Pique Newsmagazine 3023

Blazing new trails in health

Out of crisis, the Whistler 360 Health Collaborative was born, carving a new path in transformative, primary health-care. - By Alison Taylor

14 OUT OF STEP? Is 2024 enough time for builders to adapt to changes to Whistler’s Energy Step Code?

22 DISASTER DATA Environmental consultant

Veronica Woodruff digs deep on disaster communication in Pemberton for her master’s thesis.

15 MAKE A WISH Whistler families living with developmental disabilities are seeking supportive housing opportunities in the resort.

16 PHARM FRESH Pharmacists in B.C. have new powers to issue certain prescriptions, which will lessen the burden on doctors.

30 AIR UP THERE Pemberton paraglider James Elliott is ready to fly with the eagles at the Red Bull X-Alps in Europe.

36 SEASONAL DELIGHT Pemberton Dance Studio is celebrating another successful season with a pair of shows at the Maury Young Arts Centre.

COVER I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank Dr. Ian Tamplin. Before opening up to him, I had an “I can walk it off” kind of attitude towards health-care and my health in general unless it was very apparent I belonged in the emergency room. Some things can’t be walked off, and his kind, caring and empathetic bedside manner put me on the right path. While it’s been a long road, I am recovering, and I’m not sure I would have without him. So thank you. I wish there were more like you! By the looks of what’s happening with Whistler 360, I think there just might be. - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art

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Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, LESLIE ANTHONY, ANDREW MITCHELL, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY

President, Whistler Publishing LP

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08 OPENING REMARKS On grizzly bear sightings, Whistler must strike a balance between info and anxiety—while also being realistic about what it really means to coexist.

10 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

This week’s letter writers call for a new B.C. health minister, and share gratitude for local clubs and community events.

13 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST It’s time to re-ignite the conversation about an alternate route to the Sea to Sky highway, writes Robert Wisla.

54 MAXED OUT When it comes to the latest round of provincial housing announcements, Whistler was left by the punch bowl without a dance partner, writes G.D. Maxwell.

24 THE OUTSIDER As the provincial government rolls out a new rebate program, where do e-bikes fit into Whistler’s future?

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34 FORK IN THE ROAD Glenda Bartosh offers up a genuine local twist on a much-loved Canadian tradition.

38 MUSEUM MUSINGS The construction of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway through the small community of Alta Lake greatly improved the quality of life for many of its residents.

What is Whistler’s policy on grizzly bears?

IN LIGHT OF INCREASED grizzly sightings in the Whistler Valley recently, and countless questions from readers, Pique endeavoured to answer an, on the surface, simple query: What is Whistler’s policy when it comes to grizzly bears?

What is the protocol when a grizzly is seen in a residential area, for example? What is the advice for the public, and for the media?

What is the municipality, in conjunction with other organizations, doing to ensure the protection of both the bears and the public?

Because on the topic of grizzly bear sightings so far in 2023, of which there have been at least three confirmed in the

BY BRADEN DUPUIS

valley, it’s been mostly don’t ask, don’t tell from both the Conservation Officer Service (COS) and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).

“If there is an urgent concern for public safety, the COS will immediately inform the public via its own social media channels and ensure this information is received by its municipality and law enforcement partners, as well as local media,” read an emailed response from B.C.’s Ministry of Environment on Tuesday afternoon, June 6, in response to questions posed by Pique

“In this case, no aggressive grizzly bear behaviour was reported, and the bear was grazing on natural foods. Conservation Officers monitored the situation and responded as necessary, with the bear being moved to a wilderness location.”

The grizzly bear in question was first spotted the afternoon of Friday, June 3, in Rainbow Park, which reportedly drew municipal staff to usher the public away, as well as uniformed RCMP officers carrying imposing-looking weaponry (likely tranquilizers).

As it happened, there was no official messaging from the COS, the RMOW or RCMP, despite multiple requests for info, aside from a lone tweet posted to the Whistler RCMP’s Twitter account advising

the public to stay away from the area (media were not alerted to the tweet).

After traipsing through Rainbow Park, the bear moved on to the Whistler Cay neighbourhood, where it was photographed in people’s yards, before heading up to the Nesters area and across the highway to Lost Lake.

On Saturday, runners at the Whistler Half Marathon were rerouted after the bear was spotted grazing the Fairmont’s golf course. According to COS, the grizzly was tranquilized and relocated at the advice of a biologist.

But lost in all the excitement was any kind of communication or direction for stakeholders (media included).

As far as media coverage goes, some say the locations of grizzly bears in the valley should not be publicized, even generally, to ensure people give the bear the necessary space (it’s not clear if that is the reason for the radio silence from Whistler officials when sightings occur—they didn’t offer one, though Pique asked).

But the absence of clear communication with media only adds to the confusion for all involved—as evidenced by the wide range of questions and concerns Pique heard from readers and read on social media over the weekend.

For most, this dilemma can be boiled

The parties also meet monthly at Whistler Bear Advisory Committee meetings, and the COS provides weekly updates to the RMOW about bear activities.

The RMOW supports the COS by sharing its alerts and proactive messaging, as well as by conducting “door-to-door education in neighbourhoods where bears are present,” a municipal communications official said in an email.

But who decides what is “pressing information?” Because personally I would like to be informed the next time a grizzly bear is in my neighbourhood—not several hours after it’s gone.

In terms of broader management, in 2020, the RMOW endorsed a new human-grizzly bear conflict mitigation strategy focused on the alpine after grizzly encounters increased on the Alpine Trail Network following its opening in 2017.

“We built trails up there without really understanding the use of the area by bears. I think if we could do it now, we would do things differently,” said environmental stewardship manager Heather Beresford at the time.

“We made a commitment as a municipal council a number of years ago to support the restoration of grizzly bears in the area, and so

as the RMOW rightly states, we need to aim for “measured messaging which strikes the right balance on details to minimize anxiety.”

After all, Whistler and the Sea to Sky is bear country.

“The COS asks the public to take precautions and do their part to minimize wildlife conflicts, including leashing pets, travelling in groups, carrying bear spray and securing attractants—this guidance applies to all bears,” the COS said in its emailed statement.

But one could argue that simply taking the messaging we use for black bears and applying it to grizzly bears does not go far enough, as Whistlerites—and by extension, many tourists—are incredibly nonchalant when it comes to black bears.

Just last month, I witnessed a family of four (two adults, with two small children) walking their bikes past a black bear on the Valley Trail as the dog and I waited for it to clear off.

As they passed within three metres of the fully grown bear, the dad commented on how cuddly and fuzzy it looked, to which the kids happily agreed.

A group of four more tourists followed on foot close behind them, casually conversing about how Whistler locals almost view the

down to a simple question: I’m about to go for a walk with my dog—should I be aware of a grizzly bear in my neighbourhood?

The answer to this question is always yes. So the next question becomes, how are we getting that info out for people?

According to the RMOW, the COS informs it of “pressing information” that should be shared with the public—which it did through its social channels late on Friday evening, well after the bear had moved on from Rainbow.

Luxurious, modern, and sophisticated proper ty steps from the Creekside gondola and shops. This 2-bedroom allows for 12 weeks of owner use or rental income if desired, including 2 weeks

we have to do the best we can now.”

There were about eight adult grizzlies living in the Callaghan Valley at that time, Beresford said, noting their presence in the area is growing.

So as backcountry recreation ramps up, bears get pushed out. And as both human and bear populations grow in the area, the reality is that we will increasingly come into contact with one another.

So timely communication and effective messaging is crucial now more than ever. And

local bear population as akin to rabbits.

Is this how we should also react with the grizzlies that are increasingly finding their way through populated areas in the valley?

Casual, nonchalant (or in this case, nearnonexistent) messaging about the potential danger posed by grizzlies will elicit a casual, nonchalant response from the public.

So yes, let’s strike a balance between info and anxiety—but let’s also be realistic about what it really means to coexist with grizzlies.

Find more info at wildsafebc.com. ■

“We built trails up there without really understanding the use of the area by bears. I think if we could do it now, we would do things differently.”

- HEATHER BERESFORD

Time for a new B.C. health minister

“In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence,” said Laurence Peter, author of The Peter Principle Adrian Dix has worked in government for decades, paid by your tax dollars. He has been B.C.’s Minister of Health since 2017. He’s been an MLA since 2005, and before that worked for Ian Waddell in Ottawa. He served as chief of staff to Premier Glen Clark from 1996 to 1999, a position from which he was dismissed for back-dating a memo to protect Clark from conflict-of-interest charges.

The entire health system in B.C. is a shambles, and more ER doctors are speaking out. I still don’t have a GP. Six years with Dix as the boss and things are collapsing. In an interview with CBC News recently, a physician was quoted as saying, “oftentimes before we even get into the emergency department, we see a lineup of ambulances waiting to offload patients. On our way to our office, we see hallways lined with stretchers—patients who have clearly been there for hours waiting to be seen. Sometimes we hear people crying out in pain and discomfort, and that’s before we’ve even started our shift.”

Here’s the irony: Dix served as the

opposition critic for health before the NDP came to power. Here’s a quote from 2009: “We have to fight this now,” Dix said. “When you’re talking about this level of cuts of operating rooms, you’re not just damaging and creating longer wait times now and leaving people to suffer more—the layoffs will take away their capacity to address surgeries well into the future.”

Time for Premier David Eby to step up and replace him.

Patrick Smyth // Whistler

Club volleyball in Whistler was an amazing opportunity

In 2021, inspired by my Grade 11 daughter and her friends, I approached the North Shore Stars Volleyball Club with the idea of a satellite team. This team would practice in Whistler and travel for tournaments and games on the weekends instead of driving to Vancouver multiple times a week during the winter for practices. The North Shore Stars took us under their wing, and we created the Sea to Sky Stars Club Volleyball Team and a

recreation league here in Whistler.

Getting the support of the North Shore Stars was only the first step. Gym time in Whistler is at a premium, and without the support of the high school and a teacher, namely Conor Niwinski, the gym time would not have been affordable. We also needed coaches to volunteer their time. It is the philosophy of the North Shore Stars, and the only way to make this opportunity affordable.

Fortunately, we had some remarkable coaches step forward. THANK YOU to Joanna Meltzer, John Taubenschlag and Georgina Titus for all the time they spent training the team and travelling to tournaments and games. Giving up their Monday and Friday evenings and some weekends from January to May was a huge commitment that was appreciated by all the players. The team had incredible wins this season, and it was because of the skills and training of the coaches that made it happen.

The recreation league was taught by Sara Jennings and Ken Achenbach. They gave 24 kids the chance to learn and play on Monday nights.

We have had many supporters in the community who helped make this happen, including all our silent auction donators. Shout out to Dave Nash from Splash Hot Tubs, who provided a gas firepit for the auction each of the last two years. Also, The Westin Resort & Spa, Sue Eckersley with Cornucopia, Whistler Sport Legacies, and so many others. A special thanks also to Bruce Stewart from Nesters

Market, who promoted and held a barbecue fundraiser and provided additional gift cards to help offset the cost of travel and food for nationals in Calgary.

The U18 Sea to Sky Stars Team has improved tremendously over the last two years, and it has been a pleasure for me to help bring this team together and watch them play. Most of the players are graduating this year and moving on to post-secondary. This team will likely not continue due to lack of interest, especially with so many choices for sports in Whistler. With that, I would like to congratulate

Sharing gratitude for Whistler community events

the Sea to Sky Stars on a great season and recognize the players on this year’s team: Annie Sproule, Ashley Pagsolingan, Bailey Boehm, Billie Horn, Carys Griffin, Felicity Cox, Jannah Quintanilla, Lauren Hamm, Natalie Bridge, Nicole Menth, Sage Eberhard, and Tatum Nash. Wishing the team members all the best for the future.

Carol Eberhard // Whistler

I want to publicly thank the Whistler Library and its fantastic staff for the amazing and diverse programs that are offered each month. Jeanette Bruce does such a great job keeping us informed and interested! From bat walks to lectures on mental health, author talks and forest bathing to bike maintenance and ukulele lessons—these are truly fantastic offerings, and every one of them has been great, so far. Also a shout out to Whistler’s Mature Action Community for Carla’s outstanding, fun, free offerings as well! As a mum supporting her two kids abroad at university, it is especially appreciated to be able to attend so many wonderful offerings free of charge!

I feel such gratitude to live in this beautiful place and have such access. It makes writing the cheque for taxes next month just a tiny bit less painful! Keep up the great work!

Cheryl Chase // Whistler n

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 GOT GOOD VIBES TO SHARE? Send them to goodnews@piquenewsmagazine.com

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“I feel such gratitude to live in this beautiful place and have such access.”

- CHERYL CHASE

It’s time to build an alternate route to the Sea to Sky highway

AT THE BEGINNING of May, hundreds, if not thousands of people got stuck on the Sea to Sky highway for several hours due to severe accidents closing the road.

After one lengthy closure, a petition requesting safety upgrades for the road gained more than 1,400 signatures. The extended closure sparked a debate on what to do about the highway, which left longtime residents with a faint sense of déjà-vu.

BY ROBERT

rwisla@piquenewsmagazine.com

While I hope the province will continue to make safety modifications to the Sea to Sky highway, like increased warning signage, I still have concerns regarding the singleoption route connecting the Sea to Sky to the Lower Mainland.

It’s no secret that if a natural disaster, like a wildfire, requires the rapid evacuation of Whistler or Pemberton, the route south will be overwhelmed.

During southbound highway closures, the recommended detour from Whistler to Vancouver takes about six hours, and requires heading over the Coast Mountains to Lillooet, then down through Lytton and the Fraser Canyon, before finally arriving in

the Lower Mainland.

I’m not the only one thinking about a shorter alternate route south.

For decades now, the Lower Stl’atl’imx First Nations have advocated upgrading the In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road (FSR), which connects several isolated rural communities, including Port Douglas, Tipella, Skatin, Lillooet Lake Estates, and Heather Jean Properties to the Pemberton Valley.

The road is vital in connecting these communities to essential services such as health-care, food, and education. The In-SHUCK-ch Nations, made up of the Samahquam and Skatin First Nations, recognized the significance of the road, and made upgrades a crucial part of treaty negotiations from 2005 to 2015.

Although the province has constructed some safety improvements since those negotiations halted, the road still needs to be improved in several areas. If the further West Harrison Lake FSR to the Lower Mainland is included, the situation is even worse, with washouts, potholes and poor conditions all common occurrences.

To get from Harrison Mills to Pemberton right now, assuming everything runs smoothly on the West Harrison and In-SHUCK-ch FSRs, it can take four to five hours to cover the 193-kilometre distance. If brought up to a paved, two-lane highway standard, that journey time will shrink significantly, and provide a second route to the Sea to Sky.

There are several reasons why upgrading the road makes sense, the most important being reconciliation. Anything that helps B.C.’s isolated First Nations gain economic prosperity and better access to essential services is a win for both the province and the wider region.

Then there’s the need for a true backup route for the Sea to Sky in case of emergencies. Take the floods that plagued the province in late 2021, for example. The flooding resulted in the closure of three out of the

on the popular FSR as people search for lesscrowded recreational areas.

