HANKY PANKY Crews were busy at work on Wednesday repairing the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal, the team shuttling between Snug Cove Dock and the repair barge aboard the Hanky Panky 2. The terminal sustained a series of damages to its dock and ramp during an overnight storm early in the week. As a result sailings were cancelled all day from Tuesday to Thursday with a hope to restore normal ferry service on Friday. On Sunday the Queen of Capilano missed several sailings after colliding with boats at the Bowen Island Marina. You can find out more about this week’s ferry issues in the story to the right, and inside the paper on Page 3. / Alex Kurial photo
Queen of Capilano collides with moored boat at Bowen dock
DAMAGE TO DOCK & BOATS
ALEX KURIAL Editor
The Queen of Capilano was out of commission for much of Sunday, making it an eventful day for the ferry after it collided with a moored vessel in Snug Cove earlier that morning.
Videos show the 7:30 am sailing departing from Bowen Island collide with a moored boat at the Bowen Island Marina dock shortly after setting sail. The boat subsequently slammed into the dock, causing significant damage to the structure. The ferry was able to complete its run to West Vancouver, along with more morning runs.
But beginning with the cancellation of the 10:15 am sailing from Horseshoe Bay, the vessel wouldn’t disembark with passengers again until the 6:50 pm sailing. In total 14 sailings between Bowen and the mainland, spanning more than eight hours, were cancelled during the day.
Three days of ferry cancellations between Bowen and Horseshoe Bay
ALEX KURIAL Editor
All ferry sailings between Bowen Island and Horseshoe Bay were cancelled between Tuesday and Thursday this week.
A BC Ferries notice on Wednesday afternoon said that there would be no sailings on Thursday, February 6 as crews continued to work on fixing the dock and ramp at the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal. These missed sailings added to the already cancelled voyages during all of Tuesday and Wednesday after overnight storms the night of February 3 caused damage at the island terminal.
A Tuesday morning notice originally explained that due to a mechanical issue with the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal the earliest sailing of the day could be the 3:30
pm departure from Bowen. The notice was updated later in the morning to say all sailings on Tuesday, February 4 and Wednesday, February 5 would be cancelled.
A further notice from BC Ferries on Tuesday explained that “overnight weather caused the floating dock at Snug Cove to shift out of position, making the ramp unsafe to use.” A walkway at the terminal ramp on the island could be seen fallen into the water on Tuesday morning.
As of press time (Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 4 pm) the earliest BC Ferries expected sailings to resume was Friday, February 7. You can follow our online version of this story on our website for up to date information on when ferry service will resume
Water taxis are available for travel until repairs are done, following the regular schedule with more sailings during peak times
Investigation underway into Sunday’s ferry accident
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
In an email, BC Ferries said there were no injuries as a result of the incident, and that they’d be “working closely with the marina and vessel owners to assess any reported damage and determine next steps.”
“We are investigating whether this was due to wind conditions, a mechanical issue, or a combination of factors,” said senior communications advisor Shiryn Sayani regarding what caused the collision in the first place.
A BC Ferries notification posted during Sunday attributed the cancellations to “an ongoing mechanical difficulty with the propulsion system”. The Queen of Capilano conducted sea trials as required by Transport Canada prior to resuming sailings in the evening. Passenger-only water taxis made runs between Bowen and Horseshoe Bay while the ferry was out of service.
The Bowen Island Marina dock was damaged significantly as a result of the ferry collision. / Alex Kurial photo
A walkway fell into the water at the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal on Bowen Island, part of storm damages causing cancelled sailings. / Alex Kurial photo
VIEWPOINTS
EDITORIAL
Let’smake‘buy Canadian’ morethan aslogan
MATT BLAIR Publisher
Our federal and provincial governmentstalk a good game aboutbuyingCanadian,but following the addollars tells adifferent story
Idon’t write columns often.Infact, this mightbemyfirst attemptsince taking the helmatthe Bowen IslandUndercurrent. But with all the chatter about tariffs lately, it feels like agood time to weigh in. There’s something about this whole “buy Canadian”movement that seems worth a closer look.
