Squamish has been listed as one of British Columbia’s Top 10 deadliest communities for black bears in 2023.
The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals, also known as Fur-Bearers announced on July 16 that Squamish is ranked as the eighth deadliest community in the province, with 11 bears killed this past year.
This is the first year that Squamish has been listed in the top 10 since 2019, a year that saw 15 bears euthanized by B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS).
Fur-Bearers executive director Lesley Fox says she is “extremely surprised” to see Squamish on the list this year, as “it is known for being a wildlife-loving community.”
“Typically, we don’t see Squamish in the Top 10 In 2019, it was a bad year with 15 bears killed, and in 2016, there were 11 bears killed,” Fox said
BEARS: Continued on 2
PHOTO BY BRIAN AIKENS
“But generally speaking, Squamish, for the most part, stays off this list, so we were really quite surprised and sad to see that it made the list this year.”
Topping the list was Prince George with 76 black bears killed, followed by Kamloops with 31, Mackenzie with 28, Smithers with 24 and Quesnel with 22 bears euthanized.
Based on data obtained through freedom of information requests from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, 603 black bears have been killed throughout B.C.
However, the BC Conservation Officer Service only provided the Fur-Bearers with the location of where 247 black bears were euthanized.
Fox said the government agency didn’t release the location of over 50% of the black bears they killed.
“We’re calling on the BC COS to begin publishing bear kill statistics monthly, by location, for the public to see. There is no way for communities to do better when they don’t know there’s a problem,” Fox said
The Conservation Officer Service told The Squamish Chief they recognize the importance of “providing accurate and timely data to the public, media, and stakeholders”.
“The COS is in the process of upgrading to a new, enhanced system where the ability to easily capture and report statistical information will be greatly improved. This system is hoped to be in place early next year.”
The COS also said officers across the province responded to a high number of calls relating to black bears in 2023.
“Conservation Officers across the province take extensive action to reduce human-wildlife conflicts through public outreach, education, enforcement, and responses in the field, but we can’t do it alone - in 2023, the COS received more than 43,000 human-wildlife conflict calls, more than 60% of which related to black bears,” they said
PROTECTION FOR THE FUTURE
Fox believes the announcement should act as a “wake-up call” for Squamish community leaders to refocus on protecting black bears.
“Squamish is renowned for wildlife—it’s the reason why people go there, and it’s a wonderful part of your landscape. It’s in Squamish’s best interest to protect these animals as it relates to your reputation and tourism,” she said
“This isn’t a list that Squamish wants to be on, and I know the community has invested deeply in working to prevent negative encounters with black bears. However, it is a wake-up call for community leaders to revisit the commitment to the Bear Smart Program and take a hard look to see what can be done to prevent this in the future.”
Squamish and Kamloops are the only communities on the list that have achieved “Bear Smart” status
To gain this status, communities must meet a list of criteria including developing and maintaining a bear proof waste management system and implementing a continuing education program.
However, Fox warns that they could lose their status if they fail to pick up their act in the future
“The status can be revoked by the province. If communities are not in compliance, there is a risk to the community that they may lose that status,” she said.
“So I think there is some urgency that is required for Squamish to ensure compliance as it relates to their bear smart certification.”
District of Squamish media relations and content specialist Rachel Boguski told The Squamish Chief that the District funds a designated Wildlife Safety Response Officer to focus on “public outreach, bear-smart education, and wildlife response efforts to increase public safety and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.”
“Squamish is a community that cares
efforts through our funded position.
RACHEL BOGUSKI, DOS
HOW TO BE BEAR SAFE IN SQUAMISH
The District of Squamish has a list on their website of all the ways residents can be bear safe throughout the year
“Bears are opportunistic omnivores and will return time and time again to a readily available food source However, if the attractant is secured or removed, the bear will move on,” the website states
• Always use both locks to secure residential garbage & organic totes at all times.
• Place totes curbside between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. only on collection day and never the night before (as per the Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 2053).
• Reduce odours by freezing smelly food waste in a paper bag and dispose of the bag on collection day.
• Rinse out all recycling material to eliminate food residue & reduce odours
• Ensure chicken coops & beehives are surrounded by a well maintained electric fence.
deeply about wildlife, and has been a designated Bear Smart Community since 2010,” Boguski said
“Any incident when a bear is destroyed is concerning, and we look forward to working with the COS to analyze this data, assess next steps and support COS efforts through our funded position.”
Fox also encourages the community to remember to do their part in the protection of black bears.
“We live in a difficult world, and sometimes it can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember to think global and act local,” she said.
“It’s incredibly important for every resident to be mindful of attractants around their home and businesses and to take the steps necessary to do their part in reducing negative encounters.”
• It’s best not to use bird feeders during bear season (March-December) If you do use feeders, ensure they are at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 10 feet away from trees or climbable structures Ensure seeds are not accumulating on the ground underneath the feeder by using a catch tray
• Pick fruit as it ripens and don’t let it collect on the ground
• Maintain an odourless compost by liming, turning frequently, cutting food into small pieces, layering greens with browns and never add meat, fish, fats or oils. Always cover food with lawn clippings and browns.
• Consider an indoor worm composter.
• Feed pets indoors and keep all bowls indoors.
• Keep barbecues clean and grease free by burning an extra 5 minutes after removing food and remove or clean barbecue tools.
• Move fridges and freezers indoors or lock them
HWY 99 ACCOUNTS FOR 45% OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
In the latest from ICBC, the major highway dominates crash data for the community with 148 incidents in 2023
SCOTT TIBBALLS stibballs@piquenewsmagazine.com
In what shouldn’t be a surprise given the amount of traffic on the daily, the intersection of Highway 99 and Cleveland Avenue in Squamish has been revealed as the top intersection for crashes in 2023, according to annual data released by ICBC.
For the 12 months of 2023 there were a total of 37 collisions at the major intersection, which connects downtown Squamish to Highway 99 and the rest of the world.
Overall, there were 324 crashes recorded by ICBC in Squamish for 2023—a minor dip from 2022, when there were 345 crashes.
For the Cleveland Ave intersection with Highway 99, 2023’s numbers are in line with the five years of reporting data made available by ICBC going back to 2019, showing that every year, that intersection is the intersection to be wary of in Squamish
Over those five years, there have been 216 collisions recorded by ICBC there—more than double the number of collisions reported at the second-most dangerous intersection, which is the intersection of Highway 99 and Mamquam Road, where 88 crashes happened since 2019, of which 21 took place last year.
The ICBC data includes crashes that yielded only property damage and where there were casualties recorded—which means injuries or fatalities.
CRASHES WITH CASUALTIES
For Squamish, there were 88 crashes in 2023 that saw casualties
Of those 88 incidents, the Highway 99/
Cleveland Avenue intersection was third for crashes with casualties, with only seven incidents last year.
The top intersection for injuries and fatalities was the intersection of Highway 99 with Finch Drive and Industrial Way—where there were 10 crashes with casualties in 2023.
Overall, Highway 99 is unsurprisingly the centre of traffic accidents in Squamish
Of the 324 crashes that happened within the Squamish reporting area, 148 of them were along the Sea to Sky Highway—or over
45% of all crashes, with the top five intersections being on Highway 99.
Besides the downtown turnoff to Cleveland, other intersections with Highway 99 making the top five were Mamquam Road (21), Finch Drive (17), Garibaldi Way (17), and Clarke Drive (12).
Excluding Highway 99, Cleveland Avenue was the next most dangerous road for collisions, with at least two crashes recorded for every intersection with the downtown road all the way to Main Street
CRASHES WITH CYCLISTS
The data also included numbers on crashes involving cyclists, of which there were only four recorded by ICBC in Squamish in 2023. In the five years of data available, there have been 31 incidents recorded by ICBC involving cyclists
A full spread of ICBC data from across the province can be accessed on the ICBC website. The annual numbers are updated each July
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Highway 99 and Cleveland Avenue is a busy—and accident-prone—intersection.
Thesix-storeydevelopment on Second Avenue will bring31units of residentiallivingtothe area
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
Asix-storey mixed-use building with 31 residentialunits hasbeengiven the go-ahead fordowntownSquamish.
On July 16,council approved adevelopment permit forthe projecton 38054and 38060 Second Avenue
ThepermitwillgiveWescon (Squamish) DevelopmentGroup Ltd. permission to constructthe complexwithtwo zoning bylaw variances—oneofwhich includes abuilding height increase.
