‘There’s a black and white bear running around Squamish,’ painter says of bear that broke into his vehicle for a Greek salad
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Squamish’s Marcus Prokopiak got a “once in a lifetime” surprise early Tuesday morning when he went out to his Honda Pilot, which was in his carport.
A black bear with a “perplexed” look on his face was staring back at him from the front passenger seat
“I’ll never forget his face,” said Prokopiak.
After taking a moment to consider his options, Prokopiak, owner of Perfect Painters, opened the door
The medium-sized bear bolted
“He flew out of there,” Prokopiak recalled
“There’s a black and white bear running around Squamish,” he said
“It was like a movie,” he added, referencing the John Candy film The Great Outdoors, where the star
BEAR: Continued on 2
PHOTO BY INDIGO-LEMAY CONWAY/ THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
CARBON ENGINEERING GETTING $5 MILLION FROM FEDS
Funding to help B.C. cleantech companies advance technology for carbon sequestration, biofuels
NELSON BENNETT BIV
Natural Resources Canada is funding five B.C. cleantech companies and projects to the tune of $12.5 million, including $5 million for Carbon Engineering’s direct air carbon capture technology and close to $1 million for a biofuel project at the Parkland refinery in Burnaby.
The funding comes from NRCan’s energy innovation program.
Carbon Engineering is the largest recipient of the funding. The company, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY), which bought the Squamish-based company last year for $1.5 billion, pioneered direct air capture – a
BEAR: Continued from 1
has encounters with a bear, with it trying to get into the car.
The bruin, it turns out, had likely gotten into the vehicle for a Greek salad on the front seat—which it ate—and then must have tried to get out, bouncing around the vehicle a bit and right into a tray of white paint.
Given the bear was wet from the rain, the inside of the vehicle was “white-washed,” Prokopiak said with a laugh.
The bear, too, had white paint on its fur. He recalls hearing his three dogs barking a little before he went out to his vehicle, so he thinks the bear may have been in it for about 10 minutes.
While there is damage to the vehicle, to be sure—his sunroof doesn’t work, and there is other scratching damage—Prokopiak has been able to clean and patch it up and can drive it
process for removing CO2 from the atmosphere and turning it into a solid. The captured CO2 can be used as feedstock to make low-carbon fuels, such as jet fuel, or for enhanced oil recovery.
Because CO2 in the atmosphere is so diffuse —making up just 0.04 per cent of the atmosphere—direct air capture necessarily requires sucking a lot of air through absorption filters, which is highly energy intensive. And if the electricity used to power it comes from coal or natural gas power, it can defeat the whole purpose of carbon capture.
The funding from NRCan will be used by Carbon Engineering to develop alternative energy sources to power DAC.
“DAC systems tend to be very energy
intensive, and in order to make the kind of contributions that the potential is there to fighting climate change, you can’t be using fossil fuels to actually provide the energy for the air separation,” Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told BIV News “This is about them looking at a range of different options for alternative energy solutions and trialing them as part of ensuring the overall economics can actually work.”
Another carbon sequestering technology company receiving NRCan funding is Arca Climate Technologies, which developed a mineral activation process for sequestering CO2 in mine tailings.
Certain types of rock naturally absorb CO2 through mineralization But it’s a very slow
The vehicle has since been cleaned since the bear incident
Prokopiak isn’t complaining.
The damage looked worse at first blush, he said.
Originally from New York, the Dentville resident, who has lived in Squamish for about
20 years, waited until his U.S. relatives were together celebrating their Thanksgiving to call and tell them about the incident
They got a kick out of the very Canadian tale, he said
process. Arca’s technology speeds that natural process up, with mine sites being ideal for the process, since they have an abundance of crushed rock on site
Parkland Corp (TSX:PKI) will receive $980,500 for its biofuel processing Parkland uses feedstocks such as canola oil and oil derived from animal fats and to make biofuels, which are blended with diesel to make biodiesel to reduce its carbon intensity.
Calculating just how much CO2 is avoided through blending biofuels with fossil fuels can be a challenge, however. The funding it will get from NRCan is intended to improve the validation process.
FEDS: Continued on 7
CLEAN UP, ROLL UP, LOCK UP
This story is a good reminder that black bears are typically most active from March to December but can be out and about all year long in Squamish (some may not hibernate if they find non-natural food sources, according to WildSafeBC) and will do what they can to access food, even if it is just a little Greek salad left on a car seat. Here are some tips from bearwise.org.
• Clean out your vehicle when you get out of it. Don’t leave pet food, bird seed, snacks, trash, chewing gum, candy, scented air fresheners, sunscreen, lip balm, hand lotion or anything else with an odour inside, even for a few hours. Or sitting in the truck bed.
• Avoid scented air fresheners
• Lock your doors and roll up and lock your windows, even if you’re just parked in your driveway
PHOTOS BY MARK PROKOPIAK
GOT NEWS?
Email your news tip or story idea to: jthuncher@squamishchief.com iLemayConway@squamishchief.com bchatterjee@squamishchief.com anoel@squamishchief.com
CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY IS VITAL IN TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE, SAYS SFU PROF
Learn about the role of carbon capture technology—like at Carbon Engineering—in combating climate change and the possible future of this ‘essential’ innovation
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Carbon capture technology, like what is being developed at Squamish’s Carbon Engineering, is critical in the fight against the forces of climate change, according to a Simon Fraser University professor.
“It’s essential because we are in such uncharted territory when it comes to climate change, with all of the effects that we’re seeing with these severe weather events, it is incontrovertible that this is happening because of these high [carbon dioxide] levels in our atmosphere,” said Sami Khan, assistant professor at the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering, at SFU, who has toured his students around the Carbon Engineering (CE) Innovation Centre (Squamish is the home of CE’s Direct Air Capture research and development and demonstration plant.)
Khan teaches both undergraduate and graduate carbon capture engineering courses
CARBON CAPTURE BASICS
While carbon capture has been around for a while—according to the Environmental Law Institute, carbon dioxide capture technology has been used since the 1920s to separate marketable gases from the rest—why it is useful may still be unfamiliar to many.
Khan asks his students to think about the processes at play when cooking at home.
“Cooking indoors is the process that releases toxic gasses So we have a kitchen vent that can safely capture all of it and reduce the amount of those toxic gasses in the household,” he said, adding that while household plants also help
clean the air, they aren’t enough.
“Let’s say this vent stops working, then toxic smoke is going to build up in the household The carbon monoxide alarm is going to start running. So then we have to open the doors and hope that all of this escapes out. So all of this is an analogy for carbon capture.”
Human behaviour has been contributing to significant emissions and carbon dioxide, which is toxic, clogging our “house” with toxins.
“So now cleaning that up is an important technological challenge of our generation,” he said.
Carbon capture is one way to do that
“We also have to clean up where it is persisting, and that’s where direct air capture comes so removing CO2 both from the atmosphere, but also directly from the sources
where CO2 is being released, is a nutshell of carbon capture.”
Carbon Engineering spokesperson Cameron Lust notes that major scientific assessments— including those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—conclude that billions of tonnes of carbon removal will be needed to limit warming and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
DIRECT AIR CAPTURE
“Direct Air Capture is a technology that captures carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, directly from the air. When paired with safe, secure storage (DAC+S), it enables a highly scalable, measurable, and verifiable form of carbon removal,” Lust said
“DAC is a different but complementary solution to point-source carbon capture that can help hard-to-abate industries—like aviation address their residual emissions from any place by decoupling the point of capture from the source of emission. For industries like aviation, we believe DAC+S offers a practical and cost-effective solution today for organizations advancing decarbonization goals with measurable, verifiable solutions.”
In other words, Direct Air Capture extracts CO2 from the atmosphere at any location, while carbon capture is generally done at the point where emissions are made, like at an industrial plant.
“The CO2 can be permanently stored in deep geological formations or used for a variety of applications,” reads the International Energy Agency website on carbon capture technologies WHY NOT JUST GO CLEANER?
With carbon capture associated with scrubbing carbon from the atmosphere created by power plants, natural gas processing facilities and other industrial processes, wouldn’t it be better to just switch to cleaner processes?
Khan says even that wouldn’t be enough at this point.
“If today, everything was running on clean energy, we still have the problem that the CO2 levels in the atmosphere are too high. There are pre-industrial emission levels, which are commonly said to have been 280 parts per million (ppm). Currently, we’re way over that at [419.3 ppm as of 2023], and we know that that’s causing these effects of climate change So that’s CO2 that is now in the atmosphere It has to be
CAPTURE: Continued on 5
FILE PHOTO BY BRIAN AIKENS
The Carbon Engineering plant on the Squamish oceanfront
JEREMY VALERIOTE REFLECTS ON HIS JOURNEY TO BECOMING WEST VANCOUVER-SEA TO SKY MLA
What about his two big promises of regional transit and kiboshing Woodfibre LNG?
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Now that the dust has settled on the dramatic provincial election that saw the BC NDP win a slim majority, with 47 seats, the Conservative Party take 44, and the BC Green Party take two impactful seats, The Squamish Chief caught up with our newly minted West Vancouver-Sea to Sky Member of the Legislative Assembly, Jeremy Valeriote (rhymes with chariot).
At final tally, Valeriote won with 38% of the vote (10,438 votes); Yuri Fulmer of the Conservatives won close to 36% (9,762), and the NDP’s Jen Ford snagged 26% (7,212).
What follows is a version of our conversation with Valeriote that has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: You are in Victoria now; do you get an apartment, or how does it work with you working at the legislature now?
