August 8, 2024 - Squamish Chief by Pacific Coastal Publications LP

RESIDENTS TO SEE $19M INFRASTRUCTURE BOOST

Residents will receive infrastructure upgrades, after a $19 million investment from the federal, provincial and municipal governments

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

iLemayConway@squamishchief.com

Residents of Squamish are set to benefit from significant improvements to their infrastructure, following an investment of over $19 million from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Announced at a press conference on July 30, Brennan Park Recreation Centre and the Squamish River dike will be the two sites to receive the upgrades aimed at reducing the centre’s environmental footprint and improving flood protection standards.

“We’re here today because infrastructure is the foundation of healthy and prosperous communities,” Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, Patrick Weiler said at the press conference

“It makes our communities feel like places where people can and want to live, play and raise families

“Investing in infrastructure is critical to

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PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD/FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

‘STRONG AS AN OX’: Thousands turned out this weekend to the 67th annual Squamish Days Loggers’ Sports See more photos from the weekend on page 12

COUNCIL BACKS KEY AGREEMENTS FOR DEBRIS FLOW BARRIER

The massive, $89-million debris flow barrier is one more step closer to being built to protect Brackendale after elected officials endorsed several needed agreements

JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

The massive, $89-million debris flow barrier is one step closer to being built after Squamish council endorsed several more needed agreements.

At a special business meeting on July 15, local elected officials passed several resolutions that are required to start construction of the Cheekeye debris flow barrier.

(The District uses the Cheekeye spelling; The Squamish Chief uses Cheekye, as the default spelling.)

On June 11, council passed the official community plan amendment and rezoning for

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accommodate growing populations in communities like Squamish, while ensuring residents are kept safe in a rapidly changing climate,” he said

BRENNAN PARK RECREATION CENTRE UPGRADES

Of the almost $20 million investment, $14,192,985 will go towards upgrades at Brennan Park Recreation Centre to improve its energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

Approximately 153 metres of the building’s exterior, including windows and doors, as well as insulation, air barriers, seismic performance, electrical systems, and signage will be upgraded.

The enhancements are anticipated to reduce heating and cooling costs and minimize the environmental footprint.

“Brennan Park Recreation Centre is where community members, young and old, come together

to learn, play, celebrate and support,” District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford said

“Whether it’s gaining a new skill, cheering on a friend, joining a team, passing a swim level new friendships and milestones happen here, and it really is for so many of us, the heart of our community.

“Our community cares deeply about Brennan Park and ensuring investments are made so that it can continue to grow with our community for generations to come.

“The upgrades being announced today are part of our overall plan to upgrade the facility over time. With the support of our federal and provincial partners, we’re grateful for this funding that will allow us to upgrade the building envelope,” he said

SQUAMISH RIVER DIKE UPGRADES

The remaining $5,424,000 of funding will be used to upgrade the Squamish River dike at

Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) Slough which was established as the “highest priority diking project in the community in order to improve flood protection standards,” reads a news release about the funding.

The project will see approximately 900 metres of the Squamish River dike raised on private land between Wai’wakum Reserve and Aik’wuck’s, as well as: the dike crest widened from four metres to six metres, riprap erosion protection provided for the raised portion of the dike, a new vehicle turnout, and one access ramp upgraded.

Representing the provincial government, North Vancouver MLA Susie Chant said she felt the work on the Squamish River dike could have been done two decades ago, but is thrilled to see it coming to fruition now.

“For me, I look at it and I think, wow, this is stuff we probably could have done 20 years ago. However, here we are, and we recognize the

the project.

But council still needed to accept responsibility as the Local Diking Authority for the barrier, approve the provincial indemnity agreement terms, and authorize execution of the Cheekeye barrier services agreement and licence of occupation.

These outstanding issues were moved forward on July 15.

As a reminder, the Cheekeye River development is a mixed-use neighbourhood in Brackendale that will include 1,215 housing units. The community will be located on both sides of Ross Road, between Highway 99 and Government Road

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needs to do all this work,” Chant said “Through the upgrades to the Squamish River dike, we are helping protect homes, businesses and natural habitats through the growing threat of floods.

“We’ve seen the king tides, we’ve seen the big winds, we’ve seen the downpours…and when they combine together, we have a real problem; so now we are making sustained work to mitigate those problems.”

The federal government will invest $5,677,194 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for the Brennan Park Recreation Centre and $2,169,600 for the Squamish River dike raising.

The Government of British Columbia will invest $4,730,522 for the rec centre and $1,807,819 for the dike upgrades; and the District of Squamish will contribute $3,785,269 for to the rec centre and $1,446,581 for the dike upgrades

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It is located on the Cheekye Fan and so requires mitigation to protect residents from a natural disaster in the form of debris flow from Mount Garibaldi (Nch’ḵaỷ).

After much investigation, it was determined that the best course of action was to install a debris flow barrier at the apex of the Cheekye Fan on Crown land It will also protect existing residents.

