North Shore Progress Report -June 12, 2024

NORTH SHORE PROGRESS REPORT

Nestled amid stunning natural landscapes, the North Shore thrives as a vibrant community drawing in visitors both locally and from around the world. From bustling industrial zones to charming small businesses that dot our waterfront, this region pulses with life

Our chambers of commerce and business improvement associations work hand-in-hand with our leadership in finding a balance in which our community emphasizes the values of our residents.

Let’s explore how these dynamic players, ranging from ship builders to non-profits, shape our local economy and preserve our awe-inspiring surroundings.

For this year’s annual Progress Report, we are honoured again to feature letters from our esteemed mayors –

Mayor Linda Buchanan of the City of North Vancouver, Mayor Mike Little of North Vancouver District, and Mayor Mark Sager of West Vancouver – who share updates on how our city halls are shaping our region

We also take a closer look at the latest developments at Lions Gate Hospital, from a state-of-the-art tower set to open next year to a dedicated team of staff members who are finding creative ways, including an old North Shore News box, to create a healthy atmosphere for patients.

As this year’s Progress Report shows, much work is being done on the North Shore to promote the health of our community and of our people

Matt Blair Publisher

From new builds to compassionate initiatives, these are the big upgrades changing Lions Gate Hospital

MINA KERR-LAZENBY

MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Since its beginnings in 1961, Lions Gate Hospital has been subject to many an upgrade and revamp, but the changes occurring at the medical facility currently are some of the most innovative yet, tout its staff.

Upgrades for both the hospital’s edifice and environment within are in the works, including seven large infrastructure changes to the buildings, and improvements to the facilities with the introduction of new technology and equipment.

Next year, the much awaited Paul Myers Tower, a new medical and surgical centre, will open. It will mark the end of a four-year construction project for the hospital, one made

possible by the biggest campaign ever to take place in LGH history

In addition to government input, the project was moved along by more than $100 million in funds raised through a charitable effort by the LGH Foundation. A donation of $25 million, the largest financial contribution given to a hospital foundation in British Columbia, was proffered by North Shore businessman Paul Myers, owner of Keith Plumbing & Heating, securing the name of the new building as the Paul Myers Tower.

Due to open next spring, the acute care facility will boast 108 singlepatient rooms, eight new operating rooms, a new pre-operative and post-operative care area, a telehealth centre and a primary care centre.

A roof garden, set for the fourth

floor, will include walking loops and a courtyard with seating.

In a City of North Vancouver council meeting May 27, LGH staff announced it would be redeveloping six other sites across the hospital under the project, dubbed Health Vision Also on the list are the hospital’s St. Andrew’s site, parking garage, Evergreen House nursing home and mental health

facility HOpe Centre.

Within the walls of the hospital there are equal amounts of restructuring and upgrading set to improve the experiences of patients. The dementia ward, in particular, has begun running initiatives that are gaining their fair share of attention

MLABowinn Ma shares insightsand looksahead forNorth Vancouver-Lonsdale constituency

Bowinn Ma is helping build abetterfuture forNorth Shoreresidents

Had youasked Bowinn Ma during herfive-year position as project engineer with Vancouver Airport Authority,which shelanded in April 2012, if shehad anyplans to enter electoral politics, shewouldhave said, “absolutely not.”

However, shehad achange of heart. Ma was elected in May2017asMLA forNorth VancouverLonsdale andrepresents approximately 60,000 constituents. She’sparticularly active on issues of housing, transportation,child care, education, health careand socialservices.

Additionally,she servesBritish Columbians as Minister of Emergency Managementand Climate Readiness.

“Thedecision to go intopublic servicewas more a calling than somethingI planned,” says Ma. “I startedtounderstandhow government decisions were impacting my community andthe people I cared about, andknewIhad to put someskin in the game. ”

Her path from engineering to MLAwas fairlyrapid; Ma went from notknowing whoher MLAwas, to being theMLA in less than two-and-a-half years, andexplains whyit wasimportant to get involved.

