Council supports decision to lower speed limits to 30km/h at the Oceanfront and downtown areas
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
Speed limits are set to be reduced along the Oceanfront and downtown areas in 2025. District of Squamish councillors voted to support a staff recommendation to lower posted speed limits in the two areas down to 30km/h as of mid-next year.
The decision made at the Dec. 17 regular council meeting also saw staff directed to include a “blanket speed limit reduction to 40km/h” across the remainder of the community, for consideration in the 2026 budget process.
BACKGROUND
District manager of transportation, Brent McMurtry, spoke on the item at the committee of the whole meeting on Dec. 10
“Speeding contributes to approximately 30% of all traffic-related fatalities in British Columbia, and there’s evidence that shows that reducing posted speed limits can lead to increased traffic safety for all modes,” McMurtry said
The community consultation revealed that 67% of Squamish residents who took part in the engagement process had “speed-related concerns on collector streets”—which are the classification of streets that are
PHOTO BY RENÉE NICOLE/@
SPEED: Continued from 1
“This is consistent with the collision data that we saw as well, where there are more collisions on collector streets than there are on local streets in the community,” McMurtry said.
“There was fairly broad support for speed limit reduction within our community, with the greatest support for the downtown and Oceanfront area, followed by local and collector streets.”
“When we asked about the level of support for specific speeds in the downtown area, approximately just over a third felt that 30 km/h is the preferred speed.”
The BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) sets 50 km/hr as the default speed limit for municipalities.
Three options were proposed to council in relation to speed limit changes.
- Option 1: a reduction to 30 km/h at the Oceanfront and downtown
- Option 2: a blanket 40km/h speed limit change across Squamish
- Option 3: 30 km/h at the Oceanfront and downtown and 40km/h elsewhere
According to the Municipal Speed Limit Reduction report, a blanket approach “would apply to all roads not already part of another speed limit approach It wouldn’t apply in school zones, neighbourhood ways or potentially in an area already designated via an area-based approach.”
The speed limit through the Oceanfront will be marked at 30km/h as of mid-2025 for moving vehicles throughout the community—with 33% raising concerns over local roads and laneways
There is $165,000 in the 2025 budget for the implementation of the 30km/h speed limit reductions in the Oceanfront and downtown areas, which includes signage and communications It does not include traffic calming, enforcement or transit operating expenses
McMurtry also said that there would be financial impacts associated with transit as a result of each speed limit reduction option
“As speed limits are reduced, you need more service hours to provide the same level of service to our transit … BC Transit supported us by completing an analysis and showed that the additional cost would range from $60,000 to almost $370,000 annually,” he said.
Staff recommended Option 1—reducing the speed limit to 30km/h at the two locations only—which the council opted for, but amended the motion to also consider the blanket speed limit reduction to 40km/h in the 2026 budget process.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
“This approach allows us to move with the budget that we have allocated to this project already and secondly, provides the direction to staff to further investigate what the impacts would be,” Mayor Armand Hurford said at the
committee of the whole meeting.
“I hear the concern of the community and of the folks around this table that they want to push out further than the downtown core, and I generally agree with that, and I think this is a way that we can do that in a better-informed way, which also gives us time to work with the community, to get them ready for this change that’s coming.”
Coun. Andrew Hamilton was in support of only changing to a blanket speed limit of 40 km/h but ultimately backed the motion to also reduce the limits in the two localized areas.
“I don’t believe that the 30 km/h zone downtown is going to achieve our objectives, but I am in agreement that the 40 km/h blanket zone, coming later, may achieve some of these objectives,” Hamilton said.
“The speed limit change is a necessary step in having enforcement actually happen If we change the signs, that’s not going to automatically make everybody drive slower, but it is a necessary first step.”
Coun. Lauren Greenlaw supported the motion but said further consultation with the
trucking and transit industries should be completed to fully “understand the impacts” on them
“I don’t necessarily think that this is a step that needs to be taken prior to increased enforcement on speeding We just need increased enforcement on speeding because we already have people speeding a lot through all of our neighbourhoods.”
There were a lot of question marks around what kind of enforcement would be in play once the speed limit changes come into effect, but Coun Jenna Stoner suggested a creative approach
“I envision this brigade of citizens who have pledged to just always drive the speed limit. That’s one of the most legit ways to slow everybody down, is if there’s one car who’s going at or below the speed limit,” Stoner said.
“So, do we have 100 people in the community who sign on, who say, I will always drive just below the speed limit, and then you slow everybody down?
“I think that there are other ways that we can really think about [enforcement] that actually engages our community, and there
The speed limit change is a necessary step in having enforcement actually happen.
COUN. ANDREW HAMILTON
are a lot of really active, vocal citizens who are concerned about street safety and road safety, and how do we empower them to take action, and how do we support them in doing so.”
Council members unanimously supported the motion at the regular council meeting Dec.17
According to the report, “staff will develop a communications plan that will accompany the signage installation The anticipated timeline for signage to be in the ground is mid-2025.”
PHOTO BY INDIGO LEMAY CONWAY/THE SQUAM SH CH EF
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NEW CO-HOUSING PROJECTS: A SOLUTION FOR AFFORDABILITY AND ISOLATION?
Zoning challenges for the third co-housing project by Responsible Living
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@squamishchief.com
For Squamish’s Imran Ashraf, 41, co-housing developments are a solution to several social challenges in town.
Ashraf, who works in construction, has lived in a Responsible Living co-housing unit at Cheakamus House, at 1477 Depot Rd., Brackendale, for one year since it opened It has 14 one-bedroom and den suites with individual washrooms, shared kitchen and living room spaces, as well as a garage gym and communal outdoor space.
Originally from the U.K., Ashraf has lived in Whistler and Squamish on and off since 2007
Behind Responsible Living are builder Dave
Ransier and Lior Ishai, a social entrepreneur
So far, there are two such co-housing properties, the other being Britannia House in Dentville, which has 12 units and was built in 2022.
MAMQUAM HOUSE
The duo are now planning a third, more ambitious project, called Mamquam House, that is slated to include five “micro-communities,” with a total of 30 units.
Mamquam House, at 40215 Government Rd, will have shared-bathroom suites, with rents starting at $1,100 per month, plus utilities and household expenses.
This month, on Dec. 3, though, the plans were put in jeopardy when the District council passed three readings of a bylaw that would change the
current R-1 zoning to R-3, meaning they could not go ahead with their plans as designed
While it doesn’t change the unit count, it means a significant delay and loss of about $150,000 in designing plans.
A District spokesperson said this rezoning has to do with increasing density, but also addressing increased density in higher flood-risk areas.
The rezoning that impacted this property is part of a broad, District-wide rezoning amendment.
“The proposed zoning change is in line with Bill 44—Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing— [provincial] legislation that requires municipalities to amend their zoning bylaws to increase minimum density standards to allow more housing options in residential neighbour-
hoods,” the spokesperson said
The District completed the first Bill 44 zoning bylaw amendment to increase density in some of these residential neighbourhoods through the adoption of the R-1 Zone in June 2024, except for the high flood hazard residential areas of Squamish.
A flood consultant was hired to determine how to address the Bill 44 requirements in high flood hazard areas of the district while also aligning with the District’s Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan and the flood hazard policies and guidelines in the Official Community Plan, according to the spokesperson
“The R-3 Zone (along with several other
CO-HOUSING: Continued on 5
EVIDENCE WRANGLING SLOWING LOCAL WOMAN’S ALLEGED TERRORISM CASE
Kimberly Polman was arrested and charged by the Pacific Region RCMP Federal Policing Integrated National Security Enforcement Team with allegations in Richmond and Syria
JEREMY HAINSWORTH
Glacier Media
The pending B.C. Supreme Court jury trial of a Squamish woman charged with alleged ISIS-related terrorism offences is being bogged down as the Crown wrangles evidence from agencies both in Canada and abroad
Kimberly Polman has pleaded not guilty and elected to be tried in English.
In July, the RCMP’s Federal Policing Integrated National Security Enforcement Team announced it had arrested and charged the 51-year-old woman.
Court documents indicate she left B.C. on July 21, 2015, information that is in count one of charge documents.
The charges allege Polman left Canada to knowingly participate in the activity of a terrorist group for the purpose of enhancing the ability of such a group to perform its activities That is alleged to have happened in Richmond
A second count alleges she participated in the work of the Islamic State between July 25, 2015, and July 27, 2019 That is alleged to have happened in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Federal Crown prosecutor Ryan Carrier appeared before Justice Martha Devlin on Dec. 18 and said retrieving evidence continues and a
witness list is being compiled
He said retrieval of some evidence from government agencies and elsewhere was beyond the control of police
“That’s going to take a bit of time,” he told the court.
He said the Crown has made it clear to government departments that the evidence work needs to be done.
Polman was repatriated to Canada in October 2022
REPATRIATION
A federal government parliamentary question period briefing note dated Oct. 25, 2022, for
then-minister of public safety Marco Mendicino said Polman and another woman were repatriated from a camp in northeast Syria on received information that their health was deteriorating.
The other woman is Oumaima Chouay, who was repatriated with her two children
She was arrested in Montreal on her return to Canada on Oct. 25, 2022
Chouay was charged with leaving Canada to participate in the activity of a terrorist group, providing, making available property or services for terrorist purposes and conspiracy for leaving Canada to participate in the activity of a terrorist group.
HOW BILLS C-31 AND S-3 CHANGED THE INDIAN ACT
What does this mean for the Squamish Nation?
BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Who gets to decide who belongs?
Bills C-31 and S-3 changed the rules for Indian status, aiming to fix decades of unfair policies in the Indian Act.
But these changes have brought new questions and challenges for communities like the Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), where membership and identity are deeply tied to these rules. Here’s what these bills changed and why they still matter today.
