MINI MOMENTS TheHearth Gallery’sMini ArtWorks Gala attractedahost of attendees eager to celebratethe artists and their works- and bid on thepiecestoo.You cansee moreofthe mysterious masked guests (and maybe even guesstheir identities) by turningovertoPage 5. /Submitted photo
ALEX KURIAL Editor
Residents and travellers to Bowen Island celebrated the returnofferry service last Thursday night, followingnearly three days of sailing cancellations after the dock at the island terminal was damagedbyastorm.
With one ferry issuesolved,questions stillremain from an incident earlierlastweekwhere the Queenof Capilanoran into multiple boats at the Bowen Island Marina immediately after setting sail,causing substantial damagetothe vesselsand the dock itself. There were no reported injuries. BC Ferries say they are investigating what caused the ferry to driftsooff course, with the Transportation Safety Board also looking into the case.AsofFriday the agency was“currently gathering information and assessing the occurrence,”according to an email.
For Brittany Yu,whose boat Kowloonborethe brunt of the ferrycollision, it’s ledtoafrustrating week as she navigates the aftermathofthe crash.
CONTINUED
AllCouncilmeetingsareopen tothepublictoattendin personorelectronically,unless notedotherwise.
February 20,2025
1:00 pm BudgetOpenHouseviaZoom
February 24,2025 1:00pm RegularCouncilMeeting
February 27,2025
6:00 pm BudgetOpenHouseviaZoom
March 3, 2025
1:00 pm
CommitteeoftheWhole
MeetingreWaterandSewer SystemBudgets
BIMhasmultipleopeningsforcustodiansatthenewCommunity Centrefacility
Part-timepermanentandcasualworkisavailable,withthepotential forfull-timeemploymentinthefuture.Trainingwillbeprovided asneeded,andduetothefacility’soperationalneedswestrongly preferBowenIslandresidentsascandidatesforthesepositions
Applicationswillbeacceptedonanongoingbasis.Pleasesee thefulljobdescriptionforcompensationandmoredetailed informationhere:
https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/category/jobs/
Questions?ContactKristinaCalli,InterimHRCoordinator,at hr@bimbc.caorcall604-947-4255ext226
TheProvincehaslaunchedtheProvincialshort-termrental(STR) registry.Anyoneoperatingashort-termrentalinB.C.,andlisting onplatformssuchasAirbnbandVrbo,isnowrequiredtoregister withtheProvince.Thisincludeshostsoperatingoutsideareas withtheprincipal-residencerequirement.
ThisregistryofficiallyopenedforapplicationsonJanuary20, 2025,andallshort-termrentallistingsintheprovincemustbe registeredbyMay1,2025.Therearediscountsforregisteringearly.
https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/short-term-rentals/
Trenchingworkwillbetakingplaceinthevicinityof1604 WhitesailsDriveonFebruary19and20,2025,aspartofa scheduledupgradetoBCHydro’sinfrastructure.
Trafficwillbereducedtosinglelane,alternatingdirectionunder thedirectionoftrafficflaggers.
Pleaseslowdownwhentravellingthroughthearea,followthe instructionsofflaggersandsignage,andallowextratimetogetto yourdestination.
Questions?ContactPublicWorksat604-947-4255ext.4or publicworks@bimbc.ca
TheCommunityCentreisanotherexcitingstepclosertoopening itsdoors,thankstothedeliveryofbeautifulnewfurnitureforour CommunityLivingRoom.Thisadditionwillprovideawarm,inviting spaceforBowenIslanderstogather,relax,andengageincommunity activities
Thefurniturewaschosentoreflecttheneedsexpressedby communitymembers,emphasizingaccessibilityandflexibility.With moveableandadaptableitems,thespacecaneasilybeconfigured fordifferentactivitieswhileensuringsafetyandcomfortforseniors, children,andcommunitymemberswithvisual,auditory,ormobility challenges
AbigthankyoutotheBowenIslandCommunityFoundationfortheir support,whichhelpedfundthefurniture.Theirgenerouscontribution playsavitalroleincreatingaspacethatwillserveasahubfor connectionandcreativityforall.
MarkyourcalendarsfortwoBudget2025OpenHouses:
Thursday,February20@1:00pm Thursday,February27@6:00pm
Detailscanbefoundhere: https://bowenislandmunicipality.ca/2025-budget/
CLR-01-2024(479BowenIslandTrunkRoad) 1:00PMonMonday,February24,2025 RegularCouncilMeeting
PROJECTDESCRIPTION:
AttheFebruary24,2025RegularCouncilmeeting,Councilwill considerareferralfromtheLiquorandCannabisRegulationBranch (LCRB)regardinganapplicationfromtheBowenIslandPubforaNew OutdoorPatio
TheBowenIslandPubreceivedtemporaryapprovalforanexpanded patiounderCOVID-erapermissionsfromtheLCRB.Thatpermission isnowexpiring,andtheBowenIslandPubisapplyingtoseek permanentapproval.Underthetermoftheirliquorlicensethisdoes notincreasetheoveralllicensecapacity.Whenthepatioisinuse thepubisrequiredtolessentheinsidecapacitybythenumberof occupantsaccommodatedontheupperpatio
StaffintroducedtheapplicationtoCouncilattheJanuary13,2025 Councilmeeting,andtherearenochangestotheapplicationfrom thatmeeting
YOURCOMMENTSAREWELCOME:
WrittensubmissionsmaybedeliveredtoMunicipalHallbefore 11:00amonMonday,February24,2025:
• ByE-mailtomayyorandcouncil@@bimbc.ca,
• inperson,
• bymailto981ArtisanLane,BowenIsland,BC,V0N1G2or
• byfax604-947-0193
Toensureafairprocess,writtensubmissionscannotbeaccepted afterthedeadline VerbalsubmissionscanbemadetoMayorand Councilatthemeeting.
