Friday, October 23, 2026
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SEA TO SKY CANDIDATES TALK RIDING PRIORITIES PAGE 8
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026
HALLOWEEN EVENTS ACROSS THE ISLAND!
VOL. 52 NO. 42
PAGE 12 CALENDAR
Islanders choose new council at the polls 2026-30 COUNCILLORS ARE SET ALEX KURIAL Editor
GUIDED TOUR 27 Girl Guides hailing from Port Moody to Mission visited Bowen Island for a day with the local Conservancy to explore nature. Here they are visiting Cape Roger Curtis with Conservancy volunteers Owen Plowman and Doug Elliott. / Submitted photo
Bowen Island voters were feeling a mix of the old and the new this municipal election, returning three incumbents and selecting three newcomers to fill the council table for the next four years. Joining Andrew Leonard at that table - the mayor having already won a second-term by acclamation - are current councillors Sue Ellen Fast, Judith Gedye and Alex Jurgensen. They’ll be joined by community members Keith Davidson, Tim Hausch and Caroline Parker. It took some time for the new councillors to officially celebrate their achievement as a marathon count which began following the closure of polls at 8 pm on Saturday took until early Sunday evening to finally complete. The initial Election Day count was suspended around 1:15 am on Sunday morning due to fatigue among election workers. It resumed Sunday at Noon with a dedicated group working diligently to produce the final tally. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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Friday, October 23, 2026
Make it count, Bowen. 2026 General Local Election. Saturday, October 17, 2026
Official Election Results
Events All Council meetings are open to the public to attend in person or electronically, unless noted otherwise. October 26, 2026 1:00 pm Regular Council Meeting November 2, 2026 6:00 pm Inaugral Council Meeting
You’re Invited to the Inaugural Council Meeting Please join us for the Inaugural Council Meeting , marking the beginning of the 2026–2030 Council term.
The Chief Election Officer has finished the determination of election results and we are pleased to report the official results of the 2026 Election.
Community members are warmly invited to attend as the Mayor and Councillors take their oaths of office and officially begin their term of service.
MAYOR:
The inaugural meeting is an opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the start of a new chapter for Council.
The following candidate, having been elected by acclamation, was declared MAYOR of Bowen Island Municipality: Andrew Leonard COUNCILLORS:
Following the meeting, please stay and join us for food and refreshments as we mark the beginning of a new Council term together. We hope you can join us for this very special occasion.
The following six candidates, having received the highest number of valid votes, are hereby declared elected COUNCILLORS of Bowen Island Municipality: Keith Davidson (961) Sue Ellen Fast (1,039) Judith Gedye (1,294) Tim Hausch (1,426) Alex Jurgensen (1,146) Caroline Parker (1,322)
Monday, October 2, 2026 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Bowen Island Community Centre 580 Bowen Island Trunk Road Questions? Contact us at 604-947-4255 or email bim@bimbc.ca.
ISLANDS TRUST MUNICIPAL TRUSTEES: The following two candidates, having been elected Mayor or Councillor, and having received the highest number of valid votes, are hereby declared elected ISLANDS TRUST MUNICIPAL TRUSTEES of Bowen Island Municipality: Judith Gedye (900) Andrew Leonard (1,121) bowenislandmunicipality.ca/election-results/
Share Your View of Bowen Island!
We’re inviting local residents of all ages and skill levels to submit highresolution photos showcasing Bowen Island’s landscapes, community and unique character. Selected photos may be featured in municipal reports and publications, with credit whenever possible. Submit your photos here: bowenislandmunicipality.ca/submit-photos/ Questions? Sarah Baxter: 604-947-4255 ext. 223 or sbaxter@bimbc.ca. sedwards@bimbc.ca PAID ADVERTISEMENT October 23, 2026
Phone: 604-947-4255 Fax: 604-947-0193 Email: bim@bimbc.ca
Bowen Island Municipality 580 Bowen Island Trunk Road Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2
Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday Closed statutory holidays
Bowen Island Municipality
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bowenislandundercurrent.com • A3
Friday, October 23, 2026
DFO investigating humpback whale hit by Sunshine Coast ferry BC FERRIES SAYS THE WHALE SURFACED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE VESSEL SANDRA THOMAS Coast Reporter In an email to Coast Reporter, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confirmed it received reports of a collision between the Queen of Surrey and a humpback whale between Grace Point and Keats Island, on Sunday, Oct. 18. The DFO said according to BC Ferries, two humpback whales were observed in close proximity at the time of the incident. One whale was reportedly struck after surfacing in front of the ferry and was subsequently observed behind the vessel. “This is an unfortunate incident,” the email continued. “DFO is reviewing the situation and will work to identify the whale and assess its condition.” The DFO noted BC Ferries is cooperating with the investigation. BC Ferries said on Monday they have no confirmed information regarding the condition of the whale. They added, no injuries to passengers or crew have been reported, and the Queen of Surrey remained safe to operate and continued
in service following the incident. BC Ferries also confirmed that while travelling between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18, the Queen of Surrey was involved in a collision with a humpback whale in the waters south of Grace Island. In an email to Coast Reporter, BC Ferries said, “We are deeply concerned about this incident and the potential impact on the whale. Based on initial reports, the whale surfaced directly in front of the vessel, leaving the crew with very little time to react.” “The incident was immediately reported to the appropriate authorities, and we are working with them to understand the circumstances and any impacts on the whale.” BC Ferries added, protecting marine life is an important responsibility. “Our crews receive specialized training in whale awareness and follow established operating protocols to reduce the risk of collisions. Unfortunately, despite these precautions, collisions can still occur. We take incidents like this very seriously and will continue working with our partners to reduce risks to marine mammals.”
