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‘Democratic safety valve’ removed by new B.C. order

Local governments can pass bylaws without legal delay between meetings

A B.C. ministerial order gives local governments significant power to pass bylaws in one sitting, a move observers say violates democratic principles. NDP Solicitor General Mike Farnworth’s Order 139 “contains the worst approach to emergency management, removing sober second thought exactly when it’s needed,” said Canadian Civil Liberties Association executive director Michael Bryant.…

B.C. Premier John Horgan set to announce slow reopening of economy in pandemic

VICTORIA — British Columbia is expected to announce plans today for a gradual reopening of services, but the provincial health officer warns people should stay in their social “bubble” to prevent a surge of COVID-19 cases. Earlier this week, Dr. Bonnie Henry said Premier John Horgan will release details of the plan today, which will be aimed at relaxing restrictions to safely increase social and economic contacts.…

Pandemic likely to spark surge of scams, says Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau Vancouver Island is bracing for a rise in loan scams, as financial pressures mount amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief executive Rosalind Scott said it’s just a matter of time before these scams, which target people having trouble accessing cash or credit, start making the rounds.…

B.C.’s road to recovery: Pandemic could usher in online era of property sales

Buyers and sellers will face changed market landscape after lifting of restrictions

Buying real estate is likely never to be the same as it was before COVID-19 restrictions were introduced into the marketplace. Significant logistical limits to buying a home are currently in place, but with an expected easing of pandemic-related health advisories over time, a new online buying and selling landscape will emerge as the new norm, according to Dinnell Real Estate Group.…

Crisis brings out our best, but we must remain vigilant

Most people just want to ensure that we and our families are safe and healthy during this crisis, and to do all we can to halt or slow the rapid spread of COVID-19. We’ve seen the best in human nature over the past while.…

Truthful conversations part of riding out pandemic

53% of British Columbians experiencing negative feelings

Despite use of pandemic-driven video-conferencing to keep people connected, Canadians’ feelings of isolation are higher than ever, new national mental health statistics indicate. The Canadian Mental Health Association in partnership with connectivity firm Maru/Matchbox found in a survey that British Columbians are feeling more negative emotions than positive ones these days.…

B.C. nurses, doctors cite protective equipment shortage, safety concerns

Ministry said ‘significant effort’ made to obtain sufficient protective gear

B.C.’s nurses and doctors have added their voices to those of those across the country who say there are insufficient amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE) for those on the frontline of the pandemic response. “Nurses are getting only one mask per shift.…

Rain helps douse Upper Squamish Valley fire

Authorities won’t call it out until a thermal scan is done later this week

Rain over the weekend helped with the battle against the Upper Squamish Valley fire, but authorities won’t call it out until they’ve confirmed it with a thermal scan. A scan of the Magee Road fire is planned for later this week, when conditions will allow for the most accurate reading, said Donna MacPherson, an information officer with the BC Wildfire Service.…

Are you prepared for an emergency?

May 3 to 9 marks Emergency Preparedness Week; RMOW encourages locals to take action

May 3 to 9 marks the 25th anniversary of Emergency Preparedness Week, and the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is encouraging residents to take action. “COVID-19 reminds us that emergencies are unexpected, but proactive measures can be taken to minimize the impacts,” said Mayor Jack Crompton in a release.…

B.C. looking for ‘sweet spot’ when it comes to opening province back up

Safe contacts could double from current levels and still be manageable if done right, says Dr. Bonnie Henry

Safe contacts could double from current levels and still be manageable if done right, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday, as she unveiled new data on COVID-19 in B.C. “Our challenge is to have that sweet spot, somewhere around increasing our contacts by at least half, or twice as many as we have now, but without allowing those opportunities for rapidly increasing growth in communities.”…

Giant hornet stings like ‘red-hot thumbtacks,’ says Island man who knows firsthand

Officials in B.C. and Washington state worry that the apex predators could be building underground nests

A Nanaimo man stung at least seven times by Asian giant hornets likens it to having “red-hot thumbtacks being driven into the flesh,” while another Island man compares a sting to being hit in the chest. The invasive species has won global attention in recent days since major U.S. media outlets dubbed them “murder hornets.”…

Schools, parents both on learning curve with COVID-era education

Move to online learning has been a challenge

Some parents of North Vancouver students are feeling overwhelmed with trying to help their kids through online schooling while others say their kids are bored and are asking for more from the schools. Comments from parents are being heard at both ends of the spectrum, said Mark Pearmain, superintendent of schools in North Vancouver.…

B.C. study shows warning labels on alcohol decrease sales

Study led by University of Victoria researchers focused on a test in Whitehorse

Warning labels help decrease alcohol sales and help drinkers remember national drinking guidelines, according to a study by the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR), which examined an experiment in Whitehorse, Yukon. “This is an especially vital public health intervention now, as we see people at risk of increasing their alcohol intake as they isolate at home during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said the study’s co-leader, and director of CISUR, Tim Stockwell.…

Driver injured after losing control of motorcycle near Cayoosh Creek

Police Briefs: Abbotsford man caught driving while prohibited

A driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries last week after losing control of her motorcycle north of Joffre Lakes, police said in a release. At approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, Pemberton RCMP responded to the incident near Cayoosh Creek.…

Make your property FireSmart

whistler.ca – Contact FireSmart Supervisor: firesmart@whistler.ca Chipper service will re-start in the Spring 2020 Follow these steps to take advantage of the chipper service: Please note that the chipper does not…

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