With U.S. tariffs on hold, local leaders urge community support for local businesses
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
While the U.S. tariffs have been on-again, off-again, one thing is certain: it can be crazy-making trying to figure out what all this means for Squamish
Feb. 3, U.S. President Donald Trump decided to delay imposing his tariff threat: 25% tariffs on exported Canadian goods and 10% on Canadian energy resources.
But, given that Trump’s reprieve—and the pause on retaliatory tariffs—is only set to last for 30 days, anxiety and uncertainty lingers.
Premier David Eby said on Feb. 3 that he was pausing a plan for countermeasures that included taking alcohol that hailed from Republican states off the shelves in B.C. liquor stores
At least for two Squamish leaders, meanwhile, coping with these uncertain times comes down to supporting each other with our spending power. For one local resident, this unprecedented moment is an opportunity to tackle our collective time change pet peeve.
MAYOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Mayor Armand Hurford, who spoke to The Squamish Chief on his own behalf unless otherwise noted, said when he first heard about the potential 25% tariffs, his initial thought was how widespread the impact would be
“This is something that would impact every individual in the community,” he said, noting Canada is just coming out of a period of high inflation, which hurt local pocketbooks.
Hurford noted that hits like inflation and tariffs impact those who are already economically challenged.
“I think about the impacts on our food banks and our overall affordability,” he said.
“The most vulnerable are the most impacted by something like this, like many things, and that’s really, really scary.”
FOREST INDUSTRY
In terms of the impact of the potential tariffs on the forest industry, which has long been important to Squamish, Hurford said they would be a heavy blow
“There’s already softwood lumber [duties of 14.4%] that’s been a long-standing point of contention between our two countries,” he said “And my understanding is that this would be 25% on top, which is wild,” he said
“I think obviously that none of this is good and getting into a trade war is something that doesn’t benefit anybody.”
DAMAGE ON BOTH SIDES
Hurford pointed to the risk and uncertainty of the tariff dispute.
“[There’s] a risk and damage to be done on both sides of any conflict,” he said, pointing to situations where a product may have components made in the U.S. and some from Canada, and then be assembled in Mexico
“No one knows how to score all these things There’s not a process for it.”
He also said it is hard to understand or trust
Trump’s stated reasons for a trade war.
A White House press release on Feb. 1 stated that the tariffs were being imposed because of “the extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl.”
The tariffs would last until “the crisis is alleviated,” the release states
The U.S. has been like a trusted friend, Hurford reflected, and he questioned how the countries could move forward given the tariff threat
“If this was a personal relationship between myself and someone else, and they were behaving like this, I don’t know if that relationship is repairable,” he said.
“We have a trade deal and ... tariffs are part of the [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)]. That’s really where this conversation belongs.”
DIVERSE ECONOMY
Hurford said, speaking as the head of council in this case, that at a time like this, the work District of Squamish council has been doing to diversify the economy is vital.
“It is important that we have a diverse economy. We’ve had it in this community before where there was a high reliance on one industry I think about the work that we’ve been doing from an economic development perspective, around having a well-rounded economy that can weather some storms,” he added.
“As well as our work on things like the circular economy and local food security These types of initiatives are really important for a number of reasons, including what I have no choice but to call ‘unreliable trading partners’.”
Hurford said there is much that is uncertain in terms of the tariffs—including if they will actually happen—but perhaps, as it has in the past, the low dollar will be an opportunity for growth in U.S. tourism and film, locally.
On the provincial government’s plan for retaliatory tariffs, Hurford said he agrees with the government targeting “the pain points that will actually garner a response.”
“But it is hard to really understand what an appropriate response is,” he added.
The province’s plan was for the BC Liquor Distribution Branch to stop buying U.S. liquor from “red states,” and remove the top-selling brands that hailed from Republican-supporting states from the shelves of public liquor stores in the province
He also directed the provincial government and Crown corporations to buy Canadian goods and services first.
Hurford supports a “Team Canada” approach being taken in dealing with the U.S.
“I think that our strength is coming together and taking these actions, and I think it’s appropriate. Ideally, we don’t have to follow through because this can all be averted through a discussion with a trusted trading partner, and that’s where these things should be resolved.”
SQUAMISH STRONG
Hurford said that consumers can exercise power in what they purchase
“I always try to buy Canadian,” he said “If we vote together with our dollars in certain ways, then we’ll get different outcomes And you know what? That’s always been true.”
Hurford said that as anxious a time as this is, he has confidence in the ability of Squamish to weather any storm, including any potential trade war impacts.
“I think we’ve shown that the community finds a way forward. That doesn’t mean that we wish these challenges upon ourselves, or that it’s easy, but you know we’ll get through this I’m cautiously optimistic we won’t have to deal with this, and this can all be averted. But if it does progress, I have no doubt that we’ll be able to adapt to the situation and keep moving forward. But there’s definitely the possibility that there will be some pain along the way.”
Squamish Chamber of Commerce executive director Anne MacKenzie echoed that sentiment.
She said that should these tariffs be implemented, her biggest concern for Squamish would be the rising cost of goods, which will impact both consumers and businesses
“For local businesses already operating with
tight margins, these additional costs may create significant financial pressures,” she said in an emailed statement to The Squamish Chief. “Having said that, our business community has proven time and again to be adaptive and resourceful, and we are already seeing a renewed commitment to supporting local businesses in response to these threats.”
MacKenzie also expressed concerns about the potential impact of retaliatory tariffs against the U.S.
“Trade relations between Canada and the U.S. are critical to economic stability, and we echo the BC Chamber’s concerns that an extended trade war will have negative consequences for businesses on both sides of the border,” she said.
“While retaliatory tariffs aim to level the playing field, they also introduce new costs and pressures for local businesses. We strongly support efforts to enhance B.C.’s economic self-sufficiency, but we encourage a balanced approach that minimizes unintended consequences for local employers and workers.”
In addition to provincial measures, MacKenzie said the chamber urges the federal government to provide targeted relief for affected businesses—whether through temporary financial support, supply chain stabilization efforts, or trade diversification initiatives that create new market opportunities for B.C. businesses
“The Chamber remains committed to advocating for policies that protect and sustain our local economy,” she said
“We understand that uncertainty is difficult, and we are committed to supporting our members through this. We encourage business owners to reach out to the chamber for resources, advocacy updates, and support during this time.”
Asked if she felt the local economy was strong enough to withstand the pain tariffs would bring, MacKenzie said that the local economy is rooted in innovation and community support.
“More than ever, there is a strong movement toward supporting local businesses, and we are
CANADA: Continued from 1
NEWS BRIEFS
FOUR INJURED IN CRASH
A serious three-vehicle collision on Highway 99 on Sunday night sent four of the seven people involved to Lower Mainland hopsitals with undisclosed injuries
The Provincial Health Services Authority confirmed with The Squamish Chief that five ambulances responded to the 29000 block of Highway 99 near Britannia Beach at about 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 9.
Squamish RCMP, BC Highway Patrol and BC Emergency Health Services all responded to the crash. The Lower Mainland Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS) team arrived and investigated.
ICARS is responsible for investigating serious crashes that take place anywhere from Pemberton to Boston Bar.
The crash and the following investigation closed the highway for about seven hours.
Crews were turning people around for a time
Restaurants, businesses and organizations near Britannia Beach and in Squamish welcomed the stranded drivers and passengers.
CANADA: Continued from 2
working closely with all levels of government to ensure businesses have the resources and policy backing needed to remain competitive,” she said.
“Squamish has a resilient business community, and while challenges are ahead, we encourage residents and businesses to lean into the momentum of the ‘buy local’ movement. Every dollar spent locally helps sustain jobs and strengthens our economy.”
TIME FOR CITIZEN ACTION?
Squamish local Danny Fowler sees this unprecedented moment as a way to move forward a stalled Canadian initiative He has launched an “End The Time Change
For example, the Brackendale Art Gallery: Café & Culture Centre, Chatterbox, Outbound Station and Trickster’s Hideout all shared on social media that they were staying open to take in people
Squamish Sikh Society also welcomed anyone who was hungry or tired to come eat and rest while they waited for the highway to open.
Earlier on Sunday, at about 4 a.m., another crash closed the southbound lane of Highway 99 for over one hour.
A pickup truck hit the median and another smaller car.
Squamish RCMP say alcohol was a factor in the crash, which is still under investigation.
NO DATA BREACH DETECTED
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is investigating a suspicious email that was sent from an official SLRD email account to multiple recipients last week on Jan. 23, 2025
The regional district says it took action to secure the compromised account and prevent
in British Columbia,” petition on Change.org to pressure the provincial government to move forward with permanent daylight saving time In 2019, the provincial government passed legislation to make daylight saving time permanent.
But, citing economic reasons related to trade with the U.S., Eby delayed making the switch until Washington, Oregon and California did the same.
With the tariff situation, Fowler asks why B.C. should wait.
“Let’s be honest—our American friends have had years to sort this out, and now they’ve started a trade war with us If they want to live an hour in the past, that’s their choice Meanwhile, Yukon has already taken the
Email your news tip or story idea to: jthuncher@squamishchief.com iLemayConway@squamishchief.com bchatterjee@squamishchief.com
further unauthorized messages from being sent
The email appeared to reference a purchase order and invoice.
