Business Women of Squamish 2020

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BUSINESS WOMEN OF SQUAMISH 2020

THE CHILDCARE. CRUNCH. JAMEY-LYN HORTH: THE. .MAKING OF A FIGHTER. FROM SQUAMISH. TO THE ARCTIC. + MORE.

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Chelachatanat with her 18-month-old son Kwúsen at Stan Clarke Park in Squamish. PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD/FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

THE CHILDCARE CRUNCH CONTINUES IN SQUAMISH THE (MOSTLY) WORKING MOM WORRY IMPACTS CAREER DECISION-MAKING AND MORE, SAY LOCAL MOMS PAT JOHNSON For The Squamish Chief

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n a recent pay period, single mom Chelachatanat earned $400 and paid $370 for childcare. Fortunately for her, she can usually depend on her mother, grandmother or sister to care for her 18-month-old son Kwúsen. Without family close by, Chelachatanat, who works in traffic control, would face probably insurmountable challenges. Not only is childcare expensive, but it is also scarce. For every five children Kwúsen’s age in the Squamish area, there is one licensed childcare space. Even if she could afford it and obtained a space, her

schedule — she routinely begins work at 6 a.m. or ends at 8 p.m. — would exclude her.

Most childcare providers are tailored to suit nine-to-fivers.

She wishes employers would provide daycare, but knows that’s not likely. And she understands that the licensing, hiring and other demands required to set up a new childcare facility must be daunting for anyone considering addressing the availability crisis.

“It’s such a big process that nobody really wants to put their energy into and it’s just so heartbreaking,” she said.

Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott knows the challenge faced by parents like

Chelachatanat and so many others. When she was first elected to council in 2014, she experienced more anxiety than jubilation.

“Someone said, ‘Oh my gosh, Karen, you won a seat on council!’” she recalled. “My first thought wasn’t, oh, fantastic. My first thought was, I don’t have childcare on Tuesdays [when council meets]. That is a very practical response for so many women in our community who want more out of their careers.”

Families are struggling and the lack of childcare is “a crisis in our community,” said the mayor.

High housing prices mean early childhood educators, who do not earn large wages, are

difficult to attract, while commensurate commercial rent costs and licensing make opening new facilities tough, the mayor acknowledged.

“Our community is full of highly skilled, highly educated folks,” she said. “When childcare becomes a barrier, we are seeing a portion of our community not returning to work and this is primarily women. … So many studies have shown that when you provide affordable, universal childcare, women are more likely to participate in paid work and that economies benefit from their participation.”

Council is taking innovative steps, Elliott said, such as approving on Feb. 18 a

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“So many studies have shown that when you provide affordable, universal childcare, women are more likely to participate in paid work and that economies benefit from their participation.” development that includes not only a childcare facility but two affordable housing units dedicated to staff who will work in that facility. Including designated childcare spaces in new developments is a key move local governments can take. But that’s never going to be enough without much larger commitments from provincial and federal governments, Elliott said.

“We’ll do our job,” Elliott said. “The problem is… where is the staff to then support those new childcare centres? That’s really where senior levels of government need to come in.”

The provincial budget tabled Feb. 18

increased funding for childcare and expanded the previously announced B.C. Child Opportunity Benefit. But the childcare budget increase of nearly $90 million in the next year still falls short of the $200 million required annually over the next few years to deliver the $10 a day universal childcare promised by the New Democratic Party in the last election, according to the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C. Improved pay and more training for early childhood educators is critical. Elliott lauds Capilano University for launching an early childhood education cohort of 22 students on the Quest University campus. But that alone

won’t close the gap for the 80% of local kids for whom no childcare spaces are available.

There are 3,894 children in Squamish, but just 817 childcare spaces within 32 residential and 11 commercial licensed childcares, according to a District report. A survey undertaken by the District suggests almost half of Squamish parents — 49.3% — need full-day childcare, with 41.1% requiring after school care. But before- and after-school care options are also severely limited, particularly in the seven- to 12-year-old range. Only one childcare provider surveyed offered services on Saturdays and none are open Sundays.

The problem is not merely borne by

families; it has economic impacts in the community. The Squamish Chamber of Commerce cites affordability and childcare as top challenges in an economy otherwise rich with opportunity. A survey of chamber members last year saw more than one in four, 27%, identifying childcare as an issue hindering employers’ access to labour.

