February 15, 2024 - Squamish Chief

PAGE 5

POPULATION BOOM

Squamish growth set to outpace the province

PAGE 14

FOODIE HAVEN

Check out our first Food Beat feature

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

S Q U A M I S H C H I E F. C O M

FINALLY, A LOCAL CT SCANNER

‘A big day’: Provincial government announces the $6.5M scanner, which will be operational in early 2025 JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

S

quamish is finally getting its own CT scanner.

It is a much-needed piece of diagnostic medical equipment, which will mean tests can be done locally, thus less commuting for patients and fewer ambulances tied up doing transfers.

Minister of Health Adrian Dix announced on Monday afternoon that Squamish General Hospital is getting the new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner.

“This means no more drives to Whistler or North Vancouver to Lions Gate Hospital for CT imaging, which makes a huge difference for people at the hospital, both for the staff, and most importantly for the patients and for their families,” said Dix at the press conference held behind Squamish Hospital.

“It also means a reduction in wait times and an increase in access to timely diagnostics across the region, which can be critical for people not just here but everywhere.”

The CT scanner—including the small expansion of the hospital it will require—should be ready for its first patients in January or February of 2025, Dix said.

“This is a big day; it’s a big day for the community.

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CAPU & DOS SIGN MOU

CapU president Paul Dangerfield and Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford sign MOU at a ceremony on Feb. 8 ANDREW HUGHES

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C

apilano University and the District of Squamish signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help guide collaboration.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, CapU president Paul Dangerfield and Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford officially signed an MOU at the new Squamish campus, according to a joint news release.

“Our commitment extends well beyond the campus, and the MOU sets out a number of projects that will positively contribute to the health and well-being of Sea to Sky communities,” said Dangerfield in the release, who also serves as vice-chancellor of CapU. “The District of Squamish is deeply committed to increasing opportunities for education and instilling a culture of lifelong learning to support the vitality of our community and environment,” said Hurford in the release. “Our commitment represents our shared vision and goal to create programs and projects that will deliver lasting economic and cultural benefits to learners and residents throughout the region.”

Back in October 2023, Squamish council members supported the MOU by a 6-0 vote.

Coun. Andrew Hamilton declared a conflict of interest prior to the vote as an employee of CapU. As reported by The Squamish Chief at the time, many goals and initiatives are outlined in the MOU, which is available in full on the District’s website.

Some of the initiatives include collaboration on early learning and child-care access,

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY CAPU

CapU president Paul Dangerfield (left) and Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford at Feb. 8 MOU signing.

establishing a chapter of City Studio in Squamish in 2024, and exploring opportunities to share community recreation, arts and culture infrastructure and amenities.

Coun. Jenna Stoner called the MOU “broad but really in-depth” at the October meeting and hoped it would start a beneficial partnership.

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Just a couple of weeks ago, CapU also signed an MOU with SD48.

For that MOU, Laureen Styles, vice-president, academic and provost at CapU, said in an email to The Chief that preliminary discussions between the university and the school district have included “ways to creatively support education and credential completion

for education assistants” and “collaboration with promoting a career path for high school students into early childhood education— diploma and degree—as a response to local labour market shortages.”

The Squamish campus of CapU is preparing to open in the fall with an estimated 120 students.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 3

GOT NEWS? Email your news tip or story idea to:

jthuncher@squamishchief.com ahughes@squamishchief.com

SLRD BRIEFS SLRD SOFTENS THE BLOW The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) recently adopted minor changes to its building bylaws, and included a clause reducing the cost of building permits for reconstruction of property damaged in an event declared a provincial or local emergency by 30%.

The amendment to the building bylaw cleaned up some language to make the SLRD bylaws on farm buildings align with the BC Building Code, and added policy to soften the pressure on parts of the community affected by the 2023 wildfire season.

The new policy will reduce the cost of applying for a building permit to rebuild in affected areas (and only for assessed damage linked to the emergency) by 30% within a three-year window of the emergency being declared, whether on a provincial or local level.

While the change is in response to the 2023 wildfires, it will apply to all emergencies in the SLRD going forward.

“We modelled this after similar regional districts around the province who have suffered similar levels of structure loss,” said the SLRD’s

CT SCANNER: Continued from 1 One that brings care closer to home, which is critical for time lines—timely diagnosis and treatment planning,” he said.

Last year, at least 5,500 Howe Sound residents were redirected to another healthcare facility for a CT scan.

The new scanner is projected to perform 7,000 CT scans per year, once operational.

The $6.5 million project is being funded, in part, by the provincial government through Vancouver Coastal Health, which is chipping in $2.8 million.

The Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District is

chief building officer, Jay McEwen, at the Jan. 23 board meeting.

“Building permit fees are a driver of revenue for the regional district … we thought 30% was a fair number and an incentive for people to actively pull building permits in an area where people weren’t otherwise incentivized to build inside the building bylaw.”

The reduction in fees is limited to documented damaged as assessed; to restoration of a structure and plumbing to its state prior to the event; must be applied for within three years of the emergency; and can only be applied for by the owners of the property.

The SLRD board voted unanimously to approve the amendments, which were adopted.

A total of $10,000 will be spent repairing Misty’s Lane, a 100-metre stretch of road used to access a handful properties on both sides of the Cheakamus River up Paradise Valley.

The request brought forward by Area D Director Tony Rainbow noted the residents along the lane pay taxes to clear snow from and maintain a BC Hydro right-of-way road, but

those services don’t extend to Misty’s Lane, which has deteriorated significantly over the years.

“The condition of this small road has deteriorated considerably and there are now holes that are too large to be called potholes,” reads Rainbow’s request for funding.

“I would like to provide some funds to significantly improve Misty’s Lane which would be immediate relief, and then ask staff what we need to do to get Misty’s Lane included in any work that we do on the right-of-way.”

At the Jan. 24 board meeting, Rainbow said the SLRD should consider maintaining the road because of the taxes residents pay. Discussion surrounded the question of whether the one-time allocation of funds would constitute the SLRD taking on maintenance of the road and adding to its budget commitments, but the decision was made to allocate the funds from the Area D Amenities Fund anyway, with the issue to be looked at further in the future.

The $10,000-quote came from the same contractor that maintains the BC Hydro right-of-way, with the funds to go into grading and building up Misty’s Lane to make it level,

funding $2.6 million.

Squamish Hospital Foundation provided $1.1 million, with Woodfibre LNG donating $900,000 of that.

The Foundation has been working toward the scanner for about 20 years.

“This is wonderful news!” said Karen Vanzella, president of the Squamish Hospital Foundation, in a joint Foundation and Woodfibre LNG release “More than 20 years ago, our beloved Dr. Laverne Kindree saw the need for a CT Scanner at Squamish General Hospital. Since then, we have all worked tirelessly towards making this a reality. We are grateful to donors like Woodfibre LNG, Vancouver Coastal Health and

so many others in Squamish for helping to make this important medical service commence soon.”

The scanner is good news for healthcare workers, too, according to Dr. Annie Gornall, Squamish Medical Staff Association president.

“A CT scanner at Squamish General Hospital is a critical diagnostic apparatus the medical staff have long advocated for,” she said.

