OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING
Opportunity knocking
The Invictus Games offer Whistler an opportunity to show it is and wants to be the most accessible community for people with disabilities - By Sean Marihugh
06 OPENING REMARKS (Acting) editor Scott Tibballs ponders why the riding names are so damn long around here and offers minimal insight on what to do about it.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thoughts on the benefits of new technology in fire detection, and suggesting a new traffic light in Whistler to fight road danger.
11 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST Regular columnist Andrew Mitchell offers some sober insight into the current landcape in BC politics.
50 MAXED OUT 2024 was Kevin Falcon’s moment to put his name in the history books. Sadly for the BC United faithful, that’s exactly what he did. G.D. Maxwell takes him to task.
12 CANDIDATE REAX Everybody has an opinion on what happened to BC United. Pique asked the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky candidates what they thought.
18 WASP DOOM Why are there so many wasps in Whistler right now? Pique investigates.
22 BRIGHTENING UP PEMBERTON A new mural was unveiled in Pemberton last week, straight from the creative minds of the community’s youth.
MUSIC FOR THE MASSES Whistler is blessed with a vibrant choral scene.
COVER Unfortunately, the issues that come along with poor accessibility are usually only experienced by those in need, so it’s not surprising the need is often forgotten. - By Jon Parris // @jon.parris.art
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West Vancouver-Sea to Sky-What?
A LOT happened in British Columbian politics last week — so much so that grand words like ‘monumental’, ‘seismic’ and ‘groundbreaking’ were wheeled out into the lexicon.
With an election around the corner, there are going to be a lot of people more learned than I talking about all the issues, and I look forward to listening to them all speak.
BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
stibballs@piquenewsmagazine.com
As a plug, there will be an all-candidates forum in Whistler for those vying to win West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. That will take place on October 1, co-hosted by the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, Arts Whistler, and Pique Newsmagazine. Be there, it will be enlightening for all, if anything just to see how the candidates interact with each other.
But I’ve already wandered too close to the fires of the election and I am getting a tan, so for this slab of writing I am going to retreat into safe territory and ask: Why do all the ridings in this part of the world have such long names? This is topical, they just changed them all, and skipped the opportunity to save some ink.
Here in Whistler we have the pleasure of living in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, but we also have the honour of living in the big daddy of stupidly-long riding names: The federal riding of West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country. Pour one out for the Members of Parliament that have to say that every sentence.
That is eight words, or 12 syllables, or 41 letters and two hyphens: Sure to give everyone saying it a workout.
Even better, there doesn’t appear to be any settled or accepted abbreviation of the federal riding’s name that everyone understands, with an acronym devolving into something even harder to say like ‘WVSCSTSC’.
Now this riding isn’t alone in being a triple-barreled, double-hyphenated riding name (there’s another five in British Columbia), but it has the distinction of being the longest overall in the province, with the second-longest being Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies (six words, eight syllables, 37 letters).
Our riding isn’t even the worst offender.
Yukon. The title of shortest name for a riding is held between Ajax, in Ontario, and Vimy, in Quebec. Clearly, Elections Canada knows how to be brief when it wants to be.
The naming convention applied to Canadian ridings, and by extension British Columbian ridings is that it is meant to describe the area that it includes. Fair enough. Simple in theory, but ultimately distorted when you have large or convoluted ridings that need to follow human as well as physical geography.
Nationally, there are some hangups that don’t make it into British Columbia, such as historical names in Alberta and Quebec. In the last electoral boundary review in this province, it was noted that public feedback had revealed
got the Australians. They give their federal electoral divisions names that are rarely connected to place, but rather historical figures. Compared to the Americans, the Australians are being creative rather than utilitarian. It’s cute, but creates a barrier for those not well-versed in electoral geography. Example: I grew up in the division of Jagajaga. Not even another Australian would be able to tell you what city that is in, let alone the state.
But back to Canada, where the naming convention is both straight-forward and convoluted at the same time.
For the sake of the ink spilled in writing out the laboriously long riding names, and those that have to repeat them all the time, a suggestion: Brevity.
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country could just be… Sea to Sky.
Provincially, West Vancouver-Sea to Sky could just be Howe Sound.
I wasn’t keen on counting letters for the ridings of every province in the country, but it’s safe to say we’re not alone here in BC: There’s Beauport–Côte-de-Beaupré–Île d’Orléans–Charlevoix, and Abitibi–BaieJames–Nunavik–Eeyou in Quebec. Which is worse? Longer names with fewer hyphens or more, shorter names with more hyphens? There’s also Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes in Ontario, Charleswood–St. James–Assiniboia–Headingley in Manitoba and so on.
Meanwhile, there’s the delightfully succinct Victoria (guess where that is) and
interest in incorporating more indigenous names into the system, but the commission kiboshed that in the same paragraph it brought it up (not due to opposition, but lack of scope and authority).
Looking at the conventions in peer federations, Canada is relatively unique in keeping to a geographic naming convention no matter how tortured it can become.
To the south, the Americans name their congressional districts by state name and then number. The more people in a state, the more districts. It’s all quite sterile.
On the other end of the spectrum, you’ve
In other parts of the province, larger geographic areas are picked for names of ridings that are diverse and include more than one locale, like North Island (which includes part of the mainland), or Kootenay Rockies (which includes Cranbrook, excluded from the name but included under ‘Kootenay’, though that name also appears in two other riding names). In short, not every place has to be included in a name.
The most recent report on the provincial ridings is worth a read, if anything just to understand the process. Next time around, I’d hope they consider or ask for greater power to rename ridings with some more creativity than slapping on another hyphen.
But, at least we always know where a riding is just based on its name. n
A timely reminder
I read with great interest Dr. Rhonda Millikin’s recent study on the impacts of fuel-thinning in Whistler, as featured in Pique . Her research highlights the critical need for a re-evaluation of current wildfire management strategies, especially in regions like ours, where traditional methods may unintentionally exacerbate fire risks.
Dr. Millikin’s findings are a timely reminder that our approach to wildfire prevention must evolve in response to the unique ecological characteristics of our forests. The evidence she presents suggests that fuel-thinning, rather than mitigating fire risks, may actually increase them by altering the natural microclimate of the forest floor. This calls for innovative solutions that respect the integrity of our ecosystems while enhancing our ability to detect and manage wildfires effectively.
In light of this, I would like to introduce a cutting-edge technology developed by SenseNet (SenseNet.ca), a Vancouverbased company at the forefront of wildfire detection. SenseNet’s system integrates artificial intelligence, ground sensors, cameras, and satellite data to provide realtime detection of wildfires, and is tested and validated by the Canadian government.
This technology offers an advanced level of monitoring that could serve as a critical component in a more sustainable and effective fire management strategy. Imagine a “security belt” around our most vulnerable areas, where fires are detected at
their earliest stages, allowing for immediate and targeted responses. This proactive approach not only reduces the potential for widespread damage but also complements the ecological wisdom that Dr. Millikin’s study advocates.
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. Send them to edit@ piquenewsmagazine.com before 11 a.m. on Tuesday for consideration in that week’s paper.
I encourage local authorities, policymakers, and environmental organizations to consider these findings and explore how new technologies can be harnessed to create more resilient communities. Let us work together to ensure that our response to wildfire threats is informed by the best available science and technology. Thank you to Dr. Millikin for her invaluable research and Pique for bringing these important discussions to the forefront.
Roz Seyednejad // Whistler (Editor’s note: Roz Seyednejad is an advisory board member of SenseNet.ca).
Traffic light for safety?
We live at the Bluffs at Taluswood. For many years we have struggled with the difficulty of making a left turn from Nordic Drive onto the highway to access businesses at Creekside Village. That intersection is EXTREMELY dangerous. When there is snow on the road or reduced visibility due to weather, it becomes even more dangerous. Has the idea of putting in a traffic light or a 4 way stop or a center lane pull-out been considered?
As Creekside Village becomes more vibrant, solving the problem at that intersection becomes exceedingly important. It’s time to implement a solution to this long standing problem. Changes there will save lives and prevent accidents.
Maureen Kerber // Whistler n
Owner-Occupier Opportunity
Short-term leaseinplace forthe warehousespace (Feb2025 expiry). Opportunitytorenew thetenantatmarketrates or purchasethe property andoccupythe spacefollowing leaseexpiry.
LimitedSupplyofIndustrialSpace
Function Junction, located a10-minutedrive SW of Whistler Village, is Whistler’s premierindustrialparkThere is ahighdemandfor industrial space, resultinginnear-zero vacancyrates in Whistler
Space Overview
3separatespaces:
1) WarehouseSpace
2) 4Storage Rooms
3) OneFlexSpace (Office) Threewashrooms. Onefullbathroom
Access
Convenient accessfromthe Sea-to-Sky Highway(>21,000 VPD)
TheRBC GranFondoWhistlerisbackand better than ever,withjustover 5000 cyclists joiningusthisyearonthe SeatoSky Highwayaspartoftheir journey from VancouvertoWhistler!
Date: September7th,2024
Duration of Impacts: 5:30am-4:30pm
60km/honthe SeatoSky Highway
Plan forlongertravel timesoravoid Highway 99 if possible
Single lane trafficin both directions
ParkingLot 4will be closed from Sep. 5th at 4:00pmtoSep.7th at 5:00pm
Expect some road closures anddetours, includingBlackcomb Wayand LorimerRoad
Formoreinformation, please visit sept7.info
Don’t vote angry
Note: I had just completed a column on the upcoming provincial election when a bomb dropped: the BC United Party (BCUP) - formerly the Liberal (In Name Only) Party of BC until the name change last year - was officially suspending its campaign. Party leader Kevin Falcon had dropped out of the race and several members of the party would be switching
BY ANDREW MITCHELL
over to the B.C. Conservative Party (BCCP). With a deadline and vacation pending, I had to make some changes and leave some things vague. Sorry...
THESE DAYS people are mad about… well, just about everything. That anger has spilled over into the political realm in every possible way and promises to dominate the upcoming provincial election.
The writ drops September 21, but campaigning has been underway a lot longer than that. In truth, it hasn’t let up – not since David Eby took over the helm of the B.C. NDP in 2022. Definitely not since the B.C. Liberal Party gave up any pretense of being liberal and rebranded as the right-leaning B.C. United Party in April 2023.
It was a strange move that put the United and its members on the same ideological turf
as the B.C. Conservative Party (BCCP) - and inadvertently helped that party become contenders. Some polls even have the BCCP up on the ruling NDP while the BC United dropped into a statistical tie with the Green Party for third.
The rise of the BCCP is improbable to say the least. In 2020, the party finished fourth with less than two per cent of the popular vote and zero seats. And that was an improvement, up from 0.5 per cent in 2017.
What gives? Some say the BCCP is riding the coattails of the federal conservatives, which is as good an explanation as any. Their platform – A Common Sense Plan for all British Columbians – is pledging to “axe the tax”, privatize ICBC, privatize health care, cut government spending, build more pipelines, arrest old-growth forest protesters, remove “ideology” from classrooms, get rid of vaccine mandates for doctors and nurses, etc. It’s the kind of aggrieved, populist, far-right platform I feel federal conservatives would happily endorse, and that’s increasingly popular everywhere.
None of it is what I would call common sense. Putting unvaccinated medical professionals in the same room as seniors, cancer patients and others with compromised immune systems is nothing short of crazy. Our Crown-owned ICBC also offers some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country as the cost of private coverage has soared. And “Axing the Tax” in a province that had over 400 forest fires burning at one point this summer is irresponsible - and impossible if we want to sell our resources to countries that
have carbon taxes of their own.
The fact that so many former BC “liberals” are switching over is also concerning. For me, that suggests that their members have no fixed values and were only ever in it for the power it gave them and their backers. Or that they were pretending to be liberals to mislead voters who equate “liberal” with “centre-left.” There’s nothing liberal about the BCCP platform.
The ruling BC NDP has also been losing support. Their drug decriminalization efforts, while well meaning, failed. Drug users still died at roughly the same rates and for a while people felt a lot less safe in parks and public buildings where hardcore addicts were openly consuming drugs.
Their initiative to force communities to allow up to four or even six housing units on every single-family lot has also met with a lot of resistance from communities that literally just finalized their provincially mandated Official Community Plans that already identified areas for increased density.
I’m also personally disappointed the NDP failed to support the First Nations-led 2030 Olympic Winter Games bid. I’ve always said that it doesn’t make sense to host the Olympics –once. Aside from a meaningful opportunity for reconciliation, a second kick at the can would have drawn billions of new investment in housing, transit and infrastructure the province needs.
The BC Green Party might be in a position to capitalize on the NDP’s mistakes, but they’ve been struggling with leadership, continuity, and finding candidates.
Over the next couple of months, British Columbians will be bombarded with political messaging. I’m not hopeful it will be measured, respectful or completely truthful. It will probably be dirty. And angry enough to appeal to all the angry people out there who want to pay lower taxes while also expecting government to solve all our problems.
I feel the tone misses the mark. As much as candidates will try to appeal to the public’s self-interest, anger, and willingness to blow everything up to start over, I believe that most people are really looking for something to unite us - besides being mad at everything.
While that sounds hokey, I believe people are angry these days because – deep down –we’re all scared. There’s climate change. There’s war. There’s a housing and affordability crisis that has disenfranchised whole generations of younger Canadians. There’s an ever-looming economic crisis predicated on the fact that the economy has become a pyramid scheme to enrich a handful of billionaire narcissists while the middle class struggles. There’s uncertainty about everything.
That’s why I feel this is clearly a “we” time in history. There are solutions to all of our problems that we all need to feel part of - even if it’s just paying slightly higher taxes to get the things we want and need.
Whatever you do, don’t vote angry. Or put your trust in politicians who are clearly playing on your fear and anger to get votes. We’re better than this. n
West Vancouver-Sea to Sky candidates react to BC United news
THE THREE OTHER MAJOR PARTIES RUNNING HAD EXPECTED BC UNITED TO DEFEND THE RIDING, WHICH IS HAS HELD SINCE
BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
THE LONG-AGO promised BC United candidate for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky will not be eventuating, after party leader Kevin Falcon announced the withdrawal of the party from the coming election and his retirement from politics in what landed as a bombshell development on August 28.
The agreement, between Falcon’s BC United and John Rustad’s BC Conservatives ensures that the next MLA for West VancouverSea to Sky will hail from a new party, after decades of representation by BC United under its previous name, the BC Liberal Party all the way back to 1991 by five MLAs.
Despite incumbent MLA, Jordan Sturdy revealing he would be retiring at the next election at the beginning of 2024, the party’s search for a replacement candidate did not appear to gain any traction in the months afterwards, before Falcon’s deal signalled the end of the party entirely.
Falcon told Pique the party would nominate a candidate within 45 days of a March 7 interview, while Sturdy said there was a candidate going through the process as recently as August 13.