“There’sanentiresegment of our community that needs themost help from government, whoat thesametimedon’t oftenget their voices heard by politicians because they’refocused on getting through theday,raisingtheir families andkeeping on topoftheir careers.”

“I remember howintimidating it felt to approach an elected official before Ibecameone,and I don’t want thattobethe case for people in our community,” shesays.

Impactful community investments

Accomplishments throughout hertimeinoffice include helping British Columbianswith thecost ofliving: transforming ICBCtodeliver lower autoinsurance ratesbyanaverage of 20%,eliminating MSP premiums, introducing free transit forkids,

The decision to go into public servicewas more acalling than something Iplanned. “ ”

andexpanding school meal programs.

“Wealso landed alot of investments in North Vancouver together as acommunity that actively help people andfamiliestoday andwill in the future,”reveals Ma.

“For instance,the newLions Gate Hospital Acute Care Towercurrently under construction,opens soon; we completedthe newArgyleSecondary School in 2021, andHandsworthSecondarySchool in 2022, plus anew Cloverly ElementarySchool starts construction laterthisyear.”

Transportation,housing accomplishments

TheIntegrated North ShoreTransportation Planning Project thatMalaunched andled in 2018 wasincredibly powerful. “It’sanimportant pieceof collaborative work that brought together all levels of government involved in transportation on the North Shoretoestablish acollectivepathforward.”

“In recent years, we’vealso focused on reining in short-termrentals andturning more housesinto long-term homesfor people,improvingsecurity forrenters,introducing anew home flipping tax, as wellas, making thesingle largest investment into affordable housing in B.C.’s history.”

In North Vancouver over thelast severalyears, more than 1,300 units of affordable andsocial housing funded by theprovince is complete or underway.

“British Columbians have been through alot these past fewyears,” acknowledgesMa. “The2021 atmospheric river event, thepandemic,plus the affordable housing crisis andopioid crisis.”

“But whatI know from my timeasMLA is thatduring these difficult events our community andprovince pull together.And Ithinkthat’swhat’sgoing to get us through thesetoughtimes to better days ahead.”

Formoreinformation,visit bcndpcaucus.ca.

Throughout hertenure, oneofMa’sachievements include securing funding fornew child careand school projects.

Bowinn Ma andher daughter at the February2024 ThroneSpeech in theBCLegislativeAssembly.

A Message from the Mayor

CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER

Linda Buchanan City of North Vancouver Mayor mayor@cnv.org

Cities are about the people That’s why the people who live, work, and play in our community are at the heart of council’s decision-making. Together we have made great strides toward our goal of becoming the healthiest small city in the world.

I am proud that over the last year we opened a new North Vancouver lawn bowling facility, made significant

progress with the Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre redevelopment, advanced a respite care centre to support seniors and their families, started Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre upgrades, and broke ground on the Mahon Park Childcare Centre and Fieldhouse. All of these facilities represent important investments in recreation and services. Delivering community infrastructure that supports the health and wellbeing of all people is a priority of council and it will continue to be an area of focus.

Whether we are celebrating an expansion of our urban tree canopy,

Do youneed supportto:

the opening of a new mobility lane, family-friendly programming at the Shipyards, or building new homes for people, our city is always looking to build upon our successes and amplify what we love about our community.

We have been intentional in growing our city in such a way that supports people and our economy for generations to come As we look ahead, we know there will be challenges. However, these challenges are also opportunities to dig deep and harness our resilience.

I have never been more optimistic about the future of our city

Immigrant Service Centre Making CanadaHome

•improveyour English language skills?

•increaseyour knowledge of lifeinCanada?

•betterunderstand theschool system?

•find employment?

•build connections in thecommunity?

604-988-2931 |office@impactnorthshore.ca

Impact North Shoreisafor-purpose,social impact organization witha proud history of serving thecommunityfor over 30 years.

