Metro board launches audit process for problem-plagued sewage plant
LIFESTYLE 13
North Vancouver man hit hard by cancer fights back on his bike
SPORTS 15
North Shore athletes pack the podium at provincial event
JANE SEYD
jseyd@nsnews.com
District of West Vancouver councillors say they’ll reluctantly take a second look at the province’s demand to rezone single-family lots to allow the building of multiple housing units.
West Vancouver council met Monday afternoon to consider the issue after B.C.’s Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon put the district on notice last week that he expects the municipality to comply with provincial requirements to rezone outstanding properties to allow multiple units – within the next month.
At a special council meeting Monday, councillors voted to request a one-month extension of that deadline, to Sept. 23. But after Kahlon said in an interview the province would step in if the district didn’t meet his 30-day deadline, council was to meet again today (July 31) to reconsider passing the zoning changes next month.
The moves this week come after the district received a 30-day non-compliance notice from the province on Thursday, after voting in May to reject passing bylaw amendments that would have had the municipality fall in line with provincial rules about adding density on single-family properties.
The legislation requires that municipalities legalize between three and six housing units on single-family lots.
GRAEME WOOD
gwood@glaciermedia.ca
Metro Vancouver’s board of directors is taking its first step toward what it is calling an “independent performance audit” of the beleaguered North Shore sewage plant project that is now $3.2 billion over budget from its original price tag 15 years ago.
At a meeting on Friday, Metro Vancouver chair Mike Hurley said the performance audit is important to restore trust in the regional government after the extraordinary cost overrun for the project was announced to the public last March.
The board has now directed Hurley to find external counsel to develop the scope and terms of reference of the audit he says will look at the “whole process” from the beginning, when the project was expected to cost only $700 million.
“We need to turn around the confidence meter in the public,” said Hurley, referencing the widespread discontent over significant tax increases, especially for property owners of North Shore municipalities.
Some directors were less bullish on the performance audit, however.
District of North Vancouver Coun. Lisa Muri expressed criticism at media coverage of Metro Vancouver.
“It’s unfortunate this story is not balanced,” said Muri, adding that media has been overly focused on money and not looking at the project history.
City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan said the audit needs to be “fully public” and not like the opaque task force the board had struck.
“Yes, it is about the money because this is a project that went from $700 million to nearly $4 billion,” said Buchanan, noting historic documentation on the project is scant.
Several directors noted the audit may be handcuffed by the fact, according to vice-chair John McEwan, there is $1 billion of ongoing claims in litigation between Metro Vancouver and the former contractor Acciona.
Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward questioned if this audit would simply “yield the same general result the task force went through,” noting the task force met in-camera and members already “know why it’s $3.7 billion – the public doesn’t.”
“I think this is getting out of control and I think this is a potential colossal waste of money,” said Woodward.
It remains to be seen what the audit will cost, with members bandying around figures up to $1 million.
Burnaby Coun. Sav Dhaliwal cautioned of a “knee-jerk reaction” and said Metro Vancouver is doing good work delivering on essential services such as drinking water.
“The problem has been addressed,” said Dhaliwal, one of the longest tenured directors and past chair.
But City of Delta Coun. Dylan Kruger said the audit will be “good value for dollars.”
The appointment of independent counsel to steer the audit has come with some initial
controversy.
Metro Vancouver’s past chair George Harvie first announced the problem-plagued project would be independently reviewed in June. But Harvie was removed as Delta’s representative at Metro Vancouver, removing him as chair, coinciding with a spending controversy concerning high-priced travel expenses, first reported by Glacier Media.
On Friday, Hurley announced a pause on international travel for board and committee members and review of travel policy.
And, last week, Hurley initially suggested William Peter Joseph McCarthy as an independent advisor only to back away from McCarthy after five local councillors questioned McCarthy’s political affiliations and possible campaign contributions to both Hurley and the BC NDP.
Councillors Daniel Fontaine (New Westminster), Paul Minhas (New Westminster), Linda Annis (Surrey), Ahmed Yousef (Maple Ridge) and Kash Heed (Richmond) have all championed an independent audit of the project.
Woodward was eager to test his comedy with the board, calling the five councillors “the factless five.”
Woodward, who is paid $168,823 as mayor, was also dismissive of media coverage of Metro Vancouver expenses, quipping that the “largest charcuterie booze fest was the premier’s last year” at a conference – this in reference to a Global News report this week that Metro Vancouver hosted an open bar and paid for fancy food totalling $64,620.94 at the 2023 Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual conference. The board’s next meeting is Sept. 27.
JANE SEYD
jseyd@nsnews.com
A concrete retaining wall that will rise 13 feet high right beside the West Vancouver Centennial Seawalk in Dundarave has been approved by council.
District of West Vancouver council voted 5-1 July 22 to approve the wall being built on a waterfront property at 2368
Bellevue Ave. to protect the property from storm surges and the impacts of sea level rise.
The wall – which will be built nine feet taller than is currently allowed – attracted significant controversy over the past month, with some members of the public arguing that the wall will be a visual eyesore and set a precedent for other waterfront property owners to build tall walls next to
the Seawalk.
Others said the new home that will be built on the property and the landscaping the owners are proposing will be an improvement over what is currently on the site.
Property co-owner Janice O’Sullivan told council the issue has become an emotional one over the past month, with a petition circulating against the proposal, and some suggesting the wall was
mainly to provide privacy for a swimming pool that was part of the original plan.
Co-owner Phil Cotterill said the swimming pool has since been eliminated from the plans as the cost was too high.
“We’re not going to build a swimming pool,” he said.
The owners said the wall is being built to comply with provincial flood protection rules, now
incorporated into the district’s development permit guidelines, which take into account anticipated sea level rise up to the year 2100.
Coun. Scott Snider said it “seems extreme” to force homeowners to build to a worst-case scenario 75 years in the future.
Coun. Sharon Thompson added that building to those guidelines
AMBLESIDE HOUSING
JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com
A scaled down version of West Vancouver’s local area plan for the Ambleside apartment area was passed by council July 22, two weeks after different amendments to the same plan were voted down.
The plan passed last week lowered the maximum height of future buildings in several areas, after council heard concerns at an earlier public hearing about the prospect of “non-stop highrises.”
of
spoke enthusiastically about the plan.
In particular, the maximum height of future apartment buildings in the “Hollyburn corner” area opposite the West Vancouver Community Centre has been reduced from 14 storeys to four storeys, and the maximum on former land use sites in the 1300 block of Clyde and Duchess avenues has been trimmed from 14 storeys to 12. Infill housing on a large site at 2222 Bellevue Ave. – the “Pink Palace” apartment building – should be situated to minimize view impacts on surrounding apartments under the new plan. Redevelopment on church and public assembly sites has also been lowered in some cases and should be encouraged to be ground-oriented on Esquimalt Avenue sites, according to the plan.
“I think these go a long way to address the concerns we heard in the community,” said West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager.
Councillor Linda Watt agreed, saying she recognized many members of the community were uncomfortable with the way some of the earlier changes – with higher building heights – were introduced.
But Sager made it clear council isn’t done with the plan and intends to bring back further amendments in September to deal with particular sites.
The plan – meant to guide future development in the district’s Ambleside apartment area – has already been through several previous versions.
At a public hearing held in June, several building owners, including the owners of the iconic 1960s-era “Pink Palace,” owners of Ambleside Towers, and the Ambleside Tenants Association spoke in favour of allowing greater density and infill housing on large lots to provide more housing. Several members of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church –also contemplating a redevelopment – also
Several residents of a former land-contract building at 1340 Duchess Ave. also spoke in favour of an increased density for their property, adding current owners are currently facing “very costly repairs” and increased density is needed to make redevelopment of the building economically feasible.
