SEEING GREEN It wasn’t one of the first races called, but by the end of election night Jeremy Valeriote knew he’d be heading to Victoria as MLA for West Vancouver - Sea to Sky. Valeriote, seen here doing his best to manifest enough votes, will be one of two Green Party MLA’s headed to the capital, and given how tight the election was we are likely to hear plenty from them in the near future. Read on for more on how Valeriote’s successful campaign came together. / David Buzzard photo, davidbuzzard.com
Valeriote & Greens
BRANDON BARRETT Pique Newsmagazine
Jeremy Valeriote is certainly familiar with close calls; he’s less familiar with coming out on the winning end of one.
Four years after coming within 60 votes of toppling incumbent Liberal MLA Jordan Sturdy, Valeriote won a tight race of his own Oct. 19, beating the upstart Conservatives’ Yuri Fulmer by less than three percentage points. Valeriote garnered 10,221 votes, representing 38.15 per cent of the count. Fulmer, meanwhile, had earned 9,554 votes, 35.66 per cent of the vote, while the BC NDP’s Jen Ford garnered 7,017 votes and 26.19 per cent.
Events
All Council meetingsare open to the public to attend in person or electronically,unless notedotherwise.
October 28,2024
1:00 pm
Regular Council Meeting
BOWENISLAND MUNICIPALITY
2025-2027 PERMISSIVE TAXEXEMPTION BYLAW669,2024
Pursuant to Section224 of theCommunity Charter, BowenIsland Municipal Councilintends to adopta bylawexempting from propertytaxationfor threeyears (2025-2027)the landsand improv ements or boththatare ownedorheldbycharitable, philanthropic or othernot forprofitorganizations andthat Council considersare used fora purposethatisdirectlyrelated to thepurposesofthe Corporation. Thepropertiesbeing considered at the Councilmeeting of October28, 2024,and theestimated totalpropertytaxes that wouldotherwise be imposediftheywerenot exempt are:
Owner/Occupier
Community Grants-in-Aid
Deadline:November 15, 2024
BIMisnow acceptingCommunityGrants-in-Aid (less than $2000) applications for 2024
The Community Grantsprogram is intendedtoassist and encourage BowenIsland community groups andorganizations within the terms of the CommunityCharter.Bowen Islandcommunity groupsand organizations aredefined as those wherethe majorityofthe members reside within the Municipality.Community groups and organizations may apply for aCommunityGrant-in-Aid.
Applications will be accepteduntil November 15, 2024.
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/community-grants/
Parking Safety Concerns: Ferry Overflow
Due to public safety concerns, BIMand the RCMP areaskingdrivers not to park on the south side of Mt. Gardner Rd (oppositethe school) or in the School Bus Only parking area, at anytime
While we areaware that these areas have been previously used as unofficial “overflow parking”for the ferrylineup,continuing this practice is not conducivetosafe school operations,especially during busy pick-up anddrop-offtimes.
Questions? Pleasecontact Bylaw Services by calling 604-328-5499 or emailing bylaw@bimbc.ca
Recounts might still not be enough to declare winner of B.C. election
CINDY E. HARNETT
British Columbia finds itself in political uncertainty until at least Monday when Elections B.C.’s final vote count will either confirm a one-seat lead for the B.C. NDP over the B.C. Conservatives or throw the province into more upheaval.
In the initial vote count on Saturday night, the B.C. NDP sit at 46 seats, the B.C. Conservatives at 45 — both falling short of the 47 needed for a majority — and the B.C. Greens are at two seats.
“In any election, it’s important to appreciate that the public speaks through the results,” said Royal Roads University political scientist David Black. “Any election is understood to be an expression of the public’s will, in the sense of who they want in, and what they want from, government.”
The final vote count Oct. 26 to 28 will involve approximately 49,000 votes which include mail-in and out-of-district votes that came in after advance polls closed.
There will be a recount in Juan de Fuca - Malahat and Surrey Centre; in both those ridings, the initial count showed the NDP leading by fewer than 100 votes. There may be a judicial recount if the Elections B.C. recount is challenged.
Black said in essence, because the government needs to produce a Speaker — who can only vote in tie votes — a governing party needs 48 seats.
If the worst case for the NDP happens next week and they
Open Burning starts with changes to
the application process
Metro Vancouver introduced changes to Open Burning Bylaws in 2022. Bowen Island Municipality (BIM) aligned our Bylaws earlier this year with the passing of Bylaw 650, 2024. This means the authorization process has changed significantly and includes increased cost of permits, minimum distance from neighbouring houses and school property lines, and the mandatory requirement of registering your property with Metro Vancouver before you can apply for a BIM Burn Permit.
All fees are non-refundable, so please ensure your burn application complies with all requirements prior to paying.
See our website for more information.
Questions?
Metro Vancouver
604-432-6237
Bowen Island Fire Rescue
604-947-9324
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/burn-permits/
lose two seats in the recounts, the NDP would fall to 44 (or 46 with Green support) and the Conservatives would bump up to 47 but because they would have to produce a Speaker they’d be back down to 46.
The two parties would be “in a sort of weird deadlock situation where no one has a working majority and provides a Speaker at the same time.”
Black views the election result as a sort of a protest vote not necessarily of the governing party but more generally of the state of the province.