While the statistics are not encouraging, numbers also don’t tell the whole story, said Torill Gillespie, a former planner with the District who is now a consultant working with the District on childcare issues. Her own story is a familiar one. Having experienced three childcare facility shutdowns, she finally CONTINUED ON PG 4

Ruby Bir Building beautiful homes is a family affair

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orth Shore Platinum Homes co-owner Ruby Bir comes from a family of builders.

“My parents were builders my whole life,” she says. “I was led to it very naturally because I was exposed to it growing up.”

(604) 789-7829 platinumhomes.ca

“She has a natural talent,” says Bir. Mother and daughter find working together an easy fit.

“When Ashley was growing up, we never seemed to butt heads,” Bir says. “We get along in a good way. We get along like we’re friends, but I’m not her best friend. I’m still the mom!”

After trying her hand at other careers, Bir landed where she felt she always belonged.

North Shore Platinum Homes specializes in new home construction, renovations and laneway/coach homes in the Squamish and North Vancouver area.

Together, de Boer and Bir focus on the design and how the house should function.

“We started in 2009 and it’s something that’s really grown and something we’re really enjoying,” Bir says.

Bir also appreciates that as women in a maledominated industry, they can help set their clients at ease and help them feel heard.

She remembers watching her mother being involved in the home industry and it inspired her to pursue a career in building. Now, she’s passing down that passion for creating beautiful homes to the next generation: her daughter Ashley de Boer, an interior design student at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

“Our clients find it really refreshing to work with women,” Bir says. “It’s really nice for the women because they can relate to us. When we meet, we can connect and really get a sense of what they want and make it happen.”

“Being around this industry my whole life, I just knew it was the right direction for me,” de Boer says. “I looked into other careers but they just didn’t seem right.”

“We both find this work really rewarding. It’s a really creative industry,” Bir says. “Together we consult, we go over what clients are after, and formulate a plan.

To find out more about North Shore Platinum Homes, visit www.platinumhomes.ca or follow them on Instagram @northshoreplatinumhomes_ and @ashleydeboerdesigns.

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concluded that what she needed was not available.

“I had to make the choice of my family over my career, which is what a lot of women in Squamish do, unfortunately,” she said.

Squamish is probably somewhere around average in the province in terms of the childcare crisis, but there are additional factors facing local parents, Gillespie said.

Housing affordability squeezes families on both ends — pressuring the need for two working parents, which then exacerbates the already high cost of living here with costly childcare. Being a fast-growing community that skews young also means demand for childcare is high – especially since many families do not have extended family nearby and, as newcomers, many may not have the kinds of social connections that so many parents rely on for urgent, last-minute child-minding.

Still, Gillespie is upbeat. While the provincial budget did not meet all the needs for childcare in the province, the government is moving in the right direction, Gillespie believes.

“There are so many big systemic changes that I think need to happen to fix the whole childcare picture and, as we start to see those changes happening from above, that’s what’s exciting to me,” she said. “We can try to make grassroots changes in Squamish and there’s definitely things we can be doing more and better, but seeing the province start to work toward a system of universal childcare is really exciting to me and I see some optimism there.”

The attention the issue is getting is another positive, she said.

“People are starting to have those conversations. That’s where action starts and it’s going to be slow but it’s going to happen eventually,” she said, adding with a laugh: “I hope.”

PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD/FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

Squamish Counselling Therapists create a unique, collective community of care

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here is indeed strength in numbers.

If you ever wanted to experience an environment that best represented that time-honoured phrase, you simply need to walk through the front door of Squamish Counselling Clinic.

“I managed to pull together a few of us within about six months,” Shelby says.

Inside, you will find a collection of nine therapists eight women and one man - all dedicated to serving clients in a wide range of ways with their combined skills and expertise.

“I think in this profession that’s quite common,” Jeffrey explains, adding women generally tend to be nurturers.

“We hold a lot of empathy. And I think this profession really lends itself to that.

Together, they provide their own, unique community of care in the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, which is on March 8, the staff provided some insight to the benefits derived from a cluster of practitioners made up in the majority by females.

“We all want to see each other succeed,” explains Sarah Jeffrey, a registered psychotherapist who works one-on-one with adults. “And one thing we’ve explicitly talked about is the importance of having an ‘abundance mindset’, which means we each want to do well in our own business, and see everyone else thrive, as well.”

That’s been key to developing a thriving, healthy environment as they have leaned into that collaboration - the kind of support where they encourage each other to grow.

