New Westminster Record June 8 2023

POLITICS

School boardchair steps aside

Special prosecutor is investigating alleged election rule violations

JulieMacLellan

jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

The head of the NewWestminster school board is stepping aside as chair amidst news of a special prosecutor’s investigation into possible election rule violations.

Gurveen Dhaliwal has chosen to “take a step back from her role as chair,” vice-chair Maya Russell announced at a board meeting onTuesday night.

Russell noted Dhaliwal and the board have asked that Russell stand in as chair

“As trustee, Gurveen remains absolutely committed to supporting the important work that’s happening across our schools and here at the board table,” Russell said. “We support her in this decision, and we look forward to continuing to work

Continued on page 8

TACTICAL RESPONSE: Residents of the Lions Moody Park tower were evacuated last Friday as police dealt with a man in a mental health crisis At least 20 police vehicles descended on the retirement home at 525 Eighth St. at about noon on June 2 after a 911 call about a man in apparent distress Tactical officers with the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team, NWPD officers with carbine rifles, a dog team and a crisis negotiator could all be seen at the scene Residents reported the man had cut the building’s fibre-optic cable, wiping out internet, cable and phone services The man was taken into custody at about 4:30 p m Read more at

ca

PHOTO CORNELIA NAYLOR

New West students champion the 15-minute city

Glenbrook Middle School’s Monkey Rebels social justice club will make a pitch to city council this coming Monday

JulieMacLellan jmaclellan@newwestrecord ca

None of them are old enough to drive.

But the enthusiastic students gathered in teacher Angela Jurgensen’s classroom over their lunch hour are plenty old enough to understand why we need to change the way we think about getting around.

This is a meeting of the Monkey Rebels, the social justice club at Glenbrook Middle School The students are spearheading a charge to have the City of NewWestminster endorse the concept of becoming a 15-minute city

The 15-minute city is an urban planning concept based on the idea that everything residents need shopping, schools, recreation, health care and other daily necessities should be accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride

It’s a concept that resonates with all the young people in the room, who see it as a practical way to start addressing climate change

“I feel bad every time I drive, because I feel like I’m giving more emissions to the planet,” explains Hazel, a 12-year-old Grade 7 student. “I live in a good area, where everything is very close to me, like my events and the stores I shop at, but some places are a lot further away but we need to get to them And so I just thought it would be good for the community, to build a better community.”

Luisa, a 13-year-old

Grade 7 student, says the 15-minute city concept makes sense in NewWestminster

“I don’t really like to drive around I usually walk to places because I think this city, NewWest, is a pretty good city to make into a 15-minute city. If people agreed to this idea, then we could do it,” she said

The students admit the idea of the 15-minute city has met with resistance in some places, but the news headlines to that effect don’t discourage them

“I don’t think most people are actually opposed to the 15-minute city idea, but rather they’re presented in a rather kind of sensationalist way,” said Zhilin, a 14-year-old Grade 8 student, noting people seem to make it into an all-or-nothing issue “But in reality, there is a way that we can make both the uber-progressive people and the people more on the conservative side to work together to develop a better city as long as you can explain the benefits of the changes and how it will benefit everyone ”

For Zhilin, a 15-minute city makes sense for drivers and for non-drivers alike because it would make getting around more convenient for everyone

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Even more than convenience, though, the students recognize the concept of a 15-minute city as an integral part of addressing the biggest issue that’s been dumped on them by

the generations preceding them: climate change.

“I want to grow up in a world where you don’t have to worry about heat and cold weather and floods,” explainedYael, a 13-year-old Grade 7 student “And it’s not fair that everybody else suffer because a few people were making bad decisions and not treating our planet right ”

For 12-year-old Lucia, taking action on climate change means making sure there’s a future for her and her generation

“I just want to grow up like, be able to grow up When I think about it, imagine, I might not be

able to live to that age with how bad it could get,” she said

The Grade 7 student firmly believes it’s up to her to take action and not wait for someone else to do something

“Like, I know people are saying, ‘Oh, it’s fine, the government will do it Is everyone else going it? Why should I do it?’” Lucia said “But if everyone has that mindset, then no one’s going to do it ”

The students have worked on their motion with city councillors Nadine Nakagawa andTasha Henderson, and they’re looking forward to taking their official presenta-

tion to city hall later this month.

“It’s kind of exciting to me, because I’m someone that doesn’t just sit there and say someone else is going to do it,” explained 13-year-old Brianna, a Grade 7 student “I’m actually working on it with people I like, and it’s kind of like, we’re a team and we’re trying to fix the city we live in ”

A motion from the Monkey Rebels, together with climate educators Karen Crosby and Jennifer Nathan and the Babies for Climate Action group, will be on the agenda for the June 12 city council meeting.

The motion calls on the city to take immediate action to establish a 15-minute-city mindset and promote the development of those improvements throughout the city

Their motion outlines a long list of the kinds of improvements they’d like to see around the city: more and wider sidewalks; more benches and seating areas; more streetlights; improved bike lanes, bike maps and bike racks; more community gardens and greenspaces; upgraded playgrounds; more public washrooms; more public art; advocacy for the expansion of public transit; and more.

FOR THE FUTURE: Glenbrook Middle School’s Monkey Rebels social justice club is championing the concept of the 15-minute city They’re taking a pitch to New Westminster city council on Monday, June 12 PHOTO COURTESY ANGELA JURGENSEN

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thursday, June 10 10:00 am

Community Bike Ride Century House (12km loop)

Monday, June 12 3:00 pm

Council Workshop

Council Chamber, City Hall and online

CITYPAGE

THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR CITY

PET OWNERSHIP AWARENESS MONTH

Monday, June 12 6:00 pm

Council Meeting Council Chamber, City Hall and online

Tuesday, June 13 7:00 pm

Victoria Hill & Ginger Drive

Residents’ Association General Meeting

Carpentry Hall (245 Francis Way)

NOTICE RESPECTING ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW

Under sections 464(2) and 467 of the Local Government Act

MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 AT 6:00 PM

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

ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 8396, 2023

OFF-STREET VEHICLE PARKING – MULTIPLE DWELLINGS

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No 8396, 2023 is being considered by Council to modify

off-street parking rates for multiple dwelling uses and enact transportation demand management requirements. This amendment bylaw is consistent with the City’s Official Community Plan, and in accordance with sections 464(2) and 467 of the Local Government Act, the Corporation of the City of New Westminster will not hold a public hearing on Bylaw 8396, 2023.