A: I am just staying in a hotel nearby for the time being, and then I’ll figure out a longer-term plan probably sometime in the new year By my count, MLAs are here 18 weeks a year, four days a week, with probably some extra days. So, I don’t really feel great about tying up a rental space for that amount of time Plus, my parents live here, and I’ve got some other close family here, not that I’ll stay with them, but it can always work in a pinch.
Q: What was your swearing-in ceremony like on Nov. 12?
A: I really had a lot of supporters, from the Sea to Sky, who wanted to attend, so I threw open the invitation, and I was surprised by how many came over—about 40 people A bunch of family, my wife and daughters. It’s one of the advantages of being a small caucus—there are
only two of us being sworn in, so we could basically fill the place.
It was a bit like a wedding where you feel like it’s an out-of-body experience, not really fully in the moment. But it was pretty moving, just having everybody on the floor of the chamber, which is pretty unusual, and just being able to see all those people who had helped me get there was moving. We had a nice meal afterwards, and we went out and did some karaoke with a few of the die-hard supporters
Q: What is it like starting at the legislature? Is it a bit like the first day of high school trying to figure out where everything is?
A: I’d spent a total of about 10 days here over the last four years, getting my head around the role, getting to know the staff, and working with Sonia [Furstenau] and Adam Olsen, so I knew my way around the building to some degree, although I still haven’t figured out where the bike room or the showers are, for bringing my bike.
For the first time ever, they ran an MLA School, which was a two-day orientation session, which was really good In the past, it’s been done by caucus And I think it’s partly Sonia’s effort to get everybody on the same
MLA: Continued on 6
PHOTO COURTESY OF BC GREEN CAUCUS West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jeremy Valeriote during his swearing-in ceremony
Continued from 3
removed, and it has to go somewhere where it’s all going to re-emerge and cause the same effects again. And that is why I say [carbon capture] is critical.”
BUT OIL AND GAS ARE FUNDING IT
The fact that big oil and gas companies are investing heavily in this technology doesn’t mean that investment isn’t useful, Khan suggests.
“The interest from different groups, including oil and gas, the momentum that it’s providing is essentially advancement of carbon capture, where it can become cost-effective, it can be safer, and then [we can] really target the big problem,” he said
“What I tell students is all momentum, all awareness, all interest in carbon capture is good interest. It’s taking it in the right direction,” he said
And while some may argue investing in carbon capture is a way for Big Oil to continue to expand, Khan points to government policy as the solution to that concern.
“This is where policy comes in, right? Good policy frameworks. You can control the development of new oil and gas while ensuring that carbon capture is really meeting the intended needs that it has set out to do.”
The cost of Direct Air Capture is still something that needs to be overcome
“It’s a fair concern because there’s energy that’s needed to run at a space that’s needed, but you know, engineers have come to the rescue
many times for our generations. And this is also what we teach here at SFU Sustainable Energy Engineering,” he said.
“There is an optimization problem here, which can be solved in the next 10 years or even faster, where costs start to go down These systems are powered by renewable energy systems And by these systems, I mean carbon capture systems, so that sweet middle ground where it’s operating without causing more environmental issues, while being effective in terms of costs—it’s there on the horizon.”
Khan stresses that carbon capture technologies aren’t working in competition with other clean tech options.
“It’s complementary to clean energy systems but working in parallel.”
WHAT ABOUT CO2 STORAGE?
Khan said there is a misunderstanding about the storage of carbon dioxide in terms of the safety of pumping it to be stored underground.
“There are studies that if the facilities are designed in areas where geological risks are considered and the safe, long-term storage possible,” he said
FUTURE ADVANCEMENTS
Khan sees two areas of advancement that are next for carbon capture technology. The first area is research and development. There are new materials and ways to make the process faster and reduce the energy needed.
Though already fairly evolved, another advancement he sees coming is in capturing the CO2 at the source
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“There’s room there for innovation [there],” he said, noting that recently, in his graduate carbon capture class, students looked at how they could capture CO2 from a bioenergy plant using some of the wood that was damaged by the wood beetle
“It’s a great source of energy, but also, you don’t want to put the CO2 in the atmosphere, so this is where you can deploy some of the existing technologies to make it more efficient.”
Asked what ideally he would like to see in 10 years, Khan said widespread use of carbon capture technology deployed at the sources— factories or plants of products we currently don’t have great replacements for.
“The fossil fuel-driven energy systems to power these sectors,” he explained. “Our society still needs steel. We need concrete These basic needs are going to be necessary for decades ahead. So that’s where targeted deployed carbon capture, right at these facilities, right at the point where the CO2 is being emitted, and capturing it and converting it or storing it is going to be very important, and it’s already growing.”
He noted that the carbon dioxide that is captured in the process, doesn’t have to go to waste.
It can be used and converted into products that could be polymers or fuels, but that is not all.
There are also carbon-neutral processes for its use.
One of his students recently designed a way to convert captured CO2 into urea, a fertilizer that works well for corn, grasses, or soil that is deficient in nitrogen
POLITICAL IMPACT?
Asked if technologies like carbon capture may be less focused on given the global swing toward more right-wing governments, who may not prioritize environmental protection, Khan said the science is clear to all.
“Irrespective of the political spectrum and viewpoints, the science is clear. Climate change is being caused by greenhouse gasses, and reducing those levels is key to preserving a sustainable future.”
Khan’s next carbon capture courses will be offered in the summer of 2025.
THE LATEST ON CARBON ENGINEERING
Carbon Engineering, which currently employs 185 people, about 65% of whom live in Squamish, has purchased another local property in the Business Park
Lust said as soon as that deal was done, the company began progressing through the design work for the planned facility
“We continue to work closely with the District of Squamish on the project and will be able to share more information as we progress through engineering,” she said.
Meanwhile, in regards to the company’s planned direct air capture facility in the Permian Basin, in Texas, construction for that first facility to use the company’s technology—named STRATOS—is nearing completion, with commercial operations slated to begin in mid-2025, according to Lust
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NEWS BRIEF
IHIT SEARCH IN JODI HENRICKSON CASE
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) recently performed a search on Bowen Island related to the case of Jodi Henrickson, a Squamish girl who went missing on the island in 2009
The search was sparked after IHIT was contacted by a documentary crew working on a film called Finding Jodi, which focuses on Henrickson and her disappearance.
The crew, led by filmmaker Jenni Baynham, had been on Bowen performing their own search for evidence related to the case and reached out when they believed they’d found potential evidence. IHIT investigators came to Bowen over the weekend and conducted a search of the area that had been flagged by the crew.
“Since IHIT took conduct of this investigation in 2010, we have been working diligently to pursue every investigational avenue available,” said IHIT media relations officer Cpl. Sukhi Dhesi in response to questions about the search
“IHIT remains committed to finding out what happened to Jodi and we urge anyone with information about her disappearance to please contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca,” added Dhesi.
Foul play has been suspected in the June 2009 disappearance of Henrickson, who was 17 at the time She attended a house party on Bowen the night of June 19 after arriving from Squamish, and was last seen in the early morning hours of June 20.
MLA: Continued from 4
page and have the clerk’s office give people a rundown rather than it being one caucus at a time
That felt a little bit like the first day of high school—you’re getting to know people from all over the province That was great. It is good for building some collegiality and, hopefully, some collaboration.
Q: Now that you have had time to reflect, what are your thoughts on the results of the election provincially?
A: I think B.C. voters essentially said we’re not really comfortable giving anybody a big majority, and the Sea to Sky went a different way, which I’m really happy about. Obviously, we didn’t elect as many Greens as we were hoping to, and our leader Sonia Furstenau went down. That’s partly because of that binary choice that the media and the other parties offered people—“They’re really bad, so you should vote for us.”
It’s definitely very polarized and very deadlocked and the results show that I think it shows that voters want parties to work together
Q: Many, including the media, said during your campaign that a Green couldn’t have much power as the party wouldn’t hold government, but here we are, and the Greens do hold sway What can you tell us about the negotiations with the NDP?
A: Not much, just that they’re ongoing.
Nothing has been ruled out. We’ve got a pretty open discussion happening about what’s possible that we could achieve working together, and that’s going to take a little while to work our way through. Both parties are open to a range of different solutions and are really focused on delivering for people What can we do that will give people some relief, show some progress, and actually get the province to where it needs to be? We heard a lot of things aren’t working. The health-care system isn’t working. The cost of living is through the roof, and people are generally feeling insecure Getting to work on those things will be a first priority.
Q: Two of the big things you campaigned on were moving to cancel permits for Woodfibre LNG and getting the corridor regional transit. What’s your perspective now on those two promises?
A: There’s a lot of work to do on regional transit, but I think all the signals are in the right direction. It was in the NDP platform It was in our platform And nobody’s disputing that it is desperately needed and long overdue. I think that’s looking really optimistic to finally move that into implementation And Woodfibre LNG, we’ll have to wait to see. I can’t say one way or the other on that at this point.
Q: Do you think Sonia Furstenau will stick it out as leader past six months or so, given she doesn’t have a seat and you and Botterell do?
A: We would like her to. Probably some taking stock, once we’re in the role, is probably what’s going to happen. I hope that she’ll stay on, but obviously not my decision. We’re certainly benefiting from her guidance and experience and support and we’ll need that for a long time She spent seven years here, and I’ve now spent about seven days, so a lot to learn.
Q: Given there are only two of you, it’s a natural question to ask: would you want to take on the leadership role?
A: I’m not even thinking about that right now. I’m thinking about being a good MLA and getting some of the priorities of the Sea to Sky implemented. There’s too steep a learning curve to even think about another role.
Q: What else would you like folks in the Sea to Sky to know?