#4-#5 40383 Tantalus Rd squamishcounsellingclinic.com

- a challenge in the Squamish area - and ultimately began connecting with other therapists who could offer complimentary skills, areas of expertise, and share common values.

The idea to form a collective of sorts had its beginnings with Dr. Stacey Shelby, a depth psychotherapist who was looking for a small commercial space to work from

And that ultimately formed the present group with the vast majority being women.

“That’s personally one reason why I’m in the field. I get a lot of meaning from supporting people,” she adds.

The clinic’s gender makeup also helps the group promote healthy femininity.

It helps decrease the isolation felt by many professionals in the industry - which we believe is translated in our work, Jeffrey says.

“We are there as professional supports for each other. This level of support from empowered women reflects in our practice with clients. We are able to feel connected with our clinic community so that we can bring our best selves into the therapy room with our clients,” Jade Honce added.

For more information on how Squamish Counselling Clinic can serve you, visit online at squamishcounsellingclinic.com.

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Sarah Jeffrey, Allison Green, Jade Honce, Stacey Shelby

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Shannon Walls Unique menu features LebaneseMoroccan fare with a twist

P PHOTO BY TARA O’GRADY

art of being a success in business is recognizing an opportunity when it presents itself.

And when Shannon Walls looked around at the local restaurant community in the Squamish area and saw an abundance of traditional fare - burgers and fries being served up, and little that stood out as unique.

So, what if she shook up the status quo and offered something so different, yet approachable, that customers beat a path to her restaurant door?

Three years ago, Saha Eatery’s 32-seat location was opened in downtown Squamish (38128 2nd Ave.).

And since then, it has been serving up LebaneseMoroccan cuisine with a twist to an ever-growing base of customers.

“There really wasn’t much variety in Squamish and I was looking to bring in some new flavours for people to try,” Walls says.

That’s when she enlisted the culinary expertise of chef Jeramy Duckworth and convinced him to leave Ontario and take up the challenge of helping run a standout restaurant in the middle of nature’s outdoor playground along the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

38128 2nd Ave (604) 567-5888

“Jeramy’s passion has been Lebanese-Morrocan food for the past 20 years,” Walls says. “It’s a healthy cuisine that lends itself well to everyone.

“It offers such a wide variety of flavours, is super tasty and people love it. It’s also approachable for people who maybe haven’t tried it before with chicken

and salmon kabobs, falafels and the deep fried cauliflower, which is one of our most popular dishes.”

The menu is also perfect to share family-style and progressive enough to cater to vegetarians and vegans alike.

“Along with an increased interest in plant-based diets, there are also those who are looking for gluten-free options, which is great as most of our menu is glutenfree,” Walls says.

Then, there’s the “twist” - something probably best interpreted by Saha poutine.

It features hand-cut skinny fries with mujadrah (rice, lentils, quinoa and caramelized onions), halloumi (brined cheese made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk), tahini (a sauce made from sesame seeds), hot sauce, and is finished with a sprinkling of feta cheese and crispy fried onions.

“It’s very popular,” Walls says.

With the menu sorted, Walls says she enlisted her experience in the hospitality and tourism industries to set up a staffing and customer service philosophy.

“It was a big learning curve into the restaurant business, however customer service is about how you treat people,” she says. “It doesn’t really matter what industry you are in - treat people well and they will return, especially if the food is great.”

For more information about Saha Eatery, visit online at sahaeatery.ca.

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Jeanette Levett Automotive and industrial supplier finds whatever you need to get the job done

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s the part-owner of Triton Automotive & Industrial Ltd. in Squamish, Jeanette Levett is used to being one of the few women in a male-dominated industry.

“When I go to conferences, I usually bring my husband along with me. When I introduce myself to the other attendees, they’ll ask my husband, how long has your wife come along with you to these? He says, ‘You’ve got it wrong.

She’s the person and I’m the spouse’,” Levett says laughing. “Most of the people here know who I am and what I do. But I’m also not a pushover.”

Levett didn’t have an automotive or industrial background when she began working at Triton in 1994. Initiatially, she began in the accounts payable department where she excelled. She was then moved into purchasing.

1003 Industrial Way (604) 892-5951

“I used to be nervous to go to the front counter and have a customer tell me he needed a specific spark plug for a Dodge Ram,” Levett says. “But I quickly learned I could look it up in the computer system and I could sell it.”

owners as being excellent teachers.