“There is an anger, there’s a disappointment, there’s a hunger for change and fixing what in some ways is a kind of broken system and a lack of trust that the government is in a position to fix it,” said Black, citing the state of health care, affordability and public safety.
“The public has put a minority government, given its fragility, on a very tight leash,” said Black. “A minority government by definition is always one confidence vote away from collapsing and has to be more responsive to its cabinet and caucus and in how it takes direction from the public.“
While all this is sorted, the government remains in caretaker mode with NDP Premier David Eby and his cabinet remaining in place with full powers until a new government is formed.
If the seat count remains the same next week, that’s when negotiations would likely begin between the NDP and Greens, said Black, noting those two parties are closer aligned; a deal between the Conservatives and Greens seems unlikely.
If neither party can form a majority next week, Black said,
Water System Flushing
October 22, 2024 for approximately six weeks
BIM flushes municipal water systems to remove sediment that gradually deposits in pipes. While the water may appear cloudy, it does not pose a health hazard.
Flushing will start in Tunstall Bay and Bowen Bay, followed by other water systems
Water pressure may get so low, that it reduces to less than a trickle during flushing. It’s an excellent idea to set aside water for urgent use such as for drinking, cooking, making coffee or even rinsing shampoo out of hair should you be mid-shower!
BIM will post daily about flushing location on Alertable See the link below for more information.
Questions?
Contact Public Works by calling 604-947-4255 ext 4 or emailing publicworks@bimbc.ca
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/water-mainflushing
there are three options: a coalition government (a rare move where, in this case, the Greens would join the NDP cabinet, for example, but lose autonomy); a supply and confidence agreement (the Greens signed one with the NDP in 2017 but were angered when the NDP broke it with a snap election in 2020); or the minority government proceeds on a day-to-day basis vulnerable to losing a confidence motion and collapsing.
Black said Eby’s comments on election night and since have seen him acknowledge the frustrations reflected by the Conservative party and that he’s heard the electorate while he signalled he is open to “some kind of arrangement” with the Greens.
Black said it would be going too far for the Greens to ask either party to introduce proportional representation voting without a referendum, as an example, but he imagines maintaining the carbon tax “will be front and centre” on the Greens’ list of demands.
Adam Olsen, retiring as MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, who is the Green party campaign chair, said “a functional government is going to require the B.C. Greens.”
Although Green Leader Sonia Furnstenau lost her bid for a seat in the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding after moving from the Cowichan Valley where she was first elected in 2017, Olsen said she’s earned “any role that she chooses and any role that she wants.”
Furstenau said in her election night speech she’s committed to the Green movement that she’s been so much a part of building and has offered her mentorship.
Affordable Housing Parking Standards Bylaw
Council will be considering First Reading of Amendment Bylaw No 670, 2024 at its Regular Council Meeting held at 1:00 pm on Monday October 28, 2024. This bylaw would reduce the required parking for affordable housing units, to help facilitate the development of affordable housing on Bowen. The bylaw would require 0.5 spaces of parking for each affordable housing unit.
YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME:
Written submissions may be delivered to Municipal Hall by 11:00 am on Monday, October 28, 2024:
• In person
• By mail
• By fax
• By email to mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca
Verbal submissions may be made to Mayor and Council at the meeting.
Questions? Contact Daniel Martin, Manager of Planning and Development, by phone at 604-947-4255 ext 230, or by email to dmartin@bimbc.ca
It’s time for Halloween folks, one of the most fun seasons of the year. There’s lots of great events around town to get you in the spooky mood (including one already last weekend you can check out later in the paper) and it all leads up to the big finale next Thursday on Halloween night. On Bowen of course this means heading over to the Lenora Loop where all the action is. Even if you are not a kid going to collect your candy quota, the block party atmosphere means everybody is welcome to come hang out and check out the costumes, haunted houses, see what their friends are up to, and more! All the creativity from the residents and people who come to visit easily makes this one of the best photo nights of the year on Bowen, and I’m very excited to get some snaps of what everyone has in store this year!
For now, thanks to everyone who contributed to our Island-Wide paper. And to everybody who voted too! Once the final numbers are in we’ll get a more detailed look at local turnout, but given Bowen’s reputation for showing up to the polls I have no doubt it was strong. You’ll find news and recaps about the election both in our riding and provincially throughout this week’s paper.
See you all soon for Halloween!
- Alex Kurial, Editor
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 PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com
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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.
VIEWPOINTS
Community Is Where You Build It
MARY LETSON Contributor
It was a usual day of errands in the city with one eye on my list and the other eye on the BC Ferry app gauging how much I could possibly squeeze in before I turned into a miss-the-ferry-pumpkin.
I think this is an Islander phenomenon, where it feels like a bit of a race course getting through what needs to be done in the city so one can at last be on the ferry home to solitude. I hurry up so I can slow down. Striding into a shop in Park Royal I was slowed to a standstill as an elderly gentleman shuffled to the counter ahead of me.
There was an exchange between him and the clerk and an issue as he wanted to purchase coffee beans but he didn’t know what kind. He had always come in with his wife. She had always ordered the beans. There was a pause in the conversation and a look of great concern flooded the clerk’s
face as it became clear that his wife had since passed away.
Over the next few moments the tenderness of the exchange was like a drop of soap in greasy water - peeling back the surface of everything else that simply doesn’t matter. And in a matter of seconds the transactional exchange that is the heart of a city mall dissolved. What remained was a young woman expressing sincere condolences to an elderly man who felt a little untethered.
