New Westminster Record December 22 2022

More cameras coming toNWSS over safety concerns

More surveillance cameras will be installed at NewWestminster Secondary School in response to growing concerns about safety

The NewWestminsterTeachers’ Union and CUPE Local 409, which represents school support staff, both raised the issue of safety with the school district after a spate of dangerous incidents at the high school Those included a pepper-spraying incident on Oct. 12, followed by firecrackers being set off in the Grand Commons on Oct. 31 and in second-floor bathrooms on Nov. 1.

NWTU president Kristie Oxley, in a letter to the

CHRISTMASCLASSIC: Ian Szkolak as the Cavalier dances with Avalon Craske as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Royal City Youth Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at the Massey Theatre on Sunday, Dec 18 PHOTO JENNIFERGAUTHIER

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca

UpFront

Report paints mixed picture of crime in city

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

Thefts of vehicles are up but thefts from vehicles are down. Break and enters to businesses are down but break and enters to residences are up Those are some of the findings in the most recent crime statistics presented to the New Westminster police board The statistics reflect incidents from January to October 2022

According to the report, there were 520 “total monitored persons offences” between January and October 2022, which was down four per cent from the 539 incidents in 2021 Some of the crimes in that category include: sexual assaults (up four per cent 51 cases in 2022 and 49 cases in 2021); common assault (down six per cent 273 cases in 2022 and 290 in 2021); assault with a weapon – up one per cent 141 in 2022 and 139 in 2021); aggravated assault (down 33 per cent – four incidents in 2022 and six in 2021); and robbery down two per cent 49 in 2022 and 50 in 2021)

The category also includes homicide, which was down 100 per cent There were no homicides in NewWest in the first 10 months of 2022, but there were four homicides between January and October 2021.

The two incidents of attempted homicide reported in

2022 is up 100 per cent from 2021, when one case was reported

Statistics from the NewWestminster Police Department show domestic violence was down five per cent (500 in 2021 and 477 in 2022) and family violence was down 10 per cent (223 in 2021 and 200 in 2022)

The 52 offences recorded in the weapons category between January and October 2022 were 22 per cent fewer than the 67 incidents recorded in the same time last year

In the first 10 months of this year, 1,639 “total monitored property offences” were recorded in NewWestmin-

ster, which is a 12 per cent drop from the 1,852 incidents in 2021.

Property offences include break and enters to business (down 38 per cent 188 in 2021 and 116 in 2022); break and enter to residences (up 26 per cent 42 in 2021 and 53 in 2022); theft of vehicle (up 14

per cent 102 in 2021 to 116 in 2022); and theft from vehicle (down 22 per cent 686 in 2021 to 535 in 2022 )

Other areas where property offences have dropped is mischief over $5,000 (down 22 per cent 448 in 2021 and 398 in 2022)

On the traffic front, the number of total collision offences is up 19 per cent (434 incidents in 2021 compared to 517 in 2022)

Collisions with non-fatal injuries are down 20 per cent (76 in 2022, compared to 95 in 2021), while “collisions – all others” is up 29 per cent (339 in 2021 compared to 439 in 2022)

Impaired offences included a 37 per cent drop in 24-hour suspensions (down from 51 in 2021 to 32 in 2022) Statistics also showed a 33 per cent increase in immediate roadside prohibition warnings (56 in 2022, compared to 42 last year) and a 31 per cent increase to impaired operation of a motor vehicle (drugs and alcohol) with 124 incidents in 2022 compared to 95 in 2021

In the past year, the police department has warned about the accuracy of some statistics given issues with the E-Comm non-emergency line. Deputy Chief Const Paul Hyland told the Record that about 10,000 of 17,000 non-emergency calls to the NWPD were abandoned between January and the end of September 2022.

‘The arson event was the last straw’: union president

Continued from page 1

school board, said some staff and students thought the noise of the firecrackers was the sound of a weapon being fired.

“The resulting panic was traumatizing,” she wrote

Then, on Nov 16, a student set fire to the second-floor bathroom, sending thick black smoke billowing into the hallways The school was evacuated quickly, and Oxley said staff and administrators handled the incident well to keep ev-

eryone safe

But she said the fire escalated tension at the school, where there had already been a “general sense of unease” about safety

“To be blunt, the arson event was the last straw Staff no longer feel safe in their school,” her letter said

Laura Kwong, chair of the district parent advisory council (DPAC), has also spoken up for better safety measures at the school

“DPAC has continually advocated for the safety of

students at NewWest Secondary. Over the years, we have heard from parents and caregivers as well as students that they often do not feel safe in the school,” she told trustees at the Dec. 13 board meeting, noting the theme was echoed in a parent survey that DPAC undertook this fall

Senior school district staff met with NWSS principal Murray McLeod and representatives from both unions in late November to find ways to address the safety con-

cerns, and Superintendent Karim Hachlaf also spoke to parents at a DPAC meeting

A key part of the response is surveillance cameras

Hachlaf, in two presentations to school trustees (at their Nov 22 and Dec 13 meetings), noted there are currently video cameras in the school, but the district is looking at adding cameras at key locations, such as hallways and entranceways It’s undertaking an assessment, including engaging with stu-

dents, staff and parents, to figure out where those cameras should go

Hachlaf noted all surveillance will be done according to the School Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

But surveillance cameras are just part of the picture

Hachlaf said students also raised other suggestions, including having a better online reporting system for incidents of concern.

The school will also

be looking at ways to improve education on healthand safety-related matters, through both curriculum and in assemblies. It’s also taking some other practical steps such as installing metal toilet paper dispensers (rather than plastic) in student bathrooms and reviewing the possible installation of vape detectors in bathrooms

Work will continue into the new year.

