August 21, 2025

LOCAL AWAITS SENTENCING

Squamish man awaits his sentence for 2022 fatal hit and run

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025

SQUAMISH BREAKS RAINFALL RECORD AS WET WEEKEND SOAKS SEA TO SKY

It was a soggy weekend that saw multiple communities break daily rainfall records, including a new high for the district

JENNIFER THUNCHER jthuncher@squamishchief.com

It was predicted to be a wet weekend, and Mother Nature delivered on that promise.

Squamish set a record for rainfall on Friday, Aug. 15, with 35.8 millimetres falling, smashing the previous record set on Aug. 15, 1988, when Squamish received 14.4 mm, according to Matt Loney, senior program meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada

All told, Squamish got 38 mm

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LOCAL MAN AWAITS SENTENCE FOR FATAL 2022 HIT-AND-RUN

A Provincial Court judge has delayed his decision on the sentencing of a Squamish man who pleaded guilty to a deadly drunk driving incident that killed one person and injured another

BOB MACKIN

For The Squamish Chief

The Provincial Court judge who will sentence the Squamish man who pleaded guilty to a deadly 2022 drunk driving hit-and-run said Aug. 12 that he would reserve his decision until later in September.

During the two-day sentencing hearing in North Vancouver, Crown prosecutor Michaela Donnelly asked Judge Timothy Hinkson to send John Tristan Travis Cernos to jail for five years for impaired driving and dangerous operation causing the death of Gurpreet Sangha, 44, impaired driving and dangerous operation causing bodily harm to another woman and failing to remain at the scene.

Cernos’s lawyer Meghan Forhan sought a three-year sentence.

“Nobody will be surprised by the fact that I’m reserving my decision,” Hinkson said at the end of proceedings. He told the Crown and defence lawyers to meet the judicial case manager on Aug. 19 to schedule a 90-minute hearing during the week starting Sept 22

“I acknowledge that this case is a matter of utmost importance, to the victims and their families, to Mr. Cernos and his family, and to the community in general, I know that everyone affected by these events will want to know what my decision is as soon as possible,” Hinkson said “I want you to know that I will not be able to give you a decision until mid-September, at the earliest I am going to be away.”

Cernos crashed a 1999 Ford F-250 into the

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partitioned over Aug 15 and 16, with 2 1 mm falling Saturday, to add to the Friday downpour

For comparison, Pemberton received 13 millimetres on Aug. 15, leaving its 1934 record of 27.2 mm untouched.

We weren’t the only Sea to Sky Corridor community to break a daily rainfall record, however

Also on Aug 15, Whistler soaked up 21 mm, bypassing the previous record of 20 3 mm set in 1961

West Vancouver saw 80 6 mm fall on Aug 15, beating the previous record of 38 4 mm set in 1999.

John Cernos’s lawyer Meghan Forhan sought a three-year sentence

bus stop at Cleveland and Pemberton avenues before midnight on Sept 2, 2022 He admitted in January of this year to the charges against him, thus cancelling what would have been a two-month trial. That is a mitigating factor, Forhan said, weighs heavily in favour of a lighter sentence.

Cernos addressed the court earlier on Aug. 12 to express remorse and shame for the decisions he made that night almost three years ago. He said he drives past the accident site daily on the way to work and is constantly reminded of the tragedy. He said he has not consumed alcohol since then, regularly

RIVER FLOWS

Squamish rivers swelled following the Aug. 15 rainfall.

According to a spokesperson with the B.C. River Forecast Centre, based on preliminary data from the gauge in the Squamish River near Brackendale, flows in the Squamish River began rising on the evening of Aug. 14, increasing steadily through Aug. 15.

Two peaks occurred on Aug. 16—the first very early in the morning (approx. 710 cubic metres per second) and the second in the evening (approx. 730 cubic metres per second), the spokesperson said in an email to The Squamish Chief.

From Aug. 14 to 16, Squamish River flows more than doubled, but the Aug. 16 peaks were not high relative to the typical river patterns.

attends counselling and is working hard to better himself. Cernos said his wife now faces life as a single parent when his jail sentence begins

“I take full accountability for my actions, for every person affected by them,” Cernos said before Hinkson. “Once again, I want to express how truly sorry I am. I know, like, not asking for forgiveness, but I will live with this for the rest of my life A day will not go by, that I don’t think about the victims and the damage I’ve caused two families.”

Lawyers elaborated on their initial submissions during the second day, often returning

“Prior to the storm, flows were near average for the time of year, likely due to early August rain and high elevation snow and ice melt However, for most of the preceding month—from mid-July to early August—flows remained below average due to dry weather conditions, the spokesperson said.

“Although this is one of the higher flows that has occurred so far in 2025 for the Squamish River, it’s not unusually high for the river—in fact, peaks of a similar or higher magnitude have already occurred a few times this year, in late May, early June, and early July.”

REST OF THE SUMMER

As for what is to come for the rest of our summer, Loney forecasts to the end of

I take full accountability for my actions, for every person affected by them.

to the issue of Cernos’s history of substance abuse. The Crown also emphasized the aggravating factor of Cernos’s decision to flee the crash scene, instead of helping the victims.

Forhan noted Cernos has a well-documented history of substance abuse disorder that he overcame in 2015. He then began to experience a resurgence of cravings after he was weaned off methadone in April 2021.

“He then started drinking So he’s drinking in order to kind of stave off the drug addiction that we all agree existed,” she said

Forhan said for the four months before the crash, “that alcohol addiction took hold, it became severe.”

In her rebuttal, Donnelly emphasized how Cernos’ decision to drive on the night of the crash put many others, beyond the two victims, in jeopardy.

“Either while intoxicated or in the interest of getting intoxicated, he made very poor decisions and it shows that he suffered negative consequences for that long history,” Donnelly said

meteorological summer, which runs from June 1 until Aug. 31

Weather professionals use meteorological summer because “these months never change and so enable meteorologists to collate data easily and to compare seasonal statistics,” according to the Royal Meteorological Society.

“The models are pointing to a warmer and somewhat drier pattern, certainly in the next week or so, we’re going to see things drying out So I don’t think we’ll see any more of these kinds of heavy precipitation events to the end of the month,” Loney said

Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross says we will see warmer and drier conditions, with high temperatures pushing into the 30s this weekend.

GOT NEWS?

Email your news tip or story idea to: jthuncher@squamishchief.com ilemayconway@squamishchief.com inapace@squamishchief.com

QUICK ACTION PREVENTS WILDFIRE AFTER TRUCK FIRE

A dramatic scene unfolded along the Sea to Sky Highway as truck went up in flames, prompting an outpouring of support

JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

AIt definitely wasn’t the way he thought the day would go, but he is glad the outcome wasn’t far worse.

One minute, Karl Zwiers was driving his company vehicle up the Sea to Sky Highway after a meeting in Squamish and the next, the vehicle was in flames on the side of the highway.

The municipal infrastructure contractor, ZN Projects Ltd., is based in Squamish, but does a lot of work in Whistler and Pemberton.

It was July 30, and Zwiers was past Squamish, heading north in his 2024 Toyota Tacoma, with his son following in another truck behind him

“All of a sudden, the truck starts to lose momentum,” Zwiers recalled

“I noticed there was some sort of smoke and the lack of power, I thought, well, that’s kind of strange. And then the dashboard starts showing various alarms or alerts and just sort of craps out completely And if I’m honest, hand on heart, I’m thinking, I can’t be the guy who starts Cat Lake on fire I can’t be that guy.”

He pulled over to the clearest spot he could find and got out.

Soon, the truck, with company tools onboard, was engulfed in flames.

