October 17, 2024

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MUSHROOMS & DOGS

Here’s what to do if your pooch eats a toxic mushroom

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17,

23 THE POOP TROOP

Meet the local entrepreneurs tackling pet waste so you don’t have to

HOUSING SQUAMISH UPDATE: DISTRICT AGREES TO FIVEYEAR PARTNERSHIP AND $2.3M IN FUNDING

The funding will help support the organization’s mission of creating 400 affordable houses by 2029

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY iLemayConway@squamishchief.com

The District of Squamish has agreed to a five-year partnership with Housing Squamish to support its mission of 400 affordable houses by 2029.

The long-term partnership will see a $2.3-million investment from the District dispersed over five years to help the society reach its housing goal. At the Oct. 8 special business meeting, councillors unanimously decided they would fund the hefty contribution using annual taxation, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) grant and the District’s affordable housing reserve.

The CMHC grant will provide the society’s funding for three years and will deliver $500,000 in both 2025 and 2026; and $450,000 in 2027.

HOUSING: Continued on 2

PHOTO BY MARK TEASDALE
NORTHERN LIGHTS: The aurora borealis lit up the skies above Britannia Beach on Oct. 10.

The District has provided Housing Squamish with a $225,000 operating grant annually funded through taxation. This will continue for the five years, but from 20252027, the funds accrued will be put into the affordable housing reserve to fund the contribution when the CMHC grant ends.

In 2028, the District will provide $500,000 in funds using the annual taxation and affordable housing reserve; and $425,000 in 2029.

HOUSING SQUAMISH

Housing Squamish was established by the District in 2022, with a three-year partnership agreement that is set to end in 2025.

As a result of this, Squamish Housing society made the budget request for a new partnership agreement at a committee of the whole meeting on Sept. 24.

“This budget request is an investment that will support Housing Squamish with leveraging partner funds toward a goal of 400 homes underway by 2029,” Squamish Housing executive director Sarah Ellis wrote in a report to council.

“With stable, affordable and accessible housing we know that Squamish can continue to thrive as a diverse, equitable, and resilient community.”

Ellis added that since Housing Squamish became operational in 2022, the independent non-profit society has leveraged $900,000 in District contributions to access almost $11 million in pre-development and acquisition funds from other funding partners.

“These investments have put us on the road toward building and/or protecting up to 200 below-market rental homes in our community in coming years,” she said.

Ellis wrote that the need for affordable housing in the future is evident as rent and home prices continue to increase.

She noted that Housing Squamish received more than 200 applications for eight belowmarket homes in the Highline community, including from couple and single-parent

families, singles, and seniors.

“We hear daily from community members who are living in insecure, unaffordable, or inadequate housing and in deep need, and are deeply aware of the transformative power of secure housing for residents and our community as a whole,” she wrote.

Ellis added that an investment of just over $2.3 million over five years—ranging from $500,000 to $425,000 per year—would support Housing Squamish with “core operations and business development and could leverage up to $100 million in partner funding to deliver our target of 400 homes.”

COUNCIL FEEDBACK

While council member opinions can sometimes be divided, all seven members were unanimous in supporting both the partnership and funding request.

“I think that this reflects the discussion that we had when Housing Squamish came forward with the request for the five-year partnership agreement, in terms of also aligning with our tax policy, of trying to keep taxation consistent over five years and trying to keep the affordable housing reserve relatively whole,” Coun. Jenna Stoner said.

“I appreciate maximizing the use of the CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund in the interim, and then keeping our housing reserve full, because we know that there’s going to be costs associated with trying to build new housing units.

“So for me, I think it’s important to try and keep that housing reserve available for forthcoming capital costs, and recognizing that we can support the housing society in delivering affordable housing for our community by providing an operating grant over the five years—and I think this is the smoothest way to do that.”

Coun. Andrew Hamilton threw his support behind the funding option, despite encouraging council members at the previous committee of the whole meeting to use a larger portion of the District’s affordable housing reserve for the contribution.

“I know in a previous meeting, I had asked about the benefit of using more of the reserve funding to get Housing Squamish started. I think that there is a lot of value in having a reserve fund that is available for us to use on relatively short notice, to take advantage of potential opportunities,” Hamilton said.

“It’s pretty hard to have an affordable housing society that doesn’t have some kind of access to resources, or we don’t have access to resources to actually implement any of the capital plans that may come up. So I’ll speak in support, because I think it is important to keep that reserve in place.”

Similarly, Coun. John French agreed with the motion which he said was a priority for Squamish residents.

“I see this as a long-term investment that paves the way for significant future leveraging of potentially significant amounts of money through grants, and affordable housing is a priority for me,” French said.

“I’ve heard from our community that Squamish needs to support more affordable housing, and I think at this point, this is the best direction to take.”

For more information on Squamish Housing visit the society’s website.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER
Tantalus Manor, a 40-unit apartment building in the Dentville area, was purchased by Housing Squamish and Hiy ám ta S ḵ wx wú7mesh Housing Society (Hiy ám

GOT NEWS?

Email your news tip or story idea to: jthuncher@squamishchief.com iLemayConway@squamishchief.com bchatterjee@squamishchief.com anoel@squamishchief.com

MUSHROOM SEASON CAN BE A DANGER FOR DOGS

With over 1,000 species of mushrooms in Squamish, the chance of your dog eating a poisonous mushroom is high. Here’s what you should do if that happens

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

iLemayConway@squamishchief.com

As the temperature drops and the rain becomes ever more present in our lives, so do the thousands of mushrooms that pop up in the Squamish region during fall. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you’ve likely noticed the number (and vast variety) of mushrooms that have sprouted in the last few weeks.

While some people might like to use this season to forage for wild mushrooms—something The Squamish Chief urges readers not to do without proper education—it can also prove to be a dangerous time for dogs who are renowned for eating things they shouldn’t.

Forest ecologist and co-author of the book Mushrooms of British Columbia, Andy MacKinnon told The Squamish Chief that the Sea to Sky Corridor is renowned for its funky fungi.

“The Squamish region is particularly blessed with mushrooms. We have recorded more than 3,500 species of mushrooms for British Columbia and probably at least a couple thousand of them have been recorded from the Squamish area over time,” MacKinnon said.

“So there are lots and lots of different mushrooms that can be found around Squamish. A whole rainbow of colours, different sizes and shapes. Some of them parasites, some of them decomposers, and a lot of them growing in association with plants in various relationships.”

Despite being well-versed in mushroom history, MacKinnon said the jury is still out as to what type of mushrooms dogs are drawn towards eating.

It has

poisoned

dogs, and it’s also poisoned some people who thought they had found a pine mushroom and ate a Smith’s amanita instead.

“We don’t have a really good understanding of which mushrooms dogs like to munch on. We do know that there’s a group of usually odd smelling mushrooms called the fibrecaps, that are poisonous to varying degrees, depending on the species, and that have caused poisonings in dogs,” he said.

“The vast majority of mushrooms, like the vast majority of plants, aren’t particularly poisonous or particularly delicious, so you have to be really, really unfortunate to find a poisonous mushroom. But one of the types of mushrooms that there have been dog poisonings from is the fibrecaps.”

Also on the list of “do not eat” mushrooms you can find in Squamish are Smith’s amanita,

which MacKinnon describes as “quite a poisonous mushroom.”

“It has poisoned dogs, and it’s also poisoned some people who thought they had found a pine mushroom and ate a Smith’s amanita instead,” he said.

“There are a variety of different toxins present in different concentrations in different mushrooms, and for most of the ones that I’m familiar [with], the difference has to do with the size of the animal eating the poison.

“In other words, I think that a lot of the common poisons will have the same effect on dogs as they have on humans, but could have a much more profound effect on a 30-pound dog than on a 200-pound human.”

Get Ready for Squa mish

Despite this, the forest ecologist reassures that while a number of mushrooms can make you sick, the death toll in B.C. from ingesting poisonous mushrooms is surprisingly low.

“There are very few people who have died from mushroom poisoning in British Columbia, and not a lot of dogs that have died from mushroom poisoning either,” MacKinnon said. “Though some people and some dogs have gotten quite sick from eating the mushrooms, it’s a very rare thing for a person or a pet to die from mushroom poisoning. Certainly, more people have died from plant poisoning than mushroom poisoning.”

MUSHROOM POISONING IN DOGS HARD TO DIAGNOSE, SAYS SQUAMISH VET

Sea to Sky Veterinary Clinic owner Dr. Fraser Davidson said this time of year is known for an increase in dogs presenting to the clinic with suspected mushroom poisoning.

FUNGI: Continued on 5

Curbside Battery Collection

PHOTO BY KIT SCATES BARNHART White Fibrehead’s are a mushroom that have poisoned dogs in B.C.
ANDY MACKINNON

NDP, GREEN CANDIDATES TALK ENVIRONMENT AT CPAWS DEBATE LNG,

regional transit just a couple of the topics tackled during Oct. 7 event

Two of the three major party candidates vying for the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky seat in the upcoming provincial election tackled the topics of nature and climate in a debate on Monday, Oct. 7.

Hosted by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) BC Chapter, the debate drew about 85 people to the Eagle Eye Community Theatre.

NDP candidate Jen Ford and Green Party candidate Jeremy Valeriote fielded questions from two participants of CPAW’s Young Leaders in Conservation Program before turning the mic to the audience.

The two MLA hopefuls agreed on several points regarding the environment during the civil debate—and both highlighted the fact that Conservative candidate Yuri Fulmer was absent.

“I just want to make the point that there’s only one candidate in this election who doesn’t have government experience and that’s our friend over here who’s not here,” Valeriote said, gesturing to an empty seat to his left.

(Ford has been a Resort Municipality of Whistler councillor since 2014 and Valeriote served as a councillor in Gibsons.)

While organizers didn’t give a reason for Fulmer’s absence, the businessman and Capilano University chancellor took part in a panel called The Election and The Economy that took place at the same time.

Several debate questions, meanwhile, honed in on Squamish-centric topics, like Woodfibre LNG.

HEALTHY COAST

“If elected, what will you and your government do to ensure a healthy coast for both marine life and people in the face of … threats [to human health and safety, risks to biodiversity in Howe Sound and climate pollution]?” moderators asked.