The email also had a link to a file that was asked not to be engaged with by the SLRD
In a statement to The Squamish Chief, the SLRD said that there is currently no indication of an information breach
“Those affected were notified and advised not to open or click on any links or attachments in the message,” the district stated in the email.
The incident came to light on Jan. 21, 2025, when an email purportedly from SLRD Director Tony Rainbow was distributed.
The Squamish Chief inquired about the number of recipients affected and the SLRD responded that the email went to “just over 400 people received the spam email.”
The regional district later confirmed that the email was unauthorized and potentially contained harmful content.
“We want to inform you that a suspicious email was sent from SLRD Director Tony Rainbow’s email account. Please do not open
plunge and stayed on permanent standard time Why are we waiting? We should be moving forward (without moving our clocks),” the petition says
The Yukon currently observes Mountain Standard Time (MST) all year.
“With … Eby’s recent remarks saying that we won’t rely on [the U.S.] so much anymore, it seems like the perfect opportunity to actually follow through with what we all voted for,” Fowler told The Squamish Chief.
In 2019, 93% of British Columbian respondents who participated in a provincial survey were supportive of the change Fowler says working in hospitality, he has found the time change burdensome on his schedule
or click on any links or attachments in the message, as it may contain harmful content,” the SLRD stated in the email.
Steps taken by SLRD
Following the discovery of the unauthorized email, the SLRD:
1. Took “immediate action to secure the affected account.”
2. “Prevented” any further suspicious emails from being sent
3. “Notified recipients” and “provided guidance” on how to handle the email safely.
4. Launched an “internal investigation to determine the source and scope of the incident.”
Individuals who believe they may have interacted with the suspicious email are advised to contact their organization’s IT support team or refer to resources provided by the Government of Canada on cyber security best practices.
“The SLRD continues to investigate the matter There is no indication of an information breach,” said the SLRD
“I’ve always worked in tourism and hospitality, so I haven’t had a nine-to-five kind of job. I might work until 11 p.m. and then work at 7 a.m., so the time change is kind of detrimental. And besides, it’s not just me. I have pets, and they don’t understand the time change,” he said.
In addition to the petition, Fowler said his household is changing its spending habits, focusing more on buying Canadian.
“Even if the tariffs are being held off, it’s kind of still a sting to our gut that it was even a threat in the first place,” he said.
Editor’s note: After this story was written, Trump signed two executive orders imposing 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, which will go into effect in March.
WHAT B.C. PREMIER EBY’S MANDATE LETTERS MEAN FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Ministers must implement DRIPA, enhance Indigenous well-being, and support self-determination
BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
What do Premier David Eby’s latest mandate letters for ministers mean for Indigenous peoples?
These letters, all dated Jan. 16, shape the government’s priorities, and this term, they focus on “reconciliation, economic growth, and community well-being.”
The priorities mentioned include:
• Growing the economy by creating good jobs across British Columbia
• Reducing costs for families, including helping people access homes they can afford.
• Strengthening health care by expanding access to family doctors and training more health professionals.
• Making our neighbourhoods and communities safer by addressing street disorder and cracking down on organized crime.
• Taking action on climate change to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for B.C.
WHAT THIS MEANS
Supporting Local Growth Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities Brittny Anderson has been directed to “work with rural and remote communities, regional districts, municipalities, and First Nations to identify the unique needs and opportunities these smaller communities need to grow and thrive.”
Food Security and Economic Opportunities
Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham has been tasked to “work with Indigenous communities to identify opportunities for expansion of food security initiatives as well as economic development opportunities for rural and remote Indigenous communities.”
Justice and Safety
Attorney General and Deputy Premier Niki Sharma has been instructed to “work with Indigenous communities and leadership consistent with the B.C. First Nations Justice Strategy and Métis Justice Strategy to reduce Indigenous over-representation in the justice system and promote safety and security in Indigenous communities across the province.”
Child Welfare and Family Services
Minister of Children and Family
Development
Jodie Wickens has been tasked to “continue to implement B.C.’s historic legislation honouring Indigenous jurisdiction over the care of children and families
Ministers and MLAs typically sit in the Legislature February through May and in October and
and continue to address and reduce the over-representation of Indigenous children in government care.”
In the 2020/21 fiscal year, although Indigenous children comprised approximately 6% of the child population, they accounted for 68% of all children in foster care, according to the Ministry’s 2020/21 Annual Service Plan Report
Education and Child Care
Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare will “continue work to increase Indigenous graduation rates” and “work with Indigenous peoples and the federal government to advance jurisdiction over child care for Indigenous peoples.”
In the Sea to Sky School District (SD48), Indigenous student graduation rates have seen significant improvements
In the 2009-10 academic year, the graduation rate for Indigenous students was 39%.
For the 2023-2024 year, the rate was 81%, which is lower than the 2017-2018, which was 95%.
Infrastructure and Energy Development
Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions
Adrian Dix will “work with B.C. Hydro, First Nations, and the renewable power industry through frequent competitive calls for power to increase and diversify B.C.’s generation of electricity.”
Though not specific to Squamish, Minister of Transportation and Transit Mike
Farnworth has been asked to “lead work to advance progress on the Broadway extension to UBC, including by working with the federal government, UBC, the City of Vancouver, First Nations, and all relevant government agency stakeholders.”
Land and Resource Management
Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar has been directed to “bring together industry, First Nations, and communities through forest landscape planning tables—to chart a path forward for the stewardship of B.C.’s forests and forest industry.”
Forestry holds profound cultural, spiritual, and economic significance for the Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). According to the Squamish Nation Sacred Land Use Plan (2023), the forests, known as Stséḵtseḵ, have been integral to the Squamish people’s way of life for thousands of years, providing materials for shelter, transportation, tools, and medicine.
Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, will “work collaboratively to protect critical ecosystems alongside First Nations, communities, workers, industry, organizations, and the public in a way that upholds rights and title claims, and contributes to long-term, inclusive economic growth that benefits all British Columbians.”
Health and Mental Well-Being
Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has
been asked to “work with Indigenous communities and leadership to improve health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in our province.”
Reconciliation and Indigenous Relations
According to the letter, Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, will:
• Build partnerships that advance reconciliation in measurable ways and create tangible benefits for First Nations and all British Columbians
• Ensure that at the end of four years, people living in Indigenous communities in the province have seen an improvement in their quality of life through our government’s interventions.
• Work with the Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives on anti-Indigenous racism.
• Continue to develop and implement approaches to accelerate agreed-upon land transfers that enhance First Nation community and economic development. Mining and Resource Development
Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals Jagrup Brar has been tasked to “work with industry, First Nations, and across ministries to establish fixed timelines for mining approval permits across British Columbia” and “update the Mineral Tenure Act in a manner that engages directly with and is respectful of First Nations rights and interests.”
Tourism and Cultural Development
Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport, will “continue to support rural and Indigenous tourism opportunities.”
Higher Education and Future Skills
Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, has been directed to “continue work with Indigenous partners to ensure that Indigenous learners can achieve their higher educational goals in ways that reflect a diversity of Indigenous cultures and values.”
Some ministries such as Citizens’ Services, Finance, Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, and Public Safety do not mention specific Indigenous-related initiatives, though all the letters include this paragraph:
“Underlying all this work is our partnership with Indigenous peoples. Advancing reconciliation, implementing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and working in partnership with First Nations rights-holders to advance shared interests is the responsibility of every minister.”
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
PHOTO BY EMILYNORTON/E+/GETTY IMAGES
November.
SQUAMISH RAISED THE FUNDS, BUT WHERE’S THE NET GUN?
Wildlife volunteer who helped Wilson the Goose, raises concerns over a community-funded net gun that was expected back in October; Wildlife Rescue Association says it is working on getting it
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
Ilemayconway@squamishchief.com
Alocal wildlife volunteer behind the rescue of Wilson, the Canada goose, has raised concerns over a net gun that has yet to arrive—four months after GoFundMe money was raised for its purchase.
Squamish’s Tim Cyr spent more than seven months trying to capture Wilson, the famous goose that had an 80-centimetre (31-inch) arrow sticking out of its rump, before he was finally caught on Jan. 14
Back on Oct. 1, Cyr launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a net gun—a non-lethal weapon designed to fire a net which entangles the target—in a bid to catch Wilson quickly and effectively
In just over six hours from launching the fundraiser, Cyr reached his $2,000 goal
Three days later, they had gathered $3,300 in community donations, and so the GoFundMe was closed.
Cyr organized to have the money sent to the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, a Burnaby-based rescue centre he had worked with in the past
But almost four months later, he claims the net gun was never purchased, and he wants to know why
WILDLIFE EFFORTS
Cyr told The Squamish Chief that his plan was always to donate the money raised to the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, a place where he had previously taken around 15 injured birds.
“The plan from day one was to donate it to Wildlife Rescue for a net gun. They [didn’t] receive the money until the end of October, but during the whole month, I sent links with net guns and stuff to [a member of staff],” Cyr said
“So when they did get the money, they’d be ready to go.”
But months—and one rescued goose— later, he says he still doesn’t know where the net gun is
“They won’t even talk to me now. It’s been over three months, and there’s nothing. I don’t know what’s going on. They won’t answer my calls or anything about whether
or not they got the net gun.
“I thought I was doing a good deed I spent seven months looking after this damn goose, following him around but it’s just been radio silence [from them].”
