Regardlessofhow financialsandGHG reductionspencilout,convertingto electric won’tmakesenseifthetrucksaren’tcapableofhandlingthe dutycycle–picking up about1,000 cartsperday,carrying10 or moretonnesofgarbageandorganicstothe NorthShoreRecyclingand WasteCentre in Maplewood,and havingenoughbattery powerlefttomakeitbacktothedistrict worksyardonCrownStreettocharge overnight.
The hydraulicsusedtoliftthecartsand compactwasteareeverybitasloudas a regulartruck’slifts,butgettingfrombinto bin iswhisperquiet.
“Idon’tevenknow how todescribeit,” Merileessaid.“It’slikea hallelujah breakdownwiththenoise.”
ThestealthyarrivaloftheEV means residentscannolongerwaituntilthey hear atruckrumblinguptheir blocktorush their carttothecurb.
“Theinitial[reaction]isoneof disbelief. Theyseeuscoming,andthentheygetthat quizzicallook,”Merileessaid.“Theylove it.Sofar,everysingleinteraction has been positive.”
themandononeoccasion, he usedalibrarycomputer toshow a groupofGrade6and7girlsvideos thatwerenotappropriatefor elementary-agedstudents because ofsexuallysuggestivecontentand inappropriatelanguage.
That’saccordingtoKarinKirkpatrick, formerMLAfor West Vancouver-Capilano, who isleadingthepubliccallforBCUnited LeaderKevinFalcontostepdownfromthe role.
AsthepreviouslysittingMLAforthe West Vancouver-Capilanoriding,Kirkpatrick stoodbesideFalconandthe restofher partyastheyunderwentanill-fated rebrandingfromtheBCLiberalstoBCUnited beginninginApril2023.
Butaftermonthsoftradingbarbswith BCConservative LeaderJohnRustad for splittingthecentre-rightvote,FalconandBC Unitedexecutivesmadeaquickdecisionin lateAugust2024to withdrawtheparty from theupcomingprovincialelection.
KirkpatrickandotherBCUnited memberssaidtheywereblindsided by thedecision,and refusedto join the Conservativeranks.Kirkpatrickranasan independentintheOctoberelection, but lost–asdidallofher peerswhodidthe
FormerBCUnited/BC Liberals West Vancouver-Capilano
MLA Karin Kirkpatrickisleading the call forBCUnited Leader Kevin Falcon to resign. PAULMCGRATH / NSN
Italiano, Français,
YourBest Years Begin Here
MILITARYHISTORY
Explosives experts makefinal search forbombs in oldrifle range
BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com
Wake up to alifeyou’ve dreamedof, ina neighbourhood youlove.
Ourresidentsare happierandhealthierthankstoour active, connected and vibrant lifestylelocatedinthe bestlocationson theNorth Shore. Enjoyincrediblefood basedon seasonal fare and comfortingfavouritesthat tantalizethepalate.
Thrive under theguidanceofour wellnessteams, with livelysocialexperiences,fitnessclasses, funlocal excursionsand24/7safetyand security.
Celebrating25yearsinthe senior livingindustry, PARC offersresidentsa freshand healthyoutlook to livetheir bestlife.
BecauseoftheriskofUXOontheBlair RifleRangeLands,theDepartmentof NationalDefencewarnsagainst diggingor building firesanywhereonthe property ThechanceofaUXO detonatingonitsown islow, but it’s possibleiftheyare disturbed andthemortarshellsthat have beenfound can be lethaltoanyonewithin10metres. DNDadvisesforanyonewho finds what appearsto be anunexplodedbombto leave theareaimmediately andcall911.
Explosives technician Bob Canningleadsa survey crew equippedwithmetaldetectorsthroughthe former Blair Rifle Rangelandsin Seymour,
FILE PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD / NSN
BRUSH UP
North Van RCMP stopnearly50 drivers withsnow ontheir vehiclesinonehour
NICKLABA nlaba@nsnews.com
Were youinahurry anddidn’thavetimetoclean off yourvehiclebefore headingout into winter weather?Or maybe youdon’townabrush?
Webringyoutwostoriesthis weekabouttheabsolutely eye-poppingvalues ofour industrialwaterfrontproperties.Seaspan’s Pemberton Avenueshipyard,headofficeand parking lot havebeenpeggedbyBCAssessmentat a record-smashing$338million. And a Torontobased realestateinvestmentfirmhasbought the27-acrepropertyat1371McKeen Ave. atapricerumouredtobemorethen$140 million.
We arealsocloselywatchingthespeculativepurchaseoftheMcKeen property.It has tide andrail access, making it anextremely rare candidatefor port expansion, but the propertyhasnever beenused forexport purposes. We’dwelcometheannouncement thatthenewowners plan toinvestinanew terminal,butweworry that’snotinthe cards.
Forgoodorforill,oureconomyandstandard oflivingareinextricablytiedtotrade.If wecannotcounton havingsaneand rational tradingpartnersintheUnitedStates,then we needmore partners acrossoceans.
Theflag’simagealsodimmedformany in recentyearsasmoreinformation came tolightaboutthehistoricalhorrorsperpetratedbythegovernment-sponsored residentialschoolsystem.