BILL C-31: CORRECTING DISCRIMINATION IN 1985
In 1985, the federal government passed Bill C-31 to address discrimination that had been embedded in the Indian Act for decades.
Before this amendment, Indigenous women lost their status if they married non-status men. By contrast, Indigenous men kept their status when marrying non-status women.
WHAT BILL C-31 CHANGED
Women who lost their status through marriage were reinstated as Status Indians.
Their children also gained status, restoring rights to generations affected by this unfair policy.
Members have raised concerns that the current Membership Code leaves out some of our grandchildren and children.
However, the bill introduced a new issue—two categories of status.
Section 6(1): Both parents are entitled to registration, so their children automatically receive status
Section 6(2): Only one parent is entitled to status under Section 6(1)
This distinction created what is now called the “second-generation cut-off.”
Under this rule, if someone registered under Section 6(2) has children with a non-status partner, those children are no longer eligible for status
Over generations, this has reduced the number of individuals eligible under the Indian Act.
BILL S-3: ELIMINATING MORE INEQUITIES IN 2017
In 2017, the federal government passed Bill S-3 following a court decision in Descheneaux v. Canada.
The case highlighted ongoing inequities in the registration system, which Bill S-3 aimed to address.
The Cousins Issue: Descendants of women who lost status before 1985 are now treated equally to descendants of men.
The Siblings Issue: Children born outside marriage to entitled fathers between 1951 and 1985 gained status
The Omitted Minor Children Issue: Children who lost status because their mothers remarried non-status men were reinstated.
The Gehl Decision: Greater flexibility was introduced to prove status when a parent or ancestor’s identity is unknown or unstated.
Removal of the 1951 Cut-Off Date: Status eligibility was extended to descendants of women who lost status as far back as 1869
However, while Bill S-3 corrected these gender-based inequities, it created new challenges for First Nations.
Community membership rules don’t always align with the federal government’s changes to status eligibility.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR THE SQUAMISH NATION
The Nation’s Membership Code, first developed in 1987 and updated in 2000 and 2013, outlines the rules for becoming a Sḵwxwú7mesh member based on the Nation’s laws and traditions.
Under the current code, Indian Act status remains a requirement for membership
However, changes brought by Bill S-3 have led to concerns among members.
According to the Nation, the updated registration rules have exposed gaps that leave out some grandchildren and children
“Members have raised concerns that the current Membership Code leaves out some of our grandchildren and children,” the Nation states on its website.
“Bill S-3 provides an opportunity to engage our members on what changes they would like to see and update our Code.”
The Squamish Nation is now reviewing its Membership Code with its members.
The review is being led by Ts’ixwts’ixwnítway (Member Services), with support from the Membership Committee and the Membership Appeals Committee, and under the guidance of Nexwsxwníwntm ta Úxwumixw (council).
Members are encouraged to share their thoughts on the proposed updates:
Phone: 604-982-7610
Email: membership@squamish.net
Note: The Squamish Chief has reached out to the Sḵwx wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and is waiting for a reply.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
PHOTO BY LINDA YOLANDA/E+/GETTY IMAGES
The Squamish Nation is now reviewing its Membership Code with its members
CO-HOUSING: Continued from 3
residential zones, including R-2, R-4 and R-5, that apply to other flood hazard residential areas in the District) is the culmination of this flood hazard policy and analysis work Aligning zoning with the Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan also ensures that zoning does not exceed the risk tolerance levels established through that process,” continued the muni spokesperson
“This property was initially zoned R-1. However, further work with the flood consultant identified additional properties that needed to have their densities and setbacks adjusted to align the property with the Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan.”
Engagement for the project occurred over the fall, including an Open House on Oct. 9, 2024, with approximately 35 attendees, according to the District.
The Responsible Living folks didn’t hear about the change before it happened and are asking the council and District to pull their property out of the rezoning
“With over 120 residents on our waiting list for Mamquam House, we encourage the mayor to champion affordable housing in Squamish by removing 40215 Government Rd from the new zoning changes,” Ransier said in an email to The Squamish Chief.
Asked if it would be possible for the District to pull the Responsible Living property out of the rezoning, the District spokesperson said no.
“It is not possible for a single property to be exempted from Bylaw 3104 as this would not be equitable for the other hundreds of properties being rezoned in high flood hazard areas across the District to comply with Bill 44 and District flood policy,” the spokesperson said.
“Individual property owners can apply to rezone their properties if they would like to develop in a way that is not compliant with their current zoning Properties that are located in high flood hazard areas generally need to engage a flood hazard engineering consultant to review their proposed development to determine if it meets the District’s flood policies, guidelines and regulations. Doing this ensures that the properties can be developed in a way that is safe for the intended use.”
CO-HOUSING DRAW
For Ashraf, the first problem co-housing solves is affordability.
“When I lived here in 2011, I had a basement, one bedroom suite, $600 a month,” he recalls, though he isn’t bitter about the rent increase over time, seeing it instead as inevitable, given the beauty and central location of Squamish
“You would expect that right, living between Vancouver and Whistler, Squamish—it’s got the potential for growth,” he said
What he pays per month for his unit is low compared with other rentals in town, and he doesn’t pay for utilities, he said
They are purpose-built rentals, too, which means renting a unit doesn’t come with the anxiety that your landlord may sell or “renovict” you.
The other challenge that co-housing solves is isolation.
A single guy, Ashraf, said that given how
exhausting construction work can be, he could tend to get into a routine of working, going home and maybe playing a video game, sleeping and doing it all again the next day without much socializing outside of work
Now, he has a built-in community.
“It’s a way to force you to be somewhat social,” he said. “Because you have to cook in the kitchen, which means you interact with other people. And I always thought that concept was really good because I’ve lived in rental accommodation for, I’d say, over half of my life now, and when I came here, I always thought that was something that had been missed as an opportunity [in Squamish].”
He said the mix of ages in his building means that tenants can learn and be inspired by each other He gave the example of a younger tenant who is into snowboarding, which reminded Ashraf of when he worked in Whistler
“It’s nice in that aspect, there’s a good mix of people, different ages, different backgrounds, different hobbies,” he said
While there isn’t a strata, Ashraf said the house co-ordinator is the go-between for the residents and the owners.
Most everything to do with living in the home is done by vote, for example what outdoor feature they want in the yard, paid for with a monthly allowance from the owners.
“In the summer, a bunch of the tenants are into gardening. One of the tenants is a landscaper. And so Responsible Living were like, ‘OK, we’ll pay for materials. You put in the labour.’ So we had, I think, four planters, and they were growing zucchini, tomatoes, chillies, flowers. And there were a bunch of people who were involved in that kind of thing,” he said
“There has been talk of a sauna.”
He said he knows that some locals don’t like the idea of these co-housing developments, but for him, more are needed in town
“There’s resistance to change,” he acknowledged.
“If I came into money, this is what I would do because you can look at a townhome, say, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, townhome,
with a master bedroom with an ensuite being rented for, like, $1,500 And then you got bills on top of that, and what I pay is very close to that, and I have no bills … Hydro, internet, it’s all included. And so for me, I think it’s a great idea. I
feel that more of this type of housing would be beneficial
To find out more about Responsible Living’s co-housing options so far, go to www.responsibleliving.ca.
PHOTOS COURTESY RESPONSIBLE LIVING
Design of Mamquam House, before the recent rezoning
WHAT DOES THE GREEN PARTY’S DEAL WITH THE NDP MEAN FOR SQUAMISH?
Regional transit in 2025, but no cancellation of Woodfibre
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
Earlier this month, the BC Green Party anounced its caucus had entered a four-year agreement with the BC New Democratic Government.
The deal, which was signed Dec. 12, can be reviewed annually.
This agreement secures Green support for the NDP on big-ticket items—confidence and supply—in exchange for advancing Green initiatives on health care, housing, renter support, homelessness, transit, climate, forestry, tax and legislative reform
“We are glad to have reached an agreement that champions Green initiatives,” said Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, in a news release.
“We’ve witnessed how unchecked inequality and polarization erode trust in government, and this is our chance to rebuild faith in our public institutions by delivering for everyone, especially those British Columbians who’ve been left behind.”
WHAT DOES SQUAMISH GET FROM THIS DEAL?
Sea to Sky regional transit is the biggest thing Squamish looks to get out of the deal
On transit, the agreement states: “Government will commit, in collaboration with [the BC Green Party Caucus], to implement frequent, reliable, affordable regional transit on key inter-regional routes on Vancouver Island, along Highway 16, and along Highway 1, with a focus on Sea to Sky Corridor transit in 2025.”
Asked for more details on if this means buses will be rolling by this time next year Valeriote told The Squamish Chief that is the idea.
On this, Valeriote acknowledged his two-MLA Green Party couldn’t get traction
“This is an area where our BC Green caucus was not able to budge the government,” he said “This is tremendously disappointing to me, but we did not have the negotiating leverage to get Woodfibre cancelled, and LNG is deeply entrenched in the government’s plans. However, there is still the possibility that updates to CleanBC regulations and/or global gas market conditions serve to bring an end to this misguided project or future LNG export projects that will contribute to destructive climate impacts,” he added.
“The Greens being at the table to update and set a new direction for CleanBC is a major win for the climate and environment, and we will absolutely continue to hold the NDP government accountable on fossil fuel development and meeting our emissions targets.”
NOT SURPRISING
In a release after Valeriote’s win, members of the environmental group My Sea to Sky congratulated themselves on making Woodfibre LNG an election issue.
“My Sea to Sky has made Woodfibre LNG an election issue at the local, provincial, and federal level for nearly 11 years now,” said the organization’s executive director, Tracey Saxby, in a post on the My Sea to Sky website on Oct. 24.
“After nearly electing a BC Green to the West Vancouver Sea to Sky riding in 2020, this election, we have finally made history as Jeremy Valeriote becomes the first BC Green elected to the mainland This sends a clear message about the increasing opposition to Woodfibre LNG, as the BC Greens are the only party opposed to fracking and LNG export projects
“Thank you to everyone that voted, and helped to get out the vote.”