MOREINFORMATION:
Moreinformationavailableonourwebsiteorbycontactingthe PlanningDepartmentduringofficehours.
Questions?PleasecontactDanielMartin,ManagerofPlanning& Development,at604-947-4255ext230ordmartin@@bimbc.ca.
DVP-2025-0007(DormanPoint,930WF) 1:00PMonMonday,February24,2025 RegularCouncilMeeting
PROJECTDESCRIPTION:
ADevelopmentVariancePermitapplicationhasbeensubmitted forDormanPoint(shownonmap)topermitthereplacementofa beachaccessstaircasewithintheminimumsetbackfromthenatural boundaryofthesea,whichtheapplicantswishtoconstructonthe prop
Theirapplicationistorequestareductionoftheminimumsetback fromthenaturalboundaryoftheseafrom30mto2.0mforthebeach staircase.
YOURCOMMENTSAREWELCOME:
WrittensubmissionsmaybedeliveredtoMunicipalHallbefore 11:00amonMonday,February24,2025:
• ByE-mailtomayyorandcouncil@@bimbc.ca,
• inperson,
• bymailto981ArtisanLane,BowenIsland,BC,V0N1G2or
• byfax604-947-0193
VerbalsubmissionscanbemadetoMayorandCouncilatthe meeting.
MOREINFORMATION:
Moreinformationavailableonourwebsiteorbycontactingthe PlanningDepartmentduringofficehours
Questions?PleasecontactDrewBakken,IslandCommunityPlanner, at604-947-4255ext233ordbakken@@bimbc.ca.
www.bowenislandmunicippalityy.ca/pplanningg/
This week we send outbig thank you’sto everybody who worked so hard to managethe mutliple ferry situations whichunfoldedlast week.The watertaxioperatorswere, as always, incredible at ferryingpeoplebackand forthfor what turnedout to be an extended period of days.Theywereupbeforedawnand working into the nighttomakesurepeople could reach theirdestinations -and they know how to handle choppywaterstoo.They’rean amazing teamwho we’relucky to have, andtheycontinue to demonstratethis each timetheirhelp isneeded.
Thank you as well to the workers who cameovertofix the dock so that theQueen ofCapilano could eventuallyreturn. Their three days of repairsrequired lots of physical labourinverycold conditions,but theypowered through to restoreour terminal -alittle aheadofschedule too! Their little work boat HankyPankygets abonus shoutoutfor providingsome levityduringanoverall difficultweek.
Theferry is nowbackand fingers crossed willberunningwithout such eventfulness fora good longwhile.Asyou’velikelyheardthough, and canreadmoreabout in thepaper this week,the original ferry crash left astringof damage in its wake whichIslanders will be left to cleanupthe pieces of for awhile.Wehope that BC Ferries will dedicatethemselves to workingwith localresidents to makethe damaged boatsand dock whole,and take stepsto ensurea crashlikelastSunday’s doesn’thappen again. Theresults of investigations into the case whichare underwaywillgoalong wayin avoidingarepeatscenario.
Aspecial thankstoBrittanyYu forsharing her storywith us,and ourown Alanna Kellyof Glacier Mediafor helpingbring ourferry issues to lightinvideoformlastweek.Here’shoping forcalm seas and smooth sailings ahead.
- Alex Kurial,Editor
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LOUISE LOIK
Contributor
It would have been a terribly uncomfortable moment of dead air if I hadn’t anticipated the response I’d get to my question, “Are you scared of cougars?” Dr. Mark Elbroch, a pre-eminent cougar researcher paused for a second and looked back at me via Zoom with utter disbelief. ”Am I scared of cougars?” he responded “No, I’m not scared of cougars,” he continued. “They have shown me that they are not only tolerant of people, they’re incredibly cautious animals and do almost everything they can to avoid any sort of direct interaction with people.”
Elbroch’s research about cougar behaviour has landed him interviews on the BBC, National Geographic, New York times, and now, the Undercurrent. A biologist with Panthera, an international wild cat conservation organization, and author of “The Cougar Conundrum - Sharing the World with a Successful Predator,” Elbroch is doing groundbreaking work on cougar foraging habits, their key ecological role, and their social behaviours.
He is currently involved in an intensive project looking at cougars isolated by highways on the Olympic peninsula. In a way, the highway as a barrier to movement of this species is not unlike the barrier of a major water crossing to an island. So why does a cougar cross a highway, or swim to Bowen?
Elbroch suggests that our cat is a youngster, maybe only 1 ½ years old, and likely a male whose mom had sent him off so that she could mate again, forcing him to now learn about the world on his own. “They are what we call dispersers,” young cats who ensure genetic dispersal by heading out
across highways or waterways, facing challenging distances that a mature cat would not consider.
He says the Bowen cat is “young for dispersal, but not unheard of.” And, he says, these cats “don’t know anything about the environment, meaning that they’re moving through landscapes where they don’t know where the deer are.”