“The proposed developmentincludesasix storey mixeduse building with twolevelsof commercial andparking andthenabove for residentiallevelswhich includes 31 units,” said District communitydevelopment planner, Philip Gibbins.
“The developmentalsoincludesaplaza spaceonthe northwest corner andamenity areasinternallyonlevel threeand therooftop includes acovered outdooramenity space.”
Thefirst zoning bylawvariancerequested wastoincreasethe building height from 20 metres to 23.2 metres
“Thisistofacilitateanunenclosedcovered
amenityareaand to also provideadditional ceilingheightfor thesecondfloor office,” Gibbinssaid.
“The additional ceilingheightonthe second
levelwillalsoimprove thequality of the proposed office space.”
Thesecondvariancewas to increase the “allowable projection into thesetback forthe
roof”from0.91metresto1.48metresto “facilitatethe architecturalfeature on the northernboundaryofthe roof”.
Concerning parking, therewillbespace for onevehicle perresidential unit as well as four commercial bays
Theproponent will also make a$240,000 cash-in-lieu paymentfor eightadditional commercial parkingstalls. This paymentwill be directed to theAlternative Formsof Transportation ReserveFund.
Thedevelopment will be builtnexttothe Amaji2,a seven-storey mixed-usebuilding with 38 residentialunits that is currently underconstruction
MayorArmandHurford said he wasnot concernedabout thevariances requestedby Wescon if it meantabetterlivingspace for tenants.
“I am confidentwithstaff’s assessment that it meetsall therequirements. Regardingthe mattersthatweare varyingI find them to be entirely appropriate,”Hurford said.
“I thinkthe height of thebuildinginmy mind doesn’treallychangewiththisopen spaceontop,itmakes it farmorelivable so I thinkitistotally an appropriateuse of rooftop space.”
Councilvoted in favour of thepermitwith variances, with councillorsLaurenGreenlaw andChris Pettingill opposed.
BUSINESS-ONLY BUILDING APPROVED FOR DOWNTOWN
The three-storey development will be built on Second Avenue and feature a local mural installation
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
An employment-only development has been given the green light for downtown Squamish
The unique proposal was supported by council July 16, giving the go-ahead for Hunter Office to construct the three-storey development on 37707 Second Ave., which would see no residential living added to the space.
District community development planner Bryan Daly said the project would include 928 square metres of employment space spread out over the three floors, with a 321 squaremetre amenity space on the rooftop patio.
“The proposal is considered a priority development application given 100% of the space is proposed as employment space,” Daly said.
“The colourful facade palette speaks to the artistic nature of this neighbourhood.”
Daly also said the wall facing the rear lane will be “surfaced to accept a local mural installation.”
Mayor Armand Hurford spoke in favour of the employment-only development which will be 15.6 metres in height
“I think this clearly meets all of the guidelines so I am happy to speak in support and look forward to seeing this new commercial space come online in our downtown,” Hurford said.
OCTOPUS MURAL?
Coun Eric Andersen spoke in favour of the proposal, which he said could win an architectural design competition for its
OUTSTANDINGPROPERTYTAX PENALTY
Asecond 5% penaltywill be applied on outstanding property taxesand utilities afterJuly 31st. Toavoid the second 5% penalty, owners should paytheir tax and utilitybills beforeJuly 31st. Contactthe FinanceDept if youhavenot received abill,at604-815-5010.
Four Ways to Pay
impressive structure and facade.
“I feel that if we were to have an architectural design competition—which maybe we one day might aspire to have—this would be a deserving candidate for 2024,” Andersen said.
“I think it is a noteworthy building in its construction design and materials use, facade colour and, I’m not sure if it is a firm plan, the octopus mural.”
The design plans submitted to council in the development permit report include an
octopus mural as an example of the artwork the could be painted on the building.
“The pacific octopus found in Howe Sound here is the largest octopus in the world and when the upper Mamquam Blind Channel was in better condition then it is today, we used to see them [when we were] walking to school right under the highway bridge,” Andersen said
“So, this is a great Squamish building and a great Squamish story.”
Coun Lauren Greenlaw was the only elected official to vote against the development which she said was mainly due to the parking arrangements
The architectural plans detail that 11 parking stalls will be provided in tandem style, where cars are parked directly behind one another.
“I won’t be supporting this motion, I would like to echo Coun. Andersen’s comments, any appreciation of cephalopods is a-OK with me but the big issue for me is the tandem parking,” Greenlaw said.
“I just have a hard time getting over that so I won’t be supporting this.”
The proponent will also make a $240,000 cash-in-lieu payment for eight additional commercial parking stalls This payment will be directed to the Alternative Forms of Transportation Reserve Fund
Rendering of the proposed building, and mural.
FORTISBC CITED FOR ‘MINOR’ NON-COMPLIANCE ISSUES ON WOODFIBRE LNG PIPELINE
EAO inspections found concerns regarding the storage of hazardous materials and installing and maintaining erosion and sediment controls
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
FortisBC has been cited for two issues related to its Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project.
The pipeline, currently under construction, is associated with the LNG export facility being built on the shores of Howe Sound by Woodfibre LNG near Squamish It involves installing a 47-kilometre natural gas pipeline between the Coquitlam Watershed and southwest of Squamish
The provincial Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) issued a notice of non-compliance on June 28, related to inspections done by its
office on June 18 and 19
Public notice of this was published on the office’s site on July 9.
The EAO inspected the pipeline right-of-way in Coquitlam, project components at the Woodfibre LNG site, and the BC Rail site.
Tracey Saxby, co-founder and executive director of environmental advocacy group My Sea to Sky, which has fought the Woodfibre LNG project for more than a decade, sent a letter to the District of Squamish sharing the non-compliance reports. She also copied The Squamish Chief on that correspondence
“As council is considering the Temporary Use Permits for FortisBC’s proposed construction yard and workcamp, we felt it was important to
Notice of Vehicle/TrailerRemoval
Pleasebeadvised, effectiveimmediately, actions arebeing taken toremoveunauthorized vehicles/trailers parkedatthe following premises “the Lands”:
LOT2 (EXPLANATORY PLAN 750) DISTRICT LOT486 EXCEPT PLANSBCP24344, BCP36969 ANDBCP36971, PARCEL1 (BYLAW PLAN BCP36970) DISTRICT LOT486 DEDICATEDAS ROAD ON PLAN 4657
LOT2 (EXPLANATORY PLAN 750) DISTRICT LOT486 EXCEPT PLANSBCP24344, BCP36969AND BCP36971.
Thesevehicles/trailers will be removedbyanauthorized representative, under directionfromthe Owner of theLands. Vehicles/trailers areunlawfully parkedand areinTrespassunder the TrespassAct [RSBC2018] Chapter 3, Sections 4(2).
Lands arerepresented on mapbelow
highlight these non-compliance issues,” she said “FortisBC continues to demonstrate that it’s a bad actor.”
highlight these non-compliance issues,” she said “FortisBC continues to demonstrate that it’s a bad actor.”
The first notice of non-compliance issued to FortisBC related to a requirement for secondary containments for hazardous substances, such as engine oil, at FortisBC’s yard at the BC Rail site.
The first notice of non-compliance issued to FortisBC related to a requirement for secondary containments for hazardous substances, such as engine oil, at FortisBC’s yard at the BC Rail site.
“The officer observed a shipping containe[r] beside the maintenance shop being used to store drums and pails of engine and gear oils. The shipping container did not have any form of secondary containment for these materials,” reads the inspection report
“The officer observed a shipping containe[r] beside the maintenance shop being used to store drums and pails of engine and gear oils. The shipping container did not have any form of secondary containment for these materials,” reads the inspection report
The report also notes that a concrete
The report also notes that a concrete
FORTISBC: Continued on 9
FORTISBC: Continued on 9
SATURDAY,JULY27
FORTISBC: Continued from 7 containment area wasn’t built high enough at the same site.
Related to the shipping container, FortisBC says that this requirement is an “additional measure over and above the primary containment of such materials, as a precaution to effectively eliminate the possibility of any leakage.”
A secondary containment is now in place for the substances identified, a spokesperson for FortisBC said in an email to The Squamish Chief.
“In addition to work underway to raise the height of an existing secondary containment.”
The second notice of non-compliance was related to erosion and sediment control measures requiring maintenance on the Coquitlam pipeline component of the Squamish project.
