March 6, 2024

Dozens of tenants at supportive housing site face eviction

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews com

A group of about 35 tenants who have been living in temporary supportive housing at the former Travelodge site on North Vancouver’s Marine Drive say they’ve been given to the end of May to leave their homes – and many still don’t know where they’ll go.

Paul Stegavig is one of those tenants. He found himself homeless a few years ago after losing his former rental unit to a renoviction. Health problems eventually landed him in hospital, as well as on the street Staff at the North Shore shelter managed to get him a place in the temporary housing at the former Travelodge site, where he’s been living since April 2023.

But at the end of January, tenants living at the site got notice the housing would likely be closing at the end of May to make

way for re-development of the site. In addition, not everyone would be likely to find alternate housing on the North Shore, the notice warned, because there aren’t enough government-subsidized housing units available.

The notice was a shock, said Stegavig, because tenants had been under the impression the lease on the property had been renewed last fall for at least another year.

In recent months, some former tenants of the Travelodge site who are Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) members have moved into a new supportive housing project opened nearby on Nation land. According to BC Housing, four former Travelodge tenants moved to the Squamish Nation housing. But about three dozen people have been left without any good options, said Stegavig.

Continued on A32

West Van mayor suspended from practising law for two years

North Van’s Gerwin Damberg earns Oscar for science and technology

CapUvolleyball

Blues women earn a trip to CCAA national championships

OSCAR WINNER GERWIN DAMBERG

Paul Stegavig along with other residents in supportive housing at the former Travelodge motel on Marine Drive in North Van face eviction at the end of May as the property is to be re-developed PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

WEST VANCOUVER

Mayor suspended from practising law for two years

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews com

West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager has been prohibited from practising law for two years, after agreeing that he committed professional misconduct in handling an elderly client’s estate.

Details of the agreement between Sager and the Law Society of B C ’s disciplinary tribunal were released Wednesday, Feb 28, days before a previously scheduled disciplinary hearing was set to begin.

According to the terms of the agreement, Sager has admitted to the misconduct and agreed not to work as a lawyer, including roles involved in handling of several estates, from April onwards.

Misconduct involves handling of friend’s will

The misconduct relates to Sager’s preparation of a friend’s will and his subsequent conduct as executor and trustee of that person’s estate between 2010 and 2020

Sager admitted to acting in a conflict of interest by causing the preparation of the will – in which he was named executor and trustee and received absolute discretion to use estate funds to travel to England – when his client had not received independent legal advice.

He also admitted to withdrawing $44,800 in executor’s fees and more than $26,000 in management fees from the estate without receiving approval from

the beneficiaries or the court to do so. Sager further admitted to not maintaining proper records regarding the estate funds and not keeping in contact with the residual beneficiaries – including four local West Vancouver charitable groups –for approximately nine years.

Four West Van charitable groups among beneficiaries

According to details set out in the Law Society’s written summary of agreed-on facts, Sager’s friend first made a will in 2005, leaving 60 per cent of her estate to

her sister in England while 40 per cent was to be split between four non-profit groups: the West Vancouver Seniors Activity Centre, St. Christopher’s Anglican Church, the BC SPCA and the West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation

In 2010, the friend – referred to in the Law Society documents as OM – was told she had a terminal illness and changed her will, giving her sister a “life interest” in the estate and making Sager trustee, giving him absolute discretion to disburse money to the sister and visit her in England Following the sister’s death,

money remaining was to go to the four charities The friend, OM, didn’t get independent legal advice before making those changes, as required, according to the summary

When OM died several months later, her estate was worth just over $882,000.

Another lawyer at Sager’s firm reminded him in a memo that he needed to get consent from the beneficiaries regarding his fees Despite this, in December 2010, Sager prepared an account for $40,000 in executor’s fees and taxes and withdrew $44,800 in estate funds the same day, according to the summary. Over the next decade, Sager also paid himself more than $26,000 in “management” fees and taxes, without the approval of the beneficiaries.

During that same time period, Sager also made “at least 18 trips to England” to visit OM’s sister, invoicing and reimbursing himself more than $162,800 in travel expenses – again without approval of beneficiaries.

Sager also mistakenly reimbursed himself from the estate funds for expenses which shouldn’t have been included, according to the summary, including purchases of clothing in London shops, including Harrod’s, a stay at a hotel in Nice, France and a three-night stay in London

A cheque for $2,000 to West Vancouver’s Kay Meek Arts Centre was also paid from the estate, although Kay Meek was not a beneficiary of the will.

Continued on A31

Conservatives nominate Keith Roy to run in West Van’s federal riding

SCOTT TIBBALS

stibbals@piquenewsmagazine com

The Conservatives have nominated Whistler real-estate agent, Keith Roy, to be their candidate for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country in the next federal election.

Roy was announced by the Sea to Sky Conservative Association on X (formerly Twitter) as the local candidate on Saturday, March 2 after local party

members picked between him and two other candidates, Paul Dhillon of Sechelt and former District of West Vancouver councillor Marcus Wong

Roy announced his intent to take on Liberal MP, Patrick Weiler, back in September 2023

A first-time candidate, Roy was born and raised in southwest B.C., has a political science degree from the University of Guelph, and has been active in conservative politics since he interned for a

Canadian Alliance MP in 2001

A Whistler resident since 2021, Roy has spent the last two decades building up a real estate career in the Lower Mainland

His platform through the nomination campaign targeted what he called “the 5 Cs: “common sense, the carbon tax, congestion, crime, and climate.”

The next federal election will take place on or before Oct 20, 2025 -with files from Megan Lalonde

West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager presides over a budget committee meeting Feb 26 The Law Society of B C has prohibited Sager from practising law for two years NICK LABA / NSN

Feds pump in $18M to speed up City of North Vancouver housing

BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews com

The federal government is chipping in $18.6 million to help the City of North Vancouver pick up the pace of development.

Jonathan Wilkinson, North Vancouver Liberal MP and Natural Resources Minister, made the announcement in municipal hall on Friday

The money comes from the $4 billion housing accelerator fund the feds have set up to assist municipalities that have committed to accommodating faster growth The government intends for the program to spur the construction of 650,000 new homes across the country over the next 10 years over and above what the private sector would be expected to deliver on its own

Mayor Linda Buchanan welcomed the funding, calling it an “energizing” day in the city

“We all know that we need more housing here in the City of North Vancouver and frankly, in every community across Canada,” she said “We know that the demand for housing options is real across the spectrum People want to stay within their communities and we can make this possible by accelerating housing delivery Our cities and our economy cannot survive otherwise People and families cannot wait any longer. The consequences are real and are being felt by far too many.”

Cutting red tape might seem inexpensive, at least in theory, but Buchanan said there is a lot of logistical work to be done at the planning level.

Some of the projects the cash is earmarked for include a revamp of the city’s zoning bylaw to make it less exclusionary with built-in affordability measures, the allowance of multiplexes with four, six, or eight units on single-family lots, pre-zoning land for higher densities near the urban core and transit, a review of parking requirements, clearing the way for more mass timber construction, streamlining the application process and improving the technology at the front end, allowing some

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functions to be automated and deeper study of the city’s servicing needs

Over the first three years, the program should add 530 new units over and above the city’s average of approximately 1,350 annually, and 3,100 new homes in the city over the next 10 years

“That is the end goal,” Buchanan said. “Homes built faster.”

Wilkinson acknowledges that the prospect of home ownership is getting farther and farther out of reach, especially for young people. The housing accelerator program is intended to build on the 150,000 new affordable homes funded under the national housing strategy, Wilkinson said, as well as the government’s efforts to incentivize construction of new rental housing – most recently, removing GST from the construction costs.

“This changes the equation. Home builders will get more shovels in the ground and build new and needed rental homes that will drive down the cost of rent,” he said. “It is not a short-term challenge It is going to take time It is unfortunate, but federal governments of all political stripes were out of the housing

Continued on A30

Jonathan Wilkinson, North Vancouver Liberal MP and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announces more than $18 million in funding for housing measures at City of North Vancouver municipal hall on March 1 PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

Student fish count leads to surprising results in West Van

BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews com

The population of West Vancouver’s creeks is going through something of a change in demographics, according to the latest salmon spawner survey carried out by the West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society and volunteer students from West Vancouver and Sentinel secondaries.

For the last 16 years, the stewardship group has been partnering with students to trudge out to the tributaries of the Capilano River every fall, log the numbers of returning coho, chum, pink and chinook they spot and slit a few of the carcasses open to see if they had spawned

The group reported their results to District of West Vancouver council on Monday night

This year, the students and Streamkeepers notched 587 sightings – mostly coho and chum – on the Brothers and Hadden creek

systems, a number that has been rising steadily since a low-point of 190 in 2019, although still down from the 2018 peak of 687.

Curiously though, there has been a noticeable shift in the species showing up A decade ago,

chum salmon would regularly make up 75 to 90 per cent of the fish documented in the creeks In 2023, coho outnumbered them for only the second time since the program began “This year was the second

best year for coho and the second worst year for chum,” said Meha Farrokhi, student statistician on the 2023 survey.

Streamkeepers past president John Barker said they can only speculate as to why the makeup of fish in the creek shifted so much It could be related to successful spawning the year they hatched, the conditions the creeks faced when the eggs were in the gravel, the availability of food for juveniles in the ocean, level of predation by seals and other sea life and commercial fishing

Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists were predicting a good year for coho returns, Barker said, and that seems to be bearing out in creeks across the province.

Perhaps ironically, the high coho count in West Vancouver came in the same spawning season as a mass fish kill that left dozens of the species dead In late October, Barker and the students discovered carcasses

along the banks of the creeks, too early to have died naturally after spawning The cause was almost certainly toxic stormwater runoff carried from the roadsides – specifically 6PPD-quinone, a chemical additive in car tires, that is specifically lethal to coho.

In the United States, tire manufacturers and regulators are facing pressure from First Nations, state governments and lawsuits to phase out the chemical Locally, Barker said volunteers from the group are already in discussions with district staff about building bioswales or rain gardens, which have been shown to naturally filter out toxins at likely entrypoints to the creeks

Thankfully, most of the coho the students counted in the survey arrived after the toxic plume washed out of the creek system

Beyond fresh stats on the health of local creeks, student statistician Jeffrey Jackson told West Vancouver council the

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West Van Secondary students Jeffery Jackson and Meha Farrokhi inspect McDonald Creek. The two were student leads on the 2023 West Vancouver Streamkeepers salmon spawner survey PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

NEWSBRIEFS

YOUTH SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN PARK WASHROOM, RCMP WARN

North Vancouver RCMP are warning the public after they say a youth was sexually assaulted in an Inter River Park public washroom

According to police, the incident happened around 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 25

“While the youth was using the urinals, the suspect approached and sexually assaulted them from behind The victim was able to strike the suspect who then fled the scene,” a release from Const. Mansoor Sahak stated

Investigators described the suspect as a 30- to 50-year-old man, approximately six feet tall with a medium to large build At the time, he was wearing a black hoodie and dark pants, the release states.

“Police are taking this incident very seriously, actively investigating all leads and are issuing a public alert for the safety of the community,” Sahak

said. “This investigation is being led by our Special Victims Unit and we commend the victim for coming forward to report this incident.”

At the time of the assault, there were several people near the BMX track in the park Investigators are hoping to speak with anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious around that time

The North Vancouver RCMP non-emergency number is 604-985-1311

– Brent Richter

DUMP TRUCK DRIVER FACES MOTOR VEHICLE ACT CHARGE LINKED TO FATAL COLLISION

A 41-year-old dump truck driver from Chilliwack is facing a charge under the Motor Vehicle Act for driving without due care and attention in connection with a collision that resulted in the death of a 41-year-old cyclist a year ago.

Christopher Shawn Basque was charged last week following an investigation into the crash by RCMP He is

expected to make his first appearance in court on the Motor Vehicle Act charge in April.

On March 6, 2023, the dump truck driver was making a right turn from 23rd Street north on to Lonsdale Avenue when the truck struck a woman riding her bike.

Police officers who were en route to an unrelated call came across the scene at the intersection of Lonsdale Avenue and 23rd Street at about 10:30 a.m., shortly after it happened.

Officers immediately attempted life-saving first aid, but the woman from North Vancouver was declared dead by medical personnel a short time later

The collision happened just a block away from the site where the new Harry Jerome recreation centre is under construction.

ICBC statistics indicate the intersection was the scene of two accidents involving cyclists and two accidents involving pedestrians between 2016 and 2020. Those statistics showed 136 collisions at that intersection between 2017 and 2021.

– Jane Seyd

The District of West Vancouver values the opportunity for dialogue and collaboration with members of our community. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to contribute to your community and helps enhance your personal and professional network

The District of West Vancouver is currently looking for volunteers to fill vacancies on a variety of committees:

•Arts & Culture Advisory Committee

•Environment Committee

•North Shore Advisory Committee on Disability Issues

•Memorial Library Board

The District is also accepting applications for other committees for any vacancies that may arise during the year.

