Pique Newsmagazine 2809 by Pacific Coastal Publications LP

MARCH 4, 2021 ISSUE 28.09

WWW.PIQUENEWSMAGAZINE.COM

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BASIC HUMAN DECENCY

D A B ATER W ons, i t a N t irs F s sn’t n e e o k d t n sic rnme e v o g t bu olL t e h t track

HOUSING HURDLES Cheakamus Phase 2 progressing, but more decisions yet to come

GET THE SHOT Vaccines coming for those over 80 and Indigenous people over 65

MOVIE MAGIC

Matt Krumins and his

dog Lola win movie competition

WHICH PROPERTY SPEAKS TO YOU? FIND YOUR NEXT HOME ONLINE AT WHISTLERREALESTATE.CA

#68 - 2222 BRANDYWINE WAY BAYSHORES

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EMBARC POINTS

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DYLAN LAYZELL dylan@wrec.com | 604 905 9799

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ELIZABETH CHAPLIN elizabeth@elizabethchaplin.com

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Shared Owner Bedrooms: 1 JILL NOTMAN COLPITTS jill@wrec.com | 604 932 1372

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6117 EAGLE DRIVE, WHISTLER CAY HEIGHTS

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JEFF HUME *PREC jeff@wrec.com | 604 966 4058

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NESTERS Bedrooms:

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4.5

JOHN RYAN *PREC johnr@wrec.com | 604 932 7670

$6,295,000

604 932 5538 WHISTLERREALESTATE.CA *Personal Real Estate Corporation

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Bad water sickens First Nations But government doesn’t track the toll. - By Annie Burns-Pieper / The Tyee / Institute for Investigative Journalism

MORE HOUSING NOW

Cheakamus Phase 2

TAX PLAN

After its third and final budgeting session,

is progressing with more decisions yet to come. However, with low interest

Village of Pemberton council is leaning toward a tax-rate increase of four

rates and spring approaching, ‘there’s no time like now.’

per cent for 2021.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVE

Vancouver

MEMORIALIZING A GIANT

Past

Coastal Health urges those aged 80 and above and Indigenous people

colleagues and friends remember John Heilig, a passionate advocate for ski

over 65 years old to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

jumping and Nordic combined, and contributor to the 2010 Winter Games.

NEW LIFE, NEW JOB

Whistler resident

MOVIE MAGIC

Matt Krumins, and his dog Lola,

Murhaf Ghaibour, who arrived here in 2018, becomes first Syrian refugee

recreated E.T. —only to end up capturing first place in a Vancouver

to earn ski instructor certification.

movie competition.

COVER If everyone out there considered how privileged they were when filling their cups with fresh, clean water, the world would probably be a much better place. - By Jon Parris 4 MARCH 4, 2021

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THIS WEEK IN PIQUE

Opinion & Columns 08 OPENING REMARKS The climate crisis looks like it is firmly back on the Canada-U.S. agenda,

#202 -1390 ALPHA LAKE RD., FUNCTION JUNCTION, WHISTLER, B.C. V8E 0H9. PH: (604) 938-0202 FAX: (604) 938-0201 www.piquenewsmagazine.com

but let’s not forget that we all have a role to play in fighting this battle.

Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letter writers this week say farewell to a faithful friend, thank

Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com Editor CLARE OGILVIE - edit@piquenewsmagazine.com Assistant Editor ALYSSA NOEL - arts@piquenewsmagazine.com Sales Manager SUSAN HUTCHINSON - shutchinson@wplpmedia.com Production Manager KARL PARTINGTON - kpartington@wplpmedia.com Art Director JON PARRIS - jparris@wplpmedia.com Advertising Representatives AMY ALLEN - aallen@wplpmedia.com TESSA SWEENEY - tsweeney@wplpmedia.com Digital/Sales Coordinator AMELA DIZDARIC - traffic@wplpmedia.com Production production@piquenewsmagazine.com LOU O’BRIEN - lstevens@wplpmedia.com

search and rescue, and ask a housing development to be rethought by council.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Writer Brandon Barrett pens a love letter to far-away friends, as the pandemic has made keeping in contact with long-distance loved ones a tall order.

50 MAXED OUT While social-media posters moan about the mountains not extending their hours for spring, Max gives thanks that the mountains opened at all.

Environment & Adventure

Arts & Entertainment Editor ALYSSA NOEL arts@piquenewsmagazine.com

27 THE OUTSIDER Writer Vince Shuley asks what type of skier and rider you are this season: A lazy

Sports Editor DAN FALLOON - sports@piquenewsmagazine.com

local or early bird who’s in the line-up by 7 a.m. for fresh pow?

Features Editor BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com Reporters BRADEN DUPUIS - bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com BRANDON BARRETT - bbarrett@piquenewsmagazine.com MEGAN LALONDE - mlalonde@wplpmedia.com Classifieds and Reception mail@piquenewsmagazine.com Office and Accounts Manager HEIDI RODE - hrode@wplpmedia.com I.T. and Webmaster KARL PARTINGTON Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, FEET BANKS, LESLIE ANTHONY, ANDREW MITCHELL, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY, LISA RICHARDSON

Lifestyle & Arts

34 VELOCITY PROJECT Writer Lisa Richardson ponders the question: “What do you want?” and suggests that the secret to household harmony might be your ability to answer this one simple question.

36 FORK IN THE ROAD Glenda Bartosh indulges in recognizing the coincidence of the migrating trumpeter swans, the flight of the Cygnus spacecraft and the view of the constellation of the same name.

President, Whistler Publishing LP SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@wplpmedia.com Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of Whistler Publishing Limited Partnership, a division of Glacier Media) distributed to over 130 locations in Whistler and to over 200 locations from Vancouver to D’Arcy. The entire contents of Pique Newsmagazine are copyright 2021 by Pique Newsmagazine (a publication of WPLP, a division of Glacier Media). No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the Publisher. In no event shall unsolicited material subject this publication to any claim or fees. Copyright in letters and other (unsolicited) materials submitted and accepted for publication remains with the author but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Letters to the Editor must contain the author’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 250 words. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine. Pique Newsmagazine is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact (edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com). If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil. ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information. This organization replaces the BC Press council (and any mention of it).

ISSN #1206-2022 Subscriptions: $76.70/yr. within Canada, $136.60/yr. courier within Canada. $605.80/ yr. courier to USA. GST included. GST Reg. #R139517908. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40016549. We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada

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OPENING REMARKS

Time to make big moves “WE

CAN’T SAVE the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed. Everything needs to change—and it has to start today.” —Greta Thunberg It is encouraging that the climate crisis was a significant part of the first face-toface—though virtual—meeting between new U.S. President Joe Biden and our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

BY CLARE OGILVIE edit@piquenewsmagazine.com

There is little doubt that Canada cringed every time former U.S. President Donald Trump talked climate, as he invariably shared his alternate facts about it and spent most of his environmental energy dismantling safeguards as opposed to

It was motivating to hear that Biden’s administration intends on transitioning all 645,000 of its federal fleet vehicles to zeroemission vehicles, for example (perhaps Canada should do the same thing? Our current target says 10 per cent of all new vehicles sold by 2025 be zero-emission before reaching 100 per cent by 2040). On a much larger scale, he cancelled the Keystone XL pipeline and pledged the U.S. to emissions-free electricity generation by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050. He also established a national climate task force with leaders from all 21 federal agencies and departments, and re-joined the Paris Accord pledging to spend US$1.7 trillion on implementing a climate change plan. This is all good news for Canada and one would hope that it would pressure the Liberal government, or any elected government, to get serious about addressing the climate crisis. According to National Resources Canada data, we are not doing as well

“The true work for the Big Moves strategy begins in 2021 when the RMOW begins to roll out the actions and key initiatives outlined in the plan to achieve the 2030 targets.” -RMOW WEBSITE

tackling the very real issues facing not the just the North American continent, but the whole world. The Feb. 23 meetings had some encouraging sound bites on climate—but it is hard to be optimistic considering how much change is needed and how little has been accomplished to date.

as we would like in our divorce from the fossil-fuel economy. For example, our overall emissions from the oil and gas sector increased 23 per cent largely due to increased production and we can expect to see our oil production increase over the next 15 years according to most experts. Let’s not forget that by far the majority of our

oil exports do go the U.S., so our fossil-fuel web is inextricably linked to America. Closer to home, this week we saw an ambitious presentation to council outlining some “bigger moves” local government could consider adopting to free up money to invest in addressing climate change. The ideas put forward by Brendan (CEO of Vancouver healthy fast food chain SMAK) and Amanda Ladner may seem to push the envelope too far to some—but let’s remember that Whistler hasn’t even declared a climate emergency yet (hundreds of local governments across Canada have already done this, along with Canada’s federal government). The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) adopted its climate action plan, the Big Moves Strategy, last December. The strategy aims to zero in on transportation, buildings and waste, which together account for more than 90 per cent of Whistler’s greenhouse gas emissions—they rose four per cent in 2019. Corporate and community emissions totalled 131,166 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2019—also a four-percent increase over 2018. Passenger vehicle emissions continue to be the worst polluter, accounting for 54 per cent of Whistler’s GHG emissions, followed by natural gas at 35 per cent. “The true work for the Big Moves strategy begins in 2021 when the RMOW begins to roll out the actions and key initiatives outlined in the plan to achieve the 2030 targets,” states the RMOW’s website. So, clearly, we can get set for some significant and inspiring actions on the part of the RMOW this year as we head toward its substantial greenhouse gas reduction target of 50 per cent below 2007 levels by 2030. But let’s remember, the only way to reach those targets is if we all make changes. n

3 Bedroom/2.5 Bathroom Pemberton Townhouse Rarely available spacious 1348 sq. feet 3 bedroom/2.5 Bathroom end unit townhouse in the popular Woodbridge complex! Open floor plan featuring wood flooring, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and 2 car garage for all your toys. Enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Currie from your own private deck. Call to set up a viewing today!

Address-13-7400 Arbutus Street Asking price $749,000

Dave Brown

Personal Real Estate Corporation

davebrown@wrec.com www.davesellswhistler.com Cell: 604 905 8438 / Toll Free: 1 800 667 2993 ext. 805

8 MARCH 4, 2021

D L SO

Fantastic duplex in the heart of Bayshores. This home boasts 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, indoor hot tab, media loft and storage. Sit in the spacious living room with vaulted ceilings and wood fireplace looking out at Sproatt mountain. Bayshores is is a 3 minute drive to the slopes or bike park at Creekside and a 15 minute walk to do all your shopping at Franz's Trail

$1,699,000

Steve Shuster

t: 604.698.7347 | e: steve@steveshusterrealestate.com www.steveshusterrealestate.com

PH4-108 W Cordova St, Vancouver

SOLD

37-7124 Nancy Greene Dr., Whistler

4416-4299 Blackcomb Way, Whistler

$998,000

$3,499,000

• 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 901 sf • Only floor with A/C • Unobstructed views

• 4 Bed | 3.5 Bath | Luxury Townhome • Pan Pacific Village Centre • 120k-160k In nightly rental revenue • Luxury Hotel and Amenities • Walking Distance to Village • Profitable Investment Property

4612 Montebello Place, Whistler $2,495,000

$824,999

• 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 1,354 sf • Wood burning fireplace • Fully renovated

IAN TANG, PREC*

JOSH CRANE

SARAH MORPHY, PREC*

NICK SOLDAN HARRISS

604.839.7347

604.902.6106

604.906.1940

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ian@iantangrealestate.com

josh@joshcrane.ca

sarah@sarahmorphy.com

nick@nicksoldanharriss.com

SOLD

92-4388 Northlands Blvd, Whistler $789,000

3820 Sunridge Drive, Whistler $16,300,000

• Fully renovated turn-key property • 4 level Split, views for days • Nightly rentals allowed • 5 Bed | 6.5 Bath | 6.855 sf • Outdoor heated pool, hot tub & sauna • Ski-in, ski-out, work of art

9221 Pinetree Lane, Whistler

67-1188 Main Street, Squamish $759,900

$1,425,000

• End unit townhouse • Built in 2019 • Next to estuary & trails

• Quintessential Whistler log cabin • Level sunny building lot with views! • Open cozy functional living space

JEREMY FAIRLEY

DANA FRIESEN SMITH, PREC*

KRISTEN DILLON

DAVID WIEBE

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329B-2036 London Lane, Whistler

318-4320 Sundial Crescent, Whistler

COMING SOON

8332 Mountainview Drive, Whistler

40361 Skyline, Squamish

$5,890,000

$1,890,000

$193,000

$549,000

• 5 Bed | 5 Bath | 4065 sf • Stunning contemporary home • Breathtaking views

• Investor Alert!! • 6 Bed | plus 2 Bed carriage home • Approx 10,000 sf lot

• 2 Bed | 2 bath | 894 sf • Ski-in, ski-out • Pool and 2 hot tubs

• Pan Pacific Mountainside Lodge • Phase 2 revenue property, steps to Whistler and Blackcomb Gondolas.

HANNAH GARCIA, PREC*

JENNA FRANZE

PETER CUDMORE

SADIE BRUBAKER

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This communication is not intended to cause or induce the breach of an existing agency relationship

*Personal Real Estate Corporation

sadie@sadiebrubaker.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Mount Currie mutts, the best and luckiest dogs ever Thirteen years ago… We had been looking for a dog for about six months and heard that WAG [Whistler Animals Galore] had a litter of puppies. I called/emailed and eventually got a call back from WAG’s adoption manager who happened to be an old friend of ours, Jennie Briggar. She said come on in and have a look ASAP! We went in the next day to look at the nine pups. Losing our minds with the endless cuteness, Kaia stood out as the most independent and a little bit of a runt, so she was my favourite. The pups’ mom (WAG named her Beautiful) was a Husky/Lab etc. Mt. Currie mutt that got hit by a car. Another [driver] saw her on the side of the road, so they stopped to pick her up and brought her to WAG. Thousands of dollars in surgeries (hips and internal injuries), and the delivery of nine pups later, Beautiful and all her pups were adopted to families in the corridor, North Vancouver and the Island. WAG even set up a group email so the owners could meet up and share updates on the pups and mom. I remember running into Beautiful and her owners in Whistler one day. Kaia pulled and pulled until I let her loose… [I’ve] never seen a pup so happy. On another occasion, we ran into

her much-bigger brother in North Vancouver coming back from a bike ride. The owners warned me that their 115-pound [52 kilogram] dog didn’t like other dogs (Kaia was 70 lbs [31 kg]) but the two of them were rolling around and playing together in less than 10 seconds! The most interesting part of the story was when we were picking Kaia up to take her home for the first time. Celebrities David Duchovny and Téa Leoni came into WAG with their kids. We told Jennie to tell them the story about Beautiful and the pups! She did… then they cut a huge cheque/donation AND adopted 2 cats! At the time, The X-Files was being filmed in Pemberton. What an amazing thing to do. Kaia gave us an amazing 12.8 years and we will miss her forever. We wanted to share

criticality of being prepared and understanding the risks of the terrain. For those rescued, the trauma they and their families endure can have lifetime consequences. Today, we received a letter from a person who shared their gratitude to Whistler Search and Rescue (WSAR) and the rescue operations team. With his permission, we are sharing his experience to highlight the brave journey that is now his life and perhaps give some cause to others as they embark on decision making in the backcountry. Being well prepared does not negate the perils or risks that are prevalent in our mountains now. More than ever, we encourage all backcountry adventurists to weigh the risks and reality of the situations that can befall us. WSAR is happy to learn that Philippe is making excellent progress and we wish him the best as he continues his recovery.

our story since WAG has been such an amazing organization in Whistler and throughout the Sea to Sky—and so many reading this know an amazing Mount Currie mutt, too. Please give them all a big hug for us; they are the best ever. We love you Kaia—rest in peace. Dylan and Liz Labelle // Pemberton

Dear Whistler Search and Rescue Heroes, One year ago today, on Feb. 24, you rescued me with a helicopter from the Brandywine area. I was paralyzed from the waist down with a spinal-cord injury sustained while snowbiking. After surgery in Vancouver, the doctors told me it was unlikely I’d ever walk again, and I’d have to use wheelchairs, catheters and bowel treatments the rest of my life. As I let you know back in August 2020, I have been incredibly lucky with what my body and the excellent treatment I received have allowed me to achieve. I no longer need any of those things. None of this would have happened if you all hadn’t helped get me off the mountain and to

One year later This year has been a challenging time for all of us. Notwithstanding the pandemic we are facing, the uptick in backcountry and mountain rescues has been trying for all B.C. rescue teams. Pique’s [cover feature] “Slippery Slope,” on Feb. 18 and “Wilderness Rescuers Brace for a Busy Winter,” on Dec. 10 highlight the

WHISTLER | PEMBERTON | SQUAMISH L o c a ll E x p e r t i s e w i t h N a t i o n w i d e E x p o s u r e B Welcome Dave Halliwell

Nordic

Bayshores

The newest member of the Sutton West Coast Whistler Team.

Personal Real Estate Corporation

604-932-7727 dave@davehalliwell.com

10 MARCH 4, 2021

$528,000

$888,000

• Bayshores duplex • 3 Bedrooms 4.5 baths • Call Now for details

• Top floor, two bed, one bath unit. • Freshly painted. • Ready for your personal touch!

• 0.88 acre build lot with river front access. • Permitted and approved plans included. • Start building this spring!

Jennifer

David

604-698-7347

604-935-4880

604-902-7270

steve@steveshusterrealestate.com

jwalczyk@sutton.com

LOCAL

AGENTS

Lewis

Walczyk

Shuster

Halliwell

suttonwestcoast.com

$1,699,000

Steve

Dave

9113 Riverside Drive

AB O SO VE L AS D K IN G

SO LD

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Wedgewoods

220-2007 Nordic Court

Brandywine Way

LOCAL

KNOWLEDGE

david@davidlewisliving.com

LOCAL

EXPERTS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR the operating table so quickly after the injury, and for that, I’ll never be able to thank you enough. The recovery I’ve made is built on the foundation of care that started with you. Even now, with such quick and competent care, only about five per cent of people with my level of injury ever walk again. There are three reasons that I’m part of that five per cent: 1. My incomplete injury was not made worse, thanks to skilled and knowledgeable rescue and transport by WSAR. 2. I was able to get surgery within 24 hours of my injury, thanks to the existence of WSAR, and how quickly I was rescued. 3. And finally: Luck. Spinal injuries are still mostly a mystery to medical science. In the hospital, I got to know several people with injuries like mine, who worked even harder than me at their recovery, but their body didn’t allow them to walk out of the hospital. Without WSAR providing No. 1 and No. 2, there would have been no chance of No. 3: Luck. Anyone unfortunate enough to be injured near Whistler should know their luck has turned around when they find themselves in your brave, efficient, professional and compassionate hands. That’s why my gratitude to you guys grows with every new little bit of recovery I achieve. Hopefully, this pandemic will be over soon, so on the next anniversary of my injury, I’ll be able to thank the pilot, rescue volunteers and all those who made my rescue possible. In recognition, I’ve also set up a monthly donation that I aim to increase as I’m able. All the very best, Philippe Devos, Ontario Brad Sills // President, Whistler Search and Rescue Society

More needs to be done for affordable housing This letter is in response to the article about the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) and its never-ending wait list (Pique, Feb. 25). I don’t believe Whistler’s affordablehousing problem lies with WHA. They are doing what they can with what they have. They are purely a part of Whistler’s housing solution and shouldn’t be viewed as the only method to fixing this mess. I would like to call out the landlords of this town. Don’t get me wrong; there are some good landlords here. I myself have lived in housing with reasonable rent in well-maintained buildings. I have also paid [through] the nose for what I can only describe as a slum. One particular landlord that stands out left stairs to the house in a dangerous condition, refusing to get them repaired for weeks on end just so he could attempt a cowboy fix when he returned to town. In the meantime, we were left climbing up the sides of the rotten steps. Then there are even worse landlords. Someone I know went to view a place for $1,900. When he got there, the landlord decide to jack the price up to $2,300 because there was a lot of interest. That is absolutely

disgusting. The cost of rent should be to cover the costs of the accommodation, not to feed the greed of the landlords. The workforce here in Whistler should not be looked at as a never-ending supply of money, fit to milk dry for your own selfish desires. This brings me to another point. This situation caused by the greed of some of Whistler’s landlords is why we are in the depths of a strong COVID-19 spread. The workers are forced to live in houses with 10 or more, and have two or more jobs, just to be able to afford to pay insane amounts of money for often low-quality, crowded housing. It’s hardly surprising so many of these workers are going for regular testing. I would like to see the muni and the major [stakeholders] take this more seriously than they currently [are]. Instead of allowing even more huge houses to be built, how about working on some accommodation for the workforce? There’s a huge ugly house on Mountain View Drive that’s just been built and as soon as it was finished, it was on the market for the best part of $6 million. How about rezoning the Alpine [Meadows neighbourhood] and adding some suitable housing? The only way Whistler can return to affordable housing is to have enough rooms for everyone. If we continue the road we are on, we are going to lose the important workers in this town. Who will run the chairlift then? S Powers // Whistler

Thanks to our youth for taking time to do survey Thank you to all the young-adult Whistler residents who took the time to fill in the [Communities that Care Whistler] survey. There were almost 900 of you! We appreciate your honesty and openness and would like to reassure you that the responses are completely anonymous. We are grateful for the support of Whistler Community Services Society, the survey’s sponsor. Thank you to the businesses and organizations that supported us: Cross Country Connection, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TNT Tattoo + Barber, Coastal Culture, Vallea Lumina and Epic Promise. Congratulations to Montana who won the grand prize and to all the daily winners—don’t forget to pick up your prizes! To Kate [Heskett], who wrote last week [Pique, Feb. 25, “Question the questions.”], thank you for your thoughtful letter and providing us with this perspective. We do have stakeholders on our board from health and social services that vetted these questions and asked that they be included, so that they can work towards serving the diverse needs of Whistler’s young adults. We are now working on the data and will have a report out in early summer. It will be available to the public, stakeholders, and service providers on our website www.ctcwhistler.ca. Communities That Care Whistler will use the information to guide our advocacy and resources towards supporting young adults in Whistler. Cathy Jewett // Chair Communities That Care Whistler