Keeping this in mind helpsexplainwhy we’restillgobsmackedabouttheB.C.government’sdecisionnottoprovideuswith grantsfromtheirfairs,festivalsandevents fund.TheDundaraveFestivalcelebratesarts andcultureinwaysthathelpustakebetter careofeachother.Ourconcertsarealways free.Notleavinganyoneoutin thecoldis a corepartofwhatitmeanstobeCanadian.
installationthatprettymucheveryoneinthe community helpedcreate.Itinspires kidsto saveupbirthdayandallowancemoney and giveitdirectly totheNorthShoreShelter.
We’redoublingdownonourprimarymissionofsupportingEldersandlocalartists, including powerful Afro-Caribbean performers. Ourgrant moneyiscommitted to giving themthesupport they deserve. We’rehopefulBritishColumbiawillhaveourback.
“Theworld’sinaverychaotic staterightnow,everythinggoing on justdownsouthofus and thenalsooverseas. We needto make surethatwe’re constantly checkinginon ourloved ones, supportingourlovedones.”
Hearts&Heelsmarksthefirst eventoftheyearfor thepride alliance,withfundsgoing to Pride WeekeventsinJulyforthe
Thebrewerywillbecovered in redandwhitedecorations andperformanceswilltouch onthethemeoflove,Slimsaid Shewantedtohavenewerdrag performerstohelpelevate new artists.
TheNorthShorePrideAlliance
isanorganizationcreating a 2SLGBTQ+inclusivecommunity withinNorth Vancouverand West Vancouverthroughactivities, outreachandadvocacyefforts.
dragscene,Slimandher mom wenttoafundraisershow a coupleyearsagoattheGullBar & KitcheninNorth Vancouver. Chris Bolton,oneofthe co-foundersof theNorthShorePrideAlliance, alsodoesdrag,going bythename ConniSmudge.
Duringtheshow, Smudgewent uptoSlimandstarted chatting, eventuallycallingher Virginia Slim.
“She waslike‘Oh,you’re so
slim,you’re sobeautiful,you knowwhatI’mgonna call you VirginiaSlim,”Slimsaid.“I’mlike ‘OhmyGod,that’s actually a reallycooldrag name.”
“It’skindof cool thatit all startedoffataNorth Shore Pride Allianceevent,”she added.
Slimlikesdrag as she canget dolledup,hoponstageandperform,butsheloveswhenpeople askherquestionsandhowthey cangetinvolvedthemselves.
“Anyattributethat comes with thedraglife, and ifitinclinesyou towanttopartake init,that’s whatkindof givesme thethrive.” Inthedaysleadinguptothe show,Slimandtheotherdragartistsarepreparingtheirsets and helpingtodecoratethetaproom.
“That’smyideawiththis show,just come inwithlotsof loveand energyand good times andmakesurethat everyone’s walkingoutofthedoorwith a smileontheirface,” Slim said. Hearts&Heels/ADragBrunch Fundraiser
When: Sunday, Feb. 16 fromnoon to3p.m.Doorsopen at11:45a.m. Where: WildeyeBrewing, 1385 Main St.
Cost: $20onEventbrite AbbyLucianoistheIndigenous andcivicaffairsreporterforthe North ShoreNews.Thisreporting beatismadepossiblebythe Local JournalismInitiative.
Thisis your communityandour communitytoo. We careaboutourneighbours and neighbourhoods.Wewantpeopletoliveintheir homes foraslong astheywish. When you call, dayornight,weanswer ourownphonesandyou can speaktosomeone whoknowsyou andyour LovedOne,not animpersonalcallcentre thousandsofkilometresaway. We areproud to be alocal homegrown andprofessional Home Care agencythatlives andworks whereyou liveand work.Shyloproudlysupportsour communitythroughdonations tolocal organisations likethe LGHFoundation.
Thisisyour communityand ourcommunitytoo.We careaboutourneighboursand neighbourhoods.Wewantpeopletoliveintheir homes foraslong as they wish.When youcall,day ornight,weanswerourownphonesandyou can speak to someone who knowsyou andyour LovedOne,not an impersonalcall centre thousands of kilometresaway. We areproud to be alocal homegrown andprofessionalHomeCareagencythatlivesandworks whereyou liveand work.Shyloproudlysupports communitythroughdonations tolocal organisatio the LGHFoundation.
Miss Virginia Slimwillbethehost ofthe“Hearts &Heels”dragbrunch, representingthe North ShorePride Allianceat WildeyeBrewingSunday. ABBY LUCIANO / NSN
KIDSLIFE FAMILYDAY
FEB15TH AT 9:30AM -8:00PM
THEPIPESHOP,115VICTORYSHIP WAY
NORTH VANCOUVER
Get readyforanincredibledayoffun,creativity,and celebrationatKidsLifeFamilyDay!Thiseventisdesigned withfamiliesinmind,offeringactivitiesandentertainment thateveryonewillenjoy.Doorsopenat9:30AM,andthe excitementbeginsat10AMwithengagingworkshops.
SHANIATWAINTRIBUTE &THECOUNTRYDIVAS
FEB15 AT 7:30PM -9:45PM
CENTENNIALTHEATRE,2300LONSDALE AVENUE NORTH VANCOUVER
Territoriesof theSquamish and Tsleil-WaututhNatons, and theMusqueam Band @polygongallery |thepolygon.ca
TheDeepCovecafewasjustoneofthe businessesaffectedbytheatmospheric riverthatsweptthroughtheLower Mainland,leadingtofloodsacrossthe NorthShoreinOctober of lastyear.Inonly threedays,292millimetres of precipitation was recorded.
