Tri-City News January 19 2023

E N V I R O N M E N T

Dam decision could lower Sasamat Lake

Imperial Oil dam has been in place for 100 years

MARIO

BARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

A popular recreational lake in Port Moody that’s used by tens of thousands of visitors each year could be altered forever if Imperial Oil decides to decommission a dam that’s been there for almost a century.

Ali Tejpar, a project manager for the oil company, says water levels at Sasamat Lake would drop by two metres if the dam, that’s next to the Sasamat Outdoor Centre, is removed.

The dam was originally

built by Imperial Oil about 100 years ago to collect water for use at its refinery in nearby Ioco It was replaced by a new dam in the 1960s But when the refinery was converted to a distribution terminal in 1995, its water needs reduced substantially. An inspection of the dam in 2019 that discovered some seepage has the company considering its options, Tejpar said

While decommissioning the dam is one possibility, he said Imperial Oil could also build a new dam in the same location that would include a new pedestrian bridge Tejpar said to help determine its path forward, Imperial Oil, as well as

Supporters of North Vancouver drag queen Conni Smudge including other drag queens help drown out protestors who gathered at Coquitlam Public Library’s City Centre branch, where she was hosting a Drag Queen Story

CLEUGH/THE TRI-CITY

IN TRI-CITIES

N O I S E P O L L U T I O N

New flight approaches could impact Tri-Cities

Changes will shorten routes, cut fuel comsumption

DIANE STRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews com

More airplanes could soon cast big shadows over houses in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody under route changes proposed by Canada’s navigation agency

Several neighbourhoods from Mary Hill in PoCo to Inlet Centre in Port Moody could be affected, along with several Coquitlam communities, maps of the new routes show

NAV CANADA, the agency responsible for air traffic, is proposing to alter instrument approach procedures for Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to shorten routes and reduce fuel

The new procedures are also supposed to reduce noise from descending jet engines and create more specific flight paths across Metro Vancouver, so 61,000 fewer people are affected by airplane noise

But one local resident is concerned that while air traffic might be reduced in some areas under the proposed changes, it will be concentrated over Coquitlam

Anna Caltagirone fears she and her neighbours in

Ranch Park will hear more jet engine noise, especially in evenings or late at night

“It’s not something that’s going to deafen you, but it’s loud enough, particularly at night time, when you’re getting this noise, and it could affect your health,” she said

Under proposed flight paths, aircraft will approach the runway from two different directions, depending on which way the wind is blowing

For example, when planes are approaching western runways during a westerly wind, they will:

• Descend over Coquitlam from Westwood Plateau before continuing toward YVR

• Descend over Vancouver and Burnaby before making a turn over Coquitlam

When planes are approaching YVR eastern runways during an easterly

wind, they will:

• Descend over Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam heading toward to the Strait of Georgia before turning toward the runway

According to community maps provided by NAV CANADA, Tri-Cities neighbourhoods to potentially be impacted by the change include:

COQUITLAM

• Austin Heights

• Eagle Ridge

• Fraser Mills

• Harbour Chines

• Maillardville

• Pacific Reach

• River Springs

• Westwood Plateau

PORT COQUITLAM

• Mary Hill

PORT MOODY

• Inlet Centre

Modelling provided by NAV CANADA show noise levels from the new flight paths could be between 55 and 60 decibels in some areas

Noise at 70 decibels or higher is considered damaging to hearing over a prolonged period of time Levels around 55 decibels are the equivalent of refrigerator noise, while 60 decibels is similar to the sound of someone conversing YVR has a network of noise monitoring terminals although none in the TriCities and you can check out a flight tracking website at YVR ca that shows planes flying over the Lower

Mainland and noise levels in real time

However, the website, which tracks jets flying over Port Coquitlam and through Coquitlam, reveals that ambient levels of noise can be 50 decibels or higher, even without airplanes passing by

Still, Caltagirone, who has been dealing with noise from low-flying private aircraft for years at her Ranch Park home, said neighbourhoods unaccustomed to plane noise might notice the change, especially late at night when they are trying to sleep

“You don’t know how the noise is going to change,” she said “Especially if they do concentrate these flights, you can see them coming from the north down They’ll hear more noise because the original flight paths were in a different area”

Find out more about the Vancouver Airspace Modernization Project (VAMP) and participate in a survey until Feb 3 at navcanada ca under news releases (Dec 6)

Lovedrownsoutprotestorsatlibrary’sDragQueenstorytime

Event

expanded to three rooms to accommodate kids

KYLE BALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

A rainbow of supporters outnumbered the handful of people protesting the ap-

pearance of a drag queen at Coquitlam Public Library’s City Centre branch last Saturday (Jan 14)

Performer Conni Smudge was at the library to read stories and lead singalongs with kids at a special Drag Queen Story Time session from 10:30 a m to noon

But protestors claimed a drag queen or any other

LGBTQ community member hosting a children’s event is a form of child “grooming”

Their assertion, though, was quickly overwhelmed by a crowd that spilled off the sidewalk and onto Pinetree Way expressing their support for the event Many of them waved rainbow flags, hoisted colourful umbrellas or carried signs calling for “Love

Over Hate” and “Libraries are for everyone”

Inside, the reading event had to be expanded to three adjoining rooms to accommodate all the kids and their parents who wanted to attend

Smudge, who’s widely known for her musical performances across Metro Vancouver, said she was

touched by the support

“There has been some nasty messages and threats made from ignorant people that believe that this will sexualize or psychologically damage children,” she said in a social media post

“Everyone has a place to belong anywhere you are”

Smudge said she’d gotten wind of the protestors’ plan to disrupt her appearance in Coquitlam, so she put out a call for supporters to join her commute on SkyTrain from Vancouver’s Waterfront Station to Lincoln Station across from the library They answered in droves

Nicola Spurling, of the Tri-Cities Pride Society, said in a social media post, “I’ve never see so many queer people gathered in Coquitlam before”

Several members of the education community also attended, including School District 43 (SD43) trustee Jennifer Blatherwick and Ken Christensen, president

of the Coquitlam Teachers Association

Coquitlam–Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson, who wore a bright rainbow scarf and like-coloured knee socks to the counter-protest, said the rally of support for Smudge was a victory for love

“Thanks again, Coquitlam Public Library, for a fabulous educational and entertaining drag queen story time here,” she posted on her Twitter account

The event was the second time Coquitlam Public Library has hosted a drag queen for story time, but the first to attract such attention

Two other similar events on Saturday in Calgary, Alta , and Peterborough, Ont also drew crowds of protestors and supporters.

Coquitlam RCMP, which had a contingent of officers on hand to monitor the protest, said aside from blockages on Pinetree Way, there were no incidents or arrests.