While waiting for the net gun to be purchased, Cyr said he went on his own mission to find someone nearby who had the tool so they could try and capture Wilson Eventually, he found wildlife biologist Myles Lamont of TerraFauna Wildlife Consulting Inc., who volunteered his time, expertise and net gun.
“It took him an hour, less than an hour, to catch him when he showed up,” Cyr said. Cyr reached out to GoFundMe to see if he could get a refund of the net gun money through them
But said he received an email stating that “the donations you have raised have already been sent to the charity directly Since the funds are no longer in our system, we are unable to issue refunds on our end.”
Ultimately, he said he would be satisfied if the rescue association bought the net gun.
“The people of Squamish want to know where the net gun is ... I have been getting calls and emails from people asking for an update,” he said.
WILDLIFE RESCUE ASSOCIATION OF BC RESPONSE
On Feb. 6, The Squamish Chief reached out to the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC to enquire if the net gun had been purchased with the GoFundMe money.
Marketing manager Marina Schwarz said that the group are “working diligently” to acquire the tool.
“We’re thrilled about the wonderful news that Wilson has finally been caught and is now receiving the care he so desperately needed!” Schwarz said in an emailed response to The Squamish Chief.
“We are deeply appreciative of the generous donations raised through GoFundMe for purchasing a net gun. We have been working diligently to acquire this rescue tool that is now on order. We will be communicating directly with the donors who contact us
“We are delighted that Wilson is receiving care, and we’re immensely grateful for the kindness and generosity of the Wildlife Community, making this story a win for everyone involved.”
Meanwhile, Wilson is recovering from his ordeal at MARS Wildlife Rescue, in Comox. He will be released back into the wild at a later date.
WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT THE FORTISBC TUNNEL
Get a look at the tunnel project, including its construction challenges
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
The Woodfibre LNG project and its associated Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project have been on the radar of locals for about a decade, and construction has been underway in earnest since 2023
Perhaps one of the aspects of the project that is of the most interest to locals is the tunnel for the natural gas pipeline, which will stretch under the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary.
As a refresher, Woodfibre LNG is currently building a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility about seven kilometres west-southwest of downtown Squamish on the shore of Howe Sound.
The facility is slated to operate for approximately 40 years. The project will include a natural gas liquefaction facility and an LNG transfer facility.
The facility will have a storage capacity of 250,000 cubic metres and a production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes per year of LNG.
FortisBC has been tasked with supplying natural gas to the $5.1 billion project.
The utility company is installing about 50 km of new natural gas pipeline between Squamish and Coquitlam.
Nine kilometres of new pipeline will be underground within the tunnel that will stretch under the estuary.
The entrances to the tunnel are at the former BC Rail yard site off Government Road and at the Woodfibre LNG site.
The Squamish Chief took a guided tour of the rail yard site on Jan. 29
BY THE NUMBERS
Frontier-Kemper/Michels Joint Venture has the contract for the tunnel portion of the pipeline project.
In 2022, the contractor’s parent company, Tutor Perini Corporation, said in a news release the contract was worth approximately $341 million.
In 2016, FortisBC told the provincial government that the total Eagle Mountain Project’s capital expenditures would be approximately $520 million.
(Asked for an updated figure, a spokesperson for FortisBC said the project’s costs are subject to a confidential private agreement with Woodfibre LNG, which prevents them from disclosing the details.)
The tunnel portion of the project includes two tunnel-boring machines—known as TBMs
The BC Rail yard side of the project is known as the soft-ground side of the tunnel, while the Woodfibre side is known as the hard rock side.
The soft ground tunnel width is four metres, while the hard rock width is 4.5 metres, according to FortisBC.
The underground tunnel will reach depths between 25 and 430 metres below ground
According to Frontier-Kemper/Michels JV, the creation of the tunnel will include:
• 5.02 km (3.12 miles) of hard rock tunnel boring;
• 3.8 km (2.36 miles) of soft ground tunnel boring
So far, the tunnel for the hard rock side has advanced over 700 metres, and the soft ground side has advanced over 200 m, according to FortisBC.
According to the tour spokesperson for the Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project, Darrin Marshall, the project’s director, there can be up to a rough total of 200 workers on the tunnel portion of the project, though that figure is on the high end and unlikely all would be on-site on a given day.
The work continues around the clock, seven days a week, barring maintenance requirements and tunnel conditions.
The setup at the Woodfibre LNG site is narrower, but similar to what is at the rail yards.
THE TOUR
After checking in with security and having a safety orientation for the tour, one thing that stands out about the work site at the rail yards is
that the work is segmented.
Think of a series of those green Lego baseplates with different components of a larger “city” or worksite in each section.
Some sections, for example, deal with removing sediment from the water that is needed in the tunnelling process, for such things as cooling the machinery and mixing the slurry needed for tunnelling operations.
FortisBC says that most of the water is recycled back and reused on the soft ground BC Rail site
In another section of the yard are concrete pieces that look like thick grey versions of Pringles chips stacked up in neat piles.
These are the segments that, put together, will line 3.8 kilometres of the soft ground portion of the tunnel They are custom-made in Nanaimo.
The opening to the tunnel itself is underwhelming, as the impressive bits are underground. To the naked eye, it is simply a hole with a narrow track running into it.
Inside the tunnel, workers have a washroom and a small lunchroom.
Small trolleys take the workers and supplies in along the track.
Two gas pipelines will be installed within the tunnel
The one pipeline will feed the gas to Woodfibre LNG, and the second is for redundancy Once the tunnel is complete, it is not built to be accessed regularly, so duplication of the pipeline increases the reliability and fault tolerance of the system, according to Marshall
PIPES
There is approximately 61 kilometres of pipe in the pipe yard.
The pipes came from Germany by way of the Panama Canal, arriving finally at the Squamish terminals.
The pipes have varying thicknesses, depending on the location they will be placed
“I learned a lot in global logistics through that process,” Marshall said
The pipelines will be installed one at a time
The pipeline has at least a 50-year lifespan, Marshall said
CHALLENGES
The project has not been without its challenges, which have played out publicly given the Environment Assessment Office publishes any infractions found by regulators, and these are picked up by the media, including The Squamish Chief.
Asked if there was anything he wished the public understood about the project that perhaps they don’t, Marshall said it is tough to condense down to a soundbite all that has been done to date
“What’s been a challenge for me over the past seven years is conveying to the public the extensive planning and mitigation measures that we’ve implemented, and we continue to
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF The entrance of the tunnel
GARIBALDI ESTATES NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN STILL A WHILE AWAY FROM A PUBLIC HEARING
The District has requested more information about Garibaldi Estates Neighbourhood Official Community Plan, delaying a public hearing
townhouse developments that make frontage improvements on Mamquam Road,” Gunn said
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
ilemayconway@squamishchief.com
The District of Squamish council is not quite ready to hold a public hearing for the Garibaldi Estates Neighbourhood Official Community Plan
At the Dec. 17 regular council meeting, staff recommended that the Official Community Plan Bylaw Update be given first and second reading in order to move it along to a public hearing.
Following a presentation from District planner Matt Gunn on the updated report, councillors moved to give the plan only one reading in order to obtain more information.
THE UPDATED PLAN
The Garibaldi Estates Neighbourhood planning process started back in 2021, and is part of the municipality’s ongoing efforts to create blueprints for future development in each major neighbourhood in Squamish.
According to the District, the plan includes; the supported increase of residential densification between Mamquam Road and Diamond Road, employment and services in multi-storey buildings within the Garibaldi Village and throughout the neighbourhood as accessory commercial units, and additional public open spaces.
Following a committee of the whole meeting in September 2024, the plan was updated to address councillor feedback
“The neighbourhood plan outlines a vision for the future of the Garibaldi Estate, which aligns with guiding principles that were developed during the planning process,” Gunn said
“Following the Sept 24, 2024, committee of the whole meeting staff made several changes to the plan, and as noted, these were almost exclusively based on the feedback from Council.”
Included in the updates were; the heights for the mixed-use residential areas increased to six storeys, supported density on Diamond Head Road increased from a floor area ratio of 1.6 to 2.0, and support for tiny houses to be added to the plan
The active transportation network plan was also amended to support bikes along Diamond Head Road as well as bike share and car share programs, including support for car share parking near future transit exchange
Gunn said there were also a number of policies updated within the plan including one to “support frontage improvements along the proposed Mamquam Greenway.”
“These include support for higher densities and reductions in common open space for
“This was specific to comments about the desire to understand how we could ensure those frontage improvements could be supported financially.”
During the presentation, Gunn also shared that the School District 48, the SquamishLillooet Regional District and BC Transit, noted that “in past years, student enrollment has remained flat despite the increase in housing units within the district of Squamish.”
“So they don’t anticipate challenges associated with the proposed growth that’s outlined in this plan,” he said
COUNCILLOR COMMENTS
Council opted to amend the staff recommendation to move ahead with the first and second readings, as some members felt that it was too soon to move to a public hearing.
They also had concerns around staff having not completed the Mashiter Creek Hazard Assessment—a report that would help determine the look of Diamond Head Road—and included a second amendment to reflect this
Council voted in favour of giving the plan its first reading, as well as directing staff to receive the Mashiter Creek Hazard Assessment results and include the outcomes of the assessment in the plan prior to Council consideration of second reading.
