New Westminster Record March 23 2023

Residents seek clarity on heritage

When will NewWest unfreeze heritage revitalization agreement applications in Queen’s Park?

TheresaMcManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

NewWest council’s Queen’s Park residents will have to wait a while longer before they know the city’s plans for addressing heritage projects in their neighbourhood

In July 2021, council voted 5-2 in favour of a motion by then-mayor

Jonathan Cote to temporarily suspend heritage revitalization agreement (HRA) applications in the Queen’s Park heritage conservation area until the city puts some policies in place At the time, Cote said it was “challenging” for council to evaluate the benefits of heritage revitalization agreements in Queen’s Park compared with neighbourhoods where the level of heritage protection offered in the conservation area doesn’t

exist

But some Queen’s Park residents have been left waiting for the city to develop policy around heritage revitalization agreements in the Queen’s Park heritage conservation area.

In a letter to the Record, Queen’s Park residents Perry and Caroline Roussy said they were addressing all the required key points prior to making a formal submission and staff were fully aware of their incoming application when council put HRA applications on hold

“Entering into this process we were warned this was not an undertaking for the faint of heart.The financial outlay, the city-required upgrades, modifications to the existing home and, of course, being beaten down by community members who object,”

Continued on page 3

Connaught Heights in density ‘limbo’

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

Some Connaught Heights residents feel like they’re stuck in limbo while waiting for the city’s “bold vision” to be developed for the area around the 22nd Street SkyTrain station

As part of a 2017 up-

date to the official community plan, the city identified the area around that station as a place that could accommodate higher density development

“People here are living in limbo,” area resident Miao Peijiang told council Monday. “Like, we don’t know what’s going to hap-

pen ”

In February 2020, staff proposed developing a “bold vision” for the area around the station, one that could include initiatives such as car-free zone; a zero-emissions vehicles zone; a renewable energy zone; or other plans as determined through an ideas competition At that time,

the city’s plan was to retain a consulting team and to launch a design and ideas competition in 2020, evaluate the shortlisted ideas and endorse a vision in 2021, and begin implementing the vision in 2022

Numerous Connaught Heights residents attended

Continued on page 16

PAPER PROWL: Penny Martinello of Dragonscales Journals greets a customer at New West Craft held at River Market on March 18. PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

Up Front TB case ID’d at New West Secondary

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

A tuberculosis case at NewWestminster Secondary School prompted Fraser Health to issue exposure notifications to some students and staff just before March break

Now a medical health officer has some reassurance for families who were worried by the warning:TB doesn’t spread easily, and it’s “completely treatable” when it does

The notification involved one person at NWSS who was found to have tuberculosis, Fraser Health has confirmed.That person has not been at the school since the diagnosis and will be in isolation until the B C Centre for Disease Control’sTB services team determines they are no longer infectious

Dr. Maulik Baxi, a medical health officer who specializes in communicable diseases, said tuberculosis remains relatively uncommon in B.C.; BCCDC stats report roughly 15 to 30 cases each month provincewide.

“In British Columbia, TB remains relatively low in numbers compared to some of the other respiratory pathogens, where we see hundreds or even thousands of cases,” he noted

Baxi walked through some common questions and concerns around tuberculosis in an interview with the Record on March 16

We’re breaking it down

What happens when a tuberculosis case is diagnosed in B.C.?

Once the BCCDC confirms a case of tuberculosis, the health authority follows a contact management process

“That is when we identify individuals from their immediate family members, friends and other people who they maybe spent significant time with, and then we expand into workplaces and schools,”

Baxi said

Who gets notified depends on the type of activities they may have been doing and the amount of contact they may have had with the infectious person, he noted

BecauseTB is a “very slow-moving” disease without a clear-cut start date for infectiousness, Baxi said the health authority errs on the

side of being “over-cautious” in sending notifications

How does tuberculosis spread?

With pulmonary tuberculosis, because the bacteria that causes it (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) is in the lungs and respiratory system, the bacteria that causes can be spread through coughing, sneezing, laughing or singing

“If somebody’s around them that inhales the air containing those nuclei, they may become infected,” Baxi said

But he said the number of people who actually develop the disease, even among those who were genuinely exposed to it, is still small without treatment, only about five to 10 per cent of those people will develop the disease.

“Even in the same family, let’s say one person is infectious Not everybody in the

family may also even eventually become sick from that,” he said.

How many students and staff at NWSS may have been exposed toTB?

Baxi could not say exactly how many people were notified in this case.

“We did go above and beyond in identification of individuals who might be truly exposed, whether they were in the same classroom, whether they were in some of the other activities, whether they might be students, whether they might be teachers,” he said

Baxi said those who were found to have potential exposure have been notified directly by Fraser Health, and that notification includes information about what steps they need to take next including how to get tested

He said Fraser Health is working closely with School District 40 on notification and arranging testing clinics for those affected

How is tuberculosis diagnosed?

Depending on the type of tuberculosis, Baxi noted there are different types of tests

The first step to assess the exposure is a two-step skin test, where a person is given a small dose of injection to assess their exposure An assessment is done by a public health nurse 48 to 72 hours later to determine if the skin shows the characteristic redness that indicates exposure.