A Humpback Whale spotted near Secret Cove on the Sunshine Coast Oct. 14. / John Preissl photo
FALL CLEAN-UP 2026 Decals will be available for sale at the Snug Cove General Store from Oct. 24th to Nov. 1st ONLY.
Drop off will be done by appointment ONLY. Once you have picked up your decal, you can call Bowen Waste Solutions @ 604-947-2255 to book an appointment. The final day for booking appointments will be Monday, Nov. 2nd at 3:00 PM.
Hazardous Waste and Paint Recycling
Fall Clean-up Days Fees Small Load: $45
NOT Accepted:
Sat. Nov. 7 , 2026 • 10:00 am - 3:00 pm @ Bowen Island Recycling Depot th
No fees to drop off hazardous waste or paint. * MAXIMUM 10 PER HOUSEHOLD * Do not bring in containers or liquids that we cannot identify.
Paints and stains Approximately 5 garbage bags
Medium Load: $90
Flammable Liquids
A limited number of appointments will be made available. Drop off of materials will be inside the BIRD yard from Monday, Nov. 2nd to Saturday Nov. 7th
Hazardous Waste
Approximately 10 garbage bags
• •
Large LEVEL Load: $185
Note: 1 decal per household only.
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Products that cannot be identified
Or container says
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Keep Away From Open Flame or Spark
Products that are leaking or improperly sealed
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Empty containers
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Commercial, industrial, or agricultural products
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Cosmetics, health and beauty aids
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Insect repellents, disinfectants, and pet products
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Diesel, propane, and butane fuels
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Caulking tubes
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Fertilizer
Liquids only Paint thinners, other solvents, camp fuels or liquid adhesives with the flammable symbol Max container size: Kerosene 9L Other liquids 10L
Domestic Pesticides Only
ABSOLUTELY NO, Paint, Hazardous Waste, Tires or Drywall Check out
The contents of a level pick-up truck load
Mattress or Appliance: $35
•
Consumer pesticides with the poisonous (skull & crossbones) symbol AND “Pest Control Product” registration number (REG #12345 PCP Act) In original containers only. Max container size: 10L
www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca
Gasoline
Waste Solutions www.bowenwastesolutions.com
• In approved ULC original containers only Max container size: 25L
Per mattress or appliance
PLEASE NOTE: Non-complying loads are subject to refusal.
Paint Cans
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Do not bring in cans that have a very small amount.
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Open and combine your paint together to fill cans.
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Allow empty cans to dry and put cans in the metal bins.
For items not found on this list, please call BC Recycling Hotline 604-732-9253
P.O. Box 202, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 604-947-2255
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Friday, October 23, 2026
VIEWPOINTS Halloween Haunts
Another Municipal Election in the books! Congrats to all the successful councillors, everybody who ran, and all the voters who came out to have their voices heard. An extra big shoutout to all of the election workers on Saturday (and even Sunday!) who likely ended up working far longer than they thought they would but pushed through with their important task all the same. We now have our council for the next four years and it will be exciting to see what projects and areas they turn their focus towards here on Bowen. Next weekend is Halloween! But don’t wait till then to celebrate, as you will see in the Calendar there’s lots of spooky fun starting this weekend and continuing next week right up until the big night. Halloween night at the Loop is always a must-see, and this year it falls on a Saturday which should add to the fun. Party at the Pub after too... and the Legion the night before! Don’t forget to vote in the Provincial Election on Saturday! It’s true that the timing of this second vote is likely to cause some voter fatigue, but it’s still very important to have a say in who represents us in the Legislature. Just follow the same plan from last week, with polls open 8 am to 8 pm at Bowen Island Community School. - Alex Kurial, Editor
Ron Paley photo THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. Please limit to under 500 words. HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication. The Undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs.
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EDITOR Alex Kurial editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com
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The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com or call 604-947-2442. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.