“We recognize the safety concerns,” Hachlaf said “We hear them loud and clear ”

ONGUARD: A report to the New Westminster police board contains a mixed bag of rising and falling incidents of crime in the first 10 months of the year, compared to the same period in 2021 PHOTO NEW WEST RECORD FILES

SHINE BRIGHT HIGHLIGHTS FOR DEC. 22-28

Enjoy festive activities in the glow of holiday lights until Jan. 31, 2023. Highlights this coming week include:

• Shine Bright Shop Nights with Carolers, Downtown New West, Dec 22, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

• Uptown Holiday Market, Royal City Centre and Westminster Centre, Dec 23, 5:00 – 9:00 pm

Find more activities at newwestcity.ca/shinebright

SOME-BUN IS WAITING FOR YOU

New Westminster Animal Services has an abundance of bunnies waiting for their forever homes. During the month of December, get a 50% discount on rabbit adoption fees (which includes spaying/neutering, microchipping and vaccinations), as well as a free adoption kit to help set up your new furry friend’s home Learn more about adoption and rabbit care at newwestcity.ca/rabbit

REFORESTATION IN HUME PARK AND GLENBROOK RAVINE

You may have noticed the biodiversity improvements in Lower Hume Park and Glenbrook Ravine, including tree planting, ground cover planning, integration of wood debris, wild life trees and more Much of this work has created sensitive ecological areas. The public is asked to watch their step, and their pets, and stay on marked paths. This work is part of the New Westminster Biodiversity and Natural Areas Strategy, and had been done in partnership with Tree Canada. Read more: newwestcity ca/reforestation

RESOURCES FOR DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS

Are you a business owner in Downtown New West? Visit our website for information and updates on the Downtown Livability Strategy, as well as helpful resources such as presentation boards, recorded webinars, and information sheets. newwestcity.ca/downtownlivability

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 1 – January 31

Shine Bright events and activities Various locations newwestcity.ca/shinebright

December 23 – January 2

Holiday hours may be in effect for City facilities newwestcity.ca/holiday-hours

Monday, December 26 No Council Meeting

Help reduce the risk of localized flooding by adopting a catch basin in your neighbourhood. Your job is easy; throughout the year, you’ll clear the catch basin and surrounding area of any snow, ice, leaves, and debris that might prevent it from properly draining melting snow and rainwater. As a catch basin caretaker, you’ll also get to name the basin, which will show up on the catch basin map Learn more and get started at newwestcity.ca/adopt-a-catch-basin

TAXES AND UTILITIES YEAR-END REMINDER

Unpaid 2022 property taxes, flat-rate utility bills, and metered water/sewer/ electrical bills must be paid (and payment received) no later than Dec 31, 2022 to avoid incurring additional charges. Pay online, by mail, or in-person at your financial institution or City Hall. Visit newwestcity.ca/2022-taxes-utilities for more information.

CITY HALL HOLIDAY HOURS

December 23: 8:30 am – 2:00 pm December 26: Closed December 27: Closed

December 28 – 29: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm December 30: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm January 2: Closed

For other City facility and services holiday hours, visit our website at newwestcity.ca/holiday-hours

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

The NewWestminster police board has unanimously supported a 2023 provisional operating budget calling for an 11 9 per cent increase over the 2022 budget

As its Nov. 29 meeting, the board approved a provisional budget for the NewWestminster Police Department, thereby meeting the requirements of the Police Act that its provisional budget be approved by Nov 30 The $3,112,500 budget increase over the NWPD’s 2022 budget includes increases related to salaries and benefits, contracted services, and education and training

Chief Const Dave Jansen said there is no doubt that the proposed $29 26 budget is signifi-

cant in its potential impact on the city’s budgeting process

“What is also clear is that without the proposed increases, the decisions that will need to be made will be difficult and will be impactful to our service delivery,” he said “We have seen the impact of several years of not adjusting staffing challenges as our population-to-cop numbers increased in the last 20 years. Now we have the highest differential of any in the region ”

According to a report by Jansen, the NWPD had a 716:1 population-to-cop ratio in 2020; back in 2002, NewWestminster had one of the lower popto-cop ratios among municipal police departments in B C at 511:1

“At the same time, our budget has grown the least, percentage-wise, of

any of the regional municipal policing agencies, and our growth in members is the second lowest among these same comparators,” he told the board. “We cannot continue to see these discrepancies as it impacts public safety and ultimately our own staff’s mental health On an increasing basis, I’m being asked by the community, businesses and the city’s own staff for an increased police presence that I just cannot provide ”

Jacqueline Dairon, finance supervisor at the NewWestminster Police Department, said the budget increases include some non-discretionary fixed costs (including salaries and benefits reflecting increases associated with the new collective agreement), non-discretionary cost downloads (including costs related to increases to

for EComm services, salaries for the non-emergency line and increased funding for training new recruits at the Justice Institute of B.C.) and some budget enhancements Proposed budget enhancements include $150,000 to support an additional missing per-

son investigator, $199,000 for additional clerical staff to support non-emergency call takers and $655,000 to support a “backfill strategy” that seeks to fill onethird of the positions it’s deemed are required to provide adequate policing.

BOARD ENDORSEMENT

On Nov 23, the police board and city council held a joint meeting to discuss the NWPD’s 2023 budget.

After meeting with council and reading all the correspondence from downtown businesses, police board member Heather Boersma said she stands behind the budget being put forward She said the board understands it’s working in the context of city budgets, but it also understands it has to balance that with what the community wants.

Mayor Patrick Johnstone, chair of the police board, told the board he is “going to have to sell the idea of budget increases at a time when people are really feeling the pinch in the community”

“Having the detail that was provided in the budget helps make it easier for me to talk about that I feel confident in being able to defend the proposal we are putting before council ”

The police board unanimously supported the budget, which will be considered by city council in early 2023.