The high cost of such a road upgrade is of course one of the main reasons it hasn’t happened yet.

A 2016 feasibility study by the province and the First Nations estimated that a two-lane paved highway upgrade would cost between $390 and $500 million. Comparatively, the completed upgrades to the Sea to Sky highway for the 2010 Olympic Games cost about $600 million.

While this is a significant amount of capital, it’s an investment that will pay itself off in the long term. With a better connection, opportunities will open up along the new highway for everyone along the route.

four main roads between the Interior and the Coast for extended periods, highlighting the importance of alternate routes to mitigate the impact of similar disaster scenarios.

Road improvements are also necessary as traffic picks up on the In-SHUCK-ch. Over the past few years, visitors to the area have significantly increased, particularly during the pandemic; in 2020, the road saw 146,000 daily users annually, a 45-per-cent increase from 101,000 in 2016. Moreover, Pemberton and Whistler are growing at near record paces, resulting in further pressure

By the same token, the increased traffic and backcountry recreation that will come with such an upgrade must also be taken into account, and the will of the affected First Nations must take the lead on that discussion.

I believe the positives outweigh any potential drawbacks. But those who live in the corridor have heard this discussion before.

“I’ve lived in Pemberton long enough that I’ve experienced at least three occasions where the highway was closed at length,” former Pemberton mayor and current MLA Jordan Sturdy told Pique in 2015.

“A true alternate route back to the Lower Mainland would be of tremendous value to the corridor.”

His words still ring true. ■

WISLA

[I]t’s an investment that will pay itself off in the long term.

Whistler builders react to new Step Code bylaw

IS 2024 ENOUGH TIME? ‘PROBABLY NOT, BUT THE TECHNOLOGY IS OUT THERE’

BY ROBERT WISLA

WHISTLER BUILDERS are mostly receptive to changes to the resort’s Energy Step Code requirements, but are wary of added costs and delays.

On June 6, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) adopted its amended building and plumbing bylaw, which contains new requirements around the BC Energy Step Code (ESC) that bring the municipality in line with new provincial regulations that came into effect May 1.

The new bylaw also sets the course for the RMOW to opt-in to the Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) beginning Jan. 1.

The RMOW will also increase the ESC step for both Part 9 and residential Part 3 buildings on that day.

With those changes, Part 9 builds (single-family, duplex or townhomes) will be required to meet Step 4 of the ESC, with strong carbon performance, while residential Part 3 builds must hit Step 3 with strong carbon performance.

According to Tom McColm, president of the Sea to Sky branch of the Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA), builders in Whistler are generally open to the changes, but are concerned that the ZCSC will create

additional costs and delays for builders. There is also worry that the electrical infrastructure in the municipality isn’t ready for the transition.

“We’re not against getting there, but the target is to get there by 2030, I believe, and it sounds like Whistler’s just pushing it a little too early. The infrastructure is not really there. There’s concern that the education isn’t there yet,” McColm said.

“We told the RMOW this when they asked to show our support for the ZCSC. We had many questions that we felt weren’t really answered, and they told us to go to the province to figure out the details. So we do feel like that one’s being pushed ahead prematurely.”

The RMOW is providing time for the building industry in Whistler to adapt to the ZCSC, with the change taking place on Jan. 1, but McColm is concerned that the timeline is too short for constructing the necessary BC Hydro infrastructure, and for people in the trades to learn the new systems.

“It’s not building it that’s a problem for most of us; we can get it done. And we’re onboard to move to [lower]-emission buildings—it’s obviously the way we need to go,” McColm said. “We feel that it’s just been dumped on us, and we don’t have the infrastructure in place, and it’s going to lead to some delays and additional costs.”

According to CHBA board member Axel Schreyer, president and founder of Schreyer Construction, the Whistler building industry is looking for ways to improve cost efficiency in building more energy-efficient homes.

“It does make construction more

expensive, but I think the industry is also very forward-thinking about trying to find ways to be more energy efficient and do it a little bit cheaper, right? We’re pretty inventive that way,” Schreyer said.

RDC Fine Homes owner Bob Deeks believes the transition to the ZCSC is a relatively simple technology conversion. His main concern is the need for experienced tradespeople, and the time it will take for people to get the necessary education.

“It’s not very difficult [to transition to the ZCSC]. You go into an all-electric solution. So you’re using cold climate air source heat pumps instead of a gas furnace. So, the technology works,” Deeks said.

“The only problem that we do have is a shortage of skilled heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors or installers. The refrigeration technology needs a slightly elevated level of experience, and you have to have experience in refrigeration for these things. Is 2024 enough time? Probably not, but the technology is out there.”

Whistler builders also spoke of the potential increased workload for RMOW staff to enforce the new regulations, highlighting the building department’s already lengthy permitting wait times as one of the significant issues facing construction in the resort.

“What I’m not on board with is when the muni makes decisions that increase their workload, and they have no way [to handle the increased workload],” Schreyer said. “I would say to the muni, ‘yes, do whatever you want in increasing the Step Code if you

can give us a building permit within three weeks.’ But they make those decisions, and they don’t have the manpower to actually deal with this stuff. And they’re slowing us down. That’s my beef.”

According to an RMOW communications official, the updated bylaw will not impact workflow or workload at municipal hall, as it amounts to mostly a “paperwork change.”

“With this said, designers will need to learn the changes and adapt how they are designing, so it is possible there could be longer timelines for the industry itself,” the official said.

As for infrastructure, Mayor Jack Crompton pointed out that BC Hydro doesn’t share those concerns.

“I have high confidence we have the capacities available for the growing demands in our community and others,” Crompton said.

“According to BC Hydro, we’re ready for the demands that we’re going to put on the grid by an increasing number of electric cars.”

The mayor added that it’s important to take the time to get the new processes right.

“We want better-performing buildings. We want a community that takes seriously the challenge that we all face together. We’ve decided to push off adoption for a year so that we can work closely with the local building community and get it right,” Crompton said.

“We want to get it right, and one of the ways we get it right is by working with builders to ensure that their experience and knowledge is incorporated into the processes we do.” n

STEP IT UP A house under construction in Whistler Cay.

PHOTO BY ROBERT WISLA

Whistler families living with developmental disabilities work to make WISH a reality

WHISTLER INDEPENDENT SUPPORTED HOUSING SOCIETY HOSTING SILENT AUCTION AND FUNDRAISER AT CREEKBREAD ON JUNE 13

BY MEGAN LALONDE

A 2022 RESEARCH CO. poll found more than half of southern B.C. parents share the dismal expectation that their child will, one day, move away from their home community due to affordability challenges.

Whistler mom Sue Hargrave shares their concern. Hargrave, however, worries less about whether her 16-year-old daughter Eliza will be able to afford to live in the resort where she grew up, and more about whether an adult Eliza will find a safe, suitable place to call home in Whistler at all, aside from under her parents’ roof.

Eliza lives with a developmental disability that will make it difficult for her to live independently, unsupervised and without ongoing support, even after she enters adulthood.

To that end, Hargrave’s is one of several families comprising the Whistler Independent Supported Housing Society (WISH). She joined a few years ago, after five local families established the organization in 2019 with a goal of creating secure housing for their children.

“They’re young adults—they’re all between 32 and 37—who have been born and raised in Whistler, and they all have a developmental disability,” explained Hargave, chair of WISH’s board of directors.

WISH is the ideal answer to those families’ questions about what happens after their parents are gone—“almost a succession plan,” Hargrave added. “They thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could get a house where all these people could live together, and the support services could be pooled, in hopes of getting longer hours?’ Right now, a few hours are allocated to one individual, and another few hours to somebody else, whereas if you put them together as a group, you could get an entire day’s worth of support.”

Like Eliza’s, not all of those disabilities are apparent upon first glance. Hargrave described the young adults as “medium functioning.” Though the majority could manage living independently, some need live-in support, while others only require a resource to call on when they need it. All want their own personal space, and to stay close to the jobs, volunteer programs, sports, activities and loved ones that keep them thriving members of Whistler’s community.

WISH envisions a centrally-located complex of eight to 10 self-contained, onebedroom units, plus a common area, laundry facilities, and the ability to accommodate 24/7 live-in support. The space needs room for gatherings like movie nights, craft projects and nutritional support, plus storage for skis, snowboards and bikes, but wouldn’t require parking. Any unfilled units could, for

example, be used to house Whistler Adaptive Sports Program staff, as Hargrave proposed.

Though WISH has connected with the Whistler Valley Housing Society and Beedie Living to inquire about securing space in other upcoming developments in the resort, and could picture joining forces with Whistler’s Mature Action Committee to create a dualpurpose build—”we’re keeping our dreams open,” Hargrave said—the group’s best bet at this stage is building the complex themselves.

WISH has its heart set on a block of municipally-owned land that could, theoretically, be donated to the cause, but “our challenge is, we want to now go to BC Housing to fund the build, and BC Housing won’t talk to us until we have an address,” Hargrave explained.

“In a perfect world, we’d be breaking ground in five to seven years, and in within 10,” said Hargrave. “But as the families say, we want to be in tomorrow.”

The idea is modelled after North Vancouver’s HYAD Place, a 16-unit complex constructed in 2014, close to amenities like transit, shopping, medical care, and a community centre. More importantly, the apartments offer stable, safe, affordable and accessible housing that facilitates support services for its residents, while allowing them to live independently in a familiar community. That project was funded by BC Housing and built on land donated by a school board.

WISH is hosting a pizza party fundraiser at Creekbread on Tuesday, June 13, with a portion of money from each pizza sold between 4 and 8 p.m. donated back to the society. Though next week’s fundraiser is take-out only due to staff shortages at the restaurant, WISH families hope pizzapurchasers will stick around for a parking lot “tailgate party,” to check out an auction table and meet the young adults WISH aims to support.

The online silent auction is already live, with about $3,000 worth of goods available for the community to bid on at 32auctions.com/ wishpizza until it closes at 8 p.m. on June 13.

When it comes to housing in Whistler, “I understand there’s thousands of people that need it, and who are we to say, ‘please give us priority?’” Hargrave acknowledged. “We’re not asking for priority. We’re just asking to be part of everybody’s plan.” n

“In a perfect world, we’d be breaking ground in five to seven years...”

- SUE HARGRAVE

New pharmacist capabilities ‘minimizing an extra step’ for Whistler patients

AMID AN ONGOING FAMILY DOCTOR SHORTAGE, NEW RULES PERMITTING B.C. PHARMACISTS TO PRESCRIBE MEDICATIONS FOR MINOR AILMENTS WENT INTO EFFECT JUNE 1

BY MEGAN LALONDE

WHISTLER PATIENTS seeking prescriptions for an array of medications can now access that treatment with just a single visit to their local pharmacy.

As of June 1, pharmacists in B.C. are authorized to assess and prescribe medications for 21 uncomplicated conditions like allergies, shingles, cold sores, pink eye, fungal infections, skin rashes, urinary tract infections and mild acne, in addition to contraceptives. Prior to last week, prescriptions in B.C. could only come from a physician or nurse practitioner.

In Whistler, pharmacies at the resort’s Rexall locations and Shoppers Drug Mart in Whistler Village all welcome walk-ins, no appointment necessary, though Shoppers also invites patients to book appointments for prescription consultations online. Beginning June 29, British Columbians can also make pharmacy appointments through a provincewide online booking system.

Upon arrival, patients will “describe their symptoms to the pharmacist and the pharmacist will do a thorough assessment for them, including any potential reasons where they might not be

able to prescribe and potentially would require a referral to a physician,” explained Joyce Chen, pharmacist and owner of the Whistler Village Shoppers Drug Mart. “But at least we could be the first point of contact, because we are the most accessible health-care worker.”

Pharmacists will also check patients’ medical history and, when appropriate, recommend other treatments like self-care or over-the-counter medications.

“This not only makes it easier and faster for patients to access these services, it also takes pressure off the primary-care providers and our public health-care system as a whole,” B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a release.

That’s particularly true for Whistler, where although non-profit clinic operator Whistler 360 has successfully matched hundreds of patients with a doctor in recent months, roughly half of resort residents still do not have a family physician. Whistler currently operates with six to seven full-time equivalent (FTE) practitioners, but by Whistler 360’s estimate, needs at least 14 to 16 FTEs to meet demand.

Meanwhile, on a provincewide basis, a Sept. 2022 Angus Reid poll found approximately 23 per cent of British Columbians did not have a family doctor.

“In Whistler, because we’re so short of [general

practitioners], and people want fast service—they don’t want to wait—definitely, we’re seeing a large uptake of [this new service],” said Lynette Chiu, pharmacy manager at Rexall in Marketplace, adding, “It’s just better access to health-care.”

Patients aren’t obligated to fill their prescription at the same pharmacy they visit for the consultation, Chiu pointed out.

The new pharmacy service is covered for B.C. residents with a Personal Health Number, but it also makes it easier—and more affordable—for out-of-province visitors seeking care for health issues that arise during their holiday. Chen said a visit to her pharmacy costs all out-of-province patients $22.50, compared to the $70 consultation fee for Canadian citizens without provincial coverage that’s listed on the Whistler Medical Clinic’s website, or the $290 that service costs non-resident visitors. That doesn’t include the cost of any medications prescribed.

Pharmacists’ new capabilities “really will lessen the burden on the doctors here so that they can focus more on the more serious conditions,” Chen said.

The province announced the expansion of pharmacy services last fall, when it also permitted pharmacists to adapt and renew prescriptions for a wider range of drugs and conditions, and administer a wider range of

drugs by injection. On April 1 of this year, B.C. also made it free for B.C. patients covered by MSP to access prescription birth control options like oral hormone pills, contraceptive injections, hormonal and copper intrauterine devices, subdermal implants, and Plan B, commonly known as the morning-after pill. Pharmacists can now write prescriptions for those medications, as well as fill them.

“Doctors are specialized in diagnosis. If a patient comes to us and they know specifically what they have, then it’s easy for us to recommend a treatment, because we’re more medication experts,” Chen explained.

“Because we do learn specifically about medications, part of our studies and training also has to do with minor ailments—we have a whole course on it in school they have us go through. Plus, patients come in all the time asking for a recommendation for simple things, and we do make recommendations every day for those things,” she continued.

“A lot of times patients will come in, we’ll tell them ‘OK, I think you need to go see a doctor because we can’t prescribe it, but here’s the name of [the medication] you should ask the doctor to prescribe.’ Then they’ll have to go see a doctor, and come back with a prescription with exactly what we recommended. So this is minimizing an extra step.” n

Whistler bus driver who drove passengers while drunk sentenced

POLICE BRIEFS: PEMBERTON RCMP SEEKING COMMUNITY DASH-CAM FOOTAGE FOLLOWING SINGLE-CAR COLLISION LAST MONTH

BY BRENT RICHTER North Shore News

A FORMER WHISTLER coach bus driver who drove drunk with dozens of passengers on board will face a $1,000 fine and a one-year driving prohibition.