Vacancytax proposedfor commercial properties

TheresaMcManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

NewWestminster city council believes a vacant property tax on commercial properties could help local business districts

Council unanimously approved a motion submitted by Coun Ruby Campbell which will go to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association for its consideration at the Union of B C Municipalities meeting The motion asks the provincial government to provide municipalities with an option to introduce a vacant property tax that would be applicable to commercial properties

The motion states that the province has adopted a vacancy tax on vacant residential properties as one tool to assure land speculation does not result in property standing fallow to the detriment of community livability and other goals It also says commercial property values are inflating provincewide, and increasingly facing investment speculation that results in similar underutilization of commercial properties in many B C municipalities

Mayor Patrick Johnstone is looking forward to debating the motion at the Lower Mainland Local Government Association

Two NewWestminster Chamber of Commerce representatives attended the Feb 27 council meeting to voice their support of the motion

AngieWhitfield, executive director, said the NewWestminster Chamber of Commerce supports the implementation of a vacant property tax on commercial properties.

“It’s no doubt that the derelict buildings in our commercial districts are not helping create a healthy environment for the businesses in those spaces,” she said

Previous council questioned benefits of heritage agreements

Continued from page 1

they wrote “Now we’ve reached a whole other level of stress we never saw coming ”

The couple said their HRA application would create an infill house, with a legal suite and existing two-car garage.They said they’ve written to council asking when the city will “unfreeze” the HRA program in Queen’s Park

“It’s been almost two

years,” they wrote in the letter

The Record put that question to JackieTeed, the city’s acting director of climate action, planning and development

“Once council has completed their strategic plan, staff will prepare work plans in alignment with it, and identify timelines for projects that will advance in the next four years,” she said in an email to the

Record.

At a recent meeting, council members were told that they’d be considering the strategic plan in April

A heritage revitalization agreement is a type of long-term, legal protection on a home that’s been negotiated between a property owner and the city. In exchange for retention of a heritage building and some restoration work, an

HRA allows the city to supersede local zoning regulations and provide nonfinancial incentives that would make it viable for the applicant to conserve the property

In July 2021, a majority of council supported the motion to pause the acceptance of new HRA applications in Queen’s Park saying it’s challenging to evaluate the benefits the city is receiving for ap-

proving HRAs in that area compare to other neighbourhoods that don’t have a conservation area

At that time, Coun. Jaimie McEvoy said, without having that policy in place, council had been making ad-hoc decisions on applications leaving some to question if those heritage revitalization agreements were achieving a heritage benefit for the Queen’s Park neighbourhood.

Coun. Nadine Nakagawa said she had mixed feelings about freezing applications in Queen’s Park and noted she didn’t want the process to drag on Then-councillors Mary Trentadue and Patrick Johnstone (now mayor) voted against the motion, saying they support increased density and more housing choice in singlefamily neighbourhoods.

DISCOVERY: A tuberculosis case was identified at New Westminster Secondary School before March break. PHOTO HAILSHADOW/ ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

EASTER IN THE CITY: APRIL 6 – 10

Easter in the City is back! Hop around the city and enjoy a variety of activities over five days. There are opportunities for everyone to discover, create, hop around, or try something new!

Highlights include:

• Eggciting Easter Egg Hunt at Tipperary Park along with Easter activities at the Farmers Market.

Easter Carnival at Moody Park Arena including photos with the Easter Bunny

• The Unbeatable Scavenger Hunt taking place throughout the Downtown core

• A family prize pack, enter to win by participating in a colouring contest

• Craft, sports, gymnastics, trivia, cooking, and more!

Registration opens March 23: newwestcity.ca/easter

ARCHIVES IN SCI-FI: FILM SERIES

Anvil Centre, Studio 417 | Thursday, March 30, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Love sci-fi? Watch your favourites in a new way Every month you can join the city’s archivist, Erin, as she screens and speaks to the influence of archives in sci-fi film and TV. This month, Erin will discuss Somewhere in Time (1980). This series is for those 16+: Cash bar provided for those of legal drinking age Film contains adult themes and imagery

Register for free at newwestcity.ca/register (ID# 165747).

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION OF LAND

Whereas the City Council of the Corporation of the City of New Westminster wishes to license a 384 sq. ft (more or less) area of the basement of Century House, at 620 Eighth Street, New Westminster, BC, V3M 3S6, which land is not available to the public for acquisition (license); therefore, the Corporation of the City of New Westminster hereby gives notice subject to Section 26(3) and 94 of the Community Charter:

(a) The land is more particularly described as:

Parcel Identifier: 014-891-620

Legal Description: THAT PORTION MARKED "MOODY SQUARE" PLAN 2620

(b) The City proposes to license the above described property to: New Westminster Amateur Radio Club

(c) The nature of the disposition: a license for 3 years from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024

(d) The consideration for which the Purchaser shall pay to the city: The sum of $150.00, ($50.00 per annum).