In a Nov 23 report to council and the police board, Jansen said the NWPD’s 2023 budget provides the basis for work on the department’s new strategic plan and starts to address capacity, inflationary and costs that affect service delivery.

Higher finances : The New Westminster police board has endorsed a 2023 NWPD budget that includes an 11 9 per cent increase over 2022 PHOTO NEW WEST RECORD FILES

“Can’t say I’m surprised Based on how they ran their campaign, it’s hard to expect anything but this kind of nonsense ”

“The cheering and jeering from the gallery creates a toxic environment, and I hope people have enough common sense to act like adults and refrain from doing it going forward It’s bullying behaviour and should not be tolerated.”

MY VIEW KEITH BALDREY

Clash between climate goals, LNG clouds David Eby’s agenda

He is now more than halfway through his “100-day action plan” but it is still not clear how Premier David Eby views the future of B.C.’s growing liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry

The industry got its start under the former BC Liberal government headed by Christy Clark, but the BC NDP embraced it as well when it assumed power in 2017

While only one project the mammoth LNG Canada project in Kitimat is under construction, there are several other projects at various stages of regulatory approval processes

Eby has previously pledged not to allow the expansion of fossil fuel in-

frastructure because any expansion would make it difficult, if not impossible, for B.C. to meet its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions in 2040 and 2050.

No jurisdiction has come close to meeting any GHG emission reduction targets, and there is much skepticism attached to B C’s ability to reach future targets (already, it is clear it won’t meet the targets set for 2025 and 2030)

Nevertheless, the targets remain in place So will Eby stand in the way of the LNG industry expanding with the creation of more infrastructure?

There are numerous complications and apparent contradictions in play here

For example, two projects currently in the regulatory

approval process have the strong backing of local First Nations in the northwest.

The Cedar LNG project is being built by the Haisla First Nation, while the KSI Lisims LNG project is a partnership between the Nisga’a First Nation and two LNG companies

Considering that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which greatly enhances and protects the rights of First Nations to engage in self-run economic activity, is now entrenched in law, would an Eby-led government really shut down two projects being run by First Nations?

Then there is the economic impact

The LNG Canada project

is an $18-billion project and represents the largest private sector investment in B.C.’s history. It is expected to be in production by 2025, and the company is already planning an expansion.

The importance of natural gas to the government’s current fiscal bottom line cannot be overstated Natural gas royalties are forecast to approach almost $2 5 billion this fiscal year

I suspect Eby will find a way to allow the LNG industry to expand while still insisting B C can meet its climate change targets even with the expansion But so far, at least, he has not made things clear one way or another

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC

Jennifer Pape via Facebook Mike Folka via Facebook

Topic: That wasn’t a New West council debate, that was a tantrum

Embrace it,don’t hate it: debate is good for city

Editor: If you decided to skip Monday Night Football and tune into a local council meeting instead, I hope you took your beverage and popcorn along because it was a marathon (although the last time I checked, these folks are actually paid to listen)

The slate of councillors over the last number of years did a lot of “rubber stamping” of issues that could have benefited from even minimal debate, so on Monday when our new council was faced with a fulsome meeting requiring participation and discussion, I don’t think they liked it. Sadly, many of them were past their bedtime, and they were none too happy about it

Their solution to this, although not yet approved, is to move the discussion on all the “meaty” issues to a time during the day when working people will be unable to listen in or participate More efficient, they say Make sense?

For those who stuck it out till the 11:30 p m adjournment, there were a few highlights, the best being the new mayor finding a dubious loophole to dive through at the speed of light to avoid even addressing the issue keeping many in their seats to hear the decision on

whether or not to halt the removal of the Royal City moniker It was a clumsy, chaotic and somewhat cowardly move full of doublespeak and insulting to those waiting for a response

The two new councillors from the Progressives group, who were not part of the previous council, did indeed put forward a larger than normal number of motions to be addressed, but it certainly was one way to test the waters to find out if they would be heard and to see if there were any independent thinkers in the newly elected mob

It was disappointing to find the evening moving along like a rehearsed ping-pong match with a prepared set of responses and no support for some very reasonable motions

I will withhold judgment (only temporarily), but it would appear we are in for a frustrating four years if council members ignore the fact that there are a variety of opinions they need to hear

The mere 27 per cent of the population who voted did elect what appeared to be a slightly more diverse group of councillors than previously in power, but if motions continue to be defeated with the four mayor supporters repeatedly shutting out the two “others,” there would be good reason for some self-reflection on the part of those purporting to represent public opinion.

Gail North, New Westminster

THE NEW WESTMINSTER RECORD WELCOMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We edit for taste, legality and length Please include a contact phone number Send letters to: The Editor, #201A–3430 Brighton Ave , Burnaby, B C , V5A 3H4, email to: editorial@newwestrecord ca (no attachments please) or fax to: 604-439-2694 Letters to the editor and columns may be reproduced on the New West Record website, www newwestrecord ca

canola oil throughput capacity of approximately 1,000,000 tonnes per year

The proposed project will see canola oil arrive by railcars where it will be unloaded into storage tanks before being pumped into bulk carriers for export to global markets

A permit application has been submitted to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority for the proposal We are reaching out to you to seek feedback and commentary on the proposal

The public engagement period will begin on January 3, 2023 and go until January 30, 2023 As part of our engagement,we will be hosting an online public consultation session on January 16 at 7 p.m. on Microsoft Teams To register for the session and for instructions,please visit our website

For more information on the proposed Canola Oil Transload Facility or to provide input, please use the link or QR code below or send an email to the address listed below