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Friday, October 23, 2026
VIEWPOINTS
Letters: Regarding campaign signs on Bowen Island ANNE DINGWALL Letter Writer Prior to the last provincial election, I displayed a sign on my property expressing my support for a candidate. I was criticized by some neighbours who told me on Bowen candidates only put up signs at Four Corners. My sign was subsequently removed by someone unknown to me.
I’ve lived in countries where displaying a sign in support of a political candidate could get you fined, possibly arrested and imprisoned. I am proud that Canada is not one of those countries. I will be putting up a sign this week and appeal to Bowenites to respect my right to support a political candidate as a fundamental element of our democracy. Sincerely, - Anne Dingwall
Visual pollution? It’s about perspective SILVAINE ZIMMERMANN Letter Writer People are asking me about election signs, are they legal (yes) should we have them? Yes/no? Where/where not? Is there a Green Party candidate here? Do we have a chance? Are we really conservatives/communists in sheeps clothing? Are we just a one-trick pony? So many issues, so little time! As one of the co-founders of the Green Party in Canada, I can assure you that we have never been a one-issue party. From the beginning, our shared fundamental values encompassed: Seeking social justice (especially the assertion that we wanted to rectify the colonial wrongs that continue to be committed against Indigenous peoples); Ecological wisdom (to respect nature in the recognition that all beings are interdependent); Grass roots democracy (to base our decision making on science and truth and consensus seeking processees); Commitment to equality while celebrating diversity and to attempt conflict resolution through peaceful means. In the 43 years since we came together as a new party in Ottawa, what has changed? Certainly not our values, nor our raison d’être! Truth and Reconciliation has become a catch-phrase and a holiday, but Indigenous land defenders like Rainbow Eyes (Deputy Leader of the Federal Green Party) are judicially condemned and incarcerated for trying to protect the last patches of ancestral ancient forest, others for trying to prevent pipelines from polluting that last clean salmon river, chiefs are coerced into accepting destructive extractive industries in their once unspoiled territories for some direly needed cash, and Grassy Narrows is still a cesspool of mind destroying Mercury pollu-
tion deposited by the pulp and paper industry; the list goes on. Green(washing) has become a popular modus operandum! Our Prime Minister fights Climate Change by buying more pipelines. And just when the herring is spawning again and whales are splashing around in Howe Sound, fracking LNG is re-industrializing this barely recouperating ecosystem. Our antiquated electoral system, once created for a two-party state, is incapable of dealing with a five-plus political reality/produce fair (proportional) results. The previous Prime Minister who bought that pipeline also promised us proportional representation and then reneged. Globally, civilians are being bombed and dozens of journalists trying to report on atrocities are ‘accidentally’ executed. Despite all that and much more, we keep trying, because if we don’t try to hold the powers that be accountable, who will? But let’s talk about something really ‘important’: election signs. Are you for or against? Plastic or Carboard? Recycled or recyclable? Blue, green, orange, red or yellow? Home-made or printed by a pro? I don’t know. Personally, definitely not plastic, preferably home-made (but is that legal?) and placed just where I live. What I’d much prefer, but am never offered, would be equal-time debates on every telecommunications channel for every party prior tp every election; but I guess I’m still dreaming in technicolor - it’s not easy being Green! Seriously, what I am really trying to say is that there are more important issues to think about in these troubled times, and in this election, than worrying about the issue of electoral signs or not on Bowen Island... and yes, while there are trees to hug, waters to swim in, air to breathe, love and laughter to share, we have to keep trying ... to do our best. - Silvaine Zimmermann
Provincial election candidate signs placed at Four Corners in Snug Cove.
Bowen Island's Community Health Centre is thriving — and growing — thanks to strong community support. Donations from our community fill the provincial funding gap, ensure we can keep growing and expanding our services and keep health care close to home for everyone in our community.
Donate today to support local health care. bowenhealthfoundation.com/donate
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Friday, Friday, October October 23, 23, 2026 2026
Municipal voter turnout just above half CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
That tally also included two selections for trustees to represent Bowen with the Islands Trust organization. And while Leonard didn’t have a mayoral race to worry about, he still was watching the results closely to see if he would be among this pair. Ultimately he was, and will be joined by current trustee Judith Gedye who was re-elected to the role. Fast, the other current trustee, finished third in Islands Trust voting and will not return to the organization this term. One very noticeable change for the incoming council will be the absence of Alison Morse, who has served as a councillor since Bowen became a municipality in 1999. Morse was running for re-election to what would have been her ninth council term, but finished one spot outside of the top six who were voted in. Morse was the lone incumbent running who was not re-elected. Former Bowen councillor Terry Cotter was also not elected, along with new candidates Constance Barnes and Patrick Reakes. Voter turnout for the election was 52 per cent, down slightly from a 57 per cent participation rate four years ago. 1,831 Islanders cast a ballot out of 3,517 eligible adults. 434 people voted in advance, 122 by mail, and
1,275 on General Election Day. Bowen voters also had their say in selecting the five trustees for the West Vancouver School District. Elected were Felicia Zhu, Sheelah Donahue, Richard Loat, John Calimente and Karen Straith. The final meeting of Bowen’s current council will take place Monday, October 26. The new council will then be inaugurated on Monday, November 2, and have their first regular meeting the following week on November 9. FINAL RESULTS COUNCIL - Tim Hausch (1,426); Caroline Parker (1,322); Judith Gedye (1,294); Alex Jurgensen (1,146); Sue Ellen Fast (1,039); Keith Davidson (961); Alison Morse (848); Terry Cotter (630); Constance Barnes (571); Patrick Reakes (303).