“I think I don’t need to tell you that I don’t believe that a methane gas export plant and LNG tankers running up and down the sound is a good thing,” Valeriote said. “In terms of [the current government’s] Coastal Marine Strategy, it was co-developed with First Nations, so it’s a good plan. But like many good plans under this [current NDP] government, they don’t always make it all the way to implementation. They make really good announcements. People believe that the government is for the environment, but they don’t actually make it all the way to the action stage. I think it’s important to remember that we need people who are actually going to follow through on environmental protections.”

For her part, Ford stood behind the Coastal Marine Strategy.

“Some people want us to say yes to all development, regardless of the cost to the

environment and some people want us to say no to all development, regardless of the cost to jobs. We believe that there’s a way forward by bringing the oil and gas industry, and all of the players to account, holding the bar high, holding the environmental assessment certificate to a higher standard. To a very high standard,” she said.

REGIONAL TRANSIT

Members of the audience asked a series of local and wider-reaching questions, including one about expanding transportation.

“I was wondering if you have plans to maintain or expand public transit systems in B.C., no matter who comes into power on a federal level,” one audience member asked.

“The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District has been at the table, we have costed out a plan for Sea to Sky Regional Transit so that someone living in Mount Currie can access work in Whistler, they can access health care in Squamish and they can access family and visits and they can move around this corridor seamlessly on transit,” said Ford, who serves as board chair for the SLRD. “We have a plan. We can do it financially.”

She also said that plans are underway to conduct a feasibility study for a train through the Sea to Sky.

Regional transit is long overdue, Valeriote said.

“We’ve seen that this is a major shortcoming,” he said. “To be honest, the fact that we don’t have it is a little embarrassing. This Corridor has

deserved regional transit ever since Greyhound left, even before then … There needs to be a funding model that a government will accept. If the Greens are in any kind of leverage position, this would be near the top of my list because it’s so clearly needed.”

RESPECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Another audience member tapped into a local sore spot: the Environmental Assessment Office ordering Woodfibre LNG to put its worker accommodation floatel into place, despite District of Squamish council not yet voting on its Temporary Use Permit.

“Would your government respect local municipal decisions, such as a floatel permit and Fortis work camp?” he asked.

“I do acknowledge that this is a rub for me and it was a rub for me when I saw that news because I have been committed to this region as a local government elected official for many years and I support council in their jurisdiction,”

Ford said. “I have advocated with the province that local jurisdiction matters … I can’t defend what has happened because I wasn’t part of that decision. What I can do is commit that I understand local government issues and I am strong enough and connected enough to this community to speak on behalf of this community if you chose me to go to Victoria on your behalf.”

Valeriote said part of the appeal of a Green MLA is he wouldn’t be beholden to a party line.

“I said at the public hearing for the Fortis[BC] work camp that the local governments are the

I think I don’t need to tell you that I don’t believe that a methane gas export plant and LNG tankers running up and down the sound is a good thing.
JEREMY VALERIOTE

last line of defence for a community that wants to be protected from the ill effects of projects that, in this case, the provincial government is imposing on them,” he said.

“Those decisions need to be respected … As much as my colleague has different views from the NDP on this one, it was the NDP government who decided to do a very backhanded way of enforcing the floatel through the EAO compliance enforcement act … Unfortunately, they have to toe the party line. They don’t have the independence to be able to say, ‘I disagree with that.’ That’s what you’ll find in a Green MLA. I can say, ‘That is not OK with me. It doesn’t represent my constituents, values and I won’t support it.”

The final voting day for the provincial election takes place on Oct. 19.

PHOTO BY TORI BALL/CPAWS
NDP candidate Jen Ford (left) and Green Party candidate Jeremy Valeriote at the debate on Monday, Oct. 7.

“Dogs get vomiting and diarrhea all through the year, but there certainly often seems to be an increase of it at this time of the year,” Davidson said.

The local veterinarian said it’s hard to determine whether a dog is sick as a result of mushroom poisoning unless the owners see the dog physically eat the mushroom.

“Usually, [what happens is] the dogs are off leash, and so the owners don’t often know what they’ve eaten. They might have been out in the woods, and then they come back and the dogs are sick—that’s a more common story,” he said.

“Sometimes the owner might have literally witnessed them eat a mushroom, and sometimes they’ve just been off in the woods doing their own thing and then they get home and the dog [has] started vomiting and having diarrhea everywhere.

“That’s why sometimes it’s a presumed ingestion but not proven.”

Davidson also noted that not too many mushrooms are “deadly” to dogs but other factors such as an already poor immune system could cause a more severe reaction.

Symptoms of a dog who has ingested a poisonous mushroom include excessive salivation, a tender stomach, which can rapidly progress to vomiting and/or diarrhea.

I THINK MY DOG HAS EATEN A MUSHROOM. WHAT DO I DO?

As for what to do if you suspect your pooch has ingested a poisonous mushroom, Davidson

first suggests snapping a photo of it.

“Take a picture of the mushroom [if there are others around] to figure out if it’s actually a problem or not. If it’s a safe mushroom, well, you can probably ride it out, but if it’s concerning you can always try and get them to the vet quickly, and we can induce vomiting to get the mushroom to come back up.

“If that’s not an option, then the next step would be giving them activated charcoal, just to try to bind up the toxins that can be present in mushrooms so that they’ll just end up passing out the feces without being absorbed into the body.”

Both MacKinnon and Davidson concur that the best way to prevent your beloved pooch from eating a funky fungi is to keep them on a leash.

“I’d suggest keeping them on a leash a little bit more. As we’ve just come out of dry weather, and it suddenly started raining, there’s a lot more puddles. There’s ponds, bogs, ditches that now have water in them and so we see a lot more symptoms of things like giardia and all of these often manifest in a similar way, an upset stomach,” Davidson said.

“So, that’s why it’s so hard to know [if it’s mushroom poisoning] unless you witnessed your dog eating the mushroom. Did they eat the mushrooms or did they just drink from a filthy puddle that’s now present because we’ve started to get rainy weather, and that puddle was loaded with protozoa parasites and other disgusting things?.

“So, I think that when it starts to rain it’s not a bad idea, if you are out with your dog, just to keep them on leash a little more.”

EM ERGENCY PL ANNI NG FOR AG RI CU LTUR E

RKSH OP S FO R RANC HERS , FARM ERS AN D HO ME STEADE RS

• Do you feel prep ared to pr otec t your farm infr astructu re?

• Do you ha ve a pl an fo r moving pets, li vest ock, and/or horses?

• Ha ve past emer gencies led to any lessons learned?

• What in formatio n or other su ppo rt would be h elpf ul for you?

The Squa mi sh-Lillooet Regi onal Di stri ct (SLRD) is developing an Agricultural Emerge ncy Pl an Come attend one of these intera ctiv e sessions to discuss how the SLRD ca n as si st the ag ricultural commu nity in preparedness, resp onse, and recovery

Squami sh Octo ber

PHOTO BY AAFREEN ARORA. FLY!: A bird in motion. Have a photo to share? Send it to news@squamishchief.com

NDP’S FORD, GREENS’ VALERIOTE VIE FOR PROGRESSIVE VOTE AT PEMBERTON DEBATE, WHILE CONS’ FULMER IS A NO-SHOW

The left-leaning candidates mostly played nice at Oct. 9 meeting, although each took swipes at absent Conservative leading the polls

There were more audible slams in the jiu-jitsu class next door than between the two candidates who actually showed up at the Pemberton All-Candidates Meeting held on Oct. 9, nine days before B.C. decides its next government.

The debate hosted by the Pemberton Chamber of Commerce was mostly a staid affair—with a few notable exceptions— between the NDP’s Jen Ford and the Greens’ Jeremy Valeriote, who are vying for the progressive vote in what should be a tight race in the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky riding.

“I think we’re more alike than we are different,” said Ford in response to an audience question about what the two candidates and their parties have in common. “We agree on Woodfibre LNG. Well, the NDP [doesn’t], but Jeremy and I do. We also agree on health-care. We also agreed on $10-a-day childcare. We agree on regional transit.”

That doesn’t mean barbs weren’t thrown.

Each candidate took Yuri Fulmer’s last-minute absence as an opportunity to criticize the Conservative candidate.

“Our friend over there,” said Valeriote, pointing to Fulmer’s empty chair, “isn’t showing up at all, which tells you all you need to know about how he’ll show up for you.” The remark drew applause from the 60 or so assembled crowd at the Pemberton Community Centre.

In a statement, Fulmer said he owes it to “the people of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky to speak with them about their concerns over the direction of our province and how we can make it better,” and would therefore be spending the remainder of his campaign “engaging with voters directly” door-to-door.

Moderator and Chamber VP Sierra Townley told attendees Fulmer notified organizers the night before he would skip the meeting. Fulmer also previously missed an environmentally themed debate in Squamish due to his participation in an economic panel the same night with BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau and former NDP Minister Moe Sahota.

During the debate on Oct. 9, several attendees, from a local farmer to a public service worker, brought up the issue of rising

unaffordability and a ballooning provincial budget.

“The provincial government [under the Liberals] had decades of cuts, and we have a growing population that requires more help and more services,” Ford said. “So, when you have a government that is investing in services, that is investing in $10-a-day childcare, that is investing in housing solutions … they have to spend that money, and therefore, the only option to growing your spending is also growing your economy.”

Valeriote took on a pointed question asking how he could relate to voters having to choose between “paying their hydro bill or buying decent groceries” in a given month, when his wife, Whistler’s CAO and the municipality’s top earner, made $284,449 in total remuneration last year.

“You can look up what the CAO of Whistler makes and that’s been our sole income for the last year while I’ve been the candidate as well as a volunteer. No doubt I’m in a privileged position to be able to do that. We are a family of four, we live in Whistler, and I feel what you feel when I go to the grocery store,” he explained.

“However, I think the idea of representation is being able to listen with empathy. I can’t walk

The provincial government [under the Liberals] had decades of cuts, and we have a growing population that requires more help and more services

in your shoes—and every family has struggles on what they can pay for and what they can’t, regardless of salary—but what I can do is listen carefully to where people are.”

Advance voting in Squamish will be available at Totem Hall on Oct. 12; the Squamish Valley Golf Club on Oct. 13, 15 and 16; and the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky District Electoral Office from Oct. 10 to 13 and Oct. 15 to 16 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

HONOURING CHILI THOM: NEW MURAL CELEBRATES ICONIC ARTIST’S LEGACY

Friend and fellow artist Stan Matwychuk, unveils tribute mural to Chili Thom at Oceanfront Squamish park.

JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

The legacy of Sea to Sky Corridor’s beloved artist Chili Thom lives on.

The renowned creator is a household name to long-time locals and those familiar with the art scene.

He died in November of 2016 at 40. Now, almost eight years since his passing from cancer, his friend and fellow artist Stan Matwychuk has created a mural on the walls of the outdoor washroom at Oceanfront Squamish that was inspired by Thom’s work.

Kristen Gauley, of Matthews West, told The Squamish Chief that as a tribute to Squamish’s industrial heritage, the developer has incorporated The Sound We Want, a 2014 mural by Thom and Matwychuk originally from the demolished PacWest building, into the oceanfront washroom design.

“While many original pieces were unsuitable for reuse, Matwychuk developed a concept to integrate the salvaged sections. With the Thom family’s approval, Stan was commissioned to repaint the mural directly onto the building’s masonry exterior,” Gauley said.

“Chili was a respected figure in the Sea to Sky community, and Matthews West is honoured to help showcase his artwork in Sp’akw’us Feather Park. The Sound We Want serves as a community reminder of what we must protect, with Stan’s contribution adding deeper significance to the project.”

Matwychuk, who has painted more than a dozen murals around town over the years, said he was “flattered” to be asked to take on the project.

Matwychuk called Thom a “creative mentor.”

The pair met in Whistler, when Matwychuk was “really young,” he said.

“This gentleman and a bunch of other artists

in town were kind of making a go of art and creativity and living through that. And it really resonated with me,” he said, noting that it was an interesting time in the resort’s history.

“Everybody was really approachable. There was shoulder seasons where you knew everybody; so it was a little more localized.”

The pair struck up a friendship.

Matwychuk helped Thom out with his decor company, there were art shows and different creative projects.

“I kind of helped out wherever I could,” Matwychuk said, remembering his friend and the group of folks around Thom fondly.

“He was a force ... [I would] just sort of try to absorb any inspiration I could from these guys because they were making it happen.”

Eventually, Thom moved to Squamish.

“He just kept moving. He was late in his career, so he became more of an ambassador.

He was and we were getting involved in boards,” he said, noting that Thom was involved in the Arts Council at the time, as was Matwychuk.

“You involve yourself on a different level, as opposed to just painting and hanging work …

He was a real, community-minded man.”

Matwychuk said the honour of getting to paint the mural also meant the pressure of doing Thom’s memory justice.

“To honour the man and the work within the community,” he said.

“It’s easy to say, ‘I did this,’ but it’s more about him and the idea behind it, and sharing that with everybody.”

The three pieces, or walls of the building, were done in about two weeks.

The paintings, done in acrylic, will last as long as Oceanfront wants them there, Matwychuk said.

Find more of his work on his website, Instagram, or on Facebook, at Stan Matwychuk.

Introduction to Estate Planning

Tuesday, October 29th,10-11:30am

Squamish Adventure Centre Auditorium

Join us foraninsightfulintroductiontoEstatePlanning andthe TaxBenenfits of CharitableGiving, hosted by:

EddieCarter Race &Co

JamesSparling Vocari FinancialServices

Scan theQRcodetolearn more,orvisit: seatoskyhospice.com/events

BritanniaMineMuseumgratefullyacknowledgestheir community sponsors:

PHOTO COURTESY OF STAN MATWYCHUK
Stan Matwychuk’s mural in honour of Chili Thom.

Let’s Talk Budget 2025 Does the District ’s draf t Financial Plan align with your community priorities? What have we missed?

Communit y input is invited online and in person while Council discusses the draft budget.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN RECREATION AND CULTURE

letstalksquamish.ca/budget-2025

Community Climate Ac tion Plan

We are assessing the tree canopy of downtown Squamish to understand coverage and distribution, which will form recommendations for future polic y. We would like to hear your thoughts on the amount of trees and shrubs downtown. Sha re your

Fill out the survey!

letstalksquamish.ca/tree -canopy

Seniors Wellness and Information Fair

10 am–1 pm, Saturday, November 2

Join us at this FREE showcase of resources available to the 55+ community of Squamish where there will be oppor tunities to engage with local suppliers and ve questions answered. Come have some fun - the fair will offer entertainment as well as light refreshments

Bus trip (55yrs+)

Oc tober 22

Pember ton Pumpk in Patch or Whistler Village. Choose your own adventure!

The Goal: Reduce Squamish’s emissions by 45% by 2030

Hatha Yoga (19yrs+)

10–11:15 am, Sundays

This yoga prac tice focuses on yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation. We’re offering a shor t series of classes for a trial period, drop -ins welcome.

Halloween Face -Painting

Workshop (9–12yrs)

12–2 pm, Oc tober 19

Come join us on Saturday, Oc tober 19 at Brennan Park Recreation Centre for a handson introduc tion to fun make -up techniques you can use to create your own special Halloween look .

for details: squamish.ca/rec

We want to hear your ideas for climate ac tion and how we can update our plan to improve how we live, work , and play in Squamish in a sustainable way.

draw

letstalksquamish.ca/ccap-update

Over 4.3 million take- out cups and 1.8 million plastic utensils are thrown away in Squamish each year.

To reduce single -use item waste, the District is considering requiring that food ser vice businesses use only reusable produc ts for dine -in ser vices (excluding por table food vendors).

We are look ing to hear from local businesses to inform the specifics of the regulation and invite you to provide feedback . squamish.ca/single -use

WOODFIBRE LNG HOSTS SELF-DEFENCE SEMINAR

The training aims to improve safety for Indigenous women and youth

BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

ASquamish self-protection seminar has taught invaluable self-defence skills to local Indigenous women, elders and youth.

Run by Krav Maga Force F.I.R.E., the event aimed to provide community members with practical skills for defending themselves in dangerous situations.

The seminar was held on Sept. 28 at Totem Hall as part of an initiative organized by Woodfibre LNG.

PRACTICAL SELF-PROTECTION TECHNIQUES

Led by instructor Jennifer Bajus, the seminar taught participants how to use their bodies to effectively defend themselves in case of an attack. Techniques included targeting the solar plexus and methods to incapacitate an attacker quickly.

“The approach I teach is no-nonsense— understanding your body as a weapon and how to use it effectively to remove yourself from danger,” Bajus said.

“If avoidance isn’t possible and you need to fight back, you’ll know how, but not in a way

INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

Kálkalilh a.k.a. Deanna Lewis from Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) took part in the training, which she said was particularly valuable for Indigenous women who face heightened risks of violence.

In 2023, Statistics Canada released a report showing that Indigenous women and girls were six times more likely to be murdered than other groups of people in Canada.

“We don’t know who’s coming for us, and there’s no age limit to this danger. That’s why this training is so important—it gives us the tools to protect ourselves,” Lewis said.

Not only was it educational, Lewis said the training was also empowering for her family members.

“My 11-year-old daughter took part in the training and loved it,” Lewis said.

‘WOODFIBRE PRIORITIZES GENDER SAFETY INITIATIVES’

Seminar organizers Woodfibre LNG, said in an email to The Squamish Chief that the training is part of its broader commitment to gender safety.

“This training is offered as part of Woodfibre LNG’s programming on gender safety, in alignment with our Gender Safety Advisory Committee. The training sessions help to address safety risks women face in every community, whether at work, at school, or at home,” the company said in an email.

While the project workers reside on a floatel and are restricted by regulation from entering the community of Squamish, Woodfibre LNG pointed out its commitment to safety.

that’s like sport fighting in martial arts studios. It’s about moving quickly and getting to safety, which is always the goal.”

“I always tell people who train with me that they’re with themselves 24-7—no one else can be there all the time. So, it’s about taking back control and helping ourselves,” she said.

Around 15 people attended the session, including a mix of elders, adults and youth.

“She’s already learning kickboxing, but this helped her understand how to stay aware of her surroundings, not just how to fight back. For me as a mother, that’s invaluable.”

The training also covered broader aspects of safety, including recognizing toxic relationships and online safety risks.

“This program wasn’t just about physical self-defence. It helped us understand how to protect ourselves mentally and emotionally, too, which is just as important,” Lewis said.

“The company prioritizes gender safety initiatives on the project and in the community, and funds in-community training such as this that can support a safer future for women in any circumstance where they might face genderbased violence,” the company said.

The training followed a Squamish council meeting on Sept. 25, where residents voiced concerns about the safety of women in the community, particularly with the presence of nearby work camps.

Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER BAJUS
The seminar was held on Sept. 28 at Totem Hall as part of an initiative organized by Woodfibre LNG.

TemporaryUse Permits

No.DTU00065 and DTU00066

Age-Friendly Community

TheDistric tofSquamish is creating an age -friendly community plan!

To help create our plan,weare reaching out to communitymembers of allages—especiallyseniors whoare comfor table sharingtheir experiences. Completeour sur veytoshareyourthoughts! letstalksquamish.ca

BusinessOppor tunities

• StrategicPlanning Software Tool –Request forProposals

• Subdivision and DevelopmentControl BylawUpdate – Request forProposals squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the -district

WatermainFlushing

Dead end flushing, which removesany stagnant water and unwanted build up in the pipes,will continuethroughoutSquamish, until mid-November. During flushing,there maybebrief periods when the waterbecomes cloudy, discolouredorhaveamild chlorine taste, howeverthe waterremains safeto drink. If youexperience this,please flush your taps by running water until clear.

Free Energy Efficienc ySeminar

4–7 pm,November 1atBrennan Park Recreation Centre City Green Solutions,withthe suppor tofthe Distric tofSquamish and FortisBC, arerunningafreeseminar to educate homeowners on reducing energy consumption forspaceheating and wateruse.The seminar aims to teach cost-effectivemeasures such asinsulation options,window enhancements,air sealing methods,and water- efficientfixtures,while also raising awareness about utilitycostsavings and theembodiedcarbon implications of material choices,encouraging low- carbonoptions. squamish.ca/discover-squamish/calendar/list

DevelopmentReview

• Redbridge –Nor th (Phase2)– DevelopmentPermit Amendment

• DisplayHome – Temporar yUse Permit

• Discover ySales Centre – Temporary UsePermit

• 2100 Newpor tRidge – DevelopmentVariance Permit squamish.ca/review

Infrastruc ture

• Annual Watermain Upgrades: Work continues on ThunderbirdRidge squamish.ca/building- our-future

Didyou know afreeFire Permit is required to have a backyardfire? Apply at squamish.ca/fire-permits

NOTICE is herebygiven in accordance with Section494 of the Local Government Actthatthe DistrictofSquamish hasreceived applicationand will be considering issuance of Temporar yUse Permitsasindicated herein. TheDistrict of Squamish will receiverepresentations from persons who believethattheir interest in proper ty is affectedby the proposed temporar yuse(s).