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“There are many details still to be determined. However, a lot of planning work has been completed by local governments and First Nations, so I expect that regional transit can be implemented in 2025,” he said in an email exchange with The Squamish Chief.
“It is one of the intentions of the agreement that accountability for outcomes is built into continued support from the BC Greens, and this is one example where I will be pushing hard for fast implementation—Sea to Sky residents have waited long enough for transit service!”
TREMENDOUSLY DISAPPOINTING
What isn’t in the agreement is any mention of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or more specifically, Woodfibre LNG.
Movement on this was something Valeriote touted as separating him from other candidates throughout the campaign.
Asked about how the organization views the inability to get the LNG issue into the agreement, Saxby said that My Sea to Sky has successfully made Woodfibre LNG an election issue for every local, provincial, and federal election since 2014.
“The BC Greens are the only party opposed to fracking and LNG export projects, so it’s not surprising that they were unable to reach an agreement with the BC NDP on this issue,” she said, in an email to The Squamish Chief.
“We’re excited to see the commitments to regional transit, climate action—including funding for heat pumps—forests, and water management for the first year of this agreement,” she added.
“The review of CleanBC will also provide another opportunity for the BC Greens to call to cancel the permits for Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC’s fracked gas pipeline, both of which have now received several warnings from regulators for violating the conditions of their permits. The continued expansion of new fossil
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BC GREEN CAUCUS
During the swearing in ceremony on Nov. 12 for the two Green MLAs: the Sea to Sky’s Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.
fuel infrastructure like Woodfibre LNG will make it impossible for B.C. to meet its climate targets once these projects are operational.”
Saxby said My Sea to Sky will continue to hold “Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC accountable and raise awareness about how these fossil fuel projects are harming our climate, health, safety, and environment, and worsening the cost-ofliving crisis when so many British Columbians are already struggling to make ends meet.”
She said the organization reiterates its call on the government to cancel the permits for Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC’s “high-pressure fracked gas pipeline.”
WE CHOSE TO FIND COMMON GROUND
Ultimately, Valeriote pointed to the addition of the Greens and what they were able to get in the deal with the NDP as positive.
From the agreement, he highlighted “built-in transparency and quarterly progress reporting on specific deliverables, community health centres and integrating mental health into our health care system, permanently protecting Fairy Creek and continuing the conversation on electoral reform.”
He also stressed the common ground the agreement speaks to
“In a time of deep division and polarization, we chose to find common ground and focus on what really matters, addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, the climate crisis, and making B.C. a better place for everyone,” he said.
My Sea to Sky has made Woodfibre LNG
an election issue at the local, provincial, and federal level for nearly 11 years now.
TRACEY SAXBY
“With the NDP holding a majority, they didn’t need to work with us, but we worked hard to secure a deal that prioritizes real solutions people need right now,” he said.
The agreement will deliver immediate relief, he added, including mental health care covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP), increases to Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Rental Assistance Program (RAP), more affordable homes protected under the Rental Protection Fund, and action on homelessness with the village model.
“What we’ve secured for 2025 in budget terms is $298 million, just 0.3% of the 2024 budget This is real progress, but it’s just the start. We’ll keep pushing for Green initiatives beyond this accord, and the one-year renewal means we can adapt and improve. We are excited and hopeful about what’s to come in 2025, and the more that is realized in the coming months, we think British Columbians will be too.”
THE GIVING KIND: The Squamish Women’s Hockey Academy, which is coached by women and is a program for beginners and intermediate players, wrapped up its annual Holiday Cup tourney just before Christmas. Part of the tournament is for teams to donate food to the food bank. The women, with help of these fine young men, dropped off two truckc loads of donations.
CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL
PHOTO COURTESY OF EVELYN SCHELLENBERG
PaymentOptions Changing Curbside Collection
As of December 31, 2024 theDistrictofSquamish will no longer accept credit cardpayments over the phone.The following paymentoptions are available
• In person paymentat37955Second Avenue with credit card(maximum $2,000), debit card,cheque, or cash.
•After hours cheque drop boxat 37955 Second Avenue
Please include your contactinformation, account number or folder number (e.g.Buildingpermit number,Developmentpermit number) or your address and reason forpayment.
WHAT’SHAPPENING IN RECREATION AND CULTURE
Startyour year off right—our winter sessions begin January7.
NO CURBSIDE PICKUP
COLLECTION CHANGED TO Wednesday, January1 Saturday, January4
Nevermiss acollection day!
Visit our websitetoget afree reminder email,app notification, or phone call.Justenter your address or download the free app. squamish.ca/curbside-collection
Kick off the NewYear with Winter Fun!
OurWinterPrograms begin January 7, and there’s stilltime to findyour favorite!
From sports and fitness to arts and activities forall ages,there’s something foreveryone.
Don’tmiss out—signuptoday
Choirwith Ian Brown
Lovetosing? Join Ian Brown’sChoir Class and let your voiceshine!
Trained volunteers offer practical and emotional supportto caregivers.Drop-in to this welcoming spacetosocializeand forsupportinagroup setting
This programisofferedbySea to SkyHospice.
Forregistration information contact 778.319.7934 and ask to speak to Jody Kramer.
Last Tuesdayof everymonth 11:45 AM -1:15 PM This programtakes placeatthe Westwinds.
Know beforeyou go! squamish.ca/pool
New! Seniors Open GymProgram -55+
Starts January 14 |Westwinds fitness room |$8drop-in fee*
Join us for90minutes of non-instructional time in the Fitness Room at Westwind’s Senior Living. We have avarietyof equipmentincluding treadmills,ellipticals,recumbentbikes and free-weights with staff supervision included.
*Westwinds does not have apaymentcounter, so pre-paying for your dropinisrequired.Prepaymentcan be made at The55 ActivityCentre, Brennan Park oronline.
for details: squamish.ca/rec
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Squamish has been the first communityinBritish Columbia to offeracurbside batteryrecycling pilot programthrough acollaboration with Call2Recycle,GFL, and the Districtof Squamish.
During one week each in June and November,Squamish residents were asked to put their collectedbatteries on topoftheir recycling bins to be collected. Atotal of 683 households participated.Over1,300 kg of batteries were collectedfor recycling
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Winter Parking Restrictions
Parking on selectstreets in Squamish is restrictedtoone side only until March1,2025. This ensures snowplows and emergencyvehicles can safely navigate during winterconditions
Foralist of affectedstreets and moredetails,visit squamish.ca/winter-parking
DAFFODILS AND POINSETTIAS OF GRATITUDE from The Squamish posties. We all appreciated the love, support and kind donations from locals and businesses alike that kept our hearts warm
A TRUCK LOAD OF DAFFODILS to Miller Capilano, Ken Harris & Sons, Tupper, Lindsay Equipment, Rental Network, Howe Sound Hauling, JBD and all the other incredible trucks for your hard work the last few weeks! ~From a very grateful community
DARTS TO THE TWO CYCLISTS pedalling north on Government Road, just past the three-way stop intersecting Garibaldi Way on Dec 18th From a fellow avid road cyclist, why you think it’s OK to ride two abreast, with one in the bike lane and the other easily a foot into the car lane, boggles me. I was the vehicle that gave three taps of my horn, which resulted in a scowl.
It was meant to be a friendly reminder, that we are so lucky to have so many bike lanes throughout our community, so single up and use it
You give all cyclists a bad name with this sense of entitlement. Just follow the rules of the road already, stay safe out there, and save the social for post-ride.
Got something nice to say or some constructive criticism? Send your Darts & Daffodils:
Email: news@squamishchief.com or drop off at The Chief office (38117 Second Ave.) during business hours. Deadline for submissions is Monday at 4 p.m. for Thursday’s paper. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number for verification. Maximum length is 75 words. Darts are intended to be an anonymous critique between private parties Darts must not directly or indirectly identify an individual or business.
WALKING ON WATER: Have a spectacular photo to share? Send it to news@squamishchief com
PHOTO BY RENÉE NICOLE @CAPTURINGINTHEWILD
NoticeofIntentionto Dispose of Land
WHAT’S PROPOSED: Disposition of Districtowned road allowancebordering 1360 Victoria Street forcanopies extendingfromthe Aegean Homes Development.
TheDistrictofSquamish (“District”)herebygives noticepursuanttoSection 26 of the CommunityCharter that the Districtintends to grantaneasement, beginning afterJanuary2, 2025, thatwill expirewhen the building is demolished or significantly structurally altered,to1158307B.C. Ltd., fora69.1m2 portion, forthe purpose of twocanopies, over Districtowned road allowancebordering 1360 Victoria Street,with alegal description of PID 012-002836 LotABlock 18 DistrictLot 486 Plan 3960, fora$1,000 processing fee.
Thisisthe second of twonotices,dated this 2nd dayofJanuary, 2025, at Squamish, British Columbia.
NoticeofIntentionto Dispose of Land
WHAT’SPROPOSED: Disposition ofDistrictowned road allowance over thatportion of Sp’awk’us Landing Village Crescent bordering the Oceanfront Squamish Presentation Centre (37010 Village Crescent) forthe purposes of an awning.
TheDistrictofSquamish (“District”)herebygives notice pursuanttoSection 26 of the CommunityCharter that the Districtintends to grantan easement, beginning after January2,2025, thatwill expire when thebuilding is demolished or significantly structurally altered,toMatthewsWest Developments Ltd.,for a9.8m2 portion,for the purpose of an awning,overDistrictowned road allowance(Sp’awk’us Landing Village Crescent) bordering 37010 Village Crescent, with alegal description of PID 031-768-865 LotCDistrictLot 5717 Group 1New Westminster DistrictPlan EPP115271, fora$1,000 processing fee. This is the second of twonotices,dated this 2nd dayofJanuary, 2025, at Squamish, British Columbia.