WHAT IS ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW NO. 8396, 2023 ABOUT?

Bylaw No. 8396, 2023 proposes an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw to reduce offstreet parking rates in an effort to better align the demand and supply of off-street parking Bylaw No 8396 2023 also seeks to remove existing provisions for reductions to the off-street parking rates and require end-of-trip and bicycle maintenance facilities. These measures will improve the ease of administration and clarity in the Zoning Bylaw while addressing sustainable transportation and accessibility objectives, policies and actions arising from the Master Transportation Plan, Council’s Strategic Priorities Plan and Climate Emergency Response. The Bylaw applies city-wide.

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION?

From June 1 to June 12, 2023, the proposed bylaw 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

City Council will consider giving first, second and third readings to Bylaw No. 8396, 2023 at its meeting on June 12, 2023 The meeting will be open to public attendance and broadcast live on the City’s website It can be viewed by going to newwestcity ca/council and clicking on either the meeting ID or the Council meeting in the calendar

Peter DeJong, Corporate Officer

This June, take some time to review the Animal Care and Control Bylaw No 7586 and ensure you’re meeting your responsibilities as a cat or dog owner Some responsibilities for dog owners include ensuring your dog has a valid licence from New Westminster Animal Services, keeping your dog leashed unless on private property or in a designated off-leash area, and picking up your dog’s waste and disposing of it in the trash. For cat owners, ensure your cat has permanent ID (tattoo or microchip) and that your contact information is up to date. Cats that venture outdoors must also be spayed or neutered. Learn more about your responsibility as a pet owner, and find out how you can win a $100 gift certificate to Bosley’s for your cat or dog at newwestcity.ca/pet-ownership

CITY-LED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

COMMENT PERIOD: June 7 to June 28, 2023

REZONING APPLICATION FOR 805 BOYD STREET (REZ00236)

WHAT IS THE REZONING ABOUT?

The applicant is looking to expand the permitted land uses on 805 Boyd Street (Queensborough Landing shopping centre site) in order to attract new tenants and businesses. Proposed new land uses include: amusement arcade; microbrewery, winery, and distillery, cottage brewery; trade and commercial schools; overnight animal boarding; delivery and express facilities, courier service; car washing establishment; retail stores, including the sale of used goods subject to restrictions that meet the intention of the Zoning Bylaw.

A zoning text amendment for the C-10 Large Format Commercial Districts would be needed to allow these proposed land uses. The proposal satisfies the Queensborough Community Plan land use designation of (QC) – Queensborough Commercial.

This is the opportunity for public comment on the proposal prior to the application being forwarded to Council for consideration.

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

Complete the comment form and find detailed project information on the project webpage at: beheardnewwest.ca/805-boyd-st

If you are unable to access the webpage, please contact the Planning Division: Phone - 604-527-4532

Email - devfeedback@newwestcityca

Mail - Climate Action, Planning and Development Department, 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC, V3L 1H9

Send your comments by end of day on June 28, 2023

Continued on page 5

ARCHIVES OPEN HOUSE (14+ YEARS)

Anvil Centre, Archives Reading Room (Level 2) | Thursday, June 8, 6:00 – 8:00 pm (drop-in)

Curious about New Westminster’s archives? We’re opening our reading room doors for International Archives Day! Join the City’s archives team as they highlight a variety of fascinating records about the community, welcome your questions, and share their expertise Come anytime during the drop-in period and stay as long as you want

COMMUNITY GROUP STORAGE RENTAL

In the ongoing commitment to supporting local sport clubs and anticipating future need, additional storage space has been installed at Queen's Park East Artificial Turf Field. Two secure, climate-controlled 8 x 10' bays are now available for rent to qualifying groups. Learn more: newwestcity.ca/parkstorage

CITY-LED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

COMMENT PERIOD: JUNE 5 – JUNE 26, 2023

REZONING APPLICATION FOR 376 KEARY STREET (REZ00224)

WHAT IS THE REZONING ABOUT?

A Rezoning application has been received to allow construction of a duplex at 376 Keary Street. The proposed side-by-side, ground-oriented residential units would have an overall Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 0 61. Both of the proposed units would be family-friendly, containing three bedrooms

Secondary suites and/or a laneway house would not be permitted on the property

Three off-street parking spaces are proposed at the rear of the site, accessed via the lane

The proposal would be to rezone the property from Single Detached Residential Districts (RS-1) to a Comprehensive Development (CD) district to facilitate the project

Images of the proposed development are available on Be Heard New West This is the opportunity for public comment on the proposal prior to the application being forwarded to Council for consideration.

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

Complete the comment form and find detailed project information on the project webpage at: beheardnewwest.ca/376-keary-st

If you are unable to access the webpage, please contact the Planning Division: Phone - 604-527-4532

Email - devfeedback@newwestcityca

Mail - Climate Action, Planning and Development Department, 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC, V3L 1H9

Send your comments by end of day on June 26, 2023.