“I am absolutely in agreement with the overarching vision of this neighbourhood plan, there’s no question about that. The question for me here is what is the right level of information for the flood control level,” Coun Andrew Hamilton said when speaking about the Mashiter Creek Hazard Assessment
“This, to me, fundamentally changes what Diamond Head Road is going to look like, what it’s going to function like, and it’s going to be tens of millions of dollars difference for the developers along that way.
It seems like with a few months ... of consultancy work, we can bring this document to public hearing in a much cleaner way, with a lot less uncertainty.”
Coun. Jenna Stoner, Eric Andersen, John French and Mayor Armand Hurford were all initially supportive of moving ahead with two readings of the plan, but instead opted to support Coun Chris Pettingill’s amendment to move ahead with just the first reading.
“I was supportive of two readings But I do think that having as broad as possible Council support for an initiative of this size is important,” Hurford said
“In some earlier discussions on this topic, I made some comments about taking into consideration the people that aren’t living in this neighbourhood as we make plans for our community, and that holds broadly across the
community.
“What I mean by that, I want to clarify, is that it is also our children and grandchildren that aren’t here yet. It’s also the doctor I don’t have, and it’s also the future public safety people that we need to have in our community to meet our community’s needs.
“If we’re not taking into consideration the needs of the community, which do include folks that aren’t here yet—but we really wish they were here to provide some of these services that we really need to function as a community—then we’re not doing our job.”
Pettingill said he was glad both council and Staff were “dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s” on the plan
“There’s been different perspectives on whether or not this reflects the community’s wishes. I think the challenge is there are different needs, different wants, and a lot of things we have to accommodate,” Pettingill said.
“I think we actually have listened and tried to accommodate as much as we can. It’s just a challenge when people have different perspectives.”
Coun Lauren Greenlaw opposed the motion
CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL
From the start of the process years ago, some residents in the area have vigorously objected to the proposed plan to densify the area.
The District’s own engagement on the project showed this clearly.
“A majority of participants in Stage 3 feel the neighbourhood should remains at its current density or see limited increase in the future Participants expressed mistrust in the planning process and feel that the proposed scenarios do not reflect input the neighbourhood has provide in earlier stages,” reads the District’s engagement summary from back in 2023
“Participants believe development will have negative impacts on issues such as neighbourhood character, environmental values, transportation, parking, infrastructure, and amenities.”
For its part, in response to opposition to the plan District has repeatedly pointed to the need for the plan as a way to address the housing crunch in town
According to the Squamish Interim Housing Needs Report, published in December of 2024,
TheAquatic Centre is open until 10 pm MondaytoFriday. This includes access to the hot tuband warm pool.Please notethe steam room is currently closed
Next Youth Pool Takeover:Saturday, February22
Youhearditright—this is aPool Takeoverexclusively foryouth! If you’re aged 13–18, gatheryourfriendsand dive into the fun. We’retakingoverthe pool on the last Saturday of everymonth.
Cardio and Strength
This low-intensity workout pairs cardio with strength training using sistancebands, lightweights,and balanceexercises.
Classes run on Thursdays, 9–10 am,starting February20and continuing until March13.
Thecost forfour sessions is $36.
Seated Workout
Join us fora 45-minute, low intensityworkout thatcombines cardio,strength and flexibility–all from aseatedposition. Classes take placeon Tuesdays,2:15–3 pm, starting February18 and running until March11. Thecost forfour sessions is $29.
Men’sCircuit Training
Alow-intensity training formen that incorporates aerobics, strength training, coordination, balance and stretching Sessions take place everyThursday, 10:15–11:15 am, beginning on February20and running until March13.
Thecost forfour sessions is $36.
for details: squamish.ca/rec
TheSquamish DOX
Recycling Depot at 40446
GovernmentRoad is open daily from 9 am–4:30 pm
Drop off the following materials there:
Check squamish.ca/waste-wizard if you areunsurehow to recycle an item
The public is invited to join one of twoDistrict webinars on DevelopmentCost Charges (DCCs) and an introduction to AmenityCost Contributions (ACCs) to learnmoreabout whatDCC and ACCrates are, howthey are calculated, whatthey areused forand why.
Thewebinar will begin with a presentation followedbyanopportunity forquestions and discussion.
Webinar 1 Wednesday, February26, 6–7 pm
Webinar Two Thursday, February27, 12–1 pm
Learnmoreabout the DCCand ACC updates and find access to the webinar at squamish.ca/dcc-acc-2025
Glass Flexible plastics
Foam packaging Paper and
NEWS BRIEF
LOCAL MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHARGES RELATED TO FATAL HIT AND RUN
A Squamish man has pleaded guilty to charges related to a crash downtown in 2022
On Jan. 23, 2025, John Cernos pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing bodily harm, impaired driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of a collision.
Sentencing will take place at a later date, RCMP say.
The hit-and-run before midnight on Sept 2, 2022, resulted in the death of Squamish’s Gurpreet Sangha, 44, and severe injuries to another woman. Both had been waiting at the bus stop on Cleveland Avenue and Pemberton when a driver of a 1999 Ford F250 crashed into them
According to an RCMP release, based on the
DARTS & DAFFODILS
MANY THANKS FROM DON ROSS MIDDLE SCHOOL
ATHLETICS to Jon at Save-OnFoods Squamish for donating chips and juice to sustain our trusty scorekeepers who donate their time after school to keep score for our basketball teams. Your drinks and snacks are very welcome and we are very grateful
complexity of the investigation, RCMP investigators sought help from the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service, the Integrated Forensic Identification Section, the RCMP Digital Forensic Services and the ‘E’ Division Interview Team
The Squamish RCMP’s General Investigation Section continued the investigation, which led to several charges being laid against Cernos in November of 2023
“This tragic incident had a significant impact on family, friends and the community as a whole,” said Staff Sgt. Gareth Bradley, the Operations Commander of the Squamish RCMP, in the release.
“This outcome reflects the commitment of our investigators in seeking justice, and we hope that it provides a sense of closure and accountability to those affected.”
FORTISBC: Continued from 6
implement to reduce our impact on the environment,” he said.
“It’s a very challenging thing to take thousands of pages of environmental mitigation and distill it down into key messages We’ve implemented these measures We have had instances where they didn’t work as intended And obviously, those are going to be public, but our overarching philosophy is adaptive management So, where we see these mitigation measures not working as intended, we implement corrective actions and make sure that we have appropriate mitigation moving forward to prevent recurrence And that’s, I would say, the single biggest challenge for me; how do you
ESTATES: Continued from 7
in the next five years, 1,586 housing units would have to be built to meet local needs.
convey that to the average public ...there’s no TikTok video going around about that,” he added, noting that the plans took years and that FortisBC works closely with Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the District of Squamish, among others.
“Have we been perfect? No, but no one expects perfection, which is why these processes contemplate adjustments. They contemplate things like self-disclosures and all these different things And so I think that what we’ve experienced to date is no different than any other major project.”
The tunnel is set to be in service at the end of 2026
Woodfibre LNG is slated to be in operation in 2027
Got something nice to say or some constructive criticism? Send your Darts & Daffodils: Email: news@squamishchief.com or drop off at The Chief office (38117 Second Ave.) during business hours. Deadline for submissions is Monday at 4 p.m. for Thursday’s paper. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number for verification Maximum length is 75 words. Darts are intended to be an anonymous critique between private parties. Darts must not directly or indirectly identify an individual or business.
In the next 20 years, the report identifies a need for 6,300 housing units.
More recently, this opposition has shown up in court.
As first noted in the Vancouver Sun, some Garibaldi Estates residents are doing their utmost to ensure the “character” of the neighbourhood remains intact
Some neighbours who live next door to a proposed development are petitioning the courts for an injunction to halt the project
based on the argument that a number of homes in the estates are bound by decades-old statutory building schemes or restrictive covenants on their land titles that don’t allow more than one dwelling per lot.
The Squamish Chief will follow this story as it weaves through the Supreme Court
For more information on the Garibaldi Estates Neighbourhood Plan, visit the District of Squamish website.
~With files from Jennifer Thuncher/The Squamish Chief
TheSquamishChief is amemberof theNationalNewsmedia Council, whichisanindependentorganization establishedtodealwithacceptable journalistic practicesand ethical behaviour. If youhaveconcerns abouteditorial content, please contactEditorJenniferThuncherat jthuncher@squamishchief.com. If you arenot satisfiedwiththe response andwishtofilea formal complaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free1-844-877-1163for additional information
Reproduction of anymaterial containedinthispublicationis expresslyforbiddenwithoutthe prior writtenconsent of thepublisher.
THE SQUAMISH CHIEF NEWSPAPER, PRINTED EVERYTHURSDAY BY GLACIER MEDIA
EDITORIAL
GOTCHAINS?
Itisthe same thingevery winter.Snow+ freezing temps=amessonthe highwayand localroads. Earlier this month, thesnowy shitshow repeated, andthere arereceipts.
Accordingtothe InsuranceCorporation of British Columbia(ICBC), forthe period of Jan. 31,Feb.1,and 2,there were acorresponding12, 13,and 23 claims madefor crashesin Squamish.(Obviously, this past Sunday sawcrashes,but theseweren’t yetincluded.)
Saturday, Feb. 1and Sunday,Feb.2,saw widespreadsnowfallin theregionand temperatures dipping to around -7 C, whichcreated hazardous driving conditions.