2025 Landfill Tipping Fees
On January2,2025, the tipping fees at the Squamish Landfill changed to the following:
Minimum charge forwaste
residual wastewith no recycleorreuseoptions
$10
$244/tonne
Banned materials surcharge contains more than 5% recyclables or organics $305/tonne
Recyclable materials
with Ammonia
and boxsprings
lighttruck only
no rim
rims Gypsum board NO asbestos
$421/tonne
Food waste from residential sources
Invasiveplants
Residential sources(small load)
(Bin locatedatRecycle Depot)
Commercial sources with Invasive-Free Certification $43/tonne
Commercial sources without Invasive-Free Certification $91/tonne
Clean wood and yard waste suitable forcompost
Dirtywood painted, gluedetc.suitable forbiofuel
Surcharge forcontaminatedwood load (> 5%)
$128/tonne
$185/tonne
$144/tonne
Concrete(up to 110kg)$183/tonne
Surcharge if concreteis>110kg$87
RV,Boats,Trailers $300/tonne
Dismantled and liquids and recyclablesremoved Glass >100kg$80/tonne
Weighing
Morethan 15 materials continue to be accepted forfreerecycling at the Landfill Recycling Depot and Transfer Station. Theseinclude cardboard,plasticbags, books,clothing,and whitefoam packaging squamish.ca/landfill
BRITANNIA BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT DONATES PLAY KITCHEN TO COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARE
Firefighting training spreads community spirit
JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com
It’s a full-circle moment of sorts.
On Dec. 20, Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Rob Nicholls slides the Ikea play kitchen out of the back of a department pickup outside The Squamish Chief.
He is dropping it off as a donation to Squamish Community Christmas Care, given the paper’s Second Avenue office always serves as a donation drop-off location
It is full circle in that the playhouse was assembled as part of a communications exercise, and the newspaper is, well, a form of communication.
Earlier in December, for the third year in a row, the Britannia Beach department conducted a radio communications exercise.
“One officer was sequestered away and using a portable radio to communicate with the firefighter team that was on the incident scene and was providing instructions over the radio on how to assemble this product,” Nicholls said of the Ikea play kitchen.
Each year, they assemble something different.
“None of the firefighters knew what it was.
The officer for that team is blindfolded, so he or
she is taking the communications from the incident commander ... They are having to say to the workers, ‘OK, take a one-foot by two-foot
WHAT'SNEXT @THE BAG Highlights
Battle of The Bands Local bands, onestage. Whoadvances? Chess Tournament Challenge opponents&win prizes!
piece of plywood, and then find two sides that go to it.’ Because IKEA has no written instructions, it’s all pictures, so the incident commander is communicating from the picture instructions to the team.”
The two teams of eight get two hours to finish the project. Then, the blindfolds are taken off, and if not completed yet, the rest of the item is assembled.
According to Nicholls, in addition to being a lesson in teamwork, this exercise is a fun way to learn other important firefighting skills
“They have to learn proper radio protocols and then also, it’s a problem-solving exercise for both the firefighters and the incident commander in communicating limited information as succinctly as possible to support the team in assembling it,” he said.
“It’s a fun, entertaining and educational opportunity for the firefighters to really hone the radio skills and their problem-solving skills.”
The 120-year-old Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief boasts 38 active firefighters and averages about 11 (10.8) firefighters per call out.
To learn more about the department, go to bbvfa.ca.
Marc Charron Local singer-songwriter Fri Jan10, 17 &24@7:00pm $10 SatJan 18 @9:00am $20 SatJan 18 @8:00pm $20 adv |$25 door
Jennamae &The Groove Section Soulfulpop with irresistibleR&B grooves SatJan 25 @8:00pm $20 adv |$25 door
Battle of The BandsFinal Ultimate showdown! Whowins? Fri Jan31@ 7:00 pm $10
STOPBYAND TRYOUR NEWMENU! Caféopendaily from 8am EXPLORE ALL EVENTS brackendaleartgallery.com
SCANNOW,GRAB YOURTICKETS,AND JOIN THEFUN!
PHOTO BY JENNIFER THUNCHER/THE SQUAMISH CHIEF Fire Chief Rob Nicholls dropping off the play kitchen just before Christmas.
PHOTO BY RENÉE NICOLE @CAPTURINGINTHEWILD
TOOT TOOT!: A local pygmy owl. According to All About Birds, the pygmy owl song is a series of high, hollow toots spaced a couple of seconds apart. Couples will sometimes sing simultaneously
Theparkhas fast become afavourite stop forkidsof allages, locals andtouristsalike
•While theSquamishCommunity HousingSociety wasfounded in 2021 andwas operationalin2023, it really picked up steamin2024, with,for example, operating48below-marketrentalunits.
•CapilanoUniversitySquamishopenedonthe old QuestUniversitycampus, welcomingits first studentsin the fall of 2024.
Soon after, itsnew turf fieldhostedsoccercleats from across thecountry in the2024Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association(CCAA)Women’s SoccerNational Championship action.
•Wegot anew MLAfromapolitical partythatwe haven’teverseeninthisriding, with Jeremy Valerioteofthe GreenParty winninginOctober. He’s also thefirst BC Greenelected on the mainland.
•Afterabout adecadeofbuildup—and division WoodfibreLNG andthe associated FortisBC pipeline projectbothbegan construction,withthe floatelmovingtothe site this past summer.
•Manydevelopmentsprogressedaswell, including thestart of the$89-million Cheekeye Debris-Flow Barrier, to make wayfor theCheekeyeRiver Development.
•The newFireHallonTantalusRoadwas completed andbecameoperational as well,givingmoretools andcomfort to firefighters,and enhanced safety to thecommunity
•Anew CT scan forSquamishhospitaland anew long-termcarehomewerebothannounced this year, too.
Of course,itisnot as grandabeginning as those mentionedsofar,but TheSquamishChief underwent changesthisyear, too. We have new employees—general reporter Indigo Lemay-Conway andIndigenousaffairs reporter Bhagyashree Chatterjee.Wealsomoved officestoour new location at 38113SecondAve,where H&RBlock used to be.(H&R Blockisnow at 1305 PembertonAve.)
Manyother businesses opened,moved or grew this past year than we couldeverlisthere, butwe know we arebetteroff fortheir success.
It hasbeenquite ayear.
We can’twaittosee what is in storefor 2024.
AJOURNEY ACROSSBORDERS:HOW IFOUND AHOMEINSQUAMISH
Movingthroughoutmy17years of life hasbeen along, yetadventurous journey that ultimately broughtmetoSquamish,a placeI nowcallhome.
IgrewupinGuatemala,surroundedbyfamily, close friends, andavibrant cultureIgrewtolovedeeply. My family movedaroundGuatemala City seventimes, each time introducingmetonew places to explore. However, growingup, Ioften heardadultssay how much better life wasinthe U.S. or Canada.Itwasn’t untilI left Guatemalafor thefirst time in 2021 that I begantoreallyappreciatethe beauty anduniqueness of my home country.
ThoughIenjoyed discoveringanew place, Iquickly begantomissGuatemalanfood—nothing beatsa good traditionaldinner! Afterayear, wereturnedto Guatemalafor four months to finalize ourpermanent residency(PR)applications. Thosemonthsreconnected me to theculture,family, andfoodImissedsomuch. In 2022,our PR cardsarrived,and we movedto Pemberton. This wasa bigadjustment—from city life to aremotesmall town.Ontop of that,our househad
no internet,sowehad to drive10minutes into town or visitneighboursjusttoconnect online,and canyou imaginelivingwithout constant access to theinternet? Isurecan’t.Despite these challenges,though, Pembertonwas only asteppingstone;our goal was Squamish
Aftermonthsofsearching,wefound aplace near WestwayAvenueinValleycliffe. Istarted Grade10at Howe Sound Secondaryand grew attached to Squamish’s cosy,tight-knitvibe. Iwas really enjoying my time studying,and classeswereteachingmea varietyofdifferent things.Unfortunately,wemoved again—this time to Nelson.But afterjustseven months,wereturned to Squamish,where we trulyfelt at home, due to notbeing able to find jobs over there and overallmissing Squamish’s ambiance
That second arrivalwas very encouraging. Reuniting with friendsliftedmyspirits,evenaswelived in a crampedstudioapartment whileapplyingfor affordable housing. Though we didn’t getinto affordable housing, we were luckyenoughtowin a random draw fora housenearthe Montessori school, finallygivingusapermanent placetosettle. Ournot qualifying foraffordablehousing,thoughisstill oneof theodditiesofthe journeyIstill don’tquite get, butitis what it is.
It’s been alongjourney to gethere, butevery step shaped my perspectiveand helped me appreciate whereI’vecomefromand whereIamnow.I’m grateful to call Squamish my home.
(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LET’S CHOOSE PEACE
At this time of year, we get to reflect on what we have done in the past 12 months and what the New Year might hold
We are surrounded by challenges
For many, these are personal ones Global ones—greenhouse gases, decreasing biodiversity, and violent conflict suggest that we are exceeding the planet’s capacity to support us—crowd in on us further.
While it is natural to focus on the issues that are closest to one’s doorstep, we increasingly see that everything is linked.
As a physician, I would like to point out how important peace is for our health Peace affects every aspect of our existence. Internal peace is a cornerstone of good mental health. Peace in the family is foundational to the relationship between women and men. It contributes to parenting that helps children to understand who they are and how they can contribute to community well-being. It helps to create communities where everyone is included. It allows us to look at the environment that supports us through a different lens.
On the other hand, violence does exactly the opposite. Whether psychological or physical, it ruins internal equanimity and dissolves relationships, creating communities that breed fear and where love is absent It is mirrored in how we treat the environment.
Thankfully, we live in Canada, where violence is largely illegal and only allowed in very prescribed circumstances, such as in defence of our security
Peacekeeping is vital, whether in Squamish or across the globe.