He said thanks to the actions of several individuals, this incident did not result in a forest fire like the one that happened in Peachland on the same day, which started from a truck fire

His son pulled over, and other people

started to pull over to help He said there was someone with water, and his son was trying to put out a small grass fire that was starting nearby Someone with a dump truck pulled over, too, to help with a fire extinguisher

“There were other people, but I was concentrating on trying to remove whatever I could salvage from the truck. And at that point, there was someone from one of the towing companies who had wheeled around and blocked off the lane. There were lots of people doing lots of good things, never mind the fact that people are busy trying to make sure things didn’t burn down,” he said.

Police and fire arrived shortly after.

Zwiers’ mind shifted to clients who might be impacted by what was lost in the truck.

“We had a client who was doing an expensive endeavour the following day, based

on the fact that we would be there to install this component— [but] the necessary items were in the truck. So, as my truck’s on fire, I’m calling our suppliers, saying, ‘Hey, that stuff I picked up yesterday. Can you make it again?’ [They said] ‘Yep, yep, yep, no problem. We’ll have it ready.’ There were some really, helpful individuals who had nothing to do with the fire, but they just jumped in and said, ‘Hey, we can help out.’”

Zwiers wanted to go public with his story to thank all those who lent him a hand. The truck burned to a crisp, but there wasn’t a wildfire, thankfully.

Zwiers says he is still plodding through the sometimes frustrating aftermath of the vehicle fire with ICBC and hoping for answers from Toyota about what might have been wrong with the vehicle. He said he

has another Toyota Tacoma that has been “perfect,” so is confused about what went wrong with this one.

“It was bought last October. I had 32,000 kilometres on it,” he said, adding it had been recently taken in for routine servicing. “It was not modified or anything It seems to me that where the flames were coming [from] was the side of the engine bay, where the battery and the fuse boxes are—it wasn’t an EV or anything, it was just a regular gasoline vehicle,” he added.

“It was a brand new vehicle that burnt up. No one’s been able to even give us any kind of inkling about that.”

For its part, Toyota told The Squamish Chief that it is waiting for an inspection of the vehicle before it moves forward.

“Toyota’s top priority is the safety of our customers, and this is a very unusual situation,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

“We’re glad to hear that nobody was injured, and we thank the first responders for their work to prevent the fire from spreading. As soon as we were made aware of this case, we began the process of arranging an inspection of the vehicle. Until the inspection has taken place, it’s premature to draw any conclusions about the cause of the incident.”

Deputy Fire Chief Shaun Swerdfeger said that Squamish Fire Rescue responds to several vehicle fires throughout the year. However, they are not a common call type in comparison to others, he said.

Swerdfeger’s advice for anyone who finds themselves in a vehicle that starts on fire is to first pull over and get out of the vehicle to make sure that everyone is safe.

NEWS BRIEF

FRUITFUL TRAFFIC STOPS FOR COPS

Two separate Sea to Sky drivers are facing serious consequences following traffic stops on Aug. 9.

First, at 11:10 a.m. that day, on Highway 99, near downtown Squamish, a BC Highway Patrol officer stopped a pickup being driven by a 42-year-old North Vancouver man who was listed as a prohibited driver.

While investigating the driving ban, police

SPORTS BRIEF

SQUAMISH50 RESULTS

It’s considered one of the most gruelling events in Squamish’s outdoor sports calendar

The Squamish50 wrapped up another weekend of trail running on Sunday, Aug. 17

For the 13th annual event, runners had to battle rain and cooler temperatures.

Here are the results:

50 Mile Men

Alexandre Campbell of North Vancouver took first place out of 237 runners, finishing in 7:39:26 (gun time).

Ivan Shvetsov of Port Coquitlam came second in 8:14:20.

Eric Thompson of Vancouver claimed bronze with a time of 8:19:16.

found approximately seven cases of unstamped contraband tobacco products

The driver of the pickup was suspected to be operating an illegal tobacco store, according to Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol, in a news release.

Now the man will face a court date for both prohibited driving and possession of an unstamped tobacco product under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act.

Next, in what McLaughlin called a “dramatic

50 Mile Women

Juliane Fisette of Rimouski, Q.C, topped the women’s field of 88, with a time of 9:28:13.

Jennie Labrie of North Vancouver placed second in 9:35:10.

Gemma Isaac, also of North Vancouver, took bronze with a time of 9:38:24.

50K Men

Squamish and Roberts Creek native Shaun Stephens-Whale won the race out of 336 runners, clocking in at 4:39:52.

Marcus Ribi of Vancouver followed in second at 4:47:00.

Ryan Goodwin of North Vancouver finished third in 4:54:24.

50K Women

Jade Belzbert of Langley Township placed first among 181 women, with a time of 5:08:59.

Squamish Transit ServiceChange

Effective September2, 2025

 Improved service on routes: 1Brackendale, 2Highlands,3Valleycliffe and9University.

- Weekdays: laterevening service on routes 1, 2, 3and 9.

-Weekends: earliermorning and/or later evening service on routes 1, 2and 3.

 Route 5South Parks is seasonally discontinued.

Visit bctransit.com to viewschedules.

stop,” an officer on a BMW motorcycle recorded a Suzuki motorcycle travelling 196 km/h in an 80 km zone on Highway 99 near Furry Creek at 2:30 p.m. that same day.

The 40-year-old Abbotsford rider failed the roadside breath sample tests, indicating they were impaired The rider received a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition, an excessive speeding ticket, and the motorcycle was impounded for 30 days

The allegations against both the driver and

the rider have not yet been tested in court.

“On the bright side, the motorcyclist did not die or kill anyone else,” said McLaughlin

“Excessive speed plus alcohol impairment is a recipe that we see time and again in fatal collisions.”

McLaughlin added that drivers on the Sea to Sky Highway are encouraged to drive safely

“Anyone whose unsafe behaviour attracts BC Highway Patrol may face higher costs and more charges than they bargained for.”

Sophie Yates of Vancouver came second in 6:00:17.

Sandra Kilmartin of Squamish rounded out the podium at 6:05:03.

50/50 Men (Both the 50 Mile and 50K)

Alexandre Campbell topped the field of 78 finishers, completing both races in a combined time of 12:45:44

Squamish’s John Dean earned silver with 13:55:30

Seth Wealing of Golden, Colorado, took third place in 14:36:39.

50/50 Women

Jennie Labrie of North Vancouver won gold against 24 other women who completed both races, finishing in 16:14:16.

North Vancouver’s Gemma Isaac secured second in 16:33:36.

Squamish’s Nicole Gillette claimed bronze with a time of 17:58:14

23K Men

Hometown runner Jessie McAuley took gold out of 218 runners, finishing in 1:44:14.

Michael Wood of Winnipeg came second in 1:46:13.

Anton Kuipers of Victoria placed third in 1:49:34.

23K Women

Carol-Ann Rolle of Chilliwack won the women’s race out of 263, with a time of 1:58:40.

Andrea Burley of North Vancouver came second in 2:06:23.

Haley Hughes finished third in 2:10:44.

See the full list of finalists on the Squamish50 website.

ARE E-BIKES SAFE? WHAT LOCAL RIDERS AND OFFICIALS ARE SAYING

The rise of electric bikes has brought convenience and sustainability to communities like Squamish—but also safety concerns, prompting calls for stricter rules and better education

JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

Walk around downtown, or anywhere in Squamish, and you are sure to see someone on an electric bike

Their presence has become part of daily life in Squamish

E-bikes allow people to get around town sustainably, ideally get some drivers off the road—and can be a whole lot of fun.

Their increasing popularity isn’t just a Squamish thing.

In 2020, e-bike sales increased by 134% compared to the previous year. By 2025, Canada’s annual e-bike sales are expected to have doubled, exceeding 600,000 sold, according to Strategic Market Research.

With all of their advantages, though, e-bikes have also brought with them concerns about safety.