Of the three candidates currently vying to replace Sturdy, reactions that a BC United challenger would not eventuate were mixed, with NDP candidate Jen Ford telling Pique it was “hard to say” whether she was surprised at all — a reaction that lines up with previous comments on the party’s poor polling.
Regardless of her thoughts on BC United, she was swift in turning all her attention on the BC Conservatives, who have now been officially endorsed by Kevin Falcon as the party to take on the NDP.
earning the party a riding on the mainland. He came into the campaign touting that close victory and pushing to get across the line in a second campaign, and with BC United gone, he reacted by saying the party had done voters “a favour.”
“ By standing aside Kevin Falcon has demonstrated that there was no real difference between his party and the BC Conservatives,” he said in an email to Pique
“The choice for people here is between the progressive BC Greens, and John
“By standing aside, Kevin Falcon has demonstrated that there was no real difference between his party and the BC Conservatives.”
- JEREMY VALERIOTE
“Voters I talk to want a government focused on their priorities—housing, affordability and healthcare,” she said.
“Not the weird conspiracy theories of John Rustad’s team. Still less do they want to go back to the kind of back room deals that Rustad was part of in Christy Clark’s cabinet.”
Green candidate Jeremy Valeriote almost took West Vancouver-Sea to Sky from BC United in 2020, coming within 60 votes of
Rustad’s disaffected former BC Liberals who tried to distinguish themselves by adopting climate change-denial, homophobia and transphobia.”
Given that at the last election, the combined Green and NDP vote on the centreleft was significantly larger than the sole party on the centre-right, the BC Liberals, it comes as no surprise that Valeriote saved some shade for the NDP.
1991
“On the other hand David Eby’s NDP, which may still win the provincial race, has never been competitive in this riding, usually placing third,” he said.
“The BC NDP are unwilling to act on the values they claim to uphold, failing to address climate change, and instead pushing Woodfibre LNG and other fossil fuel projects. And they’ve spent more money than any other BC government while basic services have deteriorated and inequality has worsened.”
The new party on the block, the BC Conservatives, most recently nominated Yuri Fulmer to contest the seat on their behalf. With BC United gone, he has the potential to stand as the sole centre-right candidate in the riding, as appears to be the intention of the deal between Falcon and Rustad.
With that in mind his comments to Pique were focused on thanking Falcon for taking BC United off the field.
“I would like to thank both Kevin Falcon, and MLA Jordan Sturdy for their service to the Province and I ask everyone to join me in wishing them well in this next stage in their life journey,” he said in a statement to Pique.
“For me, nothing has changed. I will continue to work each day to listen to your concerns and to earn your vote. The team and I welcome all former BC United members to join our coalition to fight the NDP and bring common sense back to government.”
Sturdy, who remains the MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, had not responded to queries as of writing. n
THERE WERE (ONLY) THREE There will be no BC United challenger. L-R: Jeremy Valeriote, Jen Ford, Yuri Fulmer.
French immersion enrollment down slightly in Sea to Sky
CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH RELEASED DATA FOR ENROLLMENT THROUGHOUT B.C. AND NUMBERS ARE DOWN IN SD48
BY LIZ MCDONALD
WHILE SCHOOL IS BACK in session this week, students enrolled in French Immersion (FI) are on the decline.
Data released by Canadian Parents for French’s B.C. & Yukon chapter (CPF) shows enrollment in FI is trending down in the province, and slightly down in School District 48 (SD48).
Students enrolled in the Sea to Sky district at Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish’s FI programs over a fiveyear span has decreased 5.61 per cent, with 61 fewer students from 2018 to 2024, while overall enrollment in that time increased by 3.84 per cent.
Provincially, between 2019-2020 and 20232024 school years, enrollment in FI dipped by 1,902 students. At the same time, 28,000 more students have entered B.C.’s public school system.
Executive director for the B.C. and Yukon chapter of CPF, Jason Howe he said he’d like to see enrollment grow as more students come into the public school system.
“There’s a lot more students generally in the schools than there were four years ago. And so, in my opinion, when you have more students in the schools, there should be more students in the French immersion programs, but that’s not happening,” he said.
While causes likely vary by district, he attributed the decline, at least in part, to two persistent issues.
“There’s a shortage of French language teachers in British Columbia, there’s a shortage across the country, and really worldwide,” he said.
“It causes some school districts to be unable to deliver French immersion to the extent that they would otherwise do so
because there just aren’t enough teachers.”
The second cause Howe pointed towards is available space.
“Whether it means the need for new schools to be built, or new space created in the schools, there isn’t enough space to accommodate everyone who would want to be in French immersion.”
Demand is still high, as evidenced by waitlists in the province for the program.
A common comment Howe hears when people ask about declining numbers is whether already speaking a second language at home, which could contribute to a lack of interest from students. Instead, he said it often leads to more passion for becoming a polyglot.
“They understand the importance of the value that it brings, and so they tend to be a bit more interested in learning languages.”
Secondly, Canadian Parents for French host an annual speaking competition called Concours d’art oratoire. The contest comes with incredibly diverse speakers, adding to Howe’s disagreeing with the argument.
SD48’s assistant superintendent, Paul Lorette, agreed that recruitment for teachers, be they French or otherwise, is a challenge. However, he highlighted how attractive the Sea to Sky is due to the recreation opportunities and proximity to Vancouver and said he didn’t think recruitment impacted local enrollment.
He pointed to general enrollment recently trending down in the Sea to Sky and noted classroom space isn’t an issue in SD48.
SD48 advertises its FI programs in Pique, and they hold public meetings in Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish for parents.
To counter lower enrollment, Howe said he’d like to see districts promote the programs more to families and inform them of the many benefits of learning French. n
BACK IN SESSION Spring Creek offers French Immersion in Whistler.
Angell Hasman &Associates RealtyLtd.
West Vancouver-Sea to Sky candidate: ‘He
sacrificed the party for what?’
A PROSPECTIVE BC UNITED CANDIDATE OPENS UP ON KEVIN FALCON’S DECISION TO SUSPEND CAMPAIGN
BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
DESPITE HOLDING the riding of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky since 1991, BC United (formerly the BC Liberals) never got around to nominating a candidate to replace outgoing MLA Jordan Sturdy for the 2024 provincial election before it was scuttled — and a candidate that didn’t get the opportunity had some choice words to describe the actions of party leader Kevin Falcon.
Long-time party member, Bianca Peters was encouraged to run for the BC United nomination in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, but was rejected after a months-long process for reasons she challenged. The process gave her close insight into the party over the last few months.
A resident of the riding for most of her life and a member of the BC Liberals and now BC United since 1991, Peters said she was first encouraged to run after a meeting with Kevin Falcon over Bill 44, which is part of the NDP government’s housing legislation.
“I accepted the opportunity to put my name forth because I wanted to represent the voices of the West Vancouver- Sea to Sky riding’s concerns about density, infrastructure, our hospital, our highway, the removal of the [Squamish] spit, economic
development. You name it,” she said.
“This is a riding that needs a smooth transition from the good job Jordan Sturdy has been doing in opposition in Victoria so we can move forward on the needs of the riding from the same song sheet in power.”
Despite a four-month-long candidate vetting process, Peters said she was rejected by the party because of their research into her background and the issue of Woodfibre LNG in Squamish—an issue she had been asked about as part of her campaign to run for District of Squamish council in 2018.
“I was ultimately rejected because their researcher discovered a podcast that suggested I was anti-WLNG. This came as quite a shock as I have been a committed advocate of the Floatel and the project to date. I felt that after being a card carrying member since 1991, their researchers would have had a better handle on their information. I was honestly flustered by the party’s response to me.”
Peters said that the party’s failure to select candidates in a timely manner was a sign of what she described as an ‘implosion’, and that the vetting process had made her more confident, not less, and it was a missed opportunity for the party.
“It was a very interesting self reflective exercise that only confirmed to myself that I had the experience and knowledge to represent the riding’s issues.”
Stan
Peters was not the only party member in the pipeline for BC United in West VancouverSea to Sky, with multiple names shared with Pique as prospective candidates, though none of them appeared to work out. Kevin Falcon told media that he expected to announce a candidate within 45 days of a March 7 interview, while Jordan Sturdy told Pique that someone was going through the vetting process as recently as August 13.
Despite the rejection, Peters remained a party member and had some thoughts on what had happened to the party since then.
“The party has been self-imploding ever since the name change,” she said, referring to the name-change proposed by Falcon during
Joseph
Smart
July 31, 1933 - Aug 21, 2024
Stan, affectionately known as "Buster," passed away peacefully at Lions Gate Hospital surrounded by his family Born in Montreal, on July 31, 1933, Buster's life was marked by his dedication to family, career, and an adventurous spirit!
Buster was an accomplished civil engineer who began his journey at the age of 17 working on the Second Narrows (Ironworkers Memorial) Bridge in Vancouver This experience inspired him to study engineering at St Francis Xavier University (St. FX) in Nova Scotia He returned to the West and settled with his young family in Gold River, Vancouver Island in 1965. Later, he becam e the Manager of the Woodfiber pulp mill then a respected consultant for pulp mills Worldwide. His expertise and leadership in the industry were widely recognized.
Outside of his professional achievements, Buster was a man of many passions He was an avid sailor, skier, and golfer, enjoying the outdoors to the fullest. His love for adventure was reflected in the places he called home, from Gold River to Lions Bay, with much of his time spent in the beautiful mountains of Whistler, BC
Buster was known for his cheerful demeanor, his knack for practical jokes, and the twinkle in his eye when he knew he had one over on you. His unforgettable one-liners and warm, friendly personality left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Buster loved to enjoy a dram with friends, and his welcoming nature and sense of humor made him a joy to be around.
his run to lead the party in 2022.
“Kevin Falcon is not the leader we should have chosen. He has sacrificed the party for what? I would like to see BC United expel Falcon from the party and find a new leader for the party as soon as possible,” she said.
On the matter of Falcon encouraging party members to unite behind the BC Conservatives, Peters said she would do no such thing, standing her ground on the difference between the more centrist BC United and the party that came up on its right flank.
“We are not the Conservative Party. This feels like fascism and that is a very dangerous place to be.”
Asked about where her vote would go, Peters said she was without a home.
“I’m taken aback. I am still waiting for the dust to settle. I am currently party-less in a sea of politics.”
Whatever happens behind closed doors, in a message to party members on August 30, Falcon again justified his move by saying it was necessary “to prevent another four years of disastrous NDP government.”
Falcon spent most of the email to the party faithful explaining that sacrificing BC United was about stopping the NDP.
“I know that the best thing for the future
He is survived by his beloved wife, Suzanne, his sons, Stan (Jennifer), John (Julia), and Patrick (Susan), his sisters, Caroline, Margaret and Joan and his grandchildren, Jake, Luke, Kai, Mathew, and Sarah, who will all cherish the memories they shared with him.
Buster's legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, and his spirit will forever sail on the winds of the many adventures he embraced throughout his life.
A celebration of Buster's life will be held at St Anthony’s Church, West Vancouver at a future date, where family and friends will gather to honour a wonderful life well-lived.
BETRAYED Longtime party member Bianca Peters rubbished Falcon’s decision.
HALEY RITCHIE
Bike racks go high-tech in Whistler
THE RMOW IS TRIALING NEW SMART RACKS AROUND THE COMMUNITY
BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
BIKE ENJOYERS will have noticed some newfangled technology going in around Whistler this past season, with some new e-bike charging stations doubling as bike racks being installed at three locations.
The new racks, located at Meadow Park, Village Square and Whistler Olympic Plaza have been installed as part of a one-year trial of the technology, and according to the RMOW, they pair well with the recentlyadopted Active Transportation Strategy of the municipality.
“It’s been exciting for us this year to see these free smart, secure bike racks set up in Whistler,” said the RMOW’s acting manager of climate action and environment, Maria Thorlakson.
“Not only do the smart racks align with the Active Transportation Strategy and the Big Moves Climate Action Implementation Plan, but it also provides a convenient way to lock your bike and charge your e-bike.”
A feature of the racks (or perhaps the entire point) is that they lock and charge a bike, freeing up users from having to carry around their own locks.
“A decent bike lock costs approximately $100 or more and can be burdensome to carry
around. After the first year, the maintenance and operations of the racks will only cost $100 per stall, per month, making these racks a cost-effective way to provide secure bike parking for the community. We are pleased see the uptake on the program so far and look forward to seeing the user data at the end of the season.”
In total there are 25 stalls divided between the three locations: Eight at Meadow Park, five at Village Square, and 12 at Olympic Plaza. Using the racks requires an App.
The trial does have a pricetag attached for the municipality.
According to the RMOW, the total for the first year is $58,200, which is inclusive of the installation of racks, operation, maintenance,
and lease fee.
That price will drop if the contract is renewed with Vancouver-based company, Urban Racks however, with the annual
cost in years two and three projected to be around $37,700.
“The idea of this trial program is to be adaptable to usage data and community feedback,” said an RMOW communications official in an email to Pique.
“We will evaluate these after the first year to determine how best to plan for the upcoming years. We know that multiple secure bike parking solutions are needed for our community and trial programs like these allow us to test new solutions. We plan to explore more secure bike parking options in the future.”
The municipality will continue to hoover up data on how well-used the bike racks are, together with user feedback on the effectiveness of the new racks, which acts as an addition to, rather than a replacement of existing bike storage infrastructure. n
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of our province is to defeat the NDP, but we cannot do that when the centre-right vote is split,” he wrote, before encouraging them to support the Conservatives.
Whether they fall in behind the Conservatives as intended is yet to be seen, with a mixed reaction so far from sitting BC United MLAs: Shirley Bond and Todd Stone have withdrawn their campaigns
entirely, while already-outgoing MLA Karin Kirkpatrick has lambasted the decision on X, saying the decision has “left all of us middleof-the-road centrist voters with no political home here in BC.”
Meanwhile, Premier David Eby and the NDP were quick to adjust their campaign to target the Conservatives and entice disaffected centrists to support them instead. n
HI-TECH DRIP 25 new bike locking and charging stations have been installed in Whistler. CNW GROUP / URBAN RACKS
Whistler’s abundance of serious predators – wasps
IF YOU’VE NOTICED AN INCREASE IN WASPS LATELY, YOU’RE NOT ALONE. HERE’S WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
BY LIZ MCDONALD
IF YOU’VE NOTICED an uptick in wasps this summer in Whistler, you’re not mistaken.
A recent post on a Whistler Facebook page about wasp activity lead to a flurry of comments from residents, and so Pique set off to answer the question: what’s with all the wasps in Whis?
We spoke with Iain Glass, executive director of Ensure Hive Future, a federal non-profit focused on apiary research and education. While he works with honeybees, he’s a wealth of knowledge about wasps, too.
