April 3, 2024

Councillor calls for audit as taxpayers face huge sewage plant bill

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

While North Shore taxpayers are still absorbing the sticker shock of cost estimates for the new wastewater treatment plant, one North Vancouver politician is calling for an independent review after it was revealed project costs have ballooned to $3.86 billion.

District of North Vancouver Coun. Catherine Pope said she was stunned to learn of the scale of the sewage plant project budget hike and thinks taxpayers on the North Shore deserve to know what happened

“I want to know why it took three years for Metro to determine there were serious problems with this project,” she said. “We need to know as taxpayers what went wrong and why.”

Metro Vancouver released the updated costs for the sewage treatment plant project March 22, revealing the revised project costs had grown more than $2.8 billion from the last budget of $1.058 billion in 2021.

The new cost projections come after a special task force was struck to examine problems facing the project and make recommendations to the board, which approved the new budget in a closed-door meeting.

North Shore taxpayers are expected to be on the hook for a substantial part of that.

In a worst-case scenario, the increased costs to “average” households in North and West Vancouver has been pegged at $725 per year for the next 30 years – or more than $21,000 per household

But Pope said it’s unfair for Metro to ask North Shore residents to pay for problems they had no knowledge of, and little say in.

“I think it’s completely unacceptable,” she said. “North Shore taxpayers can’t be saddled with these mistakes made at the Metro level.”

Several residents with experience in large infrastructure projects have

Continued on A34

How would the North Shore handle it if we lost a major bridge?

LIFESTYLE13 Rocketscience

West Van student set to compete for Canada in international science fair

FOOD&DRINK20 TasteofPersia

New takeout restaurant offers a variety of traditional dishes

SABRIEH

Seaspan awarded $500Mfor six CoastGuard ships

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

The federal government announced March 26 it has awarded two contracts worth $500 million to NorthVancouver’s Seaspan Shipyards to startdesign and pre-construction work on six largeCoast Guardvessels.

The six multi-purpose vessels areamong up to 16 of the vessels Ottawafirst announced it would build at Seaspanin2019, at an estimated cost of $15.7 billion under the national shipbuilding program.

North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of energy and natural resources, and Mike Kelloway,parliamentarysecretary for theminister of fisheries and oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, wereatSeaspan March26 to make the announcement.

The contractsannounced include a$310 million construction engineering contract for work to complete the final design of the firstsix ships and asecond $180 million contract for sourcing of components that must be ordered far in advance of construction starting.

The six multi-purpose ships areintended to be the future

WEAPONS DRAWN

workhorse vessels of the Coast Guardand will be equipped to deal with pollution,fisheriesmanagement, responding to marinedistress calls and

scientificresearch missions in waters ranging from the Gulf of St.Lawrence, Great Lakes,Pacific and Arctic oceans. The shipswill also be capable of ice-breaking in

Suspect arrested following standoff in high-profile North Van police incident

BRENT RICHTER

brichter@nsnews com

One man has been arrested andislikely to facecharges after ahigh-profile policeincident in North Vancouver,March 26.

Police werecalled to the 100 blockofTakaya Place,aresidential cul-de-sac near Crown and Orwell streets, after areportofanassault inside aresidence, according to Const. Mansoor Sahak, North Vancouver RCMP spokesperson

“Onceofficers arrived, they weremet with unco-operative individual whoitwas reported could potentially have weapons inside the house,” Sahak said.

The respondingofficers fellback and called in aspecialized unit including the heavily-armed Emergency Response Team and police dog services.

Within about an hour,officers had arrested the suspect without anyone having been injured, Sahak said.

He has since been released but the RCMP isrecommending the Crownlay charges.

Theincident does bear astrikingresemblance to onethat happened on the same block in November 2023, albeit at adifferent house, Sahakacknowledged. Sahak could not say if the same suspect wasinvolved.

‘moderate ice conditions,’ according to the government.

The shipswill be significantly larger than the first three fisheries vessels built by Seaspan for the

federal government under the national shipbuilding program, said company CEO JohnMcCarthy, and will replace two existing classes of Coast Guardships.

The firstofthe multi-purpose vessels areexpected to be delivered in 2030.

Work on an offshoreoceanographic science vessel and two navy joint support shipsare also “well along” at theshipyard, said McCarthy.Launch dates for the science vessel and the first joint support ship areexpected later this summer and fall.

In November,the North Vancouver shipyardmarked a majormilestone in the constructionofthe science vessel with the consolidationofits massive steel blocks into one solid ship.

That ship will replace the 60-year-old CCGS Hudson, which was decommissioned in 2022.

Last year,the budget for the oceanographic science vessel was updated from $995 millionto$1.28 billion.

The shipyardisalso working on the design of the polar icebreaker, “theflagship of the Canadian Coast Guard,” said McCarthy.“We plan to cut steel on that ship later this year.”

North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson announces federal contracts worth $500 million have been awarded to North Vancouver’s Seaspan Shipyards for early work on six new Coast Guard vessels. JANE SEYD / NSN

RCMP Emergency Response Team members attend the scene of a standoff with a man in a North Van home, March 26 NICK LABA / NSN

Howpreparedisthe North Shorefor abridge-out scenario?

NICKLABA

nlaba@nsnews.com

As investigators look to untangle how a reported power failurecaused alarge shipping vessel to topple the Francis Scott Key BridgeinBaltimore,it’sonly naturalfor people livingonthe North Shoretoconsider what could happen in asimilar eventclose to home.

That’saccording to Bowinn Ma, North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA and B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management andClimate Readiness, who says that the likelihood of such avessel striking either the Lions Gate or Ironworkers Memorial bridges is extremely low.

But considering the massive operational consequencesthat asingle potholeona North Shorebridge can have, the question looms:how prepared areweifacrucialspan over the BurrardInlet goes out?

Much of the response to such adisaster would depend on what actually happened, with the impacts of the situationguiding the response, Ma said.

“The provincial and local governments maintain emergency response plans forall sorts of situations, although you cannever truly predict allofthe emergencies that could happen,” she said.

Any immediate lives thatneedsaving would be No. 1priority,which would be followed by assessing how longa bridge would be unusablewhile also takingaction to secure critical supplies andservices, Ma said. The province would take an “all hands on deck” approach in supportingfirst responders and local authorities, she added, with the MinistryofTransportation and Infrastructure taking the lead.

The province would also have access to funds under the Emergencyand Disaster Management Act, Ma said.

At the local level, there areestablishedpartnerships that wouldsecure the movementofgoods and services should a bridge cease to be an option,explains Emily Dicken, director of North ShoreEmergency Management

“Bridgesare one piece of critical infrastructurefor us, but we recognize that there are various other points of port entryon the NorthShore, as well as otherroutes, [namely] theSea to Sky corridor,” she said.

“Wework really closely with all of the heavy industry along the portspace,” Dicken said. “Wealso work really closely with TransLink [and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue], who canmove goods andservices, and thereare fully exercised plans in place wherewe’ve goneas far as to exercise what it looks like to move goods,

services and human resources around, on and offthe North Shore.”

Following a2015 risk assessment of the Lions Gateand Ironworkersbridges, the province determined three years later in 2018 that they didn’t meet new federal safetystandardsand would requiresafety enhancements.

TheBurrardInlet spans areclassified as Class Ibridges of “critical importance,” wherethe maximum annual rate of collapse risk factorisone in 10,000 years. Currently, thelocal bridges meet Class II regular importancestandards, which carry arisk factor of one in1,000.

Six years ago, plans wereannounced to build up arock berm around the base of the Lions Gate’s south tower.The province also declared plans to install asteel barrier to protect theIronworkers’ trusses, and in-waterstructures to redirect aship drifting off course back to the centreofthe channel.

Last year,the MinistryofTransportation andInfrastructuresaid it was seeking engineeringfirms todesignthose in-water structures.When asked morerecently,the ministrysaidthe work is now in thedesign phase.

“Theministryisprogressing with plans to retrofitthe Lions Gate and Ironworkers Memorial bridges,tostrengthen their resilience in the extremely unlikely event of vessel impact,” theministrysaid in an emailed statement.“Detailed design work on this is currently underway.”

“These measureswill complement the stringent vessel transit procedures put in place by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authorityfor the safe movement of people and goods in the Burrard Inlet.”

Both the Lions Gate and Ironworkers Memorial bridges have operated safely since opening in 1938 and 1960, respectively,the ministry added.The ministry did not provide atimeline for when the new structural upgrades areexpected to be done.

The province announced plans in 2018 to build up arock bermaround the base of the southernsupporttower of Lions Gate Bridge. PAUL MCGRATH /NSN

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EAGLE HARBOUR

Duplexprojectgoestopublichearing

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

Aplan to build 34 duplex units on alarge lot on West Vancouver’sDaffodil Drive will go to public hearing next month.

The proposal includes duplex unitsin17buildings across acurrently undeveloped4.5-acreparcel of land in West Van’sEagle Harbour neighbourhood,along with two single-family homes.

According to astaffreport, the vacant land was previously approved for a10-unit subdivision ofsingle-family homes.

More recently,however, the developerhas submitted anew request for the duplex project, which would requireazoning bylaw change and change to the official communityplan.

The duplex units would range from about 2,200 squarefeet up to 4,000 squarefeet in size.

The plan would include 82 on-site parking spaces, including 10 visitor

spaces and Level 2EVcharging.

Followinga public information meeting inFebruary2021, the developer changed thedesign of three buildingsthat back on to Cranley Drive, according to astaffreport, toreduce theirsizeand number of storeys.

Theunits would be geared to a rangeofresidents, from families

to empty nesters,according to the staff report.

Coun. NoraGambiolinoted that under the previous plan for single-family homes,each lot would also be alloweda coach houseand secondarysuite, “so we’re talking about six extra units,”she said.

The plan will go to apublic hearing April8

An artists rendering shows what aproposed Eagle Harbourduplex projectwill look like. DISTRICTOFWESTVANCOUVER

Bridge supports

Any North Shore residents who have been reading the news out of Baltimore this past week would be forgiven for feeling a bit leery about our own bridges. Beyond any loss of life, the collapse of the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing or Lions Gate Bridge would have drastic impacts on the movement of goods in Western Canada, and life on the North Shore would obviously become exceptionally difficult. Indeed, we’ve seen what happens when a single pothole closes just one lane during rush hour

The good news is that we are far less likely to experience a serious ship strike in the first place thanks to our more stringent requirements for tugs and pilots to safely get ships in and out of the harbour.

For critical infrastructure though, you need multiple layers of protection and redundancies. For that, the province is working on designs for physical protection barriers that would protect the North Shore bridges in the unlikely event of a ship drifting off course.

More of a worry though is if both bridges are destroyed or damaged in an earthquake North Shore Emergency Management and the province have some plans in place for the movement of people and goods, but in that kind of scenario, driving downtown will be the least of your problems.

Rather than fret about the unlikely possibility of a vessel strike impacting our bridges, take some time this week to get your home emergency kit and plan shipshape.

ANDY PREST aprest@nsnews.com

Vancouver Cocktail Week was held recently, and it was pretty fun. At least, from what I can remember.

The craft cocktail scene around Vancouver, and here on the North Shore, is doing well these days, and cocktail week gave me the opportunity to learn a few things about the industry and meet some of the local folks who are turning their passions into delicious little beverages.

A couple of interesting paradoxes emerged as I worked my way through a couple of events One is that the act of throwing a cocktail event with a steady supply of beverages is a bit like having an ice sculpture in the middle of the desert. At first it’s a

delightful curiosity, and you’re going to take your time savouring it and all the nuances that went into its creation. But as time goes by it becomes a little slippery and you’re less interested in the art and more interested in getting liquids into you before time is up. And if you make it all the way to the end, you might not remember how things looked at the start, but somehow you may end up licking drops off a soggy table. Or maybe that’s just me.