Snowclosescityfacilities, disruptstransit,traffic

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

Numerous civic facilities were closed and garbage collection was suspended this week in New Westminster because of heavy snowfall

The heavy snow that turned the Lower Mainland and parts ofVancouver Island into a winter wonderland also prompted an advisory from numerous agencies: If you don’t have to drive today, don’t

The Ministry ofTransportation and Infrastructure reportedTuesday that at least 25 centimetres of snow had fallen in the GreaterVancouver area and 30 centimetres on parts of theVancouver Island

“Drivers on the Lower Mainland and southern and centralVancouver Island are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel today due to the heavy snowfall overnight,” said a press release from the province

Those sentiments were shared by Mayor Patrick Johnstone, who urged community members to work together and be responsible for themselves and others

“Crews worked through the night, and are back out there today and if you don’t have to go out, please try to avoid it,” he said “Emergency crews are already overtaxed right

now Keep warm, keep yourself safe, let snow removal crews get their work done ”

Johnstone noted that SkyTrain service was slightly reduced and may be a bit crowded, as more drivers make the safer choice

“Good news is the snow is light and fluffy – this morning is the best time to shovel your walk and sidewalk and see if your neighbours need help with theirs,” he tweeted

SERVICES AFFECTED

The City of NewWestminster announced that all solid waste collection was cancelled for the week because of the weather Collection will resume when conditions improve.

The city also announced that many civic facilities were closed.

These include Anvil Centre, Century House, Centennial and Queensborough community centres, the NewWest youth centre and the Sportsplex

Moody Park and Queen’s Park arenas were open but no programs or services took placeTuesday.

NewWestminster City Hall remained open for business.

The NewWestminster Public Library issued a special alert to let folks know that its Queensborough branch would be closedTuesday because of the weather.The main

branch was open from noon to 8 p.m.

According to the City of NewWestminster, fire, police, electric utility and engineering operations were functioning with essential staffing

“All available city crews and equipment are working to clear roads of snow,” stated a notice from the city “We ask that you please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, not only for your safety but also to assist our road-clearing efforts.”

Deputy Chief Const Paul Hyland of the New Westminster Police Department took toTwitter to assure residents the police department was on duty.

“Not the smoothest drive in but I made it The pandemic taught us how to quickly pivot staff for remote work which works well on days like today That said NewWestPD frontline members are here for you if you need us. If you can avoid driving today, please do #NewWest ”

Due to heavy snowfall, TransLink advised customers to expect considerable delays, particularly on the bus network.

It also advised people to avoid travelling where possible OnWednesday,

noted the extreme cold was affecting SkyTrain and recommended p0eople travel only

necessary.

Blocked

Community

School snacks, gas cards offered for families

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

Breakfast and snack items for kids in schools and gift cards for families are among the ways the NewWestminster school district is using its share of the B.C. government’s affordability fund

The Ministry of Education announced the $60-million fund in August as districts prepared for the return to school The money is intended to be used by school districts to help families struggling with the rising costs of living due to global inflation.

School District 40 received just shy of $700,000 of that money.

The district has divvied it up into three categories: universal fees and fundraising, nutrition, and local customized supports A report from secre-

tary-treasurer Bettina Ketcham on Dec 13 updated the school board on how that money has been spent as of Dec. 6.

So far this year, it has spent $120,980 of the $218,700 it set aside for universal fees and fundraising That money is being used to offset costs for all students across the board, in areas such as supply fees and field trips

The nutrition category, where the district has so far spent $67,800 of its $325,000 budget, covers both subsidies for its Fuel Up lunch program and a newly introduced snack and breakfast program. Ketcham noted that program, which is being offered through a company calledThe Lunch Lady, ensures that schools have shelf-stable breakfast and snack foods available for students as needed

She noted they’re handed out in a “stigmafree” way, so the district isn’t rationing or counting the number of items being delivered daily The foods

available vary from school to school, depending what principals think will appeal to their community and what storage options (including refrigeration) are

available.

The district has budgeted $153,453 for the third category, local customized supports, and has so far spent $96,108 of

that money.

Most of the money so far has been used to purchase gift cards for vulnerable families.The money is being spent throughout the year, with one round of purchases at the beginning of the school year and another right now, leading into the winter break

Ketcham said that money has been used to buy gas cards,Walmart cards and grocery cards.

In response to a question from trustee Marc Andres, she said transit cards can also be provided with that money

What exactly the “local customized supports” look like is up to each individual school principal, she said, noting school staff are generally aware of which families may need some extra support and can choose to provide that in whatever way works best

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

The NewWestminster school district just got a helping hand in its quest to keep kids fed in school

TheVancouver Sun Children’s Fund is donating $140,000 towards the district’s Fuel Up lunch program this year

School district superintendent Karim Hachlaf

announced the donation during lastTuesday night’s board meeting, noting it’s a significant increase over last year when the fund provided $40,000 through its Adopt-a-School program.

“The demand of this program only increases to help our families and students around providing healthy, nutritious food in our schools,” Hachlaf said

During its spring budget discussions, the school board budgeted for more than $200,000 to offset the costs of running the Fuel Up program in 2022/23

With Fuel Up, families in all elementary and middle schools receive a monthly menu featuring a different selection of hot and cold options each day, and they can opt

in to as many lunches as they choose Full and partial subsidies are available when needed, but the majority of families pay full price for the meals with 25 cents from the price of a small entrée and 50 cents from the price of a large entrée going towards the cost of subsidies.

The goal is to provide stigma-free meals for everyone; students in a class-

room don’t know whose meals are subsidized and whose aren’t

The money brought in from the fully paid meals hasn’t been enough to offset the demand for subsidies, so the district has been funding the program out of its operating budget

The $140,000 donation will help to offset the drain on the district’s operating funds

The school district also accepts donations towards the program from individuals and families.