Glass explained wasp colonies start off the season with a queen who rears the first generation, and as the summer goes along, the population of the hive grows exponentially larger. They go to work pollinating gardens, but by late July and early August, their food supply decreases.
“You got one graph line that’s an increasing populous. You’ve got another line with food supply that’s dropping down. When the two of those intersect, you now have a problem on your hands, because they are going to go for other sources of food, and that’s the garbage, the barbecue, whatever they can get,” Glass said.
The slow flow of nectar leads to robbing
pressure, where honeybees – and wasps, will steal food from other colonies. Unlike honeybees, wasps eat meat, and they will go into honeybee colonies and eat them for survival.
“We’ve lost three colonies so far this year,” Glass said of the wasp invaders.
Ensure has 17 other locations aside from Whistler with hives. According to Glass, normally, the wasps are the worst in their Fort Langley location.
“Whistler’s way worse. So, what I’m speculating we’re seeing with the village is an intersection,” he said.
Where forests and human development come together creates an intersection. Forests provide excellent habitat for yellow jackets and hornets who will make hives in the ground, and then human activity in Whistler creates easy food sources.
“This is my speculation – because we’re in this intersection spot, I think that we have a tremendously disproportionate number of them that are here.”
REDUNDANT WASP POPULATION
Aside from queens, which hibernate in the winter, wasps naturally only survive the spring and summer. In early to mid-august, new queens are produced, and wasps’ drive
for protein goes up in response to rearing new queens.
Glass said yellow jacket wasps have
been so bad, multiple businesses in Whistler reached out to ask him for solutions to stop guests from getting stung, and several patios have had to shut down over concerns for guests’ safety.
When cold and wet weather returns, the wasps should die off. Until then, there are a couple solutions.
The first is queen trapping, and Glass doesn’t usually recommend it, as queens are beneficial.
“Second is that if you start to trap them as you get into early July, again, we’re going for a redundant workforce, and you’re not going to affect the health of the colonies… rather than them going back and telling their friends where all the goodies are, you’re eliminating that possibility.”
Using artificial pheromones is your best bet to catch wasps.
Avoid swatting wasps, even if they come to steal a bite of your BBQ, because they are aggressive and will likely attack.
They are also territorial, and another method of protection involves setting up an imitation wasp nest, though the strategy works best later in the summer and they will eventually see through the scarecrow defence.
“I have zero qualms about declaring complete war on them by the time you get to the end of July, in the sense that they’re a redundant workforce,” Glass said. n
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SWARM FEELINGS A wasp trap in a Whistler neighbourhood near the end of August 2023.
PHOTO BY BRADEN DUPUIS
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Ahead of caucus retreat, local Liberal MP stands by comments
WEST VANCOUVER-SUNSHINE COAST-SEA TO SKY COUNTRY MP PATRICK
BY SCOTT TIBBALLS
TWO MONTHS on from the bruising loss of a Liberal heartland seat and weeks before another test for the government in the form of another by-election, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP, Patrick Weiler was guarded in responding to whether he had seen the sort of ‘reflection’ by party leadership he had called for previously.
“I would just stand by my comments that I made back in June,” he said.
“While there was the cabinet retreat this week, we are going to be having our national caucus retreat a couple of weeks from now in Nanaimo, so those are certainly discussions we’ll be picking up at that point. Certainly everything I said back in June stands today.”
In June, Weiler had responded to the loss of Toronto-St. Paul’s by-election saying it was a riding the party had “no business losing”, and said he expected “serious reflection” on the direction of the government by the Prime Minister.
What that reflection looked like he wouldn’t be drawn on two months later.
Pique queried Weiler on some of the policy changes that came out of the Liberal leadership over the last few days.
On immigration changes, Weiler said that the situation had changed in Canada since the immediate years after the pandemic, necessitating tightening the rules on immigration following years of massive intake.
“We’re in a very different scenario at this point. The labour shortages are not there the way they were before, and I think it makes sense to make changes to these programs, to adapt to the current reality that we’re seeing today.”
Weiler added that his own riding was a different kettle of fish to major urban centres however, noting the heavy reliance on the service industry in the region.
“I know not everybody is in agreement with this, particularly businesses in Whistler there’s a big reliance on the temporary foreign workers program, (though) moreso on the holiday working visa program. Those are going to continue to be important parts for the workforce and for businesses in Whistler.”
Asked about how the government would juggle the competing interests of immigration policy with the needs of the industry in the local region, Weiler pointed to the need for more granular employment data, saying that while unemployment in the Lower Mainland was at around six per cent, in the Sea to Sky it could often drop as low as two per cent.
“It’s a very different circumstance, so these changes are more going to have a big
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impact in more urban areas where you’re seeing higher unemployment, particularly with youth and new immigrants.”
The current minister for workforce development, Randy Boissonnault, was also previously the tourism minister - something Weiler said worked in the region’s favour.
“I speak to him frequently about this. In many respects Whistler and Squamish, and to a certain extend Pemberton are fairly unique in the country, so sometime you need to look at things a bit differently and one of the aspects that’s important in this is just making sure you have localized labor market data, and we do have that now for the seas to sky.
Another recent announcement on an issue Weiler has previously made a point of campaigning on is in the electric vehicle space, with the government announcing the introduction of 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made EVs.
Asked about how the government could make EVs more affordable while imposing high tariffs on EVs from a country that has the largest EV market in the world and therefore produces cheap vehicles, Weiler acknowledged the complexity, but said it came down to protecting Canadian interests in developing the same industry.
“On the one hand you want to make sure people have access to the range of electric vehicles to suit what they’re looking for …
IN RECENT WEEKS
But, China is vastly overproducing electric vehicles, and there’s a risk of dumping into other areas as a way of crowding out the EV manufacturing industries in different countries, and that’s a huge risk for Canada.”
Weiler said it still came down to protecting Canadian jobs — and Canada’s relationship with the United States, which also recently introduced high tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
Overall, Weiler stressed that the ongoing cost of EVs remained cheaper than the lifetime cost of an internal combustion vehicle, and that cost was only going to come down over time, but, the need for cheap EVs while applying tariffs would remain a “fine line to walk” in the meantime.
“There will still be potential for Chinese EVs to come into Canada but still subject to that tariff. There will be a role for the government to have incentives to lower the price for EVs in the short term, at least the initial upfront price so they are costcompetitive.
“It’s important that we maintain our trade relationship with the United States, and important that we protect Canadian jobs, particularly as this industry is very nascent in Canada, which will be able to supply Canadian needs, but it’s going to take a number of years to really evolve to where we want it to be.” n
NOTICE OF Annual GeneralMeeting
SEPT 25, 2024 at 4:30PM SQUAMISH DROP-INCENTRE 38021 ThirdAvenue, Squamish
Notice of Public Hearing
September10, 2024 at 6:00
NOTICE is hereby giventhata PUBLIC HEARING will be heldinthe Council Chambers at theDistric tofSquamish MunicipalHall, 37955 Second Avenue,Squamish,British Columbia on September10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. so that Council mayhearand receiverepresentations from personswho believethattheir interest in propertyis affec tedbythe following proposedamendmentstothe District of Squamish Official Community Plan Bylawand Zoning Bylaw: OCP00006
District of Squamish Official Community Plan BylawNo. 2500, 2017 AmendmentBylaw (ScheduleO-Water front Landing SubAreaPlan) No.2956, 2023 RZ000032
District of Squamish Zoning BylawNo. 2200, 2011 AmendmentBylaw (Water frontLandingSouth) No.2957, 2023
AF FEC TE DL AN DS 1500 Highway99, Squamish BC
PR OP OS ED OF FI CI AL
CO MMU NI TY PL AN AM EN DM EN T
To amendScheduleOWaterfront Landing SubArea Plan forthe entire property shownonthe Location Map to alignthe SubAreaPlanand DevelopmentPermitArea13 Guidelines with theproposed zoning amendments forthe Southsite.
PRO PO SED ZO NI NG
AM EN DM EN T
To amendthe CD -40Zone forthe entire property shownonthe Location Maptoalign zoning with ac tual land boundaries, andincreaseresidential units andcommercialspace on thesouthernhalfofthe site.
Acopyofthe proposed bylawtobeconsidered by Council canbeinspected onlineoratMunicipal Hall.
• squamish.ca/public-hearing •37955 Second Avenue,Squamish, British Columbia, from September 6, 2024 to September 10, 2024 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30p.m., Monday through Friday
Enquiries regardingthe proposed amendmentbylaw maybemade to thePlanning Department at 604-815-5002.Ifyou do not wish to participatebut wouldliketowatch themeeting, youcan do so by streamingthe meetingat squamish.ca/live-meetings
HO WTOPAR TI CI PATE
Persons whobelieve that theirinterestinpropertyis affec tedbythe proposed zoning amendments will have an oppor tunity to be heardand to presentwritten submissions forthe Hearing. Thereare four ways to participate:
1. Written. Youmay deliver awritten submission to hearing@ squamish.ca,ordropoff to the CorporateO fficer at Municipal Hall before4:00 p.m. on the date of the Hearing.For those par ticipating via telephone or electronically,the Districtisencouraging that awritten version of their statementbesubmitted as well
2. Telephone. Youmay participate by telephone during the Hearing by calling 1-604-449-3026 and entering the Access Code: 277 35197595.Dial *3 to ‘raiseyour hand’indicating thatyou’d like to speak. Youwill hear amessage that“your line has been unmuted”when it is your turntospeak. Prior to the meeting, please visit squamish.ca/par ticipate fordetailed instructions
3. Elec tronic Participation. Youmay participate electronically in the Hearing throughthe use of the WebEx platformby visiting squamish.ca/par ticipate Instructionfor electronic participationon WebEx can be found at thatsite.
4. In Person Attendance. Youmay participate in person duringthe Hearing in Council Chambers at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue,Squamish, British Columbia.
If youhaveany questions regardingpar ticipation in elec tronic hearings,pleasecallthe District at 604-892-5217
Councilwillnot consider submissionsreceived afterthe closeofthe Public Hearing.
Allsubmissions will form part of thepublic record.
Datedthis6 dayofSeptember,2024 at Squamish,British Columbia
Stunning new mural at Pemberton Community Centre showcases talent of local youth
THE MURAL BASED ON THE THEME OF ‘NATURE’ WAS UNVEILED TO AN EXCITED CROWD OF ALL AGES LAST WEEK
BY RÓISÍN CULLEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
DRIVERS COMING into Pemberton will notice a stunning new addition to its community centre. A mural showcasing the village’s youngest members’ creativity is now on the North-East side of the building. The eyecatching mural is the brainchild of Pemberton Arts Council (PAC) and Squamish-based artist, Alex Fowkes.
Young budding artists created the piece during a three-day long youth mural camp led by Fowkes. Kids from Grade 8 to Grade 12 were given the theme of nature and allowed to let their imaginations run wild. The group unveiled the fruits of their labour to a large crowd on Wednesday, August. 28. A colourful
blend of bees, leaves and fish have brought some much-needed colour to the community centre building.
“What makes this project particularly special is the involvement of our local youth,”
“You
of life in the thriving cultural hub that is Pemberton.
“It represents the unique character and energy of the Pemberton Valley — a place where creativity can thrive and where
include everyone...” - CORA FULLER
said Village of Pemberton CAO, Elizabeth Tracy at the unveiling.
“The hard work, creativity and collaboration are evident in every brush stroke. It serves as a prime example of what we can achieve when we come together and support artistic initiatives within our community.”
Tracy said that the mural offers a snapshot
every member of the community regardless of age can contribute to our shared cultural landscape,” she said.
Fowkes has been at the forefront of mural camps in the Sea to Sky corridor for the last five years. He ensures that kids have full ownership of the project. “They are involved in all the ideas,” he said. “The first day is very much about gathering ideas and seeing what
those ideas could be. We make a list of ideas, and we draw them all. We had a theme from the community centre which was ‘nature’. I would screenshot all the kids’ ideas and then we lay them out on the computer. They picked the colour and the layout. The next two days were just painting.”
The talented group learned to work as a team, a tricky challenge for even adult creatives. “The collaboration element is really important for the kids,” said Fowkes “It’s hard to get eight kids to work on one thing for eight days straight. From a community point of view, seeing what are youth can create with some guidance is amazing.”
Budding Michelangelo, Cora Fuller was excited to see her work in its new permanent home. “I was really eager to do it because I love painting,” said the 14-year-old. “You don’t normally see these kinds of projects that include everyone, even youth. We got to be such a huge part of it. It’s really cool. I really loved seeing how us kids made something for the whole community.” n
YOUNG TALENT Local artist Alex Fowkes and his young apprentices.
ARTS COUNCIL
Tourism Pemberton takes reigns of visitor centre after shock closure
THE
ORGANIZATION HOPES TO FIND A NEW LOCATION FOR THE FACILITY BEFORE NEXT
SUMMER’S INFLUX OF GUESTS
BY RÓISÍN CULLEN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
LAST WEEK, news broke via Facebook that Pemberton’s visitor centre would permanently close its doors at the beginning of September. Pemberton and District Chamber of Commerce shared the date of the vital building’s final day in operation on August 26- less than a week before its closure. Now, Tourism Pemberton is happily taking over the reins. The organization hopes to have a functioning visitor centre back in place before a swarm of guests arrive next May.
Its Executive Director, Christine Raymond told Pique that Tourism Pemberton and Pemberton Chamber of Commerce were once one entity. “It was divided and the chamber kept the visitor centre,” she said.
She admitted that all parties knew that the location was going to be lost to make way for a new Lil’wat Nation development, who own the land. Lil’wat Business Group’s project is still in the planning phase and will also require the removal of the sani-dump located on the same plot of land.
Raymond said that Tourism Pemberton knew that the visitor centre’s days at that location were numbered. “We were going to lose the location. It brought up a wider conversation about whether the tourism centre would be run by the chamber or by Tourism Pemberton,” she said. “There is a big advantage in us running the visitors’ centre. We knew that it was probably going to be the last time we were operating out of that location. We are seeing a shift. We always want to support sustainable and responsible tourism.”
Mayor of Pemberton, Mike Richman previously said the early closure came as a surprise to council. However, Pemberton Chamber’s Adam Adams said that his organization let local government know months ago. Raymond called last week’s development a “misunderstanding.”
“We thought we had the centre until the end of the month,” she said. “Maybe because we don’t work in the building, or we weren’t part of the conversation like the chamber might have been. They are on site, and they know the amount of work that there is to do. It had to be closed by the end of the month.”
While Tourism Pemberton has not confirmed a location, it is hopeful it will be back up and running soon. “We are excited,” said Raymond. “We are cooking something right now for next season. It’s not going to be at the same location. We are really hoping that this project will work. We don’t have the location confirmed yet.”
The Executive Director went to the visitor centre the day after the closure was announced. “I was concerned. There were a lot of RVs there,” she said. “There are frustrations. People are used to coming here
and they plan their vacation for September/ October. They are expecting to have this facility. It is very unfortunate timing. I don’t know if a bigger conversation could have been had.”