CITYPAGE

THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR CITY

CANADA DAY EVENT SCHEDULE

The full schedule of free Canada Day activities is now available online From markets and music to family activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy Get outdoors and enjoy the summer sunshine with friends and family. Highlights include:

• New West Craft Summer Market: June 30, 5:00 - 9:00 pm at River Market

• Concerts in the Park: June 29 and July 2, 7:00 - 8:00 pm at Queen’s Park

• Canada Day at Westminster Pier Park: July 1, 1:00 - 6:00 pm

• Learn and discover at The Gallery at Queen’s Park and Anvil Centre exhibitions. Find the full schedule and more free activities at: newwestcity.ca/canadaday

RAIN BARRELS ARE BACK IN STOCK

Rain barrels are a great way for you to keep your gardens watered and growing Rain barrel water is healthier for your plants as it is unchlorinated and oxygen-rich. Plus, it’s a sustainable option during the summer months when watering restrictions are in effect

Rain barrels are back in stock! New Westminster residents can purchase a rain barrel from the City for $70 + GST These barrels hold 208L of water, and are 34 inches high by 24 wide Order your rain barrel in-person at City Hall, or email waterconservation@newwestcityca. For more product information and pick-up details, visit: newwestcity.ca/water-conservation

2023 PROPERTY TAXES

Your tax notice should have arrived in the mail or by email. Property taxes must be received by the City no later than July 4, 2023. Please pay your bills online via one of the following options.

1. Online banking: From your financial institution’s website, search for “New Westminster” and select payee with “taxes.” Use the 8-digit folio number on the front of your tax notice as the account number Ensure your payment is received 5 business days before the due date.

2 Credit card: Pay online at newwestcity ca/egov A convenience fee applies, we do not take any payments over the phone

3. In person banking: Pay at most chartered banks and credit unions.

4. Cheques and Bank Drafts: Make payable to the City of New Westminster. Can be postdated to the tax due date Send by mail or place in the City Hall drop box located at the north entrance

5. In person at City Hall: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Hours subject to change, please call 604-527-4550

HOME OWNER GRANT

Home owner grant applications are due July 4, 2023. Please note that municipalities no longer accept Home Owner Grant applications. For more information please visit the Provincial Government Home Owner Grant Administration website at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or contact their office at 1-888-355-2700

*Please use your folio number listed on your statement in the required roll number field.

MY VIEW KEITH BALDREY

How the rural-urban divide is deepening in Canada

There is usually not much to learn from another province’s general election, but the recent result in Alberta serves as a reminder that some of this country finds itself moving in two different directions.

One side is moving along rural lines, while the other is becoming entrenched in urban and suburban areas. It is the great rural-urban divide, and it presents a challenge for any government

The Alberta election result largely mirrored the B C election outcome in 2020, albeit with philosophically opposite parties winning each contest.

The winning United Conservative Party proved victorious by dominating the rural regions of the province (snatching about 90 per cent of the ridings located there), while the NDP made impressive gains by

winning almost three-quarters of the urban and suburban ridings.

In the last B C election, the BC NDP won about 80 per cent of the urban and suburban ridings (in MetroVancouver and the Capital region).The BC Liberals (now the BC United Party) won more than half the rural and regional seats

A key takeaway from these results is that conservative-oriented voters seem to be in decline in the urban and suburban areas of the country, a shift that favours political parties that lean in different philosophical directions

The fact that the Alberta NDP took a majority of seats in the Calgary metro area usually an electoral desert for that party is telling

That outcome is like what happened in B C in the 2020 vote, when the NDP

scored historical breakthroughs by winning seats in Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack, areas where it had never tasted success in a general election Plus, it won seats in Richmond for the first time in almost 50 years.

This rural-urban divide can also be seen at the federal level In the most recent federal election, the ruling Liberals won 15 of the 23 ridings in MetroVancouver while the NDP took five of them and the Conservatives just three.

I suspect this shift in voting patterns is indicative of changing demographics The suburbs are dominated by younger people and young families, who naturally gravitate to parties that are not right-wing

In B C , this divide may get even wider in the years ahead.The provincial legislature will grow by six seats before the next

election, and five of the new ridings are in Burnaby, Langley, Surrey andVancouver in MetroVancouver, as well as Langford in the Capital region (the sixth riding will encompass downtown Kelowna)

As I have mentioned, this kind of split can pose problems for any sitting government When one side doesn’t have much representation at the caucus or cabinet table (in Alberta, the urban/suburban voters are almost shut out, while the opposite is true in B.C.), getting public policy right on key issues can prove to be a challenge.

The ruling NDP government has been dealing with that challenge for almost six years now. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will now be the latest leader trying to navigate what appears to be a growing divide Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.

Letters

Thanks,NewWest,for thinking of the children

Editor:

We recently read that the Queen’s Park Farm master plan focusing on Habitat and Grow concepts has been adopted by our city council bravo!

We love the plan for modelling three habitat zones: a pollinator meadow, a shrub/understory and a wetland habitat. As RegenerateBC volunteer facilitators of climate solutions education, we are absolutely thrilled with many other features of this project, notably the outdoor classroom and Indigenous plant features.

We have been volunteering in many New Westminster classrooms facilitating climate solutions education and believe the Queen’s Park project will dovetail nicely with this curriculum. We also think many teachers will be inspired to integrate climate education into their lessons when delivered at Queen’s Park Currently, many students learn nothing about the climate crisis at school With this new project, students will learn about the im-

pact of climate change on the three modelled habitats and the need for us to protect and restore these habitats for carbon storage. As well, for our adult education programs, we might take a field trip to this project to talk about nature-based climate solutions in an actual natural environment The opportunities are immense.

Some may complain about the costs of the Queen’s Park project. We see this differently and are proud of our city council for understanding that this cost can be outweighed by the benefits of engaging more residents in climate solutions education, so they are inspired to implement these solutions in our community and in their daily lives.

We won’t act on climate change solutions if we don’t talk about them and learn the science of where we are heading if we don’t act Already the world is set to surpass a global average of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming before 2030 if we don’t change Education is key

Waiting to implement climate solutions because of dollar costs is not a good option because we and, most notably, our children will pay much more in the future if we do nothing now Thank you, city council, for

putting our children

first

Karen Crosby and Jennifer Nathan

Hate symbols have no place in our community

Editor:

Re: Swastika graffiti painted on home, New West Record, May 25

The executive members of the Sapperton Residents’ Association were shocked and disturbed to learn of the recent graffiti of a Nazi symbol on the home of local Sapperton residents. We condemn in the strongest possible terms this act of vandalism and the use of one of the most powerful symbols of hate, intolerance, fear and oppression, a symbol which has no place in our community and our country.