“Why did this one end up on Bowen? “It’s a mystery why they go where they go.” He says, “these animals are like electrons. They bounce all over the place, you know, sort of looking for a new home.” He explains that during dispersal they will cross extremely busy highways and that they can swim considerable distances. Researchers documented one “that swam 3.4 kilometers.”
Cougars can travel up to 30 km in a day or travel between islands. “The distance to Bowen is about as far as they are known to swim,” Elbroch says. “Youngsters have it almost sort of their programming to move, to explore.” They risk life and limb but “that dispersal of… the essential lifeline that shares the genetic diversity of one population with another keeps them all healthy in the long term. It’s a critical part of mountain lion or cougar biology.”
Elbroch says that once cougars are mature, they are less inclined to take the risks of dispersal. The Bowen cougar “could stick around for another six months, maybe even a year,” says the biologist. If he isn’t gone in a year, he may be here to stay. Elbroch recounts the story of a cougar who settled into a park in California below the Hollywood sign that became a community celebrity, living in an area approximately half the size of Bowen for a decade. “They think he may have broken into the local zoo,” adds Elbroch.
The researcher goes on to talk about how people are similarly co-existing with cougars in Patagonia and other parts of the world where the greater challenge is not to prevent a cougar attack on humans, something that is extremely rare, but to protect the cougar’s ability to live unaffected by the growing eco-tourism industry where cougar viewing is a big business. Elbroch is working on establishing regulations and guidelines.
“There should be training for the guides and there should be some sort of rules about distance from the animal and you don’t stand in front of them when they’re walking and things. You know, just what I consider respectful common sense regulations… It does open up your brain to start considering life with cougars rather than in opposition to cougars.”
He acknowledges that our sensibilities here around anything like cougars, bears, wolves and coyotes are quite different. “There, reactions to losing a single sheep or something like that is moderate,” here, in North America, the reaction is to “immediately try to remove that carnivore, and by that I mean kill it… That’s just a reality, it is a radically different culture in many parts of the world than ours.”
Elbroch suggests keeping children within sight in areas with large predators, and teaching kids to make themselves loud and big, with arms up around a cougar as a safety measure. He acknowledges that in terms of human conflict, historically, “there are, of course, the infrequent, incredibly rare encounters that turn scary and even fatal, but they are incredibly rare.”
Regarding domestic animals, cougars are opportunistic hunters. While focusing almost exclusively on deer, if a sheep gets between the deer and the cougar,
the cat will “capitalize on that situation.”
Unprotected domestic animals have the potential to become prey, which is likely to trigger a demand for the elimination of the cougar. “If you look at wildlife as sort of held in public trust... It (the cougar) belongs to all the people of the island and in fact all the people of British Columbia... Why should one person’s decision (not to protect their domestic animal) decide the fate of that (wild) animal?… I think it’s an interesting conversation for the community.“
To protect your domestic animals from various types of local wild predators but primarily the cougar, Mark has some suggestions; “There is evidence that opaque fencing works. It hasn’t been tested widely, but like a six-foot fence, they can’t see through it, they can hear the goats, sheep on the other side, but they can’t see them. They don’t make the leap. They are some of the things people can mess with, like putting rugs, tarps up.”
“If you have a six foot fence and then a two foot overhang, and so the cougar approaches the fence and the overhang is coming towards them, it puts them off… people have used both noise and light devices that are motion triggered... you could use barking dogs, or talk radio, you can use something humanish so that they think that people are there.”
Cougars have a long history of coming to and from Bowen. Knowing more about this animal can help us all to make decisions that support our own well-being as well as that of this and future wild cats who stop for a visit or to stay.
For more of the interview, search for “Living in Cougar Country” at onthewildside.ca or at the following link: https://spoti.fi/41a8ESh
ALEX KURIAL Editor
Following three days of cancelled sailings due to a damaged dock, the Queen of Capilano returned to service last Thursday night.
“Our operations team is on track to complete repairs this evening, and we are optimistic that ferry service will resume by tomorrow morning,” said BC Ferries senior communications advisor Shiryn Sayani in an email earlier that Thursday afternoon. Later in the day, a BC Ferries notice said “repairs to the floating dock at Snug Cove are progressing well,” and that the ferry would be making a trial run to Bowen early Thursday evening. The trial successful, the Queen of Capilano set sail from the island at 6:30 pm, carrying its first passengers since Monday night.
Travellers between Bowen Island and Horseshoe Bay had been using water taxis for their voyage since Tuesday, February 4 after the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal suffered a series of damages during an overnight storm. Repair crews had been on-site fixing the dock and ramp with the goal of returning the ferry to service on Friday, February 7. Their efforts resulted in the work being completed ahead of schedule.
Bowen Island mayor Andrew Leonard said early on Thursday he was optimistic repairs would be complete by the end of the day “so that residents and the community can get back to their regularly scheduled lifestyles.”
The mayor added he was pleased with the coordination with BC Ferries during the three-day stretch of cancellations. “I feel like we’ve had more communication
with them - both at my level as well as our staff level - than we have in a long time. When the ferries did go out on Tuesday I was immediately in contact with them and immediately in contact with our staff,” said the mayor.
“We had a few meetings back and forth throughout the day, even at the end of the day hashing things out like water taxis – when they would run, the type of capacity, the needs of our residents from students to commuters to folks looking to get to medical appointments. Overall they’ve been very responsive and have certainly listened to all the concerns that we’ve brought forward to them,” added the mayor.
Leonard says that as difficult as losing the island’s means of transportation can be, Bowen residents have shown themselves quite capable of handling adverse situations.