Bowen Island’s new council: (above L-R) Tim Hausch, Caroline Parker, Judith Gedye (below L-R) Alex Jurgensen, Sue Ellen Fast, Keith Davidson.
ISLANDS TRUST - Andrew Leonard (1,121); Judith Gedye (900); Sue Ellen Fast (732); Alison Morse (378); Terry Cotter (332). SCHOOL BOARD - Felicia Zhu (6,281); Sheelah Donahue (6,257); Richard Loat (5,220); John Calimente (5,216); Karen Straith (5,063); John O’Flynn (3,694); Roman Nurpeissov (2,933).
holiday makers
the locals handbook to the holidays
Gift ideas, festive recipes, holiday event calendar and more!
To advertise please contact Tracey by November 2nd twait@bowenislandundercurrent.com WINTER 2025 Edition
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Friday, October October 23, 23, 2026 2026 Friday,
Getting Creative at the Rec Centre LISSY ALLAN Contributor My name is Lissy Allan and I was lucky enough to grow up on Bowen, which helped me cultivate a deep appreciation for the arts, specifically for dance. I’ve continued following this passion into adulthood as both a teacher and performer. I am a certified Expressive Movement Facilitator and also completed a teaching mentorship with the All Bodies Dance Project. I’m now grateful for the opportunity to bring my love of dancing back to Bowen through teaching creative movement classes at the Rec Centre! In our adult creative movement classes we explore many different concepts ranging from: balance, relational attunement, space, shape, flow, direction and more! These explorations are gentle invitations, always with the priority of listening to your own body and how much you want to engage. We discover these concepts using imagery, breath, voicework, and partner activities. Creative movement can help people develop: their sense of personal space and boundaries, relationship skills, a connection to their bodies, a sense of musicality and rhythm, and confidence within themselves and their artistic expression. Here is what one of my participants, Liz Watson, has to say about the class: “I’ve been really enjoying Lissy Allan’s class at the Community Centre. I think of it as guided movement activities and exercises that connect mind and body. Instead of choreography or routines, it’s movement that is open to interpretation which makes it playful, imaginative and expressive. But we’re not just moving around the room in random ways. Lissy offers suggestions and invites us to think about the ways we can move our body from a variety of perspectives.
Here’s an example: we start with a mat-based stretch and warm-up to music that is gentle and yoga-esque. Great to warm up and stretch together to prepare the body for movement that is out of the usual confines of daily activities. Then the first invitation might be to move as if light is emanating from our body. To help imagine this, Lissy invites us to stand against a wall that we imagine as a beam of beautiful light and imagine the light touching wherever the wall touches our body… and to feel this light being transferred to us so that it emanates from wherever the wall touched us. It guides and pulls us. We try this transfer of light by standing against the wall with the front, back and sides of our body. And even the top of our head. With each one, we’re moving around the room inspired by our own imagination but also informed by the way the light moves others and it’s so much fun! We laugh a lot! Another exercise I enjoy is mirroring a partner’s movement. It’s like a mime activity but it involves small and big moves around the room. This totally helps me to tap into a playful focus that draws on the visual and kinaesthetic in a spontaneous way. It’s like creative thinking set to movement. Great brain work! Before we know it, class is almost over but we might try some statue sculpting with a partner. It’s fun to turn your partner into a statue - subtle movements of arms, legs, hands, feet and head create a gesture or stance. And then it’s their turn to be the artist and you become the statue. Again, laughter! There’s nothing like a creative movement class to free up your body, let go of tension, to move and stretch in ways that can build strength and balance, and just be joyful.” Session 2 of Lissy’s Creative Movement class for adults starts on Monday, Nov. 2 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at the Community Centre.