AffectedLands:

38011 Laurelwood Road,Squamish BC

Existing Zoning: Comprehensive DevelopmentZone 40 (CD-40)

Proposed Temporary Use:

To allowfor:

(a) Acommercial real estate sales office (existing Discover yCentre) 308 squaremetresinsizeona por tion of the property; and

(b)construction of displaysuite building 222 squaremetres in sizeonapor tion of the property. Theproposed display suitewill be locatedbetween the existing Discover yCentreand existing park ing lot, bothasshown on the sketchplans below.

Copies of proposed Temporar yUse Permits No.DTU00065 and DTU00066 can be emailed outbyrequests sentto planning@squamish.ca,fromOctober 11, 2024 to October 31, 2024. Thedocuments can also be reviewed on the District’sonline DevelopmentShowcaseat squamish.ca/showcase.Enquiriesregarding the proposed Temporar yUse Permitsmay be made to the Planning Depar tment at 604-815-5002

If youdonot have access to the internet or acomputer,please contact thePlanning Depar tmentat 604-815-5002 and we wouldbehappy to arrange to have the permitsand drawings made available to you.

Public inputwill be considered by the Districtinreview of the application. Persons who believethattheir interest in proper ty is affectedbythe proposed temporar y usepermits maysubmit writtensubmissions to planning@squamish.ca or,in person.Written submissions can be addressedtothe Senior DirectorofCommunity Developmentand will be received up until 4:00 p.m. October 31, 2024. Allsubmissions will form par tofthe public record.

Datedthis 17th dayofOctober,2024 at Squamish, British Columbia

WXWÚ7MESH NATION IMPLEMENTS

FIREWORKS BAN TO ADDRESS SAFETY AND CLIMATE CONCERNS

New bylaw enforces strict penalties starting at $250; yearround ban on sale and use of fireworks.

Fines for using fireworks on reserve begin at $250 per infraction per day.

BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Anew bylaw banning the use, sale, possession, and discharge of fireworks on Sḵ wx wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) reserve lands came into effect on Oct. 7, 2024.

The bylaw, passed by Nexwsxwníw ntm ta Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation council) on Sept. 20, brings the Nation in line with neighbouring municipalities that have already enacted similar bans.

The decision to implement the Sḵ wx wú7mesh Nation Fireworks Ban Bylaw follows ongoing concerns from community members about the safety risks and disruptions caused by fireworks. The ban also

addresses environmental and climate-related issues.

Fines for violations begin at $250 per infraction per day. The Ta na wa Téy wilhay lhem (public safety) Department is actively monitoring the community. Penalties of $250 can be applied for each violation, such as $250 for storage, $250 for promotion, $250 for selling, and $250 for possession, leading to fines of up to $1,000 per day for multiple infractions.

For more information on the fireworks ban, contact the Squamish Nation Public Safety Department at public_safety@squamish.net or 604-982-9959.

Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

PHOTO BY JARED BERG/UNSPLASH
PHOTO
SPOOKY SEASON: The October window display at Pearl’s Value and Vintage.

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The Squamish Chief is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact Editor Jennifer Thuncher at jthuncher@squamishchief.com. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

Reproduction of any material contained in this publication is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the publisher.

EDITORIAL

ON HOUSING

It’s no secret that housing in Squamish is an issue. Whether you’re trying to buy a house, secure a rental, or even just a room in a sharehouse, the market out there is tough.

Even at the recent all-candidates debate on Oct. 2, all three candidates running for the position of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA managed to agree on the fact that housing here needs to be better.

So what do we do about it?

This week, the District of Squamish agreed to spend $2.3-million on a five-year partnership with Housing Squamish to help build more affordable homes. Around 400 homes to be exact, all to be built by 2029.

According to Housing Squamish executive director Sarah Ellis, they recently received more than 200 applications for eight below-market homes in the Highline community including from couples, single-parent families, singles and seniors.

“We hear daily from community members who are living in insecure, unaffordable, or inadequate housing and in deep need, and are deeply aware of the transformative power of secure housing for residents and our community as a whole,” she wrote in a report to council.

So is building 400 affordable homes over the next five years the solution to the housing issue?

The prospective West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA candidates seem to think so. In fact, as BC Conservative party member Yuri Fulmer put it during the debate, the answer is simple: “we need to build more homes.”

BC Greens member Jeremy Valeriote said he believes housing is a “basic human right” so he’s backing his party’s commitment to spend $1.5 billion to build 26,000 units of non-market housing across the province.

And while BC NDP member Jen Ford also echoed the same sentiments, she thinks giving homeowners the option to add gentle density on their singlefamily property could be a solution too.

“They can add a suite, they can add a laneway house, and they can keep it affordable, or they can sell it, or they can rent it. That is a benefit to homeowners,” she said at the debate.

But what about the people trying to stay afloat in the housing crisis now?

Building affordable homes one, two or five years in the future doesn’t bring any solace to the people who are already struggling to pay their rent.

If you move to Squamish and want to rent a room, according to local Squamish Facebook housing groups the average going price is $1500 to $2000 a month, per person. Even more if you’re a couple, and more again if you have a pet. And to buy a singlefamily house, you’re looking at an average of $1,570,000.

So while building affordable homes is great in theory, perhaps there is an avenue worth exploring for the people currently trying to survive it.

MLA STURDY: FULMER STANDS OUT IN WEST VAN-SEA TO SKY

of Pemberton. That’s a long time in public service and the public eye, and its past time for me to concentrate on my family and to build a future for our farm business so it can survive generational change in what I am experiencing as a deteriorating business environment.

Over the last months I have been frequently asked for my thoughts on the upcoming provincial election and the available options in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. So for those of you that haven’t had the chance to ask me personally, for better or worse I will share my thoughts.

I think it’s first worth mentioning that I am politically homeless and feel abandoned by the leadership of what was the BC Liberal Party. The new leadership spent far too much time catering to a vocal fringe who refused to understand a BC Liberal was not a Federal Liberal and as such wasted precious resources and political capital in a fantasy brand swap that is most notable for its futility. While BC Liberals by no means got everything right, we did accomplish much and left office with a healthy provincial balance sheet, a plan for the future and a long list of successful capital projects like the Port Mann Bridge, the Canada Line and of course the Sea to Sky Highway upgrade, our local game changer. But what is past is past, the free enterprise coalition of federal Libs and Cons is no more and my “red tory” sympathies will eventually need to find another home.

I have lived much of my life in this extraordinary riding, had kids, built a business here, served as your MLA since 2013, and before that, three terms as Mayor

So when Saturday comes and it’s time to cast my ballot, the implications are potentially profound. Housing, affordability, transportation and taxation are all critical issues affecting my ability to accomplish what I must for my family, my staff and my business. Given that I don’t have a political horse in this race, I have the opportunity to cast my ballot not along party lines, but for the candidate that I feel brings the most to the table for the region.

I do know and respect the abilities of all the candidates and if I was to provide a little tongue-incheek advice to all it may well be, “careful what you wish for.”

That said, I have read everyone’s literature, listened to their appeals, watched the debates and came away with the distinct impression that two candidates were good, and one candidate was exceptional.

Yuri Fulmer is far and away the best choice for the Sea to Sky for this next term, whether in government or opposition. Yuri has extensive experience and sophistication as an ethical, thoughtful, innovative owner and operator of British Columbian businesses. He has demonstrated a deep love for this province and country. He has been one of the province’s most significant philanthropists, an advocate for the

VOTERS: Continued on 13

GUEST COLUMN MLA JORDAN STURDY

Ha7lh skwálwen cht kwis emút cht iy sts’its’áp’ cht iy kw’shétsut cht na7 tkwa temíxw tl’a Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw

(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)

VOTERS: Continued from 12

environment and Indigenous reconciliation, and a compassionate and respected businessman.

I knew of Yuri and his quality reputation, but as we know, not everyone can easily make the transition to political life. However, when I saw him debate in Whistler it was obvious to me that he was fluent in the local, provincial, and national issues as a result of his work and life

experiences. He has reasoned, intelligent, strategic positions on the issues and has clearly thought through the consequences of his views. His opponents, on the other hand, seemed to be parroting talking points off the party script with little appreciation of the impacts of these ideologies.

We cannot afford another four years of increasing costs, growing bureaucracy and lack of delivery. It’s important that we have visionary economic leadership that thinks

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

COUNCIL AND FORTISBC

Our District council continues to try to frustrate the approved LNG project, this time by refusing to grant a TUP for a proposed FortisBC work camp which would house approximately 575 workers. FortisBC now will have to go to the housing market to meet its needs which means 575 rental units grabbed up very quickly. The inventory available to individuals and families dramatically reduced, and what’s left no doubt more expensive. ForitisBC can well afford to pay whatever is necessary to meet their needs. What about everyone else?

Does our council have an answer for this? Al Rutherford , Squamish

ABOUT SGH ONCOLOGY

It would be difficult to envision an oncology unit at any hospital as more competent or empathetic toward its patients than we have right here in Squamish.

LETTERS POLICY

Add to that the supporting laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, ultrasound, and trauma facilities, and our hospital is indeed a gem for cancer patients.

The most immediate limitation at present appears to be understaffing; note the recent limits on lab services over the holiday weekend.

A typical visit of outpatients to oncology includes consultations with non-oncologist physicians well versed in oncology treatments either in advance of an appointment or during a visit for assessments of reaction to medications, progress of treatment plans, and general health of patients.

These doctors serve as intermediaries between the oncologists who prescribe and the nurses who administer.

The nurses are the heart of the unit, and it would be hard to overstate the care with which they observe protocols in administering medications and, as well, for the morale-boosting manner in which they interact with those under their care.

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to the future, and in that, Yuri stands out. He has built businesses and improved opportunities for British Columbians, he also sees the bigger picture and the need for a plan for this province to rebuild its lost prosperity. I am confident that he can make an outstanding contribution and is exactly the sort of person we need in public office.

