April 22, 2026

Mailitin

CanadaPosttostopdoorstep deliveryto many NorthShorehomes LIFESTYLE13

EyeoftheAncestor

SquamishNation artistunveils cedar sculptureatPolygonGallery COMMUNITY24

Bearwithme

GrousegrizzliesGrinder andCoola wakeupfromwinternaps

Stalled condo project leaves aholein Dundarave

JANESEYD

jseyd@nsnews.com

IntheimagesforthePierwelldevelopmentwrapping thestorefrontwindowsinthe2400blockof West Vancouver’sMarineDrive,friendsstroll byasoftlylit building whileawomansits on abalconygazingat thestreetscenebelow.Promotionalphrases on the windowsofPierwell’s shutteredsalescentrepromise 36“seasidehomes”settoopenin2027.

The realityisinstarkcontrasttothat. A blockthatwas oncehometoseveralbusinesses,includingShoppersDrug Mart,hasonesigninthe window:“Sorry we’reclosed.”

Outbackinthelane,behindblueconstruction fencing, a couchsitsonapileofgravel, near toapieceofpipeandan abandonedshoppingcart.

Theplanfortheproject,approvedby West Vancouver councilin2022,wastoprovidethreestoreysofmixed-used development,includingofficespace andapublicplazaat MarineDriveand25thStreet.High-endcondosthatmade upthecoreoftheproject were marketedatanywhere from $1.5millionto$5million.

Butsalesweresluggish.

Continuedon A23

COMMUNITYMAILBOXES

Canada Postto cutdoorstep delivery for 23,000homes

JANESEYD

jseyd@nsnews.com

CanadaPostwillstop deliveringtothe doorstepsofabout23,000 households ontheNorthShoreoverthenextfew yearsandwillinsteaddeliverthat mail to communitymailboxes,thecorporationhasannounced.

Themovetoconvert thehouseholds on theNorthShoretocommunitymailboxesispartofawiderplanto replace door-to-doordeliverytoaboutfourmillion householdswithcommunity mailboxes acrossthecountry, aspartofacost-saving plan.

Mostoftheaddressesthatwillseethe deliverychange areadjacenttoareasthat already receivedeliverytocommunity mailboxes,accordingtothecorporation.

On theNorthShore,postalcodesthat willbeconvertedtocommunitymailboxes includethosebeginning withV7M,V7P, V7R, V7S,V7T,V7VandV7W.

Othercommunities in B.C.where door-to-doordeliveryisbeing replacedby communitymailboxesincludeAbbotsford andMission.

Thenationalprogramtophaseout door-to-doordelivery isexpectedto take aboutfiveyears, withdifferentareasmovingtocommunity mailboxeseachyear.

Convertinganaddressfromdoor-todoordeliverytoacommunitymailbox typicallytakesmonths,accordingtothe corporation.CanadaPoststateditwill consult withaffectedneighbourhoodsasit identifieslocationsfor communitymailbox sites.Itwill alsonotify residentsofthe upcomingchangetotheirmaildelivery.

BCITMARINECAMPUS

Communitymailboxesincludesecure, locked compartments formailandparcels. More than80percentofparcelsdeliveredbyCanadaPostfit intoacommunity mailbox’s individual compartmentor a dedicatedparcelcompartment.Parcels thatdon’t fit orthat requireasignatureare deliveredtothedoororheldforpickupat anearbypostoffice.

CanadaPostisalsobeginningto review useofitspostoffices,withaplantoclose someofthoseinurbanorsuburbanareas thatareusedlessbythepublic.

MattGoody,aNorth Vancouverpostal

workerandexecutiveshopstewardforthe VancouverlocaloftheCanadianUnionof Postal Workers,saidhismembersheard thenewsaboutplanstocuthomedelivery thesamedaythepress releasewentout fromCanadaPost.

Twopostaldepots-Capilanointhewest andHarbourintheeast-currentlyserve residentialaddressesontheNorthShore.

GoodysaidstaffatthelargerCapilano depot,whichemployslettercarriers and depotstaffforthewesternpartofthe NorthShore,weretoldupto40per cent ofthemwon’thaveajobtherewhenthe

Hazmatcrew cleans up hydrochloric acidspill

BRENTRICHTER

brichter@nsnews.com

North VancouverCityFire Departmentcrews moppedupamajorspillof hydrochloricacid,Friday. Justbeforenoon,thehazmatcrewwascalledto BCIT’smarinecampuson WestEsplanadewhere a mechanicalleakin thepool maintenance room left upwardsof100litresofthehighlycorrosivechemical on thefloor.

“Itissignificant,”saiddeputy firechefDavid Biggin. “Hydrochloricacid requiresthatyouwearhazmatsuits for entry andtomitigate thespill.”

Whenevercrewsaredealingwithachemicalspill, theycalla TransportCanadahotlinetoconnectwith expertsinhazardous substancesfor realtimeguidance on howtomitigatethemess.

Inthecaseofhydrochloricacid,theyneutralizewith sodiumbicarbonate–betterknownasbakingsoda –followedbydilutionwithlotsofwater.

HydrochloricacidisusedforpH regulationforswimming pools butitcan becomea respiratoryirritantwhen leaked.

OnepersonwenttoLionsGateHospitalasaprecaution,Bigginsaid.

processiscompleted.

CanadaPostdidn’t respondtoquestionsabouthowmuchoftheNorthShore currently receiveshomedelivery, but Goodyestimatesit’sabout90percent.

Goodysaidtheunion’spositionis “CanadaPostisaservice first.Itisnot a profitbusinessfirst.It’sprovidingaservice toallCanadians.”

Whilemanyruralareashavehadcommunitymailboxesfordecades,Goodysaid it’smoreofachallengeto findappropriatelocationsindenserareas–usuallyin frontofchurchesorcommunitycentres. Garbagemanagementandvandalism can alsobeproblems,hesaid.

NearlythreeoutofeveryfourCanadian addressesalready receivetheirmail and parcelsthroughsomeformofcentralizeddelivery, accordingtotheCrown corporation.

Allofthemovesarepartofaplanby thecorporationtotrytostemthe massive financialhemorrhagingatCanadaPost.

InNovember2025,CanadaPost reporteda recordlossbeforetaxesof $541 million,whichitsaidwasthelargestquarterlylossinthecompany’shistory.

In recentyearsthecompanyhas struggledwithlabourdisruptionsandhas sufferedsignificantlossesasbusinesses haveswitchedtocompetitorsandthevolumeofphysical mail hasplummeted.

Goodysaidthemoveisbeing announcedaspostalworkersaregetting settovoteondetailsofanewcollective agreement,agreedtoinprinciplelastyear.

“Ithinkthisnewsisverymuchtimed intentionally,”hesaid.

INTERRIVER

Affordablehousingproject survivesfinal DNV council vote

BRENT RICHTER

brichter@nsnews.com

DistrictofNorth Vancouvercouncil has givenitsfinal approvalsforan all-affordablehousing projectinthe InterRiverneighbourhood–butnot withoutonelastboutofcontroversy.

WithfundingfromBCHousing,the non-profitMoreThanaRoofHousing Societywillbuild188affordable rental homesintwosix-storey buildingsjust northoftheDoubleTreebyHilton(formerlyHolidayInn).

Thedistrict firstearmarkedtheundevelopedmunicipallandforaffordable housingin2021.In2023,councilvotedto rezonethepropertyandapprovednew buildingheightand densitylimits.

Usuallytheapprovalofdevelopment permits– oneofthe finaltouchpoints withcouncil–isaformalitywithoutany discussionbutbecausecouncildidn’t yethaveapartnertobuildthehousing at thetimeoftheir decisionto rezone, Monday’svotewasthefirsttimethe fully-fleshedoutprojectfacedavote.

Before the voteand duringthelatest roundofpublicconsultations, residents fromthetownhousesaroundtheneighbourhoodspokeoutaboutthenumber ofunitsbeingtoohighandthe amount ofparkingprovidedbeingtoolowinan areathatalreadystrugglesoverwhelming demandforlimitedstreetspace.

HermanMah,aformerBCHousing employee,saiditwasinhis DNAto supporthousingbuthesuggestedit

mightbeappropriatetosendpartsof theprojectbacktothedrawing board. TheInterRiverareaalreadyhascongestionproblemsandthedistrictissoon openinganewartificialturffieldand likelymoreaffordablehousingatthe formerfire departmenttrainingcentreon St.Denis Avenue,whichmayexacerbate things,Mahsaid.

“There’ssomeextenuatingcircumstanceshere You’vegotonewaytoget inandoutofthiscommunity,”hesaid.

Coun.LisaMuritookexceptiontothe numberof rentalhomes beingeightmore thanwhatcouncilwastoldbystaffthe sitecouldholdatthe rezoningstage.

Shesaidtheentireprocessleadingto thedevelopmentpermitvotewasflawed as councilneverhadspecificsaboutthe building’scharacter,accesspointsorthe numberof homesorparkingspacesit wouldinclude.

“Howcancouncilmakea reasonable decisionwhen,atthepublic hearing, wehadnodetails?”shesaid.“Isupport theconceptofsocialhousing,but I don’tsupportitwhenit’sgoingto be negativelyimpactinganareawithno solutionsin regardstoengineering, traffic,oranything.”

MuriandMah attemptedto referthe project backtoabehind-closed-doors meeting withstaff withaneyetomaking changes.Thatattempt wasvoteddown bythe restofcouncil whoacknowledged theconcernsaboutparkingandtraffic Continuedon A6

PARKINGPROBLEMS

Cityscalesbackplanstowidensidewalksnear new school

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

TheCityofNorth Vancouver hasscaledbackplans to installnewsidewalksand limitparkingaroundthe newCloverleyElementary afternearby residents complainedaboutpotentialtrafficimpactsintheir neighbourhood.

Citystaffsaythesteepslope ofthesite,whichwould have madesomeofthesidewalk improvementscomplicatedand costly, wasanotherfactorinthe changes.

Transportationstaffhave been grappling withhow to providethesafestwayforstudents on footoronbikestogettothe school,whilealsoallowing space fordrop-offsandminimizingthe impactofincreasedtrafficon theneighbourhoodwhenthe newelementary schoolopensin September.

ThenewCloverleywill eventuallyhaveacapacityof 585studentsfromKindergarten toGrade7.Butenrollmentat thenewschoolwillstartoffin Septemberwithjust300 students fromKindergartentoGrade5. Moreseniorgradesandstudents willbeaddedineachofthenext twoschool years.Thesitewill alsohaveachildcare centre with 37 pre-schoolspaces,as well as beforeandafterschoolcare.

Accordingtotransportation studies,abouthalfofthe studentsareexpected tobe ableto walk,bikeor bustothe school, whiletheotherhalfwillprobably be droppedoffbyparents.Upto

120vehiclesareexpected during peakmorning drop-offtimes –between8:30and8:45a.m.

Asthenewschoolislocated intheeasternportionofthenew catchmentarea,moststudents areexpectedtocomefromthe neighbourhoodswestofthe school.

Originalplansincluded wideningseveral sidewalksadjacent totheschool,whichwould have meantnarrowing roadsandlosingupto 85 parking spacesinthe neighbourhood.

After residentsraised concerns,citystaffmodifiedthe plans.

Thecurrenttraffic plan presented to councilonApril 13 retainsexistingtheexisting sidewalkonCloverleyStreet instead of creatingawiderone.

butspokeupindefenceofthe affordable housing.

“Ithinkthatprovidingthisclearsocial benefittothebroadercommunityis a good reuseofthissiteand so it’ssomethingthatwedefinitelywanttoseemore of inourcommunitywhere we reasonablycan,”saidMayorMikeLittle.“Idon’t thinkamajorityofcouncilthatmadethe decisionwasconfusedaboutthematter. I thinkthatthemajorityofcouncilunderstoodtheconditionsunder whichwewere

ThesidewalkonHendry Avewill be widened slightly–butonly ontheschool property,without narrowingthe road.Upgraded lightingalongHendry hadto be droppedfromtheplan, saidstaff. Butanew pick-upanddrop-off areahas beenadded on theeast sideofHendry.

Ontheothersideofthesite, anewsidewalkontheeastside ofKennard Avenue hasbeen droppedfromthe plan,while a widersidewalkonthewestside ofKennard willbe retained on theschool property.

Unrestricted parkingwillalso beallowedoutsideofschool hoursinpick-upand dropoffspacesonCloverleyand Shavingtonstreets.

Whileearliertrafficstudies hadsuggestedonly25 per cent

partneringwithBCHousingforthesite.”

Coun.JordanBacksaidhewasproudof theprojectas-isandthathedidn’twantto seeitdelayed–somethingdistrictcouncil oftencriticizesotherlevelsofgovernment for.

“Asataxpayer,I’dwanttoseethat wegetthemostpublicbenefitoutofit, whichIbelieveweareachievingwith188 affordable rentalunits.Thesearepeople andfamiliesthatwewantlivinghereinour community,”hesaid.

Coun.CatherinePopeagreed.

ofparkingspacesaroundthe schoolweretypicallyinuse, more recentestimatesput that at between two-thirdsand three-quarters,saidJennifer Draper,directorof transportation forthecity.

Otherimprovementsinclude curbextensionstoslow traffic andshortenpedestriancrossings at cornersand pedestrian-activatedcrossinglightson Queensbury Avenueatboth fourthandseventhstreets.

Theplanalsoincludesraised mid-blockcrosswalksonboth CloverleyandShavingtonstreets acrossfromthemainentrances oftheschool.Butstaffsaidthey plantowaitandmonitoractual foottrafficmovementwhenthe schoolopensbeforefinalizing thoseplans.

KarynMagnusson,manager ofinfrastructure,transportation andparks,toldcouncil thevery steeplyslopedsitehasmeant “thereisn’talwaysenoughflat spacetocreatethepreferred sidewalkdesigns thatwewould liketosee.”

“Wewouldhaveknock-on effectsofeitherincredibly expensivecivilconstructionor reallocating roadspace,which wouldhaveknock-oneffects to alldrivers,”shesaid.