On Feb. 2, on TheCut betweenMountainHighway andLynnValleyRoad, TranBC,which is an armof theprovincialMinistryofTransportationand Infrastructure,reportedonXthatits crewswere helpingseveral vehicles that were attempting thetrip without winter tires.
We allknowthatdrivers on theroads without propertires areabig issueupand down theSea to Sky Corridor.PropersnowpeakorM+S tiresare a no-brainerfor safe travel.
If driversdon’t have them,the best thingtheycan do forthemselvesand therestofusistonot drive.
However, givensomanyfolks arestill hittingthe snowy roadsregardless, we mayneed to promote moreloudlythatfolks canuse chains.
A recent ICBC survey foundthat38% of B.C. respondents didn’t have winter tireswhenthe poll was done in November (wintertires arerequiredon theSea to SkyHighway from Oct. 1toMarch 31).
Thetop reasonsdrivers gave fornot installing wintertires were theweather in theirareanot being severe enough (36%), they avoiddriving in snow and icy conditions (27%), they plan to putwintertires on later(22%),and thecostofwintertires is toohigh (19%).
We cantacklethe firstreasonbyencouraging drivers to checkDriveBC before they head out. The driverssliding into theditch on thehighway in early Februarywereclearly notavoidingsnowy conditions,solet’s ignore that one.
The cost of snow tiresisafactor, forsure, to explain why some driversdelay or avoidputting on winter tires.
Forthe most common size of winter tire (225/65R17),itwillcostabout $220 each or $880 for four (atthe localCanadianTire).Installationmay be anadded cost on topofthatfor some.
Chainsare about$200for apackoftwo.(To be installed on thedrive wheels.) They arerelatively simple to puton.
Of course,there arenegatives to chains.You have todrive slowly—below 50 kilometres perhour.
Andtheycan increase wear andtear on theroad, whichisn’t great.
But, with more cold andsnowforecast, ensuring some of “those”no-winter tire drivershavechains beatsthemsliding into theditch or each other.
NEWS IS ALOCAL BUSINESS,TOO
EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK
JENNIFER THUNCHER
Ifyou currentlysearchGoogleTrends, as journalists andweirdos do,you cansee sharpspikesinthe last monthfor theword“tariffs” (for obviousreasons) andthe phrase “Canadianproducts.”
Locals aretalking aboutboth, of course
In arecentinterviewwithThe Squamish Chief, the mayornoted that he always aims to buyCanadian first.Mostofuslikelythink we should andassumewe do,but we probably didn’t thinkabout it much before theU.S.threatof25% tariffsshotacrossour collective mapleleaf-adornedbow.
It is heartening to seeour flag-wavingCanadian pride again.
Siteslikemadeinca.ca help consumersfind Canadianitems to purchase.(When yousearch “Squamish” on thesite, it showsSamurai and Arcturianbikes arebuilt by Mike Truelove here in town.)
Accordingtothe federalCompetition Bureau,tobe labelleda“ProductofCanada,”atleast 98%ofthe total direct costsofproducing or manufacturingthe productbeing sold hastohavebeenincurredin Canada.
To have the“Made in Canada”label,(a) thelast substantialtransformationofthe good hastohave occurred in Canada;(b) at least51% of thetotal direct costsofproducing or manufacturingthe good have to have been incurred in Canada;and (c)the item hasto have aqualifier,suchas“60%Canadiancontent and 40%importedcontent.”
We should allbuy Canadian andSquamishfirst as oftenaswecan
Everyone seemsonboard with that,especiallynow Buta self-absorbedpet peeveofmineasthe editor of thelocal mediaoutletisthatthisconversation rarely,atleast so far, centresonsupportingmedia
We areabusiness, too; as much as editorsand reportersoperate separately from oursales department in termsofstory decisionsand thelike, we know that ourand thepaper’s livelihood rely primarilyon thebusinessownerswho buyads andthe locals who buymemberships.Weare funded by localconsumers, in otherwords,justlikeall theother businesses in town.
If youare alocal business or organization andspend allyourmarketing dollarsonforeign U.S.-based social mediacompanies andthenask us to shop locallyat your business,thatseems,well, wildly hypocritical. As shocking andupsetting as this recent tradewar is,itisalsoanopportunity forall of us to strengthen ourCanadiannessand putour dollarswhere our hearts are. We hopethatthisprocess includes your friendly Canadian,Squamish mediaoutlet, too.
(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)
QUESTION OF THE
Do you avoid travel on the Sea to Sky Highway for fear of a crash?
Do you think the threatened U.S. tariffs will actually come to pass?
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
DENTVILLE CONCERNS
Your headline posted Feb 1, “District of Squamish addresses concerns over Dentville project at Open House” is at best misleading. Where to start?
This contentious development that is requesting to be dropped directly in the heart of the neighbourhood has been a sour apple since day one. Without getting lost too far in the details of the history of this lacklustre proposal, the aforementioned headline did very little to address the communities’ concerns
To begin with, notice for the meeting was emailed to a couple of residents living in the neighbourhood with under a week’s notice, and asked that those long-time tax-paying residents spread the word on behalf of the District This is unfortunate, given the planning department had the email addresses of the 50+ residents who had written in opposition to the proposal Council had mandated as part of the first reading that the planning department do more outreach with the neighbourhood, given they haven’t had time or resources in the past to put together a neighbourhood plan. What the neighbourhood received was an open house where the developer had some half-drawn plans that showed they rescinded their request for a one-metre variance from the neighbour to the standard three, and a slight bump in the height of the garages. Outside of that, the developer still wishes to drop a cookie-cutter development directly into the heart of a well-established historical
neighbourhood.
The four legal lots in question could potentially be subdivided into six, but it didn’t seem that the planning department had really fleshed out how and what that might look like in time for the presentation, which is unfortunate because that four to six number is really the deal breaker for the whole proposal.
What the neighbourhood would like, and deserves to see, is a rough design with dimensions of what could possibly be built on those lots if they were subdivided under the current RS1 zoning, which our province has literally stuffed into every neighbourhood’s yard If, at that point, the development proved more attractive to the neighbourhood, it should proceed with the highest scrutiny in terms of form and character.
Things like green walls, LEED design, and other showpiece items should be put in place to enhance the existing community rather than detract from it with what’s currently been proposed We should not be selling our neighbourhood’s souls out from underneath their feet to any developer who comes along, and when those developments do, they should be done in such a way that truly elevates a neighbourhood rather than the alternative.
Eric Armour Squamish
Editor’s note: Asked about how the community was notified about the open house, the District said the following: “As a courtesy, staff emailed the open house details to all those who had previously emailed comments regarding the proposed
development. Efforts were also made to reach the community through The Squamish Chief newspaper [ads] (Jan. 23 and 30), social media (including a Facebook event created on Jan. 23) and District newsletter (Jan. 24).”
PROUDLY CANADIAN
I am deeply proud of how Canadians at all levels have responded to the provocations of the current U.S. administration. I urge everyone who cares about this country and for what it stands to do whatever they can to send a clear message that we will not be bullied and that we are not for sale
Personal boycotts are the order of the day for many of us These can be as large as choosing an electric car from GM, Ford or Honda (who actually employ Canadians) instead of something made entirely outside this country by a union-hating American oligarch who continues to disrespect us It can be as small as skipping the orange juice in favour of Canadian apple juice or buying Canadian whiskey instead of bourbon. One personal boycott you may not have considered is American social media platforms, like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and (shudder) X. These are now the propaganda tools of an administration that has challenged our sovereignty. It’s time to pull the plug. Even if you can’t go cold turkey, I urge all loyal Canadians to at least cut back to one. Let’s all start by cancelling X. Greg Pillon Squamish
Four taken to hospital after three-vehicle crash on Highway 99
PHOTO BY KEN PERRY SNOW BIRD:A local bald eagle surveys its kingdom along the Mamquam River.
PHOTOS BY BRIAN AIKENS KNOCK KNOCK?:
sapsucker in
LOCAL ATHLETE SNOWBOARDS SOLO DOWN THE STAWAMUS CHIEF
Evan Beatty made his way up the mountain after work on Feb. 3 and solo descended on his snowboard down the North Gully
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
Ilemayconway@squamishchief.com
What does one typically do after work on a snowy day in Squamish? For most people, the answer is not snowboarding down the Siám’ Smánit (Stawamus Chief)
On Feb. 3, after clocking off early from his job, local snowboarder Evan Beatty made the solo descent down the North Gully of the mountain Beatty has had his eye on the run ever since Squamish locals Paul Greenwood, Eric Carter and Chris Christie completed one of the first known descents down the gully in January 2022.
And thanks to a cold snap that brought over a metre of snow to The Stawamus Chief, Beatty said the conditions were too good to resist.
“I’ve been watching the gully for years, because I can see it from my living room,” Beatty told The Squamish Chief.
“I was definitely inspired by the original guys that did it back in 2022, but they are skiers, and I thought that it would also be kind of cool if a snowboarder did it
“So ever since they did that, I’ve been thinking about it, but I’ve just been waiting for the proper weather window to come in.”
Beatty said that despite only having one solid day’s worth of snow, the conditions weren’t too
dissimilar to when Greenwood and his pals took on the challenge.