Raymond said that the visitor centre adjacent sani-dump is another story entirely.
“That is part of a bigger conversation,” she said. “We knew that the visitor centre and the sani-dump would close this fall. Decommissioning the sani-dump and visitors’ centre takes some work. We were looking to see if a location or an organization can take the sani-dump.”
She said that change to this summer’s set up was needed regardless. Raymond said that the sani-dump was old and often unreliable. “People would come here expecting to use the service and it would be out of commission,” she said. “We have to look at the positives. We are this small town, and we had these services on offer for so many years. We need to upgrade these facilities. Every time that change happens it’s easy to point a finger. I think that we are all working together to provide something better.”
Whistler is ready to deal with added pressure on its sani-dumps. It is now the last sani-dump spot for passing RVs before Lillooet, two hours North.
A Resort Municipality of Whistler communications official said the municipality had asked staff to monitor the Whistler site to ensure it remains in good operating order and is kept neat and tidy.
“We should expect there will now be more pressure on sani-dumps in Whistler, including the municipal sani-dump site at the Re-Built-It Center/Compactor and Recycling Depot in Function Junction,” they said in an email to Pique
“To what degree will remain to be seen. We will continue to monitor the situation as the impact of the Pemberton closure becomes clearer.”
Nikki Johnston of Tourism Whistler said that it was sorry to hear that about its neighbor’s visitor centre closing. “The Whistler Visitor Centre, which Tourism Whistler manages and operates also shares information with visitors about the Sea to Sky region including Pemberton,” she stated. “The Whistler Visitor Centre will continue to do so, especially in light of the Pemberton Visitor Centre Closure.
Meanwhile, Destination BC said that the issue was a local matter and that all visitors centre in the province are operated by community-based organizations. “The decision to build and operate a VC is solely the responsibility of the community,” said Director of Corporate Communications, Clare Mason. “We have just been advised of the closing, and discussions between the Chamber and Tourism Pemberton are ongoing, regarding the site and provision of visitor servicing.” n
Pemberton woman completes Camino de Santiago 30 years after being diagnosed with rare Myasthenia Gravis
KELLY CARSON COULDN’T WALK OR DRESS HERSELF WHEN SHE WAS 35 YEARS OLD. AT 65, SHE BEAT ALL ODDS AND WALKED TO THE END OF THE WORLD
BY RÓISÍN CULLEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
AN INSPIRING Pemberton woman has opened up about completing the Camino de Santiago in Spain, 30 years after being diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disorder called Myasthenia Gravis (MG). Kelly Carson has battled the rare condition for decades but has never let it stand in her way of making the impossible possible
MG results weakness of the skeletal muscles and affects the voluntary muscles of the body. Muscles around people’s eyes, mouth, throat and limbs are affected. Carson was diagnosed with the debilitating disorder when she was 35 years old. Her kids were just teenagers at the time.
“I was in a wheelchair. I couldn’t walk,” said Carson. “I couldn’t dress myself. I couldn’t talk. It was a real milestone for me to be able to walk 800km ... a diagnosis of MG is not the end of the world. I actually went to the end of the world.”
Kelly was inspired to do the Camino after watching the movie ‘The Way’ (2010) starring Martin Sheen. “Subconsciously, I started buying things to help me do the Camino,” she said “I decided I would do it when I was 65.
Everything rolled into place.”
Sadly, there is no cure for MG but Carson has been in remission for decade. She didn’t realize that her Camino journey marked the anniversary of her diagnosis until she started walking. Then her subconscious draw to the challenge finally made sense.
She remembered her younger self sitting in St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver coming to terms with the life changing news during her Camino journey. The President of MG Association of BC is reminding others with the condition that a diagnosis is not the end of the world. The Camino de Santiago is.
“I was in St Paul’s smoking in a stairwell and suddenly, my legs kicked out,” recalls Carson. “I waited until the strength came back so I could get back to my hospital room. There is life after MG. It is incurable but you can go into remission. Nobody ever told me that.”
Carson’s journey started in Vancouver when she trained with the Canadian Pilgrims Association. “Every Sunday, they organize a walk,” she said. “Twice a year, they walk from Downtown Vancouver to the Airport. You get the stamps along the way. My Camino actually started in Vancouver.”
Her worried daughter wanted to complete the Camino with her but she knew this was something she had to complete by
HOT TUB SALE!!
herself. “I enjoyed walking alone and just listening to the birds,” said Carson. “It was the most amazing thing I have ever done that I will never do again.”
There were times when Carson wondered why fate had brought her to the famous trail. She worried that she had overestimated her ability on the very first day. “When I looked up, I saw how far uphill it was,” she said tearfully. “I just thought I can’t do this. I told myself I couldn’t do that. Everything else was easy after that.”
Along the way, Carson met people she believes she was destined to meet including a man from England with MG. He was the first person that Carson has met that is also in recovery from the condition. “We walked together for two weeks,” she said. “We will be friends for life.”
The Pemberton trailblazer brought her ex-husband’s ashes on the journey and spread them at the end of the Camino. She felt that she was able to make peace with him on the hike and jokes that he didn’t have to do any of the hard work. She has asked her kids to scatter her own ashes at the “end of the world”, mostly so her kids have to complete the same trek.
Like many others, Carson found great healing along the The Way of Saint James. “I held resentment,” she said. “A lot of that got resolved on the Camino. When you’re by yourself walking, you do a lot of thinking.”
The author’s writer’s block was also finally cured, and she has settled into several exciting creative projects since coming back to the mountain village. Carson admitted that her feet are still sore. The inspiring lady is sticking to her daily walk to One Mile Lake for the time-being and relishing in her achievement. You can find out more information about MG here. n
Public Notice
2023AnnualReportReview
The Village of PembertonCouncil will review the2023 Annual Report during theregular council meetingonTuesday, September 10, 2024,at5:30pm.
WheretoAccess theReport
The2023 AnnualReportisavailablefor public review at pemberton.ca or at theVillage office locatedat7400 Prospect Street during regularoffice hours.
WhyReviewthe AnnualReport?
The2023 AnnualReportoffers valuable insightsintothe Village's projects andinitiatives,tracksprogressonCouncil andoperational priorities, andprovidesa comprehensiveoverviewofthe Village’s financialstatus.
HowtoProvide Feedback
Residentsare encouraged to sharetheir feedback or questions with Mayorand Council. Feedback andquestions canbesubmitted in person at MunicipalHall, by emailatadmin@pemberton.ca, or by mail to PO Box100, Pemberton, BC V0N2L0.
Additionally,residents arewelcome to providecommentsand ask questions at thecouncilmeetingonTuesday, September10, 2024, at 5:30 pm
ON THE ROAD Kelly Carson at the Whistler bus loop at the start of her adventure.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLY CARSON
Kevin Falcon’s sudden surrender deserves some praise
BY KIRK LAPOINTE
THERE SHOULD BE no doubting that one of the most sorrowful souls in British Columbia today is the province’s leader of the Official Opposition, Kevin Falcon.
Two years ago, Falcon left a lucrative executive role at Anthem Properties to return to politics after a decade-long detour. When he left, he was deputy premier and finance minister, the latest in a string of cabinet posts and a renowned heavy lifter in the BC Liberal government.
His expectation was reasonable upon return: seven years of NDP government would have worn out its welcome by 2024, he would ascend to the premiership. The forlorn business community would celebrate, as would anyone with an expense conscience.
the mount and concede that he ain’t what he used to be, that the change agent British Columbians prefer wants to offer clearer alternatives than the more vague, incremental measures he’s offering.
Putting the province before his pride is a true sign of leadership because it involves an enormous, absolute write-down of two years of fervent, feverish aggression to dethrone an administration. Travel when you’re bone-tired. Speeches in small halls. Food that ages you exponentially. Raising money from people you sometimes dislike but must appease. Trying to keep the home fires burning through it all.
I signed on for it once a decade ago. I can feel his pain.
It is quite possible his stubborn streak got the best of him and held out too long for any true partnership of the BC United and BC Conservative teams. (Joe Biden might be
Feel, too, for the dozens of candidates who knocked on doors, raised cash, and thought they had much to offer in public life. They’re correct in mourning today.
That it has gone sideways and downward is in part his responsibility, in part his misfortune of circumstance. It wasn’t enough to have him in the saddle again with his earlier badges of honour – he needed to show the province how he could get the old steed to gallop. Turned out he didn’t have the formula for giddyup, that he was a buckaroo gone bust.
On Wednesday, he relinquished the reins to John Rustad, the leader of the BC Conservatives, a former cabinet colleague he fired two years ago for questioning the degree of human contribution to the climate change in front of our eyes each season now. Falcon thought this was a fixed burr in the saddle; he found himself thrown from bucking bronco.
I’m sure many don’t know the feeling of losing your dream job. Many years ago I did, and it is a sickening experience of regret, shame, anger, denial, defensiveness, embarrassment, desperation and outright grief. It rattles confidence, dispirits your carriage, and sends you into lengthy soulsearching – unless you disappear into soothing yourself unhealthily.
Falcon doesn’t deserve the drubbing he took this week. Few do.
Instead, he is owed an expression of appreciation for trying to revive his masterful ride and recognizing he doesn’t have the jam that he thought. He chose to get down from
wondering the same thing. Justin Trudeau remains in his own state of denial.) The deal Falcon struck with Rustad in some respects resembles more of a divorce than a marriage, but it solves the household bickering and focuses on the NDP for the next 50 or so days.
The worst-case scenario was a prolonged irritant for the Conservatives as the United threw Hail Mary passes every day trying to get out of the deep hole they have fallen into late into the game. Better to take a knee.
Feel, too, for the dozens of candidates who knocked on doors, raised cash, and thought they had much to offer in public life. They’re correct in mourning today. They now have to either run independently or run later, neither of which offers imminent satisfaction.
On the bright side, Falcon saved his team some serious embarrassment Oct. 19. The question is whether he saved the right-ofcentre in time or waited so long that his suspension of the BC United campaign is too little, too late to win the day.
He might be faulted for waiting, but shouldn’t be faulted for relenting.
He gets his life back, and as you find out after failure to win the prize, and as I can attest, that is no small consolation.
Kirk LaPointe is a Glacier Media columnist with an extensive background in journalism n
An ode to friends lost
SEPTEMBER WAS ALWAYS a watershed month for me: I was born in its early throes, and, from a young age, energized by its mix of generally clear—but both cool and warm— weather, which was great for canoeing and other outdoor pursuits. I also loved going back to school.
BY LESLIE ANTHONY
Not everybody shared my enthusiasm, but I was an unrepentant September celebrant. There was nothing grey about a month that always seemed rife with possibility. Then, 10 years ago, something happened that changed my thought pattern as September approached each year.
On 29 September 2014, while filming in Chile for the second installment of their webisode series, Apogee, world-renowned skiers JP Auclair and Andreas Fransson perished in an avalanche. Both were friends I’d travelled with on ski-work assignments, and had deep and important discussions with—a rarity in that milieu. Like many, I was devastated at the news of losing not one, but two people I greatly admired in the same horrific instant, and further distressed by the knowledge of those they’d left behind. As a
longtime ski writer, I’d had the unfortunate experience of losing friends in the mountains before, but this was different—enough to shift something deep inside.
For those honoured to know both of these eccentric ski personalities, Fransson and Auclair getting together on a project was a case of “Right, of course—those guys!” And while their partnership made perfect sense, since the day they left the world I was tortured by thoughts of why them and why then and why I’d held the kind of relationship I did with each—so similar yet individuated. There
Fransson’s native Sweden.
I was with a group on a ski-touring mission near Sweden’s highest peak, Kebnekaise, high above the Arctic Circle. Climbing behind the mountain station we were staying at, we toured first to a gully then angled up into a bowl where we skied a few lines with the rest of our crew, who were busy shooting film before guide Jimmy Odén and I broke away to tour to a peak on our own. Heads down, lost in our own thoughts, we passed in an out of streaming clouds, each change in conditions seeming to suggest something.
[F]ransson and Auclair were not only extraordinary human beings, but also two of those rare individuals eternally drawn upward by the buoyant light of curiosity.
was mutual respect, of course, but also my recognition of an ineffable shared something I couldn’t quite put my finger on and now desperately needed to know. I recall getting together with cinematographer friends when we heard the news—not to talk of anything in particular but simply to sit in each other’s presence to try and understand the hole we now had in our psyches.
It didn’t help. I stopped writing about skiing for months, blocked about the sport, its worth, my place in it. I recognized this as problematic but it wasn’t enough to chase the clouds, and it took years before I was able to pass through the eye of the needle and deal with it—oddly, on a mountaintop in
In these the types of moments in the mountains, I had always used the metronomic pace of ski-touring to process ideas on what we bring to the enterprise versus what may already be present. As we approached the top of the ridge, I found myself circling back to something I’d thought on before: how, given the confidentialities of time, geology and weather, mountains also become repositories of lost human endeavor.
Though Odén and I had only just met, it was already one of those easy associations where you felt you knew the other simply from moving in similar circles. In addition to many other shared connections, we’d also both known Auclair and Fransson—the latter
particularly well for Odén, as a fellow guide and mentor. A conversation about the two large holes rent in the ski world’s fabric by their passing had hung between us all week, and now, summiting amidst swirling mists we’d have to wait on before we could descend, it seemed time to have it.
Barely had we opened our mouths to speak, however, than our eyes simultaneously welled with tears, both of us exhaling deeply to right the ship of manliness. The handles had opened on taps we hadn’t known were there, and it was suddenly easy to understand the commonly shared human cultural belief that spirits and gods dwell on higher ground: far above the madding world, previously ungraspable feelings about people are often peculiarly loosed, reflecting back so strongly as to virtually conjure their presence. The beautiful sadness we shared in the clouds talking about our friends floated on a strange sea of unanchored emotion that neither of us had yet faced up to until we’d found it there, in the ether of endeavour.
In the end, we’d agreed that Fransson and Auclair were not only extraordinary human beings, but also two of those rare individuals eternally drawn upward by the buoyant light of curiosity. A luminescence reflected back on us all. This was what we’d lost. Embracing our acknowledgement to ski to the valley through decent powder was in every conceivable way like coming back to Earth.
Finally understanding why September had, in part, gone grey for me has now made for another cherished memory.
Leslie Anthony is a Whistler-based author, editor, biologist and bon vivant who has never met a mountain he didn’t like. n
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING
The Invictus Games is a chance for Whistler to lead the way //
By Sean Marihugh
“Paris will be accessible. We are rising to the challenge,”
said Fadila Khattabi, French Secretary of State in charge of People with Disabilities. With the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics now underway, barriers to transportation, travel, and accessibility in the community still exist for athletes and guests with disabilities. As doubt grows, The New York Times ran the following headline: “Paris Promised the Olympics Would Be Accessible. The Clock Is Ticking.”