It was a caring, in-person relationship that can be rare to see in a city, in our gig economy and in our busy, high employee turn-over businesses. By comparison, small towns serve up that intimacy by nature of our close-knit living. When something happens to one of us, it in turn happens to all of us to some degree.
To hear the sirens in the city is something happening to someone else. To hear the sirens on Bowen has us tuned in with concern for our neighbours and friends. We show up for each other, lend an ear, make a meal, share a laugh and a kind word.
AURORA BOREALIS The Northern Lights made a trip south earlier this month to the delight of night sky viewers in Metro Vancouver. This included Bowen, seen here from the Lagoon Causeay. / Ivan Antoniw photo
NERP TipOff-Island Contacts
Every member of your family should have the contact information of someone living off-island who can help you get in contact with one another should be you separated in an emergency.
- Neighbourhood Emergency Response Program
The coffee was eventually purchased, more kind words were relayed and the man shuffled out of the store, glancing up at me briefly. My tea purchase seemed so wholly unimportant. I told the clerk how very kind she was. She looked across the counter at me struggling a bit to compose herself. The couple had been regulars, she said. His wife was so very kind, she said. For the rest of my afternoon it was like someone had opened the window in a stuffy room. I was more awake, more apt to look up and get eye contact and make a joke and crack a smile with the grocery store clerk, maybe a bigger smile and a more sincere thank you to the BC ferry attendant in the toll booth with the thankless job. Because I could. Because it’s these little exchanges that together can perhaps make a sea of change. It is the possibility of building a bit of community wherever we are. And the potential for an exponential difference to be made by those of us who are able to deliver on any particular day, and for those of us like the elderly gentleman who are on the receiving end.
NERP Kiosks can be found around Bowen, such as this one on Cates Hill. / Bronwyn Beairsto photo
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Valeriote one of two Greens headed to Victoria
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“I’m extremely grateful for the people that helped me get here and the voters of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky who saw a different way, and chose it,” Valeriote said when reached at his election watch party at Howe Sound Brewing in Squamish after the results were announced.
In the end, Sea to Sky voters went with their conscience on election night, countering what Valeriote called a two-party “binary narrative” that effectively boiled down one of the most unpredictable elections B.C. has ever seen to a choice between the governing NDP and the out-of-nowhere Conservatives.
“It just feels like the message that we need more Greens resonated here, and that’s really important. People see we are a serious party, we recommend science and evidence, we’re professional and capable of influence at all levels of the B.C. Legislature and I think that allowed us to move forward,” he said.
“I’m really sad about Sonia’s seat,” he went on, referring to Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau losing in her VictoriaBeacon Hill riding, “and I think it reinforces that two-party narrative that I don’t think serves British Columbians and that we want to get away from.”
Valeriote fought through a related narrative his political opponents latched onto at every opportunity throughout his campaign, and one he will likely have to continue fighting once in office: that a Green in the legislature amidst a sea of orange or blue will not be able to affect major change in Victoria.
“We’ll see in the next few weeks if that narrative has any validity,” he said. “We don’t even know the results of tonight and where the final [seat] count lies and I think the speculation that I won’t be able to be effective or be of influence, I think it’s a mistaken understanding of what an MLA is, which is to serve the people of the riding and not necessarily be a part of the government or opposition.”
It’s true that much remains to be seen with how the final balance of power will shake out in B.C. The provincial election turned out to be as close as pollsters predicted, with the final outcome sitting on a razor’s edge given that a pair of races were too close to call late Saturday night. At press time, the NDP was projected to claim 46 seats — one shy of a majority — to the Conservatives’ 45, and the Greens’ two, Valeriote’s included. As it turns out, however, close races in the Juan de Fuca-Malahat and Surrey City Centre electoral districts will go to judicial recount — as the Sea to Sky’s did in 2020 — with the final winners not determined until Oct. 26 to 28.
However things pan out, the Greens look to hold considerable leverage with their pair of seats in Victoria.
An ocean of difference
While only 667 votes separated Valeriote and Fulmer on election night, there was an ocean of difference between their respective campaigns. Fulmer relied on his economic acumen and message of financial prudence, where Valeriote focused on environmental innovation and his opposition to a Woodfibre LNG project and “sunset” fossil fuel industry that he believes should be left in the past. Fulmer was a political newcomer who only came on the scene in recent months, where Valeriote was a known entity throughout the corridor who began his campaign in earnest a year and a half ago.
“I think it showed a commitment to run again and finish
Green Party supporters celebrated with Jeremy Valeriote & his wife Ginny Cullen at Howe Sound Brewing in Squamish on Saturday night following the announcement of Valeriote’s successful bid to become the next MLA for the West Vancouver - Sea to Sky riding. / David Buzzard photo, davidbuzzard.com
the job that we started in 2020,” Valeriote said of his early campaigning. “It definitely put us in a good position and allowed me to meet with hundreds of people, attend meetings, and understand the riding better and made me a better candidate than I was in 2020.”