These past few weeks, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has decidedit’s time to bring back the Committee on Internal Trade. It’s a body made up mostly of premiers and provincial ministers,and theidea is to come up with ways to “buy Canadian,” strengthening our economy as aresult. Trudeau says it’ll happen “as soon as possible.”Sounds fantastic, right?
Meanwhile, Premier David Eby is calling Trump’s tariffs exactly what they are –afight we didn’t start, but onewe’ll facehead-on. B.C.’s response? Anotherstrongcommitment to a“buy Canadian” strategy. It’s agood instinct.Itfeels like something weshould have been doing anyway.
But Ifind myself wondering: is allthis talk of“buyCanadian” really goingtoamount to more than just words? Ican only speak to my industry, but Ithink we’vebeen down this road before,and it’s worth asking –isitjust rhetoric, or will there be meaningful change?
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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VIEWPOINTS
Judi Gedye Open House - February
BUDGET TALK, ISLAND HOUSING & THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDNESS AND PATIENCE
JUDITH GEDYE
Bowen Island Municipality Councillor
Our small group met after a Caring For Nature (C4N) workshop. They were all smiling so undoubtedly it went well. Our treats this month were kumquats, chocolate coated oatmeal cookies and sandwiches left over from the C4N group (Thanks Bob).
We started with questions about a draft budget chart in the Undercurrent. It was too small and cryptic to remember details. The budget was discussed at a Committee of the Whole meeting on January 20, 2025 and tabled at our January 27 council meeting. Videos of those meetings will give you an idea of the wish lists from each department and questions asked by councillors.
There is a 76 page first draft - don’t be put off by the size - lots of photos! Thanks to Kristen Watson and her team for their efforts to describe both the content and the process. Please visit the Bowen Island Municipality (BIM) website to view the documents and to visit the discussion page. A public consultation process has started (Jan. 21 to March 7) with two public meetings scheduled (Feb 20 & 27).
It is important that council hear your ideas about additions, deletions, deferrals, priorities and any questions or comments. Council has been working on our strategic priorities and this budget has tried to fit those priorities, but recent and future financial prospects need all of us to look closely at our expenses.
We discussed rising costs of living. Housing is fundamental. Bowen, like all the islands in the Trust and the San Juan Islands, is feeling “gentrified” with bigger, more expensive single family dwellings, and difficulties finding housing that is affordable for many working people. There are at least three businesses which rent houses for workers.
The Official Community Plan Steering Committee (OCPSC) posed several questions on this topic earlier this week when they met with the consultants hired
to help them. Local governments have control over very little (zoning and infrastructure). The province has jurisdiction over building code, health regulations and their recent legislation to force a move away from single family houses.
The federal government has some financing for eligible non-profit organizations experienced in construction and management. Bowen Island Resilient Community Housing (BIRCH), a volunteer board, recently negotiated an agreement with BIM to combine BIM land, federal and provincial funding, and prefabricated materials for a three storey building near the Health Centre, hoping to keep costs down.
The OCPSC were working on “baseline” indicators (population projections, water and septic limitations, concepts of sustainability and resilience, how infrastructure should be expanded to include ferry, roads, schools, health services, firefighting, and space for wildlife. That’s a very interesting group discussion.
We also talked about federal changes to foreign worker regulations. Last year there were 8,000 visas and BC had asked for an increase to 11,000, but the programme is being drastically reduced and BC has been allocated only 4,000. Businesses on Bowen are being negatively affected No-one knew the reasoning behind the reduction.
One comment was that we need more diversity in our population and this reduction would not help. Our MP, Patrick Weiler, has been responsive and helpful in the past and should be able to help at least with understanding. I ranted a little about the destructiveness of racism, and how so much of entitlement felt racist.
The man next to me said “good luck!” , but it got us talking about the letter in the Undercurrent about anger at the Health Centre. While sad, no-one was surprised: anger is more common in ferry line-ups, drivers tailgating, comments on Bowen Island Everything Else, or bylaw officer turnover.