I am pleased to recommend his candidacy and hope you will join me in supporting him.

MOST READ STORY

Squamish downhill race will see World Cup athletes up against local riders

It is a small unit for which there can be waiting periods for admission as a patient.

Perhaps, in part, because of its size, patients and nurses develop a bond that adds a measure of comfort. However, my sense is that the present culture is embedded and would extend to a larger unit should that evolve. I would be remiss if I failed to also note the kindness of volunteers who regularly stop in to offer refreshments.

I am not a pitchman for the foundations and other agencies that provide funding for meeting the hospital’s financial needs. Yet, it should be obvious to all residents of Squamish that we are rapidly outgrowing the capacity of our hospital to meet our needs. My understanding is that there are expansion plans in play that may depend on further fundraising. You will see throughout the hospital corridors placards describing facilities that donations at varying levels would provide.

John Hughes, Squamish

The Squamish Chief welcomes letters to the editor of up to 400 words. Letters should be exclusive to this publication and are meant to respond to a local story in The Squamish Chief or raise an issue happening in town. Please include your name, neighbourhood and daytime phone number. The deadline is 5 p.m. Monday to be considered for Thursday’s edition. Full names and neighbourhood will be published with the letter. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and edit letters for length and clarity or to address legal concerns. Email letters to: editor@squamishchief.com.

TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK

This week, reporter Indigo Lemay-Conway shared what to do if your dog ingests a poisonous mushroom while on a hike. Check out other videos on our channel @ squamishchief.

PHOTOS BY MARK TEASDALE
WHAT A NIGHT: The northern lights pictured above Squamish on Oct. 10.

THEWINNING PROGRESSIVE VOTE

Resultsfromthe last election (2020)

This elec tion,votewithyourheadand your hear t. Vote forwhatyou want.VoteBC Greens.Let ’s make histor yinWestVan -Sea to Sk y!

Jeremy Valeriote

SALMON RETURN TO SEA TO SKY STREAMS, OFFERING A FRONT-ROW SEAT TO NATURE’S WONDER

Pacific Salmon Foundation’s interactive map helps residents discover top spots to watch the annual journey of B.C.’s iconic fish

BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Hundreds of salmon are making their way back to local rivers and streams, offering residents of the Sea to Sky and North Shore a chance to witness one of nature’s most remarkable migrations.

The Pacific Salmon Foundation’s (PSF) new Salmon Spotting map now makes it easier to find the best viewing spots in the area. This interactive tool highlights spots where you can witness the salmon’s migration as they return to their birthplace to spawn.

Salmon have already been seen at the Capilano Hatchery and in several local streams.

The annual migration, which runs from late summer to early winter, sees salmon leave the ocean, travel upstream, and return to the waters where they were born to reproduce and complete their life cycle.

PSF’s Salmon Spotting map features over 90 family-friendly viewing locations across the Sea to Sky, Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, and other regions of B.C. These areas have marked trails and public

viewing spots, making it easy to observe salmon in the wild.

When heading out to watch salmon migration, it’s important to protect the fish and their habitat–

•Stay out of the streams, as salmon nests (redds) are in the streambeds, and stepping into the water can crush their eggs.

•Dress for the weather and bring polarized sunglasses to better spot the fish.

•If you’re bringing a dog, keep it on a leash and away from the water, or leave it at home to avoid disturbing the salmon.

•Approach quietly—salmon can see you, and

throwing rocks or sticks into the water can disrupt them.

To support salmon conservation, consider volunteering with local streamkeepers.

“Pacific salmon overcome so many obstacles on their epic migration from ocean to stream,” said Michael Meneer, PSF president and CEO, said in a news release. “Getting out to local creeks and streams to see salmon return home is a chance to celebrate this iconic natural event and be part of protecting one of British Columbia’s keystone species.”

Here are some top spots to see salmon in the Sea to Sky and the North Shore:

• Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery (Squamish)

• Mamquam Spawning Channel (Squamish)

• Capilano Hatchery (North Vancouver)

• Maplewood Farm, Seymour River Heritage Park (North Vancouver)

• Bridgeman Park, Lynn Creek (North Vancouver)

• Mosquito Creek Park (North Vancouver)

Mid-October to early November is an ideal time to see coho, chum, and pink salmon returning to local streams. With recent rains raising water levels, PSF urges people to be careful around rivers and creeks.

Here are some salmon migration fun facts from PSF:

• Pacific salmon are anadromous, meaning they live in the ocean but return to freshwater to spawn. They can travel more than 3,000 kilometres to reach their natal streams—a distance comparable to driving halfway across Canada.

• They navigate back to their birthplaces using pheromones and their keen sense of smell, which allows them to detect chemicals in the water at concentrations as low as one part per million.

• Salmon can leap up to two metres to overcome obstacles in rivers, a feat comparable to Olympic high jumpers.

• Female salmon build gravel nests called redds in the stream bed where they lay their eggs. Depending on the species, a female may lay anywhere from 1,500 to 7,000 eggs.

• B.C.’s watersheds support five species of Pacific salmon: sockeye, pink, Chinook, coho, and chum, which spawn in more than 400 genetically distinct populations. Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

Dr.Marie-ChristineLacasse graduated from LavalUniversity,Faculty of Dentistry, in 2014 and extendedher studiesatMcGill University by completing ageneral practiceresidency. She is staying at the forefront of dental technologies andtechniquesbyconsistently exceeding therequirements for continuous educationand advanced training.Dr. Lacasseisdedicated to providing exceptional care to the localcommunity and the dental needs of our patients. Herdedicationatworkand passionfor patientcareand well-beingmakeher avaluableadditiontoour team.

PHOTO BY BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE Coho salmon fry at Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery.

PermissiveTax ExemptionPublicNotice

PermissiveTax Exemptions allowthe District of Squamish to support voluntar y, non-profit organizationsbyexempting land, improvements or both,fromtaxation,under section224 of the CommunityChar ter.

BylawNo. 3108, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter. 2025 2026 2027 1481323BCLtd.

Lot1BlockQDL4261New Westminster Distric tPlan VAP11984 BCAGroup 1. PID008-976-503. Heldby1481323 BC Ltd1098 Wilson Cres.(AssessedunderRoll No.5000054108000).

BylawNo. 3109, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter. 2025 2026 2027 TheNatureTrust of BC

Block DDistric tLot 486New Westminster Distric tBCA Group1SROWLMP53541. PID025-392-204. Held by Natures Trust of BC (AssessedunderRollNo. 5000503005000).

BylawNo. 3110, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BritishColumbia

(a) Lot1,Block6,Plan4566,Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-678. OwnedbyFederationMountain Clubs

BC1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040951001).

(b)Lot 2, Block 6, Plan 4566,Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-708. OwnedbyFederationMountain Clubs

BC1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040952000).

(c) Lot3,Block 6, Plan 4566,Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-716. OwnedbyFederationMountain Clubs

BC1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040953000).

(d) Lot4,Block 6, Plan 4566,Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-741. OwnedbyFederationMountain Clubs

BC1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040954000.

(e)Lot 5, Block 6, Plan 4566,Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-767. OwnedbyFederationMountain Clubs

BC1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040955000).

(f )Lot 6, Block 6, Plan 4566,Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-783. OwnedbyFederationMountain Clubs

BC1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040956000).

(g)Lot 7, Block 6, Plan 4566,Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-813. OwnedbyFederationMountain Clubs

BC1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040957000).

(h) Lot8,Block 6, Plan 4566,Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-821. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040958000).

(i)Lot 9, Block 6, Plan 4566,Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-830. OwnedbyFederationMountain Clubs

BC1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040959000).

(j)Lot 10, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-864. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040960000).

PermissiveTax ExemptionPublicNotice

BylawNo. 3110, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter.

Federation of Mountain Clubs of BritishColumbia

(k) Lot11, Block 6, Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-929. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040961000).

(l)Lot 12, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-937. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040962000).

(m)Lot 13, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-945. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040963000).

(n) Lot14, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-703-970. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040964000).

(o)Lot 15, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-011. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040965000).

(p)Lot 16, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-054. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040966000).

(q) Lot17, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-089. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040967000).

(r)Lot 18, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-127. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040968000).

(s)Lot 19, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-160. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040969000).

(t)Lot 20, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-186. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040970000).

(u)Lot 21, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-232. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040971000).

(v) Lot22, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-259. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040972000).

(w)Lot 23, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-291. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040973000).

(x) Lot24, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-330. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040974000).

(y) Lot25, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-348. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs

BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040975000).

(z) Lot26, Block6,Plan 4566, Distric tLot 1957. PID 007-704-372. OwnedbyFederationMountainClubs BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessedunder Roll No.4000040976000).

(aa)Block 8, Plan 4566, District Lot1957, 17328R forElec trical PowerTransmission purposes, 17634R PID 010-343-563. Owned by FederationMountainClubs BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessed under Roll No.7700041025000).

(ab)Block 9, Plan 4566, District Lot1957, 17328R forElec trical PowerTransmission purposes. PID 010-343-580. Owned by FederationMountainClubs BC 1986, PO Box19673, Vancouver,BCV5T 4E7. (Assessed underRoll No.7700041036000).

PermissiveTax ExemptionPublicNotice

BylawNo. 3111, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter. 2025 2026 2027

Provincial Rental HousingCorp.

(a) Lot4,Block 4, Distric tLot 486, Plan EPS4384, Group1,New Westminster LandDistric t. PID030-266-319. Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.201-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384004)

(b)Lot 5, Block4,Distric tLot 486, Plan EPS4384, Group1,New Westminster LandDistric t. PID030-266-327. Held by Provincial Rental HousingCorp. 202-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384005).

(c)Lot 6, Block 4, District Lot486, Plan EPS4384, Group1,New Westminster LandDistric t. PID030-266-335. Held by Provincial Rental HousingCorp. 203-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384006).

(d)Lot 7, Block 4, Distric tLot 486, Plan EPS4384, Group1,New Westminster LandDistric t. PID030-266-343. Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.204-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384007).

(e)Lot 8, Block4,Distric tLot 486, Plan EPS4384, Group1,New Westminster LandDistric t. PID030-266-351. Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.205-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384008)

(f )Lot 9, Block 4, District Lot486, Plan EPS4384, Group1,New Westminster LandDistric t. PID030-266-360.

