Blog

Under the wide brim of western reconciliation…

After the morning rain, in the brief interlude of afternoon sunshine, I sat on the Longhorn patio, nursing a local IPA, watching machines dismantle the last of Whistler’s bike park, wondering when the earth tones would be replaced by 50 shades of white, listening to a table full of Instant Locals agonize over the lack of snow and realizing I’ve finally been here long enough that I don’t agonize anymore—I’ll just take it whenever it finally comes. The sun had warmth but was playing hide and seek with increasingly threatening-looking clouds.…

Leading experts will talk electric-vehicle policy in Whistler

Saturday, Nov. 23 event will be held at the Fairmont, and is free to attend

While it’s now widely accepted that the future of personal transportation is likely electric, questions remain about how we can get to the point where electric vehicles (EVs) outnumber gasoline-powered ones in a timely manner. An upcoming panel discussion—which is set to take place at the…

Police seeking information on two recent canoe thefts

Police Briefs: Three-car crash; Pack the Cruiser fundraiser

In what is a thoroughly Canadian crime, two canoes were reportedly stolen over the past few weeks, and Whistler police are asking the public for help in getting them back. The first report came on Oct. 28, when investigators learned a five-metre, yellow Kevlar Clipper Solitude Solo canoe was stolen from the 3200 block of Archibald Way.…

Theo and the Thugs ready to take over Squamish Punk Night

Members from Canadian punk vets Gob headline the Knotty Burl Nov. 29

Just days out from the launch of his side project’s first-ever tour, Theo Goutzinakis—one of the founding members of Canadian punk veterans Gob—is cracking the whip. “I got the boys with me, they’re all in the background here changing back into their dry clothes from sweatin,'” the guitarist and vocalist says over the phone, in the direct aftermath of rehearsal.…

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre’s executive director is stepping down

Brady Smith is set to leave his post on Jan. 1, 2020

Brady Smith is stepping down as executive director of Whistler’s Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC), after nearly five years in the role. During his half-decade at the organization’s helm, Smith’s accomplishments have been “monumental in growing the SLCC’s business capacity and national reach,” the centre stated in a release on Wednesday.…

Poll-by-poll results reveal voting patterns in North Van, West Van ridings

While voters on the North Shore returned Liberal candidates to all three North Shore seats on election night, a look at poll-by-poll results showed distinct differences in how various areas of the North Shore’s three ridings cast their ballots. In North Vancouver, Liberal winner Jonathan Wilkinson’s support appeared to be distributed fairly evenly throughout the riding.…

B.C. to advocate for frustrated, confused, unhappy cellphone users, says premier

VICTORIA — A cellphone users survey shows British Columbia residents are frustrated and confused with cellphone contracts and billing, prompting a deeper review of consumer protection laws and expanded efforts to push the federal government for improvements. Premier John Horgan has appointed Maple Ridge New Democrat Bob D’Eith to advocate for more affordable and transparent cellphone options.…

Thompson feeling strong for 2019-20

2014 Olympic ski-cross champ looks to build off last season’s comeback

Marielle Thompson has battled back from some fairly significant injuries in recent years, but heading into 2019-20, the Whistler ski-cross racer is feeling strong. Thompson suffered an injured meniscus in 2015 and then a torn ACL and MCL just months before the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, which she miraculously recovered from in time to compete in the event.…

Who’s who in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet: some new, some old and others in new places

OTTAWA — The returning, changing and new members of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet: Chrystia Freeland becomes deputy prime minister and minister of intergovernmental affairs…

Gauging wildfire fighters’ health

The province is supporting two new research projects into the health impacts of fighting forest fires

The University of Northern British Columbia and the University of Alberta are conducting studies to learn more about how firefighting activities affect the health of fire crews. “There is really no data that tells us about the long-term effects on the respiratory system of working year after year as a wildland firefighter,” said Dr. Nicola Cherry, who serves as the tripartite chair of occupational health with the Division of Preventive Medicine at the University of Alberta.…

Burnaby to spend $170,000 removing hidden BMX park, possible contaminant

Remediation company found potential signs of a spray-on insulator in conservation area

The City of Burnaby is estimating it will cost $170,000 to dismantle an unauthorized bike park and remediate the “sensitive” conservation area where it hid for years. A BMX track known as Kush Woods grew over 25 years, as riders built jumps, berms and even a large dirt bowl in the wooded Capitol Hill Conservation Area in North Burnaby, BMXer Chester Jones told the NOW in July.…

B.C. will require gas companies to reveal how prices are set

The provincial government has introduced legislation to get to the bottom of just how oil and gas companies set pump prices. Under the Fuel Price Transparency Act, the BC Utilities Commission will have the ability to gather information from oil and gas companies on market conditions involved in setting gas prices.…

Canadian universities encourage exchange students in Hong Kong to head home

Some Canadian universities are urging their exchange students in Hong Kong to consider returning home as the semi-autonomous Chinese territory is beset by escalating violence between government officials and pro-democracy protesters. Dozens of Canadians remained in Hong Kong on Monday, according to several institutions reached by The Canadian Press — many of which said it would be in their students’ best interest to flee the violence.…

SD48 Brief: Slight increase for top earners in the Sea to Sky School District

Supt. Lisa McCullough, who was recently awarded the Premier’s Award for Education Excellence for District Leadership, was the highest earner in the school district again this year with a total compensation of $237,701 for the 2018/19 school year. Total compensation includes salary, benefits and pension contributions.…

B.C. introduces gas price transparency law forcing companies to reveal data

VICTORIA — It’s time to reveal to drivers in British Columbia how the price of gasoline is set, says provincial cabinet minister Bruce Ralston. If passed, legislation introduced Monday would legally force oil and gas companies to make known how gas prices are set.…