The president of Woodfibre LNG said in the release that the company was glad to help.

“We recognize that Squamish’s health care needs are growing along with its population so it’s important for the community to have local access to state-of-the-art medical imaging,” said Christine Kennedy, president of Woodfibre

Money for gravel

and easier to maintain.

Rainbow said it is a long-term goal to have the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure take over maintenance of the road.

The funds were allocated from the Area D Amenities Fund, which is fed by contributions from developers’ projects in Area D. As of Jan. 24, the work has already been done.

Budget planning

It’s budget season (again) for the SLRD, with the Committee of the Whole receiving its first draft report and budget numbers at the Jan. 25 meeting in Pemberton.

The draft report covered some highlights, with director of finance Suzanne Lafrance giving a presentation on changes to BC Assessment values across the SLRD, increases in budget pressures, and high-level updates on opportunities for savings and some of the projects that will be coming down the pipeline in 2024.

Overall, assessed values across the four municipalities and four electoral areas increased by 1.68% year over year, to $47,086,551,466.

LNG Limited, in the release.

The news was also welcome for Sḵwx̱w ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Elder and local Gwen Harry, who spoke on behalf of Nation members living in the Squamish Valley, “I am delighted that a CT scanner will be available in our community” said Harry in the release.

“Squamish General Hospital opened in 1954 and has been supported over the years through the kind generosity of many. I am so pleased that Woodfibre LNG will be making this significant donation to complete the Squamish Hospital Foundation’s fundraising requirements for the CT scanner.”

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4 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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NEWS BRIEF ANOTHER $10-PER-DAY CHILD CARE CENTRE Sea to Sky Community Services Society (SSCS) has announced its child care centre in Brackendale has converted to a $10-per-day program.

In a news release sent out Friday, SSCS said the program transitioned to $10 per day at the start of the new year.

“Limited access to affordable child care is a barrier to employment for families in our community, which further impacts their ability to meet the rising cost of living,” said the society’s executive director Jaye Russell, in the release.

“This announcement comes at a welcome and crucial time for families who are really feeling the pinch of rising inflation, high housing costs and limited access to affordable child care.”

Squamish has been in the midst of a childcare crisis for years, with some parents moving away mostly due to the lack of appropriate care, and the District of Squamish stating on its website, ”quality, accessible and affordable child care is vital to a healthy community and prosperous economy. Currently available child care space is severely limited.”

The Brackendale child care program is

located at Brackendale Elementary School. With this program lowering its costs, now 180 of the 200 spaces SSCS maintains cost $10 per day.

SSCS estimates the move could save families up to $500 monthly, if they have full-time care.

“While this centre is currently at capacity, Sea to Sky Community Services does maintain a waitlist, at no cost, for families wishing to access the program,” the release states.

This program is part of the provincial government’s 10-year ChildCareBC plan to provide access to affordable care for more families throughout B.C. “The province is working with the federal government through the Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement to fund an additional number of existing licensed child care providers through the $10-a-Day ChildCareBC Program,” the release states.

“Our government is focused on making high-quality, affordable and inclusive child care a reality for families across the country, including here in British Columbia,” said Sea to Sky MP Patrick Weiler, in the release. “Child care fees have already been reduced by half across B.C. ... With the cost of living

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being top of mind for many families, affordable child care is providing welcome relief while ensuring children get high-quality and inclusive care.”

Families at the Brackendale program are automatically enrolled for $10 per day.

Full-time fees are capped at $200 per month.

The SSCS release said further support may be available to reduce costs through the Affordable Child Care Benefit, which delivers monthly payments to a service provider if the family is deemed eligible.

SSCS can help families navigate this program.

Additionally, SSCS announced that it is taking part in B.C.’s Early Childhood Education Wage Enhancement program, which provides $2,000 or $3,000 grants to educators with certain post-basic certificates as an infant and toddler educator or special needs educator.

“These steps help us position early childhood education as a more attractive career choice for professionals who provide an essential service in the early years of childhood development,” said Cheryl Simpson, the manager of child care services with SSCS, in the release.

For more information about these programs, please visit sscs.ca.

PHOTO BY NELSON WINTERBURN

FEELING BLUE?: A great blue heron perches on a log.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 5

LOCAL POPULATION GROWTH TO OUTPACE B.C. Squamish’s population will grow by 53% by 2046, while the province will grow by 43% SCOTT TIBBALLS

stibballs@piquenewsmagazine.com

A

new report from BC Stats has estimated that the province’s population will rise to 7.9 million by 2046—an increase of 43% over today’s 5.5 million.

Most of that growth will come to B.C.’s Lower Mainland/Southwest region, encompassing the entire Sea to Sky Corridor with Squamish in the middle.

District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford told The Squamish Chief that population growth was a regular discussion point with constituents and a source of opportunity for the community to engage in renewing assets and amenities.

“Squamish has always been a desirable place to be, but we’ve seen an extremely high rate of growth,” he said.

“We’ve done a lot of work in this area. We’ve got master plans for infrastructure renewal to accommodate growth, and we’re right now in the midst of a huge period of facilities replacement,” he said, listing the new fire hall, upgrades at the water treatment plant, upcoming improvements to Brennan Park, and more.

“We’ve been working really hard to make sure that we match that needed infrastructure investment with the demands that the growth has on the community. As much as the latest news is important and a great opportunity for discussion, this isn’t entirely new ground for us here; it’s something we’re always thinking about as we go about making plans for the community.”

Hurford said that the changing face of the community was a regular discussion point with constituents—after all, Squamish has seen steady growth over much of its history, and is currently seeing a burst in growth.

“It is really challenging, but we all know the only constant is change,” he said, saying that growth could be seen as an opportunity to increase amenities and services.

“I think it’s quite exciting, and it’s important that as development comes forward that our policies at a staff level and the decisions at a political level around the council table can be really impactful, and it’s important that we keep in mind where those pinch points are for growth and where the community becomes uncomfortable.”

On that, Hurford said there were issues where he hoped the province would come to the table and support communities like Squamish more.

“We’ve had a transit futures plan that doubled transit service over the five-year term, but the province hasn’t come to the table with their part of the funding for two years now.”

Hurford said that increasing transit in pace with population growth was an opportunity to help a community understand the ways that

PHOTO BY SCOTT TIBBALLS/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

Mayor Armand Hurford said that the changing face of the community is a regular discussion point with constituents.

population growth could be beneficial.

“There are a lot of pieces here, and investment in our recreational facilities is part of that puzzle too—to make sure we’re realizing the potential benefits from growth given the growth is inevitable.”

Squamish is projected to see its population increase from around 24,000 today to over 37,000 in 2046—an increase of 53%—well above the provincial increase—but, Hurford said that wasn’t surprising.

“We do know that Squamish is a wonderful place to be, so I don’t see the demand reducing over time,” he said, adding that the DOS projections had traditionally been more aggressive in estimates than BC Stats or Stats Canada numbers for the community.

Hurford said that it was incumbent on the community and the DOS to make the most of the opportunity presented by a growing population and ensure that Squamish developed as a complete community, including ensuring adequate healthcare, education, and places to do business.