Held by ProvincialRentalHousingCorp. 206-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384009)

(g)Lot 10, Block 4, District Lot486, Plan EPS4384, Group 1, New Westminster Land District.PID 030-266-378.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.207-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384010).

(h)Lot 11, Block 4, Distric tLot 486, Plan EPS4384, Group 1, New Westminster Land District.PID 030-266-386.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.208-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384011).

(i)Lot 12, Block 4, District Lot486, Plan EPS4384, Group 1, New Westminster Land District.PID 030-266-394. Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.301-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384012).

(j)Lot 13, Block 4, Distric tLot 486, Plan EPS4384, Group 1, New Westminster Land District.PID 030-266-408.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.302-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384013)

(k)Lot 14, Block 4, District Lot486, Plan EPS4384, Group 1, New Westminster Land District.PID 030-266-416.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.303-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384014)

(l)Lot 15, Block 4, Distric tLot 486, Plan EPS4384, Group 1, New Westminster Land District.PID 030-266-424.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.304- 38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384015).

(m) Lot16, Block 4, District Lot486, Plan EPS4384, Group 1, New Westminster Land District.PID 030-266-432. Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.305-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384016).

(n)Lot 17, Block 4, Distric tLot 486, Plan EPS4384, Group 1, New Westminster Land District.PID 030-266-441.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.306-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384017)

(o)Lot 18, Block 4, Distric tLot 486, Plan EPS4384, Group 1, New Westminster Land District.PID 030-266-459.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.307-38020 Four th Ave(Assessedunder Roll No.5000504384018)

(p)Lot 2Sec tion3 Township 50,Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-231.

HeldbyProvincial Rental Housing Corp.101-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175002)

(q)Lot 3Sec tion3 Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-240.

HeldbyProvincial Rental Housing Corp.102-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175003).

(r)Lot 4Sec tion3 Township 50,Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-258.

HeldbyProvincial Rental Housing Corp.103-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175004).

(s)Lot 5Sec tion3 Township 50,Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-266.

HeldbyProvincial Rental Housing Corp.104-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175005)

(t)Lot 6Sec tion3 Township 50,Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-282.

HeldbyProvincial Rental Housing Corp.105-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175006)

PermissiveTax ExemptionPublicNotice

BylawNo. 3111, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter. 2025 2026 2027 Provincial Rental HousingCorp.

(u) Lot7Sec tion3 Township 50,Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-29. Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.301-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175007)

(v)Lot 8Sec tion3 Township 50,Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-304.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.302-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175008).

(w)Lot 9Sec tion 3Township 50,Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-312.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.303-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175009).

(x)Lot 10 Section 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-321.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.304-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175010).

(y)Lot 11 Section 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-339.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.305-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175011)

(z)Lot 12 Section 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-347.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.401-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175012)

(aa) Lot13Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-355.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.402-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175013).

(ab) Lot14Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-363.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.403-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175014).

(ac) Lot15Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-371.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.404-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175015).

(ad) Lot16Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-380.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.405-39842 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175016)

(ae) Lot37Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-606.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.105-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175037)

(af) Lot38Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-614.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.104-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175038).

(ag)

Lot39Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-622.

Held by

(ah)

(ai)

(aj)

Corp.103-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175039).

Lot40Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-631.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.102-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175040) $987

Lot41Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-649.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.101-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175041)

Lot42Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-657.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.305-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175042)

(ak) Lot43Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-665.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.304-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175043).

(al) Lot44Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-673.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.303-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175044).

(am) Lot45Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-681.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.302-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175045)

(an) Lot46Sec tion 3Township 50,PlanEPS175, New Westminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-690.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.301-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175046)

BylawNo. 3111, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter. 2025

Provincial Rental HousingCorp.

(ao)Lot 47 Section 3Township 50, Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-703.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.405-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175047)

(ap) Lot48Sec tion 3Township 50, Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-711.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.404-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175048).

(aq) Lot49Sec tion 3Township 50, Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-738.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.403-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175049).

(ar) Lot50Sec tion 3Township 50, Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-746.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.402-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175050).

(as) Lot51Sec tion 3Township 50, Plan EPS175, NewWestminster Land Distric t. PID 028-397-754.

Held by Provincial Rental Housing Corp.401-39850 Government Rd (Assessedunder Roll No.4000500175051)

BylawNo. 3112, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter.

SeatoSky Montessori Society

LotC,Sec tion 2, Township 50, Plan LMP13031 Part N½ of SW ¼BCA Group1 PT,New Westminster Distric t. Held by Distric tofSquamish,Sea to Sk yMontessoriSociety(Roll No.4000067944002)

taxes imposedifnot exempt.

BylawNo. 3113, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter. 2025 SquamishValleyGolfClub

(a) Block CSec tion 1Township50New Westminster Distric tPlanVAP12475 Part NW ¼BCA Group 1. Leased From Distric tofSquamish to Squamish Valley Golf &Country Club. 2458 Mamquam Road (Assessedunder Roll No.4000067676000) $84

(b)Lot DTownship50New Westminster Distric tPlanVAP12475 BCAGroup 1Except Plan BCP30206 ExcPlans: SROW PL 15402 as Hwy/pt dedicatedRdBCP30206 NW ¼ofSEC 1&ofNE¼ofSEC 2. PID008-886-211. LeasedtoSquamish Valley Golf and Countr yClub and held by Distric tofSquamish. 2458Mamquam Road (Assessedunder Roll No.4000067681000).

$26,135

Total $26,219

PermissiveTax ExemptionPublicNotice

BylawNo. 3115, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter. 2025 2026 2027

SquamishChamber of Commerce and Tourism Squamish Society

(a) LotADL4261 New WestminsterDistric tPlanVAP12786 Group1(SeeBW510918) PTNof 38551 Loggers Lane Temporar yO fficeHeld by Distric tofSquamish, Tourism Squamish Society, Squamish Chamberof Commerce (Assessedunder Roll No 4000054857006).

(b)Lot ADL4261 NewWestminsterDistric tPlan VAP12786 Group1(SeeBW510918) PTN of 38551 LoggersLane– VisitorCentreand Retail Services Held by Distric tofSquamish, Tourism Squamish Society (Assessedunder Roll No 4000054857007).

BylawNo. 3116, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of

Provincial Rental HousingCorp.

LotA,Plan EPP81010, Distric tLot 486, Group1,New Westminster Land Distric t. PID030-673-526. Squamish Helping HandsSociety– ProvincialRentalHousing Corp. Held by Distric tofSquamish.(AssessedunderRoll No.5000001321005).

BylawNo. 3118, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter. 2025 2026 2027 SquamishSikhSociety

Lot1,Block 14, Distric tLot 486, NewWestminster Distric t, Plan VAP15013, BCAGroup 1, Squamish Sik hSociety PID 007-711-328. (AssessedunderRoll No.5000000865000).

BylawNo. 3119, 2024

Abylawexemptingproper ties fromtaxation.Authorized by Section224 of theCommunity Char ter. 2025 2026 2027 SquamishHelping Hands Society

LotB,Plan VAP3960,Distric tLot 486, Group1,New Westminster LandDistric t, PTN–For Permitted Use–Continuous emergenc yshelteraccommodation incl,daytimedrop-in program, 37930 Second Avenue. Leased to Squamish Helping Hands Societyheld by District of Squamish.(Assessed under Roll No.5000000932001).

Total

$21,481 Estimatedpropertyvalue taxes imposedifnot exempt.

S

WXWÚ7MESH NATION ARTIST ANTHONY JOSEPH LEADS DRUM-MAKING WORKSHOP AT CAPILANO UNIVERSITY

Anthony Joseph teaches drum making, a deeply rooted cultural practice, to new generations

BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Sḵ wx wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) artist SiytaK’elten aka Anthony Gabriel Joseph is set to lead a drummaking workshop at Capilano University.

For over 20 years Joseph has been creating and teaching the art of drum making and on Oct. 15 and Nov. 12 will provide participants the opportunity to make their own traditional drums while learning about their significance.

A FAMILY TRADITION OF ARTISTRY AND DRUM-MAKING

Joseph, who grew up surrounded by the artistic traditions of his family, says that the cultural environment of the Nation has heavily influenced his approach to his work.

“It’s more about the people around me. In our Nation, we have over 2,000 artists now,” Joseph told The Squamish Chief.

He credits his father for inspiring his journey into the arts and the strong bond that was forged through learning from him.

Lots of my brothers are spiritual dancers, and they use drums when they sing and do their spiritual work.
ANTHONY GABRIEL JOSEPH

going to Vancouver, buying kits, making drums, and selling them. Now, I have lots in galleries, and I send them all over the world,” he said.

When asked about the personal meaning drums hold for him, Joseph spoke about the importance of maintaining a clear mind while creating them.

“Our grandmother always told us to put aside all negative thoughts when making drums. Many people pray with drums, so it’s important to approach it with a clear mind,” he said.

TRADITION MEETS CRAFTSMANSHIP

“It made us really close. Like any [child], you love your parents, and he was an inspiration to all of us doing our artwork. We looked up to him,” Joseph said.

For eight years, Joseph shared his artistry through teaching workshops with Vancouver Child and Family Services.

He believes his experience teaching drummaking courses for the Yúustway—Squamish Nation Health and Wellness department was how he got his name “out there”.

He continues to pass on his knowledge through workshops, art shows, and projects.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF DRUMS IN COAST SALISH TRADITIONS

According to Indigenous Tourism BC, “drums can be used at the beginning of an important meeting to pray for good work or at the end of an event to pray for safe travels home for attendants.”

For Joseph, he believes that drum-making has deep cultural importance in the Coast Salish community.

“It’s a tradition for us. We use the drums in our longhouse,” he said.

Drums can also be used for spiritual work including ceremonial singing and dancing.

“Lots of my brothers are spiritual dancers, and they use drums when they sing and do their spiritual work,” Joseph said.

As for how he got into the art of drum making, Joseph credits his sister-in-law, Amelia Joseph.

“She taught me when I was younger, and I kept

Participants in Joseph’s workshop will learn about the traditional process of creating drums, including the use of deer hide.

“When you get the hide, you have to soak it, then string it. Older people have their own ways, but I use the traditional method,” Joseph said. He cautioned against the use of synthetic materials, which can cause the drum to break over time.

“With deer hide, once it dries, it stays stable and doesn’t tighten up,” he said.

While he still creates drums, he has expanded into other mediums, including original paintings and prints.