The Invictus Games in 2025 is placing Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb on the international stage again, and we have a responsibility to make sure our community is as accessible and inclusive as it can be. We can change the conversation—it’s not just about making things better, it’s about showing the world what it means to thoughtfully include our community members and visitors with disabilities from the very beginning.
The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 6 people have a disability globally. When we consider an aging population, mental health, and long-term effects of COVID-19, disability is close to home. It is for me—I have muscular dystrophy, a degenerative disorder that affects muscles throughout my body. I’m new to the Sea to Sky community, and quickly noticed how this community is so welcoming, kind, and supportive.
Whistler has a disability community, and it’s growing. Part of this is for reasons you’re probably guessing—after all, anyone can acquire a disability at any time due to aging, injury, or an illness. But it’s also growing for reasons we should celebrate—Whistler, Pemberton, and Squamish are becoming hubs for adaptive athletes. We see more and more athletes with disabilities in media and social media; last summer Crankworx hosted an adaptive race not as a separate event, but as one of the main features. It showed people with disabilities can come to Whistler and thrive.
But as this community grows and more people with disabilities see Whistler as a destination, we need to be ready. With Invictus Games around the corner in 2025, we will see an influx of athletes with disabilities and their families. This is an opportunity to show the world that Whistler is and wants to be the most accessible community for people with disabilities to experience our backyard. We should strive to give them a worldclass experience by reducing the barriers that we in the local disability community face every day.
There is no accessible transportation between here and Vancouver, or even Squamish. Very little accessible housing exists, but it’s challenging to find public information about housing options. There isn’t enough accessible accommodation for the Invictus Games, and event organizers will be busing athletes to and from the city daily. Infrastructure is aging—I have been impacted and (briefly) trapped by elevator outages. And one simply needs to wander Skier’s Plaza mid-season to see missing bricks—a hazard for the elderly, parents with young children, and people using mobility devices.
So many things in our daily lives impact the disability community in ways many of us aren’t aware of. Avalanche bombing can be challenging for a veteran with PTSD. Parents with disabilities need accessible washrooms and changing tables. People with vision or hearing disabilities often can’t access content on social media. Even the language we use affects how welcome or included someone feels. My goal isn’t to provide an exhaustive list of barriers. My intent is to highlight how everything we do has an impact on accessibility.
I do want to recognize some incredible work toward accessibility in the community. The Whistler Public Library is gathering community feedback to inform its Strategic Plan for the next several years, and accessibility is integral to this. The Whistler Fire Department is exploring offering first-aid training tailored for aiding someone with a disability. In my time here, I’ve also noticed how many disability allies there are—people individually are aware of the barriers and challenges that exist. This is an opportunity to learn from the disability community and to start asking what you or your organization can do to be more inclusive.
Each organization and business in the Sea to Sky should have an individual who is accountable for disability inclusion—even better if it’s someone with a disability who can bring their lived experiences. Whistler Blackcomb and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) both have accessibility committees. Whistler Blackcomb could take a page from the RMOW’s playbook by having an individual with a disability responsible for accessibility within WB. To make the right investments, people with disabilities need to be more than advisors—they must be leaders.
To challenge a common assumption that accessibility is costly, it is expensive to retrofit accessibility when it’s an afterthought. Planning for accessibility from the beginning in partnership with the disability community means we get it right the first time. Beyond physical accessibility, we can consider accessibility in our policies, training, content, events, language, and at the very least our attitudes.
It’s time we show the local disability community and visiting athletes from the Invictus Games that we value their engagement and participation in the Sea to Sky. We don’t need
ON THE WATER Sean Marihugh kayaking in Whistler.
Photo by Penny Forrest of Whistler Adaptive Sports Program
FEATURE STORY
ACCESSIBILITY IN WHISTLER
In June 2021, B.C.’s provincial government passed the Accessible BC Act, which set new standards for the province and required municipalities to have an accessibility committee, plan, and a tool to receive feedback on accessibility.
The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) adopted its Accessible Action Plan in September 2022, which seeks to implement “actions that identify, remove and prevent barriers to individuals in or interacting with the RMOW,” according to the municipality’s website.
The plan presents 59 different actions spread across six action areas.
Last year, municipal accessibility coordinator Sarah Tipler told council there is a growing awareness of accessibility issues at both the provincial and national level.
Between that, an aging local population, and new funding available for accessibility improvements through both the provincial and federal governments, Tipler said there is already plenty of momentum behind the RMOW’s accessibility efforts as Invictus approaches.
“The Accessible Canada Act and Accessible British Columbia Act have made the provincial and federal governments more aware,” she explained following her presentation. “There’s some funding around that wasn’t available before, which of course facilitates getting more things done.”
Initiatives on deck for 2024 included the continued assessments of existing locations and public facilities; the development of “Know Before You Go” videos for key facilities and accessible routes, which will enable people with disabilities to better prepare for their trip to the resort; identifying intersections that could benefit from countdown signals; and the incorporation of accessibility features and commitments into the RMOW’s request-for-proposal template.
According to its website, the RMOW is “committed to working inclusively and collaboratively with resort partners to provide equitable treatment to people with disabilities regarding the use and benefit of municipal services, programs, goods and facilities in a manner that respects their dignity and that is equitable in relation to the broader public.
“The resort community also strives to continue to provide residents and visitors from around the world, regardless of age or ability, with a seamless resort experience based not only on accessibility, but also on inclusivity. These commitments extend to residents and visitors with visible or non-visible disabilities.”
Read more about accessibility in Whistler, and share feedback of your own, at whistler.ca/accessibility.
to do better; we need to be the best. Let’s show the world the positive impact thoughtful, intentional disability inclusion has.
A colleague of mine told me about this idea he called the “Disability Equation.” When you multiply someone’s disability by the barriers they face, you understand the impact the barriers have on their lives. When there are zero barriers, what is the impact?
The clock is ticking.
Sean Marihugh has spent his career working in accessibility based on a fascination with all the different ways people with disabilities interact with the world. Along the way, he discovered a deep love of all things adaptive sports, and Whistler has become a core part of that journey as Muscular Dystrophy changes his strength and mobility over time. Sean wants to show that accessibility is all about creativity and ensuring people with disabilities are equitably represented. n
NEW TECH an adaptive lift prototype Photo by Liz McDonald
SUNDAY
SLOW DOWN
September 8, 2024
Set in the tranquil Audain Art Museum surroundings, register to enjoy a calming sound bath meditation, a restorative yoga session, or a guided art tour after the excitement of the RBC GranFondo Whistler.
Sunday Slow Down registration grants you access to the Museum, as well as the following perks:
• A relaxation activity of your choice (sound bath, yoga class, or public art tour).
• A 20% discount on Scandinave Spa thermal journeys.
• A 10% discount on Scandinave Spa massages (details at scandinave.com/whistler).
• Access to the AAM’s Meadow Lounge with comforts by the Scandinave Spa.
• Raffle for two Scandinave Spa massages and two thermal journey passes.
SCHEDULE
9:00am – 2:30pm Scandinave Spa Lounge open in the Meadow 9:30am – 10:30am Sound Bath with True North Yoga 11:00am – 6:00pm Audain Art Museum open
11:00am – 12:00pm Outdoor Hatha Restorative Yoga Class
audainartmuseum.com
1:00pm – 2:00pm Outdoor Hatha Restorative Yoga Class 2:00pm – 3:00pm Public Tour of the AAM’s Permanent Collection of BC Art 3:00pm – 4:00pm Public Tour of Tom Thomson: North Star
Celebrating 30 years of the Westside Wheel Up
THE PERENNIAL LOCAL BIKE RACE RETURNS ON SEPT. 8
BY DAVID SONG
THE WESTSIDE Wheel Up is commemorating its big 3-0.
On Sept. 8, Whistlerites will flock again to their beloved Westside zone for a jaunt down memory lane, and down some of the region’s classic bike trails. Athletes ride at high noon, taking on an old-fashioned cross-country mass start race that organizer Jerome David likens to “a bit of a sufferfest.”
The reward for making it through—other than fresh air and honest exercise—is an après at Rainbow Park with food and drinks provided by Nesters Market, Sabre Rentals and the Whistler Brewing Company. Prizes are up for grabs thanks to Fanatyk Co. and Cross Country Connection.
Logging roads are no longer a part of the course. Instead, riders will be treated to singletrack paths for virtually all of the twohour ordeal, with only one pavement crossing
on Alta Lake Road.
“It’s just a nice, relaxing, social that people come out and enjoy…though the new people that come to it go: ‘oh wow, that was hard,’” said David. “And then there’s some kids who take part as well.”
David and Benoit Reneault have taken point on the Westside Wheel Up since 2018, when longtime organizer Phil Chew retired.
The Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) helps advertise, but is not directly affiliated with the event.
adaptive standards, and it was completed earlier this year.
‘THE OLD-SCHOOL WAY’
Ever since its inception in 1994, the Westside Wheel Up has been grassroots to the core—and its people have taken care of their own.
Founder Les Clare put the inaugural Wheel Up together as an alternative to the Cheakamus Challenge, which operated from 1989 to 2011.
“[W]e keep it alive for the local racers.”
- JEROME DAVID
“We’re doing the Wheel Up on our own, and we keep it alive for the local racers,” David explained. “We’ve then raised money for different reasons. Last year, we supported a local rider who got injured at the bike park. This is kind of the only race that all the local shops still support, so we have quite a big raffle draw.”
This time, all proceeds will go towards the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP). Many Wheel Up riders have helped build Cheakamus’ Flashback trail to
Clare felt that the Challenge was becoming too commercialized, and that a more local event would be suitable for longtime Sea to Sky denizens. Early iterations of the Wheel Up were indeed dominated by a group of hardcore mountain bikers well-versed in valley terrain.
Around the turn of the century, Clare accidentally fell off a roof during a building project and severely injured his back. Chew stepped in, making the next Wheel Up into a fundraiser for his stricken friend. Registrants banded together to donate approximately $8,000.
Chew knows what it’s like to live with— and overcome—disability. Bone cancer treatments necessitated the amputation of his right leg, and at one point he shared a hospital room with Terry Fox. None of that stopped him from becoming a 10-year member of Canada’s Para-Alpine Ski Team, and eventually a Canadian Ski Hall of Famer. Naturally, Chew wanted to support a cause near and dear to his heart. That’s why he utilized the Wheel Up as a fundraising vehicle for handicapped athletes during his time coaching British Columbia’s adaptive skiing programs.
“All the money that’s ever been raised with the Wheel Up has gone to good purposes,” Chew said.
This year’s registration fee is just $25: a number that has not substantially increased over the past three decades.
“For [Benoit and I], we hope to keep that culture of getting together, riding bikes and having fun for the local community going,” David added. “That’s the biggest part, and honouring what Phil’s done over the years. It’s really about mountain bike culture and a little bit of the old-school way.”
More details about the 2024 Westside Wheel Up are viewable at https://www. trailforks.com/event/14414/ or the event’s Facebook page. n
READY TO HIT THE TRAILS Riders of varying backgrounds gather at the 2023 Westside Wheel Up. BENOIT RENEAULT
Finn Iles rides to World Championship bronze, Gracey Hemstreet manages fourth
JACK MACLEOD LEADS CANADIAN JUNIOR MEN IN 13TH; GEZA RODGERS 12TH AMONG JUNIOR LADIES
BY DAVID SONG
THE 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships are complete, and Sea to Sky athletes provided plenty of thrills in Pal Arinsal, Andorra.
Finn Iles was no doubt gunning for gold. He didn’t end up reaching the promised land, but did lock up bronze in what turned out to be the second-closest World Champs downhill race in history
When the dust settled, Loris Vergier (2:38.661) took his inaugural elite victory a decade after winning the junior category. Another Frenchman, Benoit Coulanges (2:38.809), snuck into silver medal position with only 0.169 seconds differentiating the podium finishers.
“Always proud to represent Canada,” Iles wrote on his Instagram account. “We’ll be back for the dub next year. Always a huge thanks to the whole team [Specialized Gravity] for an amazing week, love you guys.”
Remarked Canadian coach and 2011 world bronze medallist Claire Buchar: “Finn showed that his pace is there and that it’s 100 per cent possible for him to win a World Championship or any round of the World Cup for that matter. It’s such a fine line on that track [in Pal Arinsal]. He could have afforded zero mistakes. I know Finn’s not happy, so that shows me he’s not satisfied with third.”
Sechelt native Gracey Hemstreet was tantalizingly close to hardware of her own, but fell just short in fourth (3:01.813). Instead, mountain bike fans got to watch Valentina Höll triumph at Worlds for a third consecutive year.
The Austrian phenom (3:00.212) needed every bit of speed and skill to edge out runner-up Nicole Myriam (3:00.732), while Tahnee Seagrave rode to third for Great Britain (3:01.424).
“Gracey was injured for a big chunk of this season, and her first race back was at Nationals [in Sun Peaks],” Buchar said. “She really shines on the really tough tracks, and it showed and she stepped up. I didn’t get a chance to talk to her afterwards, but I feel like she would be pretty happy with her result. Maybe it’s opened her eyes to realizing that she can be at the very top, and hopefully this has given her some confidence.”
RISING TO THE OCCASION
As a 12-time Canadian national teamer, Buchar is always proud of all the riders under her tutelage. Each comes from a different place in life, with differing talents and career experiences. Yet when asked to name someone who really stood out, the Whistlerite named Geza Rodgers who ended up 12th among junior females.
New Zealand’s Erice van Leuven (2:59.891) became the first junior woman to defend a
world downhill title since 2018/19, when Höll pulled it off. Ella Svegby of Sweden grabbed second (3:06.248) and Sacha Earnest finished third (3:12.071).
Rodgers, though, garnered respect in how well she performed on downhill’s grandest stage despite being an enduro-focused athlete.
“Geza was just in a really good mindset,” recalled Buchar. “Here you are on this world track, bigger than any other track you’ve ever raced on in terms of features and speed, and I think she really rose to the occasion. She was consistent and solid across practice, qualifying and race day, so I was really impressed by her.
“I recommended that if Geza has the chance, she should go to another big event like [the Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup] in October and give it another shot.”
Meanwhile, Jack Macleod led all Canadian junior males in 13th.
The Squamolian wound up approximately 6.74 seconds back of winner Asa Vermette (2:39.185). French rider Max Alran did enough for silver (2:40.701) and Bode Burke joined his fellow American Vermette on the podium with bronze (2:41.699).
“What an amazing experience!” Macleod wrote on social media. “So grateful to have the opportunity to compete at world champs in Andorra: one of my favourite tracks ever! I’m really happy with how I’ve been riding all week and ended up sliding into 13th in finals!”