A: I am just really grateful for all the support that I got. It is not easy fundraising and getting volunteers in this climate. And yet, people really stepped up They saw the potential of electing a Green MLA and doing something different. It was going out on a limb for Sea to Sky voters to try something new when the narrative was that a Green wouldn’t be able to get anything done, which proved to be misleading People really took a chance, and I really appreciate that trust. We want to honour that and give people comfort that they didn’t go out on a limb for no reason and that it will have a lasting impact. I won’t let people down.
It was a night of celebration at the 23rd annual Squamish Chief Reader’s Choice Awards, on Nov. 27 at Free Bird See the whole gallery of photos on squamishchief.com.
FEDS: Continued from 2
“A lot of the work is actually being able to track the biogenic carbon and really to be able to validate the carbon intensities of fuels that are co-processed,” Wilkinson said “So it’s going to give them the ability to be more precise with respect to the carbon intensity of the fuels they’re producing.”
Two of the projects receiving funding are related to reducing the carbon intensities of pulp and paper making
Highbury Energy is receiving $710,000 for a project aimed at replacing natural gas used at the Cariboo Pulp and Paper Mill in Quesnel with renewable fuel gas. Highbury’s dual fluidized bed steam gasifier process extracts hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane from waste
woody biomass to produce low-carbon gas.
The University of BC is getting $1.5 million to develop a process for removing CO2 produced in pulp and paper mills using biproducts produced in the pulp and paper making process.
BC Biocarbon, based in McBride, B.C., is getting $2.5 million to advance a process of turning municipal waste into biocoal for the
cement industry. When biocoal is used to replace fossil fuels in the cement making process, it is considered carbon neutral.
“The reason why we’re providing these funds is this is actually building the economy of the future,” Wilkinson said “B.C has been a cleantech leader for many years. This is actually about continuing to grow that sector and create good jobs.”
PHOTOS BY OISIN MCHUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
SHAPETHE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN ANDTOURISM-BASEDPARKING
TheDistrictisdeveloping aplan for Downtown and tourism-based parking management. We areseeking insights from the public to help shapeour plan to ensureitwill meet the needs of our community.
Find thesurvey, parking data and background information at LetsTalkSquamish.ca/parking-management.
Your input will influencethe District’sdraft Parking ManagementPlan.
We inviteyou to shareyourlived experiences through our community survey to help us understand the various parking needs and challenges
Thesurveyincludes questions specific to:
•Downtownresidents
•Downtownbusiness owners
•Employees of Downtown businesses
•Residents of SeaAndSky
•The broader communityand neighbouring areas
WHAT’SHAPPENING IN RECREATION AND CULTURE
HolidayCamps
Nowavailable forregistration!
Various days andcamps to choose from.
Bus Trip (55yrs+)
BurnabyVillage Museum / Heritage Christmas December 18
8 am,Tuesday, December 10
Know beforeyou go! squamish.ca/pool
Eagle Presentation
Winter ProgramGuide 2025 is nowavailable onlinefor viewing. Registration opens on Tuesday, December 10, at 8am.
Please note: the winter gymnastics session has aseparateregistration window!Program detailswill be online starting December 12 with registration opening on December 17 at 8 AM
Mark your calendar and stay updatedbyvisiting squamish. ca/rec forthe latest information leading up to these registration dates!
ember 14, The55ActivityCentre
terested in learning moreabout BaldEaglesand their habitatin Squamish?
JoinusonSaturday, December 14, atThe 55 ActivityCentrefrom 12to3:30 PM foranengaging session in partnership with the SeatoSky Eagle Awareness Program.
Discover everything youwanttoknowabout these incredible birds as Dr.Judith Knapp and Wolfgang Pauli sharefascinating facts about the bald eagles thatwinterinSquamish. Spaceislimit,soregisternow at squamish.ca/rec
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for details: squamish.ca/rec
Notice of Council ProcedureBylawupdate
PursuanttoSection 124(3) of the CommunityCharter, noticeisherebygiven thatDistrictofSquamish Council will be considering adoption of DistrictofSquamish ProcedureBylaw3032, 2024atthe December 17, 2024 Regular Business Meeting at 6 PM.Ifadopted,this bylaw will repeal District of Squamish ProcedureBylaw2099, 2009.
Thepurpose of aCouncil ProcedureBylawistoestablish expectations in relation to process,procedureand conductatCouncil and AdvisoryBody meetings. Key proposed changes include,but arenot limited to,the following:
Simplified and modernized language
Alignmentoflanguage with the CommunityCharterand LocalGovernment Act
•Expanded definitions.
•New section for“NoticeofMotion”.
•Re-sequencing of Regular Business Meeting agenda items.
•Updatedprocess forElectronic Participation and Electronic Council Meetings
•Include new contenttoprovide clarity regarding conductatmeetings.
Theproposed bylawand accompanying staffreportare available on the District website: squamish.ca. Copies of the proposed bylaware available at MunicipalHall during regular business hours (Mondaythru Friday, 8:30 AM -4:30 PM).
Written comments received beforeDecember 17, 2024 at 3 PM.will be forwarded to Council fortheir consideration in advanceofthe meeting
For moreinformation, please contactMelissa von Bloedau,CorporateOfficer:
By email: Corporateofficer@squamish.ca or by phone: 604.815.5023
This is the first of twonotices datedthis 5thday of December,2024 at Squamish, British Columbia.
UBER AIMS TO EXPAND HERE: LOOKING TO HIRE LOCAL DRIVERS
Company plans expansion into B.C. in early 2025, offering $500 incentives for new drivers; Squamish Taxi concerned for local business
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Uber, the global ride-hailing company, is looking to expand its ridesharing platform across B.C., including into Squamish, in the new year
An Uber media release on Friday, Nov. 15, said in preparation for the move, it is looking to hire local drivers.
The company is offering a $500 incentive for eligible drivers who complete their profile and take 10 trips within the first four weeks of the 2025 launch.
For those interested in driving, they can go to uber.com/drive to learn more.
Drivers for Uber are independent contractors.
The release quotes a recent survey by Public First (and paid for by Uber Canada) that says 81% of Canadian riders say safety is an important reason why they choose to ride with Uber, and 77% say options like Uber help reduce impaired driving.
“British Columbians and visitors alike are constantly opening the app to try and find a ride just like they can in most cities across the country. It’s time that residents across the province have the same access to rideshare as they do in Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna to help get them where they need to go when they need to,” said Michael van Hemmen, general manager of mobility for Uber Canada, in the release.
“And for those with a safe driving record, a flexible opportunity to earn money on their own time. While the app will be available across the entire province, rides will only be available where drivers actively sign up and go online to do trips.”
In May 2023, Uber received approval from B.C.’s Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) for a licence transfer from Richmond-based ReRyde
to operate across the province. Uber launched in Victoria and Kelowna in June 2023.
SQUAMISH TAXI CONCERNED
Channi Sodhi, owner of Squamish Taxi, said it is sad to see big companies moving in and potentially displacing local businesses
He noted that all of the 15 drivers who work for Squamish Taxi live in Squamish Sodhi lives in Squamish, raising his family here
If companies like Uber come in, that threatens companies like his, he said
He also noted that while taxi companies are very regulated, ride-hailing companies don’t have the same restrictions For example, he said, an Uber driver can pick up a customer anywhere, whereas taxis have regions. So, if a Squamish taxi driver is in Vancouver, dropping off someone, he or she can’t then take local trips in that city.
“The governments are not being very fair to the taxi industry,” he said.
He also said that if there is an issue with a trip
or a driver, there is someone local to address it immediately, whereas, with Uber, you are dealing with a large corporation without a headquarters here
“We’ll see. We will continue providing the service to our community, and then, as was my goal was since day one, community always comes first, and we will do whatever we could to keep the service alive,” he said
UBER MORE COSTLY, LESS SUSTAINABLE?
Flo Devellennes CEO and co-founder, of Poparide, a carpooling platform said that his company is a travel solution that “fills empty seats in cars already on the road, allowing drivers to offset their gas when driving from A to B. Uber, on the other hand, provides an on-demand, for-profit, taxi-like service with an incentive to generate as much revenue as possible per trip,” he said.
Poparide was founded in 2015 and boasted one million members as of this past summer Drivers for the service are not permitted to profit from the rides they offer, with the service.
“On the Sea to Sky, and because Poparide drivers are sharing costs with passengers, a Poparide trip only costs an average of $11 for a distance of 64 km,” Devellennes added, arguing
Baha’i Faith
that Uber, on the other hand, currently charges a minimum of $90 from Vancouver to Squamish “And so, we expect the price to be the same for a trip from Squamish to Vancouver when they launch in 2025 For this reason, we don’t believe that Uber will become a cost-effective solution for the community in Squamish, nor will it be a sustainable one, since it will be adding extra vehicles on the Sea to Sky highway, which is already struggling with congestion during rush hour and on weekends.”
DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH
Asked about Uber’s move to the region, a District of Squamish spokesperson was generally positive about the move.
“Increased access to ride-sharing vehicles helps to provide an affordable and convenient alternative to personal vehicle ownership,” said muni spokesperson Rachel Boguski.
“Since 2020, the District has been part of an Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL) with Region 1 municipalities (Whistler-Lower Mainland), which includes 32 municipalities
“An IMBL is a business licence that allows ride-hailing operators to operate in participating municipalities with the purchase of one licence. All IMBL licence applications go through the City of Vancouver.”
SQUAMISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY
ThePromise of WorldPeace
Whether peaceistobereached only after unimaginablehorrors precipitated by humanity’sstubborn clinging to old patterns of behaviour or is to be embraced now by anactofconsultative will, is the choice before all who inhabit the earth. At this criticaljuncture when the intractable problems confronting nations have been fused into onecommon concernfor the whole world, failuretostem the tideofconflict and disorder would be unconscionably irresponsible.