Joseph has also created a welcome figure for the North Vancouver School District. “I’ve started doing more panels and prints, and I’ve worked on some big projects,” he said.

ADVICE FOR FUTURE INDIGENOUS ARTISTS

For younger Indigenous artists looking to follow in his footsteps, Joseph’s advice is to “cherish what they do and stay in school.”

“It’s not really a job you can always rely on; it’s more like a hobby at first. But if you keep at it, like I have, you can make a good living from it,” he said.

The drum-making workshop at Capilano University is part of the university’s Squamish Family Learning Program, which also includes family literacy circles and board game gatherings to encourage community engagement.

Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

THE POOP TROOP: LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS TACKLE PET WASTE

Discover how The Poop Troop, a new startup by Alex Welsh-Piedrahita and Fiona Ferguson, is addressing pet waste management with a pick-up service

JENNIFER THUNCHER

Locals Alex Welsh-Piedrahita and Fiona Ferguson are willing to get into the—er— poop for their jobs.

In fact, it is right in their new company’s name. The pair are co-owners of The Poop Troop Pet Waste Management Inc., or The Poop Troop Inc. for short.

Ferguson, a former dog walker and pet care professional, told The Squamish Chief their business, which launched Oct. 1, specializes in picking up Fido droppings.

They offer pick-up services for homes, apartments, strata buildings, commercial buildings, and local parks.

The idea for the business was sparked when Ferguson saw a company offering the service when she lived in Victoria. She thought it was a good idea, told Welsh-Piedrahita, and it became a running joke of a business they might start, until it became a more serious discussion as an option in Squamish.

“All of a sudden, I was looking for a change, and he looked at me, and I at him, and we thought, OK, it’s not a joke anymore. Is it like ... this is happening?”

So far, the business is made up of just the co-owners, as they get their footing.

“There’s a lot of dog-friendly businesses in town. There are a lot of parks that see a lot of dog traffic. So, you know, anywhere that we can help, we’re looking to help,” she said, noting they have different service options.

“We remove all the waste, so whether that’s us coming in and doing the scooping and then taking the waste away in sealed buckets, or we

also do a bucket service, which is more of a DIY option,” she said.

With that option, folks scoop their own waste into the sealed bucket that the company provides, and then they swap those out with sanitized buckets every week.

“So that you can keep that out of your household waste and just avoid some of that smell and mess,” Ferguson said.

Regardless of the service, Ferguson said it is clear it is needed in town, noting that she had recently stepped in some doggy-doo on a field.

Ferguson, who is originally from Canmore, Alta. and Welsh-Piedrahita, moved to town about 18 months ago.

“Alex’s partner is my best friend, so I’m under

a contractual obligation to never live more than 20 kilometres away from her,” Ferguson joked.

“The community is amazing, especially for a town that’s growing; I find people are still really welcoming, which [is] lovely,” she said.

While the waste is currently taken to the landfill, the company is actively looking for ways to divert from it.

“It’ll depend as well on the total volume of waste that we can collect, but yeah, we are pretty invested in trying to see what kind of options are out there for decreasing the impact,” she said.

“Pet waste does have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions. It does create methane when it breaks down in the landfill, so that’s something that we’re interested in exploring.”

Having dog waste around the yard, field, or business is a health hazard.

The Canadian Public Health Association notes many human diseases are transmitted by

dog feces, including bacteria like E.coli, and parasites like tapeworms and roundworms.

The Poop Troop has all the necessary equipment to do the deed, and they are ready to go, says Ferguson.

“We’re here, we’re ready, and there is no mess too big for us. ... We’re not here to judge, we’re not here to ask any questions about why there might be a mess. You know, we’re just here to help.”

Prices vary, depending on the service, but currently, they are charging $20 per week, billed monthly, for yard waste pick up for one dog. Find out more on The Poop Troop Pet Waste Management Inc website.

‘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.

Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land

Take notice that the District of Squamish from Squamish, BC has applied to the Ministry of Forests (FOR), Surrey, for a Statutory Right of Way for the purpose of institutional/public works for a pedestrian active transportation bridge covering unsurveyed Crown land over the Mamquam Blind Channel

The Lands File Number for this application is 2412857 Comments on this application may be submitted in two ways:

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

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

Comments will be received by the Ministry of Forests until November 16, 2024

Comments received after this date may not be considered.

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE POOP TROOP PET WASTE MANAGEMENT INC. Alex Welsh-Piedrahita and Fiona Ferguson.
PHOTO BY AAFREEN ARORA
QUACK!: A local duck.

NATIVE PLANTS REINTRODUCED AT VALLEYCLIFFE ELEMENTARY EVENT

More than 35 volunteers help restore native plants and maintain school grounds

BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Over 35 parents, students, and staff gathered last weekend for Valleycliffe Elementary’s annual Outdoor Classroom Stewardship Day, an event aimed at maintaining and enhancing the school’s outdoor learning space.

Raakel Toppila, parent advisory council (PAC) co-chair, who has been involved with the school for two years, played a key role in organizing the event.

“When I joined the PAC, I was looking for a role that aligned with my passion for outdoor education and getting children outside more often,” said Toppila.

“We organize two stewardship events each year—one in the spring and one in the fall. We tend to the gardens and the outdoor classroom space, doing tasks like planting, removing invasive species, mulching, weeding, and trimming. It’s all about taking care of this amazing resource the school already has.”

The stewardship day is a tradition at Valleycliffe, continuing the efforts of a previous parent who initiated the seasonal clean-up events before moving out of the province.

“It’s actually a continuation of what a previous parent started,” Toppila said. “She used to organize these events in the spring and fall, and I picked up where she left off.”

This year, the event had additional significance, with funding secured for the introduction of new plants.

“Sarah McJannet, a planner with the District of Squamish, applied for a grant on behalf of the school to obtain plants for both the new daycare area and the outdoor classroom,” said Toppila.

“Linda Peterson, one of the teachers, acquired the native plants from North Vancouver. Planting those species was a big focus of our activities this time.”

VALLEYCLIFFE GETS ITS HANDS DIRTY

Reintroducing native plants, Toppila noted, is crucial for multiple reasons. “Our focus is on increasing biodiversity in the outdoor classroom, which is important given the environmental destruction we see around us. We’re trying to enhance the habitat, provide food for birds, and support pollinators like bees and insects.”

The reintroduction of native plants is part of an effort to restore biodiversity in the area. Many plants that were once common in Squamish, like Western redcedar, salal, and sword fern, have been lost due to colonization and land clearing.

Ethnobotanist Nancy Turner noted in a

2003 study that these plants “were integral not only to the environment but to the cultural practices of Indigenous peoples” in British Columbia, and their loss has had a lasting impact on the region’s biodiversity.

PLANTING ROOTS, GROWING MINDS

The event is not just about beautification, but also education, according to Toppila.

“Many people, including students, aren’t familiar with the native plants in the area. We plan to label the plants so that people who visit the outdoor classroom can learn more—like recognizing a beaked hazelnut or a black hawthorn,” she said.

Interpretive signs already in place help educate visitors on the traditional uses of these plants by Indigenous communities, deepening the connection between nature and cultural heritage.

For Toppila, the biggest highlight of the day was seeing the growing participation from the school community. “We had over 35 participants this year, maybe even more. It shows that the school community really values this space and wants to take care of it,” she said.

“That, for me, was the most exciting part— seeing that it’s a collective effort by the whole school community.”

The atmosphere, according to Toppila, was positive and welcoming. “Everyone was happy working together, with lots of conversations happening. It was also a great opportunity for

people to get to know each other, especially for new parents who just joined the school community this year.”

BRANCHING OUT: SCHOOL’S NEED FOR A NEW SHELTER

Now, the school dreams of building a shelter for the outdoor space.

“One of our goals right now is to build a shelter in the outdoor classroom,” she said. “We want to create a space where students can gather outdoors even in rainy or very hot weather, so that outdoor education can continue year-round. We’ve already fundraised over $60,000, but shelters are expensive, and many other schools already have them. We are one of the last, I think.”

Toppila’s message for the community was simple.

“I just want to encourage people to get outside more and enjoy nature. Take notice of your surroundings and appreciate the beauty that’s all around us.”

For more information on how to support Valleycliffe Elementary’s outdoor classroom initiatives, visit their Facebook group ‘Valleycliffe Elementary Outdoor Classroom Shelter’.

Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

Breaking News

PHOTO COURTESY OF RAAKEL TOPPILA This year, the event had additional significance, with funding secured for the introduction of new plants.

LOCAL OLYMPIAN ADDED TO ‘HALL OF HEROES’

Darren

Gardner has been participating in the RBC Race for the Kids for four years

ALYSSA NOEL anoel@squamishchief.com

Squamish Olympian Darren Gardner was one of seven people honoured with a spot in the RBC Race for the Kids’ Hall of Heroes recently.

Gardner, who competed in snowboarding at the 2018 Winter Games, has taken part in four of the race events, which raise money for children’s charities, including the BC Children’s Hospital.

“RBC has given me this platform to give back in the community and it’s something that’s super important to me,” Gardner said. “The B.C. Children’s Hospital, there’s nothing more important than helping kids.”

At the most recent race in June, he helped organize warmups, hand out awards, sign autographs and take pictures.

“This year, we got some of the families [who have had kids at the BC Children’s Hospital] to do the warmups with us,” he added. “That’s pretty fun and rewarding for me.”

The Hall of Heroes induction, meanwhile, belongs to everyone who helps with the event, he said.

“I’m super honoured, of course. It’s the whole team around this event that makes it special. I hope they’re getting more credit than

I am,” he said with a laugh. Both live and virtual races happen in cities around the world every year, each benefitting

local children’s charities or hospitals. In 10 years, the event has raised $100 million, a milestone that prompted RBC to create the Hall of Heroes.

“From creative fundraisers to behind-thescenes planners to Olympian volunteers, these seven individuals share an incredible passion and have had a lasting impact on the success of RBC Race for the Kids across the globe,” said Andrea Barrack, of RBC, in a release. “The RBC Race for the Kids Hall of Heroes is our way of putting the spotlight on these inspirational leaders, showcasing the stories of those who have helped us achieve $100 million in fundraising to support youth charities worldwide.”

On top of giving back as an Olympian, Gardner is also in the process of becoming a fire fighter.

“I’m working for Vancouver fire—but in a recruitment class. I have four more weeks of that nine-week program,” he said. “I’m loving it so far. That has its rewards, too.”