‘MY HEART IS REALLY IN IT’
Buchar’s final World Championship experience as a contender transpired in 2014 in Andorra. She’s now in her fourth year coaching the Maple Leaf and never takes the position for granted.
“It’s really emotional. My heart is really in it,” she said. “I feel super privileged and grateful to still work within the sport that I love, handing down my knowledge and experience and being part of somebody else’s success. As an athlete, you have to be pretty self-centered…and so at one point in my career I knew I needed to transition [into coaching].”
Nowadays, there’s plenty for Buchar and all Canadian mountain bike fans to get excited for. Young talent abounds, and a fresh wave of girls are rising up to such an extent that it’s not uncommon to see U15s and U17s clock faster than pros around B.C.’s regional circuits.
“There’s always fast guys coming through and that is 100 per cent super exciting too, but to see the amount of girls who are showing impressive times at such a young age is super awesome,” Buchar noted. “I really hope that they stay with it, and a few of them could go really far. So many of our athletes came from B.C. or right around the Sea to Sky area.
“The way they train is unreal here. They’ve been doing it since they were little kids. They’ve had coaching, proper resources and proper equipment. Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton are a pretty special part of the world and they do produce amazing athletes.” n
PHYSIOTHERAPY Whistler Athletes Centre
CALL FOR FUNDING APPLICATIONS
Applications are now being accepted for our October 1, 2024 Fall Funding Deadline.
The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support to community groups and charities whose activities provide benefit to residents of the Sea to Sky Corridor in the areas of health, human services, education, recreation, arts & culture and the environment. Special emphasis is placed on children, youth and family programs For more information, eligibility requirements and to complete an application, please visit our website at whistlerblackcombfoundation.com, Or contact Mei Madden, Executive Director at mmadden@whistlerblackcombfoundation.com
Whis tler Women’sHockey
The Centennial is back in its rightful place, at the heart of Pemberton
THE LOCAL FAVOURITE IS BACK AND ITS COMMUNITY FEEL MAKES IT SPECIAL
BY RÓISÍN CULLEN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
RUMBLINGS THAT THE Centennial Café was reopening took Pemberton by storm at the start of this summer. Locals in the village and Lil’wat Nation watched the building eagerly waiting for the day that the fluorescent sign would say ‘Open’.
The beloved Chinese spot closed after 50
years in Pemberton back in 2018. A group of buyers including Mayor of Pemberton, Mike Richman bought the property which later became Town Square.
a range of great value combos. Combo #1 comes in at just $16.95 and includes chicken chow mein with a side dish. Group Dinners are available for tables of all sizes. A couple’s
Every customer was greeted by staff like a friend regardless of how busy it was.
The Centennial moved in to replace BAO’s on Frontier Street, solidifying itself in the heart of the community. A large queue of locals stood outside the restaurant’s doors during its first week back and the buzz hasn’t died down yet.
The menu includes fan favourites and
dinner of two spring rolls, chicken chow mein, beef chop suey and sweet and sour boneless pork is priced at $44.95, the perfect deal for date night.
I opted for sweet and sour boneless pork with egg fried rice. The meal was the ideal kind of comfort food, perfect for curing a
hangover or for munching into after a long day exploring the great outdoors. The huge portions can easily become tomorrow’s lunch or even breakfast, depending on the day. However, it was the Centennial’s welcoming atmosphere and community hub feel that made it stand out. Every customer was greeted by staff like a friend regardless of how busy it was. The phone did not stop ringing and it’s no surprise. The sweet and sour sauce was paired with pineapple and lingered on my tongue long after I had finished the meal.
The Pemberton institution is sure to keep its place at the heart of the community for decades to come.
The Centennial is open seven days a week from 11:00am to 9pm. n
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Pick up the latest issue of your favourite read in Whistler.
BACK IN THE BIZ Pembertonians have responded with much patronage to the re-opening of the Centennial.
RÓISÍN CULLEN
MPSC Annual Pool Maintenance Closure
The
‘An incredible social phenomenon’
WHISTLER COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
BY DAVID SONG
JEANETTE BRUCE crossed paths with Nadine White, public services librarian at the Whistler Public Library, about a decade ago. They began chatting about what was a novel idea at the time: a recurring local book club. White felt that there’d be interest in such a group, but also felt that she wasn’t the right person to host.
Bruce, who was employed by Armchair Books at the time, leaped at the opportunity.
Whistler’s first Community Book Club meeting took place in summer 2014, with roughly eight people gathering at Florence Petersen Park. Their novel of choice was Gone Girl: a crime thriller by Gillian Flynn that was adapted into a film starring Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck.
Fast forward to this August and you would’ve found over two dozen individuals celebrating the Club’s 10th anniversary by discussing All The Light We Cannot See, a Pulitzer Prize-winning work of historical fiction by Anthony Doerr. It wasn’t just locals showing up either: Ohio native Abi Kaszar joined the party from down south.
“[The Book Club] has been an incredible social phenomenon for a lot of people, I would say,” remarks Bruce, now the Library’s program and communications coordinator. “Some have been coming for the last 10 years,
FOUNDER JEANETTE BRUCE LOOKS BACK ON 10 YEARS OF MEETINGS AND READINGS
and some have just joined us recently. You’re not pressured to read 12 books a year unless you are really keen to do so.
“Knowing that there’s this fun, social, focused and well-honed discussion waiting for you at the end of each month appeals to a lot of readers in our town.”
BROADENING HORIZONS
Many book clubs are run by like-minded friends who take turns hosting and collaborating to make their reading list. These activities can be fulfilling, but they can also suffer from weaknesses inherent to informal gatherings—like a tendency for people to shoot the breeze and get distracted instead of unpacking their books.
Whistler’s Club offers a potential solution. The Library is a set venue, with Zoom meetings available for those who can’t attend in person. Bruce chooses each month’s book and facilitates discussions. The group is meant for an adult demographic, but teens willing to engage with mature themes are welcome.
Though she admits to being a “big sci-fi and fantasy nerd”, Bruce endeavours to select a healthy range of genres penned by authors of varying backgrounds. Over time, the Club has read everything from Andy Weir’s famous debut novel The Martian (also made into a Hollywood science-fiction blockbuster) to Half-Bads in White Regalia by 2023 Whistler Writer-in-Residence Cody Caetano.
“We don’t read as much nonfiction as fiction—maybe one a year, I would say—and that’s usually a memoir,” elaborates Bruce. “I have tried my best to diversify the types of authors that we are reading, and I think it has really benefited the club. It makes our
discussions cultured. We’re not stuck in a box…we’re trying our best to broaden our minds and horizons.”
Accessibility is also a factor. Bruce picks paperbacks whenever she can, and Armchair Books offers a 15 per cent discount on her chosen read every month. B.C. libraries can only start lending items to one another after they’ve been published for a year, meaning the Club prioritizes older works.
Not everyone will appreciate every book. In fact, some may outright despise a given title—and that’s just how Bruce wants it.
“A book that everybody loved is not interesting to discuss,” she says. “Nine times out of 10 [in that situation], there’s no disagreement, and to me disagreement is crucial to a good discussion. The really interesting conversations happen when some people in the room love the book and some people in the room hate it—but they are willing to hear each other.
“That’s something we’ve also improved upon over the years, especially with folks who attend regularly: understanding that somebody is going to disagree with you, and it’s actually going to make our conversation richer.”
‘WE’RE HERE FOR YOU’
Some of you might be asking: “that all sounds fine and dandy, but why would a person from Ohio get involved with a book club in Whistler?”
In September 2020, Bruce and her gang read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. That particular novel takes place in Shaker Heights, Ohio: Kaszar’s hometown. She joined that month’s Zoom session, initially unaware that it was based in Canada, and simply kept attending.
As a travel nurse, Kaszar remains a consistent presence at the Club despite all her frequent-flier miles across the United States. On Aug. 19, she and her partner Eric flew from Los Angeles to Vancouver before driving up the Sea to Sky Highway to meet their Canadian friends.
“Abi completely blew our minds,” Bruce says. “She and Eric were in Whistler for just over 24 hours. There’s no denying that they came specifically for the Book Club meeting, which kind of boggles my mind. That’s probably the craziest story that we have about somebody coming.”
Kaszar’s unorthodox visit is emblematic of the Club’s continued growth. Demographics have evolved over time from a predominantly-senior crowd to one that includes millennials and baby boomers alike. Sometimes, attendance numbers border on “too many”, which is no doubt a good problem to have.
THE GROUP COULD USE MORE MEN, HOWEVER.
“We still skew very female, but we do have some very brave male participants,” Bruce notes with a laugh. “If there are bookish guys out there who are hesitating, please come to Book Club. We’d love to have you there, and we certainly do try to read books from a male perspective or male authors. We’re here for you.”
The Whistler Community Book Club meets in-person on the last Monday of each month (except for December) in the Library at 7 p.m., and on Zoom during the last Wednesday of every month. Find out more at https://www.whistlerlibrary.ca/event/ in-person-community-book-club/. n
Football Season Is
Whistler’s local choirs accommodate a variety of skill levels
A LOOK AT THE CHORAL LANDSCAPE OF WHISTLER
BY DAVID SONG
THE SEA TO SKY is lucky to have a well-rounded menu of options for its vocallyinclined.
Kids frequently get their start in the Whistler Children’s Chorus, available to those in Grades 1 through 7. The Whistler Singers cater to an older and more diverse demographic, with its website declaring that people “aged 13 to 113 years are welcome.” Last but definitely not least, the Barbed Choir provides a more informal, rock-based palette for adults.
None of the three mandate auditions or existing experience—just a passion for singing and a desire to connect with others. Both the Children’s Chorus and the Barbed Choir receive funding from the Friends of Whistler Public Library and rehearse within the Library’s doors.
Jeanette Bruce took over as Children’s Chorus artistic director from Alison Hunter roughly seven years ago, with Hunter now running the ship for the Whistler Singers. Both remain dedicated to the betterment of the local choral community.
The Children’s Chorus is not easy to game-plan for, but Bruce makes sure that all members enjoy a healthy environment.
“Grades one to seven is a huge range of developmental ages,” she says. “Some kids may be doing private piano lessons or vocal lessons, and for some kids this is their only exposure to making music. Number one: we’re about having fun.”
Bruce didn’t grow up an athlete, but choir is what taught her the importance of putting a group ahead of an individual’s wants. Collective singing can help youngsters team-build in a different way than sports, and rehearsals are in some ways more important than concerts. After all, it’s in practice that the members of a choir bond, make inside jokes, and get to know one another.
Disney and Pixar material is usually a serviceable choice for the kids’ repertoire, as are pop songs that dominate the airwaves. These mainstream options are nicely complemented by more traditional content with classical or folk roots.
For example, Bruce intends for one of the gang’s Christmas offerings to be “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”, but those familiar with that Dr. Seuss classic may not yet be acquainted with her other choice: Andy Beck’s “Winter Canon.”
The Whistler Children’s Chorus has gone without a high school ensemble for some time, but Bruce encourages musicallyinclined teenagers and their parents to reach out if there is demand for another high schooloriented cohort. “Maybe we’ll see a day when we go back to multiple ensembles for multiple age groups,” she wonders aloud.
Meanwhile, there’s always the Whistler Singers: which according to Hunter is the town’s longest-running arts organization.
Hunter participated in the Whistler Singers at the turn of the 1990s. That was perhaps the collective’s heyday, with more than 60 people vibing under the guidance of former director Molly Boyd. Nowadays the group is a tad smaller, but still generationally diverse with international students often adding a European flavour to things.
“A lot of them come from cultures that are much more choir-oriented than many North American places,” said Hunter.
Much like the Children’s Chorus, the Whistler Singers perform a variety of music from classical staples to well-known tunes like Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” or “Skyfall” by Adele. They are often called upon at public ceremonies like the municipal Remembrance Day Service in addition to their own seasonal recitals—and they’re virtually all friends with each other.
“A lot of the focus is not really the concerts, but on the feeling of community,” Hunter explains. “We have everybody from all walks of life. Everybody is welcome, and sometimes it’s really hard to rein them back into singing after a break. We even have social events separately, because they do like to spend time with each other. I’ve seen all sorts of friendships blossom.”
The Barbed Choir was originally the brainchild of onetime Pique sports journalist Dan Falloon, who approached Point ArtistRun Centre (PARC) artistic director Stephen Vogler about establishing a pop-up rock choir similar to one that he’d been with in Winnipeg. They coined the name ‘Barbed Choir’, which Bruce loves for being “kind of silly and kind of faux-edgy.”
Joining Bruce at the helm of this somewhat avant-garde outfit is Laura Nedelak, who plays guitar.
“We meet for 90 minutes, and Laura and I will lead the group through learning a song, start to finish,” elaborates Bruce. “We’ll learn the melody and then at least one harmony line, if not two. It’s all done by ear, so there’s no reading music by anybody in the room. We do pick well known songs… but we sort of break it down verse by verse, chorus by chorus.”
Unlike more conventional gatherings of its kind, the Barbed Choir does not put on public shows. Instead its members sing for one another once a month, and they explore a different song each time. There’s no commitment involved, and some people only drop in a few times per year.
All in all, this trifecta of Whistler choirs provide locals with a valuable opportunity to get in touch with their artistic side or face their fears.
“It’s important for the musical folks who maybe haven’t found a choir since they were a kid…but I think it’s equally important to have that experience for kids and adults who are really immersed in athletics,” Bruce opined “It’s a totally different outlet for fun, for meeting different people, and honestly it’s so funny—folks who might not blink an eye at the Saudan Couloir are terrified of singing.” n
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Anthony(Tony) Anthony(Tony) Dunphy Dunphy
Ap ri l1 93 8- Ju ly 20 24
Tony passedawaypeacefullyathome with hiswife, Hiromi by hisside.
Aspecial Thankyou to Dr Fullerand the staffofthe PembertonMedical Clinic, VCHHomeCareNursesand Home Support Team.
Celebratinga life with memories, prayers, reflections, unity, farewell, andpeace
Tony will be greatlymissed.
The Governor of Givin’er Returns
CRACK A COLD ONE and crank the stereo up to 11! Whistler may have lost our movie theatre but I’m bringing Pique’s movie column back for one week only to celebrate Deaner 89, a kickass Canadian film with deep Whistler roots that opens this week in theatres across the country.
Paul Spence stars as Dean Murdoch, aka: Deaner, aka: the governor of Givin’er, aka:
one half of the skid-rocker duo that shot to films of the early 2000s. This flick is all Deaner though, an origin story that jumps from his present-day rock superstardom in a giant, Nicklebackesque mansion (that may or may not have
multiple fissures in the foundation) to smalltown Manitoba in 1989, the peak of 80s rock, excessive hairspray, BMX, and the simple joys of sharing your smokes with your teenage children because that’s just the way it was.