Sqomish Sea to Sky Developments Ltd., a partnership between the Squamish Nation and Matthews West, the developers behind Oceanfront Squamish, will construct the barrier on the District’s behalf. The District will then become the owner of it and be responsible for maintaining it.

Operations and maintenance of the debris flow barrier are estimated to cost $540,000 annually.

The Licence of Occupation includes requirements for using Crown land during the barrier’s construction and operating stages

For example, the license states that if the agreement is terminated for any reason, such as the unlikely scenario where the developer defaults, the District would have to restore the site to a “safe, clean and sanitary condition,” according to the staff report to council.

The Cheekeye debris flow barrier services agreement is between the District and the developer and lays out what the developer promises to do, including timelines, required insurance and security deposits

PROVINCIAL INDEMNITY

The provincial indemnity agreement is between the District and the provincial government.

An indemnity is a contractual obligation of one party, the province in this case, to compensate the loss incurred by another party, the District. In this case, the provincial government will cover the cost of debris flow restoration, should a debris flow—landslide—occur, if costs exceed available funds within the District reserve up to a maximum annual cleanout amount of 500,000 cubic meters The final indemnity agreement will remain in effect for 20 years and will be renegotiated in good faith at least six months prior to the expiration of the agreement.

There was a lot of discussion by council at the July 15 meeting about this agreement.

Staff noted that while the municipality had proposed in negotiations with the province that the agreement have no expiration date, the province did not accept this term, instead opting for a 20-year term.

“The province has indicated that its rationale for a 20-year term is so that it does not fetter future provincial governments and has the ability to renegotiate when the context may be different, for example utilizing other financial risk products that are currently not available,” reads the staff report to council.

According to staff, the risk that the District takes

in having agreed to this term is that “at the end of the 20-year period, the province may not renew the indemnity agreement and therefore, the District would assume all costs of ownership.”

The costs would then need to be covered by taxation, both the new residents of the yet-to-bebuilt neighbourhood and existing residents.

District chief administrative officer (CAO) Linda Glenday said that there was a lot of back-and-forth between the provincial government’s staff and the municipality She said that while it is a limited indemnification with risks, it was a solid agreement.

She told council members prior to their vote, “I do believe it’s an exceptional indemnification that the province is providing.”

DIKING AUTHORITY

The muni also agreed to become the diking authority of the barrier, as required.

“Accepting the role of the Local Diking Authority commits the District to the responsibility and risk of owning and maintaining the Cheekeye barrier,” the report reads.

‘IT IS A BIG PROJECT’

In voting in favour of the resolutions, Coun Andrew Hamilton said he was excited to see the project reach its final stages

“It is a big project. There is a lot of risk here for both the developer and for our community moving forward. We take on some financial risk, which we need to be very clear and very sober about the possibility of very significant taxation impacts in the long-term future, but I think that it is ... something that we need to put in place; that we need to do to project our community and to allow the lands in the north of Brackendale to be safely developed.”

Coun. John French noted that, as a lifelong local, he recalls the issue of the danger of living on the Cheekye Fan from his teen years.

“For me, this is as much about protecting development that has been in this area for decades as it is about making way for future much-needed housing in Brackendale to serve our entire community. This is a neighbourhood that has been exposed to significant natural disaster risk for a long time, and our friends at the Squamish Nation remind us of that whenever they’re involved in this conversation.”

WHAT IS NEXT?

District staff will return to council for endorsement of the final indemnity agreement once complete, which is anticipated within the next couple of months. Permission to construct was granted by the engineering department on July 19, following receipt and approval of documents submitted by the developer.

Construction is to be completed within five years as stipulated within the Servicing Agreement, however, the contractor has planned for a two-year construction period.

Watch the whole meeting for yourself on the District’s YouTube channel.

PHOTO BY AAFREEN ARORA DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: Bentley is enjoying the summer vibes.

ELECTIONSBCREPORTLEADS TO DISQUALIFICATION OF LOCAL POLITICIAN

Former mayoralcandidate DeanaLewis disqualifiedfromrunning in 2026 municipalelections duetoincomplete filing; Lewissaysshe gave alldocumentation shecould

JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

One former candidatefor localgovernment office won’tbeabletorun again in thenextmunicipal election in 2026

TheReportofthe ChiefElectoral Officeron the 2022 GeneralLocal Electionslists Deanna Lewis, whoran formayor of Squamish last election,asdisqualifiedfromrunning in the next municipalelection.

Generallocal electionswereheldacross BritishColumbia, includinginthe District of Squamish, on Oct. 15,2022.

TheElections BC report on theelections was released on July 18.

TheLocal ElectionsCampaignFinancing Act(LECFA) requires candidates,elector organizationsand third-partyadvertising sponsors to file campaign financingdisclosure statements with ElectionsBC.

Thestatementsmustbefiled within 90 days afterElectionDay andinclude informationon allcampaigncontributions,election expenses,transfers andother transactions relatedtoacampaign.