DOCTORS’ PERSPECTIVE

Dr Brandon Yau, a Vancouver Coastal Health medical health officer lead on injury prevention, stressed that active transportation, like e-bikes, is encouraged.

“There are really good reasons why people are choosing to use these devices and other forms of active travel,” he said. “They’re convenient, they’re affordable, they’re good for your physical and mental health, and they’re eco-friendly, and people like them because they’re fun as well, and we can’t discount the fact that that’s a good way of getting around So we do encourage people in general to use active transportation.”

That said, Yau noted that e-bike riders are also vulnerable road users.

While accurate data is hard to come by for such new technology, anecdotally, he said, with increased use of these bikes, there has been an increase in injuries

“Head injuries, hip, knee and leg injuries as well,” he said, adding that fractures are the most common reason riders are hospitalized.

Yau said the speed of the bikes and the newness of them mean folks should be cautious.

“The top speed for these e-bikes is 32 kilometres per hour, and we do recommend people stay within that limit, as well as maybe consider going slower based on their individual skill level,” he said

“If people are new to these devices, it’s the principle of start slow, go slow So if you’re

relatively new to something, we recommend practicing on a slow street.”

He also touted helmet use and following the rules of the road.

A study in 2024 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Injuries With Electric vs Conventional Scooters and Bicycles, found a disturbing lack of helmet wearing.

“In a cross-sectional study including 86,623 individuals, electric bicycle injuries increased by nearly 100% and electric scooter injuries increased by more than 45% annually,” the report findings read “Injured electric vehicle users were older and less commonly helmeted than those injured from conventional vehicles.”

Yau said Vancouver Coastal Health works with municipalities and other levels of government to try and shape policies and changes that will keep people safe on e-bikes.

“Separation in physical time and space to motor vehicles,” he said, as an example of infrastructure changes that can help keep riders and other users safe

“So, we work closely with municipalities to design and build active transportation lanes that separate people from motor vehicles That’s the most evidence-based and probably the best intervention for reducing injuries.”

Yau also noted that while e-bikes come onto the market meeting the regulatory framework that the government sets in terms of speed and power, they can be easily modified.

“I think many parents may be unaware that they may be buying these devices with speed limiters that may be designed in some way that’s easily removed, and people can go on YouTube, and it’s relatively easy to do So that’s maybe one of the reasons why we’re seeing quite fast devices on our roads. We’re not being able to catch up to industry innovation, or whatever you want to call it, fast enough So that’s something that we want to pay attention to, because, again, I’ve seen some of these devices go incredibly fast.”

He also stressed that e-bikes are not meant for youth under 16.

“Available research and evidence show us that people who are younger, young kids, are at much higher risk of being injured on these types of devices.”

Finally, Yau had a reminder for drivers to be very vigilant and aware of the different uses on the road and give vulnerable road users as wide a berth as possible

For drivers, the minimum passing distances

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Cleanup: 4pmto6pm Light Meal:6pm to 8pm Start& Finish will be at Sp’akw’us FeatherPark(House of Lager)

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are:

• Highways 50 km/h or less: 1 m

• Highways more than 50 km/h: 1.5 m

“The rules say to give as much space as possible and only to pass when it is safe to do so,” Yau said

“So it’s really important again, for all road users to take special precautions, but people who are driving cars pose a greater risk to people on the road than other road users, so just being aware of that.”

Dr Shelina Babul, director at the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit of BC Children’s Hospital, added that riders need to pay attention, like vehicle drivers.

“I’ve seen people using their cellphones while riding e-bikes. Don’t use your cellphone. Obviously, never use alcohol or drugs prior to riding your e-bikes,” she said.

She added that new riders should get to know their bike.

“Make sure it’s charged, make sure the tires are inflated, that it’s working properly—[it’s] very important. Make sure the brakes are working and that there’s no visible damage to the e-bike,” she said.

“If you’re riding at night, make sure you have lights and reflectors Use hand signals. Ride single file.”

In terms of youth, she said there are a lot of benefits to riding, but the rules and regulations have to catch up

“I think it’s something that we have to closely monitor and put policies in place, especially on school grounds and on school properties—what should be allowed, what shouldn’t be allowed,” she said

“But this is relatively new. I remember growing up when skateboards first started coming out, and that was an issue—injuries from skateboards. Certainly, that wasn’t at the speeds of e-bikes or e-scooters. Then schools started putting policy in place that you can’t ride it on the grounds, you can hold it and walk—those kinds of things.”

RIDERS’ PERSPECTIVE

Squamish’s Pennie McNutt loves her e-bike and rides it a lot. She has also ridden e-bikes around Europe

Squamish, she says, is not e-bike friendly

“I have done many trips on e-bikes in many different cities and in Europe, and they have it

down pat. What I would suggest is that somebody on council visit some of those communities to get some ideas [of] what you could do to make it more friendly for bikes,” she said.

She pointed out what she sees as a lack of policing of e-bike offenders, a lack of signage and a lack of speed zones for riders

She said there aren’t dedicated bike trails for e-bikes, they are all multi-use, which puts too many people together, causing potential conflicts.

She also called out trails that “don’t go anywhere.”

“All of them end on the roadway, and to continue, you have to ride on the road to the next one.”

In particular, she called out the tight lane underpass along the Mamquam Blind Channel to get to Rose Park, the state of Government Road north of Leski’s Crossing to the airport on both sides of the road, and the area around Eagle Run.

“My suggestion [or] dream is to take out one lane of traffic—or one lane of parking since we will be ‘car free’—on all downtown streets. Make traffic one-way. Make a dedicated bike lane in the new lane. Have it well marked, with dedicated street lights for pedestrians and bikes,” she said

Local Greg Pillon notes the insurance issue with e-bikes.

“If you’re in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act, either because you’re underage, or you’re riding on a sidewalk or something like that, and let’s say you plow into some poor elderly person who’s just out there walking their dog. Not only would you have criminal exposure, criminal liability, but you’d have civil liability as well So that little e-bike you gave your kid for graduating could end up costing you your house, you know? So it’s kind of a non-trivial issue.”

Pillon compared what motorcycle riders have to do to be road safe, and compared it with some e-bikes that have a similar amount of power.

“I’ve been a motorcyclist for a long time. In order to get a motorcycle licence, you have to go through a special training program and then a series of graduated licences.

“Just to make sure that you know what the heck you’re doing,” he said

“I’ve seen these things go by 50 km/hr, no problem.”

He extended the comparison to gear as well.

“The other thing is protective equipment. Of course, with a motorcycle, you’re obliged to wear, certainly, at least a helmet, and I always wore full-on, full-body armour. … And some of these folks, of course, just think they’re toys. So they don’t suit up, and there are minimal helmets.”

He also noted that e-bikes can be quite heavy, especially compared with a bicycle.

“They weigh 75 pounds—maybe 50 to 75 pounds,” he said

“You put a 60-pound child on it, or even a 110-pound human being, and the combined mass travelling at 30 kilometres per hour is going to kill somebody very easily You know, it’s not a simple little, ‘Oh, I bumped into you and fell down.’ No, it’s somebody’s going to the hospital.”

He noted the e-bikes are regulated under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act, but said it isn’t enforced as much as he thinks would help.

“The laws are already there. We really just need to stop thinking of bicycles as toys and enforce the law.”

Like everyone who The Squamish Chief spoke to for this article, Pillon is not opposed to e-bikes; in fact, he supports them, but it is the attitude toward them and the level of enforcement that has to change, he said.

“On the one hand, people need to be more aware of the seriousness of the implications of operating these vehicles—that they’re not toys They are vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act, and there’s a considerable liability involved in operating these things,” he said

“On the society side, I think we’re going to want more enforcement. It is new technology, it’s very powerful, very cost-effective, but we just need to think a little bit more seriously about how we manage this stuff.”

FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT HIGHLIGHTS SAFETY CONCERNS

E-bikes aren’t just a Squamish issue, of course.

Whistler resident Richard Kinar, a safety advocate, saw a young woman on an e-bike slam into a signpost in the resort the night before he spoke with The Squamish Chief.

“As it was getting dusk, this young girl on an electric bike came around the corner, hit a signpost, and I can’t unhear it, and I can’t unsee it,” he said

“Her cellphone went flying, and her shoes. Her face was a mess, and her body was a mess.”

Kinar, again, supports e-bikes, but says it comes down to regulation

“It’s all about regulation, because the original concept of pedal-assisted bikes is very different than what we’re seeing now. So the speed of the bikes even exceeds Transport Canada guidelines On the high end of things, you’ve got bikes that are going here between 60 and 90 kilometres per hour,” he said.

“I think electric bikes are absolutely fantastic. All I’m suggesting is that as these bikes get more powerful, as there’s more of them and as they’re integrated into a coordinated transportation network or transportation strategy, we should have a few more things in place.”

“They’re no longer a pedal-assisted bicycle. They’re actually a motor vehicle. … So it’s the conversation around policy that needs to be addressed.”

MLA’S TAKE

Member of the Legislative Assembly for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, Jeremy Valeriote, who also rides an e-bike, said he is digging into what can be done to reduce the conflict around them

“I have a RadWagon that I used to put my two kids on the back of, but now they’re too heavy,” he said

“I think they’re a great tool, and they’ve exploded quite quickly. And I guess this problem was foreseeable. I’ve been on the on trails in Squamish and on the Valley Trail in Whistler, where people are flying by at high speeds, and they’re heavy. At least my cargo bike has a lot of mass to it, and I do keep thinking it’s just a matter of time until somebody gets seriously hurt.”

He noted that the bikes are easy to modify to go faster, which is likely something that needs to be addressed.

“I think it would be fairly straightforward for the province and or the federal government to just make that impossible,” he said, adding other issues around them are more multifaceted, with the municipality, the province and the federal government likely having roles to play in helping solve.

“I’m just starting to get to work on what the best way forward is on this,” he said

MUNICIPALITY’S PERSPECTIVE

The District of Squamish joined the BC Electric Kick Scooter Pilot project in June 2025, making it legal for people 16 years old and up to ride e-scooters on roads/bike lanes and multi-use paths. The District is not planning to restrict the use of e-bikes or e-scooters on multi-use paths at this time; however, minor updates to the traffic bylaw are planned in the future to ensure alignment with the Motor Vehicle Act, a District spokesperson told The Squamish Chief.

Currently, the only e-mobility devices that are allowed on multi-use paths are e-bikes and e-scooters that meet the provincial definitions, with maximum speeds less than 32 km/h for e-bikes and 25 km/h for e-scooters

The District is launching a summer education campaign, including what is and is not allowed, to promote e-mobility safety, the spokesperson said

“As the District’s active transportation increases, we hope all road and path users can share the space respectfully, responsibly, and safely However, if the public is concerned for their safety in any way, we encourage them to call the Squamish RCMP on 604-892-6100 or 911 for emergency situations.”

WHAT THE RCMP SAY

Squamish RCMP confirmed there has been an increase in collisions involving e-bikes, and people are getting injured.

“The youth are mostly the ones involved in these,” said Const. Kelly Wu, media relations

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officer for the Sea to Sky RCMP-Squamish detachment.

Wu added that while last year officers were doing more education and issuing warnings, they are now at the point where enforcement is being imposed.

“People are ticketed for not wearing helmets, underage for riding the e-bikes, too many passengers on e-bikes and not following the rules of the road that all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians must abide by,” she said

“E-bikes are an excellent mode of transportation and promote active lifestyles, but with growing popularity comes a shared responsibility. Safe riding habits and awareness of road rules are essential to protect all road users and ensure e-bikes remain a sustainable solution for our community.”

‘PROMOTING SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE RIDING’

For its part, the Sea to Sky School District said that it recognizes that e-bikes are becoming a popular mode of transportation for students.

“We support active, sustainable travel and are committed to promoting safe and responsible riding,” said school district communications officer, Jenn Armstrong.

“Throughout the school year, we share reminders and educational resources with students and families about helmet use which is mandatory—age restrictions, road safety rules, and respectful riding We also remind students to park their bikes in designated areas and to be mindful of safety on and around school grounds,” she added.

“We continue to collaborate with community partners, including the local RCMP, to reinforce these messages While the school district is not responsible for enforcing traffic laws or regulating personal transportation outside of school property, we are committed to doing our part through education and communication.”

The school district encourages families to review the following resources to learn more about e-bike safety:

- DriveSmartBC - E-Bike Regulations

- Government of B.C. - Cycling & E-Bike Rules

- B.C. Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation

GUIDELINES

AND TIPS

The Sea to Sky RCMP offered the following guidelines and tips in a news release on the issue:

In B.C., e-bikes are defined legally as motor-assisted cycles and ICBC does not register, license or insure these bikes.

“E-bikes must not go faster than 32 km/h and be no more than 500W Some motor-assisted cycles look like mopeds and scooters—limited-speed motorcycles—but the rules for operating motor-assisted cycles and limited-speed motorcycles are not the same,” the RCMP release states.

“E-bikes are also not e-motorcycles, which require registration, licensing and insurance.”

“Electric dirtbikes that exceed 500 watts, such as Surron bikes, are not highway legal as they are not authorized by legislation and

In

e-bike

increased

surpass the classes of e-bikes listed below.

Electric one-wheeled devices, such as electric unicycles, are illegal for highway use according to current legislation because they do not have fully operable pedals (or hand cranks) capable of propelling the cycle.”

CLASSES OF E-BIKES IN B.C.

Standard e-bike E-Bike Light

Minimum 16 14

rider age

Maximum 32 km/h 25 km/h motor-assisted speed

Maximum 500W 250W motor power

Throttle assist Yes No

When riding your e-bike, follow all the rules that apply to cyclists:

• Obey traffic signs and lights: yield to pedestrians.

• Wear a safety helmet: always wear an approved safety helmet when riding an e-bike

• Follow the speed limit.

• Ride single file: do not ride beside another person operating a cycle or e-bike except to pass

• Do not ride while impaired or distracted: never operate an e-bike while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or when using a cellphone or other electronic device.

• Follow passenger rules: you cannot carry a passenger unless your cycle is designed and equipped for it. A rider under 16 cannot carry any passengers on an e-bike.

• Use hand signals: safely signal intent to turn, slow down, or stop by using standard hand

signals.

• Use lights and reflectors at night: a white light mounted in the front, a red reflector, and a red light mounted in the rear are required when riding between sunset and sunrise.

!EXHIBITS& EXHIBITPRIZES! Fri Sept 5, 4-6pm Exhibit EntryForms available at: Local Roots Farm Market until Sept.4 Brackendale General Store&Annas Interiors Aug. 21 to Sept.4.

InstitutePark

Mt.GaribaldiCemetery Expansion Project

Thecemeteryisapproaching capacityand needs expansion. Oncecomplete,the cemetery services will include green burials and ascattering garden.

Construction will begin August 25 and continue through December

Visitors should expectconstruction noise and activities MondaytoFriday, 7a.m.–5 p.m. squamish.ca/cemeteryexpansion

WHAT’S HAPPENINGIN RECREATION AND CULTURE

CAMPFIRE BAN remains

InfrastructureUpgrades

in effect

squamish.ca/fireban

Business

Opportunities

Requests forProposals

•ComprehensiveDike Inspection Services

•Powerhouse Springs Well 8Design& Consultation

squamish.ca/doing-business-with-the-district

•Installation work on the watermain near Bill’s Place has been paused and will resumeearly September

•Sanitaryforcemain upgrade on PiaRoad continues.