Bowen Island homecoming for author CARRIE DEJONG Contributor What does it mean to feel at home within ourselves? It’s a question that counsellor and author Carrie DeJong looks forward to exploring when she returns to Bowen Island, the community she called home for 22 years. She’ll be sharing insights from her newly published book, Listening In. For DeJong, returning to Bowen feels a bit like coming home. Over her 22 years on the island, she formed many lasting friendships and became deeply connected to the community. Bowen holds a special place in her heart, and she’s looking forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and sharing this next chapter of her journey. As a counsellor, her work helping people navigate trauma, addiction, and life’s challenges also deepened her curiosity about the relationship between our bodies and our emotional well-being. That curiosity eventually led to Listening In, a book about interoception — our often-overlooked ability to sense and make sense of what’s happening inside our bodies. “We spend so much of our lives attending to what’s happening around us that it’s easy to lose touch with what’s happening within us,” says DeJong. “But our bodies are constantly communicating with us, offering clues about our emotions, our needs, and how we’re doing.” Her presentation, Listening In: Finding Our Way Back
to Ourselves, explores how we sometimes lose that connection amid the busyness of life, stress, and the habit of pushing through. At a time when anxiety and other mental health challenges are receiving increasing attention, interoception offers another important piece of the puzzle. How we notice, interpret, and respond to bodily sensations can shape our emotional experiences, including stress and anxiety. Understanding this connection opens up new possibilities for supporting our mental and emotional well-being. Bowen draws many people with its natural beauty, quieter pace of life, and sense of community and belonging. Yet even in places that nourish us, we can lose touch with ourselves. Learning to listen within offers another way of cultivating that connection, wherever life takes us. The evening will begin with refreshments and a chance to catch up with friends, meet new people, and explore some displays about interoception. From there, DeJong will share insights from her book in an informal presentation, with plenty of time for questions and conversation. Whether you’re reconnecting with an old friend or simply curious about how our bodies shape our everyday experiences, you’re warmly invited to join the conversation. The event takes place Thursday, November 5 from 7 to 9 pm at Cates Hill Chapel, 661 Carter Road. Admission is free, and books will be available for purchase and signing.
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Friday, October 23, 2026
Sea to Sky’s provincial candidates lay out priorities for the riding BRADEN DUPUIS Pique Newsmagazine What is the most urgent issue in this riding, and what concrete action would you take? Jeremy Valeriote (Green): Regional public transit is only one of many solutions to the growing affordability crisis we face in the Sea to Sky. In our cooperation agreement with the NDP government in 2025, we specified the construction of 7,500 non-market housing units per year for four years across B.C. — they fell behind on that and other commitments, so we didn’t renew. They also cancelled the $1.3 billion Community Housing Fund, leaving non-profits in the lurch on projects that were counting on that program. I will continue to advocate for the reinstatement of that fund and support all our local non-profit housing organizations. Michelle Livaja (NDP): Hands down it’s cost of living and health-care. That’s why I’m proud to be part of the team that’s taking on big companies to bring down the cost of gas and groceries, as well as strengthening health-care with a million more people connected to a family doctor and more on the way. We know the Conservatives have made a lot of promises about bringing down the deficit that they have absolutely no plan to pay for. And so we know what that means: cuts to healthcare, transit, and other services people in our community count on. Ayla Dumais (BC Conservatives): I hear about and experience the cost-of-living crisis every day. But the most urgent issue is our crumbling health-care; it is life or death for many. The NDP and Greens will raise taxes that drive doctors out of the province, while 1.2 million British Columbians don’t
have a family doctor, and rural and regional hospitals close. The BC Conservatives will keep ERs open, support rural practices at risk of closing, and invest $50 million into an emergency fund, while protecting current health-care funding. We will also train more doctors in B.C. and speed up international credential recognition. Dan Wood (CentreBC): Whether the people who work in a community can afford to live in it. Ski patrollers, nurses, teachers and tradespeople commuting on a highway not built for the volume is the riding’s defining problem, from Pemberton to West Vancouver. Concrete action: a resortand-rural stream in provincial housing policy, because one size does not fit Whistler, Squamish and Metro Vancouver alike. It combines the infrastructure fund above, provincial approval standards, and public reporting on approval times and homes completed in order to meet the qualifications for funding. I’d measure it by one number: how many workers live within the corridor, year over year. What would you do to improve transportation along the Sea to Sky corridor, and what could residents realistically expect within your term? Jeremy Valeriote: In my two years as MLA, I have helped make significant progress towards the dream of regional public transit from Vancouver to Mount Currie. With relentless advocacy to the Premier and Minister of Transportation, alongside the hard work of local governments and First Nations, I am excited about the signing of an MOU between the province and the regional transit committee on Sept. 22, the same day the provincial election was called. This is more progress than we’ve ever seen, and it’s now realistic to expect hourly transit buses on Highway 99 within the next one to two years.