APPLICATION FORMS AVAILABLE:

FROM LEGISLATIVE SERVICES: call 604-925-7004 to request a form

ONLINE: westvancouver ca/beinvolved

SUBMIT: COMPLETED FORM RESUME

EMAIL: committees@westvancouver ca

MAIL: Legislative Services, 750 17th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3

DROP-OFF: drop-box outside the 17th Street entrance of Municipal Hall

QUESTIONS? Legislative Services: 604-925-7004

Out of house and home

We’ve spilled a lot of ink lately on the topic of housing: government announcements, council debates and legislative changes have all got their share Finding housing on the North Shore is a problem for many. That’s why a lot of our workforce commutes in from other, cheaper suburbs It’s not an ideal situation

But for our most vulnerable citizens, the lack of housing options is closer to catastrophic

Recently we’ve brought you news of two instances where supportive housing is about to disappear – for current residents of the Travelodge site run by the Lu’ma society, and for a group home in Grousewoods More than 40 people in need now face dire circumstances as a result

Faced with finding new subsidized housing, many will likely have to choose between

leaving the North Shore or living on the street. But what if those facing eviction also have significant health issues, and their doctors and other medical supports are here?

It’s an all-too-common scenario of how lack of stable housing can quickly spiral into other problems

Direct government assistance is likely the only option that will solve these issues in the long term. That takes both time and money.

In the meantime, we applaud groups like Hollyburn Family Services, the Lazarus Community Society, the Kiwanis housing society, and outreach workers who step up and do their best to help despite the odds

Much of the work they do flies under the radar But it is crucially important

We are right to call for bolder, bigger change But it’s often the small and steady efforts of many that fill the breach until change comes about.

B.C.’s beleaguered public health care system got a much-needed shot in the arm last week when the provincial government and the BC Nurses Union unveiled a first-in-the-country nurse to patient ratio system.

On top of that, millions of dollars will now be spent on more signing bonuses to attract nurses to work in rural and high-vacancy areas

Along with last year’s overhaul of the physician payment model and the expansion of scope of practice for pharmacists, the unprecedented (in this country) move to create patient ratios ranks as one of the biggest changes in the public health care system in decades

The question now is: will the impact of

these two historic measures be significant enough to ease pressure on the health care system, or will they merely ensure a somewhat chaotic status quo is maintained?

The health care system is under siege in much of the province because of three main factors: record population growth, a rapidly aging population and ongoing challenges stemming from shortages of health care workers

On the face of it, the policies announced

last week regarding nurses should go a long way to fixing some of the human resource challenges

At the very least, the new ratio system should improve working conditions for nurses working in hospitals, where the ratios will be implemented

The most patients a nurse will be responsible for is seven, in overnight rehab. But for general care, the ratio is four patients to one nurse, and the numbers are lower for more serious forms of care

Many of the shortages of health care workers are in remote and rural areas. To that end, the signing bonus program is being expanded to include up to $30,000 to work in the North and up to $20,000 to work in other rural and remote areas.

Also, a nurse who joins the GoHealth program (which involves nurses travelling to small communities) will be eligible for a $15,000 signing bonus And the number of communities where nurses are eligible for an annual $8,000 bonus will be expanded from 15 small towns to 48

If the impact of the overhaul of the physician payment model is any indication, the shift in nursing strategies should pay off So far, almost 5,000 doctors have opted to join the new model

The Doctors of BC now say the number of people without a family doctor has dropped from about one million, two years ago, to about 700,000 today Still an unacceptably high number, but at least the trend

A LIVABLE INCOME BILL IS LONG OVERDUE IN CANADA

Dear Editor:

Most of us are not aware that the Senate is considering Bill S-233, a bill that would provide framework for a guaranteed annual income for Canadians, increasing the number who could manage basic expenses regularly

That reminded me of the years, decades ago, when, for a couple of years, I coordinated the Women’s Centre for the wonderful women who had founded it

Some of the clients are still in my memory, like the teenage girls who were trying to manage mothering in basement apartments on too little basic income assistance.

I had asked one if her family could help her, and she said they would if they could, but they can’t

It was an education for me. So I was thrilled to hear, in 2024, that the Senators were trying to address this Canada-wide need, because as far as I can see neither the Conservatives nor the Liberals have so far improved the situation for families like theirs, despite the increase in the cost of living

I had lived in Manitoba after one of the “trial balloons” of guaranteed annual income, and I remember what a success it was

Women were able to take their children and get away from abusive men. Men and women who were earning too little to support their families could sign up for more training and get better-paying jobs

It was a hugely successful trial, but the evidence has been buried for a generation.

Believe it or not, there must be people in Canada who continue to want a pool of desperately poor people available as workers. I don’t, and if other North Shore readers

don’t, they can remind their Senator that the Senate has a historic opportunity to pass Bill S-233, a framework for a guaranteed basic income

There are Canadians who can’t afford to wait.

Donna Stewart

North Vancouver

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN SHOULDN’T BE A ‘JACKPOT’ LOTTERY

Dear Editor:

What is it with local government solutions for the housing crisis?

How does giving an expensive tax-payerfunded home to one or two lucky families help the other hundreds of thousands of renters forced to pay significantly more?

Surely sharing the kitty with all renters is more equitable than giving it to a handful of jackpot winners. If we are going to take these socialist solutions, give everyone a fair deal

Stephen Hall

North Vancouver

THERE’S A REASON SOME RESIST THE TERM ‘BRITISH COLUMBIANS’

Dear Editor:

RE: BC United candidate sparks debate on use of ‘British Columbians’ to refer to Indigenous Peoples, Feb 23 story

West Vancouver-Capilano MLA hopeful Caroline Elliott is surprised that some First Nations object to being called British Columbians Merely because the province stole their lands and resources, left them in poverty, tried to destroy their cultures, and stole their children for residential schools, First Nations have every reason to love British Columbia

Allan McDonell, KC

Population growth adds pressure

Continued from A8

is heading in the right direction

Pushing against this progress, however, is the ongoing pressure coming from population growth. The Medical Service Plan expands by about 150,000 new registrants each year

The impact of that phenomenal growth can be seen in the significant increase in the number of people occupying hospital beds on any given day For years, the norm was 9,000 to 9,500 patients a day

In recent weeks, that number has

frequently been over 10,000. One day last week, there were more than 10,300 people in hospital even though we are nearing the end of the respiratory illness season

The overhaul of the health care system may be transformational Then again, it may simply end up being a case of not having enough fingers to plug all the holes in a steadily eroding dike wall.

Here’s hoping the former statement wins out

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC

West Vancouver eyes 7.5 per cent tax hike for 2024 budget

NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews com

Taxpayers in West Vancouver are facing rate increases similar to or slightly above other municipalities on the North Shore this year.

On Feb. 26, a majority of council approved a proposed 7 54-per-cent increase to the district’s tax rate Only Coun Nora Gambioli dissented, who advocated for a portion of the increase to go to environmental initiatives

Additional budget items were not adopted, including drought relief for trees on public boulevards, a request to fund a translation program to provide safety messages in other commonly spoken languages, as well as support for arts groups But money to pay for “clean up of homeless encampments” was approved

The proposed budget includes a $3 1-million hike of the operating levy. That 3.54-percent increase is lower than the “keeping the lights on” amount

originally proposed by staff at 3 65 per cent The budget proposal also involves upping the asset levy by $3.5 million, a four per cent increase, compared to two per cent last year

Combined, the increases represent an impact of $440 on the average single family detached home assessed at $3.7 million, or $194 on the average strata property at $1 7 million

Much of the district’s focus during budget discussions has been on the prevalence of ailing assets, and if staff are able to shift money from other funds to pay for items outside of the usual scope

At a budget committee meeting Monday afternoon, preceding the evening council session, Coun Linda Watt asked staff why cost charges to developers can’t be used to fund bridge maintenance, for instance But director of financial services Isabel Gordon advised great caution before the district considers transferring money between reserves

When development cost funds are on hand, bridge repair seems like a reasonable use for that money, said Gordon, but “unfortunately, the answer to that is: not quite [Development cost charges] can only be used for the particular project they were collected for.”

“So if we collected money for the McDonald Creek bridge,

which we did, then we can use the money to fix the McDonald Creek bridge We can’t use it for another bridge unless we get permission from the minister [of finance] to do that,” she said Gordon later clarified that if funds were used from a reserve in an unintended way, a member of council who voted for that could be personally liable to return those funds, under the Community Charter.

Also at the budget meeting, several of the asset projects being proposed were put under the microscope, particularly by Coun. Christine Cassidy

Among other items, she questioned the need for a multiyear capital renewal plan at the district’s firehall in the Caulfeild area

“Firehall 3 really is a very passive, shall we say, firehall So why are we needing to be spending $525,000?” she asked “I mean, these various asks, we’ve never questioned that ”

Continued on A25

Coun Christine Cassidy scrutinized several items in West Vancouver’s proposed budget at a committee meeting Feb 26 NICK LABA / NSN

ACADEMY AWARDS

High-tech projector earns North Van inventor an Oscar

BRENT RICHTER

brichter@nsnews com

On Sunday, March 10, all eyes will be on Hollywood for the 96th Academy Awards. But a North Vancouver man has already brought home some 2024 Oscar glory.

Lynn Valley resident Gerwin Damberg has been given one of the Academy’s Scientific and Technical Awards for his life’s work in developing state-of-the-art laser projectors for theatres

Unlike the more familiar Oscars, the ones for science and technology are awarded for work that has taken place over many years Damberg, along with fellow winners Michael Perkins, Trevor Davies and Martin J. Richards, are being honoured for the Christie E3LH Dolby Vision Cinema Projection System The technology that it’s based on is something he’s been working on since he moved from Germany to join a UBC-based startup two decades ago

“I’ve been an entrepreneur ever since and I’ve been hooked on the cinema and broadcast space,” he said “Back then, the dream was can we make cinema better than it is now? And that’s what led to this invention of this super high-definition, high contrast-cinema projector which took basically 20 years to get into the field.”

Officially, what sets the E3LH apart is its “novel dual modulation technique that employs cascaded DLP chips along with an improved laser optical path, enabling high dynamic range theatrical presentation ”

But what it does is far more important than how it works, Damberg is quick to tell you

“You feel like you’re part of the story. You feel like you’re almost sucked into the screen That’s how realistic it feels The colours are crisp,” he said.

Often, Damberg and his team work with a film’s colourists and director to ensure everything is looking just right before a big screen premier.

“That’s really when you know you’ve built something really cool because everything up to that point is just geekery in the lab and it doesn’t look pretty,” he said

Although he is an engineer professionally, Damberg said he is driven by his love of film – The Birds and 2001: A Space Odyssey are among his favourites. And while he’s not a filmmaker, he shares their mission to evoke a visceral experience for the moviegoer

“I absolutely love movies. There are so many good ones out there I like the storytelling element about it,” he said “How do we enable somebody in the creative community to do their storytelling?”

It’s an experience you can’t quite replicate streaming a movie at home on the couch Unfortunately, though, it’s also one you can’t even experience in Metro Vancouver The nearest of the 300 theatres with an E3LH projector is the AMC in Burlington, Wash., he said.

Damberg said when he takes his family to the movies here, he’s learned to “stay quiet” about theatre technology

“It really kills the atmosphere talking about contrast, brightness, colour gamut,” he said with a laugh “Nobody wants to hear about that.”

Damberg received his Oscar trophy at a Feb 23 ceremony, which was held at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and was hosted by Natasha Lyonne.

“Everybody was dressed up, red carpet and everything,” he said “It was really exciting but at the same time, a humbling experience because they are so rare and they give them out so selectively ” (Damberg was wearing a tux from Harry Rosen for the occasion.)

Of course, someone with such a passion for film and the way it’s presented has opinions about this year’s Oscar race. Oppenheimer is likely the favourite among the blockbuster movies, but Damberg also recommends Perfect Days, a film by Wim Wenders.

Damberg recently had the pleasure of giving Wenders a showing of the film on the next generation of projector he’s been working on

“He stayed for the whole thing and loved it and it was so cool to see. It’s a beautiful picture,” he said

North Vancouver inventor Gerwin Damberg proudly shows off his 2024 Scientific and Technical Oscar Award, which he received from the Academy on Feb. 23. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

CANOPY

MAR. 6 - 21

SILK PURSE ARTS CENTRE

Dramatic & evocative interpretations of forest scenes, from vibrant realistic painter Danyne Johnston, graphic paper artist Christina Peressini and gestural semiabstract painter Catherine Trembath.

For more info: westvanartscouncil.ca

AURORA PIANO TRIO

TUESDAY, MAR. 12, 10:30 A.M. & 1:30 P.M.

SILK PURSE ARTS CENTRE

Enjoy the dynamic musicality of the acclaimed Aurora Piano Trio as they perform thrilling works by Beethoven & Dvořák, at 10:30am & 1:30pm.

For more info: westvanartscouncil.ca

COAST MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

MAR. 29 - APR. 18

KAY MEEK THEATRE & CENTENNIAL THEATRE

The inaugural Coast Mountain Film Festival will play host to over 20 films which have a North Shore connection. While many of these films have been screened at prestigious festivals around the world, this festival offers our filmmakers a chance to celebrate their work with the community in which it was made

For more info: coastmountainfilmfest.com

Events listed here are supported by the North Shore News. Check out more listings on North Shore’s online event calendar: nsnews com/local-events

Author Mandi Gray aims to help survivors of sexual violence

MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s been almost seven years in the making, so witnessing Suing for Silence: Sexual Violence and Defamation Law finally come to fruition feels like a small win for author and anti-violence activist Mandi Gray.