Although Fulmer undoubtedly turned some heads with his oratory skills and grasp of policy at the Oct. 1 Whistler All-Candidates Meeting, it may have been his relative lack of presence in the Sea to Sky that made the difference on election might. After missing an environmentally themed debate in Squamish to attend an economic forum with BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau and former NDP Minister Moe Sahota, Fulmer skipped the Pemberton All-Candidates Meeting on Oct. 8, explaining he was focusing the remainder of his campaign “engaging with voters directly” door-to-door. (Days before Oct. 19, his campaign told Pique Fulmer would not be taking calls on election night, instead referring media to Conservative Leader John Rustad’s speech that night.)
Fulmer also had to contend with a party and leader whose social, Indigenous and environmental policies certainly rubbed a segment of British Columbians the wrong way. Fulmer got most defensive at the Oct. 1 debate in Whistler when asked about Rustad’s stance on COVID vaccines, climate change, and Indigenous land rights, which may have ultimately swayed voters who would have otherwise been drawn to his economic vision.
Splitting the progressive vote
Progressive voters in the Sea to Sky had a tough call to make on Oct. 19, especially those whose primary objective in the voting booth was keeping Conservatives out of office, an outcome that is essentially a toss-up at this stage. Do they vote for a Green candidate who came within a whisker of heading to Victoria in 2020, or a homegrown and highly accomplished NDP candidate who nonetheless belonged to a governing party that had left many British Columbians wanting these past seven years?
It was that dichotomy that arguably defined and, in some cases, dragged down Jen Ford’s bid for higher office in 2024. Undoubtedly the candidate with the most political experience, Ford, a three-term Whistler councillor, former Union of BC Municipalities president, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District chair, and Whistler Housing Authority board member, seemed at times caught between highlighting her extensive and laudable political record and relying too heavily on her party’s talking points.
Although her performance improved at the Squamish and Pemberton debates, Ford spent much of the Oct. 1 debate in front of a hometown Whistler crowd on her backfoot,
often reading from her notes and at times interspersing her responses or questions to the other candidates with long pauses.
Even still, the Whistler councillor’s campaign drew a respectable response for an NDP party that has never had much success at the ballot box in the riding. (Ford did not immediately return a call and text requesting comment on election night.)
Question over conflict-of-interest looms
Another question that will follow Valeriote to Victoria, and one he was forced to address on the campaign trail, surrounds his apparent conflict of interest as an MLA given his wife Ginny Cullen’s role as the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s top staffer and Chief Administrative Officer.
It was an issue raised more than once at the Oct. 8 Pemberton All-Candidates’ Meeting, and one Valeriote will surely have to speak to in more detail now that he’s headed to the legislature.
“There is potential for conflict of interest, but we’re both professional engineers. We’re both professional people. We both have a strong sense of ethical and moral duty,” Valeriote said at the debate. “We know what the rules are about confidential information, and we absolutely respect that… This does happen in small communities, when people put on different hats and they have to be trusted to figure out which hat they’re wearing and compartmentalize that. I can do that, and I’ve shown I can do that for many years, and so has my spouse.”
Ford questioned Valeriote’s ability to represent the Sea to Sky in Victoria given the potential conflict.
“My experiences as a current elected official, three times elected in Whistler and at the SLRD, is that when we go to advocate with the province on behalf of our community, we take our MLA with us. Typically, that MLA provides support,” she said at the debate. “If that person can’t go, free of conflict, to that advocacy meeting, it’s a challenge for the local council.”
Voter turnout
In total, 26,794 voters cast their ballots amidst heavy downpours and flood warnings across the West Vancouver - Sea to Sky riding (although an unknown portion of those were advance ballots).
It’s unknown at press time how many eligible voters there were in the riding, although in 2020, before its boundaries were changed, the riding counted 42,786 eligible voters.
At the end of the initial count, Election BC estimated that voter turnout province-wide was 57.41 per cent, up from the pandemic-influenced election of 2020, when 53.86 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot. The initial count tallied 2,037,897 ballots cast, a record for B.C.
www.tippys.ca
Citizens of the Year give thanks to those who journeyed along
TIM RHODES & COLLEEN O’NEIL
Contributors / Citizens of the Year
Colleen and I are honoured to share Citizen of the Year for Bowen Island this year, an honour bestowed in large part due to our volunteer efforts with the Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation (BIHCF). There were so many volunteers involved in the Health Centre project over the past decade and, at the risk of omitting anyone’s name, we want to acknowledge their contribution.
Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation current* and recent directors: Bill Brown*, Sandra Guarascio*, Sheree Johnson, Clive Jones, Jacqueline Liu*, Cyril Lopez, Kenneth McArthur, Jennifer McGowan*, Gordon Orlikow*, Lloyd Purdy, Michelle Pentz*, Greg Shepherd*, Cheryl Shkurhan*, Kayla Strong*, Brian Thomas-Peter*, Maija Tiesmaki, Maria Turnbull*, and Paul Welsh. Former directors: David Adams, Gail Eyssen, David Leishman, Derek Long, Cro Lucas, Susan McIntyre, Ailve McNestry, Steve Mitchell, Susanne Schloegl, Paul Stratford, and
Decals will be available for sale at the Snug Cove General Store from Oct. 18th to Oct. 26th ONLY.
Drop off will be done by appointment ONLY.
Once you have picked up your decal, you can call Bowen Waste Solutions @ 604-947-2255 to book an appointment.
The final day for booking appointments will be Monday, Oct. 28th at 3:00 PM.
A limited number of appointments will be made available.
Drop off of materials will be inside the BIRD yard from Monday, Oct. 28th to Saturday, Nov 2nd ONLY.