(L to R) - Michelle Livaja (NDP), Jeremy Valeriote (Green), Dan Wood (CentreBC) & Ayla Dumais (BC Conservatives) are vying for West Vancouver - Sea to Sky riding - which encompasses Bowen Island - in the Oct. 24 provincial election. Michelle Livaja: After 20 years commuting from Bowen, I understand the critical need for reliable regional public transit. It’s important not only to support our growing communities, but also to enhance tourism. We’ve taken a great first step, with the MOU signed between the Regional Transit Committee and the Province. What we need now is a funding model that will work for people, and not raise costs on them. The BC Conservatives have made promises that they have no plan to pay for. That means slashing funding for public transit, reducing service, and downloading costs onto people. We can’t afford the risk. Ayla Dumais: As a young person living in Squamish, I understand first-hand the challenges posed by the lack of progress on regional transit. Jeremy Valeriote ran in 2024 promising concrete action on regional transit. Despite holding the balance of power for over a year of the last term, he was unable to
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hold the NDP government accountable on any of CARGA’s terms (which included Sea to Sky regional transit). When it comes to regional transit, this riding doesn’t just need a voice; it needs someone actually sitting in government who can make it a priority at the cabinet table. Dan Wood: Regional transit has been studied since 2015, a committee has sat since 2019, and federal money has been on the table. The Province signed an MOU the day it called the election but with no dollars, no operator, and no date. Our incumbent had two years, including a cooperation agreement with this government, and still no new buses hit the road. I would turn the MOU into a funded service: BC Transit operating share, federal money for buses and hubs, integrated TransLink fares. Within one term: a daily Pemberton – Vancouver bus, and Highway 99 safety work in the capital plan with dates.
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Friday, Friday, October October 23, 23, 2026 2026
Pet Blessings at the United Church REV. LORRAINE ASHDOWN Bowen Island United Church
St. Francis of Assisi is known as the Patron Saint of animals. He called all creatures his “brothers and sisters” and was known to regularly preach to the birds. October 4 is generally known as St. Francis Day so we are a bit behind the times. However this Sunday, October 25 at Bowen Island United Church, we will be holding a Blessing of the Animals service. You are invited to bring your beloved companion animals to church where they will be given a blessing - and a treat. All creatures are welcome but dogs must be on leashes, cats in owners arms or a pet carrier, and any other creature can join us in a cage or terrarium or whatever makes them feel the least amount of stress. Large animals such as horses and goats and donkeys are also welcome as I will happily go out to the churchyard to meet and bless them. There is one thing Bowen Islanders certainly have in common - we love our animals. And we love them even after they leave this life. So if you have a photo of a beloved pet who has gone into the next world to chase squirrels and balls
forever, or to curl up in the eternal sun, please join us and bring a photo of your pet and we will bless the memory of your beloved companion. Our service is at 10:30 am Sunday morning, October 25. We are at 1122 Miller Road. We welcome all two legged, four legged and winged creatures. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Lorraine Ashdown at 778-688-2061
W E S T VA N C O U V E R - S E A TO S K Y
with our Candidates
PAID ADVERTISING
Re-Elect Jeremy Valeriote PROVINCIAL PARTY: BC GREEN PARTY YOUR RIDING: WEST VANCOUVER SEA TO SKY
Julie Rogers & Lucy receive blessings.
Facts about me Jeremy was elected as the MLA for West Van–Sea to Sky in 2024, making history as the first BC Green elected on the mainland. He has an engineering degree and previously served as a Gibsons councillor. Jeremy is proud to represent the people of this corridor as the voice for regional transit, innovative housing and healthcare solutions, climate action, and an affordable, clean energy future.
ENZO
Meet Enzo, our handsome 4-year-old pup! Enzo is always happy to visit the clinic and greets everyone with a wagging tail and a big smile. His absolute favorite treat is the lick mat, and he never misses an opportunity to enjoy one during his visits. We’re always excited to see this beautiful boy walk through our doors! Congratulations, Enzo, on being our Patient of the Week!
REGULAR HOURS Mon-Fri 9-5
CONTACT
Closed Sat & Sun
reach me at
phone 778-770-0291 email votevaleriote@bcgreens.ca website bcgreens.ca/candidates2026/jeremy-valeriote
AUTHORIZED BY FARRUKH CHISHTIE, FINANCIAL AGENT, 18884733686
Q What made you decide to stand in this election? I do this work for my twin daughters, and for A everyone’s children and grandchildren, who
deserve the same opportunities I had growing up: a good job, an affordable home, and clean air and water. I work hard to get our communities the attention from Victoria they deserve, and speak out on the issues that matter to us. It takes a strong, consistent voice to do that—it’s been a privilege to do that work, and there is so much more to do.
What have your past contributions to the Q community/North Shore been? My advocacy in the Legislature has helped get us A closer than ever to regional public transit along
Highway 99 and I helped launch an advocacy group pushing to bring passenger rail back to the Sea to Sky corridor. As your MLA, I secured funding for youth mental health at the Pemberton Foundry, for transition programs for unhoused residents in Squamish, and ensured fairer rental assistance and higher disability benefits for British Columbians.