For more information concerning this license, please contact Christy Mereigh, Manager, Strategic Projects, 604-527-4502

Lisa Spitale Acting Corporate Officer

THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR CITY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Monday, March 27 4:00 pm

Special Council Workshop

Council Chamber, City Hall and online

Monday, March 27 6:00 pm

Public Hearing followed by City Council Meeting

Council Chamber, City Hall and online

PUBLIC HEARING

MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023 AT 6:00 PM

Meeting held electronically and open to public attendance in Council Chamber City Hall

Heritage Revitalization Agreement Bylaw No. 8379, 2023 and Heritage Designation Bylaw No. 8380, 2023 for 802 & 806 Eighth Street and 809 Eighth Avenue

Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) and Heritage Designation Bylaw applications have been received for 802 & 806 Eighth Street and 809 Eighth Avenue The project would protect and restore a 1929 heritage house, which will be relocated on-site In exchange, the HRA would allow subdivision and construction of three new townhouse buildings. A total of 18 residential units are proposed, including four accessible studio units and 14 familyfriendly units. An overall Floor Space Ratio of 1.08 is proposed. Smaller lot sizes, higher densities, minor increases to building heights, and construction of the townhouse units are among the primary Zoning Bylaw relaxations proposed by the HRA Several minor siting relaxations are also being requested

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

• Written submissions by email, post, or dropping off at the mailbox on the north side of City Hall are welcome and encouraged.

• Speak at the meeting by computer, smart device or phone via Zoom:

1. Computer, Smartphone or Tablet: go to newwestcity ca/council and click or tap the Meeting ID button 686 8875 2527

2 Phone: Call 778-907-2071. Enter Meeting ID: 686 8875 2527, followed by #

• Speak in person at the meeting A mask is recommended.

Starting at 8:30 am on March 16, 2023, register online at speakers.newwestcity.ca, or contact Legislative Services to register to speak: Phone: 604-527-4523 Legislative Services Department, Email: clerks@newwestcityca 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

From March 16 to March 27, 2023, the proposed bylaws and related material are available for inspection at Legislative Services, City Hall 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, and online at newwestcity.ca/publicnotices

Written comments received by 5:00 pm, three business days before the meeting will be included in the agenda package Later comments received until the close of the hearing will be distributed on table at the meeting All comments are published.

Lisa Spitale, Acting Corporate

Officer

Continued on page 7

MY VIEW KEITH BALDREY

Trudeau, Liberals hold strategic edge in poll

Federal Conservative

Party leader Pierre Poilievre was in this province last week as he continues to lay out his plans for taking the country in a different direction than the one steered by the ruling Liberals

Housing was the big topic, as Poilievre again vowed to chase the “gatekeepers” out of power and threatened to withhold federal infrastructure funding (and other money) from big cities that don’t increase homebuilding by at least 15

per cent a year

Issues such as housing, public safety, inflation and such are good ones for the Conservative leader to focus on since so many Canadians are concerned about them

In fact, an Angus Reid Institute survey of almost 5,000 Canadians released the day of his visit to B C showed that inflation is far and away the No 1 issue of concern with voters

There seems to be a lot of worry in this country right now, as the economy looks increasingly fragile and acts

of random violence seem to be on the rise Housing remains unaffordable for many, and the health-care system is showing more and more fault lines

So, why aren’t Poilievre and his party soaring in popularity at a time when so many things look to be in trouble, not the least of which is the ruling Liberals?

Some clues can be found in that Angus Reid poll

While the poll showed the Conservatives have a sixpoint lead over the Liberals on a national basis, a closer

look shows the party has some serious work to do if it hopes to dislodge the Liberals from power come the next election

For one thing, Justin Trudeau is still preferred as a leader over Poilievre by a significant margin in riding-rich Ontario (41 per cent to 34 per cent) and Quebec (36 per cent to 24 per cent) and by a smaller margin in B C (38 per cent to 33 per cent) Nationally, Trudeau has a slight edge of 37 per cent to 34 per cent

Secondly, the Liberals

have strong leads in areas where most of the country’s ridings are located: Greater Toronto, MetroVancouver and Montreal

“CPC leader Pierre Poilievre lags in likeability, while his party lags in mustwin areas,” Angus Reid noted in its poll analysis

The Institute did uncover a finding, however, that should cheer the Conservatives and worry the Liberals

The poll found just 73 per cent of people who voted Liberal in the 2021

election say they will do so again, compared to a finding of 87 per cent for the Conservatives

Still, if an election were held any time soon, that party would still likely hang on to power

But, unlessTrudeau pulls the plug early, the next election is still two years away Plenty of time for Poilievre to improve his popularity in crucial regions

Unless, of course, he finds that he can’t Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC

Police the parklet please give us our neighbour ood back

Editor: I think at one time the parklet was a good idea, but not so much anymore

I try to avoid that area now Every time I go by, there are groups of people, usually the same people, yelling, swearing and smoking. The area is full of litter and has become a nuisance I don’t know one family that can enjoy that space normally

The hot rods and excessively loud motorcycles are another story

More police presence would be welcome by everyone, so we can have our neighbourhood back.

Karl Spiess

You don’t get to dictate who uses Belmont parklet

Re: Belmont parklet is an unpleasant waste of New West’s money

Editor: This (writer) wants to defund and censure our city-endorsed community space

If she wants to pick who enters the space, that is discriminatory and she would have to own that space.

We are very lucky Many cities don’t even have places like this to freely assemble because the public space was sold to developers So if you don’t like smokers, move to Langley or something Many big-box-store strip malls have a Starbucks for your imaginary hot soccer moms and single dads.