Park serves ‘an important role in the region’

design and engineering consultants from Stantec, have been talking with various stakeholders like local First Nations, Metro Vancouver, the villages of Belcarra and Anmore, the City of Port Moody and the Sasamat Outdoor Centre since March 2021

“We’re trying to understand from the stakeholders where their concerns are,” Tejpar said

Port Moody Mayor Meghan Lahti said a presentation made to council last Tuesday (Jan 10) by Imperial Oil and Stantec was the first she’d heard of the dam dilemma

She told the Tri-City News the uncertainty about the future of the dam is concerning

“Port Moody, as well as the entire Metro Region, see this area as an important integral recreation and environmentally significant

area,” Lahti said “Any change, particularly in the interface where people recreate on or near the lake will bring concerns”

Metro Vancouver has identified several concerns around the future of the dam, said Steven Schaffrick, division manager for the parks central area of Metro Vancouver Regional Parks

“We would like to preserve the visitor experience, which involves ensuring water quality, beach experience and other key features such as ‘dog rock’ and the floating walkway are not diminished,” he said in an email to the Tri-City News, adding any change in the water level could also impact fish and amphibian habitat,

which could hurt recreational fishing in Sasamat Lake

Stantec’s Joel Pineau said while decommissioning the dam would cause long-term changes to wetlands and riparian vegetation in the area, the ongoing viability of local and regional wildlife populations isn’t expected to change

He said there would be limited temporary impacts to fish and wildlife habitat immediately surrounding the footprint of the dam, but they would rebound as new wetlands form

Kristen Hyodo, the executive director of the Sasamat Outdoor Centre, said the fate of the dam “is significant to our organization and our community”

She said decommissioning the dam has the “potential to impact” programming at the centre, which has provided outdoor education and camp experiences to about 5,000 people per year since 1962

Tejpar said a geotechnical inspection of the existing dam is scheduled to be completed in February that will be used to guide the design process if a new dam is to be constructed

He added, however, a final decision on the dam’s future is still a ways off as Imperial Oil continues to

collect feedback

Schaffrick said Metro Vancouver would prefer the dam be replaced and discussions with Imperial Oil are ongoing about the design and management of a potential new dam

BEST SOLUTION

Lahti believes an arrangement with Metro Vancouver to preserve the lake as it is would be a solution that works for everyone

“While Sasamat Lake does exist in Port Moody, it is a regional park as well and serves an important role in the region”

Lahti said she hopes Imperial Oil will expand its engagement to include the general public as well She even offered city space to host consultation and information meetings

Tejpar conceded, though, there’s no immediate plan to engage the public at large

“We want to make a fact and data-driven decision”

White Pine Beach at Sasamat Lake is a popular recreational destination. But it could change significantly if a dam that’s been in place for a century is decommissioned by its owner, Imperial Oil. MARIO BARTEL/THE TRI-CITY NEWS

What’sNew?

BeaVoiceforYourCommunity

AreyoupassionateaboutCoquitlam?Do youhaveakeeninterestinsharingyour knowledgeandpointofviewtohelpshape yourcommunity?Applicationsare currentlybeingacceptedforCoquitlam AdvisoryCommitteesandtheBoardof Variance.TheCity’smissionistoservethe publicinterestthroughopen,fairand accountablelocalgovernmentwithafocus onleadership,innovation,community prioritiesandstrengths Wehaveawide varietyofcommitteesthatspeaktomany areasofciviclifeandthatcanmeetthe interestsofCoquiltamresidents

IfyourvaluesalignwiththeCity’s priorities,westronglyencourageyouto applyInterestedresidentscanreadabout eachcommittee’sdescription,their mandatesandapplicationcriteriaat coquitlamca/acv2023 Deadlinefor submissionsisTuesday,Feb 7at9am

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LookingOutfortheEnvironment CoquitlamLaunchesE-Scooter PilotProject

Peopleage16andupcannowuse e-scooters(electrickickscooters)in designatedareasthroughaprovincialpilot project Guidelinesinclude:

• Ridersmustbeatleastage16,butdo notneedadriver’slicence,theymust wearahelmet,haveabellandlightson theirdeviceandcannotcarryortow passengers

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• Noridingonroadswith50-pluskm/hour speeds,unlessinmicromobilitylanesor MUPs

• Ridersarenotallowedonsidewalksor onparktrailsorpathwaysunless indicatedbysignsorpavement markings

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Expandingtheuseofmicromobility devicesalignswiththeCoquitlam’sclimate mitigationefforts,whichincludes encouragingtransportationformsthatare healthierandproducefeweremissions.It alsosupportsseveralCitygoalsand strategiesincludingtheapproved EnvironmentalSustainabilityPlanaswell astheStrategicTransportationPlan, currentlyindevelopment

Coquitlamwillalsohelpreducebarriersto accessinge-scootersbylaunchingaprocess toseekane-scootersharingproviderby thissummerYoucanfindmore informationatcoquitlam.ca/escooter

January19–25

Opt-outofaPaperCollection Calendar

Coquitlamprintsandmailsapapercopyof thecurbsidecollectioncalendarevery June Thisyear,we’reexploringmore environmentallyfriendlyoptionstodeliver thisimportantinformationtoresidents All oftheessentialcollectioninformation includedintheprintedcalendarisalso availableondemandonthefree CoquitlamCurbsideCollectionapp, availablefordownloadat coquitlamca/recollect

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LookingforaFureverHome

CoquitlamDogs,TrainYour Human!

CoquitlamBylawEnforcement&Animal ServicesOfficerswillbeinCoquitlamParks helpingtoensurethatouroutdoorspaces areuser-friendlyforallpeopleandanimals Herearethreekeythingsyoucandoto helpensurethatyouandyourownerare beingresponsibleparkusers:

• Ensureyouareconnectedtoyourhuman onleash,exceptindesignatedoff-leash areasand/orduringpostedtimes

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• Ensureyourhumanhasrenewedyour

D I S C L O S U R E S T A T E M E N T S

What city politicians own and owe

Statements showing what civic politicians in the TriCities own and owe came out this week

But the disclosures, which Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody city halls released to the Tri-City News, give little insight as to how local elected officials manage their money personally.

Required under B.C.’s Financial Disclosure Act, the annual paperwork is a chance for the public to see what the assets, liabilities and sources of income are for the mayor and city councillors While the forms typically have scant information, this year’s statements include disclosures from the TriCities’ newly elected council members: In Coquitlam, councillors Matt Djonlic and Robert Mazzarolo; in Port Coquitlam, Coun Paige Petriw; and in Port Moody, Mayor Meghan Lahti and councillors Kyla Knowles, Haven Lurbiecki, Callan Morrison and Samantha Agtarap.

COQUITLAM

Djonlic’s only entry was under the Income category, as a city councillor, while Mazzarolo named his employer, Envision Law Corp , and a Burnaby property he owns (elected officials don’t

have to list the address of their primary residence)

By comparison, Coun Craig Hodge one of two city representatives on the Metro Vancouver board of directors disclosed 57 companies he has shares in Hodge also draws remuneration from the Union of BC Municipalities, of which he is a board member, and as owner of Craig Hodge and Associates Photography

Steve Kim, the owner of Boilingpoint Communications, is a shareholder with three companies, and he lists five personal and business debts with four financial institutions.

He also owns an investment property in Surrey

Trish Mandewo listed shares with eight companies,

including Nextleaf Solutions, a cannabis extractor, and employment with Synergy Consulting, of which she is co-owner and CEO, plus Simon Fraser University, where she is mentor in residence Besides her home in Coquitlam, she also has property in Qualicum Beach

In addition to council work, Dennis Marsden also has assets in True North Business Consultation, a financial management and marketing firm of which he’s principal, and with Clean Air Organics. He is principal of Dennis Marsden Consulting.