Theideaofnarrowingsome roadsalsogota thumbsdown fromemergencyservices.

BarryShaw,wholivesacross fromthenewschoolonKennard Street,saidneighbourswere relievedthatstaffandcouncil tooktimetomeetwith themand thatplans werechangedinlight

“Notjustforthosewithalowincome butalsomiddle-classfamiliesworking full-timewhocan’taffordto renthere,”she said.“Ilookforwardtoseeingthisproject moveforwardasquicklyaspossible.”

Earlierinthemeeting,councillistened to apresentationfromtheHollyburn CommunityServicesSociety,whichthe districthaspartneredwithtoprovide affordablehousingonotherparcels of municipalland.

ExecutivedirectorMarkFriesensaid theyarefacingoverwhelmingdemand

of theirconcerns.

Lanedu Toit,wholiveson Cloverley,saidhewasalsohappy with thecity’swillingness to makechanges.

Butsomeparentshadconcerns thatparts of the plan that wouldhavemadewalking to schoolsaferarebeingcut.

“Kidswilloftenbewalkingin the darkin themorning,”said Kelsey Hemphill.

LucyCotteralso told councilthereweren’tenoughnew sidewalksandcrosswalksin the plan,especiallywestof Hendry Streetwheremoststudentswill becomingfrom.

AnewsidewalkonSutherland Avenueisstillonthecity’swishlistoffutureprojects.

Drapersaidoneimportant grouphasyet to beheard from –familiesof thestudentswhowill actuallyattend thenewschool.

MayorLindaBuchanan saidtheopeningofthenew school thisyearisacausefor celebration.

“It’s exciting to haveanew school,butit’s alsooneof those momentswhereaneighbourhoodisgoing to experience real change,”shesaid. “Andsoit comeswith thoseopportunities, butitalsocomeswithunderstandable tension.”

ThenewCloverleyElementary is reopening totheeastofwhere apreviousCloverleyElementary schoolclosed40yearsago.

“Weneed to justhavesome patiencewhenwehitSeptember, becauseitisgoing to bealittle exciting,butit’s going to beabig change,”shesaid.

foreverybelow-market rentalthatcomes online– receiving258applicationsfor33 rentalhomesinaprojectsoontoopen on LyttonStreet–andthatseniorsare thefastestgrowingdemographicfacing homelessness.

Askedbycouncilhowthemunicipality couldbesupportive,Friesenemphasized theneed for more diversehousingoptions beingapprovedbycouncil.

“Ifyouseeproposals forhousingthat offer amixofhousingtypes,Ithink that’s helping,”hesaid.

IronworkersBridgethe most congestedinMetroVancouver

BRENTRICHTER

brichter@nsnews.com

On aper-lanebasis,theIronworkers MemorialSecondNarrowsCrossingis nowdoingtheheaviestliftinginMetro Vancouver,accordingtonewdata.

DistrictofNorth Vancouvercouncil received areportMonday,April13,with updatedstatsonbridgetraffic aroundthe LowerMainland.Accordingtothedata, thePortMannBridge’s10lanesoftraffic accommodated179,000dailycrossingson averageperweekdayin2025,whilethe Ironworkers’sixlanescarried130,700.

Andunlikesomebridges inthe region, trafficontheIronworkerscontinues to climb.Staffalsocomparedpre-and post-pandemicdatalookingfortrends. Whiledailycrossingshavegonedown since 2018ontheAlexFraserBridge,George Massey Tunnel,Patullo BridgeandLions GateBridgebetweentwo and10percent, trafficontheIronworkershasincreasedsix percentinthattime.The PortMannand GoldenEarsbridgessawhighergrowthat 20percentand22percent,respectively.

Lookingatthedata,councilmembers expressed afamiliarexasperation.

“We’vebeensayingthis alot fora long time.What’s goingtobedifferentenoughto

TheDistrict ofNorth Vancouveris calling ontheprovincetoreplace the Ironworkers MemorialBridge. PAULMCGRATH /NSN

getthe attentionof theprovincialgovernment? We haven’t hadalane increaseto theNorthShoresince1968. Ourpopulationhasmorethan doubled,”said Mayor MikeLittle.“The provincehasn’tmadea commitmenttoreplacethe bridge, butputs immense pressure onustokeepgrowingas a community.”

Littlecalledout bothseniorlevelsofgovernmentforabandoningNorth Vancouver initscongestion problems.

“Wegot underfunded by the province forour TransLinkcommitments. Wegot

unfunded by thefedsforthe TransLink changes. Withouttransitas areliable alternative,we’re just goingtoget worse and worse and worse and worseinthis corridor,”hesaid.

Followingthe report,councilvoted unanimouslytosend aletterthe Minister of Transportationand Transitandthe local MLAssummarizingthenew dataandasking for astatusupdateon“planningtimelines forthe replacementoftheIronworkers Memorial BridgeandHighway 1corridor improvements.”

In 2023,the provincedid announce long-range planningfor replacementofthe Ironworkers, but“meaningful progress does notappearto have occurred,”said Peter Cohen,generalmanagerofengineering and infrastructureforthedistrict.

Beyondtheletter, councilwillstarta public messagingcampaignthat“explains theimplicationsof regionaltraffic congestion, clarifiesthedistrict’s limited jurisdictionoverprovincial infrastructure, andoutlineshow residentsand seniorgovernmentscancontributeto solutions.”

Coun.JordanBacksaid traffic congestion remainsthetop issuefor constituents withinthe district.

“Ijustthinkthis reportlargelyconfirms

what allofusontheNorthShoreare alreadyexperiencingeveryday,”hesaid. “[It] justreinforcesthat weneedto be acting as aunified voiceaboutadvocatingfora newcrossing.”

Othersoncouncil weremorejaded. Coun. LisaMuri saidthedistrict rewrote its official community plan in 2010toaccommodatemoregrowth in concentratedtown centresonthe understanding it wouldmake residents lessreliantoncarstogetaround.

“Wesee agrowing numberofcarscoming becausethevalue of property is high and peoplewantconvenience,”shesaid.“I guess you could write aletterandmaybe use some of your colourful language about this onetoo. Idon’tknow what it’sgoingto do. Obviously,the SecondNarrows is nota priority.”

Coun.CatherinePopesuggested it may be timeto investigatethe prosandconsof congestion pricingor bridge tolls.

“Iknowthis is verycontroversial but it definitely hassomeprostoitandmaybe it’stime westartedthinking about it,”she said. “I realizethat opensup awholecanof worms but Ithink it’sworth havingmore knowledgeabout because wemay be able to dosomething withthatsoonerthanwaiting for anew bridge or anewSkyTrain.”

Abridgetoo far

TheIronworkersMemorialSecond NarrowsCrossingisthe busiest bridgeinMetro Vancouver on aper-lanebasis,accordingto a newDistrictofNorth Vancouver report.Thiswillcomeasabsolutelyno surprisetoNorthShorecommutersand residentswhoexperiencethedailybackups.

The reportwas requestedbydistrict councilmemberswho areunderstandably frustratedwiththelackofprogressfrom seniorlevelsofgovernmentinfixingthe congestedcorridor.The reportdoesn’t explainwhytrafficcontinuestogrowonthe bridge,butweknowweareathroughpoint forBCFerriesandtherapidlygrowingSeato Skycorridor.Andthe number of jobsonthe NorthShorehasgrownfarfasterthanthe numberofhomesfor workers.

Butwearen’tholdingouthopethis reportwillspuranymoreactionfromthe

provinceandfedsthananyprevious report has.Buildinganewbridgeisanenormous undertaking.It requiressophisticated planningandlikelymajorchangesforevery pieceofthe roadnetworkoneither side. The bridgestructurestill hasdecadesoflifeleft init.Itwillalsotakemany billionsofdollars atatimewhen both seniorlevelsofgovernmentareturningtoausterity budgets.They stillhaven’tshownupwith fundingforabus rapidtransitsystem,whichis thegreatest near-termhopewe have ofaddressing the problem.

Congestion pricingor bridgetollswould alsoprobablybringimmediate relief, but thesolutionis sopoliticallyunpalatable,our elected leaders would rather we stay mired in traffic.

We shareincouncil’s frustration.But justlikedrivingonHighway1,getting anew bridgeisgoingto be atestofour patience.

If you can’t own a bookstore, you should at leastvisitone

JACKIE BATEMAN

Contributingwriter

Iwasallsettowriteaboutourlatest trafficandparkingwoes,I reallywas.

ButthenI receivedanotefromthe ownerofNovelBookstore andCafé in Deep Coveinvitingmetoabook launch,andI gotdistractedbyliteratureonceagain. It happens(easily).

It’salsoCanadianIndependent BookstoreDay(CIBD)thisveryweekend, Saturday,April25.Thisissomethingclose tomyheart.CIBDisanannualeventwith readers,writers,illustrators, publishers andbook-peoplecelebratingindiebookstoresacrossCanada.

Whenyouparticipatebybuyingbooks or joininginthefunatyourfavouritelocal

store,youareessentially advocatingfor independentbusinessesandsupporting thebooksellingcommunity.It’s warm heartsallaround.

Oneofthesefavourite local stores is NovelBookstoreandCafé,ownedbythe wonderfulKristen Mucha.ThisSaturday, herstorewillparticipatein CIBD with a prizewheelthatinvolvesgiveaways, couponsandprizesfrommanyof thelocal businessesintheDeep Cove community.

Muchaisabookpersonofthegreatest kindbecausesheowns thiswelcoming store.Andnot onlythat,butshethinksof ways tosupportalltheother storesinher area.Duringourconversation,shetoldme allaboutthe excellentsandwichesIcould getatanotherplaceupthe hill.Whatshe

didn’tknow was there wasno wayIwas leavingherplaceonce I hadsettledin.

Shecarefullycuratesaselectionof the latestbook releasesmixed withall-time favouritesfor adults,youth, and kids. And she also curatestheverybestinlocally madebakedgoodsandcoffee.Inherstore you’ll find literary fiction, dystopian, biography,non-fiction,and even novelty reads (thegood ones).Thecaféisalsotherefor you, with goodiesfreshlybakedin-house everyday, anddelicious drinks.

It’swhatbookstoresshouldbe–friendly,cozy, withacommunityfeel. Even thecinnamon bunsare renowned and award-winning.Don’ttell anyone,butI’m planning on packingasuitcaseandmoving in.I won’t benoticedhangingoutatthe

tablebecauseIhaveavarietyofdisguises leftoverfrom WorldBookDay.Oneday I’llbetheCatintheHat,thenextI’llbe Hemmingway(thebeardisfoolproof).

ThetableI refertoispositionedinthe middleofthestorewithchairsaroundit, whereyoucanchatwithyourbookclub, jointhelatestknittingclub,orjustsitand enjoyacoffeeandbaskinthegloryofthe stackedbookshelves.

Aswenerdedoutoverbooks,Mucha andIdiscoveredthatwehadbothjust readArundhatiRoy’snewmemoirMother MaryComestoMe. It’sa remarkable bookbytheBooker-winningauthorwho writesaboutthe relationshipwithherlate mother,MaryRoy,avolatilevisionarywho

MAILBOX

DUNDARAVESUFFERS BECAUSEWESHOT DOWNTHE B-LINEBUS

DearEditor:

RE: West VancouverCondoProjectIn Receivership,Causing‘Heartbreak’In Dundarave,April15nsnews.comstory

Whenmyfamilyfirstmovedto West Vanin2001,Dundarave wastheplacefor West Vancouveritestogoforshopping andeats.Now,ameasly36condoscan’t evenbebuilttherewithouttheproject becominginsolventandshuttingdown. Thatonce-vibrantshoppingstreetisnow one-halfclosedstorefronts,one-third real estateoffices,andone-fifththe remaining survivingstores. Thephotosfromthat articlelookliketheywere taken in Flint, Mich.,not West Vancouver.Dundaravein 2026feelsdeaderthanCapilanoMall.

Itbegs thequestion:Whokilled Dundarave?

Atthesametime as whenmyfamily firstmovedthere,Amblesidealong MarineDrivewasaratherunremarkable shoppingdistrict.Now,it’sbasically becomeDundaravebutbigger,better, andfasterto reachfromParkRoyal–so peoplenotlivinginDundaraveno longer hada reasontoshopinDundarave, andbased on thedecaywe’veseen, the residentsofDundaravealone can’t provideenoughbusiness to keepthe shoppingdistrictalive.

Thatalonewasn’tenoughtokill Dundarave,though.There’s alsothe

LETTERS TO THEEDITOR mustinclude your name,fulladdress and telephonenumber. Send yourlettersviaour website: nsnews.com/ opinion/send-us-a-letter.TheNorth ShoreNews reservestheright to edit anyand/oralllettersbasedonlength,clarity,legalityand content. The News also reservestheright to publishanyand/orallletterselectronically.

cancelledR2 routethatwould’verun there.TheR2terminatesat ParkRoyal insteadbecauseawhopping12parking spaces– on average36 potentialvisitors to Dundaraveatatime–weremore importantthanarticulated busesthat couldcarryupto200 potential visitors at atime.

Anothercited reasontonotrunthe R2thatfarwastheclaimthatarticulated buseswouldnegativelyimpactthe characteroftheneighbourhood….But instead,we havenoneighbourhood left atall.

SothatleftDundaravewith the 250and 253astheonlybuses servingit,and with MarineDrive’s awful bus stop balancing (a proposalwasmadetofixit, but municipal councillaugheditoutofthe room), thatwouldmean15minutestoget from ParkRoyaltoDundarave by bus,when Amblesidetakesjust five.The bad transit traveltimesfurtherencouragepeople to takecarstogetaround West Van whenMarineDrivejustdoesn’thavethe capacity, causing driving toDundarave to be slowtoo,andgiving peopleevenless reasontogo.

So,whokilledDundarave?I say it wasallofus,throughacombinationof Ambleside stealingitsthunder,Ambleside beingeasierto reachformostpeople in and outof West Van,anda stubborn refusalto makeDundaraveas easyto reachasAmbleside.