Waterquickly filledCaf/EH reaching ankleheightonSaturday,Oct.20,causing damagetothewalls,bathroom, outside doorsandtothe fridgeandfreezer.Itgotso intensethattwobaristashadtobesaved by ropebymembers of District of North
Peoplehavebeensharingsupport on socialmediasincethecafeannounced their reopening.Regularshavenoticedtoo, includingNorth Vancouver residentJessie Stanley.
“I’m reallygladthatit’sback,because I loveIris’shome-bakedgoods,”Stanleysaid. “I’mhappythatthebusinesshas recovered,becauseIknowthatitwasabigblow thatthe floods tookthemoutalongwith a fewoftheotherbusinessesonthestreet.”
IrisBlanchettis all smiles, serving coffeeand sweettreats to customersagain nearly four monthsafter an atmosphericriverhammeredtheNorth Shore. ABBY LUCIANO / NSN
Pattonsaidsheleft Vancouver InternationalAirportonaflight toPuerto Vallartawithalayover inSeattle on themorning of Feb. 5andwassittinginherseaton theDeltaAirLinesflight1921in Seattlewhenshesawan aircraft movingnearby.
were insidethe aircraft at11a.m. andstaff couldbeseenoutside takingphotographsoftheplane.
Aspokespersonwith SeattleTacomaInternationalAirport saidthePortofSeattle Fire Department,police and airport operationsstaff responded at 10:17a.m.tothe“onramp at SEAonataxilinebetween S Concourse andthe south airport maintenancehangars.”
“Theincidentinvolved a taxiingJapanAirlinesaircraft thatappearstohavestruckthe tailofaparkedDeltaAirLines aircraft,”saidKassie McKnight-Xi, addingnoonewasinjured inthe incident.
MajorNorth Vancouverindustrial waterfrontproperty sold
PETERMITHAM & BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com
Amajorpieceofindustrial waterfront propertyhaschangedhands on the NorthShore.
WesbildHoldingsLtd. announcedthis weekthatithassoldthe27-acre North Vancouverparcelat1371McKeen Ave. to aninstitutionalinvestor, which industry sourcesareidentifyingas DreamSummit IndustrialLPof Toronto.
“Wewereinitiallytryingto redevelop the sitewithindustrialflex,muchneeded ontheNorthShore,”said Wesbildpresident andCEOKevinLayden.“Wehadplans to buildoutindustrialspacethatwouldhave enabledmorepeopletostayontheNorth Shore.…Butifthedistrict is not interested, they’renotinterested. Youcanonlygoatit somanytimes.”
Laydensaiditwasa frustrationthat fixinguptheexistingfacilities andmaking thesite intoanoutdoorstoragefacility was “thebestwecoulddo.”
“Wejustweren’tabletomeetthe hurdles thatwerebeingputinplace,” he said.“It’s unfortunatewiththeshortageofindustrial spaceontheNorthShorewecouldn’tdo
whatweoriginallyplanned,butPlan B workedout fine.”
Inaninterview,DanMilburn, thedistrict’s generalmanagerofplanning, saidhe standsbythe2019decision.Even though thepropertyhasneverbeenusedasan exportterminal,thedistrict’splanning recognizesthatasitsbestpossibleuse.Heavy industriallandwithtideaccessisonly going tobecomemore important in thefuture,he added.
“You’vegotaccess tothemarineside andaccesstorailandit’slarge,soit can handlethebulkmovementofgoods,”he said.“Weknowthere’snotalotof thatkind oflandleft. We need to makesure thatit’s protectedfor that purpose.…Certainly, Ithinkthethreatoftariffs inCanada justifiesevenmoretheimportanceof keepinglandsthatcanhelpusmovegoods internationally.”
Dreamdidnot respond to a request for commentonthedeal.
Milburnsaidhehasnotyetbeencontacted by thenewownersof theproperty but,headded, thedistrict’sposition on
howthelandwouldbestbeusedhasn’t changed.
“Ifthey’relookingforotherkinds of warehousing,manufacturing,port-related useslikethetransshipment of goods,all ofthosethingswouldbeconsistentwith thatvision,”hesaid.“It’sgoingtoget supported.”
Thesamerationaleisbeingechoedby theNorth VancouverChamber,whichhas closelywatchedtheproperty for years.
ChamberCEOPatrickStafford-Smithsaid healsoworriesthatspeculativeinvestment thatleadstonewcommercial,office or light-industrialusesalsodrives up theprice ofheavyindustriallandthatcould otherwiseplayamuchmoreimportant roleinthe biggerpicture.
TonyQuattrin,vice-chairwiththe CBRELtd.’sNationalInvestment Teamin Vancouver,saidthesaleof1371McKeen indicatestheestablishment of industrial outdoorstorage(IOS)asanassetclassinits ownright.
“There’sanumber of largeinstitutional investorsaroundtheglobeshowinginterestinIOS,whichofferslandwithfuture developmentpotential,aswellascurrent income,”hesaidinastatement.“Withthe limitedamountofindustriallandinMetro Vancouver,theinvestorheretooka longtermviewthatitwasagoodinvestment for reasonablypricedlandsupportedby a strongholdingincome.”
Wesbildhassold1371 McKeen AvenueontheNorth Vancouver waterfront, abandoning plans to subdivideand redevelopthe 27.5-acresite. CBRE LTD.