Write to us! Letters to the editor must contain the writer’s name, address and a daytime telephone number. Maximum length is 450 words. Pique Newsmagazine reserves the right to edit, condense or refrain from publishing any contribution. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer and not that of Pique Newsmagazine.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Think twice about Nita Lake development I have been lucky enough to call Whistler home for almost 15 years. When I moved here I worked hard as a server, saving and investing to purchase a home. With a professional background in strata management and real estate, I am interested and invested in … housing developments within Whistler. The comprehensive website that has been put together by “Friends of Nita Lake” presents a plethora of excellent points as to why council must re-evaluate the current proposal for redevelopment of the forested west side of Nita Lake. The purpose of this letter is to remind you of all these critical considerations, but to also share another concern—one which council must consider any time they are in support of granting variances to re-zone land. I am a home owner in Creekside and have an unobstructed west facing view of Nita Lake. Put yourself in my shoes. Would you want there to be a clear cut and multiple dwellings built here, or an eco lodge? When I bought this property, I did so with the knowledge of what the properties on the other side of the lake were zoned for. I knew that no one would ever be able to develop these sensitive environmental reserves with new multi-dwelling townhomes and condos. This is similar to the development that was trying to be passed in Nordic. People bought homes in a quiet neighbourhood, knowing there was one undeveloped estate lot behind them. No one should ever be able to build apartments in their backyard—it is simply unreasonable. Both the Nordic and Nita Lake projects devalue the real estate that others have worked hard to purchase, so that developers can lobby an altruistic agenda to “help the community” all the while negatively impacting many others‘ investments, while a few get rich. And don’t even get me started on the

traffic study that was completed for the Nita development, which was conducted during the pandemic, when there is a province-wide guideline for “essential travel only.” On the topic of council supporting rezoning and variances, if this proposal does wind up going through, I would suppose this will be precedent-setting? There will be many other properties/owners on Westside Road looking to capitalize on this gravy train. Where does it end? There’s a saying, “if you can’t beat them, join them.” Well, my strata is a massive ski-in, ski-out parcel of land just above Creekside Village. We have a covenant on our land restricting the construction of only 32 units (which we have). We also have a GFA (gross floor allowance) remaining that we could technically build the same amount of square footage twice over. So my question to council is, if you endorse the Nita Lake project—would you also be in support of allowing all other stratas to sell parcels of their land to further develop, increase the density, and profit, just like the project in question? The Official Community Plan, bed count and scarcity of land is what has resulted in real estate values [being] some of the highest in Canada. If we start to be too frivolous with making exceptions for the betterment of only a few at the expense of others, the very principles and all the strategic planning that went into Whistler’s success, will begin to crumble. I would like to hold council and Mayor to task on slowing things down, and making sure that we get this right. Adding a few dozen affordable housing beds so a developer can make millions is just bad business. [The virtual public hearing for the development will be held March 9 at 5:30 p.m.] Adam Zelikovitz // Whistler ■

Backcountry Advisory AS OF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 It’s March! Congratulations, we’ve made it through the worst of the cold snaps, the dark mornings, the hoards of powder seekers on road trips. The air is getting warmer, the days longer, and spring is so close you can taste it. Visions of corn skiing in a T-shirt and sunglasses are starting to crop up in your daydreams. Hold on a minute! Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. March has more than its share of snowpack woes to navigate and is historically the deadliest month in the avalanche world. March can be a real trickster when it comes to avalanche conditions. The weather can be erratic, with rapid fluctuations between cold/warm, snow/rain, and lambs/ lions; and whenever the sun pokes out, it packs a punch. These weather fluctuations result in a stack of upper snowpack structures like crusts that further complicate an already complex

snowpack. Remember, the snowpack still contains every buried instability we’ve dealt with over the season. After sitting dormant for weeks or even months, these layers can be shocked back to life with the first significant warmups, which typically occur in March. We can’t blame it all on the weather. An array of human factors can play on our own minds as well. We can become more susceptible to “blue sky syndrome.” The allure of longer and warmer days can lead us to let our guards down in favour of bagging big lines we’ve been eyeing all season long. So how do we manage all of this? The short answer is be patient. It will be April soon enough. The warm weather that is so destabilizing in the short term eventually tames the snowpack into a much more homogeneous and predictable entity. For more nuanced nuggets of terrain travel wisdom, read more on this topic in the latest forecaster blog at avalanche.ca! ■

CONDITIONS MAY VARY AND CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY Check for the most current conditions before heading out into the backcountry. Daily updates for the areas adjacent to Whistler Blackcomb are available at 604-938-7676, or surf to www.whistlerblackcomb.com/mountaininfo/snow-report#backcountry or go to www.avalanche.ca.

PIQUE’N YER INTEREST

To all the friends I’ve loved before (and still do) THERE’S A QUOTE in Noah Baumbach’s 1995 debut film Kicking and Screaming that has stuck with me since I first heard it. The movie follows a group of upper middle class college friends as they linger on campus months after graduation, clinging desperately to their youth and terrified of taking even the most miniscule

BY BRANDON BARRETT step towards adulthood. In an early scene, one particularly stagnant character laments his penchant for sentimentality. “I’m too nostalgic. I’ll admit it,” Max says. “We graduated four months ago. What can you possibly be nostalgic for?” his friend asks. “I’m nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday,” Max responds. “I’ve begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I’m reminiscing this right now.” After my initial chuckle at what is a pretty decent line, a lightning bolt of recognition hit me with a wallop: Shit, I’m that guy. I immediately thought back to my middle school grad party. Sitting there on the curb rocking my nuclear orange

Modrobes and my extra-frosty frosted tips (stop laughing), I remember getting emotional at the realization that our friendships were likely never going to be the same as they were in that exact moment. Even at the tender age of 13, the prospect of high school looming over me, I had a strong sense that the ground was shifting

the glue that helped bring my high school and university friends together on the rare occasions I made it back to Ontario. My friends like to joke that the only time we ever get together en masse is when one of us has a baby or I come home to visit. Maybe it’s the only-child complex in me, but I have always tried to put in the

[T]he best part is, reaching out is one of those rare mutually beneficial acts, recharging your battery just as much as your far-flung friends’.

beneath my feet, that everything was about to change. “Wait, is Brandon friggin’ crying?” one of my cooler peers shouted, as I bowed my over-gelled head in shame. Nostalgia may not serve you well in Grade 8, but as I’ve grown older, it’s a quality I’ve tried to harness. Whether I was living overseas or on the other side of the country, I prided myself on being

work required to keep up the friendships I value. And it is work. Sometimes tough work, and in the midst of a global pandemic, that relationship maintenance feels tougher than it ever has. With all the time we’re spending at home, and our newfound proficiency on Zoom, you’d think staying in touch would be easy. But these days, I could get a call from Rihanna herself and it would take

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considerable effort to work up the nerve to pick up. (RiRi, if you’re reading this, I’m totally kidding.) The pandemic has had a way of making even the tiniest task feel like an ultra marathon, but I think it’s especially difficult to keep in contact because, well, what do we even have to say? For most of us, COVID-19 has transformed life into a spinning hamster wheel, and the usual attempts at small talk fall flat, and worse, feel disingenuous. After all, “how was your day?” is tough to answer when time has lost all meaning and the hours blend together like one of Dali’s melting clocks. But if there’s anything worth the effort, it’s the people we hold near—even from afar. That’s something that I think Whistlerites can relate to, being that most of us so-called “orphans” have chosen to put miles between us and our loved ones to pursue a different kind of passion. And the best part is, reaching out is one of those rare mutually beneficial acts, recharging your battery just as much as your far-flung friends’. So, with that, here’s to all the friends I’ve loved before, and still do. I may not have been as diligent about keeping in touch as I used to, but know that my sense of nostalgia remains strong, and I’m thinking about you. Just don’t make fun of me if I get a little teary-eyed. ■

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Cheakamus Phase 2 progressing, but more decisions yet to come WITH LOW INTEREST RATES AND SPRING APPROACHING, ‘THERE’S NO TIME LIKE NOW’

BY BRADEN DUPUIS JUST BEYOND the gates at the end of Mount Fee Road in Cheakamus Crossing, crews are hard at work preparing what’s known as Parcel A for development. In the coming weeks, the first of two apartment buildings will start to take shape—but at the moment crews are contending with some long-buried infrastructure left over from the Olympics. “You see blue pipes in there … all this pipe is not where it’s meant to be,” said Councillor Duane Jackson, surveying the hole that will soon become an underground parkade, during a walking tour of the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) Phase 2 lands in Cheakamus on March 1. “So we’re chasing it all over the place.” The pipe was laid in a haste preOlympics, Jackson explained. “There used to be [about] eight temporary buildings here, so all of this stuff was thrown in without a plan,” he said. “There’s been a lot of unknowns, and that’s why we’re doing it this way, instead of tendering it, and then having a whole bunch of extras.” Once it’s pulled from the ground,

DIG IT Whistler Councillor Duane Jackson during a tour of Phase 2 in Cheakamus Crossing on March 1. With interest rates low, officials are stressing urgency around building new housing. PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS

14 MARCH 4, 2021

servicing and foundation work can begin for the new apartment buildings. “There’s a lot of work ahead of us,” Jackson said. “We really want to get going here in a month, because interest rates are going up. There’s no time like now.”

PARCEL PLANNING Beyond where the second apartment building will be built on Parcel A, Jackson pointed out some spare space that might be suitable for an infill building, and north of that, a third site on top of a knoll. “On a clear day, the views to the north and west are pretty spectacular,” he said. Once fully developed, Phase 2 will include five parcels for employee housing (with about 295 units) and 18 market forsale lots. While Parcel A and its 100 units is the main focus right now, consideration is being given to the other parcels as well: Fifty-four apartment units in two buildings on Parcel B/C; 74 apartment units in two connected buildings on D1; 44 townhouses on D2; and 23 single family and duplex units on D3. Jackson noted that current plans for Parcel D2 are to make the townhouses available for purchase through the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA). “This building could be for sale or ownership, but once it’s serviced, some future council will figure out what the opportunities are,” he said.

LIVE IT The Whistler Housing Authority’s resident housing development manager Sam Mendl shows off a three-bedroom apartment in the WHA’s new building at 1330 Cloudburst Drive. PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS

Next to it is Parcel D3, where 18 market lots will be developed next to the Cheakamus River. While the new buildings on Parcel A will be heated using the neighbourhood’s District Energy System (DES), the higher elevations of the market lots may make electricity more economical, Jackson said. “When you get up here it takes quite a lot of infrastructure or pump stations and everything else to service 18 houses that you

could easily do with electric heat pumps,” he said. “So the discussion is at what point does it not make economic sense?” The expected 295 units don’t even make use of the largest parcel on the books: Parcel E, which, at 75,000 square metres, accounts for nearly half of Phase 2’s entire 155,000-square-metre footprint. But its development is a three-to-fiveyear project, and will likely include lower density housing than seen on Parcels A through D (think townhouses and duplexes only). A covenant will also be registered to the parcel, which will protect environmentally sensitive and unique features like the Lower Ridge Trail, Jackson said. “WDC (the Whistler 2020 Development Corp) contemplates a relatively small footprint on the very large parcel, and will probably start to explore access and landuse analysis once we’re confident all the pieces are in place to allow the existing phase to advance without delay,” he said. “Ultimately the highest and best use of the land will probably take into account what we learn from the build-out of the initial phases.”

FINANCING THE FUTURE Though work is well underway on site, the project still comes with unknowns as it relates to financing. The RMOW included a $10-million line of credit for the development in its 2021 budget, which is paying for site work and to

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BUILD IT An aerial view of the site in Whistler’s Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood where two new apartment buildings will soon be constructed. PHOTO BY STEVE ANDREWS

build an extension of Mount Fee Road. The Whistler Housing Authority (WHA), meanwhile, has applied for grant funding through BC Housing, though word through the grapevine is that competition for the funding is stiff, said Eric Martin, board chair of the WDC, an RMOW subsidiary. Subdivision of the Phase 2 parcels is underway, and in the next month or two the WDC may start doing general advertising for the 18 market lots on D3, Martin said. After servicing costs, the WDC hopes the lots will bring in about $15 million. “At least some of it would be used [for construction of affordable housing], whether we get grants or not,” Martin said, adding that without grants, the WDC and RMOW will look to borrow. “Right now we have the lowest rates we’ve seen in forever, as far as I remember, and we need to take advantage of these really quickly, because just an upturn of a half a point on today’s rates is like a 20-percent increase.” Today’s low interest rates are “a huge part of the strategy” right now, Martin said, noting that the WDC is also looking at thirdparty financing. “It’s very doubtful that there’s any kind of construction financing, or development financing, coming through BC housing or anybody these days, so we’re probably going to have to be in the open market for that,” he said. “There’s so many balls in the air right now, and so we’re really focusing on getting ready … we just want to get to the point where once we know what our options are, we can go quickly.” With potential for about 295 units of housing on Phase 2, the RMOW and WDC are “remaining pretty flexible and nimble” as it relates to the mix of purchase versus rental, Martin added. The mix in the two buildings on Parcel A will depend, in part, on BC Housing grant funding (which would require the projects to be rental). But the WDC and RMOW hear the need for more purchase product loud and clear. “Just stand by. We’re very aware, it just really depends on a whole bunch of other things,” Martin said.

“But I think there’s a pretty good chance we’ll do some for-purchase product, for sure.” The final mix of purchase and rental in Phase 2 “will all depend on funding,” Jackson added. “But [on] any of these parcels you could consider a partnership with any other of the housing suppliers that are in town, and interested groups,” he said. “So I think in the next 18 months … we’ll get our hands full with 100 units [on Parcel A] and hopefully plan for one other development.”

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KNOCK ON WOOD When construction gets underway on Parcel A, officials can only hope it goes as smoothly as it did on the WHA’s recent Granite Ridge building at 1330 Cloudburst Drive. Ahead of schedule and under budget, by many accounts the 45-unit building in Cheakamus—the WHA’s fourth completion since 2018—was a developer’s dream. The building is made up of 12 studios, 12 one bedrooms, 17 two bedrooms and four three-bedroom apartments, said Sam Mendl, the WHA’s resident housing development manager, during a tour of the building on March 1. Originally scheduled for completion in July of this year, not even COVID could hinder the build, Mendl said. The building includes shared laundry on each floor, and was built to BC Step Code 3 energy standards, the second highest in the province, he added. Having carried the project from conception to completion, Mendl takes satisfaction in now seeing it teeming with activity. “It’s awesome,” he said. “Just seeing it busy, and seeing people moving in and stuff on balconies—it’s lived in, and that’s pretty rewarding.” The new build at 1330 Cloudburst is a good representation of what’s to come on Parcel A—even the forms were saved to be re-used on the new buildings, Jackson said. To see more pictures of Cheakamus Phase 2 and Granite Ridge, head to piquenewsmagazine.com. n

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MARCH 4, 2021

NEWS WHISTLER

SD48 saysvaccinations COVID-19 Workplace Math class not off the table COURSE STILL OFFERED IN SQUAMISH, BUT DISTRICT REMAINS CONCERNED VULNERABLE STUDENTS OVERREPRESENTED to begin in Whistler, BY BRANDON BARRETT Squamish this month with a C or higher in Math 9, that includes more advanced topics such as algebra and measurement. “These workplace classes traditionally have a higher percentage of at-risk students because it serves the need to provide a supportive environment while breaking down math anxiety and stigma,” Gregr wrote. B.C. “If theis intent now moving of the decision into Phase to remove 2 of its Workplace immunization 10 is toplan, improve withstudent approximately success, 400,000 to be inclusive people of all expected learningfor abilities vaccination, and to before providePhase viable3 post-secondary is set to begin inoptions, mid-April. then I believe “Thatthat willthose startmaking in April theand decision five-year may [age] be confused increments as to what is what’s this course envisioned, offers but our that most may vulnerable be slightly students.” different in the rural communities Reiteratingwhere that the it may operational not be necessary policy is to stillgo in that draft slowly,” form, Nicholson said Lysyshyn confirmed of that the potential both Workplace timetable Mathin10the and Sea Workplace to Sky. Math 11 would Therecontinue will be two to be vaccines offered.administered Having said in that, theHowe region, Sound Lysyshyn Secondary said: is the only Moderna high and school Pfizer in the district vaccines, to offer both the courses two-dose for messenger the upcomingribonucleic school year, acid, as principals or mRNA, have vaccines, the final saywith on which eachelectives dose likely are offered. to be separated “Pleasebynote about that four historically, months—although [Whistler that Secondary timetable School] can change. does not always offer Workplace “As timeMath goes on, 10 we & can 11. continue [Pemberton to study Secondary whatSchool] happens generally duringdoes, those but four not months,” always,” Nicholson Lysyshyn said. wrote “It in maya be follow-up that it’s not email. necessary “These schools to give will another continue dose to in work four months, individually or maybe with students it will bewho worth wish it to at take that point Workplace because Math we’ll courses.” have more vaccines. It’s

OFFICIALS District 48 SENIORS 80WITH AND School UP AND INDIGENOUS

PEOPLE 65 AND UP ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINE STARTING MARCH 15

(SD48) say an applied workplace math class will continue being offered, after a letter from a concerned math teacher sounded alarms over its possible cancellation. “I think what’s really important to clarify is that what was being referred to [in the letter] was a draft operational policy and the VACCINATIONS purpose of that policyFOR is to the try and COVID-19 create, virus when are we’re setthinking to beginabout in the organizing Sea to Sky for for student specific learning, groups schedules this month, for students confirmed that Vancouver remove barriers Coastal to Health options(VCH). once a student graduates,” Seniors aged explained 80 and up Chris and Indigenous Nicholson, people assistantaged superintendent 65 and up for arethe eligible district. for the vaccine In a letter as of last March month 15 atthat dedicated went outCOVID to Sea clinics to Sky media, in Whistler Pique and included, Squamish. Howe Sound Secondary Appointments math teacher are open David seven Gregr days said a week, the district from was 9 a.m. in the to 5process p.m., with of adopting evening appointments a policy that would also available. prohibit schools VCH deputy from chief offering medical so-called health “streamed” officer Dr. courses, Mark Lysyshyn including the saidWorkplace walk-ins Mathematics may also be 10 accommodated, class, recommended but for appointments students withshould lower be than booked a C average in advance in Math where 9 and possible. designed to expose No vaccination them to practical, schedule everyday has been math. set for Instead, other students age groups, would but provincial have had to officials enrol said in Foundations this week that of all Mathematics adults in B.C. andcould Prebe Calculus offered10, the recommended first dose by the for endstudents of July.