Reachout todaytolearn moreorbook an appointment ImpactNorthShore.ca

Seaspan Shipyards: Building

on alegacy

more than 100 years inthe making

Thelong-standing shipbuilding company reflects on its history while looking aheadtothe future

Over thepast century, shipbuilding andship repair have been mainstays on theNorth Shore. Whether youare just passing through,anewcomer to the area or your family has lived here forgenerations, thesignificance of themaritimeindustryin North Vancouver is evident. From thehistorical shipbuilding photography exhibitions currently on displayatMONOVA to thenewly revitalized –and aptly named –ShipyardsDistrict, shipbuilding continuestosignificantly influence our community andthe broader region

Seaspan Shipyardsisdoing its best to continue thatlegacy.

This year,Seaspan is excited to be launching two ships under theNational Shipbuilding Strategy, thefirsttimeSeaspan’s Vancouver Shipyardshas had theopportunity to launch multiple vessels in the sameyear. Thefirst, slatedfor mid-August, will be theCanadian Coast Guard’snew Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV). This ship will be theCoast Guard’slargest dedicatedscience vessel, granting increased capability andcapacity to supportocean sciencemissions on Canada’s East Coast.

Thesecondlaunch,slatedfor laterthis year,will be theRoyal Canadian Navy’sHMCS Protecteur,the longest navalvessel ever constructed in Canada, andone of twoJoint Support Ships (JSS) Seaspan is building forthe RoyalCanadian Navy. These vessels will provide supportand supplieslikefuel, food or spareparts to other Royal Canadian Navy andallied ships whileat sea.

Alasting history in North Vancouver

Although this is thefirstmulti-ship launch year at Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards, ship launches have long been apartofour proud, waterfront history. During WWII, thetwo shipyardsonthe North Shore at thetime, BurrardDry Dock Companyand North VanShip Repairs,built nearly half of Canada’s total output of 354 vessels during wartimeand further solidified North Vancouver as anational leaderin

This year,Seaspan’s Vancouver Drydock undertook themostcomplexship modernization project in itshistory CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s Vessel LifeExtension.

shipbuilding —areputation which continues in 2024. Also in North Vancouver,right in theheart of the ShipyardsDistrict, Seaspan has its Vancouver Drydock facility,where ship repair andmaintenance areperformed oneverything from bargestoferries and cruise ships. Thisyear, theshipyard undertook themost complexship modernization project in its history, CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s Vessel Life Extension,which began in November 2023and is planned to wrap up in June2024.

Those in theareawill recognize thefamiliar red andwhitecolour schemeofthe Canadian Coast Guard’svessels andmight have even seen this ship in or alongside thedrydock, with theaccompanying flurryofnon-stop activity surrounding it.This project involved over 100 dedicatedtradespeople working on thevessel each dayand included replacing all 3ofthe ship’s 42-tonneengines

Looking aheadbylooking back Seaspan’s work on theNorth Shoreisnot only helping to maintain thelegacystartedby generations before us. It is also revitalizing shipbuilding here in British Columbia on the strategic west coast of Canada.

Andthe resurgence of both shipbuilding andship repair has paid dividends forthe local andprovincial economies. Between 2012 and2022,Seaspan’s twoshipyardsinNorth Vancouver have createdor sustained more than 3,000 jobs annually andpaid $71M in municipal taxes.Across British Columbia, Seaspan Shipyards’ activitieshavecontributed $4.3B to B.C.’s GDP,with another$20B+ projected through 2035 while sustaining or creating more

than 8,000 jobs annually during thattime. Gonefor aperiod of time, but neverforgotten, Seaspanisnow rebuilding asustainable, competitiveshipbuilding industryright here on the North Shore, which will be home to manyfuture generations of shipbuildersand marineexperts. With thetwo ship launches this year,and even more on thehorizon,shipbuilding is back in North Vancouver,and this timeit’sheretostay. To learn more about Seaspan,visit seaspan.com

Thehistory of shipbuilding in North Vancouver dates back generations.