Craig Randle, 66, was arrested late in the evening of Aug. 5, 2022 after one of his Vancouver-bound passengers called 911 to report him driving erratically and swerving between lanes, the court heard at his sentencing in North Vancouver Provincial Court on Thursday.

West Vancouver police officers pulled the Epic Rides bus over on Highway 1 near the 15th Street exit. Despite needing the help of two officers just to stand up, the Delta resident told investigators he hadn’t had a drink in two days. Taken to the police department, Randle took a breathalyzer test, which detected 210 to 220 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood—an amount that would be considered highly intoxicated.

“This is very clearly an aggravated impaired driving [case],” Crown prosecutor Adrienne Lee told the court. “There were 36 passengers on that bus. It is beyond fortunate that nothing happened on that evening given Mr. Randle’s level of intoxication.”

Randle’s defence lawyer Jennifer Currie said her client resigned from his job and began seeking treatment for alcoholism the day after the arrest. He has since completed detox and has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings regularly ever since.

Randle was not a frequent drinker but was prone to binge drinking, she said. On the day of his arrest, he began drinking vodka and beer with his lunch in Whistler before driving his passengers to Vancouver.

“I can advise Mr. Randle is extremely embarrassed and remorseful for his behaviour, and in Mr. Randle’s case, those are not just words. Rather, he’s demonstrated his remorse in the fact he’s taken responsibility for his behaviour,” she said. “As a result of all this effort by Mr. Randle, he has remained 100-per-cent sober since the incident occurred and has approximately nine straight months of sobriety.”

The Crown and defence jointly submitted that a fine of $1,000 and a one-year driving ban would be appropriate punishment for Randle— the mandatory minimum for the charge.

Lee said had it not been for his immediate and lasting efforts to stay off alcohol, she would have sought a tougher sentence for Randle.

Given the opportunity to address the court before his sentencing, Randle spoke only about his rehabilitation.

“Basically, I took the one common denominator of the problems in my life, which was alcohol, and I’ve just taken it out of my life completely,” he said.

Provincial court judge Joseph Galati said he agreed with the Crown that Randle’s case was “very aggravated,” but emphasized his actions since he drove impaired.

“I accept that you’re truly remorseful for what you’ve done and your actions speak to that in terms of what you started doing the day after,” he said. “You must consider yourself very fortunate… and at the same time, give yourself some credit for what you have been able to accomplish.”

RCMP ASKING FOR DASHCAM FOOTAGE

Were you driving between Whistler and Pemberton on Wednesday evening, May 24?

Pemberton’s RCMP detachment is asking for your help. Police are seeking community dash-cam footage to assist with their investigation into a single-car collision last month that resulted in “multiple driving offences” for a B.C. man under both the Motor Vehicle Act and Criminal Code.

According to a news release issued Monday afternoon, June 5, Sea to Sky RCMP first heard numerous reports about an erratic driver seen heading northbound on

Highway 99 from Whistler at about 6 p.m. on May 24.

The motorist was reportedly behind the wheel of a grey Dodge Ram 1500 four-door crew cab truck, featuring a British Columbia license plate numbered “PG 885A.”

Police said a Pemberton RCMP officer discovered the truck about 30 minutes later, crashed in a ditch on Highway 99 at Vine Road.

Its driver required medical attention for “unknown injuries,” but was reportedly released from hospital shortly after he was admitted.

In the release, Pemberton RCMP said the man was arrested “for a number of offences” after he was medically cleared, but was released from custody and issued a future court date. Police did not specify the exact nature or number of offences the driver is accused of.

Now, police are appealing to Sea to Sky highway motorists who may have seen the truck.

Police ask anyone with information or footage to share regarding the incident to contact Sea to Sky RCMP in Pemberton and cite file number 2023-2398. Reach the Pemberton RCMP detachment by phone at 604-894-6634, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or solvecrime.ca to remain anonymous.

- By Megan Lalonde n

New concussion program aims to offer locals timely, affordable help

WHISTLER PHYSIOTHERAPIST LAUNCHES CONCUSSION HEALING SPACE WITH VIDEOS, WORKSHOP

BY ALYSSA NOEL

WHISTLER PHYSIOTHERAPIST Jana

Kapp has first-hand experience with the impact concussions can have on your life.

She experienced three of them, spread over a few years, and discovered just how long and difficult recovery can be—especially if you don’t start treatment quickly in the correct way.

“It was a really hard recovery process to go through,” she said. “Now, I’m out on the other side.”

The gruelling experience inspired her to want to help others in the Sea to Sky corridor who find themselves in a similar situation. And, after weathering the pandemic and starting a family, she’s finally ready to do just that.

“Research is coming out that starting early intervention strategies will reduce the length of recovery time,” she said. “Those who don’t, they’re seeing months after the injury, more than half are still living with symptoms.”

Kapp launched Concussion Healing Space this month with both free and affordable options for locals looking for help. It includes free video resources (accessed via an app or her website) to

offer the most up-to-date information on navigating the first days and weeks after an injury, as well as an affordable, weekly, virtual workshop for people living with symptoms or supporting someone with a concussion.

Treating concussions can be complicated for several reasons, Kapp said. With Whistler’s family doctor shortage, often patients only go to urgent care, where they’re screened for severe injury—which means milder concussions can fall through

with concussion symptoms for four to five years before I applied strategies I take my clients through now,” Kapp said. “I feel like I’ve made a successful recovery … There is a recovery process to go through, but if you don’t know, you’re on your own.”

It can also be virtually impossible to discern whether a mild head injury will lead to a concussion, she said. To that end, any time you hit your head, it’s worth getting checked out.

“If there’s a mechanism of injury, you go,” Kapp said. “That’s it. Right now, we rely a lot on symptoms to diagnose a concussion, but when you leave it to symptoms alone, you might not have symptoms right away. If they’re delayed a few days or weeks and you haven’t followed protocols right away, then you do compromise your healing, that’s the hard part.”

- JANA KAPP

“Then I have a concussion focus clinic out of my house,” she said. “With physiotherapy, there is a delay in access to treatment. If they can’t get in [during] the first week or two, that’s a very valuable time to be implementing strategies. If they’re waiting or don’t know what to do or pushing themselves too hard, that will compromise healing.”

the cracks.

On top of that, it often takes the public time to learn about new best practices for treatment, and often they’ll follow old advice to simply rest.

“I’m trying to get in there so people sustaining concussions are getting information they need right away … I lived

Ultimately, Kapp hopes to spread the word about her accessible services in a part of the world where so many people are taking part in high-risk sports.

“Part of my mission is to make these services available, but also affordable to those who are living here, trying to work and don’t have a lot of money to pay for physio or treatment,” she said. “Any treatment is really expensive right now.”

For more information, visit concussionhealingspace.com. n

“I’m trying to get in there so people sustaining

SING IT OUT

Whistler to celebrate its first-ever Philippines Independence Day

THE EVENT IS DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE WHISTLERITES TO FILIPINO CULTURE, WHILE ALSO COMBATTING RACIST SENTIMENTS IN THE RESORT

BY ROBERT WISLA

WHISTLER’S FILIPINO community is holding a public festival to celebrate the country’s independence for the first time in the resort’s history.

Hannyliz Villafuerte is collaborating with the Whistler Multicultural Society to organize the celebration, which aims to bring Filipinos together and educate Whistler residents about their community.

“Basically, this is a celebration for our freedom from Spain, but why we’re doing it in Whistler is because there is a huge community of Filipinos in Whistler, but we’ve never really gathered, we’ve never had any kind of celebration or any kind of get together of everyone that’s in the community, and there’s so many new Filipinos now who just got here in Whistler,” Villafuerte said.

“I’ve heard so many stories of them feeling lonely. And because everyone’s so busy, I thought of getting together, and it just so happens that it’s Philippines Independence Day, which is perfect. So then we really get to have a reason to get together.”

During her time in Whistler, Villafuerte has witnessed a significant increase in the number of Filipinos moving to work in the resort. When she first arrived in 2008, the community consisted of roughly 100 people. However, it’s grown considerably in the past decade, as more people have moved to the town for work.

In the 2001 Canadian Census, only 0.84 per cent of the resort’s population identified as South East Asian, equivalent to 75 people. However, in 2021, this number soared to 4.92 per cent, or about 660 people, with a significant number identifying as Filipino.

Whistler Multicultural Society programs and managing director Carole Stretch said the

event is essential in helping counter racism in the community by providing a connection between residents in the resort.

“I think it’s important that Whistler sees and understands who is in the community and is part of the community. They actually want to be in the community; they want to be seen. They want their culture to be understood,” Stretch said.

“So what this is about is giving them that opportunity to participate in our community and to be recognized; For Whistler to really understand and get to know the different groups that are not here just temporarily, but they live here, and they’ve made their lives here.”

Stretch hopes this connection will help set the groundwork for future discussions in the community about racism. Villafuerte wants the event to help combat Filipinos’ negative perception as low-paid workers in the resort.

“I thought that probably one of the ways I can lessen the racist view of the Filipinos is to let them know what our culture is, how amazing we are outside of work, because they probably just saw us in our roles, which are mostly like low-paying jobs or the low positions, but I want them all to see this side of us, where we come from an amazing culture, an amazing country,” Villafuerte said.

“We are more than what our job is, or our role is. I want to elevate [and] make them see that we are more than just a grocery worker, a housekeeper, whatever the position is of the Filipinos in Whistler. We have a very beautiful culture that most people in Whistler have not seen, and we want to showcase that.”

Join the fun at the Whistler Public Library on June 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be live Filipino music outside the library, along with singing, dancing, and karaoke. No registration is required, and everyone is welcome to attend. n

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The Whistler Multicultural Society is collaborating with the local Filipino community to host the resort’s first Philippines Independence Day celebration on June 11. Pictured is a past instalment of the Whistler Multicultural Festival.

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Mountain biker encounters cougar on Whistler’s Sea to Sky Trail

WILDSAFEBC OFFERS A FEW TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A SIMILAR SITUATION

BY MEGAN LALONDE

EVAN ODER was out for a Monday afternoon bike ride on the Sea to Sky Trail, heading north towards his home in Whistler from Brandywine Falls, when he saw what he thought was a dog about 30 metres ahead.

“I was just zooming along, and I had my AirPods in as I was riding, listening to some music, and then all of a sudden, I see something, like, galloping on the trail ... I quickly realized, that’s not a dog. That’s a cougar,” he said.

The encounter occurred on the Cheakamus River Access Road section of the trail, shortly before 5 p.m. on May 29.

“By the time I recognized it, it was already running and it was in front of me, so I was basically chasing it down on the trail,” Oder added. He brought his bike to a halt, as the cougar moved off the trail a few metres into the forest. The animal stopped, keeping its eyes trained on the mountain biker. “That was when I really started to feel like I was in trouble,” Oder said.

He grabbed a handful of rocks and lifted his bike onto its rear wheel to make it look bigger. Oder said he considered backtracking, but decided to continue on since he was only a couple-hundred metres from the Cheakamus

suspension bridge.

As he made his way past the cougar, “we kind of saw each other, but it didn’t move, so I just kept moving, then put my bike down, got on and just started pedalling as fast towards the bridge as possible, while keeping eyes in the back of my head,” he said. “Thankfully it was a simple section of trail.”

Oder figured he was in the clear after the bridge, but said his nerves only eased up as he approached the Train Wreck area. “Until I started seeing other people, I was just paranoid,” he recalled. Reflecting on the runin afterwards, “it was actually really crazy, pretty magical—I didn’t really get to admire it in the moment, but I can replay it right now in my head,” Oder said.

It was his second time spotting a cougar in the wild, after a previous sighting a few years ago near the entrance to a Whistler Mountain Bike Park trail. But in that case, “there were, like, 10 other people, so I never felt like I was in danger ... [this time,] I was riding solo, so for me, it was like, ‘Oh man, I feel like I’m really in a vulnerable spot here.’”

Whistler-based conservation officer Brittany Mueller said the BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) has not seen any recent upticks in reported cougar sightings. She said the COS typically hears about one or two cougars spotted in the corridor each month, but the most recent cougar sighting was

reported in February.

Particularly in wilderness settings like those surrounding Whistler, “It’s not uncommon to have a cougar sighting,” she said. “Nothing has been reported to us that’s been concerning or out of the [ordinary].”

Following sightings, wild cats tend to “move off,” Mueller added. “Sometimes [cougars] can be curious—they’re very similar to domesticated cats and their behaviours that way ... but usually, they’re quite wary of people.”

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SEE A COUGAR OUT ON THE TRAILS?

An arm of the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, WildSafeBC programs aim to prevent human-wildlife conflict across the province. Its website offers a few tips to keep in mind if you encounter a cougar, like keeping calm and never running.

When it comes to cougars, “Concerning behaviours would be ears back, the cougar looking like it’s going to pounce or in a stalking position,” said Mueller. “That’s when you’d want to arm yourself with your bike, by putting it above your head or grabbing a stick or backpack, anything that you have to make yourself look big. You want to maintain eye contact with the cougar, so you don’t want to turn and run—that would be the worst thing you could do.”

Instead, back away slowly, keeping the cougar in view the entire time while speaking to the animal in a loud, firm voice. Avoid sudden movements, as they could provoke an attack, and make sure to allow a clear exit for the cougar.

If a cougar starts following you, respond aggressively. “Without crouching down, pick up nearby sticks, rocks, or whatever you have at hand to quickly to use as a weapon if necessary,” WildSafeBC recommends. If the cat attacks, fight back and never “play dead”— the key is convincing the cougar you are a threat rather than prey.

Small children are most at risk of being targeted in an attack, so pick them up immediately if you spot a cougar in the vicinity. Make sure to keep pets on-leash at all times, and pick up smaller pets in the event of an encounter.

Though cougars are most active at dusk and dawn, they will roam and hunt at any time of day or year.

“Anytime anyone’s out recreating, they should always obviously be carrying bear spray, because we know that we can have encounters with any of our large predators, especially in mountain areas and places like Whistler,” Mueller added.

Cougars and other wildlife displaying unusual or aggressive behaviour can be reported to the COS at 1-877-952-7277. n

Is Pemberton prepared for a natural disaster?

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT VERONICA WOODRUFF EXPLORING CHALLENGES AROUND DISASTER COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION

BY ROBERT WISLA

THE VILLAGE OF PEMBERTON (VOP) is no stranger to large-scale natural disasters. Throughout the valley’s history, floods, in particular, have been a recurring challenge.

How the government handles and prepares for these kinds of natural disasters is a complex topic, but one that has fascinated environmental consultant and Pemberton resident Veronica Woodruff. To better understand the issue, Woodruff spent the last two years researching the subject for her master’s thesis.

On May 30, the VOP’s Committee of the Whole (COW) heard a presentation on Woodruff’s thesis, as well as recommendations on what different levels of government can do to improve disaster mitigation and communication.

“My research was based on how collaboration works between communities and governments,” Woodruff said. “Basically, I wanted to understand how that worked better, and how that either helped or hindered community preparedness.”

Through interviews, focus groups and by working closely with the Pemberton Valley Dyking District (PVDD), Woodruff identified several challenges facing governmental disaster communication, and provided half a dozen recommendations on ways to improve collaboration.