W.V. Steinberg West Vancouver

Shoplocalnever felt sogood

was“myshelterandmystorm.”

Imentionthisdiscoverybecausethe bookissomuchmorethanamemoir, but ameditationonthe powerof storytelling. Whenyou sinkintoitsthoughtfulpages overacoffee(andanaward-winningcinnamonbun),you’llfindaglobal story that is importantin our world today. Itencouragesusto reflectonculture,identity,and resistance.StorieslikeRoy’s, readinthe rightsurroundings,arevitaltothe mental survivalofthesetimes.

NovelBooksandCafé willbe hosting itsnextbooklaunchatDeepCove Yacht ClubonMonday,May11, at 7p.m. AwardwinningGlobeandMailvisualjournalist Jesse Winterwill be readingandsigninghis newnon-fictionbook WildFire:Dispatches

fromaCountryAblaze publishedby Harper CollinsCanada. You’ll betransportedto thefrontlines of Canadian wildfiresand getapowerful insightinto the world of firefighters andvolunteersfacingthecountry’s mostdevastating infernos.

Findanindiebookstore nearyou. It’s afeel-goodexercise,to championlocal talentandculture.StoreslikeNovel Books andCafégiveuspersonaltouch,expert curation,andactasmuch-loved communityhubs.Immerseyourselfinagoodbook andgetsweptupby a story.As Arundhati Roytellsusinhermemoir,theworldistoo ridiculousto remainsadfortoolong. North Vancouver’s JackieBatemanisan award-winningauthor,screenwriter, copywriter,andextremelynosyifyougettoo close.jackie@jacbateman.com

Cityseekswhite coat jobsinnew‘healthinnovationdistrict’

BRENTRICHTER

brichter@nsnews.com

TheCityofNorth Vancouverislooking towoomorewhitecollarandwhite coatjobstoCentralLonsdalein anew “healthinnovationdistrict”anchored by LionsGateHospital.

Councilhashired aconsultantwho isnowlayingthegroundworkfor anew hubfor research,careandlifesciences entrepreneurship.

Thecityiswell-positionedtoattract moreinnovationwithmorethan750such businessesalreadyupandrunning,Rowena RizzottiofOspreyPointConsultingtold councilattheirMarch 30meeting.Beyond that,thecity’shighstandardoflivingand healthylifestyleareattractivetopotential newbusinesses.

Theconceptisstill very highlevel,but areasoffocusforthehealthinnovation districtcouldbehealthyaging,prevention, recreation, rehabilitationanddigital health, Rizzottisaid.

Oneofthephysicaldeliverablesshould be asharedamenityhubaccessibletovariousprofessionalsandcompanieslookingto work together.

“It’sacollisionspace …whereyou havescientistsand researchersthatare

collaborating with entrepreneursandclinicians,”Rizzottisaid.“That’sthehope –to have avery smallfootprint thatcanbeused formultiple reasons,multiplepurposes,and beattractivetocompanies.”

Eventually,thehealthinnovationdistrict may requireaddingmoreofficespaceto newdevelopments inthearea.Commercial vacancyiscurrentlylow,althoughstill comparabletoothermunicipalitiesinMetro

Vancouver,according tostaff.

Thiscityhasbudgeted$177,000 for the launchoftheproject.

KatieFitzmaurice,executivevice presidentofMetroVancouver’seconomic developmentarmInvest Vancouver,stressed theimportanceof the city taking theleadas otherjurisdictionshave their owneffortsto attractsimilaractivity.

“We’recompetingagainstother

provinces,othercountries,in this hyper-competitiveenvironment. With AI and these other skills, itisverymuch an elbows-upfighting for thesevaluablejobs,” shesaid.“Icannotemphasize enough how treasuredlife sciencesjobs are.Almost everysingle member jurisdictionin the MetroVancouver regionwants these jobs.” Council members werepleasedat the prospect andvoted unanimously to advance theproject. Next stepsincludedrawingup terms of referenceand amemorandumof understanding for aroundtable of various stakeholdersin thelife sciencesworld.

Although theinitiative fitswithinthe city’seconomic developmentgoals, Mayor LindaBuchanan saidshe lookedforward tothedividends that thehealthinnovation district might payinthe population’s well-being.

“All ofourdecision makinghas been focused on thepeoplethat resideinour communityand thisisaboutcreatingand supporting healthylivingand healthyaging and reallyimprovinghealthoutcomes,” she said. “Weknow thathealth is not createdin hospitals. Healthiscreatedineverydaylife and thethingsthatwe’reinvesting in.” The nextupdateonthehealthinnovation districtisexpectedin the fall.

FLORAANDFUNDING

Fedspitchin$249K for Moodyville Parkecological restoration

ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com Local JournalismInitiativeReporter

Thefederalgovernmenthas announceditisinvesting just over$249,000forecological restorationatNorth Vancouver’sMoodyvillePark.

FundingwillhelptheCityof North Vancouver restoregreenspaceandsupportbiodiversityby removingandmanaginginvasive plantspeciesandbyplanting roughly10,000native,climate-resilientshrubsandnearly1,300 trees.

“Weare reallyexcited becausewe’vebeenworkingon Moodyvilleforalongtime,”said AngelaNegenman,environmental co-ordinatorforthecityand lead on theproject.

Negenmansaidthe restoration workispartofalarger-scaleprojectimprovingMoodyvillePark. A biodiversityassessmentin2016 andaninvasive plantinventory in2019helpedthecitydevelop a restorationplanforthepark.

Thecityiscontributing

ThesouthsideofMoodyville Parkadjacent to theSpirit Trailisslated forecological restorationwiththe federalgovernment contributing $249,000 fortheproject.

$63,000towardstheproject, andNegenmansaidthefederal fundingwillhelpthecityworkon “high-priority” restorationareas theyhaven’tbeenable to get to yet,includingtheravinebanks andriparianareaatthewestside ofthepark.

Thatareahasmanyinvasive plantsandsteepravinebanks, making restorationworkcomplicatedforcity staffandpark stewardvolunteerstocomplete,

shesaid.Thefundingwillhelpthe municipalityhireworkerswith the appropriatetraining to complete theproject.

Removinginvasiveplantsand puttingnativeshrubsand trees inwillhelp“improvesoilhealth, reinforcetheurbanforest,stabilizestreambanksandenhance habitatsformigratorybirds, nativebatsandinsectpollinators,”afederalgovernmentnews releasesaid.

“RestoringMoodyville Park representsan importantinvestmentinenvironmentalsustainabilityand communitywell-being,”said Jonathan Wilkinson,MPfor North Vancouver-Capilano.“By improvingthisgreenspace,we arehelpinglocalecosystemsand wildlifethrive,whileensuring residentscanenjoyahealthier, more resilientnaturalareaforyearsto come.”

Saskatoonserviceberry, baldhip roseandwillowaresomeof restorationplantstheprojectmay include,alongsideDouglasfir, red alderandbigleafmapletrees.

ThecityisprovidingopportunitiestoincorporateIndigenous cultural recognitionelements intotheproject,including interpretivesignageandintegrationofculturallysignificant vegetation,Negenmansaid. TheSḵwxwú7mesh(Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm(Musqueam) Nationsarebeingconsultedon theproject.

TheworkdonetoMoodyville Parkwillbringmorenaturaldiversitytothearea,saidNegenman. “There’salotofbirdsand urbanwildlifethatusethisarea,” shesaid.“Wewantto returnthis areatoahealthier,morenatural statesoitcansustainitselfover time.”

Thenextstepfortheproject willbedraftinga requestfor proposaltoinvitecompaniesto submitbidstohelpcompletethe workalongsideCNVstaffandpark stewardvolunteers.Thecityestimatestheprojectwillstartlater thisyearandbecompletedbythe endof2027or2028.

“Thisproject reallyhelpsto createahealthierecosystemand more resilientcommunities,” Negenmansaid.“Investingin nature-basedsolutionswillbenefit thecommunityandenvironment foryearstocome.”

AbbyLucianoistheIndigenous andcivicaffairsreporterforthe NorthShoreNews.Thisreporting beatismadepossiblebytheLocal JournalismInitiative.

Plant atreeinyouryardthisfall, or addshade to your balcony!

TheDistrictof West Vancouverisgiving away ready-to-planttrees to private property owners. Youryardplays avital roleinthe community’streecanopy. Thereare 200beautifuldeciduoustrees available– first come,firstserved.

TheDistrictofWestVancouver is givingaway ready-to-plant treesand pottedtrees forbalconies to residents. Your yard and balcony play avital roleinthe community’s treecanopy.Thereare 200 beautifuldeciduous trees available—firstcome, first served.

OnlinetreeorderingopensonTuesday, April22–Earth Day! TreepickupwilltakeplaceinSeptemberwhichistheoptimalplanting season.

Onlinetreeorderingopens on April 22—Earth Day! Treepickup will take placeinSeptember whichisthe optimal plantingseason.

Learnmoreat westvancouver.ca/yardtree

LEARN

JOINOUR NEWSLETTER

MAKINGASTINK

Homeownerssue municipal contractor oversewagebackup

JANESEYD

jseyd@nsnews.com

Ownersofahomein Lynn Valleyare suingtheDistrictofNorth Vancouver alongwithacompanytheyclaim causedasewerbackupintotheirhome whiledoingworkforthe municipality.

AlexiaZizzyandDavandra Tulsiefirst filedalawsuitinB.C.SupremeCourt twoyearsago,allegingamistakebythe contractorStrayCat IndustrialServices Ltd.causedsewagetobackup and “pour” intotheirhome,depositingan“enormous volume”of rawsewage intotheirbasement suite.Thedamage left thebasementsuite uninhabitablefortheir tenants,the couple allege.

Anadditionallawsuitwas filed in court March9againstStrayCatonbehalf of the ownersbyoneofthe insurance companies thatendeduppayingforaportionofthe damage.

Theoriginallawsuit,filedto recover costsnotcoveredby insurance, alleges workers installeda “plug”onthesewerline downhillfromtheowners’home at 1743 ArborlynnDriveonMarch12,2024 without havingaproperbypasspumpinplace to divertthesewagearoundthepluggedpipe.

Thesecondlawsuit,filed recently, claimsthepump usedby StrayCatwas too smalltohandletheamountof sewage beinggeneratedinthearea, resultingin

thebackup.

Thelawsuit claimsthe companywas negligentinusingunsuitable equipment for thejob.

Asa result,thehomeowners allegethey sufferedover $120,500 indamages,includingover$48,000in emergency repairs,over $57,000 in replacingthecontentsoftheir home,over$12,000inadditionalliving expensesplus aninsurancedeductibleof $2,500.

In responsetotheoriginalclaimover thesewagebackup,boththe municipality and thecontractordenied anyworkwas doneincorrectlyto causetheproblem and deniedthebackupleftthebasementsuite uninhabitable.

Incourtdocuments,they added ifthe homeownersdidsuffer anydamage,the damagewas“not reasonablyforeseeable” and“wasaccidentalinnature.”

Thecontractorhasnotyetfiled a responsetothe most recent claim.

Noneofthe allegationshavebeen provenincourt.

StrayCat Industrial ServicesLtd.is a companythatdoesworkon industrial pipes,basedinnorthernB.C.andAlberta.

AccordingtotheDistrictofNorth Vancouver’sstatementoffinancialinformationfor2024, Stray CatIndustrial Services waspaidjustover$1millionbythe municipalityforworkdonein2024.

Squamishsculpture reflects on Coast Salish culture

ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com

Local JournalismInitiativeReporter

CarefullysuspendedfromthePolygon Gallery’sceilingnearthelobbyis Eye oftheAncestor,ayellowcedarsphere carvedwithCoastSalishdesigns onthesurfaceandamirroredsteel sphere at itscore.

BehindtheworkisSḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw(SquamishNation)artistJames Nexw’Kalus-XwalacktunHarry. Forhim,the projectisdeeplypersonal.

“EyeoftheAncestor exploresthe relationshipbetweenthepast,presentand future,”Harrysaid.“Inourculture and teachings,ourancestorsarealwayswithus, watchingoverhowwecarryourselvesand remindingusofour responsibilitiestofuture generations.”

Harry’slatestpiececreateslayered reflectionsandviewpoints,shiftingtheviewer’smovementsaroundthesculpture

“Theworkaskspeopleto considertheir placewithinthismuchlargercontinuum ofhistory, ancestry and responsibility,”he added.

ThetitlebehindHarry’sworkis rootedin CoastSalish visuallanguage,“wheretheeye signifiesawareness,presenceandcontinuity beyondtheindividual,”accordingtoapress releasefromthegallery.

Thesculpture’slocationalsocarries importancetoHarry.

“Ourstoriesanddesignlanguagesare visibleinplaceswheretheyoriginated from,”hesaid.“Withinaninstitution,itsort ofallowsfordialoguestohappen,teachings and educationaroundamore criticalwayof

thinkingaboutcontemporaryCoastSalish art andwhereit’sheaded.”

Harryspentfourmonthscreatingthe 600-poundcedarsculpture. The sculpture’s outlinewasdesignedbycomputer,while a companycalledSpearhead,amanufacturer in Nelson,helpedbringHarry’s projectto life.Harryhand finishedthe final touches in hisshoponshíshálh(SecheltNation) territoryonthesouthernSunshine Coast.

“It’sbeenquitealearningexperience,” he said.“I’minterestedincreating workthat peopledon’tjustlookat,buttheyphysically andemotionallyexperienceitthroughthe materialandtheir relationshiptohowyou movethroughspace.”

Harry learnedCoastSalishdesign andcarvingfromhisfather,Xwalacktun

(RickHarry),and completedaBachelor of FineArtsatEmilyCarrUniversityof Art+Design.Hisworkdraws“deeplyon ancestralknowledgewhilechallengingthe systemicstructures thathavelongmarginalizedIndigenousvoices,”apress release stated.