Sapperton is a community that is welcoming and celebrates diversity, openness, inclusion and peace. Hate has no place here. We stand in solidarity with our Sapperton neighbours and offer them our full support. The executive members of the Sapperton Residents’ Association

Is it time for May Day to be put to rest?

Editor:

I find the May Day celebrations confusing. It was a “rite of passage” for the girls in elementary school not including the boys

Then they were introduced as “Royal Knights”; not sure where they had fit in in the 1800s, but they were to be included to show that this wasn’t biased just to girls.

When the school district wasn’t going to take part anymore, the committee was up in arms and lobbied city hall as well as the school board for a couple of years to keep the “tradition “ in New West.

Where in the “tradition” does it have other nationalities dancing, other than the maypole dance and the other dance that the girls did with the Lancers another controversy about adult men dancing with the girls.

Anyway, in this day when more folks don’t want any part of the colonial part of our history, perhaps this should be another “tradition” that is laid to rest

Lynn Radbourne

THE NEW WESTMINSTER RECORD WELCOMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We edit for taste, legality and length Please include a contact phone number Send letters

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C , V5A 3H4, email to: editorial@newwestrecord.ca (no attachments please) or fax to: 604-439-2694 Letters to the editor and columns may

engagement: May 30 to June 27, 2023

Douglas College is proposing a new and modern academic building that includes its first-ever student housing This proposed 20-storey project will expand the vibrant College community and be located across the street from the current New Westminster Campus. Project highlights include:

Alignment with the New Westminster Official Community Plan

• Student housing with 369 beds

Academic space including classrooms, labs, collaborative spaces and food services

• Designed community plaza on the corner of Agnes and Eighth streets

In-Person Open House

Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Location: New Westminster Campus, 700 Royal Ave., main concourse (Level 2)

Online Open House

Date: Monday, June 19, 2023

Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm douglascollege-ca.

zoom.us/j/62196823683

Zoom meeting ID: 621 9682 3683

Passcode: 852195

Please fill out the community survey on our website or use the QR code from May 30 to June 27, 2023.

to: The Editor,

Brighton

, Burnaby, B

be reproduced on the New West Record website, www.newwestrecord.ca.

Dhaliwal steps aside as board chair

Continued from page 1

together as we all focus on the work ahead.”

Dhaliwal was not at the Tuesday night meeting

COMPLAINT FILED WITH POLICE OCT 9

Dhaliwal won election to her second term on school board on Oct 15 as part of the NDP-aligned Community First New West slate

Shortly before election day, Dhaliwal came into the headlines after a complaint was filed about her presence at the Queensborough Community Centre advance polling place on Oct 5, where she was acting as a scrutineer for city council candidate

Ruby Campbell

The Local Government Act prohibits candidates from being at polling stations on election day except to vote

Jason Chan, campaign manager for the NewWest Progressives, filed a formal complaint with police on Oct. 9 regarding the incident

Several days later, Dhaliwal was re-elected to the board, placing sixth in the race for seven seats on the board

The NWPD undertook an investigation, but little more was heard of the matter until last month.

SPECIAL PROSECUTOR ANNOUNCED IN MAY

On May 1, Dhaliwal

was appointed a ministerial adviser to Health Minister Adrian Dix Two weeks later, that appointment was rescinded and she was made a ministerial adviser to Labour Minister Harry Bains.

On May 26, the BC Prosecution Service announced that a special prosecutor,Vancouver lawyer John Gordon, had been appointed to decide whether to charge Dhaliwal in connection with possible contravention of election rules for the October incident

ed on May 4, three days after Dhaliwal’s initial appointment as an adviser to Dix.

A statement from the prosecution service said special prosecutors are appointed to avoid any appearance of “improper influence” over the administration of justice in cases involving elected officials or government appointees

Gurveen Dhaliwal school trustee

Dhaliwal is now on administrative leave from her ministerial adviser’s job.

School board approves surplus budget for 2023-24

The NewWestminster school district is projecting operating budget surpluses for the next three years School District 40 trustees adopted the preliminary 2023-24 operating budget at a special board meeting onTuesday, June 6 It outlines a surplus of $643,182, followed by surpluses of $489,000 in 2024-24 and $488,000 in 2025-26, according to the district’s three-year financial plan.

cation: $2 56 million due to enrolment growth, and $6.61 million from an increase in the ministry’s per-student funding rates

In all, next year’s operating budget calls for revenue of $86 3 million and expenses of nearly $84 9 million, 92 per cent of which goes towards salaries and benefits

The prosecution service said Gordon was appoint-

with files from the Canadian Press and Bob Mackin, Glacier Media

The district saw a $9 17-million increase in its operating grants from the B.C. Ministry of Edu-

SD40 secretary-treasurer Bettina Ketcham said the district has been able to keep its surplus reserves above the $2-million mark, which is the target it sets as its “rainy day fund ”

– Julie MacLellan

Recovery service worker charged with sex offences

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

AVancouver man employed by a NewWestbased recovery service has been charged with sex offences and police are encouraging any additional victims and witnesses to come forward.

The NewWestminster Police Department reports that its major crime unit, with the assistance of the specialized investigations unit, launched an investigation in early 2023 into a number of sexual offences allegedly connected to an individual employed by an organization offering substance-use recovery services

“The investigation is ongoing because our investigators believe that there may be more witnesses,” NWPD spokesperson Sgt Andrew Leaver said at a press conference. “We’d like to encourage those witnesses to come forward and speak with us ”

To date, a total of 11 victims have come forward to police, said the NewWestminster Police Department.