But it does seem like the more you enjoy a fancy cocktail event and the longer you stay, the less you might remember of it the next day It’s a self-erasing party!

The other interesting part of the scene is that there are a lot of cool, hip innovators involved in trying to provide people with a

really fancy and fun good time in an industry that boils down to a lot of nerdy chemistry.

At the stops I made at a couple of local distilleries, there were people very excited about explaining in great detail the nuances of their juniper berry ratios, telling you about the boiling point on top of Mount Everest (legitimately mentioned in two separate establishments), and getting you to smell the powerfully horrific sludge that they turn into liquid brilliance. They’re going to say “impurities” about 17 times, show you the most expensive part of their chemistry set, and then hand you all kinds of fun things to drink. It’s actually a pretty good party plan.

The first North Shore spot I hit up was Copperpenny Distilling Co., a gin joint

offering a change of pace in the City of North Vancouver’s Brewery District.

If you walk into Copperpenny and get the feeling that you’ve mistakenly stumbled onto a movie set, you wouldn’t be too far off. The husband and wife team of Jan Stenc and Jennifer Kong-Tom both came to the distilling business from the film industry, specializing in set decoration. They want you to feel like you’ve entered some place special and unique, and it’s safe to say you won’t find many cooler spots for a drink on the North Shore. And the drinks on offer only bolster the appeal of the place.

A few days later I was at an event at The Woods Spirit Co. as the North Vancouver distillery held a celebration to introduce new

114-400 BROOKSBANK AVE., NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. V7J 2C2 MATT BLAIR, PUBLISHER

MAILBOX

HOW COULD METRO LET THE SEWAGE PLANT PROJECT FAIL SO BADLY?

Dear Editor:

RE: Costs Quadruple for North Shore Sewage Treatment Plant to $3.86B, March 27 story

I am shocked and dismayed at the recent news on the cost overruns on the sewage project. How can Metro Vancouver CAO Jerry Dobrovolny claim that “the project was far less advanced than Metro had been led to believe” and that there were a “tremendous number of deficiencies” left by Acciona?

Any contract of this size should have had a rigorous project controls system built in and Metro Vancouver should have had their own representation in the form of owner’s engineers to monitor progress, quality and cost. How can Metro Vancouver feign ignorance and simply download the costs to the taxpayer? Those who were parties to the contract should be paying for the cost overruns, not the taxpayer Heads need to roll on this one.

Jennifer Clay

North Vancouver

Dear Editor:

I am a retired former professional engineer, having been team leader for the design of tunnels and wastewater treatment plants Metro Vancouver has now suffered two complete contract failures on the

North Shore, as a consequence of poor risk management – the Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels and the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Metro Vancouver contracts place all the project risk on the contractor. This leads to the selection of the contractor that has the greatest risk tolerance rather than the most competent contractor For the contractor, the risk is purely financial. But for the community, the risk of a project going wrong has both financial and other consequences, such as a delay in service provision.

In the case of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, I understand that the process risk was placed on the contractor, which produced a proprietary design. Having fired the contractor, it is now very difficult to find a contractor willing to take on the risk of the first contractor’s design. Had Metro Vancouver commissioned a consulting engineer to design the plant and invited bids for its construction, the final price would have been much more certain. The design could have also optimized the long-term operating cost rather than the initial capital cost.

North Shore residents are now being asked to pay the additional costs of delay and the costs of mobilizing a second contractor to complete the work. I suggest that Metro Vancouver needs to re-evaluate its engineering procurement processes.

Ian Rose-Innes West Vancouver

Everyone is getting into whisky

Continued from A8

owner Celia Chiang. Distiller Andy Davidson has stayed on, and Woods is still making a unique mix of liqueurs fronted by Italianinspired classics such as Nocino, Amaro and Limoncello. The bittersweet ingredients can combine to make some very sophisticated offerings.

In between those stops was the Garden Gala hosted by Vancouver Cocktail Week, an event dreamed up by the folks who run The Alchemist, Canada’s only magazine solely devoted to the world of micro-distillers and craft cocktails. The Gala crammed dozens of craft distillers in a ballroom of the Sutton Place Hotel in a powerful blast of sights, smells and sounds. The tasting bit was a lot of fun too. For an amateur such as myself, it was near impossible to pick out the best beverages from the many mixes available, but I gave it my best shot.

My week didn’t include a trip to Sons of Vancouver, the North Shore’s

most-established distillery, but they’ve already built up quite a reputation. Recently they’ve been making headlines with their award-winning whiskies, offerings they’ve added to their original attention-grabbing Amaretto and Vodka creations.

And if you are a whisky fan – note that if it’s Canadian or Scottish it’s whisky, not whiskey – you’ll certainly be interested to know that all three of those North Vancouver distilleries have whisky programs running, in various stages. The liquid has to sit in a barrel for at least three years before you can call it whisky, and the clock is now ticking on some North Shore concoctions that will soon join those already on offer at Sons of Vancouver.

Looking for an unforgettable North Shore experience? These might be the places to start – as long as you remember to stop Andy Prest is the editor of the North Shore News. His humour/lifestyle column runs biweekly

North Van manaccused of killing his aunt pleads notguilty

NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com

ANorth Vancouver RCMP officerwho entered the apartment of Dominga Santos on Dec. 13, 2022 found the 68-year-old woman lying on the kitchen floor in apool of blood with her nephew Anthony Santos Del Rosario on top of her.

The grisly scene was described by Crown counsel Michaela Donnelly in the opening statements of a trial in B.C. Supreme Court Monday, March 25, where Del Rosario faces acharge of second-degree murder

Del Rosario, whohas been in custody since hisarrest, has pleaded not guiltytothe charge.

Wearing abrightred inmate’s sweat suit,with his wavyblack hair tied intoaponytail, Del Rosario satinthe prisoner’sdocknext to aTagalog interpreter as Donnelly started by outlining events leading up to hisarrest.

Neighbours at 225 West Third St.called police justbefore 11 a.m. on the Dec. 13 morning, after hearing sounds, Donnelly told thecourt. When North Vancouver RCMP arrivedatthe building shortly after 11 a.m., the sounds had stopped, butofficersspoke

to tenantsonthe third floor of the apartmentbuilding. While they werethere, Dominga’ssister Rosita Santos arrived to visither sibling, the courtheard.

Insidethe apartment, police saidthey found Del Rosarioand Dominga Santos, whohad “very obvious”injuries, which included multiple woundstoher chest, Donnelly said.

Cpl. James Lavalee –the crime scene manger withthe RCMP’s Integrated HomicideInvestigation Team –testified March 25 about what police found after they searched the apartmentand Del

Continued on A29

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Proposed rezoning of Lots Cand DDaffodil Drive (subject lands)

WHAT: Apublic hearing will be held regarding proposed: Official CommunityPlan BylawNo. 4985, 2018,Amendment BylawNo. 5292,2024; and Zoning BylawNo 4662, 2010,Amendment BylawNo. 5293,2024.Apublic meeting will be held concurrently

WHEN: 7 p.m. on April 8, 2024

WHERE: Municipal Hall Council Chamber, 75017th Street, and via Webex electronic communication facilities. Attend in-personorvia Webex(visit westvancouver.ca/webex); or watchthe hearing at westvancouver.ca/cc.

PROPOSED OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN BYLAWNO. 4985, 2018, AMENDMENT BYLAWNO. 5292, 2024: would createthe Ground-Oriented Infill Housing Development Permit Area along with associatedguidelines BF-B16 and would placethe sitewithin this Development Permit Area.The purpose of the Development Permit Area and guidelines aretocontrol the form andcharacter of the proposal, including contextand character,building design,landscapedesign, and circulation and parking.

PROPOSED ZONING BYLAWNO. 4662, 2010, AMENDMENT BYLAWNO. 5293,2024: would rezone the sitefrom RS10 (Single FamilyDwelling Zone 10)to CD84 [ComprehensiveDevelopment Zone 84 (Lots C and D Daffodil Drive)]. Theproposed CD84 zone would regulatethe housing forms (ground-oriented dwelling units)that arepermitted, allowfor amaximum of 36 units with amaximum densityof 0.38 Floor Area Ratio, definethe permitted building envelope,and establish minimum parking requirements.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT21-131: would regulatethe form and characterofthe proposal and requireland development controlstoaddresshazardous conditions fordevelopments on steepslopes(sites withdifficultterrain)

COUNCILWELCOMESYOUR INPUT: All persons who believe their interest in property is affected by the proposed bylaws and development permit will be given an opportunitytopresent written submissions and to be heardduring the public hearingand concurrent public meeting regarding the proposed bylaws and development permit. To participateinperson, pleaseattend the Municipal Hall Council Chamber at the timelisted above.Toparticipatebyelectroniccommunication facilities, please call 604-925-7004 on April 8, 2024 to be added to the speakerslist. Instructions on howtoparticipateare available at westvancouver.ca/ph

PROVIDE YOUR SUBMISSION: via email to correspondence@westvancouver.ca; via mail to Municipal Hall, 75017th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3;oraddress toLegislative Services and placeinthe dropbox at the 17th Street entranceofMunicipal Hall. Please provide written submissionsbynoon on April 8, 2024 to ensure their inclusion in the public information packagefor Council’sconsideration. No furthersubmissions can be considered by Councilafter thepublic hearing has closed.

MORE INFORMATION: Theproposed bylaws,development permit,and other relevant documents thatCouncil mayconsider in deciding whether to adopt the proposed bylaws andapprove theproposeddevelopment permit maybeinspected at westvancouver.ca/news/notices andatMunicipal Hall from March 20 to April 8, 2024 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,MondaytoFriday, excluding statutory holidays).

QUESTIONS? Lisa Berg, SeniorCommunityPlanner| lberg@westvancouver.ca |604-925-7237

Apoliceofficer enters the scene of amurderinNorth Vancouver’sLower Lonsdale neighbourhood on Dec. 14, 2022 ALANNA KELLY/ GLACIER MEDIA

READY TO ROCKET

Student to compete for Canada at international science fair

MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As a child, Jason Zhao dreamed of being an astronaut.

He had been fascinated with all things space and would fritter away hours poring over footage of rocket launches on YouTube. Still, never did he imagine he would one day be taking his own rocket to the skies, nevermind presenting it at a prestigious, international science competition, at the mere age of 16.

It’s my most advanced project ever. So it would really mean a lot to me if I could win this, it would really help me feel proud of the past couple years of my work.

GRADE 11 STUDENT JASON ZHAO

Come May, the Collingwood School student will be one of eight Canadian finalists to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition.

Zhao will present his three-metretall rapid response rocket to the judges. Designed to help fight forest fires, the rocket contains a drone that separates and surveys the forest once launched into the air

“The goal is basically to give firefighters a much quicker and much easier way to monitor wildfires as soon as they arrive, so

that they can act quickly and minimize any damage,” he said.

With the drone equipped with all the instruments a helicopter would use, like infrared and thermal imaging cameras, it makes for a cheaper and far safer alternative than deploying humans, Zhao said. It also makes for a far more time efficient option, cutting out the minutes spent

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3D printing techniques and materials to manufacture a rocket that would withstand takeoff while still remaining cost efficient.

“I had to do a lot of research to make sure that the 3D printed plastic was strong enough. I carried out a bunch of simulations, screen tests and aerodynamic simulations, and flew the rocket to Washington, Oregon and Seattle to test it,” he said.

Zhao has been building rockets ever since he was young, a passion fuelled by rocket launch videos and a visit to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as a child, but never has he crafted something on this scale, he added.

“This is my peak rocket project, and it’s the combination of all of my previous learning and everything I’ve known before,” said Zhao, adding how this was also his first-ever attempt at making a drone.

“It’s my most advanced project ever So it would really mean a lot to me if I could win this. It would really help me feel proud of the past couple years of my work,” he said.