“It’s a holistic approach to delivering services and setting the table so we’re not destined to be a bedroom community of Vancouver—because we are not—we are our own distinct place. … A lot of this falls to us at the municipality, and hopefully provincial agencies are listening and responding. I have examples of that working and some that aren’t, but hopefully, over time, we can ensure that provincial investment aligns with the growth that we’re actually seeing on the ground.”

6 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 A6

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DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH MAYOR

Let’s talk about the public health crisis.

Special Guest: Vancouver Coastal Health Wednesday, February 21 Municipal Hall (Council Chambers) 37955 Second Avenue 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

RSVP: communications@squamish.ca

All are welcome!

The District of Squamish is developing a Splash Park & Playground at Brennan Park Recreation Centre.

Share your thoughts and ideas by taking the survey.

Visit LetsTalkSquamish.ca

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW • 2027 Finch Drive - Temporary Use Permit squamish.ca/review

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

• Towing & Storage Services - Request for Proposals

• Model Review & Bylaw Development : Amenity & Development Cost Charges - Request for Proposals • Canoe Procurement Group Purchasing - Notice of Intent squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district

Purpose: To acquire Crown Land in order to expand the Squamish Landfill or establish a Waste Transfer Station.

Take notice that the District of Squamish, at 37955 2nd Avenue, Squamish BC, V8B 0A3, has applied to the Ministry of Forests, Surrey, for a sponsored crown grant for a waste disposal site, situated on Provincial Crown land legally described as That Parcel or Tract of Unsurveyed Crown Land in the Vicinity of Alice Lake Provincial Park, Group 1, New Westminster District, containing 13.06 hectares, more or less.

The Lands File Number for this application is 2412646. Comments on this application may be submitted in two ways: 1.

Online via the Applications and Reasons for Decision Database website at: comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/applications

2.

By mail to the Senior Land Officer at 200-10428 153rd Street, Surrey, BC, V3R 1E1.

Comments will be received by the Ministry of Forests until March 16, 2024. Comments received after this date may not be considered.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. For information, contact Information Access Operations at the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services in Victoria at: gov.bc.ca/citz/iao/.

SPONSORED CROWN GRANT AREA

ISH SQUAM

OAD

R VALLEY

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HIGHW AY 99

with the

CURRENT LANDFILL

CHAT DROP-IN

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A DISPOSITION OF CROWN LAND

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 7

NEWS BRIEFS PIERRE POILIEVRE VISITS Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, made a stop in Squamish last week.

Poilievre, the federal leader of the opposition, posted on X, “Sat down to listen to Squamish Nation Elders earlier today,” on Thursday, Feb. 8.

“Common sense Conservatives will end the Ottawa-knows-best big government approach and put First Nations back in control of their money and lives.”

Opposition shadow critic for natural resources Shannon Stubbs also posted to X about being on the visit.

She said the visit was “about all the groundbreaking work and businesses in their community, which benefit all of Canada.”

In the photos with the X posts were local Sḵwx̱w ú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) members and Elders, including former Nation councillor Deanna Lewis, also known as Kálkalilh, who ran to be mayor of Squamish in 2022.

Woodfibre LNG president Christine Kennedy was also present.

A spokesperson for Woodfibre LNG, Sean Beardow, told The Squamish Chief in an emailed statement that the politicians visited the Woodfibre LNG site to learn more about the project and, among other things, the “consent-based process that resulted in Squamish Nation being a regulator on the project.”

While on-site, the elected officials spoke with construction workers, other Woodfibre

LNG team members, and members of the company’s Gender Safety Advisory Committee, including Lewis, Beardow said.

Lewis has led gender safety training for over 500 workers, suppliers and Woodfibre LNG staff.

“Woodfibre LNG welcomes all political leaders to visit and view the progress being made on site as we continue to advance a low-carbon future and economic reconciliation with Indigenous people,” Beardow said.

He added that in addition to the visit of Poilievre and Stubbs, Woodfibre LNG has hosted elected leaders from the District of Squamish, members of the Legislative Assembly and other members of Parliament on the site.

Poilievre was in Vancouver earlier in the day to announce a proposed new plan that would allow First Nations to collect taxes from industry.

This would speed up negotiations and project approvals, he said.

However, The Canadian Press reported that the chair of the First Nations Bank of Canada, Bill Namagoose, was critical of the plan because it would let the federal government’s constitutional and fiduciary obligations to First Nations communities off the hook.

The Squamish Chief reached out to Poilievre’s team for comment on the visit, but did not hear back. We also reached out to Lewis, but have not heard back. ~ With files from Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TEMPORARY USE PERMIT PROPOSED TEMPORARY USE To allow for a sales centre in one of the residential units on the property shown on the Location Map below.

EXISTING ZONING: CD-101 AFFECTED LANDS: 2027 Finch Drive

RAVEN DRIVE

2027

FINCH DRIVE

HAVE YOUR SAY A copy of the Temporary Use Permit application and related information may be inspected at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia, from February 8 to 19, 2024 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday excluding statutory holidays. Enquiries regarding the proposed Temporary Use Permit may be made to the Planning Department at 604.815.5002.

A copy of the proposed Temporary Use Permit No. DTU00030 can be emailed out by requests sent to planning@squamish.ca, from February 8 to 19, 2024.

The documents can also be reviewed on the District’s online Development Showcase at squamish.ca/development-review. Enquiries regarding the proposed permit may be made to the Planning Department at 604.815.5002.

Public input will be considered by the District in review of the application.

Persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed temporary use permit may submit written submissions to planning@squamish. ca or, in person to the Senior Director, Community Development. Written submissions can be addressed to the Director of Community Planning and will be received up until 4 p.m. February 20, 2023.

All submissions will form part of the public record.

PHOTO BY AAFREEN ARORA

WELL-DRESSED HIKER: Bentley strikes a dapper pose while on a trail walk.

Dated February 15, 2024 at Squamish, British Columbia.

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8 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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SLRD PLAYS CATCHUP ON FEES

Many fees charged by the district have not changed since 2014—now they’re jumping to catch up with inflation SCOTT TIBBALLS

stibballs@piquenewsmagazine.com

A

whole raft of fees charged by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) are going up, after the regional district board voted to approve a staff recommendation that plays catch-up after 10 years of no increases.

The board voted unanimously at its Jan. 24 meeting to approve an update to the Development Approval Information, Fees and Notification Procedures Bylaw with increased fees that are mostly going up by 25%—and in some cases, by much more.

The fee increases cover a wide range of applications: public hearings, zoning amendments, temporary use permits, some development permits (but not all of them), variances and more.

In a presentation to the board, the SLRD’s director of planning and development services, Kim Needham, explained the fees were a decade behind rising costs and inflation.

“We set the fees 10 years ago, and we have now looked to increase the fees with the rate of inflation,” she said.

To do that, staff took into account processing times, advertising costs, inflation pressures, and comparisons with other regional districts (specifically the Thompson-Nicola Regional District).

“We came up with a 25% increase in fees to represent inflation for most fees,” Needham said, adding fees that were updated more recently than 2014 will go up by 12.5%, and fees for campgrounds by 5%.