Sorry, only real people over here just sitting and talking, maybe exchanging views, or someone is enjoying their coffee and cigarette

Dylan MacIntosh

Parklet problems? Easy solution get rid of it

Editor: Regarding the public seating area outside the Tim Hortons, the bigger issue is the cars that are congested on Sixth Street because of the closed lane for this seating area. Families wouldn’t want to sit there due to the drivers yelling at the crosswalk and people swearing at drivers crossing the crosswalk

It would be better to open up the lane and improve traffic flow.

Currently there is a seating area outside the New Westminster Public Library and Dairy Queen one block away A whole lane is taken away, and cars are backed up all the way to Moody Park during rush hour The noise of honking and people’s aggressive attitude

NewWest hydro bills need to be clearer

Editor: I read on the City of New Westminster’s website that they will survey residents for satisfaction of electricity service

I’m not sure if I will get surveyed, but I hope the city should review how they bill us. BC Hydro customers can go online to see their usage in very detailed breakdowns that help them identify any unusual power consumption.

We don’t have that here in New West Yet, the billing period makes it harder to track our usage as the number of days in each billing period is always different I received one bill that was unusually high by looking at the consumption chart

I had to look for the bill for the same month last year to compare, and it is an 11-day diiference. I had to do maths to find out my average usage was normal

being stuck in traffic after these seating areas were built have possibly had a bigger impact Families and single people who really want to relax or talk have coffee shops, Moody Park and Queen’s Park all within walking distance So my opinion on the matter would be to remove those seating areas

Dave Santos

We are encouraged to save power, but the city should make it easier for us to see our efforts are working or not when looking at the bills

If we can’t get something “innovative” like BC Hydro’s detailed usage tracking, at least make the number of days (almost) the same for each billing period

Ryan Dang

CITY

SMALL GRANT OPPORTUNITY

TO AMEND THE COUNCIL PROCEDURE BYLAW NO 6910, 2004

The Council of the City of New Westminster intends to amend the Council Procedure Bylaw No 6910, 2004

Council will consider changes to:

• Incorporate the Notice of Motion Process policy;

• Timing for the taking effect of certain motions

Copies of the bylaw amendment are available at newwestcity.ca/publicnotices beginning Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Council will consider adoption of the changes to the bylaw at a City Council meeting on Monday, March 27, 2023

Comments regarding this matter can be forwarded in writing to Legislative Services, by mail, fax (604-527-4594) or email (clerks@newwestcityca) All correspondence is deemed public information

Mailing Address:

of

City

New Westminster

The City’s One-Time Small Grant intake is fast approaching! Note there is only ONE intake this year

• Grant intake begins on Monday, March 27, 2023.

• Application deadline is Monday, April 24, 2023.

Please see newwestcity ca/grants for more details. Questions? Please contact grants@newwestcityca

Grants Information Session

Parklet plight: New Westminster’s Belmont parklet is ground zero in a local debate over the best use of public space. PHOTO THERESA MCMANUS

Community

LastoftheRedHotLovers onstage in New West

Don’t miss the fun as Royal CanadianTheatre Company winds up its season with Neil Simon

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

The Royal Canadian Theatre is getting ready to spice things up for its spring production

The company is staging Neil Simon’s comedy The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, at the Anvil Theatre in NewWest this month after a run at the Surrey Arts Centre

The production marks the final show selected by the Royal Canadian Theatre’s artistic director emeritus, Ellie King, before her retirement and the company’s artistic director, Kerri Norris, is putting a special spin on the production.

The show usually features four actors: one man and three women. For this

show, though, Norris has cast one woman for all three roles

Justin Spurr takes the stage as Barney Cashman, with CrystalWeltzin appearing as Elaine, Bobbi and Jeanette.

“The acting duo have had so much fun creating this production and working together in each act to create a fun, sexually awkward comedy,” a press release noted.

Nicole DesLauriers directs the play, which follows the story of Barney a happily married, 47-year-old father of three children who has hit a midlife crisis.

As the release noted, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers examines what it means to grow older and asks the question,

“What do you do when it seems as if your life hasn’t been fully lived?” How many chances will Bar-

ney get to create a beautiful moment, and how many strangers will he bring back to his mother’s

comedy

lumbia St., NewWestminster) from Friday, March 24 to Saturday, April 1 Shows are at 7:30 p m on March 24, 29, 30, 31 and April 1, with 3:30 p m matinees on March 25, 26 and April 1.

The Saturday, March 29 show will be a “relaxed performance” a sensory-friendly show that’s designed to make theatre more welcoming for audience members with sensory, communication or other challenges

Tickets are $34 99 regular, or $29.99 for seniors 60+ and children 12 and under Family pack and group discounts are available

apartment?

The Last of the Red Hot Lovers is onstage at at the Anvil Theatre (777 Co-

Buy tickets online for the Anvil Theatre performances at https://www. ticketsnw ca

Six regions, six celebrations: Outside/In wraps up in New West

A celebration of the arts and culture of six regions of Canada has wrapped up in NewWest.

Launched in January, Outside/In featured live performances at Anvil Centre. Street socials, including activities, entertainment and food trucks, were held in Hyack Square

The March 18 finale focused on Quebec, with

Marriage Commissioner

The Vital Statistics Agency, Ministry of Health, is looking for an individual to serve as a Marriage Commissioner for New Westminster The individual will perform civil marriages within their community on behalf of the Agency Applicants must reside in New Westminster in order to be considered for this position

For information and an application form please visit our website at: gov.bc.ca/becoming-a-marriage-commissioner

the day’s fun including circus activities withVancouver Circus School and live music featuring Will Clements at Hyack Square, and indoor entertainment by Sinha Danse at Anvil Centre.