Mayor Richard Stewart has assets in a shell company, a holding group from his parents’ estate, and owns two properties in Coquitlam other than his home

And Teri Towner’s disclo-

sure was blank other than her income as a director on the Metro Vancouver board, a role she assumed last month when Stewart backed out

PORT COQUITLAM

Newly elected councillor Paige Petriw has assets in Spotlight Creative, a special events and wedding planning company of which she’s owner and operator

Darrell Penner has property in Maple Ridge, as well as in PoCo, while Dean Washington is president of (and has assets in) RPM Media and Grip Tire Stores.

He also owns a Port Coquitlam property other than his primary residence

PORT MOODY

In Port Moody, where

the city has posted its statements of disclosure online via portmoody ca/council, the newly elected mayor, Meghan Lahti, has a nearly blank form: She draws her wages as mayor and as a TransLink and Metro board director

Samantha Agtarap has assets in Engineered Bodies Strength and Conditioning, where she is an administrator; she is also a self-employed engineering consultant

Diana Dilworth is the government relations director for the Homebuilders Association of Vancouver while Kyla Knowles has assets in Canada Rare Earth Besides being a councillor, Knowles is also employed by Norland Ltd

Amy Lubik is a Fraser Health policy analyst and has property on Electronic Avenue in Port Moody Haven Lurbiecki has shares with 17 companies, including Advisor Pure US Cannabis; she is the senior policy analyst with the First Nations Health Authority.

And Callan Morrison has assets with four firms, including Squish Juicery, a cold-pressed juice and smoothie bar with a shop in Port Coquitlam Besides the city, Morrison also works for Key West Ford Sales

C I T Y M A N A G E R

Steblin retires

Coquitlam’s city manager spent his last day at city hall on Monday (Jan 16)

Peter Steblin, who joined the municipality in 2008, previously served five years as general manager of environmental and engineering services and city engineer with the City of London, Ont.

Last November, Steblin announced he would be retiring from Coquitlam City Hall “sometime” early in the new year

The following month, he was named in a lawsuit by Metro Vancouver in connection with leaked material to his daughter, who was working for a company that the regional authority was about to terminate

In a statement, Kathleen Vincent, Coquitlam’s communications manager, told the Tri-City News that Raul Allueva, the city’s deputy manager, will lead staff via the executive team until a new city manager is appointed.

“The city has launched the recruitment for a new city manager and, given the scope and complexity of this role, we anticipate this could take several months to complete,” Vincent wrote in an email

ROBERT MAZZAROLO COQUITLAM

PAIGE PETRIW PORT COQUITLAM

CALLAN MORRISON PORT MOODY

D E V E L O P M E N T

Covenant will dictate warehouse design

Guidelines meant to lessen impact on Nicola Lodge

DIANE STRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

A large industrial development approved for the Dominion Triangle area of Port Coquitlam will need to tread lightly as it builds next door to a long-term care facility

The developer plans to construct three two-storey buildings, totalling 87,825 sq ft at 820 Seaborne Ave , but will have to adhere to strict design guidelines so as not to impact Nicola Lodge

Last month, Port Coquitlam council agreed to a development permit, with the builder promising to meet several conditions

A covenant has also been placed on the property title, according to the city, to minimize its effects on Nicola Lodge residents

For example, roof top equipment must be screened and the street frontage must be of quality design

So far, only one complaint was sent to the city

from the family of a resident concerned about the loss of green space and view

Under the covenant, a four metre-wide buffer is required, unsightly industrial fencing is not allowed, such as barbed wire, and nonglare lighting is required

“The building has been designed to orient business activities such as parking and loading to the eastern portion of the site and proposes robust landscaping

between the building and Nicola Lodge including a variety of trees and shrubs to provide a green buffer between the sites,” a PoCo city staff report reads Karla Castellanos Architect has also added decorative elements to the wall facing Nicola Lodge to avoid a bland exterior and maintain privacy

A mixture of 41 trees, including deciduous and conifers, as well shrubs, perenni-

als, ground cover plants and ornamental grasses will also be planted

Loading bays, vehicle parking and access are located on the eastern portion of the site to help reduce potential impacts to Nicola Lodge

The 3 7-acre site is located between Nicola and Seaborne avenues midblock between Fremont and Hawkins streets and is currently vacant.

Surrounding land uses include light industrial, and Fremont Village

Flood Tide Capital Corp also owns the adjacent property at 760 Seaborne Ave

Both have a BC Hydro statutory right of way restricting buildings and landscaping, and Flood Tide is in the process of registering a property line adjustment. It will reconfigure the site and allow more efficient development of both properties.

Cityseeks kidsfor MayDay

Port Coquitlam is already planning for its 100th May Days celebration, which runs from May 5 to 13

And youngsters interested in participating in the annual festivities can now apply to take part as either a royal party member or as a part of a Port Coquitlam school’s maypole dance team

Selected through a random draw, the May Days Royal Party consists of flower girls and junior lancers from grades 1 and 2, and princesses and lancers from grades 4 and 5

Royal party duties include participating in various events like the May Day parade banquet and selection tea

Online applications are being accepted to be part of this milestone May Days Royal Party at portcoquitlam ca/maydays until Jan. 20.

For more photos follow us on Instagram #tricitynews

Port Coquitlam council has placed a covenant on the property title of a proposed warehouse project next to Nicola Lodge to ensure it doesn't impact residents. MARIO BARTEL/THE TRI-CITY NEWS

C L I M A T E C H A N G E

Climate plan ready to move to second phase

10-year plan looks to reduce city's carbon emissions

MARIO BARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Moving to the second phase of its 10-year climate change action plan will cost Port Moody more than $1 1 million

An additional $803,995 is expected to be covered by various grants, although the future of some provincial funding is uncertain beyond 2024

A report that was to have been presented to council at its meeting Jan 10, but was put off until a future date, said 45 actions over the next two years have been identified to continue moving the city toward its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent from 2007 levels

ACTIONS INCLUDE

• accelerate adoption of the BC Energy Step Code for the construction of new residential and commercial buildings that would make them more energy efficient and resilient

• develop a retrofit program to encourage and facilitate the implementation of energy efficient upgrades, like low-carbon heating systems, in existing buildings, as well as offer top-ups to existing incentive programs

• explore the feasibility of creating pedestrian priority zones in the city

• create a zero-waste strategy for civic facilities and events

• implement a policy to encourage the develop-

ment of complete, compact communities that reduce residents’ dependence on getting around by car

• advocate for upgrades to school air conditioning

• enhance extreme weather awareness and pre-

paredness

• devise a plan to bring universal water metering to Port Moody

According to the report, Port Moody has achieved almost 60 per cent of its goals for the first phase of

its climate action plan, with five projects complete and another 18 still in the works But most of those were about gathering information and developing strategies

STAFF CONFIDENT

For the city to attain its longterm goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, “action needs to start now,” said Laura Sampliner, Port Moody’s senior sustainability and energy coordinator “Staff are confident that based on the information and technology available today, that the actions in the Phase 2 climate action implementation strategy are a major step towards success in a changing climate”

Port Moody council adopted its climate action plan in 2020

It’s to be carried out in five phases, with reviews every two years

18 GOALS INCLUDE

• all buildings in the city to have zero emission heating and hot water systems by 2050

• 40 per cent of passenger vehicles in the city, and 25 per cent of commercial vehicles, to be electric by 2030

• achieve zero waste emissions by 2050

What is your home worth in today’s market?