•Watermain upgrade on Birken Road continues

•Annual road painting refresh programisunderway.

Crewsare working at nighttolimit traffic impacts

•Workonthe Victoria Street ActiveTransportation

Upgrades continues squamish.ca/building-our-future

DevelopmentReview DevelopmentPermits

•38702–38716 Britannia Avenue

•40279 GovernmentRoad squamish.ca/review Stage 2Outdoor WaterUse

FacilitySpotlight:The 55ActivityCentre

WhatisThe 55 Activity Centre?

The55ActivityCentreisapublic recreation facilitythatoffers both recreation and fitness activitieswhereeveryone is welcome.

Whouses The55Activity Centre?

Everyone is welcome to use the facility! Our daytime programs aretailored forresidents 55yrs+while evening programs are intended for anyone 19yrs+.

What types of programs areofferedat

The 55 ActivityCentre?

Alltypes of programs areofferedat The55 ActivityCentreincluding group fitness classes, danceclasses,choir practice, grief and loss programs,flower/wreathworkshops,ukulele classes,therapeutic fitness, painting and sketching,cribbage,quilting and sewing,aswell as carpet bowling.The Menonthe Move class isespecially popular.Wealso have FREEpublic access areas forping pong and an ongoing puzzle table!

Where can Ifind out more about programs?

The55ActivityCentre customer serviceteam are morethan happyto answerany questions,share printedmaterials, and assist with registration by phoneat604-848-6898 or in-person during office hours at 1201 Village Green Way (also knownas the Clock Towerbuilding)

Is thereadiscountfor seniors?

Yes, a15% discountisofferedfor allregistered programs to those with a55+ DiscountCard($25 plus GST)valid forone year from purchase.

The55+ DiscountCardcan be purchased in-person from customer serviceatBrennan Park Recreation Centre or at The55ActivityCentre.

During Stage 2, the hand watering of trees, flowers,and shrubs is allowed anyday from 6–9 am and 7–10 pm.

Hand watering of vegetable gardens is allowed anyday at anytime.

Lawn watering with asprinkler is allowed one day per week based on neigbourhood:

•Odd numbered addresses: 6–9 am

•Evennumbered addresses: 7–10 pm.

Monday Valleycliffe, Hospital Hill and SEAandSKY

TuesdayDowntown

Wednesday Dentville,Business Park and North Yards

Thursday Loggers Lane East and UniversityHeights

FridayGaribaldi Highlands

SaturdayGaribaldi Estates

SundayBrackendale

PROSTATE CANCER FUNDRAISER: RIDE FOR DAD COMES TO SQUAMISH

On Sept. 7 riders from across B.C. will gather in Squamish and head north toward Pemberton—all united by one mission: supporting men’s health through the Ride For Dad

JENNIFER THUNCHER

jthuncher@squamishchief.com

Apopular motorcycle rider’s anonymous saying is, “In the moment, right or wrong, always have your brother’s back!”

This is a fitting sentiment with the Ride For Dad event rolling from Squamish through the Sea to Sky on Sept 7, with riders of all genders encouraged to participate.

The national charity motorcycle ride raises funds for the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation, which uses the money toward cancer research and prostate cancer awareness campaigns.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, which estimates that about one in eight Canadian men will develop prostate cancer at some point, and one in 30 will die from it.

The Squamish ride, dubbed the “Surerus Murphy Squamish Ride Charity Ride supporting Ride For Dad,” is being organized by the company’s Derek Pickford, who works for the Surerus Murphy Joint Venture (SMJV) on the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project

He said the company started supporting the ride in the Okanagan, when it was doing work

on the Trans Mountain expansion project in Kamloops

“So this year, we’re in Squamish The head guy from the Okanagan chapter—his name is Bob Charron—he’s been involved with Ride For

Dad for years, and he’s going to come down and join us on our ride this year,” Pickford said, explaining Surerus Murphy is a third-party fundraiser for the Okanagan chapter.

The two places that offer comprehensive

prostate cancer treatment options are Kelowna and Vancouver, Pickford noted.

Riders will gather in Squamish near the railyards starting at 7:30 a.m., then head through town and up the Sea to Sky Highway to Pemberton, where participants will gather at Mile One Eating House, which is donating some proceeds of burgers toward the charity.

“We’ll do some door prizes for, like, best bike, oldest rider, who raised the most, a 50/50, draw—things like that,” Pickford said Pickford said there will be some other riders from Kamloops coming who he calls “die-hard rider guys who are always up for a good cause and do a lot of charity work themselves,” but he stressed that anyone who rides any type of motorbike is encouraged to get involved.

“Anybody can get involved. I mean, if you’ve got a motorbike, you want to come, you’re more than welcome,” he said, noting a medic is along for the ride for emergency safety.

The goal for the Squamish ride is to raise a total of $50,000, all going to the charity.

Previous Surerus Murphy rides in the Okanagan raised $50,000 in its first year, $98,000 in its second, and $102,000 in its third and final year

Find out more on the Ride For Dad website, or reach out to Pickford, by phone at 780-868-7488, or by email: mdpickford@hotmail.com

Canadian jobs starthere

Real jobs.Real energy.Real opportunity.

At WoodfibreLNG, we’rebuilding morethan a world-class facility—we’re creating real opportunities forCanadians.

With astrong commitmenttolocal hiring, Indigenouspartnerships, and best-in-class workforce accommodation, we’resupporting good-paying jobs thatcontributetofamilies, communities, and Canada’s economy. woodfibrelng.ca

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EDITOR

JENNIFERTHUNCHER jthuncher@ squamishchief.com follow @thuncher

REPORTER

INDIGO LEMAYCONWAY ilemayconway@ squamishchief.com

REPORTER INAPACE inapace@ squamishchief.com

SALESMANAGER

CATHIE GREENLEES cgreenlees@ squamishchief.com

MULTI- MEDIASALES REPRESENTATIVE KIMBOATMAN kboatman@ squamishchief.com

CIRCULATION MANAGER DENISE CONWAY dconway@ squamishchief.com

PUBLISHER SARAHSTROTHER sstrother@wplpmedia.com

TheSquamishChief is amemberof theNationalNewsmedia Council, whichisanindependent organization establishedtodealwithacceptable journalistic practicesand ethical behaviour. If youhaveconcerns abouteditorial content, please contactEditorJenniferThuncherat jthuncher@squamishchief.com. If you arenot satisfiedwiththe response andwishto file aformalcomplaint, visitthe websiteatmediacouncil.ca or call toll-free1-844-877-1163for additional information

Reproduction of anymaterial containedinthispublicationis expresslyforbiddenwithoutthe prior writtenconsent of thepublisher.

EDITORIAL

SKYNOT FALLING

Weare acommunity of extremes—inour sports,business, politics,and outlook. Sometimes, that is agreat thing—we pushboundariesand challengenorms—makingus cutting-edge entrepreneurs andathletes. (Here’s looking at you, QuantumTechnologyand Carbon Engineering, Crankworxand Squamish50 folks!)

Sometimes, though,itcan lead to toxicpositivity: think Instagramposts that implyanyonecan have a picture-perfect motherhood,ignoringsocio-economicfactors that aresystemicbarriersfor many And,conversely, ourtendencytoleantothe extremecan lead to cultural pessimism.

Thisisdefined as the“conviction that theculture of anation, acivilizationorofhumanityitselfisinan irreversibleprocess of decline. In itsseverestform, it goesbeyondthe idea of cultureasaset of intellectual andartisticpractices,or even cultureasa‘signifying system’, andattachesitselftoculture as awhole way of life,” according to Cultural Pessimism: Narratives ofDecline in thePostmodernWorld.

How this showsupinSquamishisthatmanyofus areagainst,well, everything.