The inspection report notes that this relates to the clearing of land for the pipeline work where there is a nearby watercourse.
“This maintenance has been completed and the erosion and sediment controls are currently functioning as intended,” the spokesperson for FortisBC said.
Asked what was being done to prevent further issues, the FortisBC spokesperson said the company takes any such issue of non-compliance seriously.
“We document any instances of non-compliance and review corrective actions to help prevent repeat issues,” the spokesperson said “More broadly, we regularly take steps to review our work sites and ensure compliance, including internal reviews and inspections on an ongoing basis, and we will continue to take prompt corrective action in the event of future issues should they arise.”
The spokesperson said that the company has a “robust compliance documentation and verification process” for the Eagle MountainWoodfibre Gas Pipeline Project, including a dedicated compliance team.
“We believe in maintaining compliance with environmental regulations and project environmental mitigation plans at all times and in promptly taking corrective action upon issues if or when identified, as demonstrated in this instance.”
’PRO-ACTIVELY’ INSPECTED
The EAO says compliance and enforcement officers will continue to monitor the sites “to make sure all requirements are being met.”
In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the EAO said that during construction, the pipeline is currently “pro-actively inspected” by compliance and enforcement officers in a continuous cycle every one to two months
“The frequency of inspection depends on which phase of construction the project is in as well as the potential for impact and other factors such as seasonal changes like freshet,” the spokesperson said, adding that the EAO’s compliance and enforcement officers are responsible for inspecting major projects throughout B.C.
The spokesperson said that “minor non-compliances are common,” and most projects work quickly to correct them once they are discovered by the project’s own compliance staff or by EAO compliance and enforcement officers
“Major incidents are not common, and EAO compliance and enforcement officers have several enforcement tools available to bring projects back into compliance.”
Inspection reports are publicly posted to the Environmental Assessment Office’s Project Information Centre (EPIC)
DID YOU SEE ALICE?: What is your favourite local trail? Send us a photo and tell us what you love about it to news@squamishchief.com.
The Squamish Chiefisa member of theNationalNewsmedia Council, whichisanindependent organization establishedtodealwithacceptable journalistic practicesand ethical behaviour. If youhaveconcerns about editorialcontent,please contactEditorJenniferThuncherat jthuncher@squamishchief.com. If you arenot satisfiedwiththe response andwishtofilea formal complaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free1-844-877-1163for additional information
Reproduction of anymaterial containedinthispublicationis expresslyforbiddenwithoutthe prior writtenconsent of thepublisher.
EDITORIAL
WHYISITSOBUSY? WHYARE WE BROKE?
Thoughit doesn’tchangeour reality, knowing wherewestand canoften be acomfort or make us feel less aloneinour struggles.
Finding outshe is iron deficient, forexample, doesn’tmakeapatient feel less rundown, but knowing whyshe feelsthe wayshe does at least explainsthingsand makesher feel less crazyasshe dragsherself throughher day.
Similarly, knowingthe fact that thepopulation ofSquamishis more than 29,200 (asofJuly1st, 2023)helps us make senseofthe increasing feeling that thecommunity is much busier than it used to be It is!
(ThatStatisticsCanadapopulationfigureisfor the SquamishCensusAgglomeration (CA),which means Squamish proper andthe surroundingarea.)
The recently released Squamish Community Foundation Living Wage ForSquamish report revealsthatthe hourly wage each parent in afamily withtwo youngkidswould need to earn to payfor thebasicsinSquamishis$25.13. That is $7.73higher than theminimumwagefor B.C.
In otherwords,the couple wouldneedtoearna gross householdincomeof $91,000tosurvive in this town.
That doesn’tinclude moneyfor paying anydebts, accumulating savingsorbuyingany extras.
So, if youare making that amount or less,and life feelslikea struggle,itisnot that youare mismanagingyourmoney;itisthe cost of living in this town.
Andifyou areanemployerofferinglessthana livingwage, that is likely whyturnoveris high.
The CommunityFoundation’sreportalsohelps explain whyso many of us have been losing friends and neighbours over thelastfew years, as thecostof livinghereincreased.
“Manycommunity membersare optingtomove due to financialstrain,”the report notes.
“In2016, thenumberofSquamishresidents choosing to move in thepreviousfiveyears was26%; by 2021,thisrateincreased to 33%.”
Knowingthis doesn’tgiveusa cure forwhatails us, butitdoesarm us with informationaswemake our owndecisions aboutstaying, going, taking or leavingajob,or offering ahigher wage during our company’s next roundofhiring.
ThenextStats Canpopulation releaseisscheduledfor early2025and will includepopulation estimatesasofJuly1,2024.
After creating this firstreport, theCommunity Foundationhas vowedtocontinueproducing these livingwagereports.
It isn’tentirelyclear whooriginallysaidthis, but the sentimentisapropos here:“Knowledgesharedis powermultiplied.”
BEAR WHISPERER, MICHAELALLEN
GUESTCOLUMN MELODY WALES
Onlyonceinthe 31 yearsstudyingbears did renowned researcher andeducatorMichael Allenfearattack.
It waswhenhecamefacetofacewithamomma grizzlybear—sow—with acub closeby.
Huffingand growling,she stoodonher hind legs, towering over him. Allenhad bear sprayatthe time andfearedhe’dhavetouse it.Thankfully, after many heart-beatingmoments,the bear sensed no danger, andAllen made acautiousretreat
Squamish is blackbearcountry.Theywerehere beforeus. Theirsense of smell, sightand strength surpasses ours
We both fear andshare asense of awewhenone crosses ourpath, as we love,fearand revere these gentle giants.
Allenrecentlygavea speechatWestwinds to a standing-room-only crowd.
NowaSquamish resident,hegrewupinthe Kootenays, andspent many yearsinWhistler conducting studiesand bear tours.
Then,asnow,heisconcernedabout bearsbeing destroyeddue to human-garbageconflict.
remote forested areastoinstall motion-triggered cameras. He checks thecameras twiceper month, traipsingthrough rugged andmuddy terrain. Allen’stalks areillustrated with film clipsof bearsand otherwildlife, like cougarsand deer, strollingbushtrails. An amusingimage caught on camera showed acougarand skunkinastalemate—the cougar notwanting to be sprayedand theskunk’s tail raised to defend againstapouncing feline
“Myinterestgrewbecause no onereallyknew much aboutB.C.black bear populations. Icameto realizethatindividualbears couldbeidentified, andtheir behaviours describedasa barometerof change across theirlandscape.So, Iset outto follow bear populationsthrough thecourseoftheir lives, learning reproduction,adaptationand survival,” he said
Bear time,henoted,isspent eating to fatten up forwinterhibernation,mating, andfor sows, caring forcubsfor up to twoyears.Tohibernate,a bear will find an oldtreetocarve outaden, slowingtheir bodilyfunctions forasmanymonths as they need to survivethrough winter.On awakening, they will find astreamorpondto spruce up andthen, love agoodbackscratch at an accommodatingtree.
Blackbears hunt forfood, mainly berries, grasses, grubsand fish,atnight to avoid, not confront,human contact. Abearbecomes a so-callednuisancewhenforcedtoscavengefor
(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)
BEARS: Continued from 10
food, due to humans destroying their natural habitat.
When asked what someone should do when confronted by a bear, Allen reminds people that black bears are not
human predators. If one encounters a bear, he suggests speaking softly, not turn their back on the bear, and slowly back away He cautions not to run. He warns to keep dogs leashed and under control. A harassed bear is a dangerous bear.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
EDITORIAL TRIVIALIZES VIOLENCE
The Squamish Chief’s “editorial staff” [published July 11, “Editorial: Pssst, Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC workers,”] have repeatedly implied that concerns raised about gender-based violence and industrial workforces unfairly target a particular class of men. This, and the suggestion that those of us concerned about this issue view the “workers as predators,” is misleading and inaccurate.
First, if we want to discuss class, let’s talk about the fact that most people living in poverty are single mothers, with non-white and Indigenous mothers disproportionately represented. There is a direct link between gender-based violence and women’s poverty. We could also talk about the employees [mostly women of colour] who earn close to minimum wage as cleaners and cafeteria staff for camp operators.