O P I N I O N

Questions about new rental protection fund

Last week provided the first major example of what the BC NDP government intends to do with the roughly $6 billion surplus it is sitting on Premier David Eby announced the creation of a new $500 million Rental Protection Fund aimed at protecting renters and preserving rental homes Now, a half billion dollars is an enormous amount of money, but the government’s financial pockets are so deep right now it can afford it

The last quarterly financial update projected the budget sur-

plus for the current fiscal year to be more than $5.7 billion. On top of that is a $300 million forecast allowance that likely won’t be used plus more than $2 billion in contingencies and unallocated spending

By provincial law, any excess revenue not spent by the end of the fiscal year, which is March 31, is applied to pay down taxpayer-supported provincial debt (expected to reach $62 billion this year).

There are not a lot of details about this new rental protection fund yet

It will be operated by an independent board, and it is a onetime bit of funding, so it won’t necessarily be re-established every year

It is also unclear how big an impact the fund will have on the rental situation. Eby says “thousands” of renters will be protected from eviction if a corporation buys a housing complex and wants to forcibly evict people, but he was unable to provide a more precise figure

The fund will allow non-profit agencies to access capital to protect existing, older housing facil-

ities But again, no details have been provided on exactly how that will work And how far does $500 million even go when it comes to Metro Vancouver’s still-hot housing market? That’s a question raised by BC Liberal housing critic Karin Kirkpatrick, who doubts this will make much of a dent in the overall scheme of things

Finally, no business plan for the fund or its operators has been released yet

Still, it’s probably worth it for the government to take a shot here Why not throw something

at the housing affordability wall and see if it sticks?

More housing announcements await, although Eby says B.C is not ready yet to match Quebec’s “first refusal” law for non-profits to head the line when it comes to purchases

And there will likely be more spending announcements flowing from that massive surplus

The government has a little more than two months to kick a lot more dollars out the door Stay tuned.

Keith Baldrey is the chief political reporter for Global BC

Find even MORE letters online: tricitynews.com/opinion/letters

P R O P E R T Y V A L U E S

Assessments are a mirror to actual values

The Editor:

As I explained to MLA Darlene Marzari in the 1990s, BC Assessment doesn’t create assessments

It’s as though a mirror is annually held up to the market and, by law, assessments must reflect “actual,” or market value

Buyers and sellers create this market, not the B C government

A progressive tax ensues: if you own a $1-million condo, you pay one-tenth of the taxes that someone pays who owns a $10-million home in the British Properties No, the July 2022 valua-

tions that recently arrived in your mailbox didn’t “likely vary greatly” perhaps plus-or-minus five to 10 per cent

The good news: because everyone is slightly over-assessed, the other Assessment Act goal of equitable assessments is realized

In your 2024 notice, your assessment will reflect the lower market values that will likely be occurring in July 2023 Everyone is in the same boat

Agreed, home prices are too high

Perhaps higher interest rates, commuters clogging the bridges every rush hour,

limiting foreign buyers, as well as inflation, will have a moderating effect on prices Time will tell Premier David Eby needs local partners to rekindle the development of housing for the “missing middle,” which was abandoned in favour of the soundly debunked supply-side economics

At least he’s trying, where others have failed, miserably

Our children deserve better Derek Holloway

North Vancouver District (Now retired, Holloway says he worked 28 years as an appraiser with BC Assessment )

Property owners in B.C. receive an assessment notice every January The valuation of their property is based upon data

For more photos follow us on Instagram #tricitynews

collected the previous July TRI-CITY NEWS FILE PHOTO

NICOLE

KFN welcomes home stolen welcome post

KYLE BALZER kbalzer@tricitynews.com

The kʷikʷəƛəm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation has its totem back

The three-foot tall wooden carving was returned to the Indigenous Nation Jan 9 after it had been missing since Oct 12

It had been recovered in Chilliwack in December

“We would like to thank the Coquitlam RCMP, the Upper Fraser Valley Regional RCMP and the general public for their combined efforts in helping to locate and retrieve the stolen totem pole from the Nation,” KFN chief Ed Hall and council said in a joint statement

“The carving of the owl was of important cultural significance to the Nation and we are very grateful to have it back here in our community”

Police said a man was captured on video surveillance that evening taking the solid red cedar artifact and loading it into a U-Haul truck

Spokesperson Cpl Alexa Hodgins said RCMP were made aware on Dec 28 of a wooden carving that matched the stolen item’s description was left behind in a Chilliwack basement suite after a tenant moved out

That’s roughly 80 km east from kʷikʷəƛəm’s main building (10-65 Colony Farm

Rd ) where it was taken

“This is the outcome we hoped for but did not expect,” she added, noting Upper Fraser Valley RCMP found the totem and safely transported it back to the local detachment

“We are really happy that we were able to return the totem pole, as we understand the significant loss and sentimental value that it held within the community”

In the meantime, investigators are still looking for the suspect involved in the house post’s theft and

continue to appeal for more details from the public

He’s described as:

• Medium athletic build

Was seen wearing:

• Dark shoes

• Dark jeans or work pants

• Dark hoodie sweatshirt

Anyone with more information on how the carving turned up in Chilliwack, or who witnessed the original theft, is encouraged to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file-number 2022-27539 with a file from Diane Strandberg, Tri-City News

C M P

Chargesafterfire

A 39-year-old man has been charged with arson after a fire at a Coquitlam home Jan 11

No one was injured in the Harbour Chines neighbourhood incident, but RCMP believe the victims and suspect were known to each other Danny Rusnak is

charged with one count of one count of arson and one count of possession of incendiary materials

All occupants inside the burning home were evacuated before police arrived on scene, firefighters extinguished the flames and victim services was activated

A carved wooden totem pole was returned to the Kwikwetlem First Nation nearly a month after it was reported stolen. COQUITLAM RCMP PHOTO

R

M A R I T I M E M U S I C A L J A M

East Coast kitchen parties headed indoors

Rocky Point Park

event attracted over 50 participants

MARIO BARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Port Moody’s own version of an East Coast kitchen party is back

But it’s moving indoors

Transplanted Haligonian Adam Faber, who organized an outdoor version of the drop-in musical jam at Rocky Point Park last September, said he’s taking the event to the Port Moody Recreation Complex for the next three months, with parties scheduled Jan 28, Feb

25 and March 25, from 12:30 to 1:30 p m

Faber, an accordionist with a penchant for writing satirical songs, said it’s important to keep the vibe and fellowship established at last year’s outdoor party alive through the winter

“The kitchen party in the park took on a life of its own,” he said

“Many people came up to us after the event suggesting we make it a regular thing”

Faber said the first party attracted more than 50 participants many of whom brought their instruments to play and sing along to tunes from Atlantic Canada, as well as some well-known rock classics

He said the kitchen party is a Maritime cultural touchstone, where assemblies of family, friends and neighbours usually end up gravitating to the kitchen where someone breaks out a guitar, then others join in

“The kitchen is where the family hangs out,” Faber said “It’s where everyday life happens”

He said he missed that when he moved west with his wife in early 2022

INCLUSIVE EVENT

Faber said kitchen parties are inclusive Even if you can’t play a musical note or carry a tune, it’s fun to clap along or just bask in the revelry and sense of com-

munity

“It’s great fun,” he said “You’ll learn how to have a bit of fun like an East Coaster And you’ll also learn what to do with a drunken

sailor, I daresay”