Following the increase as approved on Jan. 24, Needham said the new bylaw will automatically increase all fees by 2.6% on an annual basis going forward, “so that we don’t fall behind again.”

Area D Director Tony Rainbow asked why the SLRD chose 2.6%, with Needham responding the number reflects the average inflation rate of the last 10 years, and can be changed in the future if 2.6% ends up being off the mark.

The proposed 25% increase is in line with the overall inflation rate between 2014 through to the end of 2023, according to the staff report, which said the rate was actually 25.9%, according to the Bank of Canada.

Processing and staff time was another factor behind the increase, with the staff

We came up with a 25% increase in fees to represent inflation for most fees.

KIM NEEDHAM

report noting when the fees were last calculated in 2014, the rate for staff time was $75 per hour, while in 2024 and beyond, it was recommended to be set at $125 per hour “to accurately reflect the cost of staff time.”

Area B Director Vivian Birch-Jones queried whether there were savings over the last few years due to more people working from home, and was told while that was true, those savings in mileage and room rental were calculated as “in-kind costs,” and the 25% blanket increase was the average between savings and rising costs.

A full comparison of the fee changes is

available on the SLRD website, covering all the associated increases. The majority of development permit applications will not increase right now, “in order to keep these permits accessible to the general public, encouraging compliance and adherence to guidelines.”

In some cases, the 25% didn’t cut it. A handful of fees which are additional costs to zoning amendment-related applications saw some of the highest increases well above 25%, with the public hearing fee going from $1,000 to $3,290, a waiver for a public hearing fee going from $600 to $2,990, and a rezoning requiring an amendment to the Official Community Plan (OCP) going from $500 to $1,750.

A communications official from the SLRD said that the fees associated with public hearings are to cover large advertising costs, $300 room rental costs, and 14 hours (on average) of staff time, while the rezoning increase is required to cover staff time. “If we applied the 25% increase, it would have covered only a very small portion of the staff time required,” they said.

As the changes were adopted at the Jan. 24 meeting, they are now in effect.

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS • University Reservoirs 2 & 3 - Construction is ongoing, with the two glassfused steel reservoir tanks now beginning to rise on-site. These tanks have diameters of approximately 17 metres and a height of 10 metres each.

• Wastewater Treatment Plan Expansion and Improvements – Concrete base slabs for the new circular treatment tank and new septage receiving station are now complete. Construction of the walls will continue through June. Learn more: squamish.ca/wwtp-expansion • Queens Way Lift Station – Internal repairs are mostly complete and the lift station is scheduled to be operational in March. Site restoration activities including asphalt paving and curb and gutter work will be completed once weather permits.

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• Water Meter Installations – Water meters are being installed at Industrial, Commercial, Institutional and multi-family residential properties in Squamish. This work will take place through February at approximately 50 properties. Affected properties will be notified directly and installation times can be booked at the property owner’s convenience. Learn more: squamish.ca/water-metering-FAQ

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NEWS

squamishchief.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 9

PHOTO BY ANDREW HUGHES/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

The tents of folks living behind Under One Roof can be seen through the trees.

COUNCIL HEARS FROM SOME RESIDENTS ON ENCAMPMENT Council members acknowledge more conversations are needed ANDREW HUGHES

ahughes@squamishchief.com

A

couple of Squamish residents spoke to the council about the people living in tents behind Under One Roof, while municipal staff shared how the District is currently navigating the matter.

Local Sarah Stewart first spoke to council at the Feb. 6 meeting on behalf of a few residents present in council chambers about their concerns with people living in tents behind Under One Roof.

Previously, The Squamish Chief reported on some of these concerns among residents in the neighbourhood and spoke with numerous parties involved.

At the council meeting, Stewart spoke of a “deteriorating situation” that has “negatively impacted our quality of life,” while also noting safety concerns for the residents living behind Under One Roof and the neighbourhood as a whole.

Stewart recalled how portable housing was used during COVID-19 to help those who were unhoused and asked the District to consider using resources to find more permanent solutions.

Another resident, Amanda Graves, urged council to ensure that those experiencing homelessness were “offered a seat at the table and that their voices are uplifted and heard” when it comes to decision-making.

“I believe excluding individuals who are unhoused from conversations about potential solutions is unlikely to lead to any effective or humane resolution,” she said.

Council unanimously voted to receive both submissions. Council members also addressed the complexity while acknowledging that deeper conversations are

needed.

“This is a really challenging way to have this community conversation and we don’t have all the voices at the table to find a solution here tonight, but I will guarantee that we are continuing to work on it,” said Coun. Jenna Stoner.

“I completely agree that the conversation needs to be one where all members impacted, who want to be involved, can be involved and engaged,” said Coun. Lauren Greenlaw. “The last thing I want to see is a solution that comes down from this table from a bunch of people who don’t actually know what they’re talking about.”

Megan Latimer, the District’s public safety general manager, said a series of tasks are currently being taken on by municipal staff.

Latimer said bylaw officers are conducting multiple, daily patrols to explain daytime shelter restrictions, as well being involved with weekly clean-ups alongside Squamish Helping Hands Society and public works staff.

Latimer noted that during the daytime, bylaw officers often have to leave notices when people are not there.

“The District does continue to work with BC Housing, Helping Hands and other community partners, again to find some better long-term solutions and try to manage the impacts there,” she said.

In previous reporting by The Chief, one resident living behind Under One Roof hoped the District could find a temporary camping area, but the District said that option was not currently a part of the long-term strategy. The Squamish Chief counted approximately five tents at the time.

Lori Pyne, Under One Roof’s executive director, previously said the organization continues to work closely with the District,

BC Housing and the community for longterm solutions.

As part of her submission, Stewart forwarded an online petition called “Remove

Squamish Tent City.”

Coun. John French said he disagreed with calling it a “tent city” stating he thought “encampment” was more appropriate.

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EDITORIAL

SCIENCE IS COOL

S

cience is cool, and girls can be scientists, too.

It would be nice if we didn’t have to specify gender when it came to scientists—after all, most of us want to be known for what we do, not the gender we do it as—but as shown by the report Women in STEM careers, we have work to do before equality in science is achieved.

Women make up less than 25% of those employed in careers of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in Canada.

Brenda Bailey, B.C. minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, and Kelli Paddon, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, released a joint statement to mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Feb. 11.

“There are so many exciting opportunities, and we encourage women to pursue fulfilling careers in science by providing accessible and affordable education,” they said in a news release on Sunday.

“This ensures a diverse team of future leaders who will enhance innovation to global concerns, such as the impacts of climate change, global food insecurity and life-threatening diseases.”

The Female Scientist is a great website where female scientists tell stories of their careers and any hurdles they have had to overcome.

Luckily, we have—and have had—many female scientists in Squamish.

A former Quest undergrad, primatologist Kirsty Graham, who studies animal communication and cognition has a post on the Female Scientist site.

Also on the site, scientist M. Alzamora writes that in her experience, and shown by a Cornell study, while the genders are equally interested in science, the difference comes after they graduate.