Acandid acknowledgement that prejudice, war and exploitation have been the expression of immaturestages in avasthistorical process and that the human race is today experiencing the unavoidabletumultwhich marks its collective comingofage is not areason for despair but aprerequisite to undertaking the stupendous enterprise of building apeaceful world.
Peace is not only possible but inevitable, Baha’u’llah teaches us and aprescription for peace starts with the recognition of the oneness of humankind. “The wellbeing of mankind,”Hedeclares, “its peace andsecurityare unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”
The pre-requisites for peace have been laid out in the document –“The Promise of WorldPeace.WeinviteyoutoastudyofthisdocumentonFridayDecember13at7pm. Contact squamishassembly@shaw.ca to participate.
www.squamishbahai.com
PHOTO BY ERIK MCLEAN ON UNSPLASH
Uber aims to expand into B.C. communities, including Squamish, in the new year
PHOTO BY BUDZ NERIC
‘HE WAS ALWAYS KIND, GENTLE AND LOVING’: SQUAMISH BIRDER CHRIS DALE REMEMBERED
Dale, who grew up in Woodfibre when it was a pulp mill town, took to birding when he retired
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Nature, birds, in particular, became more vibrant through his eyes.
Long-time local and birder Chris Dale, a friend to many, died last month due to complications from lung cancer.
Dale spent 40 years with his partner, Bev Hill.
“He hiked every trail in the Squamish Valley,” she told The Squamish Chief. “We paddled our double kayak in Howe Sound.”
He loved “glorious” summer days, she added, recalling times when she was on her knees taking pictures of wildflowers while Dale was nearby filming birds.
(He often shared his photos and videos with The Squamish Chief and had appeared in our publication in print and online many times.)
“At home, we took pleasure in our large garden. The many various vegetables kept us well fed,” Hill said.
In the kitchen, he would surprise her with “crusty loaves of bread and delicious meals.”
It is his tender spirit that she recalls most fondly
“He was always kind, gentle and loving What more could a woman wish for,” she said
One of Dale’s friends was Jim Meyer (known by most as NASA Jim), who spends summers here and winters in the U.S.
“He was a total gentleman and assisted many folks with any problems on the hikes,” said Meyer.
Dale was the caretaker of Meyer’s seasonal
He was a total gentleman and assisted many folks with any problems on the hikes.
JIM MEYER
Squamish home, the “Moose Lodge,” for 22 years, until it was sold this past summer
Dale volunteered with Whistler Naturalists, contributing to the Whistler monthly bird count and the Christmas bird counts there and in Squamish.
Dale was recently honoured for his service with the naturalists, earning an owl plaque designed by Vanessa Stark.
As noted in Pique Newsmagazine, Dale had an “encyclopedia” level of knowledge.
Meyer said another “neat thing” Dale did was introduce him and many others to the Princeton Traditional Music Festival, a celebration of traditional music, held annually in Princeton.
Dale, who grew up in Woodfibre when it was a pulp mill town, took to birding when he retired He lives on through all the folks he has touched and through his YouTube channel.
“He will be truly missed and remembered by many,” said Meyer.
Thepurpose of the proposed Bylawistoadd new densitybonus options in the RM-2 andRM-3zones that aim to incentivizethe developmentofprivately heldaffordable rental housing or affordable rental housing that is sold to anon-profithousingprovider at20% belowmarketrate. Theamendments to the UH-1 zone intend to allow studentand facultyhousinginall areas of the UH-1 zone.
BYLAWREADINGS
Consideration of first,secondand third readingsof theproposed Bylaws willbeatthe RegularMeeting of CouncilonDecember 17, 2024 at 6 PM in Council Chambers at Municipal Hall,37955 Second Avenue, Squamish BC. No public hearing will be held forthis application.
NO PUBLIC HEARING
In accordancewith Provinciallegislation, Section 464(2) of the Local GovernmentAct,local governments areprohibitedfromholding public hearings relatedtorezoningapplicationsthatare consistentwith the local government’sOfficial CommunityPlan (OCP)
THE PROPOSED BYLAW
Acopyofthe proposed bylawand related information thathas beenormay be considered by Council,can be inspectedonline or at Municipal Hall:
•Online at: squamish.ca
•Municipal Hall at 37955 Second Avenue, Squamish, British Columbia, from December 3to17, 2024 between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM,Mondaythrough Friday. Enquiries regarding theproposedamendment bylawmay be made to the Planning Department at 604-815-5002 or by email to planning@squamish.ca.
This is the first of twonotices,dated this 5thday of December,2024 at Squamish, British Columbia
Disposition by wayofastatutoryrightofway of an undergroundportionofTiampo Park to FortisBC, within which FortisBC willinstallanunderground tunnel/pipeline to transportnatural gas,aspart of the FortisBC EagleMountain –WoodfibreGas Pipeline Project.
The DistrictofSquamish (“District”)herebygives noticepursuanttoSection 26 of the Community Charterthatthe Districtintends to grantastatutory rightofway andsection 219 covenanttoFortisBC Energy Inc.,beginningmid December 2024 (a “Charge”).
TheCharge willeventually encumber 1.87acres, undergroundatanaverage depth of 350 metres, in approximately the location shown on the black dashed line,which parcel hasalegal description of PID 015-875-067 DistrictLot 3428Group 1New Westminster District.
TheDistrictwill receiveafee of $98,000.
More information onthisproject canbefound online at squamish.ca/woodfibre
This is the second of twonotices, datedthis5th dayofDecember, 2024 at Squamish,British Columbia.
2025Field Allocation
Season 1:
March1,2025toAugust 31,2025
Pleaseapply nowfor FieldUserAllocation consideration. Deadline forall submissions is December 20, 2024 forany field(Centennial Fields Fields 5&6,Hendrickson Fields,and Howe Sound SecondaryCommunityField), beer garden or tournament usewithinthe DistrictofSquamish.
AField Allocation Meeting
BrennanPark Recreation Centre January 29, 2025 6 pm.
Afinalcalendar posted online no laterthan March1, 2025.
Fordetailsofhow to apply and to download the FieldAllocation Calendar fillable pdf,please visit the DistrictofSquamishwebsiteorcall Brennan Park Recreation Centre at 604.898.3604 to request apaper copy.Completed formscan be emailedto: bookings@squamish.ca
Fornew user groups and tournaments, additional informationisrequired. Visitour websiteorcall Brennan Park Recreation Centre at 604.898.3604. squamish.ca/field-allocation
24 -April 6
Fields April14-May 4 Centennial Fields June 30 -July 13
Hendrickson Fields August 18September 1
EveryTuesdayfrom7 AM to 3:30 PM
Business Opportunities
• Xwu’nekw Park SeaDike& Upgrades –Request forProposals
• Loggers East Storm SewerUpgrades –Request forProposals
The Squamish Chiefisa member of theNationalNewsmedia Council, whichisanindependentorganization establishedtodealwithacceptable journalistic practicesand ethical behaviour. If youhaveconcerns abouteditorial content, please contactEditorJenniferThuncherat jthuncher@squamishchief.com. If you arenot satisfiedwiththe response andwishtofilea formal complaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free1-844-877-1163for additional information
Reproduction of anymaterial containedinthispublicationis expresslyforbiddenwithoutthe prior writtenconsent of thepublisher.
THE SQUAMISH CHIEF NEWSPAPER, PRINTED EVERYTHURSDAY BY GLACIER MEDIA INC. 38113 Second Avenue
EDITORIAL
COUNTING VALERIOTE
Our newlymintedGreen PartyMLA,Jeremy Valeriote, deserves praise fordoing what many thoughthecouldn’t—not only winning his West-Vancouver Seato Skyseatbut ending up holdingswayinthe government overall.
Throughoutthe election campaign,his fellow candidates—and themedia—counted himout on beingabletodeliver on anyof hispromises, as he wouldbeagrain of sand in thesea of aprevailing government—NDP or Conservative.
He andthe Greens showed that everyvotetruly does count, with theNDP nowholding onto powerby itsfingernailsand needingto consider theGreens muchmorethanitmight have,ifitwants to pass significantlegislation
Butahard-fought winis likelygoing to seemthe easiestpartofValeriote’s MLAstintbythe time his term is over.
He told voters he wasthe only candidatewho wouldpushtocancelthe permitsonWoodfibre LNG andachieve regional transit.
At theWhistlerall-candidatesdebateinthe lead-uptothe election,hesaid,“Anygovernment cancancelanLNG project…atany pointitwants,” hesaid. “Itisafactthatit[comeswith] bigcompensation,but Isuggest that compensation will pale in comparison with the$2billioninsubsidies that we’realready handingover—never mind theclimate costsand thehealthimpacts.”
Butnow,withnegotiations underway betweenthe Greens andthe NDP, will he be able to sway his leader,fellowGreensand PremierDavid Eby?
So far, thereis no hint that this is thecase.
TheCanadianPress reported that when Eby announced that therewould be no sittingofthe Legislature untilthe newyear, he said he “would work with thetwo Greenmembers of thelegislature or anyother members of theOpposition on the government’spriorityissuesofcostofliving, housing andhealthcare.”
No LNGortransit in that shortlist.
Valeriotehimself hasbackedawayfromaxing WoodfibreLNG as his callingcardsince being elected, leaninginstead on regional transitinour andother mediainterviews.
Buteven there,heand fellow GreenMLA Rob Botterellseemedtotellthe National Observer they wouldbevaluableeven if they didn’t getexactly what they wanted from theNDP,justasSonia Furstenau andformerMLA Adam Olsenhad in their time
“Whether or not thosediscussions [withthe NDP] are successful,wecan have an outsized presence in thelegislature andreallyspeak truthtopower,” Botterellsaid.