Woodruff’s research found that the valley is at extreme risk for disasters, and that such events bring the community together. It also found that intra-governmental and community collaboration helps acquire resources and expertise to deal with disasters, but there are barriers to this collaboration.

According to Woodruff, there are challenges around bureaucratic oversight; conflicting mandates; lack of resources during and before emergencies; lack of incentive to coordinate between agencies; risk aversion; and insufficient planning for new, cascading and emerging disasters.

“There are barriers to collaboration, and these are all things that you’d expect, like there’s a lot of bureaucratic oversight. There’s one department telling you to do one thing, and there’s another department telling you to do the exact opposite thing,” Woodruff said.

“There’s a lack of resources. People are busy. There’s no funding. There’s no time. There’s no expertise—all of these things.”

Regarding inter-governmental preparation for disasters, the Pemberton Valley Emergency Management Committee (PVEMC) is the main forum for discussing emergency management issues. The PVEMC is made up of staff and elected representatives from the Village of Pemberton, Lil’wat Nation, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) and the PVDD. Provincial and federal governments do not participate in the committee.

“Pemberton’s doing this really well with the PVEMC, where all the local governments can speak to each other regularly about different disaster management, whether it’s flooding or fire and what everybody’s

doing; I think that’s a good starting point,” Woodruff said.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Woodruff laid out six recommendations to the VOP for improving intra-governmental and community communication, from straightforward objectives to more complex goals that require additional resources:

Allocating more funding to support community initiatives that increase collaboration for resilience;

Having local governments increase collaboration with the broader community through engagement;

Define how community expertise can be harnessed to support response and recovery from disaster;

The PVEMC members should facilitate opportunities for dialogue with other local agencies;

Developing a regional, all-of-society approach for disaster risk reduction in the Pemberton region;

And directing policy-makers to consider a process for implementing transitional strategies to increase community reliance.

According to Woodruff, significant work is already occurring. Still, these efforts need to move faster to keep up with the effects of climate change, which is leading to more unpredictable weather conditions and increased geological instability in the region.

“We’re just moving too slowly, because there’s a lot of people doing a lot of good work here. I think we need to work faster, and that really does just lie on governments,” Woodruff said.

“The provincial government is redoing

their emergency legislation, and they’re investing in their watershed and flood strategies. All these things are happening. We must make them happen faster because things are changing faster.”

According to Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman, the VOP is considering Woodruff’s recommendations, but more work needs to take place to explain Pemberton’s unique situation and risks to higher levels of government.

“What’s difficult is we live on the ground here; we have an understanding of our area that, in fairness, provincial representatives can’t quite understand because they’re not here on the ground with us,” Richman said.

“When we look at our position with Meager Creek, and the landslide and the sediment deposits we get every year, that’s pretty unique to our area. One of the struggles is in maybe conveying that uniqueness to the province and then getting the proper funding.”

Recognizing that the province has to spread spending across B.C., Richman said he has spent considerable time as mayor advocating for increased mitigation funding, as investing in avoidance is more cost-effective than paying for responses and clean-up.

“There’s been an attitude shift, and I would like to do more of that shift from response to mitigation,” Richman said. “I think it saves the province more in the long run, and we will be better prepared for that. It’s a slow shift [but it has] to happen.”

Stewardship Pemberton is holding an event on June 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Square for residents to learn more about Woodruff’s disaster research.

To learn more about the valley’s current emergency measures, check out pemberton. ca/emergency-preparedness. ■

HIT EM HIGH High water levels on the Lillooet River pose one of the major recurring environmental challenges in the valley.

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In Loving Memory

It is with profound sadness that the family of Dr. Bruce P Mohr announce his passing on May 28th, 2023 at the age of 66 after a long and courageous battle with depression.

Bruce was born on April 20, 1957 in St. Boniface Manitoba and raised in Brighton Ontario. Bruce had a full life, rich in experiences, friends, and family He was a natural athlete, a talented musician, an accomplished physician and passionate teacher Above all else, he will be remembered as a family man who valued time spent with loved ones, particularly in the great-outdoors.

Bruce will be deeply missed by his family and community

He is sur vived by his parents, Willard and Mar y, his daughter Holly (Max), his brothers Paul (Natalie) and Brian, his nephews Aaron and Andrew and his grandson Jackson, who adored him.

Bruce left us all far too soon, but the impact he had on his family and community will be felt forever Those who knew Bruce know he was a cherished part of many circles thanks to his multiple passions in life; from his music to medicine and ever ything in between. The family wishes to thank each and ever y person who made up those circles that he loved so much. The years of skiing, biking, jamming and paddling truly brought him so much joy

A celebration of life is being planned and details will be made available soon. In the meantime, honour Bruce by appreciating simple pleasures: breathing the fresh outdoor air, being physically active, and spending time with friends and family

People power achieves right to a healthy environment in Canada

NINE YEARS AGO, the David Suzuki Foundation launched the Blue Dot Movement. Its goal was to enshrine the right to a healthy environment in Canadian law. It started with a cross-country tour featuring Feist, Neil Young, the Barenaked Ladies, Margaret Atwood, Kinnie Starr, Raine Maida, Grimes, Danny Michel, Stephen Lewis, Bruce Cockburn, Robert Bateman, Shane Koyczan and many more.

The multi-pronged efforts over the years are finally starting to pay off. With recent passage of Bill S-5 to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the right of all people in Canada to a healthy

BY DAVID SUZUKI

environment is now recognized in law. Although the ultimate goal was to have this right enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, getting it into this law is a great start.

The Environmental Protection Act hasn’t been updated since 1999, and over that time, much has changed regarding environmental issues and our understanding of them, so the amendments are long overdue.

Under the revised act, the federal government will have the duty to protect the right to a healthy environment and uphold the principles of environmental justice. The act also includes requirements to consider cumulative effects on environmental and human health and on vulnerable populations. And it updates regulations around control of toxic substances and dangerous chemicals, including ensuring that priority is given to prohibiting the most hazardous substances.

climate justice, biodiversity, waste reduction and sustainable systems.

It shouldn’t be controversial to recognize that we can’t live well without clean air and water, toxic-free food and the numerous services that diverse ecosystems provide. But Canada and the world still face increasing environmental crises, which often most affect marginalized people.

Here, we have dozens of drinking water advisories in effect, most in Indigenous communities. Air quality often reaches dangerous levels, and the oil and mining industries continue to poison land, air and water—again, most often near Indigenous communities. Environmental hazards contribute to tens of thousands of premature deaths in Canada every year, and pollution costs us more than $100 billion a year.

Although modernizing the Environmental Protection Act won’t resolve all those problems, it will at least set us on a path to government responsibility. But more needs to be done.

The government should remove barriers that prevent citizens from using legal methods to hold polluters accountable when they violate the act and its regulations. We need enforceable national air quality standards. Regulations around labelling of potentially hazardous substances in consumer products must be strengthened. Government must also close loopholes regarding ocean dumping, and it must ensure that Indigenous communities get the same level of environmental protection as other communities in Canada. We must also restrict plastic waste exports.

Another important step will be for government to pass Bill S-226—“an act respecting the development of a national strategy to assess, prevent and address environmental racism and to advance environmental justice.” This is critical, because social and environmental justice are inextricably linked. Solutions to the climate

When the Blue Dot Tour hit the road in 2014, more than half the world’s nations recognized the legal right to healthy environment. It was astounding that Canada, a country known for its spectacular wilderness and abundant nature, was not among them. Now more than three-quarters of countries recognize and protect this right!

As the movement gained momentum, an ever-increasing number of municipalities adopted environmental rights declarations, many members of Parliament signed pledges supporting them, and people, organizations and communities joined the effort.

The movement also inspired the Foundation’s Future Ground Network and Réseau Demain le Québec, two growing online organizing hubs (one English, one French) that support local groups taking action in their communities to secure healthier, more viable futures in the areas of

and biodiversity crises must be grounded in equity, access to justice and fulfilment of human rights.

Long overdue modernization of Canada’s Environmental Protection Act is a positive first step and shows what we can accomplish when we work together.

As David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and environment and long-time Blue Dot spokesperson, said, “It’s a terrific day when Canada recognizes the right to a healthy environment and will be an even better day when governments respect, protect and fulfil everyone’s right to a healthy environment!”

Let’s keep moving!

David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington. ■

The Environmental Protection Act hasn’t been updated since 1999

How will e-bikes fit into Whistler’s future?

ON JUNE 1, B.C.’s provincial government began taking applications for its new $6-million electric bicycle rebate program. In the preceding days, a well-timed press release had every type of media talking about the program, and good old-fashioned word of mouth spread the news like wildfire.

The program is mainly geared to help B.C. residents in the middle- to low-income range ($1,400 rebate for folks earning under

BY VINCE

$38,950; $1,000 for those in the next bracket up to $51,130; and $350 for those earning $51,131 and above) with the only qualifying conditions being the e-bike needed to cost $2,000 or more and be purchased from a retailer with a B.C. business license.

I’ve yet to join the e-bike craze, but have considered buying one for some time now (read my first experience of building and test-riding a friend’s RadExpand 5 e-bike in my June 11, 2022 column titled “Bitten by the e-bike bug”).

I figured this was as good a time as any to join the party and see if I could get a piece of the rebate pie. I logged on about an hour after the BC E-Bike Rebate Program website opened to find it crashing and not accepting any additional applications. I later learned

there were more than 4,000 applications in the first hours, and somewhere between 8,000 and 9,000 at the end of the first day. Suffice to say, that $6 million dollars was gone faster than an e-bike gunning it down Lorimer hill. I was expecting the program to be popular, but not “Taylor Swift tickets” popular. So congratulations to the deserving Whistler locals who got their application in.

Rebate or not, commuter e-bikes are starting to become a household item Whistler. Parents shuttle their kids to school

Valley Trail than an irresponsible rider on a Class 1 (no throttle) e-bike, but in any case, e-bikes are quickly replacing the traditional “valley commuter” bikes, and it won’t be long before our beloved paved trail network starts having traffic issues of its own.

Accidents involving e-bikes and alcohol can cause life-altering injuries, and have already done so in Whistler.

with cargo wagons; teenagers ride pillion on the back of their friends’ bikes; and fat-tired rigs are becoming the vehicle of choice for getting to the mountain on powder days.

It’s worth noting here that these more affordable e-bikes from brands like Rad Power and VoltBike have a throttle (in addition to pedal assist), putting them into the Class 2 category. That means they’re technically not supposed to be ridden on the Valley Trail, though many folks ignore that rule for the sake of convenience. There’s an argument to be made that a responsible rider on a Class 2 e-bike is safer on the

Dr. Charles DiMaggio, director

E-bike-related injuries are also on the rise—not just in Whistler, but globally. The speeds people can easily reach on bike paths is already contributing to more hospitalizations and a greater severity of trauma.

So with seemingly more e-bikes on Whistler’s roads, paths and trails every day, what’s the long-term management plan? The Resort Municipality of Whistler developed a policy in 2022 for the types of e-bikes allowed on different trails, but left things pretty open-ended with the following in its final point of the policy:

“With e-mobility device technology changing rapidly and uptake increasing, new use patterns and issues will emerge. It will be important to monitor potential social, environmental and economic impacts in the coming years.”

of injury research at NYU’s Langone Department of Surgery, analyzed data from 2000 to 2017, and told Fortune magazine that e-bikes “were three times more likely to result in hospitalization when compared to traditional pedal cycles, with many e-bike related hospital discharges coded as internal injuries.” Crashing a Class 2 e-bike is akin to coming off a small motorcycle, so reconsider riding one without a helmet, especially if you’re riding anywhere near the highway.

Using an e-bike to get home from the village after a heavy night of drinking should also be considered socially unacceptable.

Making any sort of accommodation on Highway 99 for additional bike traffic will be up to the province, so I doubt we’ll see progress there any time soon. What we’ll eventually need is a sort of valley-spanning, e-bike freeway where there’s a recommended minimum speed, mandatory helmets, and sightlines and corners built specifically for higher-speed e-bikes. It sounds pie-in-the-sky, but I’m sure they said the same thing about the Valley Trail when that idea was first proposed. A logical starting point would be shaving a few metres off the edge of the Whistler Golf Club, giving locals a high-speed bike path between Alta Vista and Whistler Cay with an exit right by the village.

E-bikes are only getting cheaper, faster and more popular. We’ll need to do more to manage them very soon.

Vince Shuley still very much likes to pedal without a motor. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @whis_vince. ■

[E]-bikes are quickly replacing the traditional “valley commuter” bikes, and it won’t be long before our beloved paved trail network starts having traffic issues of its own.

SHULEY

ELECTRIC CITY Does Whistler need to start thinking about e-bike-specific infrastructure?

BLAZING NEW TRAILS IN HEALTH BLAZING NEW TRAILS IN HEALTH

OUT OF CRISIS, THE WHISTLER 360 HEALTH COLLABORATIVE WAS BORN, CARVING A NEW PATH IN TRANSFORMATIVE, PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE

BY ALISON TAYLOR

Afew short years ago, Whistler’s primary health-care system was in crisis.

In 2019, a staggering 40 per cent of the community didn’t have access to a family doctor. Those that did often had long waits to get help. For various reasons, a few long-standing family practices closed their doors; doctors left or retired, and no one was stepping in to fill the void. The numbers paint the clearest picture: a community the size of Whistler should have, at minimum, 16 full-time family physicians and/or nurse practitioners—at this particular point in time, there were just six.

In this vacuum, the burden of care fell to Whistler’s busy emergency department, straining that facility and adding tremendous cost pressures to an already overtaxed system.

Something had to be done. And so, after more than two years of research, discussion and planning, in 2022, the Whistler 360 Health Collaborative was born, a non-profit society with charitable status, governed by a community board supported by volunteers. In January, Whistler 360 took over the Whistler Medical Clinic, the longeststanding family medicine practice in Whistler.

In the last six months, under the Whistler 360 banner, two renovated spaces (five exam rooms in total) and two new doctors have begun taking on new patients, with another doctor set to arrive from the U.K. in the fall. A new nurse practitioner begins work this month, with another slated to start in the coming months. Two-thousand new patients, and counting, have registered to get access to Whistler 360 primary care and all are being welcomed to sign up. (Visit whistler360health.org/how-to-getinvolved to register for primary care.)

Simply put, Whistler is changing the way it delivers health-care in this small rural community. And people are starting to take note.

But none of it would have been possible without the community answering the call for help and trailblazing new pathways out of an old and tired system unable to pivot to face today’s challenges. This is the story about the local people who helped make it all happen. And continue to do so.

If there’s any doubt the state of health-care in Whistler has transformed in the last six months, just talk to Sean Bondaroff, co-owner and art director of Whistler’s iconic Toad Hall Studios. Bondaroff was one of the 40 per cent in Whistler without a doctor. It’s not as though he has never had one. In fact, he was a patient of Dr. Rob Burgess, founder of the Whistler Medical Clinic and family physician in Whistler for 43 years. Burgess’ death in September 2021 had reverberations throughout the community.