While it was understandable that someone at the front counter in pain or worried, wanting some help, might be frustrated when told that there was no-one avail-
able to help them, adults having tantrums is frightening and unacceptable.
One young doctor told his mom he would never work on Salt Spring Island again because of all the angry, demanding entitled people. We talked about how people don’t understand the facility’s limits. There’s space for LifeLabs, a gym and the Youth Centre, and we might grow into more services, but for now our expectations need to match the limitations.
Primarily, it is a doctor’s office, and each practitioner has a full roster of patients. While those patients no longer have to go off-island for appointments, this is not a hospital emergency department, not an urgent care centre, nor a walk-in clinic. With two practitioners on maternity leave and their patients covered by “locums”, extra time is rare, and all of us need to go off-island for any other medical needs, especially emergency care.
It’s important to have this conversation, and hiring and keeping sympathetic people on the front counter is a good thing, but for your own self-interest, think about the consequences if you don’t control your temper: banned from the facility, dropped off a patient list, or the police are called. Civility is a concern on many levels. Currently, the province is considering a mandatory Code of Conduct for local governments with off-site processes and sanctions.
These meetings, with the same and different people showing up to discuss issues with neighbours, reinforce my faith in community building. That wasn’t part of our conversation, but we did consider that when the big quake hits, there is hope that most of us will help each other.
Finally, there was a report that the cougar walked closely by someone with no interest or slowing and it is a magnificent cat. On that note, I mentioned that a Conservation Officer is planning to visit one of our council meetings in the not too distant future.
Next Open House will be Saturday, March 1 at 3 pm at Collins Hall. Everyone welcome.
Please email your listingto Alex by Tuesday 5p.m.for that week's edition.
editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com .
VIEWPOINTS
Exploring thepossibilities of buying Canadian
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
Take last year, for example.Premier Ebyslammed Meta for blocking Canadian news, but not long after, the NDP made adeal with Meta to ensure important information gets out to users during times of crisis, like wildfires. It’sthe kind of information we’ve been pushingtothe public for decades –inthe Bowen Island Undercurrent’s case, since 1975. The odd part? Our industry wasn’tconsulted onthe deal,eventhoughwe’ve been on the front lines of this work for years. Meanwhile, Ontario has guaranteed25per cent of their province’s advertising budget to local news outlets
And then there’s the federal government. Newsmedia Canada says Ottawa spent around11times more money with just three U.S. tech giants than it did supporting more than 900 local newspapers across Canada. That’s atough pill to swallow. Especially when you consider thatnewspapers,inwhatever form they take these days –digital, print, or otherwise –now reach more than 90 percent of the community. We’re more connected to our readers than ever before, and we have thestats to proveit.
But here’s theflip side: localmunicipal governments,and ourlocal MLAs andMPs, have been the ones leadingbyexample, prioritizing support for local newsrooms They understand theimportanceofkeeping small businesses running and of keeping vitalinformation within thecommunity. So, kudostoour localmayors, councils, MLAs and MPs for getting it right, for putting their money wheretheir mouthiswhenit matters most.
Which brings me backtothe bigger question: how many otheropportunities tobuy Canadian areslipping through the cracks? If our governmentsare serious about this, it’s time to go beyondthe rhetoric.It’s timetoput realeffort and resources into supporting Canadian businesses –small and large. We need them to set the tone, to lead by example, andto show that “buyCanadian” is more than just aslogan. It’s something that can actuallychangethe waywe do business –and the way we think aboutwhat itmeans to support our own.
Matt Blair is the publisher of the Bowen Island Undercurrent and president of the BC &Yukon Community Newsmedia Association.
Thoughts on GraftonLake
GREG POLLARD Letter Writer
Dear Editor, Mayor and Council,
When honestlydoes the madnessend?
