab photo

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go toward making meaningful change,” says Di. She calls the collaboration between herself, Puzzle Lab and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation a “win-winwin.” Di hopes the puzzle might bring some new recruits on board too. She’s encouraged by “the fact that it can go off and reach a new population of people… maybe they don’t normally think of conservation efforts, but if they love the art and love doing the puzzle maybe they’ll start thinking about different themes.” More information on ‘Rise’ and the puzzle can be found on Di’s website. She says feedback has been good and she’s eager to start putting it together – once her copy finally arrives.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

bowenislandundercurrent.com • A9

New Additions at the BICS Playground mean fun for everyone SCOTT SLATER

Principal, Bowen Island Community School

With its prominent placement on the front playground surrounded by soft surfacing that is easily accessible by someone using a mobility aid, our new “We-Go-Round”, a merry-go-round playground installation, is likely the first thing a child that comes to our school grounds will notice. First impressions matter and we hope the We-Go-Round conveys inclusivity and joy. In May, the Ministry of Education awarded a $165,000 playground grant through the School District as part of their Playground Equipment Program, which supports accessible playgrounds across BC. Along with a donation from the Community School Association and funds from the School District, we were able to install several new playground features from Habitat Systems at BICS on the front and back playgrounds from November to December 2021. Our school was well-positioned to receive this grant, as we have had an inclusive playground committee for the last four years. The goal of this committee, which includes both BICS parents and staff members, has been to plan for and apply for grants for playground equipment that is not just accessible (meaning students can get there) but also inclusive (meaning students can play there). The features we selected cater to various areas of inclusivity, from students using mobility aids to students seeking sensory input such as spinning, rolling, or hanging. Rather than describe the features, I invite families to the school to enjoy them! The playgrounds are open to community members after 3:15 pm on school days and any days when school is not in session. If you have not seen or used the playground behind the school, you can walk around the back of the school and enjoy playground features which are most suited to younger children.

BICS kids, and the community, can enjoy the inclusive and engaging playground situated in a serene forest setting. / Scott Slater photo Nestled in the forest, it is also a pleasant spot on the hot, sunny days of summer. The BICS Playground is a true community playground and over the years we have continually made improvements thanks to contributions from the Community School Association, the BICS Parent Advisory Council,

the Bowen Island Community Foundation, the Bowen Island Rotary Club, the School District, and most recently, the Ministry of Education. In its current form, it is a wonderful asset to the community, and it will continue to develop as we offer more opportunities for imaginative and inclusive play.

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Patient of the Week TATSU

Meet Tatsu! This handsome guy isn’t very thrilled about his trips to the clinic, however he frequents us as he often has tapeworms. Tapeworms are very common in any cats that hunt as they will often feast on animals that have ﬂeas and therefore will get tapeworms. Even if your animal is on regular ﬂea and tick medication, it is important to deworm them regularly as well.

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