Faber said the indoor parties, to be hosted by his band, the Lethbridge Privateers, will have more instruments for those who

Adam Faber’s first East Coast kitchen party last September attracted more than 50 participants. Now he’s taking the event indoors for the next three months with the musical jams scheduled Jan. 28, Feb.

don’t have their own, and a bigger songbook

The events are free, but preregistration at squeezerocks com is encouraged because space is limited

25 and March 25, at the Port Moody Recreation Complex. MARIO BARTEL/TRICITY NEWS FILE PHOTO

PolygonplanforCoronationHeightsgetsfirstreading

Coquitlam City Council started its first meeting of 2023 by sending a massive proposal for a master-planned community next to the Port Moody border out for comment

On Monday (Jan 16), council unanimously gave first reading to Polygon’s Coronation Heights planned development north of Lougheed Highway; Coun

Dennis Marsden was not present for the vote A public hearing will be held Feb 27

Located in the City Centre neighbourhood, on the site of a former elementary school, at 135 Balmoral Dr and 2506 to 2548 Palmer Ave , the area is set to be rezoned for high density: Nine residential towers with child care spots and a park, similar to what Marcon

Quadreal aims for the corner at Lougheed and Barnet highways at Pinetree Way

If OK’d after the public hearing, the development would be built in six phases including:

• three purpose-built rental towers with about 785 units (homes for about 1,500 residents) and about 210 units of below-market rental housing

• six market condo towers with about 2,050 units (homes for about 4,000 residents)

• a stand-alone amenity building of nearly 27,000 square feet plus 3,600 sq ft of retail

• two childcare facilities (spaces for at least 79 kids)

• a new road linking to Barnet Highway plus new or reconstructed local roads

Meanwhile, to the west, the City of Port Moody is eyeing a bid from Wesgroup to assemble 59 single-family homes for another high-density mixed-used development

According to a report from Andrew Merrill, Coquitlam’s director of development services, Polygon’s plan is to build 2,835 homes most of them two-bedroom condos

Child care would come in Phase 1 while another space, double in size, would arrive in the last construction round. And there would be up to 50 jobs available onsite.

Still, if the application goes ahead, Polygon would be short 73 on-site spots for child care and, as a result, would pay $590,000 in lieu to the city’s Child Care Reserve Fund.

An estimate of the total number of dollars the municipality would also take in is:

• $62 million in development cost charges

• $76 2 million in density bonus, including $10 million to the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund

• $3 7 million in community amenity contributions

• $9 8 million to buy 2545 Palmer Ave from the city

• $3 1 million for transportation demand management measures

Coun Matt Djonlic said given the Housing Needs

Report that council-in-committee received earlier in the day, he’d like to see Polygon provide more below-market and non-market housing as the site is within a 400-m walking distance to Inlet Station But Merrill said Polygon met “all the expectations” of the city’s housing affordability policy

Coun. Robert Mazzarolo also said he’d like to see more rental suites than studios, and he pushed the company for more child care. Those spaces, Merrill told Coun. Teri Towner, are open to anyone not just for the future families at Coronation Heights.

Still, Coun. Brent Asmundson warned council not to tinker with policy as development applications roll in and investment is made in the community

His comments were echoed by Mayor Richard Stewart, who referred to Wesgroup’s Coronation Park where Port Moody City Council came under fire last year for “changing the goal posts”

As for studios, Stewart contended they have value as an entry point into an expensive housing market, and they form an important component of the city’s housing stock

To take part in the public hearing on the Coronation Heights application in person, remotely or in writing visit coquitlam.ca/ publichearing.

Aerial view, southwestern perspective, of Polygon’s master-planned community Coronation Heights. POLYGON

J A N . 2 0 – 2 2 , 2 0 2 3

Get the dumplings out for the Year of the (water) Rabbit

Friday, Jan. 20

TECH HELP

Adults wanting to learn about Google Drive, a free cloud-based storage service, can get tips from the Port Moody Public Library, which from 11 a m to noon, will host a lesson in the ParkLane Room (inside Port Moody City Hall, 100 Newport Dr ) Bring your laptop or use one of the library’s You’ll need a Google account (gmail address) to sign in

REGISTER: portmoodylibrary.ca

COCOA, ART

Tour the Art Gallery at Evergreen (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) between 5 and 6 p m to see the latest exhibition before heading out with a cup of hot chocolate to see the Lights at Lafarge at Town Centre Park. Take SkyTrain to the Lafarge Lake–Douglas station.

MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca

NEW ART

Meet the artists behind the exhibits opening tonight at 7 p m at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave , Coquitlam): Emerging Talent 25 (various mediums by Grade 12 art students in School District 43); Creating Home/ Ukwakha iKhaya (paintings and poetry by Cyd Eva); and Alchemical Transformations (acrylics, oils and mixed

media by Louise Bunn) The three shows will be up until March 9, and online from Jan 27 to March 9

MORE: placedesarts ca

IN THE BUFF

Stage 43 Theatrical Society ends its run of its second show of the season: Calendar Girls. Based on the 2003 movie starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, the British comedy is directed by Tiffany Markwart for the Coquitlam company The play is mounted tonight, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam).

MORE: stage43.org/tickets

LIGHTS AT LAFARGE

Bundle up (and bring an

umbrella) to visit Lights at Lafarge, the City of Coquitlam’s annual light show featuring a million lights From Tuesdays to Saturdays, the city’s Park Spark team will be at the TD Community Plaza at Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 5:30 to 8:30 p m with free activities The lights are on daily from dusk to 11 p.m. until mid-February Come before 6 p m or after 8 p m on weekdays to avoid the crowds. The event is presented by Coquitlam Centre

MORE: coquitlam ca/lights

Saturday, Jan. 21

LUNAR NEW YEAR

Korean-speaking families with young children can drop in to the City Centre

branch of the Coquitlam Public Library (1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) to mark Seollal Korean Lunar New Year with traditional stories, games and activities from 10:30 a m to 1 p m No registration is required. MORE: coqlibrary.ca

BREAK BREAD

Families with kids ages 12 and up can join a workshop and lunch in one of Coquitlam’s oldest homes: Mackin House From 11:30 a m to 1 p m , registrants can tour the museum’s new exhibit, Breaking Bread, and learn how to make soup cream of tomato and savoury pumpkin as well as herb bread in the kitchen of the home (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). The cost is $25 per person

MORE: coquitlamheritage. ca

VAN DJANGO

The gypsy–jazz quartet Van Django ushers in the new year and plays the fourth show in the inaugural Inlet Theatre Music Series in Port Moody The band, which features music from the 1930s in Paris, France and made up of Cameron Wilson, Budge Schachte, Finn Manniche and Brent Gubbels, performs in the Inlet Theatre (inside Port Moody City Hall, 100 Newport Dr.) at 7:30 p.m.

MORE: portmoodymusic. com

BREWSKIES, SALSA

Strap on some dancing shoes for the Hot Salsa Dance Zone’s monthly party at Site B Brewing (3012 Murray St , Port Moody) along Brewers Row Singles and couples of all ages are welcome A beginners class is at 8 p m while the dance floor opens at 9 p m Admission is $10.