Set up as a hockey star with adopted parents and a slight thyroid issue that makes him look “a tiny bit older than the other seventeen-year-olds” (which ingeniously and instantly allows an actor in his 40s to play a highschooler), Deaner’s life is rocked when a wooden chest full of heavy metal awesomeness shows up after the death of his real dad, a mysterious logger/drifter/metal king named “Murray F*#king Messier.”
As the power of heavy metal infiltrates his life, Deaner is forced to decide between his all-star hockey future, hottest-in-town girlfriend (aka the girl with the biggest hair), loving but alcoholic/Christian parents and the power of loud guitars, tight leather, and his true roots.
Deftly directed by Sea to Sky local Sam McGlynn (more on him in a moment), Deaner 89 serves up a triple decker stack of nostalgia for a simpler, far more rocking era, but also delivers iconic characters—Will Sasso (Super
Troopers 2, MADtv) steals the show as Glen, Deaner’s flatulent-but-loving adopted dad, but Mary Walsh (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) absolutely shines and Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall) drops in for a deadly cameo. Ultimately, Deaner 89 is a fresh slice of good old fashioned Canadian givin’er with a side of heart, hilarity, and some commentary that bites deeper than most audiences will expect. Well-crafted and detailed, this flick is smart and, most of all, really funny.
And, on one level, it all started here in our own backyard. Director Sam McGlynn is a longtime local, probably best known for his violent and hilarious 72-hour Filmmaker Showdown flick Our Snow (they were robbed that year!) or his Heavy Hitting Horrorfest Dickproof series, a two-film orgy of car wrecks, castrations, explosions, bloodbaths, and pure metal awesomeness.
But the fun part is, that B-grade horror movie led directly to McGlynn making Deaner 89. “I made movies as a kid with my brother,” McGlynn says, “then I kinda stepped back for a few years, until someone convinced me to make a movie for this local Horrorfest we had heard about. That first movie didn’t connect
with the audience, people were yelling at the screen and stuff. I remember walking home that night knowing I never wanted to feel that way again.”
That feeling ignited the fire in McGlynn to make Dickproof which catered to the (admittedly macabre, drunken and comedy leaning) tastes of the most rabid Whistler audience ever. And it worked, with Dickproof 2 eventually winning Best in Show in 2015. McGlynn sent that film to “all my film heroes” and the only person who responded was Paul Spence, saying, “This is deadly!”
After meeting in Spence’s home in Montreal, a friendship was formed, a script started, and the rest (aka: 5+ years of hard, grinding work and leading to a 23-day shoot in Winnipeg last year) is Canadian cinema history.
“Just don’t underestimate what you’re capable of,” McGlynn says, “or what one little film fest in your hometown can inspire inside of you.”
Deaner 89 opens in theatres across Canada tomorrow, Friday September 6. Drive to the city, go see it, and support your local filmmaker! n
Producer Kyle Irving, Paul Spence, and director Sam McGlynn on the ice.
ARTS SCENE
PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE
Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events
PATIO PARTY SERIES AT NITA LAKE LODGE
Join the Cure Lounge & Patio this summer for their Patio Party Series! Enjoy the perfect blend of live music from talented local artists, beer specials, and delicious food with a scenic lakeside atmosphere. A courtesy shuttle service is also available.
> September 6, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
> Cure Lounge
> Food and beverage prices vary
FAIRMONT FRIDAYS
Kick off your weekend right by celebrating slopeside at the Mallard Lounge’s famous Fairmont Fridays. Featuring boot-stomping live music, refreshing cocktails and delectable bites. Hop on the Fairmont guest shuttle from the Village for a complimentary lift to the Upper Village, or enjoy a leisurely stroll there.
> September 6, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
> Mallard Lounge
> $6 Beer, $7 Wine, $9 Featured Cocktail and $10 Appetizers
SOUL CITY YOGA 12HOUR IMMERSION
Want to deepen your yoga practice and learn about the principles of yoga? Dive into learning the history and yoga philosophy, soak up the koshas, experience asana alignment labs, grasp useful anatomy, enjoy soulful yoga classes. All of which will assist you into incorporating yoga into your life on a deeper and more meaningful way.
> September 6 to 8
> Yogacara Whistler
> $250
RBC GRANFONDO WHISTLER
The RBC GranFondo Whistler is a stunning point-topoint cycling journey along the famous Sea to Sky corridor between Vancouver and Whistler. There are distance options from 55 km to 122 km and all offer beautiful landscapes and a clear, traffic-free passage along the Sea to Sky Highway. The event is family friendly and open to all abilities.
> September 7
> Highway 99
> Registration closed
GRANFONDO CELEBRATION
Situated next to the finish line, Celebration Plaza is the place to let the glory of GranFondo Whistler fully sink in. Whistler Olympic Plaza’s grassy surroundings let you sit back and soak up the rays while the champagne sprays atop the podium. Stay for the free concert from 1:45 PM featuring Famous Players Band, and more. Open to the public.
> September 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
> Olympic Plaza
> Free
MONTHLY BIRD WALK PRESENTED BY WHISTLER NATURALISTS
Join the Whistler Naturalists for a bird walk on the first Saturday of each month [NOTE DAY CHANGE TO SUNDAY, SEPT. 8). The walks are at Alta Lake, open to anyone interested in birds and covering many types of habitat. You’ll be joined by birding experts who compile a detailed inventory list on year-round bird activity.
> September 8, 8 a.m.
> Bottom of Lorimer Road
> Free
WESTSIDE WHEEL UP
WORCA’s annual Westside Wheel Up is an iconic Whistler tradition! This is the 30th Anniversary of the Westside Wheel Up. Start on the Westside Powerline Aces Trail of Alta Lake Road at 11 AM and end with après at Rainbow Park with food and beer provided by Whistler Brewing Co.
> September 8, 11am to 2pm
> Various locations
> $25
WHISTLER FARMERS MARKET
A feast for your senses, the Whistler Farmers’ Market features local produce, tasty food, local artisans, live entertainment and family activities.
> September 8, 11am to 4pm.
> Upper Village Stroll
> Free
school
Keeping phones out of school can help suppor t students’ mental health, social connec tions and ideally their understanding of algebra.
Learn more at gov.bc.ca/PhonesAndSchools
LibraryBoard of Trustees Applicat ions
Please applytojointhe Whistler Public Librar y(WPL) BoardofTrustees (Board).
Trusteesare appointedbythe Resort MunicipalityofWhistler(RMOW)Council.
Weare recruiting fora two-year term star ting Januar y1,2025, throughtoDecember31, 2026.
Inter viewswill be conductedfromSeptember 23 to 27, 2024. Shor tlistedcandidateswill be contactedfor an nter view
TrusteeEligibility requirements:
•Mustbea resident or non-resident proper ty ownerofthe RMOW
• Must notbea RMOW employee
•Mustnot be aWPL employee
BoardGuidelines:
•The BoardconsistsofelevenTrustees.Ten areappointedfromthe Whistler community andone member of the RMOWCouncil.
•The Boardmeets at regularinter vals,atleast six timesa year
•The Boardhelps to determinestrategic priorities,developspoliciesand hasoverall fiscalresponsibilityfor theWPL
• Meetings aregenerally held on thefirstWednesday of each month, except August,from5:00p.m.to7:00p.m
Forfur ther information on theresponsibilitiesofTrustees,pleasecontact us at publicservices@whistlerlibrary.caand we will make aWPL Trusteeavailable to you.
ApplicationpackageswillbecomeavailableonAugust28, 2024 at Whistler Public Library,4329 MainStreet,and on theirwebsite at whistlerlibrary.ca/about-us/wpl-board.
As well as on themunicipalwebsiteatwww.whistler.ca/municipal-gov/committees/whistler-public-library-board-trustees/.
Please submityourapplication to: Administrative Assistant, Whistler Public Librar y, 4329 Main street Whistler, BC, V8E1B2,orbyemail to mstpierre@whistlerlibrary.ca
Applicationsmustbereceivedby4:00p.m.onMondaySeptember16, 2024.
Resort MunicipalityofWhistler whistler.ca
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Remembering the music
BY ALLYN PRINGLE
FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER 1991, towns and cities across British Columbia hosted large-scale performances with acts such as Rita MacNeil, Colin James, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Joan Baez, John Denver and more drawing crowds around the province. These performances were all part of Music ‘91 RoadShow weekends, one of which took place on Blackcomb Mountain in July.
From July 12 to 14, 1991, the mainstage on Blackcomb Mountain next to the Rendezvous Lodge saw headlining performances by Linda Ronstadt, Smokey Robinson and Natalie Cole, and Boz Scaggs. The mainstage, however, was just one part of the Music ‘91 RoadShow. RoadShows also included two BC Tel Centennial Community ShowCase stages featuring amateur and lesser-known acts, Musicians’ Workshops with some of the performers, merchandise and food vendors, and the KidsOwn area, which included the DRUMASAURUS (a dinosaur made of drums), workshops, storytelling, face painting and a “Walk-On-Synthesizer.” RoadShow attendees could also take part in Blackcomb’s summer activities and go hiking, biking, or skiing on the glacier.
Despite less than ideal weather, a ticket price that some people thought was too expensive ($36), and a few stopped chairlifts while downloading, Blackcomb Mountain named the event a success, with over 14,000 tickets sold to the three mainstage performances, and one Blackcomb spokesperson even said that “the RoadShow has given the mountain a number of new ideas about similar events in future summers.”
Those who attended also praised the staff and management for their work hosting the event. Music ‘91 was not without controversies, both centred on the Whistler RoadShow and the program as a whole. Music ‘91 was a
tourism marketing initiative put on by the province that aimed to increase tourism and encourage residents to stay and spend money in British Columbia instead of going across the border after the introduction of the GST at the beginning of the year. That spring, the Social Credit party leader and premier Bill Vander Zalm resigned amidst a conflict of interest controversy surrounding the sale of his Fantasy Gardens flower garden and theme park. Following this, some saw Music ‘91 as an effort to gain support for the SoCred party in the upcoming election, though the program had been in development for quite a while.
The location of the Music ‘91 RoadShow on Blackcomb Mountain also raised some questions. According to Whistler Mountain president Charles Young, the RoadShow was originally supposed to take place on Whistler Mountain not far from the gondolaaccessed Roundhouse Lodge. However, as the mountain and Music ‘91 were finalizing the details, Whistler Mountain switched its foodservice taps from Pepsi to Coca Cola. As Pepsi was a sponsor of Music ‘91, the venue was soon switched to Blackcomb Mountain, a move that was confirmed by Music ‘91 executive vicepresident James Conrad. Though Whistler Mountain was “surprised” at the change, Young told the Whistler Question that they did not regret switching brands as “Pepsi has never shown the initiative in working with us that it’s shown in working to take Music ‘91 away from us.”
While the Music ‘91 RoadShow performances on Blackcomb Mountain were certainly well advertised, they were not the only musical performances taking place in Whistler in 1991. In August, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performance on Whistler Mountain drew just over 5,000 attendees and both the Arts Council and the Whistler Centre for Business and the Arts had performances lined up throughout the year, including the Music in the Mountains concert series. n
GOOD VIBES Despite the chilly weather, crowds gather to watch Boz Scaggs on the Music ‘91 RoadShow mainstage. BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN COLLECTION, UNKNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER, 1991
Whistler’s award-winning publication is seeking a Reporter
Pique Newsmagazine has a rare opportunity for an experienced and committed journalist to cover local news, politics and First Nations issues while working with a team based in North America’s premier mountain resort.
The successful candidate will be tasked with covering the Lil’wat Nation and the Village of Pemberton—neighbouring communities with a unique relationship, both of which are growing substantially year over year.
The candidate will produce 8-10 relevant news stories per week, as well as at least four cover features during an initial one-year term of employment. The role includes some evening and weekend coverage, and the successful candidate will be required to be in the Mount Currie and Pemberton area regularly.
You have a degree in journalism, are passionate about news and politics, and have a sense of what makes a compelling local news story. You seek to engage and inform your community in print and online platforms, and use social media effectively. You are self-motivated, efficient and deadline driven, with a curious, critical mind and an acute attention to detail. You are able to work well both on your own and with a team.
Ideally, you have experience in covering First Nations, municipal council, elections, and governments at all levels. Other relevant skills include copy editing, long-form feature writing, video editing, and Instagram posting and story creation.
The stories you produce will be shared on Pique Newsmagazine’s website and social channels, as well as those of our sister publications and through other news outlets as part of the federal government’s Local Journalism Initiative.
This is a 12-month position funded through the federal government’s Local Journalism Initiative.
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. At 29 years young, we’ve established ourselves as the locals’ publication that is inquisitive and edgy, provoking conversation and building community. With our peers we’re acknowledged perennial winners at the BC & Yukon Community Newsmedia Awards (BCYCNA) and Canadian Community Newsmedia Awards (CCNA) for general excellence and reporting categories, as well as several Webster Awards honours over the years.
We’re known for our unique artsy design, weekly long-form features and comprehensive news coverage, but of course our reach is global, with loyal readers from all over the world who come to piquenewsmagazine.com daily for the best Whistler storytelling and news source.