Drawing on media reports, courtroom observations, and interviews with survivors, activists and lawyers from across the country, Gray, an assistant professor at Ontario’s Trent University and a survivor herself, offers a detailed investigation into the defamation lawsuits that silence sexual violence victims She hopes the book sparks public discussion about a topic often deemed too difficult and sensitive to broach. Gray will be leading that conversation in the weeks that follow the book’s release, when she takes Suing for Silence on the road to libraries across the country.

The tour, kicking off in Toronto and ending in Ottawa, will land at North Vancouver City Library March 21

“Books like this, and gathering people together to create a space for healing, will

Author Mandi Gray will speak at North Vancouver City Library following the release of her book Suing For Silence, March 21

MANDI GRAY

improve the lives of the women, girls and gender diverse folk who are most likely to experience sexual violence in their lifetime,” she said

Suing For Silence as an idea was born in 2017, when Gray, already heavily involved in the local activist movement, heard from two women who had reported sexual violence only to then be sued by the person reported

“Both of these women had taken all the steps that the ideal victim is supposed to take: one reported to the police, the other

Continued on A15

Development Information Meeting

Symphony Homes Limited is conducting a Development Information Meeting in conjunction with its development application for 4504 Woodgreen Dr, and 4460 & 4450 Woodcrest Rd, West Vancouver, BC.

Project Description: The proposal aims to rezone the site (which currently consists of 4 properties) to facilitate a 37-unit townhouse development. The development will have an underground car park (accessed from the southwest corner of the site) and provide for 4 townhouse buildings & 1 private amenity building which all surround a central courtyard. The proposal includes sidewalk and trail upgrades on the periphery of the site.

If you cannot attend, please visit the website, and complete the Community Questionnaire

Event Details:

Date: March 14, 2024 | Time: 5-7:30pm

Location: West Vancouver Community Centre (Cedar Room)

Address: 2121 Marine Drive, West Vancouver

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please contact us at info@symphonygroup.ca

Image: Dan Gal, Histor cal Records part 3 of 3, 2018

Gray hopes book opens dialogue

reported to her workplace, and in both situations they were sued for doing what you’re told you’re supposed to do in such circumstances,” she said “I thought that was really concerning, especially seeing how fearful both of these women became about talking about sexual violence generally, and the impact it had on their careers and finances, and lives in general ”

Shocked to know of two women who had endured similar experiences, Gray asked a civil litigator whether such situations were common The litigator was currently representing women in several lawsuits for similar circumstances, she said

“It was so common but just not talked about, and I decided this was something that hadn’t really been explored enough,” Gray added

The findings in the book raise awareness of the suits within the anti-violence movement and offer several opportunities for public education There are specific findings that Gray, whose own sexual assault story was featured in the documentary film Slut or Nut: The Diary of a Rape Trial, hadn’t even been aware of herself

Most people wouldn’t know, for example, that victims who make a formal report to the police at a university campus or workplace

aren’t always protected from a lawsuit Even when such lawsuits are unsuccessful, the costs, emotional consequences and “complete havoc and chaos” that they can wreak on someone’s personal life is pretty significant, Gray said

“I really hope that not only will there now be more knowledge about the realities of making these reports, but there will also be an encouraged discussion about policy makers and people working within the legal system,” she said “How can we better protect the people reporting a crime that is historically under-reported?”

Gray hopes that her tour will attract those who are in the position to make important changes to laws and policies, whether on campus or in the workplace, to better protect people from legal retaliation and brutality The “most important audience” that Gray hopes to witness, however, is that of the women who have experienced such situations, and are fearful of speaking out because they’ve had legal action against them

“It often pushes them out of the public sphere, it often silences them from engaging in discussions about sexual violence, and so I hope that they feel that I’m capturing their stories,” she said “I hope we can create a place where people feel heard.”

The Polygon’s film program connects Indigenous artists

MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ten artists. Ten films. One theme. The Polygon’s annual Response film series, a culmination of months of creative workshopping by burgeoning Indigenous artists, has returned for its fourth iteration.

As with every year since its inaugural edition in 2020, the project saw its ten participants take part in a series of workshops led by Indigenous artists and knowledge holders throughout the summer.

This year the theme of All Woven Together, put forth by the program’s lead and the gallery’s TD curatorial fellow Serena Steel, encouraged the artists to ponder the meaning of connection

“Interconnection is such a large part of so many Indigenous ways of being,” said Steel “I chose this as a way for the artists to really consider interconnection in a way that is meaningful to them, to

think about their shared stories, histories and experiences ”

For some that meant delving into their own personal stories, while others it meant venturing down a more abstract path The final films range from classic storytelling to pieces that play with meditation and sound, and films that centre around though-provoking monologues

Anishinaabe Ojibwe

interdisciplinary artist Red Buffalo Nova Weipert connects Indigenous communities reclaiming their culture by dancing and coming together in celebration, with a tight knit community being further woven together

“There is a lot of trauma, but there’s also a lot of perseverance and resilience, and it is our shared stories and shared histories as Indigenous people that contribute

to that,” said the two spirit, multidisciplinary artist, whose film contribution pairs digital and traditional mediums with classic storytelling

“That’s how I took the theme of All Woven Together, the solidarity of other Indigenous communities coming together to just uplift each other”

With much of the program centred around group project work and learning from one another, the theme extends to areas outside just that of Indigenous ways of being,” Steel said

“The biggest and most rewarding part of the program for me is being able to work with all of these Indigenous and emerging artists, and to be able to connect them with more experienced mentors,” she said “It’s been such a great way for participants to build their own relationships in the art world, especially for those who are only just leaving university and entering it Majorly, I’d say, the community building of the program is what I think makes it

really special ”

For that reason alone, Weipert encourages budding Indigenous artists to put their name forward for the annual filmmaking program – not only is it an opportunity to have their work showcased on the big screen, but it is a chance to work and grow alongside likeminded individuals

“There are some artists who have never done filmmaking, and so this program definitely encourages and empowers Indigenous artists to explore new ways of creating,” they said

Filmmaking, said Weipert, is “very much a holistic approach to telling stories” and now, more than ever, Indigenous stories deserve their time in the spotlight

The Response: All Woven Together films will be shown daily from 10 a m to 3 p m , March 2 to March 24 at The Polygon Gallery

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

Red Buffalo Nova Weipert’s Search The Landfill is one of ten films to be shown as part of The Polygon’s exhibition. THE POLYGON

BLUES NAB SILVER

CapU volleyball team earns berth in CCAA national championships

NICK LABA

nlaba@nsnews com

The Capilano University Blues women’s volleyball squad is set to match up against the best collegiate players in Canada.

On Feb. 23, CapU won a clutch 3-1 victory against the Douglas College Royals at the Pacwest provincials, assuring themselves a spot at nationals The Blues (9-11 in the regular season) were third seed in the tourney, and the second-seed Royals (13-7 in the regular season) hosted the event

With eight kills, Vanesa Gatto was named game MVP Her twin sister, libero Anika Gatto, also had a standout performance with a season-high 29 digs

Nnya Mbaoma had a game-high 16 kills, and went on to be named a tournament all-star Setter Jayden Easingwood was also named an all-star, with 34 assists And Annika Kuznik had five kills, including the final kill to clinch the close match

In the final match against first seed Vancouver Island University Feb 25, the first set was the most competitive with VIU taking it 25-19 The Mariners would go on

Capilano University’s Jayden Easingwood sets the ball for her teammate in the provincial semifinals against Douglas College on Feb 23 Easingwood had 34 assists in that game, and was named a tournament all-star JAMES GLEZOS

to beat the Blues 3-0

But with silver medals around their necks, the CapU squad has more tournament play to come at the 2024 CCAA National Championship running March 6 to 9 at Red Deer Polytechnic in Alberta It’s the first time the Blues have qualified for nationals since 2014

West Van to revisit protection for renters in Ambleside area

NICK LABA

nlaba@nsnews com

Renters in Ambleside facing future threats of displacement as their buildings are redeveloped could be getting more protection from the district.

West Vancouver council unanimously passed a motion Feb 26 that will have staff develop policy to address tenant lease rates, relocation and other support related to redevelopment of existing purpose-built rental buildings

In November, council voted to reject rental-only zoning in the Ambleside area, opening the properties to be redeveloped as strata and potentially losing that rental housing stock for good But there has been significant blowback on the move since then, which led to Monday’s motion

Part of the new motion allows for more density on the existing sites, which will allow for the addition of strata. This provision will allow the district to secure rental supply, while developers can offset associated costs with that additional strata, explained senior community planning manager David Hawkins

Coun Christine Cassidy asked for

Hawkins to elaborate on the renter protection aspect.

Should there be redevelopment, as part of that process the developer would have to indicate how to handle tenants’ potential relocation, rent back or first right of refusal of new units once built, Hawkins replied

Potentially the landlord will be responsible for paying the cost of relocating to somewhere else.

COUN CHRISTINE CASSIDY

“So should I be a renter, and my landlord wants to develop the building, potentially my landlord will be responsible for paying the cost of my relocating to somewhere else,” Cassidy said “And then I would have first right of refusal to move back into that building at the same rent that I would have been paying prior to the redevelopment?”

Mayor Mark Sager said that’s the intention of the new rules that will be drafted.

“That’s exactly what this bylaw would require,” he said

Tina Burke worked as an accountant for over 10 years, and in 1996 she changed her career to specialize in recruiting accountants. Her boutique recruiting company, Burke Recruiting Inc has been operating since 2000 Burke prides herself on customer service and quality of candidates She has been recognized for BIV’s 40 under 40, and most recently co-authored a book with Marie Diamond. Tina has been in many podcasts about how to combine Feng Shui with business Check out her podcast or read one of her blogs at wwwburkerecruiting com

604-926-5612 cypressmountain.com

EMILY KOZNIUK

Director of Sales & Marketing

Emily Returns to Vancouver Roots

Born and raised in North Vancouver, a multi-sport athlete out of Lynn Valley, Emily took a field hockey scholarship to Boston College and then moved to New York where she began her career in advertising 10 years later, she found her way back to Vancouver.

In January Emily joined the Cypress Mountain Senior Leadership Team as the Director of Sales & Marketing. Joining the mountain that she learned to ski on as a kid truly feels like coming home and she is excited about the opportunity to grow the business

604-926-5612

cypressmountain.com

LAURA PIERSON

Director, Employee Experience

27 Years of Cypress Passion

When accepting a job as a Ticket Checker at Cypress Mountain, Laura Pierson never imagined that a short term seasonal role would evolve into her career 27 years later, and still with Cypress Mountain, she truly loves her position as Employee Experience Director.

Born and raised in Vancouver, she made the move to the North Shore in 1999 to be closer to work and ‘avoid the bridges’ when travelling to/from. Many years later and after raising a family on the Shore, one of whom now works on the mountain too, she feels so fortunate as could not imagine a better place to live, work and play.

604-926-5612 cypressmountain.com

JULIA TOREN

Nordic Area Manager

Full Circle: Two Decades Later

After exploring endeavours that took me to some beautiful spots around the world, I’ve come full circle to where my first ever job was Twenty years later, I’m lucky to have a position that encompasses so many things I love: getting guests into nature, collaborating on events and food & beverage, mountain operations, and now becoming involved in the big picture of planning at Cypress.

I hope to continue to bring people together and create more opportunities for those to appreciate where we live!

Panel event celebrates business acumen of North Shore women

MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An event celebrating the tenacity, ingenuity and business acumen of North Shore women is set to kick off local International Women’s Day celebrations with a bang.

At the Holiday Inn & Suites March 8, the North Vancouver chamber will champion women leaders with panel discussion event Elevate: Women In Business.

The event, which will kick off with a talk from keynote speaker Anne Bethune, president of Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports, before leading into a Q&A, highlights the efforts of four women who are making an impact in North Vancouver with their thriving businesses.

Joining Bethune at the event will be Swail Pirzada, a doctor of optometry and founder of Clearlight Eyecare, Heather Deris, manager and co-owner of Ava Music & Art Centre, Carol Robinson, founder of Harbour

West Consulting, and Ami McKay, the president and principal designer of interior design company PURE Design. The discussion will be moderated by Ashraf Amlani, co-founder of Bunyaad Public Affairs

604-971-4717

www.healthscienceslab.com

“We have a really beautiful panel of four, strong business women,” said Bethune “The panel is an interesting mix of all ages and demographics It’s a really beautiful representation of women ” Bethune said the guest list

DR. ASHLEY MACINNES, DC Chiropractor

Leader in the FieldAdvocate for All

Dr Ashley MacInnes is a Chiropractor who focusses on movement and sports performance

She has experience at all levels from recreational to professional athletes

Available to all, she strives to be accessible especially to LGBTQ+ people, and wishes to remove common fears of seeing medical professionals.