AlsolikelydraggingSeaspan’s assessmentupwasthe2024 sale of anotherwaterfront industrial site.InApril,hydrogen research anddevelopmentfirmHTEC purchasedERCO Worldwide’s Maplewoodareachemicalplant for$145million–the largest industriallandtransaction in the NorthShore’shistory. ERCOwill continuetooperatetheplant whileHTECintendsto retrofit thefacilitywithinfrastructureto capture15-tonnesofbyproduct hydrogenperday.
Theactwasintendedto lowerthecappedterminals’ taxburdenandfree up cashfor theoperatorstoinvestinnew capitalprojectsontheirlands. ButStuartsaidithasn’thadthe desiredeffect.Between2007and
*Termsandconditions: Alloffersare inventorycontrolledandmaybeextendedorcancelled at anytimewithoutnotice.Airfare andSavings offervaluesvarybasedon cruiseandcabincategorybooked.Valid fornew bookingsmadebefore March 31,2025. Fullpaymentisdue10monthsprior to departureforBestAvailableofferstoapply. Forcruisesbookedwithin10monthsofdeparture, fullpaymentis required at time of booking.Oncesoldoutorif fullpaymentisnotreceivedthestandardFlexi fare offer orbestavailableofferwillapply. Allbeveragesare included exceptfor averysmallnumber of fineandvintagewines,Champagnesandspirits.SaltTherapyLoungenot availableonallships.WellnessAreatreatments at anadditionalcost. E-bikesnot availableonallships.Airporttransfers areonlyavailableonthefirst andlastday of yourtourand at times we designate.For fullbooking termsandconditionsrefer to Scenic2026 Early AccessEuropeRiverCruising &LandJourneys Brochureorvisit scenic.ca/terms-and-conditions.Scenic office:Suite1900,401 West GeorgiaStreet,Vancouver,BC, V6B 5A1.BCconsumerprotection#40178.
2025,thecappedpropertiesdid spendalmost$83million onnew investments,buton a per-acre basis,the uncappedproperties outspentthembyaratio of 2to 1.
“Alimited number ofmunicipalitiesareaskedtosuckitup totrytoincentivizeinvestment. Itdoesn’tdothat,anditjust becomesaburden,”Stuartsaid.
Commercialandlight-industrial lands
IntheDistrict of North Vancouver,light-industrial propertiessawtheirassessments upby5.7percentin2024,on average,whilecommerciallands sawamoremodest1.4percent growth.
In the City of North Vancouver, light-industriallandsactually wentdownbytwopercent,while commercialproperties rose1.4 percent.
TheDistrict of West Vancouverhas no land with light-industrialzoning,but assessments on commercial propertieswentup3.6percent.
Onour rivercruises,truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury means we tend to your every need,frombreakfastinbed to butler serviceto exclusiveScenic Enrichexperiences.
February 28 >10:30 AM -12:00 PM Seymour Golf &CountryClub 3723MtSeymourPkwy Payparkingmay be in effect.
BC Ferries vesselcrunches boat at Bowen IslandMarina
onBowenplusseveralcafes and restaurantsin Vancouver.“It’sbeen exhausting, it’salot. We’vebeen on thephone basicallyeveryday, all day. Emailsback andforth. We’retryingto call captains, shipwrights,insurance,allthose things.”
“It’s kind of a nightmare todeal with,”
shesaid.
Yu learnedabout theincidentshortly afterit occurred onSunday morning. “I woke up toaflurry of texts and sawthe video on Facebook,”shesaid,afterapassengeraboardthe 7:30a.m.sailingposted footage of thecrashtothe local social
mediapage.
“Fromthatangleitlookedlikeitcould havebeennottoobad.Butwhatwe saw fromthevideothatwastakenfromthe dock,youcanseetheimpactisquite significantandthewholedockmoves.That’s whenweknewthatourboatwasprobably quitedamaged,” said Yu.
BCFerriesoriginallysaidonFeb.2that theaccidentwascausedbyhighwinds attheBowenterminal. A further release thatdayattributedthecancellationsto “anongoingmechanical difficultywiththe propulsionsystem.”Passenger sailings didn’t resume againuntil6:50pm.
thehighwindand mechanicalissues.The mayordidhavequestions howeverabout thetimingofevents on theday of the crash.
“Thebiggestissuefor myselfwas thatittookafewhours forBCFerriesto responddirectlytothatincident, andit seemedtobetheir response wasa result ofhaving reported it,”said Leonard, notinghesentvideo andphotosofthe collisiontoBCFerriesleadership early thatmorning. The ferry completedafew morerunsfollowingthecollisionbefore it wastakenoutofservicelaterinthe morningandheld at HorseshoeBay until the evening.
Brittany Yu andher familyspendtime on theirboatnamed Kowloon in2024,beforeit washeavily damaged by aBC Ferries vessel on Feb. 2, 2025. Visit nsnews.com to see videoofthecrash. COURTESY BRITTANY YU ContinuedfromA20
“We’restillinvestigatingthecause, whetherthatwasduetowind conditions, a mechanicalissue,oracombinationof factors,”saysBCFerriesseniorcommunicationsadvisorShirynSayani.“We’re working reallycloselywiththe marina andwiththevesselowners to assessany reporteddamageanddetermineournext steps.”