“I think us Islanders are resilient by nature. We see that resiliency when we have power outages for multiple days and neighbours checking on neighbours… We saw some really strong resiliency during the pandemic when neighbourhoods and Islanders were helping each other out. I feel like this is much the same,” he said.
Still, the mayor offered perspective on the overall situation. “The reality is that it’s also only been a few days. If a disruption of service like this were to extend into the next week or a couple of weeks, I think then it would be much more serious as we start to deal with medical concerns and food and fuel supply on the island,” he pointed out.
“But for short-term disruptions like this I think our community can really rally together and really come together to help each other out,” said Leonard.
Passengers between Bowen Island and the mainland used the water taxi to travel during the ferry cancellations, catching the ride at the Horseshoe Bay Public Dock. (Alanna Kelly photo, above). On Thursday night the Queen of Capilano loaded passengers for the first time since Monday night, and regular service resumed with a 6:30 pm sailing. (Alex Kurial photo, below)
ALEX KURIAL Editor
The first draft of the municipal Five-Year Financial Plan was released a few weeks ago, with each department making presentations on their plan for the year ahead and beyond at a Committee of the Whole. Open Houses for the public take place virtually on Feb. 20 and 27, with the public consultation period running until Friday, March 7. You can find the full budget on the Municipality’s website.
Administration and General Government
Capital expenses for the year ahead include $50,000 to purchase a new truck for building inspections by planning and engineering staff. Currently employees are either using a bylaw truck or their own vehicles which isn’t expected to remain a sustainable method. This will come from the equipment reserve $70,000 is being allocated to upgrade audiovisual equipment in the new Community Conference Room at the Community Centre, with funding from the Growing Communities Fund and possibly an Accessibility Grant. The Capital Renewal and Replacement Reserve will provide $30,000 to upgrade municipal computers.
Bylaw Services
A few major undertakings for 2025 include hiring a weekend ferry marshal for this summer. The pilot program’s cost of $45,000 will be covered using grant funds with the marshal employed from May to October. The position will start on a one-year trial basis with its future reassessed after this fall. Bylaw is also aiming to develop a Water Conservation Bylaw for the municipality, and explore pay parking for Snug Cove, and e-transfers to collect public wharf fees.
With the Community Centre set to open in the coming months, current focuses include getting municipal staff adjusted to the new Municipal Hall which is located in the building, hiring custodians for the space, and technicians to operate equipment in the new theatre. The centre will have several capital expenses coming up, including paving the parking lot, furnishing the theatre backstage and outdoor courtyard, setting up the Community Kitchen, and building a bike storage area. Annual contributions of $50,000 to Capital Renewal are proposed to cover work at the centre.
A big undertaking for the finance department in 2025 will be the goal of helping develop a Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT), plus continuing collective bargaining negotiations. This year and next year will see a new position of contract production coordinator established, to be managed by the Hearth Gallery. The coordinator will be tasked with promoting the new theatre at the Community Centre and attracting artists and performers. The position costs $35,000 a year, with a hope it will eventually become self-funding through theatre popularity.
A host of equipment for the Fire Department is in the budget, highlighted by a new fire truck to replace Engine 32 – a 1978 Mini Pumper. The new vehicle has already been purchased and is expected to arrive on Bowen next month. It’s budgeted at $420,000 Between 2025-29 there’s $104,000 dedicated to new protective gear such as helmets, jackets and boots, and from 2026-29 there’s $100,000 being used for new equipment including pumps, hoses, chainsaws, and a better jaws of life. The department is seeking $40,000 for an
all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with the aim to assist with fires and search and rescues in the woods All of these will come from the fire equipment reserve. The department is also hoping for $75,000 to install heat pumps at both fire halls, which Thompson says will save $6,000 a year, and $17,000 for four misting stations to help people combat summer heat. They’d be located at the Community Centre, Visitors Centre, Fire Hall 1, and at a location in Crippen Park. The pumps and stations are budgeted from Accumulated Surplus. Emergency Services are requesting $8,500 for evacuation and rapid damage assessment kits, which include visibility vests, caution tape, megaphones, first aid kits, and more.
Parks and Environment
The year ahead for parks includes developing a Grafton Lake Watershed Management Plan, the $100,000 cost being split 75 per cent from the parks reserve and 25 per cent from Cove Bay Water system. A pit toilet at the Art Rennison Nature Park will cost $15,000, and a substantial push will begin to repair several park, trail and beach structures. This year there’s $85,000 budgeted for parks and trail repair and $25,000 for beach access points, the total increasing to $150,000 annually from 2026-29. Projects this year include several stairways, at Cates Bay Beach, Seymour Bay Beach, Clipper Beach, and stairs from Village Drive to the current Municipal Hall, along with drainage at the Sea Walk Trail at Cape Roger Curtis.
Planning and Development
The department’s two major goals for 2025 are the Official Community Plan Review and development of the MRDT.