After Idevoted ayear of research and phone conversations withthe “PowersThat-Be” regarding the insanity of putting aPark andTrail around ourCommunity Drinking Water (Grafton Lake) only to be subduedbycutelittlesigns witha frog and watertap posted in three locations to apparently inform youthis is our“Reservoir”.This plantoput in a parking lot makesnosense and adds to theinsanity.
No fencing,no‘Keep Out’and ‘No Swimming’ signageto be seen. Nothing like thewarnings at Capilano Lake or the Cleveland Dam.
No outhousestobeseen either,bythe way. Wheredoyou think thetoilet is?
For acommunity of well educated and affluent meansthere sure seems to be alot of people who have not woken up to the factthere will be 120 houses all on septic fieldsright across the road from our primary water source for the whole island. Who the heck is thinking forward ageneration or two with the climate change we are deep into.
This water source needs our protection, not exploitation!
As Iwrite thisletter,weinB.C. are at 20 percentofthe normal precipitation we normally get. Think about that.
Please, if youlive here and especially if youpay taxes, saysomethingtostopany developmentaround our drinkingwater.
Andpleasedon’t even trytojustify it by sayingwehave a‘WaterTreatment Plant’; it’s been broken since it was built in 2021!
Thank you!
-Greg Pollard
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 DEPARTHORSESHOE BAY 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
Acalmday at GraftonLake. /Bronwyn Beairsto photo
January’s Home Sales on Bowen
ALEX KURIAL Editor
Bowen saw a pair of housing sales in January, both concentrated in the northeast section of the island. A property with acreage also sold in the north of Gambier Island.
The top sale of the new year sits at 1591 Eagle Cliff Road, the four-bed, two-bath home selling for $1.87 million. The 54-year old home measuring 1,475 square feet is located on a unique plot of land which spans across Old Eagle Cliff Road. Together the two pieces combine for 2 14 acres.
The eastern section of the property sits on the waterfront and includes a boathouse. There’s an area for a dock however a new one will need to be built after a storm destroyed the last one. The two storey cottage-style home has a wooden-walled interior, slanted roofs, and several skylights, along with a large outdoor deck.
A short trip south finds the island’s other sale of the month at 1293 Oceanview Road. The three-bed, four-bath home made up of two storeys and a basement measures 2,410 square feet and sits on a quarter-acre of land. It closed for $1.299 million.
The property offers view of the sea and mainland looking east through the neighbouring forest. It is also steps away from the trail down to Scarborough Beach. The main level includes a fireplace and kitchen island, along with a pair of decks. The basement has the potential to be its own one-bedroom suite and also includes an outdoor patio.
On Gambier a buyer was enticed by the offer of a 3.4 acre lot, scooping up the property in the Douglas Bay area of the island for $379,000. The land at 2552 Channel View Road is mostly flat and allows for construction of two structures. There’s a 325 square foot boathouse already on the property which can be used for accommodation in the meantime.
The property at 1591 Eagle Cliff Road (above) was Bowen’s top home sale of January at $1.87 million, followed by the house at 1293 Oceanview Road (below) for $1.299 million. / Zealty.ca photos
NOTICEOFNOMINATIONPERIOD
2025
By-Election:The CorporationOf TheDistrict Of West Vancouver &School District 45 (WestVancouverSchools).
PublicNoticeisgiven to theelectorsofWestVancouver Schools thata by-electionwill be held on Saturday,April 5, 2025. Nominationsfor theofficeof:
School Trustee(one to be elected)
fora term ending October, 2026 will be received by the chiefelection officerordeputychief electionofficerasfollows:
WHEN: 9a.m., February18, 2025 to 4p.m., February 28,2025 (excludingstatutory holidaysand weekends)
WHERE: LegislativeServices,Municipal Hall 75017th Street, West VancouverBCV7V 3T3
HOW: Nomination documents maybedelivered by hand, by mail or by other delivery service, or by faxoremail,with originals to follow. Thedeadlinefor receiving originalsofnomination documents is 4:30 p.m.,March 7, 2025
Nomination documents areavailable in LegislativeServices, Municipal Hall, 75017thStreet, West Vancouver BC V7V3T3 during regular office hours(8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,MondaytoFriday, excludingstatutory holidays and weekends) throughout the nominationperiod(9a.m., February 18, 2025 to 4p.m.February 28,2025) and arealso posted on westvancouver.ca/election
QUALIFICATIONS FOROFFICE:
Aperson is qualifiedtobenominated, elected, andtoholdoffice as a member of local governmentiftheymeet the following criteria:
• CanadianCitizen;
• 18 yearsofage or older on general voting dayApril 5, 2025;
• ResidentofBritishColumbiafor at least sixmonthsimmediately beforethe daynominationpapersare filed;
• not disqualifiedunder the LocalGovernmentAct or anyother enactment from being nominatedfor,being elected to or holding office,orbeotherwisedisqualified by law.