“Researchers Haowen Zheng and Kim Weeden recently found that 64% of gender segregation within a given field is because of ‘labour market factors’ rather than any undergraduate degrees or qualifications. What this ultimately boils down to is that with the same training, men tend to enter higher-paying occupations than women do,” she said.

“While I certainly think that more women should be pursuing science or engineering if they want to, I think we should be hammering home the idea that most of the segregation comes after college.”

It is not enough to get more women and girls into science at the post-secondary level; we need to make sure they get the same shots in their careers.

Other places do better than Canada. In the European Union, 43% of STEM employees are women.

Alzamora says that a key to moving the dial that we can all do here in Squamish is to challenge gender norms.

“Tell your daughters and sons and nieces and nephews and the kids who live across the street that anyone can be a scientist or engineer as long as they’re curious and work hard,” Alzamora wrote.

WHY WORDS MATTER YOUTH VOICES

KIANA ALAI

I

’m sure we’ve all heard the offhand comments: “I’m so ADHD,” “That was so autistic of me,” “They’re emotionally crippled,” or the euphemism of “You’re just—special,” in some way or form, which can be easily passed off as simply a joke.

What many are unaware of is the harmful impacts that come from using language like this, which is classified as ableist language.

The use of ableist language is common and the speaker is usually unaware they are participating in a form of discrimination.

Let’s set a scenario to grasp better what this means.

Imagine that you and your friend are watching the same movie.

Afterwards, you discuss the plot, but you both heavily disagree about an aspect of the movie.

You might then tell your friend that their opinion about the movie is “retarded,” “nuts,” or “blind.”

You have just used ableist language, regardless if you were aware of it or not.

According to Access Living, an advocacy group for people with disabilities, ableist language is described as discrimination and social prejudice against people who have disabilities rooted in the belief that typical abilities are superior. These offences can come in the common phrases mentioned previously.

I often hear ableist language used to make light of something or describe someone in a hyperbolized manner—unaware of the hurtful impacts that come

from joking about having or others having disabilities.

I hear these phrases used most by the youth in Squamish, who might still not be aware of what they are really saying.

That is to say, this column is not to shame or blame anyone but to spread awareness about ableism so we know how to avoid it, as it can stigmatize people who have already been marginalized.

Using discriminatory language like this can also distract from the point made and instead normalize disabilities as insults.

We can enhance and change our vocabulary for the better by using preferable words in place of ableist language.

We could start by learning and educating ourselves more about disabilities to be able to acknowledge the disabilities around us.

According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people from across the world and around 16% of the population have disabilities. If we are more aware of the disabilities around us, then we will be less likely to stigmatize them unconsciously.

By educating ourselves on disabilities, we can also analyze our biases and the biases around us more.

This can be done by paying attention to our words as we speak to make sure we don’t accidentally use ableist words and by paying attention to the media we consume to be able to spot this being used.

By doing all of this, we can take a small step towards bringing respect and inclusivity through the words we pick to use and become more aware of how our words, even if meant as a joke, can harm others. After all, language is meant to unite us through understanding each other, not to alienate and break us apart.

Kiana Alai is a local teen and member of the Squamish Youth Council.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 11

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Ha7lh skwálwen cht kwis emút cht iy sts’its’áp’ cht iy kw’shétsut cht na7tkwa temíxw tl’a Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)

4 POLICIES TO SAVE JOURNALISM JOBS IN B.C. GUEST COLUMN

PAUL DEEGAN/NEWS MEDIA CANADA

L

ate last week, British Columbia Premier David Eby dropped some verbal firebombs as he went on a 2½-minute tirade last week blasting BCE, the parent of Bell Media after their announcement of 4,800 job cuts and the sale of 45 radio stations across Canada.

He said, “The fact that they cannot find it possible with all of their MBAs to operate a few local news stations, in British Columbia, to ensure that people get accurate, impartial, reliable information in an age of disinformation and social media craziness is such an abandonment of any idea of corporate responsibility … I find it reprehensible … I think it’s appalling.”

He went on, “On behalf of all of the families, of the journalists, the media outlets, on behalf of all British Columbians that have watched their local news stations slowly turned to garbage by these companies, who now say, unsurprisingly, that there’s not a lot of support for them, I just want to say shame on you.”

The premier’s outspoken support for local journalism was admirable. We hope that

unwavering support and passion will continue into next week’s Speech from the Throne.

There are four policies he can champion that will help support quality public service reporting in the province.

First, B.C. should follow Ontario’s example and exempt newspapers from extended producer responsibility fees. The capture of newspapers in B.C.’s regulation fails to recognize that newspaper is the product, not the packaging, and effectively subsidizes actual waste producers. The B.C. government exempts paperback romance novels and single use paper towels from the regulation, yet they are trying to have publishers into paying excessive fees to Recycle BC – a monopoly run by large retailers and packaged goods companies – which will most likely result in the direct loss of about 80 local journalism jobs in B.C. and the shuttering of some newspapers.

Second, Eby should direct 25% of the province’s domestic advertising spend to support local news. B.C.’s news publishers and other local media organizations have earned the trust of millions of British Columbians by providing news and information that is relevant and reliable.

Like many provincial and municipal governments, B.C. does not disclose where provincial ad dollars are spent.

Looking at federal government’s most recent advertising report, we know that

too many dollars are going to Facebook/ Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok – social media giants that do little to combat misinformation and disinformation.

Third, Eby can borrow a page from Quebec’s approach and introduce a 35% refundable news media labour tax credit.

This credit has saved jobs and put journalism on a more sustainable footing in that province.

Fourth, Victoria could introduce a provincial program similar to the federal government’s Local Journalism Initiative or the California Local News Fellowship.

Funding journalist positions in areas of news poverty, particularly in remote areas in the province would help keep communities informed and connected.

To date, the federal government has adopted a suite of policies designed to support quality public service journalism.

Now is the time for other provincial governments, including British Columbia, to so the same. The February 20th Speech from the Throne is the time to put Premier Eby’s passionate words into concrete action.

The cost of inaction will result in the loss of journalism jobs, the shuttering of local media outlets, and a less informed and less engaged citizenry.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK Facebook blocked news from the platform in the fall. How has your experience with Facebook been since then?

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LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

Have you had to leave Squamish for medical treatment in the last year?

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MOST READ STORY

Why are we seeing such high rivers right now in Squamish?

Paul Deegan is president and CEO of News Media Canada.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CALL TO TAKE ACTION ON WOODFIBRE LNG AND FORTISBC

N

ow is the time…

Why now? Because we don’t have a lot of time left to make a difference.

2023 was the hottest year on record and what will 2024 bring?

So far, our winter in Squamish has been exceptionally mild with little snowpack and we are surrounded by forest.

The 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive in BC’s recorded history: more than 2.84 million hectares of forest and land burned. Are we next?

There are many reasons to block the

proposed Fortis BC and Woodfibre projects but another reason just came up, a blatant careless attitude by polluters.

In mid-January 2024 there were two incidents of “problems” at fossil fuel facilities in Metro Vancouver.

One was in Burnaby at the Parkland fuel refinery where the “problem” resulted in the release of gases with many area residents reporting impacts to their health and well-being.