Yet, we have a world where peacemaking seems to be on the back burner Violent conflict rages in more countries than at any time in the past generation Global security is dependent on the use and the threat of use of nuclear weapons. We are convinced that our safety is ensured by a mutual suicide pact Simply, if we are attacked, our response will make sure that none of us will survive.
At the very least, the thinking that has led us to this impasse is unhealthy. We
LETTERS POLICY
have grown accustomed to using violence to resolve conflict Nuclear weapons are its worst symptom. We have global bans on chemical and biological weapons, cluster munitions and land mines. The Total Prohibition on Nuclear Weapons bans nuclear weapons, but none of the nuclear weapons states and their allies have supported it
Obviously, abolishing nuclear weapons will not prevent us from using violence, but it will allow us to explore pathways to security that do not hold the potential to end life as we know it
In the New Year, Canada has an opportunity to change this There is a meeting of the parties to the TPNW in New York in March. Canada could send a representative to explore what is possible to make the world safer. I urge you to ask Patrick Weiler to support this. This is not a partisan issue.
Recently a motion in our House of Commons to support engagement with the TPNW was supported by all parties. We are one human family that inhabits an increasingly fragile homeland. Nuclear weapons must not be used. If you feel like me, share those concerns with others. Bring it up in conversations with those who are involved in making policy at the local, provincial, national and global levels. Join the various civil society organizations that educate and advocate for peace.
Perhaps, this time next year we will be a little closer to the peace that will make all our lives a little healthier.
John Guilfoyle, President of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada Squamish
NO TO PAID PARKING
Parking in Squamish is a problem of entitlement, privilege, and sometimes, inconvenience. The District intends to solve this “problem” by framing paid parking on our public streets and parking lots as a climate solution that is “tourist-based.” This is misleading. Just like the “tourist-based” no-camping bylaw that targets working locals and visitors (but negatively impacts locals more than
tourists), this is paid parking for everyone, tourists and locals alike. A cash grab aimed to profit off others while pricing certain people out, furthering the class divide and the commodification and privatization of public lands.
Increasing the cost of car ownership before alternatives are in place is a regressive approach, as it hurts those who rely on street parking and who are financially struggling while leaving the wealthy and their private parkades unscathed.
Ironically, Squamish vehicle residents have been asking for a paid permit system for years, yet the DOS rejected this idea In the end, it’s about who is seen as more valuable and desirable, isn’t it?
It is time the DOS address the realities of class and the colonial idea that land is a commodity to be used for “highest value”. Instead of further privatizing public land, focusing on practical mobility alternatives (more buses, bike lanes, a one-stop paid parkade, etc…), may be a better idea.
If paid parking proceeds, a project that will cost tax-payers $600,000+ to implement and will result in locals having to pay to use the adventure center and Smoke Bluffs parking lots, it’s time to think about future council candidates who care more about people than helping private parking corporations profit off public land
We must also consider “democracy” and what that really means. I am referring to Squamish council’s approval of a motion to “prioritize the implementation of a paid-parking pilot”, despite the fact that the survey is not yet complete Like all DOS surveys, there’s no box to check “no”, leaving no way to show quantitative objection, but in the comments. I will not be surprised that even if survey data shows that the public doesn’t want this, they will proceed regardless in their patronizing “we know better” way.
Squamish is not Whistler, and I’m sure many do not desire it to be so. Please say NO to paid parking.
Thomasina Pidgeon Squamish
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK
If a federal election were held today, who would you vote for?
Have your say at squamishchief.com
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MOST READ STORY
Squamish business beat: KiddoSTEAM opens new facility in Squamish
TOP TIKTOK OF THE WEEK
This week, Indigo Lemay Conway drove around checking out the best light displays in town Find this and many other videos on our TikTok channel: @squamishchief
The unique dining experience aims to connect women and help inspire and motivate diners
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
ilemayconway@squamishchief.com
Have you ever had a meal fill you up physically and spiritually?
Well, Dine Wilder, an exclusive roaming restaurant for women, has set out to do just that
Emily Shimwell, one half of the duo behind Graze Wilder—a Squamish-based charcuterie business she runs with her best friend Rosie Stephens—launched Dine Wilder in September and has since connected dozens of women with her unique dining experience
“Everyone I walked past in the street, I said, I’m going to do this thing on Sept 8, in my garden It’s $85, I don’t know what it is, I don’t know what I’m giving you, but it’s 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., and these are the feelings you’ll leave with,” she said.
Fast forward to the event, and she had a long table covered with beautiful food under a willow tree in her back garden and 28 diners ready to experience the unknown.
“It was actually so magical,” she said
Since then, Dine Wilder has grown at a rapid speed
What does a dining experience look like?
Described by diners as a roaming restaurant or a dinner retreat, the Dine Wilder events are set up at a different location, each with a new theme based on a feeling.
“So, we’ve had intent, abundance and joy, [and coming up] we’re going to do, confidence, and grief,” she said
“I know it’s a high price point; the tickets are $180, it’s a lot of money,” she said
“All the time that we’ve be Graze Wilder, which is near years now, Rosie has always said to me, you need another arm of this, or a separate business that is about bringing people together,” Shimwell said “I’ve got two little ones, and so I’m constantly invited to for drinks on an evening, and it’s really hard to get out when you’ve put your kids in bed. But then I would go and sit the table thinking, this is such an effort to push, and the conversations aren’t really filling my cup.”
“I said we’ll do one in September, and then I’ll probably do one in the spring next year ard three months, and done five dinners, and I’ve got the full year mapped out for next year in Whistler, Squamish, North Van, West Van and Vancouver,” she said
“There’s a dress code that fits the feeling, which I love because there’s not many places in Squamish that warrant getting really dressed up
As a way to combat this, Shimwell came up with the idea of hosting an event with a guest speaker and conversational prompts that would help “foster intentional conversations” with strangers.
“It’s not actually a black tie or a dress or suit; it’s a feeling. So, if you feel the most elegant in your jeans, come in your jeans; it doesn’t need to be a dress. But if you happen to have this amazing ball gown that also makes you feel elegant, come in that.”
The dinners feature a three-course menu, with appetizers organized by Graze Wilder and both main and desserts prepared by a chef or catering company.
A guest speaker helps to keep the conversation flowing between prompts that aim to foster relationships and gain inspiration and motivation from one another Typically, the long table dinners can seat up to 36 people, but Shimwell said she tries to vary the numbers depending on the topic and location
Exclusivity
While she describes the dining experience as exclusive, Shimell said she doesn’t want people to think the event is “excluding”— instead, welcoming women from all walks of life to dine at the table.
“People have messaged me to say it’s out of their price range, and I’ve said, ‘Come and pay what you can afterwards.’ People can pay what they think it was worth or pay in full, and if they don’t think it’s worth it, I’ll give them a refund.”
Her main hope for Dine Wilder is that people leave feeling fulfilled.
“The purpose of it is that you leave feeling fulfilled in whatever role it is that you’re playing at the moment, and you’re the most full version of yourself in that role,” she said By connecting with other women, either in similar or different places in life, she hopes it can allow diners to “see their natural strengths” and have the confidence to back themselves.
As for what the future looks like, Shimwell has big goals.
“I want it to be the most exclusive roaming women’s dinner series in North America,” she said
“I know that sounds so far-fetched but I can see that’s what it can be.”
The next Dine Wilder event is on Jan. 24 and has a theme of Energy
To buy tickets, visit the Dine Wilder website.
WHAT’S INSIDE THESQUAMISHNATION’SHOLIDAY HAMPERS?
Howthe
Squamish Nation is scalingupits cherishedChristmas hamper programfor next year
How does acommunity gettogetherto ensure no oneisleftbehindduringthe holidays?
TheSḵwxwú7meshÚxwumixw’s(Squamish Nation)annualChristmas hamper programis doing just that,bringingjoy andunity to families across theSea to Skyregion.
This cherishedinitiativecontinues to evolve, ensuring that no family goes withoutduringthe holidays
ATRADITION ROOTED IN CARE
TheChristmas hamper programhas grown from humble beginnings.
“The programbegan by helpingthosewho were trulyinneedand on social assistance,” said Sxwixwtn,WilsonWilliams, theNation’s spokesperson andcouncil member in an email to TheSquamish Chief. “But it hasevolved to supportall communitymembers,livingon reserveand beyond.”
This year,the Nation distributed approximately1,000 hampers, reaching families in NorthVancouver andSquamish, with additionalpackagesavailable foroff-reserve members.
Theprogram’s expansionwas particularly significantduringthe COVID-19 pandemic, addressing theheightenedneeds of the community.
“Itgrewsubstantially during [COVID-19] when so many people were struggling.And everyyear
EXPANDINGTHE PROGRAM’S REACH
As theprogram’s impact grows, so does its scope.
“Lastyear, we puttogether900 hampers,”said Williams in theemail.“This year,itwas 1,000. Forthe 2025 holidayseason, we hopetoincrease that number to 1,200–1,500hampers.”
Hampersare delivereddoor-to-doorfor those living on reserve, whileoff-reservemembers can pick them up
This accessibilityensures no oneisleftout, fosteringasense of inclusionand care across the community.
PLANNING AHEAD
TheSquamish Nation team is already preparingfor next year,aimingtoexpandand enhancethe programevenfurther
“The team just hadameeting aboutnext year—we’re alreadyplanningfor 2025!” shared Williams.“We hopetoincreasethe number of hampersto1,200–1,500 forthe next holiday season.”
forthe past five or sixyears we have expanded theprogram,reaching more andmorepeople.”
WHAT’S IN THEHAMPERS?