Note: 1 decal per household only.
ABSOLUTELY NO, Paint, Hazardous Waste, Tires or Drywall
Check out
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca
Sylvie Vander Cruyssen.
We would like to underscore three names, Sheree Johnson, Ken McArthur, and Bill Brown, to recognize their significant contributions at critical junctures in the process.
The Community Medical Clinic Society of Bowen Island and Bowen Island Health Centre Society preceded the formation of BIHCF. Directors of the Society not included above: Bud Massender, Bruce Wallace, Jaye Routledge, Susan Howe, Maureen Mackey, and Pieter Verwey.
Volunteer Committee Members: Matt Blackwood, Trevor Hodge, Rahul Kholsa, Hilary Cassady, Tony Hewlett, and Tara Cole.
Although not volunteers, we also want to acknowledge the contribution of Suzanne Saatchi, BIHCF Executive Director, Dan Parke of Salal Architecture, Shane O’Neil of Titan Construction, and Daron Jennings of Bowen Island Properties.
And none of this would have been realized without the donations of hundreds of generous Bowen Island families. It takes a village. Thank you, - Colleen O’Neil & Tim Rhodes
FALL CLEAN-UP 2O24
Citizens of the Year Colleen O’Neil & Tim Rhodes took the traditional car ride during the Bowfest Parade this year. / Alex Kurial photo
INTO THE PIGGY BANK Bowen Island Rotary Club held their End Polio Fundraiser last Saturday, where Rotarians and their cupcakes stayed resilient against a fall storm to raise $715 for their cause. / Submitted photo
FUTURE OF LIGHT
UP The organizers of Light Up Bowen are seeking assistance to ensure the beloved winter events and decorations can continue this year, including the arrival of Santa Claus. There’s a need for coordinators, volunteers, and financial help too following mass failure of existing lights used to decorate the Cove. Anyone interested in volunteering with the physical effort can reach out to Basia Lieske at basialieske@gmail. com, or to support the project financially with a donation please search ‘Donate to Light Up’ on the Go Fund Me website. / Alex Kurial photo
Return to Family Medicine for Bowen’s newest doctor
KATIE LONGWORTH LOOKS FORWARD TO IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS WITH PATIENTS
ALEX KURIAL Editor
The roster of family doctors at the Bowen Island Community Health Centre continues to grow, most recently with the addition of Dr. Katie Longworth.
Katie began at the Health Centre at the start of September, becoming a permanent cast member following a pair of twoweek stints at the new facility during the summer. Part of the reason she signed on was her positive experience working as a family physician on small islands in the past, including Salt Spring and Galiano.
“I find people who live on islands are more self sufficient, so when they come in there’s actually something wrong,” she explains, adding that she enjoys the problem-solving aspect of her job. “So it’s been really interesting medicine and just a really wonderful team. The facility and the team are fantastic… It’s a great group of people to work with.”
Longworth, who grew up on the North Shore, wasn’t always a family physician or even guaranteed to be in the medical profession at all. In fact she started her post-secondary career in architecture and later gave serious consideration to designing exhibits for museums. Longworth had always enjoyed science though, and when she was accepted into medical school she knew it was a path she wanted to follow.
Following medical school at UBC, where Katie earned
her medical degree and a Masters in Public Health, she spent time in community medicine, as a family physician, and even in the maternity ward in Victoria. For the past decade her focus has been on palliative care working with patients in Vancouver and Burnaby. While death is often seen as a taboo topic, particularly the prospect of your own, Longworth finds it’s a matter people are actually eager to discuss.
“I think so many people really want to talk about death and dying, and don’t get the opportunity. I feel I provided a space for that to happen, and was able to reflect back to people and be able to host conversations,” she says.
“If there’s a life limiting condition where we know we can’t fix it, that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything. We can still do a lot. A lot of it is actually just talking about it and making sure we’re upholding people’s values and goals.”
When Longworth decided to close her extended chapter in palliative care she wasn’t sure what area she’d focus on, or if her next steps would be in medicine at all. But in the end it was a past calling – family medicine – which drew her in. A small island setting was nothing new to Katie, but the local Health Centre was – to her and everyone else who works there. The family doctor says she’s eager to be involved with establishing the facility as a trusted fixture in the community.
“Bowen is really neat in terms of being quite close to a tertiary care centre (Lions Gate Hospital) and yet, obviously needing care for people who are here. It’s really
When yousupportthe BowenIslandCommunity Foundation, you’re also supporting theRotaryClubofBowen Island and dozens of otherworthwhile Bowencauses! #CommunityGrowsHere#BetterTogether #ForBowenForEver bowenfoundation.com
exciting to be part of figuring out how this model and how this clinic works to best serve the residents of this island,” says Longworth.
A major focus for Longworth is the importance of preventative medicine, and how vital it is to take care of yourself before even stepping foot in a doctor’s office. “I’ve reminded a lot of people that our best ways to have good health are not medications as much as they are trying to engage in increased physical activity where possible… However they’re not always choices for people, and so a lot of it is around our built and social environments and ways that we can try to influence those to try to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” she says.
Longworth provides her own example of whenever she takes a ferry ride it’s an opportunity to fit in a brief workout. You may see her walking up and down the stairs at the terminal or during the crossing, which she says is part of her effort to normalize physical activity in public spaces. When she’s on Bowen, some of Katie’s favourite activities include running the local trails and climbing up Island mountains and hills.