Public Works
Capital costs are unsurprisingly high for the department due to the condition of roads and culverts around the island. The culvert situation is set to cost $1 million annually due to the danger of failed culverts damaging nearby roads. For their part, the roads are already costly too with $550,000 being budgeted for repairs in 2025 and set to rise by $50,000 each year after. This year’s repair focuses include Taylor, Jason, and Windjammer Roads, with Whitesails Drive up for 2026. $100,000 is also being included annually for rock slope stabilization, starting this year on Taylor and Woods Roads and at Eagle Cliff Road near the Upland Trail. Repairs at the Library are budgeted for $250,000 to replace rotten beams and fix failed culverts, though Graham expressed optimism the actual cost would be less. Wharf repair will see $200,000 used to fix piles at Snug Cove Dock and $75,000 to repair Mt. Gardner Dock. The current stretch of the Multi-Use Path from Artisan Lane toward Charlie’s Lane costs $1.22 million, with grants covering all but $18,000. The next phase from Charlie’s Lane to Grafton Lake will cost the municipality $236,000 - a source of that funding remains to be decided on. The largest project by far of the department is the upcoming build of a new Public Works Yard, estimated at $3.5 million between 2025-27. Design work is underway on the facility which will replace the current yard which has become unproductive and unsafe for a number of reasons. Graham says debt financing would be required for the new works yard, which would require an assent process.
Recreation and Community Services
This department will find itself very busy once the Community Centre opens as new and increased programming gets underway. Capital expenses include $50,000 for Fitness Centre equipment, which is covered by a grant, and $40,000 for an art installation at the centre, from the Public Art Reserve. A $25,000 grant is being applied for to create a dedicated space for the Youth Centre. A new facility booking coordinator will also be hired to manage the centre Looking ahead, the department is saving up for a $160,000 Multi-Sport Court to be placed at Bowen Island Community School. Bowen Rec is working with the school PAC to fundraise, with an aim of 2027 for the project.
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BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE
BowenIslandersalwayscometogetherto supportone another, and we’re honoured to be partofthat. Thank youfor trustingus with your careandfor making thisisland such an amazingcommunity!
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TIM RHODES
It is inspiring to live,work, and volunteer in this remarkably generouscommunity. Thankyou fora20-year love affair
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BOWEN CIDER HOUSE
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My sincerethanks andgratitude to our community forall the love andsupport over theyears.Be on thelookout formy newendeavours being offeredhereon BowenwithHeart SongCounselling and HeartSongCompanions.
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joy$5OFF ramen everyTuesday through ursdayatBranch!
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BOWEN VETERINARY SERVICES
The team at Bowen VeterinaryServices wish allthe pets andfamilies of Bowen a warmand fuzzy Valentine'sDay anda purrfect Family Day. We aresogratefu to be able to provide care andsupportto all your four-legged friends
THE BOWENISLANDPUB
The Bowen Island Pubhas been serving this communityfor over 36 years andweare proud to have been blessedwiththe opportunity to run it for thelast 11 of those years. We loveBowen Island andall thewonderfulpeoplewho make us feel at home here. Thankyou to allofyou.
Thank you, Bowen Island.For 30 years, your steadfast supporthelps Island Pacific School provideanextraordinary middleschool experience where students grow with wisdom courage, integrity–andheart. islandpacific.org
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TOSHHOME &GARDEN
10 years ago- coffeeinArtisanSquare-fel in love with Bowen. Iamsofortunate to cal this Island home andtoopenToshinArtisan Square.I love sourcing itemsthatI think peoplewillloveand Ienjoysharingmylove of the Islandwithvisitors. Ilikeproviding extraservice likegift wrapping anddelivery. Love yourHome
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FRAZERELLIOTT
Iloveserving Bowen's community. Just moved to theisland? The best wayyou canshow your love forour home is by volunteering!
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RILEY’S CIDERY
We feel so grateful to be partofthisamazing island community! If youhaven’thad acider tasting with Frank Patt ourCideryAmbassadorand Tasting Room Manageryou aremissingout.Frank connects cidery visitorstothe uniqueness andbiodiversity that is ourorchard.His amazingvoice,storytelling abilitiesand genuinekindness make every visit a truejoy.Thank youfor allyou do Frank!
BOWEN BUILDING CENTRE
The BuildingCentre is proudtobea partofbuildingonBowen since 1972! Thank youtoall of ourcustomers. We truly knowhomeiswhere theheart is 1013 Grafton Road 604-947-9622
MIKE HOWELL
Business in Vancouver
A Vancouver city councillor and two park board commissioners announced plans Friday to potentially have an electric passenger ferry operating by 2027 that would connect downtown Vancouver with Bowen Island and Gibsons.
Rebecca Bligh, along with Brennan Bastyovanszky and Laura Christensen, told reporters from Harbour Green Dock near the Vancouver Convention Centre that they will all introduce motions at council and park board meetings to push for the ferry
“Just look at other cities Sydney, Singapore, Auckland, San Francisco they all have this type of ferry service,” Bligh said in an interview prior to the news conference. “And so I think this is a starting point. It’s incredibly exciting. Where it can go is even more exciting.”
A news release from the group pointed to Greenline Marine Inc., a Victoria company, to provide the service. The vessels and all infrastructure updates to the docks would be paid by Greenline and its partners, the release said.
‘Take cars off the road’
Callum Campbell, chief executive officer of Greenline Ferries, said in the release that his company was “excited to explore this important transportation service” with the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Park Board.
“This transformative all-electric ferry service for Bowen Island and Gibsons will take cars off the road and provide a clean, efficient and convenient service into downtown Vancouver,” Campbell said.
“With this landing dock, we’ve got all the important building blocks in place. By working in partnership with the city and park board, we will be well-positioned to deliver this new service for commuters, starting in 2027.”
The company believes about 1,000 passengers a day would use the service. Greenline said making the ferry available would avoid 500 car trips and erase the equivalent emissions of eight million kilometres of driving every year.