CAMPAIGNEXPENSE ANDTHIRD PARTYADVERTISING LIMITS
The expense limit forcandidates established by Elections BC for the 2025 school trustee by-electionis$19,070.70.The third party advertising limitis$953.54.
FURTHERINFORMATION:
Visit westvancouver.ca/election or contactthe chief election officer or deputychief election officer at 604-925-7004.
2025 By-Election: TheCorporation of the District of West Vancouver (The District) & School District 45 (WestVancouver Schools).
LISTOFREGISTERED ELECTORS
West VancouverSchools uses the ProvinceofBritishColumbiaVoters
List as the List of RegisteredElectors.Ifyour nameisnot on the current list, andyou areaneligible elector, youmay register at one of the advance voting opportunitiesor on generalvoting dayApril 5, 2025 by completing an “Applicationfor Registration” form andproviding twopiecesof appropriateidentification.Registrationinadvanceofthe by-election is not required.
Beginning February18, 2025untilthe close of general voting forthe by-election on April 5, 2025, a copyofthe list of registered electors will be availablefor publicinspection at theWestVancouver Legislative Services Department duringregular office hours(8:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., MondaytoFriday, excluding statutoryholidays). Before inspecting the list, aperson mustsignastatement that they will not inspect the list oruse the informationincluded in thelist except forelection purposes (LocalGovernment Act,Part3–Electorsand Elections).
REQUESTTOOMIT PERSONAL INFORMATION
An electormay request that their addressorotherinformation about them be omitted from,orobscured on, thelist of registeredelectors inorder to protecttheirprivacy or security. Writtenrequests must be receivedby4:30 p.m. February11, 2025 by the chief election officer at the DistrictofWestVancouver,750 17th Street,WestVancouver BCV7V 3T3.
OBJECTION TO REGISTRATION OF AN ELECTOR
Anobjectiontothe registrationofa person whose nameappearson the list of registered electorsmaybemade in accordance with the Local GovernmentAct until 4p.m.onFebruary 28, 2025. An objection must bemadeinwriting andmay only be made by aperson entitled to be registeredasanelector of School District45and can only be made on the basis that aperson whosenameappearsonthe list of electors has diedorthata personwhosenameappearsonthe list ofelectors is not qualifiedtoberegisteredasanelector of School District 45
ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
Resident Electors:
• 18 yearsof ageorolderongeneralvoting dayfor the election; and
• aCanadian citizen; and
• aresident of British Columbia foratleast six months immediately beforethe dayofregistration;
• aresident of School District 45; and
• not disqualified under the LocalGovernment Act or anyother enactment from votinginanelection and not otherwise disqualified by law.
Non-Resident Property Electors:
• 18 yearsof ageorolderongeneral voting dayfor the election; and
• aCanadian citizen; and
• aresident of British Columbia foratleast six months immediately beforethe dayofregistration; and
• aregistered owner of real property in School District 45 foratleast 30 days immediatelybeforethe dayofregistration; and
• theonlypersons who areregistered ownersofthe property,either as joint tenantsortenants in common, areindividuals who arenot holding the property in trustfor acorporation or another trust; and
• not entitledtoregister as aresident elector; and
• not disqualified under the LocalGovernment Act or anyother enactment from voting in an election and nototherwise disqualified bylaw;and
• not registered as anon-resident property elector in relation to any other parcelofreal property in School District 45; and
• if thereismorethan one registeredownerofthe property, onlyone of those individualsmay,with the written consent of the majorityof theowners, register as anon-resident property elector
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Visit westvancouver.ca/election or contact the chief election officer or deputychief electionofficerat604-925-7004.