BowenIslandmayorAndrewLeonard saidThursdayhehadn’tbeentoldadefinitive reasonforthe crashfromBCFerries either,havingalso received reportsabout
Leonard said itwillbe up toBCFerries toworkwiththemarina andboatowners to cover repairs,whichincludes aportion ofthedock whichwasknockedapartand isnowtaped off. Headdedthatthisweek, whichsawtwo majorferrydisruptions on theisland,canbeespeciallydifficultwhen factoringin recenthistory.
“I thinkit’simpossiblenottolook at these ferryincidents without looking atthecontextof allof ourotherferry incidentsthatwe’veseen over thelast coupleofyears–interms of service disruptions,cancellations, staff shortages, mechanicalfailures–whichhave affected
thetransportation resiliency of our community.”
“All of theseincidents takentogether speaktotheneedfor more investmentin the systemandabetterunderstanding of the requirements ofour residentsand businessesontheisland,”saidLeonard. Regardlessofthecause of thecrash, theeventhasunderstandablyleftamark
on Yu.“Weareonourboatalotinthe summer,wesleepontheboat,wedobig trips,wespendatonoftimeonourboat. Icertainlydon’tfeel safeinthat spotanymore,andwe’llbelookingintoalternative spaceswherethat’s notariskfactor,” she said.
Exploringseniorslivingorhomecareoptions? Route65.cais here to guide you. Discoverafreedirectory of reputable community providers,alongwith tools and resources to navigate B.C.’sseniorslivingandcare continuumwith ease.
Visit Route65.ca today to start yourjourney.
‘FREEEEZEBRUARY’
Bravetrio takesondailyplungeinicy waters forgood cause
ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com Local JournalismInitiative Reporter
Toocoldtoheadintothe waterthistimeofyear? Not foratrioof Vancouver residentsastheytakeonadaily plungeinicywaterstoraise fundsforanorganization thathelps residentsofthe DowntownEastside.
AbbyHoffman,Conor SinnamonandAndrew McNamaralaunchedthe “Freeeezebruary”fundraiseron Feb.1tosupportTheDugout, anon-profitthatprovidesfree mealsandawelcomingspace for residentsof Vancouver’s DowntownEastside.Thetrio aredippingintofreezingwaters acrossbeachesin Vancouverand ontheNorthShore every dayfor the monthofFebruary.
“There’snothing happening inFebruary, it’sabitofaboring month, soIjust felt like this wouldbea reallygreatwayfor ustomakeadifference,”said Hoffman,whoisateacheratthe North Shore AcademyofDancing andaformerNorth Vancouver resident.
AsofSunday,theteam’sfundraiserhasraised $1,844,inching uponthehalfwaymarkof their $5,000goal.
Everymorningonweekdays, thethreefriendstakea colddip at KitsilanoBeach.Ontheweekends,theyco-ordinateatime thatworksbestfor allof them andpickadifferentlocation, includingatriptoDundarave Beachin West Vancouver.
Thegroup,whocallthemselvesthe“IceGirls” as acool
nodtotheEnglishgirl group SpiceGirls,decidedtopicka localorganizationto makea biggerimpactwith theirdonation.Sinnamonsaystheyhope theirdonationwillhelp revive TheDugout’seveningprogram, wheretheyoffermovie nights andentertainmentfor guests, as ithadtobecancelleddueto underfunding.
“Thosepeopleareus,weare allinthesame city,”Hoffman said.“We’reallinthesame space,andit’stoughtosee them not gettingaccesstowhatthey need.”
Hoffmanhasbeen
documentingthedailyplunges on TikTok toshowpeopletheir journeyandtoletfolksmaking donationsseethattheyare followingthroughontheicy bargain. Each videohasadifferentchallenge or funnythemeto themtokeeppeopleinterested, shesaid.
ConorSinnamon(left),AbbyHoffman andAndrew McNamara spell‘ICE’asthey get ready to plungeinto the oceanatDundarave Beachin West Vancouver. They callthemselves the ‘Ice Girls,’ and aredoingplunges every dayin February to fundraise foranorganization thathelps DowntownEastside residents. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN
BUDGETSEASON
CityofNorth Vancouver residents couldsee 6.89%taxhike for 2025
ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com Local JournalismInitiativeReporter
CityofNorth Vancouver propertyownerscould seean overall6.89-per-centincrease inmunicipaltaxesunderthe proposed2025budget.
constructionplans to adda roof overtheskateparkforthenew recreationcentre.
“Themuch-needed roofhas notbeenincludedinthecurrent constructionplans,whichmeans the parkwillbeemptymostof the yearduetoourinfamousNorth Vancouverrains,”saidNorth Van residentMike Tancredi.“Itismy sincerehopethatthecitywill resolvetomeaningfullyaddress this long-standingcommunity needina real,tangiblewayinthe 2025budget.
Anotheris226OnslowPlace,awhopping 1.21-acrepieceoflandnexttoCapilano GolfandCountryClub,whichsoldfor$4.25 million.Originally they had thatlot priced ashighas$10million, Joudakisaid.
That realityalso tiesinwithuncertainty, “ofsalepricesandthecost ofconstruction and the costofcarrying the propertywhile youget the permitsandgetiton the market –thatjustdoesn’tmakesense, or it’stoo big ofarisk.”
Thetop residentialpropertyto sellin recentmonthsis therarity at5375KewCliff Rd.in West Vancouver.Thesouthwest-facingwaterfrontlotwithitsaforementioned 50-footdocksoldfor$11.5million on Jan.5, at $4.5 millionunderasking.