BY BRANDON BARRETT

20 16 MARCH 4, 2021

The debate around Workplace Math is part of a larger conversation at the district level that has been ongoing since at least 2012, Nicholson explained, as school administrators look to “dismantle racism, and other forms of discrimination based on family status, gender, socio-economic status, etc., that are often represented by traditional forms of streaming.”

but again, why not try to equip kids with as many choices as possible so they can decide for themselves?” he said. Nicholson pointed to district data that showed an overrepresentation of Indigenous students in Workplace Math, for instance. In the 2018-19 school year, kids of Indigenous descent represented just over 10 per cent of the district’s students, but made up nearly 30 per cent of those enrolled in Workplace Math 10. “Really, mathon March is the barrier,” COVID CLINIC COVID-19 vaccinations are set to begin in Whistler and Squamish 15 forlast seniors aged 80 not try Nicholson said, highlighting that Grade 10 and“[W]hy up and Indigenous people agedto 65 and up. GETTY IMAGES math is the first time district students separate equip kids with as themselves based on perceived ability and really many hard tochoices tell.” as producing performance, that something antigen, the which district is a isbit trying of a As Lysyshyn explained, the mRNA new to move strategy. away from. It seems to work very well.” possible?” vaccines essentially take genetic Clinical “We’re really trialscommitted have shown to doing the Moderna our best instructions - CHRIS NICHOLSON from the virus to make a vaccine to removeto that belast 91.4-per-cent barrier, and it’s effective not just for at specific protein that then triggers your preventing kids who arethe First novel Nations, coronavirus it’s for after kids who two immune system to produce antibodies doses, have struggled while thein Pfizer math. vaccine At the was end shown of the to before Because the protein STEMbreaks coursesdown. at B.C. research have day, why 95-per-cent did theyefficacy struggle? after Who both told doses. them universities, “Now your as body well as recognizes certain trade that schools, specific math The wasvaccines hard? That’s take what aboutwe’ve two done weeksasto a protein like BCIT’s so electrician then if you program, get infected do not by accept the begin society,working, so it’s our but jobeven to tryafter and that fix that, period, and COVID Workplace virus, Math it as hasa pre-requisite, that protein on Nicholson it, and immunized we believe weindividuals can.” can still carry the your said the body district says, is considering ‘I know that how thing’ to reduce and virus. The district said any students interested basically pigeonholing destroys vulnerable the virus,” students he added. into a in Workplace “That’s why Math when who don’t people have are the “It’s certain similar stream to that other would vaccines limit where their postyou immunized, option to enrolwe nextneed year would them get to individual continue introduce secondary options. the antigen to the body and the to support follow from all their the teachers public while health taking body “Now makesare an immune there post-secondary response with recommendations Foundations of Math and around Pre-Calculus social 10. antibodies opportunities … but for the kidsdifference with Workplace here is distancing Math at the and Grade hand-washing 10 and 11 levels and is required staying that [Math]? you’re Absolutely. sort ofWe’ve tricking never thedenied body that, into home for graduation. when sick, n and if they are identified

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

as a contact in a case, they might also have to isolate because we still don’t know that they can’t be involved in transmission, particularly as we see these new variants come around,” Lysyshyn noted, adding that, similar to the flu, there may need to be new vaccines rolled out in the future to adjust for changes in the virus. “We really need everyone to keep doing what they’ve been doing after the vaccine, and then we have to see what happens with the cases,” Lysyshyn said. “If the cases really do come down and we’re not seeing any more hospitalizations and we’re not seeing any more outbreaks, and if we manage to achieve enough of that herd immunity, we will be able to relax some of these measures. But we can’t predict that right now because there are new variables turning up every day.” Although, at press time, the specific locations of the vaccination clinics had yet to be confirmed, Lysyshyn said the sites are likely to be set up at existing community facilities. Residents of Pemberton and Mount Currie will access the vaccines in Whistler. VCH continues to recruit its immunization workforce, Lysyshyn said, which has so far typically been made up of working or retired nurses, pharmacists and doctors. Those eligible to book a vaccine appointment can do so by calling 1-877-5875767, starting March 8. The line will be open daily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. n

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 – 5:30 P.M. This Public Hearing will be held electronically pursuant to Local Government Meetings and Bylaw Process (COVID-19) Order No. 3 (Ministerial Order M192/2020). If the Government of British Columbia lifts the Provincial State of Emergency currently in place before March 9, 2021, this Public Hearing will be held at the following location: MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE Franz Wilhelmsen Theatre, 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW (8200 BEAR PAW TRAIL) NO. 2297, 2020 SUBJECT LANDS: The parcel that is the subject of the proposed Bylaw is 8200 Bear Paw Trail, Whistler, described as Lot 9, District Lot 7302, Group 1 New Westminster District, Plan BCP38413. The parcel is identified as “subject property” on the map attached to this notice. PURPOSE: In general terms, the purpose of the proposed Bylaw is to increase the range of permitted uses in the CD1 Zone applicable to the Subject Lands to allow a child care facility and a broader range of neighbourhood serving commercial uses. With the exception of the grocery store, the proposed Bylaw also requires the commercial floor area of the Subject Lands be demised into a least three commercial retails units, of which a minimum of 85 square metres of gross floor area must be in use as or available for use as a café, restaurant or neighbourhood public house. INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS: A copy of the proposed Bylaw and relevant background documentation along with written submissions received may be inspected at the Reception Desk of Municipal Hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, during regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded) from February 25, 2021 to and including March 9, 2021. A copy of the proposed Bylaw and relevant background documentation along with written submissions received may also be viewed online on the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) website at: whistler.ca/RZ001164 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: All persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard by Council at the Public Hearing. All persons can: 1) submit written comments to Council; and/or 2) make oral representations LIVE via online video or phone conferencing. (Your image will not be broadcast to Council or the public.) 1. Submit Written Comments to Council Written comments must be addressed to “Mayor and Council”, and include your name and mailing address. Until 3:30 p.m. on March 9, 2021, written submissions will be received at the following: Email: Fax: Hard Copy:

corporate@whistler.ca 604-935-8109 Resort Municipality of Whistler Legislative Services Department 4325 Blackcomb Way Whistler BC V8E 0X5

Written submissions will also be accepted on March 9, 2021 between 3:30 p.m. and the time when the motion to close the Public Hearing is made. During this timeframe, written comments must be submitted by email to: corporate@whistler.ca All submissions will form part of the Public Hearing record and will be added to the Public Hearing Package as they are received. The Public Hearing Package will be available on the RMOW website at: whistler.ca/RZ001164 2. Participate LIVE via Online Video or Phone Conferencing The live Public Hearing will take place March 9, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. via online video and phone conferencing. The Public Hearing will be conducted using Zoom and can be accessed via either online video or phone conferencing. No registration is required.

We’ve got you covered.

If you wish to make oral representations to Council on the proposed Bylaw by online video or by phone, please use the Public Hearing web link or one of the phone numbers (including Webinar ID) provided below. • The web link for the Public Hearing online video option is: https://whistler.zoom.us/j/69745396460 • The phone numbers to access the Public Hearing phone conferencing option are as follows: +1-778-907-2071 +1-647-374-4685 • The Webinar ID is: 697 4539 6460 Instructions for Participating via Zoom Online Video or Phone Conferencing • Online video: It is possible to access the Public Hearing on a computer, tablet or smartphone using the web link above. Your camera will not be available, but your microphone will need to be enabled. To indicate that you wish to make an oral representation, click on the ‘raise hand’ feature. The moderator will allow each person to speak in turn. When it is your turn to speak, your microphone will be unmuted and you will be asked to provide your name and address for the public record. Please be patient as there may be others in the queue before you. • Phone conferencing: To access the Public Hearing by phone, use one of the phone numbers above along with the Webinar ID as prompted. To indicate that you wish to make an oral representation, use the ‘raise hand’ feature by dialing [*9]. When it is your turn to speak, the moderator will announce the last three digits of your phone number, and your line will be unmuted. You will be asked to provide your name and address for the public record. Please be patient as there may be others in the queue before you.

Map showing Subject Lands

After the conclusion of this Public Hearing, Council cannot receive representations from the public on the proposed Bylaw. General information on participating in the RMOW’s electronic public hearings is available here: https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-gov/council/public-hearings Pick up the latest issue of your favourite read in Whistler.

Members of the public can also view the Live Stream of the Public Hearing at: https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-gov/council/watch-council-meetings

Subject Property

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca MARCH 4, 2021

NEWS WHISTLER

‘After I tried skiing, everything changed’ WHISTLER RESIDENT BECOMES FIRST SYRIAN REFUGEE TO EARN SKI INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

BY BRADEN DUPUIS THE FIRST TIME he tried skiing, Murhaf Ghaibour had his doubts about his future in the sport. “I thought, ‘Oh, I’m never going to be good at that. It was so hard,” Ghaibour recalled. “But after like two, three weeks, I had skied the whole mountain.” Safe to say the doubt didn’t last. After two days of lessons, Ghaibour began skiing four days a week, at least. Within months, he had tackled his first black diamond, and on Feb 24, 2021, he earned his Level 1 Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) certification. Quite the journey for a refugee from Syria, who arrived in the resort in 2018, and had never skied before January 2019. “My first season, when I did blacks and trees, my friends just said, ‘You are crazy,’” he said. “They were also beginners, and they said, ‘No, you shouldn’t do that,’ but I felt really confident.” Being confident and pushing his limits has been key to Ghaibour’s quick attachment to the sport—but that’s not to

say he’s impervious to fear. He felt it before tackling a double black for the first time earlier this year, as he looked down at the impending steep drop. “Which is good. Fear is good, you know? It protects you,” he said. “So it’s really fun, because I know my ability, and I know my limits.” Ghaibour’s advice for beginners is to think of skiing almost like driving a car, in that “if you are driving too fast, the risk is going to be higher,” he said. “But if you are going slowly, even if you fall, nothing can happen.” Ghaibour, 32, left Syria in 2013 at the outset of the civil war, and lived in Lebanon for five years before arriving in Canada as a refugee with the help of former Whistlerite Laurie Cooper. Had he stayed in Syria, he would have been forced to serve in the army, he said. “It’s not serving your country, or not fighting a specific enemy. It’s just a complicated situation—you are fighting other Syrians, supported by many other countries … It’s just chaos,” he said. “I don’t want to be involved with that. I don’t want to kill anyone, or be killed.” As for Cooper’s role in sponsoring his refugee application, “literally, she saved my life,” Ghaibour said.

SYRIAN SKI BUM Laurie Cooper and Murhaf Ghaibour during a ski day in Whistler last year. PHOTO SUBMITTED

“I told her that the first day we met here in Whistler … I owe her my life.” While she never would have guessed Ghaibour would become a ski instructor watching him ski that first day two years ago, that’s not to say Cooper is surprised. “From the very beginning when I first met him, he’s always been incredibly determined and focused, and disciplined,”

she said. “So when he sets his mind to something, he achieves it.” According to the CSIA, Ghaibour is the first Syrian refugee to become a ski instructor. “We want everyone to join us on the slopes. Everyone,” said CSIA’s director of marketing Jon Tischuk, in an email. “In recent months, we have made some of the biggest changes in the organization’s history. It is our goal to embrace all those communities that have been underrepresented in our organization as instructors.” Ghaibour, who also works as a bartender in the resort, is one of 12 refugees Cooper has helped settle in Canada, a group that has become tightknit over the years. Some of the others have stayed in Whistler as well, landing jobs with Ziptrek, at Green Lake Station and Rexall, to name a few. “Honestly, I feel like each one of them is my son,” Cooper said. “I call them my boys, and I will always be there for them, and they’re just the most lovely, hard-working young people.” Before he came to Canada, Ghaibour thought he might end up in a city after six months or so. “But after I tried skiing, everything changed,” he said. “I cannot live in any other place.” n

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NEWS WHISTLER

SD48 says Workplace Math class not off the table COURSE STILL OFFERED IN SQUAMISH, BUT DISTRICT REMAINS CONCERNED VULNERABLE STUDENTS OVERREPRESENTED

BY BRANDON BARRETT OFFICIALS WITH School District 48 (SD48) say an applied workplace math class will continue being offered, after a letter from a concerned math teacher sounded alarms over its possible cancellation. “I think what’s really important to clarify is that what was being referred to [in the letter] was a draft operational policy and the purpose of that policy is to try and create, when we’re thinking about organizing for student learning, schedules for students that remove barriers to options once a student graduates,” explained Chris Nicholson, assistant superintendent for the district. In a letter last month that went out to Sea to Sky media, Pique included, Howe Sound Secondary math teacher David Gregr said the district was in the process of adopting a policy that would prohibit schools from offering so-called “streamed” courses, including the Workplace Mathematics 10 class, recommended for students with lower than a C average in Math 9 and designed to expose them to practical, everyday math. Instead, students would have had to enrol in Foundations of Mathematics and PreCalculus 10, recommended for students

with a C or higher in Math 9, that includes more advanced topics such as algebra and measurement. “These workplace classes traditionally have a higher percentage of at-risk students because it serves the need to provide a supportive environment while breaking down math anxiety and stigma,” Gregr wrote. “If the intent of the decision to remove Workplace 10 is to improve student success, to be inclusive of all learning abilities and to provide viable post-secondary options, then I believe that those making the decision may be confused as to what this course offers our most vulnerable students.” Reiterating that the operational policy is still in draft form, Nicholson confirmed that both Workplace Math 10 and Workplace Math 11 would continue to be offered. Having said that, Howe Sound Secondary is the only high school in the district to offer the courses for the upcoming school year, as principals have the final say on which electives are offered. “Please note that historically, [Whistler Secondary School] does not always offer Workplace Math 10 & 11. [Pemberton Secondary School] generally does, but not always,” Nicholson wrote in a follow-up email. “These schools will continue to work individually with students who wish to take Workplace Math courses.”

“[W]hy not try to equip kids with as many choices as possible?” - CHRIS NICHOLSON

Because STEM courses at B.C. research universities, as well as certain trade schools, like BCIT’s electrician program, do not accept Workplace Math as a pre-requisite, Nicholson said the district is considering how to reduce pigeonholing vulnerable students into a certain stream that would limit their postsecondary options. “Now are there post-secondary opportunities for kids with Workplace [Math]? Absolutely. We’ve never denied that,

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NEWS WHISTLER

Whistler council approves user fees for EV charging stations COUNCIL BRIEFS: OLYMPIC PLAZA WASHROOMS SET TO OPEN IN MAY

BY BRADEN DUPUIS THE RESORT Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) will soon charge EV users to use municipal charging stations after council approved the move on March 2. The fees will be adopted in phases, starting with a $1-per-hour fee at chargers outside of the day lots this spring. Phase 2 will expand user fees to the day lots, again starting at $1 per hour and with a ceiling of $5 per day. Fees for charging stations outside of the day lots will also rise to $2 per hour in Phase 2. Fees at day lot stations will be on top of parking fees. “We want to support people— residents, commuters and visitors, and even the ones who don’t have home charging—we want to make it an affordable and viable option for everyone to have an electric vehicle in Whistler,” said climate action coordinator Luisa Burhenne, in a presentation to council. “But on the other hand, we want to make sure that everyone who requires public

22 MARCH 4, 2021

charging has access to public charging, so we want to increase turnover. We want to incentivize people to charge at home. “So the cost needs to be cheaper than operating an internal combustion engine vehicle, but it needs to be higher than charging at home.” The RMOW currently owns 19 chargers that can accommodate 35 vehicles—15 of which have been monitored to analyze current demand, Burhenne said. Monitoring has shown an average charging length of three hours, with 57 sessions per month, she said, and with a daytime usage of 50 per cent. A third phase of the user fees strategy proposes to use usage data gleaned from the first two phases to build a long-term strategy around fees, primarily with a goal of keeping EV commuting more costeffective than driving a traditional car. “If the daytime usage goes below 40 per cent, we know that the fee may be too high,” Burhenne said. “If there’s really high demand and the daytime utilization goes over 75 per cent, we need to further incentivize turnover and can further increase the fee.”

All user fee adjustments at the charging stations in the day lots will be discussed with the Day Lot Operating Committee and aligned with day lot parking rate changes, Burhenne added.

OLYMPIC PLAZA WASHROOMS TO OPEN IN MAY A project to build two washrooms in Whistler Village—one at the Lost Lake PassivHaus and one at Whistler Olympic Plaza— is expected to be delivered on time and within the approved budget of $2.7 million, according to a presentation at the March 2 Committee of the Whole from facilities construction manager Andrew Chalk. The PassiveHaus washrooms opened to the public on Dec. 24, while the washrooms at Olympic Plaza are scheduled for a May opening. Still on tap for 2021 is a new washroom building at the Gateway Loop, which has an approved budget of $1.74 million. “The anticipated schedule for the work begins later this month with the contractor [carrying out] site preparation and clearing,

UNDER CONSTRUCTION New washrooms in Olympic Plaza are expected to open in May. PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS

which will include a few of the trees [being removed],” Chalk said. Construction is expected to begin in April, with a planned opening by the end of the year. Beyond that, the RMOW plans to repair washrooms at the Conference Centre, and is still considering washrooms for the Day Lots (though a recent grant application for that project was declined, Chalk noted). n

NEWS WHISTLER

Fiona Famulak poised to usher BC Chamber through ‘pivotal’ period

KA I A P u r e Lo ca l

FAMULAK IS SECOND FORMER WHISTLER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HEAD TO ASSUME PROVINCIAL ROLE

BY BRANDON BARRETT Hometown Lílwat/Pemberton, BC Birthplace WAG, Dec 14th, 2007 Beautiful (Mom) and 8 siblings Nicknames Sheriff, Skunkwolf, Sadsack, Pupster, Trail Boss Pow Days 100s

FIONA FAMULAK has a knack for rising to the moment. Announced this week as the new CEO and president of the BC Chamber of Commerce, the entrepreneur and former Whistler Chamber of Commerce head takes over at a crucial time for the province’s largest business network. “When the opportunity for the BC Chamber position came up, it came at a pivotal point in its history, leading the industry through and beyond a pandemic,” Famulak told Pique this week. “There’s a lot of opportunity there.” Leading the Whistler Chamber between 2008 and 2013, Famulak helped usher the resort’s business community through a global financial downturn, the high-water mark of the 2010 Olympic Games, and the post-Olympic lull that followed. She then took over as president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association at a time when contractors across B.C. “needed to build faster, greener and more productively,” she said. All that is to say: Famulak is more than up for the Sisyphean task of bringing B.C.’s business sector back from the brink. “These conversations are going to require courage to challenge the status quo, because we know that the way to do business from a year ago is no longer going to work,” she said. “We need to identify new ways of doing business, and we need to reach out to a variety of parties, perhaps even competitors that we haven’t worked with before, in order to find ways of doing business differently. That’s exciting to me.” Famulak is the second Whistler Chamber alumnus to assume the top job at the BC Chamber after Val Litwin served in the role from 2016 until stepping down this summer. She said it was Whistler’s strong sense of community and collaboration, particularly during those monumental 2010 Olympics, that she has carried with her since her time here. “I use the model that was rolled out to deliver the Games often, in terms of assembling the right people at the table, defining roles and responsibilities, and working together on solutions,” she said. “That’s what it’s going to take for us to navigate the pandemic, and I absolutely understand that it’s tough economic times and I think there’s ways in which we can come together, share experiences from across the province that will help our member chambers, boards of trade and their members navigate the pandemic.”

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CHAMBER CHAMPION Former Whistler Chamber of Commerce head Fiona Famulak has been appointed as the new CEO and president of the BC Chamber of Commerce at a crucial time in its history. PHOTO SUBMITTED

First and foremost, Famulak said the priority will be to assist the chamber’s more than 36,000 member businesses navigate the layers of government support available in the pandemic, and advocating for their expansion, where necessary. Just days into the job, Famulak said she would leave the more detailed plans for tourism recovery to the Tourism Industry Association of BC, but she acknowledged the chamber has a role to play in advocating for “responsible” domestic travel as COVID19 vaccinations are rolled out. “There’s an absence of global travel for obvious reasons, and we live in a beautiful province, so let’s enjoy it,” she said. “Let’s make sure that we’re encouraging everyone to travel responsibly at this time so that we’re helping to shore up businesses in the tourism industry across the province.” In a release, BC Chamber board chair Aleece Laird said Famulak “not only embodies a spirit of collaboration, which is in the DNA of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, but she brings extensive executive leadership experience, understands the power of our network to advocate for business, and has a proven track record for courageous and innovative change. “With Fiona, we enter an exciting new chapter with sound leadership that will further strengthen our network as we work together to emerge stronger after what has been an incredibly challenging year for so many of our members.” n

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NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

Village of Pemberton eying four-per-cent tax-rate increase COUNCIL REASONS THAT FUTURE RISKS ARE TOO HIGH TO KEEP RATE LOW

BY DAN FALLOON AS IT MOVES TOWARD finalizing its 2021 budget, Village of Pemberton (VOP) council is getting set to bring forth a fourper-cent tax-rate increase to the table. The number garnered the support of all councillors in attendance at the March 2 Committee of the Whole meeting, which served as council’s third budgeting session (Councillor Ryan Zant was absent). A year after keeping the tax-rate rise at zero per cent, the VOP entered the budgeting process focused on a one-percent increase with a heavy reliance on reserves in order to mitigate the impact on taxpayers. However, as the sessions wore on, councillors became increasingly concerned with sapping reserves while also setting up a sharper tax rate increase down the line. Manager of finance and administration Lena Martin cited the District of Lillooet as an example, noting that years of low tax rates finally came back to haunt it as rates that fail to match operating costs or sustain adequate reserve levels lead to massive increases later. “A few years ago, they really fell behind in their revenues. They had really high capital expenditures one year and they had to do an increase in tax that was quite a shift to catch up,” she said. “That could be a road that the Village of Pemberton ends up going down if we fail to keep an eye to our tax rates being high enough to support all the capital infrastructure that is continuing to grow in this town.” Martin went on to explain that low rates would require the VOP to turn to debt financing to sustain service. While the municipality carries an “average” level of long-term debt, there are strict limits to how much it can take on. “At our current reserve level, the Village will be unable to generate the necessary level of funding for capital expenditures in the

TAX TALK The Village of Pemberton is entering its public budget consultation with a four-per-cent tax-rate increase on tap. GOOGLE STREET VIEW

future due to constraints of affordability,” she warned. During the upcoming asset management review, council will be asked to consider the level of service for its infrastructure, with Martin giving the example of determining the maximum allowable pothole on a road before it must be fixed. Without the money in reserves to pay for necessary fixes right away, either the tolerance for shoddiness increases or the Village assumes more debt. “We have obviously had some capital infrastructure that has broken over the years and we have that reserve there to fix that capital infrastructure,” she said, citing the soda-ash treatment that the VOP was able to fund entirely from reserves rather than frrom debt financing. Coun. Ted Craddock was quick to heed the lesson from Martin’s example. “We’re still in a tough situation as far as the community is concerned but I certainly believe that if we don’t start increasing taxes, we will be faced with the same

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situation Lillooet faced a number of years ago,” he said. Craddock reasoned that the four-percent hike worked out to between $3 to $12 a month per household, plus the BC Assessment adjustments. Considering the Village entered the March 2 session with a 1.8-per-cent increase on the table, the rate would add roughly $40,000 to municipal coffers and help offset dipping into the entirety of the VOP’s road reserves, which were reallocated to general reserves. The other defence of the reserves is in the form of the COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant for Local Governments, which the municipality will draw from first wherever possible. Mayor Mike Richman agreed that the four-per-cent rate seemed to strike the right balance. “We’re trying to protect our taxpayers right now who have been hit hard through the pandemic and we’re trying not to hit them hard again,” he said, “but we can’t fall

behind. It’s not a healthy place to be. “There’s an expectation of service that we want to be able to provide.” Coun. Amica Antonelli felt the same way. “Based on the people we’ve been hearing about that have lost their jobs and people who aren’t able to maintain their employment, we don’t want to go much higher than that,” she said. Council will review its budget on March 16, complete with a public budget information session at 9 a.m. Martin explained that with her department still tying up the 2020 year, there still may be some tweaks to the budget as has been presented, but any adjustments will be ready by the time council meets again. “What effect we will see on the budget is the year-end closing,” she said. “We just closed our accounts payable, so we may see some shifts in the surplus carrying forward. That’s usually what affects the tax rate.” After the budget is approved, council will then set to work on the Five-Year Financial Plan and 2021 Tax Rates bylaws, with the process wrapping up by roughly mid-May.