But other residents voiced concern about the heights of highrises being contemplated.
Several people also raised the concern that if a development proposal included a building height up to 14 storeys and that height was already in the OCP, under provincial rules there would be no further public hearing on the plan.
At the July 8 meeting where the previously modified plan was rejected by council, both Couns. Christine Cassidy and Linda Watt said building heights in the plan were too high in several areas along Marine Drive.
“I also think that we have to look at and consider and respect the opinions of the organizations like ADRA (the Ambleside Dundarave Residents Association) that represent a lot of citizens within that community,” said Watt.
Coun. Nora Gambioli noted young people who showed up to the public hearing had urged council to create more housing, adding it was council’s job to consider the future needs of the entire district.
She said she would have preferred the plan with higher maximum heights but would support the compromise agreement council had come up with.
Earlier this month, council also unanimously approved a newly created rental replacement and tenant assistance policy aimed at helping tenants who face eviction in the face of redevelopment plans.
JANE SEYD
jseyd@nsnews.com
A plan announced last year to build an inflated dome containing six tennis courts along with new covered pickleball courts in West Vancouver’s Hugo Ray Park has officially been deflated. The district quietly let the air out of the plan this spring after escalating cost
estimates combined with environmental and geotechnical studies of the site revealed the project would cost far more than budgeted.
In April 2023, Mayor Mark Sager announced that a memorandum of understanding had been reached between the municipality and Tennis BC that would see
the sporting organization build and run a new tennis bubble along with covered pickleball courts in the park that would be open to the public 85 per cent of the time.
At the time, Sager described Hugo Ray as “a perfect location” and predicted the future tennis bubble and pickleball courts would be a great amenity. The North Shore Tennis Society also enthusiastically welcomed the news when it was first announced, describing it as “a great day for tennis in West Vancouver.”
But it turns out the park was not as ideal a location for the courts as first imagined.
Feasibility studies conducted through the fall of 2023 and winter of 2024 showed significant “silty sand, organic fill and wood mulch” on the site, consistent with its past use as dumping site for organic fill and wood waste, said Jill Lawlor, senior manager of parks for the municipality.
“It wasn’t a good site to build on without investment,” she said. “It was outside of our budget.”
Eventually, the scope of the combined facility and the cost of
remediating the site to accommodate the tennis bubble and pickleball courts was beyond the amount of funding that both Tennis BC and the district could commit to, according to the district.
“You start with a shack and then you want a mansion,” she said. “At the end of the day it was going to be too much.”
About $350,000 – part of the $800,000 previously earmarked for the pickleball courts at Hugo Ray – has since been dedicated to construction of four new outdoor pickleball courts in Ambleside Park.
The four new pickleball courts are being built on Ambleside’s gravel “H field,” previously used as a parking lot south of the Spirit Trail near the par 3 golf course.
Construction has started, and the municipality is hoping to see the courts open in the fall, said Lawlor.
After that, the pickleball community will consider the best spot to invest the remainder of the money, she said.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in North America, particularly among seniors. There
has been significant demand for court time in West Vancouver, where an older population tends to mirror the demographic of pickleball players.
But as in other communities where pickleball has taken off, the sport has not been without detractors and controversies.
Five years ago, in 2019, the first three outdoor pickleball courts opened in West Van at 29th Street and Marine Drive on a former tennis court – where they quickly filled up with enthusiastic players. Just as quickly, however, pickleballers drew noise complaints from neighbours.
That prompted the council of the day to reverse course and shut down those pickleball courts, converting them back to tennis courts in 2022.
In their place, the municipality set up four temporary pickleball courts on the northern sports court at Normanby Park. Those courts were made permanent by council July 8.
There are also four West Vancouver parks where tennis and pickleball players share courts: at Benbow, Chairlift, Cypress Park School and Whytecliff parks.
The political brinkmanship going on between the province and the District of West Vancouver over new provincial housing rules is a great example of what’s probably not a great way to make significant land use decisions.
Both parties have some blame to accept here – West Van council for deciding that making a political protest was more important than dealing with the issue in an orderly fashion, and the province for pretending these changes are key to solving the housing crisis (they won’t) and taking special delight in poking a council it sees as refusing its ideological directive.
Housing is an emotional issue at the best of times, and these certainly are not the best of times. The need for more housing is acute on the North Shore, as it
is almost everywhere else in the province.
But the reality is the high value of land in West Vancouver makes most solutions difficult, particularly in today’s environment. When the math doesn’t add up, no amount of legislation is going to work.
But it’s also true that West Vancouver has been extremely slow to embrace change, particularly in existing neighbourhoods. The protracted contortions around changes to the Ambleside local area plan – including the addition of, and then walking back of, density on apartment sites – are a recent example of that.
Unfortunately for West Van council, the province is the one with the hammer in this dispute, as the provincial government has the power to override local councils.
This week, West Van looks set to receive an uncomfortable reminder of that fact.
KIRK LAPOINTE
KLaPointe@glaciermedia.ca
The government of Ontario recently directed its Crown corporations to spend one-quarter of their advertising budgets with local media. The umbrella group that represents traditional media, News Media Canada, is encouraging other provinces to follow suit.
This support is nothing new or unique. Over decades – indeed, going back nearly 250 years – government assistance of media through advertising has been common, mainly because it has been an effective way to convey relevant public information. Postal subsidies aren’t new, either, because there has been a general recognition that publishers shouldn’t – and couldn’t – pay the going rate, considering
the value of what was being conveyed.
There isn’t a business alive that doesn’t qualify for tax treatment that most individuals would consider preferential. Corporate income tax rates are lower, and businesses can write off capital and operating expenses, depreciate assets to mitigate taxes, and write off the interest on their loans. Countless industries benefit from specific sectoral subsidies; media are simply in on the ride now, and it carries considerable controversy.
In recent years, the federal government began subsidizing journalism salaries. Most media in this country benefit from a labour tax credit for newsroom employees: up to 35 per cent of salaries, with a ceiling of anyone making $85,000 annually, meaning a subsidy of up to $29,750. And under recent federal legislation, Google now furnishes $100 million annually to media, disbursed by
an independent media collective, under its exemption from a federal law that requires mandatory agreements with publishers.
Of course, there are also public broadcasters – the CBC and provincial broadcasters like B.C.’s Knowledge Network – with a mixture of public and private revenue sources. They’re no small competitors for local media revenue.
Media is a different business – a business with a soul, it’s often called – that earns trust through its objective methods to pursue the truth, operate independently, minimize harm and hold institutions (and themselves) accountable.
Speaking as a journalist, and not as someone who has to worry about the balance sheet, our occupation is placed in an uncomfortable situation with the labour subsidy. It creates in some minds a perceived conflict of
interest and the appearance of the financial backing of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau –and the appearance that the support comes with a price on independence and fairness in reporting. People have always squawked about soft media coverage of governments, but these days any story that doesn’t tackle Trudeau comes under withering criticism as evidence we are in his pocket. It is more accurate to say journalists are at his – and others’ – whims. Senior governments particularly, and local governments often, have developed sophisticated, well-financed systems of controlling how information is managed and meagerly disclosed. They’ve largely cocooned public servants so they no longer speak directly to reporters. They’ve resorted to emailed “statements” through communications
Dear Editor:
Are we on the North Shore in a state of subliminal denial?
We have watched recently devastating fires in Lahaina, Jasper, Lytton and Kelowna, and express great sympathy of course, but what about our own exposure to fires?