Ultimately,doesitmattertoValeriote’s base if he doesn’taccomplishwhathesaidhewould on the campaigntrail?Perhaps it is enough to have two politicians focusedonthe environmentinthe Leg.
Only time will tell,but if thereisone thingwehave learnedoverthe last four yearsofhis campaigning for this seat,bewaryof counting Valerioteout.
THEDRAWAND THEDOWNSIDETOCRYPTOCURRENCIES
YOUTHCOLUMN THOMAS LEGG
Cryptocurrenciesare everywhere today, including in theSea to Sky. Majorcompanies like Blackrockhaveinvested billions of dollarsintobitcoin,and thecryptomarketis expectedtoboomunder U.S. president-electDonald Trump. However, theconsequencesofcryptoare differentfor everyone
Astudy showsthat43% of youngmen (18to29) have bought or traded crypto,withyoung womenroughly halvingthat, andolder generationsprogressively buying less andless.
However, 5% of crypto buyers from GenXare investingmuchmorethanany othergroup andare experiencing amuchhigherreturnoninvestment(ROI) than othergroups.
So,what, exactly, is this 43%ofyoung mendoing in crypto?
First, it’s importanttounderstandthe basics of what cryptois. Iknowfromhavingaconversationwithmy grandmother that forsomeofthe older generation,it’sa very foreignconcept.
Almost acentury ago, U.S. presidentFranklinD. Roosevelt (FDR)and theU.S.ended thegold standard, and 53 yearsago,president RichardNixon endedthe U.S.dollar’sconvertibilitytothe metal.
Today, we’rewitnessinga shiftbackto anon-governmental currency in theformof crypto,specifically bitcoin (BTC).
In many ways,BTC holdssimilar qualitiestogold—it is decentralized, with alimited supply andan agreed-upon, fluctuatingvalue.However,itisdifferent inkey ways:while gold is 19.3gper cubiccentimetre,
bitcoiniscompletelyelectronicand canbetransferred easily,makingitmuchmoreattractivetotrade.While cash wasoriginallyadopted to make transactions significantlyeasier, it came at thecostofmaking currency completely government controlled. Bitcoinis, in effect,aresistancetothat, as BTCisindependent of inflation—governmentscannotprint more bitcoin. However, thereare some limitationstothisnew currency.While gold holdsmanyofthe same properties as BTC, in some ways,gold’s weight givesitan advantagewhenviewedfroma “currency” perspective. Having acurrencylikebitcoin,which is so constantly traded that itsvalue is everchanging,may bebeneficial to atrader; however, if we begintotrade bitcoinin mundaneparts of life,problemsmay arise. For example, prices cannot be set, as Bitcoin’svalue is constantly changing.It’sdifficult to tradeinexchange forgoodsand services when thevalue of thecurrency youare exchanging is uncertain. Theonlyway to get around this is to adoptbitcoin withoutany relative valuetoco-ordinate it with,which is notfeasibletoday Today, youthare buying more than just bitcoin. My peerspurchaseall sortsofcrypto, including memecoins, to varyingdegrees of success. Andwhile some of thesememecoins have seriousvalue(Dogecoin currentlyhas asupplyofcirca $150 billion) most of this kind of tradingisakintohigh-stakes gambling. These coinsare plaguedwithscams butcan be profitable if a high levelofexpertise is applied—this is notthe case. What is more commonly happeningwiththese coinsis trends:anew meme propagates itself on theinternet, somebody makesa coin basedonit, kids buythe coin because of thememeand lose theirmoney afterthe coin eventually fails. Andwhile this maybea valuable lesson forakid whojustlosthis paycheque, it is also a warning: whilethere is alot of moneytobe made on crypto,there is also alot to be lost.
Thomas Legg is aSea to SkyCorridorGrade 12 student.
(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LIVE WHERE YOU CAN AFFORD?
I’ve heard the statement, “People should live where they can afford,” twice recently It disturbed me enough to write this letter In that moment, I was shocked and hurt Now that I have found the words, here is what I would say: It’s not OK to say, “People should live where they can afford.”
This phrase is deeply problematic. It dismisses the systemic issues driving the affordability crisis in Squamish (and the world), perpetuates inequities, and— perhaps most troubling—reveals a lack of empathy for those struggling to secure stable housing.
Housing is a human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can meet ever-rising costs. Suggesting people simply move to “affordable areas” shifts blame onto individuals rather than addressing the systemic factors—like stagnant wages, discriminatory policies, and housing shortages—that create the issues in the first place. It’s not a matter of having a better career or budgeting better; it’s a failure of our systems to ensure safe, affordable housing for everyone.
This phrase fuels gentrification and displacement. Moving to a supposedly affordable area often means leaving behind family, friends, and community support— critical anchors for emotional well-being and economic stability. It overlooks the reality that “affordable” areas are increasingly rare and may lack job opportunities, access to education, and reliable public transit.
Additionally, if “living where you can afford” were truly a solution, it would mean the erosion of our community. The people who fill vital jobs—like teachers, nurses, doctors, grocery workers, and service industry staff—would be unable to live in the places they work Entire neighbourhoods and cities would become exclusive enclaves for the wealthy, devoid of the diversity and functionality that make them thrive.
At its heart, this statement lacks basic compassion Housing insecurity is not just an economic issue; it’s a deeply personal and often traumatic experience that may be affecting someone you know. Reducing people’s struggles to a simplistic suggestion, such as live where you can afford,
erases their humanity. Instead of placing the burden on individuals, let’s focus on systemic solutions. This includes learning about and advocating for policies that expand affordable housing, address wage inequality, and invest in transit to better connect people to jobs Let’s recognize housing as a shared responsibility and work to build a community where everyone, regardless of income, can thrive
Alanna Gillis Squamish
ON PAID PARKING
Iwas concerned to hear Mayor Armand Hurford talking about paid parking as the only option for the parking challenges in downtown Squamish. I work in health care and health care equity, and I am very concerned about this, and the trajectory that the District is taking with regards to infrastructure and how paid parking and other aspects of gentrification negatively affect equity in marginalized communities here, some who have been here for many years.
If we look into the issue, the District has engaged in rapid densification that is straining our aging infrastructure and leading to a host of challenges, such as the lift gate/sewer pipe failure and subsequent release of sewage into Howe Sound, power outages, cellphone disruption, an increase in highway fatalities, significant traffic safety concerns, the overflow of the dump, and parking is now the most recent issue to come from this.
Health care and social equity is also being affected by the population increase, with a significant number of Squamish residents without access to a family physician (literature tells us this leads to poorer health outcomes), and increased wait times for laboratory services such as ultrasound, X-ray, MRI and blood samples, also associated with poorer health outcomes While some of this responsibility lies with the provincial government, the DOS should prioritize increasing services for residents before encouraging population increase. Squamish is still considered to be “rural” in the provincial health framework, and as such rapid development strains resources.
Developers seem to have been able to develop without sufficient requirements to increase infrastructure such as parking structures (other than to pay a fee to the District) leading to inequality for residents. From a lens of equity, charging for parking disproportionately affects lower income and marginalized residents, many who have support systems such as doctors and pharmacies downtown The increasing barriers to care and offloading District costs onto lower income residents is unconscionable
These residents also have mobility challenges and are unable to use the active transportation options that are being presented as the solution to discourage vehicle use. While I, as an able bodied person, fully support more bike lanes, and bike wherever possible, this will not increase equity for those residents with low incomes and mobility challenges.
Even more concerning was his conversation about allowing parking only for residents of downtown; this would further exacerbate inequality in our community. Preventing tax paying citizens from parking downtown and leaving it for those who can afford million-dollar condos is unjust. Many folks also need to have multiple people per household just to pay the bills, and need a car to get to work there is no good public transit to the city as of yet. Where will multifamily households park their cars? In addition, this will negatively affect businesses that depend on vehicles to transport clients downtown, and a woefully inadequate public transportation system will not be able to fill in the gap without significant investment
The cost of living is crushing for many Squamish residents, and it seems like the District is pandering to the wealthy and taking a “let them eat cake” approach when some speak up about the daily struggle that many Squamish residents experience I hope that the district can find a balance between increasing housing stock while still doing so in a way that is just and equitable for the lower income residents and those with mobility challenges in our community. Development should not come at the cost of equity for current residents.
Matthew Smith Squamish
JOIN US ONLINE
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Do you expect MLA, Jeremy Valeriote to be able to achieve what he promised in his term?
Have your say at squamishchief.com
Are you financially better off this year than last year?
MOST READ STORY
‘I’ll never forget his face’: Black bear trapped in car with Greek salad—and white paint
This week,Indigo Lemay-Conway took in the Holiday Parade downtown Check out this and many other videos on our Tiktok page, @squamishchief
DiscoverAnhNoodleFusion— AuniquetasteofVietnam
The
Nguyens bring fresh lunch and dinner flavours downtown
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@squamishchief.com
It is just before Anh Noodle Fusion opens on a recent Thursday morning.
Restaurant owne is freshening up some at the front of the co eatery
His wife, Olivia, is cooking in the back
The restaurant, located at 1333 Pemberton Ave., in Chieftain Centre, opened in late June
He continues to be a partner in the Oliver Hotel in Vietnam, too, he says, noting the general manager of that business is his best friend.
hard work and many gatherings around the kitchen table.
Nguyen, who moved to Squamish two years ago for th scenery and outdoo lifestyle, is no strang business, having ow restaurant in his home country of Vietnam for about 17 years. (It was named after his wife, and located in Nha Trang city.)