A Message from the Mayor

DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER

A Messag

DISTRICT OF WE

Mike Little District of North Vancouver Mayor mayor@dnv.org

Looking back at 2023, we advanced key council priorities and moved forward with important housing, transportation, and climate action projects that we know are important to our community This was all done despite difficult economic conditions, including inflation, high interest rates, and rising construction costs. To increase housing diversity and support our most vulnerable residents, council proceeded with:

Messa TRICT WEST VANCOUVER

a supportive housing project at 1200 East Keith Road; social housing intended for families on district land on Lillooet Road; endorsing the collaborative North Shore Poverty Reduction Strategy to guide regional poverty reduction efforts over the next decade; and making important changes to our coach house and secondary suite programs. Important active transportation projects are also progressing, including: design work for key cycling routes in Lynn Valley and Lynn Creek Town Centres; planning for the eastern portion of the Spirit Trail; and planning for the Burrard Inlet Rapid Transit Project, in collaboration with various levels of government.

trict of West Vancouver Mayor mark@westvancouver.ca

AOther notable projects involve: completing the highly anticipated Argyle Secondary artificial turf field; proceeding with work for a new artificial turf field at Inter River Park; and implementing solutions to manage climate-related issues and reduce risk to our community as weather patterns change

We know that many residents are impacted by the same economic challenges of 2023, which is why we remain cautious and practical in our approach Challenging economics aside, I am proud of Council’s achievements in the first year of its term We look forward to continuing this good work over the next three years.

dedicated almost 2,000 acres of forested land as protected park land in perpetuity This significant decision will ensure future generations are able to enjoy the beautiful natural views of our mountains

round. Soon there will also be new pickleball courts in Ambleside, and we are working on improving our commercial districts in the hope of making these important parts of our community more vibrant.

fter having served our first full year as mayor and council, I am very proud of all we have been able to accomplish The Place for Sport is currently being constructed on the site of the former track and field at West Vancouver Secondary. As well, the new Keen Lau Fitness Circuit facility in Ambleside is now open to the public

As of May this year, we have

We are incredibly close to achieving our 40-year vision of a public foreshore that will stretch from Dundarave all the way to the Capilano River, with just one remaining home to acquire. The restoration of the Navvy Jack House near John Lawson Park will be commencing soon, and this facility will add a charming place to enjoy the waterfront year-

I have established a mayor’s roundtable on finance to help guide financial ideas to find ways to increase non-taxed revenue, and to ensure council has input prior to supporting expenditures We have also established our community’s first environment committee and will shortly be establishing a planning committee, to help council with important land use decisions.

Aholistic approach to combatingpoverty forNorth Shore residents

Harvest Project entersafourthdecadeof transforming lives on theNorth Shore

Therewas atimeinJane’slifewhenitfelt likethe sun would neverrise again

Asingle mother grappling with job loss, struggling to feed her childrenand on thevergeof homelessness, Janeneeded abeaconofhope.

Theuniverse responded in kind, through the holistic,caring approach central to theNorth Shore’sHarvest Project –this unique service provided immediate grocerysupportto ensure herfamily didn’t go hungry; its rent bankprogram offeredano-interest loanthatallowedher to pay overdue rent andstayhoused; andthroughone one-to-onecoaching andcounsel,Janeregained her confidence andstable employment.

“Today, [Jane] holds asteadyjob,her children are thriving in school andshe is an activevolunteer with Harvest Project, giving back to thecommunity thathelped herduring her darkest times,” explains Kevin Lee,chiefdevelopmentofficer with Harvest Project.

Jane’sidentity has been withheld to protect her privacy, though herstory is far frombeing an outlier in whatisconsidered oneofthe wealthiest communitiesinCanada.

Statistics reveal that more than 10% of North Shore residents livebelowthe povertyline, with seniors andsingle-parent households particularly at risk. In Vancouver,the secondhighestpoverty rate in Canada is observedat12.4%, while food insecurity impacted15% of B.C. households in 2021because of insufficient incomes–factsmirrored on the North Shore.

A2020 extended homelessness count found hundreds of people on theNorth Shore experiencing homelessness,orbeing marginally housed, reflecting thegrowing need for comprehensivesupports

With theongoing crisis aroundhousingavailability andaffordability,the numberofNorth Shore residents facing housinginsecurity is at an all-time high

THE PEOPLE BEING SERVEDATHARVEST PROJECT AREQUITE LITERALLYTHOSE WE SEE EVERYDAY IN EVERYCORNER OF THE NORTH SHORE.