BC ASSESSMENT STATS Martin noted early in the session that in the tax roll numbers provided by BC Assessment, the average change in value for Pemberton was a 9.97-per-cent rise, with residential values increasing at a higher-than-average 11.32-per-cent rate. “Most residential will probably see an assessment shift, so a slight tax increase with no tax increase added by council,” Martin said. “Homes that are larger homes or higher-value homes are seeing a slight tax change with a zero-per-cent tax increase, but those homes that are smaller or are townhomes are actually seeing a reduction in their taxes.” Martin said that this is due to growth in residential class, with higher-value properties gaining value at a faster rate. n

Seeking Mural Artists The Resort Municipality of Whistler is seeking artists to create a large scale mural at the newly constructed washroom building in Whistler Olympic Plaza. Artists should have some background with outdoor mural projects. Proposals are currently being accepted, and a selected jury will review submissions. Proposals are due Friday March 12, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. Learn more at whistler.ca/bids For further details contact parks@whistler.ca.

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca

NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

Contract Cleaning (Janitorial) Service

Funding arrives for Sea to Sky projects PEMBERTON TO GET MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS PARK; LIL’WAT TO START MARKETPLACE GROUNDWORK

BY DAN FALLOON AN INFLUX OF provincial Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) funding has boosted a trio of projects in Pemberton and the Lil’wat Nation. The projects received grants through community economic resilience, destination development and rural economic recovery streams. In Pemberton proper, the headliner is $974,258 allocated for the Pemberton Off-Road Cycling Association (PORCA) mountain bike skills park at the Pemberton & District Recreation site. “We’re so excited,” said PORCA executive director Bree Thorlakson. “It’s already well received by the public and we really can’t believe it’s happening. “We’ve been chasing that dream for three-and-a-half years.” Thorlakson said PORCA consulted with several “world-class builders” throughout the process of creating a concept design. The grant will cover the cost of the final design in addition to construction. Among the features that riders can expect are an asphalt pump track, dirt jumps and skill features. “We’re trying to maximize the space as much as possible and get as many things in there as we can,” she said. The grant money will also cover features including a drinking water fountain, an irrigation system, picnic tables, bear-proof garbage and recycling receptacles, bike racks and an electrical conduit for future lighting. Thorlakson planned to meet with the Village of Pemberton in the near future to pin down a project timeline. “It’s so great to have something to be excited about in town, this year especially,” she said. “All the kids have had to give up so much and this is something this town is going to embrace and use.” Thorlakson also expressed gratitude to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, which helped kick start the project with a $25,000 contribution that helped secure funding down the line. Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman was thrilled to hear the application was successful, noting that the park will be at the base of the MacKenzie area, one of Pemberton’s mountain biking jewels. “It’s a huge win for the community and we’re super excited. We have lots of mountain-bike culture in this community and it’s growing and growing,” he said. “The skills park is going to be fabulous. We think it’s a great fit where it is.” With the second soccer field set to be constructed this summer, Richman

Pemberton and District Community Centre and Youth/Seniors Centre

anticipates seeing some synergy and savings with preparing the site for both projects should the timelines align.

The Village of Pemberton is requesting proposals from qualiﬁed individuals or companies for the supply of cleaning (janitorial) services to the Village for the following facilities: Pemberton & District Community Centre and the Youth / Seniors Centre. The contract associated with each facility is for a one-year term commencing on April 1, 2021 and ending on March 31, 2022.

BACKCOUNTRY TOILETS

Submissions must be received by the Village of Pemberton no later than 2:00pm PST on Monday March 8, 2021.

As well, Tourism Pemberton received $236,500 to install urine-diverting toilets in seven locations along trails, and bearproof food caches. The organization was not prepared to comment at press time but said it would provide more details at a later date. When Tourism Pemberton initially came to Pemberton council for support, there was general favour for the overall proposal but concern over plans to install toilets near One Mile Lake and at the recreation site. Richman said he was satisfied that the Village’s feedback was addressed in Tourism Pemberton’s application. “There’s no concern. I think it’s a great thing,” he said. “We saw the influx of people last spring and summer, especially from the Lower Mainland, obviously, into our backcountry area. “We have to find any way with the province to provide facilities so that they’re leaving no trace behind when they do come through to explore.”

Proposals may be submitted via email to cburns@pemberton.ca or in hard copy form to: Village of Pemberton, Box 104, 7390 Cottonwood Street, Pemberton BC, VON 2L0 The Request for Proposals document can be downloaded by visiting pemberton.ca/public/download/ﬁles/174943 All inquiries to be directed to: Christine Burns, Recreation Services Manager Phone: 604.894.2340 Email: cburns@pemberton.ca

LIL’WAT MARKETPLACE Additionally, Lil’wat Nation will receive $1 million for its Marketplace Infrastructure Project, for “power, water and other infrastructure servicing for mixed-use commercial development to support Indigenous business growth,” according to a release. The funding comes through the Rural Economic Recovery program. Lil’wat chief administrative officer Kerry Mehaffey said it’s exciting to be able to lay the groundwork for the development, located between the new gas station and the Ts’zil Learning Centre, noting it will be a community hub. “Whenever we’ve done any economic development community engagement, [the feedback] is around supporting entrepreneurs and creating space for entrepreneurs to set up their own businesses,” he said. “We’re looking around at what other communities have done, looking at some smaller commercial units … that people would be able to lease and run their businesses out of.” Mehaffey said the types of businesses operating in those spaces will be left up to the entrepreneurs, though he hopes for a diversity of options ranging from coffee shops to art galleries to hairdressers. The grant will cover site servicing, like hydro and sewer installation, but not construction costs. Mehaffey is hopeful that work will be completed this summer with construction taking place in 2022. n

Ques�ons? We’re Listening

604.894.6135

Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel The Village of Pemberton 2021 Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel will sit on Tuesday, March 16th 2021 at 3pm via Zoom. A review of the Frontage Tax may be requested to the Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel on one or more of the following grounds: (a) there is an error or omission respec�ng a name or address on the parcel tax roll, (b) there is an error or omission respec�ng the inclusion of a parcel, (c) there is an error or omission respec�ng the taxable area or the taxable frontage of a parcel, (d) an exemp�on has been improperly allowed or disallowed. For a folio to be reviewed, wri�en no�ce must be received by the Village of Pemberton prior to 4:30pm Friday, March 12th 2021.

admin@ pemberton.ca

pemberton.ca

Wri�en no�ce must include an address for delivery of any no�ces in respect of the review, iden�fy the property of which the review is made, include the full name of the requester and telephone number where they can be contacted at regular business hours, indicate if the requester is the owner of the property, indicate, if applicable, the name of the requester’s agent and telephone number where they can be contacted at regular business hours, state the grounds that the request is based upon, and any other prescribed informa�on. The parcel tax roll is available for public viewing at the Village Oﬃce recep�on desk as of 8:30am Wednesday, February 24th 2021.

VillageofPemberton

www.pemberton.ca MARCH 4, 2021

NEWS PEMBERTON & THE VALLEY

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Cougar destroyed by Conservation Officer Service to be gifted to Lil’wat Nation LANDOWNER STARTS GOFUNDME TO COVER TAXIDERMY COSTS FOR TS’ZIL LEARNING CENTRE DISPLAY

BY DAN FALLOON WHEN THE Conservation Officer Service (COS) had to come to Angus Cormack’s Sweetwater Lane Farm on Lil’wat Nation territory to ultimately trap and destroy a cougar, he almost immediately started thinking about how the situation could provide some benefit. After being struck by the majesty of the animal, Cormack reached out to the COS to investigate the possibility of gifting the cougar—which had killed one of his donkeys—to the Lil’wat Nation. Cormack had never previously seen a cougar and hopes that providing people the opportunity to appreciate a taxidermy version will allow people to take in its aura. “To be able to see one like that was really awe-inspiring and it was really, really sad … that it had to be destroyed,” he to Pique of the fully grown, healthy tomcat. “I knew roughly how big they were, but the size and strength of the animal surprised me,” he added later. Ts’zil Learning Centre director Mason Ducharme said the plan is to place the cougar in the s7ístken Hall. “We’re really excited to display it,” he said. “It will be available for the whole public to come look at it.” To cover the taxidermy costs, Cormack has launched a GoFundMe, which had passed $2,000 of its $5,000 goal—the estimated cost of the work—by March 2. Cormack said the encouragement he’s received on social media has been welcomed, though he stressed that there will need to be more dollars put forward to make the project a reality. As of now, the funding will need to be in place by the end of the month. “There’s been a lot of likes on the post but not a lot of people clicking and actually donating even five or 10 bucks,” he said. “We can’t keep the hide in Conservation Officer storage indefinitely. “If I can clear the $4,000 mark, I can easily get to $5,000,” he added.

SIGHTINGS IN THE AREA Though Cormack’s first interaction with the cougar came on the night it was trapped, Feb. 10, there had been numerous sightings and around the farm, not far from the Owl Creek Recreation Site, for weeks prior. Cormack said that he would not let his son walk to the bus alone because of the danger. Then, on that mid-February day, Cormack

spotted his donkey laying down in the minus15 weather, which he thought was odd. “I went over and it was immediately obvious what had happened,” he said. Cormack called COS and said they were onsite for roughly six hours learning more about the situation. “They were very, very meticulous in determining the best course of action, determining that trapping it was the best option,” he said. “By about 5 p.m. that night, the traps were set. “By 7 p.m., there was a cougar in the trap.” Responding Conservation Officer Kent Popjes said that the cougar’s increasingly aggressive activity left the service officers with no other options. “There were a number of cougar sightings in the area over the last number of weeks, so it was clear that it had been seen by a number of people and was getting bolder,” he said. “After it kills and has success like that, it’s going to repeat that. We’ve seen that in the past. It will kill other livestock, without question.”

AN ACT OF RECONCILIATION For Ducharme’s part, he was appreciative not only to be offered the gift but also that the animal will remain in the area. “It’s pretty awesome when people that aren’t from our community recognize that our community is still here,” he said. “That is an individual’s approach to reconciliation. We hear about governmental approaches, but this feels like this is an independent, individual approach.” Ducharme added he hopes to have a ceremony down the line to unveil and celebrate the cougar. Cormack, who originally hails from Australia—another colonized land—said he has reconciliation efforts in mind when considering his place in the world. “If that’s a nice reconciliation gift in Lil’wat’s eyes, then for me, that would be the nicest thing that I could hear from them,” he said. Popjes, meanwhile, noted that COS will often offer First Nations members animal remains for meat or other uses if appropriate to do so. He noted that a taxidermy cougar that also was destroyed is on display at Squamish Nation’s Totem Hall. Popjes added that the COS’ standard procedure is to put an animal’s remains back into nature to decompose naturally and feed other animals, provided it was not injected with drugs such as tranquilizers. n

OUTSIDER

Early bird or lazy local? The ‘Outsider’s’ choice A FEW WEEKS AGO, I wrote about the rivalry between our two mountains Whistler and Blackcomb. As both Pique and I expected, it generated a lot of discussion, debate and sarcastic support or denigration in an effort to get more people to “ski over there, not here,” vis-à-vis “Blackcomb sucks, don’t go.”

BY VINCE SHULEY This passionate-yet-harmless banter got me thinking about another local topic of division, and no, I’m not talking about skiers versus snowboarders. It’s about the way we approach our time on the mountain, namely how early we choose to get out of bed. Judging by the lift lines I’ve seen in the village, Upper Village and Creekside prior

HURRY UP AND WAIT The 2020-21 ski season has required skiers and snowboarders to arrive late or very, very early in order to avoid long lineups. PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY

to 7 a.m. this season, I’d imagine a lot of Whistler locals are in the same camp as me: The bigger the pow day, the earlier you get up. Every ski town in North America follows the proverb of the early bird gets the worm, so this isn’t surprising. But getting up at the crack of dawn to stand in the freezing cold (or rain) for hours in your ski boots isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. For example, some of my friends who work in the bar/restaurant industry are not stoked on the dawn patrol. Despite locals’ popular opinion, that doesn’t mean they don’t love skiing as much as the rest of us. Their tactic is to sleep in a bit and hit the mountain in the late morning when the initial upload lines have (hopefully) dissipated and the alpine is ready to open. Plenty of other night-shift workers employ the same strategy, what I have jokingly termed the “lazy local.” Whether it’s pow-day FOMO, a 16-year habit that’s never going to break, or a misguided paranoia that we’re going to one day run out of snow, the thought of uploading at 11 a.m. on a powder day fills me with anxiety. Where the hell are we going to park? That freezing level is forecasted to

rise. All those people are going to ski the Jersey Cream lift line before us! The 2020-21 season in Whistler has polarized the early bird versus lazy local more than ever. Arriving at 8:30 a.m. on any day, let alone a weekend or a powder day, can send you on a multi-hour, cross-village pilgrimage. You either get to the lift early or accept that it’s better to come back later or on another day. The Vancouver daytrippers don’t really have the option for the latter; they booked their day, drove two hours (or more, depending on traffic) and want to get as much vertical for their commitment of time and money before driving home again. A 4 a.m. start to go ski inbounds has never really crossed my mind (with exception of Opening Day, of course), yet this season, hundreds of commuting skiers and snowboarders are evidence of just that. And power to them. So, does the 4-a.m.-start, daytripping skier outrank the 6-a.m.-start local in dedication? The local early bird made a point of moving to Whistler to prioritize mountain access, so that’s a tough argument to make. In turn, does the local early bird’s alarm clock dedication make them more of a “real” skier

or snowboarder than the lazy local? I used to think it did, but that’s because my ski friends then were all early birds, too. All the skier and snowboarder subculture groups on the mountain are motivated differently. I have friends whose primary purpose is to upload, do a couple of groomers then chill at the Umbrella Bar, Euro-style (unfortunately not this year— thanks COVID-19). Others won’t hit the mountain unless it’s a social gathering of six or more people, despite how little skiing actually gets done. There’s solo skiers who just want a few pow laps before they start work. There’s fresh moms and dads whose new-found priority is to get their offspring to nail their pizza-french fries. The longer I live in Whistler, the more I’ve come to realize that no skier or snowboarder is above the other. Jerry or Core, City or Sea-to-Sky, Early Bird or Lazy Local—just keep hitting the mountain until you’re satisfied. Vince Shuley is still an early bird. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

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FEATURE STORY

D A B ATER W s, n o i t a N t s r ’t i n F s s e n o e d k t c si governmen but ck the tolL tra

CLASS ACTION

s m e l b o r p fix d y n a a s y ’ f , i e t l n o e h d Data to xiist. The ‘blacfkthe hook. A don’t es, lets feds of critic l report. alism ive Journ t a g i t s e e for Inv specia Institut he Tyee / eper / T

urns-Pi By Anny B

tung ily Whe m E f e i Ch

28 MARCH 4, 2021

Arlene Nakoge e & her daugh ter

FEATURE STORY living outside of a city is better for them.” Curve Lake First Nation had a boil water advisory in parts of the community from July 2016 to June 2018. When she was elected as Chief, water was one of her priorities. She said though her community has qualified for funding to design a water treatment plant, a fix is still at least several years away. While Canadians may have become accustomed to hearing about drinking water advisories, each one represents a community of people who need to drink, cook, bathe and clean using that water. When a boil water advisory is in place, residents are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, washing produce and even bathing infants and toddlers. In 2016, researchers from the University of Saskatchewan did a review of peerreviewed research published between 2000 and 2015 on water and health in Indigenous communities in Canada. They found that problems like skin issues and gastrointestinal illnesses, like those experienced by Nakogee’s daughter and Chief Whetung, were two of the most commonly reported in relation to water. They also found reports of birth defects, obesity, anxiety and depression, heart diseases, liver diseases, kidney problems, neurological problems, immunopathology, cancers, thyroid conditions and infant mortality in connection to low-quality water.

TATASKWEYAK CREE NATION

THE TRUE TOLL OF THE WATER CRISIS in First Nations

communities across Canada can’t be known because the government has failed to track and study water-related illnesses. That stands in the way of tackling the problem, experts told the Institute for Investigative Journalism as part of “Clean Water, Broken Promises,” a year-long investigation conducted in collaboration with universities across the country and a consortium of media outlets including The Tyee. Some critics charge the “black hole” of information is intentional because it allows authorities to duck responsibility. A disproportionate number of illnesses that occur as a result of contaminated drinking water are in First Nations communities with substandard water systems, but the data needed to map the reality are missing. Even the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia, the first provincewide health authority to serve First Nations in Canada, revealed that it does not track data on water-related illnesses or deaths in First Nations in the province. “There’s an obligation of the Crown to be aware of it, and do something about it,” said Aimée Craft, an Anishinaabe-Métis associate professor in the faculty of common law at the University of Ottawa. She said a failure to track this information prevents the development of policies needed to address this issue. Missing, too, is the robust level of published expert research that might be expected ‘No national surveillance system’ for outbreaks for so serious and complex a health issue in Canada (see sidebar). First Nations have suspected that cancer, stomach infections, bacterial The Institute for Investigative Journalism (IIJ) contacted 59 organizations that keep contamination, skin conditions, birth defects and even deaths can be attributed to health data across the country, including provincial and territorial ministries of health, their water. While water can impact health in a variety of complex ways, experts say ministries of Indigenous affairs, and coroners’ offices to try to find statistics that show there is no excuse to not be tracking certain basic ailments. how often people living on reserves are sick or even die as a result of their water. “There are direct consequences of challenges in water quality,” said Dr. Alan Katz, Among the 28 across the country that replied, responses were similar. “Data about director of the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. “This is not something that we waterborne illnesses on First Nations communities fall under the jurisdiction of the should see as being difficult to describe or challenging,” he said in an interview. “It’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch at Health Canada,” wrote the media relations historically the birth of public health.” team at Public Health Ontario. But critics say government’s failure to collect such data may be on purpose. However, a request to the federal government through Health Canada revealed “There’s nothing. It’s a black hole. I always tell people, it’s a deliberate black hole,” that neither Health Canada, Statistics Canada, nor Indigenous Services Canada said Charlie Angus, NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay, Ont. “This is all about protecting keeps data on deaths and illnesses resulting from contaminated water in Indigenous the government from liability. If they don’t track it, there’s no evidence.” communities. The federal government is facing multiple lawsuits in relation to water access and “There is no national surveillance system specifically for waterborne disease quality on First Nations including two high-profile class actions brought by members outbreaks,” said spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada Leslie Michelson. of Tataskweyak Cree Nation and Curve Lake and Neskantaga First Nations that allege “When epidemiological evidence indicates that drinking water is, or may be, responsible Canada is negligent “in creating and failing to remedy conditions of inadequate access for a disease outbreak, a DWA is issued.” to potable water.” She said tracking of waterborne illness is done locally but “can be under-reported In a January interview with the minister of Indigenous services, Marc Miller agreed as they are difficult to identify, and the collection of information can be incomplete or there was a need for more information on the impact of bad water, saying “certainly, not widely published/distributed.” we need better water data.” However, he denied claims the lack of it benefited the She added that since the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch was created in 2003, government. “There’s no incentive in hiding information. There’s no incentive in not there has not been a confirmed waterborne disease outbreak identified in a First Nation. collecting information.” At the time of his response, David Wolkowski was a spokesperson for Health Canada. He told the IIJ by email that “the ongoing monitoring of waterborne illnesses When water can’t be trusted does occur and is well understood at the local and provincial/territorial public health level.” He suggested contacting provincial and territorial ministries of health for a Arlene Nakogee lives in Kashechewan in northern Ontario. Her three-year-old better picture. daughter has suffered from a painful skin condition since she was three months old. The IIJ contacted 13 different health agencies and ministries at the provincial level. She said the toddler is covered in sores and is often itchy and in pain but says there is They said they did not track water-related illnesses or deaths on First Nations, though little she can do for her. seven said they did track this information for the off-reserve population. Most said this Nakogee believes the problems have been caused by the water in her home, but she was the jurisdiction of the federal government; others referred the IIJ to individual said, “I have no choice but to use the tap water.” First Nations or simply said they did not have the information. She suspects chlorination is playing a role in her daughter’s skin problems. “You B.C.’s First Nations Health Authority, the first province-wide health authority to could smell the bleach whenever you run the water here,” said Nakogee. serve First Nations in Canada, reported that it wasn’t tracking water-related illnesses Chlorinating drinking water is a standard method of removing bacteria. Indigenous or deaths in First Nations. Services Canada calls it “one of the most important public health achievements of the “Our only involvement with FN water systems is from an environmental health 20th century.” Yet, the heavy use of chlorine is said to cause skin problems. standpoint. I would refer you to Indigenous Services Canada which is responsible for Chief Emily Whetung of Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario said, like Nakogee, she on-reserve water systems,” said communications officer John Moody. doesn’t trust the water in her community. She said she and her family contracted what she believes was E. coli poisoning several years ago after consuming water from her Uncounted deaths family’s well. “We were all violently ill for a couple of days,” said Whetung. Coroner offices in Alberta, Quebec and the Yukon reported no deaths related to Following the illness, they got their well tested. She said the health officials who drinking water since the year 2000, nor did the Saskatchewan Coroners Service since tested the water were terrified about the E. coli levels. the beginning of their electronic records in 2015. She said after decades of water issues in the community, whenever people feel “I think there’s a major data gap here,” said Jeff Reading, a health sciences professor unwell, they have the same questions: “Is it just me, is it the water? And did I come in at Simon Fraser University who said the government has a responsibility to know the contact with something, is it the water?” health impact of years of living with deficient water systems. Chief Whetung says people who reside in First Nations live with an underlying In 2018, reporting by the auditor general found policy-makers needed more data understanding “that you’re not starting from a point of clean water.” about indicators such as education, income and health to close socio-economic gaps But she counts herself lucky. “Both of my parents were teachers, so we had no issue between First Nations people living on reserves and other Canadians. buying bottled water for my entire life.” The report revealed Indigenous Services Canada has collected and has access to She is a lawyer who worked in Peterborough and is often questioned about why a significant amount of data that could “help effect real change and improve lives,” she does not just move to a city. “When you choose to leave the reserve, there’s but that it failed to use this data to assess if wellbeing was improving in First Nations social consequences, there’s cultural consequences, there’s absolutely language and communities. That failure could lead to a misallocation of funding and areas requiring knowledge consequences that are far more significant than someone who decides that attention could be missed, the auditors said.