But the tricky thing about doctors is, you often don’t need them… until you need them. By the time Bondaroff needed to see a doctor, he had missed the transfer window for Burgess’ patients. The doctors at the Whistler Medical Clinic were at maximum capacity and unable to take new patients. And there was nowhere else to go.

Then this year, Bondaroff, along with his wife, signed up for Whistler 360’s new patient registry. They, along with 650 new patients, have recently seen their doctor at the new satellite location on Main Street.

“Thank God,” says Bondaroff. “What a relief.

“I’m super happy about it, that’s for sure … I’m just so happy to see someone more permanent come to town.”

THE VISION

If you talk to Dr. Karin Kausky, one of those at the helm of transforming health-care delivery, you get a sense this is only the beginning, that there are great things on the horizon for health-care in Whistler. To now work within a system where there is increasing access to family doctors, a system where the

for the women’s alpine events at the 2010 Olympics in Whistler, the 2022 Family Physician of the Year, and Whistler’s Citizen of the Year in 2021. She has been critical to the success of Whistler 360.

“There’s an inspiring amount of energy, expertise and passion in the community for this,” she says. “It really is a passionate group of people that understands the community and wants to promote wellness.

“It’s been so inspiring to me … that it’s personal to them.”

Thousands of volunteer hours have gone on behind the scenes to date, the unsung heroes who put in the time at brainstorming meetings, who have researched and studied other models around the province to see what would work best in Whistler, who have stayed the course even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

They knew that funding was critical to get Whistler 360 off the ground in this early stage. There is no way, for example, that the non-profit could have taken over the Whistler Medical Clinic, and all that entails, as well as take on two new spaces that needed renovations, as well as recruit new family physicians and nurse practitioners, without funding. And the community answered that call.

THE FOUNDERS

Kevin and Kathy Morgan are part-time Whistler residents, visiting over the last 25 years and ultimately buying a home in the Upper Village 12 years ago. They are now in the process of moving here fulltime from Ontario.

There, in recent years, the couple have been critical to the creation of the Oak Ridges Hospice in Durham Region, just east of Toronto. A few years ago, there were no hospice beds in that region, which served roughly 800,000 people.

Kevin Morgan and Dave Sidhu formed The Morgan & Sidhu Family Hospice Ltd., jointly pledging $2 million as a foundational gift. Now, the Oak Ridges Hospice is a 10-bed facility.

And so, supporting Whistler 360 was a natural fit for the Morgans, a way to make a difference in their new full-time community.

goal is to actively try to capture people who are underserved, like those without insurance coverage or those struggling with mental health issues, is a game-changer for her.

“That actually brings the joy back to work,” says Kausky, who has been a family doctor at the Whistler Medical Clinic for the past 30 years.

Under the Whistler 360 model, family physicians can focus on the health of the patients first and foremost; the day-to-day operations of the business now fall to the administrative arm of the non-profit.

“This is a massive cultural shift in moving from this privately owned small business that’s just barely surviving to this non-profit society that is community-led and governed, that is accountable to the community,” she says.

“Now we can focus on the community’s health.”

Kausky is a trailblazer in her own right, even before sitting on the Whistler 360 board as vice chair and shepherding it through the last four years. She was the Chief Medical Officer

“When planning our move to the Sea to Sky, we looked at ways we could have an impact in our community and Whistler 360 was an easy and obvious cause to support,” wrote Kevin Morgan in an email to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation. “The need for family health-care teams and networks is so desperate throughout the Sea to Sky, but also throughout the whole country.

“We are happy to be founding donors at Whistler 360 and are ecstatic about the progress they have made in such a short period of time.

“Kathy and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a small part of bringing sustainable health-care to Whistler.”

Closer to home, after Burgess’ passing, a fund was set up in his name by the Whistler Health Care Foundation, and this too has made its mark on Whistler 360. The Dr. Rob Burgess Primary Care Fund has provided $205,000 to Whistler 360 so far, something “he would have been totally blown away by,” says daughter Micky Burgess.

“Primary care was so important to him. He watched the whole community grow in front of his eyes.”

Burgess was a family doctor in Whistler for 43 years, starting in ski patrol in the late ’70s before setting up a

medical trailer to deal with everything from ear infections to skiers’ broken bones. That trailer eventually transformed into the Whistler Medical Clinic, with Burgess at the helm along the way.

THE SPACE

Just as it took a trailblazer like Burgess to find space for a medical clinic decades ago, the same is true today.

Space, and high rents, continue to pose problems in Whistler whether you’re a ski bum looking for a shared bedroom or a business looking to set up shop.

Health-care is not immune to these challenges.

How then would a start-up non-profit foot the monthly bill of a commercial rental in a central village location?

“There’s no way we would be able to afford any space in the village and pay market rents,” says Carol Leacy, chair of Whistler 360.

So, once again it was the community that provided the answer and support. Longtime Whistler business owners Terri Ohyama and Norbert Doebelin now own the space that once housed Town Plaza Medical Clinic, which closed in May 2022 after 25 years. Without any fanfare, the new landlords quietly offered the empty space to Whistler 360. If the non-profit could cover the strata fees, insurance and property taxes, they would waive rent for five years, with an option to renew.

“It was exceptionally generous,” says Leacy of the space, which added three new exam rooms under Whistler 360.

“The Whistler 360 organization did a very good job,” says Ohyama in an emailed statement. “If this was the government, [the work] Whistler 360 [has accomplished] would take many more months with many more employees. Compared to them,

what we did was so little. We just wanted to bring more doctors to serve Whistlerites for proper care.”

It’s the same reason Rick Perolli, owner of Precision Painting, donated time and resources to paint the satellite medical practice on Main Street, as well as the expanded space at the main clinic housed on the second floor of the Whistler Health Care Centre.

“There are so many people who don’t have doctors. It’s that simple,” says Perolli.

He estimates his donation was in the range of $3,000—money well spent, in his view.

Perolli asked Jeremy Robb of Bluebird Fine Finishing to refinish the doors in the clinic free of charge. For Robb, it was a little more personal. With no family doctor after Town Plaza Medical Clinic closed its doors, Robb knew first-hand just how important it was to get this space off the ground as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

“As someone who no longer had a family doctor, I totally understood the importance to the community; it was nice to do my part,” he says. His donation was in the range of $1,400. He has since added his name to the new patient registry.

Sheldon Gaudet of Manor Building Projects managed the small renovation at just over cost. Like Perolli, he knows people involved with Whistler 360 Health personally.

“It was important to them, so it was important to me,” says Gaudet.

Other donations and forms of support continue to flow in, each making a difference to the work behind the scenes of making Whistler 360 a success.

THE FUTURE AND THE FUNDRAISERS

Still, the work continues, with more and more community members finding ways to help.

In May, the 100 Women of Whistler Who Care had its quarterly meeting. Each member donates $100 at every meeting and, collectively, the group decides which non-profit the money will be funnelled into every three months. Three local charities presented projects in May in the hopes of securing funding from the group, including Whistler 360, which was looking for funds to go towards a patient selfregistration kiosk at its clinic.

Whistler 360 was ultimately successful in securing the donation: $11,300 from 113 women.

“It’s opening up doors for more Whistler residents to get in to see a family doctor,” says 100 Women of Whistler Who Care founder Ashlie Girvan.

The project has universal appeal; everybody should have access to a family doctor.

Girvan is another local trailblazer who started 100 Women in 2019. In that time, the group has donated $202,400 to local organizations. (Check out 100womenwhistler.com.)

Another sizable donation is set to come in after the Whistler Health Care Foundation’s annual Hike for Health on Sunday, June 18 (see sidebar).

In the meantime, the hard work continues.

Whistler Councillor Jen Ford, who sits on the board of Whistler 360, says people are paying attention to what’s happening in the community as they look for solutions to the primary care staff shortage. While Whistler 360 hasn’t rewritten any rules, she says, what it has done is travel to, and looked at, successful health-care models across other

communities in B.C. to discover a solution that would best serve Whistler patients.

“It’s not that simple,” says Ford of the reimagining of the delivery of primary care in a community, adding that Whistler 360 is not a boilerplate for other communities. “It has to be community-led. It has to be locally focused.”

Of the success to date, she adds: “I think it was equal parts luck, equal parts really motivated and inspiring leadership from Karin (Kausky) and Carol (Leacy).”

Invigorated by the work to date, Kausky says the crux of this success ultimately lies with the concept of a “communityled and governed” organization. That, she says, creates a shared accountability for the wellness of the entire community, a concept that was highlighted best in Whistler’s response to the pandemic.

“COVID really showed us that health-care is this team sport,” says Kausky.

Adds Leacy: “I was hoping the community would be really supportive of this … but I’ve just been shocked at how positive everyone has been. It’s really quite overwhelming.” ■

TRAILBLAZER BE A TRAILBLAZER

You can be a trailblazer, too.

Whistler 360 Health is becoming a collective community endeavour with so many people now having a hand in the future of Whistler’s collective well-being.

On Sunday, June 18, Father’s Day, Whistler is hosting the second annual Hike for Health, with all proceeds going to the Dr. Rob Burgess Primary Care Fund. The fun and familyfriendly event takes place on the Ascent Trails on Blackcomb Mountain. In its inaugural year, Hike for Health raised $80,000. Like the Whistler trailblazers in this story—Dr. Karin Kausky, philanthropist Kevin Morgan, Dr. Rob Burgess, and others— you too can be a “Trailblazer” for health by donating $500, $1,000, $5,000 or $10,000 to the Hike for Health. The event will max out at 300 participants, so register in advance.

Hike for Health tickets are $40 per adult, $25 for youth aged seven to 18, and free for kids under six.

Visit whistlerhealthcarefoundation. org/hike-for-health to register, or for more information about sponsoring the fundraiser.

Pemberton paraglider James Elliott ready to fly with the eagles

ELLIOTT IS COMPETING IN THE RED BULL X-ALPS, A 1,220-KM HIKE-AND-PARAGLIDE RACE ACROSS FIVE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

BY DAVID SONG

FLIGHT has always been a quintessential human dream. Long before the civilizationdefining Wright Flyer lifted off on Dec. 17, 1903 and reached a top speed of 48 km/h, men and women around the globe have looked to the skies and thought: how do we get up there? What would it be like?

We’ve come a long way since that fateful 255.6-metre jaunt off the ground. Now, the Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range airliner can cover 18,000 kilometres on one tank of fuel. Meanwhile, the speed king amongst airbreathing jets is the SR-71 Blackbird, a military spy plane that once screamed through the stratosphere at 3,540 km/h—fast enough to cross the continental United States in less than one hour and eight minutes.

But what about those who want to fly for simpler reasons, those who truly wish to know what it’s like to soar with the eagles? Such individuals turn to the paraglider. Most recreational flights last anywhere from one to

two hours, but some—like Pembertonian James Elliott—try to remain airborne for much longer.

UP, UP AND AWAY

From June 11 to 25, Elliott will take on the 20th annual Red Bull X-Alps, a one-ofa-kind biannual race spread throughout five Western European countries: Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Italy. He and 33 other world-class athletes will hike and paraglide their way around a monumental 1,223-kilometre course, strategically choosing when to fly, when to run and when to rest. Their goal: make it further in 12 days than anyone else.

Unlike most high-level sporting events, the X-Alps are co-ed. Four women, including Austrian rookie Elisabeth Egger, will take to the skies alongside their male counterparts. Elliott is the lone Canadian in the field and one of just three North Americans tackling a sport dominated by Europe.

When asked how he feels representing his country in such a manner, Elliott needed a moment to find words.

“I’m honoured, because very few Canadians have ever been selected for this race, let alone competed in it,” he said after a pause. “I think that it represents the biggest challenge and can therefore be an inspiration for other Canadian pilots who want to compete internationally or

develop their own hike-and-fly skills.”

Elliott, though originally from Vancouver, spends a lot of time in Pemberton doing what he loves most. He’s been enthralled with flight since childhood, graduating from model airplanes to a pilot’s license and ultimately to paragliding.

As a former high school soccer player and lifelong trail runner, Elliott is no stranger to endurance. Despite that fact, he did not get to ride his first air current until he was 28 years old during an introductory session in Spain. It was love at first glide.

“If you’ve ever had a dream of flying, that is almost exactly what paragliding is like,” Elliott explained. “It’s the ultimate freedom and the ultimate challenge: you can fly for five minutes or, on a good day, you can fly for 10 hours. It’s almost sensory overload if you were to do it for the first time or the first few times, but then you become used to it, and that’s where the dopamine comes from.”

Paragliding may feel like a dream, but the consequences of even a small mistake are very real. Elliott and his peers can’t simply rely on their backup parachutes in case of trouble: instead, they spend hours researching an area’s terrain, climate and weather patterns before leaving home. Once off the ground, they must be technically superb.

Elliott made his first foray into the competitive hike-and-fly realm in his mid-

30s, but he’s been ascending like a fast-rising thermal. The West Coaster cut his teeth in competitions like Utah’s XRedRocks (where he finished seventh last year) and the X-Pyr traversing the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain (where he placed 11th). Such results gave him confidence that the world stage was within reach.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL CHESS

Make no mistake, though—the X-Alps is billed as Earth’s toughest adventure race, and it’s easy to see why. Even the most gruelling ultramarathons like Italy’s Tor des Glaciers 450 span just over a week and cover about 450 kilometres—a modest time period and distance compared to what elite hike-andflyers deal with.

X-Alps athletes can spend up to 11 consecutive hours airborne, covering 300 kilometres in one go. Most people can’t even hold their urine for that long, let alone maintain sharpness of mind to predict and analyze everything around them amidst a dynamic air mass. Furthermore, one must strategically decide how to cover ground each and every day (there’s a nightly curfew that each athlete may only violate once).

“It’s like a giant, three-dimensional chess

FLIGHT RISK James Elliott only started paragliding in his mid-30s, but this month he will take on the Red Bull X-Alps: a 1,223-kilometre hike-and-fly race in Western Europe.

PHOTO BY JAMES ELLIOTT / RED BULL CONTENT POOL

Grizzly bear makes surprise appearance at Whistler Half Marathon

THE RACE WAS REROUTED ON SHORT NOTICE AND THE BEAR SAFELY RELOCATED

BY DAVID SONG

THE WHISTLER Half Marathon’s official tagline reads: “Immersed in Nature.” It doesn’t get much more immersive than a close encounter with a 300-pound female grizzly bear.

Event organizer Dave Clark and his team were aware of the animal’s presence in the valley after recent BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) and RCMP reports as well as civilian sightings in Rainbow Park. They took their usual precautions, pre-riding the racecourse and looking for tracks and scat. According to Clark, the risk level seemed to be well within normal parameters—until the morning of Saturday, June 3, when the bear moved onto the Fairmont golf course.

JAMES ELLIOTT FROM PAGE 30

game where you’re trying to position yourself on top or on the side of a mountain at the right time of day, in the right weather, so you can fly as far as you can,” Elliott explained.