ElectionsBCtold TheSquamishChief that

Itried to explain to them so many times,”she said.

“I wasmyown accountant andwhat they were trying to ask me,Ialready provided everything Icould,and they said it [didn’t] suffice.

DEANNA LEWIS

suffice.”

Shestressedthather campaign spending washalfofwhatshe couldbudget.

Lewissubmitted her2022General Local Electionsdisclosurestatement,but was required to file asupplementary reportby Aug.9,2023.

Aspokespersontold TheSquamishChief on July 29 that theorganizationhas notreceived thesupplementary reporttodate.

“Under LECFA, thesecandidatesare disqualified from beingnominated for, electedtoorholdinga localauthority office in B.C. untilafter thenextgeneral localelections, scheduled forOct.17, 2026,” readsthe report.

“I wasreallytryingtoempower people to be able to go outand vote andwanttogovote becausetheynever hadsomeone who represented them,” shesaid, of running for mayor. “And beinglocal,being Indigenous, beingawoman—there were so many things to it.You know,justevenhavingmyancestral name on that ballot washugefor our ancestors. Formetodothat, when therewas a time when we weren’tallowed to vote.

“Ifwearen’tinserting ourselvesinplacesof powerand decision-making, howdowe expect ouryounger generationstodothatand want to believetheycan do thosethings? And that’s whyIran,tobring thoseissuestothe table, butreallywanting to setapathfor our next generation.”

DISCOVER

“Elections BC recognizes that thedisclosure requirements representa significantresponsibility forlocal electionscampaigns andis committed to providingsupportive, accessible andefficient servicetoall filers andlocal jurisdictions.”

In termsofthe supplemental information, ElectionsBCsaysthatasupplementaryreport “is acompletefilingofall of thereporting forms.Asupplementaryreportmust: provide detailsabout theaddition, change or correction to theoriginaldisclosurestatement,include adescription of the circumstancesthatled to filing thesupplementaryreport, be in aformapprovedby ElectionsBC.”

Lewistold TheSquamishChief shetried to give ElectionsBCeverythingitwanted, butit wasn’t enough.

“I triedtoexplain to them so many times,” shesaid. “I wasmyown accountant andwhat they were trying to askme, Ialready provided everything Icould,and they said it [didn’t]

It wasn’t in herplantorun againinthe next election,anyway, butshe doesn’truleout runningfor anothergovernmentroleone day. Overall, therewere3,298 candidates in B.C. in thelocal electionsin2022.

Of the3,424 politicalparticipants(which includes electororganizations andthird-party sponsors,aswellascandidates), 3,363(98 %) fileddisclosurestatementsbythe deadline; 36 filedbythe late deadline, paying the$500fine; 23 filedafter that;and 27 haven’tfiled to date

Atotal of 66 candidates,including Lewis, aredisqualifiedfromrunning foralocal government position in 2026

ThespokespersonsaidthatLewis canstill submit thesupplementaryreportatany time.

“However,she will remain disqualifieduntil afterthe 2026 GeneralLocal Elections. After the2026election, thedisqualificationwill be lifted, regardless of whetherthe supplementaryreporthas been submittedornot.” ElectionsBCreviews disclosure statements, whichcan be seen on itssite.

FILE SUBMITTEDPHOTO Deanna Lewis.

BritanniaMineMuseum gratefully acknowledges theircommunity sponsors:

ONGOING KITEBOARDING INVESTIGATION

It hasbeenmorethanone monthsince NorthVancouver father,husband,friend andkiteboarder,GrayTaylordiedwhile kitingatSquamish’snew oceanfront park on Canada Day.

Followinghis passing, theDistrict launched an investigationintothe incident, in partnershipwiththe Squamish Windsports Society.

In themeantime, thewatersports beach at Sp’akw’usFeather Park hasbeenclosed to kiting

TheDistricttold TheSquamishChief on

July 30 that theworktofinalizean investigationintothe factorsthatcontributedto thefatalityisstill underway.

“The work is expected to extend through mostofAugustand apublicstatement to communicateany next stepswill be shared uponcompletion,”saida District spokesperson in an emailedstatement.

“Districtstaff continue to work in consultation with theSquamish Windsports Societyassubject matter experts. TheDistrictwould like to thank thekiteboardingcommunity forrespecting the closurewhile we do this important work.”

PHOTOBYAAFREEN ARORA FINE FEATHEREDFRIEND: Have aphoto to share? Send it to news@squamishchief.com

FROM BANKRUPTCY SALE TO GROWTH: NEXII’S RESURGENCE IN ECO-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION

Nexii Building Solutions relaunches as NEXII Inc. under new ownership after overcoming financial hurdles

JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

Eco-construction company Nexii

Building Solutions is being rebuilt after financial and legal troubles hobbled the business in recent years.

NEXII Inc. is now the new name of the relaunched company.