How many trees are there within 25 kilometres of Lions Gate Bridge? Would it be 500,000, 1 million, 5 million? What about the dry underbrush? What would be the devastation for the 200,000 plus North Shore residents if we have a long dry spell, and high winds and out of control fires?
I have spoken to 30 or so residents of the North Shore in the last couple of months and asked them what steps they have taken to proactively protect their property, whether we have fire alarm sirens for the North Shore, what are the planned escaped routes and when and how “to run.”
The silence in every case was deafening. It is abundantly clear that fire protection awareness on the North Shore is minimal and we should all be greatly improving our knowledge and asking our elected officials to immediately raise public awareness. Beyond awareness, should we be demanding that we have far better fire fighting infrastructure, fire breaks and
fire equipment?
This is a catastrophe waiting to happen, but it can be averted!
Dan Walsh North Vancouver
Dear Editor:
RE: Metro Vancouver Rejects Significant Cost Sharing on $2.8B North Shore Sewage Plant Overrun, May 31 news story
We are retired residents within the City of North Vancouver and pay property taxes. We are still reeling from the news of the impending levy to cover the sewage treatment fiasco.
We appreciate the reduced levy (from $725 for 30 years to $590); but we are frustrated that this levy must be borne solely by households.
We believe this unique situation needs a unique solution; not just adding more onto already steep home taxes.
Toilets abound in many buildings; not just homes. They are in restaurants, offices, schools, hospitals, and all other commercial buildings.
How about a toilet levy versus a household levy?
Jan New North Vancouver
departments or ministerial offices instead of in-person quotes, mainly to ensure every syllable does not step off the message track. They require journalists to use freedom of information law to get the most routine records. They often employ former journalists to manage this system, which is doubly galling.
There have been significant increases in the workload of a typical journalist, due mainly to the reduction in the size of newsrooms, due mainly to the decline in advertising revenue. Google and Facebook carry more than 80 per cent of the country’s online advertising, using those tech stacks to help advertisers target specific audiences for their goods and services.
This cheaper delivery system has undercut print and broadcast advertising. The impact has hurt disproportionately at a local level, where there is a smaller base of business. The business of local media has been looking for a way out of the woods for some time now, and durable answers escape
the industry.
What’s clear is that it isn’t possible to reverse the advertising losses that the tech giants gained, so media need new sources of revenue to pay for journalism. Communities say they want and need an accurate, thorough source of local information. But because so many online sources are free for the taking, it’s difficult to get consumers to pay for journalism. Thus, at this challenging economic crossroad as it sorts out the business solution, the industry has little choice but to turn to government – at least temporarily.
Which is why governments – and politicians of all stripes – should favour policies that support local businesses like hometown media, not the far-flung tech giants, if they’re going to spend to promote their non-partisan activities. Provided it’s done at arm’s length, Ontario’s approach would be a reasonable strategy here to encourage new and existing media with a greater chance to sustain. Kirk LaPointe is a West Vancouver columnist with an extensive background in journalism.
JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com
North Shore business leader and philanthropist Yuri Fulmer has joined the provincial election race in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky as the Conservative candidate.
Fulmer, 50, a prominent businessman and founder of Fulmer & Co., is also chancellor of Capilano University and is known for his community and philanthropic work including his role as chairman of the worldwide United Way charity and co-chair of Vancouver’s Honda Celebration of Light.
Fulmer is also the recipient of the Order of British Columbia and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, among others.
He announced his nomination as the Conservative candidate for the riding last week. Fulmer said up to now, politics hasn’t been on his agenda, but “to be honest I felt a need to do it,” he said. “I just feel our province is at a point where we need to correct the path we’re on.”
“We’re running a huge deficit. We’ve got a health care system in crisis. We’ve got an education system that’s no longer the example for the rest of the world that it once
Yuri Fulmer, chancellor of Capilano University and North Shore business leader, has announced he is running for the BC Conservatives in the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding. BC CONSERVATIVES
was,” he said.
Fulmer has previously been a member of the Conservative Party of Canada and the B.C. Liberal Party. He said he was only a member of the B.C. Conservatives for about 48 hours before being nominated.
“I’m a big believer in [Conservative leader] John Rustad. I think he’s a pragmatic guy. I think he’s a straight shooter,” he said.
“I have a lot of confidence in his leadership.”
Fulmer lives with his family in West
FATEMAH FALAH
Contributing writer
Participants at last year’s RBC GranFondo Whistler cycling event can vividly remember a familiar face among riders, known for his unconventional approach to promoting cancer prevention.
He yelled at male riders, “Gentlemen, if you haven’t had your prostate checked, go get a blood test – it could save your life! I’m here with you today because I survived prostate cancer, thanks to early detection.”
That man is Colin Bridge, a North Vancouverite who has been deeply touched by cancer since 1984, having lost his mother that year and daughter last year to the disease, while he and his wife have also faced their own battles with cancer.
“If I can encourage just one person to make an appointment and get a blood test done, then I will call that success,” he said.
When Bridge was in his final year of high school, he lost his 45-year-old mother to breast cancer. That marked his first real encounter with the devastating impact of cancer.
“I can say with a fairly high degree of certainty that if the type of breast cancer my mother had 40 years ago occurred today, she would not have died. The research has changed, and the investment in technology and understanding has improved so much that she probably would have survived if she had that cancer today.”
In 2000, his wife was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At the time, they had three young children.
“My wife’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
was treated, but it wasn’t until Dr. Paul Klimo introduced a new, experimental drug – Rituxan – that was not yet widely available on the market. Dr. Klimo knew that the chemotherapy and possible radiation treatments probably wouldn’t be effective.
After some tests confirmed this, he opted to use Rituxan, which was just coming into use. That drug cured my wife’s cancer, and she has been cancer-free since. It was the impact of research and advancements in science that solved her cancer.”
In 2014, Bridge himself was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, his cancer
journey was very short, thanks to the research and development in early detection of prostate cancer.
His doctor, Dr. Haley Broker, who had her own experience with her partner dying of prostate cancer, insisted that Bridge take additional tests.
“It was through her insistence that I had a test done. I felt fine, had no symptoms, and as far as I was concerned, I was fit and healthy at the age of 40. She insisted on just getting it checked because I was there, and she uncovered something a little bit unusual in my prostate. That led to the diagnosis of
an aggressive form of prostate cancer that was immediately dealt with within a threemonth period, and now I am cancer-free.”
Sadly, Bridge’s battle with cancer was far from over. In January 2022, his 26-year-old daughter, Laurie, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer, a disease completely out of character for someone her age.
Laurie’s treatment program started with Dr. Sasha Smiljanic and the staff at the Lions Gate Hospital’s chemotherapy clinic. She entered BC Cancer’s flagship study in precision medicine, the Personalized OncoGenomics (POG) Program.
“Dr. Smiljanic’s team did everything they possibly could,” said Bridge. “They were looking for ways to try and solve the mystery of Laurie’s cancer, but they ran out of time, and she died on July 15, 2023. However, I passionately believe that in a couple of years, maybe sooner, scientists will have done the research, have the funds, and have the support needed to start solving the mystery of colorectal cancers in young people.”
Driven by his firm belief in the power of scientific research to make a difference, Bridge has long supported fundraising efforts for the BC Cancer Foundation, including B.C.’s largest cycling fundraiser for cancer research, Tour de Cure.
“I did my very first cancer fundraising ride in 2007 when Lance Armstrong came to Vancouver and helped raise a lot of money for the BC Cancer Foundation.”