“They have amazing knowledge and they worked with me,” Levett says. “I’ve got it now.”

Levett became a partner in the business in 2008.

“When they were looking for a new partner I suggested, don’t pick a guy, pick me,” Levett says. “I had been here longer than anyone else and when it came time to pick someone, they went with me.”

Levett has lived in Squamish for 31 years and has seen the business grow along with the town.

A skill that sets her apart in her role is her knowledge of Triton’s inventory of a quartermillion items and what it’s possible to get.

“We never say no until we really look into it,” Levett says. “Most of the time we can get everything and anything. Whatever you need, we’ll get it.”

For more information about Triton Automotive & Industrial Ltd., visit its website at tritonautoindustrial.com.

Levett found the industrial side of the business overwhelming at first, but credits her co-

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JAMEY-LYN HORTH: THE MAKING OF A FIGHTER MMA CHAMP SAYS LOVING YOURSELF AND SEEKING SUPPORT ARE KEYS TO SUCCESS JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

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hough best known in the sports world as the professional MMA fighter recently crowned with the first Battlefield Fight League women’s world title, Squamish’s Jamey-Lyn Horth actually didn’t get into fighting until she was 23.

Horth, 29, who was born and raised in Squamish, describes her childhood self as a tomboy who participated in almost every sport, but not organized fighting.

“Women fighting wasn’t as popular back then as it is now. It was what I would call, not socially accepted,” Horth told The Chief, adding that she was, however, raised to stand up for herself.

“My parents bought 14-ounce boxing gloves, ‘sock’em boppers, and my siblings and I would mess around. I have older brothers so I was familiar with roughhousing.”

She was invited to try kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) by Kasey and Cole Smith near the end of 2013.

“One of my greatest friends Tyler Golaiy

was a part of the gym, so I had friends there. I started training for fun and fitness.”

Looking toward the future of her career, Horth says she wants to be the best version of herself, and not look back and wish she had done more.

“I am going to make it to the UFC,” she said.

She added that she believes that the role model she has become was shaped by having parents who supported her and gave her many opportunities.

She played a lot of sports other girls didn’t play.

“I was into everything. It started in elementary school — floor hockey,

“I wish I had a deeper connection to the beauty within and build my strength mentally as well as physically.”

LITTLE GIRL HORTH Asked what she wants young girls who look up to her to know, Horth said she hopes they know “nothing is unachievable and there is no shame in having muscles and being strong.”

basketball, track and field, cross country, biking. And outside of school, like most kids my age, we all learned to swim, gymnastics, dance, figure skating, soccer.”

Looking back, she wishes she had better known it was OK to be different.

“I wish I had a deeper connection to the

beauty within and build my strength mentally as well as physically. Everyone’s path is different and the time it takes us to get to where we are going is all different,” she said.

She said learning to love herself has been a journey and one she encourages others to take, with the help of others.

“Sports are very physical but too often we push aside the mental aspect,” she said. “There are days where I doubt myself, it’s completely normal, and now those are the days I reach out and ask for help.”

When she feels down she calls her mom or goes over to visit her sisters.

“I share my worries and I’m not afraid to say that there have been some really low times in my life, but I am reminded daily that I have the opportunity to choose my own path. I have so much support because I have accepted that I do not have to do this life alone.”

Horth added that she believes the role model she has become is shaped by the messages and support she receives daily from young kids and their parents.

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I am well aware there’s always going to be men who are physically stronger that I am. I think women make up for that difference in mental tenacity.

It is important for women to get out and challenge themselves. There isn’t anything stopping women from doing it whatsoever.

DENISE MARTIN, FIRST CANADIAN WOMEN TO REACH THE NORTH POLE

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Squamish MMA fighter Jamey-Lyn Horth. PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD/FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

Michele Ellis Squamish mortgage broker offers a personalized touch for peace of mind

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ortgage broker Michele Ellis is a mortgage expert. She started as a mortgage broker after leaving a career in banking and moving to Squamish 25 years ago. A few years ago, after working from home for many years, she opened her storefront, called The Mortgage Studio on 2nd Avenue.

“Clients can just drop in,” Ellis says. “They love being able to come by and sit down to review their mortgage options. I take great pride in making sure they know everything they need and hopefully relieve some of the stress of the process of buying a home.

Whether buying your first home or your next home I’m here to help.”

Clients can also make appointments and she is available to meet them on weekends.