The former company was bought by Texas-based 3 Gates in a court-approved bankruptcy sale that included more than $20 million in debt obligations.

On July 24, operations officially transitioned from the old to the new owners.

“Essentially, 3 Gates ultimately owns NEXII at this point. And then we formed new companies: one in Canada and one in the United States, and those companies acquired the assets of old Nexii so that we could have a relatively fresh start as a new company,” said Bill Tucker, the CEO appointed to shepherd the company’s

restructuring and expansion, when he was reached on the floor of the Squamish plant on Aug.1.

In the U.S. the new company is NEXII Inc.; in Canada, its operations are NEXIIcan.

Tucker is not new to the business. He is CEO of Vancouver-based Omicron Architecture Engineering Construction Ltd. which was acquired by Nexii in 2021.

In May, there was a de-merger of Omicron Canada from Nexii.

“We’ve been on quite a journey here; quite a journey,” said Tucker

“The technology deserves to live And it deserves to grow and expand.”

WHAT DOES NEXII DO?

At its 80,000-square-foot Squamish plant, NEXII builds manufactured structural wall and roof panel systems for the building industry, with a reduced carbon footprint compared with regular construction

Companies including Walmart, Chase Bank, AECOM and Starbucks, have used Nexii’s panels

There have been 45 buildings built so far with the Nexii system, according to Tucker, who will later transition to the company’s board of directors as the Canadian representative.

“NEXII’s construction techniques are truly superior in every way to conventional methods. We believe that with the relaunch, the restructured NEXII will be a very successful North American tech success

story,” said Russ Lambert, a principal with 3 Gates, in a news release.

Tucker said the new NEXII has retained many of its former Squamish employees, noting that there are currently 65 local employees.

GETTING THROUGH ’CLOUDY SKIES’

Tucker acknowledged that Nexii Building Solutions had about 130 staff last fall but had to shed workers during restructuring.

It was a dramatic fall for the company that, as a startup in 2021 had reached the so-called unicorn status, meaning it had a valuation of more than $1 billion.

Tucker praised the dedication of Squamish staff in getting through the tough times.

During the “cloudy skies,” of the company’s financial trouble, the remaining crews built five buildings, he said

“They did a great job. And they just really, really hung in there because they believe that innovation is something that our industry needs in the construction and building space,” he said “Sustainability is a key component of what NEXII brings [and the] Squamish workforce is really tuned into thinking quite broadly about the mandate that we have as a company.”

The company aims to hire more workers, according to Tucker

The company’s new owners are investing $8 million into retrofitting the Squamish manufacturing plant to “enhance its production capacity, quality, and safety.”

EXPANSION

Tucker said that, as of Aug. 1, in addition to its current warehouse, the company had leased another warehouse building nearby on the BC Rail lands.

“We are moving, on a single shift basis, to 40,000 square feet [of product] per month. And if we operate two and a half full shifts, this plant will deliver 100,000 square feet of product a month,” he said

Tucker said the new ownership team really likes Squamish and wants to be involved in the district

“We were immediately impressed with the quality and commitment of the Squamish workforce, and it was an easy decision to remain there and continue to invest in the plant, with plans to upgrade and expand operations,” said Blake Beckham, another principal with 3 Gates, in the news release.

“Both the Canadian workforce and the Squamish plant are crucial elements of our goal to create high-quality, environmentally friendly buildings throughout North America.”

~With files from Nelson Bennett/BIV

PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF NEXII Inc. is now the new name of the relaunched company.

FROM CLASSES TO COFFEES: FILI’S UNIQUE FITNESS EXPERIENCE

Discover FILI’s innovative three-in-one studio in Squamish where fitness meets refreshing smoothies and coffee, perfect for post-workout gathering

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY iLemayConway@squamishchief.com

Have you ever left a workout class and thought a coffee or smoothie would be the perfect way to end your fitness session?

Well, you’re in luck because at the new three-in-one concept studio, FILI, you can workout your muscles and palate all at the same place.

FILI is located in the new Wilfred building at 1870 Dowad Dr., Unit 105.

Founder Jaimie Szarko came up with the idea for FILI in 2018 while studying arts and science at the former Quest University

Always planning to move into the health care realm after graduation, she was able to turn her dream for a community-centred fitness studio into a reality in June 2024

“FILI started as an idea a couple of years ago

I wrote the business plan idea while I was in college,” Szarko told The Squamish Chief.

Throughout her studies, Szarko said she fell into teaching and began to undertake training as a yoga, spin, bar and pilates trainer.

“I thought it was the perfect synergy of being a health care professional, per se, or being in the world of health and wellness, but also serving the community side of that arm of it,” she said.

While she says her studio concept—to combine fitness and beverages—isn’t a revolutionary idea, she believes there was a gap in the market for a space like FILI in the northern Squamish suburbs.

“There’s been a tremendous amount of growth here on the north side of town, which has been incredible. There’s been so many houses [built] but not a lot of places for people to gather,”

Szarko said.