This year, Bridge is more passionate than ever about raising funds for the BC Cancer Foundation through his participation in the
TAKE YOURSELF THERE
JULY 24 - AUGUST 18
SILK PURSE ARTS CENTRE
Mixed media collage duo Patti Henderson & Katarina Thorsen, & painters Amber Nordstrand & Emily van Lidth de Jeude reflect on the past, the nature of memory & possibilities for the future For more info: westvanartscouncil.ca
CONCERT FOR CHARITY - SONS OF THE EAST
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 7 P.M. - 10:30 P.M. THE PIPE SHOP
North Vancouver City Firefighters Charitable Foundation is proud to present a Concert for CharitySons Of The East. We're grateful to have this Australian folk band back again! This concert is intended for adults but kids are also welcome. All proceeds will go towards the Bowen Does That One Day Foundation For more info: bowendoesthatoneday.com
JAZZ WAVES: TONY FOSTER TRIO
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 7:30 P.M.
SILK PURSE ARTS CENTRE
North Shore raised pianist & composer Tony Foster & his all-star band play material from some of the great jazz pianists of our time with their own unique spin! For more info: westvanartscouncil.ca
Continued from A13
Tour de Cure on Aug. 24 and 25.
The Tour de Cure, originally known as the Ride to Conquer Cancer, started in B.C. in 2009. Over the last 15 years, the event has raised more than $124 million to advance cancer research and enhance care in the province.
According to Chris Cook, director of mass participation events at the BC Cancer Foundation, more than 1,500 riders participate in the Tour de Cure every year. The riders gather in Cloverdale before embarking on a 100-kilometer journey to Chilliwack. Some riders choose to take on the 160km challenge route. After the day’s ride, everyone arrives in Chilliwack, where they camp overnight, enjoy guest speakers from the BC Cancer Foundation, and recognize riders. The next morning, they set off early for another 100 km from Chilliwack to Hope, completing 200 km in two days.
Cook said that last year alone, the riders raised $7 million, which went to support 15 critical BC Cancer Foundation programs around the province, including a new 12,000-square-foot building in Victoria and the expansion of a cutting-edge clinical trials program in the north.
Provincially, they helped establish a provincial lung cancer screening program
for early detection, which since 2019 has uncovered 140 cases of lung cancer, with more than 70 per cent diagnosed in Stage 1 or Stage 2, highlighting the importance of early detection, Cook said.
He noted that the province has more than 30,000 new cancer cases diagnosed each year, with more than 80,000 in care annually.
“Given these figures, there is just a tremendous need for the fundraising to advance cancer care and research.”
Cook encouraged everyone to visit tourdecure.ca or the BC Cancer Foundation website to learn more and register to participate in the ride or as a volunteer.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the event, helping with setup, ensuring road safety, and supporting riders and participants,” he said.
Bridge will be riding at the Tour de Cure alongside his oldest daughter and her partner, supported by his wife and youngest daughter. Together, they have formed a team named Laurie-Saurus Lollygaggers, to honour the memory of his late daughter. He aims to raise $25,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation.
Fatemeh Falah is an intern reporter with the North Shore News. She can be contacted at zohreh.fallah1981@gmail.com.
NICK LABA nlaba@nsnews.com
Summer might not be all fun, but it’s certainly games for a roster of fierce young athletes from across the North Shore.
From July 17 to 21, dozens of competitors from North Vancouver and West Vancouver travelled to Maple Ridge, where they joined the roughly 2,430 athletes at this year’s BC Summer Games.
The 33rd annual Games took place on the q̓ic̓əy (Katzie) and qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən (Kwantlen) First Nations, and were supported by 1,100 volunteers, 482 coaches and 213 officials, according to the organizers.
In total, North Shore athletes took home 10 gold, 12 silver and nine bronze medals, and were particularly strong in water sports and on the wrestling mat.
Here are the local competitors who placed in the Top 3:
In the girls laser radial sailing event, West Van’s Emilia Armitage took gold. She shared the podium with Claire Lamont of North Van
with silver.
North Van sailors swept the podium in the boys optimist class, with Aidan Heeney winning gold, Kirby Ryan silver and Miles Heeney bronze.
In boys laser radial sailing, Gustave Deseau (NV) won silver and Andre Deseau (NV) bronze.
In the towed water sports category, Breenie Jefferson (NV) won an impressive three medals, with golds in the girls trick and jump events and bronze in girls slalom.
Nearby, Cole Webb (NV) grabbed gold in boys trick and silver in boys jump.
Mateya Hariton (NV) paddled to a gold medal in the female canoe-kayak C-2 1,000-m “learn to train” event.
Isabelle Stack-Hunter (NV) swam to silver in the girls 100-m freestyle and bronze in the 100-m butterfly. She also won gold in the 4x50-m freestyle relay and the 4x50-m medley relay, with Cassandra Wang (WV) joining her
on both of those teams. Timothy Hu (WV) won bronze with the 4x50-m freestyle and medley relay teams.
On the wrestling mat, Marko Kieling (NV) dominated the boys 63-kilogram weight class to win gold. Meanwhile, Benny Peng (WV) took gold in boys 60 kg, Taha Ghasemi (NV) pinned down silver in boys 74 kg, and Gelareh Ghodrati (NV) silver in girls 54 kg. In boys 90 kg wrestling, Hudson De Lazzer (NV) won bronze, while Drar Rohaan (NV) grabbed bronze in 54 kg and Rayan Bidhendi (WV) bronze in 45 kg.
On the track, Elia Comeau (NV) stepped to gold in the girls 1,500-m race walk. Jonah Louie (NV) speared a silver in boys javelin.
In team sports, Maya Blackwood (NV) won gold on the Zone 5 girls beach volleyball squad.
The Zone 5 girls softball team took silver, with Naia Calaminus, Gabrielle Fraser-Klein and Mikayla Schurer (NV) hitting the podium.
On the Zone 5 A mixed baseball
team, Douw Van Heerden, Kolton Ogawa, Matthew Crock and Mattias Elsner (NV) took the silver medal. That’s while the other Zone 5 mixed baseball team won bronze, with Isaiah Forhan, Ray Zweep and William McCarron on that roster.
The boys Zone 5 soccer won gold, with Hanzo Inagaki, Ben Barisoff, Ethan Hopkins, Mats Polizzi, Luca Trigos, Andrew Loutit, Artin Honary, Adam Widdis (NV) and Rogelio Palacious Valenzuela (WV) contributing to the championship win.
The girls Zone 5 soccer squad scored silver, with Tessa Kustner, Misha Kurji, Evie Sherwood, Caitria Cooper, Elizabeth Gyton (NV) and Dela Dordar (WV) hitting the podium.
Kai Smilgis (NV) and Marcus Zhou (WV) were on the silver-medal Zone 5 boys volleyball team.
Kayla Lee, Brianna Tang (NV), Sophie Taylor and Maria Fernanda Rodrigues Solano (WV) won bronze on the Zone 5 girls basketball team.
The number of housing units varies with the size of the lot and distance from transit routes. While some municipalities have requested more time to pass required legislation, West Van has been the sole municipal government to reject provincial housing rules outright, according to the province. Municipalities were supposed to approve new housing regulations by June 30.
As housing minister, Kahlon has sparred with West Vancouver on new provincial housing rules, with Kahlon recently criticizing the district for failing to meet provincial targets for housing.
When West Van unanimously voted to reject the rules in May, councillors lambasted the province for forcing blanket zoning policy that ignores decades of careful planning by local government.
former land use contract sites which in the past have specifically disallowed coach houses. Most of them are in the Ambleside and Dundarave neighbourhoods.
Coun. Sharon Thompson said it’s frustrating that so many other communities have adopted the provincial rules, when most municipalities aren’t happy about them.