“Clients know I am available for them and can have peace of mind of knowing where they are in the process,” Ellis says. “From the application, to the offer, to heading into the

lawyer. Being pre-approved and reviewing all their options will allow my clients to have the confidence to make a strong offer.”

Ellis knows it can get frustrating to go from one bank to another to find the best rate.

“By using my services, it takes the guesswork out of obtaining a mortgage,” she says. “I help clients review their options. Sometimes there are lots of options and sometimes there’s not as many, but more often than not I know which lender to go with right away because I know all the lenders.”

Ultimately, Ellis’s favourite part of her work is spending time with clients.

“When you meet one on one, you can really expand on their hopes and dreams and where they want to go with things,” she says. “I love what I do.”

To learn more, visit www.micheleellis.com, drop into her office at 38155 2nd Ave or call 604-892-4647.

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GROWING UP IN SQUAMISH Horth can remember Squamish when it was so small and sparsely populated that when her family went to town for groceries, there were just trees between Brackendale and the then Overwaitea [now Save On Foods].

Her parents would drop her off at the pool with $3 and that was enough money for her to go in — without shoes — swim and buy a snack.

She said the changes in Squamish since she was a kid scare her.

“Being born and raised in Squamish and unable to afford a home in your own town is something I have feared for my friends, siblings and myself,” she said.

She also remembers a time when doors were never locked and bikes were left on lawns overnight.

“Now people have cameras because their wheelbarrows are being stolen,” she said.

A BEST DAY Horth said her favourite days outside of the ring are spent as a competitor at Squamish Days Logger Sports.

She has been the choker race champ for the last six years.

Her family has been involved with logging for years and she grew up attending the August festival.

“I love competition, all types of it, so that part came naturally to me and I love how different the sport is. It is a great community weekend, and over the years I have become more involved.”

“... I am reminded daily that I have the opportunity to choose my own path.”

Squamish MMA fighter Jamey-Lyn Horth at the Sound Martial Arts. PHOTO BY DAVID BUZZARD/FOR THE SQUAMISH CHIEF

Patricia King Home support and companion service helps aging client live their life to the fullest

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atricia King, the owner of For the One You Love, a local home support and companion service, started her business after working as an aide in the activity department of a long-term care home.

“I felt there was a great need for people living in the community to have companionship so they weren’t just watching TV all day,” King says.

“People need to have a real purpose.”’

King started her business in 2001 as a companion service to help older people stay connected to personal interests and community that may have become too challenging for them.

For The One You Love (604) 848-4306 fortheoneyoulove.ca fortheoneyoulove.pk@gmail.com

“For example, if they liked to bake pies but couldn’t do it anymore, maybe they just needed someone to help them simplify the process to make it more manageable,” King says. “I can simplify it all and get everything ready so they can still enjoy their hobby.”

Eventually, For the One You Love expanded to home care as well.

“I added home care because someone needed help with personal care and the demand was growing,” King says.

Now King’s qualified team of caregivers consists

of care aides, companion workers, a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) working with clients to help them live at home and in assisted living for as long as possible. They also offer companion care in care and assisted living facilities.

“We take people out for outings, picnics, parks, and drives,” King says. “We shop for people, take them to their doctors’ appointments, cook meals, do arts and crafts, exercise programs, anything to help them stay connected to their community.”

In recent years, King has seen an uptick in business as people increasingly look for highly personalized care for their loved ones. She also provides support and guidance for family members navigating through the health system. King is in the process of putting together a series of community talks about caregiving for loved ones.

“I’m very passionate about my business. I have wonderful women who work for me as well,” King says. “I’m very happy to provide the kind of care we have and allow people to still be themselves, as much as they can be. We look at our clients and what they like to do and try to make their lives as fulfilling as possible.”

To learn more about services offered by For the One You Love, visit its website at www. fortheoneyoulove.ca.

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Jill Carter Squamish realtor brings local expertise to the housing market

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quamish realtor Jill Carter has seen everything the real estate market has to offer in her 17 years as a local realtor.

“I’ve been in the market when it was emerging, failing, and then emerging again. I’ve seen a lot of cycles,” Carter says. “But it’s been incredible to see the growth of the area, especially recently.”

Carter began her real estate career when she moved to Squamish from Whistler when her children were small. Toting them from house to house, she steadily built her business.

“I’m really proud of the longevity I’ve had in this business. I’ve been doing this consistently and successfully for 17 years with two children in tow,” Carter says.

As a realtor, Carter brings her local expertise and experience to the hot real estate market.