MARCH 4, 2021

FEATURE STORY By not measuring the progress of its programs, the government is leaving policy-makers and First Nations in the dark about what’s effective. “First Nation leadership, they are very interested in knowing how these programs are working or not working to help them better gauge success,” said Joe Martire, one of the principal auditors on the file. Water-related deaths, of children and infants, have been suspected in places like Lytton First Nation and Gull Bay. In 1999, Darlene King lost her baby son Owen John in Gull Bay First Nation. He died of bacterial meningitis when he was seven months old. “I was just so filled with grief, my whole world had come crashing down,” Dawn Martin-Hill said King. University Photo courtesy of McMaster Over 20 years later, she still doesn’t know if the water in the community played a role, “I’ve been wondering all these years,” said King. At the time of her son’s death, dangerous levels of E. coli were reported in the community’s water. “Back then, you just drank whatever water was available,” said King. She said more should be done to get to the bottom of how living with bad water is affecting the health of people living in Gull Bay and First Nations across the country. It’s not just government tracking of water-related illness es “A lot of people die without even finding out the causes. Like people back home will and deaths that is lacking across Canada, despite millions have cancer for years, or people complaining about something wrong with them. Like invested in water infrastructure on First Nations. knowing that something’s wrong with them already, and saying it’s probably, you Surprisingly few studies have been done and made public about know, could be the water.” the health impacts of lacking and failing water infrast ructure. In Canada, deaths are classified by the World Health Organization system, In 2017, researchers from the School of Public Health and which selects for a single immediate cause of death. Health professionals can list Health Systems at the University of Waterloo conduct ed a an underlying cause, although it is not required. Experts say this system makes it scoping study to review the research done on waterbo rne and hard for researchers or the government to understand what role water may have foodborne illnesses in Indigenous communities. They only found played in a death. two studies from the past 50 years which were exclusively done “Most of these deaths would be deemed natural—people may not link the origin on waterborne illness in Indigenous communities and three of the infection to the drinking water source—and thus, we would be unaware of the others which looked at food and waterborne illnesses. scope of this issue,” said Stephanie Rea of the Ontario Office of the Chief Coroner, in “That is a pretty small number of studies,” said researc her an email. If the death were assumed to be natural, the coroner’s office wouldn’t be Kelly Skinner. “It seems overall that studies of waterbo rne called to investigate, she wrote. illness are lacking.” In 2019, researchers from the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy Leona Star and The 2016 research from the University of Saskatchewan found Alan Katz reviewed data on First Nations deaths and concluded that the international there were no studies that focus on drinking water and the coding system for deaths does not “adequately describe First Nations experiences.” health of children in Indigenous communities. The researc hers They found deaths are often grouped as from “external causes,” which can include stated, “given the recognition that many adult health problems injuries, poisonings and also potentially water-related issues. originate in childhood, these studies are acutely necessa ry.” “We were stuck with large categories that we just couldn’t make sense of, in terms Their paper concluded “research on drinking water and of the real reason that people had died,” said Katz. He said the categorization of deaths health outcomes in Indigenous communities in Canada is limited doesn’t take into account the issues around racism and colonization at the root of and occurs on an opportunistic basis. There is a need for more many deaths. research funding, and inquiry to inform policy decisio ns for In part, he said this is because of the lack of data. “To describe racism, you need to improvements of water quality and health-related outcome s in actually have some data to support that. And we have traditionally not collected that Indigenous communities.” within the health-care system,” said Katz. The IIJ requested a list of publications that looked at He said that as a result, solutions are stunted. “Unless you actually have some the health impacts of water on First Nations commiss ioned by statistics to point out why it’s an issue, it’s very often difficult to get people to respond Indigenous Services of Canada for the past 20 years, and the to a problem,” said Katz. department said it had no such list. Data obtained by the IIJ from Statistics Canada shows the infant mortality rate In May 2020, the IIJ asked for the research that has been on-reserve is near to double the off-reserve rate. In the developing world, poor done by the government in the past 50 years through an accesssanitation due to a lack of safe water is the cause for one in five infant deaths according to-information request. By January 2021, the government still to WaterAid, an international charity that works around water and sanitation issues. had not responded. — Annie Burns-Pieper In Canada, less is known about how water impacts the infant mortality rate, though some suspect a connection.

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Bad water’s ripple effect

CURVE LAKE FIRST NATION

“Water is so essential to life, right? And our ability to nourish our bodies and create strong, healthy children,” said Amber Skye, a researcher at McMaster University and a resident of Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario. “We see higher rates of pretty much everything in First Nations women’s health in terms of diabetes, gestational diabetes and preterm births, overweight births.” Water is not only crucial to the physical wellbeing of mothers and children, said Skye, but also for mental and spiritual health. “Birth is a ceremony for our people, and that connection with our birth and the water is very strong.” Skye’s mother Dawn Martin-Hill, an associate professor of Indigenous studies and anthropology at McMaster University, is leading a large-scale study looking at issues with water on Six Nations. She said she was shocked to find that even the community’s birth centre struggles with water. “They were in crisis several times because they had multiple births happening and they ran out of water,” said Martin-Hill. Midwives from the community estimate near to half of mothers returning home with new babies don’t have access to clean water. The midwives are currently doing research to find exact numbers.

Kylie Meguinis is a resident of Tsuut’ina Nation near Calgary who lives with 11 others and relies on trucked water. “I don’t trust my own cistern because it hasn’t gotten cleaned in years,” she said. The pandemic makes this even more dangerous. “An additional bacterial infection may compromise immune systems and add additional risk for COVID-19 or other types of infection,” said Bhardwaj. Homes like Meguinis’s, which can sometimes house up to 15 people, have cisterns that hold between 1,000 to 7,000 litres. They are generally filled up once or twice a week and as a result, many families have to ration water. Being at home more often during the pandemic put even more demand on water for Meguinis’s family. “We’re all at home. We’re consuming water. We’re needing to do this, we’re needing to do that, and I have to wash clothes, and wash dishes, to cook, to keep the house clean. And it was such a frustrating situation,” she said. Needing to restrict water use comes with risks, according to O’Gorman. “People, when they ration their water, this means that they may be unable to clean their houses sufficiently, so that mould and respiratory issues may result.”

‘I’ve just never seen the due diligence’

Sol Mamakwa is an NDP MPP in the riding of Kiiwetinoong, Ont. He lived without Critics allege the reason more is not known about the toll of the water crisis is intentional. running water in Kingfisher Lake First Nation until he was 23. “It was hard. But it was “The government works on the principle that if they don’t have the data, it’s very difficult just the way things were,” said Mamakwa. to come up with a solution, which means they don’t have to spend money,” said NDP He now represents 31 First Nations, including Neskantaga First Nation, which MP Angus. has faced the longest-running boil water advisory in Canadian history. He said water “I’ve just never seen the due diligence that’s required from a department who oversees issues weigh on residents of First Nations. the health and safety of so many thousands of people,” said Angus. Last year, a young woman took her own life in Neskantaga. “This girl never grew up “Colonial systems are kind of sometimes wilfully blind in their colonial structures opening the tap,” said Mamakwa, “and that certainly has an impact on mental health to issues, and that’s why there’s very little data,” said Dr. Kirlew. and wellness.” But the federal government is obligated to collect information so key to First “Water is one of those fundamental building blocks of all life. So, if it’s missing, then it Nations’ wellbeing, believes Reading. “Those were things that were agreed upon in is obviously a big problem for maintaining good health,” says SFU’s Reading. exchange for land, and there is a legal basis for the fiduciary obligations of the Crown Lack of access to water can harm health in ways not immediately obvious. For towards Indigenous people, and that’s basic Indigenous relations.” example, prevalence rates of diabetes are three to five times higher in First Nations, Craft said a failure to know the extent of the water crisis is not an excuse for Métis and Inuit populations. Some like Lalita Bharadwaj, professor at the University inaction. “If some Canadians are not able to access their basic human rights, there’s an of Saskatchewan’s School of Public Health, have questioned whether reliance on obligation in the Crown to be aware of it, and do something about it.” carbonated or sugary drinks may play a role. In places where individuals have to buy This summer, Chief Whetung became a plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit that bottled water, need to boil their water or do not like the taste of their water, purchasing seeks $1 billion in damages for a breach of the charter rights, $1 billion for negligence, these types of drinks may be easier or cheaper than drinking water, she said, noting breach of fiduciary duty and nuisance and $100 million in punitive damages from the more research on the connection is required. government for its failures to provide safe drinking water. Communities with inadequate water often also have inadequate housing. The two Whetung said she hopes the suit will speed up the federal government’s response to issues can combine to create dangerous conditions. the water crisis. “We’re hoping to see a commitment to the infrastructure that’s needed Danika Littlechild is an assistant professor at Carleton University and a member of for every First Nation to have clean drinking water for every member of their community.” Neyaskweyahk, Ermineskin Cree Nation located in Maskwacis, southeast of Edmonton. She said in her community because people do not have adequate sanitation in their Annie Burns-Pieper is an award-winning investigative reporter and the managing homes, there is a high demand for wound care. editor of the Institute for Investigative Journalism. She has contributed to the Globe and “What we see a lot of, actually, is a significant number of amputations. And it Mail, CBC, CTV, Global News, the Toronto Star, Al Jazeera and the Guardian. sounds extreme to say that, but the fact is that there’s so much diabetes. So, say, a With files from Michael Wrobel. diabetic gets cut on their foot, and they have no adequate sanitation in their home, Institute for Investigative Journalism reporting fellowships: Jaida Beaudin-Herney they can’t wash it properly,” said Littlechild. (First Nations University of Canada), Emma Wilkie (University of King’s College), Melanie O’Gorman, an associate professor in the department of economics at Karina Zapata (Mount Royal University). University of Winnipeg, has looked at health outcomes in communities that rely on See the full list of “Broken Promises” series credits and more information about the cisterns for water, large storage tanks that are filled by trucks. consortium on the Clean Water, Broken Promises website. The federal government says about one in seven homes in First Nations Produced by the Institute for Investigative Journalism, Concordia University. communities across the country depend on this system. Research has shown that For tips on this story, please contact the reporters at: iij.tips(at)protonmail.com. ■ these containers are prone to contamination.

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SPORTS THE SCORE

Remembering a ski jumping advocate JOHN HEILIG, WHO WAS KEY TO THE WHISTLER OLYMPICS IN 2010, DIED IN CHINA LAST WEEK

BY DAN FALLOON ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS that Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) CEO John Furlong remembers about John Heilig is his sense of humour. And Heilig, the 2010 Games’ ski jumping and Nordic combined sport manager who died of a suspected heart attack in China last week while helping to prepare that country’s venue for the 2022 Games, wasn’t shy to unleash his wit in any occasion. In Furlong’s case, the target was— ironically enough—his general aversion to winter during a visit to Whistler Olympic Park (WOP). “I’m not exactly the most winterfriendly person. I don’t like being cold and I’m not the biggest fan of the snow,” Furlong told Pique. “I was up there and I was wearing these soft shoes and my feet were freezing and wet. “I was sitting with some people from the [International Olympic Committee] and he came over and he said to me, ‘It is the Winter Games, you do know that, right?’”

LOCAL LEGEND John Heilig (right) was an advocate for ski jumping and Nordic combined in Canada and across the world. He passed away last week in China while helping to prepare the venue for the 2022 Winter Games. Heilig is shown here at Whistler Olympic Park with Jim Woolsey, Andreas Andresen and Tom Thompson in 2015. FILE PHOTO BY DAN FALLOON

32 MARCH 4, 2021

NORDIC ADVOCATE Unlike Furlong, the fun-loving Heilig embraced winter and in particular, advocated for ski jumping and Nordic combined for more than 40 years, first as a national team athlete and then as a coach based out of Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park. After coming west to B.C. in 2006 to lead the 2010 ski jumping and Nordic combined efforts, he rose a step on the international stage, serving as a technical delegate in

2030, he would be our first pick.” Furlong acknowledged that Heilig was at times fighting an uphill battle in his passion for a sport that is niche in the grand scheme of Canadian sport culture. However, he admired Heilig’s ability to discover and make the most of the opportunities he found. “He was the guy with their megaphone,” Furlong said. “It’s pretty hard for a sport like ski jumping and Nordic combined to

“He basically was the champion for the sport from the beginning, shortly after we were awarded the Games, all the way ‘til the end.”

and grabbed the hose, sprayed things down. “All of a sudden, the jump hill was perfect and no one knew there was a crisis. He was calm throughout the whole thing.” For current WOP managing director Tim Hope, who also worked with Heilig throughout the Games, his strongest memory is the “monumental moment” of pulling off the Olympics and revelling in the accomplishment at the conclusion. “I have a wonderful memory of him on the final day when jumping ended and we were all celebrating the success we had here,” he said. “Seeing him celebrate with the volunteers and how they rallied around him after he’d led them was really inspiring. “He’s a special person on that front. You can’t really find a lot of people that really inspired folks to support the Olympic movement like he did.”

- JOHN FURLONG

GIVING BACK LOCALLY Sochi, Russia in 2014 and PyeongChang, South Korea in 2018 as well as at multiple FIS World Ski Championships. “He basically was the champion for the sport from the beginning, shortly after we were awarded the Games, all the way ‘til the end,” Furlong said. “He had developed his credentials and his relationships and his reputation with the sport around the world to a degree that when Vancouver 2010 was over and those events were all executed beautifully, he went on to fill the same role in Sochi and PyeongChang. “If Vancouver gets the Games again in

get any airtime, but whenever airtime was available, he found it.” Tim Gayda, who was VANOC’s managing director of sport, got to know Heilig after he moved from Calgary. They’ve crossed paths again as they both worked on subsequent Games. Gayda recalled Heilig’s incredible sense of serenity in the face of a stressful situation as WOP was getting to hold a pre-Olympics event. “The snow wasn’t holding up and it wasn’t looking good for this event,” he recalled. “He just remained calm, jumped

While Heilig was heavily involved in the sport at an elite, international level, he devoted just as much time and effort to growing it at its grassroots, most recently serving as Sea to Sky Nordics’ technical director, recalled club president Rick Smith. “It’s just amazing the touch John had on our local programs and on our local kids,” he said. “We’re dealing with a world-class guy.” What stood out most to Smith is how freely Heilig would provide guidance, sharing his vast knowledge while doing so in a kind manner. Smith added that while Heilig had a

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COMMITTED TO NORDIC SPORT John Heilig, who was instrumental in heading up ski jumping and Nordic combined at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games at Whistler Olympic Park, died in China while helping prepare the 2022 venue. PHOTO COURTESY OF SKI JUMPING CANADA

specific focus in his endeavours, he was happy to assist in other Nordic disciplines if called upon. “He would just give of his time,” he said. “Here, on weekends and for our Wednesday night programs, he was just out there working with kids. When he saw coaches that were rookie coaches that weren’t quite sure about things, he would take those coaches aside and give them some coaching. “It was always in a way that was never about him. He never lorded it over anybody.” Heilig was also WOP’s manager of Nordic sport for nearly five years after the Games and played an essential role in establishing programming at the site to help it fulfil its capabilities as a legacy and help bring out the sport’s next generation. “For us, he’s certainly a driving force for jumping and Nordic combined, and was responsible for many of the current existing things that are in place at Whistler Olympic Park from the kids programs through to … the schools program that we have here,” Hope said. While Heilig had high-level skill and technical knowhow, Smith said that he also had course maintenance down to a science, ranging from the type of rake to use in a given scenario to the correct timing to apply hardener to the hill before an event.

TRAGIC PASSING Heilig was in China’s Hebei Province assisting with preparations for China’s National Ski Jumping Center when he passed suddenly. Upon finding out the news early on Jan. 22, Smith and the club sprung into action to assist Heilig’s widow Kelly and their five children. “They’re such a lovely, lovely, loving family that it’s just so sad,” he said. Smith said the Heilig family planned to come over from the Sunshine Coast to join Sea to Sky Nordics members for a

candlelight vigil as part of the club’s March 3 training session at WOP. A GoFundMe set up by Gayda to cover funeral costs and other expenses is approaching $74,000 with more than 560 donations as of March 3.

“Obviously he touched [donors’] lives in one way or another that they felt compelled to give.”

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“It’s not only the amount of money raised, it’s the number of people who gave,” Gayda said. “It just speaks unbelievable volumes to his character. “Obviously he touched their lives in one way or another that they felt compelled to give.” Gayda had initially set the goal at $10,000, with donations blasting past that number in a matter of hours. He plans to leave the site live until the pace slows down. Gayda also stressed that Heilig’s colleagues on the ground in China are helping out in any way they are able, navigating difficult bureaucratic issues such as procuring a death certificate and legal transfers in a foreign country in the midst of a pandemic. “Everyone has really banded together there to support this process, which is not easy to do [with] the paperwork in Chinese,” he said, stressing that the local authorities are also being cooperative. “Trying to do that in the middle of COVID is exceedingly difficult.” n

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VELOCITY PROJECT

‘What do you want?’ is not a trick question THE SECRET TO HOUSEHOLD HARMONY MIGHT BE YOUR ABILITY TO ANSWER ONE SIMPLE QUESTION I WASN’T A STRAIGHT-A student (I totally flunked art) but I did pretty well, by which I mean to say that I have always liked being asked questions and getting answers right. Honestly, I’ve realized that my favourite phrase to hear, coming from my husband’s mouth is, “you’re right.” (It’s rare.)

BY LISA RICHARDSON But there’s one question, no matter who is asking it that has stumped me for as long as I can remember. “What do you want?” I’m like—is this a trick question? What do you mean, what do I want? What do you want? What do you want me to want? What’s OK to want? What’s within the acceptable framework of wantable? If I tell you what I want, are you going to eat it in front of me and not share? But more than being suspicious of the question, I’m just stumped by it. I am not sure what I want. I don’t really know. I want world peace. I want us to solve the climate crisis. I’d really like to spend time with some friends again. I want my people to feel safe and happy. Me, personally? What do I want? Hmmm. Let me get back to you. Recently, it’s come to my attention that it’s pretty important to know the answer to

SEEKING WISDOM Getting grounded and seeking clarity can be a path to finding out what you want. GETTY IMAGES

34 MARCH 4, 2021

this one, in part, so you can parent well and partner better. In the Strengthening Families workshop series, that’s currently being offered for free to Pemberton-area families, through the Sea to Sky Community Services Society, the facilitators are sharing tips on how to elicit the kind of behaviour you want to see in your kids. First, you check that your request is age and developmentally appropriate—so your expectations don’t wildly wound them, for being so unrealistic or so patronizing. Then, you say, clearly and positively, “I want you to hang up your towel to dry after your shower. I want you to clear your plate away after dinner. I want you to try at least three bites of the meal I make for you, before saying you don’t like it.” It’s challenging to reframe our asks, from the negative, to the positive, because often, the offending behaviour has become such a trigger that all we can see is the thing that irritates us (mouldering pile of wet towels on floor, dishes left everywhere awaiting some magical house elf, scrunchfaced refusal to eat anything that isn’t pasta doused in nutritional yeast and butter ... ) It’s like those optical-illusion puzzles that contain a beautiful young woman and a crone, depending on how you focus ... sometimes, for the life of you, you just can’t see anything but the pile of mouldering towels, and it’s impossible to reframe that vision to what you really want, which is towels hanging like flags announcing “we are drying out now!” from the towel bar. Esther Perel, the guru of relationship intimacy, has also said this skill, of speaking what you want, is crucial to the health of intimate relationships.