Zhao will be among 1,600 students from 80 countries competing for various wins, with $9 million in awards, prizes and scholarships up for grabs.

gathering supplies, boarding the helicopter and flying to the affected part of the forest.

“With a rocket, you can launch it from any open field. It’s really fast. It’s supersonic,” he said.

Crafting the innovative design had taken Zhao the better part of a year. The process involved much trial and error, with the young engineer experimenting with various

Should his project win, Zhao said he hopes he can use the winnings to build a fleet of rocket drones, working alongside local fire services to fight against the province’s increasingly brutal wildfire seasons.

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

Jason Zhao’s science project, a rocket that deploys a drone to help detect and monitor wildfires, will compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles May 11-17 PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

PREVAILING LANDSCAPES

APRIL12– JUNE 22,2024

exhibition openingapril 12,2024/ 6pm 2121lonsdaleave,north vancouver,bc

STAN DOUGLAS KIM DORLAND

TIM GARDNER CAMERON KERR KRYSTLE SILVERFOX IAN WALLACE JIN-ME YOON KAREN ZALAMEA smithfoundation.ca Thankyou

IMPRESSIVE ARCHITECTURE

Award-winningWestVan home listsfor $5.9M

NICK LABA

nlaba@nsnews.com

An architectureaward-winning home in West Vancouver has just come on the market.

On Tuesday,March 26, theHoward Residence at 4181 Rose Cres. listed for $5.95 million.

The 5,000-square-foot home sitson athird-of-an-acrelot in theSandy Cove neighbourhood.

With charcoal-painted shingles on

the exterior,the L-shaped structure hugs an inner courtyard. Theinterior features four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and large, picturewindowsthroughout thehome.

The home wasbuilt in 2019 and wonaLieutenant Governor of British Columbia AwardinArchitecture from theArchitectureFoundation of B.C. in thesame year.Other North Shorewinners that year included The Polygon Galleryand theEdgemont Residence.

“The angular natureofthe site and long street frontage allowed for the house to spread wide and low.The charcoal-coloured shingle sidingand darker exterior elements help blend the homeseamlessly into the cedar and fir tree backdrop,”reads adescriptionofthe home on the Architecture Foundation of B.C. website.

The design was led by Mark Ritchie of ABC ArchitectureBuilding Culture Inc.

ProposedTemporary

Use Permit 23-122for 4613 WoodburnRoad (subject land)

WHAT: ThePaulSugar PalliativeSupportFoundation has appliedfor aTemporaryUse Permit to allowfor theprovision of non-medical supportivecareservices at the property locatedat4613Woodburn Road on atemporarybasis.

FEEDBACKDEADLINE: 4:30 p.m. on April 17,2024

PROPOSED TEMPORARYUSE PERMIT 23-122: wouldallowfor nonmedical supportive careservices to those living with serious illness, as well as to their families and caregivers. Thetemporaryuse of the existing singlefamily dwelling is to provideon-siteconsulting services(by appointment) andanadministrativeoffice. No accommodations areprovided. Atemporary use permit mayauthorizethe use of aproperty foruptothree yearsinany zone subject to compliance conditions specified in theZoning Bylaw.

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT: Council hasdelegated the approval of temporary usepermits to theDirector of Planning &Development Services,subject to publicinput.Ifyou have any concerns with the proposedtemporary use permit please submit your written comments: viaemail to lberg@westvancouver.ca;via mail to Planning & Development Services, Municipal Hall, 75017th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3;oraddresstoPlanning &Development Services and placeinthe drop boxatthe 17th StreetentranceofMunicipalHall. Please provide writtencomments by 4:30 p.m. on April 17,2024 to makethem availabletothe Director forhis consideration.

MORE INFORMATION: Theproposal maybeinspected at westvancouver.ca/developmentapplications andat Municipal Hall fromApril 3 to 17, 2024 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., MondaytoFriday, excluding statutory holidays).

QUESTIONS? LisaBerg, SeniorCommunity Planner lberg@westvancouver.ca |604-925-7237

The exterior of the Howard ResidenceinWest Vancouver is coveredincharcoal-coloured shingles. ANDREW LATREILLE

image: Jin-me Yoon,Listening Place(UnderBurrard Bridge), 2022

CHERRY BLOSSOMS: ATEXTILE TRANSLATION 2024

APR. 3- 28

SILK PURSEARTSCENTRE

15thannualexhibit of textile artinspired by thecherry blossomwith contemporary& traditional worksbyover20artists. Co-produced by West Van Arts Council &VancouverGuild of Fibre Arts.

Formoreinfo: westvanartscouncil.ca

2024 NORTH SHORE WRITERSFESTIVAL

APR. 12 -13

NORTH VANCOUVERCITYLIBRARY

Join us foranunforgettablecelebration of Canadian literatureatthe 2024 North ShoreWriters Festival, presentedbythe North Shore libraries! Alleventsare FREE but onlineregistration is required.

Formoreinfo: northshorewritersfestival.com

WAYNEWENG

TUESDAY APR. 16, 10:30 A.M. &1:30P.M.

SILK PURSE ARTS CENTRE

Internationally acclaimed pianistWayne Weng,known forhis skilled improvisations &versatile style, performs thrillingclassical musicat10:30am & 1:30pm PresentedbyWest VanArts Council

For more info:westvanartscouncil.ca

Exhibition displays Phil Nuytten’s vast

MINA KERR-LAZENBY MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

When North Shore legend, pioneering deep sea diver and inventor Phil Nuytten passed away in May last year, he left behind a lasting legacy in the worlds of engineering, science and technology.

Lesser known but by no means less in value were his creative contributions. Nuytten also left behind a legacy in the art world, as both a curator and collector of notable First Nations art.

Extended until April 6 at Vancouver’s Uno Langmann Fine Art gallery is a rare exhibition of Nuytten’s Northwest Coast collection, comprising dozens of pieces from notable Northwest Coast artists –some never before seen or exhibited. A number of the works are for sale, including pieces from the likes of Bill Holm,

“It’s such an important collection, you will never see this amount of work together in one room,” said the gallery’s Jeanette Langmann. “There’s a whole range of quality items in there. It’s very interesting, and

John Livingston, Bill Reid and Beau Dick, while others are destined for two B.C. institutions.

An exhibition highlighting the Northwest Coast collection of the North Shore’s Phil Nuytten will be on display at Uno Langmann Gallery until April 6. UNO LANGMANN

Nuytten acarverand collector

Continued from A16

veryrare.”

Nuytten’sinterest in arthad been roused at the tender age of 11, when a discoveryofMétis heritage sparked a desiretolearn and study the fundamentals of Coast Salish carving. He learnedunder the guidance of Kwakwakaʼwakw woodcarver Ellen Neel, who later connected her apprenticewith other influential carvers like Mungo Martin and Charlie James.

The three went on to haveaprofound influence on Nuytten’slife and art, and were profiled in his book, The Totem Carvers.Many of their pieces join Nuytten’s own carvings in acollection that champions FirstNations art, their finelycrafted woodworks sitting alongside the famed painted wood masks of Kwakwakaʼwakw Northwest Coast artists like Chief Beau Dick, CalvinHunt and Joe Seaweed.

“Seeing the amount of quality like this in one room is astounding,” saidLangmann, adding how the response to the exhibition hasbeen “absolutely phenomenal,” with viewers flying in from acrossthe countryto peruseNuytten’scollection

Much of the allurethat comes with such aprivate collection is being able to see the personalityofthe owner shine through the chosen pieces, she said. Nuytten, who went

Pieces ondisplay include Nuytten’s own worksalongside contributionsfromnotable First Nations artists and Kwakwaka̱ʼwakw woodcarvers UNO LANGMANN

on to become an adopted member of the Kwakwakaʼwakw First Nation, had devoted much of his lifetocelebrating and uplifting Indigenous artand culture.

“Peoplearereallyenjoying thedepths of interest you can get from aprivatecollectionlike this. It’s verydifferent in the sense that you really get apersonality that shines through. Thiscollection is ararity,something that people can walk around and truly feel the presenceofthe person,” she said.

“It’saonce-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see acollection like this.”

TransLink‘aware’ of inaccuracies on next-busdigital signs

NICK LABA

nlaba@nsnews.com

Have you ever felt gaslit by anext-bus sign?

At certain stops across the Lower Mainland, it’s not uncommon to see an expected arrival of “now” on the digital display without abus in sight. That unreliable functionality has led to aflurry of questions and comments online

TransLink says it’s awareofsome inaccuracies withthe “real-time” signs.

“This current technology is still in the testing phase and poses several challenges, including traffic congestion,” aspokesperson said. “Our buses areequipped with GPS to provide vehicle locations, though it doesn’t always give reliable real-time information yet.”

GPSinstalled on buses was mostly intended for operational purposes, and is in the process of being upgraded to provide moreaccurate and frequent

information, the spokesperson explained. “TransLink has starteda programto upgradeour real-time informationacross thetransitsystemover the next several years. Thisincludes upgrading some RapidBus information displays thisyear with betternetwork connectivity –which should help improve accuracy and customer experience.”

Potential passengerswait forthe R2 bus on Main Street

North Van recrecruiting artistsfor 2024 concertseason

NICKLABA

nlaba@nsnews.com

For those about to rock, why notstrike achordinyourown community.

North Vancouver Recreation &Cultureisseeking applications from performing, visual and multidisciplinaryartists to take the stage in the upcoming indoor and outdoor concertseries this year.

Thisyear,the call has expanded from musicians to “everything,” says Neil Scott, theatreand eventssupervisor with NVRC.

“We’relooking for alot of diversity,both in terms of performers, and genres,” he said.

That includes artists who can facilitate family-friendly activities and crafts, as well as conventional acts like bands and comedians, Scottexplained.

While the call extends to emerging North Shoretalent, Scott emphasized thetalent featured over the past year in the inaugural Artists(originally “Aspiring”) &Musicians

Performance Series (AMPS) has been verywell received.

“Wefound that the word aspiring gave somepeople the impressionthat it would be a very low bar,”hesaid. “But the performers that we have had in the AMP series have been extremely high-calibre.”

Last year therewere35 applicants for eight performance spots in the AMPS series, which was extended to 10 spots.This year,therehave been morethan 60 entries, and the application period is still open until April 15.

Scott said acts should apply becausethe series is agreat opportunity to showcasetheir work to the community.

“Thenicethingabout all of theperformances,either the AMPS seriesorthe [outdoor] Live&Local series, is they’re eitherfreeorverylow cost,” he said. “So it encouragessome really great community connections …and it’sareally good opportunity for artiststoget paid to show their work.”

This year,Scott said he’s hoping that amorediversecast of artists apply

“Oneofthe things that we feel strongly about at NVRCis

that we need to represent all of the population that lives in and around the North Shore,” he said. “We have astrong Indigenous community,wehave astrong

Persiancommunity –thereare all kinds of various backgrounds hereonthe North Shore… We didn’t haveasmuch of a response for applicants last year from those communities. And we would really like to be able to represent those communitiesin our programming.”

The efforttorecruit more diverse artists includesoutreach through aNVRC staffmember in charge of relationshipswith local Indigenous communities, he said.

TheAMPSseriesruns from October to June, with two more performances to come in the concertrun that started last year

Live &Local events ramp up in June with the majority happening through the summer months, afew moreinSeptember and a final bonfire in December.

For moreinformation on the concertseries, and how to apply, visit theNVRC website at nvrc ca/artist-call-2024.For upcoming AMPS concerts, check Centennial Theatre’sevents calendar at nvrc ca/centennial-theatre.

North Vancouver Recreation &Culturetheatreeventssupervisor Neil Scott is looking forartists to playatoutdoor summer eventsand at Centennial Theatreinthe AMPSseries. PAUL MCGRATH /NSN

PARSE PERSIANFOOD

Newrestaurant bringsauthentic Iranian cuisinetoNorthVan

HAMID JAFARI

Contributing writer

Her name is Sabrieh Safari, and her children call her Mama Sabi.