“I’ve always known that FILI’s success is dependent on its location. So this idea was kind of sitting in the back pocket for a while…we spent a year just looking for places

“So the intention behind this space, and why we’ve ended up in the area that we’ve ended up in, is to bring some new light into a new community.”

Szarko says she wants FILI to be a place where people can stop in for a fitness class and go for a coffee with friends after, or where visitors can drop by after a hike or ride and grab a pickme-up drink

“It’s a place to gather whether you like being outside or whether you’d like to move your body indoors,” Szarko said

FILI offers strength and pilates inspired classes that can be booked online via their website.

“We are a group fitness studio; we’ve had a couple of requests for personal training or injury training but unfortunately, that’s not our gig,” Szarko said

In the front of the building is their smoothie bar and coffee shop where you can order a variety of freshly made beverages and small healthy bites to enjoy at the space or to go.

“We’ve gotten a lot of feedback that people are just super stoked that something like this is in the area, and that they also just love the idea of coming in for a class and being able to have different ways to move their bodies and also just be a part of the community,” Szarco said.

“It’s nice to be able to give that experience to people, where they can step right outside the [class]room and go grab a coffee and a smoothie … vibe with their friends and nourish themselves.”

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

FILI founder Jaimie Szarko (left) The new business is located in the new Wilfred building at 1870 Dowad Dr., Unit 105.

INDUSTRIALWAY /HIGHWAY 99

DITCH REMEDIATION

ProjectScope: Removalofinfillmaterial fromstorm ditch adjacenttoDiscoveryTrail and Highway99, the goalistorestore it to the original designandincrease capacityinthe ditch. Work beginsmid-August andwill continue through mid-September. The DiscoveryTrail will be closed intermittently throughout the upgrades.Signage and flaggers will be in placetodirect trail users to reroutevia Production Wayduringthe closure. Closuredates: August 8–9, 12–16, andSeptember 12–19

SP’AKW’US KITE CLOSURE

Thewatersports beach at Sp’akw’us Feather Park on the oceanfrontistemporarily closed to kitesand kiteboarders. While aninvestigation isunderway, kitesare being restrictedout of caution to ensurepublic safety Wingfoiling and windsurfing continue to be permitted.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

• BPRC Auditorium &Natatorium Envelope Upgrades Request forProposals

INFRASTRUCTURE

• AnnualWatermain Upgrades: Tantalus Road projectcomplete, work underwayonGovernment Road near Depot Road

•Flushing and video inspectionsof the sanitarymains in thedowntown area underwayand ongoing through the rest of summer squamish.ca/Building-Our-Future

LET’S TALK ABOUT...

Age-Friendly Community

TheDistrictofSquamish is creating an age-friendly community plan!

To help create our plan,weare reaching out to community members of all ages -especially seniors whoare comfortable sharing their experiences

TheDistrict of Squamishhas developed aDraft TransportationMasterPlan to create atownthateveryone canget around in. To finalize the Plan,weneedyour feedback to help shape our transportationfuture.

Youcan: Fill out our survey AND/OR

Stop by an upcoming pop-uporopen house to speak with keystaff. TO LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION, VISIT: letstalksquamish.ca/

WHAT’SHAPPENING IN RECREATION AND CULTURE

• MountGaribaldi CemeteryUpgrades &Expansion Request forProposals squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district for details squamish.ca/rec

Completeour newsurveyto shareyour thoughts!

LetsTalkSquamish.ca

GetReady! TheFall ProgramGuide is almost here.

Summer isn’t over yet, but it’s not tooearly to startplanning your back-to-school routine. Save the dates!

Online viewing: Wednesday, August 21

Registration begins: Wednesday, August 28, 8 am

Self-Led Programs

TheSelf-Led programs at The 55 continue though August.

• Paint&Sketch (Wed,9–12)

• Ukulele (Thu,10:15–12)

• Crib (Thu,1–3)

• Sewing &Quilting (Fri,10–2)

• Carpet Bowling (Fri,1:30–3:30)

LEAP

We arestill having alot of fun with our LEAP programs!

Underthe Sea

August 12–16

Animals Big&Small August 19–23

Startyour Engines August 26–30

DEVELOPMENT REVIEW

• 40446 GovernmentRd–Recycling/Rebuild Depot –TemporaryUse Permit squamish.ca/review

‘UNAWARE OF CHOKING HAZARDS’: CAREGIVER SAVES CHILD CHOKING ON GRAPE

Local early childhood educator warning that kids’ foods should be cut up, after a traumatic incident with a 5-year-old

JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

Early childhood educator Amanda Campbell is alerting parents and caregivers about the choking hazard certain foods pose after saving a five-year-old child who choked on a grape late last month.