EyeoftheAncestor marksthe Polygon Gallery’sseventhcollaborationandco-commission withtheBurrardArtsFoundation, whichannuallyawardsacommissiontoan artisttoproduce work foranexhibitionon thegallery’sground floor.

JoelleJohnston,thePolygon’sIndigenous liaisonandco-curator,saiditwas“written inthestars”for Harrytobeselectedforthe commissionduetothegallery’slocationand theartist’sSquamish Nation heritage.

But beingtheseventhalso brings significance.

“Sevenisanimportantnumberwithin Indigenouscommunities,”Johnstonsaid. “Itisa remindertothinknotonlyfor yourself buthowyouractionscanimpact sevengenerationsintothefuture.Harry’s considerationforincorporatingintergenerational dialoguewithin hisworkfurther highlightstheserendipitousnatureofthis commission.”

Johnston,whoisalsofromtheSquamish Nation, hasbeen followingHarry’sworkfor alongtime,andwasexcitedfortheopportunitytoworkwiththeartist.

WithHarry’s pieceand Photolithics, the latestworkfromSecwépemcandScottishsettlerartist Tania Willardatthe Polygon, Johnstonsaidthegalleryisgratefulto highlightIndigenousartistsina bigway.

Harry hopespeopleleave Eyeof theAncestor withasenseofpauseand reflection.

“Evenifthey don’tknowthefullcultural context,Iwantthemtofeelsomething meaningfulthrough the designworkand learningsomethingnewaboutCoastSalish art,knowledgeanditsorigins,” he said. “Because really,atthecentreofmywork,it’s abouttheexplorationofthisancient design languagethatwasnearlylostandnow becoming moreattheforefront…andthat’s reallyexcitingforme.”

EyeoftheAncestor runsatthe Polygon GalleryuntilOct.18.

AbbyLucianoistheIndigenousand civic affairsreporterfortheNorthShoreNews. This reportingbeatismadepossiblebytheLocal JournalismInitiative.

JAZZVESPERSWITHARSENSHOMAKHOV

APRIL26 AT 4:00PM -5:00PM

St.Andrew’sUnitedChurch

1044SaintGeorges Ave.,North Vancouver

ThismonthatSt.Andrew’s,joinusforJazz Vesperswithbluesguitaristandsinger ArsenShomakhov.Arsenisknownforhisfieryguitar,soulfulvocals,andcaptivating liveperformances,whichhehassharednationallyandinternationally.

CAREGIVEREXPO

SATURDAY, MAY2,202612:00 -4:00PM

AtSilverHarbourCentre 144East22ndSt,North Vancouver PRESENTEDBY

CHERRYBLOSSOMS: ATEXTILETRANSLATION2026

ONNOWTIL -MAY 3AT4:00PM

SilkPurseArtsCentre,1570Argyle Avenue, West Vancouver

Celebratespringwiththe returnoftheeverpopular‘Cherry Blossoms: ATextile Translation’,the17thannualexhibitionof textileartinspiredbythecherryblossom,featuring27artists. https://westvanartscouncil.ca/event-6512354? utm_source=nsnews.com&utm_medium=referral

KYLA’SKITEISFLYING

Authorhonours lateniece with picture book forhospitalcharities

ABBY LUCIANO

aluciano@nsnews.com

Local JournalismInitiativeReporter

Turningthe firstfew pagesof Kyla’s Kiteis Flying,itlookslikeany otherpicturebook.

Butasyou flipthrough thepages,itsmessageruns deeper.

“Shebecomesaguardian angelwhomakesthesekites togivetoparentstosomehowovercometheirgrief,” saidauthorSimonDorey.

The Polygon Gallery 101 CarrieCates Court Territoriesof theSquamishand Tsleil-WaututhNations, and theMusqueam Band

The North Vancouver residentpenned Kyla’sKite isFlying tocommemorate 20yearssincehisniece diedfromalveolarcapillary dysplasia,arareandfatal developmentallungdisorderaffectingnewborns.

“It wasallverytragic,”he said.“Shehadaveryshort life,basically40days.”

Kyla receivedcareat SickKidshospital’sneonatalintensivecareunitin Torontobeforeshedied.At hermemorialservice,Kyla’s parentsurgedfamilyandfriendstocelebrateherlifebydoingsomethingto make societyabetterplace.

North Vancouver residentSimon Dorey haswrittenabook Kyla’s Kite isFlying afterhis niecepassed away 20 years ago.Proceedswillgo to children’s hospitalsacross Canada and theUnitedStates. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

That’s whenDoreydecidedto write a bookinhername.Heoriginally wrote Kyla’s KiteisFlying soonafterhisniece’s death,but facedsomebumpsalongthe way ingetting itinprint.

Thankstoonlinepublishing, hisgoal finallycameintofruitionearlierthis month.

Allofthebook’snetproceedswill begiventoachildren’shospitalsacross CanadaandtheUnitedStatesliketheone thatcaredforKyla.

“Itwasalogicalbodyorcharitytoraise moneyfor,”hesaid.

Whenorderingacopyof Kyla’sKite isFlying,whichisavailableasane-book, hardcoverorcolouringbookand published inEnglish,FrenchorSpanish,the buyer canchoosewhichhospitalthey wantthe proceedstogoto.

Doreysaidhehasseenanoverwhelminglypositive response.Sofar,theNorth Vancouverauthorhas10hospitalsacross Canadaand39fromtheUnitedStates acceptingfundsfromthefundraiser.

“IfIcanget fivegrandahospital,I’d be veryhappy,”hesaid.

Buteverylittlebitcounts,hesaid.Along

withtheonlinefundraiser,Doreyisplanning topromotehis book onsocial media,in schoolsand withotherorganizationsto help spreadtheword.

Thefundraiser pinned tothe picture bookisn’tanewinitiativeforDorey.He began his writingjourneybytelling stories tohisthreechildrenand he istheauthor of multiplekids’ books, promotingthem throughschoolandcharitablefundraising organizations.

“Sothisisanaturalextensionofthat,” Doreysaid.

Doreysaid he doesn’tknowif Kyla’sKite isFlying willhelp parentsgrappling with griefbut hehopesthey find somethingto takeawayfromthe book.

“It’s prettyhorrific whenchildren die There’snothingyoucan do asaparent.It’s a horriblesensation,”Doreysaid.“[I hope]it gives parentsanykind ofsensethatthere’s somemeaningbehindallthis.”

Dorey’sfundraisingcampaignisrunning untiltheendof May Peopleinterestedin donatingcanvisit littlepicturebooks.com/ pages/kylas-kite-hospital-fundraiser. AbbyLucianoistheIndigenousand civic affairsreporterfortheNorthShoreNews. This reportingbeatismadepossiblebytheLocal JournalismInitiative.

CAMERASROLLING

Youngfilmmakers get inonthe actionin firstteen film fest

ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com

Local JournalismInitiativeReporter

Lights,camera,action!

YoungNorthShorefilmmakerswillget toseetheirbigideasonthebigscreen thisweekendatthe first TeenFilmFestival hostedbythe North VancouverDistrict PublicLibrary.

Theteenfilmfestisfeaturing19films from roughly70youngpeople,ranging inagefrom13to18,fromacrossNorth Vancouverand West Van.

“Wehaveincrediblytalentedteensin ourcommunity,”saidNateBrigham,creativetechnologyco-ordinatoratNVDPL. “It’ssuchacreativewaytoget that storytellingacrossand see whatyoungpeople comeupwith.”

Teenshadthechanceto submittheir filmsuntilApril8.Filmsaverage4.5minutesinlengthandhitgenresrangingfrom comedy,horror,thrillerandevenmockumentaryandfilm noir.

Beforethefilmsstart rolling, Brigham willhostaMobileFilmmakingfor Teens workshopthatwillcover topicssuchas shootingangles,lighting, freeandlow-cost editingappsandoverall tips andtrickson moviemaking.

Aspiring youngfilmmakers willgetachance to showtheir stuffina Teen Film Festival inthe Lynn ValleybranchoftheNorth VancouverDistrictPublic LibraryonApril

25 SUTIPORN SOMNAM / MOMENT / GETTY IMAGES

“Youdon’tneedtohaveexpensive gear totellagreatstoryand if yourcharacters arewell roundedandyou’vegot something thathasmeaningto it,people will watch it,”hesaid.

Afterthe workshop,attendeescan listentoNorth Vancouver filmmaker,actor, writerandstand-upcomedianBreanne Williamsontalkabouther journeybecominganindependent filmmaker,hercreative processandheradviceforyoung filmmakersonhowtogetinthe industry.

“There’ssomany waysthatyou can openyourowndoors,” Williamsonsaid. “I’mexcitedtotouchonsometipsand tricksfrommyownpersonalexperiences of findingmyway in assomeonewho didn’tgoto film school.”

Lastyearthe Lynn Valley resident released Basement51,anLGBTQ+ comedy webseries on YouTube.She’salsoproducedshort films ComingOut in 2019and AgingOut in2024.

Shehopesteens walk awayfromthe film festivalfeelingempoweredtocreate whattheyenjoyandexploretopicsthat areimportanttothem.

“As a queer woman,partoftheLGBTQ+ communityforsolong,therearesomany thingsI wishIcouldseeinTVand movies thatIjustwasn’tseeing,”shesaid. “It was anempoweringmomentformewhen I startedcreatingmyown filmsandwriting thosecharactersthatIwishedthatIhad growingup.”

SaraOremland,teenengagementlibrarian,cameupwiththeteen film festival idealastsummerafterworkingwithArgyle Secondarystudentsproducingvideos topromotethelibrary’steensummer programs.

“It justseemedlikeanotheravenueto

Tyrionloveswritingstoriesandinventinghisown languages.CurrentlyinGrade7,he’spreparingforhigh schoolinthefallandisexcitedtojointheactingprogram. “He’saprettysweetkid,verygenerous,”hismomNatalie says.“He’snotshyaboutbeinghisownperson.”

Seeing Tyrionnow,itcanbehardtoimaginehowdifficult communicationoncewasforhim. Tyrionhas astutter andhasalwayshadtroubleformingwords;hisspeech disordersignificantlyimpactedhisprimaryschoolyears. Otherthanhismom,mostpeoplecouldn’tunderstand him,leavinghimfeelingfrustrated.

disorderbecamemorepronounced. Hefelt isolated fromhispeersandstruggledtocommunicateinclass. Histeachersnoticedhowmuchextrasupportheneeded andsuggestedspeechtherapy.

Thankfully,thespeechtherapyclinictoldherabout VarietyBC, anonprofitthatfundscriticalsupportsfor kidswithcomplexhealthneeds. Tyrion’sbeenattending speechtherapywithfundingfrom Varietysince2023. Therapywillcontinuetobepartofhislifeforthenext fewyears,asittakes alotofpracticeandconsistency toeffectivelybuildnewspeechpatterns.Butthanksto hisweeklysessionsanddetermination,Tyrion’sprogress hasbeensignificant.Hisfamily,friendsandteacherscan understandmuchmoreofwhathesays.Andthishas boosted Tyrion’sconfidenceaswell. “Heusedtobesofrustratedwhenpeoplecouldn’t understandwhathewassaying,”Nataliesays.“Butjust ashe’spractisedmoreandashe’simproved,he’sseen thatithasmadea difference.Hehasmorepatience.”

ForNatalie, Variety’sfundinghasmeantbeingable tosupport Tyrion’sprogresswithouthavingtomake difficultdecisionsthatimpacthisqualityoflife.“Atthe ratehe’sgoingtotherapynow,insurancewouldonlylast maybe athirdoftheyear,andthenthe restoftheyear, Iwouldhavetopayoutofpocket,whichisnotcheap,” shesays.“Ifnotfor Variety,hewouldn’tbeabletogoas often.Itwouldmean anoticeabledifferenceinourability todootherthings.”

supportcreativity,”Oremland said.

Nowasthedays countdowntothe festival,Oremland saidstaff are playing withtheidea ofcreating amovie theatre environmentforthe event, completewith light refreshments andsnacks.They’re excitedtoshares theseprojectswithfellow filmlovers.

“Thiswasabigdream thatwedidn’t knowifwecouldactuallydo,andwe’re soexcitedthatwe’ve receivedalmost 20 submissions,”shesaid.“We’re hoping the widercommunitywillattendsothey can getasenseofthevarietyofvoices thatthe teenshaveintellingtheirstoriesthrough video. We thinkitwillbe a fun event forthe community.”

Theteen filmfestivalisrunning at the Lynn Valleybranchon Saturday, April 25. TheMobile Filmmaking for Teens workshopstartsat11 a.m, whilethe filmmaker talkfromBreanne Williamsonrunsfrom 3:30to4:30 p.m.The film screeningswill followthe talk.All events are free to attend, with registrationavailableonNVDPL’s website.

AbbyLucianoistheIndigenousandcivic affairsreporterfortheNorth ShoreNews. Thisreportingbeatismadepossiblebythe LocalJournalismInitiative.

Thatperspectivehasalsoshapedhowshethinksabout giving,andwhysupportfromotherfamiliesmatterssomuch. “Ifyou’reabletogive,you’repotentiallygivingtoyour futureselforgivingtosomebodyelseyouknowwho mightneeditatsomepoint. Ithinkit’sverycommendable thatpeoplethinkaboutothersinthatway.”

Theaverageincomeforfamilieswhoapplyto Variety BCisabout$40,000 ayear.Publichealthfundingand privateinsuranceplansonlygosofar,leavingfamilies likeNatalie’swithfewoptions. Varietyalleviatesthisgap through arangeofgrantsfortherapies,tutoring,mental healthcounselling,medicalequipmentandmore,giving childrenessentialsupportthatwouldotherwisebe delayedorverydifficulttoaccess.

ThousandsoffamiliesacrossBC,includingtheNorth Shore, relyon Variety’songoingsupporttoensuretheir childrengetthecriticalhealthservicestheyneedtogrow andthrive.Byincluding VarietyBCinyourwill,youleave alegacyofhopeforchildrenlike Tyrionlivingrightin yourcommunity.Yourgiftcreatessustainablefundingso kidscanaccesstheconsistentcaretheyneedtounlimit theirpotential.