“How should people fight, when they cannot physically separate?” asked The New Yorker’s Rachel Syme of Perel, from the captivity of lockdown with her significant other, two months into the pandemic. Perel is a psychotherapist, author of Mating in Captivity, and host of the podcast Where Should We Begin. She told Syme, “I think that couples, by definition, go through harmony, disharmony, and repair. This is a dance that we do no matter what. By definition, we fight. What matters is how you fight.” The disharmony isn’t a failure. Which is good to know, to normalize. How do you navigate through it then— be you intimate or just housemates? Perel says: Stay focussed on the task. “When you want to talk about the dishes, don’t end up talking about five different things, two of which are years old. Don’t “kitchen sink” it. Keep yourself to the one thing that you’re upset about at this moment.” Also, says Perel, “make a request and not just a protest.” If you need to get something out of your system, call your friends. Vent as much as you want. But go back to your partner and be strategic. “Because you don’t just want to get it out of your system. You actually want a change.” If you’re conscious of the fact that your friends are taxed enough right now to not have capacity to hold space for your venting, put the vent into a journal (burn it afterwards if it makes you feel better.). A circle of trees or a flowing river, I have found, also have excellent capacity for receiving outbursts of emotion with a kind of steadfast judgment-free witnessing. Apart from loving just how fantastic and

b.s.-free Perel is, I was really impacted by this: Make a request, not a protest. Which brings me back to my perennially unresolved question. What do I want? I don’t know. Usually I know what I don’t want, when I see it, and I can react to that. (The socks! For the love of God, why is there a pair of socks dangling on the back of the armchair? Or on the kitchen counter?) For the record, this is incredibly unhelpful. Working in creative situations and agencies, this unhelpful feedback happens a lot. The client doesn’t really know what they want. The designers try and telepathically intuit it, and then the client is able to clarify what they want a tiny bit more, because they have something to react to, and they mostly provide a kind of negative guidance—not that, not that, not that ... endless course corrections, which become increasingly disheartening for the designer, who poured their best creative energy in to the first round. I still don’t know the answer to the question. But I have an image in my head, of a person who knows what she wants. She’s not a tyrant. She’s not a petulant child. She stands in mountain pose, grounded and dignified and gracious, and the air around her seems clearer, for her own sense of clarity. And the people who love her feel at ease, because they know how to show her love, and they know it’s safe for them to ask for what they want to. So I guess I can start there. With that image in my head. I want that. It’s a beginning. The Velocity Project: how to slow the f--k down and still achieve optimum productivity and life happiness. ■

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All in a flap! CYGNUS IN SPACE AND HUNDREDS MORE IN OUR SKIES SOME COINCIDENCES are too happy for words. Like the fact that at about the same time beautiful swans have been migrating through Sea to Sky country, another Cygnus grand flight was underway. “Cygnus” is the Latinized Greek word for “swan” and the name of the genus for these noble white birds that have grabbed human imagination for thousands of years. No surprise, then, that Cygnus is also the name of one of the most recognizable constellations in northern summer skies, and the name of the NASA spacecraft that recently

BY GLENDA BARTOSH delivered 3,700 kilograms of experiments and crew supplies to the International Space Station (ISS)—with the “proudly Canadian” Canada Arm pulling it into dock. It’s been a blast, twice in a row, from NASA lately. Who didn’t have their mind blown by the amazing Perseverance Rover being gently, gently lowered onto the surface of Mars, then trundling about, an A.I. character we’ve remotely adopted like a surrogate pet. (It’s a she/her, BTW.) Images have been pouring in like crazy—some 7,000-plus have already been uploaded at mars.nasa.gov, inspiring art and sci-fi

BOYS WILL BE BOYS Liz Barrett hails from South Africa, where her love of wildlife and photography began. Decades ago she moved to Whistler, where she grabbed this powerful shot of male trumpeter swans vying for dominance, chasing each other and trumpeting loudly. PHOTO CREDIT LIZ BARRETT / WHISTLER’S WILD THINGS

36 MARCH 4, 2021

creations around the world. Meanwhile, two days after Perseverance touched down Feb. 18, another impressive space odyssey unfolded, but this one pretty much flew under the radar. The Cygnus NG-15 is the 15th Cygnus mission (they started in 2013), and was developed and launched by Northrup Grumman, ergo the “NG-15” designation. The latest Cygnus will stay at the space station for three months, load up with garbage, and then burn up as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, taking garbage incineration to a whole new level. But first Cygnus delivered all kinds of experiments, including one using nematode worms to study muscle loss and another that will help develop better artificial retinas. The spacecraft also carried fresh food for the seven male and female astronauts, currently living on the ISS some 400 kilometres above Earth. (You can track when to see the ISS in the sky at NASA’s Spot the Station.) They do have refrigeration facilities on the space station, so up went Parmesan cheese, apples, tomatoes, nuts, salami, salmon, even candy. Cygnus also carried a better brine processor assembly that will recover more water from urine than current equipment can. Happy astronauts are more productive astronauts, and more productive astronauts do better science. All the rockets carrying Cygnus spacecrafts have been named for people, so far mostly men. But the NG-15 rocket was named for NASA mathematician, Dr. Katherine Johnson, a Black woman whose handwritten calculations were vital for human spaceflight. One of the women featured in the film Hidden Figures, Johnson died at age 101 on Feb. 24 last year, after breaking so many gender and racial barriers.

Meanwhile, back on Planet Earth, it was exactly a year ago as I write this that hubby and I were lucky enough to see a flock of about 50 wild trumpeter swans—some of those lovely, more worldly Cygnet types— feeding in a mucky farmer’s field on the Fraser River Delta. It’s trumpeter swans we mostly see in this part of world, with their amazing wingspans of up to three metres. Every year about this time, hundreds migrate through Whistler then up to the Pemberton Valley, Mount Currie and Lillooet Lake on their way to northern B.C. They’re coming from their main over-wintering areas on the south coast—the Lower Mainland, especially around the Fraser Delta but as far east as Chilliwack; Vancouver Island, particularly Comox; and the Skagit River Delta in Washington. “They prefer an inland route when they migrate, so the Sea to Sky corridor is one of many avenues they use to go north,” says Karl Ricker, a geologist and member of Whistler Naturalists, who was building club cabins long before the village or even skiing Blackcomb was a twinkle in anyone’s eye. (For more Karl stories, see Museum Musings in the Feb. 11 Pique.) As the magnificent trumpeters pass through Whistler, they stop to feed and rest on Green and Alta lakes, and the River of Golden Dreams. You can also see them feeding in Pemberton farmers’ fields, where they like to scavenge for leftover vegetation like cabbage roots or carrots. Swans are mostly herbivorous, preferring to feed while on water. Those long necks are built for scrounging around underwater for all kinds of “green slimy vegetation” says Karl. Algae, water weeds, you name it. They also grab the occasional

mollusk, frog or insect as they feed, “but they don’t have the right bills to grab fish,” he says. Wild swans were once fair game throughout Cygnus territory, including in Canada, but it’s forbidden to hunt them today. We nearly drove them to extinction in the 1930s by over-hunting. Ask Karl about the story of the guy at Lonesome Lake near Bella Coola that the government paid to feed swans there for decades to help them recover. It worked. In England, swans might have suffered the same fate, but they were made property of the royal family in the 1300s— no one else can hunt them. Thanks to the Plantagenets, the Queen owns the wild swans in Britain today. In Nunavut, Inuit beneficiaries do have the right to hunt and kill swans, in this case tundra swans since trumpeters don’t range that far north. One Inuk hunter, Mike Jancke, earned quite the following last year after he posted his escapades with roast swan. He served the dark, delicious meat with stuffing made from rice, veggies and extra garlic. It took him 25 minutes to pluck it. As for that big Cygnus constellation in the sky, it’s supposed to be a flying swan—a form once adopted by the Greek god, Zeus. Think of that next time you look up. Many thanks to Bob Brett, Karl Ricker and Liz Barrett—all members of Whistler Naturalists—for their help in putting this article together. Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who is happy to learn that Dr. Hayley Arceneaux, a 29-year-old cancer survivor with a rod in her leg, will join the first all-civilian crew aboard the SpaceX Dragon later this year. n

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

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TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 – 6:30 P.M This Public Hearing will be held electronically pursuant to Local Government Meetings and Bylaw Process (COVID-19) Order No. 3 (Ministerial Order M192/2020). If the Government of British Columbia lifts the Provincial State of Emergency currently in place before March 9, 2021, this Public Hearing will be held at the following location: MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE Franz Wilhelmsen Theatre, 4335 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN AMENDMENT BYLAW (5298 ALTA LAKE ROAD) NO. 2289, 2020 And ZONING AMENDMENT BYLAW (5298 ALTA LAKE ROAD) NO. 2283, 2020 SUBJECT LANDS: The parcel that is the subject of the proposed Bylaws is 5298 Alta Lake Road, Whistler, described as LOT B (REFERENCE PLAN 2643) EXCEPT PART DEDICATED ROAD ON PLAN BCP7865, DISTRICT LOT 2246, GROUP 1 NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT. The parcel is identified as “subject property” on the map attached to this notice. PURPOSE: In general terms, the purpose of the proposed Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw is to amend Schedule “A” (Whistler Land Use Map and Designations) of Whistler’s Official Community Plan to change the land use designation of the subject lands from Visitor Accommodation to Protected Natural Area, Parks and Recreation, Residential and Visitor Accommodation, and Residential Low to Medium. In general terms, the purpose of the proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw is to amend the TA17 Zone (Tourist Accommodation Seventeen) to provide for 21 employee housing dwelling units, 11 tourist accommodation dwelling units, 11 residential dwelling units and an amenity building on a 1.93 hectare portion of the subject lands conditional on the provision of amenities. The amenities entitling the owner to the greater density of development are transfer to the Resort Municipality of Whistler of a 1.44 hectare portion of the subject lands for nature conservation park and community park and a 0.5 hectare portion of the subject lands for future employee housing, construction of valley trail on the subject lands, relocation and restoration of two heritage structures on the subject lands, construction of the community park on the subject lands, and construction of 21 employee housing dwelling units on the subject lands. INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS: A copy of the proposed Bylaws and relevant background documentation along with written submissions received may be inspected at the Reception Desk of Municipal Hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC, during regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded) from February 25, 2021 to and including March 9, 2021 A copy of the proposed Bylaws and relevant background documentation along with written submissions received may also be viewed online on the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) website at: whistler.ca/RZ001157 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: All persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaws will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard by Council at the Public Hearing. All persons can: 1) submit written comments to Council; and/or 2) make oral representations LIVE via online video or phone conferencing. (Your image will not be broadcast to Council or the public.) 1. Submit Written Comments to Council Written comments must be addressed to “Mayor and Council”, and include your name and mailing address. Until 3:30 p.m. on March 9, 2021, written submissions will be received at the following: Email: corporate@whistler.ca Fax: 604-935-8109 Hard Copy: Resort Municipality of Whistler Legislative Services Department 4325 Blackcomb Way Whistler BC V8E 0X5 Written submissions will also be accepted on March 9, 2021 between 3:30 p.m. and the time when the motion to close the Public Hearing is made. During this timeframe, written comments must be submitted by email to: corporate@whistler.ca All submissions will form part of the Public Hearing record and will be added to the Public Hearing Package as they are received. The Public Hearing Package will be available on the RMOW website at: whistler.ca/RZ001157 2. Participate LIVE via Online Video or Phone Conferencing The live Public Hearing will take place March 9, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. via online video and phone conferencing. The Public Hearing will be conducted using Zoom and can be accessed via either online video or phone conferencing. No registration is required. If you wish to make oral representations to Council on the proposed Bylaws by online video or by phone, please use the Public Hearing web link or one of the phone numbers (including Webinar ID) provided below. • The web link for the Public Hearing online video option is: https://whistler.zoom.us/j/69745396460 • The phone numbers to access the Public Hearing phone conferencing option are as follows: +1 778 907 2071 +1-647-374-4685 • The Webinar ID is: 697 4539 6460 Instructions for Participating via Zoom Online Video or Phone Conferencing • Online video: It is possible to access the Public Hearing on a computer, tablet or smartphone using the web link above. Your camera will not be available, but your microphone will need to be enabled. To indicate that you wish to make an oral representation, Map showing Subject Lands click on the ‘raise hand’ feature. The moderator will allow each person to speak in turn. When it is your turn to speak, your microphone will be unmuted and you will be asked to provide your name and address for the public record. Please be patient as there may be others in the queue before you. • Phone conferencing: To access the Public Hearing by phone, use one of the phone numbers above along with the Webinar ID as prompted. To indicate that you wish to make an oral representation, use the ‘raise hand’ feature by dialing [*9]. When it is your turn to speak, the moderator will announce the last three digits of your phone number, and your line will be unmuted. You will be asked to provide your name and address for the public record. Please be patient as there may be others in the queue before you. After the conclusion of this Public Hearing, Council cannot receive representations from the public on the proposed Bylaws. General information on participating in the RMOW’s electronic public hearings is available here: https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-gov/council/ public-hearings Members of the public can also view the Live Stream of the Public Hearing at: https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-gov/council/meeting-agendas-andminutes Subject Property

Resort Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca MARCH 4, 2021

ARTS SCENE

Prize-winning, oneminute film features pug alien and plenty of DIY effects PEMBERTON’S MATT KRUMINS WON CFOX’S $10,000 ONE MINUTE MOVIE CONTEST WITH RECREATION OF E.T.

BY ALYSSA NOEL TURNS OUT A PUG named Lola makes a perfect stand in for E.T. The Pemberton pooch—and her owner, Matt Krumins—recently nabbed first place in CFOX’s $10,000 One Minute Movie contest. “It was pretty obvious Lola, our pug, needed a part,” Krumins says. “Then I started thinking, ‘OK, how can Lola be a character and not just a pug.” The other factor Krumins had to consider when choosing what movie to recreate and pare down for the radio station contest was who was in his bubble—his wife, Elena Aranguren, and his brother, Mitch Krumins. “E.T. was a favourite movie of mine growing up,” he adds. “I knew there were a lot of people who had seen it. For a competition like this, it’s best if people already know the movie.” Krumins had the right formula because, in the end, he beat out nearly 350 other submissions from across the country to

MOVIE MAGIC As part of helping Lola the pug star as E.T., Elena Aranguren dressed in all black to blend into the background. PHOTO SUBMITTED

win the top prize of $10,000. (The only other prize was a $1,000 Fan Favourite Winner and that went to a Claymation version of The Big Lebowski, called The Short Lebowski.) “When I saw the top 10 I was like, ‘Holy geeze. This is pretty amazing,’” he says. “I knew I had a shot when I was in the top 10. Getting first prize, it was the first, first prize of any of my filmmaking [projects].” Krumins has been making movies since

“She’s quite old now. She enjoys sitting and staring blankly at us or whatever is going on. It was perfect because E.T. is that same way. At the beginning of the movie, he’s observing.” - MATT KRUMINS

he was a kid in high school in Ontario. He’s continued working on projects ever since as a “veteran amateur filmmaker,” he says. Award-winning money aside, it felt like a huge deal to have a panel of judges— not just friends and family—offer a stamp of approval. “It really makes it all worthwhile,” he says. “When my friends and family like it,

604-962-0050 info@50north.ca

Pressure Washing Window Cleaning Handyman Services 38 MARCH 4, 2021

that’s a huge thing … I have it on YouTube and it has close to 2,000 views now, so I know people are enjoying it.” He suspects what set him apart in this project was his DIY, non-digital special effects. His spaceship was made of duct and tuck tape, tin foil, and a lamp; E.T.’s glowing heart was a headlamp on red setting; and gates rising behind the little critter were actually racks from the oven.

“We do own a fog machine,” he adds. “I use that quite a bit in my filmmaking because it adds ambience. But making those little effects was a lot of fun.” Adding to the sweat-and-tears element, Krumins even learned to play the song for the film himself. “I have a keyboard, but I don’t know how to play the piano,” he says. “I just mess

around with it. It took me about a week— and a YouTube video on how to play the theme song.” While all the actors played an important role, Lola clearly stole the show. “She did really well,” he says. “She’s quite old now. She enjoys sitting and staring blankly at us or whatever is going on. It was perfect because E.T. is that same way. At the beginning of the movie, he’s observing.” As for the prize money, Krumins says it will go towards practical bills first and a sauna second. “It’s a huge help, especially right now,” he says. “Like most people, it’s tough times … [It will] mostly be practical, but I keep saying I’m going to buy a sauna. I really feel like I need one.” With a prize-winning project behind him, Krumins is working next on something completely new. “I always have something on the go,” he says. “I’m remaking a movie I did in high school with my high school friends. But it’s not a movie; it’s an audio podcast … I’m dependent on my friends back home to sit down and record their stuff, but I thought it was fun for COVID. No one has to get out to do it.” To see the one-minute remake of E.T. visit cfox.com/contest/5154/10000-oneminute-movie-2. n

Help amplify youth voices Under 40? Passionate about community and sharing a youth perspective? Whistler’s Vital Signs committee is seeking new members. Email Libby lmckeever@whistlerfoundation.com for more info

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ARTS SCENE B

19'-2 1/2"

604-966-7044

15'-5"

P.O. Box 565 Whistler, BC. V0N1B0

ECO MTN

22'-7 1/2"

H O M E S

7'-2 1/2"

ecomountainhomes.com

U/S Roof Framing

scottdensmore@hotmail.com 3'-7 1/2"

3'-7 1/2"

5'-0"

Project:

Pemberton Museum Prospect Street Pemberton, BC.

14'-0"

4'-1 1/2"

3'-0"

7'-9"

U/S Ground Floor Ceiling F

10'-4 1/2"

7'-4 1/2"

5'-2"

6'-3"

1'-1"

U/S Ground Floor Ceiling R Plan:

John Arn Cabin Existing Elevations

T/O Concrete Foundation Date:

Oct 13, 2018.

Scale:

Front Elevation B

Right Side Elevation B

3/8" Scale

3/8" 3/8" Scale

Sheet No:

B Issue Date:

BY REBECCA BELMORE

A-202

1. Issue for Design Approval. Oct 12, 2018.

19'-2 1/2"

22'-7 1/2"

7'-2 1/2"

RESERVOIR

15'-5"

Drawn by: S.Densmore Revisions:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

This Plan set contains copyrighted material belonging to Eco Mtn Homes ltd. Any unauthorized use, disclosure or duplication of any information contained within may result in prosecution under BC Law. Stamp:

Left Side Elevation B

3/8" Scale

Rear Elevation B

3/8" Scale

PLANS ON PAPER An engineer’s drawing for the John Arn cabin built in 1907. It will be rehabilitated for the Pemberton Museum. PHOTO SUBMITTED

Pemberton Museum receives provincial funding to complete long-running infrastructure project SCHOOLHOUSE AND HOMESTEAD CABIN TO BE RECONSTRUCTED AND REHABILITATED BY FALL

BY ALYSSA NOEL THE COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on cultural institutions like museums— and the Pemberton Museum has been no exception. So when the local museum learned recently that it had been awarded $127,844 in funding from the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) Unique Heritage Infrastructure stream, it was a welcome surprise. “It’s huge,” says museum curator Niki Madigan. “We run the museum on less than that. It’s unbelievable.” The funding will allow the museum to reconstruct and rehabilitate two historic buildings—the John Arn cabin built in 1907 as a pioneer homestead and the Pemberton Station School built in 1929 as a one-room school. “We’ve been working on this since 2015,” Madigan adds. “It’s in our museum master plan.” In 2018, after receiving federal funding from a Canada Cultural Spaces grant, the museum set to work. It had the structures assessed by engineers and learned the schoolhouse wasn’t going to meet the engineering requirements for a public space. To that end, it will be reconstructed as a replica. “The John Arn cabin is a log cabin, so it will be dismantled and put together again with an engineered roof,” Madigan says. “Both buildings will be on engineered foundations as well.” The cabin won’t be heated and will be used for farm equipment storage. The schoolhouse, however, will be heated and used for school and community groups as well as events.

“It will totally change our operations. Right now people think there’s a big thing going on at the museum because there are so many buildings, but only two have heat. One is administration and one is a storage building. It’s very tight. It was difficult to bring school groups in once the weather turned at the end of September. So it totally opens up the site until December when we get big snow,” Madigan says. The project had stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the museum was set to continue work in March before the new infusion of funds. “Without funding, we weren’t sure how far we’d get,” Madigan added. “But with funding, we can do both buildings and have them ready by the end of summer to take advantage of the fall period.” The funding was part of the province’s $10 billion COVID-19 response, which includes the Stronger BC for Everyone recovery plan, according to a press release. In that release, Paul Gravett, executive director of Heritage BC, said the recognition of the sector from the province meant a lot. “We could not be happier to have this recognition and support from the province,” he said. “Through this funding program, the province not only provided the largest one-time infusion of funds into the heritage sector, but it also recognized the importance and potential of heritage infrastructure and its place in our province’s economic future.” Madigan echoed that sentiment. “There hasn’t been a lot of opportunity for provincial funding for heritage— unlike Ontario or Quebec or Alberta,” she said. “So this was major. I really wanted to thank the province for seeing the value in funding heritage—especially in these COVID times. It’s very difficult for museums across Canada.” n

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MARCH 4, 2021

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PLANNING WITH PRIDE Whistler’s rainbow crosswalks are just one example of increased visibility mentioned by Dean Nelson during the Whistler Museum’s online talk. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN NELSON.