The Squamish educator who works at Paragon Kids Inc., a licensed child-care centre in Squamish’s Brackendale community, was on shift when the child started to choke on a whole grape that was in her snack sent from home

Initially, Campbell’s co-worker started back blows to dislodge the grape, but it didn’t budge

“A lot of people think that you don’t have to cut grapes at this age,” Campbell said, noting at this point she called 911.

Her coworker then asked for Campbell to take over with the child.

Campbell did the Heimlich manoeuvre pushing inward and upward under the rib cage on the child first, but that, too, didn’t work.

She then did more back blows.

Still, the grape wasn’t coming out.

She then tried an airway clearance device they have at the child-care centre.

She tried it two or three times, to no avail.

“At this point, the child was purple, barely breathing,” Campbell recalled, taking a deep breath at the memory of it.

She then did the Heimlich again, and then some more strong back blows.

Finally, the grape flew out.

The paramedics arrived, assessed the child

and took them to the hospital as a precaution

The five-year-old is fine, but it was very traumatizing for all involved, Campbell said Asked about staying so calm throughout the frightening event, Campbell said her training and adrenaline kicked in until the child was safe

“I do just do what I need to do in the moment,” she said “After the tears came.”

Campbell, who is originally from Scotland, said this was the most serious choking incident she has intervened in, but it was not the only one.

Previously, she has gone to the aid of a youngster who choked on a piece of granola bar; another time, it was a huge chunk of broccoli; yet another time, it was a child choking on nut spread

“The reason why I wanted to [speak out publicly] is because I think there’s a lot of people who are unaware of choking hazards,” she said.

“Hot dogs, popcorn, grapes, olives, tomatoes, even marshmallows ... they should really be cut in half lengthwise.”

Because kids’ windpipes are still small, like the size of a straw, some professionals advise cutting up foods until the child is six or even eight years old, Campbell said, noting that she cuts up items for herself as an adult.

According to BC Children’s Hospital,

“choking deaths in children are mainly caused by foods and small objects like gel candies, hot dogs, grapes, balloons, disc batteries and handfuls of nuts.”

About grapes specifically, the Child Accident Prevention Trust, a registered charity in England and Wales, notes that grapes are the third most common cause of death in food-related incidents.

“It’s best to cut up grapes for children up to five, as they have small airways that can easily be blocked by a grape, but primary school children may still have small airways, though they’re better at chewing and swallowing That’s why there’s no fixed cut-off age for cutting up children’s grapes,” the site reads.

Campbell added that in Scotland children start learning first aid at about eight years old This is something else she would also like to lobby for in Canada.

But for now, she is hoping to spread awareness about making sure food for littles is cut up, and grateful things worked out in the end for the child she helped.

“Everything is good. The child is OK, thankfully,” she said.

The Squamish Chief reached out to the child’s parent, but were told, through Campbell, that although they supported the story being told, the event was too fresh and traumatizing for them to comment for this story.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Amanda Campbell at Paragon Kids last week

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EDITORIAL

STOP THEINSANITY

Manyparents andgrandparentscan recall when teachers couldhit students at school.

B.C.was thefirst province in Canada to forbid corporal punishment in schoolsin 1973.

Not long ago, smokingsectionsinrestaurants were common.Itwasn’tuntil 2008, that B.C. Officially banned smokingsections.

Youcould smokeona planeuntil 1994.

These days,these things arehardfor us to fathom, and certainly wouldn’t be socially acceptable

In thefuture, our collectiveacceptanceofcopious vehicle crashes, road closures,car fires anddeaths onthe road will likely seemequally absurd

Crashesare so commonplacethatthe provincial governmentsendout warnings formajorhighways, includingthe SeatoSky Highway, in an effort do reducehazards over theBCDay long weekend.

We know therewillbecrashes,and likely deaths on everylongweekend.

Why do we accept thecarnage?

Between2013and 2022,there were anaverage of 289,500 ICBC-reportedcrashes peryear.

AccordingtoICBC, therewerealmost70,000 people injuredinvehicle crashesin2023inB.C.

The BC Coroners Servicerecorded more than330 deathsincrashes last year.

In 2022,Canadarecordedalmost2,000 road deaths,accordingtothe Road Safety Country Profiles Canada 2023.

In allof Canada, whichhas apopulationofalmost 40 million, there were about20strangerabductions ofchildren(sevengirls,and 12 boys)in2022.

We rightly areaculture that is very vigilant with children,monitoringthemat localparks, at school, walkingtoand from school,and whileoutside our own homes.

If someoneisseenseeming to be unnecessarily even lookingatchildren, adults willtaketosocial mediato“warn”othersofthe incident.

Thefact is,though, that ourkidsare farmoreat risk in our vehicles.

“Each year in B.C.,anaverage of 1,300children aged nine andunder areinjured,and fiveare killed in motor vehicle crashes. Everytimeachild travels asa passengerinamotor vehicle, they areatriskof beinginvolvedinacollision,” says ICBC

Mostcrashes arecausedby speed, drivingwhile impaired (onalcohol or drugs),distracteddriving such as usinga cellphone—driving while exhausted, andnot usingaseat belt,child restraint or helmet.