“Squamish has been a well-kept secret for a while but the word is out,” she says.

(604) 815-1737

In addition to working on residential resale, Carter works on large projects and has represented a number of new builds.

“The benefit of being in the project world is that you get information ahead of everyone else,” Carter says. “You get a bit of a heads up on what the future looks like. What’s going to be in your view, what’s being built in your backyard. Good or bad, knowledge is useful when you’re buying.”

Carter’s involvement with projects gives her an edge when working on residential purchases.

“I know what’s going on,” she says.

Carter emphasizes the advantage of working with a local realtor when considering a purchase in Squamish.

“Any local realtor knows the area really well.

We have amazing neighbourhoods here.

Squamish is a small place with funny little quirks such as the history of certain homes and floodplains,” Carter says. “It is so important to get local expertise. Especially in a small community, you’re always in good hands with a local.”

To learn more or to work with Jill Carter, visit her website at squamishhome.com.

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Michelle Kelly Mortgage broker helps buyers make their housing dreams come true.

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quamish mortgage broker Michelle Kelly helps people with the biggest purchase they will ever make in their lives — buying a home.

“That’s a big deal to me and I don’t take that responsibility lightly,” Kelly says. “I believe that every working Canadian should have the opportunity to own their own home and I am committed to making sure that my clients get there.”

Mortgage brokers serve as an intermediary between buyers and lenders. They work to gather information for assessing what kind of mortgage a borrower could qualify for, find the best fit in terms of the borrower’s finances and needs, collect loan options for the borrower and submit the loan application to the lender for approval.

Using a mortgage broker offers the advantage of an independent resource who is comparing financing options to find the best one possible.

Even if you are a longtime customer of your bank, you may not be getting the best mortgage rate possible.

(778) 987-1062

“As an independent mortgage broker, I work for the client and not the bank,” Kelly says. “I explore all the offers and take the best option

we find for them. That’s what I love about my job. I provide my clients with choice and options at no cost to them.”

Kelly originally began in the real estate business as a realtor. While working on a leasehold development in North Vancouver, she witnessed the struggles some buyers had trying to secure financing through their banks, while also seeing the success of those who opted to work with a mortgage broker.

“I decided to switch over to the lending side of real estate at that point in time and become a mortgage broker,” Kelly says.

For the past three years, Kelly has been awarded the Verico Executive Club award, which celebrates broker excellence and professionalism across Canada.

She also gives back to the community, educating young adults on the value of having good credit.

“In my line of work I see just how important your credit score is when it comes to your borrowing power and more importantly your borrowing rate,” Kelly says. “I have set out on a mission to help educate youth on this topic.”

To learn more about Michelle Kelly’s mortgage broker services, visit her website at teamkelly.ca.

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Chloe Scott (right) doing fieldwork (above) learning about Arctic marine resource management .

FROM SQUAMISH TO THE ARCTIC LOCAL WOMAN CARVING A PATH FOR YOUTH IN THE ARCTIC JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

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quamish’s Chloe Scott is a world away, but her heart is at home.

Scott, 29, was recently part of an international pool as one of only 30 under age 35 to attend Emerging Leaders — Arctic Frontiers, in Tromsø, Norway.

The Chief caught up with her by phone in London, where she is currently based, for a chat about what she has been up to including advocating for more of a voice for youth when it comes to Arctic policy.

What follows is an edited version of that conversation.

Q: When did you head to London?

A: I made the move about a year ago. I was accepted to grad school so I began my studies and completed my Master’s of Science and International Business.

This led me to study Arctic Development Co-operation. I graduated in December, in London. I completed my last semester of school in South Africa with the London School of Economics, on a summer program.

Q: You were studying the Arctic in South Africa?

A: The research was focusing on development co-operation. South Africa

“There’s been fire lit within our group to see some change and it was amazing to be a part of. ”

and the Circumpolar Arctic have huge similarities in terms of international interest in their respective resources.

[The Circumpolar Arctic refers to northern lands of the world’s eight northernmost countries: Canada, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the U.S. (Alaska).]

There’s a lot of international geopolitics that go on with vying for the respective resources of the Arctic and South Africa. One example is looking at the Northern Sea Route as an extension to the Belt and Road Initiative, the Polar Silk Road.

There were some interesting parallels.

I am applying for my PhD because I love my research so much I feel like I barely grazed the surface.

Q: And what are you currently working on back in London?