Nguyen, 41, is the youngest of six (the family includes three boys and three girls), accounts for his unfazed our. He is used to
“It
That eatery served Italian fare; thus, Anh Noodle Fusion is influenced by that experience as well as his Vietnamese background, Nguyen said, sitting down in a comfy booth with a cup of pure green tea.
Anh Noodle Fusion, named after his fiveyear-old daughter, offers a large array of dishes, from bò né (Vietnamese steak and eggs) to cơm chiên Hải sản (seafood fried rice), gà xào sả ớt (sauted chicken with lemongrass and chili), and, of course, phở (noodle soup), to name just a few of the items on the extensive menu
There’s also bún thịt nướng (rice vermicelli with grilled pork), a classic staple Vietnamese dish A hearty meal can be had for about $20 to $30 per person
The detailed menu, which includes history and facts about food items, describes Vietnamese cuisine as “rich and diverse.”
“Each Vietnamese dish carries a story of culture and everyday life for Vietnamese people We take pride in sharing these unique flavours with you,” reads the menu
Nguyen invites locals and visitors to come in and sample some flavourful dishes He says word of mouth, rather than marketing, is how he gains most customers
“I like for the people to come in and try it,” he says, adding that those who come enjoy their meal and the atmosphere, then spread the word
Anh Noodle Fusion is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 11 a.m.
The Food Beat is a regular series from The Squamish Chief newsroom focusing on restaurants, cafés and eateries in Squamish that are newly opened or have something newsworthy about them If you think your business fits that bill and would like to be considered for this series, reach out to news@squamishchief.com
HOW SECOND CHANCE CHEEKYE RANCH REHABILITATES RESCUED HORSES
An in-depth exploration of how Squamish’s Second Chance Cheekye Ranch rehabilitates and rehomes rescued horses
BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Every person—and horse—deserves a second chance
Second Chance Cheekye Ranch (SCCR) is a well-known place of hope for horses in the Sea to Sky region But what does it take to save a neglected or traumatized horse?
“I’ve been a horse lover and an animal lover since I was knee-high to a grasshopper,” Kris Latham, the president of SCCR whose lifelong passion for animals has driven her work “I’ve been helping animals in need of homes from a very young age. Once I was able to acquire this ranch—Cheekye Ranch—it became a necessity. Through the grapevine, I connected with some amazing rescues who highlighted the need for more help to get animals out of the slaughter pipeline. And that’s how it all began.”
Latham’s early love for animals is grounded in vivid memories.
“Growing up all over the world, I was exposed to a lot of animals,” she said. “One memory that stands out is from when I was in South America. I was sitting in a park where a herder had left a herd of donkeys to graze. I was only seven years old and thought they’d been abandoned. I told my mom we needed to take them all home.”
THE REALITY OF AUCTIONS AND HORSE SLAUGHTER
While many of the horses at SCCR come from neglectful or challenging circumstances, some are rescued directly from auctions
These auctions often serve as a grim crossroads for unwanted animals.
“Canada has meat buyers at auctions because horse slaughter is legal here,” Latham explained. “It blows my mind Horses—and all animals— are sentient beings They feel, they think, they project emotions They’re everything we are.”
According to the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition, approximately 50,000 horses are slaughtered annually in Canada, with most of the meat exported to countries like Japan, France, and Belgium. Horses sold at auctions often fetch $0.30 to $0.60 per pound, making them a target for meat buyers seeking to fill quotas.
At these auctions, if a horse isn’t purchased privately, they face a bleak future. “The meat buyers step in,” Latham said.
“They don’t discriminate—whether it’s a 28-year-old horse that should have been humanely euthanized at home to avoid stress, or a baby less than a year old. They just buy as many horses as they can, fill up their trucks, and send them to feedlots before slaughter. It’s heartbreaking.”
THE JOURNEY FROM TRAUMA TO TRUST
Every horse arriving at Cheekye Ranch has a story, but many share common threads of neglect, abandonment, or trauma Latham described the overwhelming stress some horses face, even before arriving at the ranch.
“Trailering can be extremely traumatizing, especially for those who haven’t experienced it before,” she said “When they arrive, we let them decompress We don’t force interaction—we let them adjust on their own terms.”
The process is slow and deliberate, built on respect for the animal’s boundaries
“It’s about trust,” Latham said “You start with something simple, like letting them smell your hand and then walking away. It’s their choice to come to you, and that’s where the healing begins.”
One of the most memorable rescues at SCCR involved 18 stud colts from the Pemberton herd.
The horses were saved from slaughter, but one stood out to Latham as an extraordinary case.
“He was an anomaly because I was able to build trust with him in a way I hadn’t experienced before,” she said. “I could
groom him and interact with him freely without using a halter, lead rope, or any attachment We call this working at liberty, meaning it was entirely his choice to engage with me.”
It took Latham a full year to place a halter on him, and she remembered the moment with mixed emotions
“I cried when it happened. It’s a bittersweet moment—on one hand, it felt like I was breaking his spirit as a wild animal by ‘catching’ him. But on the other hand, it’s a necessary step Without a halter, it’s impossible to ensure his safety in emergencies, whether for a vet or farrier visit. It’s like putting a collar on a dog—it’s not ideal, but it’s essential for their well-being.”
FINDING THE RIGHT HOMES
For horses ready to leave SCCR, rehoming is a thorough and thoughtful process.
“We have a strict policy,” Latham said. “Not everyone who loves horses is equipped to handle them. It’s a lifelong commitment, and we’re very open about each horse’s quirks and needs to ensure a good match.”
“It’s like applying to NASA without the qualifications,” she said. “We need adopters who understand what they’re taking on.”
HORSES: Continued on 17
POLICING IN SQUAMISH’S INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
‘I don’t
do anything performatively.
I’m passionate
about connecting with people,’ says RCMP Const. Kelly Dean
BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
What does it mean to police a community as diverse as Squamish? How can law enforcement better connect with Indigenous communities to build trust and respect?
For Const. Kelly Dean of the Integrated First Nations Policing Unit (IFNU), these questions aren’t just theoretical—they’re at the heart of his everyday work
“In my role, it’s different,” Dean shared during an interview with The Squamish Chief.
“I have a heart connection with the community. When something happens, it’s not just a call—I see how it impacts families The community feels like my extended family.”
‘THESE CHOICES ARE INTENTIONAL’
Established in 2008, the Integrated First Nations Policing Unit (IFNU) serves the Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, covering Squamish, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver.
Based on the North Shore, IFNU is “focused
on providing enhanced policing services that are culturally sensitive and responsive to the First Nations,” reads the website.
IFNU collaborates with First Nations leadership and departments to address community concerns, provide investigative support, and ensure emergency responses align with the priorities outlined in the Integrated First Nations Policing Agreement.
“We’re not frontline officers responding to every 911 call,” Dean said. “Our job is to connect general duty officers with the community in culturally appropriate ways.”
According to a 2022 Statistics Canada report, one in five Indigenous individuals expressed a lack of confidence in the police, a much higher proportion than non-Indigenous populations. Another 2020/2021 Statistics Canada report also revealed that Indigenous people are incarcerated at a rate 8.4 times higher than non-Indigenous individuals.
According to Dean, one way the IFNU fosters trust is through intentional, traumaaware practices.
“We don’t wear the RCMP’s yellow-striped pants or grey shirts,” Dean said.
“Our vehicles don’t display the standard buffalo logo, which can be a trauma trigger. Instead, we use artwork by Squamish artist Rick Harry. These choices are intentional—to reduce trauma and build trust.”
Dean’s traditional name, s7ílchi (pronounced eeth-chay), given to him in a ceremony in 2021, reflects this responsibility
Meaning “The Bowman,” it symbolizes a protector in the canoe.
“It’s a lot of responsibility,” he said “I don’t take for granted the amount of trust the community places in me, and I reciprocate that trust.”
ADDRESSING CHALLENGES
Dean’s role extends across almost 6,700 square kilometres, including reserve lands and unoccupied areas like fee-simple properties being returned to the Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).
A “fee simple property” is a real estate property that is owned outright, without limitations, and with the highest form of ownership.
The growing popularity of the Squamish Valley for recreation has added new complexities to his work.
“During COVID, there was a massive influx of people coming to the valley,” he said.
“We’ve had to enforce Section 58 closures to prevent people from driving or camping in sensitive areas like riverbeds. These measures aim to protect salmon habitats and address declining fish stocks—issues that are deeply important to the Sḵwxwú7mesh Nation.”
PHOTO BY BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF
Const. Kelly Dean
THEREALITIESOFRUNNINGARESCUE
Behind the scenes, SCCR faces ongoing challenges that are as much about people as they are about horses
“We need qualified trainers and volunteers, and that’s not always easy to find,” Latham said “Training takes experience, and not everyone has the time or background needed for this kind of work.”
Funding is another significant hurdle As a nonprofit, SCCR relies heavily on donations to cover costs such as feed, medical care, and farrier services
“When you bring in professional trainers to work with the horses, that costs money too,” Latham added. “It’s a constant balancing act.”
A NEED FOR EDUCATION
According to Latham, many of the problems SCCR addresses could be alleviated with better
from mentors. It’s a challenge, but it’s so rewarding.”
education for horse owners
“People don’t always think about what happens to their animals if they can’t care for them anymore,” she said “Do they have a plan? Is their horse provided for in case of an emergency? These are questions every owner should consider.”
While SCCR’s work is challenging, it’s also deeply rewarding—for both the animals and the humans who interact with them
“There’s something peaceful about spending time with the horses,” Latham said. “It’s not just
cultural practices.
Increased recreation has also brought safety risks.