Characterizing concerns about gender-based violence linked to industrial projects as classist completely misses the mark
The intersection of class and genderbased violence has less to do with the perpetrators and more to do with the women and girls targeted as victims of violence And it is men who are overwhelmingly responsible for perpetrating that violence From billionaires like Jeffrey Epstein to police officers like Vancouver’s Jim Fisher or Judge David Ramsay It has nothing to do with wealth or social status It has everything to do with gender inequality
Violence against girls and women is rooted in a system that tolerates, normalizes and trivializes rape and exploitation. A system that requires us to fight the police to preserve evidence and properly investigate murders of sex
LETTERS POLICY
workers. A system where we rarely see charges proceed for sexual exploitation or rapes of teenage girls, despite the pervasiveness of online and sexual violence that teen girls experience daily.
The Squamish Chief’s last editorial trivializes this violence too, using what you call “satire” to suggest the women and survivors speaking up about violence are responsible for the so-called “prison camps.” We didn’t invent work camps or floatels, nor did we ask for them The solutions we are stuck with were driven by the corporations, so look there for someone to blame. Work camps exist because they are cheap, convenient housing options for large workforces.
We asked for impact assessments and solutions that protect everyone’s rights, including the workers—not for workcamps. Ending gender-based violence means changing the system that allows it to fester. This requires stopping business as usual and protecting human rights above corporate profits.
Sue Brown Squamish
LET’S ADDRESS THE POO-APOCALYPSE
Esteemed citizens of Squamish, lend me your ears—and hold your noses
Our beloved town, a veritable Eden nestled between the sea and sky, is under siege—not by invading forces or natural disasters, but by an army of four-legged, tail-wagging culprits: the untethered dogs of Squamish In our fair town, the battlefields are our parks, the estuary, and our once-pristine trails These are the trenches of our modern struggle, strewn with the landmines of canine excrement.
Each step is a perilous adventure, a dance with disaster. One misstep and your boots become a casualty.
“Humans should appreciate bears due to their intelligence, resilience, and reflection of adaptive behaviours in our shared environments,” he said
Melody Wales is a veteran writer and Squamish resident
JOIN
The estuary, home to the noble bears, has been transformed into a chaotic canine playground Leash laws, those bastions of civility, are flagrantly ignored, and enforcement is but a distant dream. Our ursine neighbors, once the monarchs of this protected realm, now contend with a canine cacophony. It is as if the wild frontier has been overrun by unruly guests, with no respect for the established order.
To add insult to injury, Sp’akw’us Feather Park—a brand new oceanfront gem—is swiftly establishing itself as a haven for dog feces and leashlessness. The beauty of our newest park is overshadowed by the overwhelming presence of dog waste, turning a potential jewel into yet another casualty of this ongoing issue.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the off-leash dog in the park. It’s truly remarkable how every dog owner in Squamish seems to believe that their furry friend is the exception to the rule “Oh, but my dog is so well-behaved, he doesn’t need a leash!” they proclaim, as their canine companion joyfully sprints through flower beds, into traffic, and atop your toddler’s head And let’s not forget the universal dog owner mantra: “I always pick up after my dog.” If that were true, dear citizens, our trails wouldn’t resemble a battlefield from a poopocalypse movie.
But let us not merely lament our fate; let us rally to the cause! Here are a few bold actions we might take:
1. Enforcement with Vigour: It is imperative that our city officials enforce leash laws with the tenacity of a bulldog on a bone Fines must be levied, and the rules must be upheld Let there be no quarter given to those
LETTERS: Continued on 12
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
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Would you like to see more Squamish businesses pay the “living wage”?
Have your say at squamishchief.com
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION
What is the most important local issue in the BC election this fall?
MOST READ STORY
Lacuna: Everything you need to know about this public art at Oceanfront Squamish
TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK
This week, Indigo LemayConway visted the District locations where folks can cool down if they need a break from the heat See this video and many others at @squamishchief on TikTok
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LETTERS: Continued from 11
who would let their pets roam free, to the detriment of all.
2. Community Action: We, the people of Squamish, must take a stand. Dog owners must be reminded of their civic duty Posters, campaigns, and a touch of public shaming may be in order. Let us make it known that Squamish is not a free-range dog park but a shared space requiring mutual respect.
3. Dog Waste Stations: Strategic placement of dog waste stations, complete with bags and bins, will leave no excuse for negligence Let us equip our parks and trails with the necessary tools to combat this scourge.
4. Education and Outreach: Finally, an informed community is a responsible community. Educational programs in schools, community centers, and social media can help spread the word. Let us teach the next generation the importance of leashes and the proper disposal of waste. Let us take action now, with every leash clipped on and every waste bag filled (and not thrown in the bushes.)
Randall Stevens Squamish
WE NEED TO HAVE A PASSENGER TRAIN
Icame down the S bends south of Britannia carefully, given my years of caution there on ice. Although this was high summer and dry, it was nearly dark
DARTS & DAFFODILS
DAFFODILS TO DR. GREWAL at Alpenlofts Veterinary Hospital for going above and beyond to help our cat after he was attacked by a dog. Muchos daffodils to Rodrigo for being so supportive and decent about the whole incident
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
The Tantalus Range rose above the black waters of the Sound, the sun setting far behind the mountains creating a silhouette of their peaks.
On the last turn before the sea the road lane flowing past me (going south) was lit up like a brilliant cloud. Headlights of the first fifty stuck cars illuminated the road and the stuff strewn across it, many motorbikes leaning against the concrete barriers, the trees lit up from underneath, and a glow in the low sky.
With no one behind me, I could slow down to 40 kilometres per hour, and then see the people crouched over the covered bodies and metal and plastic debris, people kneeling, people running, finally vehicles with lights flashing driving forward along the shoulder. There had been no on-coming traffic for four minutes or so.
I had not noticed that emptiness because my mind was dwelling on the two racing motorbikes speeding at 130 km beyond the crash, on the corners just south of Furry Creek. At that speed, going over 2 km a minute, they could reach a long way south. And no one to follow them Hundreds of cars were arriving, on this Friday night, to this accident spot at 9:30 p.m—just to be stuck there. Soon there was a river of trapped vehicles on the highway. Only now, I realized why the road had been so empty down south. As we reached the Britannia stop light, the ambulances started to arrive with lights flashing and sirens blaring, unable to get through. The response seemed to be working OK. Others can judge that The railway tracks
gleamed promisingly in the bright lights, yet still not used “by design.” How many of these people could have made their journey by train? Are we getting so used to this foolishness that it is part of our normal routine?
Bob Anderson Burnaby
DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO WORRY ABOUT
This letter is in response to Peter Gordon’s letter titled, “Finally, the elephant is out of the room on Squamish and LNG, [published on July 18].
I’m frankly sick and tired of men deciding what we, as women and girls, should worry about. Being a father and a grandfather doesn’t give you the right to do that. Canvassing RCMP detachments will not provide an accurate and representative picture of violence against women and girls in those communities, which have had camps in close proximity. Most violence, assault, harassment and abuse go unreported.
I think most opponents of LNG have their facts straight Why contribute to fossil fuel consumption and expedite the climate emergency? Why support the efforts of a tax-evading billionaire with a bad reputation?
I thank the people who have worked tirelessly to provide our community and council with the information they need to make better decisions. I thank the council for apparently noticing how much we do not want this happening in our town
As for the hype around being “scared” to
voice one’s opinion? I don’t buy it. Not from a poll in The Squamish Chief, whose editorials of late have made it clear that they are unfortunately not an objective representation of public sentiment concerning WFLNG. And certainly not from you, Peter Gordon But maybe I should wait for you to tell me what to be afraid of
Rhea Thompson Squamish
REGARDING THE EDITORIAL
Thank you for your editorial [“Editorial: Pssst, Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC workers,” published July 11.]
pointing out some of the hypocrisy against LNG workers being housed on the ‘floatel.’ To date, there has been a continued narrative based on outdated information that all these employees are a threat to the area. Personally, if I was an LNG worker, I would take personal offence to these biases and feel my own personal liberties were compromised by being forced to stay on the floatel and not be allowed to enjoy any of the amazing recreational opportunities that we enjoy as residents of Squamish.
Personally, I don’t think Howe Sound is the place for an LNG facility, but it is approved, and the floatel is a viable response to previous direction to keep workers out of the local rental market
It’s time for this council to move on and focus on more pressing issues of the day Graham Winterbottom Squamish
SQUAMISH BUSINESS BEAT: NEW HOLISTIC HEALTH AND FITNESS STUDIO CEDAR ROCK WELLNESS OPENS
The new studio offers a range of services, including yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture, physiotherapy and kinesiology
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
How do you want to take care of your health and well-being?