“The response from the community and everyone that was involved has been very positive,” said Lisa Kemp, the city’s program coordinator of spe-

cial events.

“Attendees have expressed that they appreciated the unique opportunities that the event series presented from watching national performing artists at AnvilTheatre to experiencing gold panning and trying out a circus activity.”

Earlier, the festival had offered entertainment and activities related to other

regions of Canada: British Columbia (Jan 21); the Prairies (Jan 28); East Coast (Feb. 18); Northern Canada (Feb 25); and Ontario (March 11)

“The city would like to thank all of the artists, local businesses and community partners that helped to make this event series such a success,” Kemp said Theresa McManus

Richard W. Kortje Associate Portfolio Manager & Senior Wealth Advisor

PLAYERS: Crystal Weltzin and Justin Spurr star in the Royal Canadian Theatre Co production of Neil Simon’s The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, onstage in New Westminster this month PHOTO COURTESY ROYAL CANANDIAN THEATRE CO.

Final notes: Saturday’s Outside/In Festival edition featured a performance by Will Clements PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

City dips into hybrid pool plan

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

NewWest is prepared to tweak its outdoor pool plans once the swim season gets underway

Staff recently updated council on plans for this year’s extended season at NewWestminster’s two outdoor pools Moody Park Outdoor Pool will open from April 22 to Oct. 1, while Hume Park Outdoor Pool will open from May 30 to Oct 1

In response to feedback from pool users, the city is adopting a “hybrid approach” that includes continuing on with a reserved system for people wanting a guaranteed swimming spot, but setting aside 20 per cent of swim spaces for drop-in visitors (Last year, all spots had to be reserved ahead of time)

Coun Daniel Fontaine

said he’s heard from a lot of parents who say this reservation system removes the spontaneity of parents being able to bring their kids to the pool unless they’ve made a plan to go swimming

Corrinne Garrett, the city’s senior manager of recreation services and facilities, said 65 per cent of the people who took part in the city’s public engagement process about the pools said they preferred having a reserved system, so they could register in advance and know when their family was going to the facility

“It got rid of the queues or the lineups outside of the gate in 32-degree weather, not knowing whether or not you have to wait an hour, an hourand-a-half or two hours to get into the next swim session,” she said. “So there

was a lot of back and forth in regards to the numbers, and to take patron safety into mind, as well as knowing that we were still bound by capacities to a full complement of staff ”

The city wants to get back to a place where the pool is once again solely drop-in, Garrett added

Dean Gibson, the city’s director of parks and recreation, said the 80/20 split was based on feedback received through formal surveys and from speaking with customers at the pools last summer

“We can adjust and modify as we go along,” he said “Because that system is very much a sort of in-the-background type of a system So we’ll certainly take the feedback, and if it’s appropriate, we’ll certainly respond to that in the course of the summer season.”

WEEKEND

FRIDAY, MARCH 24 TO SUNDAY, MARCH 26

SUNDAY, MARCH 26

BREATHWORK AND SOUND MEDITATION

If you have 90 minutes to spare this weekend, head to the newly opened yoga studioYoga at the Quay (810 Quayside Dr.) to work towards being a more calm and stress-free version of yourself The session includes breathwork and sound meditation Together, the practice, as per the event description, will help reduce stress, improve sleep, lower blood pressure and heal trauma. Participants will be provided with yoga mats and bolsters at the venue, but are welcome to bring their own mat, pillow, blanket and eye cover Tickets are priced at $65.23.

WHEN: Sunday, March 26, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Yoga at the Quay, 213-810 Quayside Dr. MORE: tinyurl.com/2v24zam4

fully lived?” Catch the show at 7:30 p.m. on March 24, and 3:30 p.m. on March 25 and 26.Tickets are $34.99 regular, or $29.99 for seniors 60+ and children 12 and under MORE: anviltheatre.ca/event/the-last-ofthe-red-hot-lovers/

FRIDAY, MARCH 24

TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDS

End the weekend grooving to popular classics Listen to tribute artists perform old hits such as Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman or Connie Francis’ Where the Boys Are; watch world-class Elvis tribute artist Pete Paquette bring the legendary star’s magic back on stage; and sing along with the Tonettes as they belt out the best of Diana Ross,The Supremes and Aretha Franklin. Enjoy the entertainment-packed evening at the Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.) between 7 and 9 p.m.Tickets are priced at $49.