Anyone who wants to make a donation to help the lunch program can do so via the NewWestminster school district’s School Cash Online portal Use the pull-down menu to designate the donation to “Fuel Up School Nourishment Program ”

FOODPROGRAM: Making sure kids don’t go hungry at school is one of the missions for the New Westminster school district, which is using $325,000 of its B C affordability fund money on nutrition programs. PHOTO JOSE LUIS PELAEZ INC./DIGITALVISION/GETTY IMAGES

Community

School board puts

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

NewWestminster school trustees are looking into ways they can meet in person but still allow parents to participate remotely.

A discussion around a return to in-person school board meetings hit the agenda at the final School District 40 board meeting of 2022, held via Zoom on Dec. 13.

The board first adopted an all-virtual schedule with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with all board and committee meetings being held virtually for two years This past April, the board decided after much debate to switch to a hybrid schedule for the 2022/23 school year, with education committee meetings taking place in person but both oper-

ations committee and full board meetings being held online.

Trustee Dee Beattie brought forward a motion to the meeting suggesting the board return to meeting in-person for either the operations committee or full board meetings, or both

“In-person meetings are better for building understanding of issues, better communication, better focus and better participation,” she said in a background report to trustees “When interpreting information, non-verbal cues are a big part of any conversation Complex strategic conversations need full attention, and through face-to-face discussions we are able to debate creatively to fully understand the issue ”

The motion came on the heels of a conten-

tious board meeting on Nov. 22, when parents attending the meeting online voiced strong opposition to a plan to relocate child-care centres from École Qayqayt Elementary School and Fraser River Middle School and strong criticism for the board’s handling of

onin-person meetings

troubling, given that the pandemic had showed remote meetings had significantly lowered barriers to participation by parents

She suggested offering some form of hybrid model an idea echoed by Doug Herasymuik of the F.W. Howay Elementary School PAC, who reiterated that having virtual options has made it far more possible for parents to take part in meetings

only,” he said

“I also think that given the heat the board has caught in recent months with what has been universally described as a daycare crisis, moving to in-person only would make it look like this board is attempting to hide from public scrutiny rather than engage, collaborate and consult with the public ”

the issue

Parents who attended the Dec 13 meeting pushed back hard against the idea of losing virtual participation options.

Laura Kwong with the district parent advisory council (DPAC) said the idea of returning to inperson-only meetings was

“I think the biggest lesson is we shouldn’t be seeking to increase barriers to participation,” he said.

Parent James Plett pointed out virtual meeting options that made sense because of the COVID-19 pandemic still continue to make sense

“We have soaring rates of RSV, cold, flu I cannot absolutely see the reasoning to going in-person

Trustees noted advantages to meeting in person, particularly for the new members of the board, but agreed they didn’t want to lose out on public engagement They agreed to table the proposal until January’s board meeting.

District staff will bring back a report for the Jan 31 meeting, which will be held virtually, to provide options for hybrid meetings in 2023.

PHOTO JULIE MACLELLAN

THURSDAY, DEC. 22

COOKING LESSONS FOR TEENS

Those who have watched MasterChef Junior probably know that it’s never too early to wear an apron and a pair of oven mitts But if you haven’t seen chef Gordon Ramsey being chummy with budding chefs, no worries; because New Westminster Public Library (716 Sixth Ave.) is offering an opportunity for teens to be little chefs for a day right here in the city Those interested can register for free by sending an email to youth@nwpl.ca, or by calling 604-527-4677, and get a chance to whip up some festive treats The event is on from 2 to 3 p.m.

MORE: www.nwpl.ca

THURSDAY, DEC. 22

TH’OWXIYA: THE HUNGRY FEAST DISH

Have you heard of the ‘basket ogress’?

A character that’s common in Native American legends, the basket ogress, as per Native Languages of the Americas website, is portrayed as an old hungry spirit who catches kids, especially those who are naughty, and eats them up. Here is your chance to watch the Kwantlen First Nations tale of Th’owxiya, the basket ogress, unfold live on stage at the Anvil Centre ballroom (777 Columbia St.) at 2 p.m.When you buy a ticket, what you will be signing up for is watching a performance of how a raven, a bear and a sasquatch help out a mouse who is

caught stealing from the basket ogress’s feast.

MORE: www.anvilcentre.ca

THURSDAY, DEC. 22 AND FRIDAY, DEC. 23

BRETT MARTIN

’Tis the season of sharing be it gifts, a meal or laughs To help you with the last one, stand-up comedian Brett Martin will be performing at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy (530 Columbia St.) Thursday, at 7.30 p.m., and Friday, at 7.30 and 9.45 p.m. Martin has been featured on CTV and the Comedy Network among other platforms and is best known for his “acerbic takes” and “quick wit,” as men-

tioned on the House of Comedy website. Tickets are priced at $17 per person.

MORE: bc.houseofcomedy.net

FRIDAY, DEC. 23

UZUME TAIKO

Even as the sound of Christmas carols hangs in the air, dedicate an evening to the sound of taiko drums. Referring to a broad range of Japanese percussion instruments, taiko dates back to the 6th century AD Kofun period in Japan. And they have clearly stood the test of time, for, Uzume Taiko, a professional taiko drumming group established in 1988, will be playing them on stage at the Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.) between 2 and 3 p.m.The group’s performance will

be a blend of martial arts, and a mix of old and new style of taiko drumming. Tickets are priced between $5 and $15 plus service charges

MORE: www.anviltheatre.ca/wintercelebrations-2022/

MARCH HARE

End the week with a bellini while watching the March Hare band perform live The versatile band which is known to perform anything from a good old rock ‘n roll to country tunes, disco and dance music, will be at the Union Jack Public House to keep the party going till midnight and beyond While you are there, be sure to treat yourself to a prime rib dinner and wash it down with a chilled lager