There is no information about the levels of sulphur dioxide or carcinogens in the accidental release that blanketed Vancouver.

Then there was the Delta FortisBC facility that was releasing a controlled amount of

gas when a secondary leak was detected.

It was hours before FortisBC made a public statement and in the meantime there was stress and panic among Lower Mainland residents and first responders.

FortisBC stated they cannot alert customers regarding leaks as they don’t know the wind direction. Poor excuse.

Why were they releasing gas in the first place?

Is this the company we trust to build and maintain a high-pressure pipeline through our community including two residential sub-divisions?

The people of Squamish know that the LETTERS: Continued on 12

LETTERS POLICY The Squamish Chief welcomes letters to the editor of up to 400 words. Letters should be exclusive to this publication and are meant to respond to a local story in The Squamish Chief or raise an issue happening in town. Please include your name, neighbourhood and daytime phone number. The deadline is 5 p.m.

Monday to be considered for Thursday’s edition. Full names and neighbourhood will be published with the letter. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and edit letters for length and clarity or to address legal concerns. Email letters to: editor@squamishchief.com.

TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK This week, reporter Andrew Hughes took in the annual Multicultural Day at Totem Hall. See this and many other local videoes @squamishchief on TikTok.

12 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR LETTERS: Continued from 11 climate emergency has arrived.

There are no benefits to having a problematic fossil fuel industry on our doorstep for the next 40 years endangering our health and the health of Howe Sound.

The Biden Administration in the U.S. has put a pause on pending decisions regarding the export of LNG. It is time for Canada to show some leadership.

Decades ago, people didn’t know about the dangers of expanding the fossil fuel industry but today we can only pretend we don’t know. It’s time to say “NO” to fossil fuel expansion.

For opportunities for action go to myseatosky.org.

For further action, call or write our MP Patrick Weiler or MLA Jordan Sturdy and request that any permits for the proposed Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC projects be cancelled.

Deirdre Goodwin Squamish

SELECTIVE FINGER-POINTING AND DESPAIR What have you done? ‘What were you thinking?’ is the lament the writer of a recent The Squamish Chief letter [Climate change articles spark shocking comments, published Feb. 1], which imagines his

children and grandchildren to hurl at him and older generations for having, as he says, left them our planet in a terrible state.

If the ‘state of the planet’ is viewed strictly through the prism of unprecedented human population growth and urbanization, the massive terraforming through agricultural and industrial development and the related processes coming along with them, who could deny the existence of serious challenges to our biosphere?

Nevertheless, as an octogenarian, I take issue with the selective finger-pointing and despair displayed in that letter. That same techno-industrial society, which made it possible for the planet’s human population to almost quadruple within a human lifespan, also made it possible to shower us with comfort and, yes, wealth, unimaginable to most of our forebears.

While extreme poverty and hunger are unfortunately still a fact in many parts of the world, even they have decreased according to the bodies tracking such matters, and despite the significant population growth. Paul Ehrlich’s doomsday book ‘The Population Bomb’ of 1968 did not ‘explode’ as Ehrlich anticipated but instead met Norman Borlaug’s ‘Green Revolution’. Technology bested Malthus.

In addition, we humans successfully met other global and local challenges before:

DDT, the depleting ozone layer, acid rain, and, in rich developed countries, the massive air and water pollution once associated with most urban and semiurban regions. I believe we should be able to meet the challenges presented by climate change in the same way: Technology got us into this conundrum and technology too will be the solution to escape it.

The plaintive lament mentioned at the beginning of my letter also suggests victimhood and helplessness, which should be unworthy of the ‘digital generation’, the one with vast stores of research and information at their fingertips, something entirely ‘science-fiction’ even as recently as the 1960s.

Shouldn’t we have confidence that they will build their own world, standing on the shoulders of all those before them, the ones who grew up or lived before plastic, fast food-and-take-outs, cell phones, household ‘conveniences’, synthetic garments and footwear, disposable diapers, baby formula, the internet and whatever else one could add to that list?

The generations with different priorities, those whose primary focus, as still is for so many in the world today, was to better the quality of life for their family.

Wolfgang Wittenburg Squamish

PHOTO BY AAFREEN ARORA

STILL AROUND: While bald eagles are usually most prevalent in Squamish November to December, plenty are still hanging around mid-February.

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Reach out to us today regarding your project in Squamish, Whistler, or the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District—we’d love to hear from you!

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COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 13

ORGAN DONATION GIVES TWO LIONS BAY FAMILIES A CHANCE Ryan Burke, 27, got a second chance at life with a double lung transplant JANE SEYD

North Shore News

I

n the small community of Lions Bay, two families in the past year have had their lives profoundly touched by organ transplant.

For Ross and Mary Brown, organs donated by their son Michael Brown following a tragic surfing accident have helped bring some comfort following their son’s death.

Just up the street from them, 27-year-old Ryan Burke received a second chance at life after receiving a double-lung transplant.

Burke said he was working as a carpenter in the spring of 2021 when he began to experience shortness of breath. He didn’t think a lot of it at first. Physical work was part of what was required on the job site. But when the problem got worse, Burke found himself bouncing between different specialists and diagnostic tests.

He was grocery shopping on the North Shore when he got a call about the results of an echo cardiogram he’d just had done at Lions Gate Hospital that had identified concerning high pressure in one of chamber of his heart. He was told to turn around and go back to the ER. From there, more precise testing hurriedly followed.

He was told that constriction and swelling in his pulmonary artery was putting pressure on his heart, that would eventually result in heart failure.

Officially, the diagnosis was late-stage idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

“It’s an incurable and progressive disease,” he said.

Growing up in Lions Bay, Burke had always been active person. “I did a lot of skiing,” he said, as well as hiking and pick-up sports with friends.

But as his health declined, “I couldn’t walk out

my front door,” he said, noting that the direction in Lions Bay tends to be uphill. “I would drive to flat places to walk.”

Burke’s medical team tried various drugs but “they were all relatively ineffective,” he said.

Doctors didn’t sugar coat his prognosis, telling him unless he had a transplant, he probably had about two years left to live.

“I was pretty confident that my time was quite limited,” he said.

But that all changed one Sunday in April 2023 when Burke, then 26, got a call telling him a set of lungs was available.

On the drive down to the hospital in Vancouver, Burke said he felt a range of emotions – including gratitude mixed with apprehension.

Burke was in an induced coma for three days after the transplant and spent a further month in hospital, adjusting to his new lungs. He remembers the first time he could walk around the hospital floor and not be out of breath.

The day he got out of hospital in May, the air was warm and fresh, he remembers.

Months of rehab exercises followed.

Slowly, he began walking the local trails, uphill into the forest. He hiked to St. Mark’s Summit and has been out paddleboarding and skiing.

In keeping with BC Transplant policies, Burke doesn’t know who his organ donor was. But he’s had a glimpse into their world through the family of Michael Brown, whose parents live just a short distance away in Lions Bay.

PHOTO VIA BC TRANSPLANT

Lions Bay resident Ryan Burke atop the Chief.

transplant.

A surfing accident off the coast of Tofino left Michael, 36, with a non-recoverable brain injury, from which he later died.