Builtin1968,withdesigns from Ian DavidsonandRussellHollingsworth, the seven-bedroom,six-bathroomhomewithan indoorpoolsaton the market for215days beforebeingsnappedupbyabuyer.
Thoughthehouseitselfwillcatch the eyeofcertain architecturalenthusiasts, mostof the valueisintheland,anditsdock accessinparticular.ItwassoldbySotheby’s InternationalRealtyCanada.
Least-expensive detachedhome
For$1.34million, the least-expensivesingle-familypropertyto sellisthe 1,023-square-footrancherat356 West23rd
St.inNorth Van.
“Opportunityknocks,” readsthelisting forthe0.13-acrelotwitha1948-built, three-bedroom,two-bathroomhouse. It spent21daysonthemarketbefore being soldbyRE/MAXMastersRealty.
Most-expensiveapartment
Thepriciestapartmentthat recently soldisaninth-storeycornerunitin a highlysought-afterlocation,TheBellevue byCressybuilding.Theunitat903-2289 Bellevue Ave.soldimmediatelyaftergoing onthemarketJan.13.
ItwassoldbyRoyalLePageSussexfor $6.39million–just$5,000underasking.The two-bedroom,three-bathroomluxury apartment offersnearly2,100squarefeet of living space.Theinterior flowsontoanoversized patiowiththreebuilt-inheaters.Belowthe buildingisaprivatetriple-cargarageforthe suite’sowner.
Theapartmenthasasinglebedroomand bathroom,ina Tudor-stylebuildingwithan elevatorandsharedlaundry. Interestingly, thebuildingismanagedbyaB.C.corporation,andownershipinvolvesatransfer of shares,andisnotastrata or co-op.
Most-expensivetownhome
Thetoptownhometosellisabrand-new duplexat366EastKeithRd.inNorth Van. It wassoldbyRE/MAXCrestRealty on Dec. 24 for$2.57million,around$128,000 lessthan itsaskingprice.
Its25feetofstreetfrontage leadsto a deceptivelylarge,3,000-square-foot interior with five bedroomsand five bathrooms.The interiorhasahigh-end,modernfeelwith custommillworkthroughout.
“I’vegotpeoplewhowanttogivemoneyrightnowto theparty,buttheysaythey’renot going todo ituntilKevin Falconisnolongerinvolved,”shesaid.
WhileKirkpatrickhasagroupofpeopleworkingon changingtheparty’sleadership,there are roadblocksin the way.Someoftheusualmechanismsforleadershipdon’t apply,becausethepartydoesn’t have a caucusinthehouse, shesaid.
Butthere’swordingintheparty’sconstitution that pointstoveryclear reasonsforFalcon to stepdown,
Keychain commotion
Malikbroughtto schoolandallowedstudentstoseethe keychainforhisKawasakimotorcycle, which hadtheword “Kawasexy”writtenonit.
“Attimes,whenastudentsawthekeychain,itcreated a commotionamongstthe students,”the decision read.
Andafterheaskeda studentaboutaSabrina Carpenter songshewassinging,helooked up an image of Carpenter wearingabikiniand remarkedthatshewas“cute.”
TheNorth VancouverSchoolDistricthandedMalik a 30-day suspension in Decemberandthedistrictordered him tocompleteacoursein respectfulprofessionalboundaries as wellhasattendtwosessionswith an occupationalpsychologisttodiscussappropriateinteractionswithstudents.
Afteraninvestigationbythe TeacherRegulation Branch, Malik receivedanothersuspensionofhislicencefromJan. 27toFeb.21.
“MalikidentifiedhimselfasateacherinhisInstagram accountandsocialmediaaccounts,whichusedthesame accountname,containedcontent thatunderminedthe integrityand reputationofthe teachingprofession,”the agreementstates.“Malikdidnotact inthebestinterests of hisstudents. He usedhisstudentsforhisadvantageinbuildingandpromotinghissocialmediaaccounts.Malik failedto maintainappropriateprofessionalboundariesbyinteracting with studentsas if he were apeerrather than anadultand a professional.”
“We’ve beentryingtomakethis happenbehindthe scenes, butclearlyifwe don’t moveonthis quickly,there’s goingto be no partyto rebuild,”shesaid.
Termsand Conditions:40%offanyorderof$1000 ormoreor30%offanyorderof$700-$1000onany completecustomcloset,garage,orhomeoffice unit. Take anadditional15%offonanycompletesystem order.Notvalidwithanyotheroffer.Freeinstallation withanycompleteunitorderof$850ormore. With incomingorder,attimeofpurchaseonly.Offernot validinall regions.Expires02/28/25.
TIME TRAVELLER
Aweekly glimpseintothe past from MONOVA:Museum & ArchivesofNorth Vancouver
Demolition of theSt. AliceHotel
Photo:NVMA,BruceFlanagan Fonds160
In 1989the City of NorthVancouver demolishedthe St.AliceHotel,a five-story brick structureonSecondStreetinLower Lonsdale.Built 1911-1912 by AntonioGallia and named forhis wife Alicia,thehotelsaw many differentuses,including during theSecond World Warwhenitbecamewartimehousing. The demolitionmadeway fora newluxury high-risebuilding, afteritwas determined that restoringthe original structurewould cost anestimated $1.7-1.8 million.Themove wascontroversial,evencausing BryanAdams to deem itsloss as “tragic” andtocallMayor Jack Loucks to expresshis outrage.