“In 2022, I think we had consistent snow for about two weeks, compared to this one, where we just had it for one day. So they had better conditions, but honestly, not that dissimilar to what I had, because the gully itself funnels all the snow that’s above into the one slot, so it
makes for a really deep kind of gully experience,” he said
His plans were originally to go on the morning of Feb. 4, but a window of opportunity revealed itself a day early thanks to a midday knockoff from work
“I was going to go this morning, but then I got off of work early yesterday at 12 p.m., and I thought ‘Oh, I could just go now,’ and then I was just racing the clock to get it done before it got too dark
Thanks to the power of the internet, Beatty was able to study the original trio’s route, including where to first rappel in from.
“What the boys did was they kind of went into it, not really knowing much about it. They used a drone to scope it out before, and they brought various tools to get down safely because they had no idea,” Beatty said.
“But then they posted all that [online], so all that knowledge was super public. So then I just had to do research off of the articles that they posted. I was like, OK, cool, so I know everything that I need to know because they outlined it like a treasure map, then I can just go down and have fun—so it was a little bit easier for me.”
THE JOURNEY UP
Beatty, a certified Association of Canadian Mountain Guides rock guide, regularly climbs the Stawamus Chief as part of his job, so he was pretty confident about what terrain he could expect
At 1:09 p.m., he began his journey up the mountain using his splitboard (a snowboard that can be split into two separate skis for climbing uphill) to ski to the staircase of the main hiking trail.
“That was the only time that I actually skied during the entire thing, because it was flat, so I put that on my back, and then I just started hiking the main trail,” Beatty said.
“And then that wraps around to the Slhanay Peak Trail, and then I hiked that up to the North Gully.
“At that point, I put some rappel cord around a tree and a ring, and I rappelled into the gully, which was probably only five or seven metres I could have probably jumped into it, but I was just being cautious.”
THE WAY DOWN
While a lot of work went into getting to the run itself, Beatty says the longest he was able to continuously ride was about 50 metres
“Most people would think that it’s just one beautiful line of skiing or snowboarding, but this is a very complicated line where you only can snowboard for maybe 50 metres at a time, and then you have to get off of your snowboard and then transition into a rappel,” Beatty said
Beatty began his descent into the gully around 3 p.m. snowboarding to a large chock stone boulder wedged in the gully, which he describes as being “the size of a house.”
“The boys before they actually slung a small little rock and put a ring on it to be able to rappel down.
“It looked good to me, so I used that [method] again. So I just rappelled off of their previous equipment from three years ago, and that was an overhanging repel, probably, I’d say, maybe 20 meters [long].”
In total, Beatty had to rappel four times to complete his run down to the base of Angels Crest, a famous route that climbers use to reach the top of the second peak
It was there at around 4:30 p.m. that his snowboarding journey came to an end, and he was back on foot hiking down to the base of the mountain.
THE EXPERIENCE
In true snowboarding fashion, Beatty—who has taken part in the recreational activity since 2000—describes the whole experience as “nonchalant.”
“It was pretty tame. I kind of expected that it was going to be tame. I’m not sure if you’re looking for me to say it was a euphoric experience or something, but no, it was pretty cool I liked it,” he said
The run itself, he said, was a double black diamond, and with not a whopping amount of snow in the gully, his board ended up a little worse for wear
“The snow was deep, but it only came from one day, so there was no really good, solid base layer. So, if I was to stop anywhere, I would just sink all the way down, so I had to keep momentum but also take it slow,” Beatty said “It was also quite bony; there were a lot of little boulders sticking out here and there. Luckily, I brought my bad board because it definitely got scuffed up a bit.”
A CAUTIONARY TALE
Beatty’s advice for others considering doing the run is to proceed with caution.
“It’s definitely a serious objective, and the fact that I did it solo, I only did that because I was quite comfortable with the terrain and knew exactly where to go and what to do, especially with the information that was provided back in 2022,” he said
“I think that your average snowboarder who doesn’t have mountain experience with rappelling and stuff, they might want to tread carefully with this one.
As for whether he would do it again, the avid snowboarder said without a doubt.
“I really want to do it again. I don’t think it’s going to happen this year, just with the weather, but if it ever comes again, and if better, then I want to do it,” he said
“Now I know exactly where to go, and I can make it faster, and I’ve got a few friends who want to do it too.”
But is the run any better than those on Whistler Blackcomb? Unfortunately not.
“It’s a pretty line, but if you want to get better turns, any line on Whistler would be better than the North Gully on the Chief,” Beatty said with a laugh.
To see more of Beatty’s snowboarding adventures, visit his Instagram page.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EVAN BEATTY
Evan Beatty’s view as he made his way down
THE COMPLEX REALITY OF ANXIETY IN TODAY’S YOUTH
Local mental health professionals reflect on the realities facing children with anxiety
WILL JOHNSON news@squamishchief.com
Anxiety is a terrible feeling.
It’s that sense that something is wrong, even if you don’t know what it is It can be omnipresent, colouring otherwise positive experiences, greeting you first thing in the morning and tucking you in at night.
There are many flavours of anxiety, but the unique realities facing today’s children make the condition complex and multi-faceted.
YOU ARE NORMAL
Anxious children need to feel seen and heard. For mental health professionals who work with adolescents in the Sea to Sky Corridor, it often comes down to making sure they have a sense of belonging and a sense of significance.
Psychotherapist Bernd Mueller of the Squamish Counselling Centre feels a great first step is making sure that they know their feelings are normal
“It is very common to feel anxious during adolescence because so many changes are taking place in their body, their mind and their emotions,” he told The Squamish Chief.
“If you are experiencing anxiety, you are normal There is no one who does not feel anxious at some time Anxiety is a common and very treatable condition.”
FIGHTING THE LION
Your body is ready to fight a lion, even if there isn’t one there.
To understand where anxiety originates from, you have to wrap your head around the human body’s fight or flight response. Each of us has the miraculous ability to inject hormones such as adrenaline into our bloodstream during situations of stress or emergency. This may help you wrestle a lion, but it won’t help you finish your homework.
“The fight/flight response is driven by the emotion called anxiety,” said Mueller.
There are numerous things that can trigger a child’s anxiety, from prolonged separation from a parent, a stressful home environment or over-stimulating content on their phones
Since each child is on a different emotional journey, parents hoping to reach their children need to listen first and offer advice later.
“As a parent or caregiver, you will likely find out that it is difficult for the child to talk about certain issues Never force a child to talk if they do not want to The best way to get children to open up is to be a good role model. Talk about your thoughts, feelings and experiences as they relate to each activity, stressing the positive ways that you cope with problems,” said Mueller.
“Even if your child does not say a thing back, your words will have an impact on their behaviour.”
Children need emotional support to cope because most won’t be able to fully regulate their emotions until approximately the age of 12.
“As caregivers, we need to step in and co-regulate the emotions of our children,” he
said.
“Co-regulating anxiety does not mean to avoid the anxiety-producing event. It means an attitude where the caregiver can say, ‘I see you struggling, I do not know all the answers, but I can guarantee you one thing, that I will be here with you’.”
A SAFE HAVEN
If your child is struggling with anxiety, family is often the best remedy
There are a number of education and therapy programs in B.C. available to parents and caregivers hoping to help children with anxiety, both public and private, but the most essential element at play is love the kids need to know they’re valued, cherished and safe
“In a family/parenting therapeutic scenario, work can be done towards two key components of positive child development: the development of a sense of belonging and a sense of significance,” said Mueller.
“The latter meaning that the child knows that they matter to the caregiver, the former meaning making the family circle a safe haven, a place where the child can rejuvenate from possible adversities of life.”
And reaching these kids means navigating their tempestuous emotions
“Maybe the biggest misunderstanding and misdiagnosis around child and youth anxiety is the occurrence of anger and aggression Both can be understood as the fight part of the anxiety response,” he said
“Aggression and anger are the feelings that enable us to launch the fight response as a survival strategy So rather than diagnosing a child with a behaviour disorder, it might be beneficial to screen for anxiety.”
SLOWING IT DOWN
We’re human beings, not human doings. For contemporary kids, the pressure to always be accomplishing something can be oppressive. Maybe they’re slammed with extracurricular activities, or never-ending homework, and feel they don’t get the room to simply exist. In a culture that values being busy and working hard, it can be difficult to carve out room to breathe.
That’s why registered therapeutic counsellor Nina Fields, also known as the Heartful Healer, recommends that parents find ways to slow things down for their anxious kids
“It’s about creating a culture of slowness Our society is all about the fast-moving, about getting places and doing a lot. That’s why a lot of us don’t know what it means to be slow We don’t have enough downtime where the kids and parents aren’t speeding around,” she told The Squamish Chief.
Fields recommends being proactive about scheduling family connection time, whether that means going for a walk in nature, having a game night, or just sitting down in the living room for a lengthy conversation.
THE TECH ISSUE
Kids who are starved of healthy interactions are increasingly turning to phones and social media for intellectual stimulation, and this is creating a generation of kids who are stunted socially and emotionally lost
“Developmentally, anxiety can impact social interactions and it doesn’t allow kids to show up fully as themselves Society doesn’t support anxious children well, though we are learning more about it now,” said Fields
“COVID impacted that quite a bit too. I think we’re seeing way more anxiety than 20 years ago, mostly because kids are carrying full computers
in their pockets, and they’re exposed to things way earlier than they ever should be,” she said
“There’s also a lot of bullying because of technology Being a teenager or a kid is hard enough, then throw in devices where things are being recorded and it’s even worse. They’re getting those feel-good hormones from getting a like, but that’s not what the rest of the world is like There has to be reciprocity. Kids are struggling to interact with each other.”