For Brown’s family, however, Michael’s decision to sign up as an organ donor and give hope to other families has provided comfort.

“He gave us the ability to look forward,” said Ross Brown.

As a trauma surgeon, Brown said he had lots of experience with medical crises.

That had led to early conversations as a family about organ donation.

“Our kids knew we [had signed up] as organ donors,” said Brown. “It gives the opportunity to have a discussion around that.”

Jaclyn Ko, Michael’s wife, said knowing how her husband felt about organ donation was “very helpful for me” and the rest of Michael’s family when faced with the news that the medical team could not save his life.

“He felt strongly that if he didn’t need those organs and tissues someone else could benefit,” she said.

That was just part of his character, she said.

Michael had always been the sort of person willing to lend a hand to those less fortunate and champion the underdog.

During his life, Michael had used his training as an emergency medical technician to carry around a large first aid kit, which he’d often use to help out whoever needed it, said his wife, including administering Naloxone. He saved at least seven people from overdosing with those kits.

According to BC Transplant, Michael Brown ended up saving or transforming 10 lives by donating his organs.

“It gives us a sense of something positive happening out of our tragedy,” said Ko.

DONOR FAMILY TAKES COMFORT Growing up, Burke knew Michael’s father Ross Brown was “a very respected and accomplished surgeon,” he said.

Burke said it was devastating to hear about the tragedy that struck the family in August of last year, just a few months after his own

DARTS & DAFFODILS A CAMPGROUND FULL OF DAFFODILS to Shillito’s Steel

for their donated rebar job and to Diamondhead Development for donating tons of aggregate in support of our first Picnic Shelter. ~Mamquam River Access Society (MRAS) BIG THANK YOU DAFFODILS to

Save On Foods for supporting our scorers with snacks and drinks for all our home games. Our scorers look forward to this and we all appreciate your connection to our school.

DARTS TO THE BICYCLE TIRES of the bicyclists who insist on riding on the sidewalks. I am tired of being cursed out by riders because I am in their way on the sidewalk. I walk on the sidewalk, bicycles belong on the road.

The Sea to Sky Wood Network (S2S), the newest member in the TWIG network, which is based in Squamish, WOULD LIKE TO SEND WOODEN DAFFODILS to TAG panels for hosting us and their shop tour on Feb. 7th.

(Our next meetup is scheduled for Wednesday March 6th. Location TBD. Stay up to date via www.twigbc.ca or @twigbc.ca.)

Got something nice to say or some constructive criticism? Send your Darts & Daffodils: Email: news@squamishchief.com or drop off at The Chief office (38117 Second Ave.) during business hours. Deadline for submissions is Monday at 4 p.m. for Thursday’s paper. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number for verification. Maximum length is 75 words. Darts are intended to be an anonymous critique between private parties.

Darts must not directly or indirectly identify an individual or business.

ONE EMAIL EVERY DAY, AND NEVER MISS A STORY AGAIN Scan the QR code to receive your newsletter 6 days a week

14 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

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foodbeat Photo by Andrew Hughes/The Squamish Chief

Festal Café offers gluten-free recipes ‘We want to make sure that we build it to the community and custom make it to the community,’ says owner ANDREW HUGHES

ahughes@squamishchief.com

A

new café aims to bring more quality ingredients and healthy eating and drinking options to Squamish.

Festal Café opened in late January near the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Buckley Avenue, but owner Jason Gnanaprakasam has already felt the compliments on the food and drinks the café serves.

“They’re really happy,” he said of the customers so far. “And I’m actually happy because it’s a bit reassuring.”

Festal used to be located in Vancouver, but then moved to the current location in Squamish.

He said the food and menu have changed over time, but at its core, they want to serve quality ingredients.

“We strongly hold onto gluten-free [recipes],” he said. “We use wholesome ingredients.”

For example, instead of canola oil, they use ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil or olive oil. Right now, he estimated that 70% of the ingredients are organic, but noted they are continuing to work with suppliers to make everything organic.

The name Festal means feast and at the café, he said, it can be seen as translating to “feasting with healthy foods.”

Gnanaprakasam had a number of recommendations for first-timers to the café, including the chipotle hash bowl for breakfast or the turkey bacon club sandwich for lunch.

“It has everything that you need, perfectly balanced and it tastes good as well,” he said of the turkey bacon club, which is served between slices of waffle made with cassava flour and coconut flour.

For dinner, he suggested the lasagne but also raved about the butter chicken.

“The butter chicken has no butter in it, so it’s dairy-free,” he said. “It’s made with cashew butter and it tastes exactly the same as a

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traditional butter chicken.”

“And I’m Indian, I’m very critical [of] that, and I would eat it,” he said with a laugh.

After they finalized the menu, Gnanaprakasam said they would have a dietitian look it over and calculate nutritional information to benefit customers.

A lemon cake at Festal Café.

KIDS MENU IN THE WORKS

While he said James Wong, the executive chef, is always working on new dishes, Gnanaprakasam said Wong is specifically working on a menu for kids, which he said would resemble the regular menu but presented in a way kids would like.

“It’s not just fried food that we want, so I want to shift that focus on having a healthier kids’ menu as well,” he said.

Gnanaprakasam expressed a lot of gratitude with the warm welcome the café has already received and noted they are always open for feedback, calling himself and Wong both “very easygoing.”

“We want to make sure that we build it to the community and custom make it to the community, keeping our founding principles which [are] gluten-free, healthy and using wholesome ingredients,” he said.

Festal Café is open daily except Tuesdays.

Check out more information at festalcafe.com.

The Food Beat is a new series from The Squamish Chief newsroom focusing on local restaurants, cafés and eateries that are newly opened or have something newsworthy about them. If you think your business fits that bill and would like to be considered for this series, reach out to news@ squamishchief.com.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 15

THERE’S A NEW WATERFRONT PUBLIC ART PIECE

Locally-based visual artist Maskull Lasserre’s piece, Lacuna, is part of the Oceanfront Squamish development SCOTT TIBBALLS

stibballs@piquenewsmagazine.com

S

quamish’s waterfront has a large, new public art installation going up as part of the Oceanfront Squamish development.

Commissioned by the developer, Matthews West, the piece, called ‘Lacuna’ is by Squamish-based visual artist, Maskull Lasserre.

“Wikipedia will give you a more definitive definition, but I understand ‘Lacuna’ as ‘the space between things”, said Lasserre in an interview with The Squamish Chief.

“All of my work tries to open up the spectrum between two points that it pins down; I try to stretch those things on a spectrum. It’s the space between them I really want to open for the viewer to experience.”

Made up of seven different pieces spread across a waterfront public park that’s still a work-in-progress, Lacuna is made using bronze, steel and granite in a nod to the surrounding environment, and the history of the Squamish waterfront—but Lasserre said his piece was about giving people an opportunity to think, rather than saying anything itself.

“My work isn’t a pin drop; it’s a signpost with an arrow. ... It’s not a declarative statement: it’s a question or an invitation or a challenge—it’s all of those things, much more than one definitive thing.”

‘But what is it?’ is usually the next question, he said. “If I could describe exactly what it is in words, I’d just write it down.”

