The Local Weekly February 25, 2021

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Volume 19, Issue 08

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia • www.thelocalweekly.ca • Thursday, February 25, 2021 Women In Focus Pages 8 & 9

Airport Costs Page 3

Gibsons Spending

Cody’s Cause

Page 5

Sechelt AAP Page 5

Coopers Green Hall Page 7

Homeless Count Page 12

Heritage Funding Page 12

Free Tax Prep Page 12

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Costs increasing for airport project Lighting improvements, COVID-19 protocols and inflation mean that Sechelt will be using more of the $3.18 million it has available for pavement repairs and a 214-meter airport runway extension.

Council approved funding sources for the project at its Feb. 17 meeting. In addition to BC Air Access grants to-

talling $2.35 million, Sechelt will allocate up to $796,000 from its gas tax funds to pay for the project. Director of Finance David Douglas commented that some of the municipality’s COVID-19 Re-start funding could be used to offset the $64,000 in pandemic protocol-related charges that project contractor Jakes Construction has

The Sunshine Coast Drag Racing Association (SCDRA) has been waiting since October 2020 for a response from Sechelt about its request for 2021 race dates at the airport. Following a second deferral of the matter at the Feb. 17 council meeting, any decision has been put off until March 3 at the earliest.

The most recent council meeting saw the award of one of the contracts, what could be an over $3 million enhancement job at the airport, endorsed. With that decision finalized, staff will be meeting with representatives of successful contractor Jakes Construction to draft a preliminary schedule for the work. Once details on project timing are determined, Kirn Dhillon, Sechelt’s director of engineering, said these would be provided to council.

The SCDRA has requested five 2021 event dates, between May 29 and Aug. 8. While disappointed that potential dates for the organization to plan toward have not been approved, SCDRA spokesperson Richard Austin said the group could organize racing events with as little as a “week or two of notice.” Austin said that they are currently working with Vancouver Coastal Health on COVID-19 protocols that must be in place before any events can be planned. In 2020, the SCDRA was able to host four limited entry events that followed COVID-19 protocols.

Based on information currently available, the earliest requested date could be in advance of work starting at the airport. At the council meeting, Councillor Eric Scott floated the idea of providing the SCDRA with “one last run on May 29.”

Councillor Matt McLean proposed a different approach. He suggested that

staff work with the contractor and the association to find four dates that would work for both the construction project and racing. Dhillon advised council that he did not recommend that approach, explaining that once a contractor is on-site, it has responsibility for safety measures on the location. Dhillon said allowing the use of a construction site for an alternate and “risky” activity, such as drag racing, would likely pose an unacceptable liability issue for the contractor.

Council voted to defer any decision on 2021 drag racing events until after the pre-construction meeting with the contractor has been held. It also asked its Airport Development Select Committee to liaise with the SCDRA regarding the identification of event dates.

The airport runway is the only Coast location where drag racing can be safely held. Sechelt requires that the association apply annually for its race dates as these require a temporary suspension of some airport operations. As the approvals are processed year by year, there is no guarantee that the SCDRAs requests for airport use will be approved after the upcoming investment in runway improvements is completed.

Racing has been permitted every year since 1999. Austin is hopeful that the SCDRAs occasional use of the runway can continue. He says that the activities held in the past have been community-building events with up to 1,000 attending. In his view, they are an opportunity for local motorsport enthusiasts and those with a more general interest in drag racing to experience the sport without travelling off-Coast.

Connie Jordison

Decisions on drag racing deferred

The BC Centre for Disease Control local COVID-19 numbers for Feb. 7 to 13 show two reported cases on the Lower Sunshine Coast. BC CDC MAP

added to its pricing.

Jakes increased its pricing for the contract by about $93,000 over its original bid on the work. In addition to the COVID-19 related costs, it noted that wage, equipment, and material prices had gone up in the time between the bid submission and the contract award.

The work is slated to be-

gin this spring and to be complete by December. Exact costs for the project are difficult to forecast due to the “earthworks” involved.

Projects involving land alterations can be complicated by things like soil types and subsurface conditions. Sechelt’s Manager of Construction and Infrastructure Renewal Sanath Bandara advised council that approximately 3,000 truckloads of earth “materi-

Drag racing at Sechelt Airport in August 2020.

SUNSHINE COAST PHOTOGRAPHY

DOUG TEMLETT –

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021 3

al” will have to be relocated on the site. Bandara stated that the plan is to reuse excavated material on-site rather than trucking materials in or out.

Lighting upgrades are another factor in the project’s cost change. Improving the lighting so that the airport is rated for Instrument or Visual Flight Rules is being considered. The site currently does not have either rating.

Without this capacity, aircraft can only use the runway when visibility allows them to do so safely.

Improvements to the lighting were not included in the contract with Jakes. Staff have estimated that acquisition and installation of 35 to 40 upgraded lights could cost $600,000. They also noted that a grant in the range of $30,000 may be available to assist with this work.

Councillor Eric Scott, who chairs Sechelt’s Airport Development Select Committee

and is a commercial aircraft pilot, said he thought that estimate “seems way out of whack.” Scott said that in recent discussions, the committee believed the costs would be in the $160,000 range.

Staff agreed to report back to council after doing further research on lighting options and the availability of grant funding.

While councillors Alton Toth and Matt McLean voted in favour of the spending plan, each indicated that they had reservations about using gas tax funds for the project.

Toth said he was “terrified” of the potential for cost overruns on this work. He also said that he reviewed the BC Air Access grant program criteria. Toth stated he believed Sechelt would not have been successful in receiving funding had it not applied to both expand the runway and improve the existing infrastructure. Connie Jordison

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The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021

Letters to the Editor – Opinions Inhumane rebuttal (Re: “Inhumane,” letters, the Local, Feb. 18) I have just moved to Sechelt, and enjoy my new environment very much, as well as reading the Local. I am irritated with Carole James’ comments calling Sechelt Hospital’s COVID-19 visitor restrictions “inhumane.”

She even went as far as comparing the safety precautions of the hospital a “somewhat analogous to the treatment of Nazi prisoners.” It is very obvious that Ms. James has never been to Auschwitz, Dachau, etc., nor could she have read about the Holocaust or seen any films about this very sad event in history. If she would do so, it might prevent her from making such foolish and ignorant remarks in the future.

My own aunt died from COVID-19 in an Abbotsford senior home this last year, and as devastating as her death was to me, I would gladly have followed any safety requirement that I was asked to perform in order to keep her and others safe.

I suggest that Ms. James familiarize herself with the ordeals Nazi prisoners went through. Having been brought up in the former East Germany, I marvel at Ms. James’ understanding of “democratic rights and freedom.” I am thankful that I live in a country where I can enjoy freedom and democratic rights but also can benefit from an excellent

health care system.

Monika Hackel, Sechelt

User fees The taxes on my little household in West Sechelt are almost double what they would be in a similar house in similar circumstances in North Saanich. Our ferries are packed with weekenders and vacationers who come up here for holidays and outdoor experiences, complete with a trunk load of Costco supplies. These visitors are an untapped revenue source.

My suggestion would be a Sunshine Coast user’s fee that is attached to the ferry fare of anyone without an address here. The money would go into an infrastructure/heritage fund that could be used to pay for parks and trail maintenance, cleanup, bicycle paths and anything else that is suffering here from too many people and not enough money. Perhaps the collected money might actually be used to help fund the digging of a deeper hole to keep the water in and provide some relief for water taxes?

Some sort of user’s permit like a US Customs boat tag or a park’s user fee would go a long way to lessening the burden on resident taxpayers. Or we could install turnstiles like many European tourist destinations have done to collect infrastructure fees and control access, with fees

for photographs. Workers and businesses would be exempt, and the fee would target visitors only.

Economists would use the expression “The tragedy of the commons” to explain why people who come here for recreation rarely contribute to help with maintenance.