It’sprecisely thesescenariosthatHarvest Project staff andvolunteersare helping North Shore residents overcome as thecommunity continues to change.Itdoessovia afull suiteofservices thatfocus on extending ahandup, rather than a handout: ongoing coaching andcounsel; grocery support; clothing assistance;a rent bank; financial coaching andmuch more to bolster their clients’ physical, emotional andpersonal well-being.

“This comprehensivesupportsystemensures thatclients receivemeaningful help over alonger period, addressing immediate needs while also empowering them to build abetterfuture–regaining health andreconnecting with lifeinthe larger community,” Lee says

In 2023, Harvest Project provided more than 3,600 client-caresessions, along with rent banksupport, groceryassistance,clothing andother resources.

Thisincluded 1,100 one-to-oneclient care appointments, $355,000 worthofgroceriesand $107,947inloans andgrants to keep people housed. Storiesofdesperate need arenot confined to Vancouver’s DowntownEastside —people being servedatHarvest Project arequiteliterally neighboursand others you’ll see everyday,inevery corner of theNorth Shore. Each is experiencing trauma thathas adrastic effect onindividual and community health.

“AsHarvest Project continuesits journey into afourth decade,our commitment to theNorth Shorecommunity remains steadfast,” Lee says

TheHarvest Project offers an Emergency Food Program andaFood Recovery Program,providing pre-packed food bagsand donatedfood andhygiene products to residents in need.

“Theevolving needs of this community have shaped adynamic,responsiveand compassionate organization thatnot only provides immediate reliefbut also fosterslong-term stability and empowerment.”

To learn more about howyou can getinvolved, makeadifference andpositively impactthe lives of your neighbours, visit www.harvestproject.org.

“They are doing some incredible things to support the patients that are on 4 West,” said Vancouver Coastal Health’s April Penney.

Penney said the facility has introduced a number of different initiatives that help engage those suffering neurodegenerative disease, in a way that is “kind, gentle and compassionate” to the patients

Among them include the unit’s ‘bus stop,’ a faux station stop complete with a map of the area, a space to get coffee and, as of recently, a North Shore News newspaper box. Writing to the North Shore News in May, patient care co-ordinator Krista McPhail said it gives patients a safe space to be directed to when they’re confused

and hoping to travel, where they can be offered a paper and a hot beverage while they wait.

Oftentimes the time spent waiting at the stop helps patients self-regulate, she said.

“They usually get distracted and forget that they wanted to leave. The staff are able to then engage them in another activity without using medication,” said McPhail. “It’s a gentle way of managing dementia.”

There is also a bank front, where dementia patients can be escorted to when they’re determined to deliver a cheque or speak with a consultant. Merely being a shop front, the bank is always closed, and so patients are forced to put their chores on hold for another day.

“We tell them that we can come back tomorrow, and usually that is a bridge into reducing their agitation or their anxiety around making that visit, and then they can transition into another activity or program that is more pleasant, or bring about more positive feelings,” said Penney

Within the ward the hospital has a nail salon and a hair salon, and there are sports and fitness activities that keep the patients busy in a more engaging and beneficial way, said Penney. Often patients indulge in morning dance classes, indoor hockey sessions and long walks outdoors.

Throughout the rest of the hospital there are new initiatives that not only heighten the experience of the patients and staff within Lions Gate Hospital, but the hundreds of visitors it sees each day, too.

In recent months The LGH Foundation has installed a selection of new bike lids, storage spaces for those cycling into the facility, and even a piano, so staff and patients can try their hand at tinkling the ivories.

“There are all of these things that are really meant to meet the patients and the visitors where they are, and provide that dignified care, relief and comfort for them,” said Penney.

Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News Indigenous and civic affairs reporter This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

Jonathan Wilkinson: NorthVancouver MP reflects on nearly a decadeofpublic service

Wilkinson shares updates on the various initiatives he has spearheaded to address climate change andenhance affordability

It mayhaveseemed likejust another casual outing at thetime, but it wasbothformativeand fortuitous forone of MetroVancouver’s leading environmental advocates.