We have apersonalresponsibilitytoreducethe risksonthe road,but in theSea to Sky, we should also look to our politicians vyingfor ourvotes in the provincialelectionthisfallfor theircommitmentto finally getusregionaltransit,for theirsupport fora ferryorrailservice, andany othersolutions they have to make lifesafer forusall on theroads.

It is time we made drivingmayhemathing of the past.

TEENS’ NEWEST ADDICTION

YOUTHCOLUMN THOMASLEGG

Recently, anew trendhas takenCanadians by storm:onlinegambling.

About60% of Canadiansreportmonthly spending gamblingonline. However, that number is onlyincreasingasmoreand more people logonto play.

Ipersonallyknowmanyofmypeers devote their hard-earnedmoney towardsthisventure,and the result is always thesame: startout on asmall win, then to onecrushinglossafter another. This constant feedback loop resultsinanaddiction as potent as many drugsout theretoday,asevenwithpainful losses,those smallwinswill keep aplayer coming back dayafter day.

Many mayask,“Whyisthisdangerous?”

Theanswerliesinthe availability.

Previously,casinos solely provided this dopamine rush; however, now, it is afew clicks away. Alongsidethis, gamblingbeing kept inside of casinos provided an even more beneficial restriction: age limits. In themajorityofCanada, onehas to be 19 orolder in ordertogambleina casino.However, online,itismuchlessregulated.

In-gamepurchases,which give random rewards, areapartofthisprocess,and this starting pointhas been seen to quicklyguide children towardsmore seriousproblems.

AccordingtoAlberta Health Services,24% of Grade 7studentsare gamblingonline, rising to 40%inthe finalyears of high school

With around one-thirdofour high school student bodygambling, onecan’t help butthink of the negative effects—andnot withoutreason.

Youthgamblingtoday begins with loot boxesor otherforms of online purchasesthatinvolve chance

This firstexperiencebringsforward more direct gamblinglater in life,along with otherconsequences, such as an increasedlikelihoodofalcohol anddrug use.

However, thenormalization that comesfromthese videogames at such ayoung ageisthe largestcause forconcern.Spendingmoney online foritems involvingchanceisthe root of theproblem.The solution?

Well,don’t.Inmyexperience, outsideofbuyingthe game itself,spendingmoney on videogames is somethingthatall kids come to regret.Infiveyears,I, andall of my peers, will look back andregretthe moneythatwespent andrecognize that it wasnever worthit. So setout forsuccess early: don’t spendthe money.

Thomas Legg is aSea to SkyGrade 11 student.

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)

REPORT GHOST GEAR POLLUTION

Arecent multi-day kayak trip up our coast brought to my attention something that I was quite unaware of. As my wife and I pulled into a cove in search of fresh water (our mapping app indicated a small creek), we came upon an oyster farm, clearly abandoned Strewn about on the land and on or below the water was what I estimated to be approximately eight tonnes of predominantly, plastic waste (buoys, cages, rafts, ropes, polystyrene floats, nets, etc.).

I distinctly remember, maybe three or four decades ago, the surge in interest in aquaculture along the B.C. coast. I even harboured notions myself of operating a small oyster or mussel farm in some idyllic location on our beautiful coast.

Upon our return to Squamish, I fired off an email including pictures and geographic coordinates to the relevant department at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) explaining what we saw. Two days later and much to my surprise, I received a call back from a DFO official. The official, clearly frustrated was already aware of the farm we had come upon. He had tracked down the owner of the abandoned lease, who was

now financially unstable, unable to undertake the clean up and most likely not even able to pay a fine.

A little online sleuthing revealed the extent of the problem. Though the exact number of abandoned oyster leases on our coast was unknown, it could be as many as 100.

Both the Province of BC and DFO issue the required licenses and permits (a complicated bureaucratic process) but follow-up is clearly a problem.

The recent clean-up of a single, larger, abandoned farm cost approx $100,000, all taxpayer-funded, as part of the federal government’s Ghost Gear Program (annual budget in 2021-22 of $10 million) The farms require constant maintenance and attention, but typically the smaller leaseholders leave their farms unattended in the harsh winter months, only to return to their degraded lease in the spring This and other factors can lead to the abandonment. Regrettably and as far as I could find out, no provision exists to ensure the lease holder has the resources required for the eventual removal of all associated infrastructure

Well-established protocols exist in the mining sector for post-operation site remediation. Clearly, similar mechanisms should be in place for aquaculture leases.

I guess the lesson learnt is that poor regulation, jurisdictional disputes, lack of enforcement/monitoring, shaky business acumen and a uniformed public can lead to unintended and, in my opinion, serious environmental consequences.