If you’ve ever wandered through the damp, mossy forests of Bowen Island, you might have crossed paths with a Pacific sideband snail (Monadenia fidelis). These striking, slow-moving creatures are the largest native land snails in British Columbia, yet despite their size, they often go unnoticed beneath the leaf litter. But don’t let their quiet presence fool you these snails play a fascinating and vital role in our forest ecosystems.
Pacific sidebands boast beautifully banded shells, ranging from chestnut to deep rose, with a signature thin black stripe spiraling along the edge of each whorl. At full size, their shell can reach 31-38 mm in diameter about as long as the first joint of an adult’s thumb. Unlike their marine relatives, they don’t rely on gills; instead, they’ve evolved a lung to breathe. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, look closely on the right side of its body you’ll see a tiny breathing hole that opens and closes as the snail takes in air.
These snails are true forest dwellers, preferring undisturbed woodlands filled with red alder, big-leaf maple, western red cedar, and a lush understory of salmonberry, thimbleberry, beaked hazelnut, and sword fern. While they typically roam the forest floor, don’t be surprised if you find one clinging to a tree trunk they are expert climbers and have been spotted as high as seven meters up in
the canopy.
Unlike the garden snails that munch on your lettuce, Pacific sidebands are far more refined eaters. They feast on fungi, lichens, and sword ferns, using a specialized, tooth-covered tongue called a radula to scrape and shred their food. Their preference for fungi isn’t just a personal taste it actually helps disperse fungal spores, supporting the crucial mycorrhizal networks that allow trees to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. In short, these snails help keep our forests healthy.
Life isn’t easy for a slow-moving creature in a forest full of hungry predators. On Bowen Island, Pacific sidebands must watch out for ground beetles, garter snakes, raccoons, shrews, and mice. But their most fearsome predator is another snail the robust lancetooth snail. Unlike its plant-eating cousin, the lancetooth is a stealthy hunter, preying on slugs, insect larvae, worms, and yes, even other snails.
When it comes to romance, Pacific sidebands take their time. These snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. By age two,
they are ready to mate, and their courtship is nothing short of extraordinary.
When two receptive snails meet, they begin a slow-motion dance that can last for hours, circling and sizing each other up. Then comes the grand finale a dramatic exchange of love darts. Each snail stabs the other with a tiny, calcium-rich spear, a ritual believed to enhance the success of sperm transfer. After this somewhat aggressive display of affection, both snails separate, each carrying fertilized eggs. Days later, they bury their eggs in the leaf litter, leaving the next generation to hatch and fend for themselves.
So next time you spot a Pacific sideband on Bowen Island, take a moment to appreciate this small but mighty forest dweller. They might be slow, but they’re an essential part of our ecosystem one careful slide at a time.
This is a monthly series of photographs submitted for the Bowen Island Conservancy’s 2024 Bowen Biodiversity Photo Contest. The Bowen Island Conservancy is a land trust and registered charity, that works to protect and preserve the natural environment of the island from endangered coastal bluffs, to inland lakes, to wetlands and fens.
Here’swhatSea to Sky’s candidatesspentin their campaign bids
JEREMY VALERIOTE TOPPED THE LIST, SPENDING NEARLY$210K IN HISSUCCESSFULBID FOR MLA
BRANDON BARRETT
Pique Newsmagazine
Elections BC released financingreports forthe 2024 B.C. election on Jan.28, offering awindow into Sea to Sky candidates’ expenditures on the campaigntrail.