Fields recommends not taking away the device, but helping manage its use. There are apps that limit the amount of time they can use it, or block certain functions. Leading by example is also important because kids will copy what they see—if you’re hunched over your phone in the driver’s seat, chances are they’re doing the same thing in the back.
“It’s good to know your kids. Find out what they like and don’t like. If they’re really into video games and you’re struggling to connect with them, maybe get into the game with them. If they’re into a certain sport, learn all about it and try to understand,” she said
The goal isn’t to teach your child, or micromanage their emotions, but just to offer your presence. It’s simply your attention they want, really
“We all want to be known and seen for all the ways, we are—the good, the bad and everything in between.”
PHOTO BY JULIEALEXK/ ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
Anxious children need to feel seen and heard, say experts
BritanniaMineMuseum gratefully acknowledges their communitysponsors:
BOXING SPEED DATING: MEET YOUR MATCH
Looking for love?
Roundhouse Martial Arts is hosting a Speed Dating Boxing Class, offering singles a lively new way to connect and exercise
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@squamishchief.com
There’s a new local way to potentially fall in love in Squamish, that just might knock your socks off, in the best way possible Roundhouse Martial Arts is hosting its first Speed Dating Boxing Class on Saturday, Feb. 15 Roundhouse’s Candace Fan and co-owner Cole Smith—who were married in November say the event is a fun and different way for locals to meet in a town that is not always the easiest place to find love
“I actually was going out for coffee with a girlfriend, and me and her both, obviously, have our partners, but we were just talking about how difficult it is in Squamish to date, and we’ve heard so many different stories,” Fan said. “If only there were something [else] that was an easy way for people to get to know each other.”
The friend brought up the Speed Dating nights at Trickster’s Hideout, and the idea for a boxing version evolved from there.
Another catalyst to make the class happen was that four members of Roundhouse have become couples.
They met working out, and began dating,
Smith said.
“We felt like they all deserved each other. That was a little bit of the inspiration.”
The class, which has a $5 entry fee, is for singles aged 28 to 39.
The pair decided to hold the event the day after
Valentine’s Day rather than on the romantic holiday to take some of the pressure off of making a forever match.
Smith said the first 15 minutes will be a warm-up icebreaker
During the class, attendees will get topics of conversation and Smith, who will lead the class, will guide folks through some basic easy boxing moves.
“We feel like exercising while you’re talking, it’s just a little bit easier than sitting there talking. It’s a little bit more fun, with lively music going and stuff like that,” said Smith.
The idea is that boxing becomes the common ground Attendees don’t have to worry about what to talk about, as the topic prompts will guide them through.
At the end of the event, slips of paper will be handed to the organizers, who can connect pairs who are interested in each other.
Fan said that people can come in workout gear, but Smith added they might want to bring date-night clothes for after the event, in case things go well.
Though Smith and Fan met each other at The Roxy in Vancouver a decade ago, they know from friends that online dating is more common now but not easy or as authentic as meeting over a
shared activity
“I think people are craving more of that organic storyline, and so we want to give them that And then this is such a neat opportunity to be like, ‘Oh, I met him at a boxing class,’” Fan said, adding that it is also just an opportunity to try something new.
“And maybe learn that you like boxing,” Smith added with a laugh.
So far, there are more women than men signing up, but they expect local guys will be soon to follow
They are expecting 12 women and 12 men.
The pair plan to hold more speed dating boxing classes and are considering expanding to hold friend speed dating events for people who are newer to town to make local platonic connections.
“Then everyone comes with the objective of meeting friends, whereas sometimes people just come to the gym with the objective of just working out. So you never know where people stand,” she said.
The Feb. 15 Speed Dating event runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.) at 38147 Cleveland Ave, unit #201.
Find out more on Eventbrite under “Squamish | Speed Dating Boxing Class.”
NEWS BRIEF
REUNION CELEBRATION FOR FORMER WOODFIBRE RESIDENTS
Calling all former Woodfibre residents and employees, a reunion is coming up
Wait, did you know there was a whole town at Woodfibre where the Liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility of the same name is now being built?
There was.
It was a company town built around a pulp mill
Let’s rewind
Back in 1911, the British Columbia Sulphite Fibre Co built a pulp mill at what became Woodfibre. (It was originally called Mill Creek.)
In 1917, the mill was bought by Whalen Pulp and Paper Co., according to a post on the site Memory BC
In 1925, it changed ownership to the British Columbia Pulp and Paper Company.
The mill was bought by Alaska Pine and Cellulose in 1950, and in 1958, it was taken over by Rayonier Canada, who owned it until 1980.
By the time Western Forest Products shut the mill for good in 2006, the township had moved on, but the memories live on today.
One of the four organizers of this third reunion, Francine Erickson, 70, recalls life there.
She lived at the site until she was 17, in the early 70s when the mill was expanding, so residents had to move away to Squamish and elsewhere.
“It had everything—movie theatre, bowling alley, cafe, store, community hall, tennis courts, swimming pool,” she recalled.
“When they told us we had to move, we were all so sad. We didn’t want to leave there. It was a small town family, so everybody knew everybody, and even to this day people can’t wait to see each other.”
After she left the townsite, she returned as an employee of Woodfibre. She stayed for 30 years.
The September reunion will include a catered meal, memorabilia (brought by former residents or employees), a bar and a band made up of former Woodfibre folks.
When the old friends and coworkers come together, it is like coming home, Erickson said
“It’s like we haven’t [been apart] except we’ve got more wrinkles It is so nice to see everybody again, because we were all one big family, right? Everybody loved working there.”
The event, which saw 300 attendees last time, will be held at the Railway Museum of British Columbia.
For more details about the reunion, keep a watch on the Town of Woodfibre Facebook page or email the organizers at woodfibrereunion@gmail.com.
PHOTO VIA ROUNDHOUSE MARTIAL ARTS
Candace Fan and Cole Smith, who are married, are hosting a boxing speed dating event.
JACKSON GOLDSTONE WINS GOLD AT RED BULL HARDLINE
Squamish born mountain bike rider Jackson Goldstone has taken home the win at the Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania one year after major crash
It was the race that took him out of the sport for almost 12 months with a knee injury, but Jackson Goldstone has proved why he’s one of the best of the best, returning to win the Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania
The 21-year-old racer from Squamish claimed the top seat with a time of 3:17.096, just 0.233 seconds ahead of up-and-coming American rider Asa Vermette, with Australian Troy Brosnan placing third.
A MENTAL AND PHYSICAL BATTLE
This time last year, Goldstone was on his way home from Maydena Bike Park in Tasmania after crashing out at the 2024 Red Bull Hardline.
Goldstone sustained a major tear to his ACL after crashing into a tree, which knocked him out of all competitions for almost a year. He made his first return to racing to claim the win at the Squamish OneUp Downhill SORCA Cinco on Oct. 27 but had his eyes set on the Red Bull race on Feb 7 and 8.
In a post-run interview, Goldstone reflected on the past 12 months and what simply completing the course meant to him.
“Man, [that was] a big mental battle for me to, you know, come back and put a race run down here I’m really stoked to do it for me and for you guys as well,” he said in the interview.
“That was a big moment for me So, yeah, cheers, I’m going to be celebrating this one for sure.”
THE RUN
Battling through the mental game of having to ride past his crash scene from the previous
year, Goldstone showed why he is considered a pro of the sport at such a young age.
“I think it’s going to be something special. I mean, he is just so smooth and able to find traction. We know that he’s put down some World Cup race runs that are just incredible to watch,” one commentator said during his run.
Speeding through each sector with ease, Goldstone had the crowd on the edge of their
seats as he continued to put quicker times than Australia’s Brosnan, who was holding the provisional top spot
Throughout the entire run, Goldstone whipped through the trees with a level of speed that both commentators struggled to comprehend.
“For someone so light doing 59 kilometres an hour down there is absolutely bonkers,”
That was a big moment for me.
So, yeah, cheers, I’m going to be celebrating this one for sure.
JACKSON GOLDSTONE
they said Goldstone crossed the finish line 2.3 seconds ahead of Brosnan.
THE WIN
As the second-last racer to make his way through the course, Goldstone didn’t have to wait very long to see whether he would claim the top position on the podium.
The U.S.’s Vermette zoomed through the course but ultimately missed out on the winning spot by just 0.23 of a second.
With cheers of pure excitement, Goldstone celebrated the win with many hugs from fellow riders and friends—and by calling his mum.
“The last 12 months have been, you know, not that much because I was out from this race, and this is my first big race back, and to come back and win, it is probably one of the biggest moments of my life,” he said in the post-race interview.
“Holy moly, I don’t even know what to say. That was amazing.”
To watch a recap of the Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania, visit the Red Bull youtube page.
The next Red Bull Hardline will be in Machynlleth, Wales, in the United Kingdom. on July 26 and 27.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ONEUP
Jackson Goldstone at the 2024 Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania
WHAT SEA TO SKY ATHLETES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW 2025 BC X TRI-SERIES
The series opens at the Squamish Off-Road Triathlon on June 7
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
If one off-road triathlon is fun, why not make it a quartet of triathlons?