“Are we going to play chicken with the government and see who wins?” she said, adding she’d been warned by one MLA if West Van didn’t comply, “They’re going to come after you with a big stick.”
Thompson added it wasn’t fair to single out West Vancouver for not meeting provincial housing targets. “Nobody’s met their targets,” she said.
On Monday, Mayor Mark Sager and most other councillors made it clear they still aren’t happy with being criticized by the province or with being told how to rezone property in the district.
“I take exception to the idea that we’re not doing our part,” said Sager, adding local councillors are elected to listen to the public when making land-use decisions. “Over the years it has worked quite effectively.”
Coun. Scott Snider said he disagreed with the province dictating how local government should zone properties. But he said he also feared what could happen if council didn’t fall into line. “If we leave this in the hands of the provincial government, we don’t know exactly where this is going to end up,” he said. “That has some significant risks for us moving forward.”
Councillors also pointed out that some decisions to move forward on creating housing are in the hands of the private sector.
Winnie Yip, senior community planner, told council under the changes requested by the province 313 properties would see an increase in density. She said most of the properties impacted by the changes are
Coun. Nora Gambioli offered a different perspective, arguing that West Vancouver isn’t that unique when it comes to housing. “I think we need to do our part for housing,” she said, adding for the entire 12 years she has been a councillor, “we have not done enough.… Our choice is to consider this zoning or have the province do it for us.”
In an interview with CBC Radio on Monday, Kahlon said it was up to West Vancouver to meet the provincial deadline.
“We’ve given them the 30 days,” he said, adding, “if they don’t, we’ll have to take the next steps.”
On Monday, Coun. Christine Cassidy described the provincial approach as “socialism … bordering on communism,” adding she has no confidence the government will be able to “build ourselves out of this problem” which she said is being caused by “the unprecedented immigration that is coming into this country.”
She added, “I take great exception to the fact of West Vancouver being deemed in the media to be a privileged community of rich people.”
A special council meeting has been scheduled for today at 10 a.m. to once again consider the issue.
– with files from Nick Laba
Majorprojectsdon’t need to have majorimpac ts.
Woodfibre LNGwillhouse non-localworkers on afloatel, reducing pressure on localhousing in Squamish.
Continued from A4
has inevitably created upset within existing waterfront neighbourhoods and “unfortunately, it often makes it look like the person building is the bad guy,” she said.
District staff recommended rejecting the variance request for the wall, and instead asking the property owners to come back with a plan involving terraced retaining walls that gradually step back from the Seawalk.
“There are other options in configuring the property,” said Jim Bailey, director of planning.
Coun. Nora Gambioli said that would be her preferred option.
But the owners said that would involve essentially losing a large chunk of their property to potential storm impacts.
John Davis, a regular Seawalk user and friend of the owners, spoke in favour of the proposal.
“These people are doing what we would all do – request a reasonable compromise,” he said.
would follow suit.
Martine Dekeyn said she believes the wall will destroy the atmosphere along the Seawalk and “disrupt the entire ambience of the neighbourhood,” arguing any design should fit in with existing buildings.
Jan McCaffrey argued that the vertical wall was not the only option.
“It’s the wall design that I have an issue with. It’s a lot of concrete,” she said.
“It looks like a corporate headquarters was dropped on the beach” she said, describing it as a 160-foot long “concrete edifice.”
Coun. Christine Cassidy said she supports the wall construction but was mostly concerned about future upkeep of plantings to soften the appearance of the wall, should owners opt to sell in the future. Cassidy said she’d rather the wall resemble “the Hanging Gardens of Babylon” than “the Berlin Wall.”
Gambioli opposed the wall construction.
woodfibrelng.ca @woodfibreLNG
Debbie Evans, who lives in the neighbouring Seastrand building, said “once it’s designed and finished, you won’t notice it.”
Not everyone agreed, however, with a few letter writers suggesting once one wall is allowed, a number of other property owners
“I think that’s really an overreach into the public sphere, and I really don’t think this design of this wall is the legacy that I want to leave to the community,” she said.
Council eventually voted to approve the wall construction, with the inclusion of a covenant requiring proper maintenance of the wall – with Gambioli opposed. Coun. Peter Lambur was absent from the meeting.
W HAT & WHEN: Council is scheduled to consider proposed Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010, Amendment Bylaw No. 5351, 2024 regarding Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing at the 3 p.m. special Council meeting on August 12, 2024
WHE RE : Municipal Hall Council Chamber, 750 17th Street, and via Webex electronic communication facilities. Attend in-person or via Webex (visit westvancouver.ca/webex); or watch the meeting at westvancouver.ca/cc.
S UBJE CT LAND S: The subject lands include a total of 381 parcels in the following zones: CU3, CU5 (only 1768 Argyle), CD4, CD41, CD47, CD48, CD49, CD77, CD80, CD81, CD82, PA2, RD1, RD2 and RD3. These lands have been identified by the Minister of Housing as being in a “Restricted Zone” as defined by the Local Government Act.
PROPOSED ZONING BYLAW NO. 4662, 2010, AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 5351, 2024: would amend the zoning regulations of the subject lands to comply with Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing requirements of the Local Government Act as identified by the Minister of Housing
PROVINCIAL PROHIBITION ON PUBLIC HEARING: Pursuant to the Local Government Act, the District is prohibited from holding a public hearing regarding the proposed bylaw.
MORE INFORMATION: The proposed bylaw and other relevant documents that Council may consider in deciding whether to adopt the proposed bylaw may be inspected at westvancouver.ca/news/notices and at Municipal Hall from July 30 to August 12, 2024 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays).
JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com
Residents who live near West Vancouver’s Altamont Beach say they’re dismayed that the municipality is closing one of their most-loved beach accesses in order to sell the property with a neighbouring lot, potentially adding $1 million to district coffers.
Members of council voted Monday, July 22, to close the popular beach path at the foot of 30th Street, in order to add the land to a district-owned property at 3000 Park Lane, which the municipality wants to sell.
Mayor Mark Sager said the district needs the cash to buy the last house on the Ambleside waterfront next to the Ferry Building and make that area public.
“That’s a community goal that’s existed for 40 years and we need the funds to be able to purchase that house,” said Sager.
He added there will be “tens of thousands” of people who will enjoy the Ambleside access, compared to the Altamont beach path.
Sager added there are alternate beach access points within 200 metres that the public can use to get to Altamont beach.
But people who live in the neighbourhood didn’t see it that way.
Lawrence Roulston who lives on 30th Street above Marine Drive asked council not to close the beach path.
“This is not the closure of an unused road. This is a well-trodden path, a trail that provides a link between a West Vancouver community and the waterfront. I’ve been using that trail for more than 40 years. My children have used that trail since they were small, and they continue to use that trail as teenagers,” he said.
Roulston told council the cost of preserving the trail is “insignificant” in relation to the amount of money West
Vancouver spends on preserving waterfront access.
Neighbour Jane Srivastava also urged council to keep the beach access open.
“Once you sell it, it’s gone forever,” she said.
Peter Miller also wrote a letter urging that the access stay open.
Miller said the access is a little hidden gem, and is a special spot enjoyed by local residents.
“The principle is this has been here allowing the public and residents access to waterfront for years and the idea that it should be closed to expand the adjacent lot to increase its value for development is just wrong,” he told the North Shore News.
A previous access point at the foot of 29th street was closed in 2013 following storm damage.
Another access point also exists at the foot of 31st Street nearby.
Council members said they were sympathetic to the neighbours’ desire to keep the beach access, but said acquiring the Ambleside property was a greater good for the community.