Variety -TheChildren’sCharityofBCprovides directhelptochildrenwithdisabilitiesandcomplex healthneedsthroughoutBritishColumbia.For moreinformation,visitwww.variety.bc.ca. Speechtherapyhashelped Tyrioncommunicateandboostedhisconfidence.

WhenNatalieand TyrionmovedfromVictoriato North Vancouvertobeclosertofamily,Tyrion’sspeech

Whiletheschoolprovidedsometherapy,thesessions wereirregular.“Hewasseeing aspeechtherapistabout twice asemester.Itwasn’tveryconsistent,”Nataliesays. Needing abettersolution, Tyrionstartedprivatespeech therapysessionswhenhewasnineorten.ButNatalie, whoisraising Tyrionon her own,saysherworkplace benefitsdon’tcomeclosetocoveringthefrequent sessions Tyrionneeds.

Natalieknowshowquicklycircumstancescanchange—a financialcrisis,jobloss,orillness—andhowitdoesn’t takemuchtofeelthepressure,especiallywhenyouhave someoneelsetocarefor.

“Whenyou’reaparent,youunderstandhowbaditcould getifsomethingweretohappen,andyouunderstand howmuchsupportisneededforkidswho requireextra help—that’swhenyouappreciateallofthesesupportive structureswehave,”shesays.

The City of North Vancouverreclaims title as Canada’s most livablecity

Thecity’svision to become theHealthiestSmall City in the World continuestoshape athrivingand connected community

Few cities in theworld offer theremarkablelifestyle found in NorthVancouver,whereresidentscan ski down mountainslopesinthe morningand enjoya sunset stroll alongthe ocean laterthesameday.

Surrounded bybreathtakingmountains,lush forests andthe coastline, thesenaturalassetsare more than scenery. Theyformthefoundationof thecommunity.Buildinguponits naturalbeauty, the city prioritizesthehealth andwell-beingofits residentsbycultivating connection,belonging and vibrantneighbourhoods.

NorthVancouver wasnamed Canada’s Most Livable City by TheGlobe andMailfor thesecond consecutiveyear, anachievementthatspeaksnot just to placebut to people.

“I am thrilledand deeplyproud,”saysLinda Buchanan,Mayorof theCityofNorthVancouver.

“Thisisn’t just atitle,it’sa testamenttothe people whocallNorthVancouver homeandthe care we allput into making it aplace whereeveryonecan thrive.”

That spiritis visibleeverywhere,fromoceanfront strolls alongthe Shipyardstothe mountain-backed trails that definethe region’s daily rhythm.Here, nature andcitylifearen’tcompetingpriorities, they areseamlesslyintertwined.Publishedin Jan. 2026, TheGlobe andMailevaluated454 cities using58variables across 10 keycategories relevant to people consideringrelocating. These includeeconomy,housing,demographics, health care,safety, education, community, amenities, transportation andclimate.Therankingsare designed to help Canadiansidentifycommunities wheretheycan flourish.

Numerous distinctions stoodout:

■ Strong senseofbelonging to local community: 74%

■ Have aregular health care provider: 84%

■ Likelihoodof crimehigher/lowerthan Canadianaverage: -44%

■ Walkable more/lessthanthe Canadian average: +40%

■ Diversity higher/lower than Canadian average: +32%

These distinctionshighlightwhatresidents already know.The opportunityto flourishiswoven into thefabricofeverydaylife. It’s oneofmanyreasons whyfamiliesput down roots,seniorsremain deeply connected,local businessesflourish and newcomersquickly finda senseofbelonging. Sincelastyear, theCityhas delivered andadvanced majorcommunity infrastructure, including anew lawn bowlingfacility, progress on the transformative newHarry JeromeCommunity Recreation Centre, Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centreand theCrosscut Bridge;several new childcarecentres anda neighbourhood parkhave opened,withmoretocome.

The momentum extendsacrosssectors.A new toweratLions Gate Hospital is nowserving patients,a newelementaryschool is rising in Moodyville andconstructionisunderwayona new North ShoreNeighbourhood House.These projects reflecta commitmenttohealth, wellbeing and shared prosperity, ensuring thecity growsina way

that supports both people andthe economyfor generationstocome.

TheShipyards,the signaturepublic destination, features family friendly skatingand waterfeatures, livemusic andpublic markets, while Lonsdale Quay Market is home to eclectic shopsand localvendors. TheMuseumofNorth Vancouver (MONOVA) offersengagingexhibitsthatshare theregion’srich historyand diversestories. ThePolygon Gallery, locatedatthe footof Lonsdale,isgrounded in photographyand features internationalart exhibitionsearning areputationasone of the country’s most adventurous public artinstitutions. At thenorthendofLonsdale, theGordonSmith Gallery of Canadian Artshowcases theworkof some of Canada’s most celebrated artists, including Gordon Smith, Bill Reid,JackShadbolt,Robert Davidsonand DouglasCoupland, together creating avibrant cultural corridor.

Theattractions of theShipyards andsurrounding district arejuststeps away from theSpiritTrail,

adynamic urbanpaththatcan be explored on footor bybike,offering ajourney through hiddengemsand scenic vistas. Accessibleby transit,this captivatingroute meanders alongthe waterfront,showcasingstunning views of Burrard Inlet, downtown Vancouver andthe NorthShore Mountains.Along theway,the trailconnects visitorstoparks, public spaces,restaurants, breweriesand more.

Artinstallationsthroughoutthe Spirit Trail honoursIndigenoustraditionsand maritime history, providinga window intothearea’srich cultural heritage.For food lovers, theCityoffersa culinaryadventure,witha mixofcharmingcafes, waterfront eateries anduniquediningexperiences, there’ssomething to delight everypalate. Whetheryou’readmiringlocal art,taking ina concert, savouring exquisitecuisine or immersing in nature,the City of NorthVancouver is designed to foster health andwell-being.

MayorLinda Buchanan recognizes that while therankings areanopportunityto celebratethe city’s wins,theyalsopresent achancetoadvance strategicimprovementsaroundtransportation, trafficandhousingneeds.

“Challenges should be seen as opportunities,” says Buchanan.“Opportunities to innovate,to collaborate withthecommunity andtoleadin finding solutionstogether. Nowmorethanever, we need to be optimistic,focus on what is possible, rather than what is not. It is this mindsetthat hashelpedusonceagain earn thedistinction of Canada’s Most LivableCitythisyear.”

Just a12-minuteSeaBusridefromdowntown Vancouver, theCityofNorth Vancouveris seamlesslyconnected totheregion’surban core while offeringa lifestyle distinctlyitsown.This accessibility, paired with outstandingpublic spaces andamenities, hasmadeitone of themostsoughtafterdestinationsinthe region.

“The City of NorthVancouver offerssomething trulyuniqueand together they showcase the vibrancy andlivabilitythatmakethe City of North Vancouversospecial,” says Buchanan.“On behalf of Council, cheerstoour community andtovisitors, Iinviteyou to come andsee what we areall about.”

Learnmoreabout community initiatives, amenitiesand future plansinthe City of North Vancouveratcnv.org.

PUBLICHEARINGNOTICE

ProposedAmbleside CentreLocalArea Plan

WHEN: 5p.m.,April 27,2026 |WHERE: MunicipalHall CouncilChamber,75017thStreet,andviaelectronic communicationfacilities

SUBJECT BYLAW: ApublichearingwillbeheldregardingproposedOfficial CommunityPlan BylawNo. 4985,2018, Amendment BylawNo. 5386,2026.

SUBJECT LANDS: Thesubjectlandsare shownblueonthemap.

PROPOSEDOFFICIAL COMMUNITYPLAN BYLAWNO. 4985,2018,AMENDMENT BYLAWNO. 5386,2026: wouldadoptthe Ambleside CentreLocalAreaPlan to guidedecisionsonlanduseandthe formandcharacterofdevelopment in thedesignatedarea.

BELLEVUEAVENUE

Thepublichearingis youropportunitytospeak to Councilif you feel yourinterestswillbeaffected by theproposed bylaw.

ATTENDTHEPUBLICHEARINGASANOBSERVER

1.Watchonline

Visit youtube.com/@WestVanDistrict at thescheduledstarttime ofthepublichearing.

2. Watchinperson

VisitMunicipalHall CouncilChamberat thescheduledstarttime ofthepublichearing. Advanceregistrationisnotrequired to attend apublichearing.

QUESTIONS? Moreinformationontheproposed bylaw, including staff reportsandothersupportingdocuments,maybeviewed fromApril10 to 27,2026at westvancouver.ca/news/notices and atMunicipalHallduringbusinesshours,8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m., MondaytoFriday, excludingstatutoryholidays.

PARTICIPATEINTHEPUBLICHEARING

1.Speakinperson

MunicipalHall CouncilChamber. PersonsmayaddressCouncilduring thepublichearing foruptofiveminutesat atime.

2.Speakvia Zoom (electronic communication facilities)Pleasecall 604-925-7004onApril 27,2026tobeadded to thespeakerslist. Instructionsonhowtoparticipateare availableat westvancouver.ca/ph.

3. Provide awrittensubmission

• email: correspondence@westvancouver.ca

• mail: addressed to LegislativeServices, 75017thStreet, West VancouverBCV7V3T3

• dropbox: addresstoLegislativeServices; boxes locatedatthenorthand westtheentrances to MunicipalHall Writtensubmissionsmustbe received by noononApril 27,2026toensure theirinclusioninthepublicinformationpackagefor Council’sconsideration. To ensureafairprocess,Councilcannot consideranysubmissions receivedafterthepublichearinghasended.

CONTACT: CourtneyMiller,SeniorUrbanDesignPlanner| cmiller@westvancouver.ca |604-913-2774

Dedicated volunteershonoured for outstandingservice

ABBY LUCIANO aluciano@nsnews.com

Local JournalismInitiativeReporter

SandyBranninggetsbehindthewheel to helpothers.

TheNorth Vancouver resident is a volunteerfor Volunteer CancerDrivers Society,offeringappointmentridesfor peoplewhohavecancer acrosstheNorth Shore.

Aftershe retiredfromworklife, Branningwassearchingforasenseof communityandjoinedthenon-profit as a volunteer.

“Itisabigpartofmylife.It’salways somethingIlookforwardto,”Branning said. “I hadno familyhere,allmyfamilyare in Ontarioandthat’swhyIthoughtI need to givebacksomethingtothecommunity.”

Nowadecadelater,herdedication tohelpingothersisbeing recognized. Branningisoneof eight recipientsofNorth ShoreCommunityResources’Community VolunteerSpirit Awards.

Every year, NSCR’s VolunteerNorth

SandyBranning volunteers to help cancerpatientsget to theirtreatment appointments. PAULMCGRATH / NSN

Shoreprogramhighlightsvolunteers duringNational Volunteer Weekwho havemadevaluablecontributionstothe community.

“Thisyear’s recipients reflectthedepth of compassion, leadership,andgenerosity thatdefinesvolunteerisminour region,”

saidAnne-MarieJamin,managerof communityengagementandseniorsprogramsfor North ShoreCommunityResources.

Branningvolunteersfor the non-profit afewtimesaweek,andthetimespentis rewardingforthe79-year-old.Shegetsto hearallsortsofstoriesfromthepeopleshe drivesandsharesomelaughsalongthe way.Butdrivingpatientswithcancer can bechallengingattimes,includingknowing what to sayandwhatnottosaytosomeonefacing toughhealthissues.

“Ijustsympathizewith them.Ilet them decidehowmuchtheywanttotellme,” shesaid.

It’s hardforBranningnot to getteary eyedwhenlookingbackonsomememories,butshecouldn’t imaginenothelping otherswhentheyneeditmost.

“Idread thedayI’llnotbeable to drive ornothaveacar,becauseI’llmissitvery much,”shesaid.

Anotherpersonouton the NorthShore roadsmovingpeopleuntil recentlywas JohnPeirson,avolunteerbusdriver for

CapilanoCommunityServicesSocietyfor 30years.

He retiredfromthevolunteergiglast November,passingthebatontoyounger folks.Duringhistime,the West Van residentwouldpickupmorethanhalfadozen seniorsfromtheirhomesandtakethem toCapilanoMallonceaweektohelpthem shop.Peirsonwouldalsodriveseniors tofunplaceslikeafarminRichmondor StanleyPark.

AsidefromvolunteeringatCapilano CommunityServices,healsospenthis freetimebeingabusdriverforthe West VancouverSeniors’ActivityCentrefor25 years.Butvolunteeringeffortshaven’t stoppedforthe85-year-old.Hestillvolunteersasacashieratthe Treasure Trove at West VancouverUnitedChurchonce a weekandisamemberofseveral carclubs.

“Peoplearegenerallyveryappreciativeofvolunteerswhodo somethingfor them,”hesaid.“NowthatI’mnotdoingit, Imissit.”

ContinuedonA21

BigBrothersofGreater Vancouver

CanadianMentalHealthAssociation- Northand West VancouverBranch

CanadianRedCrossHealthEquipmentLoanProgram (NorthShore)

CapilanoCommunityServices

FamilyServicesoftheNorthShore

HarvestProject

ImpactNorthShore

MONOVA-Museum &ArchivesofNorth Vancouver

NorthShoreCommunityResources

NorthShoreCrisisServicesSociety

NorthShoreNeighbourhood House

NorthShoreWomen’sCentre

North VancouverDistrictPublicLibrary

ParkgateSociety

Parks,Culture&CommunityServices,Districtof West Vancouver

SilverHarbourSeniors’ActivityCentre

The SalvationArmyNorth Vancouver

VancouverAdaptiveSnowSports

West VancouverMemorialLibrary

Visitusonlinetodayat volunteer.nscr.ca orcall

VolunteerNorthShoreat 604-982-3307

HOSTAGENCYOFVOLUNTEERNORTHSHORE

SPONSOREDCONTENT

Thisyear, North ShoreCommunity Resources(NSCR)iscelebrating 50 yearsofstrengthening community.Attheheartofthatimpactare thehundreds of volunteerswhohave shaped ourprograms,supported ourneighbours, andbrought connectionand care totheNorth Shore.