Q How do you find out what people's concerns are? My MLA office handles hundreds of inquiries and A helps countless people each week. I’m incredibly proud of that work. Through library drop-ins, coffee chats, and door-to-door conversations, I hear firsthand what matters most to people. But listening is only the beginning. My office takes action. We’ve helped residents navigate long-term care waitlists, access medical transportation, and resolve autism funding challenges. It doesn’t always make headlines, but solving these issues makes a real difference in a person’s life.
A10 • bowenislandundercurrent.com
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SUDOKU Places of Worship Welcome You
Sudoku puzzles are BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH www.biuc.ca | 1122 Miller Road formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 FOOD Sunday Worship 10:30 am BANK boxes. To solve a Sudoku, Rev. Lorraine Ashdown DROP-OFF 778-688-2061 the numbers 1 through 9 OFFICE HOURS WEDNESDAY 10-4 OR BY APPOINTMENT must fill each row, column and box. Each number can ST. GERARD’S ROMAN appear only once in each CATHOLIC CHURCH row, column and box. You Sunday Sunday Mass Mass at at 10:00 9.30 can figure out the order Contact Angela Powell 604-947-2515 in which the numbers www.cateshillchapel.com will appear by using theHILL CHAPEL CATES Sunday Worship 10:00 604-947-4260 numeric clues already www.cateshillchapel.com (661 Carter Rd.) provided in the boxes. 604-947-4260 Sunday Worship(661 10:00 Carter Rd.) Rev. Phil Adkins office@cateshillchapel.com
PUZZLE ANSWERS ON SEPARATE PAGE www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
SHIRAT HAYAM (Song of the Sea) BOWEN’S JEWISH COMMUNITY Shabbat Gatherings ~ Holidays Contact aryana.rayne@gmail.com • www.shirathayam.ca
TODAY'S PUZZLE ANSWERS
Health and Wellness on Bowen
Make Your Vote for Child Care in BC Matter
Learn more here DR. GLORIA CHAO FAMILY DENTIST
FRIDAY 9-4 PM AT ARTISAN SQUARE
604-947-0734 NEW PATIENTS WELCOME E CDCP accepted
HORSESHOE BAY
604-921-8522
OSS
1. Nocturnal rodent 27. Lower the light 43. Messenger 5. Requesting 28. Asian mountain ribonucleic acid www.bowenislanddental.com 11. Give temporarily range 44. “Layla” singer 12. Frivolousness 29. Every one of two Clapton TO ADVERTISE IN HEALTH & WELLNESS PLEASE CALL 604-947-2442 16. Military arm or more 45. Ancient Greek 17. “Westworld” actor 30. Lack of difficulty sophist Harris 31. A public 49. Largest English
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54. Manifesting approval 56. Indigo bush 58. Larry and Curly’s pal 59. Off-Broadway theater award
bowenislandundercurrent.com • A11
Friday, October 23, 2026
BOWEN BOW WEN HOME SERVICES
llove ove tthe he llife ife yyou ou live
On Bowen se
rv in
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CHARMAINE HEFFELFINGER
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WE DOGOOD WORK - CALL 604-925-8711 RED SEAL CARPENTRY | WATERPROOFING | BUILDING ENVELOPE EXPERTS
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Property checks Flooring Tiling Picture hanging Flat Pack building Computer problems (IT trainer) Property checks Tili
- H ILLSIDE TRA MS
MONDAY TO FRIDAY
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Call 604-947-9703
Andy Rainsley: 604-947-0674 • CELL 778-231-7283 Bowenshirelandscaping.ca • info@bowenshirelandscaping.ca
Office: 604-947-9686
On Bowen 778-995-1902 NOW 5 DAYS A WEEK!
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live the life you love To reserve a spot on this page, contact us at 604-947-2442 or ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com
bowenislandundercurrent.com A12 •• bowenislandundercurrent.com
Friday, October 23, 2026
CALENDAR Thursday, October 22 Youth Halloween Dance with Bowen Rec Get ready for a fun-filled night with a live DJ playing all your favorite spooky tunes, a cash concession for pizza, drinks and treats, and awesome prizes for the best costumes! This year’s theme An Enchanted Haunted Forest. For Grades 5-7, runs 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Register on Bowen Rec website. Friday, October 23 Pro-D Day Events Bowen Rec hosts the annual Haunted House Pro-D Camp! Join us for a spine-tingling, imagination-fueled program where participants design and build their very own Haunted House experience for parents and the public! 9 am to 4 pm, Haunted House Viewing 3:30 to 4:30. Sign up with Bowen Rec. And the Library has a Family Lego Party from 10:30 to 11:30 am, drop-in for free Lego play with other families. Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24 Carve Up the Cove The community Haunted House at Integrated Health has more rooms, fun, and of course scares! Open 5 to 8 each night, first hour kid friendly with full spookiness after that. Free or by donation, see you there if you dare! Saturday, October 24 French Connections at the Library Drop in and join us to practice your conversational French, and get to know other French language learners on Bowen Island! Free, 10:15 to 11:15 am. bipl.ca/French Saturday, October 24 Kids Pumpkin Carving at the Building Centre Free pumpkin carving for families with children age 3 to 8! Pumpkins provided, please bring your own carving tools.