And, of course, there’s the upcoming winter—and snowy mountains to look forward to.

“Garibaldi has snow on it. It’s always an exciting time,” he added. “I’m constantly looking at the webcams for Whistler.”

To see the full list of Hall of Heroes recipients, visit rbcraceforthekids.com/heroes.

Olympian Darren Gardner participating in the RBC Race for the Kids earlier this year.

DOWNHILL RACE WILL SEE WORLD CUP ATHLETES UP AGAINST LOCAL RIDERS

The OneUp Downhill SORCA Cinco will see Squamish local Jackson Goldstein return to the track after a year of injuries

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

iLemayConway@squamishchief.com

We all know Squamish is known for its biking community, and after a decade or so, downhill racing is finally making its return.

The OneUp Downhill SORCA Cinco will see some of the best riders in the world go up against up-and-coming local athletes.

Hosted by OneUp Components and the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA), the event on Oct. 20 will also allow for a world-class downhill mountain bike race track to be built in our very own backyard.

“Squamish probably has more World Cup downhill racers living here than any other town in Canada for sure, and possibly in the whole world; and yet, there is no downhill race here,” OneUp marketing director Quinn Lanzon told The Squamish Chief.

“There hasn’t been a downhill race in Squamish for at least a decade and there’s also no formal race track for local riders to train on. So they go to the bike park or to Mount Prevost on Vancouver Island.

“One of the side effects of this event will be that we’ll have a downhill track that’s built to the standards for international racing with what is called a ‘B zone,’” added Lanzon.

What this means is while Squamish has trails that downhill riders use, they aren’t up to international standards. But after organizers are finished with the prep work, the 19th Hole trail that connects to Free the Speedos on Diamond Head will have a three-metre safety area on either side of the track, similar to that on the World Cup race series.

“It’s really about putting in that infrastructure and giving this town really something that it needs in both the form of the event and the track,” Lanzon said.

The race will also act as a community fundraiser in the hopes to muster up some funds for SORCA.

“A big thing about the event itself that differentiates it from other downhill races is it’s a community event, and it’s a fundraiser. If we get the event filled and we have 170 to 200 riders, we raise $10,000 for SORCA,” Lanzon said.

“That’s money that goes right back into maintaining the trails, putting on events, organizing fundraisers and all that kind of community building stuff that we really value and want to invest in.”

Riders will start at the top of 19th Hole and will be given individual times to start their

run. From there it’s simple—the fastest time down wins.

The race is split into categories: open men’s and women’s—a pro-category for people of all ages; junior men and women age 13 to 16; and a veteran men’s and women’s category for riders aged 35 and up.

The event is also set to bring some big names to the competition, including World Cup winner and Squamish local Jackson Goldstone.

“We have a lot of the fastest riders in the world who live here in town that have already confirmed that they’re going to be racing. Jackson Goldstone, who was a World Cup winner last year, is possibly the best mountain biker in the world right now,” Lanzon said.

“It will be his return to racing after a year of injury with a knee injury so it’ll be his first race back and for his local downhill fundraiser. Then the Jewett brothers, Dane and Jake, are both incredibly fast local riders and they’re going to be racing as well as Miranda Miller, who is just a real pillar of the downhill mountain bike community and former world champion.”

Lanzon hopes that the race will allow for more downhill competition opportunities to eventuate in the future.

“Even just having two or three downhill races on the schedule in Squamish per year would just be a huge win, and I think, a valuable addition to the mountain bike calendar here,” he said.

One of the side effects of this event will be that we’ll have a downhill track that’s built to the standards for international racing with what is called a ‘B zone’.

The race is held on Oct. 20 with riders beginning their runs at 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Riders must be SORCA members to participate and full-face helmets and back protection are mandatory.

Please Contact the SPCA for more details! Visit our website: spca.bc.ca

Snoop &Mar tha Twoadventurous rabbits in care for almost ayear waiting fortheir home. Theirfavorite pastimeisfood, food, and more food. Both will come running when you callthem, andtheyknow the sound of the treat bag and areexper ts with food puzzles. True to theirnames, Snoop is mellowand Mar thaisa bit more set in her ways, but both are social and ver yenter taining.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ONEUP Jackson Goldstone will return to racing at the OneUp Downhill SORCA Cinco.

Campbell, Marie Lee Anne

January 20, 1941 -October 3, 2024

Marie Lee Anne Campbell, beloved mother of sons David (Andrea), Daniel (Sharokena &Riley), Sandy (I-Ki &Caleb), and Luke (Jean, Brendan &Larissa), and many other relatives and friends. Marie was born and raisedinStrathclair, Manitoba. After completing high school, she left Strathclair to attend the University of Manitoba at the age of 17. After graduation, she moved to the West Coast, finally settling in Squamish in the 1970s. Marie raised her family in Squamish and was apart of many community groups and organizations.She was afounding member of the former Howe Sound Women’s Centre, now called Pearlspace, and was involved with Friends of the Library, among others. She was communityminded and always ready to help support family, friends, and neighbours along with many other community organizations. Marie was loved by her family and friends and will be dearly missed by them all.

ACelebration of Life for Marie will be held at adate to be determined in Squamish. Marie’s interment will be at the Bend Cemetery in Strathclair.

In remembrance of Marie’s life and love, the family asks that donations be made to Pearlspace (Formerly the Howe Sound Women’s Centre). pearlspace.ca/donate

Look at ourweekLy caLendar!

Douglas Fred Chevalier

September 2, 1959 –October 6, 2024

26th Annual General Meeting Wednesday,October 30, 2024 6:30 pm –9:00 pm at Brackendale Art Galler y All are welcome! www.squamishwatershed.com

Dou gl as Fr ed Ch ev ali er,6 5, of Squamish, BC passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family Dougwas born on September2,1959, in Windsor, Ontario, to Gerald (2002) and Bernice(2023)Chevalier. He will be deepl ym is sed by his daughter, Shavone Chevalier and by his family and friendsfromcoasttocoast. Doug will be fondly remembered forhis unique laugh, free spirit and zest forlife. Since moving back to British Columbia, he found anew love forrocks and lapidary He enjoye db eing in th em ou nt ains, natureand camping. Doug wasaone of akind human andareal “Gem.”Dougwas atrue legend and his memory will live on forall thathad the honourofknowingand loving him. ACelebrat ion of Lifew ill be hel do nThursday, October 17,2 024, atthe Chieftain.

ghs, 4 - 7pm a Plea

ase come and celebrate,sharesome storiesand laug in memory of an outstanding man!

Tues November 19,2024 6pm

In-person meeting PearlSpace 380213rd Ave, Squamish

Pleaseemail kclarke@squamishfoundation.com to register

ASeasonofGiving

Aheartfelt initiativededicatedtofostering community spirit andsuppor ting local non-profits Shinesomelight on howyou provideassistance andlet people knowthatyou graciously acceptdonations and gifts forthose in need this holidayseason.

$350 Digital Adver tising (5 Weeks) &LogoinPrint (3 Editions)

BookingDeadline: Monday, October28th

604-892-9161

ads@squamishchief.com

•Near

•Proactive

•Pet

Be bold enough

Remove water

Bear’s extremity

41. Brunch or lunch

42. Aladdin’s helper 44. Elf

46 Like some streets: hyph.

50 “____ by Myself”

52. Oh, woe!

55. Body of knowledge

56 Spotted playing cube

57 Piece of linoleum

58. “____ Under the Sun”

59. Unmatched

60. Listen to

61 Pass out cards DOWN

1. Nonexploding fireworks

2. On a cruise

3. Coral ridge 4. Chore trip

5. Mr Karloff

6. “Long, Long ____”

7. Under the weather

8. Rude stare

9. Dolphin’s kin

10. Fruit drink

11. Elope

19. Silky fabric

21 Tire filler 23. “____-Told Tales” 24. Itch 26. Rip

Abilities 28. Fraud 29 Charter 30. Bombarded 32. Encore! 35 Hairpiece 38. Nightmare street of film

40 Removed the skin from 43. Pried 45. Trail

47 Intertwined

48 Operatic highlight

49 Cheer

50. Hoopla

51. Jar top

53 Deceive

54. Bubbly beverage

HOROS

ARIES March 21-April 19

Travel and communication may become complicated this week There may be delayed responses to messages or getting lost on the road. Despite disruptions, practice patience

TAURUS April 20-May 20

Working overtime is in the cards this week, which may affect your family relationships. However, the extra pay will help you pay off debt, making up for the sacrifices.

GEMINI May 21-June 20

Starting a new job or taking on a significant project could initially seem confusing. Take the time to discuss and understand the situation to find balance in this new venture.

CANCER June 21-July 22

After an intense period at work, take a well-deserved rest Going on a getaway alone, with friends or as a couple, will rejuvenate your energy and bring back your smile and vitality.

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

You’ll experience a sudden surge in popularity. Follow your intuition, and your creativity will shine through You may even find success with creating a work of art. Your community could use your help

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Although you manage your time well, you may face delays in certain situations You must fine-tune your patience, as some people will test you this week.

LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22

As the weather gets cooler, the idea of a warm holiday may come to mind. If you work hard, you can make this dream come true and explore some tempting travel offers.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

As an artist, you may soon be able to earn a living from your art. Significant changes will steer you toward new opportunities. A project will strengthen your romantic relationship

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21

You must maintain an active social life to maintain good relationships with your friends Moving to a new house may cross your mind, offering a breath of fresh air and a more welcoming space for you and your family.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

Although you may spend more time than expected on a specific project, your perseverance will pay off You’ll feel the satisfaction of a job well done when you finish something you’ve been putting off

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb 18

Buying new clothes and accessories could boost your self-esteem and help you match your image to your new professional duties Personal confidence is the key to success.

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

You may feel like doing a major clean-up. You can purify your environment and clear your mind by eliminating unnecessary things. This deep cleaning could also brighten up your life

HOW TO PLAY:

Parish of St. John the Divine, Squamish Holy Communion and Morning Worship Sundays at 10:00 AM Rev Cameron Gutjahr 1930 Diamond Road 604-898-5100 www.squamishanglicanchurch.ca info@squamishanglicanchurch.ca

Worship Ser vice Sundays 10am on our website and Facebook Live 2262ReadCres. 604-898-3737 www.squamishbaptistchurch.org Exalting Jesus, Equipping His Followers, Engaging the World

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