It’s a question founder Beriah Chandoo and her staff at Cedar Rock Wellness want to ask the community of Squamish, as the doors open to a new holistic health and fitness studio
As she prepares for the hard launch of the studio later this month, Chandoo sat down with The Squamish Chief to talk about all things health and wellness.
“The whole ethos of Cedar Rock Wellness is that we want to encourage people to come in with any needs that they have and feel confident that they are going to get the best treatment and information they can,” Chandoo said
“Whether they’re fit and healthy, recovering from an injury or if they just want to have more information, the purpose of Cedar Rock is really just to help people be well at any stage in their life.”
With 21 years of occupational
therapy experience, Chandoo said the idea for the studio came to her a year ago when she began to ask herself what her true passion and purpose was in life
“I thought to myself, I want to own a place that feels welcoming and vibey and makes you want to be a part of
the space and community here,” she said
“This was in March of 2023 and now, almost a year later, we are here It’s astounding how almost exactly it matches the vision that I had.”
The multidisciplinary clinic offers a range of services, including
physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, kinesiology, personal training, nutrition, and yoga
Chandoo explains that the studio has the option for walk-in clients to allow everybody the opportunity to access their services
“People can show up anytime if you want to walk in off the street, we’ll get you in,” she said
“If you’re down at the river, just coming off the trails, or something catastrophic happened in the morning and you’ve ended up with a bad neck or back—you can come in and know there’s always going to be someone here to help.
“It was really important for us to be able to offer this to our clients.”
Cedar Rock Wellness is hosting its grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 27, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The community is invited to tour the new studio, meet the staff and enjoy some tasty food and drinks
“It’s going to be block party vibes,” Chandoo said
“It’s an open door, open house
event, and we are inviting people to come in and see the space. There will be little five-minute information sessions on the disciplines and what we are offering but the main feature—in my opinion—is the live band, The Okes, that will be playing here in the main space.
“We will also have Luz Tacos for food and Backcountry Brewing and Kindred Cultures supporting us with beverages.
“It’s a fun chance for people to come in and see what Cedar Rock is all about.”
The studio is open Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cedar Rock Wellness is located at unit 100/1870 Dowad Drive, Squamish.
Squamish business beat’ is a series that arose from feedback from locals who wanted to see more business-related news To be considered for this series, please email news@squamishchief.com
PHOTO BY INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
L to R: Sarah Chase, Laura Velasco, founder Beriah Chandoo, Leah Briczin and Ccerlii Chow
SUNKEN BOAT WITH HOLESREMOVED FROM PORTEAUCOVE
Abandonedvesselwas beachedatthe provincial park on June 22,and removedonJuly15
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
The abandoned boat that wasbeachedat PorteauCoveProvincialParkinlateJune hasbeenremoved.
Squamish conservationistJohnBuchanan, whoreportedthe boat to authoritiesonJune24, wasonsitewhenthe boat wasremoved on July 15th.
TheCoast Guardpreviouslytold The Squamish Chiefthe abandonedvesselwas first reported to it on June 22.
TransportCanadatold TheSquamish Chief that thevesselwas removedbyacontractor hiredthrough thegovernmentagency.
“Transport Canada will make everyeffortto locate andhold thevesselowner responsiblefor thecostofremoval andcleanup,” aspokesperson said
Buchanan notedthatwhenhefirst sawit, the pleasure crafthad fuel onboardand a refrigerator
Therewerealsoseveral 6.35 millimetre (.25 inch)holes in apattern on thehullof thevessel, and itsregistrationhad been smudgedout
As thetidecameinand battered it,the boat moved andended up sunk under thepublicpier by thetimeitwas retrieved, frustrating Buchanan,who stressed that as it wasgetting battered,itwould pollutethe marine
environment.Healsonoted that in aprovincial park during thebusysummerseason, theboat wasaneyesore anda hazard,particularlywhen itwas beached.
Transport Canada will make everyeffort to locate andhold thevesselowner responsiblefor the costofremoval and cleanup.
TRANSPORTCANADASPOKESPERSON
watercraft at alltimes andmusttakeall actions necessary, includingrepairs,salvage,and prevention or clean-up of leakingfueland oil. TransportCanadaisafederal government department responsiblefor developing regulations, policies andservicesfor road,rail, marine andair transportation in Canada In 2023,two recordsoffines were issued to boat owners in BritishColumbiabyTransport Canada andthe Canadian CoastGuard Membersofthe public whosee amarine pollutionincidentora marine hazard are encouraged to report theincidenttothe Canadian CoastGuard at 1-800-565-1633
BAILEY GOLDSTONE WINS BC CUP STOP IN KICKING HORSE
Kemp, Shelly, Quist and Harrisson also land atop the podium
DAVID SONG dsong@wplpmedia.com
Reaching the finish line in four minutes and 54.14 seconds, Bailey Goldstone added another notch to her belt with her July 14 B.C Cup win. The result comes hot on the heels of a Dunbar Summer Series breakthrough last week.
Last year’s Canadian national DH queen prevailed in Kicking Horse over runner-up Ainhoa Ijurko (4:59.83) and Sophi Lawrence in third (5:00.54) at the ladies’ pro event.
Arleigh Kemp emerged victorious among girls aged 13 to 14 (4:50.02). Ruby Wells placed second (4:57.07) and third went to Megan Pretorius (5:22.04).
Meanwhile, Anthony Shelly was the class of the male U18 expert field (4:00.46) ahead of Jonah Rickard (4:15.12) and Isaac Hulme in that order (4:17.67).
Mateo Quist struck gold in the men’s expert 15-16 race (4:02.95). Julian Moutinho earned silver (4:06.16) as bronze landed with Noah Milner (4:07.66).
Sebastien Harrisson proved himself a cut above his fellow U14 boys (4:09.45), but second-placer Mack Manietta gave him a fight (4:11.30) as Nate Kirby rounded out the podium (4:30.56).
Other champs include Patrick Laffey (pro men), Rafe Hudson (boys’ sport 15-16), Jordan Evans (boys’ sport U18), Yannik Schulz (men’s sport 19-34), Julia Gallant (women’s expert 19-34), Tayte Proulx-Royds (girls’ 15-16) and Isla O’Connor (girls’ 17-18).
PHOTO BY CLINT TRAHAN
Bailey Goldstone gets some airtime during the 2023 Crankworx Whistler Air DH
DOMENICOMILIA
Sept 24, 1937 -July20, 2024
We areheartbroken to announce that Domenico Miliapassedaway with his family by his side during afullmoon on July 20,2024. Domenico wasborn in Cerami, Sicily on September 24, 1937 and immigrated toCanada in 1955 with his uncle Angelo (predeceased) andMaria Milia. Domenico livedand workedinInvermere, Kaslo, Goldenand Britannia Beachbeforesettling in Squamish, B.C. whereheworkedatthe BritanniaMineand thenBCRailfor 30 years beforeretiring. Domenicowas aproud 4th degree Knights of Columbusand afounding memberofthe Garibaldi ItalianClub Domenico was predeceased by his parents, Maria and Vincenzo, andhis sister,Rosa(Pasquale).Domenico wasalovinghusband, brother,uncle,father and Nonno. He is survived by the love of his life andwife of 63 years,Rita,sisterGiuseppina (Orazio),children Enzo(Karell), Anna(Kevin) and grandchildren, Briana,Ryan, Nicole (Alex), Lukeand Kyle. Domenicovalued familyaswas evident with the many pastaand pizza nights, karaoke anddanceparties, and afternoons making homemade tomato sauce, homemadeitalian sausage andofcoursewine.His family &friends will forevercherish the memories and moments sharedwithhim.
Service willbeheld on July 26, 2024 at 10:30 am. St Joseph’s ChurchofSquamish 2449 TheBoulevard, Squamish, B.C,
In loving memory of James Cameron Macneil
November 7, 1941 –July 11, 2024
James passed away peacefully on July 11, 2024 in Nanaimo BC,wherehemoved from Squamish, afterretiring from BC Rail.Heleavesbehind Muriel,his wifeof60years; his daughterPamela and son William. Also four grandchildren Ryan, Ty,Jaymee and Sally.Hewas Papa to greatgrandchildren Avaand Iyla.
Special thanks to the wonderful Doctors,Nurses and volunteers in PalliativeCare.