“A few years ago, a wildfire started because someone was target shooting on Crown land,” Dean said “Sparks from their rounds ignited a fire. Now, certain areas have signs prohibiting target shooting, though hunting is still permitted.”
Dean acknowledged the challenges of managing such a vast territory alone. “It’s a lot for one person, and adding another officer to support the community would make a significant difference,” he said.
‘STATUS IS 100% A COLONIAL CONSTRUCT’
For Dean, policing is about more than enforcement—it’s about connection “I spend time with Elders, drum and sing, and even learn the language,” he said “I’m a self-taught language learner, with guidance
Dean also participates in community initiatives like youth camps and canoe journeys He’s part of the Sema7maka canoe family and supports Tribal Journeys by ensuring safety on the water.
“One of the best things I can do is support culture and language,” he said “It’s fulfilling for me and helps grow understanding within the broader community.”
Dean’s mixed ancestry—Danish, Scottish, and Blackfoot—gives him a personal perspective on Indigenous identity.
“My grandmother married a non-Nation person, and her Indian status was revoked,” he said.
“Status is 100% a colonial construct. Indigenous identity is about much more than a government-issued number.”
Dean highlighted the complexities of the Indian Act, which can impact community members’ rights to hunting, fishing, and other
“Conservation officers might determine someone’s rights based on their status number,” he said
“But you can have direct Sḵwxwú7mesh lineage and still not meet the government’s criteria for status It’s a complicated and often unfair system.”
CHALLENGING MISCONCEPTIONS
Dean also works to address misconceptions about law enforcement, particularly those influenced by United States media.
“In the U.S., every police show seems to involve a shootout,” he said.
“That’s just not reflective of the Canadian perspective. Most officers I’ve worked with are compassionate people who genuinely want to help.”
Dean emphasized the importance of highlighting the positive work being done by Indigenous officers across B.C.
“Every year, I meet with around 160
about helping them—it’s about finding a sense of calm and connection in their presence.”
For those who want to learn more or support the ranch, Latham encourages community members to visit, volunteer, or engage with the ranch’s educational resources.
For more information, visit secondchancecheekyeranch.com
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
Indigenous police officers to discuss these issues,” he said. “It’s important to share what’s working and support one another.”
‘BEING A POLICE OFFICER DOESN’T HAVE TO BE AUTHORITARIAN’
While the IFNU has made strides in fostering trust and cultural understanding, Dean sees room for growth
“We’re involved in initiatives that go beyond traditional policing to benefit the community,” he said
“But with the size of our territory and the volume of calls we handle, adding another officer would make a significant difference, especially for recreation-related issues.”
“I don’t do anything performatively—it’s the opposite,” he said. “I’m passionate about showing that being a police officer doesn’t have to be authoritarian.”
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative
‘MOTHER MADE’ CREATES ECO-FRIENDLY PLASTIC ALTERNATIVE
The locally hand-made products by Christine Quirion are nominated for Squamish Business Excellence Award
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
Have you ever thought about how many Ziploc bags you use each year?
Well, Christine Quirion and her two daughters had this thought five years ago, and it led to the creation of Mother Made—a sustainable product line that reduces waste, all made using second-hand fabrics.
If you’ve been to the Squamish Farmers Market this past year, or a number of other markets across the Sea to Sky, chances are you’ve seen Mother Made
But the idea for the business venture came as a surprise for Quirion, after her daughters decided they wanted to stop using zip-lock bags for their school lunches.
“I moved to Squamish in 2019 [from Quebec], and I have two daughters who are 14 and 16 Five years ago, when they were in elementary school, they had an environmental conference at school talking about the impact of our own actions,” she said.
After realizing they could be taking more steps to reduce their waste at home, Quirion set her girls, Alix and Ariane, a task to find one way they could improve their sustainability as a family unit.
“So they came back after a week, and said, ‘Mom, we found an idea’, and they had
learn to sew. I watched a million YouTube videos and called my mom a million times, and after lots of practice, I figured it out,” she said
“I never planned to do a business with this; it was to do an educational process with my kids and to show them that I can be better and we can be better So, it’s been since 2019, and we have zero plastic bags at home.”
Quirion buys her fabrics from Pearls Value & Vintage, which she then combines with food-safe polyurethane laminate fabric (PUL) to create a zip-lock alternative that is both waterproof and machine washable
While some of her products can be found at the Treeline Collective and Random, Quirion said she prefers the market life so she can connect with people about the importance of being environmentally conscious.
“When I’m at the market, I can explain why [using the items is better for the environment], how to use them, how Mother Made came to be,” she said
One message she really wants people to take from Mother Made is that it doesn’t take an extreme change to make a difference
calculated how many Ziploc bags they were using in their lunch box per year at school,” she said
“It was around 400 plastic bags per year So they said, ‘Let’s stop using them.”
But this proved to be a tougher decision than Quirion anticipated, as reusable sandwich bag alternatives weren’t available in Squamish.
She explained that multiple plastic containers were too bulky to fit in the kids’ backpacks, and ordering re-usable food-safe products off Amazon wasn’t good for their environmental footprint, so instead, she decided to make some herself.
“I bought a sewing machine and started to
“I put all my veggies, my fruits and my meat, and bread in the bags,” she said The pouches can also be used in the freezer. Alongside the reusable food bags, she also makes tote bags; reusable make-up pads and pouches and soap-saver mitts—a solution to the last part of a bar of soap that no one seems to use up.
The innovative mitt works by putting the remaining bit of soap—that often ends up in the corner of your shower—inside a pouch which can then be used to wash your body with. The mitts also have a strap attached to make it user-friendly for all.
Quirion launched her business almost 12 months ago at the Sea to Sky Artisan Market last November and has been at every Squamish Farmers Market since March this year.
December 26thpaper
Sales Deadline: Friday, December 20that12pm
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“You don’t have to change your full system to have a real impact in life You can do a small action and have an impact.”
It’s this notion that led Mother Made to its first award nomination at the Squamish Chamber Business Excellence Awards in the environmental impact category
Quirion was nominated alongside three other local businesses for the award; Celerity Craft, Porcupine Mechanical and the Squamish Climate Action Network Society.
“The fact that a vendor, a small business owner, a craft maker, can be nominated for the environmental impact category is just an amazing feeling,” she said.
“I felt very proud of myself, of my family and to be a part of this community.”
The Squamish Business Excellence Awards will take place Dec. 6, at the Cheakamus Centre.
PHOTO BY SHAWN O’KEEFE & SANDRA HEAFEY
Christine Quirion at the Bespoke Market
ZERO CEILINGMARKS 27TH ADVENTURESESSIONS
ProgramconnectsSquamishyouth with Whistler Blackcombtickets,lessons andsupport
ALYSSA NOEL anoel@squamishchief.com
Withthe skiand snowboardseason well underway,ZeroCeiling is gearinguptogiveat-risk youtha chance to head up themountain.
Thelong-running Whistler non-profit hosts its AdventureSessionsinboththe winter and summertocreatemoreequal access to the outdoorsfor youth(ages 13 to 27)fromthe Sea to SkyCorridor andMetro Vancouver.
“That’s supportedbyEpicPromise Foundation,” said Lizi McLoughlin,co-executive director of Zero Ceiling.“We get300 ticketsinthe winter and300 ticketsinthe summer. So that’s 300youth perseasonthat wecan take up themountain.We’re really excitedtooffer as many of thoselocally as we can.”
Zero Ceiling runs itsAdventure Sessions for youthfromJanuary to April.
TheorganizationpartnerswithSquamish youth groups,the Squamish Nation,Foundry Squamish andthe SeatoSky Alternative School, butthey’re hoping to reachany other Squamish organizationsoryouth who might benefitfromthe program—whichalsooffers freelessons andhelps secure rentalsand even outdoorclothing if needed.
“If youthare alreadyconnected to anyof those services,thenkeepaneye out,” McLoughlin said.“Thegroupswill be signing up.And if thereare people outthere runningyouth groups that areeligible, then we’re also keen to connectwith newpartners
or youth.”
Participantscan be complete beginnersor more experiencedskiersorsnowboarders.
Theorganizationisalwayslooking for volunteers whohaveapassand wouldliketo help outwiththe sessions, McLoughlin added.
“It’sareally funvolunteer jobbecause, basically,you just go skiing andsnowboarding,” shesaid. “Theyhavetohavetheir owngearand pass andtheyjustsupport peopletohaveagood timeup there.”
As youmight have guessed, feedback from youthwho have accessed theprogram has been positive.
“Typically what we seeispeoplesaying, ‘It’ssonicetogivethe youthachance to just be silly andhavefun—likejusthavea good time,’” McLoughlin said.“Andalsoweget a lot of comments around watching them become more confident, andthatexperience oftryingsomething new andovercoming anxietiesand masteringaskilland seeing theprogressthrough theday is really powerful forpeople.”
Zero Ceilingalsorunsits more involved
DAFFODILSTOTHE oh-sohelpfulsales associateat Valhalla Pure Outfitters who searched thestore high andlow forthe doggie raincoat in my size.I’m lookingsharp and keepingdry,thankstoyour efforts! Woof!
Gotsomething nicetosay or some constructivecriticism?SendyourDarts &Daffodils: Email: news@squamishchief.com or drop off at The Chiefoffice(38117 Second Ave.)duringbusinesshours.Deadline for submissions is Monday at 4p.m.for Thursday’spaper.All submissions must be signed and include aphonenumberfor verification. Maximumlengthis75words. Dartsare intendedtobeananonymous critique betweenprivate parties.Darts must not directlyorindirectlyidentify an individual or business.