Investigators, however, said they have reason to believe there may be additional victims who have yet to share their story with police. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and to talk to wit-

nesses.

“To anyone who’s considering coming forward and sharing their story, if they’ve been a victim or are a survivor of sexual assault, I would encourage them to come and speak with us,” Leaver said “We know that this is difficult.We know that bringing up the past and old trauma may be triggering again, but our investigators are trained in trauma-informed practice and our Victim Assistance Unit is here to support the survivors through this process. So we want to hear the stories and we want to hear them on the victims’ time. We’re here for them ”

A private Facebook group that was set up about an individual who was alleged to have assaulted people included a file number for the police investigation

“The victims and survivors got together on social media and then reported to the police early this year, which is the first time we had heard about this offence,” Leaver said

An NWPD news release said victims have told police they gained the courage to come forward after sharing their experiences and connecting with one another on social media

According to Leaver, the investigation includes al-

leged incidents spanning several years He was unaware of any allegations being reported to the police department before the major crime unit began its investigation in January 2023.

“This offence came to our attention through social media, in that a number of victims and survivors got together and shared their stories with each other, gathered the strength and then made their reports to police,” Leaver said.

Anyone who is a victim of a sex related offence, or has information about sex-related offences of vulnerable women, is asked

to call the NWPD’s major crime unit tip line at 604529-2430 or send an email to mcucrimetips@ nwpolice.org.

“It’s widely known that sexual assault is underreported. It’s an offence that’s difficult to talk about, which is why we’re trying to remove those barriers for victims and survivors to come speak with us,” Leaver said

Adam Haber, a 50-yearoldVancouver resident, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault He has been released on conditions that restrict him from having contact with certain individuals or going to certain locations.

A 50-year-oldVancouver man has been charged,and police are encouraging more witnesses,victims to come forward

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

JUNE REVUE

It’s that time of the year when a fresh batch of graduates step up on the stage to bowl us over with their talent. Students from the NewWestminster Secondary School’s music department are all geared up to give us a glimpse of the many musical pursuits they explored through the year Expect a striking mix of perform–ances featuring concert bands, jazz bands, a mass choir and strings at the annual June Revue the NWSS music department’s biggest event of the year You can join in by grabbing a ticket priced $12.

WHERE: Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave.)

WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m.

DETAILS: www.masseytheatre.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

SOUND BATH MEDITATION

Take some time out for yourself this weekend to relax, refresh and restore A sound bath session by meditation teacher, reiki practitioner and sound bath musician Lyn Sakari, promises all that and more. Sakari will be using her crystal tone alchemy singing bowls to create the kind of music that will help your nervous system calm Participants can choose to either lie down or stay seated through the one-hour session; and are encouraged to bring their own yoga mats, blankets, pillows and eye coverings.The tickets are priced at $25 per person. For questions, send an email to hello@sitwithsakari com

WHERE: The Gallery at Queen’s Park

WHEN: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Don’t miss these weekend events & activities!

SUNDAY, JUNE 11 NEURODIVERGKNIT

Spend this summer learning the skills to make a chunky knit blanket for winter. Every Sunday, Arrieta Art Studio hosts a free knitting class for beginners, pros and those who are neurodivergent.

In the three-hour session, you will be guided by Destiny, a freelance fibre artist and founder of Neurodivergknit, to interlace yarn loops. Learning to knit offers more than just the opportunity to flaunt a self-knit sweater it can contribute to your mental wellness too, per Destiny.

The event is free; donations are accepted.

WHERE: Arrieta Art Studio, 707 Front St. WHEN: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DETAILS: www.tinyurl.com/ NeurodivergknitJune11

DETAILS: tinyurl.com/SoundBathQP

THURSDAY, JUNE 8 TO SATURDAY, JUNE 10

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

This weekend, revisit the popular classic of the 1900s Anne of Green Gables in a new live musical L M Montgomery’s popular children’s novel of the 20th century follows the misadventures of Anne Shirley, “a wildly independent orphan with fiery red hair and a temper to match,” as she wins over the hearts of not just her adopted family but the whole of Prince Edward Island Watch this poignant story of love, home and family come into life as a new musical com-

missioned by the award-winning theatre groupTheatreworks USA, performed by the Stage MusicalTheatre Academy. Tickets are priced between $13 50 and $20 50

WHERE: Anvil Centre Theatre, 777 Columbia St.

WHEN: 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, June 8; 7 p.m. on Friday, June 9; 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 10

DETAILS: www.ticketsnw.ca

THE ARTISTOCATS KIDS

If you are a fan of animated movies featuring feline fun, here’s a movie suggestion: the animated romantic musical comedy from the 1970s, The

Aristocats. Before you plan a watch party, here’s an even better idea watch it live in a musical by the Stage MusicalTheatre Academy. Follow the plot of a family of Parisian cats who inherit a fortune from their millionairess owner, but find themselves in a challenging situation.Will the cat and her kittens manage to keep the money? Find out at this performance that’s appropriate for ages five plus. Tickets are priced between $13.50 and $20 50

WHERE: Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St.

WHEN: 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9; 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 10

DETAILS: www.ticketsnw.ca

SPIN A YARN: Join a group of knitting enthusiasts at Arrieta Art Studio this weekend for a free and fun session with yarn and needles.

PHOTO BURAK KARADEMIR/MOMENT/GETTY IMAGES

A closer look Pushing back against the tide of drug deaths

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

More than 100 lives have been saved since a health contact centre opened in NewWestminster in April 2021

The City of NewWestminster reports there were 3,133 total visits for witnessed consumption at the health contact centre between April 2021 and Feb. 28, 2023 During that time, the facility’s staff responded to 123 toxic drug incidents in the centre and 23 in the surrounding area.