No service by request
Condolences maybeleftand information found at WWW.evergreencremationcentre.com
Johnson, Sheron A. August 1, 1940 -May 20, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sheron Johnson, abeloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, on May 20, 2024. Her warmth, wisdom, and unconditional love touched the lives of many, and she willbedeeplymissed. Sheron spent her entire career as an educator, inspiring countless students with her passion for learning and her compassionate approach to teaching. Outside of her professional life, Sheron was adevoted mother to her four children: Stacey, Shannon, Jacqui, and Greg. She found immense joy in being agrandmother to her eight grandchildren and agreat-grandmother to her one greatgrandchild, always cherishing the time spent with her family. Sheron also leaves behind four siblings who willmiss her laughter and friendship.
In her retirement, Sheron embraced her love for cooking and gardening. She spent countless hours tending to her garden, creating beautiful,vibrant spaces filled with life and colour. Her kitchen was aplace of comfort and delight, where she crafted many family meals and preserved the bounty of her garden through canning. Scrapbooking was another passion that kept her creative spirit alive, as she meticulouslydocumented the memories of her loved ones and her many travels across the globe. For many years, Sheron also enjoyed singing with the Sea-to-Sky choir.
Acelebration of Sheron’s life willbeheld at the BrackendaleArt Gallery (BAG) in Squamish on September 21. Family, friends and all whose lives she touched are invited to join us in honouring her memory and celebrating the remarkable person she was.
Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, siblings and all those who were fortunate to know her. She willberemembered for her kindness, her dedication, and the love she generouslyshared.
Squamish Home 604-898-2333
Bracelet found near ChieftainHotel on Cleveland. Call to identify 778-952-1963
WAREHOUSEMAN’S LEIN 2023 Kia Forte
VIN: NAF45A76P5160319
Debtor: Phumlani Konye
Meet Buttons
Please Contact the SPCAfor more details! Visit our website:spca.bc.ca
Please Contact the SPCA for more details! Visit our website:spca.bc.ca
Acharming 1-year-oldtuxedo girl with aplayful spirit and a touchofsass. With hersleekblack and white coat and striking yellow eyes, she’s areal head-turner!Buttons is afriendly and affectionate companion who loves to be the centerofattention. However,she does have hermoments of spicewhen shegets a bit overstimulated, so she would thrive best in acalm, indoor-only home where her cues for personal space are respected. Though Buttons is adelightful and loving cat, her interactions withother pets are still amysterytous. Therefore, we recommend agradual introduction if there are existing pets in thehousehold. If you’re looking for alively and loving feline friend who can bring both joyand alittle bit of playful mischief intoyour life, Buttons is the perfectmatch for you.Come meet her today and see if she’sthe missingpiece to complete your family!
viewmoreofour adorablepets up foradoption, please visit
Reporter The SquamishChief
TheSquamish Chiefhasarare opportunityfor an experiencedandcommittedjournalist tocover local Indigenousnewsand politicsasa LocalJournalismInitiativereporter,while workingwithasmallteam basedin the bustling District of Squamish.
The successful candidatewillbetaskedwithcovering Squamish Nation-relateddecisions andissuesofimportanceat Nationcouncil District municipalhallandin the community, includingin the Squamish Valleyand Paradise Valley.
Thecandidatewill produce eight to 10relevantnews storiesper week,aswellasatleast four featuresannually. Theroleincludessome eveningandweekendcoverage.
Youhave adegreeinjournalism,arepassionateabout newsand politics, andhave a sense ofwhatmakesacompellinglocal newsstory. You seek to engageandinform your community in print andonline platformsanduse socialmedia effectively.You are self-motivated, efficientanddeadline driven,withacurious, critical mindandan acute attention todetail. Youwork well both onyour ownandwith ateam.
Theidealcandidatewillbecomfortablein apair of hiking bootschasingdown astory, aboarda boat to capture images, or in aboardroom coveringpolicy.
Ideally, youhave experience in covering First Nations, court decisions, municipalcouncil elections, andgovernmentsat alllevels.Other relevant skillsincludecopy editing, long-formfeaturewriting,video editing,socialmediapostingandstory creation.
The stories you producewill be shared on The Squamish Chief's website andsocial channels,aswellasthoseofour sister publicationsand throughother newsoutletsaspart of the federalgovernment's Local JournalismInitiative.
Thisisa12-month position funded through thefederalgovernment's LocalJournalism Initiative,with opportunitiesexpected beyond the oneyear.
The annualwagerangeisfrom $40,000 to $45,000.
The Squamish Chiefisthe paperofrecordin Squamishandaperennialwinner at theBC &Yukon Community News MediaAwards(BCYCNA)andCanadianCommunity News MediaAwards(CCNA)
Toapply, sendyour resume, twoclippings, andanyotherrelevant materials,aswellasa cover letter making thecase for whywe shouldhire you, by 4p.m.onJuly31, to: Jennifer Thuncheratjthuncher@squamishchief.com.
�SQUAMISH
Secluded valleys
Dashed
Start
Neck scarf
Bungles
Ignore
Slalom
Warning sign
Any in a storm
Feeling rotten
Yard-care tool
Han in “Return of the Jedi”
Dark bread
Gush forth
1 Chair cushion
Exist
Let sleeping dogs
HOROSCOPE WEEK OF JULY 25, 2024 -
2024
Slangy affirmative
Bathtub hole
Liquors
Got down 11. Gets hitched
Not repeated: hyph.
Bullfighter
Expose
Mournful word
Puts in grass
Clod
Friends
Doing nothing
Cozy dwelling
That woman
Suppresses
Humbly
Silverheels role 41 Dangerous snakes
Begone!
43. Tress
45. Peeve
47 Term of address
49 Atlas part 50 out (make do) 51. Recent
Drink with an olive 5. Croon 6. Bright-colored bird
of St.John theDivine, Squamish Holy Communion and Morning Worship Sundays at 10:00 AM Rev Cameron Gutjahr 1930 Diamond Road 604-898-5100
ARIES March 21-April 19
You’ll be worried about money this week, so you’ll work hard to improve your situation. You may be able to put together the necessary funds to achieve a big dream or at least pay off some of your debt.
TAURUS April 20-May 20
You’ll feel inspired to take a new direction in life You’ll have the determination to transform your reality altogether You’ll start fresh and finish a significant project.
GEMINI May 21-June 20
You must rest after being in a large crowd. You prefer passive and relaxing activities while on holiday, such as visiting museums and walking in nature
CANCER June 21-July 22
You’ll bring many people together by organizing a surprising event. This project will expand your social circle. You may become quite popular on social media.
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
You’ll spontaneously head off into the unknown. You could seriously consider returning to school or starting a new career in line with your values. At the very least, you’ll be inspired to travel.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
You must make changes to improve your inner well-being. You may adopt a more spiritual lifestyle You could also plan a pilgrimage to explore the depths of your soul.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct 22
You may spend too much money on your credit card while on vacation. Although you’re concerned about your finances, you’ll continue being a little frivolous before reigning things in
SCORPIO Oct 23-Nov. 21
You should wait until after the holidays before making any big decisions. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons This will remove some pressure that
could lead you to make regrettable choices
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Many details will require your attention between tasks at work and home. You’ll need to deepclean your home to clear your mind.
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
You’ll attend shows and artistic events during the holidays. All eyes will be on you as you perform, receiving welldeserved applause
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb 18
A family story could hold your attention, or perhaps just decorating your home While on holiday, the comfort of home and the company of family will bring you happiness.
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
You’ll have a lot to do this week, yet some things may seem confusing. Take some time to think before you act. Your overflowing imagination will help you create something amazing.
HOW TO PLAY:
Fill
Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3 x 3 box.
www.squamishanglicanchurch.ca info@squamishanglicanchurch.ca WorshipService Sundays 10am onour website and Facebook Live 2262ReadCres. 604-898-3737 www.squamishbaptistchurch.org
SUDOKU
August 1 st to 4 th ,
PHOTOS BY DAVID BUZZARD/ FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
LOGGERS’ SPORTS FESTIVAL SquamishDays
August 1 st to 4 th,2024
SO WHATISOBSTACLEPOLEBUCKING,ANYWAY?
Tolong-time Squamish residents, Squamish Days LoggersSportsisanannualmilestone,achanceto seeevent favourites from yearspastreturntotake on anew,up-and-coming echelonof youngathletes. To thosenew to theareaorthe event, however,
Suddenly,and withoutwarning,Haroldremembers his deodorantisstill in Australia.