Going back decades, we have been a“no” community. Developthe oceanfront?There was oppositionto that.Put up agondola—stiff opposition.Restore theestuary by taking outthe spit—opposition. Everynew housingdevelopment faces opposition.SquamishCanyon—opposition.

Andyet so many timeswhenthese proposalscome to fruition,theyaren’tsobad, andsometimes,they areprettydarngood, like Sp’akw’usFeather Park, the thriving estuary, andSquamishCanyon.

This is nottosay things like theoceanfront, the gondola,and thecanyon attraction areperfect.

Nothing is perfect, buttheyare relatively accessibleoptions wherethere weren’tany before.

Some of thenegativitythrownateverythingis elitism dressedupasconcern.Takethe canyon. Those whousedto frequent theareamissthe seclusionof it.

Change is hard,for sure,but whyshouldonly“in theknow” locals be able to seeMamquam Falls?

Why should only fitlocalsbeabletocalmtheir nerves in theforestoraccessthe oceanfront?

Now,ifweare talkingabout economic equality, there are conversationstobehad.Not everyone can affordaday up the gondola, or atriptothe canyon Theoceanfrontpark, though,isavailable forall

The pointis, sometimesthere aresolid reasonsto oppose thenextshiny thing.

Andsometimes,Squamish, it is more amatterof collectivedoomsaying or doom-mongering.

Not only is that an unhappyway to live andsee the world, it canalsoleadpowersthatbetodiscount citizens’ legitimate concerns.

Thinkof ChickenLittle.Ifweare always responding to proposalswith“thesky is falling,” whenrealissuesarise—and they will—werisknot being heardatall.

MOUNTAIN

VIEWS:

SOME PARTINGADVICE

Itisbettertohaveloved andlostthannever to have lovedatall

That is howIfeelwriting this column to tell you allthatIamparting ways with Squamish and returning to Australiafor thenearfuture.

Andwhile it hurts, andI cannot imaginealife withoutthese beautifulmountainssurrounding me, Iamsogratefultohaveexperienced alovefor aplace as deeply as Ihavefeltfor this town

It is aplace that hastaughtmeIhavemorephysical capabilities than Ioncethought Ihad,thatbeauty canbefound over,under or quiteliterally hooked onto arock, andaday spentoutside is aday well spent.

ButifIcan offerone pieceofparting advice,it wouldbethis. Treatothersasyou wouldwishtobe treated, andperhaps neverjudge abookbyits cover.

As most of youwould know already, Ispent much of my time in Squamish,livinginand outofmyvan.

Yes, avan.Those things that allofusvan lifers are abundantlyaware that youdislike.

Butthe funnything is,evenwhenIwasn’tlivingin my vehicleand residedinahouse,simplydriving around in my vanwas enough to garner distaste and unpleasant looks.

Treatothers as you wouldwishtobe treated,and perhaps never judgeabookbyits cover.

Whileparkeddowntown(in apubliccar park, abidingbyall rulesand generalparking etiquette),I have hadnotes left on my cartelling me to leave, or to park elsewhere, my carhas been keyed, andI have been yelled at more timesthanI care to countto “findahouse.”

In conversationswithpeopleIhavemet on thejob, more than onepersonhas told me that they purposefully honk theirhornwhile drivingpastvans they see, at allhours of theday.

AndI honestlycannotfathomwhy. Iknowthere is ageneral consensusthatvan lifers aredirty,leave amesseverywhereand defecate in bushes.

Well,let me tell youthis. My entire time Ihave livedinSquamishinmyvan,not once have Ipooped in abush.

GOODBYE: Continuedon13

Ha7lh skwálwen cht kwis emút cht iy sts’its’áp’ cht iy kw’shétsut cht na7tkwa temíxw tl’a Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw

(We have good feelings that we live, we work and we play on the lands of the Squamish Nation)

GOODBYE: Continued from 12

But you know who probably has? Those running ultra-marathons or doing extreme sports often end up with an upset stomach from it (we all know about runners’ stomach)

Obviously, there are exceptions to the rule, but the same can be said for house dwellers, too.

Tourists are also known for leaving trash everywhere, but they’re still welcome because they bring in money that the town desperately needs to survive the quiet season.

Believe it or not, we van lifers also spend money here, too.

If the issue is that we take up too much parking, perhaps a parking lot dedicated to RVs and vans would solve the problem? Or maybe it’s that we should just treat everyone with the kindness we would like to receive in return.

Because we are all human and just trying to enjoy the beautiful place Squamish is.

A place I will miss dearly.

E-BIKES BEWARE

The increase in popularity of e-bikes, as discussed in your recent article, “Are e-bikes safe?” [published online Aug. 6] emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety of cyclists by encouraging personal protective gear and establishing bike lanes.

I would like to put in a word regarding the safety of pedestrians on trails shared with cyclists, including standard and electric-assist bikes. The days of a cyclist coming up behind a pedestrian and ringing a bell or verbally warning of their approach seem to be long gone Bikes travelling a high speed pass by just off my left shoulder The kinetic energy of a 50-70-pound bike plus a 150-pound cyclist would be enough to kill a pedestrian

I believe there should be a public campaign to educate cyclists about protecting the safety of pedestrians. The following responsibility code could be adopted: Responsibility Code for Urban

LETTERS POLICY

QUESTION OF THE

Cyclists:

1. Obey all traffic signals and signs as per the BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA).

2. Always yield to pedestrians.

3 Wear a helmet at all times.

4 The bicycle should have a horn or bell

5. On shared urban trails, slow down when passing pedestrians.

6.If approaching a pedestrian from behind, give a warning either verbally or with the horn or bell

7. Do not operate a bicycle on sidewalks.

Peter Blair Squamish

TRAIN NOT REALISTIC

In response to the letter “Sea to Sky – On Track” [published Aug. 14], people seem excited that CN Rail’s decision to end operations in the Sea to Sky could open an opportunity for passenger rail service. But I have one simple question for those who support this idea: Where will you go?

From Squamish to Whistler or Pemberton? It would be a fun ride, but I can’t imagine our community has enough people making that trip regularly for a train

to be viable (per The Squamish Chief, only 8% of our workers commute to Whistler).

Will you ride Squamish to Vancouver? Those tracks aren’t part of what CN is decommissioning. And even if they were, the maximum rail speed allowed on that segment of track means a trip from Squamish to downtown Vancouver would take roughly two hours.

I am all for green transport, but let’s focus on more sensible solutions. A bus, maybe even electric, from Squamish to North Vancouver or downtown, let’s make it happen! An HOV lane on the highway to reduce congestion by getting people onto the bus or carpooling, sure!

But let’s not pour millions of dollars into a train that’s slower and less convenient than a car on a route that may hardly be used We’re better off pulling out the tracks and creating a bike path from Squamish to 100 Mile That wouldn’t cost taxpayers a fortune and would give us a piece of world-class recreational infrastructure that could last for generations.

Jesse Van Hove Squamish

The Squamish Chief welcomes letters to the editor of up to 400 words. Letters should be exclusive to this publication and are meant to respond to a local story in The Squamish Chief or raise an issue happening in town Please include your name, neighbourhood and daytime phone

Monday to be considered for Thursday’s edition. Full names and neighbourhood will be published with the

and edit letters for length and clarity or to address legal concerns Email letters to: editor@squamishchief.com

MOST READ STORY

Comment: On B.C. Ferries, ‘departure time’ seems to mean ‘some time later’

NEW OWNERS TAKE OVER SQUAMISH’S WONDERLANDS COFFEE & PLANTS

They still sell plants, fun merch and great coffee, but the space looks totally different after a revamp earlier this year

EVENTS

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY ilemayconway@squamishchief.com

Three minutes was all it took for two best friends to become the new owners of Wonderlands Coffee & Plants

With a dream of drinking coffee and watering plants every day, it was a no-brainer for Josie Burke-Wilson and Liam Murphy-Burke to take over the beloved venue earlier this year

The duo have been best friends for 20 years, and despite many thinking they are married or siblings, they just coincidentally have the same last name.