She arrived in Canada about five years ago to join her family.Now,she has decided to roll up her sleeves andget to work. Mama Sabi is thehead chef ofParse Persian Food, anew,family-owned takeout establishment in North Vancouver. She has five children, including adaughter who lives far from the North Shore in Tehran, Iran; ason who lives in Toronto; and two other sons and adaughter who all live in North Vancouver

“When Iarrived in Canada, Iwanted to reunite with my family.But now they needmysupportmorethan ever, and I’m heretohelp them,” she says, reflecting on her journey from dedicatedhousewifeto head chef. She was always a housewife, dedicated to raising andsupportingher children. Whatever they wanted to eat, she could cook their favorite dishes in a matter of seconds, ready to be enjoyed.

Also, she emphasized that the inspiration behind starting Parse restaurantis “to supportthe family,” as this is a restaurant operated by the family

Ash (Persian noodlesoup with herbsand beans), and more.

Parisa Oqani, one of Mama Sabi’s children and akey player in the family business, emphasizes the restaurant’s mission to share Iran’sflavours with the community

“It’smorethan justfood; it’sa taste of our culture,” she explains.

Oqani pointed out thatthey decided to open the restaurant beforetheCOVID-19 pandemic hit the world,but the pandemic delayed their plans. Sheadded, “I’m apublic health nurse.Iserve the community in another way and am proudofwhat Ido.”

Oqani believesthat the restaurant can serve as abridge for people to experience the flavours of Iran.

“Itoffers an opportunity for everyone who wants to taste authentic Iranian cuisine.”

According to Mama Sabi, homemade foods can distinguishthe restaurant from others.

“It’shomemade cooking, like ataste of home with authentic food. Ithink that’s very significant and could setusapart fromother Persian restaurants.”

The restaurant offers avariety of Iranian traditional dishes,includingAbgoosht (a hearty and flavorful stewmade with lamb or beef, chickpeas, white beans,potatoes, andtomatoes), Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian herb stew), Koofteh (Persian meatballs),

The takeout restaurant is located at 1588 MacGowan St., North Vancouver, and started serving on March 18, the startof the Persian New Year,Nowruz.

HamidJafari is aVancouver-based freelance journalist who writesabout the Iranian community in Canada, art, culture,and social mediatrends. Hiswork for the North Shore News is supported by New Canadian Media.

Jazz

Whileonawalkwithherowner,

Sabrieh Safari, a.k.a. MamaSabi,isthe head chef of Parse Persian Food, anew family-owned takeout establishment in North Vancouver HAMID JAFARI /NSN

North ShoreRescue credits satellite device with Good Friday rescue

BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com

North ShoreRescue is crediting a handheld satellite communication device with initiating arescue for a woman injured deep in thebackcountry,Friday.

The team received acall from BC AmbulanceService paramedics just before2p.m. reportingapossible broken leg near NorvanFalls –about atwo-anda-half-hour hike into Lynn Headwaters Regional Park.

But unlike most calls for help, this one came in via aGarmin inReach device, which sends amessage directly to aGPS satellite that relays it to amilitary base in Ontario whereitistriaged to the appropriate rescue agency.

The device did not allow for twowaycommunication,however,and not knowingthe extent of the injuryor exact location, search manager Allan McMordie called in aTalon helicopter and North ShoreRescue’sadvanced medical team

They found the subject, aVancouver womaninher 50s, in an area called Third DebrisTorrent, whereshe had lost her footing on alarge rock and slipped.

Fortunately,the woman’sinjury appeared to be moreofasprain than abreak, McMordie said, but without a rescue, there’snoway she’d have made it outonher own.

“She would have had to rely on other people to carryher out. She was not able towalk,” he said.

The team fit her into asplint and flew her back to their Bone Creek search and rescue station.

The womanwas well prepared with extra clothingand the weather conditions weredecent on Friday but, McMordie said, mostpeople injured in Lynn Headwaters have several miserable hours of waiting in theelements before help arrives.

Almost always when there’saninjury near Norvan Falls,rescuers don’t find out about it untilanotherhiker makes the seven-kilometrejourneyback to the Lynn Headwaters parking lot wherethey can get cell reception and call 911.

“You lose cell coverage very quickly when you head offfromthe parking lot,” hesaid. “So, it’ssketchy right offthe bat.”

McMordie saidit’sthe first timeinhis memory that asatellite devicemobilized arescue.

As the spring hiking season begins, McMordie said it is important for people heading into the trails to be well equipped with proper footwear and the “10 essentials” –extra food and water,alight, a signallingdevice,extra clothes, aknife, shelter,afirstaid kit, alighter or matches, along with navigation and communication tools, like asmartphone or the GPS unit thattriggered Friday’scall.

North ShoreRescue volunteers preparetoairlift ahiker injured nearNorvanFalls in the North Vancouver backcountryonFriday. NORTH SHORE RESCUE

ROAD SAFETY

Slip lanes dangerous for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers

Almost all transportation engineers will tell you that safety is the most critical consideration when designing a roadway.

Phew That’s good news. Somewhere along the road, however, transportation designers must have also embraced the idea that “vehicles should move quickly and stay moving.”

The requirement for rapid vehicle movement from the past makes safety today harder, and slip lanes are the poster child for less safe intersection design.

Slip lanes make driving more complicated than at a regular intersection. The problem for drivers is that they permit turning without reducing speed. If there’s

a stopped car ahead, you might be unable to avoid it as you round the corner Watch out for that pedestrian in the crosswalk, too! As the adjoining roads get busier, drivers must also pay much attention and care to weave into or out of a new traffic stream moving at speed.

The problem for pedestrians is that slip lanes are designed for unrestrained vehicle movement. Their purpose is to allow drivers to maintain speed when approaching an intersection and a crosswalk – the precise moment we should be most careful. They also increase the distance people have to walk across a street and put people into spots that are often harder for drivers to see.

For people on bikes, the most worrying aspect of slip lanes is when cars must cross a bike lane to enter or exit one. A prime example is on Capilano Road, where people driving cars must cross the bike lane to get to the on-ramp for Highway 1.

You can imagine what it feels like to ride down that green strip with cars on both sides moving at speed. It’s a bicycle sandwich waiting to happen. You just hope that you’re not the mayonnaise.

Generally speaking, most crashes occur in intersections because they are more complicated. I have looked at ICBC crash statistics for the North Shore and noted several intersections with slips lanes that are perilous for pedestrians and cyclists. Capilano Road at Marine Drive is the worst area for vehicle and active transportation-related crashes. No surprise there. Cycling advocates have asked the District of North Vancouver to close the slip lane or “channelized” right turn on the south side of Marine.

Slip lanes are dangerous for people in cars, people walking and people on bikes. So why do we keep them? If we prioritized safety over vehicle speed, we should close all slip lanes and never build one again.

And we still wonder why more people don’t ride? Thankfully, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has told us bike-people that they will make improvements to this area.

Heather Drugge is a sustainable transportation advocate who has used her bike for transportation for more than 20 years. She’s got an e-bike now, and maybe a jetpack next. Northshoremoves@gmail.com

March13to April22, 2024

DETAILS:

City of NorthVancouver haslaunchedan AlternativeApprovalProcess to gain permission from electors to borrowanamount nottoexceed $55.7milliontofinancedesignand construction of anew NorthShore Neighbourhood Houseand twoCity-ownedparks

HOWTOPARTICIPATE:

•Ifyou areinfavourofthe bylawauthorizing City Council to seek financing,noactionis required.

• If youare opposedtothe bylaw, please download aformorpickupa form at City of NorthVancouver City Hall. Allforms canbesubmitted viamailorinpersonatCityHall.

DNV Coun. Catherine Pope crosses the slip lane at Capilano Road and Marine Drive. Slip lanes can be perilous for pedestrians and people on bikes, writes columnist Heather Drugge. HEATHER DRUGGE

Move On Heather Drugge

Boys suspected intwo North Vancouver hedgefires:RCMP

BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com

North Vancouver RCMP areissuing awarning after two Norgate-area hedges weretorched under suspicious circumstancesMarch 26.

District of North Vancouver Fireand Rescue Servicesmembers were called to the 1300 block of Sowden Street at 2:30 p.m. after ahomeowner smelled smoke and noticedhis 10-foot hedge fully engulfed in flames, according to a release from the North Vancouver RCMP.

Crews put out the blaze but half an hour later,a second hedge in front of another home on the same blockalso went up in flames,requiring crews to come back anddouse the firebeforeit spread to the adjacent homes

North Vancouver RCMP Const. Mansoor Sahaksaid evidence at the scene led investigators to believe the fireswere suspicious andinboth cases, witnessestold police they saw three 10- to 12-year-old boys loitering in the area prior to the fires being set.

The boys arenow consideredpersons of interest.

Sahak said they arehoping the boys, their parents or someone who knowswhat happened will come forwardsothey can have a“sit down” with the kids and their parents, “so we can have aserious chat about that incident, and talk about the consequences –the dangers thattheir actions posedtothe public.”

Under the Youth CriminalJusticeAct, it’s unlikely that kids would face criminal

charges, Sahak said, although thosedecisions arealways made on acase-by-case basis.

With our increasingly hot and drysummers, Sahaksaid the public must beextra vigilant in any activities that could lead to awildfire– amessage echoed by Conrad Breakey,captain of public safety for the fire department.

“Currently,our North Shorefire danger rating is considered to be ‘Low,’ but under no circumstances should anyone be intentionally lighting afire to cause damage,” he said. “Fires canstarteasily,spread rapidly andbehardtocontrol. Open burning is bannedall year in the district and it’sparamount that people use extreme caution whenengaging in activities, likebarbecuing,thatcould potentially risk starting a fire.”

Anyone withinformation about the fireisaskedtocontact NorthVancouver RCMP’s non-emergency number

Theremainsofacharredhedge areseen on Sowden Street in North Vancouver following asuspicious fire, Tuesday March26. PAUL MCGRATH/ NSN

@northvanarts

TwoNorth Shoreplayers selected forTeam BC in prestigiousU10 BrickInvitational tourney

NICK LABA

nlaba@nsnews.com

Sliding across the ice on abent knee, with some hearty fistpumps and an electric smile, a10-yearold ConnorBedardofNorth Vancouver celebrates goal after goal at The Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament in 2015.

Following in the footsteps of the first overall pick in last year’s NHL Draft aretwo North Shoreyoungsters chosen to play from Team BC in this year’s Brick event.

RhysHoffofNorth Vancouver and Ryan Zeng of West Vancouver will compete againstsome of the best nine- and 10-year-old hockey talent in North America, July 1to7at West Edmonton Mall.

Hoffand Zeng, both 10, have played hockey together for four years. Both youngathletes have played for the Vancouver Vipers hockey club, whichwas home for Bedardand also Macklin Celebrini, theNorth Vancouver product who’s projected to be the No.1pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Lastyear,aYouTube video of Bedard’shighlightsfromhis 2015 play

in the Brick tournamentgarnered morethan200,000 views. Visit nsnews com to see the video.

Rhys HoffofNorth Vanand Ryan Zeng of West Van, both 10 yearsold, have been selectedtoplayon Team BC forthe Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament at West Edmonton Mall in July. COURTESY OF MISTELLE EVANS

A

Richmond player suspended 31 games after incident with goalie

MARIA RANTANEN mrantanen@richmond-news.com

A Richmond Sockeyes defenceman has received a 31-game suspension after a late January “on-ice incident” in a game against the North Vancouver Wolf Pack.

The Pacific Junior Hockey League and its player safety department investigated the incident and decided on the 31-game suspension under five different sections.