The Lower Mainland Purpose Society forYouth and Families operates the health contact centre, which provides services including safe consumption, drug testing, harm reduction supplies, take-home naloxone kits, naloxone training, education on safer drug use and referral to treatment centres and health services. It also provides outreach services

In April 2023, the Begbie Street facility had 136 visits and responded to five overdoses (including three off-site) Items distributed in April included 157 smoking kits, 147 injecting kits, four safe-sex kits, 147 take-home naloxone kits and 639 bubble pipes

Data from the Purpose Society shows there were nine overdoses (including four off-site) in March Three overdoses occurred in February

SAVING LIVES

“You can see from the numbers on overdoses or reactions to toxic drugs that many lives have been saved because individuals used the safe consumption site,” said Lynda Fletcher-Gordon, the society’s acting executive director.

John Stark, NewWest’s supervisor of community planning, noted that between 2016 and 2022, NewWestminster had a higher overdose death rate than

Fraser North and Fraser Health in six of the seven years. It also had a higher death rate than the province as a whole in five of those seven years.

“Between 2021 and 2022, NewWestminster experienced a 33.3 per cent decrease in overdose deaths compared to a 20.6 per cent decrease for Fraser North, a 12.4 per cent decrease for Fraser Health and a 0.3 per cent increase for the province,” he said in a statement to the Record. “Of note, the health contact centre, which contains an overdose prevention site, opened on April 6, 2021.”

HOW IT CAME TO BE

In July 2020, city council directed staff to work with Fraser Health to explore the idea of an overdose prevention site in New Westminster. City staff worked with Fraser Health officials on a temporary use permit, as the proposed use was not permitted under the existing zoning; council approved the permit, which enabled the facility to operate for three years, with the ability to extend for an additional three years.

“The NewWestminster city council has recognized the need for a safe consumption site and other services and has stepped up to address the situation created by the presence of toxic drugs in our community,” said Fletcher-Gordon “This has benefited everyone in NewWestminster, from the people using substances to residents and businesses.”

Given the severity of the opioid crisis, Fletcher-Gordon believes every municipality and the provincial and federal governments should be doing all they can to fight this health emergency She said many communities are implementing bylaws designed to keep people from using drugs in public, but haven’t cre-

ated programs to help the people using the drugs or to prevent them from dying

“While we all want to protect our children from witnessing heartbreaking scenes, seeing someone inject or inhale drugs does not cause a person to become a substance user,” she said “Talking to children about substance use will, over time, contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding substance use ”

STIGMA LEADS TO DEATHS

Stigma, said Fletcher-Gordon, plays a huge role in why people use drugs behind closed doors

“The people who are using substances and living on the streets, or who are marginally housed, are more likely to access a safe consumption site, receive current information on toxic drugs, be aware of life-saving apps like Lifeguard, and practise not using alone,” she said.

“The people who are dying from toxic drugs are people, mostly men, who are using at home behind closed doors. They may be weekend users, using at a party, those who keep their drug use secret, may have

relapsed and have a very low tolerance for drugs after a period of abstinence, and who would never use a safe consumption (site) because of the stigma.”

The Lower Mainland Purpose Society is also hosting the Overdose Community ActionTeam, which is co-ordinating efforts to address the opioid epidemic, including related to stigma. The society is also implementing a program through which a drug-testing van will take calls for at-home drug testing

COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Some community members have expressed concerns the overdose prevention site has drawn more drug users to the area and has resulted in issues such as an increase in drug paraphernalia and feces on city streets Concerns have also been raised that some recent crimes in the city, including a shooting and stabbings, occurred in close proximity to the facility

Fletcher-Gordon said the safe consumption site has generally been well received by the community She said an advisory committee, which is open to

any residents, business owners or other organizations wishing to attend, meets every month.

Fletcher-Gordon said health contact centre staff patrol the outside area several times an hour to make sure everyone is OK, and other folks who are outside will alert staff if someone needs help.

“People come to the back of the building to be safe and smoke safely, and they bring their food and belongings This becomes an ‘eyesore’ for some people who do not want to see or be reminded how some people are living,” she said “While this is understandable, the solution is not to shoo them away so that the street looks clean and nice ” Politicians, and other decision-makers and influencers, must turn their faces toward the storm and make the hard decisions required to end the ongoing deaths, said Fletcher-Gordon

“The plan needs to be encompassing and long term and recognize that recovery may look different for different people,” she said. “The plan should cover access to safe supply, immediate access to short-term treatment and ongoing treatment that is available for at least a year, safe housing in which to recover, support for a person to redirect their life, and discover ways to contribute to their community”

This article is part of an in-depth, provincewide journalistic effort by Glacier Media to examine the toll of the opioid and toxic drug crisis in British Columbia a public health emergency that has taken at least 11,807 lives since 2016

If you or someone you know is in an emergency,call 911 If you need help with substance abuse,call the B.C.government’s alcohol and drug information and referral service at 1-800-663-1441 It’s available 24 hours a day.

How a health contact centre in downtown NewWestminster is helping to combat British Columbia’s toxic drug crisis

LIFE SAVING: Supervised consumption, drug testing and referrals are among the services offered at the health contact centre in New Westminster

PHOTO THERESA MCMANUS

Arts & Entertainment

Join the Game of Shrooms in New West this weekend

NaveenaVijayan

nvijayan@newwestrecord ca

This weekend, a bunch of mushroom-themed art will sprout around the city as part of a worldwide scavenger hunt

Game of Shrooms will see artists and art lovers coming together for a day-long “art and seek” in NewWest all celebrating the beauty of the edible fungus

FultonTom, founder of Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) of NewWest, confirmed that the gallery will be participating in the international event that’s in its fourth year now

The little gallery on 815 Edinburgh St., which houses tiny curiosities for anyone to pick up for free, will transform into a cab-

inet of cryptic codes on June 10. On the day, instead of palm-sized art, it will feature a series of cards with clues on the whereabouts of mushroom-themed art around the area.