We all have to pay more attention or better still, contact the 24/7 Observe, Record and Report (ORR) hotline at 1-800-465-4336 or via email at DFO. ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Jim Harvey Squamish

IT IS TIME TO GET REAL

Icertainly appreciate and concur with Cheryle Bass’s letter, [“I resent view of LNG workers,” published Aug. 1] It is time to get real

All economies are built by people who grow, build, harvest, or mine something, cook and otherwise prepare an item we vitally need After that, it is traded, managed, speculated on and written about. We talk much about diversity while ever-narrowing the spectrum of folks that we mingle with. Look around and thank somebody who you recognize as adding value to your life and that of your community.

Gernot Zemanek Canim Lake

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Would you take regional transit if it were regular and inexpensive?

Have your say at squamishchief.com

What is your favourite Squamish Days Loggers’ Sports event? (Top 3)

Two years later: Hiker reflects on lifealtering incident in B.C. park

This week, reporter Indigo Lemay-Conway checked out her first Squamish Days Loggers’ Sports See this and many other videos @squamishchief on TikTok TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK 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

PHOTO COURTESY AAFREEN ARORA

BEAR AWARE: Bears are set to become more intent on feeding in August and early fall, as they prepare for hibernation. Be bear aware by making sure fruit is picked from trees in your yard, and locking up garbage totes.

PHOTOS BY DAVID BUZARD/FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

1. Type of brakes 5. Unusual 8. 18-wheeler

12. Throbpainfully

13. Talk fondly 14. Not shut 15. Colored 16. Drag 17.Catalog 18. Oak nut 20.Sound repetition 21. Snare

24.Sweet spud

26.Waikiki wreath

27.Prosecute 29.Flurries

Young fellow

Small landmasses

Contest

mug

39.Winter ill

40 Zooattraction

41.Physician, forshort

43. Insignia

45. Playful mammal

48. Halo wearer

50.Tortoise’srival

51.Constrictor

52. Sitting above

56. Again

57.Rustic hotel

58. Concern

59.Pod veggies

60.Accounting term 61.Recognized

1.Mom’spartner

2. Freezing

3. Ship’s pronoun

4. Fragrant wood

5. Eight-armed animal

6. Gateway

7. Softand fluffy

8. Serious

9. Long poem 10.Screen

11. Toward

19.Gambling place 21. Angled additions 22.Tidy

23. Ebb

25. Guess

28. Legendary toymaker

30.WhiteHouse officeshape 31. Clean

32. Appear

35. Classy

38. Loafers

42. Bungalow

44. “____ Beauty”

45. Look forbargains

46. Roofline detail

47.Field of study

49.Naught

53. Yellowish brown

54. Miner’sgoal

55. Sundayseat

HOROSCOPE WEEK OF AUGUST8,2024-AUGUST 14,2024

ARIES March21-April 19

If arelaxingholiday wasn’t in the cardsthis summer, you’ll consider goingon arefreshinggetaway to recharge yourbatteries Thiswillbeextremely rejuvenating.

TAURUS April 20-May20

You’ll feel the need to pleaseeveryone.However, you’ll realizethat this is impossible.Followyour heartand trustyour intuition. An extradoseof self-confidence would be beneficial.

GEMINI May21-June 20

After alongvacation, returningtoworkmay leave you feelingexhausted.Your partner and lovedones will requiremoreattention. However, you must take time to rest to getthrough the week

CANCER June 21-July 22

You’ll be rewarded with success. This will clarify an unclear story. You’ll receiveheartfelt appreciation that will reinforce yourposition of importance

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

You’ll devote time to your familyand enjoy the peace and quiet of yourown home Your relationship with your partner will be apriority. You’ll demonstrateyour creativity, even in simple activities such as cookinga meal.

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Youcould be in the mood to buyanew car. You’ll spend alot of time negotiating and listeningtoendless speeches and presentations At work,you could discover that you have hidden sales talents

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

You’ll have astrongurge to spoil yourself,get anew wardrobe or change your hairstyle. Youmustbesocial and hang outwith your friends.Atwork, overtime will be on the agenda.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Youdon’t alwayslistento advice from others, especially if it’s long-winded. Trust your instincts.They’ll guide you in the rightdirection if you take the time to listencarefully.

You’ll have aguardianangel watchingoveryou

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

Youmay need to step back beforeacritical turning pointinyourlife.You must think carefullyabout yourpassions and howto manage stress.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

Your activesociallife could lead to overspending. Even though you’regenerally thrifty, you could find it challengingtomanageyour budget andpay off yourdebts

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18

You’ll go to greatlengths to impressstrangers and family members.Yourchildren will be asourceofgreat pride You’ll seizeopportunities of abundance that come your way.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

At work,atraining course will bringabout opportunities for advancement, bringing you closer to acareerin line with yourvalues You’ll redefine your ambitions with anewfound conviction.

HOWTOPLAY:

LASTWEEK’SANSWERS:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3box contains the numbers1through 9only once. Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. Youalready have afew numbersto getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeat the numbers1through 9in the same line, column or 3x3box