I think it’s time to ask all visitors to contribute.

Ken Dibnah, West Sechelt

IWD 2021 Spring is just around the corner, which means International Women’s Day is on its way on March 8.

This year would have been the Sunshine Coast Labour Council’s 17th annual IWD

celebration at the Roberts Creek Hall, with potluck and entertainment by local talents and inspirational speakers. Instead, we will be focusing our campaign on different platforms this year.

• Publicity on showcasing “unsung frontline heroine workers” on the Coast • 13 rose bouquets and thank you cards to healthcare workers sites • IWD book selections and educational articles displayed at the public libraries • CUPE 801 initiative – donation to Yew Transition House • Sharing nationwide online IWD celebration events on social media We would be grateful if

you could join us by shining a spotlight on amazing female workers and mentors at your work site. Please use the hashtag #IWD 2021, #ChooseToChallenge and visit the Sunshine Coast Labour Council Facebook page to find more information about the IWD campaign.

We hope to celebrate IWD 2022 with you in person.

Thank you very much for your ongoing support.

In solidarity, Miyuki Shinkai, President, Sunshine Coast Labour Council

Thanks With Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 2021 at an end, the Alzheimer Society of BC would like to thank the peo-

ple of Sechelt and the rest of the Sunshine Coast for the role they play in helping to change the future for people living with dementia and their families across BC. While the Alzheimer Society of BC’s vision is for a province where families on the dementia journey are welcomed, acknowledged and included – a truly dementia-friendly BC – the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on some of the issues facing families on the dementia journey, including social implications and the many challenges being experienced in long-term care.

Never has it been more important to not simply

...continued page 5

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Access to high-speed internet has become an essential part of modern-day life.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this reality, as for so many, it has transformed the way we must communicate for work, in education, and with our loved ones. While the Sunshine Coast is fortunate to have a high degree of highspeed broadband connectivity overall, residents, including from the Egmont Community Club, have been letting me know since before I was elected that persistent connectivity gaps remain.

Connectivity is an issue in rural areas throughout the second largest country in the world, where the

low density of households limits the business case for the private sector to invest in building out broadband infrastructure. I meet every week with fellow Liberal Members of Parliament that comprise the Rural Caucus to diagnose this and other problems facing rural communities so that we can propose solutions. Maryam Monsef, the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, is there every step of the way to advocate at the cabinet table to deliver solutions.

These efforts bore fruit with the announcement of the $1.7 billion Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) on Nov. 8, 2020, which built upon significant investments over the last five years. The UBF will ensure 98 percent of Canadian households are connected by 2026, and every Canadi-

an household is connected by 2030. Among others, it includes $600 million for Low Earth Orbit Satellites for extremely remote areas and the Rapid Response Stream (RRS) to build shovel-ready projects.

After many discussions with SCRD Area Director A Leonard Lee and different telecommunications providers, we determined where new fibre optic cable needed to be installed and where last mile connectivity was a problem on the Sunshine Coast. This led to an RRS application by Telus Communications to address it.

On Feb. 18, 2020, alongside Minister Monsef and Telus, I was very pleased to announce nearly $1 million in federal funding from the RRS for the “North Sunshine Coast Project,” which will deliver broadband connectivity to 413 households through 51 km of fibre ca-

ble in Egmont, Earls Cove, Ruby Lake and Kleindale. A second project in the riding will connect a further 300 households from Mount Currie to Devine in the Squamish Lil’wat Regional District through a federal investment of over $2 million.

Investments like these will ensure rural areas lead our robust and resilient recovery from COVID-19.

Importantly, these two projects will be built by Nov. 15, 2021, allowing residents to work from home, access virtual health care, learn virtually, and meet other challenges necessitated by the pandemic to keep our communities safe.

Your comments and feedback are welcome: 6367 Bruce Street, West Vancouver, V7W 2T5, 604-913-2660, Patrick.Weiler@parl.gc.ca

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021 5

Letters to the Editor – Opinions ...letters continued raise awareness of the disease but to talk about what we want the future to look like for people living with the disease and how we’re going to get there.

Even under normal circumstances, the dementia journey can be incredibly isolating. This remains a difficult time for caregivers of people living with dementia, including many who are supporting people living in long-term care and are unable to stay connected as they have in the past. Making a commitment to find-

ing ways to engage with the people in your life who are living with the disease is an important part of a dementia-friendly future, but so is raising your voice and becoming an advocate for policies that reflect their needs.

Though Alzheimer’s Awareness Month ended with January, the work isn’t finished. We hope Sunshine Coast residents will remain committed to changing the future. One way we invite you to do this is by registering and fundraising for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.

Participants can raise funds to support Alzheimer Society of BC programs and services and walk their own way all throughout May to honour people in their lives who have been affected by dementia. Then we will join together virtually on Sunday, May 30, to celebrate the difference we have made. To learn more, visit walkforalzheimers.ca.

It’s going to take a movement of people committed to making life better for Canadians affected by dementia. Local volunteers play an invaluable role. By sharing

Municipal spending up in Gibsons Gibsons’ staff are forecasting a just under one (0.8) percent increase in operating expenses in 2021 over the previous year’s spending levels. At a committee meeting on Feb. 23, a staff proposal for a two percent bump in 2021 property taxes to cover annual contract and inflation cost increases is to be discussed. That proposed tax adjustment would also create a $152,000 surplus. In

her report to the committee, Director of Finance Lorraine Coughlin noted that surplus would be available for additional projects, for reserves, or to fund requests from external organizations at the will of council.

Staff have also proposed an increase of just under four percent to garbage/organics user fees in 2021. A staff proposed $8 increase would see the annual fee for that service

go to $213 this year.

The garbage/organics user fee covers the costs of bi-weekly garbage and weekly organics collection. The Town is entering its third year with an organics collection program. Between 2019 and 2020, organics collection in Gibsons diverted 685 tonnes of organic matter.

That reduced the weight volume of garbage sent by the Town to the Sechelt landfill

Sechelt ops centre AAP closes Feb. 26 Eligible residents of the District of Sechelt have until 4pm on Friday, Feb. 26, to file documents if they want to oppose municipal borrowing of up to $2.77 million. Sechelt wants the loan to help build an operations centre to replace temporary facilities used to support its parks and public works functions. It is seeking elector approval to take the loan through an Alternative Approval Process (AAP). This requires those opposed to committing to the loan, which is to be repaid over 20 years, to take action.

To be eligible to participate in this AAP, individuals must be 18 years of age or older and have lived in the District of Sechelt for at least 30 days.

In addition, residents need to have lived in BC for at least six months and not be barred from voting under the Local Government Act. Individuals do not need to be property owners to be eligible to file an AAP response.

People who own property in the District of Sechelt but reside elsewhere may file a response but require the consent of the majority of the owners of that property. In the case of property owned by non-residents, only one AAP response is permitted per property. Non-resident owners of multiple District properties can only file one AAP form.

The AAP response form is available on Sechelt.ca and at the District Office at 5797 Cowrie Street.

Completed forms must be received at the District of-

fice by 4pm on Feb. 26 to be considered. They can be delivered by email, fax, Canada Post or other delivery service or dropped off by hand.

Individuals with questions about their eligibility, the submission process, or the project that the loan is being considered for should review the details available on the District website or contact its staff.

The process is considered approved by voters if less than 860 eligible electors file forms in opposition. That number represents 10 percent of the estimated number of eligible electors in the District at the time that conducting the AAP was authorized by the Province.

Sechelt’s Communications Manager Julie Rogers stated that staff plan to have a report on the response to the AAP to council at its March 17 meeting. The report may be made public on March 12, as council meeting agendas are posted on Sechelt.ca on the Friday before the meeting. The District has the option of amending the agenda between the date of publication and the meeting to add or remove agenda items or supporting documents.

If fewer than 860 forms are received, council can authorize taking the loan. If more than 860 verified submissions are received, the AAP fails. In that case, the loan cannot be taken unless council is able to attain elector approval through another means, such as a referendum.

Sechelt did not respond to questions from the Local

about the AAP submission counting and verification process by press time.

This AAP has come under criticism, with some community residents questioning whether the District has followed the proper process.

Procedural anomalies being pointed to relate to the reduced opportunities for electors to get information and to access and return forms in person. The District’s Cowrie Street office is open to the public during reduced hours due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Sechelt has estimated that if the loan is taken, it will cost the owner of an “average” Sechelt residential property about $31 more in annual property taxes for the 20-year repayment term.

That estimate is based on a residential property with a current assessed value of about $638,000. Any taxation change related to this AAP would not impact 2021 property taxes but could begin as early as 2022.

There may be an additional AAP process for Sechelt electors during 2021. The SCRD, which has jurisdiction over local government water supply, has indicated an interest in taking a loan to fund the installation of water meters in the municipality. That borrowing would also require elector approval. A 2018 AAP to borrow money for that purpose failed. Decisions on a potential second AAP on that issue are anticipated to be made by the SCRD board later this year.

Connie Jordison

our stories and publishing our letters, local media helps foster a better understanding of dementia’s impact on local families. Together, we are working towards our goal of a dementia-friendly province.

If your family is affected

by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, please call the First Link® Dementia Helpline (1-800936-6033) to learn about the disease or find out about support groups and other services available on the Sunshine Coast.

Support is also available

in Mandarin or Cantonese at 1-833-674-5007 and in Punjabi at 1-833-674-5003.

Learn more about us at alzheimerbc.org.

by 43 percent.

The Town allows residents to opt-out of its organics waste collection service. Only three percent of the 2,300 eligible users in the service area have done so.

Residents cannot opt-out of garbage collection. Those who have chosen to receive only the garbage service will see their curbside collection fees go down in 2021. Staff are proposing a garbage-only collection service fee of $91 compared to the $135 charged in 2020. The lower fees are a result of garbage collection occurring every other week rather than weekly.

The “Gibsons Waste” app is available to the public and includes information on collec-

tion days, waste sorting, and how to report problems, such as a missed collection. Over one thousand households have used the app to sign up to have weekly collection day reminders sent to them.

That proposal on solid waste fees and a previously considered five percent increase in 2021 to both water and sewer fees for Town properties receiving those services are scheduled to be discussed at the committee meeting. If approved, the water fee increase will cost the average residential property $41 more than in 2020. The average single-family home on sewer would see annual fees for that service go up by about $32.

Marjaneh Amir-Sheibini Support & Education Coordinator, North Shore & Sunshine Coast Alzheimer Society of BC

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the Editor should be sent by e-mail to editor@thelocalweekly.ca. The deadline is Monday at 10am for that week’s paper. Generally, letters should not exceed 300 words. And all letters must be signed, include the writer’s community of residence and (not for publication) telephone number. Letters may be edited for a variety of reasons.

The 2021 budget taxation rates and any adjustments in fees require bylaw amendments to be enacted by council before mid-May. Connie Jordison

@TheLocalWeekly

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Performing arts festival The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts (SCFPA) continues its long tradition of promoting and encouraging local performing artists on the Sunshine Coast by offering a virtual festival this year.

“There is a need now, more than ever, to encourage amateurs in our community to enter the festival as part of their journey and ongoing development as performers in music and the arts,” says Sarah Lowis, president of the SCFPA. “The experience offers an avenue to improve their skills through constructive evaluation by an experienced professional in their discipline, other than their teacher.”

Lowis further explains that: “A virtual presentation has the added bonus of making performances even more accessible to the community, family and friends, who can experience the excitement and hard work of the performers from the comfort of their homes, or wherever they happen to be at the time, from around the world, and without the need of travel.”

The festival takes place from April 12 to 30. During these dates, once the per-

formers have submitted their recorded entries, the adjudicators will offer their professional guidance through written and live virtual adjudication. The Highlights Concert featuring the top performers takes place virtually on Sunday, May 2.

Performers automatically become members upon registering for the festival and must register by Monday, March 8, online through the festival website at www. coastfestival.com. The Syllabus and Recording and Submission Guidelines are also available on the website. The deadline to submit recorded entries is Monday, April 12.

“Each year, we reach out to the community to request financial support,” says Janice Brunson, director of the board. “The community’s generous financial contribution makes it possible for the festival to have high-quality adjudication and provide awards and scholarships to outstanding individuals and groups – for which we are most grateful. Many students pursue post-secondary education with financial assistance from the festival awards.” Submitted

Due to current BC health orders, please contact local event coordinators to confirm events.

Thursday, February 25 • Virtual Storytime – the whole family can share in songs, rhymes, and stories (all-day), details at gibsons.bc. libraries.coop/explore/calendar/ • Art Exhibition: Black History Month – Denise Brown ‘The Fabric of Freedom’ (to Feb. 28), 11am-4pm, Gibsons Public Art Gallery, 431 Marine Drive, Gibsons, 604-886-0531 · info@gpag.ca · https://gpag.ca/ • Have a tech question or want to learn how to use your device? Call Sechelt Library (604-885-3260) to book a one-on-one session with Talia – the technology expert, Thursdays 1-3pm, Mondays 10-12pm and Wednesday 10-12pm • Karen’s Paint Day/Night – Macramé wall hanging, $45, 1-3pm, CREATE, 6538 Sunshine Coast Hwy, Sechelt, 604-989-3345 · Createsechelt@telus.net · http://facebook.com/createbykaren • Thursday Night Live with Joe Stanton: A virtual house concert on Facebook, 6pm @joestantonmusic • Capilano Lecture Series (online)– Can Life Adapt: How Will Climate Change Affect Biodiversity in BC and Beyond? presented by Tom Flower (PhD), 7-8:30pm, details at gibsons.bc.libraries.coop/explore/calendar/

Friday, February 26

• 77th Festival of the Performing Arts (Feb 26-28/ Mar 16-17), online, 10am, details at events.solarislive.com/prfestival • Ukulele via Zoom: Weekly play along on Fridays at 12:30pm, free, sign up in Sechelt library or by phone at 604-885-3260 • Interested in starting your family tree or need help with genealogy research? Book a one-on-one free session with Teresa – the Sechelt Library genealogy tutor, Fridays 1:302:30pm and Mondays 12:30-1:30pm, call 604-885-3260 • Income Tax Clinic – a free tax clinic for eligible clients, 12:30-4:30pm, registration required, call Gibsons Library at 604-886-2130 to book an appointment • Write Together on Zoom with author Megan Cole (nonfiction, fiction, poetry), 4-5pm, details at https://prpl.ca/explore/calendar/

Saturday, February 27

• Seed Clinics, 10am-2pm, details at gibsons.bc.libraries. coop/event/seed-clinics • Academy of Dance Showcase fundraiser, performance filmed on Saturday at the Heritage Theatre, available for purchase for $30, to pre-order video link email info@coastdance.com • Climb for Climate Change Bottle Drive, 11-2pm, Sechelt Return-It Bottle Depot, 5755 Cowrie Street, Sechelt, climbforcc.org • Art Exhibition: 2021 Life Drawing Group Exhibition (to March 14), 12-4pm, free, Sunshine Coast Arts Centre, 5714 Medusa St, Sechelt, 604-885-5412 · sunshinecoastartscouncil.com/life-drawing-exhibition-4/ • Virtual Salish Storytelling – Indigenous lore, legends & worldview of BC, $30, 7pm, 1-800-605-4643 · www.aboriginalecotours.com

Sunday, February 28

• Virtual Skwxwú7mesh, Shíshálh & Early Pioneer History of Gibsons – Join Dale Peterson and Candace Campo on a combined virtual history tour, 10am-11:30pm, register at www.aboriginalecotours.com or call Dale at 604-886-1424

Includes listings compiled by the Coast Cultural Alliance. More details & more listings – including virtual events – at suncoastarts.com

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Spring literary series Ronald Deibert, the second author to read in the Spring Literary Series presented by the Sunshine Coast Arts Council, is to read from his book Reset: Reclaiming the Internet for Civil Society.

Deibert is a professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto and Director of Citizen Lab, a research institute that works at uncovering instances of cyber espionage and commercial spyware around the world.

Reset explains what happens

to your private information when you use your smartphone.

Deibert will be reading via Zoom on Saturday, March 6, at 7pm. To register, go to Sunshine Coast Arts Council Ronald Deibert. Submitted

More questions on the future of Coopers Green Hall While pleased with the outcome of the Jan. 28 engagement session regarding a potential $3 million renovation of the Coopers Green Hall, the SCRD board has more questions about the project and the future of the facility. The report on project public engagement activities was received by the SCRDs Planning and Community Development Committee on Feb. 18.

Decisions on committing a grant of about $2 million and additional funding from regional recreation coffers to the project are due in Round 2, 2021 budget discussions.

Those meetings are set for March 4 and 5.

Donna McMahon, Area E (Elphinstone) director, said the concern for her was clarity on community hall functions and how the SCRD funds hall operations and future capital costs. She stated she could not support any project that was not aimed at “net zero-emission” construction standards.

Area B Director and Board Chair Lori Pratt also supported long-term thinking related to building emissions and ongoing costs for facilities funded by SCRD taxpayers. “Seven generational thinking is what we need to be planning for,” according to Pratt.

A concern identified by Sechelt Area Director Darnelda Siegers was a lack of input from residents outside of Area B (Halfmoon Bay), where the hall is located.

Siegers noted that although taxpayers in Sechelt and Gibsons are not impacted by capital or operating expenses of rural recreation facilities, those in Areas A, D, E and F are. The report detailed that 85 percent of respondents to a survey conducted during the engagement process were residents of Area B. Seven percent of respondents

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021 7

COVID-19 COMMUNITY GRANTS Applications now being accepted

If your non-profit organization provides services to vulnerable people in our community, and has been negatively affected by COVID-19, we encourage you to submit a grant application for funding of up to $1000.

» Learn more at gibsons.ca/safe-restart-grant visit gibsons.ca PRINCIPLE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN

were from other SCRD rural areas. Siegers said it was important that directors from those areas speak with their constituents about the longterm financial impacts of the initiative.

Area D (Roberts Creek) Director Andreas Tize said that he has heard from members of his community that the $3 million renovation price tag is “a lot.” Tize said some of his constituents indicated that they would have preferred a “more modest” facility than the one proposed.

During committee discussions, board members raised questions regarding the location of the kitchen in the potential facility update. Pratt noted that in the engagement, a clear public desire was voiced about incorporating pickleball courts into the proposed renovation.

Another area of concern was vehicle parking. The board is looking for an approach that will maximize parking at the site while accommodating access for vehicles towing boat trailers to the adjacent Coopers Green dock.

Staff committed to providing as much information as possible to the board in

response to its questions before decisions on the project are due at 2021 budget Round 2 discussions.

Connie Jordison

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER.

WorkBC $ JRRG MRE PDNHV DOO WKH GLࢆHUHQFH HVSHFLDOO\ QRZ $V %&ȆV HFRQRP\ UHFRYHUV :RUN%& FDQ KHOS \RX ࢉQG \RXU SODFH ȁ H[SORUH QHZ RSSRUWXQLWLHV XSJUDGH \RXU VNLOOV RU WUDLQ IRU D QHZ FDUHHU FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CHEQUE PRESENTATION – The annual fundraiser officially closed at Gibsons Wendy’s/Tim Hortons recently as restaurant Vice-President, Operations Oliver Fuerniss (left), Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association President Stuart Frizzell, restaurant owner Klaus Fuerniss, and SCMHA Ways and Means Director Melissa Tripp met to hand over festival proceeds of $7,065. Funds will help pay for ice time and keep fees low for young hockey players enjoying the sport. SUBMITTED PHOTO

WorkBC.ca/FindYourPlace

8

WOMEN

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021

in focus For the upcoming International Women’s Day on Monday, March 8, the Local Weekly is honoured to highlight women of the Sunshine Coast.

International Women’s Day March 8th, 2021

#ChooseToChallenge International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality.

Marked annually on March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD) is one of the most important days of the year to: • Celebrate women’s achievements.

• Raise awareness about women’s equality.

• Lobby for accelerated gender parity.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

Celebrating International Women’s Day

April Qureshi

Baharnaz Baharloo, D.M.D. “Dr. B” - Family Dentist Gibsons Dental

april@coachaprilria.com 604-989-2253

is blocked by the opposing team and has no room to dribble the ball the player holds and pivots looking for the next best play.

Courageous leaders have made the best of a very challenging situation pivoted, passed and received, and stretched as far as possible. Worst case, with feet glued to the floor some of us have

dropped the ball and been left standing without options except to retreat to the bench and watch the game play out from the sidelines.

So what’s the next best play in 2021? As business leaders, we have the power of influence. Our strength is helping our teams see opportunities where none existed before. Let’s help each other engage with life on a higher level of consciousness. We can walk the path of self-awareness and personal growth together.

I’m suggesting it’s time to #choosetochallenge the status quo, pull up anchors and look for new opportunities. The tactics from the old playbook are less relevant from this patch of the playing field. We need new strategies for a new world. As leaders, we can play to our strengths and lead with influence.

In 2031, when we look back to today, what will we say?

“Remember pre-2020 and how we used to … ?”

Book a 30-minute connection call to find out how I help leaders and teams use peak performance strategies to lead with confidence, focus and resilience in a constantly changing global environment https://go.oncehub.com/CoachAprilRia

•

https://coachaprilria.com/blog/

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#ChooseToChallenge 2021 will be a pivotal year in our collective consciousness.

“Remember pre-COVID and how we used to … ?”

To pivot means to anchor and turn. In basketball, when a player

• Fundraise for female-focused charities.

The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is ‘Choose To Challenge’. A challenged world is an alert world, and from challenge comes change. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day.

We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality.

We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements.

Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.

So, let’s all #ChooseToChallenge.

Raise your hand high to show you’re in and that you commit to choose to challenge and call out inequality.

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VanCity Dental 604-687-1137

From toddlers to retirees, Dr. B has been caring for patients since 2009. She dispels the myth that a visit to the dentist is stressful. Dr. B takes the time to get to know her patients, to explain all their treatment options, and to provide effective dental care, calmly and compassionately.

Dr. B earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of British Columbia. She is a Preferred Invisalign® provider and has extensive experience with general and cosmetic dental care including surgical extractions, implants, and Botox® treatments.

Dr. B continues to manage her downtown Vancouver clinic and sees her loyal patients there on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On the Coast, Dr. B loves seeing patients at Gibsons Dental on Thursdays and Fridays.

Dr. B and her husband have lived in Gibsons since 2017. Outside the clinic, you might find Dr. B on the ski trails at Dakota Ridge or enjoying one of the Coast’s wonderful restaurants.

To schedule a visit with Dr. B and to find out just how pleasant a visit to the dentist can be, call VanCity Dental at 604-687-1137 or Gibsons Dental at 604-886-4543.

• •

www.gibsonsdentalcentre.com

The “A” Team of Talbot:

604-886-2555

Laurie Forshner-Talbot FCIP President, General Manager

“Veteran” of the insurance business for 45 years. Moved to the Sunshine Coast with her young family in 1987 and opened Talbot Insurance in 1997. Active member of the local community: Sunshine Coast Sea Cavalcade Society & Festival, Sunshine Coast Power & Sail Squadron and Coasters Car Club.

Rachel Redding FCIP, CRM Commercial Advisor

Rachel joined us in 2018 and she has experience in all lines of insurance, but specializes in Commercial, Business and Bonds and handles her commercial portfolio with knowledge and efficiency.

She is a welcome addition to our team!

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Personal Lines Supervisor

Jackilyn joined us in 2014 and has since excelled in all lines of personal insurance.

She has continued to grow with us through the years, advancing her skills and insurance knowledge. With a passion for technology, problem solving, and customer satisfaction she has become a valuable member of our team!

• •

ContactUs@talbotinsurance.ca

•

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021 9

Simple ways to thank local nurses Nurses have long been unsung heroes of the medical community. But that tide began to turn in 2020 as the world confronted the COVID-19 pandemic and realized just how invaluable nurses are to public health.

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions has a webpage dedicated to the 43 healthcare workers across Canada who have died of COVID-19. Globally, data from the International Council of Nurses indicated that roughly 2,262 nurses lost their lives to COVID-19 by the end of December 2020.

That data is sobering and serves as a reminder that nurses put their lives on the line each day they go to work.

Such sacrifices are worthy of widespread support, and there are many ways ordinary citizens can thank nurses working in their communities.

• Support efforts to protect nurses. Despite widespread recognition of how vital they are to public health, nurses still may not have unbridled access to personal protective equipment (PPE). An ANA survey of nurses working in

various health care settings conducted in fall 2020 found that 42 percent of nurses indicated they were still experiencing widespread or intermittent PPE shortages. In fact, more than half of the 21,000-plus nurses surveyed reported that they were forced to re-use single-use PPE, a practice they said makes them feel unsafe.

The public can do its part by urging local lawmakers to support legislation that increases domestic production of PPE so the brave men and women in the nursing profession can feel safe when doing their jobs.

• Give nurses and their families a night off from cooking. Long shifts in stressful situations have taken a toll on nurses and their families.

Neighbours can pitch in by offering to cook and deliver meals or pay for takeout for nurses and their families.

This simple gesture can provide a much-needed break for nurses and their spouses who have been stretched thin during the pandemic, and it’s a great way to remind nurses their heroic efforts are not going unnoticed.

• Help out with chores. Before going to the grocery

#ChooseToChallenge

WOMEN in focus

There are many ways ordinary citizens can thank nurses working in their communities. METRO CREATIVE PHOTO store, text or call a friend or neighbour in the nursing field to see if he or she needs anything from the store. If nurses shop online for their groceries, arrange to pick them up so nurses can spend more time relaxing at home with their families. During warm weather seasons, offer to mow the lawn or help with leaf pickup.

• Offer discounts to nurses in your community. Local business owners can do their part by offering discounts to nurses and other health care

professionals in their communities. A 10 percent discount on a restaurant bill or a nursing discount on a fresh bouquet of flowers can lift nurses’ spirits and reassure them that their communities are behind them.

Nurses have made immeasurable sacrifices throughout the pandemic. Communities can come together in various and often simple ways to show nurses just how much those sacrifices are appreciated.

International Women’s Day March 8th, 2021

Submitted

#ChooseToChallenge

Tribute to Frontline Workers

UNSUNG

The Sunshine Coast Labour Council is celebrating International Women’s Day by showing appreciation to unsung frontline heroines on the Sunshine Coast.

FRONTLINE

HEROINES Lauri Dunk

Linda Bitting

Elma Meyer

CUPW 840

Nicole Green

Lauri has worked as a medical radiation technologist (x-ray tech) for 25 years. During the pandemic, she images her patients portably in emergency and CCU, as well as in the Medical Imaging department in Sechelt Hospital.

Housekeepers are the unsung heroines of our frontline workers. They keep the hospital disease free, sterilized and create a very safe environment for all to be in. Linda works at the Sechelt Hospital in ER, where would we be without her! She is a saviour.

Elma is a frontline worker who is a daytime custodian in School District 46. She has worked tirelessly to ensure high traffic areas in her school are kept sanitized. Elma can always be found with a broom, mop or a cloth and sanitizer bottle in her hand.

She is known as the last line of defense and the students and staff are so grateful!

Postal Workers are frontline workers. The pandemic has forced people to stay home and they are now ordering products that can be delivered to their homes and mailboxes.

This has had an enormous increase in the workloads of rural and suburban mail carriers.

Thank you to them all for the great job they are doing and their contribution to keeping our community safe.

Nicole is a Terminal Attendant at Langdale Terminal. She directs traffic, operates the ramp, works in the toll booth and supervises. She is also a worker representative for BC Ferries, Moving Forward Community Working Group.

HSA

HEU

IN CANADA, WE’VE WEATHERED THE PANDEMIC

BY STICKING TOGETHER AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER. Learn more: canadianlabour.ca Submitted by Sunshine Coast Labour Council

CUPE 801

RSMC

BCFMWU

Nicole has been a great promoter of safety during COVID 19, working to reduce the risks of spread by sewing masks for Elders, vulnerable community members and her co-workers.

She is grateful for her mother and her continued good health. Nicole’s mother helps her in caring for her son Nicholas while she’s at work.

International Women’s Day March 8th, 2021

#ChooseToChallenge

10

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021

National

BULLYING PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH

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Signs children might be victims of bullying Despite the best efforts of educators and parents, bullying is a problem at many schools. According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, at least one in three adolescent students in Canada report being recent victims of bullying.

Bullied students often suffer in silence. As a result, the onus is on parents to learn the signs that a child is a victim of bullying.

Such signs are not always easy to recognize, as Stop Bullying.gov notes that the most common types of bullying are verbal and social.

Physical bullying happens less often, so kids who are being bullied may not exhibit physical symptoms like bruises or unexplained injuries, which are common indicators of physical bullying.

By learning the common signs of bullying, parents are in a better position to recognize when their children are being bullied, whether that bullying is physical, social or verbal.

Signs of bullying

There are many signs of bullying, and kids may not exhibit them all. In fact, StopBullying.gov notes that some bullied children exhibit no warning signs. So, in addition to learning these signs of bullying, parents can make a concerted effort to communicate with their children every day, asking

Nicholas Simons, MLA #5-4720 Sunshine Coast Highway, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0 Ph: 604-741-0792

youngsters about how their day went and if they encountered anything that adversely affected their mood.

• Unexplainable injuries

• Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry • Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness

• Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating.

Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.

• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares

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• Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school

• Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations • Feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem

• Self-destructive behaviours, such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide

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Parents are urged to report any concerns about bullying to educators immediately, as research indicates bullying can lead to or worsen feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion, and despair. Bullying also can lead to or worsen feelings of depression and anxiety, which can contribute to suicidal behaviour.

Metro Creative

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BULLYING Deb Mowbray

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By learning the common signs of bullying, parents are in a better position to recognize when their children are being bullied, whether that bullying is physical, social or verbal.

METRO CREATIVE PHOTO

STOP BULLYING P: 604-885-3134 E: sales@thelocalweekly.ca www.thelocalweekly.ca

SPEAK UP

Stand Together

Online harassment has an

offline impact.

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021 11

Six effects of bullying Mixed messages still prevail regarding bullying.

While it is addressed as a problem that shouldn’t be tolerated, some people still think that bullying is a part of growing up. But downplaying bullying can have lasting consequences.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that one out of five children are bullied. What’s more, bullying doesn’t end when classes let out. Digital harassment is a growing problem that brings bullying into a person’s life, day or night.

According to a Canadian Teachers Federation poll, Canadian teachers ranked cyberbullying as their issue of highest concern out of six listed options – 89 percent said bullying and violence are serious problems in our public schools.

THE

METRO CREATIVE PHOTO

Victims of harassment 1. report a loss of interest in school activities, more absenteeism, lower-quality schoolwork, lower grades, and more skipping/dropping classes, according to research done at LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence and Conflict Resolution and Queen’s University.

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Mon. to Thur.Pink 12 - 7pm • Yesterday was Sat. & Sun. 10am 604.885.4216 • 1041 Roberts Creek Road Shirt Day. It started in- 7pm 2007 with two Nova Scotia high school students, Travis Price and David Shepherd. The students organized a protest at their high school, which involved participants wearing pink t-shirts in support of a Grade 9 boy who had been bullied for wearing a pink shirt.

The protest was successful, and the student was not bullied again.

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3. Victims may experience psychosomatic symptoms like headaches or muscle aches or other physical problems. Visits to the doctor may turn up no physical causes of these issues.

4. Remedy Health Media advises that bullying can result in changes in appetite and sleeping patterns. Students also may experience low self-esteem.

5. A longitudinal study led by scientists in Norway looked at the long-term psychological effects of being bullied as an adolescent. The results pointed to adverse mental health outcomes in adulthood, with victims showing

a high level of depressive symptoms. Both bullies and victims were also at an increased risk of psychiatric hospitalization due to these mental health disorders.

6.

Bullying also can affect bystanders. Students who witness their peers or friends being bullied may be more likely to use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. Such students also may be at an increased risk of developing mental health problems, says StopBullying.gov.

The effects of bullying can be profound, which is why all bullying should be taken seriously.

Metro Creative

WE ARE MOVING

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the variant strains, the Local Weekly staff have requested a work-at-home environment to protect themselves and their families.

• Canada has the 9th highest rate of bullying in the 13-years-olds category on a scale of 35 countries (Canadian Council on Learning)

• The rate of discrimination experienced among students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-identified, Two-Spirited, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) is three times higher than heterosexual youth (Bully Free Alberta)

• Any participation in bullying increases risk of suicidal ideas in youth (Stats Canada) • 47 percent of Canadian parents report having a child victim of bullying (Bully Free Alberta)

THE OFFICE LOCATION AT #213-5710 Teredo Street IS NOW CLOSED. Ad payments will now be accepted by credit card, email transfers, and cheques.

Our Address is: PO Box 494, Sechelt BC V0N 3A0 Our phone number remains the same: 604-885-3134, and our email addresses will also remain the same.

We look forward to serving you as usual!

We appreciate your business!

Susan Attiana, Publisher

www.thelocalweekly.ca

12

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021

Homeless count results on the Sunshine Coast for 2020

Sunshine Coast homeless count. HSABC GRAPHIC

Gibsons and Sechelt received the final results of the 2020 homeless count for their communities at council meetings held Feb. 16 and 17.

The count revealed 84 people identified as homeless in the Sechelt/Gibsons area.

An area count conducted in 2018 showed 57.

The data was released to the municipalities on Jan. 26 by the province. It showed that of the homeless encountered in the areas on March 5, 2020, just over half did not sleep in a sheltered area that night. Sixty-five percent of those included in the count

Sechelt funds emergency housing summit

identified themselves as male, 32 percent identified as female, and three percent used another gender identity. Sixty-nine percent were classified as adults between the ages of 25 and 54 years, 23 percent were over the age of 55, and eight percent were under 25 years of age.

The Sunshine Coast Homelessness Advisory Committee coordinated the count on the Coast in conjunction with the Homelessness Services Association of BC (HSABC).

That association assisted with counts in six other BC regions. Those counts were all conducted in early March 2020, before the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of homeless

counted on the Coast rose by 47 percent in the period between the two most recent area counts. That result ranked the Coast in the middle of the pack for the percentage of increase compared to counts in other BC communities conducted with the help of the HSABC. Those included tallies done in Merritt, which revealed an increase of 291 percent between the two most recent counts. Cranbrook’s percentage jumped by 119 percent.

Areas including Williams Lake and the Comox Valley saw their numbers of homeless counted grow by 19 and 13 percent. The number of homeless counted in the Cowichan Valley decreased by

14 percent.

Information from the HSABC counts was assembled with data collected on the numbers of homeless in BC jurisdictions with larger populations. Those counts were conducted by the federal government. Municipalities like Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna saw increases of between one and five percent in their numbers of homeless.

Data from an independently funded count done in the Fraser Valley in 2020 was also shared by the province.

In that area, the number of homeless increased by 48 percent over levels reported in 2017.

Connie Jordison

Sechelt will be paying to bring local elected officials, leaders from groups involved in social services and those active on affordable housing issues on the Coast together March 1. It is doing this to plan actions to create more housing options for those in need. At its Feb. 17 meeting, Sechelt council authorized using up to $1,500 of its COVID-19 re-start money to hire a facilitator for this event.

The event will be open to invited parties only. Media representatives are not included. In an email to the Local on Feb. 20, Sechelt Councillor and Chair of its Housing Advisory Committee Matt McLean wrote that the invitation list was comprised of “anyone who can make an immediate difference in the housing crisis on the Sunshine Coast.”

Invitees include representatives from all local governments, the area’s MP and MLA offices, and local not-

for-profits such as Sunshine Coast Community Services and the Sunshine Coast Affordable Housing Society.

McLean anticipates over 20 groups will be represented.

The goal of the event is to create short-term projects to help address the Coast’s housing crisis.

The idea for the summit came from Sechelt’s Housing Advisory Committee. McLean advised council that the committee wants to see action taken on the recommendations in the Coast’s Housing Needs Assessment Implementation Report.

No meeting agenda has been made available. According to McLean, there are a number of possible session focus areas. One could be the need for advocacy to senior levels of government, funders, and industry to address different housing issues. McLean sees needs related to workforce housing, homelessness supports, as well as options for youth

transitioning out of care and women and children fleeing unsafe situations.

Another discussion topic could be establishing partnerships. One concept that could be explored is creating a permanent, part-time cross-governmental position for convening housing interests across the Coast.

Partnership opportunities aimed at expanding shortterm supportive housing and shelter spaces may be discussed, as well as options to have shelters open yearround.

In his email, McLean wrote, “We hope to come out of this meeting with a shared call to action that can unite community organizations and governments as we work to take immediate action. We also hope to form several working groups to collaborate on the projects that will arise from this workshop.”

McLean committed to providing a public report following the event. Connie Jordison

Roberts Creek Community Hall and Rockwood Lodge in Sechelt are getting a facelift thanks to funding from Heritage BC and the Province of British Columbia.

The announcement on Monday was part of BC’s $10 billion COVID-19 response, which includes the StrongerBC for Everyone recovery plan and the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP). The Province allocated $16 million to the Unique Heritage Infrastructure stream of the CERIP program and appoint-

ed Heritage BC as the program delivery partner. First People’s Cultural Council was the program delivery partner for an additional $4 million in funding.

“We could not be happier to have this recognition and support from the Province,” says Paul Gravett, executive director of Heritage BC. “Through this funding program, the Province not only provided the largest onetime infusion of funds into the heritage sector, but it also recognized the importance and potential of heritage in-

frastructure and its place in our province’s economic picture.”

The Roberts Creek Community Hall received $133,000 from the program.

According to Karen Spicer, vice president of the Roberts Creek Community Association, they plan to use the money to re-do the exterior siding and front window of the hall and paint the Community Library. Spicer said they will undertake the work this spring using local tradespeople.

Rockwood Lodge, Sech-

elt’s only designated heritage building, received $234,600 to replace the cedar roof, paint the exterior, refurbish the hardwood floors, install an accessible washroom, and complete the work in the kitchen to make it fully commercial.

“I am thrilled to really fix up this gem of a community building to make it more beautiful for our citizens to use and also to make the kitchen fully commercial for our local artisans,” said Lucy Clark, community services coordinator. “This is great

news for Sechelt!”

Mayor Siegers stated, “Maintaining and improving our community buildings are an important part of managing our assets, and I am very pleased that we can do all this work with 100 percent grant funding. To do this work without a grant would have been a three percent tax increase. This renovation project will employ local people and provide a space for local artisans to prepare their foods. This is good for our community and for our economy.”

The Rockwood Lodge heritage home was built between 1935 and 1936. Originally a guest house, the Rockwood was for many years a popular destination for visitors travelling to the Sunshine Coast.

The house was acquired by the District of Sechelt in 1987 and was re-purposed into a community hub for residents, community organizations, artists, and local businesses. It is widely used by over 51 user groups and the community, creating a safe and private space for public and private events. The Local

Low-income clients can have their income taxes prepared by volunteers free of charge, from March 1 to April 30.

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is sponsored by the Canada Revenue Agency, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH), and the Sunshine Coast Resource Centre.

Volunteers will complete

simple tax returns for those meeting the income threshold: individuals, $35,000; family $45,000 for two, plus $2,500 for each additional dependent. Couples are expected to provide complete tax information for both spouses. The program does not serve clients with employment expenses, self-employment income, rental property income, or capital

gains, and interest income must be less than $1,000.

This year, three options are being offered: in-person tax clinics, drop-off/pick-ups, and virtual tax clinics.

The clinics are located at: • Sechelt Public Library, 5797 Cowrie St, Tuesdays noon to 5pm – call 604-8853260 for an appointment • Gibsons Public Library (starts Feb. 26), 470 South

Fletcher Rd, Fridays noon5pm for in-person – call 604-886-2130 for an appointment; Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm for dropoffs • Madeira Park Community School, 5012 Gonzales Rd, Thursdays 9am-noon for in-person (first come, first serve); Monday to Friday for drop-offs in mail slot • Pender Harbour Health

Centre, 5056 Francis Peninsula Rd, Tuesdays 9am-noon for in-person – call 604-7415132 for an appointment; Monday to Friday 9am-4pm drop-off at reception • Gibsons Calvary Baptist Church, 711 Park Rd, Tuesdays to Friday 9am-1pm for drop-offs (ring doorbell at front) • Sunshine Coast Resource Centre, 107A-5710 Teredo

St in Sechelt, drop-offs by appointment at 604-8854088 There is a protocol in place for all visits. People are required to wear a mask, sanitize their hands, and keep a social distance.

Virtual tax clinics are being done by telephone interview, contact Louis Legal at 604886-1995.

Submitted

Local THROWBACK THURSDAY

the

The sign painted by Kathleen Godwin (nee Inglis) and mounted on the storage shed on the wharf at Lower Gibsons. The sign read “YOU CAN’T BEAT GIBSONS” and was there during the 1920s and 1930s. The donor is her brother. Visit the SC Museum’s online collection to view 7,000+ digital archival photographs. SCMA PHOTO #2093

Heritage infrastructure funding benefits the Sunshine Coast

Free income tax preparation clinics for low-income individuals and families

Cody’s climb for climate change The Climb for Climate Change is a 115 km walk from Gibsons to Powell River to raise awareness about current climate challenges and to

raise funds to proactively reduce our footprint. The walk is being done by 10-year-old Cody Kelso and his mom, Megan.

A bunny at the BC SPCA Sunshine Coast.

Education Matters Samantha Haines

Trustee, School District #46 School Board

At SD46, we believe in inclusion. We value the diversity of each student and believe they can and should feel welcome. This has never been more evident than right now in our district. This year, with the support of Director Kate Kerr, we have added district inclusion teams. These teams, made up of Inclusion Support Teachers, Educational Assistants, and Family Navigators, are available to help with a wide variety of initiatives, including trauma-sensitive

It can be frustrating for owners if their dog does not always return to them when the dog is asked to. If a dog is not returning reliably, it can be dangerous for the dog, and the dog should not be off-leash until they have had enough training for their response to be reliable.

A dog may not come when asked to for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the dog has had a name change and does not recognize his new name.

Sometimes the owner gets sterner and more impatient when the dog does not respond to the call immediately and, understandably, the dog does not want to come closer to the owner. Maybe the dog has not been rewarded for coming when asked in the past or has been called away from something he really enjoys, like playing with another dog.

Whether you have a pup or an adult dog who does not always come back when called, here are some tips to get you both back on track!

Prepare by having rewards ready. Purchase or make a longline and identify locations without many distractions you can use for initial training. Establish and main-

CLIMBFORCC.ORG PHOTO

practices, positive behaviour supports, self-regulation support, classroom design, competency-based IEPs (individualized education plans) and much more. These teams are designed to help not just the student but their families, their classroom teacher and their community.

The board has created a brand-new anti-racism policy. This policy is especially near to our hearts this week when we heard from our students in a video (available on our website) about what racism means to them. This policy will not stand on its own; we are already working on an anti-poverty policy and removing financial barriers to education. These policies, along with SOGI (sexual ori-

Starting in Gibsons at St. Barts Church on March 14, and finishing in Powell River at the SPCA on the 18, the Kelso’s are hoping to raise a total of $30,000 through community and corporate donations. Funds in the amount of $20,000 will be used to purchase solar panels for the BC SPCA Sunshine Coast branch located on Solar Road and $10,000 for the BC Sustainable Energy Association. Cody was inspired by their program for schools called Cool It, which teaches kids about how to be greener.

“I am doing the walk to challenge myself and raise money for a cause that I love,” said Cody, who is known for putting his passions into action. In 2018, Cody did a food drive in Tuwanek to help his entation/gender identity), are only the beginning to ensuring that our district is fully inclusive to all students and staff.

With all this talk about inclusion, I wanted to know what our youngest students know about it, so I asked my son, who is in grade 4, “What does inclusion mean to you, and how does it feel to be included?”

He said, “Inclusion means being a good friend. It makes me feel happy when I’m included.”

So, I encourage you all to practice being good friends, not just at home, but at work, at the grocery store, and everywhere else, because our kids’ happiness depends on it.

Jane’s dog, Pete, coming to her when called. tain a great relationship with your dog. Your dog is learning all the time so set things up in every area of the dog’s life so your dog is unlikely to make mistakes and understands what you would like him to do. Make it a habit to reward behaviours you would like your dog to repeat until they become a habit.

Manage your dog, so he does not have the opportunity to run off and ignore your calls. This means using a long line.

In a safe enclosed area, let your dog drag his leash or longline and reward him every time he approaches you. Move quickly away from your dog and reward him for

JANE BOWERS PHOTO

following you.

Once your dog is reliably approaching you and coming when called in the safe area, take him on his longline to a quiet area with one or two distractions and practice there until he is ignoring the distractions and coming when asked each time. Then try another area with one or two distractions. And then another area.

The training takes time, especially if the dog has been out of the habit of coming when asked in the past, but pretty soon, you will see results.

For more tips on coming when called, please visit www.dogsofdistinction.com.

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021 13

community.

His mom, Megan, a 7-year girl guide leader and community volunteer, fully supports her son in this endeavour.

“My son has big ideas, and I do my best to support him, but I know this walk will be tough. I have two bad knees and an ankle with no cartilage, but the rewards of this far outweigh any pain I may go through.”

Megan and Cody could not be more surprised and grateful with the reaction they’ve

had from the community so far. A number of organizations have emerged to support them with their time, expertise and funding. But they are still looking for support to meet their goal.

“We cannot reach our goal without your help,” said Megan. “Any donation big or small can be made through our website at climbforcc. org. We still need more drivers, and if you have an electric vehicle and are available to assist, please reach out

to the Sunshine Coast Community Solar Association at suncoastcsa@gmail.com for more details.”

Cody and Megan are also holding a bottle drive from 11-2pm on Feb. 27 at the bottle depot in Sechelt behind Claytons. They invite everyone to stop by and drop off any bottles they may have, as every little bit helps.

And make sure to watch and wave to them if you are driving along the highway during their walk. Submitted

Tip of the Week: The powerful Aquarius New Moon seed of February 11 comes to full on February 27 bringing its destined activations to full light and life.

The first of three aspects between Saturn and Uranus that occurred on February 17 also invariably continues to reverberate with the synchronicities it was destined to produce. Due to the Aquarian themes involved, these events combined are bound to be creating very noticeable, revolutionary waves. Revolution has been the main theme for months now and only those of us with highly selective perceptions are not aware of it.

Mars having formed a trine to Pluto on February 24 and Venus having entered Pisces on the 25th joining forces with Sun and Neptune, may be serving by softening the edges. Yet, Venus forming an exact aspect to Uranus and Mercury to Jupiter in Aquarius is countering and thereby contributing to a much-needed global awakening to the realities of the great economic reset underway. Asking ourselves how genuinely aware we are of these realities is important regarding being responsible to our collective future.

Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) Despite a keen interest to remain aware of larger events and trends which have entered an exciting chapter, you will feel the urge to slow down for a while. Yet with Mercury now direct, a natural, added measure of flow can be felt both evidently and subtly. Call it the early signs of spring, but there is more to it. Projecting your awareness to the world stage, you may be moved with compassion.

Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) The Sun in Pisces has taken the emphasis off of your career life and social status, but not entirely. You still want to know your best course of action. While you may not be entirely sure of your direction, what is certain is that you feel determined to enter new territory somehow. To this end, you may find yourself appealing to the sympathies of friends, indirectly ascertaining their loyalty.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) You remain in a philosophical mood. Yet, it may amount to feeling a little lost still and the urge to escape may also be strong. On the other hand, you may feel ready for new knowledge and perhaps psychological and spiritual insights and tools. Prayers and communications with angelic realms may be occurring spontaneously, dissolving conditioned beliefs and perceptions.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Amidst a continued investigation with your skepticism meter still at high volume, Pisces time is calling you to enter a more meditative period. A softer mood may be accompanied by sadness and tears as you realize that the way things were, is dying and what is rising to replace it does not appear friendly, or light. You may be wondering what you can do amidst an impulse to pray.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23) Death is always followed by rebirth… of some kind. As physics observes with the law of conservation of energy, change and transformation are all that can happen to energy, regardless of the form. Of course, this is a very ancient, spiritual understanding, yet which refers ultimately to divine source and first cause. Whatever your convictions, rest assured that rebirth is already underway.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22) The Full Moon in your sign could manifest as reactive emotional responses.

Positively, you could feel like you have arrived at a whole new level of awareness and independence. It will prove helpful to be philosophical about it all, as in focusing to see yourself, others and circumstances from other angles of perspective and interpretation. Aim for moderation and avoid matter-of-fact attitudes.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Getting clear on what will bring you more satisfaction in your life is a central theme now. Becoming more aware and getting creative about how to achieve greater fulfillment is featured.

Having more financial flow is a very real possibility. On the other hand, it is what money brings that is truly important and the emphasis is on feeling good. Passion and pleasure are examples.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Connecting with friends is a core theme now. Realizing that it is hard to please everyone due to their own expectations is important.

So, you are wise to focus on your own sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. When your success is linked to bringing inspiration to others, you are likely to feel more inspired. Keep it simple sweetheart, inspire to be inspired.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Circumstances of light have contributed to you seeing the world as with new eyes. With new perceptions come new interpretations and attitudes. In some cases, you may have turned 180 degrees. Such changes are a good sign that your convictions are not fixed. These are contributing to changes in your values and priorities. Your better health is a central theme.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) In these revolutionary times, responding in a like manner is likely. With many new realizations coming in, you are eager to act on them for the sake of practical advantage. Making key investments is featured with the objective of increasing your sense of security.

Making sincere efforts is required and some of these may amount to significant changes in your habitual approach.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) The six-planet-stelliumin-Aquarius-New-Moonseed comes to fruition now.

For you, it implies some significant initiatives the synchronicity of which should be quite evident by now. If you are unclear, reflect on the subtle but real shifts that have occurred. Invariably, it is serving to shake you awake. How you will respond to this aspect of your destiny is for you to decide.

Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Aquarius and its ruling planet, Uranus, are symbolic of democracy, awakening, illumination, revolution…

The activations of these often come from ‘left field’, the intuitive, right side of the brain. By now, you have received the messages that you were destined to, unless your lower mind is firmly in control and thus blocking such intuitions with rationalizations. It’s all good, but some discernment may be required to know. michael@sunstarastrology.com

14

The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021

admin@thelocalweekly.ca WORK WANTED

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Read the Classifieds online at: thelocalweekly.ca

Please GIVE to the Food Bank

We are looking for CAREGIVERS to work in your area from Gibsons to Egmont.

• Part-time and full time-varying shifts. Can accommodate the same schedule each week.

• All Personal Protection Equipment provided for the safety of all.

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• Rate: Based on Education and Experience $20 - $23.

Please email your resume and documentation to: donnajoh@sunshinecoastseniorcare.com Call 604-865-0135 with any questions.

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57. Offspring 61. Indefinite number but not many 65. Large internal organ 66. Regret 68. Conjure up 69. Drama set to music 70. Employ 71. Reddish brown 72. Limited period of time 73. Standard number of strokes for each hole in golf 74. Tendency

DOWN

Solution on page 14

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ND

D NE

1. Evidence of past injury 2. Set of rules, principles or law 3. Ellipse 4. Repulse 5. Involve 6. Steel hand tool 7. Epoch 8. African equine 9. Hit with something flat 10. Field game 11. Pulpy tropical fruit 12. Repair 15. Acquiesce 20. Lieu 22. Large flightless bird 24. Dark green leaves eaten cooked or raw 25. Surge

26. Inert gas 27. Enumerate 29. Assert 31. Castle fortification filled with water 32. Relating to hearing 33. Subdivision of the act of a play 34. Cloth used for military uniforms 36. Low dam 38. Prima donna 42. Combine 45. Photographic equipment 49. Play on words 51. Reduce or dispose of 54. Thick sweet sticky liquid 56. Not at any time 57. Storyline 58. Mature 59. Concluded 60. Microbe 61. Oracle 62. Catch with a lasso 63. Related in quality or character 64. Heavy metallic element 67. Country, initially

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1. Mark or grade 6. Felt cap 9. Junk email 13. Gathering of witches 14. Anger 15. Solitary 16. Conform 17. Workplace for scientific research 18. Beauty parlor 19. Liberate 21. Reply 23. Illuminated 24. Equivalent 25. Pouch 28. Jump 30. Reveal a hidden identity 35. Front part of a vessel 37. Zealous 39. One of the senses 40. Chills and fever 41. Durable fabric 43. Region 44. Sweet carbonated drink 46. Rant 47. Military vehicle 48. Ensnare 50. Record of golf score 52. Hawaiian garland 53. Pulp 55. Drink flavored with juniper berries

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A

This March, people on the Sunshine Coast and across BC will take action and change the future for the estimated 70,000 people living with dementia in the province at Breakfast to Remember, the Alzheimer Society of BC’s virtual fundraiser. It features a keynote address and live Q&A with astronaut Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space.

The event, a morning of inspiring talks over breakfast, will be emceed by Dawna Friesen, anchor of Global National, and help raise critical funds for Alzheimer Society of BC programs and services, as well as enable dementia research in BC. Breakfast to Remember is set for March 4 from 7:309am. To learn more, or to purchase tickets, visit Breakfast ToRemember.ca. Tickets also include access to an exclusive research event featuring a live discussion with leading dementia researcher Dr. Alexandre Henri-Bhargava, on March 10. Submitted

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The Local - Thursday, February 25, 2021

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