Burke-Wilson, who also works as a realtor, first found out about the opportunity to purchase Wonderlands after she went in to buy a T-shirt, because it matched one of her tattoos. Within minutes of finding out the place was up for sale, she was on the phone to Murphy-Burke

“It was three minutes. I’m not kidding you. [The previous owner] told me he was going to sell it I walked down the street, and in my head, I thought, I want to help this guy out, and as a

Meet Trevi!

realtor, I was like, maybe I know someone. And then I walked away, and I went, ‘I think I do know someone!’” she told The Squamish Chief

“I called Liam and he was just like, ‘yeah, 100% [lets do it]’ and I kind of thought, OK, he’s going to talk to his partner and we’ll figure it out, and I called him the next day and he was like, ‘I’m in’ and that was it

“I think that was in November, and then we took it over in April. Then we did our renovations in May and June 1 was our soft opening.”

THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT

While the premise of Wonderlands is still the same—a coffee and plant shop—things definitely look a little different than before.

For starters, there are a lot fewer plants and a lot more seating.

“The first thing we had to do was get rid of all the plants. So we did have a really big May long-weekend plant sale, which was very successful. Almost all of the plants found new happy homes,” Murphy-Burke said.

From there, they added more seating spaces indoors and outdoors to create a place where people could work from, or just sit back and enjoy a coffee

“There are spaces and places [in Squamish] for

Another new addition to the venue is the option to host events

“We’ve hosted a few events here which have been really awesome and I’m actually really looking forward to hosting ones in the fall and in the winter, because it’s such a nice, warm, kind of romantic vibe, which is really beautiful,” Burke-Wilson said

“We’re trying to push more event rentals. So, anyone who wants to host anything there, we welcome that for sure.”

Bi-weekly, they also host AM Radio, where a local DJ sets up in the store and plays live music for customers to enjoy.

“[Originally] we were really heavily going to pursue a liquor licence, and now I’m kind of thinking we don’t really need to because it seems like a lot of people are seeking more sober forward events,” Burke-Wilson said.

“I think a lot of people, especially here, they do their days so hard … that in the evening, you just want to go home and chill and kick your feet up

“These morning DJ sets are kind of taking off in cities so we got the inspiration from there.”

Set up in a boiler room style, the duo’s friend and local resident, DJ Mad Deluxe spins from 9 a.m. until noon, and customers can sit and listen, or have a boogie.

Treviwill stun youwithher beauty andthenmelther face into your hands.She must be aGeminibecause sheisquite theenigma. She’ll lapup your affectionbut will tell youwhen she’sready to move on.Wehaveno doubtthatshe’llruleher kingdom with an iron paw, expectingtobethe center of attention. Come in and meet thissassy superstar.

all adventure people, which is fantastic. But you’ll notice there are no mountain photos or climber photos, or anything like that [here] And it’s not because we don’t like it. We obviously do, because, look at where we live … but we wanted a space which is kind of neutral for people of all ages,” Burke-Wilson said.

“Since moving here ... I found there weren’t a lot of community spaces that, if you weren’t a total adventure head, really fit for you, and a lot of people obviously work from home, or they’re working in more collaborative environments. So we just wanted to make a space that was for everybody.”

In short, she described the new Wonderlands as “an elevated outdoor space, with a lot more seating” where people can now buy pottery as well as merch.

“We have WiFi We have food options now, and we have consistent hours. Basically, we’re entirely different, with the bones being the same,” she said

Murphy-Burke also added that he thinks they’ve got “arguably the best patio in Squamish.”

“Our hope is that within the next couple of months, everybody who lives in Squamish has come through the doors once, because we do feel like it is very much a new space,” he said.

While Wonderlands is located above ground, there is an elevator to ensure people of all abilities can access the space.

“It’s kind of a cool way to start your day,” Burke-Wilson said

As for the message they want to share with new and old customers, Burke-Wilson said it simply

“We just want to make sure that people know that it’s new, it’s different, and you’re going to feel really welcome here,” she said

Wonderlands Coffee & Plants can be found at 39767 Government Road and is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.

For more information on the new space, visit the Wonderlands social media page.

The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news To be considered, please reach out to news@squamishchief.com

While funding for this coverage was provided, The Squamish Chief maintains full editorial control over all content.

Brought to you by Community Futures Howe Sound, The Sea to Sky’s resource for financing and free business support to help local businesses and entrepreneurs in the area. Connect with them directly and learn more at cfhowesound.com or email Kieran at kieran.hale@cfhowesound.com.

BEAUCOUP BAKERY OPENS IN BRITANNIA BEACH

The new Parisian-inspired bakery will sell a collection of pastries, viennoiseries, sandwiches, doughnuts and après-ski fondue sets

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

ilemayconway@squamishchief.com

Ataste of Parisian-style goodness has made its way to a new bakery in Britannia Beach.

On Aug. 11, Beaucoup Bakery soft-opened its doors to the public ahead of the Britannia Village grand opening on Aug. 23.

“We are so excited to finally open the doors to our third location at Britannia Village,” co-owner and pastry chef Betty Hung said in a news release.

She owns the bakery with her brother Jacky Hung, and together they run two other bakeries in Vancouver.

“There is an amazing community here, and both Jacky and I are proud to contribute a new chapter to the story of Britannia Village. Our hope is to have this new space feel like a little escape, where people can stop in for a treat before heading up to the mountain, drop in for a cozy après ski, or just catch up with friends,” Betty said Set within a restored 1936 bunkhouse, the new outpost will feature a 50 seat space, as well as a 545 square foot patio.

The building was originally known as the Ritz Bunkhouse and was used to house workers for the nearby Britannia Mine. It was restored in 2024 and retains elements of its original architecture.

THE MENU

Guests can expect a menu featuring Beaucoup Bakery’s signature collection of pastries, viennoiseries, and sandwiches, as well as new and exclusive items not available at its other cafes such as doughnuts and après-ski fondue sets

Doughnut flavours will include vanillaglazed yeasted, double chocolate, black sesame cruller, matcha-glazed cruller, and filled options like strawberry ganache and pistachio pastry cream.

There will also be two Après-Ski Fondue Sets: a sweet variety with matcha chocolate, accompanied by madeleines, mini scones, and shortbread cookies; and a savoury cheese option with mini croissants, plain scones, and bread.

Beverages will include coffees and loose-leaf teas as well as “a brand new exclusive Britannia Beach line-up of tea drinks and Matcha Fizz flavours using Paragon Tea matcha, including Mango Marché, Guava Lumière, and Shizuoka Matcha Blanc,” according to the release.

“We’ve had so much fun creating new

BritanniaMineMuseum gratefullyacknowledges their communitysponsors:

items just for this space and really leaning into the French alpine themes,” Jacky said “We really wanted the menu to reflect the relaxed, adventurous spirit of Britannia Village with some of our flavours.”

Beaucoup Bakery is located at 161 Copper Drive, Britannia Beach and will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or until sold out).

For more information on the new venue, visit the Beaucoup Bakery social media page.

The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news To be considered, please reach out to news@squamishchief.com

While funding for this coverage was provided, The Squamish Chief maintains full editorial control over all content.

Brought to you by Community Futures Howe Sound, The Sea to Sky’s resource for financing and free business support to help local businesses and entrepreneurs in the area. Connect with them directly and learn more at cfhowesound.com or email Kieran at kieran.hale@cfhowesound.com.

Aspecial exhibitcelebrating 50 years as amuseum– reflecting on our journey so far and lookingahead to thenext 50 years.