MORE: masseytheatre.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 24 TO SUNDAY, MARCH 26

THE LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS

When the tax season gets stressful and the spring break, exhausting, sign yourself up for an evening filled with laughter Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St ) is hosting a play Neil Simon’s comedy The Last of the Red Hot Lovers by the Royal Canadian Theatre Co that is sure to have you in splits Watch the story of a 47-yearold married man and father of three children who hits a midlife crisis and ponders the question: “What do you do when it seems as if your life hasn’t been

SATURDAY, MARCH 25

PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE SHOW

Fof those who are looking for inspiration to make their gym memberships count, this might help The first Canadian Physique Alliance Show of the 2023 Season is kicking off at the Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.) this weekend. At the event, you will see participants from all across Canada competing in a range of categories including bodybuilding, physique, figure, fitness and wellness, and more.While there, you can also check out the 20-plus vendor booths all set up as part of the Level 1 amateur show It’s on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are priced at $47 for adults, and

$43 for seniors and students

MORE: masseytheatre.com/event/leighbrandt-muscle-classic-10-am-show/

SUNDAY, MARCH 26

GLOBAL TEA SERIES

Have some tea, refreshments, and sit back to enjoy an evening of music this Sunday SarahYusha Tan, a renowned Guzheng (Chinese zither) performer, and a member of the B.C. Chinese Music Ensemble,Vancouver Chinese Music and the Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra, will be performing at 3 p.m. at Eighth and Eight Creative Spaces (735 Eighth Ave.) as part of the Global Tea Series The event, hosted by Cassius Khan, brings together accomplished musicians and tea specialists, and sets up the stage for discussions about different cultures of the world through songs and experiences

MORE: eighthandeight.com/event/ global-tea-series-sarah-yusha

Compiled by Naveena Vijayan

Photo d3sign/Moment/Getty Images

Yoga at the Quay is offering a session on breathwork and sound meditation Sunday aimed at helping reduce stress, improve sleep, lower blood pressure and heal trauma

New West schools above average in FSA results

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

NewWestminster continues to be ahead of the provincial curve when it comes to student FSA results

The FSAs, or Foundation Skills Assessments,

are standardized provincial tests given to grades 4 and 7 students across the province.

The FSAs have proven controversial for many years, since the Fraser Institute uses the results to create rankings of schools across B C

But Maureen McRae-Stanger, director of instruction for the New Westminster school district, said SD40 doesn’t use the results to rank its schools Rather, she said, they’re one way for the district to examine trends around student achieve-

ment and figure out how to find and address any gaps it identifies McRae-Stanger presented the district’s 2021/22 FSA results to trustees at their education committee meeting in February The numbers showed the vast majority

Retirement and Estate Planning Strategies Seminar

Are you between 55 and 70 years old?

Have you or are you going through an important waypoint in life that makes you ask complex questions about your future?

Please join us in a mediated panel discussion and have your questions answered by our specialists Topics

of students in NewWestminster schools are “on track” or “extending” in literacy and numeracy.

NUMERACY NUMBERS ON THE WAY UP

As has been the case in past years, literacy results are NewWestminster’s strong point.

Among Grade 4 students who wrote the FSAs, 79 per cent were on track or extending in NewWest, ahead of the 75 per cent result for B C as a whole For Grade 7s, 78 per cent of NewWest students were on track or extending, compared to 74 per cent provincewide Numeracy results, though somewhat lower, were also higher than the provincial outcomes

Among Grade 4s, 73 per cent of NewWest students were on track or extending, compared to 66 per cent provincewide Among Grade 7s, the New West number was 74 per cent, compared to 66 per cent in B.C.

“For literacy, we are typically stronger than we are in numeracy over the past several years,” McRae-Stanger said “And we are really trying to focus on making sure that we get those numeracy scores up further ”

She pointed to the biggest improvement in New Westminster’s results this time around: the Grade 7 numeracy results, which were slightly below the provincial numbers in 2020/21 but exceeded them by a significant margin in 2022/23

McRae-Stanger noted the district now has a numeracy facilitator who has

Outstanding: The New Westminster school district continues to show solid FSA results PHOTO HAKASE / ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

been targeting work with middle school students, particularly those in Grade 6, and the results of those efforts are now being seen.

In total, SD40 had 81 per cent of Grade 4 students write the FSAs

The participation rate was slightly lower in Grade 7, where 69 per cent of students took part

McRae-Stanger pointed out there has been “pushback” from the B C Teachers’ Federation about the FSAs because of the Fraser Institute rankings, and some parents have decided not to have their children write the FSAs as a result

The district also breaks down its FSA results specifically for Indigenous students and diverse learners though, with a much smaller cohort size, McRae-Stanger pointed out results can vary widely based on the results of just a few students

Among Indigenous students, 73 per cent of Grade 4 students and 69 per cent of Grade 7 students were on track or extending ahead of the B C totals of 59 per cent and 54 per cent, respectively

City

Multiple benefits for community, resident says

the March 13 council meeting, where Peijiang urged council to move forward with the development of a master plan for the area without delay He said there are many benefits to the community, the city and the environ-

ment by proceeding with the plan

Peijiang said the community will benefit by receiving much-needed traffic calming, improved walkability, additional housing, more commercial services, and parks and amenities He said many of

the homes in the area are aging and unsafe by modern standards, but people are reluctant to build new houses or renovate homes without knowing what’s planned for the neighbourhood

Peijiang said the bold vision would also benefit

the city by providing more property taxes, and development cost charges from developers that could help build parks and other amenities Environmentally, he said the project would see modern, energy-efficient housing built near transit services

ROTARY IN ACTION

WHY I JOINED ROTARY.