Eithan Grishin was involved in a fight with the goalie of the North Vancouver Wolf Pack, Evan Paul, at the Jan. 25 game at Minoru Arena.

Video of the game shows an altercation between Paul and Grishin During the incident, Grishin appears to put Paul in a chokehold. After they are separated, Paul is seen lying nearly motionless on the ice.

After the ruling came down, Grishin appealed the decision but, in the end, the commissioner upheld it.

The Richmond Sockeyes released a statement March 19, saying they stand by Grishin and he remains a “big part of the Richmond Sockeyes family.”

“The Sockeyes will continue to support Eithan and his wellness, and ask that everyone respects the privacy of the player and

his family,” they said in a statement.

The ruling gave a three-game suspension for head contact, a 12-game suspension for the match penalty, an eight-game suspension for receiving a third match penalty in the season, a two-game suspension for getting a game misconduct in the last 10 minutes of regulation time and a six-game suspension under the BC Hockey Canada “repeat offenders” discipline rules.

The Sockeyes noted they don’t condone “social media threats of any kind that have been received by the player and his family.”

They also say they are grateful to medical staff who provided “timely support” to Grishin as he was also injured at the Jan. 25 game.

The North Van Wolf Pack said it supports the disciplinary ruling as it relates to Grishin.

“The safety of all players in the PJHL and any actions which threaten their safety are adjudicated by the Department of Player Safety,” the team said in an emailed statement “The DOPS ruling sends a message to all teams that there are consequences for actions outside normal bounds and that a propensity for negative behaviours will be strictly dealt with.”

- with files from Nick Laba/ NSN

Students take robots for a skate at the Shipyards ice rink

MINA KERR-LAZENBY

MKerrLazenby@nsnews.com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It would have made for an odd sight for anyone who happened to be wandering the Shipyards’ District a few Saturdays back: A throng of children, shouting and clapping, and a collective of small, vibrant robots, gliding across the Shipyards’ skating rink.

The young inventors were students of Zen Maker Lab, a North Vancouver facility that offers STEM education programs combining science, technology, engineering and math. The machines drifting across the ice were the fruits of their labour –robots in all shapes and sizes.

“It was an event put together to inspire and empower kids on the North Shore and beyond to try robotics at a young age,” said Cyri Jones, president of Zen Maker Lab. “It was a celebratory event, a chance for everyone to see what all the different age groups had been up to and to

show the progression made from the early introductory robots all the way up to the university level, super-advanced robots.”

Across the past few months in the Zen Maker Academy, more than 100 students ranging from Grade 2 to Grade 7 had been learning about electronics,

engineering and coding while building the skating robots, said Jones.

Students in Grades 8 and 9, after learning industry 3D design tool Fusion360 during the program, put their newfound skills to the test to create Vex designs. The clawbots are usually the first

type of robot to be mastered, before students move on to more challenging projects.

A team comprising Grade 10 to 12 students showed what was possible if the younger students stuck with the program, taking an advanced, Frisbee-throwing robot to the ice. The team had just returned from competing in the First Robotics regional finals in Victoria, competing against robotics teams from across Canada and the U.S., as well as Brazil and China.

“Some of those kids that were on the Grade 12 team started with us when they were around eight years old, and so I’ve witnessed them making that whole progression,” said Jones. “That’s one of the most rewarding parts of the program, just to see how far they have come over the years.”

Sasha Selby, whose son, Jack, had his own robot take to the ice, said the event is equally as rewarding for the parents of the students involved

“We’re very proud He’s so

talented,” she said, adding how Zen Maker Lab encourages children who have particular talents in science and math, or more niche hobbies like robotics and engineering.

“He loves taking things apart and putting them together and figuring out how they work, so putting him into this event was excellent for him, in the sense that he could really deep dive into that,” she said “Through this program he’s met a lot of people that have the same interests as him, which you don’t always find in a normal class setting. He’s made some friends and he’s gotten a lot of encouragement to follow his passion for coding and gaming.”

For Jack himself, a 12-yearold student from Queen Mary Community Elementary, the experience was fun and educational, if not a little bit humbling.

“I learned that coding robots really isn’t that easy. It’s a lot more work than I expected,” he

The event was put on to inspire kids to try robotics at a young age, says Zen Maker Lab president Cyri Jones. ZEN MAKER LAB

Remote-controlled boats up next

Continued from A26

said, adding how coding each leg had taken him around three days.

Jones said the programs help harness life skills like teamwork, patience and hard work, alongside the more science-focused skills.

“There’s a lot of trial and error when you’re doing this kind of thing,” he said.

“The students learned that it’s important to try to design something and sketch it and everything before you build it and assemble it. And that it is OK if it doesn’t work the first time around, it can take multiple iterations before it actually works.”

At the event at the Shipyards eagleeyed hockey fans will have spotted Norm Beaudin, the former Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota North Stars, and St. Louis Blues player The sportsman, who has the distinction of being the first player signed by the Jets in the World Hockey Association in 1972, was out on the ice alongside the robots, on-hand to sign autographs from the students.

To those that missed the skating extravaganza, Jones recommends the tech-interested keep their eyes peeled for an event in June. There won’t be skating robots, but the event will be showcasing Zen Maker Lab’s next project: remote-controlled boats, set to be raced from the Shipyards dock.

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

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Zen Maker Lab students take their skating robot creations to the ice March 9 at the Shipyards skating rink ZEN MAKER LAB

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Rosario’svehicle under asearch warrantonDec.14, 2022.

Lavallee described what appeared to be “multiple puncture wounds” to the victim’schest and markings on her face, which appeared to have sustained “multiple strikes.”

Among the items seized from the apartment under warrant were bodily substances, finger prints, beverage cans, knives and apairof scissors, Lavallee said.

Donnelly noted therewas blood on the inner handles and serrated bladeofthe scissors. DNA of both Santosand Del Rosario was found on the scissors, the courtheard.

Police also seizedpersonal identification of the accused and mail addressed to him at the225 WestThirdSt. address, as well as a violation ticket.

One photo showed blankets laid out on the floor in an apparent “sleeping area.”

Crown counsel also had Lavallee review images of Del Rosario’sToyota Rav4, which contained boxes of clothing, items

related to Del Rosario’s work as a deliverydriver,aswellastwo glass pipes and asmall bagcontaining a“white substance,” which later analysisdetermined was primarily crystal methamphetamine, Lavalleesaid.

Del Rosario released from North Vancouver RCMP custodyearly morning on Dec. 13

Another police officer, Const DariusBiro, testifiedabout his interactions with Del Rosario the evening beforeand early in the morning on the day of the homicide.

Birosaidhewas dispatched to theMcDonald’sat2601 Westview Dr.inNorth Vancouver on Dec. 12, after restaurant staffcalled police complaining of an intoxicated man whohad knockedover ahand sanitizer station and was taking other customers’ food.

Uponarriving around 7:45 p.m., staffpointed out Del Rosario, who Biro saidsmelledofalcohol from several feet away.Birosaid he arrested Del Rosario forcausing adisturbance and put him in the

back of thepolice cruiser. He then gave DelRosario theoption of either going to the RCMP detachmenttosober up, or being dropped offathis home where someone could watch over him. A recordcheckshowed Del Rosario livedatthe 225 West ThirdSt. address, theofficer told the court.

Del Rosarioagreed to go to that address, wherehesaid his wife lived,Birotestified

When they arrivedatthe apartmentbuilding, the officer followed the accused to thefront door.But then DelRosariosuddenly turned and ran off, the courtheard.

Ashortfoot chase followed, and Del Rosariowas tackledand re-arrested asecond time and takenbacktothe detachment,Biro added.

At first, Birosaid he noticed the accused was “fidgety.” Viaalive video feed of the cell, theofficer saidhesaw Del Rosario pacing back and forth, and kicking

“That arose my suspicion witha previous filethat he had, wherehe wasapprehended under the Mental HealthAct,” Birotold thecourt.

In these situations, the officer said he was trained to ask basic questions like, “Areyou hearing voices?”and,“Areyou having anythoughts of wanting to harm yourself?”

After speaking to the accused, Birosaid,“He repliedthathedoes hearvoicesthattell him to hurt himself.”

At that point, the officer said he spoke withhis supervisor,the North VancouverRCMP watch commander,Sgt.David Potts.

Following their conversation, Biroand Potts went into the accused’s cell, Crown counsel said.

“You just don’t remember that interaction –you just sawitonthe video [later on]?” Donnelly said.

“Yes,” Birosaid.

“What did youdecide to do after that?” Donnelly asked.

“Wedecided to just give it a couple morehours until he sobers up and ask those questions again, and go from there,” Birosaid.

At around 1a.m. in the morning on Dec. 13, Birowent back to Del Rosario’scell and said the accused’s demeanor hadchanged

“Whenhewas asked what his plans werefor the day, he said he wanted to go home and sleep because he hadwork in the afternoon,” Birosaid. “Heseemed to understand wherehewas and what was happening.”

Theofficer offeredDel Rosario aride home, which was declined, the courtheard. Aftercollecting his belongings, the accused was released from the North Vancouver RCMP detachment.

Less than11hours later,Del Rosario was arrested forthe murderofhis aunt.

The trialcontinued on last week and is scheduled to continue this week before adjourning until the end of April when the defence’s case will begin.

Among witnesses expected to testify arethree neighbours who live in the apartment building, an ambulance paramedic, an RCMP blood splatteranalyst and the forensic pathologist who carried out the autopsy

The victim’s siblingRosita Santos is also scheduled to testify.

Thetrialcontinues.

Ex-lawyer facing US$52.9Mfine from SEC‘in apickle,’ judgenotes

GRAEME WOOD

gwood@glaciermedia.ca

Former West Vancouver lawyer turned offshorecompany facilitator Fred Sharp is fighting the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’sefforts to freeze his assets, but finds himself “in apickle,” as put by B.C. Supreme CourtJustice Neena Sharma.

Sharp’scriminal defence lawyer Joven Narwal contested in courtMarch15that Sharp was never properly served by the commission (SEC), in his argument to have theSEC’s injunction applicationagainst his client dismissed.

Sharma asked what Sharp’sevidence was,asshe said she hadnot received an affidavit from Sharp for the summary trial, whichdepends on written submissionsfor ajudge to assess.

Sharp, said Narwal,“can’t provide an affidavit because he’sunder indictment in theU.S.”

“Right, so he’s in apickle,” noted Sharma, who nevertheless proceeded to hear from both sides as to what exactly transpired in attempts to serve Sharp after the commission’sAugust 2021 civil claim of securities fraud against him

the judge stated.

Representingthe commission, lawyer Malcolm Ruby told Sharma that the SEC attempted to serve Sharp by courier and by email. Ruby said Sharp’swife Teresa Sharp responded to the email, stating the emailaddress didnot belongtoSharp.

“Alleged wife,” Narwal interjected.

As to the natureofhis relationship with Teresa Sharp, Narwal asserted “there’sno evidence they areresidingtogether at the time, nor is there any evidence they were communicating at the time.”

ButRuby said, “thereismorethan adequate evidence he was notified,” noting aprocess server found someone to be occupying the Sharp home on Keith Road in West Vancouver; however, no one responded.

Ruby said Sharp is an officer or director of various corporate entities listing Keith Road as his residence, wherethe courier issued receipts of delivery.

served in person with the complaint, summons and temporaryorders against him

“Sharp was ‘not served’ because after ‘multiple attempts, lights on in residence, car in driveway,window open,noone came to the door,’” noted adeputy sheriff’scertificate filedina Boston courtin November2021.

However,Narwal said therewas another prospective address for service for Sharp –inSummerland.

Narwalargued the attempts at servicewereinvalid under U.S. law while the commission has stated theywere accepted by afederal judge in the District of Massachusetts, who ultimately found Sharp liable for securities fraud, as alleged by the commission,while imposing a US$52.9-million judgment against him,in May 2022.