Coun. Christine Cassidy was the lone councillor opposed.
“I do not feel that we have the right to withdraw from the public their access to the foreshore, their access to public land,” she said, adding the other beach accesses were a very different experience than the one being closed.
Sager said nobody was thrilled about the decision but said the money was needed to buy the Ambleside property and without it, that deal wouldn’t go through.
Council voted 5-1 to go ahead with the beach closure, with Coun. Cassidy opposed.
Council is set to vote on whether to investigate repairing the 29th Street beach access at a council meeting July 29.
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Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards. MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver is located at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley. Contact: archives@monova.ca
Continued from A11
Vancouver, just outside the boundary of the riding (which was moved further west following the last provincial election).
“It’s a fascinating riding,” he said, noting that the concerns he’s heard are different depending on the community. People in Whistler/Pemberton are worried about wildfires, he said, while availability of housing tops the list in Squamish, and West Vancouver residents are concerned about issues like their taxes rising to pay for Metro Vancouver’s North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“It’s a big riding with very different communities,” he said.
Fulmer’s candidacy adds a new twist to a riding already considered one of the more interesting ones to watch. B.C. United MLA Jordan Sturdy has announced he will not seek re-election after narrowly hanging on to his seat last time, squeaking out a win over second-place finisher Jeremy Valeriote of the Green Party. Valeriote is running again for the Greens, while Whistler councillor Jen Ford has been nominated for the NDP. BC United has not yet named a candidate.
Last week Valeriote put out a statement welcoming Fulmer to the race but questioning why “he’s chosen to run for a party of climate change deniers who are deploying
As of August 7th the North Shore News will no longer be delivering flyers
While we will not distribute flyers, we have offered accommodations to your favourite grocers and businesses to continue to put their best deals in the pages of this newspaper – and we encourage you to keep an eye out and take advantage of their offers!
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U.S.-style culture war politics, including transphobic and homophobic rhetoric.”
Gerald Baier, a UBC political scientist, said the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding will be one to watch, with potential vote splitting between both the NDP and Greens, and the BC Conservatives and BC United, if that party nominates a candidate to replace Sturdy. Some of that could also depend on name recognition of various candidates in different parts of the riding, he added.
Another change potentially impacting results in a close race are the redrawn riding boundaries which moved a chunk of West Vancouver east of 28th Street – including Altamont, West Bay and Westmount – to the West Vancouver-Capilano riding.
The change moved about 3,650 West Vancouver residents into the adjacent riding.
Another Conservative candidate has also recently been nominated on the North Shore, in the West Vancouver-Capilano riding. Jaclyn Aubichon, a mom of three young children who moved from Alberta to B.C. in 2019, has been nominated as the Conservative candidate in that riding. She joins political commentator Caroline Elliott who is running for BC United and nurse practitioner Sara Eftekhar who is running for the NDP.
Construct
Sincere appeal
“____ Send Me”
ARIES March 21-April 19
This week, you’ll attend large gatherings or be active on social media. You’ll consider organizing a party for your nearest and dearest to wrap up the holidays.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
Even if you don’t have children, back-to-school advertisements remind you of similar responsibilities, including caring for certain loved ones. Prepare yourself for commitments with similar demands.
GEMINI May 21-June 20
Although you’ve planned some social activities, professional obligations could dampen your excitement. Prioritize your responsibilities, but don’t forget to set aside time for fun. This will make your activities more enjoyable.
CANCER June 21-July 22
Whether you’re on holiday or not, you’ll want to get away from it all. Make time for new discoveries and treat yourself to a change of scenery by hitting the road.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Despite experiencing strong emotions, it’s essential to find opportunities to celebrate your happiness and remember that after rain comes sunshine The simple act of smiling can boost your mood and make you feel happier.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
A particular situation will be an irritating waste of time. Think before you speak to avoid future misunderstandings. Work on developing a faster understanding to help maintain harmony
LIBRA Sept 23-Oct 22
Work will take up a lot of your time. However, spending quality time with your loved ones is still important. Striking the right work-life balance will bring you peace.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Prepare for change when returning to work after the holidays. You could be offered a promotion or a management position after a senior executive leaves the company This situation will astonish you.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec 21
You could invest in a home improvement project, such as a redecorating a room. Explore your new talents and take pride in the results. Personal fulfilment lies in your achievements.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Shopping for bargains and treasures will bring you happiness. You could even unearth a precious antique in a relative’s attic or basement. Your hunt for unique finds will be fruitful.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb 18
After a stressful period, treat yourself to some well-deserved relaxation at a spa or engage in other forms of self-care. Take care of yourself and enjoy the present moment to recharge your batteries.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
Give yourself a break. If you’re returning to work, get organized by rearranging your files and adjusting your schedule. A systematic approach will help you get back on track.
HOW TO PLAY:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3 x 3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3 x 3 box.
Bethia Rutley
August 31, 1930 July 1, 2024
In loving memoryofBethia Joanne Rutley, we celebrate alife well lived. She was afantastic mother to David, Debbie, Todd, and Andrew. She was anurturing and creative grandmother to Danielle, Sonya, and Mel. One year ago, she became agreat grandmother, "Nan," to Willamina Lorraine, who brought her great joy and laughter. Beth had many careers and travelled extensively. She loved all people and cultures. She was a voracious reader, always learning and growing. She loved her pets and was rarely without acat or dog in herhome. Beth dedicated 3decades of volunteer work after retirementand found fulfillment in helping others and her community. Her lifelong friendships were atestament to her caring nature. She always had asmile anda kind word to all she met. She had an elegant style and unwavering positive outlook on life that was infectious to all who knew her. Beth was abeacon of light to us all and made the world abetter place for having lived in it. She will live on in our precious memories. May she now be in peace and surrounded with love.
The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 11am 2pm at West Vancouver Seniors Center, Marine Room, 695Marine Drive.
FINLAY, Gerald Smith of Lynn Valley Passed away peacefully at home in the comfort of the company of family, on Sunday 14th July 2024. Gerry, beloved dad, grandad, great grandad, partner and friend. A true gentleman who will be dearly missed by all of the family and those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Messages and condolences may be left by visiting www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com
Call or email to place your ad, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm 604-653-7851
nmather@glaciermedia.ca
Book your ad online anytime at nsn ews.ad perfec t.co m
JACKSON, Frieda March 1, 1935 - June 30, 2024
Predeceased by husband Robert in 2010. Many thanks to her companion aide Fe and the 5th floor staff at Amica Lionsgate for her care over the past years. Frieda and Robert will be remembered for their great generosity to various charities.
McKEE, Mavis Alberta (nee Berquist) May 30, 1933 - July 13, 2024
Mavis passed away peacefully after a courageous three year struggle with cancer. Mavis was predeceased by her husband Bill in 2016 after 60 years of marriage. Mavis held much love and admiration for her family and friends. She always spoke very fondly of her students and had many interesting stories to share about her engraving business. Mavis surrounded herself with pictures of all of her loved ones and this brought her much joy, comfort and fulfillment on a daily basis. She will be deeply missed by her two children Stan and Sandra and her grandsons Paul and Adam. By her request, there will be no service. Messages of condolences may be sent to 602-170 East Keith Road, North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 1V2.