A: I am working with the U.K. Polar Network — a group of young polar researchers in both the social science side of Arctic relations, as well as the sciences, so looking at glaciology and climate change. The Arctic is really being used as a litmus test to gauge the effects of global warming and climate change.

Q: When you were a little girl, did you have this interest in the Arctic?

A: Of course Squamish is by no means Arctic, but my interest in this area of

Chloe Scott in Iceland 2018. PHOTO SUBMITTED

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research stems from my childhood in Squamish where we were outside more than inside and out in the mountains and on snow. Coming from a family of skiers, that was probably quite influential for me.

Q: Can you tell me a bit more about the Norway trip for Emerging Leaders with Arctic Frontiers?

A: It is a very large conference that brings people from various backgrounds together. It is a place where people from all areas of research and development come together and discuss what their work is and how we can all be more transparent.

There were six of us from Canada. We connected as a group on a variety of topics — such as conservation and protection of Arctic peoples and Indigenous groups in the Arctic. There were 14 countries represented there.

That was incredible.

One of our missions was to establish a singular message to share with the leaders at the conference and the proposal at the end of that was to have an Arctic Youth Council. Right now there is an Arctic Council and that consists of the eight countries. We really felt strongly that there should be a youth voice on the council.

There’s been fire lit within our group to see some change and it was amazing to be a part of.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY CHLOE SCOTT

Q: For younger people who may be reading this in Squamish, how could they get involved with this issue?

A: I think there are so many interesting projects and teachers in Squamish who are passionate about this kind of work and so starting a project within your classroom or school can influence you

getting experience at the grassroots level and making some small changes.

You don’t have to go to the North Pole to understand some of these issues. It is very cool to see in person, but there’s a lot that can be done just by starting with grassroots projects. Take up opportunities that are available such as writing competitions, for example.

Those things really did lead me down this path.

Q: You visited the high Arctic, what was the biggest surprise for you about it there?

A: It was actually so much like home.

Especially living in London, going there made me more homesick [for Squamish] than I expected. It has the Sea to Sky feel with the oceans and the mountains.

I think my time in London will be short-lived because mountains are home to me.

Q: What is next for you? Any trips planned back to Squamish?

A: I am off to Iceland next, for a course, which is looking at Arctic geopolitics. After that, I will be home for a bit in the summer.

Q: What is your end goal?

A: I am keen on raising more awareness about how Arctic issues can be impacted by positive public and social policy.

Q: What resources would you point to if someone were to want to become more educated on this topic?

A: There is a woman named Jill Heinerth, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society explorer-inresidence. She did a project called “Arctic on the Edge,” on YouTube. She is an inspiration to me.

Suki Gill Customer service excellence drives sandwich shop owner

Gill’s second Subway location opened up in downtown Squamish in 2013.

quamish Subway franchise owner Suki Gill has spent most of her life inside sandwich shops.

“Squamish is growing so it’s a good opportunity to be in the downtown location,” Gill says.

S

As a high school student, she worked in a Subway location her parents owned in Surrey.

After Gill got married, she worked in customer service for Essilor Canada, but found it tricky to juggle a nine-to-five schedule with her growing family.

“It was a struggle between balancing kids and work,” Gill says. “My husband said, you already have the experience, why don’t we start our own business?”

Gill’s father introduced her to Subway. Ending up in Squamish was a stroke of luck.

#7D, 1321 Pemberton Ave

While driving through one day, Gill and her family stopped at the Subway in Garibaldi Highlands and started chatting with the owner, who said he wanted to sell. Gill and her husband jumped at the chance to buy and in 2007, they moved their family to Squamish, where Gill had her third daughter.

(604) 892-5951

“Squamish is the perfect location for our kids to grow up,” Gill says. “It’s a nice community with everything we could want.”

Despite owning two franchises, Gill is still involved with the day-to-day work of the restaurant.

“I’m only five minutes from home, but my girls are always teasing me about how I’m not spending time with them,” Gill says. “I just don’t know if I can ever stay away from work.”

Gill genuinely enjoys talking to her customers and hearing them out.

“I’m a customer service person. I like talking to people and I like listening to their feedback,” she says.

That commitment to excellent customer service contributed to Gill receiving an award for highest sales from the Subway head office.

“I just want to hear the community,” Gill says.

“I want to make it a better place for them to have their food.”

For Subway’s locations and menu, visit its website at www.subway.com/en-ca/.

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