The service would reach Bowen Island from Vancouver in 35 minutes and Gibsons in 70 minutes.
“For most users, this will save $20 on the end-to-end journey compared to existing transportation options,” said the release, which didn’t include fare prices but were expected to be revealed at the news conference.
‘Potential win, win, win opportunity’
Bligh will introduce a motion Feb. 26 that directs city staff to take steps to establish the new ferry, with plans for it to depart from Harbour Green Dock, which was the site of now-defunct water taxi to Bowen Island.
At the same time, Bastyovanszky and Christensen will put forward a motion to explore upgrading Harbour Green Dock, and to seek partners to fund needed amenities and upgrades.
If the motions pass within the first half of 2025, the trio of politicians like Campbell believe service could be in operation as soon as 2027
The commissioners said revenues generated from limited commuter ferry services could be used to subsidize ongoing recreational usage of Harbour Green Dock. With regular ferry operations on-site, they said, it creates an opportunity to increase such usage as the floating walkway is not suitable for the current demand for leisure craft.
“We see this as a potential win-win-win opportunity,” the commissioners said in the release.
The announcement comes amid growing congestion and a lack of regional transportation options, particularly for those travelling to and from Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast.
In recent years particularly following
Greenline Marine partnered with maritime company BMT to design an electric passenger ferry, as seen on Greenline’s website. The vessel is a 32-metre catamaran ferry that carries up to 150 passengers, with wheelchair access and space for bicycles. It’s designed for a typical speed of 23 knots.
the COVID-19 pandemic and amid the rise of hybrid work Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast have welcomed many new residents and visitors.
Further, the pandemic saw local transportation services on Bowen and the Sunshine Coast collapse, leaving a dearth of options for residents to access work and amenities on the mainland.
“Existing vehicle-based ferry options are often overcapacity and straining under years of underinvestment,” said the release, adding that a pollution-free passenger ferry would drastically improve transportation options for local residents and visitors.
First Nations
The group believes the ferry service would boost economic growth, reduce wait times in Horseshoe Bay, Snug Cove, and Langdale, making it easier to explore B.C.’s southern coast.
“Bowen Island’s need for access to the
mainland is more than just transportation ferry service is our connection to work, health care, school, and everything in between,” Bowen Island Mayor Andrew Leonard said. “Exploring an electric ferry isn’t just about sustainability; it’s about securing a reliable, modern and efficient future for our island’s residents.”
The ferry service is also supported by Gibsons Mayor Silas White and Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country. Bligh said the Squamish Nation supports the venture “in principle” and has asked to consider future expansions to connect their lands.
Discussions with the Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations are ongoing
The Hullo Ferry, which provides a similar service connecting downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo, served 400,000 passengers in its first year, diverting as many as 1,000 people daily from city roads.
Power metal is coming to the Bowen Island Library, but notthe kind that gets you shredding air guitar and head banging. It will, however, get your headthinkingabout the technologies we useand their impact on theplanet.
Award-winning journalist, Bowen Island local, andrecent Daily Show guest Vince Beiserwill be doing an AuthorTalk at the BowenIsland Libraryat1pm on Saturday,February 22, on his latest book, Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future.
In his book, Beiser chroniclesthe destructive side effects that the global huntfor critical metals has on our so-called clean energytransition, from environmental damage to politicalupheavaltomurder. He exposes how rivers arebeing poisoned and rainforests bulldozed to acquire the resources needed to power our wind turbines and build our smart phones. As Beiser writes: “Ourfuture depends,inaliteral sense, on metal. We need alot of it to stave off climate change, the most dangerousthreat of all.”
VinceBeiser hasreported fromover100 countries, states, provinces, kingdoms, occupied territories, no man’s landsand disaster zones.Vince’s first book,TheWorld in aGrain: The Story of Sandand HowItTransformed Civilization about the deadly and destructiveimpacts of humanity’s use of this little-consideredyet crucially important natural resource,was afinalist for aPEN America award and aCalifornia Book Award, andspawned
aTEDx talk.
With great urgencyand insight, Beiser illuminates in PowerMetal how this competition is creatingnew industries, generating enormouswealth, and destabilizing theglobal balance of power. He takes readers on acompelling anddeeplyhuman journey across the globe to tell the stories of the people at the center of thisrace: an Australian multimillionaire who plans to mine the ocean floor; garbagepickers in Nigeria who risk their lives to salvage e-waste;aBill Gatesbacked entrepreneurharnessing AI to find metals in the Arctic.
John Vaillant, author of Fire Weather, notes that “Power Metalisanecessary, illuminating,and often shocking read. Fast-paced, fascinating, and alive with colorfulcharacters, it’sa whirlwind tour of theepochal energy transition currently underway as we enter what Vince Beiser so aptly calls the‘electro-digitalage.’”
Beiser reflects thathopeispart of this story; “I also learned there are lots of ways we candothings better, and insome places already are. There will always be some downsides, some costs caused by ourshift into what Icall the Electro Digital Age. But there’s alot we can dotominimize those costs, and to spread them around more fairly.”
Youcan findout more about this author talkand also watch thevideoclip of Beiserbeing interviewed on the Daily Show atbipl.ca/author.Dropintothis free and informative talk at theBowen Library, and bring yourquestionsfor the author. Copies of thebook willbeavailable to purchase
pring
VinceBeiser,author of PowerMetal,willbe speakingatthe BowenIslandLibrary on Saturday, February22. /Submitted photo
from the author.