MORE: www.facebook.com/Union JackPublicHouse/

Photo: Elva Etienne/Moment/Getty

Merry & Bright Christmas

There are a lot more ways to spend Christmas than to stay cooped up at home watching reruns of The Grinch. Christmas is finally here; so is the anticipation of

getting that gift that you slyly gave hints about to your family all through the past month But irrespective of what’s underneath that wrapping paper, here’s your chance to make the

most of your holidays this week

KUTAPIRA

This Christmas, add a new word to your vocabulary to describe holiday fa-

vourites like orange raisin and old-fashioned chewy ginger cookies ‘Kutapira ’ It means “sweetness” in the Shona language of Zimbabwe But the word is also the name of an East Vancouver-based band that will be performing a fusion of Zimbabwean marimba, Afro-Cuban and West African percussion live at the Anvil Centre Theatre (777 Columbia St.) at 7:30 p.m.Tickets to the event are priced between $10 and $20

When: Thursday, Dec 22

Details: www anvil theatre ca

SHINE BRIGHT

Looking for a photo spot with an ideal holiday vibe? As part of Shine Bright Gardens of Lights, multiple parks in the city are decked out with Christmas lights Thanks to the parks and recreation horticultural team, you can take a photo that’s profile-picture-worthy at several spots across New West including the Friendship Gardens atTipperary Park, NewWestminster Public Library’s main branch, rose garden at Queen’s Park, Moody Park, the waterfront esplanade at the west Pier Park, and more

When: Thursday, Dec 22 and Sunday, Dec. 24

Details: Find the entire

list on www newwestcity ca

O COME ALLYE SOULFUL

Those whose Christmas playlist goes beyond Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas album to include the hits of the 70s and 80s like Ray Charles’ Spirit of Christmas and Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas, might not want to miss a live festive concert that’s exactly dedicated to such holiday classics Vocalist Dawn Pemberton and bassist Jodi Proznick will perform the best hits of music legends such as StevieWonder, Ella Fitzgerald and more, as part of ‘O Come AllYe Soulful’ concert at the Anvil Centre ballroom (777 Columbia St), 7 30 onwards Tickets are priced between $15 to $30 per person

When: Friday, Dec 23

Details: www.anvil centre ca

HOLIDAY MARKET

Here’s one final opportunity to get a local handmade gift for your loved one Shine Bright Uptown Holiday Market will have about 20 vendors displaying their products at the Royal City Centre andWestminster Centre between 5 and 8 p m The event is not all about browsing for jewelry and home decor pieces, but also about joining a craft workshop and catching live music by QuaysideVoices and CaseyThomas-Burns

When: Friday, Dec. 23

Details: www newwest city ca

UGLY SWEATER EVENING

If you have been waiting for a chance to flaunt your tacky Christmas sweater, here is one Union Jack Public House (525 Seventh St.) is hosting a Christmas party that has one rule all customers must wear their ugly sweaters So, boldly pull out that obnoxious piece of apparel with snowman motif and a 3-D jingle bell from your wardrobe, and head out to the pub that’s featuring specials including prime rib and caesars on Christmas eve

When: Saturday, Dec 24

Details: www facebook com/UnionJackPublic House

Sweet sounds: Kutapira appears at the Anvil Theatre today (Thursday, Dec. 22).

PHOTO FACEBOOK

could save lives, city told

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

A Queensborough resident is urging the city to take action that could save lives – including her own Amalia Fowler spoke to city council Dec. 12 about an incident that required her to call 911 last month

As someone with a severe anaphylactic allergy, she explained that, if she’s exposed to her allergen, her throat closes up, she cannot breathe and she is likely to die if she doesn’t get medical assistance.

Fowler said she’s been transported by ambulance to hospitals in five different regions of B.C. more than a dozen times and to hospitals in Ontario more than 10 times On Nov 6, she required emergency assistance in NewWestminster

“Every firefighting team

I’ve encountered has historically had different sets of first aid equipment available to them, depending on the municipality and what they’re allowed to carry. Every fire team I’ve encountered, however, except New West fire, had, at the very least, a pulse ox,” she said.

“A pulse oximeter measures how much oxygen is getting into your blood, and for someone like me, when my throat is closing up, it’s kind of a crucial piece of information to understand where we are in an emergency situation.”

Based on her recent experience, Fowler said it appears NewWestminster Fire and Rescue Services also doesn’t have access to epinephrine

“Fundamentally, I understand medical is not necessarily their main

role,” she said “However, the BC Professional Firefighters Association does estimate that approximately 50 to 70 per cent of calls are medical in nature.”

Fowler said pulse oximeters and epi pens are items that other fire departments have had when she’s required emergency assistance in B C and

Ontario in the past “With this incident in November, I had a first happen to me, which is the ambulance never came And that is a provincial situation that we’re dealing with,” she added “NewWest fire was amazing in making sure that I did get to the hospital within an hour But I couldn’t help wondering

after this experience why our firefighters are less equipped from a medical perspective than your average flight attendant is, and also compared to some other regions ”

Fowler said NewWestminster is the first fire department she’s encountered in her “extensive patient experience” that didn’t have a pulse oximeter.

She wanted to bring her concern to council’s attention and to ask the city to review the types of first aid equipment its firefighters are allowed to carry

Brad Davie, an assistant deputy chief with New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services, said the situation encountered by Fowler relates to a licensing and a training issue.