Passed away peacefully at home in the comfort of the company of family, on Sunday 14th July 2024. Gerry, beloved dad, grandad, great grandad, partner and friend. A true gentleman who will be dearly missed by all of the family and those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Messages and condolences may be left by visiting www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com
March18, 1956 –July7,2024
March 18,1956- July8th,2024
I’mnot like everybody else
Sadly, my only brother,Albert, passed away on July 8th, at our home on Quadra Island.Itwas sudden but somewhatexpected. He was, as thesaying goes, acat with 9lives-always landingonhis feet. ..sometimes with abroken leg. Spiritually,Albert is survived by hisguitars, countless vinyl records and hislove for music. He is worldly survived by myself, Kim, his cat, Alley,and my very patient husband, Ed,our mom, Ellen, 96, and ourdad,Harold, who passed away July 7th, 2023. We provideda roof over hishead at one time or another
We brought Albert to our home July 3rdto live. He was overwhelmed and very emotional aboutthe trailer we purchased to be his home. He talked about helpingout, going for hikes in nature, andgetting to know me better.Wehad agoodtalkabout his bi polardisorder and alcoholism. Itookhim to the doctor as he had several cuts on hislegsfromfalls. Albert was frail at 140 lbs.and wobb yonhis feet. He didn’t even have apair of decent shoes. Ifilled hisfridge with food and made dinnerfor himevery night. He was overjoyed to have satellite TV with sports.Wewatched his beloved B.C. Lionstogether on Sunday. He ate huckleberries everymorning and talked aboutgrowing up in Lynn Valley.Hedidn’tget out on thetrails but he did help me in thegarden Monday.Later that day,Edreturned homewith hisnew shoes and found him unresponsive. Albert passed away in abeautiful place with people around himthatloved him unconditionally. He was abrother living alife inside himself and is gone beforeIhad a chance to see what he saw.We are soemotionally conflicted with his passing.
Albert’sgreatest lovewas music and by the size of his vinyl record collection, Frank Zappa, or anything to do withthe man, was his favourite, then The Kinks, and Captain Beefheart in that order.I know this becauseImatched over 500 looserecords into album covers. It took 14 hours andshamefullya good quantity of wine. Albert would have appreciated both.
He wastremendously talentedand couldplay manyinstruments. He was confident with his talent and humble about it. It was hissharingofmusic that bonded him with people. He was akindand generous person
Albert’ssecond love was the B.C. Lionsand he wouldgotothe home games whenever he could. From the stories he told, Ithink hewas unofficially known as Crazy Albert, afan favour te inthe section whereeverhesat.
Iwant to thank Jim Proom and Mike Powerfor makingatrip to visit me on Quadra Island. Jim and Mike both lived and played in the original Crabs band with Albert.Jim visited Albertevery year in Campbell River and lovingly bought him an electric guitarwith amp andanacoustic guitar.Jim said theyearsthat he livedand played music with Albert are one of the hi lightsofhis life and he considered Alberttobea brother
Mike hadthis to sayabout Albert
“Albertwas alot of things to alot of people. To some he wasamusician, an entertainerand somewhat of alocal celebrity. To othershewas someone to party or just hang outwith. His door wasopen to everyone.Heseldom criticizedorjudged people. Upbeat anda lot of fun, he could be reckless and caringatthe same time.Hecould discusshis own personal philosophy or justcrack abeerand D.J. through hisvastcollection of records.Hewas a people magnet.
Imet Albert in thelate60’sinthe bushinupper Lynn Valley.Hewas about 13 andIwas alittleolder.I heard somerustlinginthe bushesand some unusual guitar riffs.Hecame stumbling intothe sunlightwitha beat-upguitar and to me he lookedlike alittlekid. Iwas gobsmackedwhenI realizedhewas playing Frank Zappa.
Ididn’tsee him foryears until oneday Ihappened to be walking along 2ndStreet andpassedanold shackofahouse with thedooropen. Icould hear the AllmanBrothers, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, playing butitsoundedslightly different, so Iwalked up the steps andpeekedin. Albertwas playing alongnote fornote. Icouldn’t believeit! Isaw and rememberedhim as that kid playing Zappa in the bush.Hewas so hospitable andinvited me in. It was the beginning of agreat friendship. We were soonroommates and Albert my musicalmentor.It wasduringa time in thelate70’swhenlife wasan unbridled adventure.
Lifechanged and eventually Imovedawayand life took us in different directions.Iwould keep in touch andvisit when Icould. He lovedtoreminisce andalwaystookmebacktothatplace whereour friendship wasformed. I’ve never knownanyone like Albert andI’m really saddenedatthe news of hispassing.Mydeepest sympathy to his sister Kim whodid such agreat job of caring forhim. Albert, youwill be sorely missed.” Mike Power
Youfind outa lot about apersonwhenyou go through their life’spossessions. Something Iwould rather haveand mean so much more to me areyour storiesofyour adventuresand antics with Albert. I knowyou have them -the good, thebad andthe ugly.Hewas an emotionalguy andwould appreciate he aring from you, metaph or ic al ly sp eaki ng. Si t down, have acup of tea andshare amemory of Albert byemailing me at kzandef@gmail.com or send acondolencevia Boyd’sFuneralServices(Campbell River) website at www.telfordtoneffboyd.ca
I’m listening. Kim
HAYES, John George
February 12, 1933 - July 22, 2024
Husband, brother, brother-in-law, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend.
It is with heavy hearts that we, John’s family, announce his peaceful passing on July 22 in North Vancouver. John was born to George and Stephania Hayes and grew up with his sister Elizabeth and cousin Julianne in West Vancouver.
John attended West Vancouver Secondary School where he excelled in many sports and made friends whom he cherished throughout his life. In 1960, he married Wendy Mason in a beautiful ceremony in the Chapel of St. Paul’s Cathedral. They had 2 children, Risë and John, as they travelled throughout BC as part of John’s work with the BC Telephone Company, and then settled back in West Vancouver.
John was always involved in the communities he lived in. He was actively involved in West Vancouver as the MC/Chair of the May Day Parade, restoring the Royal Hudson steam engine, coaching soccer, being part of his Phi Alpha Fraternity, and serving as an after-hours Attendant for the West Vancouver Ambulance Service.
John made the bold decision in 1982 to leave BC Tel and start his own company with Wendy and John Jr. called LifeScan Canada. Initially run from their home, LifeScan was instrumental in bringing personalized blood glucose monitoring machines to diabetics in Canada.
When John retired in 1992, they moved to “Shadowdance” in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast. For 20 years, John, Wendy, the Golden Retrievers and cats, hosted family and friends at their garden-filled property. When not gardening, John took lucky passengers aboard “Shantina” (his sailboat and later trawler) for trips into Desolation Sound.
John loved tennis, spaghetti, his Mom’s Syrian cooking, Big Band music, Studebaker cars, and being Captain of his boat, but his family was everything to him. John was in his element when surrounded by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and all the “adopted” family that came into the Hayes household and never left. Wendy was the love of his life. It is not a cliché to say he thought the sun rose and set upon her. He missed her so deeply when she passed away in 2019. They are together in spirit now, likely walking all the Goldens.
John leaves behind to cherish his memory, daughter Risë, son John Jr, and their partners Chris and Shelley. “Best Nono ever” to Corrin and partner Marco, Lucas and partner Oliviah, Paisley and partner Spencer, Nathan, Levi and Corbin, and special Dad to Katman. He is loved and remembered by the Baggoo/Balen family on his sister’s side.
The family will be planning a Celebration of Life in the near future. Please contact John’s daughter at rise_bulmer@telus.net to receive details. In lieu of flowers, donations may to be made to the BC SPCA or West Vancouver Historical Society.
Each loss is very different, The pain is so severe. Will I ever stop missing
This one I loved so dear?
Good times we had together, The moments that we shared
We didn’t have to tell each other How much we really cared.
I never dreamed you’d go away, Never thought of sorrow. So sure you’d always be here Took for granted each tomorrow.