About 20 pieces of art done by NewWest artists Merril Hall, Karla Winters,Tom and his wife Tracey will be hidden in outdoor public places in the neighbourhood (such as Moody Park, outside NewWestminster Secondary School, outside MasseyTheatre, etc.). Seekers might spot the works in the grass or in trees or attached to things such as stop signs and fire hydrants, saidTom

The prize for those who crack the clue and find the art is the art itself

This Easter egg huntlike event was the brainchild of California-based artist and co-founder of Hi-Fructose art magazine, Daniel “Attaboy” Seifert, who had started planting mushroom-themed art in odd places as a way to fight his depression back in 2016

just like Seifert did, for strangers to find and keep.

The event expanded to include hundreds of participants from Germany, Japan, the U K , India, Russia, Switzerland, the U.S. and many more,

coming together to create and collect art for free.

Today, it’s an annual “art show” of making and sharing, as per the official website.

It’s a show that celebrates “the spirit of unex-

pected surprises.”

Artists who want to participate in FLAG’s Game of Shrooms event can do so by sending an Instagram message to the gallery @newwestflag by June 9 Artists can also

participate independently by adding their general location on the Game of Shrooms Global Map (yumfactory.com/gameof shrooms) and adding clues to their art’s location via social media

When we say PARC life is your best life, we don’t expect you to take our word for it Instead, we want you to try it for yourself!

weekend.

After three years of doing so, word spread; by 2019, artists all over the world were making and sharing their original mushroom-themed works,

PARC experience stays allow seniors to sample all the comforts of our lifestyle and suites – with no cost or commitment Come and gaze at our beautiful views, taste our flavour-packed, chef-made cuisine and experience the freedom of having your every need taken care of. You’ll feel at home from the moment you walk through our doors.

Your experience stay comes packaged with all of our exclusive PARCActive Living™ programs, including a state-of-the-art seniors’ gym, fitness classes, art and cultural programs, an onsite Wellness Nurse, complimentary transportation and more.

ART AND SEEK: Fulton Tom’s mushrooms made with quilled paper will be part of the Game of Shrooms event this

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

New West tennis club hosts open house this weekend

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

Community members are invited to swing on by the NewWestminsterTennis Club this weekend

The tennis club is inviting community members to attend its open house

and new members day on Saturday, June 10 from noon to 3 p m During the open house, visitors will be able to meet members, tour the club’s courts and clubhouse, and enjoy refreshments.

“Come out to our open

house event and explore our membership opportunities with a tour of our club facilities,” said a notice about the event “Our courts will be open, as available, for you to swing a racquet and make new friends with some social

tennis.”

Situated inTipperary Park at 305 Royal Ave., the tennis club got its start back in 1890 on grass courts located at the corner of Carnarvon and Blackwood streets.The club opened at its current

home inTipperary Park in 1901, and now consists of four hard courts and a clubhouse.

“Nestled in the heart ofTipperary Park since 1901, the NewWestminsterTennis Club has weathered two world wars and a pandemic and is still going strong,” Carole Hickey, membership director, said in an email to the Record. “Come on out and swing a racquet, talk to our club pros and our membership and lesson directors. Be a part of your community, meet like-minded sports enthusiasts and enjoy a fun and healthy way to stay active and social ”

The NewWestminster Tennis Club is currently accepting new membership applications for the 2023 season Club membership provides access to four tennis courts that are lighted until 11 p m , a club pro who gives individual and group lessons, a ball machine, and access toTennis BC spring league teams.

In addition to on-

court action, the tennis club holds social events throughout the year and an annual club tournament in late August or early September Membership also includes access to its clubhouse (equipped with a kitchen, lounge, wifi, washrooms, changing rooms and showers) and a live-feed webcam with views of all four courts This weekend’s open house runs rain or shine. For information, visit www nwtennis com, call 604-522-6022 or email membership@nwtennis. com

SUMMER CAMPS

Five four-day summer camps will get underway at the NewWest club on Monday, July 3. Camps are open to kids aged six to 13 years and will have a limit of 12 kids per camp. The camps will run Monday toThursday from 9 to 11:55 a.m. at the New WestminsterTennis Club inTipperary Park Friday will be the make-up day, if it happens to rain on one of the camp’s days

Quayside Voices return to the stage

Lovers of a cappella harmonies and choral music should mark tomorrow night on their calendar

NewWest’s favourite a cappella quintet, Quayside Voices, will bring their vocal stylings to the stage for their first self-hosted show since 2019

“A lot has changed in three years, and through this evolution, Quayside is pumped to be performing a full program in their

hometown,” says a writeup about the show.

The performance will include both fan favourites and new covers.

It takes to the stage in Studio 1B at Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces (the MasseyTheatre complex at 735 Eighth Ave ) on Friday, June 9 at 8 p m

Tickets are $19.49 plus fees, available through www ticketsnw ca – Julie MacLellan

Good Luck & Happy Father’s Day!

Arts & Entertainment

Through Our Eyes exhibit celebrates Indigenous arts

NewWestminster residents are invited to join in a celebration of Indigenous arts.

The Anvil Centre and Arts NewWest are presenting an opening reception forThrough Our Eyes, a new exhibition by the Indigenous artist collective Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass, on June 14

TheWednesday evening opening reception, which runs from 6 to 8 p m , will take place at the Anvil Centre Community Art Gallery at 777 Columbia St

The evening will include guest speakers, live music by drumming group IndigenousWomen Rise

Society, a cash bar and a chance to chat with the exhibiting artists It’s open to the public, and everyone is welcome

“As an Indigenous artist, we found that our art was not accepted to be part of shows in some of our communities’ art galleries,” the group said in an artist statement “In speaking with other Indigenous artists, we found that they experienced the same situation We created Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass with the goal of giving Indigenous artists a forum where they could show their best art, connect and encourage one another.”

The group also seeks to

encourage and promote young Indigenous artists

Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass has had all three Indigenous Peoples recognized in Canada First Nation, Métis and Inuit represented at most of its

shows.

There will also be a couple of upcoming opportunities to learn more about the art and artists.