Museum Speaker Series launches for 2021 BY ALLYN PRINGLE

IENCE MEX IC ER P O X

LAST MONTH the Whistler Museum

ISTLER WH

3 COURSE WINTER MENU

$25

OPEN HOURS Mon-Thurs- 4:30-9:30pm | Friday 3pm-10pm Sat 2pm – 10pm | Sun 2pm – 9:30pm. At the Base of Whistler Mountain in the Sundial Hotel 604.962.4450 www.themexicancorner.ca

40 MARCH 4, 2021

hosted its first virtual Speaker Series of 2021. We are still getting used to hosting events online and miss the informal camaraderie of our audiences, but we are very excited to continue hosting some amazing speakers and sharing their stories. For our first event of the season, we were joined by Dean Nelson. Nelson is an LGBTQ+ activist and a travel expert specializing in LGBTQ+ travel who first came to Whistler in 1993 to help open the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort as part of the front desk team. He became involved in Whistler’s gay ski week, then known as Altitude, when its founder Brent Benaschak approached him about the Holiday Inn becoming a hotel sponsor for the event. From there, Nelson volunteered to help with the fashion show and became increasingly more involved with the week. As part of the event on Feb. 17, Nelson told us more about how the Whistler gay ski week came about and how it has grown over almost 30 years. Even if you weren’t able to attend our first Speaker Series, you may have read about what Nelson had to say in last week’s Pique (“A legacy of pride,” Feb. 25) and you can still learn more about the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival and its history by watching our talk with Nelson on the Whistler Museum’s YouTube channel. Prior to 2020, the Whistler Museum had relatively few records or materials documenting LGBTQ+ history in the Whistler area. Late last year, however, Nelson donated a large amount of archival material

and artefacts to our collection, including photographs, promotional materials, jackets and much, much more. Along with oral history interviews (such as the one we conducted with Nelson for February’s event) and other materials, this donation helps to fill one of the gaps in our collection. While the Whistler Pride collection is not currently available to search in our online database, we hope to begin cataloguing the collection this summer. Most summers, the Whistler Museum is able to hire summer students through the Young Canada Works program, a joint initiative of the National Trust for Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage. This summer, we are intending to hire a collections student whose main focus would be the describing, cataloguing, and rehousing of this new collection. In the past, collections students have helped catalogue the Don MacLaurin Collection, the George Benjamin Collection, the Greg Griffith Collection, and many others that are now available to search online. The ability to find documents and information online is especially important at a time when researchers may not be able to come to the archives easily. We really enjoyed learning more about the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival with Dean Nelson last month, and are looking forward to continuing to learn more. Our next Speaker Series event examining the history of journalism and publishing in Whistler will take place at 7 p.m. March 25 and include an audience Q&A with the speakers (while the talk by our speakers will be posted online after the event, the Q&A will not). Find more information about our upcoming Speaker Series at whistlermuseum.org/events. n

PARTIAL RECALL

BACKCOUNTRY BLISS Fresh lines under clear skies, as pictured in Whistler’s backcountry last week. PHOTO BY SHAYNA GOODWIN. 2 OFFICE VIEWS A rare bluebird day last week was the perfect opportunity for local virtual assistant SUNSET SHOT When the mid-winter clouds finally part long enough for a rosy sunset over Whistler. PHOTO BY JESSLYN GATES. 4 POWDER HOUNDS One small upside brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic? A quieter mountain, and untracked tree lines lasting long into the afternoon after a few centimetres of new snow. PHOTO BY MEGAN LALONDE. 5 HALFPIPE GUY It was the saga that gripped the Whistler Winter Facebook group last week. Better known now as Halfpipe Guy, Liam Robinson launched a campaign based on sheer resolve and some impressively eloquent writing 1

Rebecca Mason to head up the mountain and trade in her home office for the slightly better views from the Raven’s Nest patio. PHOTO SUBMITTED. 3

to uncover and rebuild the halfpipe on Blackcomb Mountain. While his efforts gained lots of support from the community—including the handful of halfpipe fans armed with shovels that joined him in his attempts to dig out the feature—the powers that be were ultimately required to close that area of the mountain, effectively shutting his efforts down. PHOTO SUBMITTED.

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VILLAGE OF LIONS BAY PARCEL TAX ROLL REVIEW TAKE NOTICE that the Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel will sit at 7 pm on Thursday, March 11, 2021 in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Hall, located at 400 Centre Road in Lions Bay, and via electronic video conference on Zoom (details at www.lionsbay.ca), to consider eligible complaints in relation to Kelvin Grove Wastewater Treatment Plant Parcel Tax Bylaw No. 586, 2021. The parcel tax roll for this service is available for inspection at the Village Office at 400 Centre Road in Lions Bay during the office hours of 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays. Owners may request that their address or other personal information be omitted from or obscured on the parcel tax roll. Valid complaints may be made on one or more of the following grounds only: • there is an error or omission respecting a name or address on the parcel tax roll; • there is an error or omission respecting the inclusion of a parcel; • an exemption has been improperly allowed or disallowed. To be considered by the Review Panel, a complaint must be in writing, received by the Municipality at the Office location on this notice, or via mail to Box 141, 400 Centre Rd, Lions Bay, BC, V0N 2E0 or via email to finance@ lionsbay.ca no later than 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2021, and must: (a) (b) (c) (d)

(e) (f) (g)

clearly identify the property in respect of which the complaint is made, include the full name of the complainant and a telephone number at which the complainant may be contacted during regular business hours, indicate whether or not the complainant is the owner of the property to which the complaint relates, if the complainant has an agent to act on the complainant’s behalf in respect of the complaint, include the full name of the agent and a telephone number at which the agent may be contacted during regular business hours, include an address for delivery of any notices in respect of the complaint, state the grounds on which the complaint is based, and include any other prescribed information.

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Free Will Astrology WEEK OF MARCH 4 BY ROB BREZSNY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In late April of 1969, Cambridgeshire, U.K. hosted the first-ever Thriplow Daffodil Weekend: A flower show highlighting 80 varieties of narcissus. In the intervening years, climate change has raised the average temperature by almost two degrees Celsius. So the flowers have been blooming progressively earlier each year, which has necessitated moving the festival back. The last pre-COVID-19 show in 2019 was on March 23 and 24, a month earlier than the original. Let’s use this as a metaphor for shifting conditions in your world. I invite you to take an inventory of how your environment has been changing, and what you could do to ensure you’re adapting to new conditions. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Author Leo Buscaglia told us that among ancient Egyptians, two specific questions were key in evaluating whether a human life was well-lived. They were “Did you bring joy?” and “Did you find joy?” In accordance with your current astrological potentials, I’m inviting you to meditate on those queries. And if you discover there’s anything lacking in the joy you bring and the joy you find, now is a very favourable time to make corrections. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): At age 11, the future first President of the United States George Washington became the “owner” of 10 slaves. A few years later he “bought” 15 more. By the time he was president, 123 men, women, and children were struggling in miserable bondage under his control. Finally, in his will, he authorized them to be freed after he and his wife died. Magnanimous? Hell, no. He should have freed those people decades earlier—or better yet, never “owned” them in the first place. Another Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, not only freed his slaves but became an abolitionist. By my count, at least 11 of the other Founding Fathers never owned slaves. Now here’s the lesson I’d like us to apply to your life right now: Don’t procrastinate in doing the right thing. Do it now. CANCER (June 21-July 22): During the Second World War, the Japanese island of Ōkunoshima housed a factory that manufactured poison gas for use in chemical warfare against China. These days it is a tourist attraction famous for its thousands of feral but friendly bunnies. I’d love to see you initiate a comparable transmutation in the coming months, dear Cancerian: changing bad news into good news, twisted darkness into interesting light, soullessness into soulfulness. Now is a good time to ramp up your efforts. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Scars speak for you,” writes author Gena Showalter. “They say you’re strong, and you’ve survived something that might have killed others.” In that spirit, dear Leo, and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to authorize your scars to express interesting truths about you in the coming weeks. Allow them to demonstrate how resilient you’ve been, and how well you’ve mastered the lessons that your past suffering has made available. Give your scars permission to be wildly eloquent about the transformations you’ve been so courageous in achieving. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): According to novelist Doris Lessing, “Everybody in the world is thinking: I wish there was just one other person I could really talk to, who could really understand me, who’d be kind to me.” She implied that hardly anyone ever gets such an experience—or that it’s so rare as to be always tugging on our minds, forever a source of unquenched longing. But I’m more optimistic than Lessing. In my view, the treasured exchange she describes is not so impossible. And I think it will especially possible for you in the coming weeks. I suspect you’re entering a grace period of being listened to, understood, and treated kindly. Here’s the catch: For best results, you should be forthright in seeking it out. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “How much has to be explored and discarded before reaching the naked flesh of feeling,” wrote composer Claude Debussy. In the coming weeks, I hope you’ll regard his words as an

incitement to do everything you can to reach the naked flesh of your feelings. Your ideas are fine. Your rational mind is a blessing. But for the foreseeable future, what you need most is to deepen your relationship with your emotions. Study them, please. Encourage them to express themselves. Respect their messages as gifts, even if you don’t necessarily act upon them. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You may never wander out alone into a dark forest or camp all night on a remote beach or encounter a mountain lion as you climb to a glacier near the peak of a rugged mountain. But there will always be a primeval wilderness within you— uncivilized lands and untamed creatures and elemental forces that are beyond your rational understanding. That’s mostly a good thing! To be healthy and wise, you need to be in regular contact with raw nature, even if it’s just the kind that’s inside you. The only time it may be a hindrance is if you try to deny its existence, whereupon it may turn unruly and inimical. So don’t deny it! Especially now. (PS: To help carry out this assignment, try to remember the dreams you have at night. Keep a recorder or notebook and pen near your bed.) SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “What damages a person most,” wrote philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, “is to work, think, and feel without inner necessity, without any deep personal desire, without pleasure—as a mere automaton of duty.” Once a year, I think every one of us, including me, should meditate on that quote. Once a year, we should evaluate whether we are living according to our soul’s code; whether we’re following the path with heart; whether we’re doing what we came to earth to accomplish. In my astrological opinion, the next two weeks will be your special time to engage in this exploration. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): What are your edges, Capricorn? What aspects of your identity straddle two different categories? Which of your beliefs embrace seemingly opposed positions? In your relations with other people, what are the taboo subjects? Where are the boundaries that you can sometimes cross and other times can’t cross? I hope you’ll meditate on these questions in the coming weeks. In my astrological opinion, you’re primed to explore edges, deepen your relationship with your edges, and use your edges for healing and education and cultivating intimacy with your allies. As author Ali Smith says, “Edges are magic; there’s a kind of forbidden magic on the borders of things, always a ceremony of crossing over, even if we ignore it or are unaware of it.” AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): According to intermedia artist Sidney Pink, “The idea of divine inspiration and an a-ha moment is largely a fantasy.” What the hell is he talking about?! That’s fake news, in my view. In the course of my creative career, I’ve been blessed with thousands of divine inspirations and a-ha moments. But I do acknowledge that my breakthroughs have been made possible by “hard work and unwavering dedication,” which Sidney Pink extols. Now here’s the climax of your oracle: You Aquarians are in a phase when you should be doing the hard work and unwavering dedication that will pave the way for divine inspirations and aha moments later this year. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): For you Pisceans, March is Love Yourself Bigger and Better and Bolder Month. To prepare you for this festival, I’m providing two inspirational quotes: 1. “If you aren’t good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you’ll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren’t even giving to yourself.”— Barbara De Angelis; 2. “Loving yourself does not mean being self-absorbed or narcissistic, or disregarding others. Rather it means welcoming yourself as the most honored guest in your own heart, a guest worthy of respect, a lovable companion.”—Margo Anand Homework. What’s your theme song for 2021 so far? FreeWillAstrology.com

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates

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42 MARCH 4, 2021

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FREE STUFF 5.44 ACRE Lot 51, Ivey Lake Subdivision, $590,000, 2-minute walk to Lake. 2.3 Km northeast of Pemberton, 30-minute drive to Whistler. Fantastic view of Mt Currie. 604-744-8816 owen.hairsine@gmail.com

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Emotional distress can be difficult to manage on your own. The goal of Ashlin Tipper Counselling is to promote health and happiness by providing welcoming, kind, supportive, non-judgmental, goal-oriented, practical, clinically-based emotional support.

Website: ashlintippercounselling.com Email: ashlintippercounselling@gmail.com Phone: (604) 916 8979

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Pique Newsmagazine has a rare opportunity for a talented, committed journalist to cover world-class sporting activities, local news, mountain culture and share this in print and across all social media platforms in North America’s premier mountain resort.

The N’Quatqua First Nation is seeking a qualified Aboriginal Supported Child Development Educator to fill a full-time position at N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre. The successful candidate will join our NCFDC team, the function of the Aboriginal Supported Child Development Educator is to provide the extra staffing support to a child care center in order for children with extra support needs to fully participate in the child care settings chosen by their families. The Educator works as a team member with child care setting staff and with all the children and families providing general support to the whole program to ensure effective inclusion of the children. The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability in: • Ability to develop and maintain a warm, caring, responsive relationship with the child. • Ability to establish and maintain supportive, collaborative relationships with families and staff. • Ability to maintain confidentiality, positive, professional, non-judgemental attitude. • Physically ability to carry out the duties of the position. • Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports community, inclusion and is culturally significant for young Aboriginal children • Understanding and working knowledge of Child Care Licensing regulations • Interpersonal, written, oral communication skills and maintaining positive communication with parents • Collaborating with community service providers, Self-directed and able to initiate and complete projects In addition, the Educator will have: • A minimum of 2 years work experience in a child care setting • Valid Early Childhood Educator Certificate, SNE Licence to Practice. • Clear Criminal Records Check & Current First Aid • Food Safe or willingness to obtain • Some knowledge of curriculum and philosophies in First Nations Early Childhood settings. Terms of Employment: • Full-time, Monday to Thursday hours to be determined

You are passionate about sports, both individual and team, and you know what makes a compelling local news story and how to craft it and present it. You seek to engage and inform your community on whatever platform they want to use, print, online or mobile, and are an enthusiastic participant and leader in social media. You have a solid understanding of SEO and social media optimization, an interest/understanding of experience in analytics, and proven story-telling use across Instagram and TikTok. You also know the mechanics of newspaper layout and can drive InDesign and Photoshop skillfully and efficiently. Ideally you also have at least three years experience at the community media level.

Cover Letter & Resume to: Title: Lisa Sambo, Manager Agency: N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre Email: lisa.sambo@nquatqua.ca Fax: 604-452-3295/3280 Deadline: until position is filled We thank all those who apply. Only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

44 MARCH 4, 2021

FITNESS CLASSES FOR FUN! INCLUDED AS A PART OF PLAYTIME CARD PUNCH PASS. Tighten and Tone Tues, 10:15 am Mountain Ready Tues, 5:15 pm & Wed 8:45 am Strong Glutes & Core Thurs, 5:15 pm & Sat, 7:45 am www.whistler.ca/fitness 604-935-PLAY (7529)

Located in the mountain resort town of Whistler, British Columbia, Pique Newsmagazine is the unequivocal leader in reporting, interpreting and understanding the culture of the Coast Mountains and what it means to those who live, work and play in Whistler. As such, having a background enjoying outdoor sport such as skiing, riding, touring, hiking or biking is a strong asset to your application.

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FABRICATORS & ERECTORS Please forward your resume to contactus@wideopenwelding.com

Blue Amber Production Inc. has applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, for purposes situated on Provincial Crown land located at Hurley Forest Service Rd. Producer, Amber Palson, 1975 Haro st., Vancouver, BC. said purpose is filming of ski promotional film. Lands File application is 3413615. Concerns of this application may be directed to the Sr. Land Officer at 250-8284436. Comments will be received by the MFLNRO until 04/ 15/21, not after this date. Visit www.arfd.gov.bc. ca/ApplicationPosting/index.jsp for more info.

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PRESCHOOL CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR INFANT TODDLER EDUCATOR The N’Quatqua First Nation is seeking 2 qualified Early Childhood Educators. One is a full-time permanent position, the other is a full time maternity leave position at N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre. The successful candidates will join our NCFDC team. The Early Childhood Educators work as team members with other child care setting staff and with all the children and families providing general support to the whole program to ensure effective inclusion of the children. The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability in: • Ability to develop and maintain a warm, caring, responsive relationship with the child. • Ability to establish and maintain supportive, collaborative relationships with families and staff. • Ability to maintain confidentiality, positive, professional, nonjudgmental attitude. • Physically ability to carry out the duties of the position.

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• Clìque Hotels & Resort for its Ski in and ski out operation in Whistler • Room Attendants Full and Part Time • Starting wage $19.50 per/hour • Morning and afternoon shifts available • Staff Housing @ $25 per day including utilities, or Travel allowance if living in Squamish or Pemberton

• Extended medical, vision and dental premiums paid 100% by employer • Wellness Benefit – including Ski Pass • Underground employee parking • Recognition program with Cash Awards • Paid training

Please send your resume to hr@clique.ca or bring it directly to the Blackcomb Springs Suites.

• Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum that supports community, inclusion and is culturally significant for young Aboriginal children • Understanding and working knowledge of Child Care Licensing regulations • Interpersonal, written, oral communication skills and maintaining positive communication with parents • Collaborating with community service providers, Self-directed and able to initiate and complete projects

sHArEYOUR PASSiON

In addition, the Early Childhood Educators will have: • A minimum of 2 years work experience in a child care setting • Valid Early Childhood Educator Certificate, ECE Licence to Practice or going to school to take Early Childhood Educator courses.

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• Clear Criminal Records Check & Current First Aid

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• Food Safe or willingness to obtain

Terms of Employment: • Full-time, Monday to Friday hours to be determined • Start Date: As soon as possible • Wage: (negotiable depending on experience) Cover Letter & Resume to: Title: Lisa Sambo, Manager Agency: N’Quatqua Child and Family Development Centre Email: lisa.sambo@nquatqua.ca Fax: 604-452-3295/3280 Deadline: until position is filled We thank all those who apply. Only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

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The Irrigation Technician is involved with all facets of maintaining and operating the irrigation system, and works closely with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent on all irrigation repairs, troubleshooting, programming, and planning.

• Some knowledge of curriculum and philosophies in First Nations Early Childhood settings.

This position requires an individual with formal education in Turfgrass Management, or experience in golf course maintenance and/or irrigation; an understanding of golf and how it pertains to the set up and maintenance of the course; and an ability to deliver “Whistler’s Attitude”! For a complete list of summer positions at the Whistler Golf Club, visit: whistlergolf.com/careers. TO APPLY, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO ANDREW ARSENEAULT: ANDREW@WHISTLERGOLF.COM

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Delta by Marriott Whistler Village Suites

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- Assistant Manager – Rooms Operations (Front Office & Housekeeping) Start your journey today with: competitive wages, growth opportunities, a positive team environment, medical benefits, play money (ski pass, etc), travel benefits to over 7,000 hotels world wide! To Apply: either submit an application online at Marriott.com/careers or send your resume to barbara.fraser@deltahotels.com

MOBILE CRANE OPERATOR Minimum 3 years experience Must have class 3 drivers licence

6049673207 info@pembertoncranehire.com Resort Municipality of Whistler

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Welcome Centre at Whistler Public Library - Information, support, community connections and ESL practice groups for newcomers and immigrants. Meet people, make connections, volunteer, build your communication skills in English. Multicultural Meet Up every Friday 9.3012pm.604-698-5960 info@welcomewhistler.com FB: WhistlerWelcomeCentre

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Big Brothers, Big Sisters Sea to Sky Volunteer to Mentor- just 1hr/week - and make a difference in a child's life. Call 604-892-3125.

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Glacier Digital Services in partnership with Pique Newsmagazine offers solutions in website design, SEM, SEO, social media and so much more.

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Whistler Orthodontic Centre Certified Dental Assistant Looking for personable and dedicated dental assistant for vibrant satellite orthodontic office. Duties include clinical care, sterilization, and digital record acquisition and management. If qualified ortho assistant, then additional patient care duties available. Please fax or email resumes to addresses below. 778-990-3839 888-535-3028 dsonyahoglund@hotmail.com whistlerorthodonticcentre.com

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Local luxury home builder looking for motivated people with great attitudes to join our team! Room for growth! # 49 1 7 4 3 8 available! 6 2 5 9 Sponsorship and apprenticeships 5 3 9 2 7 4 6 8 1 • Foreman or Lead Carpenters 2 8 6 1 5 9 3 4 7 • Carpenters 9 6 1 4 3 8 5 7 2 • Apprentices/Helpers 8 5 2 7 9 1 4 3 6 3 4 7 5 6 2 1 9 8 • Labourers 2 3 8 1 7 9 6 5 To apply, please send4 your resume to 7 9 5 6 2 3 8 1 4 office@modernconceptcontracting.com 6 1 8 9 4 5 7 2 3 www.sudoku.com

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***Local Automotive*** Automotive technician for year round position in Whistler. 604-905-9109 steve@localautomotive.com

Employment Opportunities • Business Systems Analyst – Finance • Wastewater Operator • Planning Assistant • Planning Manager – Projects • Planner – Projects • Planning Analyst – Projects • Planning Analyst – Policy • Labourer III – FireSmart

Warehouse Lien Act Pursuant to the Warehouse Lien Act, Bill MacGillivary - we have placed the contents located in Storage Container A-19 at Mons Holdings Ltd.8080 Nesters Road, Whistler, BC under seizure due to non-payment of storage charges in the amount of $798.00. Unless the full payment together with all costs of this action is made - the contents of this unit will be sold at the above noted address at 10:00am, March 25, 2021. Abc Professional Bailiffs Ltd 604-682-0337 604-6181721

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Whistler Slo-Pitch Association Head Umpire The Head Umpire upholds the standards expected of WSPA. They manage recruitment, training, mentoring, scheduling & payment # 51 of league umpires. Must have a passion for slo-pitch, umpire experience, positive attitude, strong organizational & communication skills & access to a computer. Email resumes to info@whistlerslopitch.com

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Human Resources Manager (Permanent, F/T) Career Opportunities at the District of Squamish The District is looking to add two top-notch executive assistants to our team: . Executive and Project Assistant to the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer . Executive Assistant to the General Manager of Community Planning/Administrative Technical Coordinator

Are you the perfect fit? Find out at squamish.ca/careers

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is located in southwestern BC and consists of four member municipalities (Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Lillooet) and 4 electoral areas. The region contains some of the most spectacular forests, waterways, and mountains in the province and affords an endless range of opportunities for outdoor adventure. Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic centre of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of regional, sub-regional and local services to its residents. Services include land use planning, solid waste management, building inspection, fire protection, emergency preparedness, 911 services, recreation, water and sewer utilities, regional transit, trails and open spaces as well as financial support for various community services. The SLRD is seeking an experienced individual to fill the role of Human Resources Manager as part of the senior management team, reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). This position is responsible for developing, communicating and implementing Human Resources policies, programs, procedures and guidelines to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and in support of the strategies and goals of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. Working closely with senior management, the position supports the attraction and retention of a qualified and professional employee base focused on delivering customer service excellence to the SLRD’s residents, property owners and businesses. The Human Resource Manager ensures the Occupational Health and Safety Program is compliant with legislation and supports a safe, healthy and productive workplace. The ideal candidate will have post-secondary education (degree or diploma) in human resources, business administration, management, psychology, or a related discipline as well as five or more years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The ideal candidate will also possess a Certified Human Resource Professional designation (CHRL designation preferred). Local government experience is an asset, including working knowledge of BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and its implications for local government communications.