LoggersSportscan be quiteintimidating. What,for example, is birling? Or obstacle pole bucking?Ora springboardchop?
To help thoseunfamiliarwiththe sports,wepresent a look at what all thesebuzzwords —for lack of abetter
AXE-THROWING
Well,this eventisprettyself-explanatory. Thecontestants throwa double-bladedaxe at a36-inch target five feet offthe ground.Bull-eyes areworth five:the remainingfourrings decrease in valuetoone,and anypartofthe axestickinginthe target counts,aslongasitholds. Pretty simple,eh?
expression—reallymean, with illustrationscourtesyof SquamishartistLorne Lariviere.
BIRLING
Twocompetitors battle it out, trying to keep theirbalance on rolling 15-,13-and 12-inchlogsinthe middle of a1,600 square foot pond They cansplasheachother,but no body contactisallowed. It isn’tas easy as it looks, believeus.
BUTCHER BLOCK
Three participants have to somehow chop through a 22-inch block of cottonwood, each competitor taking between 8 and 10 chops, in the shortest period of time You have to do it fast, but there are penalties for those who don’t do it right.
“Eight for me...”
“ I ain’t wearing no damn glasses – now where’s that line?”
CLIMBING
A crowd favourite event, and what can we say about it you don’t already know? The world championship event requires climbers to go up and down a 80-foot tree in the shortest period of time The novice event is a bit easier, requiring climbers to climb less height and only one-way, while the intermediate event is lower still but necessitates climbing both ways.
CHOKERMAN’S RACE
Two contestants carrying rigging chokers (a securing cable) run across logs secured in the birling pond, reaching the other side, jumping over two log obstacles setting the choke on the third log and turning back across the birling pond to the starting line Don’t be surprised to see a few contestants taking an unexpected dip in the birling pond!
“There’s some real nice seats in the stands,Ma!”
SPEED BUCKING
Watch the sawdust fly! Open class contestants use a high performance saw or “hot saw” to make 2 cuts one from above and one from below from a 20-22” diameter Douglas fir. They’re judged on time and the size of the cuts.
OBSTACLE POLE BUCKING
Anotherevent that’s much harderthanitlooks. An eight-inch diameter alderpoleisfixed at an angle, up whichacontestantmustrun,start his power saw, sawoff theend (using twocuts)ata designatedpoint andrun backtothe start. It’s a timedevent,and thereare penaltiesifthe logis notsawed ajustright point.
“Hey,dad –you lookin’for this starterrope?”
POWERSAW TREE FALLING
Contestantsmustfallastanding login as shortatimeaspossible… butthere’s more to it than that.For maximum score, thelogsmusthit asmall T-shaped target on theground.
With both bellyfulland pridesoaring,Billy wandered back to hispond.
SPRINGBOARDCHOP
Contestantsmustchoptwo notchesin astandinglog,place aboard in each as astep, cutone side of thelog,thengo down anddothe same on theother side of thelog andfinishthe cutatthe topin theshortest period of time
“Now hold it…did Ishutoffthattub?”
HANDBUCKING
Usingseven-footsaws, competitorsmustcut througha 22-inchDouglas Firlog singlehandedly.“Double hand bucking” is two competitorsonoppositeendsdoing much the same thing…sweating,thatis.
UNDERHANDCHOP
After cuttingfootholes on an anchored block, contestantsmustcut halfwaythrough theblock,thenturnitoverand continueexactlymeeting thepoint they startedon theother side.Watch thosetoes!
SQUAMISH DAYS ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS
A symbiotic relationship: A look at six local groups whose members work the annual Squamish Days Loggers’ Sports Festival
WILL JOHNSON
For The Squamish Chief
Those logs don’t just chop themselves
The Squamish Days Loggers’ Sports Festival has been one of the Sea to Sky Corridor’s most popular attractions for over 65 years now, and much of its success is due to the army of devoted volunteers from six local service groups who come out each year to make it possible.
“The way it’s structured every year is each service group takes care of a different portion of the festival, or hosts an event. There are so many awesome events, and not always a lot of people to volunteer, so this makes a huge difference,” organizer Jacqulin McNicol told The Squamish Chief.
“The groups we have are phenomenal. We couldn’t do this without them.”
The festival routinely relies on approximately 250 volunteers to run successfully. Funds raised over the course of the event are then funnelled back into the community via the six local service groups
“Many of these people have been involved long-term, or who have families who were involved right back at the start. They keep doing it until it becomes this multi-generational thing to look forward to every year.”
ROYAL CANADIAN MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE STATION 4 ON PARADE
When they’re on the water, they save lives. On land, they’re more likely to throw a parade
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station Station 4 Squamish consists of over three dozen volunteers who are prepared 365 days a year to rescue boaters in distress on
Howe Sound. Doing that kind of work requires gasoline, but their financial support from the Coast Guard only covers approximately eight months’ worth. Everything else needs to be fundraised locally, which is why they made the decision to become the latest service group to support Squamish Days
Making sure the parade runs smoothly is their way of showing gratitude for the support they receive.
“It takes a lot of organization to ensure the floats are lined up properly and in order, a lot of co-ordination between different people Then you have to communicate with the District of Squamish about closing the street, and make sure all the floats are registered
You have to meet with the loggers’ sports people and make sure everyone’s on the same page,” said station leader Rob Walter “There’s a lot of details to think about.”
Walter grew up in Squamish, and has been attending Squamish Days since he was a toddler These days, he knows people from the logging industry, and even has friends who compete in loggers’ sports He loves watching the clowns perform at dizzying heights. But most of his attention is consumed with the parade he’s chaperoning along with around 20 of his teammates He has members deployed to each intersection to monitor the progress and ensure everything runs smoothly
“No matter what, it’s always a fun afternoon.”
20 YEARS WITH THE HOWE SOUND CURLING CLUB
Curling and logging may seem like radically different pastimes, but there are plenty of people in Squamish who are passionate about both
The Howe Sounds Curling Club has been intertwined with Squamish Days for two decades and has become an integral part of the operation
According to member Hal Hughson, their volunteers cover three things for the festival: parking, gate security, and ticket sales. That requires 44 people per day. And though it may
Continued on B9
FILE PHOTOS BY DAVID BUZZARD/FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
The beef for the beef-on-a-bun getting cooked; putting on the massive loggers’ sports event takes hundreds of dedicated volunteers
VOLUNTEER:
VOLUNTEER: Continued from B8
not be the most glamorous work, Hughson said his team operates like a well-oiled machine.
“For some people, that’s their August long weekend every year It’s what they look forward to, making this event go We’re so busy that half the time, we don’t get to see the events, or the parade, because we’re there at 8 a.m. in the morning getting to work,” he said
The curling club has been running since 1983. Besides league play, it hosts bonspiels and charity events In recent years the building has begun to deteriorate, requiring maintenance, which is what the funds from Squamish Days will go towards.
“We use the money for upkeep We’ve replaced our cooling systems and made our lights more eco-friendly This money helps the club keep running.”
BED-RACING, LEGION-STYLE
Nobody does bed-racing quite like Russ Robertson.
As the president of the Squamish Legion #277 and a loggers’ sports board member, he wears multiple hats in bringing everything to fruition. But the funniest part of his job is concocting elaborate obstacle courses for the annual bed races, a project he’s been spearheading since 2015.
“I spent 29 years in the military, so I know all about obstacle courses. When I took over, I completely changed how the race worked. My whole goal was to make an exciting race, and the crowds have been growing.”
During the competition, five racers gather around a hospital gurney that they will manoeuvre through the course. They begin at the crosswalk outside Cleveland Meats and then go through elaborate challenges. The winners take home trophies made by
Roberston and his father.
Recently, the funds from Squamish Days went towards ripping out all the Legion’s carpeting and completely replacing the flooring.
“I’m not just there for the T-shirt. For the few
so busy that half the time, we don’t get to see the events, or the parade, because we’re there at 8 a.m. in the morning getting to work.
HAL HUGHSON
hours I volunteer, the Legion gets paid really well and the members respect that.”
RUNNING CONCESSION WITH THE SQUAMISH VALLEY EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION
When Stephanie Golder first moved to Squamish, she’d never even heard of loggers’ sports—now she’s been running the concession stand for seven years, pleased to have her own little niche amidst all the action.