On Sunday, June 11, you can hear from featured artist Susan L. Greig at an

artist talk from 1 to 3 p.m.

On Sunday, July 9, you can hear from artist Maryanne Lindberg-Landrie, co-founder of Cedar Sage & Sweetgrass, at an artist talk from 1 to 3 p m

Along with Greig and

Lindberg-Landrie, the artists featured inThrough

Our Eyes include James Groening, Uumati, Sheila Lowe, KalumTeke Dan, Tara-Lynn Kozma-Perrin and JerryWhitehead – Julie MacLellan

Café serves up perfect blend of coffee and playtime

NaveenaVijayan

nvijayan@newwestrecord ca

At the newly opened play café on 12th Street, the sound of a coffee machine blends with the babbling of toddlers, and a padded play zone for kids co-exists with a coffee bar for adults

Rainbow Play Café is both a café where kids can play and a play zone where adults can chill

The mashup is a brainchild of Xanat Guiot, a mom of two, a digital marketer and an entrepreneur, who wanted to create a space where parents can take some time out while their tykes clock in hours of fun.

More importantly, Guiot imagines the café as a

hub where new parents connect with other parents and feel a sense of community something that Guiot personally yearned for but never got when she moved from Mexico to Canada eight years ago, pregnant with her first child

“At the beginning, it was very difficult for me. As a mom with little kids, you need to have time with your friends, other moms … But I didn’t have any friends then I felt really isolated and alone ”

She sought a sense of community through other means by starting a blog for moms, a Facebook group for Latin American parents across B C (started with five

moms, it now has more than 3,000 members) and even organizing a party for moms with a grant from the City ofVancouver.

But what made a big impact for Guiot was meeting her first mom friend in Canada, at a play café in Vancouver

“It was great because, finally, I could chat with other adults ”

That experience sat with Guiot, prompting her to start her own play café after all these years

Having worked in public relations, Guiot single-handedly did the market research, drafted a business plan, applied for loans, found a space (it used to be a winemaking store and then a thrift

store), designed the interior and the website, and studied the essentials for a kids play zone (with inputs from a child psychologist) for her café.

But then came the biggest challenge of all: Guiot didn’t know anything about being a barista

BUILDING A BUSINESS FROM SCRATCH

To move forward with her play café, Guiot had to go back to being a student: “I took a class on how to prepare coffee That was a huge challenge.”

With the brew taken care of, she then contacted local food entrepreneurs such asThe Empanada Gal and Angel’s Pastries (after reading about them in the Record), and stocked up her café with a selection of empanadas, lemon tarts, croissants and more.

In just the first week of opening, Guiot had a customer come in and share a reel of the space on the NewWest moms Facebook group

“With that, my Insta-

gram went crazy”

A lot of moms, she said, began sharing their own Instagram stories, helping her spread the word

The support has been “overwhelming,” she said.

“And I can see that it’s working I can see moms, especially those with older kids, sit down, relax, have a cup of coffee and just watch their kids play …. ”

Unlike a park where it can get challenging to supervise a toddler, or a community centre pro-

gram that’s only open for a limited time and would need pre-booking, Guiot said, the café is a convenient alternative for parents and their tots for a fun outing.

“I saw a dad come in with his daughter who was four years old. And I could see him just sitting there and reading a book ”

“That’s when I felt ‘This is exactly why I created this space ’”

Rainbow Play Café is at 921 12th St.

FAMILY SPACE: Xanat Guiot founded Rainbow Play Cafe, a family-friendly café for both kids and adults

PHOTO NAVEENA VIJAYAN

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

DECK, Jane Struthers Johns 1950 - 2023

Jane Deck of New Westminster, B C , died June 1st, 2023, surrounded by her fami y at Me vil e Hosp ce Home in Surrey Born Jan e Struthers in San Francisco, Calforna to Eva Yvonne Sams and Charles M ddleton Struthers Cpt Struthers was in the Army Medical Corps serving n Korea and was killed in action November of 1950 On her mother’s remarriage, Jane was adopted by her loving dad Richard Grey Johns Jane s survived by her husband of 51 years, Michae Clemens Deck, three daughters Teresa, Miriam and Rosemary, grandchidren, Willow, Archer and Zoë and sblings, Charles, Stephen, and Sara

Requiem Mass for her on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Holy Trinty Anglcan Cathedral, 514 Carnarvon St, New Westminster at 1:30 pm n lieu of flowers, donatons may be made to the Primate’s World Relief and Deveopment Fund, PWRDForg

Say not in grief that she is no more, but say in thankfulness that she was

Walkey & Company Funeral Directors (604) 738 - 0006

GARAGE

ADVERTISING POLICIES

All advertising published in this newspaper is accepted on the premise that the merchandise and services offered are accurately described and willingly sold to buyers at the advertised p ces Adve sers are aware of these conditions. Advertising that does not conform to these standards or that is deceptive or misleading, is never knowingly accepted. If any reader encounters non-compliance with these standards we ask that you inform the Publisher o th s newspaper and The Adve t s ng Standards Council of B.C. OMISSION AND ERROR: The publishers do not guarantee the nsertion of a particular advertisement on a specified date, or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of the advertisers. Further the publishers do not accept liability for any loss of damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any corrections of changes will be made in the next available ssue. The Richmond News will be responsible for only one incorrect insertion with liability limited to that portion of the advertisement affected by the error Request for adjustments o correct ons on cha ges mus be made w th n 30 days o the ad s exp ra on For best results please check your ad for accuracy the first day it appears. Refunds made only after 7 business days notice!

THOMPSON, Lorne Robert March 30, 1969 May 10, 2023

"...And who can tell but Heaven, at last, May answer all my thousand prayers, And bid the future pay the past With joy for anguish, smiles for tears?"

FAREWELL by Anne Bronte

Thank you to St. Barnabas Parish and New Leaf Clubhouse communities for their years of kindness, support, and friendship so important to Lorne.

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