PHOTO BY PATRICK BRAVO

Maskull Lasserre at work on ‘Lacuna’ on the Squamish waterfront.

Lasserre has been working on Lacuna for over two years, from connecting with the developer to where it is now, reaching

completion. The park itself has a way to go before formally opening (while the wider development is a years-long endeavour), but

Lasserre’s part in creating Lacuna is reaching an end.

Lasserre’s work has appeared all around North America. Born in Canada, he spent his formative years in South Africa, and moved to Squamish from Montreal in 2015 to ‘throw up the deck’ for a different environment to work in, and it’s the location that helped with inspiration for his latest work.

“So much of the environment here is about space and living in that space; these are just kind of punctuations or stars in a constellation that the viewer is invited to fill in with their own meaning.”

He said that what he looked for in new works was understanding the constraints of what he had to work with; in Squamish, the beauty of the waterfront and the surrounding environment.

“It was something that called for these monumental works that spoke in a meaningful way with their physical, cultural and historical environment. All of those things overlap in these physical structures, and they’re all evident to varying degrees.

“It needs to be about something that’s more than just itself. I think of art as if it’s a good conversational partner—a good conversationalist doesn’t just talk about themselves, you build this idea between yourself and the other person. And hopefully, a good conversation can be built between this work and the viewer.”

Lacuna is Lasserre’s first piece of public art to be displayed in Squamish. You can find his portfolio on his website at maskulllasserre. com.

CAPU TO HOST NATIONAL WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

Canada’s top 8 collegiate teams will kick off on the turf field at Capilano University’s Squamish Campus in November

NICK LABA

North Shore News

F

or the first time, Capilano University will host the premier tournament for female soccer players in colleges across Canada.

Nov. 6 to 9, CapU will host the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Soccer National Championship at the school’s turf field on its Squamish Campus.

At the event, CapU’s players will face seven of the other top teams in the country.

The Blues were No. 3 in the CCAA rankings at the end of last season. They finished first in PacWest league play in 2023 but lost in

the provincial final against Douglas College.

The national tournament will coincide with this fall’s opening of the new campus, at the former site of Quest University.

The last time CapU hosted a national soccer event was the men’s championship in 1983.

The Capilano Blues soccer program has 11 national titles between its women’s and men’s teams. In 1999, the school received the Quarter-Century Supremacy award for its dominance over the first 25 years of the CCAA. CapU has three inductees into the CCAA Hall of Fame: women’s coach Doug Abercrombie, men’s coach and athletic director Joe Iacobellis, and standout female athlete Melissa Artuso.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPLILANO UNIVERSITY

Nov. 6 to 9, CapU will host the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Soccer National Championship at the school’s turf field on its Squamish Campus.

TAKE A BREAK

16 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

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ACROSS 1. Seclude 5. Acted like 9. Health club 12. Point-scoring serves 13. Identical 14. Join forces with 15. Allowed to be used 16. Comes first 18. Young chicken 20. Holiday drink 21. Comforted 24. Lighthearted 28. Twinkle 31. For heaven’s ____!

32. “____ Town” (play) 33. Roost 36. Vigor’s partner 37. Sis’s sibs 39. Lasagna seasoning 41. Conveyed 42. Laundry machine 43. Fear 45. Waits in secret

squamishchief.com 23.

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Coiled Tiny Female pronoun Fantasy Make a splash Chatter Tot Evergreen plants

DOWN 1. 50% 2. Cake froster 3. Declare untrue 4. Repute 5. Deadly reptile 6. Duffer’s goal 7. Edit text 8. Art ____ 9. Downhearted 10. Bakery offering 11. TV airings 17. Breakfast order 19. Incline 22. Look upon

Fielder’s muff Volcano’s output Like Sample Large quantity Angler’s bait Smooth, as clothes Mew Scoundrel Lead actor “____ Old Men” Impede Power unit Peeve Be informed Drinks daintily Wary Pod vegetable Tick off Antlered animal Barely passing grade

March 21-April 19

You’ll speak honestly this week. However, this could lead to some criticism. Therefore, it’s important to consider being more tactful in certain situations. If you’re in a relationship, a spontaneous activity could allow you to have a wonderful experience together.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

TAURUS April 20-May 20

May 21-June 20

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

You could be suffering from seasonal depression. Fortunately, getting physically active will be an effective remedy. You could even discover a new winter sport you love.

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

You’ll take the time to finish what you’ve started and kept putting off. You’ll also find an effective treatment to improve your quality of life. In your relationship, small gestures are always appreciated!

AQUARIUS

Accumulated fatigue is taking its toll on you. However, a visit to a massage therapist or doctor will restore your vitality. If you’re single, some people may lack manners, indicating they’re not the right match for you.

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

You may receive an unexpected declaration of love from someone close to you. At work, you’ll organize an event that will bring together more people than you expected. The changes you suggest will be well received.

CAPRICORN

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

This week will be an emotional rollercoaster. If your financial situation is troubling you, take the necessary steps to fix it. It may be easier than you think! This will help you regain your zest for life.

SAGITTARIUS

Action is on the agenda! You’ll be on the move and must drive your loved ones around. Renewing certain communications contracts will be a challenge but will allow you to pay the right price.

CANCER June 21-July 22

Your friends will invite you on an exciting adventure. If you’re in a relationship, you’ll feel particularly romantic this week.

If you’re single, someone could show a keen interest in you, especially if you participated in a Valentine’s Day activity.

SCORPIO

If you’ve been thinking about buying a property, an opportunity that fits your budget and your family’s needs will reveal itself by the end of the week. If you take your finances seriously, you’ll stop worrying about them.

GEMINI

Each 3 x 3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started.

Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3 x 3 box.

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LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS:

Stress could be getting to you. Making a few adjustments to your lifestyle could improve the situation. You’ll be rewarded for being bold. You must identify your goals so that achieving them will become child’s play.

You may face intense pressure at work that requires you to work extra hard to finalize contracts. You’ll commit to regular exercise to boost your vitality or lose weight and will see results quickly.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

Work will take up most of your time, but a promotion will follow. You’ll also engage in exciting hobbies or sports. This will make your social life more active and dynamic.

The Parish of

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17 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | A17

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CLASSIFIEDS.SQUAMISHCHIEF.COM RF Binnie & Associates Ltd Inspector Binnie is looking for an Inspector to expand their Development & Infrastructure team in Squamish! To apply, visit https://binnie.bamboohr.com/care ers/253 or contact LWu@binnie.com

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DHD CONSTRUCTION LTD., a Squamish-based, full-service construction and development company is HIRING THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: 2 ASSISTANT SITE SUPERVISORS SITE FOREPERSON CARPENTER APPRENTICES LABOURERS CONSTRUCTION SAFETY OFFICER PROJECT COORDINATOR PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR. COMPETITIVE SALARIES EXTENDED HEALTH & DENTAL BENEFITS PERSONAL TOOL PROGRAM Be a part of the DHD team and our exciting project – Finch Drive. A 20 acre, master-planned community using modern building technologies to achieve some of Squamish’s most energy efficient, multi-family homes.

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20 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2024 A20

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