As a board member of the Squamish Valley Equestrian Association, she’s pleased to see two of the Sea to Sky Corridor’s oldest institutions working together.
“The horse club has been volunteering since the early ‘60s, and in the past, we’ve organized
VOLUNTEER: Continued on B13
FILE PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD/FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Loggers’ sports events start Thursday, Aug. 1 and last until the end of the day Sunday
FESTIVAL EVENTS CALENDAR 2024 SquamishDays
August 1 st to 4 th , 2024
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1ST
KETTLE BOIL CHALLENGE
6:30pm | Squamish Valley Golf Course, 2458 Mamquam Road
Presented by Rental Network / AJ Forest Products
FREE EVENT
Join us for the official kick off to the Squamish Days weekend! Teams of two will race to see who can get their water can to boil over in the fastest time. It’s free to watch or if you want to enter the fee is $20. Cash prizes for the top 3 finishers. Stay for the Chili Challenge and great live music on the patio by the Lonely Goatherds, joining us from Vancouver
LUMBERJACK CHILI COOK-OFF INVITATIONAL
6:30pm | Squamish Valley Golf Course, 2458 Mamquam Road
Presented by Rental Network / AJ Forest Products
Select local restaurants have been invited to serve up some delicious chili to the crowd at the Kettle Boil. Throw down $5 (cash only) to be a taster and vote for your favourite; the chili with the most votes wins bragging rights. Will the defending champion Squamish Valley Golf Club be victorious again?????
FRIDAY AUGUST 2ND
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CHAIR CARVE
3:00pm – 5:30pm | Winnipeg Street at Cleveland Avenue (Corsa Cycles Parking Lot)
Presented by Husqvarna Canada and Inland Equipment FREE EVENT
A chair carving contest unique to Squamish in which chairs of all shapes and sizes are carved out of logs using chainsaws. Judging and auctioning of chairs takes place at approximately 5:00 pm
Presented by West-Barr Contracting and Alta Lake Electric
What’s a Bed Race?
It consists of a bed on wheels with a 5-person team – 4 pushers and a rider Each team must negotiate a 2-block course filled with obstacles and challenges. It’s fun, exciting and wacky Prizes for the top teams and the team with the best costumes! Ready, Set Go!
Racers’ Note: Bed Races registration table will be set up on Cleveland Ave between Corsa Cycles and Cleveland Meats
KID’S FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3RD
10:00am – 12:00pm | Junction Park, Downtown Squamish
Presented by Fortis BC and Woodfibre LNG
Something just for the kids!
Come and take part in the many activities including kids axe throw stations, face painting, 15-minute groove sessions with Dance Directions at 10, 10:30, 11 and 11:30am, craft tables, learn about wildlife, a book giveaway, a storytime reading, music and bubbles and many more.
Don’t miss this event for kids of all ages!
NOVICE
& INTERMEDIATE LOGGERS SPORTS SHOW
Doors 12:00pm, Show 1:00pm | Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds
Presented by Sea to Sky Gondola
Ticket purchase required
This is where competitors start in loggers sports The show is fun and gives competitors a chance to test their skills and move up the ranks. Come and cheer them onto victory! Please leave your pets and coolers at home.
Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at the water station sponsored by Alta Lake Electric.
ROTARY BEEF BARBECUE
ONLY available at the Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds, during the show.
The Rotary Beef Barbecue has been a Squamish Days tradition for over 50 years. The meat is slowly cooked over a bed of alders, and is always a crowd favourite!
Purchase your sandwich on site (no pre-sales this year).The sandwich you’ve been drooling for since last festival! Buns available for pickup during Squamish Days Festival event, starting at 12:30pm each day. NOTE: You must have an admission ticket to enter the grounds in order to purchase a bun!
Bragging rights *and cash prizes* are on the line once again at the Axe Throw Invitational. The field has been limited to 32 entrants, so the competition is sure to be fierce! Spectators of all ages are welcome. Bring your blankets to relax on the lawn and enjoy the fun.
FESTIVAL EVENTS CALENDAR 2024 SquamishDays
August 1 st to 4 th , 2024
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4TH
THE
SQUAMISH ELKS #119 PETER HARRIS PANCAKE
BREAKFAST
8:00am -11:00am – Chieftain Centre Mall, Pemberton Avenue
Presented by Ashlaur Trading and Oceanview Forest Products
Bring your family, meet your friends, and start the day with a hearty loggerstyle breakfast. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee, milk or chocolate milk. Come early to beat the crowds!
FESTIVAL PARADE BY RCM – SAR (STATION
4 SQUAMISH)
11:00 am – Cleveland Avenue, Downtown Squamish
Presented by JR Transport and Sqomish Forestry FREE EVENT
Always a family favourite, the parade will begin at Vancouver Street, travel up Cleveland Avenue and end at Pemberton Avenue. Bring the family and enjoy the fun! Pets are sometimes spooked by sirens and musical instruments and may be more comfortable at home
The top 3 float winners, as selected by a panel of judges, will win a total of $1000 to award to local charities.
WORLD-CLASS OPEN LOGGERS SPORTS SHOW
Doors 12:00pm, Show 1:00pm – Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds
Presented by Woodfibre LNG
Note: This Event sold out in 2022 and 2023; already at 64% sold out for Sunday! Please purchase your tickets in advance online to avoid disappointment.
Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up the water station sponsored by Alta Lake Electric Ltd.
Come share the excitement and cheer on athletes from around the world. You will be thrilled with the action, excitement and entertainment One of the most exciting events you will see is the World Championship Tree Falling, it’s a powerful sight not to be missed! Please leave your pets and coolers at home.
ROTARY CLUB OF SQUAMISH ROTARY BEEF BARBECUE
ONLY available at the Al McIntosh Loggers Sports Grounds, during the show.
The Rotary Beef Barbecue has been a Squamish Days tradition for over 50 years. The meat is slowly cooked over a bed of alders, and is always a crowd favourite!
Purchase your sandwich on site (no pre-sales this year). This is the sandwich you’ve been drooling for since last festival! Buns available for pickup during Squamish Days Festival event, starting at 12:30pm each day
NOTE: You must have an admission ticket to enter the grounds in order to purchase a bun!
VOLUNTEER: Continued from B9
events like a kids’ movie night in the park. As it’s evolved, we’ve done different events, and now we do the concession stand. As well, two years ago, we took over the invitational axe throw,” she said
“We provide between six to eight volunteers per day to run the concession, and another six for the axe throw. One of the things I love about this festival is it’s a great way for non-profits to help each other out.”
The money they receive each year goes into their property, which is right next door to Squamish Days It’s also used to keep their membership fees affordable It is the only public riding arena in the Sea to Sky Corridor, and they want to keep it that way.
“We feel honoured to be one of the six service groups that get to be a part of Squamish Days Community engagement is very important to us.”
BARBECUE BEEF BY ROTARY
It’s a lot of hungry people to please.
When hundreds of logger sports fans swarm the venue in August, they will be looking for something to eat. That’s where the Rotary Club comes in, offering up a beef barbecue at all of the shows. It’s a crowd favourite, and its quality is thanks to the volunteers devoted to their signature motto: “Service above self.”
Rotary has been supporting the festival since the 1960s. Its volunteers are regular fixtures in a variety of local capacities, putting in time at the food bank, the women’s centre,
the hospice society and the hospital to name only a few.
The funds Rotary receives from loggers’ sports go towards its mission of providing community service, including embarking on community projects
ELKS BRING A BIG BREAKFAST
Who doesn’t like syrup, butter and fluffy flapjacks?
The Squamish Elks Lodge #119 is one of the oldest continually operating organizations of any kind in the Sea to Sky Corridor, and man, can they make pancakes It may not be the most complex task they’ve tackled in their 88-year history, but it’s one they know how to do well
The Elks have a special connection to Squamish Days, because they played a key role in B.C.’s first community tree-planting project from 1939 to 1941, in the area just north of Brackendale. Involvement in loggers’ sports days began in the 1930s and 1940s, when contests for spectators were held behind the Elks Hall on 2nd Avenue
The Elks Fund for Children is a primary cause for the local lodge today. The fund offers medical support (including eye care and dental work) for those who cannot afford it, equipment for special needs children, and support in case of emergency needs.
The Loggers’ Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Elks for the past 57 years is the lodge’s biggest and most important fundraiser, for providing these community services.