Volunteersare thefabricofour community.Theyhelpseniors stay independent,supportfamiliesnavigatingcomplex systems, andensure peoplefeel seen,heard,and valued.Overthe past fivedecades,their contributionshavecreated arippleeffect,buildinga more connected, resilient,and compassionateNorth Shore.

Oneofthose volunteersisIrene,who is celebratingover20years withNSCR.

Ireneisa true ambassadorfor community.Whether supportingthe Community Income TaxClinic,lending ahandatevents, or connecting seniors to theright resources at ourSeniors OneStopNavigation Centre, sheshows up with generosity and determination.AsIrene oftensays, “WhatelseamIgoingtodo?”-a simple phrase that reflects adeep commitmenttohelping others.

Shegoesout of herway to ensure people getthe support they need and if shecan’t help directly,she finds someonewho can. Irenehas evenhelpedstrengthenprogramsbehindthe scenes,suggestingideas likea simple,inclusive NSCR programbrochurethatisnowoneofour most widely used resources.

VolunteerslikeIrene remind us that meaningful change is builtthrough small, consistent acts of care.

As we celebrate50years,weextendour deepestgratitude to everyvolunteer,pastand present, whohas helped make NSCR whatitistoday.

You, too, canbepartofthislegacy.

Visit us online todayat volunteer.nscr.ca or call Volunteer NorthShore at 604-982-3307

Contributionsmake an impact

ForCheryl Tang,volunteeringisabout helpingothers,butsometimesit’sachance tolearnaboutyourself.

The17-year-old WindsorSecondarystudentisavolunteerforaParkgateSociety program that helpspeopleexperiencing earlytomoderatedementia.Fridayafternoons Tangwillspendtimewithseniors, playingtriviagames,pingpong,completing puzzlesorgoingoutforawalk.

“Ithasshownmedifferentperspectives,”shesaid.“I rememberonetime goingtotheprogramafter messing up a testandIwastellingtheseniors about it. Theyjust remindedmethat life issomuch biggerthantests,so it was very motivating anduplifting.”

TanggotinvolvedwithParkgateSociety formoreopportunitiestoworkwith seniorsafterbeingpartofNoteworthy Singers,achoirthat mixes seniorswith WindsorSecondarystudents.

Nowayearlater,shewassurprisedto receivetheaward recognition.

“Ifeelhonouredandgratefulforbeing nominated I’mgladthatIbroughtchange to the community,”shesaid.“It’sgreatto seethat Icreateanimpact.”

Jaminsaidvolunteersareessentialto communitywellbeing.

“Theyextendthe reachofcritical services, reducesocialisolation,andhelp ensurethatpeoplecanaccess thesupports theyneedtolivewithdignityandconnection,”Jaminsaid.“AcrosstheNorth Shore, theircontributionsarenotonlyimpactful, theyarefoundational to ahealthy, resilient, and inclusivecommunity.”

Other recipientsincludeDebBirofrom SilverHarbour Centre,MorrisJohnson at VolunteerCancerDriverSociety,Jane Sikorskifrom VancouverAdaptiveSnow Sports,Sophia WeremchukfromFriends of West VancouverandKimThomasfrom PathwaysSeriousMentalIllnessSociety. AbbyLuciano is theIndigenous and civic affairsreporterfortheNorthShoreNews Thisreportingbeatismadepossiblebythe LocalJournalismInitiative.

NorthshoreWindowstakes thetimetogetitright

Whenitcomestosavingenergy inyourhome,yourwindowsare oneareawhereyoucanmakean enormousdifferenceincooling andheatingcosts.Ourmoist coolclimatemeansthathaving EnergyStarratedwindowsisn’t enough.Theymustbeinstalled properlytogetaneffectiveseal. DarrellAkuneandtheteamat NorthshoreWindowsalwaystake thetimetomakesureyouget themostoutofupgradingyour windows.

“Consumersshouldfocustheir attentiononhowtheirwindows anddoorsarebeinginstalled,” saysDarrell.“Typicalwindow replacementcompaniesuse aquickandeasyinstallation methodthatmakesitdifficultto ensuretheproductisproperly sealed.Weliketotakethetime toexplaindifferentinstallation methodstoourcustomers becauseonceeducated,people realizetheimportanceofproper installation.”

Buyingtopoftheline replacementwindowscanbe helpful,butmakingsuretheyare installedproperlygivesyouthe mostfor yourmoney.

“Itdoesn’tmakesenseto purchaseanenergystarrated windowiftheinstallationmethod isgoingtoallowcoldairtoleak aroundtheperimeter,”says Darrell.“Thisseemstobean overlookedpartofthewindow replacementprocess.Themost commonEnergyStarwindows willhaveArgongasfilledsealed glassunits,thermallyefficient

“Buyingtopofthe linereplacement windowscan behelpful,but makingsure theyareinstalled properlygivesyou themostforyour money.

spacerbarsbetweentheglass ratherthanthetypicalaluminum, andlow-ecoatingsontheglass tofilterUV.Combined,these componentsgenerallyallow awindowtomeetEnergyStar requirements.Makingsurethey aresealedproperlygivesthe windowachancetodoitsjob.” Notallwindowsarebuiltwiththe samelevelofquality.Onesimple wayforhomeownerstogetan ideaforawindowsqualityisto

checkthewarranty.Highquality windowswillofferfulllifetime warranties.

“Buildqualityisveryimportantto us.Whenweresearchedwhich windowanddoorproductswe wantedtoofferourcustomers,we wantedthebestavailable.After examiningwhatwasavailablein themarketplaceanddetermining whichmanufacturercould provideusandourcustomers withthebestproductwhilestill providinggoodvalue,itbecame veryapparentwhytheywereable toofferatruelifetimewarranty.” Ifyou’rethinkingofreplacingor upgradingyourwindowsmake sureyouincludeNorthshore Windowsinyourresearch.They takethetimetomakesureyou havealltheinformationyouneed, andgetthemostsavingsoutof yourwindowpurchases. Visitthemonlineat northshorewindows.comforideas andfindoutthedifferencethat doingitrightthefirsttimemakes.

Developmentgoesinto receivershipwithlong list of debts

In recentyearstheprojectstalled,and lastmonththedevelopment went into receivership,leavingatrailofdebtinits wake.

B.C.SupremeCourtJusticeShelley Fitzpatrickappointeda receiverMarch3at the requestoftheproject’sfinancialbacker, PacificaMortgageInvestment Corporation, afteracourthearing where representatives ofthedevelopmentcompanyfailedtoshow up.

Pacifica requestedthe receiverbe appointedafterthedevelopmentcompany missed a $1millionpayment in November.

Accordingtodocumentsfiled withthe receiver,outstandingsecureddebts include aloanof morethan$38.8million from Pacifica– theprimemortgageholder–a$16 millionloanfromasecondmortgagecompany, andmorethan$1million owedto RTR TerraContractingLtd.,which has registered a builders’lienagainsttheproperty,for sewerandwatermainexcavation work.

There’salsoalonglist of unsecured creditorsincludingconstructioncompanies,Realtors,interiordesigners,engineers, surveyorsandbothfederalandprovincial tax authorities.

B.C.Assessmentlistsvalue of thelandat $21.7million.

The receiver,MNPLtd.,isnow reviewing options,whichcouldincludesale of the property.

ARealtor’saffidavitfiledincourt atthe endofFebruary–andnowsealedbythe judge–providedapreliminaryestimate of theproperty’svalue,whichaccording toFitzpatrick“wouldundoubtedlybeof someconcerntoPacificaand undoubtedly ofgreaterconcerntothosewhostandin prioritybehindPacifica.”

Accordingtodocumentsfiled by the receiver,depositspaidby12presalecondo purchasersarealsobeingheldin trustby thedevelopmentcompany’slegalcounsel. Dundaravecommercialcoreleftwith emptystorefronts ForsmallbusinessesinDundarave,the collapseoftheprojectaddsfurtheruncertaintytoanalreadydifficultsituation.

“It’sbeen reallyhardonthem,”said MaureenO’Brien,executivedirectorof theAmblesideandDundaraveBusiness ImprovementArea. “Saleshavebeendown formostofthebusinesses in Dundarave.”

Businessesin theblockthatwasset for redevelopmentwereevictedearlyoninthe process.ThoseincludedShoppersDrug Mart,oneoftwo“anchor”stores on the block,whichinthepastpulledfoottrafficto thearea.“Sothat reallyhurt,”saidO’Brien. BackinDecember2023,“Iliterally

Thisviewfromthe rearofa stalleddevelopmentprojectintheDundaraveneighbourhoodshows construction fencing,a lone coachand notmuchelsegoing on. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

beggedthepropertyowner, Pierwell,to leavethebusinessesthereuntiltheywere readytodemolish,”sheadded. Thedeveloper refused.

Asitis,thathalfoftheblockhasbeen emptysinceApril2024.“Andit’sjustgotten progressivelyworse,”saidO’Brien.

RobinDelany,ownerofDelany’sCoffee locatedjustdownthestreetfromthe defunctPierwell project,agrees.“The impacthasbeen dramatic,” he said “Ithink everybody’slost business. We certainly have.

“Mybetisbythetimethisfinancial debaclegets resolved,therewill be anumberofotherbusinessesclosed.”

MayorMarkSagercalledthesituation“a realheartbreak.”

“Thewholecommunityissuffering becausethat developmentstartedthen stopped,”hesaid.

Futureofsiteuncertain

MichaelGeller,alocaldevelopment consultant,confirmedthathe’sbeenhired by anewcompanytoexplorethefeasibility ofbuildinganindependentlivingfacility forseniorsasanalternativetothecondo projectonthesite.Gellersaid he’s hoping to meet with council in the“nottoo distant future”todiscussthepossibilityofsuch a project.

Ifaprojectdoesnotproceedundernew

ClosedbusinesseslinethesouthsideofMarineDrivein West Vancouverwhereaproposed developmentprojecthas stalled. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN

ownershiponthesiteinthenearfuture,the receivercouldexplore possibilitiesfor temporaryoccupancy,accordingtothedistrict.

Sagersaidcouncilwouldliketoseethe receiverallowsomekindoftemporary“pop up”occupationoftheshutteredstorefronts whilethelong-termfutureofthe projectis sortedout, “justtogetsomelifeback.”

Currentlybothwaterandpowertothose storefrontshasbeencutoffoversafety concerns.

CalvinLindberg, a realestateagent

with West Vancouver’sAngell,Hasman & Associates,saidmanypeoplearedisappointedbywhat’shappenedtoPierwell.

“It’s justsuchashamebecausetheyshut downathirdofDundarave,”hesaid.

Lindbergsaidhe’snotsurewhatwas behindthecollapseoftheproject,butit’s nottheonlycondoprojecttohitawallin theLowerMainland.

“Bigdevelopershavepulledbackfrom doingtheirdevelopmentsbecauseofthe market,”hesaid.

GrouseMountaingrizzlies emergefrom 144-day slumber

Nothingbeatsa rollinthesnowaftersleeping for144days.

BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com

B.C.’smostfamousbearsareupandat‘em(ifabit groggy).

GrouseMountain’sgrizzliesCoolaandGrinderemerged from144daysofdormancylastThursday – their25thtime sincebeing rescued as orphanedcubsand raisedina habitatatGrouse. Theiremergencefromtheir deneach spring is a favouriteriteofpassageatopNorth Vancouver’sloftiest destination.

“Thegrizzlies haveonceagain demonstratedthe remarkableadaptationof bearsduringwinter dormancy, andseeingthememergehealthyandhappyisatestament

SPECIALFINANCING FOR 6MONTHS!

Withapprovedcredit. Calloraskyour Designerfor

toboththeirnaturalinstinctsandthededicatedcarethey receiveyear-round,”saidKenMacquisten,wildlife refuge directorandveterinarian.

Asusual,their first mealuponwakingupwas romaine lettuce,whichhelpsgettheirdigestivesystemsmoving again afteralmost fivemonthsofdeepslumber.Inthedays ahead, they’llbe reintroducedtoarangeoffruits,vegetablesandproteins.

CoolaandGrinderhavebeenwitnesstoafullquarterof GrouseMountain’shistorywiththe resortcelebratingits 100thanniversaryin2026.Inthattimetheyhavebecome popularambassadorsfortheirspecies.Educationalranger talksaboutthebearsareheldthreetimesaday.

AMBLESIDEDENSITY

West Vantoholdpublic hearingonplanalready approved by province

JANESEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

West Vancouvercouncilisgoingahead withapublic hearingonanAmblesidelocalareaplanthathas alreadybeenadoptedbytheprovince.

Councilconfirmedtheirdecision Monday,April 13, afteraproposalto cancel thehearingputforward by ActingMayorNoraGambiolifailedtowin enough support.

Thedecisionfollows an unusual move by Victoria whichapproved anearlierversionoftheplan by a provincialorder-in-council. West Vancouver councilhadbeen deadlockedontheplandetailingthe municipality’sfuture visionforhowdevelopment willunfoldinthe key commercialareaforthepastyear, largelyoveraproposal fortaller towers ontwokeyproperties.Councilplannedtotake a modified versionoftheplan–withoutthetall residential towers–topublichearingApril27.Instead,theprovince overruledthatplan,approvingtheearlierversionofthe plan with astrokeofapen.

Council’sdecisiontoholdthepublichearing regardless essentially meansthepubliccanvoicetheir opinionson theplan,butnodecisionwillbe madeafterwards,because theprovincehas alreadymadetheplanlaw.

Coun.Linda Watt,ChristineCassidyandSharon Thompsonall refusedtocancelthepublichearing.Mayor MarkSager andCoun.PeterLambertwereabsent from themeeting.Thompsonsaidshefeelsthepublicshould haveachancetobeheardontheplan andhowit’sbeen handled.