MORE: hotsalsadancezone. com/events

POP POP

Pop Junkies, a five-piece band playing pop music hits from the 1960s and up, is on the Asylum Sound Stage in Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd , Coquitlam) at 9:30 p m There is no cover; how-

ever, guests must be at least 19 years old.

MORE: hardrockcasinovancouver.com.

Sunday, Jan. 22

GUNG HAY!

Port Moody–Coquitlam MP Bonita Zarrillo will ring in the Chinese New Year the Year of the Rabbit at the Port Moody Winter Farmers Market, on from 10 a m to 2 p m in the parking lot next to the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd ) The federal representative will have lucky red envelopes for kids This week’s vendors include BAK’D Cookies, Boneheads Kitchen, Rockweld Farm and The Top Coffee Roasters

MORE: makebakegrow. com

THE WARDENS

The Rocky Mountain-based band The Wardens tell stories and sing songs about being wardens in Canada’s national parks for the past 50 years, in a 7:30 p m concert at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) Made up of Scott Ward (guitar); Ray Schmidt (bass, mandolin, guitar) and Scott Duncan (fiddle), the ensemble was nominated last year for a Canadian Folk Music Award Tickets are $35/$32/$16

MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca

The Wardens perform Rocky Mountain music at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam on Sunday night. PHOTO SUBMITTED

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send

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to put others first, and do you believe it’s made B C a better place to call home?

If yes, government officials want to meet that person and possibly add them to some elite company of outstanding citizens.

Nominations are now open for the Order of British Columbia, set to recognize those that have demonstrated achievement, “excellence or distinction in a field of endeavour benefiting people in the province or elsewhere”

The deadline is set for April 11 for those wishing to submit a nomination

“A nomination celebrates the contributions of remarkable British Columbians, whose service and inspiring legacies make our province a better place,” said Janet Austin, lieutenant governor and chancellor of the Order of B C , in a news release.

“I encourage you to nominate the best and brightest of British Columbians for this extraordinary honour.”

Nearly 500 people are currently with the Order of B C after 14 new members earned the insignia in 2022, including Harinder Mahil of Coquitlam

Eligible nominees can be current or former B C residents that have excelled in the fields of community leadership, business, labour, industry, art, sports, volunteer service, professions and others Visit the Order of B C’s page on the province’s website for more information

HEALTH & SAFETY AWARD

Ensuring safety for all employees in the office and out in the community

That’s the goal behind Coquitlam’s mandate for its workers’ occupational health and safety, and it appears to have been accomplished for a fourth time in as many years

The city has won a provincial honour for its commitment to maintaining a safe environment for workers, courtesy of the BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA)

The 2022 organizational safety award (OSA) is said to recognize local governments that post a positive track record of reducing the number of workplace injuries, illnesses, diseases and fatalities.

“Coquitlam’s work in this area includes a modified/lightduty program that allows injured employees to continue to safely work as they heal,” said city spokesperson Renzo Del Negro.

As well, the city has now received more than $1 99 million in the last 10 years from WorkSafeBC incentives based on encouraging safety audits through the BCMSA’s programs.

“The OSA is based on WorkSafeBC (WSBC) experience ratings, which assign employers either discounts or surcharges on their premiums based on an industry comparison of claim costs, taking into account organization sizes,” Del Negro added

“OSA winners have either achieved a consistent experience rating discount of 20 per cent or more over the past three years as is the case for Coquitlam or reduced their experience rating by 20 per cent over four years to achieve a discount by the end of three years

“Having maintained a WSBC experience rating discount of 20 per cent or more for 20 years, Coquitlam is considered a leader in local government occupational health and safety in B.C.”

Remo Stefani marked his 70th birthday and his 29th season of pulling on his shin pads for the Port Moody Oldtimers Hockey Association.

Teammates and opponents celebrated his achievements.

M Cafe, a Coquitlam business located at 2773 Barnet Hwy., served up $11,800 to the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation last month. The money came in through the eatery’s Christmas Day brunch.

Kiara

Coquitlam

A campaign last month for shoppers at City Avenue Market and Freshmart PoCo yielded $5,000 for SHARE. The money was used to hand out grocery gift cards during the holidays to people in need.

Grisley, Erica Gunning and Jackson Smith, as well as other leadership students at Port Coquitlam’s Terry Fox Secondary, raised $500 at a bake sale to buy gifts for Nicola Lodge residents.

Minor Football ended its season by clinching three provincial championships. It’s the first time CMFA has swept games in each of its age categories; the Jr Bantam team defeated Vernon 35-26.

Members of the knitting club at Parkwood Manor in Coquitlam stitched in $2,100 for the SHARE food bank, a Port Moody-based facility that serves Tri-City seniors and families in financial need.

Coq.councilrenewspersonalleavepolicyforpoliticians

City doubles time, expands personal leave for council

Coquitlam is the first municipality in B C to let its elected officials go on compassionate care or caregiver leave

The policy, which was adopted last June in a bid to attract a greater diversity of candidates to run in the fall general election, was renewed by council on Monday (Jan 16)

Under the policy, local politicians can have up to 16 weeks of paid leave to help a family member who is critically ill or injured, or in need end-of-life care

That’s key for the current sandwich generation Gen X, said Coun Steve Kim

In addition, mayor and councillors can claim up to 16 weeks for maternity and/ or parental leave

That absence is allowed for elected officials who are pregnant or have given birth (including miscarriage, termination or stillbirth after 20 weeks of gestation), or following the birth or adoption of a child

Like compassionate/caregiver relief remuneration is p c

selves must give two weeks’ notice in writing before the leave is due to start However, civic officials can return to any council or committee meeting to participate temporarily Council is required to rubber-stamp the personal leave policy at the start of each term or if there’s a change in council composition

Currently, under the Community Charter, the provincial legislation that governs B C municipalities, an elected official is disqualified from holding office if they are away for 60 consecutive days, or absent for four consecutive regularly scheduled council meet-

Nikki Caulfield, Coquitlam’s general manager of corporate services, said the city’s personal leave policy is intended to reduce and remove barriers to participants in local office

Mayor Richard Stewart said the provincial government needs to get with the times for politicians’ workplaces

Many organizations are

trying to increase diversity on city councils but aren’t succeeding, Coun Trish Mandewo said, but with Coquitlam’s new personal leave policy, “we are putting the weight behind our words” to draw different people to the civic horseshoe

“This is a fantastic policy,” Coun Matt Djonlic added “Historically, there have

been so many barriers for individuals to be getting seats at this table Historically, it’s been a very homogenous group, so it’s great to see that we’re taking steps to reduce barriers for more women, people of colour and people with lower incomes to have a more diverse council and a group of candidates”

“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Djonlic

said “There’s still a lot of work to do”

Meanwhile, Coun Brent Asmundson said he’d like to see the policy extended with more incentives to get a broader representation Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) was one of Coquitlam’s four themes in the 2022 Business Plan, which charts priorities for city hall

COUN. MATT DJONLIC

The best of Grade 12 art in the spotlight for ‘Emerging Talent 25 ’

“Imaginative” was the word that sprang to mind for judges when describing Emerging Talent 25, an annual showcase of the best of Grade 12 art in School District 43

Last Friday, the judges Melanie Stokes, Sherida Charles and Don Portelance gathered at Coquitlam’s Gleneagle Secondary School to review more than 100 pieces submitted by students enrolled at seven district high schools: Gleneagle, Dr. Charles Best, Terry Fox, Heritage Woods, Port Moody, Centennial and Riverside secondaries.