Narwal said he can’t.

“He can’t? He’s chosen not to. Idon’t even know why he can’t; Ican surmise…”

Sharma questioned why Sharp “has not bothered to come in frontofmeto say” he hasn’t been served.

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“Thereisanextensive body of evidence that that was whereMr. Sharp lived,” said Ruby.

The commission submitted in its injunction application (to freeze assets) it took steps to serve Sharp formally through the HagueConvention but he was stillnot

The SEC had alleged “Sharp masterminded acomplex scheme” from 2011 to 2019 in which he and his associates –including several B.C. residents –enabled control persons of penny stock companies, whose stockwas publicly tradedinthe U.S.securities markets, to conceal theircontrol and ownership of huge amounts of shares and then

Notice of Disposition of Improvements 204

Pursuant to Sections 26 and94ofthe Community Charter,noticeisherebygiven that theCityofNorth Vancouverintends to disposeofimprovementsconsistingof ahouse currently locatedat204East1st Street, by meansofsalefor relocation at thebuyer’s expense. TheCitywill post a Requestfor Expression of Interest (RFEOI) seekingsubmissions from interested parties to purchase thehouse andmoveitoffthe existing site at 204 East1st Street to make wayfor adevelopment that will includenon-profit rental housingand anew NorthShore Neighbourhood House. Thehouse is aClass ‘B’heritagehome, builtin 1905, andis1.5 levels with approximately880 sq.ft. on themainfloor andrequiresextensive renovation.The houseiscurrently tenanted -pleasedonot disturbthe tenants. Giventhe oldercondition of the houseand thebuyer’s required expenses with relocation,the City is willingtoconsiderall offers. If asuitablesaleagreement cannotbe arranged,the housewillneed to be demolishedand removedfrom thesite. To view theRFEOI, please access theCity’swebsite at cnv.org/business-development/bid-notices.

Questions? IanSteward,PropertyServicesCoordinator isteward@cnv.org /604-983-7358

Fred Sharp, seen hereinanundated short film moonlighting as an actor, has been criminally charged of securitiesfraud and conspiracy to commit fraudinthe United States. YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT

Suds spotted foaming from NorthVancouver drainpipe

NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com

It all comes out in the wash, especially when someone pours soap down a stormdrain.

On March 18, Deep Cove resident Trudel Kroecher spotted what she describedasa “dish soap disaster” coming from adrainpipeonthe beach below Panorama Park in North Vancouver

Awhite cloud of small, shiny bubbles couldbeseen sitting atop abed of stones andbarnacles.

When reached the next day,the District ofNorth Vancouver said its staffwereonsite and investigating the “ongoing issue.”

By the following day,staffhad determined thecause.

“A resident emptied alarge quantity of soap into astorm drain,” said district spokesperson Ryan Schaap.“DNV staff attended the site and cleaned the soap and foamfromthe sewer system andsurroundingarea.”

“While we do not expect anyfurther environmental concerns fromthis incident, staff educated neighbours on the risksof

Misconduct‘egregious,’ BCSC says

surreptitiously sell those shares into theU.S. markets, in violationoffederal securities laws

The commission claimed multiple groups took partinthe scheme thathad involved over $1 billion in transactions withhundreds of penny stock companies.

The original injunction application against Sharp also included six other co-defendants, on Aug. 11, 2022.

On March 21, 2023, B.C.Supreme CourtJustice Amy D.Francis granted the commission the Mareva injunction to prevent fiveofthose B.C. defendants fromdispersing their assets.

In January, the U.S. Attorney’s Office issued anew criminalindictmentagainst Sharp.Kelln, 43,ofSurrey; Sexton, 55, of Anmore; and Veldhuis, 43,ofVancouver arealso criminally charged.

Sharp is litigating on multiple fronts.

cleaning materials and contaminated water entering ourstorm system,” hesaid.

Nofines wereissued, Schaap said.

North ShoreStreamkeepers president KeeganCassidy said it’sdisappointing to see that people arestill associating storm drains with the sanitarynetwork.

“Ihope therewas achance toatleast deliver education,” he said.

To avoid harmful detergentsfromgetting inour waterways,the DNV recommends going to acar wash, or washing your car on your lawn. Paint trays andbrushes should be washed in asink in your home.

The injunction was granted against Zhiying Yvonne Gasarch, Courtney Kelln, Mike K. Veldhuis, Paul Sexton and Jackson T. Friesen.

Thosefive weresubsequently found to have committed securities fraud in civil judgments, withthecommissiondemandingUS$68.1 million total from them.

Co-defendants Graham R. Taylor and Sharp werenot partofthat injunction ruling due to scheduling conflicts.

In 2021, the Department of Justice issued an arrest warrant for Sharp and frozeassets, including numerous bank and brokerage accounts in the U.S.

He is also engagedinacomplex and longstanding constitutionalchallenge against theCanada Revenue Agency, whichisinvestigating his offshoretax arrangements. The CRA made acriminal referral in 2013,alleging Sharp’sbusiness, Corporate House Group of Companies (Corporate House), wasinvolved in a complex taxevasion scheme. In 2016, Corporate House arrangements were revealed in the Panama Papers leak. None of those allegations have beentested in court.

Last November,Sharp lost achallenge in Supreme CourtofCanada over jurisdictional rights of provincial securities regulators.

In February2023,the B.C. Securities Commission (BCSC) permanently banned Sharp from the province’spublic investment market

“Sharp’smisconduct wasextremely egregious, andwefind there to be no mitigating factors,” stated aBCSC panel ruling on areciprocal orderapplication.

Fundraiser in memory of charitable local raises over $3K

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

The contributions made to local animal welfare organizations by the late Jim Thompson are set to be just as impactful in death as they were in life.

A fundraiser in honour of Thompson, a beloved family man, Lynn Valley resident and executive committee member of the North Vancouver branch of charitable organization Fraternal Order of Eagles, has raised $3,360 for West Vancouver BCSPCA.

The organization’s president Richard Crutchley, along with other representatives from the FOE, presented the cheque at a fundraising event at the centre last month.

More than 100 guests spanning Thompson’s friends and family attended the fundraiser, with all proceeds from the ticket sales going towards charitable efforts. The large turnout was evidence of the impact Thompson had on the local community, said Crutchley.

“He was such a good member of our organization, a gentle and a kind guy,” he said. “He always had a smile on his face, he always had a joke, he was just such a

bright person to be around.”

Crutchley said it had been an “absolutely fantastic” evening, made more so by the entertainment provided by live

music acts The Moodyville Park Band and DJ Richy James. A hot dog stall ensured guests were well fed and ramped up donations even further

“The event finished around midnight. His wife was there His two daughters were there. The atmosphere was really good. It was just a really positive night,” he said.

Crutchley said Thompson’s wife “burst into tears” when he initially proposed the idea of a fundraiser in honour of her husband, who passed away in November Now the two are considering making it an annual event, so Thompson’s legacy and contributions to the local organizations he cared so much for can live on.

The donations will go towards refurbishing the centre’s outdoor courtyard, an area where prospective adopters bond with the animals they’re considering for adoption, said Sarah Henderson, manager of the BCSPCA West Vancouver Community Animal Centre at the event.

Founded in Seattle in 1898, the Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international non-profit that holds fundraisers to raise money for local communities and charities. The organization donates more than $10 million each year.

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

The Fraternal Order of Eagles president Richard Crutchley with Sarah Henderson of the BCSPCA and FOE members Carol Thompson and Chris Craddock at a fundraising event for the late Jim Thompson. RICHARD CRUTCHLEY

Provincegreen lightsaffordable rentalprojectfor Lynnmour

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

The provincial government has announced thatanew rental project for people with low-to-moderate incomes in North Vancouver will be among those earmarked to receive futurefunding.

The project, which will eventually be built on land owned by theDistrict of NorthVancouver on Old Lillooet Road, has received “initial approval” through the province’sCommunity House Fund, the government announced this week.

The project is expected to

eventually provide 166 affordable rental unitsfor families, individuals andseniors.

TheNorth Vancouver housing projectisamong17inMetro Vancouverselectedthrough the

thirdintake of the province’s CommunityHousing Fund, intended to provide 20,000 affordable rental homes by 2031-32.

Under the program, residents of 70 per cent of the unitspay rent geared to income, whererent is generally based on 30 per cent of household income.

This includes 20 per cent of unitsfor residents with verylow incomes, such as those receiving income or disabilityassistance.

The remaining 30 per cent of unitsare available at or below market rentsfor households with moderateincomes.

So far,the project is still in very early planning stages and there’s no word on exactly what will be built on the vacant 2.4-acresite at the southwest corner of Old Lillooet Road and Lillooet Road.

There’salso no wordonthe overall projectbudget or how much the province will provide.

The project is being built as a partnership between BC Housing and the MoreThan ARoof Society, anon-profithousing society that develops and manages subsidized housing as well as providing mental health supportand addiction recoveryservices.

The organization currently runs

housing in Vancouver,Richmond, Burnaby, theFraser Valley and Prince George, as well as on Vancouver Island

In November,District of North Vancouver council agreed to put up to 180 affordable rental homes on municipal-owned land on Lillooet Road, just north of the Holiday Inn. Council voted 6-1 torezone the land, allowing the municipalitytoseek out grantfunding from the province for construction of asix-storey building with 100 to 180 homes. Construction on that project is expected to startinthe next two years.

NorthShoreKeepWell Demonstration

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Keep Well demonstration eventonSaturday, April13, 2024

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The province has announced ‘initial funding’for arentalproject in North Van. NICK LABA/NSN FILE

Metro and original design-build contractor suing each other

also questioned both Metro’s lack of oversight on the sewage plant and the process chosen by Metro to design and build the project

Pope said as an elected council member on the North Shore, she’s been as much in the dark as everyone else.

“Nothing’s been shared with councillors,” she said. “There’s a real lack of transparency in this project.”

Pope pointed to terms of reference for the task force that examined the project, which state that all meetings and materials had to be kept confidential

Some of that secrecy is believed to stem from concerns involving several multi-million-dollar lawsuits attached to the project. Acciona, the original designbuild contractor on the sewage plant, and Metro Vancouver are suing each other over the collapse of that contract.

But Pope said refusing to release any information over a long period of time “is over-reaching.”

Accountability lacking, says councillor

Pope said now the scale of the problem has been publicly revealed, “a robust investigation” is needed about “the monitoring that was or wasn’t done” when the

project was initially underway

“The accountability is very important,” she said

“I want to know why it took three years for Metro to determine there were serious problems with this project,” she said.

wrong here?”

Pope is calling for a whistleblower policy to be put in place on major infrastructure projects.

“It’s probably certain that engineers working on this project early on saw and knew of things that were going awry,” she said, but added people usually won’t speak up for fear of being blacklisted for future projects or fired from their jobs.

It’s probably certain that engineers working on this project early on saw and knew of things that were going awry.

DNV COUNCIL MEMBER CATHERINE POPE

“Why did that take so long?”

Pope added it’s taken three more years from the shutdown for Metro to come up with a new budget.

“Can anyone really have confidence in the process without knowing what’s gone

Pope contrasted the North Shore project with a new sewage plant built for Victoria’s Capital Regional District which has a similar capacity That plant was built in three years at a budget of $775 million, she said.

“It’s very interesting to compare the two,” she said. “What did they do right?”

District and City of North Vancouver Mayors Mike Little and Linda Buchanan

Metro Vancouver flagged a large number of deficiencies in the original work done on the new North Shore sewage treatment plant. METRO VANCOUVER

both issued statements voicing deep concern over the cost overruns shortly after the scale of the cost increases was revealed 10 days ago, but Metro politicians have yet to discuss the skyrocketing budget figures in a public meeting.

Metro board members are expected to raise the issue of how and when taxpayers could start being dinged during a budget workshop April 17.