“I thinkit’sworththeinvestment oftimeand effortto hearfromthepublicwhattheyfeel aboutwhat’s going on,”shesaid.

Resident Victoria Mendeswas more skeptical.

“I’mabit confused as towhywe are having a public hearingwhichwill costourdistricttimeand especially moneywhentheprovincehas already stated…the AmblesideCentre Local Area Planmustgothrough,be adopted,”shesaid.

Gambiolicalledthedecisionto goaheadwiththeApril 27publichearing“mighty confusing forthepublic.”

forwardMalia Schneiderrunsdownthegyminside the ChiefJoe MathiasCentre lastThursdayplayingahockey match with Squamish Nation youth. PWHL

SquamishNation youthtake tipsfromGoldeneyes players

ABBY LUCIANO

aluciano@nsnews.com

Local JournalismInitiativeReporter

Cheersandlaughterfilledthe Chief JoeMathiasCentrelastweekas Sḵwxwú7meshÚxwumixw(Squamish Nation)youthgottoplayand learnballhockey from Vancouver Goldeneyesplayers.

KatieChan,MaliaSchneiderand DarcieLappanjoinedSquamishNation youthinballhockeydrillsandtricks followedbyagame.

Thevisitwaspartof Vancouver Goldeneyes’ongoingcommunity outreachwork,buildingmeaningful relationshipswithlocal FirstNations.

“Itwasaneasyyesformejustbecause I reallylove theseeventsandgetting involvedwiththecommunitythatIgrew upin,”saidChan,whoisfromRichmond, butfrequentlyvisitstheNorth Shore.

Duringthehockey drop-in session, ChantaughtSquamishNation youthhow toshootandflipaballintheair.

Followingafew stick handlingdrills, it wasgametime.Whilethescore wasn’t being recorded,thegamecreatedan energeticandmemorableexperiencefor bothhockeyplayersandkids.

Forsomeyoungones,itwastheir firsttimeplayingthesport,whileothers cametothe gym floorwithlotsofhockey experience.

Regardlessofskilllevel,the young playershadfunhittingthefloorwith professionalathletes.

“Itwasprettycool,” said 16-year-old SamBathurst.“I reallyenjoyedit.They

Planting treesin1964

werenice.”

ForBathurst,thegamemeantmore thanjustfunandplay.

“Nowthatthere’s womenthat we can lookupto,it’sisprettyamazing,” she saidabouttheProfessional Women’s HockeyLeague.

Bathurstisnostrangertothesport. Shegotherstartafewyearsagoplaying rightwingandcentreforNorthShore Avalanche,agirls-focusedicehockey associationforyouthinNorthand West Vancouver.InSeptember,she willbe headingintohersixthseason.

TheSquamishNationyouthaspiresto be aprofessionalathlete,playinghockey, rugbyorlacrosse.

“Iwouldjustlovetoplayoneofthose threesportsandbea rolemodelto some otheryoungergirls oneday,”Bathurst said.

Afterthegame,the Vancouver Goldeneyesgaveautographstothe Squamishyouthandpassedoutmerch, includingabobble-headofNorthShore playerHannahMiller.

“It’s reallyimportantforthe Goldeneyestogetinvolved in thecommunitybecause we’reabletogettoknow ourcommunity andthepeople whocome toourgamesandgivebacktothemand alsohelpgrowthegame,”Chansaid.

“It’simportantforustosetupthenext generationandbeinvolved in eventslike these.”

AbbyLucianoistheIndigenousandcivic affairsreporterfortheNorthShore News. Thisreportingbeatismade possiblebythe LocalJournalism Initiative.

Photo:F34-SF2-S10-SS9-f1-13

Aprilisa timetoplant!These twojunior forest wardensweredoing just that in LynnCanyonPark in 1964.Onlya shorttimelater,plantingtrees became akey part of commemoratingEarth Day, celebratedeachyearonApril 22nd,startingin1970.

Today, with guidance from theSquamishand Tsleil-WaututhPeoples,whohave been stewards ofthe land of theNorth Shoresince timeimmemorial, environmental protectionispracticed and celebrated by many year-round,not just on EarthDay.

Thisincludes plantingtrees,but also actions such as removing invasive plants,plantingpollinator gardens andrestoring creeks

Discover more of theNorth Shore’srichhistory at MONOVA.Start planning your visitat monova.ca.Doyou have astory totell? Getintouch viaarchives@monova.ca.

41. Log 43.Printingfluids

44. Battery

sister

mark

Whichperson?

Glanceat

Black-and-whitemammal

Hillinsect

To theback

Lane

11. Barbecueskewer 19.Futurechicken 21. Random try

24.Largenail

25.Cousins,e.g. 26.Feasts

28.“____sesame!”

30.Self

31.Beyond help 32.Infants

35.Gallerydisplay

38. Vendor 40.Fasten 42.Increase

44. Atlantic fishes

45.Longtale

46.Fluid rock

48.Refs,forbaseball

50.Swimsuitpart

51.Manta____

53.Have debts

54.Presently

Crosswordpuzzleanswers useAmericanspelling

ARIES March21-April19

Youreffortstoimproveyour healthareshowing results. Youshouldexpecttofeel moreenergeticandmentally balancedquickly,whichwill boostyourconfidenceand easeyourdailyworries.

TAURUS April20-May20

You’llnaturallydraw admirationand recognition thisweek,gaininginfluence amongclientsorwithinyour socialcircle.Ifyou’re single, surprisingopportunitieswill arise,bringing arefreshing changetoyourlife.

GEMINI May21-June20

Thisweek,yourfamily will demandyour full attention. Youmayhave tosupportalovedone or handle asituationathome. Discussionsabout anew homeor achangeofaddress mayarise.

CANCER June21-July22

Someofyour plansmay bedelayed, resultingin confusion.Your wordswill make astrongimpact. You mayoffendsomepeople,but your honestywill finally help clarify asituationthat’sbeen at astandstillfortoolong.

SUDOKU

LEO July23-Aug.22

Certain financialconcerns mayarise,butyou’ll resolve thembyspeakingdirectly withthoseinvolved.Once harmonyis restored,you’ll enter acalmerphase filled with relaxation,leisureand well-deservedlittlepleasures.

VIRGO Aug.23-Sept.22

Youmayfacesomesetbacks this week thatslowyour professionalprogressandcreate asenseofurgency.The real challenge willbeeffectivetime management.By reorganizing yourpriorities,you’llbecome moreefficientandbeableto keepallyourcommitments.

LIBRA Sept.23-Oct. 22

Youmaybeentrustedwithnew responsibilitiesduetosomeone’s absence.Theinitialstresswill soongivewaytovaluable rewards.Thisexperiencewill reveal yourleadershipskillsandcould openthedoorto apromotion.

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Yourpubliccommentsor socialmediapostswillattract scrutiny.You’ll receivepraise and encouragement,which will boostyourconfidence;you’ll alsoface some criticism.This dualitywilltestyour emotional andpsychological resilience.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec.21

Yourlovedoneswantmore emotionalinvolvement fromyou.Plus,yourjobwill continuetobedemanding. You’llneedtoadjust your prioritiesandpossibly rearrangeyourschedule.The weekwillbefocusedon finding therightwork-lifebalance.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

Animpromptuoutingor romantic getaway will encourageintimacyinyour relationship.However, an importantdecisionlooms. You’llneedtotake astepback tomoveforwardwith clarity, confidence and, above all,a deeper senseoffulfillment.

AQUARIUS Jan.20-Feb.18

Your circleoffriendsis shifting. Asinceregesture mayeasesometensions,but certain relationships could end.Overall,thisweekwill bringclarityand restore balancetoyourfriendships.

PISCES Feb. 19-March20

Anadministrativeor financial mistakecoulddisruptyourpeace ofmind.Althoughinconvenient, theissuecanbe resolvedquickly ifyouactfast. You’ll receive compensationandlearntobe more vigilantinpersonalaffairs.

HOWTOPLAY:

Fillinthe gridsothat everyrow,every columnand every3 x3box contains thenumbers 1through 9only once. Each 3x3box isoutlinedwitha darkerline. Youalreadyhavea fewnumbers to get youstarted. Remember:youmustnot repeatthe numbers 1through 9inthesameline, columnor 3x3 box.

YourCommunity

MARKETPLACE

Calloremailtoplaceyourad, MondaythroughFriday8:00amto4:00pm 236-889-6595

ahogan@lodestarmedia.ca

Bookyouradonlineanytimeat

glc.navigahub.com/portal/classified/glc/nsn/entry

Twentyyearswithout your smile and laughter,yet alifetime of cherished memories. Youare loved, youare missed,and youare thoughtofalways. Keepon swimming.

Love,Marisa

It is with profound sadnessweannouncethe passingof Barrie Sutton, adevoted family manand a pillarofthe community,who left uspeacefully on April 14,2026,at theageof91.

Barrie's commitment to volunteeringspanned over 50years, with aparticularpassion forthe YMCA.His selflesscontributionsearnedhimnumerous awards, including theYMCA FellowshipofHonourpresented byGovernor General AdrienneClarkson, the Certificate of Appreciation forExceptional Community ServiceinWestVancouver,and the prestigious 125thAnniversaryofthe Confederation of Canada Medal forhis significant contributions to his community.

Barriewas acompassionateand loving fatherand husband. He wasdeeplycommitted to hisfamily, whichincludedhiswifeof68years, Lorna;hissister, Wendy;his five children, Grant (Lee Ann),Cheryl (Rob),Lynda (Dean),Brent (Lesley), and Tracey (Ian);eight grandchildren; and five greatgrandchildren.

Barriewill be rememberedas someone ready to roll uphis sleevestoget a jobdone,whether it be hammering outa deal in theboardroomor hammeringoutdentsinhis children’scars. At 6’7”, Barrie standsout in acrowd,yethe was content to makethingshappen frombehind thescenes.Hewill bedeeplymissedbyall whoknewhim,buthisspirit will continue to inspireus.

In lieuofflowers,pleasedonatetothe through the .Donations canbe made onlineat by selectingDonate,orb contacting or

Eleanor IsabellParmelee(née Crossley)ofNorth Vancouverpassedawaypeacefully on April15atthe ageof93. Born October 19,1932, in Ottawa, Eleanor lived adynamiclifedefined by strength, beauty, anddeepdevotion to her family.Her careers included sales, modeling, &businessadministration. Shewasalso thefounderof theOttawaGymnastics Club, Vice Presidentof theOntario Gymnastics Federation,and worked with SportCanadabefore embracingher mostcherished role as amother.In lateryears, shedevotedlycared forher mother,Mary (Mollie)Crossley,until herpassingatage98.

Shewelcomed international studentsintoherhome, had abeautiful singing voice, and wasknown for hostingunforgettable parties.Her love of travel took heralloverthe world,andat theageof92, she beganacting in television commercials. Eleanor was predeceased by her father,Kenneth;her mother, Mary; andherbrother,Ronald. Shewill be lovingly remembered by her children, Geoffrey (Carol), Margot (Glenn), Gail (Sam), Sandi,Nancy, and Lynda (Robert);herbrother,Bill Crossley;and her grandchildren, Maya, Ryan,Lanaya,and Owen.

It is with deep sadnessthat we announcethe passingof Harvey WilliamHill on March3,2026, following abrief illness.

Harvey wasbornand raised in Toronto, Ontario, wherehegraduated from Humberside Collegiate and eventually earnedhisCharteredAccountant designation. He beganhisprofessional careerat SmithNixon, CharteredAccountantsinToronto, wherehesoonbecameapartner.In1975, Harvey met hiswife, Renata,and they movedtoVancouver, whereheacquiredanaccountingpracticeinWest Vancouver,which he successfully operateduntil his retirement in 2020. Shortlyafter theirmove, they also welcomed theirdaughters, AndreaandLaura.

Harvey pursued many interests, including travelling, skiing, and gardening.Hewas alifelong memberof theWestVancouver Rotary Cluband valued thetime spent withfriendsat thenow-defunctParkRoyal HotelPub.Anavidgolfer, he spent many years dedicatedtothe sport.

Harvey waspredeceased by hisparents, Elisabeth and WilliamHill, andhissister, Margot.Heislovingly remembered by hiswife, Renata,hisdaughters Andrea (Serdar)andLaura(Frank), hisniece Susie Wang-Moore, and grandchildrenTristan, Aiden,and Holland.

Ourfamilywishes to expresssincere gratitude to the nursingstaff atLions Gate Hospital for the exceptional care Harvey receivedduringhis final weeks.

REMEMBRANCES

Alexander “Al” Cook,belovedhusband, father,Papa, and friend,passedawayonDecember26,2025,at theageof83.Bornand raised in NorthVancouver, Al spenthisentireliferooted in thecommunity he loved, buildingalifeofquietdepthand lasting warmth.

By trade,Alwas aboat builderand steel fabricator,a man whoworkedwithhis handsand tookpridein everyhourof it.Heretiredat75aftera remarkable 57-year career.

Al’s passions were as varied as they were genuine. He hadanenduringloveofall things that moved, planes,trains, andautomobiles, and couldlightup anyroom with hislaugh. He cherished music, adoredanimals of everykind,andabove allelse, lovedhisfamilywitha fierce andunwavering devotion. Al Cook mayhaveled what somemight call asmalllife, buttothoselucky enough to swimin his orbit, hisimpactwas immeasurable.

The great love of Al’s lifewashisCleo, hiswifeof64 years. Together they raised twodaughterswho were, by allaccounts,his grandestachievements: Denise Haywood (William) and Jacqueline(Chris).Hewasa proud Papa to Corey(Alysia,and theeagerly awaitedarrival of Baby Girl Haywood)and Rachel (Rob).

Al leavesbehindhissisterPhyllis McNeil(Dan); sisters-in-law ChristineCookand PattiCook;anda beloved circle of niecesandnephews:GaryCook, KerryMiller(Linda),Colin White, Victoria Cook,Jana Cook,RobinGraffunder (Bernie),KateCook,and SophieWhite.Jacqueline’sdear friends Corinnaand Erika, Al’s chosen family,are also among thosewho carryhimin theirhearts.Along with many dear friendsand family in the“ol’country,” Scotland.