Only the top artwork will be hung at Place des Arts for the milestone exhibition, which is being organized by Gleneagle art teacher Robyn Croft and opens on Friday.

This year’s entries, created over the past year in class and at home, are presented in the usual media, such as paintings, charcoal and photography; however, there is also some art new to Emerging Talent, like embroidery, wood burning and digital art, that mostly expresses teen angst and social issues through a realism and surrealism lens

“It’s more imaginative than before,” said Stokes,

a retired art teacher from Gleneagle. “Some years have been struggling, but I think this is a really strong year for the art.”

Portelance, a retired art teacher from Centennial who returned as an Emerging Talent judge after a 15-year hiatus, echoed her sentiments. “There is some high quality.”

To qualify for the public gallery show, Grade 12 art students had to be continuing their education at a post-secondary art institution; according to many bios and statements attached to the art, several students are off to Emily Carr University of Art + Design Displaying their pieces in

a public setting “is good for them to get feedback and it’s good for their resumes,” Stokes said, adding, “I’m pleased that Emerging Talent has lasted for so long and it continues to inspire the art students in School District 43.”

• The opening reception for Emerging Talent 25 is on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave.). Also opening on Friday is Creating Home/ Ukwakha iKhaya, paintings and beats by Cyd Eva; and Alchemical Transformations acrylics, oils and mixed Media by Louise Bunn The three exhibits are up until March 9, and online from Jan 27 to March 9

Ovation! finalists named

Three entertainers who call the Tri-Cities home are up for 2023 Ovation!

awards

The winners of the 19th annual accolades will be announced at a ceremony at the Vancouver Academy of Music on Jan 22 Coquitlam triple threat Kyra Leroux is a finalist in the Outstanding Lead Performance category Last month, the 20-year-old graduate of Dr. Charles Best Secondary starred as Anne Shirley in the Gateway Theatre production of Anne of Green Gables, which is one of five shows named for Outstanding ProductionProfessional.

Best’s music teacher, Brent Hughes, is nominated for Outstanding Music Direction in Something Rotten!, a musical that Theatre Under the Stars pro-

Sarina Chung's "We are One" was an Emerging Talent entry PHOTO VIA PLACE DES ARTS

"Emerging Talent 25" judges (left to right) Melanie Stokes, Sherida Charles and Don Portelance retired art teachers from School District 43 review the entries last Friday at Gleneagle Secondary JANIS CLEUGH/TCN

ParkwardenswritesoundtracktotheRockies

Their band started in 2009 the 100th year for the Parks Canada warden program

Scott Ward, a park ranger with more than 30 years in Banff National Park, was performing his songs, and he invited up Ray Schmidt, a warden posted in Jasper National Park who has worked at parks in Banff, Glacier and Mount Revelstoke

“And one thing led to the next,” Schmidt told the Tri-City News last week “The more we kept playing together, the more people wanted to buy our CDs and hear our songs”

“It was very organic almost like our band had started around the campfire”

These days, The Wardens are playing in full-scale theatres with fiddler Scott Duncan to promote their original mountain music, including from their latest recording Sold Out at the Ironwood, which was

released in 2021 and has received critical acclaim

Last Friday (Jan 13), the Albertan trio launched its 16-date tour of the west that includes a stop at Coquitlam’s Evergreen Cultural Centre on Sunday (Jan 22)

The concert, Schmidt

said, is more than just tunes: It also features a multi-media slideshow of places they have seen in the Canadian Rockies and in the backcountry

“A big part about our show is storytelling, musically and visually,” he said “The images give people

a real inside look into our lives while working in the wildness”

They talk and sing about the pristine environment, as well as about conservation and climate change, as their photos and archival pictures are screened behind Ticket-holders tend to be

in awe of their travels and the beauty of Canada

“It’s amazing how many people are connected to the mountains,” Schmidt said

“We present a real Canadian experience, which is also appreciated when we play in the United States at music venues It’s a universal thing to be protecting the land”

Schmidt, who was nominated last year for Traditional Folk Singer of the Year in the Canadian Folk Music Awards, said The Wardens are excited to play Coquitlam

They’ve tried to play at Evergreen in the past, but never got the chance due to scheduling conflicts

And, he said, they’re also happy to be back on the road after the COVID-19 pandemic

• Tickets for The Wardens on Sunday are $35/$32/$16 Call the box office at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way) or visit evergreenculturalcentre ca

duced last summer; it was the second TUTS show that Hughes directed musically, and the 10th time he had performed in the orchestra pit at the Malkin Bowl

Something Rotten! is also up for the Outstanding Production - Community prize

Hughes is a music teacher at Coquitlam’s Lindbjerg Academy of the Performing Arts, where Tri-City resident Nicol Spinola is on faculty

Spinola is a finalist for Outstanding Choreography for two 2022 productions: Something Rotten! and Cabaret the latter by Raincity Theatre Company, of which she is the co-managing artistic director and resident choreographer

The Wardens, a band of Parks Canada wardens made up of Ray Schmidt, Scott Ward and Scott Duncan, will perform in Coquitlam on Jan. 22. PHOTO VIA THE WARDENS

Pinetree Secondary times ‘Matilda’ musical perfectly

Natalee Lovelock wanted to do SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical

The drama teacher at Coquitlam’s Pinetree Secondary picked that show for her musical theatre class and tech students to mount in 2023 because, not only did she have the right cast and crew, it’s also an inclusive play with lots of fun and unique characters.

But a few of her students and graduates who would be involved expressed doubt. Instead, they suggested Treehouse Theatre produce Roald Dahl’s Matilda The

Musical, which tells the story of an extraordinary girl with a vivid imagination who takes a stand

After all, they urged, Lovelock had taken her theatre students to New York City in 2014, as part of a musical theatre field trip, and they had seen the show performed live Lovelock signed on, but it was only a few months later they realized their show would come out at the same time a new movie version would be released in North America.

“We had no idea,” she told the Tri-City News, “but it’s

been an added bonus for us”

For the school presentation, which is on Feb 1 to 3 and Feb 8 to 10 at 7 p m in the Pinewood Avenue building, a total of 55 students, teachers and staff are on or behind the stage and in the orchestra pit, the latter under the direction of Rouvin Seah; Pinetree Secondary graduate Kylie Fonacier is the musical director of Matilda Lovelock said the musical’s original score by composer Tim Minchin “is just amazing,” noting the quality is in similar style to the musical theatre master Stephen

"Matilda

Sondheim’s.

What’s best about Matilda “is it’s about kids and has a lot of kids in it."

"There are a lot of strong roles for females, too. It’s also inclusive and that’s

something very important for me," Lovelock said.

• Tickets to see Treehouse Theatre’s Matilda The Musical are $15/$10 at the Pinetree Secondary office (3000 Pinewood Ave., open

Monday to Friday during school hours); via School Cash Online; or at the door on show nights. The show is rated PG for thematic elements, exaggerated bullying and language.