But last week, North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson warned Metro Vancouver shouldn’t count on Ottawa to bail out the regional government

“Clearly the cost escalation is quite incredible,” Wilkinson said about the project March 26, noting the original cost estimate was under $800 million.

He added the costs are “far higher” than for similar projects in other areas.

Wilkinson said it would be wrong, however, to assume senior levels of government are riding to the financial rescue.

The cost escalation “is not the responsibility of the federal government,” he said, noting federal contributions to date assumed of reasonable cost estimates.

Ottawa and Victoria have committed $405 million to the plant’s budget

There are municipalities across the

country building similar infrastructure projects, Wilkinson said, and it would be “very challenging” to bail out one government for cost overruns without being expected to bail out others.

“The federal government can’t be in the position and the province can’t be in the position, that every time there’s a cost overrun on a project that we’ve actually participated in funding, that somehow we’re on the hook,” he said. “I don’t think that they should be looking to the province or the federal government for additional funds.”

“I do think on a go-forward basis that it will be important that Metro Vancouver can be very forthright with people, particularly on the North Shore, about how we went from something that was less than $800 million to now something that is close to $4 billion and is going to add significant amounts of costs to the taxpayer’s bill,” he said.

Wilkinson said it’s understandable that local taxpayers will have questions about the project, but those should be directed to local politicians.

“This is a huge challenge,” he said. “And I think most folks are shocked by the cost escalation in the project. But this is a Metro project.”

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well maintained &has greatbones.Enjoy oak floors under the wall to wall in some rooms.The main floor features aformal living room &dining room with afamily room &powder room flanking the kitchen. All4bedrooms aresituatedon theupper floor along with twofull bathrooms.Newer roof &double garage.Inthe West BayElementary(IB PYP) &Rockridge High School (IB MYP&AP) catchments.Offers if any, April9th at 2pm. Have your Real Estate Agent call to book your privateviewing appointment.

Concrete pouring into forms takes place during work on the massive new sewage treatment plant in North Vancouver in March of 2021. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

Bill Bakerwas thefoundingdirectorofthe NorthShore Museum andArchives, nowMONOVA. He is depictedhere, astridea 1931 HarleyDavidsonmotorcycleondisplay at theold StationMuseum. Theinstitution wasinthe oldPacific GreatEastern RailwayStation building.The structureitselfwas moved from itsoriginallocationbythe CatesWharf area to MahonPark. Baker wasa passionatehistorian andteacher whooften gave toursofthe facility to visiting students and tourists. He eventually retiredin1991, with hiscelebration dinner held at theEmerald Park Restaurant

Visit monova.cafor more informationabout thehistory of theNorth Shoreand to learnabout MONOVA: MuseumofNorth Vancouver, nowopenat115 West EsplanadeinThe Shipyards. MONOVA:Archivesof NorthVancouver is locatedat3203 InstituteRoad in Lynn Valley.Contact:archives@monova.ca

How to avoid falling for scams

Well, another year has rolled by since I last wrote about frauds and scams.

We’ve just finished up March, the month in which we draw attention to frauds and scams across Canada, and these problems are still negatively impacting people. But there is value in writing about this issue again.

After all, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre says, “education and awareness are the strongest line of defense against fraud.”

According to the CAFC, there were 41,111 victims of fraud and $554 million in losses in Canada in 2023.

Though people of all ages can be victims of fraud, older people get targeted more than others. In fact, fraud is the No. 1 crime against older Canadians.

Older people may be getting scammed more because they are often seen as easy targets. They are often more trusting, are at home in the daytime to receive calls, may have few relatives or friends to help scrutinize a potential scam, and they may not be as tech savvy as younger people. Apparently though, younger people are getting scammed more often by AI scams, a growing consumer problem.

We are still seeing the usual (but odious) scams: “grandparent” (fake nephew

Older And Wiser

Margaret Coates

hitting up granduncle for bail money), “romance” (online scam to extort money through a romantic liaison), “service” (replacement of roof or furnace by bogus contractor), “CRA” (money incorrectly said to be owed to Canada Revenue Agency) and “charity” (people pretending to collect for a charity, usually at the door).

A new one which has popped up is the “recovery scam” in which someone who has already been scammed is approached by a scammer who say they will recover the loss from the first scam.

In the case of most of these scams there are some tips to block these.

If you are a granduncle, override the scammers message not to call the parent. If you are online with a romantic liaison, stop contact when they first ask you for money Do not do business with anyone calling at the door and do not respond to email messages from CRA or banks – they

Bill Bakerona bike

Photo: NVMA,3199

Always give yourself time to think

Continued from A36

do not conduct business through email.

In general, take these steps to protect yourself. Never tell another person your PIN or account passwords and do not click on pop-up windows or respond to e-mails, open attachments, or go to website links sent by people you do not know

Never give out your credit card, bank account or personal information to someone over the phone, at the door or over the internet unless you know the person or organization well.

There are times when we are tired, distracted, or unwell and these times may make us more vulnerable to a scammer

So, stop and think before hitting a link in an email or engaging in a discussion with someone at the door or on the phone

Do not sign an agreement until you give yourself time to think it over, or better yet run it by a friend or family member.

If you suspect you’ve been the victim of cybercrime or fraud, report it to your local

police and to the CAFC’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If not a victim, report it to the CAFC anyway. Take seriously the following slogans “buyer beware” and “you don’t get something for nothing” and you will increase your chances of avoiding a scam.

Margaret Coates is the co-ordinator of Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society She has lived on the North Shore for 52 years and has worked for and with seniors for twenty-seven of those years. Ideas for future columns are welcome Email lions_view@ telus.net.

Solutionscan

13.Fired

21.Gator’s relative

23. Getthe point

24.Scribble

26.Insect

28. Send in payment

32.Filledwith wonder

34.Kramden’s vehicle

36.A adozen

37.Doc

39.____-tac-toe

41.Luxurious resort

42.Burst

44. Waterproofed cover

46.Rower

50.Livelydance

53.Winterailment

54. Musicalgroup: 2wds.

56.Falsehood

57.Pimples

58. Glazed

59.Swine’s home

60.Dissolve

61. Current events

CLUESDOWN

1. Circle portions

2. Cool!

3. Guided

4. Smirk scornfully

5. Lived

6. Pivotpoint

7. Leases

8. Tenser

9. Scalp growth

10.Soothing plant

11. Look after

16.Messytype

20.Marshgrass

22.Chicago baseballer

24.Cram

25.Beinthe red

27.Belly

29.Lose

30.Unrulychild

31. Afternoon brew

33. Shortswims

35.Command to Fido

38. Fight against

40.Bottlelids

43.Dry

45.Spring bird

46.Not ons

47.Got down

48.Precious gem

49.Grandma

51.Understood

52.Finds atotal

55.Stitch

Crosswordpuzzle answers use American spelling

Wednesday March 27th Solutions:

A new wave of scams is on the rise. MIKE WAKEFIELD / NSN

Al

REMEMBRANCES

BALFOUR, Janice

October 1, 1953 −November 11, 2023

Janice Eileen Balfour (née Brown) passed away on November 11, 2023. AService of Remembrance will be heldonSaturday, April13, at 1:30 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1110 GladwinAve, North Vancouver, with areception to follow.

ARNTORP, Stella

March 16,1937 −March 18, 2024

On March 18, 2024 at the age of 87,after along illness, Stella Arntorp (n. Clayton) passed away at home surrounded by her family.

Stella was kind, gracious and caring; is much loved and greatly missed by her husband Svend of 55 years; son Jan, wife Marisol and granddaughter Hannah; daughter Jennifer and partner Ray; along with family and friends in Canada, Scotland and Denmark.

Stella was born in Inverness, Scotland on March 16, 1937 to George and Edith Clayton. She spent her early years in Inverness with her siblings, Ruby, George, and Jim. Stella worked in the Inverness Town House as astenographer before immigrating to Canada in 1956, first to Winnipeg and later to Vancouver where she worked as amedical secretary for the Arthritis Society. After marrying Svend and starting their family, she worked as a school secretary for theSurrey School Board until she retired in 1992. Stella &Svend moved to West Vancouver after retirement andcontinued to enjoy manyyears of boating and travel together, most notably to Mayne Island and Indio, California. Stella continued to keep in touch through the years with the many friends she made around the world.

The family wish to express their sincere thanks to the caring staff at both Shylo and Vancouver Coastal Health whose support over the past year have allowed Stella to be home with her family surrounded by love.

At Stella’srequest, aservice will not be held. No flowers please. If desired, donations may be made inStella’smemory to acharity of your choice.

Celebration of Life

Gordon Barlow Tait

August 13,1945 - January 10, 2024

Come celebrate Gordie’s life with a story or two. April 13, 2024, 2-5pm. Doors open at 1pm. Holiday Inn, 700 Old Lillooet Road, North Vancouver

RANGER, Larry

September 27, 1947 −March 19, 2024

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, and husband, Larry Edward Ranger. Larry is survived by his wife of 54 years Rene Ranger nee Anderson, his brother Bill(Susan), and his children Mike, Sheila(Basi ), and Catharine, and grandchildrenMakayla, Evan,and Keenan

For service detai splease visit: www.burquitlamfuneralhome.ca/ memorials/larry−ranger/5400891

DOUGLAS, Jim M.

September 14, 1962 −March 14, 2024

With profound sadness and love, the family of James (’Jim’) (’JD’) Douglas announce his passing on March 14, 2024.

Jim dedicated his life to the care of others. He worked tirelessly as aparamedicfor the BC Ambulance Service for 32 years, where he advocated for access to mental health supports within emergency services and counselled those struggling with post−traumatic stress. Throughout his career, Jim had aremarkable knack for making aside job out of his passions −from mountain biking to white water raft and snowmobile guiding. In the last decade, Jim worked with Raven Rescue as aswift water rescue and confined space instructor, which allowed him to travel to beautiful corners of the province and beyond. In 2017, Jim became afounding member of TEAAM (Technical Evacuation Advance Aero Medical) and, once again, dove into anew passion. This time, for providing advanced medical care via helicopter in remote settings outside the scope of the BC Ambulance Service.

Despite his extraordinary career in emergency patient care, anyone who knew Jim will know that his greatest joy was his loved ones. Jim is missed and lovingly remembered by his parents, Fran and Brian; his brother, Dale; his wife, Ann; his children, Matthew and Nicole; his daughter and son−in−law, Samantha and Kelvin; his granddaughter, Vivian; and his many cherished siblings−in−law, nieces and nephews and friends.

REMEMBRANCES

ANDERSON,Blair N.

October 30, 1939 −March 15, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we sharethe passing of our much−loved husband, father and grandfather,BlairAnderson,who passed onMarch 15,2024, at LionsGateHospital.

Hewas born in Innisfail, Alberta, to parents Philip andLoisAnderson,moving west to North Vancouver as ayoung boy

On November 4, 1983, Blair married Mar ene Pringle, the love of his life and best friend, and became aloving and devotedfathertoSteven, David, and Darren, raising them in North Van. Blair worked for the DistrictofWest Vanasa Water WorksSupervisor until his retirementin2001

B air had apassion for sports. Hebelievedchildren should have sports in theirlife and coached hockey and baseball for over 30 years, soccer for afew years, and established ahockey school in West Van. Healso served as President of Mt Seymour Baseball, where he enjoyed coachingand umpired tournament games as well.

Blair had an infectious smile and an awesome senseofhumour, making friends whereverhe went

He lovedcountry music and, with Marlene, went to many country events, concerts and festivals, enjoyinggreat music and mak ng lifelong friends

Blair was avery proudand happyfamilyman

Beingblessed with ten grandchildren added such pleasure to his life. He and Marlenehostedfamily events,and kept busy enjoying allthe grandchildren’s activities. Heenjoyed manyhappy family times at HarrisonHot Springs, where they kept their 5th wheel, ahighlight being entering a family float in the July 1st parade each CanadaDay.