1 Friendship and Fellowship: I have found that in an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship

2 Citizenship in the Community: I believe that membership in a Rotary club helps develop better community citizens

3 Fun: Rotary is a fun and exciting place to be I always enjoy attending Rotary meetings, functions, fundraising events

4 Citizenship in the World: Rotary is truly an international organization There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary club Every Rotarian is welcome and encouraged to attend any of the approximately 30,000 clubs in most of the world’s nations and geographical regions

5 Entertainment and Education: Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies, and institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education, and service

6 Youth and Family Programs: This is a part of Rotary that I particularly enjoy and find the most rewarding Rotary has one of the world’s largest youth exchange programs; high school and college clubs for future Rotarians; many opportunities for spouse involvement; and a lot of activities designed to help family members in growth and development

7 Cultural Awareness: Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race,

creed, political persuasion, language, sexual orientation, colour and ethnic identity is represented among members of Rotary

8 Nice People: I have found that Rotarians are the nicest people on earth!

9 Absence of an Official Creed: I feel very comfortable with Rotary that has no official creed, no secret meetings or rituals It is an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping others

10 Opportunity to Serve: As a service club, Rotary’s business is “mankind” and its product is “service”

This is perhaps the main reason I joined Rotary: the chance to do some good Rotarians have been serving the New Westminster community since 1928

Recently we have supported many local causes and groups by volunteering and making financial donations to Don’t Go Hungry, Monarch Place, New West Victim’s Assistance, Domestic Abuse Services, New West Farmers Market, Senior Services Society We also provide Scholarships and Bursaries to NWSS graduates Several members, including Chris and his daughter ring the bells for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign and distribute poppies for the Royal Canadian Legion New members are always welcome to help us continue to do good in the world.

JackieTeed, acting director of climate action, planning and development, said staff are in the initial stages of launching the bold vision process, which would come develop a vision for the neighbourhood She said staff had intended to start this work, and then the pandemic struck

Teed said staff shortages have “significantly” impacted the department’s ability to work on the vision

COUNCIL KEEN TO PROCEED WITH PLAN

Coun. Nadine Nakagawa said there are many opportunities around SkyTrain stations to create complete communities that include residences, businesses and amenities.

“We don’t get many opportunities like this We do want to get it right,” she said “And I know the community has been waiting for a long time ”

Coun. Paul Minhas believes it’s time for council to make this a priority

“I do understand (delays) with COVID and staff shortages,” he said, “but I think we need to find some sort of an answer for the people of Connaught Heights ”

Mayor Patrick Johnstone said there are a few stations along the SkyTrain line, including 22nd Street, that haven’t seen a lot of change since SkyTrain was built

“A lot of it had to do, I think, with a lack of impetus Unlike some other areas, there wasn’t a single developer who owned

all the land and was ready to push the item through,” he said “And there wasn’t a real drive by the community to make it happen ”

Johnstone said a master-planned neighbourhood is not something that happens quickly and is something that will include a significant amount of community consultation and technical analysis

He said construction is still taking place at the Brewery District 15 years after that process began

“This one might even be more complex because, frankly, the last time we had conversations on 22nd Street with the Connaught Heights neighbourhood about that plan, it wasn’t a universal voice on what they wanted to see in that plan,” he said “There’s going to be some different opinions in the community about what they want to see there, and we’re going to have to take the time to work through that ”

Johnstone pledged to update residents about the city’s plans for the area around the 22nd Street SkyTrain station once the strategic plan is considered in April

Coun Daniel Fontaine questioned if the city is able to support increased densification and allow people to begin transforming that neighbourhood before the bold vision is developed, given that people have been waiting for clarity on the city’s plan for some time

Teed said it’s the city’s expectation that densification doesn’t happen in the area while the plan is being developed

Chris Bradshaw, Member Of The Rotary Club of New Westminster

City

Witnesses sought in stabbings

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

NewWestminster police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed a stabbing in the downtown neighbourhood on March 14

The NewWestminster Police Department received a call at about 7 p m about a stabbing on Alexander Street in downtown NewWestminster Officers rushed to the scene and located a female with several stab wounds who was receiving medical aid from BC Ambulance staff

According to a NWPD press release, the victim was transported to hospital in serious but stable condition

Police searched the area but were unable to locate any suspects Officers have been actively interviewing

witnesses and canvassing the area for CCTV footage

Due to the serious nature of the injuries the police department’s major crime unit has assumed conduct of the investigation

“I would urge members of the public who saw anything suspicious or witnessed the incident to come forward and report information to us immediately,” said NWPD Sgt Andrew Leaver

If anyone has information on this assault or those involved, they are asked to call 604529-2430 or email mcucrimetips@nwpolice org

The stabbing on Alexander Street was one of two stabbings that New West Police responded to on March 14

In a statement to the Record, the NewWest-

Violence: New Westminster police are seeking witnesses to a stabbing on March 14, when a woman suffered serious injuries PHOTO JULIE MACLELLAN/RECORD FILES

minster Police Department said it did not believe the incidents were linked Around 5 p m that night, officers responded to a 911 call about a stabbing atWestminster Pier Park There, officers found a victim who had suffered “a deep, non-life-threatening” laceration; she was provided first aid at the

scene and transported to hospital

According to a NWPD press release, officers learned an altercation had taken place between two groups of youth inside the park.