Toppingthe list amongst West Vancouver-Sea to Sky candidates was Jeremy Valeriote, who spent $209,825.07 in his successful bid to become the Greens’ first MLA on the B.C. mainland. Asignificant chunk of Valeriote’s expenditures —$128,964.48 —came outside of the official, threeweek campaign period leading up to electionday.
After losingthe 2020 electiontoLiberal incumbent Jordan Sturdy by amere 60 votes, Valeriote began his second bid for office early, roughly 18 months before British Columbia went to the polls in October. Only aportion of Valeriote’s total spend —$65,275.93—was subjecttoElections BC’s expense limit of $71,700.08. The Green MLA also reported $15,584.66 in spending notsubjecttothe
expenselimit.
Conservative candidate and politicalnewcomer YuriFulmer, who lost to Valeriote by less than threepercentage pointsand was viewed asa fast-rising figure within the party, spent $86,706.04 on his campaign. The bulk of that—$53,194.30 —countedtowards his expense limit. TheWest Vancouver entrepreneur spent $1,482.88 outsideof the campaign period.
NDP candidate and Whistler Councillor JenFord,who came third on electionday with26per cent of the vote,claimed $31,452.24intotal expenditures. The majority of that amount $25,779.12 —went towards her expense limit. Fordspent$3,323.12 outside of the campaignperiod.
The finance reports were released thesameday Valeriote wasnamed the interimleaderofthe BC Greens, afterSoniaFurstenau announced her resignation. Theparty is planning a leadership race for September. Both Valeriote and hisfellow Green MLA, Rob Botterell, toldmedia they will not seek the leadership
last fall’sprovincial election were
TheSea to Skycandidatescontesting
B.C. Greens’JeremyValeriote, theB.C. NDP’sJen Ford, and the B.C. Conservatives’Yuri Fulmer./Jon Parris image
January RCMP stats on Bowen
BOWEN ISLAND RCMP
There were 53 files in January:
• 2 Assault files – Parties known to each other.
• 2 Property Offences – Theft of liquor from inside office, damage to truck No suspects.
• 1 Immediate Roadside Prohibition issued to driver travelling through a police sobriety roadblock.
• 3 Parking violations that involved abandoned vehicles.
• 2 Landlord/tenant disputes.
• 9 Check Wellbeing files – Requested by partner agencies on Bowen residents.
• 1 Mental Health warrant – Involved a mental health warrant issued with the subject transported to Lions Gate Hospital.
• 2 Lost Hiker files – Both incidents involved parties that were unfamiliar with the area and lost on Mt. Gardner. Parties located unharmed with the assistance of Bowen Island Fire Department volunteers.
• 8 Traffic complaints. Reports of vehicles speeding or driving possibly impaired throughout the community. Registered owners of vehicles contacted.
• 2 sets of fingerprints provided for Criminal Record checks.
• 2 Subpoena services.
• 12 Assist Public calls. Thefts, with items found to be misplaced. Abandoned 911’s. Entry into residence after person could not get up after a fall. Lost keys.
• 4 Special Events – 3 day Bowen Island Community School playground zone traffic blitz, Impaired Driving checkstop.
Files of the Month:
Bowen Island RCMP are reminding drivers that U-turns to enter the ferry lineup in the area of the upper Bowen Island Trunk Road hill are illegal and dangerous. The municipality has put in clearly marked signage with new double-lines on the road. The RCMP will be focusing on enforcement in this area over the next month.
• 3 Assist other Agencies files - Assisted BIFD with traffic control. Assisted Ministry of Children and Family Development with residence check Assisted Emergency Health Services.
Posted signage shows it’s against the law to make a U-turn into the ferry lineup on Bowen Island Trunk Road / Alex Kurial photo
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Saturday, February 8
Artist Reception at Catching Stars Gallery
Feature Artist Reception for Michael Epp and Chelsea Mainwaring from 3 to 5 pm Light Refreshments and Visionary Paintings and Jewellery!
Sunday, February 9
Flag Football Game with Bowen Rec
Kick off your Super Bowl Sunday by hitting the field for some gridiron action. Bowen Flag Football kicks off under the lights of the Bowen Island Community School gym at 11:30 am. Ages 15+, $5 to play.