As a trans advocate, she will be hosting seminars across North America entitled Trans Women in Sport: Research & Reality; dispelling myths about this issue. Her clinic, Health Sciences Lab, is in West Vancouver

represents women who have had a lot of experience in the industry, like herself, alongside those who might just be starting out There is a new mom on the panel, and someone who has recently moved to Canada, and has had to “overcome the challenges of what it’s like to be a newcomer to the business world, and the country, as a woman.”

Showcasing such a diverse group of successful women provides inspiration to an audience that will likely be equally as diverse, said Bethune There is no one-size-fits-all in terms of a woman leader in business, and the mixed panel is a testament to that, she added Bethune will touch on her long and prosperous career, the past 38 years of which have been heavily entwined with Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports Throughout that time she has been recognized for her community leadership and impact, with the outdoorswoman even honoured with the prestigious Tim

604-770-2012

vpo.ca/stores/NorthVan

Jones Award last year

With the event highlighting such achievements of local women, Bethune said she hopes it draws attention to the contributions women bring to the business world.

“I think we do have unique gifts that we use to navigate challenges as business people,” she said. “Women have a really beautiful ability to collaborate and support each other and network in such beautiful ways, and that’s one of the things that we need to be doing more – helping each other shine, and supporting each other in their passions in their business.”

The event will run March 8, 8:30 a m until 10:30 a m at the Holiday Inn & Suites on Old Lillooet Road, North Vancouver. To purchase tickets, visit the North Vancouver Chamber website

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

A leader for women in the wild

A passionate outdoorswoman and entrepreneur, Kathryn Stanton opened Valhalla Pure Outfitters North Vancouver in late 2023

She’s lived on the North Shore for over 20 years, and in that time, taken full advantage of this region’s natural playground - skiing, backpacking, camping and more

She delivers high-quality goods to the experienced and beginner alike, maintaining that outdoor activities are felt in both better physical and mental health. With the future bright, Kathryn is proud to inspire her community to adventure ever further.

President of Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports and Tim Jones Award winner Anne Bethune (right) will lead a panel discussion on women in business with the North Vancouver Chamber, March 8 NSN FILES

4-229 Lonsdale Avenue

North Vancouver

778-772-7275

www.donnagiraudart.com Info@donnagiraud.com

Changing lives one wall at a time

In a daring leap of faith, Donna Giraud traded stability for passion, leaving a career as a nurse to pursue her love for art

What sets Donna apart? Her artwork isn’t just visually stunning; it’s a sensory experience, with layers of texture inviting you to (almost) touch and explore

Each piece is a statement, yet paradoxically leaves one feeling a profound sense of calm. “Art has the power to transform your heart and your space and I’m trying to do that one wall at a time”

By appointment only 778-772-7275

SUSAN COLLINS

Interior Designer

B.A. Int. Des.

Transforming Spaces: A Design Career Story

Born and raised in North Vancouver, Susan Collins’ journey from local roots to international acclaim is a testament to her talent and dedication.

After earning a BA at WWU, she embarked on a career to master every aspect of design. Since 1990, her client list has grown with loyal Vancouverites who trust and depend on her for their interior design

District of West Vancouver an empowering place for women

MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

When Chrystal Boy first began her career with the District of West Vancouver nine years ago, she wasn’t expecting to join a workplace that was so empowering and uplifting for women.

As a woman working in the finance sector, Boy, now deputy director of financial services, had been more familiar with the societal bias that tends to come with working in such typically male-dominated industries

Yet Boy says the district is one of the few places she has worked where it feels as though there is consistent support and mentorship, her contributions are making a difference, and her voice is heard Better still, she is in the good company of a larger group of women who are touting the very same

161 1st Street East

604-770-4393

s.collins@smcdesign.biz

www.smcdesign.biz

From stunning city homes to idyllic vacation properties in Canada and the USA, she curates luxurious spaces blending owner needs with elegance and functionality

North Vancouver

604-757-6631

hello@purebyamimckay.com

www.purebyamimckay.com

“I’m surrounded by women at all levels and service areas, from bylaw officers to parks attendants, engineers, police officers and firefighters, and that says something about the organization,” says Boy

Continued on A23

AMI MCKAY

Rockstar leader and sunshine bomb

Western Canada Interior Designer of the Year 2024

Ami McKay pours her passion into crafting dream homes for clients who share her heartfelt life connections. Ami’s rich creative background encompasses several art and design forms, evolving to interior design as her chosen canvas Ami and PURE Design have created beautiful, healthy homes in Vancouver and beyond since 2000 PURE Design’s award winning projects are featured in countless national and international media outlets. Her Magnolia Network TV pilot Vancouver Reno recently aired.

Interior Design, Construction Management and Homewares Shoppe

Capt Athena Calogeros has been with West Vancouver Fire & Rescue, Local 1525, for 20 years WVFR

DONNA GIRAUD Artist

Women lead district departments

Continued from A22

As we approach International Women’s Day this March 8, Boy and her contemporaries are reflecting on being part of a workforce that is changing the landscape of leadership locally

At the district, seven out of 11 major departments are led by women There are numerous programs in place, training opportunities aplenty, and a sturdy community that ensures support and inspiration is easy to come by

“There is excellent mentorship provided by women in leadership here at the district, and many examples of females entering a department at a junior or entry-level position and finding their passion,” says Eva Glickman, director, human resources and payroll

CAROL ROBINSON

Founder + Principal

Empowering Organizational Success

Carol is Founder + Principal of Harbour West Consulting, a recruitment and HR consulting firm proudly located in Lower Lonsdale.

When not leading Harbour West, Carol is Chair, Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland and a member of the Association of Executive Search Consultants and Network of Non-Profit Search Consultants

Glickman says there are many supports in place to foster learning and development. A tuition reimbursement program, for example, provides contributions towards

everything from MBA programs to courses in municipal public works plan reading. Comprehensive training programs are offered to staff across the district in all positions and levels on the likes of reconciliation, conflict resolution, leadership, as well as time and project management

Continued on A24

SHIVA GHAYEM

Notary Public

A Memorable Journey

104 E 3rd Street

North Vancouver

604-986-7600

info@shivanotary.com www.shivanotary.com

Introducing Shiva, a kind and warm-hearted woman entrepreneur behind the chic notary firm nestled on Lonsdale Ave and East Third St. in North Vancouver. With a flair for personal connections, she transforms transactions into cherished relationships, making each experience seamless and delightful Shiva’s passion for precision ensures every detail is handled with care, guiding clients through the intricate journey of real estate transactions on the picturesque North Shore Trust in Shiva’s expertise and let her personalized touch turn your property transfer into a memorable journey.

300-92 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver 604-998-4032 info@hwest.ca www.hwest.ca

Carol lives in North Vancouver with her family and is committed to serving her local community through advocacy, philanthropy, and a passion for our local businesses and amenities!

Leading the way in aesthetic medicine and dermatology

Discover the expertise of Dr Shehla Ebrahim, the award winning and talented Medical Director at Dermapure Westview As a dedicated Family Physician with a focus in Aesthetic Medicine and Dermatology, Dr. Ebrahim is known for her passion for positive aging and pursuit of cutting-edge treatments.

Respected within the local family physician community, she is a go-to expert for dermatological concerns, from rosacea to precancerous lesions. Dr. Ebrahim’s accolades, including recognition by the Women’s Enterprise Society, showcase her as a top entrepreneur in BC

West Vancouver District Coun Nora Gambioli credits good mentorship and family policy for making the district a supportive place to work as a woman

PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

#202 - 828 Harbourside Drive

North Vancouver

604-780-9441

www.mplusdesign.ca

ELLIE MIRI

Female mentors pave the way

Continued from A23

Redefining Design Excellence

Experience the brilliance of Ellie Miri, founder of m+ Interior Design, whose passion for design ignited early With a Master’s from Boston Architectural College and expertise from Massachusetts firm & BC since 2012, Ellie excels in residential, hospitality, and healthcare design, with meticulous attention to detail.

Collaborating with Nadi, she ensures each project reflects her creative vision Beyond design, Ellie is an Interior Design Instructor at LaSalle College Vancouver and BCIT. Celebrate Ellie’s multifaceted contributions to design.

#202 - 828 Harbourside Drive North Vancouver 778-997-9421

www.mplusdesign.ca

Innovative Architecture for Functional Urban Spaces

Nadi Miri, founder of m+ Architecture Inc , has shaped architectural landscapes in British Columbia With a Master of Architecture from Tehran, she launched her career in Vancouver.

Miri’s designs, gracing Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, epitomize contemporary, eco-friendly architecture Her diverse portfolio spans educational, commercial, and residential projects, showcasing her commitment to sustainable design and practical solutions. Miri’s legacy is defined by her unwavering pursuit of eco-friendly design

When municipal Coun Nora Gambioli began her first term in 2011, working under the mayor of the time, Pamela GoldsmithJones, she was surprised at the level of family friendly policies in place that would ensure her home life wouldn’t be hindered by her work She remembers letting on to Goldsmith-Jones that she and her partner were thinking of having a second child, only to be assured by the then mayor that it wouldn’t affect her ability to run for office or sit on council.

“She said ‘Oh, yeah, that’s amazing You can bring your baby to council meetings, no problem’,” reflects Gambioli with a laugh

She credits some of her career success to having such a “great and experienced” mentor like Goldsmith-Jones, touching on how having females in such high ranking roles sets an example for the younger women hoping to navigate the same career path Currently, four out of seven members of council are women – higher than it has ever been.

“I think the DWV is setting a powerful example to the youth in our community that the future is limitless, and they can aspire to be in leadership roles like ours in the future,” says Insp Erin Findlay, the officer in charge of operations for the West Vancouver Police Department.

Findlay, as one of the first to break the gender boundary in the district’s police department, said it can be “very lonely” being the only women in the room, but having so many women across other areas certainly helps

“I was very fortunate early on in my leadership journey to have others reach out to me to offer guidance and advice,” she says “This was instrumental in building confidence in my own abilities to lead I think it

is important to support one another and embrace mentorship opportunities when we can ”

Departments typically dominated by males – like policing, fire, finance, construction and building – are certainly seeing a rise in female employees, but those who are in those fields, like Findlay, stress there is still a long way to go.

West Vancouver Fire & Rescue Capt Athena Calogeros points out that it isn’t through lack of want or desire – most women simply still aren’t aware that such jobs are even an option to them Calogeros, who has given 20 years of service to West Vancouver Fire & Rescue, has only seen a handful of other women come and go in her time there

“Most women don’t consider being a firefighter as a career option, even though it is a great job for someone who wants a physically demanding job where teamwork is paramount,” she says, adding how it is an achievable career choice for “any qualified individual, including women.”

Findlay’s advice for women looking to embark on work in a typically male dominated industry? Seek out a mentor that you trust, and, more than anything, believe in your own abilities

“It isn’t uncommon for women to wait until they are overqualified for a position before going for it. I think women tend to self-doubt a lot more than men do, and often unnecessarily,” she says

“Believe in yourself. You can do hard things Go for it ”

Local Journalism Initiative

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

Capt Athena Calogeros (right) with junior firefighter Merkelle Miller WVFR

Insp Erin Findlay is West Vancouver Police’s officer in charge of operations WVPD

Continued from A10

Going through a list of work that includes roofing and electrical upgrades, much of the infrastructure is close to the end of its useful life, said John Wong, senior facilities and asset manager

“There is the risk of failure,” he said “And you don’t want emergency failure, especially at the firehall.”

This is the year to go lean on operating expenses, councillor says

Working with smaller asset levies in recent years has been very challenging, said Coun Scott Snider

“We’ve seen it already in our assets and how they’re failing,” he said. “And when they fail without being properly maintained, it just costs a lot more money in the long run.”

Coun Sharon Thompson said this is the year to go lean on operating expenses, with funding requests denied from organizations like West Vancouver Community Arts Council, which has expressed financial challenges in recent years

“At the same time, we’re putting this incredible amount towards our asset levy,” she said “That comes from the need and the ongoing demand to deal with our assets that have been compromised.”

One arts organization that might get a financial boost this year is Kay Meek Arts Centre Mayor Mark Sager suggested that some money could be taken from contingency for the adjacent Place for Sport project

“It just seems fair and right that we would find out of that budget some consideration for the facility that is suffering during construction,” he said

Gordon replied that staff would look into the ability to make a one-time contribution this year.

Stressing the need to have a sufficient capital buffer to address climate emergencies, Coun. Nora Gambioli was the lone voice on council advocating for an increase to the environmental levy She suggested an amendment to the motion that a 0 5-percent hike go to the environmental fund, lowering the asset levy to 3 5 per cent

“I think that a 0 5-per-cent increase in the environmental levy is really a must,” she said.

Asked to second her motion, no other councillors raised a hand

“I would have seconded it, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to go,” Sager said.

The proposed 2024-‘28 financial plan will be brought to council for consideration on March 11.

Former West Van school counsellor to be registered as sex offender

NICK LABA

nlaba@nsnews com

Former West Vancouver high school counsellor Joseph Scott William McLeod will be registered as a sex offender for 20 years.