He waspreceded in deathbyhis parentsJohnand Jean Cook;his brothersJohnand David;hissister Elizabeth;brother-in-lawJim Rhoads;sister-in-law Eileen Miller; andnieceJannine Cook,aswellas manydear friends wholeftbeforehimin North VancouverandinScotland.

Al leavesus withthe wayhelived: laugh everyday, andcelebratelossesasthoughthey were awin.

It is with deep gratitude fora lifewelllived that we announcethepeacefulpassingof CharlotteScott (nee Shaw), abeloved mother,grandmother,greatgrandmother,cherishedauntand friend.

Charlottewill be rememberedas awomanof grace, quiet strengthand kindness. Herlifewas rooted in compassion, resilienceand faith. Herkindheartand generous spirit touched thosearoundherand she wasdeeply lovedbyfamilyand friends.

CharlottewasborninVancouver to Samueland CharlotteShaw, predeceased by herhusband, W. BruceScott,sisters Evelyn Brisbois(Owen),Shirley Forsyth(Jim),brother John Shaw (Dee)and stepdaughters, LesleyArmstrongand Valerie Edwards.

Charlotteleavesbehinddaughter Marilyn Whittingham,son RobertScott (Diana Wearne), grandchildren, great grandchildren,as well as numerousnephews,niecesand friends,who will forevertreasureherguidance, strengthand unwavering love.

Charlottefoundhappinessineverydaypleasures that made lifefeel full -tendingher garden,enjoying roundsofgolf, paintingand long walksonthe seawall. Sheespeciallyloved thecompanionshipof herdogs,whosecompanybroughther laughter, comfort and joyovermanyyears.

Charlotte’s legacy is oneoflove, kindness, faithand connection. Hersteadypresencewill bedearly missedbyall.

Thefamilywouldliketothank Charlotte’sdear friends,the Callahan family and theGraham family forall thefriendship, kindness, generosity, support and thevaluable gift of theirtimeoverthe many years.

It is with great sadness that we announcethepassingof PaulLindsay McKaneon April 15,2026. Paul’s health hadbeen in declineinrecent months.Thankfully, he passedawaypeacefully in hissleep withoutpainorsufferingatage75.

Paul wasborn in Belfast, NorthernIreland,on April4,1951.Hecameofageat thebeginningof theinfamous Troubles, 1969-1998. Paul startedacareerat the bank,but very soon realised that countingmoneybehind “bars” wasnot forhim. Alreadyplayingthe drumsinabandanddoinggigs in andaround Belfast, his passion wasmusic,andhe startedworkingat Smyths RecordsinBelfast.Always withthewell-being ofhiscoworkers in mind, Smyths Recordsunwittinglypaved the wayfor Paul’s union career.Intheend, the“Troubles” in NorthernIreland in themid-1970sbecame toomuchfor Paul.In1975, Paul’s uncle andaunt sponsoredhisimmigrationtoVancouver,Canada.

He found work asan optical technician withImperialOptical in Burnaby, wherehe becamethe ChiefShop Stewardwiththe then UAW- United Automobile Workers. Paulattended the1985 founding conventionofthe CAW- Canadian Auto Workers -when BobWhite led theseparationofthe Canadian membership outofthe UAW to form asolelyCanadianunion. Paulbecameavalued memberof theCAW Local3014 Executiveprior to becomingafull-time Local UnionRepresentative, wherehedemonstrated exceptional skill, tact,andacumen representingthe local membership.

Paul wasa true internationalist. Hiscommitment to workingpeopleextended far beyond theplant gates. Paul wasamong thekey leadership of theSACTU SolidarityCommittee Vancouver -SouthAfrican Congress of Trade Unions -which helped lead thesuccessful fight to end ApartheidinSouthAfrica.

Paul wasanexceptionally kindand caringhumanbeingandhisintelligenceand creativityeasilyled himtothinkoutside thebox.Hewas impeccablyhonest, honourable and forthright.Hewas agiftedspeaker whoshunned ‘bluff and bluster’and instead demonstrated leadership through thoughtfulandprincipled reasoning.Heearned therespectofall whoknewhim.

Paulhad awonderfullywry senseofhumourand lovedtellingjokesand making peoplelaugh. Thethinghe most missedabout leavingIreland wasthe craicpronounced ‘crack’- theIrish term forentertainment,enjoyable conversation, news andgossip: symbolizingafunand spontaneous social experience.

By hissidefor thepast30yearshasbeenhisbelovedanddevotedwife, Silvia.A dedicatedand fierce advocatefor Paul,she worked tirelesslytobuild alifefor them through tremendously challenging times, fillingtheirdayswithpickleball, friends,family, tripstothe movietheatre everySundayafternoon,and Granville Island forhis favouritefoods.

Formanyyears, our family’s connection to Hornby Island formedan important continuity in Paul’s life. Eachsummer, Paul spent time on theisland walkingthe Helliwelltrail with Silvia—the same placeheproposed to her over25 yearsago.

Silvia andher family areprofoundlygratefultoJoseph, Paul’s loyalcaregiver, for hispatience, kindness, calmness, and forgoingabove andbeyondon so many occasions to ensurePaul wascared for.

Silviawouldliketoacknowledge thekindness, friendship, and supportofthe wonderfulNorth Vancouverpickleballcommunity.

As you sharethestories and the memoriesof how they lived the lives andhowmuchtheymeant, may you find comfort... As you share the stories memories of how their and how much they meant

Paul is survived by hiswifeSilvia, aretired CAWNational UnionRepresentative, andher family,his daughter Brandy,his mother Edna,age97,who lives in Jordanstown,near Belfast, andhissisterEarlandherhusband Hubert, wholive in Germany. Paul will be greatly missedbynumerousfamilyand friends.

Call 236-889-6595or email ahogan@glaciermedia.ca toplace your Remembrance.

Call 236-889-6595oremail ahogan@lodestarmedia.ca to place your Remembrance.

OBITUARIES OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES REMEMBRANCES

Stanley JamesNicholsonpassedawaypeacefully on February18,2026,at the ageof88,inWestVancouver with family by hisside. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Stan graduated in engineeringandnavalarchitecturefromHeriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, laterapprenticingwithRobbsofLeith Shipbuilders. In 1962,he was calledtoserve withtheCameronians (ScottishRifles) and BritishIntelligencein theMiddleEast.

Emigrating to Canada in 1964, Stan worked in Collingwood beforemovingto Vancouver,where he joined renownednavalarchitectsand shipbuilders, including Allied, BurrardYarrows, and Versatile Pacific. Hisprofessional legacy includes tugboats, BC Ferries, and thecelebrated Canadian icebreakersTerry Foxand PierreRadisson. Followinganearlyretirement,heestablishedhisown successful contract writingand consulting business.

Stan methis wife,Carolyn (née Wright), in Vancouver,and they marriedin1968, welcoming theirdaughter,Adrienne,in1970. Thefamilytravelledfrequently to visit Scottishrelativesand friends in Britain,alongsidetrips to Portugaland Malta. Theyenjoyed therusticlifeattheirbushcabininthe Pemberton-D’Arcy area,and inlater years, spent theirwinterswithfriends in Kauai.

In 2000, Adrienne marriedJohn Chow, and StanembracedhisroleasGrandpa “Baba”and mentor to hisgrandchildren, Alexa(born2004) and Mateo(born 2007),aswellasthe extended Chow family.Hechallenged theiryoung mindsand supportedthem in thesports in whichhehadalso excelled: soccerandgolf.

Despiteadebilitatingstrokein2017, Stan made everyefforttomaintain his movementand independence. Histalent fornumbersand research kepthimwellinformedonworld affairsand investment markets. He oftenremarkedthatas long ashis brainwas workingandhisfriends were by hisside, he wouldbefine.

Stanhad akeenear formusic,a taste forfinedining, andenjoyed agood Scotch. Hisdry witwasappreciatedbymany; hehad astory or ajokefor everyoccasion and, in recent years, found greatdelight in cartooning.His undividedattentionto others,quietgenerosity, anduniqueabilityto“teachaman to fish”will neverbe forgotten.

Stan is survived by hiswife, Carolyn;hisdaughter,Adrienne,andherhusband, John Chow;andhisgrandchildren, Alexaand Mateo. HisScottishfamilyincludes hisbrother,Duncan Nicholson,and sister-in-law, Marilyn;hisniece, Samantha, andherhusband,David Swan,and theirchildren, Tristanand Jemma;and cousinsMargaretButters andAlison Crowhurst.

Thefamilywishes to acknowledge thekindcareStanreceivedatHollyburn House, hislong-standing fitnesstherapywithAndreja,and thededicated caregivingprovided by Cheryl and Nicola.

In keeping with Stan'swishes,there will beno formal service. Remembering"Auld Lang Syne," we celebratealifetruly well-lived. In hismemory, thefamily welcomesdonations to theUnion Gospel Mission, acauseclose to Stan’s heart.

Renéepassedpeacefully on April 11,2026,at NorthShorehospice surrounded by her family,aftera difficultbattlewithcancer.

Renée experienced alifeofboth heartbreakand joy. BorninSt. Hyacinthe, Québec,Renée grew up in various Catholic boarding schoolsafterherparents separated when shewas five. Sherarelytalkedabout her painful experiences therebut hintedat cold,hunger,andabuse from which sheranat 16,ending up in Waterloo,Ontario,whereher fatherhad settled. There, shemet atalented musician, BarryWills,who had juststartedinthe firstco-opengineeringclass at UofW.Theymarried in 1961,happily livingon nothingand welcomingadaughter in 1963. They tragicallylosta newbornson in 1968. Momnever satstill. Sheworkedatvarious jobs and pursued many artistic passionsand volunteer work. Shetook finearts classesatUofWandhada potter'swheeland kilnin thehome. Shemade hundredsof sweatersand blanketsfor family and newborns overseas.Shehostedmany"oops,I've made waytoo muchspaghetti"dinnerparties and wasalwaysbringing mealstoothers. Most days, Momshoppedat thefarmer'smarket, always believing in fresh,healthyingredientsbeforeitwas trendy.

Renéehad afiery personalityand wasquick to judge,but shewasusually correctinher assessments. Pity thepersonwho stood in her way ofdoing theright thing. Redtape wasnomatch for her when it came to caring forothers, especially Barry, afterhebecamequadriplegic. Shewas with himevery dayand made sure he wasproperly cared foruntil hisdeathin2014. Afterdad'sdeath, mom movedtoWestVancouver tobeclosertoher family. Shecontinued to love nature, birds(shealwayshad binocularsand abirdbook in her car), and the ocean. Theultimategreen thumb, shecouldrevive anyplant (she said by threatening it withthe dumpster). Shelived afulllifeand remained interested in family and worldevents (and Jeopardy) until theend. Always spiritual,Mom wascomforted by arecent reconciliation withthecatholic church. Renée leavesbehindherdaughterLee Ann(Gary Redekop),grandchildrenDavid (Rebecca)and Michelle,sisterCarmenDubé (Raymond),and belovedniecesandnephews.

Aservice of remembrancewill beheldatHollyburn Funeral Home on May7.

Ture passedawaypeacefully on March25th,2026. aftera shortillness. He livedhisentire lifeon the NorthShore, growingupinWestVancouverand livinghis adultlifeinDeep Cove and North Vancouver.Hewaspredeceased by hiswife, Louisa, and is survived by hischildren, Robertand Joanne (Paul), and grandchildren, Bill and Rob.

Ture worked in thegrocery businessfromhis teens, andas asalesman forHeinz (nearly 30 years).He lovedsports (especiallythe Canucksand the BC Lions), playing golfinhislateryears, and workingin hisyard. He hadanoutgoingpersonalityand made friendseasily. He hadan exceptionally close relationshipwithhis wife,Louisa.Hewas aproud memberof theS.O.B.s (SomeOld Boys).

WendypassedawayonMarch 24th. Herchildren, Christineand Suzanne,and theirspouses,wereat herbedside.

Wendy wasraisedlakesideinKelowna by her parents, Johnand Wendy Bootle,whopredeceased her.She is survived by herbrothersFletcher,Kerry, Ian,and Matthew.

Wendy trainedas aregistered nurseatRoyal Inland Hospital.She then movedtotheLowerMainland, whereshe workedasanoperatingroom nurseat Lions Gate Hospital,BurnabyHospital, and St. Mary’s Hospitaloverthe spanofher career.

Shemarriedherhusband,Lionel “Ted” Hay, who predeceasedher.Together,theybuilt abeautiful life in Burnaby, wheretheyraisedtheirtwo daughters.

Over theyears, Wendy wasanavidvolunteerand active community member.She spent many years volunteeringwithGirlGuides in Burnabyandalso contributedher time to theHealthyHeartprogram with Fraser Health.

Afterthepassingofherhusband, Wendy movedto NorthVancouver to be closer to herdaughtersand four grandchildren. While there, shejoineda welcomingseniors community,whereshe formed many meaningful friendshipsand connections.

Wendyhad awickedsenseofhumourand astrong senseofjustice.Shebrought lifetoevery gathering with her wonderfullydarkhumourand razor-sharp wit. Shewill be deeplymissedbyall whohad the privilegeof knowingher.

It is with deep sadnessthat we announcethe peacefulpassingof John CampbellFoley,age92, whowas surrounded by hislovingfamily.

Belovedhusbandof63 yearstoHilary,devoted father to Jennifer, and father-in-lawto TomPrasol, John wasa proud grandfather to Ryanand Dylan. He waspredeceased by hisson, Peter.

Born in Belfast, NorthernIreland, John’s lifebegan by thesea—a love thatneverlefthim.Friends will tell youthat Johnhad asmilingface, atwinklein his eyes and wasalwaysready fora good chator totell youagreat storyorjoke.

John’s memory willliveoninthe storiesweshare and thehearts he touched. Rest gently,your voyage waslongand full, and your wake will carryon. John will foreverbeinourhearts.

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