That is what is on offer now that Triathlon BC has announced the 2025 launch of the BC X Tri-Series, a new off-road triathlon series
The series starts off with the Squamish Off-Road Triathlon on June 7 and is followed by the XTERRA Victoria on July 6 and the Cumberland’s Dodge City X on Sept 6. The series wraps up with the Whistler X Tri on Sept 14 HOW IT WORKS
Racers earn points at each event based on where they place in their age groups.
To qualify for awards, athletes must complete a minimum of three races.
Points from the four events will go toward the final series standings.
Winners will be recognized at the Whistler X Tri awards ceremony on Sept. 14.
WHAT IS IN IT FOR THE SEA TO SKY?
Jessica Walker, race director for the Squamish Off-Road Triathlon, says it was time for a series
like this.
“It’s just gaining popularity,” she said.
“Traditional triathlons have been around for a long time, but these off-road triathlons are a newer section of the sport.”
Though Walker said organizers of the series hope to welcome more locations to the lineup, the communities involved so far have some of the best trails there are.
“We’ve got Squamish, Victoria, Cumberland and Whistler. It’s like the best trails in the world,”
Please Contact the SPCA for more details!Visit our website: spca.bc.ca
Daisy &Ruby
At approximately 4years old, Daisyis aluxurious Chinchilla rabbitand Ruby is afluffy Lionhead These twoare social, confident, andfullof personality but, like most bunnies, they canbea bit shy at firstand maytake some time to warm up to newpeople. Once they feel comfortable,they’re affectionateand love spending time with their humans!
she said.
The advantage for the Sea to Sky Corridor, and Squamish specifically, is that it draws attention to the local race.
“It highlights our race more in British Columbia,” she said. “Our triathlon does actually traditionally sell out, but I think we’ll see a higher level of racers come out,” she said, adding that she is already seeing that with registrations coming in so far.
There are 200 spots available for the local event.
Walker noted that internationally, off-road triathlons are called Cross triathlons
Also of note is that the Squamish tri has been awarded a qualifying spot at the 2026 World Cross Triathlon Championships Multisport in Dubai.
“Basically, if you put in an expression of interest prior to the race if you’re first in your age group you can qualify,” Walker said
Traditional triathlons have been around for a long time, but these offroad triathlons are a newer section of the sport.
JESSICA WALKER
For the first time, the Squamish race is open for youth aged 16 to 18
“We really want to promote the next generation of off-road athletes by getting them excited about it younger,” she said
Find out more on the BC X Tri Series website.
PHOTOS BY OISIN MCHUGH PHOTOGRAPHY Left: Local pro off-road triathlete Christy Drever in the Whistler race; Swimmers at Alice Lake; David Gillespie who raced all tris in 2024
PHOTO BY BRIAN AIKENS
NoellaBourque
It is with great sadnessthefamily announces thepassing ofNoella onFeb 2,2025atthe ageof90yearsold.She is predeceasedbyherlovinghusbandof40yearsMartinand herdaughterLouise.Sheissurvivedbyher3childrenRobert (Wanda)Daniel(Linda)andJoanne,her12grandchildren, 9 greatgrandchildren andher siblings andtheir families inQuebec.
We arehiringtwo positions: ExecutiveDirector (salaryrange -$135k-$150k) and Membership Coordinator (wagerange -$30-$35 perhour)
TheSea to SkyDivisionofFamilyPractice(STSDFP)isa non-profit organization dedicatedtoimproving healthcare andpatient outcomes from Squamish to Whistler.Bycollaborating with physicians,nurse practitioners, health authorities, andother local stakeholders,STSDFPstrives to ensure community membershaveaccess to high-quality primarycare. We empowerfamilyphysiciansand nursepractitioners to have agreater influenceinthe healthcare system, promote asupportiveand collaborative work environmentfor healthcare providers, andfoster professionalsatisfaction.
TheBlvd, S please
arish,12449 o thefamily, el.com
A funeral mass forNoella will take place on Thursday, 3th at 11 AM at St.Joseph’sPa quamish.To write acondolence to evisitwww.squamishfuneralchape
Squamish
REALESTATE FOR RENT
APARTMENTS/CONDOS
Both theExecutive Director andMembership Coordinator arefulltimepositions andwillrequire working remotely with access to avehicle,avalid driver’slicense andmustresidewithincommuting distance to both Squamish andWhistler. TheSTSDFP offers competitivesalariesalong with acomprehensive benefits package. Scan to learnmore aboutthese career opportunities
Estimator Required
Location: Sea to Sky Corridor, British Columbia
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Compensation: $85,000-$120,000per year +Bonuses (based on experience)
Company vehicle and cell phone supplied
RRSP matching
Medical and dental
Position Overview:
We are seeking adedicated and detail-oriented Estimator to join our team at Alpine Paving. The Estimator will be responsible for estimating costs and preparing accurate bids for paving projects, as well as supporting the project management team throughout the project lifecycle. The successful candidate willhave astrong background in estimating, project costing, and an in-depth understanding ofthe paving industry
Ifyou are passionate about the paving industry and have astrong background in estimating, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume and cover letter to david@alpinepaving.com
PLEASE RECYCLE
THIS NEWSPAPER
-Traffic Control Person Apply by email at office@coastvalley.ca or in person. We look forward to hearing from you! 604-8923030 www.coastvalley.ca The Joy of
Evans Lake is Hiring First/Head Cook Batch cooking for 40-120 at youth camp, with experience in ordering, inventory, and special diets. $23-$28/hr + housing. Seasonal (March -Nov). Apply: food@evanslake.com https://evanslake.com/getinvolved/job-openings/
Hiring for all positions at CVC! Coast Valley Contracting Ltd. based in Squamish, BC is looking to add new members to the Civil team for local projects!
-Junior Engineer
-Equipment Operator
-Pipelayer/Labourer
–Friday.$33-$42 per hour
DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC- Commercial Truck &Transport, Transport Trailer,Class 1or3air brakes preferred. 4x10 or5x8 schedule. Red Seal certified receive $200/monthtool allowance. $39.70- $47.90 per hour.5% premium on hourly wage for Lead Hand position.
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Great opportunity to learnon-the-job. Stamina for physically demanding workand perseverance tobrave inclement weather required.Previous experience preferred but not required.Training provided. $25-$32 per hour.
Cardinal Concrete, ADivision of Lafarge CanadaInc is the leading supplier of ready-mix concrete in the Sea to Sky Corridor.Weare currently seeking acareer oriented individual to fillthe role of Commercial Transport/Heavy Duty Mechanicatour Head OfficeLocation in Squamish, BC.
This isaskilled position which primarily involvespreventative maintenance and repair of alarge fleet of commercialtransport vehicles including concrete mixer trucks, dump trucks, trailers, forklifts and light-duty trucks.
MinimumQualifications:
•B.C.Certificate of Qualification, and/or Interprovincial Ticket as aCommercial TransportMechanic, and/or Heavy Duty Mechanic Ticket
•3-5 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combinationofeducation and experience
Compensation $46.71 to $50.21
To view afull copy of this Job Description visit: www.cardinalconcrete.ca/about/careers
It’s importanttoweigh the pros and cons before making adecision. You mayalsocomeacrosstricky questions withoutclear answers.This could leave you feelingabit confused.
TAURUS April 20-May20
Getready to tackle abunch of importanttasks this week,both at work and in yourpersonallife.Once you checkoffeverythingon yourto-do list, you’ll feel deep satisfaction knowing you’vetaken care of all the responsibilities you’vebeen puttingoff.
GEMINI May21-June 20
Bighousehold projects are on the horizon. Your love life could be recharged and takeaturn after a deep conversation. Anew addition to the familycould be on the way!
CANCER June 21-July 22
Getready for an actionpackedweek! You’ll have to putinextra hoursatworkor handle demandingfamily responsibilities beforeyou cankickbackand relax.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Whether you’rerenovating or decoratingyourhome, you’ll manage to negotiate advantageousrates that will increase the value of your home.When it comes to yourcareer, don’t hesitate to advocatefor the raiseyou deserve
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Unexpectedexpenses may arisethis week.Ifyou need to takeout aloan, don’t worry. You’ll be able to negotiateterms that will benefit you.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
This week isn’tgoingtobe the peaceful one you were expecting. Instead, it’ll be filledwithexcitingactivities and adventures. You’ll have ablast!
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Excitingchanges are happeninginboth your professional and personal life.It’simportantto find ways to unwind and de-stress so you can fully embrace all the amazing opportunities comingyour way.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
You’ll expand yoursocial circle, both in person and online.You’ll find likemindedpeople to join you at artworkshops,yoga sessions or other exciting wellnessactivities
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Your boss will offeryou an attractivepromotion. Despitebeingpressed for time,you’ll eagerly embrace excitingnew projects, whether they’rerelated to work or yourpersonallife
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18
It’s time to plan atripor getaway! You’ll be eager to organizea get-together and celebratewithfriends. Getready to explorea new spiritual journeyand invest in yourpersonalgrowth.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
An unexpectedevent might shakeupyourpeace.Lean on thoseclosetoyou for support. They’ll help you rediscoverthe joys of life. Learningtoopenupand trustmorecould bring positivechanges to yourlife
HOWTOPLAY:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3box contains the numbers1through 9only once. Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. Youalready have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeat the numbers1through 9in the same line, column or 3x3box
TheParish of St.John theDivine, Squamish
Holy Communionand Morning Worship Sundays at 10:00 AM Rev Cameron Gutjahr 1930 Diamond Road 604-898-5100