Each hamper is thoughtfully designed to provideeverythingneededfor afullholiday celebration. This year’s packages included:
-A turkey
-10poundsofpotatoes
-Carrots
-Abox of stuffing
-Gravy mixand cranberrysauce
-Coffee, tea, cake mix, pancakemix,and
syrup
Thegoalis“to provideenoughfoodfor a family of four to sixpeople.”
With plansalready underway for2025, this programpromisestospreadevenmorejoy in the yearstocome.
BhagyashreeChatterjeeisThe Squamish Chief’s Indigenous andcivic affairsreporter. This reportingbeatismadepossiblebythe Local Journalism Initiative.
PHOTOBYFREESTOCKSONUNSPLASH
Hampersare delivereddoor-to-doorforthose living on reserve, whileoff-reservemembers canpick themup.
BritanniaMineMuseum gratefully acknowledges their communitysponsors:
FROM THE ARCHIVES: UNCOVERING THE 100-YEAR-OLD MYSTERY OF A SQUAMISH SKELETON
A 1924 news article headlined ‘Skeleton of man found in Squamish: Condition of remains indicated that man died years ago,’ appeared in The Daily Province on Dec. 2, 1924
indicated that they had been there for about three years,” the story continues.
JENNIFER THUNCHER
jthuncher@squamishchief.com
A1924 news article reveals a Squamish mystery.
The piece headlined “Skeleton of man found in Squamish: Condition of remains indicated that man died years ago” appeared in The Daily Province on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1924
The piece on page 20 of the paper was recently discovered by veteran investigative reporter Bob Mackin, who stumbled on it while doing research for a different story. He forwarded it to The Squamish Chief.
The text of the article reveals interesting tidbits of local history.
“While driving logs on the Squamish River, about two miles from the mouth, Chas Schoonover made a gruesome discovery on the river bank when the crew stopped to make a fire for lunch,” the story reads.
“While hunting firewood, the party came across the skeleton of a man lying in the brush above the water line The state of the remains
It seems likely there is an error in the first name and that the correct name was Charles Schoonover, who was known in Squamish at the time
A photo of Schoonover in the Squamish Public Library archives shows Schoonover building his home at 417477 Government Rd, in 1932
The library image description says he worked as a hunter, trapper, and logger
An entry in the book “The Judds of Squamish Valley: Volume Three” notes that Schoonover’s home was in the line of the Squamish River, and that after the floods of 1921—there had also been a flood in the spring “he was afraid that the next flood would wash his home away. He spent the next few years… hauling rocks in his wagon” to build a large bank of rock along the shore of the river, saving his home for many years thereafter
THE 1921 FLOOD
The Daily Province article suggests what locals thought about the mysterious deceased man
“The theory is being advanced that the skeleton is that of a man named Wilson who lost his life in the big flood of October 29, 1921, when thirty-five were drowned at Britannia. Wilson was a settler wh located shortly before the flood at some distance above Squamish.”
A Britannia Mine Museum soci media post notes that the Oct. 28, 1921 flood was “the deadliest recorded natural disaster” and “one of the worst in Canadian history.”
The deadly flood even made The New York Times
According to the museum, a total of 36 people were killed, with 15 seriously injured. It notes that more would have died if locals had not rushed to help
A recent UBC thesis on local flooding by master’s degree grad Emi Celeste Schreyer Kingan notes the severity of the flood
SQUAMISHEATS:
“Heavy cloudburst rains caused severe flooding along at least the Squamish and Mamquam Rivers, flooding the valley floor from Squamish to Brackendale and submerging the PGE rail lines. Water ‘reached halfway up the walls of houses.’ Flooding was more disastrous south of the community in Britannia Beach,” Kingan writes.
The Daily Province article goes on to describe more about what was known about Wilson.
“When last seen, he was wearing rubber boots. His small house was carried away by the water. Many of those who met a similar fate at Britannia were badly mauled, and the debris in the river might have caused the fractured skull, it is argued,” the story continues.
“Constable Renner of the provincial police was notified and proceeded to the place, at the same time advising Dr. McLean of Woodfibre, the coroner for the district.”
The British Columbia Provincial Police (BCPP) force was created in 1858 in New Westminster, which was then the capital of the mainland colony and operated until 1950, when it joined with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), according to the UBC Library archives.
The site of present-day Woodfibre LNG was previously a mill and town site. According to the Squamish Public Library archives, the area was established in 1921 under the name Woodfibre as the result of a contest. “The previous was Mill Creek and had to be changed because there was another post office of the same name The winner of the contest and $50 prize was Cathy Haar,” the library entry reads.
GRUESOME TELLING
The Daily Province 1924 article shows how much more raw news telling was at the time, with blunt descriptions of the body that would not be published today.
“The remains were brought down to the Courthouse and on examination, proved to be those of a man of about five feet four inches in height, medium weight, aged about 30 or 35. Three teeth were missing in the upper jaw, and about the same number in the lower jaw, the rest being in a good state of preservation,” it reads.
“The man’s clothes had rotted away, just fragments of the underclothes adhered to some of the bones. It was noticed that there was a fracture on one side of the head, probably caused by a fall or by frost. At some time, the man had broken his right leg above the ankle,” it continues.
“There was a pair of logger’s low rubber boots, size five, lying a few feet away from the remains, also the sum of $1.35 in coins, the newest coin being dated 1915.”
According to the Inflation Calculator, that would be $23.85 Canadian today.
If locals know more about this man, Wilson, get in touch by emailing news@squamishchief.com
THE DAILY PROVINCE
See the Squamish story in the top right.
SEA TO SKY SCHOOL DISTRICT STEPS IN OVER PARKING ISSUES AT SQUAMISH ELEMENTARY
SD48 has written a letter to the District of Squamish over commercial vehicles parking unsafely in the access lane of the school: District says not its jurisdiction
JUMAR RESPONSE
INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY
iLemayConway@squamishchief.com
The Sea to Sky School District has written a letter to the District of Squamish asking for increased traffic and parking safety after safety issues were noted at École Squamish Elementary
At the Nov. 13 committee of the whole meeting, board members spoke on the safety concerns around commercial vehicles parking incorrectly on the access lane into the school at Jumar.
“Very simply, we’ve noted increased concerns around safety when crossing from the main road through the Jumar shared property to Squamish Elementary School,” SD48 Supt. Chris Nicholson said.
He explained that despite having designated commercial parking, vehicles have been parking along the easement during the beginning and end of school times.
“Many commercial vehicles are choosing instead to park in the easement in the access lane entering into the school, so kids who are walking; families who are driving, staff that are trying to get in and out, are having to go around parked vehicles,” Nicholson said
“The suggestion [for the District] is to improve signage, improve the painting of the lines and some enforcement, because as we know, if there’s a few tickets or towed vehicles, word will get out, and hopefully it will stop.”
Minutes from the meeting said the shared lane is “intended for vehicle flow” and the unsafe parking “obstructs traffic and creates hazardous conditions.”
Jumar is a seven-storey mixed-use building located at 38310 Buckley Ave.
Ground floor commercial buildings include a vet, food establishments, a childcare centre and a gym. Above are 101 residential condominiums
SD48 vice chair Cynthia Higgins said the recommendation to write a letter to the muni was the best decision for the local school community.
“I think it’s important to enforce that, it’s a huge safety concern, especially if there’s big commercial vehicles in the way, that is very scary and very concerning,” Higgins said.
Board member Lisa Turpin was unable to vote due to a conflict of interest with her day job as a District of Squamish employee; however, she revealed the easement in question was not under muni jurisdiction.
“My day job is to work within the bylaw department, and I feel that it should be mentioned that the bylaw department can only
enforce on municipal property, and the easement is not municipal,” Turpin said
“So the concern is that when the people are parking in that easement allowance, the enforcement has to be throughout other means.”
She did note that the District’s bylaw department was engaged in working on the matter but encouraged the board to voice their concerns through official channels
The board unanimously supported the recommendation to write a letter to the District of Squamish to “take additional measures for traffic and parking safety around Squamish Elementary.”
Members Turpin and Celeste Bickford abstained from the vote due to conflicts of interest.
DISTRICT RESPONSE
The muni told The Squamish Chief they received the letter from SD48 on Dec. 3 and had responded with copies of the legal agreements that are on the title of the Jumar property.
“The staff response clarifies to SD48 that the property agreement for this laneway is held between SD48 and the owners of the Jumar property, therefore is private property and not under District jurisdiction,” a spokesperson for the District said.
“The lane access between École Squamish Elementary and Buckley Avenue is on private property, so the jurisdiction to enforce No Parking regulation lives with the school, strata and their agreements.”
Property managers for the Jumar building, Avesta Strata and Property Management told The Squamish Chief they are aware of delivery drivers parking incorrectly on the easement
“We were first contacted by the school in late October regarding vehicles parking in the easement,” strata manager Francis Nguyen said
“We instructed the school to advise us each time there’s a vehicle improperly parked. Since then, we’ve consistently reached out to delivery drivers and companies to remind them that parking in the easement is not permitted.
“Additionally, we’ve asked Wave Developments to inform their commercial tenants to advise their delivery drivers of this restriction.”
Nguyen said the vehicles at fault do not solely relate to the Jumar building.
“It’s important to note that delivery drivers to both the school and Jumar are contributing to the improper parking in the easement area. As such, Jumar and the school will be working together to install new signage along the easement area.”
CAN SQUAMISH LEAD THE WAY IN INCLUSIVE MIDWIFERY?
Local midwives and BCCNM are working together to build trust and break down barriers
BHAGYASHREE CHATTERJEE
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Have you ever wondered what it takes to make health care truly inclusive?
In Squamish, midwives and health care leaders are coming together to answer that question
Local midwife Kazuko Hiroe, who has worked in the industry for nearly two decades, noted the importance of understanding and addressing barriers Indigenous families face.