Theyearis2014and Jonathan Wilkinson is having lunch with afriend, bemoaningCanada’sstanding on theworld stage with respect to climate change. “He said to me,‘That’sall well andgood–but you’ve said this 10 times to me before,sowhat areyou goingtodoabout it?’That provoked me to think about running foroffice,”Wilkinsonrecalls.

It wasapivotal moment thatWilkinson took to heart. He left behind20years in theprivatesector running clean technology companiesand was elected MP forNorth Vancouver oneyearlater Wilkinson’s responsibilitiessince then have largely focused on his passion for theplanet –now theMinister of Energy andNatural Resources, Wilkinson’s previous posts have included heading up theenvironmentand climate change and fisheriesministries.

“I am somebody whocomes from thebusiness community andI’m very concerned about building an economythatwill be strong andprosperous,” Wilkinson says.“ButI’m also asocialprogressive andIbelieve thatweshould build asociety that is fair,thatprovidesequality of opportunity forthe next generations of Canadians, andenablespeople to pursue their dreams.”

With Wilkinson’s political career approaching the 10-year mark, he’s nowtaking stockofsomeofthe milestones he andhis Liberal Partycolleagues have achievedoverthe last decade

Housing

Launched in 2017,the National Housing Strategy is a10-year plan with more than $80 billion worthof investments intended to expandsupply andensure access to affordable housingfor all.And just this

spring, thegovernment launched thenextphase of Canada’s Housing Plan,which aims to provide nearly four million newhomes by 2031.

FolksinMetro Vancouver know better than anyone thatthere is aneed formorehousing, especially affordable homes. Wilkinson has been advocating to bring funding to thedoorstep of North Vancouver residents, andwork is underway. An $18-million agreement with theCity of North Vancouver was reached just weeksago to spur theconstructionof more than 3,100 homesonthe North Shorealone.

“This will help us to really addressthe pressures in the housingmarket thatwesee today,”Wilkinson says

Affordability

Wilkinson andhis colleagueshavefocusedmuch of their work on thestructural affordability challenges facing many: introducing$10-a-daychild care, a school food program forCanadian children across thecountry, access to dental andpharmacare, and increased disability benefits.

“Long-term,structural affordability is important, to ensurethatwe’re creatinga society that enables folkstolivefulfilling lives,” Wilkinson says Since 2015, close to onemillionCanadians, including hundreds of thousands of children,have been lifted out of poverty due to measures likethe Canada Child Benefit. As afatheroftwo,Wilkinson is proud of this progressand ready to do more to giveyoung Canadiansasmanyopportunitiesas possible

Climate change

During his timeasMinister of Environment and Climate Change,Wilkinson led thecharge to introduceCanada’s first climate plan.One of his proudest achievements, theplan demonstrates forthe first timeinCanadian historyhow we will collectively meet –and exceed –the established targets.

There’smorework to be done, but Wilkinson is proud of our progressthus far. In May2024, data confirmed thatpollution in 2022 wasatthe lowest levelin25years,and Canada is on track to beat the 2026 greenhouse gas emissions target.

“My youngest daughter is aclimate activist at the University of Toronto–she pushes me everyday andsays, ‘Dad, youneed to do more,’” Wilkinson says.“She’sthe reason Igot [intopolitics] andI’m glad Idid.”

Contact us: Constituency Office 604-775-6333

Email: Jonathan.Wilkinson@parl.gc.ca

Website: JonathanWilkinson.libparl.ca

TheHonourable Jonathan Wilkinson wasfirstelected as thememberof Parliament forNorth Vancouver in 2015. He currently servesasMinister of Energy andNatural Resources, andhas held portfolios as Minister of Environment andClimateChange,and as Minister of Fisheries, Oceans andthe Canadian Coast Guard.

MinisterWilkinson announcing funding to Come By Chance to help convertthe oil refinery into biofuel production facility

The Collaborativeapproach: MinisterWilkinson announcing funding forthe city of NorthVancouver through theHousing Accelerator Fund,2024