Pemberton is actually an ideal place to train for this mammoth challenge, being fairly similar to the Alps in terms of terrain and volatile weather. Despite the advent of regular competitions like the XRedRocks, paragliding remains a niche sport in many parts of the world, which continues to give European athletes a leg up. There are only a handful of non-Europeans in contention: two from the United States and one each from Australia, China, Japan and New Zealand in addition to Elliott.

In comparison, perennial powerhouses like Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland are sending four or five athletes apiece into the fray. All are looking to dethrone Chrigel Maurer, a Swiss phenom who has won the X-Alps seven times.

AN UNEXPECTED GUEST

According to Clark, the COS was relatively unconcerned about the sow’s behaviour based on days of prior observation. Yet when it approached the Valley Trail, an audible needed to be called.

“A very quick-witted volunteer out on course at that particular point, along with a few of our staff, were able to make a very quick decision to divert runners in consultation with me … by about 250 metres, to keep them a safe distance away from the grizzly,” Clark recalled.

Fortunately, the race unfolded without further incident while COS and RCMP personnel safely captured and relocated the bear.

Whistlerite Torren Davis, who won bronze

SEE PAGE 32 >>

Elliott has taken full advantage of every training opportunity and has no illusions about the task at hand. No amount of tirelessly plotting out flights and forecasting the location of sun and wind can substitute for the real thing, and his priority is his own health.

He’d love to finish in the top half of the field, but simply finishing at all would be a splendid result—on average, only 14 per cent of competitors reach the goal. Elliott’s support team is made up of four volunteers who are as committed to the cause as he is, but ultimately, they’re keeping the fun aspect in mind. After all, where’s the magic in flight if you’re not enjoying yourself?

“It’s incredibly fun to the point of potentially life-changing,” said Elliott. “It gives you a very unique perspective on our world. It exposes you to environments and feelings that you would never be able to feel on the ground.” n

ON THE RUN Marilyn Arsenault on course at the 2023 Whistler Half Marathon. Arsenault was the second-highest ranked female in the half-marathon distance.

PHOTO BY ROB SHAER

in the 30-kilometre discipline, is familiar with the track from last year’s event. Initially perplexed by the sudden reroute through Blackcomb Greens, he did not catch a glimpse of the bear (nor did the runners he spoke with). In hindsight, Davis feels that Clark and company did a good job adjusting the course while maintaining a similar overall length and terrain throughout.

Half Marathon organizers have experience dealing with black bears and other animals in the general vicinity of the contest, but a grizzly has never factored into the equation before. Clark has lived in Whistler for more than two decades, and does not recall another year in which multiple grizzly sightings have been reported in the valley. The goal has always been to minimize encounters with local fauna—be it a bear or a deer.

Clark and his teammates also strive to educate runners about wilderness safety. “Ultimately, if you see a bear, you stop. Look to see if there are young cubs around. If it’s in your path, the race time you’re trying to achieve is nowhere near [as important] as your safety and the bear’s.”

“At the end of the day, we’re dealing with the unpredictability of nature, and there’s no way to predict it all and contain it all, so we just do the very best that we can.”

Furthermore, Clark praised the volunteers who show up year-in, year-out to make the Half Marathon successful—and not just because they helped avert a potential wildlife

incident on Saturday. He speaks highly of volunteerism in general, and strives to foster a culture attractive to those who are generous with their time.

“It’s about how we make a meaningful experience that [people] want to come back to and leave at the end of the day feeling like they were part of something bigger than them,” said Clark. “It’s not just about the runners—it’s an opportunity for everybody and volunteerism, in whatever form it takes, is truly philanthropy.”

A SENSE OF ADVENTURE

The Whistler Half Marathon showcased plenty of talent across its four races. John Dean of Squamish claimed victory in the 30-kilometre event, notching a time of two hours, eight minutes and 21 seconds. He was joined on the podium by Vincent Pagot of Chilliwack (2:11:19) and Davis (2:12:59).

Davis, who is originally from Queensland, Australia, emerged on top of the 20-29 age group and shattered his prior personal best by more than 10 minutes.

“My goal was just to beat my time from last year, and I did that,” he said. “I felt strong, I did a good race, and I was happy to come away with third.”

Victoria’s Carley Gering posted the best 30km time among women (2:28:37), followed by Samantha van Diemen of Kamloops (2:35:06) and Sechelt’s Jeanelle Hazlett (2:39:12).

On the other end of the spectrum, Ellis Gray crushed the 5-kilometre race (19:20)

to snag gold ahead of fellow Vancouverite Jamie Burke (21:04). Local athlete George Hallewell earned bronze (21:16). Whistler’s Joanna Hanson posted the top 5km time among women (24:07), narrowly edging Brackendale’s Maelle Hetherington (24:20) and Celia Munoz of Vancouver (25:17).

In the actual half-marathon, Nicholas Lightbody from Victoria prevailed (1:18:18) over Abbotsford’s runner-up Kris Warkentin (1:20:00) and third-place competitor Nicholas Marty from Vader, Wash. (1:24:20). Catrin

Jones of Victoria posted the top time among the women (1:31:04), followed by Marilyn Arsenault of Victoria (1:35:55) and Marina Lovell of Winnipeg (1:39:15).

David Jackson from Abbotsford stood atop the 10-kilometre podium (37:49), next to Richmond silver medallist Mantas Jarusevicius (39:03). Xavier Gilbert of Quebec City rounded out the top three (40:45). Cumberland’s Hanna Stoddart was best among women, followed by Madeline Wiseman and Tracy Dabbs, both of Vancouver (45:46 and 46:49, respectively).

Needless to say, individual race performances were overshadowed this weekend by talk of the grizzly. By and large, athletes kept their cool during the unprecedented turn of events, and Clark thinks their rare visitor added a unique element to the weekend’s festivities.

“People come to Whistler for adventure, right? No matter what that adventure looks like,” he opined. “But the one common denominator in adventure is your connection and association with nature—and particularly wildlife. I think that this grizzly bear and the uniqueness of it brought an element that we could never have expected or could ever have tried to create ourselves.

“There wasn’t fear of the grizzly. It was this connection to nature that we have when we adventure … and that was the feeling I got from people. They were aglow with the fact that this magical creature chose to be with us.”

Full results are available at startlinetiming. com/en/races/2023/whistlerhalf/event/30K. n

PODIUM PLACEMENT Torren Davis poses for the camera after winning bronze in the 30-kilometre race at the 2023 Whistler Half-Marathon.

Join your friends from Cornucopia for a spring culinary and wellness series that will nourish your body and mind

Throughout June enjoy farm to table dinners, grillmaster classes, farm visits with tastings, free exercise classes, art picnics and more. Tickets available now!

EVERY WEEKEND IN JUNE

◆ Farm to Table Dinners

On Fridays savour local cuisine, expertly crafted by Whistler ’s world-renowned chefs.

◆ Trip to Farm Progressive Lunch

On Saturdays immerse yourself in the bounty of BC’s agricultural scene.

◆ Wellness Dinner Series

On Saturday evenings enjoy a luxurious fourcourse meal at the exceptional Barefoot Bistro.

◆ And so much more!

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FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO SECURE YOUR TICKETS VISIT

Fruit crisps spell summer delight

HERE’S A GENUINE LOCAL TWIST ON A MUCH-LOVED CANADIAN TRADITION

PILES OF FRESH rhubarb at farmers’ markets. Baskets of sweet strawberries. Early summer apples almost on hand, and blueberries ripening as I write…

Beyond the very good and good-foryour-gut plantains I wrote about last time, if you want to add to your super-dessert repertoire, for summer or anytime, here’s a recipe for delicious fruit crisp that’s as easy and, depending how you tweak it, almost as healthy. Plus it takes full advantage of all the amazing local fresh fruit showing up like crazy thanks to the sudden switch to full-on summer.

BY GLENDA BARTOSH

This recipe, from Tom Barratt—Whistler’s original parks planner who still calls this place home—has stood me in good stead over the years for many a down-home dinner party or sweet pick-me-up for friends and loved ones needing a treat or a little comfort. Everyone loves it, plus it evokes tons of memories. Seems many a Canadian mom makes a dynamite fruit crisp.

This one is actually from Tom’s mom, Anne, who had six kids to look after when they were all growing up in Kitimat. Besides Tom, there was brother Bill, the original Resort Municipality of Whistler parks construction foreman, who, along with his

CRISP AND CLEAN Fruit crisp is one of those nice ‘n’ easy, flexible recipes that scream “summer” and invite you to play around.

wife Karen, comprise two more of the many longtime locals cashing in their resort chips to get away from “Nowhere,” in this case opting for Ladysmith instead. (See Alyssa Noel’s great Pique column on this sadly growing trend.)

Raising six kids in Kitimat in the 1950s and ’60s when B.C.’s government invited the Aluminum Company of Canada (Alcan) to develop a town and hydro-electric facility there to support one of the most power-intensive industries on Earth— aluminum smelting—couldn’t have been easy, or cheap.

Dad was at work all day as a purchasing

agent for Alcan’s Kitimat site, and staples like cream or fresh milk were expensive and often in short supply. So Tom’s mom always served her fruit crisp with condensed milk. When Whistler’s original muni hall staff got together for pizza nights, and it was Tom’s turn to supply dessert, you guessed it—he always brought his mom’s fruit crisp and the obligatory can of condensed milk.

“The first time I brought it, Dave Eastham (a former muni hall consultant who jokingly called himself an ‘insultant’) and everybody just laughed, so I kind of figured it out. Nobody would open the can, but I kept on bringing it as a symbolic

TOM BARRATT’S FRUIT CRISP

This is one of those nice ’n’ easy, flexible recipes that scream “summer” and invite you to play around. Use whatever fruit base you like. Try combining different ones. Ultimately, it’s way easier and healthier than making a fruit pie.

This recipe makes enough for a 9 1/2 x 13-inch pan. If you use a smaller one, you can freeze the leftover “crisp” to use later.

Clean your fruit. Chop larger stuff like rhubarb into bite-sized pieces. Fill your pan with fruit to about 1/2 inch from the top. Since there’s sugar in the crisp topping, experiment if you want to sugar to your fruit, too. The less sugar the healthier it is, but I’ve found sprinkling a couple of tablespoons evenly over the fruit before adding the crisp topping brings out the flavour. For astringent fruit like rhubarb, you’ll want to sprinkle more— maybe 1/4 cup or more before you add the topping.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix 1/2 to 1 cup of cup brown sugar with 2 cups flour. Tom uses 1/2 cup of sugar these days, but his mom’s original recipe calls for 1 cup. I use something in between. When the sugar and flour are well mixed, add 1/2 cup butter by chopping it into chunks then rubbing it in with your hands to get a nice “crumbly” effect. Add extras as you like, maybe a handful of rolled oats, dried cranberries, chopped nuts or sunflower seeds. And try using other flours, like almond flour.

If you use a 9 1/2 x 13-inch pan, spread all the mixture evenly over the fruit. It usually works out to about a 1/2 inch of crisp on top. If you use a smaller pan, or prefer less topping, simply adjust accordingly and freeze the leftovers to use later.

Bake at 350 degrees for about half an hour, or until the fruit juices bubble up the sides, and your topping is a nice golden-brown. Serve warm or cold. Enjoy!

gesture because if I didn’t, they’d give me grief,” Tom recalls with a laugh.

Condensed milk is not the easiest thing to find these days, whether you need it for fruit crisp or dulce de leche. And no, it’s not the same as evaporated milk. That’s made from cow’s milk with about 60 per cent of the water extracted. Because it contains no sugar, it goes through a lengthier process to maintain its stability.

Condensed milk is also cow’s milk with about 60 per cent of the water extracted, but sugar is added so it requires less processing than evaporated milk because the sugar inhibits bacterial growth. This makes it practical for challenging settings, like an industry town such as Kitimat being built on B.C.’s rugged coast at a time when families, like the Barratts, had to take a boat up the coast then a steam locomotive in from Terrace.

Whether or not you serve your fruit crisp with condensed milk, you’ll have a hit on your hands. So next time you’re enjoying the Valley Trail or any of the many wonderful parks and facilities that Tom designed and his brother Bill supervised the construction of—Meadow Park, Rainbow Park, the beach and park at Lost Lake, Alpha Lake Park, and more—why not bring a little picnic along, including some fruit crisp?

Then raise your glass or bottle of beer to the Anne Barratts of the world who passed along such practical, “fruitful” recipes that use the best of our B.C. bounty.

Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who learned that the first Canadian milk condensery was built in Truro, Nova Scotia, in 1871, some 20 years before the first U.S. one that eventually churned out the famous Carnation brand. n

MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE

Please see whistler.ca/recreation for the daily arena hours or call 604-935- PLAY (7529)

Pemberton Dance Studio celebrates successful season with year-end shows

CATCH THE SEASONS AND DELIGHTFUL DECADES AT THE MAURY YOUNG ARTS CENTRE ON JUNE 11

BY ALYSSA NOEL

PEMBERTON DANCE STUDIO is wrapping up a busy year with two shows at the Maury Young Arts Centre on June 11.

The first, Delightful Decades , will feature both the studio’s recreational and competitive classes performing a variety of genres, from hip hop and acrobatics to jazz.

“That’s a celebration of inspirational music that our students and our teachers found exciting, across the board,” says Anna Kroupina, who runs the studio.

The second, The Seasons , features its ballet dancers—spanning from its youngest members to the studio’s three teachers.

“It’s mainly ballet and we go through all the seasons, kind of a mishmash of different classical music that Anna has pulled from various composers and orchestras. It’s quite a variety in there,” says Angela Waldie, another dance teacher. (Danielle Poupart rounds out the group.)

Adds Kroupina: “It has a few surprises about what each season holds for many of us, not just around nature. It’s around events

we have happen during those seasons, in our lives, with our families, and overall. So, we’re touching on a wider concept.”

While the year-end shows are slightly smaller in scale than their post-COVID comeback production of Alice in Wonderland last year, the studio is also already gearing up for the fall, when it will produce a Sea to Sky corridor-wide take on The Nutcracker.

Maury Young Arts Centre before Christmas.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity, even open for adults,” Kroupina adds. “We [welcomed] adults with dance backgrounds to come and try out for us. We are hoping for a community Nutcracker, reuniting dancers of different ages and different backgrounds.”

Looking back on the dance year— the studio’s second without COVID

mission as dance educators,” Kroupina says.

For Waldie, another rewarding achievement this year was watching some students delve into improv dancing.

“This year we were part of a competition that offered improv as a [genre]. For myself, that’s new for me. I’d never heard of that before. So it was interesting rehearsing with these girls who, at first, were really reluctant and weren’t sure if they were going to even sign up for it—it’s pretty scary putting yourself out there,” she says.

“Everybody did a really great job, which I think is one, super scary, and two, it really kind of brought them out of their shell. Now, it’s one of their favourite things they love to do in class.”

While the studio is running some summer camps for dancers, it’s also welcoming new students for the 2023/24 year in August.

Auditions took place in late May and early June with both young dancers and adults, spanning the entire corridor.

“We had dancers from Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton come and try out for roles, and we can’t wait to be onstage and to bring all the pieces together, all the dancers together, and all the families together to reunite our community even more,” Kroupina says.