Discover more of theNorth Shore’srichhistory at MONOVA.Start planning your visitat monova.ca. Do youhavea storytotell? Getintouch via archives@monova.ca.
run in
CameronAlexandermisses World Championshipsdueto injury
NICKLABA nlaba@nsnews.com
Canada’stopalpineracermissedthe WorldSkiChampionshipslastweekendaftersufferinganinjury during atraining run.
Duringhisseconddownhilltraining sessionatthechampionshiptrackin Saalbach,AustriaonThursday (Feb.6), North Vancouver’sCameronAlexander landedawkwardlycomingovera roller ontheupperpartofthecourse.
“Followingtheexamination,it has beendeterminedthatAlexanderwill not becompetingattheseworldchampionships,andthathewill be returningto Canadaforfurtherevaluation by team medicalspecialiststodeterminethenext courseofaction,”AlpineCanadasaidin a statement.
InaposttoInstagramonFriday, Alexandersaidhesufferedasignificant injurytohisrightknee,andwasheading hometofigureoutnextstepsandstart his roadto recovery.
At81,our muchloved father and husbandpassed away onJanuary31st, 2025.Acelebration of David’s life willbe heldonSaturday,February 15th at HighlandsUnitedChurchat 2pm. Watch on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJDxhO14qo0 Inlieuofflowers,memorialdonationsmaybe madetothe BC CentreforAbility,bc-cfa.org.For messagesofcondolence,pleasegoto www.korucremation.com/obituaries/david-blair
Bornintoahumble, hardscrabblelife in 1930sdustbowlSaskatchewan, “Opa”was thethirdoffive children in anomadic family. He tookonmany jobs-packing fruit,killingchickens(hisfatheronce quipped, “youcanquitanytime, son”), and resetting bowlingpins (once gettingknockedout coldbyaflyingmissile) -tosupportthefamily
Despite moving frequently, heexcelled academically, graduatingas Armstrong,BC High Schoolvaledictorian in1951beforeearning a medical degree fromUBCin1958-despite classmateshenanigansandtheultimate distraction:abeautifulyoungArts &Education student,Marillyn Walker, whomhemarried that year “because he’dfailhisexamsifwedidn’tsettle down.”
Afterresidingbrieflyin Vancouver’s WestEnd,the BennettsmovedtoChilliwack,BCwhereDick servedasamilitarymedicalofficerandMarillyn taughtschoolbeforethestorkbroughtPamelain 1960.In1961,theymovedtoGermany,welcoming babyMichaelwhilebuildinglifelongfriendships BackinCanada(Toronto,1963),thestorkarrived one lasttimewithPaul,whileDickcompletedhis medical residency.In1964,theyoung familypiled intoanoldstationwagonanddrovecrosscountryto West Vancouver,purchasingtheirfirst home,onadoublelot,for a whopping$18,000.
Dr.Bennettpracticedfamilymedicinefor30years, partiallyretiringin1995.Heembraced lifefullywith Marillynandfamily-skiing,jogging,hiking, backpacking,gardening,andbeekeeping. A belovedphysicianandfriend,hewasoftengreeted bygratefulpatientswhilestrollingtheSeawall.
ACelebrationofLifewillbeheldat West VancouverUnited ChurchonMonday,February 24,2025,at1:00pm (RSVPsappreciated: Dick.Bennett.Memorial@gmail.com).Inlieuof flowers,donationsmaybemadetothe Canadian Cancer Society.
HARRISON,SamuelPatrick
17March,2005-3January,2025
Withgreatsadnessweannouncethesudden deathathome ofSam, a lifelongresidentof North Vancouver,recentSutherlandSecondarySchool graduate, andBCITstudent.
Hisquietdemeanorandhumourwillbedeeply missed byhisparents,Ali(Jason)andKevin(Sue), hissister Avery, hisgrand-parentsDiana,Laurel, and Ken(Leslie),hisauntsErika,MirandaandSue (Cam)anduncleChris(Bev),aswellasawide circleofrelativesandfriends.
ColleenVance,ofNorthVancouverandKelowna, BC,a lovingandproudmatriarchof60+(including partnersandsteps),leftusonJanuary22,2025. We have decadesofmemoriestosustainusand thestrengthof alovingandsupportivefamily thankstoMomandDad’sexample.
Surrounded by the love of herfamily,Patti peacefullypassed awayathomein LakeCountry, B.C.on February4,2025.Shewas abeloved mother, grandmother, sister,aunt, andfriendto many.
Pattiwas born on April20,1949in Vancouver, B.C. to WilfridandMarianne Dupont.Shegrew up in Pentictonwheresheenjoyeda wonderfu childhood, formedmanyfriendships,andattended school. In 1966thefamilyrelocatedtoNorth Vancouverwhereshecompleted her finaltwo years of school, graduatingfromCarson Graham Secondary.She remainedinthelowermainland area for many yearsafterthat,developing her careerinthetravelindustry,raising herchildren, and only returningtotheOkanaganin2015.
Followinggraduation she joinedthe reservations teamat Japan Airlinesindowntown Vancouver Thiswastobethejobthatlaunched acareerin the travelandtourismindustrythatspannedmany years. She becamea specialistingroup and convention travel,workingasaconsultantforAtlas, Uniglobe,andGoway Travel,as well asplanning andexecuting manysmaller,independent, group endeavours.She was detail-oriented, caring,and respectful ofher clients’ needs.