“It’s not just about providing care—it’s about listening to the communities and understanding what they need,” she said.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH MIDWIFERY
Hiroe, who delivered 15 babies in Squamish in June alone, shared how midwifery is all about building trust and strong connections with families
“When I work with Indigenous families, it often feels like I’m providing care for the whole community—not just one individual,” she said
According to Hiroe, midwifery care is “fundamentally built on respect, collaboration, evidence-based practice, and client-centred care.”
“When working with Indigenous
communities, it’s especially important to take the time to build relationships. That trust forms the foundation for collaboration between provider and client,” she said Hiroe also believes “these inequities often stem from historical experiences Indigenous
Breaking News
families have had with health care and other systems.”
The In Plain Sight report (2020) found that racism is a widespread problem in B.C.’s health care system It revealed that 84% of Indigenous people surveyed had experienced discrimination while seeking medical care
LISTENING TO INDIGENOUS VOICES IN SQUAMISH
According to Hiroe, historically, midwives in Squamish have had few Indigenous clients.
Upon asking the Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) for feedback, they discovered one significant barrier: geography.
“Our practice used to be on Tantalus Road in Garibaldi Estates, which was simply too far for many families. Accessing prenatal appointments became too challenging,” Hiroe said.
The feedback prompted a re-evaluation of the approach
“A simple modification like offering care on a reserve, visiting homes, or being in an environment where families feel supported and safe could make a big difference,” she said
In addition, many Indigenous families who travel to Squamish for prenatal care are from northern communities like Mount Currie
“Squamish isn’t their home community. Their families and housing are not here, yet they’re sometimes required to stay in Squamish for four or more weeks before giving birth,” Hiroe said
This extended stay creates significant stress for families
Hiroe and her team are working to better understand and address these challenges
“We’re trying to find ways to support these families during that time, whether it’s making them feel more comfortable in our hospitals or at prenatal appointments or helping them with practical needs like access to vehicles to get to their appointments,” she said.
Hiroe stressed that these changes must come
It’s not enough to articulate our commitment; we must demonstrate it through real action.
CYNTHIA JOHANSEN
from the community itself.
“Right now, we’re trying to work with the Sḵwxwú7mesh Nation by asking what their needs are and what they would find helpful,” she said.
“It’s about being allies, not leaders, and really listening to what the Sḵwxwú7mesh Nation and other Indigenous communities tell us they want and need.”
HOW BCCNM IS SUPPORTING CHANGE
British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives regulates over 75,000 nurses and midwives in BC
A recent article, ‘A Continuous Journey: Addressing Indigenous-Specific Racism as a Nursing and Midwifery Regulator,’ co-authored by Louise Aerts and Cynthia Johansen, among others from the BCCNM, highlights how racism in health care impacts Indigenous birthing individuals.
“We’re committed to eliminating systemic racism and supporting Indigenous communities. It’s not enough to articulate our commitment; we must demonstrate it through real action,” said Johansen, BCCNM’s registrar and CEO.
“We’ve set standards for cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism that every nurse and midwife in BC must follow.”
To help midwives and nurses meet these new standards, BCCNM offers resources like handbooks and training.
HONOURING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
Aerts, BCCNM’s chief officer of strategy, reconciliation, and transformation, said that Indigenous midwifery often focuses on the whole community, which fits well with midwifery’s client-centred approach
“It’s about supporting autonomous decision-making while honouring cultural traditions,” she said
BCCNM has also worked with knowledge keepers from local Nations, including Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh
“For so long, the truth was hidden,” Johansen said. “Now that we know it, we must act differently—not just as a college but as a country.”
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
PHOTO BY FATCAMERA/E+/GETTY IMAGES
To help midwives and nurses meet these new standards, BCCNM offers resources and training
‘A DOUBLE WHAMMY’OFFOODTHISYEARFOR BEARS
Localbearresearcher MichaelAllen on hisannualfallbearcount,and what ledhim to hisnever-ending fascination withthe misunderstood mammal
LIZMCDONALD
emcdonald@piquenewsmagazine.com
Muchofthe rugged terraininthe Coast Mountainsisonlyintimatelyknown to animals whorange betweenits peaks.
But forMichael Allen, whospendscountless hoursmonitoringgrizzly andblack bears, the backcountryislikeanold friend.
Allenisanindependent bear researcher who hasbeenmonitoringblack andgrizzly bearsfor 31years.Eachspringand fall,hegives an update onthe number of bearshe’sidentifiedinthe Squamishand ElahoRiver valleys, Whistler, UpperLillooetRiver,and UpperBirkenhead Rivervalley. ButwhatdrewAllen to hispursuit of bears in thefirst place?
ALIFE-LONG PASSION
Growingupinthe West Kootenays, he felt at homeoutside.At10years old,hewould head out alonetosearchfor theanimalthatfascinated him, andwhile it concernedhis mother,henever heededher or anyone else’s warning.
“I identified with bears,”hesaid. “I wasjust drawn to theoutdoors, andIgrewuponthe edge of amountainside. Ididn’treallylikeschool, and I wasjustpulledintonature.”
He grew curiousabout bearsdespite what his culturetaughthim:bears areaggressivekillers andpeopleshouldshoot them
“I wasnervous butnothing really bad was happening, so Ikeptgoing.Irememberseeingthe first onebymyselfwhenIwas probably 12 or 13,” hesaid. “WhatIsaw wasnot what everybodywas telling me that bearswere, anditjustclicked.”
Afterthe firstencounter hisinterest“soared.” He kept coming across more blackbears near Trailand Rossland, andastheyran away,he wouldfollow, hiking furtherand furtherintothe alpine, eventually giving up as bears’ aversion to humanswon out. That passionhas continuedto thisday
Whilehe’snot abiologist,and is quicktostress that point, Allenhas studiedbears allthe same whilealsoworking variousenvironmental jobs He worked as abear-viewingguide for19years at WhistlerBlackcomb,has giventalks to school kids since1997, andalsodelightstravelling adults with histalkfor internationaltourgroups fromAustralia andNew Zealand.
“Iwas averyshy person,soI kind of brokethe barrier with school kids.Ifyou canhandle kindergarten andGrade 1class for30minutes, youcan pretty much handle anything,” he said FALL BEAR UPDATE
AttendeesofAllen’s sold-out free public talk at the Whistler Public LibraryDec.3 became enthralled with hisfootage,watchingsowsand theircubsrub on trees, seeing grizzlies’ incredibleclaws as they wander by andsniff at hiscameraorlaughingasbears getoverwhelmedbythe number of fish in astream. But
asidefromthe funvideos, Alleniscapturing a massiveamountofdataonthe mammalsand the changing climatetheylivein.
“Nobody’sreallyput in thetimethatI have out there. AndIthink alot of people in thebeginning thoughtitwas kind of nuts anda little bit obsessive,”hesaid. “But it’s my 31st year.I’m still doing it…largely,I do it forme, andI thinkit’s important. Ithinkbears areindicatorsofchange.”
Hemonitorsthe interplaybetween scarce food sources in yearswithberry crop failures or fewer salmon, andhow many cubs asow haseach year. Weatherdataand proximitytohumansare otherimportant data points that impact bears’ behaviour andsurvival.
“Ifit’sgoodberry season youget lots of fat females, and yougot more cubs.But if it’s abad berry season,those bearslivinginWhistlerand Squamish, they know that there’salternate food sources[in theVillage],but that’s risky, those momswiththeir offspringtrickle into thevalley, and then they getshot,”hesaid.
This year’s berrycropand salmon runinthe SeatoSky provided a“double whammy” of sustenance.Black huckleberry, dwarfand oval leafblueberries were highly productive.Chum, pinkand coho salmon areanother important sourcefor bearstoput on weight before denning overwinter. Allenexplained pink salmon run every otheryearinlateAugustand September, andtheyweren’t around this year.Cohoare winter fish.Thatleaveschumasan integral part of bears’dietbeforetheyslumber
“The bearsonlyreallyfishOctober,November, December, andthentheygot it shut down and hibernate,”Allen said.“November is kind of an effortlessmonth to getfish. Youdon’t have to battlecold temperatures andsnow. But, if there’s nochum, andthiscould very well be thefuture, then bearsare forced to stay outintoDecember andfishmorefor coho andevenintoJanuary.”
This fall,streams andriversaroundSquamish were thickwithchum, so much so that one mother grizzly’sbelly wasdraggingonthe ground.
Hisfallcount followed 13 grizzliesinthe Squamish Riverwatershed—fiveadult males, three immature males, andfouradult females including onewithone cubfromthisyear.
Inupper LillooetRiver andUpper Birkenhead River, he observed 12 grizzlies—threeadult males,three immature males, threeadult females, andthree immature females. He captured aminimum of 108black bears fromremotecameras in 2024—fifty bearsinthe UpperSquamish Riverwatershed,10bears along the lowerCheakamus and48 bearsatWhistler.
Withhis camerasatUpper Squamish River, black bearsheidentifiedincluded29 adult males, sevenadult femalesand four cubs,with 10sub-adults. LowerCheakamus Riverhad four adults malesand threefemales,two cubs born thisyearand onesub-adult.Because his cameras near rivers areseasonal, Allensaidthey don’treflect theabundance of bearsoverall seasons.
ASquamishbearwithatag,likelymeaning it had been caught andrelocated
ObservedWhistlerblack bearsincluded18 adultmales,11adult females, nine cubs from thisyearand 10 sub-adults
THEBEARWHISPERER’S TECHNIQUE
Allen’strail camerasare in strategiclocations basedon rubtrees andfoodsources—berries,
wetlands andsalmon. Rubtrees arewhathe calls“thekey”tosamplingbearpopulations Bearsuse rubtrees to mark theirterritory and communicatetheir presence, leavingtheir scent as they wiggle theirbacks againstthem. They also make forgood measuringsticks.
“You’llsee howthe bearschangeinsize. The bear stands up andyou cansee hissex andhis neck andchest mark.You seehow tall he is,and youthink he’s big, andthena huge grizzlycomes in andkindofovershadows that,” he said.