That show will also take place at The

restrictions—a couple of other highlights stand out for the teachers.

For one, they have a student was accepted to the Canada acrobatics team that was bound for the World Acrobatic Championships in Mexico two years ago. That trip will finally happen this July.

“We are in a small town, we are in a small bubble and pushing our students for scholarships and auditions and just going out there into the bigger world is definitely our

“We love what we do and we hope to attract more people and more kids to experience that,” Kroupina says.

Catch The Seasons on June 11 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Maury Young Arts Centre. (Tickets are $12—search Year-End Dance Recital - “The Seasons” on eventbrite.ca.) Delightful Decades runs from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. (Tickets are also $12 at eventbrite. ca. Search Year-End Dance Recital“Delightful Decades”.)

For more on the studio, visit pembertondance.ca. ■

SEASONAL DELIGHT Pemberton Dance Studio is performing two year-end shows at the Maury Young Arts Centre on Sunday, June 11.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

“We [welcomed] adults with dance backgrounds to come and try out for us. We are hoping for a community Nutcracker, reuniting dancers of different ages and different backgrounds.”

- ANNA KROUPINA

New exhibit featuring dozens of local artists opens at The Gallery

ARTS NEWS: SPRING READING EVENT HOSTS FOUR AUTHORS AND ONE ORCHESTRA; MOUNTAIN MUSE FESTIVAL UNVEILS LINEUP; AWFULLY HILARIOUS SERIES WANTS YOUR EMBARRASSING STORIES

BY ALYSSA NOEL

A NEW EXHIBIT running at The Gallery at the Maury Young Arts Centre is celebrating entirely local talent.

We Heart Local Art kicked off on June 6 and runs through July 15, featuring 14 diverse artists from across the Sea to Sky corridor.

“From serene landscapes to psychedelic worlds, ornate carvings to intricate pen and ink, We Heart Local Art celebrates the diversity of artistic styles and perspectives,” according to Arts Whistler.

Artists (who, hey, just might be your neighbour!) include: Alli van Gruen, Brayden Pawlik, Eileen Kiyonaga, Helen Judge, Holly Mitchell, Joan Baron, Juan Teruel, Lesley Fireweed Gering, Mimi Morrissey, Nat Tuke, Rob Leblanc, Robyn Shaw, Sarah McDonald, Steffi Lai, and Vicki Lynn Barrett.

For more, visit artswhistler.com/ weheartlocalart.

SPRING READING EVENT

Stories, songs, and conversations: what more could you ask for in an event?

The Whistler Writers Festival is set to host its 2023 Spring Reading Event on Thursday, June 15 at the Whistler Public Library.

Featuring four guest authors and the Sea to Sky Orchestra, Stories & Music: Reflections on Wellness, Balance and Saving Lives, runs in-person from 7 to 9 p.m.

Authors include CBC radio journalist Gregor Craigie who will share from his novel, Radio Jetlag; Leigh Joseph, a Squamish ethnobotanist who wrote Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness , and will share more about building relationships with plant life; Lisa Duncan, author of the memoir Chasing Africa: Fear Won’t Find Me Here , about a solo adventure across Africa while dealing with personal issues; and Cathalynn Labonté-Smith from the Sunshine Coast who wrote the nonfiction book, Rescue Me: Behind the Scenes of Search and Rescue about real search-andrescue stories.

Tickets to the event are $25. For more, or to purchase them, visit whistlerwritersfest. com/2023-spring-reading-event-copy.

MOUNTAIN MUSE FESTIVAL UNVEILS LINEUP

The Pemberton Arts Council has its lineup for the Mountain Muse Festival, taking place at the Pemberton Downtown Community Barn on June 24 and 25.

Musical acts include The Spiritual Warriors, The Railtown Prophets, and Pemberton Project on Saturday, June 24. Tickets for that show are $20.

Then, on Sunday, June 25, catch a free event featuring Ira Pettle, Austin Ross, Archie

Peters, Kera Willis, and Broken Arrow (ft. Black Arrow).

For more information or tickets visit pembertonartscouncil.com/ mountainmusefestival.

AWFULLY HILARIOUS SERIES SEEKS SUBMISSIONS

Fresh off the heels of publishing Awfully Hilarious: Stories We Never Tell earlier this year, the writers behind the book project are seeking tales for their next publication.

Where their debut featured an array of embarrassing stories, this one is honing in on a specific cringeworthy experience: period blunders.

Submissions can include poetry, prose, flash fiction, and illustrations, but they must be true, funny, and feature a “menstruation moment.”

Flash fiction is up to 500 words, while short stories can include up to 2,000. Poetry and illustrations should only be one page.

Curious about the style of successful submissions? The first Awfully Hilarious book is available at local libraries and bookstores.

The ultimate goal is connection, according to Heather Hendrie, the Squamishbased clinical counsellor who spearheaded the project.

“It’s the stories we haven’t told, but are worth telling to help people feel less alone and ashamed,” she told Pique back in January.

Selected contributions will be edited prior to publishing, and only those chosen will be contacted.

The deadline for submission is Aug. 31. Send yours to hello@awfullyhilarious.com. n

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Notice of Intention to Consider Issuance of a Tempor ar y Use Permit (TUP) for Cannabis Ret ail

The Resort Municipality of Whistler gives Notice of Intention to consider issuance of a TUP for Cannabis Retail at its Regular Meeting of Council on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

The purpose of the TUP is to allow a cannabis retail business in a designated location. Whistler’s zoning bylaw designates TUP Areas where applications for cannabis retail stores may be considered. Only one cannabis retail store will be permitted in each TUP area. Based on the applications received, Council can approved up to four TUPs for cannabis retail in Whistler

In addition to bylaw requirements, TUP for cannabis retail applicants must demonstrate alignment with the Cannabis Retail Policy and be approved by Council

TUP Cannabis Retail Applications

Village Nor th

TUP00114 THC Canada Ltd. #115 – 4368 Main Street

TUP00115 Mount ain High #211-4368 Main Street

Village Centre

TUP00106 This is Cannabis #201 A&B – 4293 Mount ain Square

TUP00108 The Green Pineapple #7 – 4433 Sundial Place

TUP00110 Seed and Stone #4 – 4122 Village Green

TUP00113 Inspired Cannabis Co #5 – 4122 Village Green

Creekside

TUP00109 Spiritleaf Whistler #103 - 2011 Innsbruck Drive

TUP00112 Creekside Cannabis #321 – 2063 Lake Placid Drive

Function Junction

TUP00107 A Little Bud #1 - 1050 Millar Creek Road

TUP00111 Team Cannabis Ltd #9 & 10 – 1100 Millar Creek Road

To learn more: A copy of the proposed application materials are available for review:

• In-person: at Municipal Hall, 4325 Blac kcomb Way, Whistler, BC , during regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday (statutory holidays excluded)

• Online: on the RMOW website at whistler.ca /cannabisretail

Attend the meeting: All are welcome to at tend the Council meeting on June 20, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.:

• In-person: at the Franz Wilhelmsen Theatre in the Maury Young Arts Centre at 4335 Blac kcomb Way

• Online: via digital broadcast available at whistler.ca /council

Resor t Municipality of Whistler whistler.ca/CannabisRetail

FROM THE HEART The We Heart Local Art exhibit is running at The Gallery at the Maury Young Arts Centre until July.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

When the railway came to Whistler

BY CRISPIN WELLBURN

THE CONSTRUCTION of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (PGE) through the small community of Alta Lake greatly improved the quality of life for many of its residents.

The IG Wealth Management Walk Whistler organizing committee would like to thank the following companies and volunteers for their donations to our auction

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WHISTLER GROCERY STORE

Starting on October 11, 1914, Alta Lake received rail service, granting easier access to services and amenities from the Lower Mainland. It also made visiting the newly established Rainbow Lodge easier for the early tourists of the Whistler region. While the establishment of a railway affected the residents of Alta Lake in a direct capacity, the community also adapted and utilized the new infrastructure in innovative and unprecedented ways.

A 2012 entry to the Whistler Museum’s Whistorical blog entitled “Sparks and Speeders” showcased how those who worked on the PGE used speeders and handcarts in order to traverse and repair the railway. However, the usage of such vehicles was not limited just to those who worked on the railway. Residents of Alta Lake also utilized handcarts and speeders in order to travel, both for pleasure and simply to shorten travel time. One image from the Museum’s collections shows Sala Ferguson, who moved to Alta Lake with her mother in 1923, and another unidentified girl using a railway velocipede, a threewheeled handcart that ran along the tracks.

Even after the railway was constructed and trips to either Squamish or Vancouver were made significantly less arduous and time-consuming, walking remained the primary form of transportation for those living in Alta Lake. However, locals would no longer walk the Pemberton Trail; instead, they walked the newly installed railway. While walking the rails both then and now is both dangerous and illegal, at the time it was often an efficient way for residents to get to where they needed to be.

Bob Jardine and his sister Jenny Betts

(Jardine), who first came to Alta Lake as children in the 1920s, recalled that the fastest way to get to school was to walk two and a half miles along the tracks. While their parents and other adults did warn them about the dangers of using the railroad in such a way, Bob recounted that everyone in the community was aware of how the tracks were used, stating that “the train crews kept an eye out for us kids.”

As the years went on, using the tracks remained the most popular way of travelling. John Burge, who first visited with his parents in 1956, recalled that “there were only really two ways of moving around. One was the railway tracks, which was the most popular way, and the other was the back road, what we called the Pemberton Trail.”

A symbol that exemplifies how the residents of Alta Lake adapted to their changing environment is the handcart built by Bob. According to Jenny, the cart was built out of pinewood and was pushed along the track using handmade wooden spools, which were later replaced by metal wheels donated by another local resident, Ross Barr. Jenny recalled that “Henry Horstman, when we came, used to have a cart—it had two wheels to run off one rail and one wheel to run on the other end, and you had to load it with all of our stuff and then you wheeled it down from the station to his farm.” Jenny credited Horstman’s cart as inspiration for their own handcart.

Even though rail service was somewhat infrequent during the early years, the utilization of the tracks as a footpath allowed the residents of Alta Lake to improve their daily routines. This is best exemplified by how they utilized handmade carts and mechanized speeders to travel the tracks on their own terms.

Crispin Wellburn is one of two summer students working at the Whistler Museum this summer through the Young Canada Works Program. He returns to the University of British Columbia in the fall. n

HANDYMAN Bob Jardine standing next to the handcart he built to run on the train tracks.

Meadow Par k rePlay Phase 2 Engagement

In Januar y, your imagination helped create the draft Meadow Par k Master Plan and concepts. Now we are ready to share how your input shaped these plans!

We love your passion for play, so we want to make sure we have captured the ideas shared with us in the Phase 1 engagement

Please fill out the Phase 2 sur vey before June 9, and thank you for helping us make Meadow Par k awesome!

Free Will Astrology

WEEK OF JUNE 9 BY

ARIES (March 21-April 19] “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves,” said psychologist Carl Jung. What was he implying? That we may sometimes engage in the same behaviour that bothers us about others? And we should examine whether we are similarly annoying? That’s one possible explanation, and I encourage you to meditate on it. Here’s a second theory: When people irritate us, it may signify that we are at risk of being hurt or violated by them—and we should take measures to protect ourselves. Maybe there are other theories you could come up with, as well, Aries. Now here’s your assignment: Identify two people who irritate you. What lessons or blessings could you garner from your relationships with them?

Scan the QR code to:

• review the draft Master Plan;

• read about the playground and spray par k concepts; and

• complete the online sur vey

TAURUS [April 20-May 20] In 1886, a wealthy woman named Sarah Winchester moved into a two-storey, eight-room farmhouse in San Jose, Calif. She was an amateur architect. During the next 20 years, she oversaw continuous reconstruction of her property, adding new elements and revising existing structures. At one point, the house had 500 rooms. Her workers built and then tore down a seven-storey tower on 16 occasions. When she died at age 83, her beloved domicile had 2,000 doors, 10,000 windows, 47 stairways, and six kitchens. While Sarah Winchester was extreme in her devotion to endless transformation, I do recommend a more measured version of her strategy for you—especially in the coming months. Continual creative growth and rearrangement will be healthy and fun!

GEMINI [May 21-June 20] “All the things I wanted to do and didn’t do took so long. It was years of not doing.” So writes Gemini poet Lee Upton in her book Undid in the Land of Undone. Most of us could make a similar statement. But I have good news for you, Gemini. I suspect that during the rest of 2023, you will find the willpower and the means to finally accomplish intentions that have been long postponed or unfeasible. I’m excited for you! To prepare the way, decide which two undone things you would most love to dive into and complete.

CANCER [June 21-July 22] Cancerian author Denis Johnson had a rough life in his twenties. He was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Years later, he wrote a poem expressing gratitude to the people who didn’t abandon him. “You saw me when I was invisible,” he wrote, “you spoke to me when I was deaf, you thanked me when I was a secret.” Now would be an excellent time for you to deliver similar appreciation to those who have steadfastly beheld and supported your beauty when you were going through hard times.

LEO [July 23-Aug. 22] Don’t make a wish upon a star. Instead, make a wish upon a scar. By that I mean, visualize in vivid detail how you might summon dormant reserves of ingenuity to heal one of your wounds. Come up with a brilliant plan to at least partially heal the wound. And then use that same creative energy to launch a new dream or relaunch a stalled old dream. In other words, Leo, figure out how to turn a liability into an asset. Capitalize on a loss to engender a gain. Convert sadness into power and disappointment into joy.

VIRGO [Aug. 23-Sept. 22] At age nine, I was distraught when my parents told me we were moving away from the small town in Michigan where I had grown up. I felt devastated to lose the wonderful friends I had made and leave the land I loved. But in retrospect, I am glad I got uprooted. It was the beginning of a new destiny that taught me how to thrive on change. It was my introduction to the pleasures of knowing a wide variety of people from many different backgrounds. I bring this to your attention, Virgo, because I think the next 12 months will be full of comparable opportunities for you. You don’t have to relocate to take advantage, of course. There are numerous ways to expand and diversify your world. Your homework right now is to identify three.

ROB BREZSNY

LIBRA Sept. [23-Oct. 22] Most of us continuously absorb information that is of little or questionable value. We are awash in an endless tsunami of trivia and babble. But in accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you to remove yourself from this blather as much as possible during the next three weeks. Focus on exposing yourself to fine thinkers, deep feelers, and exquisite art and music. Nurture yourself with the wit and wisdom of compassionate geniuses and brilliant servants of the greater good. Treat yourself to a break from the blahblah-blah and immerse yourself in the smartest joie de vivre you can find.

SCORPIO [Oct. 23-Nov. 21] More than 25 countries have created coats of arms that feature an eagle. Why is that? Maybe it’s because the Roman Empire, the foundation of so much culture in the Western world, regarded the eagle as the ruler of the skies. It’s a symbol of courage, strength, and alertness. When associated with people, it also denotes high spirits, ingenuity, and sharp wits. In astrology, the eagle is the emblem of the ripe Scorpio: someone who bravely transmutes suffering and strives to develop a sublimely soulful perspective. With these thoughts in mind, and in accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you Scorpios to draw extra intense influence from your eagle-like aspects in the coming weeks.