BOOKKEEPER/OFFICE ADMINISTER We are looking for a new full-time team member to fill this role at our offices in Function Junction. The successful candidate must have a minimum 2 years experience with Quickbooks as well as CRM software system(s). The ability to be goal oriented and work well independently are key assets to this position, as well as good communication and customer service skills. We offer $27-$33/hour based on experience, flexible hours + medical benefits. Please reply to Mike@alpinelock.com with your resume and cover letter outlining your suitability and qualifications for the position. No drop-ins or phone calls please, apply only by email. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Additional responsibilities of the successful candidate include but are not limited to: • Benefits Administrator for the SLRD; • Management Lead on Occupational Health and Safety; and • Responsible for Personnel in the Logistics Section during an activation of the Emergency Operations Center. For further information, please see the full job description at www.slrd.bc.ca/employment. Compensation will be determined commensurate with knowledge, skills and ability, includes a comprehensive benefit package and Municipal Pension Plan and offers the ability to work a compressed work week (nine-day fortnight). Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume with a covering letter by email, no later than March 14, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. to: Nathalie Klein, Executive Assistant Squamish-Lillooet Regional District nklein@slrd.bc.ca

We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

CONNECTIONS CONNECTION S w e ll n e s s

s t u d i o

Currently Seeking...

GUEST SERVICES AGENT Pinnacle Hotel Whistler has an opening for a part time guest services agent. We are looking for a customer service professional who will help our guest enjoy their experience at our hotel. Duties include checkin and checkout of guests, concierge and reservations. Experience preferred but we will train the right person. Please contact Roger Dix rdix@pinnaclehotels.ca or ph: 604-938-3218

Dont forget to scoop the poop! It’s not fun to step in, or to see around town. Help keep Whistler clean and pick up after your dog.

www.whistlerwag.com

B.C. RMT or other practitioner needing a room 1-4 days a week Want to be your own boss, set your own schedule and be fully busy this spring! *Work with experienced Osteopath and other RMT’s learning … build your bookings *decade of client based referrals for steady income. *Flexible hours and days % income rent or low room rental option. Electric tables, laundry and Jane online booking included. Email: info@therapypemberton.com

MARCH 4, 2021

CALL THE EXPERTS

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Custom Window Treatments Contact us today for a free quote or consultation info@suncrestwindowcoverings.com

CARPET CLEANING

604.698.8406

CLEANING

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• TILES • CAR INTERIORS

Coast Mountain Cleaning • Full service cleaning • Residential & Commercial • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning • Property Maintenance • Established 2011 Insured & Bondable • Criminal background checks on all staff

www.blackbearcarpetcleaning.ca • 604 698 6610

604-966-1437

coastmountaincleaning@gmail.com

FURNITURE

• • • •

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www.summersnow.ca

ummer

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CHIMNEY

We follow all VCH, Min of Health and WHO Covid 19 protocols

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David Weldon david@summersnow.ca 604-938-3521

We use tea tree oil based cleaning products.

GLASS

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Specialized in cleaning Chimneys, Furnace & Airducts, Dryer vents.

Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc.

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HVAC/R

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Call Pique at (604) 938-0202, or email sales@piquenewsmagazine.com

SURVEYING

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Serving the Sea to Sky Corridor Since 1963

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Whistler Village, Function Junction and Pemberton.

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48 MARCH 4, 2021

Book your in-home leen Consultation with Col today!

604-894-6240 7426 Prospect St, Pemberton

REAL ESTATE

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▪ ▪ ▪

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Surveys Surveys

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North Vancouver to Lillooet

Surveys Plans

Surveys

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DOUG BUSH SURVEY SERVICES LTD DOUGLAS J BUSH AScT, RSIS p: 604-932-3314 c: 604-935-9515 Engineering & construction layout Topographic & site improvement surveys Municipal, volumetric & hydrographic surveys GPS - global positioning systems www.dbss.ca // dougb@dbss.ca

PUZZLES ACROSS 1 6 11 16 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 36 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 54 55 56 60 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 70 71

Wash vigorously Dot in a river Wild guesses Rattles Not those Elk kin Fly the shuttle South Sea isle Edmonton puckster Gazette Torah reciter Freight Electronics mfr. Flip (2 wds.) Curie or Osmond Sports figure Clothing defect “Kayak” duo Post-sneeze word Mombasa’s land Not finished Down the road Rains ice pellets North Dakota city Brawls Fishing lures Adorn with ornaments Exceeded the limit Earns Terra — Outback cuties Wood ash product Notre Dame Garment pieces Wrinkles One more time Gas pump qty. Proclaimed

73 74 75 77 78 79 80 82 83 84 87 88 89 93 94 95 97 98 99 100 101 103 104 106 107 108 110 111 112 113 115 116 117 120 122 124 128 129 131

Soft leather Picturesque Earthenware pot Hole punchers Email option Excursions Takes a spill Hues Show obeisance Goes up against Garden feature Muses’ domain Nope opposite Breaks the rules More gloomy Fly a plane Workout locale Delicate fabric Runs slowly Cut too short Place to wed JFK posting Go back over “C” in C.S. Forester Not ust Mrs. Charles Habits Fish basket Dig up Beauty’s swain Feel sorrow Makes a cocoon Cowboys’ ropes Give way Steamy dance Writer — Oz Buckeye st. campus So-so grade Harvest machine

133 135 136 138 140 142 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151

Carried, as by the wind A Gabor Have one’s say Sports venue Wagner opus High mountains Climber’s spike Preside at a meeting Rationed out Emulates a bronco Landscape Realty listings Outmoded Briny

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 31 33 35

Chimney nester Girl from Baja Deliver a message Take advantage of Arctic floater Veld antelopes Lathered Swings along Wind dir. Contract proviso Reddish horses Gets in shape Monastery Overalls part Recipe verb Looking at — — moment’s notice Masked swordsman Hoops great — Baylor Gradient Follows orders Curly-tailed dog Rangoon’s country

38 40 42 44 46 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 57 58 59 61 62 63 66 67 69 72 73 74 76 78 79 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 90 91 92 94

Mumbai wraps Didn’t hog Chalet (hyph.) Two, in Vera Cruz Yoga type Objectives Has a cough Pedro’s pal Untamed Ruffle Exercise equipment Sycophant Yogurt choice Watching Parking-lot mishaps Game birds Hull parts Recipe verb Cries of dismay Building manager Happily Hollows Hombre’s title Knight’s journey Run — of the law Pajama coverers Saloon sign (2 wds.) Garden favorite Kind of serum Whale’s diet Many times Distant planetoid Type of explorer Throw for — — Be of benefit Fragrant compound Not together Severe Ill-behaved

95 96 99 100 102 105 106 107 109 111 112 114 115 116 117 118 119

Put stress on Gnawed away In conclusion Psychic Tibet’s capital Remove chalk Makeshift Edible bulb Washboard — Shirt parts Improved model Time of the mammals Bully Nighttime noises Air show stunts Meat garnish Apartment

121 123 125 126 127 130 132 134 137 139 141 143

Hardhat’s support (hyph.) Helps a burglar Award for valor Apparent Impertinent Apiece Frisk about Auditory organs Miss Piggy’s refusal Greek P Green shade School org.

LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

Enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, in such a way that: • Each horizontal row contains each digit exactly once • Each vertical column contains each digit exactly once • Each 3x3 box contains each digit exactly once Solving a sudoku puzzle does not require any mathematics; simple logic suffices.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: HARD

6 8 5 4 9 5 1 8 3 8 6 5 7 5 2 9 1 2 8 3 3 2 6 7 4 7 3 8 HARD Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com# 50

ANSWERS ON PAGE 46

MARCH 4, 2021

MAXED OUT

Let’s be grateful the mountains have stayed open WHISTLER

BLACKCOMB

(WB)

announced last week they wouldn’t be extending hours of operation this season, as the days grow longer. No opening creep to 3:30 or 4 or 4:30 p.m., something that’s always been done in the past. There was immediate backlash on social media. There is immediate backlash about everything on social media. Meh. I feel compelled to weigh in on this unprecedented move. I know what you’re thinking but try not to get ahead of me; you may be disappointed. I’m good with it.

BY G.D. MAXWELL Frankly, I’m overjoyed the mountains are still open at all and I’ll be first in line to thank WB for taking the hit I’m sure they’re taking to keep them open. I almost feel sorry for them when I see the numbers of skiers and boarders up there mid-week. The runs are nearly empty. It’s rare to wait in any significant lift line and it usually means the alpine either hasn’t been or is incapable of being opened. I can’t imagine Vail Resorts isn’t bleeding money keeping the lifts running and the slopes groomed on both mountains. Nice grooming, by the way. So, thank you. This pandemic lifestyle would be intolerable if we couldn’t ski and board. If you’re smart enough or concerned enough to avoid heading over to a friend’s house to drink beer and watch hockey, the mountains are one of the few avenues for socializing. Skiing with friends is automatically socially distanced. Riding chairlifts with masks on—and no, it’s not the chairlifts wearing the masks, silly— poses an infinitesimal risk of transmission. When we can’t get together to share a meal, at least we can get together to do what most of us moved here to do. As early as the first week in January, right after the holiday tourists left town, I began hearing rumours Vail Resorts was looking for any excuse to close the place down. I didn’t buy it. Given how badly they dealt with passholders after closing in mid-March last season, and considering their “guarantee” to passholders this year, I couldn’t imagine they’d want to face their bankers after refunding oodles of money for closing even earlier. And here we are, the beginning of March and I can hardly remember a day when there haven’t been snow guns running on one or both mountains. If I bought into conspiracy theories, I might imagine they were going to the trouble and expense of making snow this late in the season just to keep us thinking they weren’t going to close early. Diabolically clever, those demons.

50 MARCH 4, 2021

WWW.GETTYIMAGES.CA

Of course, if I bought into conspiracy theories, I might also believe Bill Gates, Dr. Anthony Fauci and everyone working for the World Health Organization conspired to hoodwink us into believing COVID-19 was a real disease and not just some nefarious plot to control everyone’s minds. But still having working brain cells, I suspect the snow guns on the mountains have more to do with a desire to keep ski outs and key runs open and in good shape for the remainder of the season. See Occam’s razor ... and no, you can’t shave with it. As an aside, snowmaking’s been going on for most of the season. If you remember when it opened, back in November, there wasn’t much we’d have been skiing on if not for snowmaking. Yet, in an offhanded way, water usage for snowmaking came under

into liquid water and flows back into local streams, lakes and rivers. For the most part, other than a few minerals and a trace amount of ski wax, there’s nothing to see here, folks. Duh. The dreaded reservation system turned out to be not nearly as horrible as feared. After the first few weeks, and especially after the holidays, reserving has been a breeze. And despite what the base lift lines seem to suggest, the numbers of reservations WB has permitted would probably surprise you ... being lower than you expect. Even those who somehow forgot to reserve have generally been able to whip out their phone and grab a spot with no more than a few minutes’ delay. About those base lift lines. Ugh. I’ve never been a weekend skier and the endless

So, thank you. This pandemic lifestyle would be intolerable if we couldn’t ski and board.

the microscope of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives early in February when they singled out WB for being a “big user” of water as British Columbia, “... feels the effects of climate-change-induced drought...” Naturally, it took someone from WB to point out this ain’t lead smelting we’re talking about. Water on the mountains is converted to frozen water and melts back

lines this year cemented that bias. But powder days have been nearly as brutal and made many a long-time local wistful for the reservation system of old that assigned a time to load at Creekside. I don’t expect the system to outlive the pandemic but if it should, that would be a vast improvement. Safety on the mountain—pandemicstyle—has been encouraging. Those horrible base lines have been pretty well controlled

by WB. I’d like to think everyone could be responsible for their own social distancing on the upper lifts, but enthusiasm frequently outruns enlightenment, particularly at Peak Chair. Up your game, people. I haven’t been in the eateries enough times to know what they’re like at feeding times but the spacing and reservation restrictions speak to safety. The two areas where WB/Vail Resorts continues to get low marks centre on guest relations and communications. The wellspring of both rests with the insane desire to control everything from the Field of Brooms. Telling passholders of whatever variety they’ll need to wait until the end of the season for an announcement regarding what, if anything, Vail Resorts intends to do if they’ve been following public health guidelines—as opposed to mandates—and not travelling to WB or one of Vail Resorts’ other mountains, is a textbook example of how not to engender goodwill among your customers. It’s particularly galling for people with a history of patronizing WB, at least since Blackcomb emerged on the scene. The mantra of customer service here has always been, “Exceed your guests’ expectations.” I don’t know if Colorado skiers have low expectations but I do know WB users have very high ones. And they are not being met. Until they are, Vail Resorts will never wear the white hat and it will continue to undermine the good things they do. Sorry to end on a negative note. Skip the last two paragraphs if it makes you feel better and simply accept my thanks. A lot of people I’ve spoken to feel the same way. So, thank you. ■

FOLLOW YOUR DREAM, HOME G L O B A L R E AC H , L O C A L K N O W L E D G E NEW TO MARKET

BENCHLANDS 202 4800 Spearhead Dr Slope side ski in/ski out access to Blackcomb and a resort like feel. Phase 1 zoning allows nightly rentals for revenue generation. This highly soughtafter 1bdrm 1 bath property is the ultimate Whistler investment that you’ve been waiting for! $1,025,000

Natty Fox

WHISTLER CREEKSIDE 212-2111 Whistler Road, VALE INN. Enjoy this furnished studio condo (phase 1) for nightly rental use, owner use or long term rental. Close to Creekside ski lifts, shops & parks. $249,900 / GST Exempt

604-905-8285 Kathy White

WHISTLER VILLAGE 4111-303 Golfers Approach (Windwhistle) Make yourself at home in this spacious, fully furnished 1 bedroom and den condo in the heart of Whistler village. Unlimited owner use or enjoy nightly rental income when you‘re not in town. All that’s missing is you. $998,000

604-616-6933 Nick Swinburne *PREC

604-932-8899

VIRTUALTOUR TOUR VIRTUAL

WHISTLER VILLAGE 309 4369 Main Street Bright SW facing studio suite in the centrally located Alpenglow Lodge. Lovely mountain views, outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, gym, plenty of neraby eateries and steps to the free mtn shuttle. Excellent revenues. $434,000

Rob Boyd

WHISTLER CAY HEIGHTS 6318 Fairway Drive Brand new luxury custom home. 5 bed, 5 bath, media room & office. Beautiful mountain views & 2 spacious covered decks. Under construction - move in this Spring! Exclusive central location. 6318FairwayInterior. com & 6318FairwayExterior.com $5,998,000

EMERALD ESTATES 9508 Emerald Drive Welcome to “Raven-Hut” the epitome of mountain modern design. Interior living spaces flow seamlessly with the outdoor living spaces 3 bedrooms & 2 bathroom house with a lovely 2 bedroom & 1 bathroom suite. $3,995,000

604-935-9172 Rachel Allen & Ron Mitchell *PREC 604-966-4200 Maggi Thornhill *PREC

NEW TO MARKET

604-905-8199

NEW TO MARKET

NORDIC 19-2301 Taluswood Place Enjoy amazing views from this exquisitely decorated slope side town home. 3 bedroom/2 bathroom offers all of the luxury that you need to enjoy your time in Whistler. Phase 1 zoning allows for nightly rentals or full ttime use. GST Paid. $2,100,000 incl. GST

PEMBERTON 2045 Tiyata Blvd Live on the happiest street in Pemberton in this 2261 sq. ft. brand new 5 bed/4.5 bathroom home. Scheduled for completion in August, now is the time to bring your ideas to the design. $1,200,000

Allyson Sutton

Ken Achenbach

604-932-7609

PEMBERTON PLATEAU 1766 Pinewood Drive Exceptional quality post and beam 4 bed home with dedicated office, large media and games room. Stunning views from all rooms, professional landscaping and private hot tub. Detached garage has a guest suite above. The perfect property for a full time or holiday home! $2,198,000

604-966-7640 Laura Wetaski

Whistler Village Shop

Whistler Creekside Shop

Squamish Station Shop

36-4314 Main Street · Whistler BC V8E 1A8 · Phone +1 604-932-1875

325-2063 Lake Placid Road · Whistler BC V8E 0B6 · Phone +1 604-932-1875

150-1200 Hunter Place · Squamish BC V8B 0G8 · Phone +1 778-733-0611

whistler.evrealestate.com

Engel & Völkers Whistler *PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION ©2019 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

604-938-3798

3D Tour - rem.ax/417woodrun

#719 - 4090 Whistler Way

$365,000

The Westin Resort & Spa is adjacent to the Gondola Base in Whistler Village. This multi star hotel is consistently the best revenue generating condo/hotel in Whistler. A quality full service resort includes an indoor /outdoor swimming pool, 2 hot tubs, large exercise facility, spa and a mall for browsing and dining. This unit is a great investment.

Michael d’Artois

604.905.9337

#417 - 4910 Spearhead Place

3D Tour - rem.ax/4arrowhead

$1,675,000

This rare beautiful furnished corner unit with views over Rainbow Mountain features everything you ever wanted to live in. You have owner lockers, a pool, and a hot tub plus a workout room and you are literally falling into the slopes when you step out of your complex. Enjoy the no noise concrete building.

Richard Christiansen

604.907.2717

#4 - 4890 Painted Cliff Road

Arrowhead Point is located a short walk from the ski hill and then ski home right to your door after a hard day on the slopes. This 2 bedroom/2 bath townhomes offers vaulted ceilings, a renovated kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and heated floor; 2 updated bathrooms also with heated floors and it comes fully furnished.

Sally Warner*

SOLD

$979,000

RARE OPPORTUNITY to own a unique PHASE 1 lock-off with TWO SEPARATE RENTAL UNITS which generate great cash flow in Whistler! This bright, renovated top floor, lock-off floor-plan gives the option to have 1 two bedroom unit, or 2 separate units. Rent through short or long term platforms or use for your own personal usage.

Ursula Morel*

604.932.8629

9281 Siskin Street

$2,198,000

$1,493,850

#5 - 3102 Panorama Ridge

$799,000

WedgeWoods is a private 108 lot community with unique privacy and many larger properties. You can build a family home as well as an auxiliary building of 2150 sq. ft. A select group of properties located in The Highlands at WedgeWoods have just been launched and offer beautiful views.

This 3 bedroom townhome, walking distance to the Village, is in a family-friendly neighbourhood. 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms make it ideal for a growing family or an employer looking for affordable housing. Facing west, it has sun all year long. A warm and cozy place to call home, this one won’t last.

Ann Chiasson

Bruce Watt

3D Tour - rem.ax/1766pinewood

1766 Pinewood Drive

604.905.6326

3D Tour - rem.ax/304wrc

#304 A/B - 2129 Lake Placid Rd.

$1,550,000

604.932.7651

604.905.0737

3D Tour - rem.ax/333greystone

#333 - 4905 Spearhead Pl.

$1,588,000

2162 Highway 99 Mt. Currie

$899,000

An executive property on a 15,000 sq ft lot. The solid post and beam design has been executed with exceptional craftsmanship and is ideal for entertaining and functional family living. With over 4000 sq.ft., the home provides four bedrooms, a large office that could be a fifth bedroom, and a one bedroom guest suite above the garage, separate from the main home.

Ski-in Ski-out, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, at the coveted Greystone Lodge. Children can ski to the Magic Chair and Whistler Kids in mere minutes. Walking distance to all the Upper Village amenities, 5-star hotels, Lost Lake and world class golf. Super location. Move-in-ready, or generate nightly revenues. video - rem.ax/333ski

7.6 acres of prime farming land with a one-bedroom cabin, only a 5 minute drive from the Village of Pemberton. Currently producing many varieties of fruits and vegetables in three greenhouses and throughout the property. Enjoy breathtaking Mount Currie views, a drilled well with fantastic water and solar power electricity.

Chris Wetaski

Darryl Bowie

Dave Beattie*

604.938.2499

$49,900

#23 - 3102 Panorama Ridge

$705,000

Own your week 52, NEW YEARS WEEK in Whistler, Slope-side on Blackcomb at The Woodrun, the #1 family address for shared ownership. This fully equipped 2 bedroom condo sleeps 6 people and has over 1100 ft2 on one level and underground parking with elevator access to your unit.

The perfect Whistler family home walking distance to Whistler Village. #23 Suncrest is a 2 bed, 1 bath, 904 sf townhome with deck & large crawlspace to store all the toys. 1 parking space + visitor parking. Updates include modern kitchen & hardwood flooring, new hot water tank & washer/dryer. 3D Tour - rem.ax/23SB

Dave Sharpe

Denise Brown*

604.902.2779

604.905.8855

SOLD

3D Tour - rem.ax/220woodrun

#220 - 4910 Spearhead Place

604.220.5751

WHISTLER OFFICE 106 - 7015 Nesters Road, Whistler, BC V8E 0X1 604.932.2300 or Toll Free 1.888.689.0070 *PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

If you are a home owner, buyer, tenant, landlord, or small business in need of help during this time, please see our updated list of resources at: remax-whistler.com/resources

604.902.2033

322C - 2036 London Lane

$189,000

C week will give you Christmas and New Years 2021-2022! What an opportunity to spend 14 glorious nights in Whistler with the pandemic behind you! This very impressive almost 900sq ft 2 bedroom 2 bath has all the amenities a holiday requires, hot tub, movie theater, outdoor pool, ski lockers & ski in ski out access.

Doug Treleaven

604.905.8626

PEMBERTON OFFICE 1411 Portage Road, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L1 604.894.6616 or Toll Free 1.888.689.0070