Reflecting on her career, Longworth says patient interactions are what fuel her love for the role. “It’s nice to feel like you’re providing something that might be hard for people to get otherwise. It’s pretty amazing that people trust me with their health concerns, they walk in and meet me and can talk about really real things right off the bat… This is definitely a profession where honesty and empathy are valued,
and integrity. And I feel like I would struggle to work in a profession or an industry that didn’t have those as primary values.”
“I also really enjoy people’s stories and where they’re coming from. It’s really valuable information, because it’s no use for me to just tell them medically what I think they should do. It’s really a transaction about what will work for them, and what’s realistic for their lives,” she says.
Longworth will be speaking at the Health Centre on Wednesday, October 30 at 5 pm about various medical topics, and invites community members to attend the session.
Dr. Katie Longworth joined the Family Physician team at the Bowen Island Community Health Centre in September. Her background is wide-ranging and includes small island care. / Alex Kurial photo
OPENHOUSE
SUNDAYOCT.27
• 12 - 3PM
Fall Update from Catching Stars Gallery!
EMILIE KAPLUN & KATHLEEN AINSCOUGH
Catching
Stars Gallery
As the fall season unfolds in warm, amber tones, we at Catching Stars Gallery are embracing the mood and celebrating with fall landscapes, pumpkins, bare trees, bats and spiders.
The Gallery has welcomed in many amazing artists during its six years in existence. To date, there are 50 artists represented at Catching Stars Gallery, with more than half of those being from Bowen Island, along with artists from further afield, featured guest artists and unique artists from across Canada.
We are thrilled to welcome Liz Watson as our newest Associate Artist. Her whimsical works, original paintings, prints and her ever popular cards are inspired by local landscapes and the flora and fauna where sea meets land. Stop in and say hi when Liz is on at the Gallery!
Featured for the month of October, in celebration of the annual migration we have Birds Birds Birds! Ceramics by Elaine Brewer-White, Prints and paintings by Paula Love, Janet Esseiva, Katie Mainwaring, Jewellery by Emilie Kaplun, beeswax owls by Arbutus Candles, French linen tea towels by Studio on Tenth and metal bird sculptures by Ruggid Coast.
Speaking of birds, there will be a migration of sorts for one of our flock. After 26 years on our tiny island, Kathleen will be heading to the Okanagan to be nearer her family. After the tragic loss of her son-in-law last December, there was no question that Kathleen needed to live closer to her daugh-
ter, Jaki and two young grandsons, ages 3 and 5, who live in Summerland. So, as of the middle of November, she and her partner Tim will be moving to Naramata.
“Living and creating and growing as a person in this beautiful place and in this close community, has been a rewarding and very rich experience. It is so difficult to let go and there are people and places we never want to leave behind. But I keep in mind that it’s also the beginning of a new life and new opportunities.” says Kathleen.
Kathleen joined the gallery as an associate in 2019 and became a part owner and Director in the following year. Working in partnership with Emilie Kaplun and their amazing artist team in this cooperative venture, they help to enrich the arts and culture of the island.
There are some different options for being a part of this Cooperative Gallery whick are listed on the website. For example, Associates receive a larger percentage of their art sales in exchange for time spent in the gallery and having a dedicated space to display their work. This model allows the gallery to be open daily and gives locals and tourists alike the opportunity to meet the artists, purchase unique artworks and support the creative community.
Coming up in November, the Featured Artist will be Bob Miller (aka Bob the Carver). His stunning bird carvings and musical instruments, especially violins, will be showcased along with a very special book of Bob’s works, put together by two other local makers, Cherie Westmoreland (photography) and Larry Adams (book design). December will feature the magical makings of Katie Mainwaring, who recently exhibited at the Hearth Gallery along with Jilly Watson. Watch for more details on events associated with
Migration is the theme at Catching Stars Gallery during this Fall season. / Submitted photo
these features.
Featured Artists can showcase their work for one month at the Gallery with extra marketing and promotions of their work. Feature artists receive a larger percentage of their art sales (90 per cent). It is a great opportunity to showcase and sell more of your art, have an event related to the show and introduce new collections to our clientele. We are now booking featured artists for the new year. Interested in finding out more? Please get in touch with us. Our website has more information in the Submissions section. We are happy to answer your questions.
Drop in if you haven’t had the pleasure, and come often, as there are new arrivals coming in daily! We are artist-run and open daily, so there is always a friendly face and a cup of tea waiting to greet you! We ship worldwide, offer gift certificates, have great gifts for all tastes and budgets, and our online store offers some unique handmade delights too!
GUS
Meet Gus, the sweetest and affectionate black lab who came to us to be neutered recently. Since then, he could not resist another visit to get his ears checked. He enjoys many treats and cuddles from the staff for he is handsome fellow!
Kathleen Ainscough will be greatly missed here on Bowen as she prepares to move to the Okanagan to be closer to family next month. / Submitted photo
Cariboo Express rides for a final time
THE LAST ROUNDUP TOUR PUTS A BOW ON ENTERTAINING & IMPACTFUL CAREER
ALEX KURIAL
Editor
When Barney Bentall took his first trip as conductor of the Cariboo Express, he had no idea of what a ride he’d be in for.