Now my life is all confused
Since you went away. You took a part of me And for help I daily pray.
But when God sent you to me He never said that you were mine, That I could keep you always –Only borrowed for a time.
Now, He’s called you home, I’m sad and I shed tears. Yet I’m glad He loaned you to me And we had these many years.
STEIN, Wanda (née Nerling)
July 31, 1920 - July 16, 2024
Wanda Stein, affectionately known as ‘Oma,’ a beloved North Vancouver community member, passed away peacefully with family by her side on July 16, 2024, at 103 years old.
Born in Wola Lisowska, Germany, Wanda’s life was marked by resilience and love. She was the last of her seven siblings. During World War II, she faced great loss when her first husband, Eduard Pinkowski, passed away in May 1945. Their deep love was a cherished memory throughout her life. Together, they had a son, Rudi Pinkowski, who brought immense joy to her.
Wanda endured the difficult post-war period, yet she remained strong and hopeful. In 1961, Wanda and Rudi escaped communist East Germany and moved to Canada in 1964. Wanda is survived by her son, Rudi Pinkowski (82), his wife of 58 years, Donna Pinkowski, and their three children: Cary, Sherrie, and Lori.
In 1966, Wanda married Ed Stein in Edmonton, Alberta. They shared a decade together before his passing in 1976. Through this marriage, Wanda gained two stepchildren: Frieda Renz, who passed away in 2021, and Richard Stein. Later, she found a life partner in Ferdinand Arndt, who remained by her side until his death in 2011.
Wanda was the heart and soul of her family, known for her passion for her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, her exceptional German cooking, and her love of sewing. Her family was always at the centre of her heart, and her radiant smile could light up any room.
Wanda’s life was a testament to strength, love, and dedication to family. She often shared the message to be happy with what you have, and always hope for the best. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth and kindness remembered by all who knew her. She is also survived by her greatgrandchildren: Alexandra, Axl, Luca, Kaidyn, Kasha, and Varyk.
Wanda Stein’s Celebration of Life will be held on August 1st at 11:00 a.m. at Boal Chapel & Memorial Gardens, 1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in Wanda’s memory are kindly requested.
Open House - Grief and Loss
Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions, meet Sean and I, as well as potential fellow members, and discover how this group can enrich your life. Join us in person on August 11th for a casual and informative evening
Location: #111-1940 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC
Time: August 11th, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm PST
While no two experiences are the same, there is a shared experience of loss. Gathering in a small group, we will create a safe space to explore your grief, and how we can collectively suppor t one another and build connections and community.
For further info: covewellcounselling@gmail.com | sean@abiggerpicture.ca
Are You caring for someone?
Caregiving is hard.
I’m here to make it easier.
I help with strategies, communication, and navigating systems. Together, we’ll find balance for you and who you care for.
Book a free 15-minute intro call today.
Katrina Prescott is a Caregiver Consultant & National Award-Winning Caregiver Advocate katrinaprescott.com 778-789-1077
NORTH VAN HIGH CLASS OF 65
Highscool reunion. June 21, 2025. For info contact Tom at 604-980-2244 or Laurel: 604-765-7429
Notice under International Trusts Act Notice is g ven, pursuant to maxims of law and equity, that the following described property: PARCEL “A” (REFERENCE PLAN 6354) NORTH WEST QUARTER SECTION 6 TOWNSHIP 2 EXCEPT PARCEL “ONE” (EXPLANATORY PLAN 10951) NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT, namely: Commencing at a standard iron post found and hedge on the northwest corner of the property (Parcel “A”) located at the southeast corner of the intersection of New McLellan Road and 120 Street, marking the beginning of the property line of PARCEL “A” (REFERENCE PLAN 6354) NORTH WEST QUARTER SECTION 6 TOWNSHIP 2 EXCEPT PARCEL “ONE” (EXPLANATORY PLAN 10951) NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT; herein describing metes-and-bounds encompassing a total of 2025.3 metres square; thence N. 78° 31’ 35” E. 1.583751 chains east; thence N. 179° 51’ 04” E. 3.067088 chains south; thence N. 89° 51’ 04” E. 1 552931 chains west; thence N. 179° 51’ 04” E. 3 378271 chains north back to the beginning of the property line as shown on a plan titled 6354 at the County of Westminster (New Westminster District) completed by Land Surveyor Andrew Hunter of the City of New Westminster on the 16th day of December 1926, deposited at the Land Registry Office at Victoria, British Columbia.
I, Amarjit-Singh: Lally, hereby claim all right, title and beneficial interest in the property described above and all property collateral recorded with Secured Party: RN797767914CA-TRUST under Personal Property Security Agreement Base Registration Number 476697Q. I, AmarjitSingh: Lally, am assignee at law and a bona fide subsequent purchaser by contract of the tract of land described by the above metes-and-bounds contained within the original Crown Grant Patent number 2853, and declare it to be my private property (not incorporated into the City of Surrey and not subject to any foreign, domestic or municipal jurisdiction) pursuant to the supremacy of treaty law as evidenced by a clear chain of unbroken title back to the ceding, severance and relinquishment of the sovereign. I am without notice of a superior, prior, equal, equitable, or legal right, title or interest competent to suspend or confuse my equitable and or legal interest by nature or characteristic to said property
All written objections pertaining to the ownership or superior claims of trusts and estates, or any activities encapsulated within this notice, should be duly submitted, no later than 30 days from the date of publication of this notice. Please contact Amarjit-Singh: Lally, mail in care of: 12008 New McLellan Rd, Surrey, County of Westminster, British Columbia [V3X 2X7].
The following vehicles will be sold, as per the Warehouse Lien Act;
1979 Chevrolet Corvett, VIN 1Z8749S421868
Registered owner: Wenger Lawrie. Debt amount as of 6/25/2024 is $2848.50
2004 HONDA ACCORD, VIN 1HGCM81554A800076
Registered owner: Chan Ka-Fung. Debt amount as of 6/25/2024 is $3902.37
1995 MITSUBISHI DELICA, VIN: 1HGCM81554A800076
Registered owner: STUMP BRYON, Debt amount as of 6/25/2024 is 4,073.87
If you have claim to a said vehicle/s, please respond in writing by August 16, 2024 to: Coquitlam Towing and Storage Company, 218 Cayer Street Coquitlam
A Moveable Feast Catering in North Vancouver is looking for a FULL TIME COOK to start September 3rd, with August training
Our very friendly environment provides a strong hourly rate, Monday to Friday daytime hours, and an extended health package Kitchen experience is necessary
While we appreciate your incentive with this ad, only strong candidates will be contacted Email resume to admin@amoveablefeastcafe.com
BBQ &Garage Sale
25, 10AM 2PM
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
33. One who is paid to do something
Buzzing insect
Midday rests
Expression of acidity or alkalinity
Group of rockers
Very fast airplane
Monotheistic religion founder
Strong dark beer
Blood type
Square measures
Honorific titles in NW Semitic languages
46. Present 47. Afflict in mind or body 49. Duty 52. Municipality in Stockholm
56. In a normal way 58. Rode a bicycle 60. Charitable 62. Verandas 63. Uncredited 1. No seats available
S. American plant
Monetary unit of Thailand
Partner to “Ma”
Regions
Baseball legend
Ancient Egyptian notion of spiritual part of humans
Fishing net
Tinseltown
MacBeth’s wife was one 50. Took a spill
Adversary to pets
53. Town in Galilee
Secret racist society (slang)
About aviation
Longing or yearning 58. Hawaiian dish
Field force unit
Partner to “Pa”