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET EXPANDED TO MORE HOMES IN THE SEA TO SKY

Provincial and federal announcement brings high-speed internet to 128 homes in Britannia Beach, Oliver’s Landing, and Squamish

INDIGO LEMAY-CONWAY

ilemayconway@squamishchief.com

High-speed internet is making its way to 128 homes across Britannia Beach, Oliver’s Landing, and Squamish

A dual federal and provincial announcement made earlier today (Aug 5) revealed funding to bring high speed internet to “underserved households” in the Sea to Sky.

The announcement is part of a larger project targeting over $25 million in funding to service 1,651 households across 12 communities including the Sea to Sky Corridor.

According to a press release, the governments of Canada and B.C. announced a partnership through the creation of the Connecting Communities BC program in March 2022.

The program would invest up to $830 million to provide households in all remaining rural, remote and Indigenous communities throughout the province with access to high-speed internet

The goal is to ensure everyone in Canada will have access to this service by 2030, with 98% of Canadian households to be connected by 2026

As of this month, “95.8% of Canadian households have access to high-speed internet, compared to just 79% in 2014 In British Columbia, 96% of households currently have access to high-speed internet.”

“Today’s announcement is about giving people the tools they need to succeed in a digital world, no matter where they live,” Minister of Citizens’ Services Diana Gibson said in the press release.

“The province is pleased to be working in partnership with the federal government to provide high-speed Internet access to families, businesses and Indigenous communities throughout British Columbia.”

West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country MP Patrick Weiler said that all people deserve the right to have high-speed internet

“Access to reliable high-speed internet and mobile service is no longer optional, it’s foundational

… to ensure that every community—whether on the coast, in the mountains, or deep in the backcountry—has the tools to thrive.”

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District board chair, Jen Ford said that reliable internet access has “long been a top priority” for residents in Britannia Beach and Oliver’s Landing.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward for rural connectivity in our region,” she said

“This project will support everything from emergency response to education, remote work, and local economic growth We appreciate the collaboration between all levels of government in bringing long-overdue digital infrastructure to these parts of the SLRD.”

BreakingNews

BarryLeigh Wetter

passed away peacefully in Squamish,BC, on August13, 2025, at the age of 84.

BornSeptember 8, 1940,Barry grew up in Edmonton and graduated from the University of Alberta. His career in meteorologytook him around the world, and culminated in Ottawa at the Canadian Space Agency wherehis contributions to the Space Science Program wereregarded as both legendary and unforgettable.

Barry is remembered for his kind and gentlemanner,his volunteer work with the Rotary Club, andhis love of woodworkingand golf.Heissurvived by his wife, Janet,(nee Campbell) his children, StewartandLana, and his grandchildren, Ryder and Soda.

The family wouldlike to thank Dr.Jamiesonand the nurses at SGH fortheir compassionatecare.

Acelebration of lifewill beheldSaturday,August 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at theSquamish Funeral Chapel. To watch thelive streamed service, orto write amessagetothe family,please visit Barry’sObituary page at squamishfuneralchapel.com.

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1. Insult 5. Fabric layer

and found 12. Game of chance

Shad

Place

Hooked on

Conflicting 18. Sound systems

21. One of Santa’shelpers

22.Seedlessplant

23. Do abody search

26.Light source

27.Hit lightly

30.Lease payment

31. Head forthe hills!

Inheritor

Kooky

Unruly crowd

35. Ricefield

36. Giveoff

38. Babytiger

39.Implant

41.Ice-cream flavor

45. Kept

47.Warty creature

48. Hymn closer

49.Feasted

50. Pimples

51.Puts down turf

52. Picked up

53. Foot parts DOWN

1. Hits the slopes 2. Pre-Easter time

3. Feed the pot 4. Worst 5. Affirmation 6. Clips

7. Not nope

8. Light beam

9. Familiarized

10.Wired

11. Tickets

17.Foretelling sign

19.Forest animal

22.Amusing

23. ‘60s do

24.Caught ____-handed

25. Under obligation

26.Pinch hitter,for short

28. Givesupportto

29.Use alever

31. Decay

32. Environment

34.Calf-length skirt

35. Wordplay

37.Wealth

38. Serviceacademystudent

39.Notable periods

40.Reminder

41.Presidential “no”

42. Coco (rum cocktail)

43. Country path

44. Lime drinks

46. Remind constantly

Crossword puzzle answers use American spelling

LASTWEEK’SANSWERS:

HOROSCOPE WEEK OF AUGUST21,

ARIES March21-April19

You’ll be overwhelmed with variousemergencies at work.You mayneed to takeamoresubtle approach with yourcolleagues and clients.Tact and diplomacy arethe keysto reachingan agreement. Thesequalities will alsobeneeded to strengthen your romantic relationship

TAURUS April20-May20

You’llneedtoputinextraeffort toachieveyourgoalsthisweek. Yourdeterminationwillpayoff, andyou’llreceivecongratulations forajobwelldone—whetherit’s successfullycompletingaproject orlendingahelpinghandto someoneinneed

GEMINI May21-June 20

Your familylife will sapall your energy this week,but the gratitude you’ll receiveinreturn will makeitall worthwhile.Your lovedones will rely on youas their rock. You’ll create happy moments at home that will deepen your relationships.

CANCER June 21-July 22

Getready for plenty of travel. Your familymembers will likely askyou to act as their chauffeur Beforehittingthe road, make sure to update or install aGPS app.

LEO July 23-Aug. 22

It’s time to have that important discussion with yourbank manager. It’s alsotime to getsome concreteanswers aboutyourlovelife.Clear communication is key. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself!

VIRGO Aug. 23-Sept.22

Getready for an excitingweek ahead! You’ll be thrilledabout startinganew sport. Embrace the adventure, whether you’re in arelationship or single When it comes to work,you’ll find new ways to boost your income

LIBRA Sept.23-Oct. 22

Be careful not to exhaust yourself, especiallyifyourhealth is fragile.Asimple conversation with aloved one could lead to unforgettable moments.You’ll alsodiscoveranew spiritual practice that will enrichyourlife

SCORPIO Oct. 23-Nov. 21

If you want to excel in your career,consider changing yourfashion styletoboost yourself-confidence.This will open promisingprofessional opportunities.You’ll useyour creativitytopropelyourcareer forward.

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22-Dec.21

You’ll takechargethis week by organizingameetingatwork or with family. Youhavewhat it takes to achieve greatthings and resolvecomplicated situations. Anythingispossiblewith good organization.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22-Jan. 19

Atrainingcoursewill help you clarify yourcareerpath, aligning it with yourexpectations and values.You mayalsoplana spontaneousgetawayortrip with aspecial someone,adding atouch of excitementtoyour love life

AQUARIUS Jan. 20-Feb.18

Your emotions maybeall over the place this week.Share howyou feel with yourloved ones;their supportand openmindednesswill bringyou comfort. Remember, change is hard.

PISCES Feb. 19-March20

Youmay struggle to find common ground with certain people this week.Steer clear of discussions aboutmoney, especiallywith familymembers Peace doesn’t happen overnight. Practice patience and understandingduringthis trying time.

HOWTOPLAY:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3box contains the numbers1through 9only once. Each 3x3box is outlined with adarker line. Youalready have afew numbers to getyou started. Remember: youmust not repeat the numbers1through 9in the same line, column or 3x3box

TheParish of St.John theDivine, Squamish

Holy Communion and Morning Worship Sundays at 10:00 AM

Rev Cameron Gutjahr 1930 Diamond Road 604-898-5100

www.squamishanglicanchurch.ca info@squamishanglicanchurch.ca

Exalting Jesus,EquippingHis Followers,Engaging theWorld

WorshipService

Sundays 10am

onour website and Facebook Live 2262ReadCres. 604-898-3737 www.squamishbaptistchurch.org

coastalchurch.org/squamish