In a decision given Thursday afternoon in North Vancouver Provincial Court, Judge Lyndsay Smith ruled that being included on the registry would not impact McLeod’s life disproportionately to his crimes. In December, Smith sentenced McLeod to a year in jail followed by two years’ probation for possessing child pornography, materials the judge characterized as being “horrific.”

But as of October 2023, there is no longer mandatory registration on the Sex Offender Registry for people in Canada convicted of sexual offences, and therefore that process involves separate legal arguments Before handing down her decision, Smith explained that the registration would occur unless the offender establishes that it wouldn’t help police prevent or investigate crimes of a sexual nature, or that the registration’s impact on the offender’s privacy or liberty is grossly disproportionate to the public interest – of preventing sex crimes in particular

Contrary to the Crown arguing that

neither condition was met, and seeking registration for 20 years, McLeod argued that he met both conditions and should not be registered as a sex offender

Smith said that psychological assessments of McLeod determined his risk to re-offend as low and that he has strong support from family members and his partner But the judge also stressed the severity of the materials he possessed, and that he was part of the community that leads to the exploitation and harm of child victims

The judge also mentioned “the level of sophistication and efforts at avoiding discovery” undertaken by McLeod.

“I’m not satisfied that Mr McLeod established that there would be no connection between making the order and the purpose of helping [the] police service help prevent or investigate crimes of a sexual nature by requiring a registration of information related to sex offenders,” Smith said “Having regard to his lack of stability – and by this I mean the recent move to Ontario, loss of career and connections in both B C and Ontario – his movements and locations are unpredictable and the circumstances that satisfy the reporting requirements have a heightened practical value here ”

City of North Vancouver sues painter over pond pollution

BRENT RICHTER

brichter@nsnews com

The City of North Vancouver is suing a painting contractor it says contaminated a pond and creek system with acrylic paint.

On July 9, 2022, city staff responded to a report of a foreign substance in the Tempe Heights Park pond. It turned out to be paint, which city staff traced through the stormwater system to a home that had been recently painted on Tempe Crescent, according to a civil claim filed in B C Supreme Court

Through the storm system, the pollution spread to Greenwood Park and Wagg Creek

“City staff and contractors immediately took emergency steps to contain the spill, prevent the pollutant from spreading further and to remediate the pond and drainage system. These steps included isolating the pond for two days of surface skimming and four days of recirculation filtration, water quality monitoring and fish and wildlife impact monitoring response,” the claim states The suit names Top Notch Painting Services Ltd, its sole director Jack Zarowny and one employee who, as of Feb 23, had not been served with the suit.

According to the city’s claim, on July

14, the employee admitted to a city bylaw officer that in the course of finishing the job, “he had poured excess paint down a drain tile ” In November that year, the suit alleges, Zarowny admitted to the city’s bylaw manager that brushes from the job were washed in a bucket, the contents of which were poured down a downspout.

All told, the city spent $32,304 on the environmental remediation, which the city billed to Top Notch “The invoice has not been paid,” the city’s court documents state.

Top Notch’s actions amounted to a trespass, nuisance, negligence and a breach of the city’s drainage bylaw, the court documents allege. In the suit, the city is asking the courts to award general damages and special damages, plus interest, and to have its legal costs covered

None of the defendants have filed a response to the civil claim and none of the allegations have been heard in court

Reached for comment on Feb 23, Zarowny said the matter had been resolved with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

“It has been resolved in 2023 There’s nothing filed,” he said. “Somebody’s trying to make something out of nothing ”

AMBLESIDE HOUSING

West Van town hall puts focus on future

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews com

How to create more housing in West Vancouver – and match that to what’s needed in the community, without destroying its village atmosphere – was the topic addressed by a standing room crowd of about 200 people at a public town hall Thursday night.

Residents showed up to the Seniors Activity Centre to ask questions and make comments on the Ambleside local area plan being considered by council

The plan is meant to provide a broad outline of what kinds of housing the municipality would like to see in Ambleside’s 1950s-era apartment zone in the future, said senior planner David Hawkins.

In general, the plan prioritizes creating more diverse housing for seniors, the “missing middle,” rental, rent-to-own and below market options, and contemplates allowing additional density for housing that address more public needs

Most future housing would be low-rise or mid-rise, under the plan. The plan also considers using some community use sites like church property and district-owned land to create additional housing.

But “none of this is going to happen overnight,” said Hawkins, with much of the plan likely taking decades

Mayor Mark Sager said there are likely only two sites that might see development plans put forward soon – one on the St Stephen’s Anglican Church property on 22nd Street and another redevelopment of an existing apartment tower at 1552 Esquimalt Ave , previously put on hold by the owner

Even if greater density is written into the plan, “the owners of the property have to actually want to do something” or it won’t happen, said Sager.

Currently both the cost of labour and borrowing is expensive, said Hawkins, so “realistically we’re in a slow development phase.”

Development incentives lacking, say some

Several people questioned whether the density in the plan would be enough to spur owners to want to build more housing “Have you had discussions with the development

community?” asked one resident “Is this enough to get things built? Sometimes what you get is absolutely no change at all ”

Another resident who said she was representing owners of properties in the 1800 block of Marine Drive said the incentives in the plan are “very minimal This is no incentive for us and any of the owners in that block to redevelop,” she said, adding owners would like to see greater density and more mixed commercial and residential use

Resident Gary Powroznik said West Vancouver has done a poor job of making it easier to build rental “None of the housing proposals are appealing to our lost generations,” he said.

But another resident warned he wouldn’t want to see Ambleside start to look like Yaletown

“Fifty-five storeys in Vancouver have become acceptable,” he said. “I don’t think it should ever be acceptable here ”

Rental protections planned

In response to comments about rentals, Sager pointed to council’s intention, announced this week, to bring in protection for rental-only buildings in Ambleside’s apartment area – something that council previously rejected

In the latest version, all-rental buildings can only be redeveloped as rentals, but there are allowances for strata units to be added to the property. Council will also bring in rules requiring developers to help tenants forced to relocate and which give those tenants right of first refusal in new projects.

While those bylaws are being developed, council also has the right to refuse permits to any projects that don’t conform to the new rules

Rick Wagner of the Ambleside Tenants Association said his group was started in response to discussions about rental protection and the lack of awareness among area tenants about council discussions on the topic

Another resident questioned how the municipality would be able to force the building of affordable housing in a community with such expensive land values. The only way to do that would be to allow an increase in density or have projects subsidized by government, he said

West Van lacks much public land

Several people added that West Vancouver has very limited public land to throw into the pot compared to a municipality like the District of North Vancouver

Sager said he likes the idea of changing rules to allow for stratification of existing single-family properties to create more housing – an idea he floated during the election

One resident described himself as being in the “cautiously pessimistic” camp and said he worries the plan won’t make anyone happy “Ultimately not much changes and it’s painful to get there,” he said.

Council has been discussing the long-range policy document, which was drawn up after six months of public consultation, since July.

The apartment area section of the plan will now come back to council before getting sent to a formal public hearing.

A visualization shows potential redevelopment in the 1800 block of Marine Drive in Ambleside’s draft local area plan White buildings already exist, while buildings with colour are potential under the plan DWV

WAVE RIDER

Low tide solves mystery of Ambleside floating Lime bike

NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews com

A curiously parked Lime bike in West Vancouver could have been rented by SpongeBob himself.

On Saturday morning around 9 a m , passersby near Ambleside Beach took notice of one of the bike share units seemingly parked on top of the water’s surface.

Later on, the receding tide revealed the bike to be sitting at the end of a storm drain that empties into Burrard inlet

When Linda Munro first spotted the water-bound bicycle, she alerted Lime that one of the company’s bikes needed attention

“I tried to rescue it but the water was too deep at 9 a m (up to my armpits midway out to it),” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Lime’s official account replied that her note had been shared with the local

operations team so they could take action

At around 10:30 a.m., Shohreh Bagheri took a few photos of the bike perched atop the exposed storm drain pipe

“We saw the bike from the distance first, then I decided to go down and take a closer shot,” he said “The bike was just there with no one for an hour that I was hanging out with a group of people. We all found this strange to see, as it could get easily [be] thrown in the water!”’

A Lime spokesperson confirmed with the North Shore News that the bike has since been recovered, adding that the company works hard to respond to situations like this immediately and make sure that Lime bikes and scooters that are parked somewhere they shouldn’t be are collected quickly

According to tide data, high tide on Saturday was 6:29 a.m. – before that, low tide was at 11:30 p m Friday evening

A ‘floating’ Lime Bike spotted near Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver on Feb 24 caused a bit of a stir as it took a while for nature to reveal the answer to the mysterious parking spot LINDA MUNRO / SHOHREH BAGHERI (COMPOSITE IMAGE)

Transportation part of the puzzle

Continued from A5

game for almost 30 years.”

Academics and development industry members have started to voice concern that with Canada’s immigration targets of almost 1 5 million new permanent residents over the next three years, no amount of acceleration in housing will meet the growing demand

Wilkinson said the government has already moved to reduce the number of student visas the government will grant and that, despite the pressing housing demand, Canada’s economy still needs

immigrants to shore up the aging labour force.

“It’s both. It’s not one or the other,” he said

Getting people into homes is one thing Getting people around is another Asked about funding commitments for expansion of Metro Vancouver’s transit system, Wilkinson said the government is very supportive of the TransLink Mayors’ Council’s plans for the region

“I look forward to being able to talk about that perhaps a little later down the road,” he said

Students become natural allies

Continued from A6

spawner survey delivered an important awakening for the 72 volunteers.

“Our lives, over the decades, have turned into a struggle away from nature,” he said “[This] enabled us to become connected with nature again. This amazing opportunity allowed us to slow our fast-paced lives, to take action towards a meaningful cause We saw the environmental impacts of our society’s actions and how aspects such as climate change or chemicals used in car tires can affect the

ecosystem ”

Barker said that is the real value of salmon spawner survey – creating a new cohort of allies for salmon on dry land every year

“I’ve often said to them, you know, you’re going forget a lot of things that went on in life during your secondary school years You won’t forget the days that you saw salmon in a creek in an urban environment, like we have,” he said “Seventy-two kids are a lot smarter about fish than they were in August last year.”

Special prosecutor appointed for investigation

Continued from A4

Questions raised about estate accounts

Sager didn’t keep in contact with the charitable groups that were beneficiaries, according to the summary, and following the death of OM’s sister in 2019, those groups raised concerns and asked questions about the accounting of the estate

Sager “failed to maintain complete records in respect of the disbursement of the estate funds” and “invoiced the estate and reimbursed himself from the estate funds for flights to and from London and car rentals in England based on quotes, as opposed to receipts, that did not align with his actual travel dates” according to the summary.

He also reimbursed himself from estate funds for other travel expenses “without having provided any supporting documentation as well as after having only provided non-itemized credit card receipts, credit card statements and illegible receipts” according to the Law Society’s written summary of agreed-on facts.

The charitable groups were each paid an interim distribution of about $185,600 from the will, plus a further amount of about $14,500.

Sager voluntarily paid back half of fees

In 2023, Sager volunteered to repay $40,857, which included half of the executor’s fees, half of the management fees and $8,800 in expenses the Law Society alleged had been improperly charged to the estate

That money was redistributed to the four charitable groups in August.

In an emailed statement to the

North Shore News, Sager said “I am very happy this matter has been resolved ”

He added that five of the eight original complaints against him by the Law Society had been dropped. “The three which I agreed to were minor issues and never in dispute by me,” he said, adding he was “very proud of how I looked after my friend’s sister for ten years ”

The citation containing the allegations against Sager was first issued by the law society during the local election campaign

But Sager’s name and any identifying details were removed from the citation after Sager filed an application to keep the information anonymous.

The law society eventually rejected that request, with an adjudicator ruling that Sager’s role as mayor didn’t make him “more deserving of anonymity” than other lawyers

This isn’t the first time Sager has been in trouble with the law society.

Sager previously fined for professional misconduct

In 2020, Sager was fined $20,000 and ordered to pay a further $20,000 in legal costs by the law society after being found guilty of professional misconduct that involved directing a will be prepared for his godmother that named Sager as one of the beneficiaries. The new will had the effect of cutting out one of the woman’s relatives while including Sager and his sister. Following the elderly woman’s death, Sager received a cheque for his share of the estate amounting to $96,000

In its ruling in 2019, the disciplinary panel found Sager’s breach

of the rules was “a marked departure from the standard that the law society expects of lawyers ”

According to the Law Society summary of the most recent investigation, between 2010 and 2020, about 10 per cent of Sager’s legal practice was comprised of work relating to estates.