To apply, send your resume, clippings, or other relevant materials, as well as a cover letter making the case for why we should hire you, by 4 p.m. on September 18 to Braden Dupuis, bdupuis@piquenewsmagazine.com
ASTROLOGY
Free Will Astrology
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 6 BY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 2015, a large earthquake struck Nepal, registering 7.8 on the Richter scale. It was so powerful, it shrunk Mt. Everest. I mention this, Aries, because I suspect you will generate good fortune in the coming months whenever you try to shrink metaphorical mountains. Luckily, you won’t need to resort to anything as forceful and ferocious as a massive earthquake. In fact, I think your best efforts will be persistent, incremental, and gradual. If you haven’t gotten started yet, do so now.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): We don’t know the astrological sign of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, who ruled from 51 to 30 BCE. But might she have been a Taurus? What other tribe of the zodiac would indulge in the extravagance of bathing in donkey milk? Her staff kept a herd of 700 donkeys for this regimen. Before you dismiss the habit as weird, please understand that it wasn’t uncommon in ancient times. Why? Modern science has shown that donkey milk has anti-aging, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory qualities. And as astrologers know, many of you Tauruses are drawn to luxurious and healing influences that also enhance beauty. I recommend you cultivate such influences with extra verve in the coming days.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In two trillion galaxies stretched out across 93 billion light years, new stars are constantly being born. Their birth process happens in stellar nurseries, where dense clouds of gas coalesce into giant spheres of light and heat powered by the process of nuclear fusion. If you don’t mind me engaging in a bit of hyperbole, I believe that you Geminis are now immersed in a small-scale, metaphorical version of a stellar nursery. I have high hopes for the magnificence you will beget in the coming months.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): The planet Mars usually stays in your sign for less than two months every two years. But the pattern will be different in the coming months. Mars will abide in Cancer from September 5 to November 4 and then again from January 27 till April 19 in 2025. The last time the red planet made such an extended visit was in 2007 and 2008, and before that in 1992 and 1993. So what does it mean? In the least desirable scenario, you will wander aimlessly, distracted by trivial battles and unable to decide which dreams to pursue. In the best scenario, you will be blessed with a sustained, fiery devotion to your best and most beautiful ambitions.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Famous rock musicians have on occasion spiced up their live shows by destroying their instruments on stage. Kurt Cobain of the band Nirvana smashed many guitars. So did Jimi Hendrix, who even set his guitars on fire. I can admire the symbolic statement of not being overly attached to objects one loves. But I don’t recommend that approach to you in the coming weeks. On the contrary, I believe this is a time for you to express extra care for the tools, machines, and apparatus that give you so much. Polish them up, get repairs done, show them you love them. And if you need new gizmos and gear to enhance your self-expression, get them in the near future.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In all of world history, which author has sold the most books? The answer is Agatha Christie, born under the sign of Virgo. Readers have bought over 2 billion copies of her 70-plus books. I present her as a worthy role model for you during the next nine months. In my astrological opinion, this will be your time to shine, to excel, to reach new heights of accomplishment. Along with Christie, I invite you to draw encouragement and inspiration from four other Virgo writers who have flourished: 1. Stephen King, 400 million in sales from 77 books. 2. Kyotaro Nishimura, 200 million in sales from over 400 books. 3. Leo Tolstoy, 413 million from 48 books. 4. Paul Coelho, 350 million from 28 books.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Centuries before the story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, there was a Greek myth with similar themes. It featured Persephone, a divine person
ROB BREZSNY
who descended into the realm of the dead but ultimately returned in a transfigured form. The ancient Festival of Eleusis, observed every September, honored Persephone’s down-going and redemption—as well as the cyclical flow of decay and renewal in every human life. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to observe your own version of a Festival of Eleusis by taking an inventory: What is disintegrating and decomposing in your own world? What is ripe for regeneration and rejuvenation? What fun action can you do that resembles a resurrection?
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The coming weeks will be an excellent time to take inventory of your community and your network of connections. Here are questions to ask yourself as you evaluate whether you already have exactly what you need or else may need to make adjustments. 1. Are you linked with an array of people who stimulate and support you? 2. Can you draw freely on influences that further your goals and help you feel at home in the world? 3. Do you bestow favors on those you would like to receive favors from? 4. Do you belong to groups or institutions that share your ideals and give you power you can’t access alone?
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Progress was all right. Only it went on too long.” Sagittarian humorist James Thurber said that, and now I’m conveying it to you. Why? Well, I am very happy about the progress you’ve been making recently—the blooming and expanding and learning you have been enjoying. But I’m guessing you would now benefit from a period of refining what you have gained. Rather than even more progress, I feel you need to consolidate and integrate the progress you have so robustly earned.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The people of Northern Ireland have over 70 colorful slang terms for being drunk. These include splootered, stonkied, squiffy, cabbaged, stinkered, ballbagged, wingdinged, bluttered, and wanked. I am begging you, Capricorn, to refrain from those states for at least two weeks. According to my reading of the omens, it’s important for you to avoid the thrills and ills of alcohol. I am completely in favor of you pursuing natural highs, however. I would love you to get your mind blown and your heart opened through epiphanies and raptures that take you to the frontiers of consciousness.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Beginning 11,000 years ago, humans began to breed the fig. It’s the world’s oldest cultivated food, preceding even wheat, barley, and legumes. Many scholars think that the fig, not the apple, was the forbidden fruit that God warned Adam and Eve not to munch in the famous Biblical passage. These days, though, figs rarely make the list of the fruits people love most. Their taste is regarded by some as weird, even cloying. But for our purposes, I will favorably quote the serpent in the Garden of Eden: “When you eat the fig, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God.” This is my elaborate way of telling you that now may be an excellent time to sample a forbidden fruit. Also: A serpent may have wise counsel for you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The coming weeks would be an excellent time to file lawsuits against everyone who has ever wronged you, hurt you, ignored you, misunderstood you, tried to change you into something you’re not, and failed to give you what you deserve. I recommend you sue each of them for $10 million. The astrological omens suggest you now have the power to finally get compensated for the stupidity and malice you have had to endure. JUST KIDDING! I lied. The truth is, now is a great time to feel intense gratitude for everyone who has supported you, encouraged you, and appreciated you for who you really are. I also suggest you communicate your thanks to as many of your personal helpers and heroes as you can.
Homework: What are you afraid or too timid to ask for? I dare you to ask for it. Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates
In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com
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Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort is growing its Housing portfolio and sourcing additional Chalet and Condo Rental contracts for our Hotel Team Members. Our leaders are mature, 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
Strong local references Please contact me at richard.kinar@gmail.com
JOB FAIR
Join us for a day of networking, job opportunities, and career growth as we connect jobseekers with top employers in the area.
SATURDAY September 21, 2024
10 AM-3 PM
Duties include: Concierge, Building Dream Vacation Itineraries, Guest Services, Housekeeping Inspections, Invoicing, Administration
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the growth of this exciting business
Annual $60,000 base salary + gratuities (uncapped & guaranteed minimum $10,000) Benefit package includes clothing allowance, cell phone, facility use & more
Duties include: Housekeeping, F&B Service, Delivering Elevated Customer Service
Our team of people is what sets us apart from other builders. As we continue to grow as the leader in luxury projects in Whistler, our team needs to expand with us.
We are currently hiring:
Labourers ($20 - $30 hourly)
Carpenters Helpers /Apprentices 1st to 4th year ($25 - $35 hourly)
Experienced Carpenters ($30 - $45 hourly)
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Rates vary based on experience and qualifications. Red seal a bonus but not mandatory.
EVR is committed to the long-term retention and skills development of our team. We are passionate about investing in our team’s future.
We offer:
• Top Wages
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement (Need help getting your Red Seal?)
• $500 Annual Tool Allowance
• Extended Health and Dental Benefits for you and your family
• Flexible Schedule - Work Life Balance. (We get it. We love to ski and bike too.)
• Assistance with Work Visa and Permanent Residency (We can help!)
• Positive Work Environment
We promote from within and are looking to strengthen our amazing team. Opportunities for advancement into management positions always exist for the right candidates. Don’t miss out on being able to build with the team that builds the most significant projects in Whistler. Send your resume to info@evrfinehomes.com We look forward to hearing from you!
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• Assisted Living Supervisor ($25.65 to $35.15 per hour)
• Family Enhancement Worker ($38,038 to $53,599 per year)
• Recreation Assistant ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
Xet’òlacw Community School
• Social Worker/ Counsellor( $80,371 to $91,673 per year)
• High School English and Humanities Teacher ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
• Elementary School Teacher - Grade 3 ($60,015 to $109,520 per year)
Ts’zil Learning Center
• Receptionist ($17.40 to $20.90 per hour)
LiÍwat Business Group
• Payroll Accountant & Benefits Coordinator ($50,000 to $70,000 per year)
• Junior Heavy Equipment Operator ($28.00 to $35.00 per hour)
• Senior Heavy Equipment Operator ($35.00 to $45.00 per hour)
• Junior Labourer ($20.00 to $25.00 per hour)
• Senior Labourer ($25.00 to $32.00 per hour)
Benefits
• Pension Plan • Employee Assistance Program • Gym facility
• Extended Health Benefits • Professional Development
Payroll Accountant & Benefits Coordinator
Lil’wat Business Group
Full-time, Permanent • $50,000 to $70,000 35 hours per week, Hybrid
Summary of Duties:
The Payroll Accountant & Benefits Coordinator will ensure that the payroll for all employees is accurately prepared and on time for the Lil'wat Business Group. They will administer all benefit programs, and maintain the employee personnel files. The Payroll Accountant & Benefits Coordinator will ensure that the payroll expenditures are recorded correctly and will assist the program general manager with payroll projections when needed.
Experience and Attributes:
• Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP) designation an asset
• Minimum 2 years of experience processing payroll in a large organization (100 employees or more) and managing an employee group benefit program
• 3-5 years experience working in an economic development or corporate environment an asset
• Completion of Post Secondary Schooling as a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) or CGA (Chartered General Accountant) or CMA (Chartered Management Accountant) an asset
• Courses in finance or bookkeeping certification are an asset.
• Knowledge of Payworks, SAGE, or similar accounting software an asset.
• A solid understanding of financial and budgetary principles.
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as an integral member of various teams.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in the English language.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and maintain confidentiality.
• Motivated self-starter and with strong interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience with First Nations preferred
• Highly professional in all aspects of business, presentation and interaction with all stakeholders, clients, and Members.
• Clear Criminal Record Check.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Employee Health & Wellness Plan available
HYDROVAC OPERATOR – Valid Class 1 or Class 3 with air brakes required. Manual transmission. Ground Disturbance II. 2 years operating hydro excavation equipment preferred. $35-$40.45 per hour.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR, Squamish – Minimum 5 years or 5,000 hours operating experience on excavator. Full-time, Monday – Friday. $33-$42 per hour.
HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, Whistler – Red Seal, Commercial Truck & Transport, Transport Trailer, Class 1 or 3 with air brakes preferred. 4x10 or 5x8 schedule options. Tools available for rent. Red Seal certified entitled to $200/month tool allowance. $39.70- $47.90 per hour.
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Great opportunity to learn on-the-job. Stamina for physically demanding work and perseverance to brave inclement weather required. Previous experience preferred but not required. Training provided. $25-$32 per hour.
coastalmountain.ca/careers instagram.com/coastalmountainexcavations
BLACKCOMB CHIMNEY PATROL LTD.
Kevin the knife
“There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold;”
- Robert W. Service
AND THE northern lights have seen queer sights but the queerest they ever did see... doesn’t even come close to the fraud Kevin Falcon, leader(sic) of the BC United party perpetrated last week.
Fraud is too kind a word for the duplicitousness of last week’s disappearance of a once vibrant political party. Regardless
BY G.D. MAXWELL
of what some pundits have said, the demise of the once powerful BC Liberal party rests squarely on the inadequate shoulders of Kevin Falcon. Destroying it is his legacy and his shame.
The way he did it says everything you need to know about the man’s missing moral compass. Less than two months from the provincial election, without warning, without consulting the men and women who had stepped forward to run for election under the party’s banner, Kevin the Knife — or is that Knave — pushed away from the table like a man who’d found an unpalatable dish set before him and “suspended” the party’s efforts to remain the official opposition or even still exist.
There is no way to blunt the complete and utter mismanagement he brought to his half-assed effort to lead the party. Ironically, his only good act as leader was to kick John Rustad out of cabinet two years ago when Mr. Rustad channelled his inner Ralph Klein, claiming climate change, assuming it existed at all, was not necessarily a man-made phenomena. Perhaps, like Klein, Rustad too believed its cause may lie in million year old dinosaur farts.
In an interview Thursday on CBC radio, Mr. Rustad dodged and weaved on the subject of climate change. “Do you believe it exists?” elicited no answer. Pressing, and bringing up his past statements to underscore his lack of belief in its existence, he finally admitted a nascent belief it may exist but not necessarily as a result of mankind’s addiction to fossil fuels.
But back to the villain of the piece. One of Kev’s first acts of “leadership” was to change the name of the party. In itself not a bad idea since the BC Liberal party — claiming the turf rightof-centre — was far from liberal and was often confused by a semi-literate electorate with the federal Liberal party with whom they shared no affiliation, political ideology or love.
But instead of choosing something snappy or at least a name that accurately captured the je ne sais quoi of the party, BC Business for example, he launched the lame and thoroughly inaccurate BC United party. Disunited may have been a better choice but as it turned out he may as well have labelled it BC Titanic.
It was all downhill from there. Rustad breathed life into the BC Conservative party,
voters in increasing numbers conflated the provincial Conservatives with PP’s federal Conservative party and BC United, lacking any leadership, organization or charisma, went into a flat spin.
In the spring of this year, Kev stood before a small crowd in Squamish and promised the party would have a candidate within the next 45 days to fill the seat relinquished by Jordan Sturdy who’d announced his intention not to stand for re-election. Radio silence after that until the recent revelation there was, indeed, a qualified applicant to run in this riding
Instead, having expressed the belief Mr. Rustad wasn’t remotely ready to be premier and on Tuesday likened the Conservatives to a “conspiracy” party, on Wednesday Kev folded his cards, fell to his knees and... threw his support behind Rustad. Make no mistake, this wasn’t a meeting of equals. Neither party had candidates in all ridings and while lip service may have been paid to selecting the “best” candidates to run in their respective ridings, the Conservatives are in charge and the BC United candidates are the water bearers.
There is no way to blunt the complete and utter mismanagement [Kevin Falcon] brought to his half-assed effort to lead the party.
and who got jerked around for the next four months by an organization operating on the level of gerbils in a wheel cage.
The honourable thing to do last week would have been to redouble his efforts toward the upcoming election. That or do anything at all to suggest he knew there was an election coming. If more voters in BC decided the anti-science, intolerant, conspiracy theory policies of the Conservative party were more to their liking, take the loss like an honourable man, resign and let someone with measurable leadership skills use the next term to rebuild the party.
Live in fear of your 5G connection, cellular junkies.
With no advanced warning, BC United candidates were left to wonder whether they still have a candidacy. They’re not sure how they’re going to deal with the expenses they’ve already incurred and the ones they’re on the hook for in the future. They and their backers are in the dark about contributions already made to support the effort.
Some have thrown their support behind the Conservatives. Any right is better than no right. Some have simply resigned. Some have moved their support to the NDP. Others,
who haven’t had a good word to say about the Conservatives, might or might not take that tack, having had the last long weekend of the summer to chew on it.
All in all, it was a shabby, shameful way to treat members of his party and the people of British Columbia. Kevin Falcon is done in BC politics. Whether he’s able to head back to the private sector or simply slip into oblivion or even emerge as Rustad’s lap dog remains to be seen. There are strange things done in the BC sun.
So now it’s a dog fight. The far right foilhatters versus whatever stratagems the NDP might come up with to embrace moderate conservatives suddenly left without a home and convince them David Eby isn’t the devil incarnate.
Now more than ever, the Green party stands proudly to play the role of spoiler. Currently occupying two seats in Victoria that number stands to decline by one because of its leader, Sonia Furstenau’s decision to run in the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding, an NDP stronghold since 2005. With two seats, the Greens hold the minimum number to be considered an official party in BC’s legislature.
That said, their smattering of support, around 10% of the vote, is and has been enough to swing sufficient ridings away from the NDP to the BC Liberals in recent elections. Liberals forming government in the past was unpalatable for “progressive” voters. Seeing the 2024 Conservatives form government would be a disaster. The changing landscape masterminded by Kevin the Knife last week has made voting Green to “send a message” even more pointless.
The strangest things may be still to come. n