A musician by trade, Bentall is well known around Bowen Island – where he calls home – for his performances. Two decades ago, Barney and his band the Legendary Hearts were playing a fundraiser to help a small-town rodeo raise enough money for a new Dance Hall. Friends and family joined in, including Barney’s son Dustin, and the show became a huge success.
What nobody could have predicted is what that night would set in motion. Inspired by the show’s success, Bentall began to look ahead. He felt that with the right backing the evening could become an annual event. Twenty years later the original show has morphed into an entire tour – the Cariboo Express – which travels across Canada each November supporting local charities in each town and city it performs. In total, the tour has raised more than $7 million over its career.
“It runs this whole journey over the course of the night and still to this day I’m entertained throughout the whole two-and-a-half hours,” says Bentall of what has now morphed into a true variety show featuring about a dozen musicians. Musical styles range across
rock, country, roots and folk, along some storytelling and poetry written into the act. The performers manage a combination of popular classics and new material. In addition to Dustin who has stuck with the tour, return musical guests include Trixi, Geoffrey Kelly from Spirit of The West, Ridley Bent, Wendy Bird, and Stephanie Cadman on fiddle.
“There’s a certain amount of continuity there, but each year will be different. That’s why people keep coming back,” says Bentall. He adds people appreciate not only the mix of old and new elements, but also the formatting of the set list for the evening.
“I’ll do some funny thing, and all of a sudden a serious or moving song comes right after. The idea has always been to take the audience on a journey and I think we’ve accomplished that,” says Bentall.
Early versions of the show were patterned after performances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, so much so that the tour was called the Grand Cariboo Opry. Eventually the original venue came calling with a name change request however, and so a new moniker was needed. By doing a little digging into Cariboo Gold Rush history, Bentall decided to rebrand under the current name, while continuing to deliver the same popular performances and raising large funds for charities.
This year is no different in what attendees will experience, aside from the fact it will be the last one ever. After this year’s
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3-4PM Saturday Nov. 2nd | Collins Hall
10 shows across BC, Alberta and Ontario - appropriately dubbed ‘The Last Roundup’ - the train will park for the final time. Bentall says after a successful 20 years, it’s time to explore new avenues.
“Twenty years is a good time to move on… I’ve been doing rock and roll for a long time and there’s other things I want to do... It just felt like this is time to move on,” says Bentall.
Before the group receives its last ovation, the Cariboo Express is currently stationed in Sidney for a slate of performances on Vancouver Island before returning to the North Shore next month with a pair of dates at the Kay Meek Theatre in West Vancouver. Local charities the tour is supporting this year include the Potluck Café Society, which provides assistance to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and the Victoriabased Buddy Check, which supports youth with mental health struggles.
For Barney, there’s no shortage of memories from the past two decades. “The music that happens in this collaborative way, and all the people we bring together, the guests we bring in, that’s what I carry forward,” says Bentall.
For Bowen Islanders interested in attending either of the West Vancouver shows, tickets can be found on the Kay Meek Theatre website. Shows are scheduled for Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9, each at 7:30 pm, with Friday night’s offering featuring a complimentary water taxi service returning to Bowen with Cormorant Marine.
“One of theverynicestthingsabout life is theway we must regularlystopwhateveritisweare doingand devote ourattention to eating.”
Luciano Pavarotti
The Cariboo Express will take their final bow at the end of their 20th Tour across the country. / Rob Porter photo
A New Fall Tradition
Island Pacific School held their first ever Pumpkinfest on Saturday. Despite the miserable weather spirits were high at the Colin Ruloff Community Field House as kids and adults ejoyed pumpkin carving, hot chocolate, and marshmallows roasted over the fire.
The event also supported the Bowen
Island Community Foundation’s Helping Hand Fund, which collected all Pumpkinfest proceeds. The school is aiming to make the festival an annual event, one that served as a wonderful lead-in to the several Halloween events planned over the next week on the island.
Rob Botterell, who picked up the Island’s only Green seat in Saanich North and the Islands, said he’s focused on setting up his campaign office this week and is mum on the future for now. “We don’t know what’s going to happen, we won’t know until next week,” Botterell said Monday.
He said he’s looking forward to working with Furstenau, Olsen and fellow Green MLA-elect Jeremy Valeriote, representing West Vancouver - Sea to Sky, “and figuring out the path forward once we know exactly what’s happening in
As a former TD Bank regional comptroller and retired lawyer, Botterell acknowledges he has the skills and experience to support the Green party in numerous ways but it’s “premature” to weigh in now. “I just want to serve all of the constituents of all political stripes and I just want to bring every skill that I’ve developed over the last lot of years to make B.C. and the riding a better place, and supporting Sonia, and doing everything I can to see the B.C. Green platform achieved.”
The final tally may not be complete province-wide, but Bowen residents know which way their riding swung following an election night announcement that Jeremy Valeriote of the Green Party had claimed the most votes in West Vancouver - Sea to Sky. / Alex Kurial photo
CALENDAR
Friday, October 25 & Saturday, October 26
Theatre on the Isle Show
TOTI presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]. Tickets $25, available on Eventbrite or the Phoenix. Both shows at 7:30 pm at Tir-na-nOg.