Power Metal was writtenwithsupport from the Canada Council for the Arts,the Pulitzer Center onCrisis Reporting, the Dave Greber Freelance Writers Awards,and the Access Copyright Foundation.
Darby is asupersweet, full of beanskindofgirl. Her best friend is Marie, the kitten Darby loves beingcozyat home withMarie, herkitten friend. Marie hasbraved a serious conditioncalled Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) by tryingout anew treatment successfully.We, at Bowen Vet, are happytohave been able to contribute to ahappy Valentine’s Dayfor these paw-some kitty-puppyfriends!
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“It’s like taking on another full-time job,” says Yu,who along with her husband already own andrun Branch and Narwhal on Bowen plus several cafes andrestaurants in Vancouver. “It’s been exhausting,it’sa lot.We’ve been on the phone basically every day, all day. Emails back and forth. We’re tryingtocall captains, shipwrights,insurance, all those things.”
“It’s kind of anightmaretodealwith,”she says Yu learnedabout the incident shortly after itoccurredon Sunday morning. “I woke up to aflurry of textsand saw the video on Facebook,” she recalls, aftera passengeraboard the7:30 am sailing posted footage of thecrash tothe local socialmedia page.
“From that angle it looked like it couldhave been not too bad.But what we sawfrom the video that was taken from the dock, you can see the impact is quite significant andthe whole dock moves. That’s when we knew that ourboatwas probably quite damaged,” says Yu.
The full scope of repairs needed isn’t yet known, the boat will needtobehoisted outofthe water and assessedfor those answerstocome. But much ofthe damagetothe classical GrandBanks yacht is already apparent. The Queen of Capilano’s sternsmashed through the Kowloon’s cabin, tearing off railings,shattering windows,and crushingthe door and itsframe. Yu has her fingerscrossed thehullwill be intact –the fate of thebody of the ship will be amajor determinant in repair work needed and ultimately thecost of the fixes.
Damages won’t simply be measured in dollar values though –the boat has ahigh amountofemotional value for its owners.“We just bought the boat last year,weactually boughtitoff really close friends. They soldittousknowing it was staying in the family because we’re so close,” explains Yu
“It’s abeautiful, really well takencare of classical
boat. So it’s pretty upsetting to see it smashed,”she adds. Yu is optimistic, but realistic, about the upcoming timeframe. “I’m hoping that my boatwill be able to be used this summer, andthat we can allmove on with our lives. Because it doesn’t seem like avery quick process or aquick fix.”
BC Ferries originally said the Sunday of the crash that the accident wascaused by high winds at the Bowen terminal. Afurther release that day attributed the cancellations to “an ongoingmechanical difficultywiththe propulsion system.” Passenger sailings didn’t resume again until 6:50 pm.
“We’restill investigatingthe cause, whether thatwas due to wind conditions, amechanicalissue, or acombination offactors,” says BC Ferriessenior communicationsadvisor ShirynSayani.“We’re working really closely with the marina and with the vesselownerstoassess any reported damage and determine ournextsteps.”
BowenIsland mayor Andrew Leonardsaid he hadn’t beentold adefinitivereasonfor the crashfrom BC Ferries either, havingalsoreceived reportsabout the high wind and mechanical issues. The mayordid havequestionshowever about the timing of events onSundaymorning
“The biggest issue for myself was that it took afew hours for BC Ferries to responddirectlytothat incident, and it seemed to be their responsewas aresult of havingreported it,” said Leonard, noting he sent video and photos of the collision to BC Ferriesleadership early that morning.The ferry completeda fewmore runs followingthe collision before it was taken out of service laterinthe morningand held at HorseshoeBay until the evening.
Leonardsaysitwill be up to BC Ferries to workwith the Marina and boat ownerstocover repairs, which includes aportion of the dockwhich wasknocked apart and is now tapedoff. He adds thatthe weekasawhole, which sawtwo major ferry disruptionsonthe island, can be especially diffi-
BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH
cult when factoring in recent history.
“I think it’s impossible nottolookatthese ferry incidentswithout looking at the context of allofour otherferry incidents thatwe’ve seen overthe lastcouple of years –in termsofservice disruptions, cancellations, staff shortages, mechanical failures –which have affected the transportation resiliency of our community.”
“All of these incidents takentogetherspeak to the needfor more investmentinthe system and abetter understanding of the requirementsofour residents and businesses on the island,” says Leonard.
Regardless of the cause of Sunday’s crash, the event hasunderstandably leftamark on Yu. “We are on our boat alot in the summer, we sleep on the boat, we do big trips, we spend aton of time on our boat. Icertainly don’t feel safeinthat spot anymore, and we’ll be looking into alternative spaces where that’snot arisk factor,” she says.
“I think it’s quite disappointing that they left the scene,” sheadds of the Queen of Capilano’s actions in theimmediateaftermathofthe crash. Yu says her husband is often working on theboat on weekends and that her dock neighboursare frequently on their boatsduring that timeofday too, and thesituation could have been much worse had they been on board. She filed ahit-and-run report withthe RCMP following theincident.
“When it first happens you’re in shock. You’re like we can get through this… nowthatwe’re on day five we’re definitely feeling frustrated and overwhelmed and tired,” says Yu as sherecountsall thathad happened duringthe course of the week
Yu hopes thatinaddition to helpingher navigate the months ahead, BC Ferriestakes steps to ensurethere isn’t arepeat incident at the marina. “Having aferry runinto something is reallyunsafe, so obviously thathas to be taken care of on their end.”