Pattiwasanextrovertand known to readily engage witheveryoneshemet,makingfriends easily,anddemonstrating agenuine interestinthe livesof all. Throughout herlifeshemaintained contact withchildhood friends,formercolleagues, exchangestudents, andavastcommunity of lifelongfriendsandneighbours. She wascaring, generous,and supportiveofothers.Sheenjoyed socializing, travelling,gardening,cooking,and a good laugh. In recentyears her grandchildren becametheprimarysource of her joyasshe conversedwiththem, shoppedforthem, hung-out withthem,andwatchedthemengageintheir variousactivities. She wasimmenselyproudof them.
FormanyyearsPattibattledarare,incurable medicalconditioncharacterizedbyspasmproducingtumors. Theseglomustumors recurred andmultiplied,producingdebilitating chronicpain andeventuallyrobbing her of strengthandenergy andtheabilitytoengagein most ofwhatshe enjoyed.Withcourage,shetreadadifficultpath, buteventuallyshechosetoend her lifeon her own terms. We aregratefultothemanypeoplethat assisted inhercareovertheyears,especiallyDr Catherine Bazilli, Dr.DaveSpouge,andDr.Abdu Mutat.
Pattiispredeceasedby her parentsMollyandWilf Dupont,andherbrother-in-law,BobRegehr. She is survivedbyherchildren,JuliSpearing(Cory Jmaeff)andSean(SoniaPackwood),her grandchildren MadisonandGraysonSpearing, HanaleiHackman,andstep-granddaughtersMika andKisaJmaeff. She isalsoverymissedby her sisterSusan,herniecesand nephews,extended family,andamultitudeoffriends. Pattiisatpeacenow. We will cherishthememories forever.
Therewillbenoserviceasrequested. In lieuofflowers,donationsmaybemadetothe LionsGateHospitalFoundation.
Gordattended West Vancouver High,where he met theloveofhis life.Joanne.They marriedin 1957andwelcomed theirsons, Douglas,in 1958, followedbyMichael,in1962.Hisloyalty and devotiontohisfamily,particularlyJoanne,his wife of67years,was unwavering andcentraltohis being.
Throughouthisworking life,Gord workeddiligently toprovideforhisfamily asan estimator andsales representativeintheconstruction industry. Asvery youngparents,heandJoanneforged abeautiful life forthemselves, never losingtheir way through allthehighsand lowsof life. Gordenjoyed many activitiesandhobbies overhislifetime andwas really goodatso manyofthembutespecially woodworking.He lovedsports,especiallyhockey and tennis,andspentnumerousyearsskiingin the NorthShore mountainswithJoanne.After retirementand abriefresidencyat Whistler,they movedto Vancouver Islandandgot to workon refiningtheirgolfandbiking skills.
Known forhis modesty,meticulousnature, and exemplarycharacter, Gordheldfamilyasthemost importantaspect of hislife.Hewas aselfless father,husband,grandfather, andfriendwho demonstratedimmensestrengthand courage while combatingParkinson’sdiseaseforthepast decade.Duringthistimeand especiallyforthelast fewyears,hislovingwife Joanne was hisrockand supportedhimtirelessly.Hislegacyofgenerosity andloyaltywillbedeeply rememberedbyallthose fortunatetohaveexperiencedhislove.
Gord waspredeceasedbyhisparents andhis brotherDon(2013).Heissurvivedbyhisbeloved wifeJoanne,sons Douglas (Dianne),Michael (Christina),sixcherishedgrandchildren-Ginene, Alexander,Chloe,Alyssa,Gabrielle, andJulian-and five great-grandchildren.
Gordwillbecrematedand thereisnoserviceby his request.
We willallmissyoursmilingeyes.
To placeyour ademail nmather@glaciermedia.ca
PARKTERRACE
1766Duchess Avenue West Vancouver PENTHOUSE 2BR, plus DENSuite.
Northand South Facing, exceptional open living spaceandviews, wraparounddeck. Hardwoodfloors,ensuite laundry. Nearallamenities.
Available Jan. 1, 2025 @ $4900.00/month For moredetails,call Cristinaat 604-926-3493
WAREHOUSELIENACT
Following RegisteredOwnersareindebtedto Mitchell’s Towing for storageand towing on vehicles listed below A lien is claimedunderthe Act. There is presentlyanamountdueand owing plusanyadditionalcostsofstorage,seizure and sale thatmay accrue.Notice is hereby given thatonFebruary24,2025orthereafter, the saidvehicles will beseized andsold:
Jai Dawson - 2017FordFocusVIN: 1FADP3K29HL268865 - $12,262.14
YOURSUPPORTCOULDBE THEKEY TO THE NEXT BIGBREAKTHROUGH.
BC Children’sistheonlyhospitalintheprovincedevoted exclusivelytochildren.Asoneoftheworld’stop-ranked pediatrichospitals,itleadsthewayin confrontingmanyof themost pressinghealthchallengesfacingkidstoday—from cancertoheartdiseaseandbrainhealth.
They have asecrettoolin thisquest:anon-siteResearch Institute.Over 1,500 researchcommunitymembers tirelesslyworktounderstandtheoriginsofillnesses, developgroundbreakingtreatmentsandmove closer to cures. As 70%ofresearchersarealsohealth care professionalsproviding care inthehospital,life-changing discoveries canbebroughtfromthelaboratorybench straightto achild’sbedsidefasterandmoreefficiently.