Saturday, October 26
French Connections at the Library
Drop in and join us to practice your conversational French, and get to know other French language learners on Bowen Island! The focus is on beginner and intermediate speakers. From 10:30 to 11:30 am. bipl.ca/French
Saturday, October 26
Scary-oke 2 at the Pub
Come out and celebrate Halloween at the Bowen Island Pub. Scary-oke is back, come sing your favourite songs with a live band! Top performance prize of $250. Gather your friends too and try for the top group costume prize! Show starts at 9 pm, tickets $20.
Sunday, October 27
Author Talk at the Library
Come to an author talk and launch of Pauline Le Bel’s most recent book of poetry, Becoming the Harvest. Chris Corrigan will emcee and Matthew Van der Giessen on cello. Free, drop-in, all invited. Starts 1 pm. bipl.ca/author
Sunday, October 27 (& other dates)
SKY Hangouts
Drop in at the Seniors Cottage on Cardena Drive. We will be offering a welcoming place to stop in for a drink & visit with friends. From 1 to 3 pm. Hangouts also Oct. 28, 29, 30.
Monday, October 28
Havi ng an ev ent ?
SKY Events at Bowen Court
Stretch and Strength runs from 9 to 9:45 am, followed by a talk from Robyn Fenton on Community Housing at 10:30 am. Events at 1070 Miller Road.
Monday, October 28
Regular Council Meeting
Bowen Island Municipal Council meeting at 1 pm, you can attend at Municipal Hall or follow along live on the Municipality’s YouTube page.
Monday, October 28
Meditation Mondays
Happy Mondays ($12 drop-in) Payment by cash or cheque. Buddhist Teachings and meditations to awaken the heart. Your journey to inner peace begins here! The Library Annex, side door direct from car park. 7 to 8 pm. For more info please write allisonearlx2@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 29
SKY Musical Movement
Free for 55+ with Marc Gawthrop on piano at Bowen Court, 10 to 11 am.
Wednesday, October 30
Carve Up The Cove
Kids come out for free pumpkin carving! There’s a carving contest, Halloween games, and a spooky Haunted Clinic to explore too! Stop by Bowen Island Integrated Health in the Cove for all the fun starting at 5 pm.
Thursday, October 31
Halloween Night
Head on over to the Lenora Loop for Bowen’s traditional Halloween night celebration. There’s lots of costumes to check out, haunted places to investigate, and of course lots of candy too. Trick-or-Treat!
Saturday, November 2
Author Talk at the Library
Li st in gs ar e al wa ys fr ee in ou r we ek ly co mmu ni ty ca le nda r.
Pl ea se em ai l you r li st in g to Al ex by Tu es da y 5 p. m. fo r th at we ek 's ed it io n.
ed it or @b ow en is la nd un de rc ur re nt .c om
Th an k yo u!
Join us for an author talk with Sheila Harrington, speaking on her book, Voices for the Islands: Thirty Years of Nature Conservation on the Salish Sea, co-presented by Bowen Island Library and Bowen Island Conservancy. Free, dropin, all invited. Starts 1 pm. bipl.ca/author
Saturday, November 2
Judi Gedye Open House
Come by Collins Hall from 3 to 4 pm to talk about Island issues with Bowen Councillor Judith Gedye.
Sunday, November 3
Food Matters talk at the Library
Bowen Island Food Resilience and the Bowen Island Public Library bring a thought-provoking series of talks on ‘Food Matters.’ The first in the series is November 3, Dr. Phillip Gregory – ‘Food’s Future: Nature or Technology?’ Free, Drop-in at 1:30 pm. Find out more at https://bowenlibrary.ca/library-events/
WEDNESDAYS
Storytime at the Library
A free, drop-in program of stories and songs for 2-4 year-olds and their caregivers! Runs through December 11. 10:30 to 11 am. bipl.ca/storytime
THURSDAYS
Thursday Art Group
Join the Thursday Art Group (TAG) at Collins Hall to see what’s new. Meetings from 9 am to Noon. For further information please contact shannonrondeau@shaw.ca
THURSDAYS
Babytime at the Library
A free, 1/2 hr drop-in program of songs, books, and rhymes for babies 0-24 months and their caregivers! Starts at 11:30 am. Join us afterwards, at 12 pm, for a casual baby & caregiver social hour in the Annex. Runs through November 7. bipl.ca/babytime
Request forVolunteerLibraryBoard members
Bowen Island Municipality and BowenIslandPublicLibrary areseeking applications fromBowen Island residentsinterestedinjoining theBowen Island PublicLibraryBoard. We are seeking applications from membersofthe public with diverseskillsand interestswho are committedtothe ideals of open andequitable access to information through public libraryservice.
Determiningpolicyand rules formanaging the provision of publiclibrary services and forregulatingthe use of the library facilitiesand programs by thepublic.
Appointing and reviewing performance of theChiefLibrarian.
Preparing an annual operating budget to presenttoCouncil.
Reviewing theannual operating budget andmonitoring revenue andexpenditures through theyear.
The Board meets 10 times per year onthe thirdThursday ofthe month. Interested individualsare asked to submit aone-pagesummaryoftheir background, skills andexpertise relativetothe dutiesand responsibilitiesofthe position.
Information about theroleofLibrary Board memberscan be found at https://bowenlibrary.ca/library-information/board/and further questions can be emailed to info@bowenlibrary.ca.
Interested applicantsare asked to respond in writing,via email,fax or regularmail, with therequested informationbyFriday, November 8, 2024 at 4:00p.m.to:
