The Local Weekly March 25, 2021

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Volume 19, Issue 12

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia • www.thelocalweekly.ca • Thursday, March 25, 2021 Throwback Thursday Page 12

COVID Updates Pages 2 & 3

SCRD Taxes

Tracking Hornets

Page 3

Postal Code Changes Page 5

No Spring Skating Page 6

Gibsons’ Bumpy Debate Page 7

Local Protest Page 10

Cyberattack Delays ICBC Page 13

Youth Found In Dinghy Page 13

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The Asian giant hornet, an invasive pest that threatens pollinators and ignores international borders, is the focus of an international effort to eradicate it in the Pacific Northwest. That is why in the coming year, BC, the State of Washington and US federal agencies are collaborating on plans to track, trap and eradicate any Asian giant hornets that are found. In BC, the 2021 Asian giant hornet surveillance program will include traps in areas where there were previous findings, as well as continued outreach and networking with BC beekeepers, local governments and partner agencies. Reports from the public have been crucial for locating Asian giant hornets. Last year, all of the confirmed reports in BC were from members of the public. Anyone who thinks they may have seen an Asian giant hornet can report their findings to the Invasive Species Council of BC at 1-888-933-3722 or online at bcinvasives.ca/take-action/report/.

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The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021

Sunshine Coast vaccination update We are ahead of schedule on the Coast. As of Saturday, March 20, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has been inviting Coast residents 70 years of age and older (born in 1951 or earlier) and 55 and older, if you are First Nations, Métis, or Inuit to call 1-877-587-5767 to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment.

There are enough appointments available, and there is no rush to call in, but call volumes are lower in the late afternoon and evening. The appointment booking toll-free phone line is open from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. To prepare for your call, please have available a pen and paper, personal health number, full name, date of birth, postal code and phone number.

VCH is appealing to family members, friends, neighbours, and social services

agencies to help reach eligible people in the community.

As of Monday, 539,408 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca-SII COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in the province, 87,161 of which are second doses.

“The latest AstraZeneca-SII COVID-19 vaccine trials have shown high effectiveness to protect people from illness – much greater than what was originally shown,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s provincial health officer, at a press conference this week. “This is good news for all of us as we continue with our parallel vaccine approach.”

Henry went on to remind everyone to stay vigilant as the risk remains high.

“COVID-19 did not go away with the time change or start of spring. While the number of people who are vaccinated

has substantially increased, we do not yet have enough protection to keep all of us safe. We have seen an uptick in new cases and clusters of COVID-19 in the Lower Mainland. This is a concern for all of us because, as we have seen before, this increase can quickly escalate to other regions of our province.”

“The variants of concern are increasing, and they transmit more easily, making it increasingly difficult to stop the spread. This means we all need to be slow and steady in our efforts,” said Henry. “Let’s make spring the time to be outside and only in our small groups, taking the steps we need to keep each other and ourselves safe.

Let’s push back on COVID-19, so we can continue on our path to the brighter days ahead.”

The Local

A COVID-19 exposure event has been reported at Elphinstone Secondary School in Gibsons

by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). The potential exposure dates listed on the VCH website are March 9 and March 11. STAFF PHOTO

London Drugs prepares for rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in BC London Drugs is preparing to take a big role to support the BC government’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Once the most vulnerable have been immunized, London Drugs will be ready to administer vaccines to thousands of British Columbians over the coming months.

“We are ready to assist in British Columbia however we can to immunize people quickly, safely and according to the Government’s phased distribution approach,” said Chris Chiew, general manager of pharmacy at London Drugs.

“For now, that means sending our pharmacists out into the community to reach the most vulnerable, including care homes and mass worksites.”

For months, the company’s pharmacists have been administering the vaccine onsite at assisted living facilities and mass vaccination clinics in BC to help speed up delivery to those most at-risk.

Once the most vulnerable have been immunized, London Drugs expects to step in to give vaccines to a wider group in British Columbia, making the vaccine more easily accessible at pharmacies across the province.

“Given our experience with mass vaccination campaigns, our focus on public health, and our presence in our

When vaccines are made available to the general public, London Drugs will launch an online booking system where patients can easily make an appointment. STAFF PHOTO communities, we are ready to support the rapid rollout of the vaccine through all of our pharmacies in British Columbia,” said Chiew. “We are ready to ensure widespread, easily accessible COVID-19 vaccine according to the Government’s phased distribution approach with the most vulnerable at the front of the line.”

When vaccines are made available to the general public in British Columbia, London Drugs will launch an online booking system where patients can easily make an appointment.

London Drugs and its team of certified injection pharmacists have offered immunizations for years, but the COVID-19 vaccine presents some unique supply chain demands. It needs to be stored between minus 80

Celsius and minus 70 Celsius, so the company has invested in several specialized freezers and sourced ultra-low temperature containers to safely transport the vaccines from their distribution center to pharmacies. They have also secured the protective wear needed to ensure staff can safely transfer the vaccine and PPE to protect staff and the public during the vaccination process.

Chiew adds, “This is one of the largest widespread public immunization efforts ever undertaken. Since pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers and our patients are already familiar with getting their annual flu shot at our pharmacies, we know that we have an important role to play in the distribution of vaccine supply.”

Submitted by London Drugs

The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021 3

Sunshine Coast COVID-19 Physician Task Force community update #47 Dear Fellow Sunshine Coast Residents: This has certainly been a month of encouraging news.

Although our provincial case numbers have bumped up a little bit recently, our local numbers remain low at less than one new case per day. On the vaccine front, there have been a few hiccups with the rollout, but we are well ahead of schedule locally (and across the province). Hopefully, this will translate to widespread immunity much sooner than expected.

By the middle of this week, the vast majority of Coasters aged 80 and older, as well as more than 90 percent of

indigenous elders aged 65 and older, will be vaccinated.

Uptake has been high, and over 3,500 of our community members have now been immunized, with over 1,400 doses administered last week. If you are in one of the above groups and have not yet been vaccinated, please do not hesitate to book an appointment.

Because vaccinations are going faster than anticipated, everyone 70 and older (55 and older, if you are First Nations, Métis or Inuit) is now eligible for vaccination on the Coast. If you were born in 1951 or earlier, or you are an indigenous person born in 1966 or earlier, please call

1-877-587-5767 to book an appointment. We are expecting that there will also be an online booking option in the near future.

Local physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers continue to work with Public Health and Vancouver Coastal Health to maximize our local capacity. If all goes well, we hope that all adults on the Coast will be able to be immunized before July.

Some of you will have read about the AstraZeneca vaccine being suspended in a number of European countries over concerns about an increased risk of blood clots.

The most recent data indi-

cates that the rate of blood clots after this vaccine is actually lower than the rate of blood clots in people who have not had the vaccine. For those of you who are offered the AstraZeneca vaccine, we would encourage you to take it.

Despite all the good news, COVID-19 is still present in our community, and we are still a long way from reaching adequate community-wide immunity. Please continue to take every precaution to protect yourself and those around you. Please continue to minimize your close contacts to your immediate household only and keep your distance from those outside your household.

Outdoor gatherings of up to ten people are allowed, provided social distancing is maintained. Please wear a mask and wash your hands frequently. Don’t gather indoors, stay local if you can, and please be as kind and patient as possible with everyone around you.

Please arrange for testing right away if you have even one of the key COVID-19 symptoms: fever, chills, new cough (or worsening of a chronic cough), difficulty breathing, or loss of sense of taste or smell. You should also get tested if you have two or more of the following symptoms for more than 24 hours: a sore throat, headache, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and muscle aches.

With our local COVID-19 infection rate remaining low, the Respiratory Assessment Clinic is now closed on Sundays. It remains open Monday through Saturday from 8:30am to 4pm. If you meet the criteria for testing, please contact the Respiratory Assessment Clinic by phone or text at 604-740-1252 or by email at coastrespclinic@ gmail.com.

While you are awaiting assessment or test results, you must self-isolate at home, ideally in a separate space

where you can limit contact with other members of your household. You must continue to self-isolate until you have tested negative and your symptoms have resolved. If you test positive for COVID-19, you will have to continue self-isolating until you are cleared by Public Health.

If you have more severe symptoms and believe you may need to be admitted to hospital, please go to the Sechelt Hospital Emergency Department. If you need an ambulance, please call 911. Please remember that the Emergency Department remains open and safe for anyone with a medical emergency.

Keep well, and please keep doing everything you can to keep our community safe!

Sunshine Coast COVID-19 Physician Task Force Dr. Jennifer Baxter Dr. Ted Krickan Dr. Herman Mentz Dr. Brian Nelson Dr. Daren Spithoff

Sechelt ramps up Restart spending

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

SCRD 2021 tax rates rise in Round 2 All SCRD areas except A (Pender Harbour) and F (Howe Sound Islands) saw their estimated 2021 property taxes bump up between the SCRDs first and second-round budget debates.

Tax increases over 2020 levels are forecast for all areas as the SCRD board battles costs “to address key infrastructure challenges” in 2021.

The board is slated to rocket from first reading to adoption of the 2021 budget at its March 25 meeting.

The amended draft under consideration presents tax increases over the previous year ranging from a high of over 24 percent in Area A to just under five percent for the Islands in Area F. If the draft is adopted without further changes, the regional portion of property taxes for those in Sechelt and the Sechelt Indian Government District would see a just over 10 percent bump. Property owners in Gibsons would be faced with an increase of about 11

percent. Halfmoon Bay property owners would see an increase of about 12 percent.

The proposed increase for the Roberts Creek and Howe Sound areas is about 8.8 percent, and the rate for Elphinstone is slated to go up by 9.6 percent.

For a residential property assessed at $500,000, the SCRD portion of 2021 property tax is set to rise from $30 to $266 over 2020 levels, depending on where you live.

In a press release issued 13 days after the end of Round 2 deliberations, SCRD Board Chair Lori Pratt said, “We have heard concerns about tax increases but also that residents do not want any reduction to current service delivery. Whether it’s investments in our volunteer fire departments or investment in key infrastructure such as the Chapman Creek Water Treatment Plant, this budget will allow us the opportunity to build for the future of our region.”

Changes between February’s Round 1 discussions and the draft budget before the board included new emergency additional spending, including $125,000 for a generator for the Sechelt Landfill. In early 2021, the system that provides electrical power to the landfill failed. The facility is operating with a temporary generator.

In addition, the board ratified a four-year collective agreement for its unionized staff on March 11. The agreement will mean an immediate four percent increase to wages. Further wage increases of 2.25 percent in 2022 and 2.5 percent in 2023 have been agreed to. The board also endorsed an updated salary grid for exempt staff.

The new higher rates are to be paid to a staff complement that will grow by 12.65 new positions in 2021 if the draft budget is endorsed.

Connie Jordison

Sechelt property taxpayers should see an easing of District asks for 2021 tax increases following March 17 council decisions to spend some of its COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant on operational projects.

The highest-priced item to be bought with the funding provided by the province is a $188,000 spend to finally incorporate the OnBase document management system.

This will pay a contractor to complete file digitization and migration, staff training, as well as policies and procedures to keep the system operating. The need to spend in this area had been raised as the 2021 operational budget was introduced in February.

Sechelt launched its “paperless office” system in 2016.

Since that time, only one department has been transitioned to the new format.

During a 2021 budget public information discussion, Mayor Darnelda Siegers attributed the delays in getting the system up and running to ongoing turnover in key staff positions, including department directors.

Another big-ticket operational spend being funded from Restart rather than general revenues will be a $100,000 investment in a website upgrade. Staff were unsuccessful in getting council approval to do this work in 2020 and had brought the request forward again in 2021.

A $40,000 ask to add personnel to handle increased duties related to staff occupational health and safety will also come out of the Restart money.

In all, staff asked council for approval to spend just over $780,000 of the District’s $2.5 million in Restart grant funding at its March

17 meeting. Sechelt has already allocated $81,600 of the grant to cover revenue shortfalls for 2020 and information technology upgrades.

At the meeting, council gave the “OK” to go forward with about $512,000 in Restart spending. In addition to the first three projects, there was authorization to buy a $65,000 vehicle to serve as a mobile Visitor’s Information Centre. Purchase of four 10 by 10 foot tents to be used for outdoor events and meetings was agreed to. Those will be branded with the District logo and will cost $30,000.

Just over $72,000 of the Restart money will be used to cover multiple adjustments to the District office to make working onsite in a time of social distancing easier.

Council was unwilling to support a request to have an elevator installed at the Seaside Centre, at the cost of $65,000. It also rejected a $60,000 ask to add accessible washrooms to the Festival of the Written Arts offices locat-

ed near Rockwood Centre on Cowrie Street.

Another item that did not make council’s “cut” was a request for $102,000 to update the wayfinding signage in the District. Communications Manager Julie Rogers advised council that the project had been included in a District request to the province for a Tourism Communities grant initiative. It was not approved under that program.

Council asked staff to provide a report on using some of the remaining approximately $1.9 million in Restart funding for an additional bylaw compliance and community ambassador position. Councillor Matt McLean noted that he would be speaking with staff about the development of further projects related to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. McLean stated that his preference was to “look at what we can do to create a major program with this fairly large chunk of money.” Connie Jordison

Shooting in Sechelt On March 16, at approximately 6am, the Sunshine Coast RCMP received a 911 call from a man stating he had been shot in his residence in the 6100 block of Fairway Avenue in Sechelt.

Police and paramedics attended and located a 36-year-old man with a single gunshot to his abdomen. Half an hour after the first call to 911, another man called police to report he was turning himself in at the Sechelt detachment.

Police attended and took

the 46-year-old man into custody and seized a firearm. The gunshot victim was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital, where he underwent surgery and is in critical condition.

The Sunshine Coast RCMP believe that this is an isolated incident between two men who are known to each other and not a random incident. The accused male is being held in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. There is no ongoing risk to the public.

Submitted by RCMP

4

The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021

Letters to the Editor – Opinions Vaccine bookings I don’t understand all the complaints about waittimes to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.

We are stuck at home, so what’s the big deal of holding the phone in your hand?

It sounds like these impatient callers expect hundreds of workers to sit by the phone just waiting for it to ring.

Anyhow, I qualify for the second round of vaccines but decided to wait until 6:45pm to dial the number.

A recording said press one to talk to a human. I did, and within a few seconds, a man answered. Five minutes later, I hang up with a time and place to get my vaccine. At last, I can hug my kids and grandkids – whether they want to or not.

Thank you to the many workers who devote their lives to keep us safe.

Jennie Tschoban, Gibsons

Postal code changes So, in Sechelt, Canada Post is to change our postcode. No reason or justification was given.

It is easy to let family and friends around the world know but not so easy, not always possible, for others with whom we have infrequent contact or have lost touch. I received a letter and magazine this past week from someone in the UK that I’d had no contact with for over 12 years. There are

others around the world who will only have my current postal code.

So, Canada Post, what is the reason for this change?

Was there really no alternative? Are you legally liable for any costs and consequences? Short term, you will redirect mail that uses the current code but after that?

Paul Rhodes, Sechelt

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governing is supposed to mean, even putting in a twit to run the military.

What really got up my nose was the heron and sea lice comments. To me, it’s obvious that if you kill off a large proportion of the principal food of a salmon,

continued page 5...

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Science Matters

Lessons in the pandemic’s shadow: Moving past hope to action

DISTRIBUTION

Richard Austin

(Re: Letters, the Local, March 18) Interesting selection of letters last week – I also thought the “eunuch” joke was cheesy, but if you are a male, you will have already experienced the animosity displayed by females if you

ever innocently wander into a playground full of children all by yourself – men are easy targets these days.

Besides, it’s the idiots in Ottawa that somebody voted for; despite all that hot air and blather about “feminists” and “diversity” and other popular twaddle, haven’t got a clue about what

Weekly Cartoon

Since hearing about the struggles that a friend of mine is enduring over the need for reasonable repairs to her rented living space in Gibsons, I am compelled to write this letter.

It’s really apparent that there is an urgent need to have responsible bylaws and/or legislation that better protects tenants on the Sunshine Coast.

The law should require landlords to make obviously needed repairs to their rental properties. The law should provide a mechanism to scrutinize those landlords who unfairly attempt to evict tenants for reasons that amount to a reno-viction.

Everyone should be protected under the law through an official and fair assessment made – especially when such repairs could be done easily without the tenant having to remove contents from their home.

As I see it, it appears that some renters in Gibsons

AT NEWS STANDS ON WEDNESDAYS THROUGHOUT THE SUNSHINE COAST AND ON BC FERRIES: LANGDALE TO HORSESHOE BAY ROUTE.

production@thelocalweekly.ca

Letters

Reno-victions

P.O. Box 494, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0 Susan Attiana

are living at the mercy of slum landlords. Situations like this create an atmosphere no better than living in the Dark Ages for these renters.

Please do all that is in your power to correct this unfair situation.

Janet Sadel, East Vancouver

MEMBER OF

As vaccines become available and we emerge from COVID-19s shadow, we must hang onto insights we’ve gained.

We can all appreciate that consistent investments in science and applied research made the rapid response to this crisis possible. The pandemic highlights the need to rely on effective health, government and related organizations to mobilize a response – in this case, to protect the most vulnerable first, and so begin to reduce the spread, health care burden and deaths.

Early on, we recognized the heroism of front-line workers – not just health care workers, but cleaning and grocery store staff, educators and caregivers, and sanitation, postal and agricultural workers – who are essential to keeping our communities going.

As the pandemic hit the brakes on the economy, not all incomes were affected equally. Women, youth, gig-economy workers, people earning lower wages and small business owners have been disproportion-

ately hurt. Not everyone has the luxury of moving to a home office or out of a city, forgoing a commute and complaining about the increasing number of Zoom meetings.

We recognized the need for governments to support people whose ability to make a living was being decimated and to take on debt that they are better equipped to bear than their constituents.

Parallels between the pandemic and climate and biodiversity crises have also been revealed. We need collective will, shared evidence-based action and society-wide mobilization if we are to avoid jumping from one catastrophe to the next.

Crises demand we act for the common good. We can’t afford to have the few exploiting or undermining the health and survival of the many. We must listen to science and act in our common interests. There’s no room for science deniers or those who exploit wedge issues to sow dissent for political gain. We live in a democracy, and so we must participate and make choices that align with what we value and need to move forward and heal.

As the pandemic unfolded, we saw that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected some communities, racialized and lower-in-

come neighbourhoods in particular. This inequity is mirrored in environmental impacts. Indigenous people and racialized communities live with significantly higher levels of pollution and increasingly grapple with higher-severity climate change impacts, even though they produce less pollution than predominantly white, higher-income communities.

In the hush of pandemic lockdown, we heard George Floyd’s words – “I can’t breathe” – more clearly. We began an uncomfortable but more inclusive journey to come to grips with the systemic injustices that have long been with us.

Black, Indigenous and people of colour have always understood these injustices through lived experience.

But for many others, they were revelations.

Research tells us that our environmental movement is also not as diverse as it should be.

To build true, lasting resilience, we must reflect on what we’ve learned, sit with these uncomfortable insights and emerge determined to stand together to make meaningful change.

We should celebrate the increasing climate leadership being shown at all levels of government in North America. But I worry that we might fall back into pushing for only small

incremental changes and technical and policy solutions and miss out on the deeper systemic change needed to ensure elected leaders and government agencies act in everyone’s interests – especially those who have historically had less of a voice and shouldered more of the burdens.

We can’t tackle climate change without confronting the systems of inequity that allow it to happen: unequal voice, power and representation at decision-making tables. Only an imbalance of voice and power can enable the few to reap benefit on the backs of the many. If we allow our systems to skirt true reconciliation, equity and inclusion, the risks will grow unchecked.

As James Baldwin said, “Once you realize that you can do something, it would be difficult to live with yourself if you didn’t do it.”

It would be a tragedy if, in the rush to return to normal, we cast aside what we’ve learned and postpone the work necessary to change our systems to build the resilience we need to thrive.

True systems change is the only way forward. To heed the lessons the pandemic has laid bare for us and act on them will take courage from us all.

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation.

The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021 5

Letters to the Editor – Opinions ...letters continued the herring (which is going on as we speak), then you are not going to have a robust salmon population.

Only 25 percent of the herring catch has the roe that is sought, a small amount goes to food, but the majority of the rest of the catch goes to the rendering plant. Herons are part of the natural infrastructure which eats salmon, just like us, and they have always been here, not like us.

Without herring in abundance, there will be fewer if any salmon, and therefore fewer if any killer whales; with the poaching that is enthusiastically pursued on the Coast (“…27 rock fish…”) and the organized idiots who vacuum up every creature on the beach like

they are looking for clues in a murder movie, our inland sea, as compared to 50 years ago, is virtually barren.

People love to trash fish farms, but it is an essential industry. As we are proving daily, the herring roe fishery is demonstrably more important than wild salmon.

Even hatcheries are useless if the salmon have nothing to eat. Oysters, prawns, sturgeon and yes, salmon are all successfully farmed, and despite a lot of bleating about lice, how else do you suppose we will be able to feed eight billion people?

Wild animals cannot survive extinction if humans are determined to eat them, so the only conclusion is that wild salmon are not sustainable.

Herring eat plankton, and sea lice have a plankton

stage, so herring can help with the lice, too, if there are any herring left. When humans muck about with nature, we always get it wrong.

I was also pleased (relieved?) to not see any blather from Dr. Suzuki this week. If you need a weekly dose of “holier than thou,” there is always Mr. Trudeau to consult.

Ken Dibnah, West Sechelt

National pharmacare (Open letter to MP Patrick Weiler) Everyone in Canada deserves access to the prescription medications they need. Yet 7.5 million Canadians have insufficient or no drug coverage, and some

are more vulnerable than others – including racialized Canadians and women.

Many are making difficult decisions by cutting spending on food and heat to ensure their families have the prescription drugs they need.

COVID-19 has resulted in more people losing their jobs and consequently losing their benefits, making pharmacare more important than ever.

In 2019, your government’s own advisory council recommended a national, universal, single-payer pharmacare program to be fully implemented by 2027.

Due to the urgency of the situation, I am calling on you to take immediate action. As a concrete first step to implementing universal pharmacare, your govern-

ment should allocate sufficient funding in the coming 2021 Federal Budget to begin implementing universal coverage of essential medicines by July 1, 2021.

It is time to act. Canada deserves #PharmacareNow. Miyuki Shinkai, Sunshine Coast Labour Council, President

Healing power (Re: “Supportive Housing,” cover, the Local, March 18) Well, Gibsons! About the new supportive housing building on School Road. I hope the healing power on the inside is as strong as the images just applied on the outside.

J. Imanse, Gibsons

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.

Sechelt area postal code changes coming Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal construction BC Ferries will be conducting construction work at the Horseshoe Bay terminal to maintain aging infrastructure. The work is set to begin on March 30 and is expected to wrap up sometime in July.

The project includes concrete restoration work on the terminal’s elevated vehicle transfer deck, which is necessary to maintain the infra-

structure.

The work may increase the normal sound levels within the terminal Monday to Friday between 7:30am to 4:30pm, and throughout the night for the first two months of the project. This work needs to be completed overnight to minimize the impact of sailings operating out of the terminal.

BC Ferries will work close-

ly with the contractor to minimize noise. Earplugs will be available, upon request, for customers queuing or waiting near the areas of work.

Traffic patterns in the terminal will also be modified to accommodate the work, and customers are reminded to follow the direction of staff.

Submitted by BC Ferries

SUNSHINE COAST FERRY SCHEDULE For schedules, fare info or to reserve 1-888-223-3779 or www.bcferries.com

Schedule in Effect: January 6, 2021 to March 31, 2021 Crossing Time: 40 minutes Distance: 10.5 nautical miles CANADA POST PHOTO

Changes to postal codes for some 7,200 addresses in the Sechelt and the Halfmoon Bay area are set for April 19.

Media relations at Canada Post advised the Local that those who will be impacted by the change will be notified officially by mail. Residents should not make changes until instructed to do so by Canada Post.

The first three characters of the adjusted postal code will become V7Z. Those characters are the postal codes forward sortation area or FSA. That identifies the geographical region or postal district for addresses with that code.

Canada Post will provide customers impacted by the change with one year of free mail redirection to provide time for them to update their information. Any incoming mail addressed to the previous code will continue to be delivered during that period.

Early and incomplete information that circulated in the community about these

adjustments caused considerable angst among area residents. In an email Canada Post sent to Sechelt Mayor Darnelda Siegers, an unidentified Canada Post spokesperson wrote, “I understand that there has been confusion caused by incorrect information passed to residents from a Canada Post customer service agent. In particular, that there will only be six months of free redirect and that any questions should be directed to the municipality.

This is completely wrong, and I am very sorry for the confusion this has caused.

I have flagged this, and it is being looked into to ensure our customer service team is providing residents with the accurate information.

I’ve also been informed that another point of confusion has been caused by our auto-address complete feature on our website, which has been updated in preparation for this transition to the new postal code. I can assure you that the change has not yet taken effect and won’t be of-

ficial until the April 19 start date.”

Canada Post advised Mayor Siegers that the change will support route modifications, which are necessary to accommodate increased growth in the area and to improve overall delivery efficiencies.

When asked by the Local about why the changes are being introduced, media relations at Canada Post wrote, “Having the mailing address match the municipal address (instead of a rural route or PO Box number) leads to more efficient and effective mail processing especially when relief agents are required given that they have little knowledge of where each resident is located by name. Using a civic address also makes using the internet easier when doing searches for businesses in the area, registering for services, requesting travel and distance direction or making online purchases that need to be shipped.”

Connie Jordison

(Vancouver)

(Sunshine Coast)

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The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021

No March 22 “take off” for aerodrome improvements The District of Sechelt’s announced start date of March 22 for its aerodrome resurfacing and runway extension project came and went with no activity at the site. Sechelt’s Director of Engineering and Public Works Kirn Dhillon told the Local that although contractor Jakes Construction was expected to begin the $3.18 million project that day, it is still working offsite on “the survey layout of the work.”

The District’s website details that the project, which includes a runway extension of 700 feet along with repaving of existing aerodrome apron and taxiway areas, is anticipated to be finished in mid-July. The majority of the work will be completed

within the confines of the aerodrome and is expected to have no impact on nearby residences and businesses.

The public is advised that there may be increased heavy truck traffic in the area during the construction period.

The aerodrome will remain open during most of the construction. The District’s website states that notifications regarding any closures of facilities related to the project will be publicly posted.

Runway infrastructure was last updated in 1976. Over the past 10 years, Sechelt has made several attempts to undertake improvements. In 2019, it was awarded the first of two BC Air Access Program (BCAAP) grants to undertake

the work. That grant of just over $1 million required that the municipality also contribute. Council authorized the District’s portion of $346,865 of project costs come out of its gas tax reserve. Later that year, an engineering review of the conditions at the aerodrome revealed that more extensive work would be required to ensure the runways could be resurfaced to a safe standard. That prompted another BCAAP application

by Sechelt in Dec. 2019 and approval of a second grant for $1.348 million. Gas tax funds were again identified as the source of the required $796,234 District contribution.

Sechelt’s second BCAAP grant award was one of five

announced on March 18 by Rob Fleming, BC’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. The total amount of funding announced was $3.4 million. The value of the grant to Sechelt was more than double the award amounts provided to airport projects in Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Boundary Bay and Squamish.

In the BCAAP grant announcement press release, Fleming said, “We know the pandemic has caused financial stress for many industries and significantly impacted our aviation sector throughout BC, including our community airports. But we’re also looking to better days ahead, post-pandemic. That’s why we’re taking action to

Written requests from the Coast’s figure skating and minor hockey associations did not convince an SCRD committee to support keeping ice in the Sechelt Arena past March 31. Committee members at the March 18 Planning and Community Development meeting stood by board direction that ice be retained beyond the end of March only when variable costs can be covered by the revenue generated from user groups.

A 2019 assessment of incremental spring ice costs was $7,435 per week. Staff

advised the committee that as of 2021, that figure has increased. With the current provincial Public Health Order (PHO) restricting both adult and minor hockey activities, staff noted that there is not enough demand for ice time to balance off the operational costs of an extended ice season.

The Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association submitted a conditional request of 15 ice hours per week in April and May. Those hours would only be booked if the PHO were to be changed to allow for gameplay. The

Sunshine Coast Skating Club committed to buying just under 18.75 hours of weekly ice time during that period.

Those requests guaranteed the SCRD $13,466 in revenue for two months of ice operations. Incremental costs to retain ice-based use during that period are $65,852. Director of Planning and Community Development Ian Hall noted that 79 weekly hours of bookings are needed to cover extended ice season costs. Even if the PHO were to be adjusted and minor hockey’s request became

a reality, an over $40,000 deficit would be incurred by extending the arena season to May 28.

Gibsons Area Alternate Director David Croal suggested that the organizations look to the corporate sector to provide the financial support needed to extend the ice season.

Roberts Creek Area Director Andreas Tize stated that the committee was being put into “the unenviable role of being the only spokesperson for the average taxpayer.”

No committee recommen-

Committee rejects ice season extension requests

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support communities with important infrastructure upgrades so we can boost jobs, tourism and trade that will give us a head start with BC’s economic recovery.”

Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, was also quoted in the release. “Helping small airports

get a head start on pandemic recovery is the right decision.

The Sechelt Airport runway upgrades will help tourists, travellers and businesses on the Lower Coast get where they need to go safely and help us all succeed as we recover,” said Simons.

Connie Jordison

CONNIE JORDISON PHOTO

dation on a season extension will be forwarded to the board. In response to a question from the Local, Hall indicated that SCRD staff actively monitor changes to the PHO and that they are prepared to “pivot” operations and advice to the board should the situation change.

In support of continuing youth sports opportunities, Sunshine Coast Skating Club President Andrea Watson wrote, “Now more than ever, they need a healthy outlet, a safe space, and a responsible adult present – all of which an ice arena and organized sports provide. In a time where youth feel a sense of loss and control

over life as they knew it, we are seeing a dramatic increase in self-harming, eating disorders, and substance use.” A Facebook campaign launched March 19 by the minor hockey association asks those who want to support an extended ice season to contact their SCRD director in advance of the March 25 board meeting.

The Sunshine Coast Arena in Sechelt remains open for use, including public skating to the end of March. Attendance at public skating requires a reservation and adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols. Bookings can be made on scrd.ca.

Connie Jordison

The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021 7

Gospel Rock and other chairing challenges Mayor Bill Beamish faced a bumpy debate that began with the call to order at Gibsons’ March 16 council meeting. Councillor Annemarie De Andrade moved to make an addition to the amended meeting agenda for an update on the environmental protection covenant on the property at Gospel Rock.

Beamish reminded her of the process for placing business items on the agenda. Those include submitting items a week in advance. As meeting chair, he allowed De Andrade’s motion to proceed to a vote, which passed, with councillors Croal and Lumley in favour.

During the item’s discussion, Beamish put a stop to extended questioning by De Andrade related to tree cutting licences issued by the Town to the Gospel Rock developer. He advised the councillor that she was stepping outside of her role and that interrogation of staff in open meetings would not be permitted. De Andrade stated, “I just want a straightforward answer which I am not getting.”

Beamish explained that he had made an offer for all parties involved in the Gospel Rock covenant and environmental protection area to meet to resolve a number of details. Councillor Stafford Lumley requested he be involved in this meet-

ing. As of March 22, Mayor Beamish confirmed that the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA) and The Land Conservancy of BC had accepted the invitation, and Councillor Lumley was to be included. The Town was awaiting confirmation about the meeting from the developer.

During the inquiries session at the end of the meeting, SCCA Executive Director Suzanne Senger thanked council for having the discussion in public. Senger stated she was pleased to see that council members are clear on the commitment to protect all of the dry land forest area at Gospel Rock.

Senger noted that her group, which is a party to the covenant, is also in negotiation with others, including the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, related to a waterfront issue in the development area. This relates to subdivision approval and a requirement of the Land Title Act to provide access to water to subdivided properties.

A further divergence of views on council roles came to light at the meeting in discussions on the hiring of new staff and options for a Town organizational performance review. During an earlier debate at committee, both actions were recommended. At council, a motion to hire for a

new corporate services position did not make it to a vote.

That $35,000 item will not be included in the 2021 budget without further committee discussion.

The recommendation that staff report back on a potential performance review was endorsed. That was done despite disagreements on how the project should proceed.

Beamish, whose background includes over 40 years in municipal administration, cautioned council about the cost of such a project. While he was serving as Sechelt’s Chief Administrative Officer in 2014, a similar review cost in the $150,000 range.

Lumley expressed the view that there must be a “cheaper alternative.” De Andrade noted that she had scanned information on staffing levels of other similar-sized municipalities that had lower numbers of employees than Gibsons. Beamish advised council members to avoid “doing their own research” on such matters. His opinion was that when a staff report is requested, council should allow the professionals on the municipality’s payroll to do the work. Beamish said it was not council’s role to undermine those efforts by doing side investigations or by placing excessive conditions on the assignment.

Connie Jordison

Greenlane Homes wants to build a mixture of commercial, multi-family and single-family zones on this 47-acre site. The proposal allows for up to 360 residential units and protects approximately 46 percent of Block 7 from development through park and greenspace. This includes the three viewpoints (Cross Rock, Little Africa, and Gospel Rock), all of the waterfront area, most of the steep and environmentally sensitive forested slopes, and the “greenlane” to the neighbourhood centre. TOWN OF GIBSONS IMAGE

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The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021

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DIY backyard shed ideas for “me space” Running out of room in your house? As home becomes more and more a comfy place of refuge, many of us are looking for ways to make the most of our property. A backyard shed can be the perfect solution to carve out some space just for you.

Gaining popularity among homeowners, livable backyard sheds or casitas can be used as cozy getaways that create some “me space.”

They’re perfect for parents who want some breathing room away from the kids, those looking for a separate home office or anyone needing a space to call all their own for a hobby, reading or unwinding after a long day.

One of the top advantages of transforming a shed into a livable part of your home is that it’s super easy and affordable. Most small sheds don’t need permits and can be easily renovated yourself but stay informed about city permit requirements.

A backyard casita is also fun to decorate and easy to personalize in your style – whether it’s rustic log cabin, farmhouse chic or bold and modern. You can also adapt the interior of your shed quickly to suit your changing needs, seamlessly switching from home office to virtual school hub to craft space.

Make sure your shed is comfortable and cozy, so it’s

a place you enjoy spending time in. Before you deck out your shed in your chosen décor, install a quality subfloor to keep out cold and moisture.

Whatever design and materials you choose, be sure to use textures and items that encourage peace, joy and relaxation. Whether you hang photos of a quiet forest path or undulating waves on a serene beach, this is a space just for you, so outfit it with your favourite things. Think souvenirs from your last vacation, materials and supplies for your latest hobby, and blankets and pillows in soothing fabrics.

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Heather’s

Grow local this season Spring weather and spending more time at home may have you thinking about gardening. Whether it’s a small container garden on your condo balcony, a produce aisle of your very own in your backyard or a tropical paradise around the pool, there is truly a garden for everyone.

But this year, Canadian grower Arnold Devrij wants you to think local when planting your plot. Along with his brother Pete, Arnold is a third-generation grower who

operates more than 50 acres of greenhouses for the family business, DeVry Greenhouses in Chilliwack.

Local doesn’t just mean Canadian, though. Regionality is also very important to a plant’s performance.

“Plants perform best when they are grown in a particular climate,” explains Devrij.

“For example, a plant lover in Calgary will want to look for sun-loving varieties, whereas a Vancouver gardener will want to look for varieties that do better in the shade.”

Regardless of whether you’re looking to grow your own food or create a tropical oasis in your backyard without having to travel to a warm destination, don’t be afraid to try something new and let your garden grow.

You can find locally grown hanging baskets and planters, as well as a great selection of annuals, herbs and vegetables grown by small producers at your local garden centre.

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The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021

Second tent proposed at Gibsons Recycling Depot the business’ first cardboard baler. It is planned to be the same size and height as the existing tent and would be secured to side wall bases formed by shipping containers. Plans are for the second structure to be open at both ends.

The business holds a threeyear TUP to allow temporary structures to be used on the site. That TUP will expire in May 2022. Local governments are permitted to issue TUPs for periods of up to three years, and a TUP can be renewed once, for a second period of up to three years.

In a report to committee, Planner Kirsten Rawkins explained, “The depot’s need for the use of the tents is expected to continue beyond the current one year remaining on the existing TUP, but due to anticipated changes to recycling operations at the regional level, the need for

A proposed second tent to shelter cardboard storage by Gibsons Recycling Depot would be located behind existing storage containers and not accessed by the public. TOWN OF GIBSONS IMAGE

letters to neighbours of the property to notify them of the request to add the second tent and to renew the TUP. Gibsons Recycling’s application will be the first in the Town to require notification of neighbours within 100 meters of the property. The notification area for such applications was recently doubled in the Town’s development procedures. The applications have also been referred to the area’s fire department, as well as Town Building and Infrastructure Services departments for comment.

Connie Jordison

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Close to 50 area residents concerned about preserving BC’s old-growth forests gathered in the rain on March 19 in solidarity at the Davis Bay pier for an information demonstration. The event was part of a province-wide “day of action” organized to pressure the BC Government to stop all logging of old-growth immediately. In a posting to Facebook earlier that day, event organizers reported that over 25 BC communities affected by such logging activities were participating. The Davis Bay event was spearheaded by the Gambier Guardians, a group of forest protectors from Gambier Island. Representatives of the local chapter of the provincial Green Party also attended in support. The Guardians are taking action on Gambier Island to educate local residents and to gather scientific evidence to demonstrate that the cutting of a local wood lot is not in the best interest of the island. CONNIE JORDISON PHOTO

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the use is not expected to exceed four years.”

In committee discussion, Mayor Bill Beamish asked if the owners had plans to eventually replace the tents with permanent structures.

Beamish noted that the Town does not levy taxes on tents as property improvements.

The Nygaards said that they are leasing the existing site but that if an appropriately zoned and sized property were to become available for purchase, constructing a building may fit with their business plan.

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Business owners Tyler and Amanda Nygaard told the committee that the volume of cardboard they are processing had risen significantly over the past year. Tyler Nygaard stated he viewed the increase as a spin-off from more online shopping and home delivery of goods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed second tent is to be adjacent to the one already on site, which houses

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Changes to Mills Road development Westcor Lands is reducing its proposed Mills Road development to 34 multi-family residential units. Its original request was for 44 units.

Sechelt council received a staff report and a delegation from the developer regarding the change at its March 17 meeting.

Bruce Mason from Westcor and project architect Nicholas Waissbluth explained that following community consultation on the proposal, Westcor adjusted the number of units and the setbacks of the development from Christian, Bligh and Mills roads in West Sechelt. The updated proposal includes duplex, tri-plex and four-plex structures on the one-hectare site. Waissbluth noted that Westcor had signed a letter of intent with BC Housing to include five units in the development as part of an affordable rental housing initiative.

Westcor is continuing with plans to include secondary suites in approximately five of the residences. The exact number of lock-off suites to be included is dependent on the outcome of discussions with staff regarding on-site parking requirements for the development.

The changes squeak the

new proposal under the maximum density allowed within the location’s existing land use designation by one unit. Therefore, no Official Community Plan amendment is required. The project requires re-zoning from R-3 to R-4 to proceed as planned.

Sechelt council’s practice is to consider the scheduling of a public hearing of zoning amendment bylaws following the second reading.

Council also endorsed Development Planning Manager Ian Holl’s recommendation that the developer undertake a traffic assessment and agree to a voluntary community amenity contribution.

Holl noted that should the project proceed as planned, it would be assessed $516,018 in District Development Cost Charges (DCC). He also estimated that an additional $85,425 DCC for water service would be payable to the Sunshine Coast Regional District.

Council referred the amended proposal for review and comment to relevant groups, including the Advisory Planning Commission (APC), West Sechelt Community Association, Sechelt Fire Department and Ministry of Transportation and Infra-

structure.

In another planning matter considered at the meeting, council declined to take action on an APC recommendation that Sechelt draw up definitive and legible variance application guidelines.

Such applications are made when an owner wants to construct improvements that need the relaxation of requirements set out in the zoning of a property. Examples include requests for smaller setbacks or increases to lot coverage percentages.

Sechelt’s procedure is to refer such applications to the APC for comment in advance of council consideration. The APC expressed the view that it felt that too many variance applications were coming forward.

Rather than asking staff to create more documentation, council encouraged them to work with applicants to find alternatives, so that proposed projects meet lot requirements without variances. If that is not possible, council supported the right of an individual to submit a variance application. Each of these applications is to be considered on its own merits.

Connie Jordison

The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021 11

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New Salish-Class vessel named and call for artists for vessel artwork In recognition of the Coast Salish as the traditional stewards and original mariners of the Salish Sea, BC Ferries has named its new Salish-Class ferry Salish Heron. BC Ferries will honour the Salish Heron name with Coast Salish artwork on the exterior and interior of the vessel and is partnering with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council once again to facilitate the commission of an original design from a BC Coast Salish artist.

Salish Heron is the fourth Salish-Class vessel to join BC Ferries’ fleet and will sail in the Southern Gulf Islands starting in 2022. Salish Orca, Salish Eagle, and Salish Raven entered service in 2017, sailing between Comox and Powell River and in the Southern Gulf Islands. BC Ferries held a public naming contest for the Salish-Class ferries in 2015.

Salish Heron was among the shortlisted names because it reflects both the West Coast travel experience and the culture of British Columbia.

A Call to Coast Salish artists is now open to invite expressions of interest and portfolios. The First Peoples’

Cultural Council will facilitate the process with an adjudication committee comprised of Indigenous artists and BC Ferries’ representatives.

From the first round of submissions, the committee will select several artists to be shortlisted and commissioned to propose specific design concepts. From these proposals, one artist’s designs will be selected for final refinement, adhering to BC Ferries’ specifications for fabrication and application.

Similar to the three previous Salish Class vessels, the primary design will be applied to the exterior of the vessel and elements of the design will also be used inside the vessel.

“We are excited to be continuing this partnership with BC Ferries as they celebrate this new vessel by honouring living Coast Salish art forms that have survived through generations,” said Sarah Pocklington, FPCC arts program manager. “This project raises the profile of Coast Salish artists in BC and shares the beauty of their work with an international audience.

Providing space for Indigenous artists is a positive step towards reconciliation and a visual acknowledgment of the thriving cultures of the First Peoples of these waters.”

Working in partnership with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council to facilitate artwork commissioning, Darlene Gait from Esquimalt Nation was selected to design the artwork for the Salish Orca, John Marston from the Stz’uminus First Nation designed the artwork for the Salish Eagle, and the Salish Raven is adorned with an artistic design by Thomas Cannell from Musqueam.

The deadline for expressions of interest is May 10, 2021. Shortlisted artists will be contacted and invited to submit conceptual designs

by June 14, 2021, and the final selection of artists will take place in late June. For full details of the call for artists, including submission guidelines, please visit the First Peoples’ Cultural Council website at fpcc.ca/stories/ bcferries2021.

Submitted by BC Ferries

Salish Orca with artwork designed by Darlene Gait from Esquimalt Nation.

BC FERRIES PHOTO

w w w. t h e l o c a l w e e k l y. c a

12

The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021

Education Matters Maria Hampvent

In March, we are celebrating equity and collaboration in School District 46. Using our chosen values as monthly featured themes in our communication plan is one of the many ways that our district expresses our values with

action.

In November 2020, SD46 entered into a Ministry of Education initiative called “Equity in Action.” Typically, this scan is a year-long assessment. However, we have been given permission to conduct this scan over three years. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to have richer and deeper dialogues.

The intention is that this will be transformative as well as

informative. In the text Appreciative Inquiry: A positive revolution in change, Cooperrider and Whitney (1999) state, “the art and practice of asking questions that strengthen a system’s capacity to apprehend, anticipate and heighten positive potential” is the core of the intention for this process. The equity scan isn’t designed specifically as an appreciative inquiry, however, the process

Tip of the Week: A close and rare triple conjunction between Sun, Venus and Chiron at 8-9 degrees of Aries occurs on March 28. Meanwhile, Mercury is closely conjunct Neptune in Pisces. Pluto in Capricorn occupies the powerful position of planet of highest degree. Unaspected planets can be understood as ‘unintegrated’ and, thereby, lose some of their power. As of March 21, Pluto was technically ‘unaspected’ and remains so until April 1. Pluto in Capricorn is symbolic of the transformation of governments and, due to COVID-19, they are becoming much stronger than ever before. The question is, is this power being directed to empower or to control humanity?

Spirituality often refers to the realities of actual higher powers and having a divine source. It is said that due to the law of free will this divine power or intervention is accessed by sincere request. Materialism negates this higher, inner dimensional divine source, yet for all of our science and technological prowess, we have never and will never create a single seed. Contemplate this fact to awaken to divine source and call upon it to help heal humanity.

Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 19) You are probably on a roll now. Yet, you may still be dealing with some lingering early morning fog.

Mercury in Pisces and conjunct Neptune is the culprit and may prove especially strong for you. Be aware of the encroaching perceptual ‘weather pattern’ as the week develops. For best results, aim to lay low, rest, retreat or enjoy leisurely, inspiring. It could prove strong, but won’t last long.

Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20) Taking some time out to recharge your batteries is probably wise now. This cycle will continue for a few weeks. Doing so, you will be better able to launch into spring a third in, especially when Taurus time begins, or even perhaps a little earlier when in mid-April your ruling planet, Venus, enters

your sign. Sun Mercury first then the Sun will follow up a few days later. Dream-up plans now.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Aries time often manifests as a punchy and rebellious cycle for you. Eager to dive into the new season, you tend to respond earlier than others to the stronger rays. Since you have entered an important learning cycle since late December 2020, but may not be sure of your direction or what to study, that may be your best focus – clarity and decision.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) One way or another, you are getting extra attention.

With Mars in Gemini, you are likely either feeling bold and courageous these days, or anxiously looking for your escape exit. It is likely that you are feeling extra philosophical and contemplative these days. Among other things, you may be wondering what the feelings of deep change and transformation you are undergoing is all about.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 23) Life is all about relationships and some cycles invite us to dive in deeper than others, and this is one of them. This is not a long cycle, but it could prove to be quite profound and transformational. Featured in this plot is a theme of commitment. It includes a deep, slow but sure process of change and transformation which in its highest reach is about spiritual mastery of some kind.

Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 22) You have entered a cycle that implies some forms of creative design. It includes the need to learn new skills and approaches, so be willing to exercise your beginner’s mind. Teaching and/ or learning from others includes training. This may require more energy and effort that you thought, but the results stand to prove very rewarding, so commit and invest.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) A push for freedom has and continues to be a central theme. Freedom from the past, health concerns financial burdens are all examples. Your success depends on accessing wisdom, according to your specific needs. Use this word to guide you to identify and access the best sources available. Patience is a keyword

these days, yet it is countered by creative expansion.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The time has come to pay closer attention to the quality of your daily life.

This includes strengthening your over foundation. This trend will continue for several weeks, well into May, actually, so begin now and use this time frame to guide your focus. Like building a high wall, the footing stones are extra important. Take your time to secure these as your top priority.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) The Sun in Aries marks a creative, energetic and inspirational cycle. Of course, there are ever other factors and themes of influence at play. Positively, you feel inspired and this steady rise will continue as Mercury joins Sun and Venus in Aries. Yet, you may be dealing with some opposition these days, which will prove especially agitating to the extent that you are not clear about what you want and need.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This is one of those cycles when you want to stay close to home. Yet, this does not mean you will be idle. In fact, you could find yourself busier and working harder than usual. Financial interests and goals are especially strong and your sights are set on the future. To this end you are eager and willing to learn and do what it takes to catch the wave of prosperity.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) With the new season, your spirits are rising along with your energy levels.

This is an expansive time in your life, yet it also requires that you are willing to pay your dues. What these imply is for you to decipher, but they are there. Positively, you feel excited regarding new projects which are serving to reveal your creative genius and versatility.

Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You are on an ambitious role. This trend will increase steadily over the coming weeks and months.

In some respects, your dive and determination is to get to the bottom of things. This may prove especially true regarding finances. Yet, it also includes the expression of your talents. To this end, you are wise to take a proactive and pioneering approach. michael@sunstarastrology.com

Trustee, Vice-Chair, School District #46 School Board

has the necessary ingredients to produce similar ripple effects and results for our community!

The design is to ask stakeholder groups across the district a series of 32 equity-related questions that cover these quadrants: Governance and Policy, Pedagogical Core,

Learning Environment and Learning Profile. In 2021, we begin with 11 of the 32 questions, continuing with the rest of the questions spread out over 2022 and 2023.

The collected and collated data will give feedback on how we may best approach barriers to equity in our

district. This is a wonderful example of how we enact the values of equity and collaboration.

The steering committee, which includes a member of the ministry, will meet again on April 15, 2021, to monitor the progress. We are excited to see the results!

Local THROWBACK THURSDAY

the

A view of the interior of the first powerhouse at Selma Park in Sechelt, 1937. The man in the photo at the Pelton wheel generator is Jack Newman, the plant manager/engineer.

The Columbia Power Company built the 100-horsepower hydro plant in 1937 and supplied the Peninsula from Sechelt to Gibsons with electricity. Visit the SC Museum’s online collection to view 7,000+ digital archival photographs. SCMA PHOTO #1318

Many people are welcoming home new puppies these days.

The pups are leaving all that is familiar to them and, while most make the transition easily, it’s a big change for the new pup, so preparation for the new arrival helps ensure things go smoothly and comfortably for everyone.

Before the pup arrives, decide where she will sleep at night. I like pups to sleep in the bedroom. Often pups are used to a crate so, if that is the case for your new arrival, that is a good place for your pup to sleep at night.

Prepare a safe, contained area for the pup to stay when not being actively supervised. Exercise pens (commonly known as an “x-pen”) are available at pet stores, and I find the ideal amount of space is two of these put together. Portable play areas designed for children make great puppy pens too. Within the pen, I have a crate and /or a bed, a litter tray or pad (it’s a great idea to find out what surface the puppy has been encouraged to toilet on in their first home), chew toys, and water. The benefit of having a space like this is that

the pup is safe and contained when the owner has their attention elsewhere. They are great places for tired pups to get some rest too.

The pen should be set up in a part of the house where she is with the family (the puppy will want to be near you) and can easily be observed. Have a leash nearby as well so you can take her out. Using a pen and establishing a routine by taking the pup out to relieve herself when she wakes up, after eating, after play and before naps helps avoid housetraining mistakes.

Before she arrives, make sure your home is safe for the puppy. Put away anything that could be hazardous if ingested or that you don’t want potentially turned into

a chew toy. The puppy will not be able to tell the difference between your shoes, for example, and her chew toys at this point. Use gates to restrict access to most of the house to avoid housetraining mistakes.

Examine your fencing and look for spots where the puppy might get through.

The best type of fencing has several inches of wire buried under the ground (so they can’t dig under) and is made of solid wood or wire screen, which prevents a dog from getting through.

Pups should always be accompanied in the yard.

For more information on puppies and puppy raising, please visit www.dogsof distinction.com.

Photo of two pups Jane fostered for the SPCA this winter.

BOWERS PHOTO

JANE

The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021 13

Cyberattack delays ICBC

Google Play card fraud involving airline call centre

ICBC is delaying the mailing of COVID-19 rebate cheques to customers due to a cyberattack on a third-party vendor contracted to provide printing and distribution services.

The information held by the vendor is limited to customer names, addresses, COVID-19 rebate cheque amounts and cheque numbers. There is no indication this information was obtained. The event did not impact ICBC’s systems, which are secure.

“Ensuring the safety and security of customers’ information is our top priority,” ICBC said in a statement.

“We are actively monitoring the situation with the ven-

dor and will work with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC if any information has been obtained.”

ICBC had planned to issue COVID-19 rebate cheques to customers last week but immediately put those plans on hold when the vendor advised of the attack.

To date, no cheques have been issued. ICBC is optimistic the delay will be minimal.

The corporation is working on options to issue cheques to its customers in the coming weeks.

Customers can expect to receive one-time rebates averaging $190 Submitted by ICBC

On March 17, a Coast resident reported falling for a fraud after attempting to get a refund from an airline after cancelling a trip due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The resident called the number for the airline, and after being transferred a number of times from person to person in an attempt to get to someone who could assist her with processing the refund, she ended up speaking with an unknown person who advised the resident that she would get her refund after first paying the airline a portion of the monies owed in Google Play cards.

The resident did as she was

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will be unable to recoup the costs of the gift cards. Police remind the public that you should never have to pay to receive a refund or prize winnings, especially using any type of gift cards.

To learn more about this and other popular scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentrecentreantifraude.ca.

Submitted by RCMP

Missing Sechelt youth found in dinghy On March 16, police received a report from a local boater of a youth found drifting in a dinghy near Poise Island, Sechelt. The boater advised that the youth refused to come to shore with him, so he left the youth with a life jacket and paddle before calling police. Shortly after this,

police received a report of a missing youth from a nearby neighbourhood in Sechelt.

Both the description of the found and missing youth appeared similar enough to suggest they were the same person, so police, with the aid of a local boater, went out onto the water and located the youth

and dinghy near the east side of Sechelt Inlet. Police confirmed the found youth was the same one reported missing and towed the dinghy back to shore. The youth, who was unharmed, was warned about water safety and transported back to the family home. Submitted by RCMP

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instructed, and after giving the scammer the card activation codes, she was asked for even more Google Play cards, at which point she realized she’d been scammed.

Unfortunately, the resident

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A valid “N” driver’s license is required. Wage to be discussed upon interview. We require full-time employees. 4-on/3-off shifts available.

Email: dayton@gibsonsbuilding.com or call 604-886-8141, ext. 1111

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The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021

Local SERVICES, RESTAURANTS, RESORTS, SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC

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Dakota Ridge season During the 2020-2021 winter season, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snow sledders headed for Dakota Ridge in record numbers.

“Dakota Ridge is always busy in the winter, especially during the holiday break, but this season, partly due to the pandemic, the facility saw a big increase in sales of season passes over last year’s season, especially for families,” said Sam Adams, SCRD parks planning coordinator.

Season pass sales in 2019/2020 were $11,422 compared to 2020/2021, which were $19,217.

Dakota Ridge’s success is due in part to a growing group of volunteers who graciously provide their time to assist with operations and management, monitoring the trails, and answering questions.

“Quite simply, a huge part of the success of Dakota Ridge is down to the community of volunteers – I would like to recognize the tremendous contributions they make in order to create an experience for visitors each and every year,” said Adams.

Dakota Ridge is a 620-hectare (1,532 acres) plateau,

featuring 20 kilometres of world-class cross-country ski trails (classic and skate), four kilometres of groomed snowshoe trails, three kilometres of wilderness snowshoe trails, and a family-friendly sledding area. The area tops out at 1,200 metres and is beautifully surrounded by old-growth hemlock, balsam and yellow cedar trees with views of Vancouver Island, the Salish Sea and the North Shore mountains.

“The last day of operations for the 2020/2021 season is Wednesday, March 31,” said Adams. “Snow conditions have been excellent, so there’s still time to get up there and enjoy. While doing so, please remember to practice physical distancing (staying two metres apart), and if you are feeling sick, please stay home.”

As spring progresses, the road to Dakota Ridge will start to degrade and become soft and muddy, so please drive with caution and check regular updates on road conditions on the Dakota Ridge Facebook Page.

More information about Dakota Ridge can be found at www.scrd.ca/dakota-ridge.

Submitted by SCRD

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

Thursday, March 25 • Virtual Storytime – the whole family can share in songs, rhymes, and stories (all-day), details at gibsons.bc.libraries.coop/explore/calendar/ • 2021 Spring Workshops from Arts Alliance: Marketing in Covid – Facebook + Instagram Advertising, 10:30am-noon, $45, online, 604-681-3535 · www.allianceforarts.com/alliance-workshops • Karen’s Paint Day/Night – Peacock, $45, 10:30am-12:30pm/1:30-3:30pm, CREATE, 6538 Sunshine Coast Hwy, Sechelt, 604-989-3345 · Createsechelt@telus.net · www.createbykaren.ca • French Conversation Group, 10:30am-noon, details at gibsons.bc.libraries.coop/explore/calendar/ • Spring Break Program: Kids Drag Queen Storytime on Zoom with Drag Queen Conni Smudge, ages 3-8, 2-3pm, call 604-885-3260 to register • Thursday Night Live with Joe Stanton: A virtual house concert on Facebook, 6pm @joestantonmusic • Capilano Universe Lecture Series: Fake News and the Death (and Rebirth?) of Journalism with Graham Cook PhD, 7-8:45pm, Zoom, details and registration at capilanou.ca/universe

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Friday, March 26

• Sechelt & District Chamber AGM: Members and guests invited to attend with MLA Nicholas Simons as the guest speaker, 11:30am, advance registration is required, details at www.secheltchamber.bc.ca/events • 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 • Spring Break Program: Kids Acting Class on Zoom, join Driftwood Theatre School teachers for fun drama activities, 1-2pm, call 604-885-3260 to register • Spanish Café via Zoom, improve your Spanish skills in a friendly atmosphere, 4-5pm, sign up in Sechelt Library or by phone 604-885-3260

Saturday, March 27

• SC Streamkeepers Ivy Removal at Roberts Creek, 11am-1pm, details at sunshinecoaststreamkeepers.com/ events/ or call 604-614-9814 • Virtual Salish Storytelling: Indigenous lore, legends & worldview of BC, $30, 7pm, 1-800-605-4643 · www.aboriginalecotours.com/

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Sunday, March 28

• Off The Page: Immaculate Conception by James Fagan Tait featuring Wanda Nowicki and Boyd Norman, by donation, 1pm, contact Janet at janetleahodgk@gmail.com for a Zoom invitation • Live Music: Poppa Greg, The Clubhouse Restaurant– Pender Harbour Golf Club, 2-5pm, 604-883-9542 to reserve a table • Free Webinar: Bird watching in the Pacific Northwest with Alexis Harrington, 3pm, details at coastbotanicalgarden.org/

Monday, March 29

• Sechelt Garden Club meeting with guest speaker from Botanus: The topic is Lily-licious, 7pm, visitors welcome, contact Lee Tidmarsh at lee.tidmarsh@gmail.com or 778-458-2287

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The Local - Thursday, March 25, 2021 15

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CROSSWORD 60. Devoid of light 62. Overturned 67. Center of rotation 69. Rational 71. Having sophisticated charm 72. Customary observance 73. Ready for business 74. Fairies 75. Was cognizant 76. Necessitate 77. Warning signal

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1. Liberate 2. Molten volcanic rock 3. Finished 4. Letting return 5. Song of praise 6. Beer 7. Burial chamber 8. Flexible twig of a willow 9. Shooting star 10. Hit lightly 11. Approximately 12. Sound practical judgment 13. Direct the course 22. Nutrient 25. Singlet 26. Go in 28. Be in an agitated emotional state 29. Business organization

30. Notion 31. Temporary provision of money 32. Affiliated 33. Harmful 37. Military chaplain 39. Turn over pages 40. Lofty 41. Friendly nation 44. Scorch 47. Desiccated 51. Think logically 53. Sickness 54. Severely simple 55. Poison 56. Become one 57. Curtain 61. Leg joint 63. Draw in 64. Rescue 65. At any time 66. Trial 68. Darn 70. Conclusion

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On March 18, a Coast resident reported falling victim to a scam after receiving a shipping notification email that appeared to be from a company she on-line shopped with. The email asked the resident to confirm her financial information, which the resident did before realizing the email was fraudulent. The resident contacted her credit card company right away and was advised that there had been a very small purchase put through, which is often done as a test by scammers to see if the account is active. The resident cancelled her credit card, and the credit company has flagged her account for any further suspicious activity. To learn more about these and other types of common scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentrecentreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.

Submitted by RCMP

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