“A suspect who was not known to the victim assaulted her with an edged weapon, causing her injury,” said the news release

The suspect, who fled the park and headed towards the Columbia SkyTrain station, was not located. He is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 17 years of age, with short shaggy blonde hair, wearing a black sweater and black pants

The NewWestminster Police Department asks anyone who witnessed the incident to call 604-5255411 and reference file number 23-4051

New West cops seize cash, drugs, vehicles

NewWestminster police seized luxury vehicles, cash, drugs and a loaded firearm after executing two search warrants in New West earlier this month

On March 2, the New Westminster Police Department’s street crime unit executed the warrants as part of a complex drug trafficking investigation that started in September 2022, the NWPD said in a

press release

“As a result of the search warrants, the NWPD seized a number of luxury vehicles, a large quantity of cash, a loaded firearm and a large amount of suspected drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl,” the NWPD release said

The street crime unit joined forces with other NWPD specialty units,

including the gang suppression unit and crime reduction unit, in the investigation, with support from theVancouver Police Department and the Lower Mainland integrated emergency response team

“The results of this recent project underscore our commitment to focusing our efforts on individuals who are selling and dis-

tributing dangerous drugs within our communities,” said NWPD spokesperson Sgt Andrew Leaver “New Westminster Police Department officers continue to take a comprehensive approach to investigating drug trafficking and work closely with our partners to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks involved in these offences ”

Julie MacLellan

There are children and youth in your community who need temporary, nurturing homes. We have an urgent need for foster caregivers who are:

• First Nations, Metis, Inuit

• Interested in providing care for sibling groups

• Passionate about engaging and caring for youth

• Interested in supporting children and youth who identify as LGBTQ2S+

• Skilled in caring for children and youth with complex support needs

• Interested in providing weekend respite care for children and youth

To learn more about becoming a foster caregiver visit FosterNow.ca

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

Susan Mae Riviére

Our beaut ful and courageous Susan Mae Riviére, of Port A berni was born on March 17th, 1962, left for the other side from the comfort of her home in New Westm nster on March 15th, 2023

Surrounded by love, her spirit ascended Susan spent 18 years of her life work ng in the Anima Services Department at SFU, fin shing her career as the Department Coord nator

She loved her job and those she worked with; they meant the wor d to her As a l felong an ma lover

Susan went above and beyond to ensure the welbeing and safety of a l animals involved and ded cated her energ es to finding homes for anima s that were not el gible for participation in research studies, saving them from be ng put down

Susan had a gentle heart with a thirst for adventure and made ife ong memor es astride her motorcycle, Gloria She was an avid traveler with an open and curious m nd about the wor d around her Life wasn’t always easy but she persevered through some trying circumstances w th grace, humi ity, authenticity and not to mention her dazzling (trademark) smi e As her struggles with cancer became more challenging Susan found the Medical Assistance in Dying program, MA D and was forever gratefu to be able to ut l ze their serv ces She thoughtful y made the decision for what was best for her, knowing that there are those that aren’t afforded that opt on and spent her last months surrounded by loving fam ly, ife ong extended fam ly and c osest fr ends Susan s surv ved by her precious cats, Choco and Lucy who provided her with unconditional ove every moment They wil cont nue their l ves at the home of Susan’s best fr end Andrea who resides on Vancouver Island

On her forever ride I can see that trademark SMILE!

Susan’s fina message comes across the wind

“Remember, don’t take life for granted!”

Susan wi l be missed dear y, remembered often and fondly by the ‘Wonderfu Women’ she brought together

The humane treatment of al an mals was very mportant to Susan throughout her ife and as part of her ast wishes she had hoped that in place of flowers, donations would be made to the WORLD

WILDLIFE FUND CANADA Charitable Registration

Number: 119304954 RR0001

LegaL/PubLic NOtices

2007 TOYOTA CAMRY VIN# 4T1BE46K97U633976

PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VIN# 2P4FP2533WR808180

EMPLOYMENT

PETS

LS400 V N# JT8UF11E2R0200308

C VIC V N# 2HGFB2F48CH013350

0731534 BC LTD DBA SUKHI BATH MOTORS

DODGE GCRVN V N# 2C4RDGBG2ER166533

MACKENZIE

328I V N# WBA3B3C59EF545339

GRACE WE 12) 1999 DODGE DAKOTA VIN# 1B7GG22Y1XS246093 RO: ROBERTO CONTRERAS HERNANDEZ Un ts may be v ewed and b ds to be subm tted on TUESDAY, April 4, 2023 at 5917 Thorne Avenue, Burnaby, BC between 10:00am to 3:00 pm A l wr tten bids to Mundie’s Tow ng 5917 Thorne Ave, Burnaby, BC V3N 2T8

LEGAL NOTICE

Not ce s hereby given that on March 27th, 2023, U-Lock M ni Storage, 4240 Manor St, Burnaby, V5G 1B2, wi l sell the contents of the lockers isted be ow:

Un t #1913 - Tri Vang Nguyen

Un t #1939 - Tri Vang Nguyen

Un t #1029 - Robert Macdonald

Un t #2203 - Rochelle Kennedy

These lockers w ll be put for auction v a: iB d4storage com on the 27th of March, 2023

GARAGE

Pet services

availability sakuradogsalon@gmail.com I sakuradogsalon.com

Currently grooming small dogs under 25lbs

PERSONAL

Prepared and Filed for $49

P ease call Barry: 604-862-0811

Email: barrygreenfeld@yahoo ca