Blair is survived by hisloving wife, Marlene; three sons, Steven (Tara), David, andDarren(Nicole); and was avery proud "Bumpa" to his ten precious grandchildren, Daniel, Megan, Emma, Brandon, Alissa, Hannah, Rebecca, Julia, Naomi,and Hudson −all of themthe light of his life.

Blair also cherished his time withhis grandchildren’s partners,Brenden, Kiana, James and Conor, considering them as partofhis extended family

Blair is also survivedby hisbrotherJerry (Vickie), Clarke(Debbie) and many nieces and nephews. Hewas predeceased by his parents, Philipand Lois;brother, Barry Anderson; andsisters, Gayle Anderson and Sharon Middlemiss.

Celebration of life will be heldApril 6, 2024, 3:00 −6:00pmatMtSeymour United Church, 1200Parkgate Ave, North Vancouver, BC In lieu of flowers, donations to Athletics4Kids (www.a4k.ca) would be appreciated.

Alight hasgone out of our lives, but the love you gave will shineforever

COLLETT,Wayne Neville

January 8, 1941 -March 20, 2024

Withprofound sadness, we announce that our loving husband,father & grandfather,Wayne Neville Collettpassed away on Wednesday,March 20thatthe NorthShore Hospice, surrounded by his cherished family and Schnoodle, Rumi, afterashort but valiant battle with arapidly invasive esophagealcancer.Heleaves behind his beloved family,the loves of his life -(Catherine)Kim, wife of 57 years, daughters Elisabeth Collett and Meghan Menning, granddaughters Mylie and Kaiya Menning and Rob, their loving father,b-i-l John (Maureen) Maclachlan-and the extended family.Predeceased by parents H. Neville Collett and Janet Marie Collett and infant granddaughter Brianna Collett Oble.

Born in Regina, after GradeOne Wayne grew up in Nelson and GrandForks -a childhood filled with nearby forests and lakes, ripe for embracing and exploring nature andboys’ games and dreamswith his friends. AB.Comm. (‘63) from UBC wasfollowed by his Chartered Accountant designation (‘65)(Peat Marwick Mitchell). On grad, he promptly joined RoyNat Ltd. where, over 14 years, he moved from Investment Officer to Asst. Manager,BC, on to Manager,London, Ontario, thenback as Manager,BC, thence to Montreal as Treasurer for six-plus years.

In 1979, he returned to Vancouver as Treasurer,Westcoast Transmission/Energy, then Director,RegulatoryAffairs and Rates, and lastly as V.P. &Comptroller, Westcoast Power.Wayne enjoyed the world of Financeand his long association with FinancialExecutives Institute.

Wayne’sfirst love was his home and family.A 44-yearresident of North Vancouver,hereveled at the local nature. Passions placed downhill skiing at the top of the list, enjoying fiveyears post-retirement as aWhistler Mountain Host volunteer.RV-ing from Alaska to the Mexican border,fromthe West Coast beaches to the Rockies to the desert, Wayne loved the outdoors, including hiking with friends, family and dog, biking, camping, sailing -locally,with neighbours, aroundVancouver Islandwith 3friends, and Ωway to Alaska -rollerblading, and long walks, squash and badminton in his younger days, watching Formula One, Indy and NASCARracing, his winemaking (starting in aKits beach apartment closet) and reluctantly playing bridge from day one with Kim and their buddies. Wayne loved the details of the newsand of what made thingswork, awe-inspiring views, the parties he and Kim threw,and his privacy

On their first trip outside BC since Covid,from August into October,Wayne and Kim treasured the wonders of Iceland and the beaches of Spain and spots in between cruisingblissfully unaware of the rampant cancer inside -atrue gift to both.

Thanks to BC Cancer Agency’squick response and to Lions GateHospital ER, Surgical, and Palliative &Hospice Careteams -their caring efficiency and dedication were superb: Dr.Lakha andDr. Fowler beyond superstars.

Asmall private memorial gathering will be held to honour Wayne’slife and remember his passions and loves.

Inlieu of flowers, “In Memory”donations for Wayne may be made to Lions Gate HospitalFoundation/Hospiceathttps://lghfoundation.com/tributes/wayne-collett ortothe BC Cancer Foundation, or the charity of yourchoice.

CURTIS, Dr.Charles Kenneth Professor Emeritus UBC 1932 -2024

Charles slipped away peacefully to be with his Lord Jesus, with his wife Kathie by his side ,March 11.

He wasa scholarearning 4universitydegrees. For his Doctorate of Educationfrom UtahState University,hewon an Exemplary award forhis Dissertation by the USCouncil of Social Studies. He wasalso agifted writer andhis research articles can be found in many universitiesaround the world. He taught at U.B.C. for25years in the Faculty of Education. However his favourite teaching wasatWest Vancouver Senior’sCentre, where he taught as avolunteer,ukulele classesfor 7years.

In retirement, he loved being with family; riding his motorcycle with his daughter Wendy; taking his annualHonolulu trip andplaying his ukuleles.He entertained family andfriends with his playing and singing. Kathie loved hearing him play daily

Charles wasahumanitarian who volunteered throughout his life, whether at his churchorfor People First, whomhetaught to advocate for themselves. He alsogavehis time to research and do areport on theDare Programinthe West Vancouver schools forthe West Vancouver Police. This led him to be asked to give presentations to the RCMP in the Lower Mainland andOttawa

His greatest achievement is being the best husband, father andgrandfather.Hewas the greatest story teller andalso agood listener

We all love him dearly and were very sadtosay “Good-bye”

Charles waspredeceased by his first wife, Hilda Cornelson. He is survived by his beloved wife Kathie, andhis children: Wendy (Fran), Bonnie (Rod), Geoffrey (Andrea),Peter (Sue), James (Louise); grandchildren: Tim, Brooke, Kelsey,Paige, Logan,Macy,Carter andEstelle;great grandchildren: Mack andWinnie.

Charles made friends wherever he went ,including all around the world. Theylovedhis humbleness, great sense of humour andloyalty

Please join us to celebrate Charles -Friday,April 19 at !;00 in the afternoon, West Vancouver United Church, 2062 Esquimalt Avenue, West Vancouver Donations can be made to theBCKidney Foundation

As you share thestories and thememories of how they livedtheir lives and how very much they meant, may youfind comfort

As yousharethe storiesand the memories of howtheylived their lives and howvery much they meant, mayyou find comfort...

Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

REMEMBRANCES

COOPER, Faye

March 17, 1934 -February4,2024

Allofuswho knew Fayeare grieving theloss of asingular woman -avivacious andcheerfulpersonatthe centre of everysocial occasion right untilthe end, but also apersonwitha fierceintelligence andpassion in supportofthe causes andpeopleshe loved andbelieved in,froma lifelongfighttoimprove the rights ofwomen, to her family and many close friends.

Faye wasbornaprairie girl in Wadena, Saskatchewan to parents Stewart and Evelyn Fingarson. Getting through theDepression of the1930’staught herthe values of hard work,thrift, and never takinganything forgranted.After thefamily moved to Vancouver,she found academic success at John Oliver High School; sheremained in touch with her friends from“J.O.”onthe reunion organizing committees.

It wasthrough theirinvolvement in musicand theatre at UBC that shemet the love of her life,Brian Cooper.The deep and abidinglove atthe heartoftheir marriageformedthe foundationoftheir lives andthose of theirfriends and family,lastingfor more than60years until Brianpredeceased her in 2019

Upon graduationfrom UBC, Faye wentontobuild an accomplished professional career,striving to exemplifyher beliefthat nothing shouldstop a determined woman. Followinga briefstint in theAir Force when shewas stationed in theYukon (and acquired alove forthe poetry of Robert Service), she built her career throughwriting, first in journalismand laterinPublic Relations (PR).She workedfirst asa writer forseveral prairienewspapers and the CBC in Vancouver.Aftermoving to Torontowithher family,her career experiences included doing PR forAtomicEnergyofCanada, Sheridan College,and the University of Toronto. Ultimately she returned to Vancouver and ledthe PR department at VGH, whereshe couldoftenbefound onTVexplainingthe latest healthcarecrisis.

Fayenever lost her desiretofurther her education, and went back to university fora Master’s in Women’sStudies at SFUin1992.Itwas whileatSFU that she metthe nucleus of thegroup she dubbed“FGroup”,which has continued meetingtothisday

Along theway,friends, family and business colleagues enjoyed her intellect, sparklingsocial skillsand sense of fun, including at many Bowyer Island cottage weekends (inthe 80’s) and dinnerparties in Torontoand North Van, oft-times involvinghilarious skitsFaye had written. Agracious hostess, Fayewas an avid and(mostly victorious!)Scrabbleplayer, and enjoyedcurling, reading, bridge, andmahjong. Faye and Brian travelledthe worldextensively.Morerecently, she contributedyears to theStrata CouncilatThe Grande, where shestepped downasVicePresident onlyafew months ago. Surrounded by stacks of books, recipes, andlists of clubsand friends,she wasrespected andadored by those aroundher

Faye workedtirelessly throughout her lifetoadvance thecause of women’s rights, including as afounding member of theNorthShore Women’sCentre. Shewas known forher determination, integrity, forceofwilland good cheer under duress.Strong,passionate, and independent,she wasa leaderwho was also full of fun.

Faye managed her ownlife right until theend, and died athomesurrounded by her family and long-time caregivers. She leaves Paul Cooper (wife Judi) and Valerie Ball(husbandNigel), herfour grandchildrenAmelia and Shannon Cooper,Vicky Pinchin(husband Tom) and DougBall, and cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends too numerous tolist. ACelebrationofLifeisplannedfor April25at3pm (rsvp to paul@paulcooper.org)

Flowers gratefully declined, but if you wish to make donations in lieu, please directthem to North ShoreWomen’sCentre, 131East 2nd St.North Vancouver, BC,V7L 1C2, 604-984-6009, info@northshorewomen.ca -30-

Obituaries

PARTRICK,Carole M.

September 21,1936−March4,2024

It is withtremendous sadnessthatweannounce thepassing of our beloved mother and grandmother.Mom passed awaypeacefully at home with her children by her side at theage of 87 years. She was born in Edmonton, with thefamily moving to Nanaimowhen she was in Grade 9.She trained andworked as anurse in Vancouver but left nursingtostart afamily in NorthVancouver with herhusband, Bruce.She was an amazingMom, always putting familyand friends first andmaking sure everything was planned out perfectly.She was generous ofheart andsoul andalways interested in others.She was kind andthoughtful, an excellent cook,baker, andseamstress. We have great memories of family holidaysand so many wonderful memories from Gambier Island. Momand Dadalwayswelcomedfriends andfamily withgreat foodand drink. There werealways chores to do, but so many funactivities like hiking, swimming, fishing, riding horses, feedingthe pigs, gathering eggs, andoutdoor andindoor games. Shehad so many cherished friends,including her nursing classmates, theairline families, NorthVan neighbours, Gambier families, andher newer Dundarave neighbours andexercise friends.She struggledwithongoingand worsening health issues over thepast several yearsbut now is finally at peace. She was predeceasedbyher husband, Bruce(2012) andsister, Audrey. She is survived by her lovingchildren, Joanne(Daryl) andMike(Val), andgrandkids Max, Dane, Owen,Reid, Joel, and Theo. We willall miss her terribly.

JIM ROBERTS

January 20, 1939 -December 15, 2023

Please oinus for acelebraton of Jim’slife on Saturday, April 13th, 2024,2:00 pm at Boa Chapel, with areception to follow.For those unable to attendinperson,a link to the live-stream can be found at thebottom of Jim’sobituary at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/ north-vancouver-bc/james-roberts-11588022

Obituaries

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