Special prosecutor appointed in election finance investigation

The two-year ban by the law society isn’t the only legal trouble Sager is facing

On Monday, the BC Prosecution Service announced it has appointed special prosecutor John M Gordon, KC, to oversee a police investigation into allegations of campaign finance irregularities by Sager during the last civic election campaign

Special prosecutors are often appointed in cases where the subject of investigation is a senior public official, in order to avoid any perception of improper influence in the case

In December, Elections BC confirmed that it had “identified potential spending irregularities” during a review of Sager’s campaign financing disclosure report for the 2022 civic election and had referred the case to the RCMP The matter was later turned over to the Port Moody Police Department for investigation

According to the prosecution service, Gordon’s role will include providing legal advice to investigators in the Port Moody Police Department, and deciding if any charges should be laid

Sager told the North Shore News in December he was “beyond shocked” by the investigation, calling it “about as grossly unfair as anything I’ve ever seen ”

North Shore options very limited for tenants facing eviction

Continued from A1

Site has unusual history

The supportive housing at the former motel site has an unusual history

Part of the motel was quietly put into use as a shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. That’s when the province began to rent hotel rooms in a few communities to help provide more space for people who would otherwise be living in crowded emergency shelters or not have anywhere to isolate when they became ill

Later the project changed from an offshoot of the shelter to a supportive housing model, where tenants recommended by agencies that work with people experiencing homelessness are provided long-term housing along with meals and other programs.

The Travelodge housing began with 21 rooms, which eventually expanded to all 61 rooms at the site BC Housing has been paying $1 5 million annually towards the operating costs of the supportive housing, run by the Lu’ma Native Housing Society, on top of the lease

The site also found itself embroiled in controversy in October, when West Vancouver–Capilano MLA Karin Kirkpatrick raised questions in the B C Legislature about neighbourhood complaints about the site

Highrise towers to be built

Both BC Housing and the Lu’ma society were aware the site was temporary and would only be available until the developer of the property decided to move forward with their project, initially approved with a rezoning in 2022

No demolition permit for the

Travelodge building has been issued yet, according to the District of North Vancouver, but the municipality has received a development application which is in the preliminary stages of review The IBI Group plans to build a combination of rental apartments and strata in several buildings including a 27-storey tower, a nine-storey tower, a four-storey building and adjacent townhouses

The initial term of the BC Housing’s lease with the property owner was up in November Most tenants had expected that lease to be renewed for another year, said Stegavig

But instead, the lease on the property was only renewed for six months – until May 31 – something tenants only learned at the end of January

In a statement, BC Housing said it is working with the Lu’ma Native Housing Society and the Aboriginal Housing Management Association to find alternative shelter and housing options for those still living at the Travelodge site.

“It has been challenging to source an available alternate location in North Vancouver to temporarily lease or purchase While our priority is to help residents find a new home in the community, it may not be possible to find all displaced residents housing on the North Shore,” the housing agency said in a statement

Stegavig said he hasn’t been given a lot of reason for hope.

“There’s not enough supportive housing to accommodate all of us, right?” he said “So, some of us will get places But some of us might have to go to the street.”

Being forced to move to a neighbourhood like the Downtown Eastside wouldn’t be great for many people whose supports like medical services and friends are on the North Shore, he said.

“So, it’s been causing stress for a lot of people ”

Eviction leaves resident with ‘no hope’

Amir Zkhatib is another tenant in the housing site who says he doesn’t know what he’ll do after May 31

When Zkhatib’s health problems landed him in hospital for several months, he discovered his landlord had sold the home he had been living in on East First Street A social worker at Lions Gate Hospital connected him with mental health services, which found him a unit at the Travelodge, which Zkhatib said has been a lifesaver

When he got the recent eviction notice,

Zkhatib said he’d just been discharged from GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre after a surgery at Vancouver General Hospital

“I’m not working,” he said “I’m on disability There are lots of people here who had the same problem.”

Zkhatib said it would be disastrous for him to leave the North Shore as all his medical services are in North Vancouver He said he has no idea what he’ll do after May 31.

“I have absolutely no hope whatsoever,” he said “I have no idea how it’s going to go down ”

Originally the hope was residents in the temporary site would be able to move to the Keith Road supportive housing project in North Vancouver once it’s built

In September, the Ministry of Housing announced plans to build a 65-unit, six-storey building on the northeast corner of Keith Road and Mountain Highway, which will also be operated by the Lu’ma Native Housing Society The District of North Vancouver council recently approved that project, following a marathon public hearing But the project is far from being built

Mike Walker, a lawyer who acts as a spokesperson for the Lu’ma society, said the society hasn’t been involved in any of the discussions between BC Housing and the developer and is “as unhappy as anyone to be moving people out.”

Tenants are being given the option of moving to other Lu’ma housing, he said, but some don’t want to leave the North Shore “It’s really a bad situation for some of these people,” he said.

“I think it’s a darned shame. It’s going to be a real hardship for a number of residents ”

The former Travelodge motel site on Marine Drive in North Vancouver has been leased for supportive housing since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic

PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

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RCMSAR team saves young eagle, gets up close with orcas

BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews com

From the deck of a boat, Jason King has had a lot of opportunities to see the burgeoning wildlife of Howe Sound. But nothing comes quite close to what happened on Feb. 24.

The Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 1 unit chief and his crew rescued an eagle floundering in the water off Bowen Island and then promptly found themselves surrounded by a pod of orcas.

“I looked off towards the sea a little bit and, lo and behold, there’s this poor eagle flapping along in the water,” he said “He was struggling to try to get back to shore and the problem was the wind was blowing them out into the Georgia Strait ”

Although he needed a little help getting aboard, the eagle didn’t waste a moment to take advantage of the offer for help, King said

“As soon as I put the boat like within about a foot of him, he, right away, tried to climb on board He knew what we were there to do,” he said with a laugh “It was pretty exciting ”

Once safely perched on the edge of the zodiac, the eagle outstretched his wings to dry out in the wind When they landed near

Whale tales

But, even before the buzz had worn off, the RCMSAR members were set for another close encounter with wildlife – a pod of nine to 12 orcas in Howe Sound. King cut power to the motor as soon as he saw the fins on the horizon

“You’re supposed to give these guys a good berth. Because we were sitting quietly on the water with the engines on idle, they just swam right up to us, practically A few of them came within probably 25 or 30 feet of the boat.”

Once the pod was at a safe distance, King put the motor back in gear and they slowly headed back to their slip in Horseshoe Bay.

Taken together, the two experiences left the crew “just sitting in awe,” he said

“Everybody was just kind of glowing and beaming,” he said. “You just feel so good about where we are in British Columbia and being members of the West Vancouver community and being able to go out and train and do the things we do. It just felt like such a reward ”

a beach, he voluntarily landed on the rocks with just a few flaps of his wings

King said the volunteer crew “revelled” in

Is your tap water cloudy?

From March to May, the District is conducting watermain maintenance in order to provide high-quality tap water to West Vancouver. Annual flushing of sediments in the water system may cause temporary cloudiness. Your water is safe—sediments are not harmful.

What to expect:

• you might see periodic discolouration; you may wish to run the cold tap until water is clear

• chlorination will be increased as necessary; the water will be dechlorinated before it reaches the drainage system

For more

contact: Utilities Operations Dispatch

their rare opportunity to help out wildlife.

“We go out to rescue people, normally, right? Not eagles ”

Whale sightings in Howe Sound are happening far more often than they once did when the body of water was a dumping ground for mine tailings and industrial

A juvenile bald eagle dries out onboard of a Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue vessel in Howe Sound, Feb 24 RCMSAR volunteers saved the distressed eagle and gave him a ride back to the beach JUSTIN KING / RCMSAR

Whale sightings becoming more common in Howe Sound waters

waste from pulp mills and chemical plants.

King said he’s seen it first hand in the number of orcas, humpback and grey whales, along with seals, sea lions and other species, on the water

“It’s just really great to see all the health of Howe Sound and the general area getting better and better,” he said

Ocean Wise

The whales the RCMSAR members came across are known collectively as A5, a northern resident killer whale pod made up of three family units that typically forage for chinook salmon off the central coast of B C and Alaska They rarely come south of Campbell River, said Gary Sutton, research technician with the conservation non-profit Ocean Wise, but lately they’ve been spotted numerous times off the Sunshine Coast and in Howe Sound

“To see them in the Salish Sea in the southern waters is pretty unusual,” he said. “Venturing up

into Howe Sound and spending as much time as they have is pretty unique and pretty cool.”

As spring approaches, herring are showing up to spawn in Howe Sound, and other species like salmon are following to prey on them, Sutton said

“As long as [the whales] are finding lots of feed, they’re going to stick around,” he said.

One of the first orcas ever captured and put into an aquarium is a member of the same pod Corky, as she is known today, was four years old when she was captured in the winter of 1969 Now, 58 or 59, she has been living at SeaWorld in San Diego since 1985.

“It’s kind of amazing to see [A5] out there and think of how far we’ve come as humans in that time and how differently we treat these incredible animals,” Sutton said

Save the whales

Recreational boaters who spot whales must slow down and keep 400 metres back They should also immediately report them via

Ocean Wise’s WhaleReport app, which not only helps scientists keep track of the species’ movements but also alerts commercial ships and ferry traffic so their captains know to slow down and avoid the area where the whales are

When A5 first showed up last

month, Sutton and some fellow researchers were able to collect samples of the whales’ leftovers, which will be handed over to Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists studying the whales’ diets DNA collected from fish scales will be able to help them pin down details as specific as what river

they spawned in, Sutton said.

“If we know exactly where that fish came from and what river it came from, that may allow management officials to take more direct action to protect those certain areas and promote the health of our whales on the coast,” he said.

A weekly glimpse into North Shore’s past from MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver

A career in saving lives, big and small

Kathleen Lee gave 38 years of her life to the residents of North Vancouver Growing up in Langley, she was schooled at Toronto Western Hospital, graduating around 1920.

She is depicted here, shortly after graduating, holding a baby at the first North Vancouver General Hospital She went on to work at both locations of the NVGH

Her hard work and dedication to the public was recognized upon her promotion to head matron at the second hospital, a position she held from 1934 to 1960 She directed all nurses within the hospital, delegating work and supervising the wellbeing of all patients.

Visit monova ca for more information about the history of the North Shore and to learn about MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver is located at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley Contact: archives@monova ca

Census provides insight into Squamish Nation community

MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) has published the results of its first ever self-run census, offering a rare glimpse into the demographics, experiences and viewpoints of its members.

One-in-three Squamish members participated in the project, named Eslhílhkw’iws Chet (we are all related), when it ran in 2022 from July until October. Each of the 1,233 respondents answered questions on housing, employment, health, education, culture and language, alongside more finer aspects of Indigenous living, including their experiences of racism and safety within the community

Drummers lead a procession during a ceremony held at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre on Xwmélch’sten (Capilano 5 Reserve) on Sept. 25, 2023. NICK LABA / NSN

The pride of Squamish Nation members is palpable, with almost all respondents

stating they were proud of their identity, and believed that knowing and learning about Squamish culture was important Of those surveyed, 98 per cent said the Skwxwú7mesh sníchim (Squamish language) is worth saving, with the majority ‘strongly

Continued on A37

Photo: NVMA, 11398

Language helps shape identity

Continued from A36

agreeing’ that the language should be taught in schools and is vital to members’ identity and existence

While much of the community can speak some of the Squamish language, mainly words and phrases, only 8 percent reported being somewhat fluent, with 30 percent of respondents unable to speak the language

All activities that made Squamish Nation members feel most connected to their culture were acknowledged in equal measure, with spending time with family and friends, sharing or learning about Squamish history, spending time with knowledge keepers or Elders, dancing, singing or drumming, participating in ceremonies and speaking or teaching the language all ranking equal importance

Of the members who took part in the census, just over half live on reservation land The majority of those who don’t, 83 per cent, indicated that they wanted to move home back to Squamish territory

The findings confirm what the Nation was already hearing through other community engagement processes, said Squamish Nation spokesperson and elected councillor Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams).

“The most significant response for planning and program design is that nearly all

members currently living off Sḵwxwú7mesh lands want to move home within the next five years, and that the biggest barrier they face is availability of housing ”

This is especially true for younger people, said Williams, with those aged between 19 and 30 the most likely to feel that housing contributes to their levels of stress

In terms of overall wellbeing, a third of those polled would consider themselves “somewhat” happy or content, while just over 40 percent would consider themselves “quite” happy or content. Most would rate their physical, spiritual, mental and emotional wellness as “good” or “fair,” with less than 15 per cent of members rating all elements of wellness as “very good.”

The darker elements of Squamish history still linger for much of the community, with 94 per cent of those surveyed having had a family member placed into residential school, and 60 per cent having had family members taken during the ’60s Scoop While most members report feeling culturally safe in most places they visit, there are still experiences of racism in the wider community, and many services outside of the Nation, including child welfare, justice and police services, still feel culturally unsafe.

The information garnered from the

Continued on A38

25

26. Good buddy

27. Sneaky

28. Borrower’s friend

29. Lavish

30. “

31

32

37

38

Court rejects fentanyl dealer’s appeal

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews com

A drug dealer who sold “spitballs” of fentanyl and heroin and rocks of cocaine to addicts on the North Shore has lost his appeal of a 34-month jail sentence.

Arash Kardan, 25, was handed the sentence in November of 2022 in North Vancouver provincial court after pleading guilty to possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking in connection with running a North Vancouver dial-adope operation in 2019 and 2020.

Kardan also pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer and resisting a peace officer for getting into physical fights with police during several arrests. On Feb. 14, a B.C. Court of Appeal decision upheld Kardan’s almost-three-year jail sentence, writing the circumstances of the crimes justified the prison term.