Work 2Liveprogram,inwhich people ages 19-27who areexperiencinghomelessnessor areprecariouslyhousedcan gethelpwith accommodations andemploymentin Whistler for12to24months. Formoreinformation on theprogramsvisit zeroceiling.org.
CL AS SI FI ED S
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Klassen, John A. January 9, 1946 -October 27, 2024
John Klassen lived and worked for many years in Squamish before moving to Kelowna and finally retiring in Abbotsford.His health had deteriorated andhepassed away after having astroke. He leaves behind his lovingfamily and many dear friends. No funeral by request. Rest in peace, John Youwill not beforgotten.
Contact asales reptoday!
Obituaries –InPrintand Onlineinour Local Community News
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Love’sgreatestgiftis remembrance
SUKH RAMNAND
JANUARY28, 1949 -DECEMBER 1, 2024
With greatsadness we announcethe passing of our father,SukhRam Nand at the Squamish HospiceonDecember 1, 2024 while surrounded by his family Sukh wasbornonJanuary28, 1949inRakiRaki(Fiji Islands),the sixth of14brothers and sisters.Hecompleted his primary and post secondary education in Fiji (Penang Sangam High School and Derrick Technical Institute) and worked forsome timeatthe Fiji Sugarcane Corporation (FSC). It waswhile working at the FSC thathemet Rishi Deo, who introduced him tohis younger sister,Satya Wati Din.
He ended up marrying Satyain1972and shortly thereafter, they welcomed their first daughter, Saileshni. He wanted to provide abetter lifefor his young family,and Sukhdecidedto leave the countryofhis birth and immigratedtoBritish Columbia. Hisbrother-in-lawRishi convinced him to move to Squamish, as BC Rail washiring machinists.Sukhspent the next few decades working in the wheel shop atBCRail.Hebuilt his dream house inValleycliffe,and raised his growing family.Heelected to take early retirementwhen the shops moved toPrinceGeorge,and onceheretiredfromBCRail,he began workingatWalmart, wherehefound anew community of friends amongstother like-minded retirees.
Sukh wasdedicatedtohis family, especiallyhis daughters and grandsons.Hewas married to the love of his lifeSatya for52years,and they raised three beautiful daughters: Sally (Adam),Stephanie (Matt) and Shalvenie (Shick). He wasalso averyproud grandfather to his grandsonsBrandon and Jaedon. He lovedspoiling his grandsons as much as they would lethim.
He loveddogs and wasprivileged to have manyfour-legged companions sharehis life. As he got older he becamea fixtureatthe local casino,heading outevery weekend with his familytotemptLady Luck
He wasknown as “Papa”toall his family. He wasafun-loving,charismatic man who alwayshad ajoke at the ready.Hewas adiehardfan of allBCsportsteams: the Whitecaps, the Lions and his belovedVancouver Canucks; and had adesignatedgroup of buddies he attended gameswith. He loveddriving,especially Toyotas Hestruggled with health issues his entirelifeand managed them with acombination of humour and perseverance.Henever complained about the limits these issues placed on him buttried to livehis lifeinspiteofthem. He wasthe type of manthatwouldgivethe shirtoffhis backfor those in need.Hewas the first to step up and the last to back down when it came to his family and friends
In lieu of flowers,please consider making adonation to the following charities:the Kidney Foundation of Canada,the SPCAorthe Squamish HospiceSociety. Wewill miss yousomuch, Papa. Thank-youfor all your wisdom, your patience, your courage andyour generosity. We will carrythese values with us as we move forwardwithout you.
Indigenous Artisan
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•Secured, Bright,Spacious
•Beautifully landscaped grounds
•CommonLaundry& Storage
•Near Bus, Shopping &Schools
•Proactive BuildingManager
•Pet FriendlyComplex
-Squamish
JobOpportunity:Crusher Operator
WhistlerAggregates is seekingaskilled CrusherOperator withastrong background in maintenanceand safety to join our team.Thisisa year-round position offeringcompetitivewages,excellent benefits,and theopportunity to work in asafe, supportive environment.
PositionHighlights:
5.Location: Whistler,BC
6. Role: Operatethe crusher from thecontrol tower, ensuringoptimal performanceand safety
7. Requirements:
1. Strong understanding of crushersand operational procedures
2. Proficiencyinlock-out/tag-out protocolsfor safe maintenance and repairs
3. Preferredbackground in equipment maintenanceand troubleshooting
4.Abilitytoworkeffectivelyunder theguidelines of theMineAct
8. Expectations: Safety-focused, reliable, and diligent in daily tasks
JoinatrustedteamatWhistlerAggregates!Ifyou’readedicatedcrusheroperator withthe skills and commitment to safety we’relookingfor,we’dlovetohear fromyou.
ApplyNow and becomepartofa team that values safety,skill, and teamwork in everytask.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Employee Health &Wellness Plan available
OPERATOR – ValidClass 1orClass 3with airbrakes required. Manualtransmission. Ground Disturbance II. 2years operating hydroexcavation equipment preferred. $35-$40.45 per hour
HEAVYEQUIPMENT OPERATOR, Squamish – Minimum 5years or 5,000 hours operating experience on excavator.Full-time, Monday –Friday.$33-$42 per hour
HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC - Commercial Truck&Transport,Transport Trailer,Class 1or 3 air brakes preferred. 4x10 or 5x8schedule. RedSealcertified receive $200/month tool allowance. $39.70- $47.90 per hour.5%premiumonhourly wage forLeadHand position.
CONSTRUCTION LABOURER – Great opportunity to learn on-the-job. Stamina forphysically demanding work and perseverance to brave inclement weather required. Previous experience preferred but not required. Training provided. $25-$32 per hour
SNOWPLOW OPERATOR, Whistler –Valid Class 5BCDriver’sLicence required. Mustbeavailable from November 15 through March 31. On-the-job training provided. Wage depending on experience. $28-35.02 per hour
ACROSS
1. Troubles
5. Small quantity
8. Land parcel
12. Beef or lamb,e.g.
13. Carpenter’sdevice
14. ____-a-lug
15. Twoofakind
16. Hankering
18. Small branch
20.Swimming competition
21. Transcribed
24.Scoundrel
27.Snitched
30.Color shade
31. Swimsuit part
32. Test response
35. Had some popcorn
36. Atmosphere
37.Voter
39.Seanceresponse
40.Nimbly
42. Out of range
44. Rub vigorously
48. Statehouses
52. Folk stories
53. Beasts of burden
54. Heckler’s cry
55. “The_ of Night”
56.Dull person
57.Ease off
58. Recognized
DOWN
1. Mischief-makers
2. Dancer’s jump
3. Animal’s burrow
4. Tough
5. Oppositeofnight
6. Great respect
7. Hold responsible
8. Adolescent’s problem
9. Gossip
10.Movequickly
11. Hen’screation
17.Cardinal’scolor
19.Sportthat uses clubs
22.Black-eyedvegetable
23. Loafer
25. Vehicle
26.Forest creature
27.Ski-lifttype: hyph.
28. Operatune
29.Roofing material
33. Crafty
34. Slippery fellows
38. Recurring series
40.Occupied achair
41.Investigate
43.Locate
45. Went by carriage
46. Strong impulse
47.Existed
48. Pro’sopposite
49.Wood-chopping tool
50.Toss
51.Shed tears
Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling
LASTWEEK’SANSWERS:
HOROSCOPE
ARIES March 21-April 19
Youmay find yourselfdeeply contemplatingthe need to develop yourspiritualityin line with your beliefs.You might consider takinga pilgrimagetonourish this inner exploration.
TAURUS April 20-May20
Youmust be vigilant about washingyourhandswhen seeingfamilyand friends to protect your fragileimmune system.It’scrucial to take some well-deservedrestto rebuild your strength.You must balance your social commitments with your personal well-being.
GEMINI May21-June 20
Youmust manage your time wisely.You must make sensible choices to strike the right balance betweenduty and pleasure. Thiswillgive youasenseofharmonyinall aspects of your life.
Challengesand unexpected events maycome yourway, requiringyou to address neglected tasks.Once you overcome thesechallenges, new opportunities will arise. This will bringasense of renewal and giveyou causefor celebration.
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
You’ll finalizeaprofessional agreementthat will lead to significanttransformations Your determination and competitivespiritwillpropel you to new heights,whether in yourpersonalorprofessional life.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Youhaveabusyweekahead with lots of details to takecare of.Practice lettinggoand takeonanew philosophy that alignswithyourvalues to alleviatestressand giveyou a moreserene outlook on life.
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
All eyes will focusonyou this week.You’ll be the recipientof extrarecognition. Your ability to accomplish importanttasks will open doorstoprofessional
advancement.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
You’ll be encouraged to shake up yourdailyroutine by acceptingseveral invitations to go out. Thesemoments of escape will help brighten up yourweek, whether on apersonallevel or in the company of aloved one
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
If you have real estate aspirations,this is the week to act.You maydecide to redecorateyourhomebefore Christmastocreateacozy atmospherethat will impress yourfamily.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18
You’ll be askedtoexpress yourselfcandidly. However, make sure you have the rightinformation to avoid confusion. Youmay need to translate atexttoclarify things
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
You maybetempted to make expensivepurchases.However, you must manage yourbudget, whether for Christmasgifts or luxurious splurges. You’ll need to find an outlet for your overburdenedmind.
HOWTOPLAY:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3box contains the numbers1through 9only once. Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. Youalready have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeat the numbers1through 9in the same line, column or 3x3box
YOUR PLACEOF
Holy Communion and Morning Worship
Sundays at 10:00 AM Rev Cameron Gutjahr 1930 Diamond Road 604-898-5100
Exalting Jesus,Equipping His Followers,Engaging theWorld