Sunday Mass at 9.30 Contact Angela Powell604-947-2515
CATESHILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661Carter Rd.)
SHIRATHAYAM (Songofthe Sea)
BOWEN’S JEWISHCOMMUNITY
Shabbat Gatherings ~Holidays Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev.Lorraine Ashdown www.biuc.ca |1122 MillerRoad 778-688-2061 OFFICEHOURS WEDNESDAY 10-4 OR BYAPPOINTMENT
Contact aryana.rayne@gmail.com•www.shirathayam.ca FOOD BANK DROP-OFF Sunday Worship10:00
DEPART BOWENISLAND 5:20 am -exceptSundays 6:20 am 7:30 am 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50am 12:00pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm -exceptWednesdays 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:25 pm -exceptSaturdays 8:30 pm 9:30 pm 10:30pm
DEPARTHORSESHOEBAY 5:50 am 6:50 am 8:00 am 9:05 am -exceptWednesdays. 10:15am 11:25am 12:35pm 2:20 pm 3:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 8:00 pm -exceptSaturdays 9:00 pm 10:00pm
BrittanyYu and her family aboard their boat named Kowloon last year (above). Camera footage captured the incident the morning of Sunday, Feb. 2 where the Queen of Capilano crashed into several boats at the Bowen Island Marina, including Brittany’s (right, above). The Kowloon sustained heavy damage to its cabin as a result, with full damages to the boat yet to be determined (right, below). / Submitted photos
NoticeofMinister’s intentiontodisposeof a vessel in 30 days under section 39 of the Wrecked, Abandoned or HazardousVesselsAct
“TalofaLee” 40’ ferro-cementSV in BowenIsland is considered abandoned. TC File -W2024-503422
Questions maybedirected to, Transport Canada at NPPPAC-PPNPAC@tc.gc.ca or 604-775-8867.
Thursday, February 13 to Monday, February 17
Valentine’s and Family Days at Bowen Cider House
Come to Bowen Cider House between Thursday and Saturday for Valentine’s Day cocktails and drink specials Sunday and Monday we celebrate Family Day with cocktails, drink specials, a campfire and s’mores for the kids!
Saturday, February 15
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 Runs 10:30 to 11:30 am bipl.ca/French
Saturday, February 15
Garden Club Speaker Series
Join hardy perennial enthusiast and artist Dana Cromie for his presentation on how he became enthralled with understanding and collecting plants. The Education Of A Plantaholic starts at 1 pm at Collins Hall, doors open at 12:30. Free for club members, or $5.
Monday, February 17
Family Day Beach Party with Bowen Rec
Spend the holiday enjoying a beach party at Tunstall Bay Beach! Fun includes beach campfire, Polar Bear Swim & BBQ! From 4 to 6 pm, everyone welcome
Tuesday, February 18
SKY Hangout
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
Wednesday, February 19
SKY Trek
SKY is going to the West Vancouver Seniors Centre. Meeting at ferry at 9:15 am Please make a reservation by writing to info@skyonbowenisland.ca
Friday, February 21
Songwriters Circle
Come share your original songs with other songwriters! This is a welcoming space for all ages and experiences of songwriters to share what you’ve been working on, and support other songwriters. Keyboard, mic, & acoustic guitar available to use, vocalists also welcome. At the Bowen Island Library Annex from 6 to 8 pm Register to attend by shooting us a quick email at songsnstuff444@gmail.com
Friday, February 21
The Tempest Opening Night
Bard on the Rock presents Shakespeare’s comedy the Tempest, directed by Graham Ritchie Shows are Feb. 21, 22, 28, & March 1, all 7:15 pm at Cates Hill Chapel. Tickets are $25 and available at Cates Pharmasave
Saturday, February 22
Author Talk at the Library
Join author and Bowen Island local Vince Beiser as he speaks on his 2024 book, Power Metal: The Race for the Resources that Will Shape the Future. Free event starting at 1 pm, drop in. Read more on Page 11. bipl.ca/author
Saturday, February 22
Dance Party at the Legion
DJs Big Rube and MAD Mike Matters spinning everything under the sun: Hip Hop, RnB, EDM, Funk, Reggae, Dancehall with plenty of 90s and 2000s throwbacks! Tickets $15 at the Legion with partial proceeds to support the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. 19+ event.
Sunday, February 23
Youth Baking Workshop
Join talented baker Lise Goumeniouk for a fun and interactive workshop where you’ll learn how to make delicious baked donuts from scratch! At the Bowen Island Community School kitchen from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Ages 12-17, $15.
Tuesday, February 25
Service Canada Presentation at the Library
Presentation overviewing what they can help you with, with a focus on the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, and also covering the new Canadian Dental Care Plan, Employment Insurance, and more. After the talk until 2 pm, get one-on-one drop-in help with the Service Canada agent, as well as a Canada Revenue agent. More at bipl.ca/get-help
MONDAYS
Meditation Mondays
Happy Mondays! Buddhist teachings and meditations to awaken the heart. Your journey to inner peace begins here! 7 to 8 pm at the Library Annex, side door direct from car park Runs through February 10. Payment by cash ($12 drop in) or online: meditateinvancouver.org/bowen-island
THURSDAYS
Babytime at the Library
A free, 30-minute 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 bipl.ca/babytime
Thursday Art Group
Join the Thursday Art Group (TAG) at Collins Hall to see what’s new. Meetings from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm For further information please contact shannonrondeau@shaw.ca