During a 2022 sentencing hearing in provincial court, a Crown prosecutor told the judge North Vancouver RCMP began surveillance on Kardan in September of 2019 as part of an investigation into drug offences Police used tracking devices on both vehicles and phones to watch as Kardan drove from

Vancouver to the North Shore every day, stopping at a Lonsdale apartment, then making numerous short stops consistent with a dial-a-dope operation

On Dec 18, 2019, police moved in to arrest Kardan at Capilano Mall, discovering him with 13 packages of rock and powder cocaine as well as fentanyl

Four months later, police watched Kardan coming and going from trails in Mahon Park with a black bag Police searched the bag Kardan had hidden in the park, seizing pre-packaged amounts of drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and MDMA.

Kardan was arrested two more times during the investigation, turning up individually wrapped packages of cocaine. In both cases, Kardan also tried to run away from arresting officers – including striking one officer in the face with a bag and running away in handcuffs.

In appeal court, Kardan’s lawyer argued the sentencing judge made a mistake in treating fentanyl dealing as an aggravating factor that warranted a higher jail term, asking for a much shorter sentence of 12 months in jail

But a panel of appeal court judges rejected that, saying fentanyl dealing

was just one of several aggravating factors in the case.

The appeal court noted that “there was no evidence that drugs possessed by [Kardan] resulted in anyone’s death; however, the judge noted that the dial-a-dope operation was “just one of many keeping [the] lethal overdose crisis gripping the lives of vulnerable addicts running at full speed,’” describing such operations as making “access to drugs as easy as ordering a pizza ”

In listing the aggravated circumstances of the case, the appeal court noted Kardan distributed fentanyl as part of an organized scheme and appears to have stashed the deadly drug in a public park, while on bail for other offences. Kardan was also violent when confronted by police

Under those circumstances, the judge was correct to “prioritize denunciation and deterrence,” wrote the appeal court panel

The 34-month sentence was imposed consecutive to a two-year sentence Kardan had received a month earlier in October 2022, for threatening and beating his drug delivery driver, eventually dumping the man bleeding in an alley.

Data shapes decisions

Continued from A37

census will help Nation members better understand their own community’s needs and values, in addition to informing the Nation itself on future decisions regarding development and services, said Williams

“Through this project, the Nation set out to identify what information would be most useful to leadership, the administration, and Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw members, as well as develop the policies and processes that enable data sovereignty and self-governance,” said Williams.

“The guiding vision was for this project to enhance self-determination, rebuild and reinforce connections between family and kin, and leave a legacy of both useful information and new skills and understanding to support Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw in years to come.”

Data from Eslhílhkw’iws Chet is currently being used to determine how to best distribute resources and plan for the future needs of the community, as the Nation “strives to bring all Sḵwxwú7mesh people home,” he added.

All the information from the Squamish Nation’s inaugural census is displayed on the Nation’s website Just like the Canadian Census, Eslhílhkw’iws Chet was designed to be repeatable, with its second instalment to take place later this year

“This will allow us to look at how the feelings and priorities of members are changing over time, and therefore reinforce or refocus work being done to support member needs now, and into the future,” said Williams Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

REMEMBRANCES

OBITUARIES

DOUGLAS,

July 31, 1933

Heather Farquhar

February 4, 2024

Heather was a truly kind soul who brought joy to all she met. Her generosity and sense of humour were traits cherished by those fortunate enough to have known her.

Heather was born on a tea plantation in Darjeeling, India, 90 years ago. But it was in her beloved Kincardine O’Neil, Scotland, that she spent most of her youth.

In her 20s, she moved to Canada. First, the east coast, then the west, where she divided her time between West Vancouver and Scotland for over 50 years.

OBITUARIES

December 30, 1943 February 13, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our mom, Judie.

Judie was predeceased by her youngest daughter, Lori, in 2018. She is survived by her husband, Wayne; son Paul (Lynn); daughter Lisa (James); stepsons Gary (Trudy) and Geoff (Katie); and grandchildren Kelly, Kevin, Brianna, Jennifer, Austin, Alex, Eric, Sarah, Sean, Leif, Charlie, Darton, Raine, Evan, Jenna, Brennen, Rory, Sophie, and Olivia.

Judie was the daughter of Frank and Dorothy Pruden. She was born in North Vancouver and ived her entire life here, except for one year on Saturna Island as a child.

HORVATH, (Len) Leonard James

It s with great sadness that we announce the passing of Len at the North Shore Hospce in North Vancouver BC on Monday, February 26th

He was predeceased by his parents Bll and Leona Horvath, his sister Shela, and his daughter Susanne He s survived by his wife Valerie, son Kar and daughter-n-law Carolyn and hs grandchidren Finn and Hannah Murphy and hs many nieces and nephews

Len grew up in Nelson, BC From 12 to 18 year old boy he deivered papers, colected bottles worked at a shoe store after school and on weekends and he payed the saxophone n a local band

LOOKING TO FREE UP SOME

The last few years of Heather’s life were challenging. The loss of her adored husband, Jim Douglas, followed by the isolation brought by the Covid pandemic and then a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, would have brought anyone down. But Heather refused to let her troubles cause others grief. At Sunrise of Lynn Va ley, where she spent the last 2 years of her life, she delighted in singing old Scottish ditties, which she taught her devoted caregivers (thank you so much, you beautiful people). But the song she sang most of all was one of her own creation "I’m a Very Lucky Lady." Heather was always grateful for the good things and good people in her life. But really, we were the lucky ones.

Heather leaves her son John Christie and daughter in−law Linda, stepchildren Diana and Alan and other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Her ashes will be interred in the old churchyard in Kincardine O’Neil beside loved ones who went before her

As

Judie married Larry Whitby in 1966, then stayed home with their children while also being a care provider for her parents. During that period, she worked a few months a year as a tax checker She went back to school and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1985, followed by her accounting designation She went to work in the brokerage field. Judie and Larry split up, and she met Wayne Crocker in the early 1990s. Wayne and Judie spent several years as directors for Auramex Resource Corp. After end ng her involvement with Auramex, Judie continued to hold a variety of accounting responsibilities right up until her death.

Judie was known for a strong work ethic and high evel of personal integrity. She also had a great sense of humour. She was a lifelong bookworm, an avid gardener, and a talented and inventive crocheter. Judie and Wayne enjoyed sailing, weekends at Wayne’s cottage on Gabriola, and trips to Mexico. Judie was a great cook and wonderful hostess who held many parties, inc uding weddings, at her home.

Len was an nteligent, caring, calm and gvng man As a younger man he coached Kar’s hockey team He had difficuty wth that at tmes because he could barely skate He also coached boys basebal and we both helped at the swm club our daughter Susanne was nvoved n He was a scout leader for the older boys (The Venturers) for years and later n the adminstraton (financal) side Currently he was invoved with the provincia program Clean BC/The Green Initiatve and a FederaProgram/ CSA-Canadan Standards Assocation

Len had many interests sking, gofing, campng, gardening, hkng, and traveling, readng but his man interest was foraging for mushrooms (chanterelles, pne, mores oysters etc) He convnced many people to go with him

As an owner of a business, Len freey gave of his time as a way of contributng to the communty we live n On his lfe ourney Len met a lot of amazing people (UBC, Teus, Hydro to name a few)

We will m ss you Len, give Susanne a big hug for us

Love Val, Karl, Carolyn, Finn and Hannah and your many nieces and nephews

n ieu of flowers, please donate to BC Cancer in memory of Len http://www bccancer bc ca/

share the stories and the memories of how they lived their lives and how very much they meant, may you find comfort...

Judie was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and friend She will be missed by many.

A Memoria Service wil be held at the Hghland Unted Church, 3255 Edgemont Bvd, North Vancouver, BC

on Thursday March 14th at 1:30pm

A Celebration of Life wil be held at 1:00 pm on April 28, 2024, at 750 Grand Boulevard.

Lght Snacks and refreshments wil be provded after Pease RSVP to Val

WHITBY, Judith Ann (Judie)

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

COMEY, Christine

It is wth heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beoved Christine, on February 22, 2024 She was born on December 23rd, 1955, in Alberton, PEI, and was the chershed daughter of Wilam P Calaghan and Jean T Calaghan (née Murphy)

Chrstne spent her formative years in Montreal alongsde her three brothers, Francis, Wilam and Norman, and two sisters, Carolann and Kelly Her famly remembers her as a bright, sprited individual whose kindness and generosity knew no bounds

Chrstne was a radant presence from the moment she entered the word Gfted wth unparaleled beauty and grace, she was chosen durng her teenage years to be the beauty queen for the suburb of Montreal where the family lved, a testament to her captvatng charm and elegance

In her youth, she embarked on a journey that ed her to Vancouver, where she began her career as a flight attendant for Ward Air, later to become Canadian Arlines, which subsequently merged with Ar Canada, from where she retred after 40 years

Over the years, she soared through the skes, spreadng warmth and kndness to passengers and colleagues aike Her dedcation to her profession was unwaverng, and she took pride in her roe as a beacon of hospitalty and comfort in the couds

In the midst of her adventures, Christine found love in the skes with her fellow flght attendant, Kevn Comey Their union n 1993 was a testament to ther shared love of adventure and their deep connection to each other Kevin now mourns the loss of hs beloved wfe, his heart shattered by her sudden departure

Chrstne was not ony a stunning beauty but also a woman of profound kindness, thoughtfuness, and generosity She touched the lves of all who knew her with her radant smle and gente spirt Her loss eaves a void in our hearts that can never be filled

She is survived by her devoted husband, Kevin Comey, her three brothers, Frank (Elaine), Bil, Norman (Suzanne) and two ssters, Carolann and Kely (Ken), neces and nephews and a mutitude of friends and colleagues who chershed her presence in ther lves She was predeceased by her parents, her nephew Jason, and her brother-n-law, Gary

Chrstne departed ths world peacefuly, n the embrace of sleep, without any ilness to foreshadow her untimey farewel Whie her sudden departure has eft a vod in our hearts, we take solace in the countess memores she leaves behnd Though she may be gone from our sght, her memory wil forever reman etched n our hearts, a beacon of love and lght guiding us through the darkness

In honoring her memory, et us celebrate the lfe of a remarkable woman who lved each day wth kndness, thoughtfuness, and generosty May her spirt continue to nspre us all to ive with love and compassion towards one another Funera to take place on March 7th at 11 am at St Edmund’s Church in North Vancouver; buria on Friday, March 8th, Gardens of Gethsemani Catholc Cemetery, Surrey, B C

Rest in peace, dear Christine You will be dearly missed but never forgotten

Obituaries

JEANES, Robert (Bob) W.

December 31, 1950 February 14, 2024

Bob Jeanes died on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. He will be remembered for his quick wit, magnetic personality, and deep love for his friends and family. Lori (Becker) was the love of his life. After falling in love during Expo 86, they married 37 years ago and had two children, Kate and Sam. He taught them to play sports, to make chilli, and to be thankful for the little things in life.

His own parents, Helen and Eric, moved Bob and his brothers, Greg, Rick, and Stewart, from Winnipeg to West Vancouver in 1963. Being crammed together in a car or a sailboat kept everyone close. So close that Bob spent his entire 50+ year career working with his dad, brothers, and niece. It was his favourite part of the job.

In West Van, he met his lifelong friends, the Brownies, who would become teammates, bandmates, bridge partners, travel companions, groomsmen, and extended family. Their 60+ year friendship saw Bob through every high and low imaginable and outlasted both of his knees.

Bob excelled at coaching, music, barbecue, cards, making people laugh, and bringing everyone together. He adored his six grandchildren, Ryan (11), Spencer (9), Sophie (5), Jalen (2), and babies Jeanes and Clark (coming soon), with whom he would read stories, sing songs, and mercilessly beat at cards.

Bob took fashion advice from no one. Despite regular attempts by his wife, daughter, and mother in law to update his look, his signature style a Rinnai golf shirt, Sutherland windbreaker, and vintage sweatpants, endured long into his retirement.

Bob also travelled extensively. From 1990−2010, he begrudgingly visited almost every campsite in BC with his family. When his two children moved to opposite corners of the world, he too went further afield, celebrating his birthday by dancing the Viennese Waltz in Austria one year and watching the Sydney fireworks in Australia the next.

Despite his many adventures, his favourite place was home. Bob loved hosting. His annual New Year’s Eve/birthday party, bridge nights, and backyard geriatric raves were highlights of the North Shore’s social scene.