Anothersolid placefor permanentcameras is wetlands,sorichinfood that bearsoften don’t need to leavetostayfed as they gorgeonskunk cabbage.
Allen’scameras areinlockedboxes andcan stay thereyear-round, with lithium-ionbatteries that withstands -40C.
“Mostofmycamerasites,it’shellgetting to them,” he said.“It’s harder forme, butmost years, I’ll getanimals andnohumans. That’s what Iwant.”
Forthose whomissedAllen’s talk at the Whistler Public LibraryDec.3,keepyoureyes peeled foraspringupdatein2025. There’slittle doubthe’llhavemoretoshare
“Nothing’s more interestingthanfollowing a bear for25years across achanginglandscape,” he said
Please Contact the SPCA
Meet the 7EnglishPrinces
Zebra finchesare actuallyAustralian, but these boys are all namedafter Princes both here and gone.Finches like to be in agroup or as the proper term fora group of Zebra finchesiscalled,a waltzing of finches. We have theboysinagroup of 4and agroup of 3. They are nota birdwho easily hand tamesbut aremore aboutenjoying theirsong(sounds like a squeaky toy) andfor watching thetiny, lively birds wholove to sittogether on a perch in arow
FILE PHOTOBYBRIAN AIKENS
CASSIE SHARPE EARNS HALFPIPE BRONZE IN COPPER MOUNTAIN
The 2018 Olympic champion nets her first World Cup medal since becoming a mom
DAVID SONG dsong@piquenewsmagazine.com
Freestyle fans haven’t seen much of Cassie Sharpe lately because she took two years off to have a daughter with her husband, ex-Canadian national skier Justin Dorey.
Sharpe reintroduced herself to the World Cup circuit on Saturday, ascending to bronze medal position with 89.00 points at the halfpipe event in Copper Mountain, Colo Victorious multi-discipline phenom Eileen Gu alone broke the 90-point barrier (90.50), and Zoe Atkin of Great Britain notched silver (89.75)
“Eating chicken nuggets the night before contests for the foreseeable future!” quipped Sharpe on her Instagram account. “Thank you everyone for all the support. So stoked to be back on the box! It’s different, it’s tough and full-on, but these moments make it all worth it!
“Huge thank you to the village behind the scenes; you know who you all are! Especially my mom, though! The real goat behind the scenes!”
The Squamolian’s resume already encompasses two Olympic medals (gold in 2018, silver from 2022), a pair of Crystal Globes (2018, 2019) and five X Games medals (two gold, one silver, two bronze). For these achievements, she was named to the BC Sports Hall of Fame last year.
Gu, who represents China, is one of many freestyle skiers who respect and admire Sharpe.
“I’m really happy for all the girls, especially Cassie,” she said in an interview with FIS. “I want to give her a big shout-out.”
Brendan Mackay joined his fellow Canadian Sharpe on the podium He finished second (91.25) between two American men, Alex Ferreira (94.75) and Nicholas Goepper (89.25).
PHOTO BY DARREN CALABRESE/COC Team Canada freestyle skier Cassie Sharpe when she competed in the women’s freeski halfpipe finals during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022
PHOTO BY PETER STODDART
LUCKY SQUAMISH: A double rainbow over Brackendale during a break in the rain last week
DAVID BREWSTER REID
Born March 27, 1928,inReginaSaskatchewan. Passed away November 19, 2024,after awell lived life of 96 years
Dave withhis parents and 4brothersin1929 moved to Chilliwack BC, to start their ownfarm. At 11 yrs old, Dave startedhorse ploughing, and thus began alifelong passion. Dave worked as heavy-duty mechanicwhich took him,his wifeOlga andtheir blended familyofKaren, Lynn, Jack, and BevtoSquamish.
WhileinSquamish Dave and Olga welcomed their son Jim to their family. Dave continued working as aheavy-duty mechanic co-owningand operating alogging truck company.Upon retirement he andOlga returned to Chilliwack andspent their lateryears tending to their small hobby farm andactively involved inthe Chilliwack Ploughing Society.Dave was not onlyinvolved in the organizationofthe society,but he was acompetitor with his team of beloved horses Queen and Mindy. Once he had hung up the horse harnesses for the final time, hethen became ajudge andsomewhatofahistorian for thesociety.
Predeceasedbyhis wife Olga, son Jackand stepdaughter Lynn. Dave leaves behindhis daughterBev (Lyle), son Jim, stepdaughter Karen and son-in law Tony (Lynn). Grandchildren Doug, Tiffany andAmy,Dave and Jackand Norman. Also 13 great grandchildrenand 5great great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowersdonations canbemadetothe
BC Farm Museum
9131 King Street, LangleyTwp BC V1M 2R6
Acelebration of life will be held in thespring of 2025 to coincide withthe Chilliwack Ploughing Match.
Joachim
Hagen,
Joachimpassedaway with family by hissideon November 18th, 2024 at theage of 73 in Squamish BC HeleavesbehindhiswifeLena,motherWaltraut, sonEric(Kyla,)daughterCandace(Casey,)grandchildren Mary,AdamJr.,Solstafir,nephewAdam,nieceSherry, friendsfromWinnipegandSquamish HewasprecededbyhisfatherHerbert, sisterFrieda,brotherRolf HecametoCanadain1957fromCuxhaven,Germany, residedinWinnipeguntilretirementin2011then movedtoSquamish.
Whistler –Valid Class 5BCDriver’sLicence required.Mustbeavailable from November15through March 31. On-the-job training provided. Wage depending on experience. $28-35.02per hour
HEAVYDUTYMECHANIC
Permanent, Full-Time
Cardinal Concrete, ADivision of Lafarge Canada Inc is the leading supplier of ready-mixconcrete in the Sea to Sky Corridor.Weare currently seeking acareeroriented individual to fillthe role of Commercial Transport/HeavyDuty Mechanic at our Head OfficeLocation in Squamish, BC.
This is a skilled position which primarily involves preventative maintenance and repair of alarge fleet of commercial transportvehicles includingconcrete mixer trucks, dump trucks, trailers,forklifts and light-duty trucks.
Minimum Qualifications:
•B.C. Certificate of Qualification, and/or Interprovincial Ticket as aCommercial Transport Mechanic, and/or Heavy Duty Mechanic Ticket
•3-5 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combinationofeducation and experience
Compensation $45.57 to $49.07
To view afull copyofthis Job Description visit: www.cardinalconcrete.ca/about/careers Apply to:info@cardinalconcrete.ca
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Publication IN STANDS March2025
Distribution 7,000 Copies
1. Egyptian snake
4. Upper limbs
8. Blemish
12. Also
13. Ooze
14. Mama’sfellow
15. Possessivepronoun
16. Financial officer
18. Ready the oven
20.Ordinary language
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41. Neighboring: hyph.
45. Possession
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48. Kind
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50. Misspeak
51.Phase
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DOWN
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39.“ and Lovers”
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Crosswordpuzzle answers use American spelling
HOROSCOPE WEEK OF JAN 2, 2025 -JAN 8, 2025
ARIES March 21-April 19
If you’reonholiday,take the opportunitytoexplore outdooractivities with family or friends.You mayfeelan intenseurgetoget active. Even alone,you’ll want to go on outings to feed your adventurous spirit.
TAURUS April 20-May20
Youmay feel confusedand easily distracted this week. Fatiguewill catch up with you.Makesureyou take advantage of yourdays off,ifyou have anyleft,to recuperate.You mayalso takeona heavyworkload this week
GEMINI May21-June 20
The partygoeson! Youstill have plenty of opportunities to celebrate, and you’ll be invited to many events.Atwork, you’ll have to deal with demanding clients,and you’ll find time is aprecious commodity.
CANCER June 21-July 22
Make everymomentcount, and don’t neglect your responsibilities.Yourboss mayask you to come back to work duringyourvacation. Your familymay alsoput alot of pressure on you this week
LEO July 23-Aug. 22
Youmay plan aspontaneous trip or getaway. You’ll be thrilledabout the prospect of startinganew apprenticeship
If you’regoing back to school, you’ll takeitveryseriously
VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept. 22
You’ll startthe year off with a powerful surgeofemotions
You’ll diveintoa whirlwind of thrillingchallenges, both in yourprofessional and personal life.Brace yourself for afresh beginning. You maybecongratulated for an achievement.
LIBRA Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Stay on yourtoesthis week
Amisunderstanding with someone closetoyou could disrupt yourdaily routine
Youmay have to tread carefullyaround certain individuals,feelingasif you’rewalkingoneggshells
SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21
It’s time to putaside distractions and focuson housework. The holidays areover, and you need to get down to business. At work, an amazingopportunitywill open up after acolleague’s unexpecteddeparture.
SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Nowisthe perfecttime to prioritizeself-careand self-respect.You’ll discover what you’repassionateabout and starttakingthe first steps toward an incredibly rewardingchallenge
CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Whether you’reonvacation or not,you’ll spend alot of time with yourfamilyorin the home.Takeadvantage of the nextfew days to refresh yourdecor and reorganize yourfurnituretodeclutter yourhome and mind.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18
Youfeelunder pressure and areconcernedabout your finances.Itcan be tough to find balance in times likethis.You mightfind yourself surrounded by people when you crave solitude,yet feelinglonely when you’reonyourown
PISCES Feb. 19-March 20
Take advantage of this quieter time to handle yourreturns and exchangeseitheronline or in store. You’ll stumble upon some excitingdeals and promotions and won’t hesitate to treatyourself to some well-deservedrewards
HOWTOPLAY:
LASTWEEK’SANSWERS:
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3box contains the numbers1through 9only once. Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. Youalready have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeat the numbers1through 9in the same line, column or 3x3box
TheParish of St.John theDivine, Squamish
Holy Communionand Morning Worship Sundays at 10:00 AM