Sunday, February 9
Food Matters Talk at the Library
Dr Hyunjoo Lee speaks about Your Everyday Meal: A Recipe for Health and the Environment. Starts 1:30 pm, Library event in partnership with BI Food Resilience Society.
Sunday, February 9
Super Bowl Party at the Legion
Come watch the big game on multiple screens starting at 3 pm Enjoy regional dishes from the two sides - Sticky Ribs & Fries or Philly Cheesesteaks - and watch the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles battle it out for football supremacy. 19+ event, open till late
Tuesday, February 11 & Wednesday, February 12
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 Both from 1 to 3 pm
Thursday, February 13
Valentine’s Art with TAG
Join the Thursday Art Group and discover the fun of col-
lage Must register. Free for regular paid members $15 for all others. RSVP to marie@marieneys.com, limit of 10 participants. Runs 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
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
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.
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
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. 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, members and guests are welcome!
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
Starting Feburary 6. 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
FRIDAYS
Dinners at the Legion
A new dinner each week. Members can purchase dinners starting 5 pm Thursday nights Any remaining dinners will be sold at the door on Friday at 5:30 pm to both members and non-members. The next dinner will be prepared by Erik Miller of Miller’s Meatcraft
Join us in celebrating local filmmakers as they showcase their work to hometown audiences
The secondannualCoast MountainFilm Festival willplay host to more than 20 films, many of whichhaveaNorthShoreconnection.
While many of these films have been screened at prestigious festivalsaround theworld, this event offers our filmmakers achancetocelebrate their work with thecommunity in which it was made. Reserve your tickets beforethey’regone.
BIG MOUNTAIN NIGHT
FRIDAY, FEB 7•7:30PM
British Pacific Properties presents our firstever Big Mountain night!Inaddition to showing, THE HARVEST,alocal ski film shot largley in Whistler’sbackcountry,your evening willinclude a screening of theski film of theyear; CALM BENEATH CASTLES.
• Calm Beneath Castles
•The Harvest
•Prize Giveaways from North ShoreSki and Boardand Vancouver Island Brewing
LOCAL FILM CELEBRATION MATINEE
SATURDAY,FEB 8•4:00PM
An intimateopportunitytomeet filmmakers who callthe NorthShore home and celebrate their workalongside their castand crews.
• The ThirdPerson (Comedy)
•Chat4U(Comedy)
•Dear May(Dramaw/Animation)
•Jackie’sHaven (Drama w/Animation)
•Milk Loser (Comedy)
•Tumbleweed (Comedy)
•Gaby(Documentary)
ADVENTURE NIGHT
SATURDAY, FEB 8•7:30PM
In addition to ashort film showcasing athletes exploringthe SeatoSky region’soutdoors, our featurefilm, CIRCLE OF MADNESS,features starathletesMarkusEder (ski) &Victor de Le Rue (snowboard) returningone moretimetothe legendary spine walls of Haines, Alaska.
•Circle of Madness
•Skookumchuck Narrows: Surf& Kayak the Tidal Rapids with Dylan Graves
ENVIROMATINEE
SUNDAY, FEB 9•4:00PM
Pacific Salmon Foundation presents several short films, shot locally,that encourage us to think moredeeplyabout what we can do atthe individual level to protectour forests, createawareness about waste and think more critically about our dailychoices. Follow surfers, mountainbikers and fisherman as they share theirpersonaljourneys for agreener world..
• The Squamish Poacher
•Emerald Edge
•Revolutions: AFilm on Bike Waste
•Beyond the Green Veil
ENDURANCE NIGHT
SUNDAY, FEB 9•7:30PM
EnduranceNight delves into feats of absolute courage, testing thelimits or what our bodies and minds can achieve. Whether it is pushing tocomplete 15 Grouse Grinds in one day, or grappling with blindness while backcountry skiing, this evening will provide insight into how we overcome thechallenges we set for ourselves.