“Different departments are trained to different

levels and have different licenses,” he said “Even if you have the training, you have to you can only serve to the level of the license that the department has as a whole So we may have personnel that can provide these services, but while they’re acting on behalf of the fire department they can’t go beyond that scope ”

Davie said the fire department is aware that ambulance delays have become quite significant

He said the department will be presenting a proposal to council that would bring its crews up to Emergency Medical Responder Level 2, which would include pulse oximetry and epinephrine injections (a full dose of epinephrine for anaphylaxis versus a partial dose provided by an epi pen )

Life and death: A Queensborough resident has asked city council to consider what medical services can be provided by New Westminster firefighters PHOTO RECORD FILES

CityCity is 15% below normal staffing capacity

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

The City of NewWestminster is continuing to face “considerable service delivery challenges” and is now operating at 15 per cent below its normal staffing capacity

A Dec. 12 report to council states the city has high number of vacancies The current 71 vacancies represent about 10 per cent of the city’s total staff complement

“Departments are also faced with gaps due to having a number of employees on leaves of absences (currently at 34 employees or approximately five per cent of staff complement,” said a staff report “That means that the city is currently operating at 15 per cent below normal capacity”

The senior management team is developing a plan to address these challenges

At the Dec 12 meeting, council directed the se-

nior management team to report back on a comprehensive staff recruitment and retention strategy for council’s consideration

The update followed up on a May 30 report to council in which the chief administrative officer informed council about staffing resources chal-

lenges and impacts on department’s work plans

The Dec 12 follow-up report stated that the City of NewWestminster continues to face staff challenges, an experience that’s similar to other public and private sector employers The report noted the attrition rate of regu-

lar positions had remained at five to eight per cent annually from 2017 to 2019 (with a low of five per cent in 2019 )

“In 2022, the attrition rate is trending towards 10 per cent by the end of the year,” said the report “This increasing rate of attrition year over year

presents considerable service delivery challenges for a medium-sized organization such as the Corporation of the City of New Westminster ”

Coun Tasha Henderson said it’s really important for the community to hear about the staffing challenges as it helps explain

why some things have not been moving forward

“It also really highlights the need to really think holistically and strategically about current workloads and what we’re asking staff to take on,” she said Henderson noted there were a number of motions on Monday’s agenda from councillors, as well as some notices of motions that would be considered in January She said council needs to really consider the lack of staff resources and the projects and work that’s already underway, so it can focus on key priorities

“I also just wanted to have an opportunity to thank staff for really hanging in there These are very trying circumstances, and we’re still seeing work get done in the city, which I think is pretty incredible given the state of affairs,” she told staff “So thank you for doing an excellent job or jobs plural at this point ”

Record’sMacLellanearnsawardnod

NewWestminster Record reporter Julie MacLellan has just been named a finalist for the 2022 Canadian Online Publishing Awards

MacLellan, a reporter and assistant editor of the combined NewWest Record/Burnaby NOW newsroom, is one of five finalists from across the country in the Best Blog/ Column/Podcast category

She earned the nod for

her opinion writing work in 2022, including two of the newsroom’s best-read pieces of the year: a satirical take on why women shouldn’t go grey, in the aftermath of the controversy over the firing of CTV News anchor Lisa LaFlamme; and a deeply personal essay about COVID and grief in the wake of the death of her father

Also earning a finalist

nod in the same category was another NewWestminster writer: Eden Fineday, a contributing storyteller with the IndigiNews newsletter.

The Canadian Online Publishing Awards (COPAs) was started in 2009 as an industry showcase of the best digital content creators in the magazine and newspaper industries.

In 13 years it has become the largest digital publish-

ing awards program in Canada with four divisions academic, business, consumer and media with a mandate to reflect Canada’s multicultural diversity whenever possible

The entries are reviewed by a panel with more than 90 judges including creative, digital, web, tech marketing, media and publishing experts.

Awards will be presented in February 2023

Personnel deficit: Staff vacancies and leaves of absence mean the City of New Westminster is currently operating at 15% below normal capacity PHOTO THERESA MCMANUS/THE RECORD

City City council seeks to silence train whistles

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

NewWestminster city council is committed to achieving whistle cessation at railways in the city – but council members have different views on the best track to take to get there.

At its Dec 12 meeting, council considered a six-point motion about train whistles from new councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas

“I am a resident of Quayside and I am very blessed that, in my community, that train whistles have stopped. I can sleep at night My son can sleep at night My spouse can sleep at night,” Fontaine said. “But I can’t say that for everybody who lives in Sapperton or in Queensborough.”

Prior to council’s consideration of the motion about whistle cessation, a Sapperton resident appealed to council for action to address train whistles

“If you don’t live there, you have no idea what we’re up against,” saidVictor Pauls “You can’t even sleep.”

The first part of the motion called on council to re-establish the former railway community advisory panel and asked staff to report back on terms of reference. (That committee, formed in 2012 and eliminated in 2020, included representatives from the city and the four railway companies operating in NewWest, as well as a couple of residents, who discussed a variety of topics related to rail issues in the city )

Mayor Patrick Johnston suggested council postpone consideration of the re-establishment of the panel, and the potential makeup of that committee, until after it holds its strategic planning session early in the new year He noted committees will be among the items discussed at that session

Council approved a motion to consider the reestablishment of the railway community advisory panel as part of its strategic planning session, with Fontaine and Minhas opposing that decision

“I will not be in support of delaying this or sending this to the mother of all strategic planning sessions next year,” Fontaine said Coun.Tasha Henderson

questioned whether politicians should be involved in this issue or if it’s a technical discussion best handled by staff

In terms of an advisory committee, there is value in having a technical advisory committee because the work is extremely technical, said Lisa LeBlanc, the city’s director of engineering

“So, a lot of value and having all the rail companies involved come together regularly to hear from one another and for staff to hear from them, and to work together as a collective technical group on a very significant technical challenge that whistle cessation presents,” LeBlanc said “Whether a committee like that is chaired by an elected official or not is something that I will leave to our elected officials to comment on ”