Free hot dogs and treats too! From 10:30 am to Noon, register at: slotted.co/pumpkin2026 Saturday, October 24 Squamish Elders Gathering at the Library Get to know a small group of Elders and youth from the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw Squamish Nation as they share experiences and stories from their lives. From 1 to 2:30 pm, full details and register at bipl.ca/Elders Saturday, October 24 Water Connects Us All Presentation Bowen Island Conservancy presents an afternoon w/ Bob Turner, Will Husby & Peter Ross discussing island water including Grafton Lake. Free, Community Centre 2 to 4 pm. Saturday, October 24 Song Circle Join Shasta at Collins Hall for some wholesome singing. Takes place 2 to 4 pm. Sunday, October 25 Open Studio with Emily Emily van Lidth de Jeude welcomes guests to 602 Collins Road to check out her studio and artworks, paintings, prints and books. Wear appropriate footwear for a wet lawn, and please leave dogs at home. From 11 am to 3 pm. Sunday, October 25 Rhythm Circle TaKeTiNa Come experience the journey at Collins Hall from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Suggested donation $10-$30. Tuesday, October 27 Light Up Bowen AGM Come check out the Annual General Meeting for Bowen’s much-loved community Christmas celebration. Everyone is welcome! Join us as we make plans for another wonderful year of Light Up Bowen. Community Centre at 6 pm. Thursday, October 29 Artisan Square Trick or Treat for Kids
Friendly trick or treating for families with children 5 and under. Visit the different shops around Artisan Square for treats. Costumes encouraged! From 10:30 am to Noon. Friday, October 30 The Rocky Horror Picture Show Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, madness, and mayhem as we bring The Rocky Horror Picture Show to the big screen in the Bowen Theatre! Costumes HIGHLY recommended! Doors open at 7 pm w/ the film at 8. Visit Bowen Rec for prop details and to buy tickets. 19+ event. Friday, October 30 Halloween Dance at the Legion Grab your costumes and round up your friends for a Halloween Dance with country rock band Pistol Whip the Devil from Vancouver! Doors open at 8 pm, tickets $25 and available at the Legion or online at zeffy.com Saturday, October 31 Halloween Night at the Loop One of Bowen’s best traditions! Lenora, Melmore and Senator transform into a haunted escape for this special night. Come trick or treat and take part in spooky activities spanning the entire neighbourhood! Starts around 5 pm. Saturday, October 31 Halloween Dance at the Pub The Bowen Pub is scared to present... The Pub of the Dead! Prizes for best costume and group costume. DJ Rube will be spinning tracks from 8 pm until the Witching Hour... Tickets $20 and available at the Pub. Thru November 6 Vaccine Clinics at the Health Centre Flu & Covid immunization clinic for 3 weeks Monday to Friday starting October 26. By appointment or drop-in (space not guaranteed). Appointments call 604-947-9986. Mon 9:15-4, Tue 9:15-6:45, Wed 9:15-4 Thu 9:15-7:30, Fri 9:15-5:45
QUEEN OF CAPILANO FERRY SCHEDULE UNTIL MARCH 2027
DEPART BOWEN ISLAND
DEPART HORSESHOE BAY
5:15 am - except Sundays 6:15 am 7:30 am 8:45 am 10:00 am 11:15 am 12:35 pm 1:55 pm - except Wed dnesdays 3:15 pm 4:40 pm 6:00 pm 7:15 pm 8:25 pm - except Saturdays 9:30 pm 10:30 pm 11:30 pm
5:45 am 6:50 am 8:05 am 9:20 am - except Wednesdays 10:35 am 11:55 am 1:10 pm 2:35 pm 3:55 pm 5:20 pm 6:35 pm 7:50 pm 8:55 pm - except Saturdays 10:00 pm 11:00 pm
Where’s the ferry right now? - live updates at www.bowenferry.ca
SCHEDULE CHANGES ON STATUTORY HOLIDAYS. STAY UP TO DATE AT WWW.BCFERRIES.COM
www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Saturday November 7, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Collins Hall. 10:30am Collins Hall Refreshments provided Refreshments provided
The meeting will include a vote on the motion: Be it resolved, as a special resolution of the Snug Cove House Society (the “Society”), that the bylaws of the Society be amended to provide that written notice to members may be given to members by way of electronic messages, including email messages.