SAGITTARIUS [Nov. 22-Dec. 21] “When I paint, my goal is to show what I found, not what I was looking for.” So said artist Pablo Picasso. I recommend you adopt some version of that as your motto in the coming weeks. Yours could be, “When I make love, my goal is to rejoice in what I find, not what I am looking for.” Or perhaps, “When I do the work I care about, my goal is to celebrate what I find, not what I am looking for.” Or maybe, “When I decide to transform myself, my goal is to be alert for what I find, not what I am looking for.”

CAPRICORN [Dec. 22-Jan. 19] Vincent van Gogh painted Wheatfield with a Reaper, showing a man harvesting lush yellow grain under a glowing sun. Van Gogh said the figure was “fighting like the devil in the midst of the heat to get to the end of his task.” And yet, this was also true: “The sun was flooding everything with a light of pure gold.” I see your life in the coming weeks as resonating with this scene, Capricorn. Though you may grapple with challenging tasks, you will be surrounded by beauty and vitality.

AQUARIUS [Jan. 20-Feb. 18] I suspect that your homing signals will be extra strong and clear during the next 12 months. Everywhere you go, in everything you do, you will receive clues about where you truly belong and how to fully inhabit the situations where you truly belong. From all directions, life will offer you revelations about how to love yourself for who you are and be at peace with your destiny. Start tuning in immediately, dear Aquarius. The hints are already trickling in.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] The renowned Mexican painter Diego Rivera (1886–1957) told this story about himself: When he was born, he was so frail and ill that the midwife gave up on him, casting him into a bucket of dung. Rivera’s grandmother would not accept the situation so easily, however. She caught and killed some pigeons and wrapped her newborn grandson in the birds’ guts. The seemingly crazy fix worked. Rivera survived and lived for many decades, creating an epic body of artistic work. I bring this wild tale to your attention, Pisces, with the hope that it will inspire you to keep going and be persistent in the face of a problematic beginning or challenging birth pang. Don’t give up!

Homework: What broken thing could you repair so it’s even better than it was before it broke?

Newsletter: FreeWillAstrology.com.

In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates EXPANDED

look forward to sharing with you what we have been up to, celebrating our impact and recognizing our donors,

RENT SELL HIRE

DiscovertheiconicsportoffencingfromaBritishexpert.Weekly games,exercises,sparringatthe WhistlerRacketClub.Buildphysicalandmentalagilitywithafully qualifiedcoach.Ages8andabove. 604-905-9877

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FullTime

LizzieBayLoggingisactivelylooking foradedicatedCampCleaner/Prep cooktojointheteam.Thispositionis fulltimeshiftwork.Weofferacompetitivewageandbenefitpackage.

Responsibilitiesforthispositioninclude:

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3.Launderingofbedding,towelsetc Priorexperienceinthisfieldwouldbe anasset,howevernotrequired.

Ifyouareinterestedinthisposition andwouldlikemoreinformation pleasecontactSandyat sandy@lizziebay.com

our Hotel Team

Our

Roland’s Pub is looking for a Kitchen Manager

Position is full time, 40-50 hours per week. Must have line cooking experience in a fast paced kitchen, Food Safe Level 1, and some ordering & food costing experience. Salary is minimum $60,000/year to start or negotiable for qualified applicants, plus medical & dental benefits, gas allowance, phone allowance, ski or golf pass, and other perks.

Please email resume to  info@rolandswhistler.com Staff accommodation available.

are

career driven drivers that know the word respect. Contract terms for property Owners are stress free with no commissions and includes representation from our 4 person fulltime Housing Department working with you 24/7; maintaining all aspects of the tenancy including quarterly inspections.

A great next move for Whistler property Owners that have tired with the Airbnb game or Property Fees. Let’s see if we can make a match and develop a long-term relationship here. General inquiries please email mark.munn@fairmont.com

MAINTENANCE

TECHNICIAN/CLEANER

Full Time, Year Round

*LIMITED HOUSING AVAILABLE*

Love a good challenge? Passionate about the place you call home? Tourism Whistler is looking for community-loving, mountainappreciating, environment-respecting people to join our Building Operations team.

The Maintenance Technician/Cleaner, along with the other Building Operations team members, is responsible for the general cleaning, beautification, and minor repairs of the Whistler Conference Centre, Tourism Whistler administration offices, and the Whistler Golf Club. This role requires a positive team player with cleaning/ maintenance experience.

What we offer: limited housing available, a flexible schedule offering work-life balance, a commitment to health and wellness, competitive compensation and benefits package, and a great team environment.

HIRING WE ARE

Why work for us?

Bylaw

Enforcement & Animal Control

Corporate Services

Facilities

Public Works

We offer competitive wages, comprehensive pension plan and health benefits, and we are driven by our passion to serve community.

• Bylaw and Animal Control Officer – Regular Full-Time

• Community Patrol Officer – Casual/On-Call (multiple positions)

• Clerk 4 – Freedom of Information and Records – Regular FullTime

• Assistant Manager of Facilities – Regular Full-Time

• Labourer 2 – Regular Full-Time

• Labourer 1 – Temporary Full-Time (multiple positions)

• Labourer 2 – Temporary Full-Time (multiple positions)

• Utility Operator 1 – Wastewater Collections – Regular Full-Time

• Lifeguard 1 – Regular Part-Time (20-30 hours)

• Recreation Program Leader- Biking - Temporary Part-Time (4 positions)

Recreation

• Recreation Program Instructor 1 – Biking – Temporary Part-Time (3 positions)

• Recreation Program Leader - Temporary Part-Time (multiple positions)

• Recreation Program Instructor 1 – Biking – Casual/On-Call (multiple positions)

• General Manager of Community Services – Regular Full-Time

Senior Management

• Director of Corporate Administration – Regular Full-Time

• Director of Human Resources – Regular Full-Time

As an equitable and inclusive employer, we value diversity of people to best represent the community we serve and provide excellent services to our citizens. We strive to attract and retain passionate and talented individuals of all backgrounds, demographics, and life experiences.

squamish.ca/careers

We’re Hiring!

E-mail or drop in your resume to: rory_eunson@nestersmarket.com please cc bruce_stewart@nestersmarket.com or call us at 604-932-3545

PERKS

• Competitive wage – Depending on experience

• Flexible and set schedule

• Relative training

Vacasa’s forward-thinking approach and industryleading technology help set us apart as the largest full-service vacation rental company in North America. We are seeking individuals with a passion for providing exceptional vacation experiences for our Owners and Guests.

We offer competitive wages and benefits: Travel allowance for Squamish/Pemberton-based employees OR Ski Pass/Activity allowance, Extended Medical, RRSP match, Fun & Safe Work Environment-Great Team, opportunities to grow and more.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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LEAD SERVER (WINE STEWARD) GUEST SERVICE MANAGER (LEAD HOST)

Be part of the Infinity Group’s newest culinary adventure, as we bring the Ultimate Thai culinary experience to Whistler

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WE ARE HIRING: our mission

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Apply today

If you’re an enthusiastic, positive, growth-oriented hospitality professional, looking for an exciting new role, you’ll fit right in with our rockstar team! careers@infinityenterprises.ca

Staff Accommodation, Perks & Benefits Manager,

Marketing & Communications

Develop and execute Whistler Olympic Park’s overall marketing strategy!

Develop and execute Whistler Olympic Park’s overall marketing strategy!

W histlerOlympicParkisaworld-classdestinationforoutdoorrecreation& NordicsportsTheroleincreasesawarenessandengagementfor W histlerOlympicPark,drivingvisitationbothinwinterandsummer whileplayinganintegralrolewithinasupportive,cross-functionalteam deliveringexceptionalguestexperiences.

Our ideal candidate:

Whistler Olympic Park is a world-class destination for outdoor recreation & Nordic sports. The role increases awareness and engagement for Whistler Olympic Park, driving visitation both in winter and summer while playing an integral role within a supportive, cross-functional team delivering exceptional guest experiences. Whistler’s

Extensiveexperiencein:

Extensive experience in:

•Deliveringsuccessfulmarketing&communicationprograms

Delivering successful marketing & communication programs

•Developingcontent&communicationsforavarietyof channelsincludingwebsiteemailandsocialmedia

• Developing content & communications for a variety of channels including website, email and social media

•Managingcontractedagencies

• Managing contracted agencies

Passionforoutdoorrecreationandsport

Passion for outdoor recreation and sport

What we offer:

Competitive wage & staff housing options

Competitivewage&staffhousingoptions

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Extensive benefits package & perks, incl. health & wellness options, WB season pass financing & more

W Bseasonpassfinancing&more

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whistlerolympicpark.com/careers

Pique Newsmagazine is seeking a Sales Coordinator.

Pique Newsmagazine is looking to fill a focal role of sales coordinator in our advertising sales department. The chosen candidate will possess uncompromising customer service and work well under pressure while thriving in a fast-paced deadline driven news media environment. The ideal applicant will have previous experience working with a print/ digital media sales team. Strong administrative and communication skills are essential in this role, and attention to detail is a must. You will be highly organized and able to act as a liaison between departments, as well as possess a high level of professionalism when dealing with clients. We offer an excellent remuneration package as well as a benefits plan.

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.

Interested candidates should forward their resume and a cover letter to Susan Hutchinson at: shutchinson@wplpmedia.com

Deadline is June, 23rd 2023.

The Pinnacle Hotel Whistler has the following positions available:

• ROOM ATTENDANTS

• HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR

• EVENING HOUSEMAN

Please reply by email: parmstrong@pinnaclehotels.ca

Free Housing

ACROSS

DOWN

LAST WEEKS’ ANSWERS

Whistler’s money engine needs a tune-up

DEAR JACK , er, Your Worship:

Sometimes I feel like a motherless child. Okay, to be accurate, since my mother shuffled off this mortal coil, I am a motherless child, er, adult. Okay, senior, if you want to be pedantic about it. Regardless.

Sometimes I feel like Whistler is a motherless child. I know my summertime neighbours up in the Cariboo would bristle if I said that to them. So I don’t. Fact is, I fudge the answer when they ask where I live in the winter. There are still a lot of folks up here driving beat-up pickups over woefully potholed roads who remember the

BY G.D. MAXWELL

province spending $600 million to spruce up the Sea to Sky highway so the Olympians and especially the IOC oligarchs didn’t get too jostled driving up to Tiny Town in 2010.

But back to being a motherless child. Whistler was conceived by a bunch of loopy businessfolk from Vancouver who wanted to host an Olympics. But in a very real sense, it was birthed by the provincial government, which perceived the benefit of bailing out the nascent town when interest rates went crazy in the early 1980s. If the government hadn’t stepped up, who knows where we’d be today? Probably not where we are.

It’s important to note the province hit the jackpot when it rescued Whistler from financial ruin. Not only did it make a tidy return on its investment from the land it got to develop north of the village, but Whistler sends oodles of tax revenue its direction each and every day.

So, last Wednesday, May 30, I eagerly awaited word on the 10 communities that would win the first round of the newest provincial housing lottery. As they counted down the names, my hopes dimmed and finally went out. Jeez, Jack, we didn’t even get Miss Congeniality. Nada. Zilch. Zip.

Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon prefaced his remarks saying, “The housing crisis is hurting people and holding back our economy, and we’re taking action with our partners to cut red tape and get homes built faster for people. Municipalities are our critical partners in addressing the housing crisis and building healthy, economically viable communities. Our government is eager to work with this first cohort of municipalities to get shovels in the ground faster and ensure the homes people need get built.”

Once again, Whistler was left by the punch bowl without a dance partner.

Not to take anything away from the 10 cities chosen, all of which I’m sure have, like most of the rest of Canada, a crying need for more housing, I’m wondering whether Minister Kahlon was never read, or read himself, Aesop’s fable about the goose

who laid the golden eggs.

I have neither the knowledge nor the interest to research the contribution the various chosen cities make to the provincial coffers—and I suspect their selection may have more to do with rampant nimbyism and local red tape—but I’m well aware of the outsized flow of funds Whistler sends to Victoria from tourism dollars collected here.

Let’s put this in perspective. In 2021, tourism generated a direct contribution to the province’s gross domestic product of $5 billion. That was more than forestry and logging, more than oil and gas, more than agriculture and fishing. More, more, more.

Tourism employed more than 84,000

contribution into account when he was establishing the program’s, “empirical index ... based on work with economists and experts in the field,” and determining who made the short list. I mean, otherwise we surely met their criteria with regards to, “the urgency of local housing needs, the availability of the right housing supply, including land availability and unrealized potential for more homes, and housing affordability.” And more importantly, the town has the capacity to not only keep generating that income, but increase it significantly. Eh?

We have the need, we don’t have the right housing supply, have available land, potential for more homes, and boy do we

and Whistler Housing Authority have made creating employee housing, we’re losing employees almost as fast as we’re housing them. They’re opting to move to other towns where they can afford housing. Our loss is Terrace’s, and other communities’, gain. We’re treading water. Expensive water.

Even our “affordable” housing is becoming unaffordable because of the hat trick of higher interest rates, rising labour costs and escalating construction material prices. It’s been decided we’ll continue to build, regardless of cost, because we can’t afford not to. I won’t argue the point, but I will say it would all be a lot easier if the province could see its way to pony up an additional few million bucks per building to help defray the costs and make them affordable to the town’s critical employees.

There’s going to be another 10 municipalities selected later this year. I’m hoping you can help the minister and others in Victoria see the benefit of shovelling an extra $20 million or so to Whistler’s effort to keep the goose laying those golden eggs.

people that year, supporting more than 16,500 businesses and generating $13.5 billion in revenue.

Pre-pandemic—and there’s no reason to believe as things “normalize” this will significantly change—Whistler accounted for a greater percentage of tourism revenue than anywhere else in B.C…. by a long shot. Our golden eggs popped out daily and rolled their way to Victoria.

So maybe you’d think the housing minister—who said upfront the housing crisis was holding back the provincial economy— may have taken Whistler’s financial

ever have unaffordable housing. So what’s the problem? Is it because we’re not a city like the rest of them? Are we too small? Perceived to be too wealthy? Simply ignored... at their peril?

If Whistler was a car the minister owned, he’d probably take it into a garage and say, “it doesn’t seem to be hitting on all cylinders,” or whatever he might say if he owned a sluggish EV. Whistler’s money engine isn’t operating at full capacity. The town’s businesses are hamstrung by a lack of employees. For all the inroads the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Whistler 2020 Development Corp.,

Otherwise, I fear our noble experiment in employee housing—social housing—will have to start seeking direct subsidies from the town’s taxpayers. Which isn’t such a bad idea, since all their homes have increased dramatically in value as this town has become more successful and that success rests on a foundation of having enough workerbees to lure new visitors and keep all of them coming back.

Not to mention the minister’s program is way more likely to rack up big successes here than trying to convince the nimbys in West Vancouver to accept more density.

Your humble servant, -Max ■

If Whistler was a car the minister owned, he’d probably take it into a garage and say, “it doesn’t seem to be hitting on all cylinders”...

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