The motion put forward by Fontaine and Minhas also recommended:

The city establish a target of eliminating all unnecessary train whistles by no later than 2026

The city draft a letter to the federal Minister ofTransportation advising that the city wishes to accelerate negotiations with the federal government to get its support and assistance with whistle cessation

Staff be required to provide quarterly updates to city council and the public regarding progress made to eliminate train

whistles

Staff ensure the city’s website, containing critical information regarding whistle cessation, is updated with the latest information

Staff report back on the capital costs related to infrastructure upgrades to the Sapperton and Queensborough train crossings, and the city, if eligible, apply for provincial or federal infrastructure funding to lower the tax burden on city ratepayers

“I’ve heard this is important to the community and

know that they need and want this,” Henderson said “I do take some issue with calling the whistles unnecessary in this motion, though, as they are actually an important safety measure to prevent deaths and harm, and are regulated by the Federal Railways Act I feel like calling it ‘unnecessary’ here makes it seem as though the city can just fix this with a wave of a wand and is choosing not to. As I’m sure we all know, it’s a complex and multi-jurisdictional process involving dozens of stakeholders ”

Henderson said some parts of the resolution feel like council is “putting the cart before the horse” as she doesn’t think council members have an understanding of the reality of the proposed timeline for whistle cessation at crossings in the city.

“This motion speaks to all crossings in the city before 2026, and we don’t know what that would actually take in terms of the budget – or even if it is possible to achieve cessation at every single site, particularly some of those in Queensborough,” she said. “So I personally don’t feel comfortable making this promise to the community before I have that information on the technical nature ”

Johnstone said he felt it would be appropriate to refer a large part of the motion back to staff

for information in the new year, so council has details to inform its decisions He said that report could provide information about financial and technical considerations regarding whistle cessation, as well as any jurisdictional issues related to the railways and regulatory issues involving railway crossings in the city.

Coun Ruby Campbell – who, like Henderson, Minhas and Fontaine, is serving her first term on city council – said it would be valuable for council to be informed about railway whistle cessation before making a decision on this important issue

Johnstone said he agrees with the spirit of the motion, but is worried about some of the timelines and commitments being put forward He said he’s not sure the city could achieve whistle cessation by the end of 2026, even if it tried, because of financial, technical and other issues

“I do want to assure the community that we will be prioritizing this because I know it’s something that all of council wants to see completed as soon as possible,” he said

Some council members initially suggested referring the rest of the motion back to staff, but Henderson said she’d be support the aspects relating to regular updates on whistle cessation and updates on the issue on the city’s website Council unanimously approved those two components of the motion.

Aspects of the motion relating to completing work by no later than 2026, writing to the federal government and reporting back on capital costs to upgrade crossings in Queensborough and Sapperton were referred back to staff Minhas and Fontaine voted against referring those parts of the motion to staff

Fontaine expressed concern about delaying decisions on an issue that impacts the livability of many residents

“People are counting on us as our elected leadership to move as quickly as we can And I’ll tell you, we have to be honest with them If we cannot do this by 2026, then we have to tell people,” he said.

“There are people who cannot sleep at night, and they’re living with the hope that this somehow this is going to be fixed in the next four years

LOWERDECIBELS: While whistle cessation has been achieved at the Begbie crossing, Quayside and Sapperton crossings are still a work in progress PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER/NEW WEST RECORD

“ I can sleep at night. My son can sleep at night. My spouse can sleep at night. But I can’t say that for everybody who lives in Sapperton or in Queensborough.”

He was incred bly generous with his t me, and never said no to a request for a help ng hand After retirement, he became an ind spensable volunteer for the Burnaby

date

Beatrice passed away peacefully at the age of 99 She was born in Vancouver and lived most of her life in Burnaby. Bea graduated from the University of Toronto as an Occupational Therapist, participating in the Second World War effort as a lieutenant in the Canadian Army. After her service, she worked locally as an OT. Bea was a committed life member of the Beta Sigma Phi Lamda Master Chapter and a dedicated philanthropist and volunteer. During her pastime, she was a talented crafter, knitter, gardener, and world traveller. She was also well known as everyone’s Auntie Bea."

Bea was predeceased by her husband, Sheldon Hunter; brother Donald M. Carpenter; and niece Corinne Fraser. She is survived by her brother Charles; sisters in law Patti and Cicely; niece Lea Carpenter (Tim Turner); nephews Andrew Carpenter, Kevin Carpenter (Jae Ahn) and Robert (Bob) Carpenter (Michelle); and her many grand nephews and grand nieces, and cousin Beth Coleman.

A graveside memorial, followed by a reception, will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Ocean View Cemetery & Funeral Home 4000 Imperial St., Burnaby. The family would like to thank the staff of Amica West Vancouver and My Home Rehab for their professional and affectionate care of Bea over the years.

GILDING, Gregory James Gregory James Gi d ng passed away at home on December 4, 2022 from the sudden onset of cancer Greg wi l be deeply m ssed by his wife Lor Rene Gild ng, and his cher shed sons Jared and Tr stan G lding, h s mother Mari yn Gregory, h s father James G lding (Carol Broomfie d), h s s sters Diane Spencer and Jennifer Monaghan (Bob) Greg ived ife to the ful est Grow ng up in Burnaby he oved the sport of rugby as a p ayer coach captain and ncred ble supporter His ife s work was n the office of Cafferky Gi d ng Insurance where he prov ded exceptiona serv ce going above and beyond client’s expectations

Neighbourhood House Food Bank A Celebrat on of L fe wil be held at a ater

HUNTER, Beatrice G. May 15, 1923 November 22, 2022