HOFFMEISTER, John Rodway (Rod)

John Rodway “Rod” Hoffmeister passed away on February 21st, 2024 after a hard fought battle wth pancreatc cancer

Rod was born in Vancouver in 1946, to Major Genera Bert Hoffmeister and Donalda Hoffmeister He graduated from St George’s Schoo n 1963 and the University of Brtish Columbia n 1967 It was at UBC where he met the ove of his lfe, Patrica They were marred n December of 1969 Rod spent most of his career n the forest industry, much of it as an entrepreneur After his retirement, he dedcated his time to serving the Seaforth Hghlanders of Canada Roles included Honourary Lieutenant-Coonel (2012-2018), Honourary Colonel (2018-2021), Director of Museum and Archives (2015-2023) as wel as leadership in the Patrons Corp Rod’s egacy is most evident in the Seaforth Museum He heped transform a colection of mlitary artfacts nto an extraordnary museum, which is now one of the finest of its type in the country As the son of a great Seaforth Hghlander, he commtted his ast years to propagatng the legacy of the regment and supporting the broader mlitary community His father would have been proud

Rod was an actve member of the UBC Gold for Life commttee responsbe for fundraisng and building a high-performance rowng faclty n Richmond As a former rower in hgh schoo and unversty, Rod was passionate about ths proect as it would serve the needs of both of hs alma maters, St George’s and UBC rowng The faclity was officialy opened n 2006

Rod thrived in nature and was an enthusastc sportsman He oved sking, fly fishing, hiking and tennis He was thrled to share these activities wth his sons and grandchldren We have wonderful memories of Rod on bluebrd days at Whster, and castng flies at Hoover Lake and Haa Nee Naa He reished the opportunity for weekly hikes in the North Shore mountains and was always accompaned by hs dog and any friends who could keep up On Sunday mornngs, no matter the weather, Rod would go for a walk with Pat and his sister Margot through Capiano Rver Regonal Park Rod was passionate about tennis and was a fixture on the Holyburn courts As a lefty, he was frustrating to play against Nonetheless, he forged extraordinary lfeong friendships with hs tenns pals Rod s survived by his lovng wfe Patrica, 2 sons Christopher and Stephen, sster Margot, brotherin-law Anthony, daughters-in-law Lnzi and Melanie, and sx adoring grandchidren Luca, Georga, Isabele, Bowen, Alexandra and Wilam

The entire famly extends its gratitude to the many medcal professionas who cared for Rod over the past six years, includng hs outstanding team at the BC Cancer Insttute Together with Rod’s persstence and optmsm, they heped gve our famiy some wonderfu years of memories

Rod touched many people over the decades and we look forward to comng together soon to ceebrate hs ife A memoria servce s planned for May at the Seaforth Armoury

As you share the stories and the memories of how they lived their lives and how very much they meant, may you find comfort...

He loved having a birthday on New Year’s Eve because it meant "the whole world celebrates my birthday." It is not lost on his family that he died on Valentine’s Day. This can only be viewed as a final power move to nab a second global celebration.

In honour of Bob, the family asks that you toast him with virgin strawberry margaritas. He always wanted everyone to have a good time.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family would encourage Rod’s friends to consider giving to the Seaforth Foundation More information can be found at:

www seaforthhighlanders ca/organization/ seaforth-foundation

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

BANNISTER, Peter S.

June 11, 1937 February 24, 2024

It is with great sadness that we share that Peaceful Pete passed away in his home on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

Peter is survived by his son, Stan; his two grandchildren, Madeline and Jackson; and two stepdaughters, Allison (Mike) and Carolyn.

Peter filled his life with people and activities he oved, whether it was listening to and playing the blues, jamming with friends on his harmonica and guitars, sharing a bad Dad joke or cheering on his favourite Canadian sports teams, he ensured his life was full of laughter, love and music. He was a kind and spiritual man who will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

Please join us for an afternoon of music and laughter to celebrate his life. The celebration will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024 (2:00pm 5:00pm) in the Great Hall of 2551 Whiteley Court, North Vancouver.

CARBONE, Angelina 1968 - 2024

Wth sorrow, we announce that Angelina passed away peacefuly on February 27, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with MS

She was predeceased by her father Guido in 2015 Ange is ovingy survived by her mother Mara, her brother Vince (Brandi), her niece Trinty, long tme family friend Brenda and other famly and friends A specal thank you to her caregivers Josie and Marjory We woud also lke to acknowledge the Doctors and staff of 7 West Lions Gate Hospital

Mass of Christian Bural wil be celebrated on Frday, March 8, 2024 at 11:00 am

St Edmund’s Cathoic Church (545 Mahon Avenue, North Vancouver)

In ieu of flowers, donations to the MS Society of Canada (www mscanada ca)

BRATSBERG, Ralph Erling

Born June 9, 1932 in Winnipeg

It s with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Raph in the morning of February 22nd, peacefully at home After a bref battle with cancer he finally decided t was time to take his final truckoad Raph enjoyed many years in hs workshop creatng wth wood, he also had many happy hours watching hs chldren and grandchidren at varous sporting events

Raph s survived by his wfe of 63 years Kar, daughter Katherne (Glenn), son Ralph (Nna), granddaughter Jayme (Sven), grandson Markus (Anka) Predeceased by daughter Shaune

There wl be no service In leu of flowers, the family woud appreciate donation to Palative Care Unt at Lions Gate Hospital or a charty of your choice

MCDONALD, H. Douglas

May 22, 1929 February 2, 2024

It is with the deepest sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was predeceased by our loving mother, Ev McDonald, in 2022.

Doug is survived by his four children, Joan (Mike), Cam (Nicole), Susan (Peter), and Sharon (Jamie); nine grandchildren, Laura, Meagan, Sean, Chanel, Justine, Bryan, Chloe, Lauren, and Neve; and one great−grandchild.

Doug was born and raised in Saskatchewan. He worked briefly as a one room school teacher, and commuted home to Saskatoon on weekends He then worked for many years as a buyer and men’s/ boy’s wear manager at the Hudsons Bay Co. He met the love of his life, Evelyn Rea, and they were engaged within 6 months After living in Saskatoon and Edmonton, he was transferred to Vancouver, BC. He then obtained his Realtor licence and worked as a Real Estate agent for 25 years

Dad thoroughly enjoyed his 30 years of retirement and travelled to almost every continent with Mom by his side.

Doug passed away at the North Shore Hospice after a brief illness with his loving family by his side.

JORDAN, Violet Reid

July 18, 1922 February 18, 2024

Mom passed away peacefully after an amazing 101 years of life playing tennis into her 90s.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jack (2005), the love of her life for 63 years and her brother Tom Braidwood (2020).

Mom cherished her family and loved it when we were all together for family dinners, being fortunate to be able to do that one last time this past Christmas

She leaves behind her daughters Arleen (Jim) and Janice (Mike); grandchildren Michelle (Ross), Stephen (Dione), Alisha, and Michael (Jaime); and great−grandchildren Ashley, Ryan, Dylan, Mathew, Rowan, Emmy, and Gyula.

She’s loved and missed by us all.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

A reception in Mom’s honour will be held Sunday, April 21, 1:00pm at Seymour Golf and Country Club.

ESMANN, Erik H.

January 9, 1944 February 18, 2024

We are deeply saddened to announce that Erik Heinrich Esmann has passed away at age 80. Born in Birkerød, Denmark, Erik moved to Canada, where he would meet his future wife, Ellen. They married in 1969 in Denmark and remained together until his passing Known as the Danish Butcher in Vancouver, Scandinavians around the Lower Mainland would flock to Jolly Meats and Fine Foods in North Vancouver for the best cuts of meat. Erik had many interests, including walking, hiking, soccer, travelling, card games, and many other pursuits Erik also spent 55 years as part of the Danish Brotherhood in Canada.

Erik is survived by wife Ellen, son Brian (Trish), daughter Eva (Brad), grandchildren Karsten, Koleta and Ryden, and sisters Inge and Kirsten. He is loved and will be missed by all.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, March 20, at 1:30pm at the Danish Lutheran Church, 6010 Kincaid St in Burnaby, BC.

Olveira Funeral Home 604-942-7920

www olveirafuneralhome com

A celebration of his life is planned for Friday, May 3rd, at 2:00 pm at the Lynn Valley United Church.

Kindly donate to the Danish Church or Canadian Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.

Elizabeth Marcia (Martin)

KOEMAN, Jan Martinus 1940 - 2024

It is wth great sadness that we share the news of Jan’s passing after 19 years of battlng Parknson’s disease He passed away peacefuly on February 24th, 2024 He leaves behnd a legacy of love, creativity, and spirt that wl forever be cherished by all those who knew him

As a devoted husband, he brought warmth and joy to hs family daly, his unwavering ove servng as a beacon of strength and support Hs dedicaton to hs wife Maria Poulna Koeman was steadfast, and their bond was a testament to the power of enduring ove

He enoyed a ong and happy life and s survved by hs lovng wife Mara, his son Jan Marcus Koeman, hs grandchidren, and a host of famly and friends He was predeceased ony two and a haf months by his youngest son Joffrey Jason Koeman We trust that he is together again with hs son and has peace

Jan was an nteror designer and entrepreneur, whose passion and attenton to detail transformed countess offices across Canada

Beyond hs many professona accomplishments, he was an nsprationa figure and a constant source of guidance to hs two sons As a grandfather, he doted on hs grandchildren who aways looked up to him with love and appreciaton

A Ceebration Of Life wil be held soon, where we wil come together to celebrate the remarkable ife of Jan Martinus Koeman and honour the profound impact he had on al who knew him

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Jared Hobbs, we have se zed your 1989 2850 C era, BlBA51CM1889, on beha f of Lynnwood Marina, pursuant to the Warehouse Lien Act un ess $2,877 00 s paid, p us fees, th s vesse w be so d on March 15, 2024, at 10:00am, 1681 Co umb a St , North Vancouver, BC Abc Professional Bailiffs Ltd. 604 618 1721

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By vrtue of the Warehouseman’s Lien Act and on behalf of Maple Leaf Self Storage - Port Coquitlam, we wil dispose of goods belongng to Jean Claude Robichaud, a 1992 Dutchman RV - 5th Wheel to recover $4738.00 plus accruing storage & any/all other expenses related These goods wll be made avaiabe for sale after March 14th, 2024

Goods are currenty being stored in Port Coquitlam, BC Contact 604-434-2448 for further nformation

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New North Shore rental building Lonsdale Square set to welcome first residents in April

The first phase of the much-anticipated Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands redevelopment project in North Vancouver will welcome its first rental residents in April. Spearheaded by Darwin Properties in partnership with Minto Apartments, Lonsdale Square is being built to meet the growing demand for rental housing on the North Shore and contribute to the general revitalization of the entire Lonsdale corridor

The North Shore has been grappling with a notable housing shortage, exacerbated by its rapid population growth. Between 2020 and 2022 alone, the City of North Vancouver tied as the third fastest-growing municipality in British Columbia, with a 6% increase in residents according to Statistics Canada.

This surge has put pressure on the local housing market, highlighting the need for more rental options Lonsdale Square seeks to alleviate some of this pressure by offering 113 purpose-built rental units, ranging from one to three bedrooms that will cater to diverse household needs.

Meeting the rental and lifestyle needs of North Vancouver

Leasing now and set to be move-in-ready in April of this year, the pet-friendly building promises easy access to the surrounding natural beauty and commercial amenities. Proximity to the future Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre aims to enhance residents’ quality of life by offering a range of recreational opportunities including an arena, aquatic space and indoor and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts.

Lonsdale Square is also adjacent to the Green Necklace, a 75 km urban greenway that circumnavigates the city connecting parks, grocers, schools and restaurants Commercial partners on the main floor of the building include Steamworks, Supplement World and Guardian Pharmacy

The Steamworks North Shore Taphouse and Restaurant will have 20 Steamworks taps and 10 variable guest taps from the area ’ s lively craft beer scene.

“Our flexible, large group-friendly dining room and expansive patio at Lonsdale Square will be serviced by a full kitchen featuring some of our classics, new fusion creations, plant-based delights, and of course, weekend brunch,”

describes Carl McCreath, director of operations at Steamworks Brewing Co

The building is also within walking distance to popular restaurants, grocery stores, fitness centres, and coffee shops while occupying a highly connected location, offering quick access to Vancouver via Highway 1 and adjacent to a bus stop with quick access to Lonsdale Quay

Fusing form, function and accessibility

High-end building amenities will include a rooftop patio with 360-degree views of the North Shore mountains and Downtown Vancouver, as well as a sixth-floor social lounge. Designed with modern living in mind, the building features Scandinavian-inspired aesthetics, aiming to provide a serene and contemporary living space for residents.

With further phases intended, including additional residential, commercial, and amenity spaces, the larger Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands Development is set to be a key contributor to the revitalization of the north end of the Lonsdale corridor.

This first phase is part of a larger vision that includes not only residential homes, but also commercial and amenity areas, aiming to create a vibrant, interconnected community

In addition to the residential rentals, a seniors community care facility by Sunrise Senior Living will be opening with 100 senior living homes

“The opening of Sunrise at Lonsdale Square will mark a significant milestone in our mission to serve more families in North Vancouver,” shares Walter Downey, executive director of Sunrise at Lonsdale Square “As we extend the Sunrise presence into rapidly expanding areas, we are attuned to the preference of seniors to stay close to their loved ones, friends, and cherished neighbourhoods ”

Creating a comprehensive community on the North Shore

In creating Lonsdale Square, the developers’ stated intention is to bring renewed energy, activity and amenities to the heart of the North Shore Darwin Properties particularly emphasizes the importance of balancing new development with environmental preservation and community values. This rental building acts as the first step towards a more vibrant core

For more information on Lonsdale Square residential rentals, visit LonsdaleSquare.ca and move in as soon as April 2024.