The leads in

The Musical," the first major high school production in School District 43 for 2023. The show by Treehouse Theatre, includes 55 students and teachers, and is directed by Natalee Lovelock. NATALEE LOVELOCK/KYANNA KRUEGER PHOTOS

B C H L

Express hopes first Pride night a path to change

Details of the night are still to be worked

out

MARIO BARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

The Coquitlam Express will be the first BC Hockey League team to host a Pride night at its game Jan. 27 against the Cowichan Valley Capitals

Express general manager Tali Campbell says events at the city’s public library last Saturday, when protestors tried to disrupt a drag queen story time, bolster his belief that the time is right to show hockey can create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all players and spectators

It’s not an easy task, he added

Campbell’s tease of Tuesday’s announcement on his own personal social media account was greeted with several derisive and scornful messages like: “What does this have to do with hockey?”

Another labelled him a “pervert.”

But, Campbell said,

bringing Pride to the rink is very much about changing hockey and its entrenched “old boys” culture that values machismo and rewards aggression.

“It’s hard, tough and you

W O M E N ’ S H O C K E Y

can’t have feelings, until we have voices changing it,” he said

Giving opportunity for those voices to rise up is especially important at the junior hockey level when

many young players are still forging their identities and may be struggling with some aspects

In 2021, Luke Prokop of the Calgary Hitmen became the first player in the

Canadian Hockey League (a tier above the BCHL) to come out publicly

So far, he remains the only one to make such a declaration.

Campbell said getting to a time when players can be comfortable with who they are and accepted by their peers and fans is a momentous task

“We’re decades behind in this sport,” he said. “It’s a big mountain to climb but someone has to start”

That start begins in the dressing room

Since taking the helm for the Express, Campbell has brought in a mental health advisor to facilitate players’ discussion about their well being

Correcting the language that’s used in the sport and eliminating some of the “silliness” that goes on is also starting to gain momentum at both the junior and minor hockey levels.

Campbell said things like homophobic slurs and hazing rituals that have been the dark underbelly of hockey culture for so long, “lead to people being uncomfortable”

Changing that culture

requires a strict adherence to consequences, whether a player who’s stepped over the line is a bench warmer or star scorer.

“Everyone is going to be treated the same,” Campbell said

Similarly for spectators Campbell said for an organization to be truly welcoming and inclusive, the culture of acceptance have to extend beyond the boards

Staff, volunteers, billet families and spectators must also carry the mantle and be prepared to pay a price if they don’t

“We have a duty as a community organization to be that voice for change.”

Whether holding a special night and providing Pride tape for players to wrap around their sticks can be a catalyst is still unknown, Campbell said

“We have to bulldoze those boundaries,” he said.

“This will be another step to make players feel comfortable, feel they can come out and talk about it”

• The Express’ Pride night at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex is Friday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m.

FormerTCPredatorhelpswingoldforCanada—again

Jordan Baxter had two assists in U-18 championships

BALZER

KYLE

kbalzer@tricitynews.com

“I missed you”

Jordan Baxter wrote that on her Instagram page

while tightly hugging the under-18 women’s world hockey championship trophy as if it were a long lost relative

In fact, they only spent seven months apart as the Coquitlam product and former Tri-Cities Predator helped Canada claim a second straight gold medal The team easily defeated

host Sweden 10-0 in Sunday’s (Jan 15) final

The 17 -year-old player provided an assist on Piper Grober’s goal 10 minutes into the contest in Östersund, which made it a 4-0 advantage for the red and white.

She recorded two assists at the 2023 tournament, matching the points she

tallied in her international debut last June when the Canadians won their first under-18 women’s world title since 2019

This was Baxter’s final turn with the Canada’s under-18 women’s hockey team.

As there’s no female version of the under-20 world junior hockey cham-

pionships she’ll have to attempt to join the best of the best with the senior national and Olympic rosters

Prior to flying overseas, Baxter had 18 goals and 30 points in 16 games with Delta Hockey Academy second among her age group in the Canadian Sport School league (CSSHL)

She’s committed to playing for Ohio State University in NCAA Div I women’s hockey starting this fall for the 2023–24 campaign

Baxter will also be one of three former Tri-Cities Predators playing for Team B C at the 2023 Canada

Winter Games in PE I from Feb 18 to March 5

The Cowichan Valley Capitals will be the opposition when the Coquitlam Express hosts its first Pride night on Jan. 27. MARIO BARTEL/TRI-CITY NEWS FILE PHOTO

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries Obituaries

It is w th deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Barrie after a lengthy i lness on December 23rd 2022 at home He was born November 21, 1936, in Kenora, Ontario where he resided until the family moved to Coquitlam n h s ear y teens

He is loving y remembered by his w fe Ulla, and h s chi dren L sa (Paul) Bentz, Leona Bentz, Mark (Tracy) Bentz and M chael Bentz; and h s grandchi dren, Connor (Dionne) McGauley, and Kimberley McGau ey, MacKenzie Bentz and great granddaughter Sequo a (Coco) McGauley P us, h s extended fami y in Sweden, Wai et, Brig tta (Ingemar), Kjel (Lena) and Johnny (Lena), p us s ster-in-law, Dianne Bentz and Ade e Turner

Barrie graduated in 1961 from UBC Medicine with high honours rece v ng the Governor Genera s Go d Medal Award for his achievements He then did his nternsh p at Detroit General Hosp tal in Detro t, Michigan and upon h s completion, he returned to Coquit am join ng the Gain Med ca Centre as a General Practitioner where he remained unti h s ret rement in 2012

Barrie s predeceased by his treasured brother, Brian Bentz n 2015, his mother Wilhelmina (Minnie) Bentz in 1991 and his father Ernest Hans Bentz in 1978, here in Vancouver

Barrie s love of reading al genres cont nued to the day of his pass ng as d d h s interest in art Barrie’s absolute favour te hobby was trave l ng, which he continued with h s w fe U la unti h s physica body was ncapab e of those rigors’ adventures, but al those interests cont nued n the iterature he read da ly and, in h s thoughts, and dreams

Dr Bentz wil be aid to rest at Ocean View Buria Park, 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby, BC In lieu of flowers, please cons der a donat on n Barrie’s memory to Park nson Society British Columb a or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Soc ety of Canada

A private family service wi l be held ater

Burkeview Chape 604-944-4128 firstmemor alportcoquitlam com

CUNADA, Marilyn

March 12, 1941 - January 4, 2023

It s with deep sadness that we announce the pass ng of Mar lyn Cunada at home w th some of her sib ings by her side on January 4, 2023 n Coquit am, BC

She is survived by devoted sisters and in- aws Arace i Perla Sonia Sus e (Ricky) and brothers and in-laws Homer (Ayet), Mario (A eksandra), Rafael (Baby) and Leo (Lysbeth) as we l as nephews and n eces and grandnephews and grandn eces She was predeceased by her parents Eutiquio and Mercedes (De Pedro) Cunada

She will be missed by her fami y and large c rc e of friends and rel g ous groups, nc uding the Secular Order of D scalced Carme ites (OCDS)

View ng w l be held at Our Lady of Fat ma Par sh, 315 Walker St , Coqu t am on Thursday, January 19th at 6:00PM Funeral Mass w l a so be at Fatima on Fr day, January 20th at 11:00AM Reception to fo low after V ewing and Mass n the Church Ha l

BENTZ, Dr James Barrie