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‘Legends of Whistler’ look back on the resort’s improbable past

Speaker series invited a dozen notable local figures to the stage over three events

four local icons each representing a different era of Whistler’s development shared the stage last week to regale the audience with stories stretching from the resort’s 1960s opening to Vail Resorts’ takeover of Whistler Blackcomb (WB). The Legends of Whistler Speaker Series invited 12 local figures to reflect on the resort’s past over the course of three separate events, each with a different theme.…

Look, don’t touch.

Closing the gates on ignorant tourism

One of the fundamental lessons I learned as a kid was “Look, don’t touch.” Don’t smear your gross kid fingers on the glass at the aquarium.…

A personal carbon equation

Let’s talk carbon offsetting. First, a definition: a carbon offset is an active reduction in CO2 (or other GHG) emissions made to compensate for emissions made elsewhere. Offsets are measured in tons of CO2-equivalent.…

Whistler’s Garrett Milan returns to Pensacola with championship dreams

Local puckster off to hot start to SPHL campaign

When pondering his options for the 2019-20 campaign, Garrett Milan weighed a few more factors than he had previously. In his first four professional seasons, the 28-year-old Whistler product started out with a new team in a new league each time, beginning with Debreceni HK in Hungary, continuing to the Edinburgh Capitals, Pensacola Ice Flyers and Germany’s EV Lindau.…

Wildlife group reminds of pollution dangers after pelican hurt in B.C. lake

An endangered American white pelican faces a long recovery after being injured by some fishing line discarded in a British Columbia lake. The Wildlife Rescue Association says in a statement that the pelican, one of North America’s largest birds, was stranded on an Okanagan lake near Oliver when the rest of its flock flew south for the winter.…

Compliments fresh-cut vegetables recalled due to possible Listeria

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency say Sobeys Inc. is recalling Compliments brand fresh cut vegetable products due to possible Listeria contamination. The products, which include Sweet Kale Blend, Vegetable Platter with a Ranch Dip, Broccolini, Cauliettes – Chopped Cauliflower, Power Green Blend and Green Beans, all have best before dates of Oct. 31, 2019.…

Talks break down between B.C.’s 911 operators, E-Comm but no job action planned

The union representing 911 operators across British Columbia says mediated talks broke down Friday with their employer, E-Comm. CUPE Local 873-02, the union representing emergency dispatchers and support staff, says E-Comm has been unwilling to address low wages, cost of living, overtime, missed breaks, poor working conditions, burnout and high attrition.…

Trans Mountain ‘on-water’ work to start in Burnaby soon

Construction started up again on land at Burnaby’s Westridge Marine Terminal during the summer – now it’s set to start soon on the water. That’s according to an update by Trans Mountain about what it calls “on-water construction activity” after the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority issued it a new Project Permit on Sept. 27.…

Daylight time ends Sunday morning when clocks roll back an hour

Most Canadians will be turning their clocks back by an hour this weekend as the country moves off daylight time. But there’s a growing push to abandon seasonal time changes and stick to one time zone year-round.…

Seniors’ cannabis use accelerating post-legalization

Older people more likely to target medicinal uses, but legally

Canadians older than 65 are less likely to use cannabis than younger people, but when they do, it’s more likely used for medicinal reasons and bought from legal sources. It’s estimated some five million Canadians have now used cannabis.…

Whistler pucksters get mental health message

WMHA hockey players use green stick tape in Buddy Check for Jesse mental health initiative

Young hockey players across the province, including those in the Sea to Sky, got a lesson in mental health over the weekend. This year, the Buddy Check for Jesse initiative was expanded to all teams with players aged 11 to 14 under BC Hockey’s purview.…

Cat Madden wins Whistler Music Search

Also in arts news: Spice Girls tribute show at the GLC; Refresh Market returns; and take coat-making lessons

Cat Madden earned first place in the 2019 Whistler Music Search at the Crystal Lounge last Thursday, Oct. 24. The Squamish singer went home with the $1,000 prize, as well as a Whistler Blackcomb season pass.…

Liberal minority ‘by and large’ good for B.C. tourism

Addressing labour shortage remains biggest challenge for industry

Canada’s new Liberal minority government is “by and large” good for tourism, according to the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), though it remains to be seen where funding levels will fall. The new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy released last spring included some “pretty aggressive targets,” said TIABC CEO Walt Judas, pointing to the stated goal of adding 54,000 new jobs and an additional 25 per cent in revenue (to $128 billion) by 2025.…

B.C. law would register 16- and 17-year-olds to cast ballot when they’re 18

VICTORIA — Sixteen- and 17-year-olds would be on the voters registration list so they are ready to vote when they turn 18 under changes introduced to British Columbia’s election law on Thursday. It is one of several changes that include taking advantage of technology to count votes, print ballots and track those who cast their vote.…

Pemberton council talks electric-vehicle charging station policy

Council briefs: farmer survey, Tourism Pemberton to support Pemberton Creek Community Garden

With electric vehicles increasing in popularity, the Village of Pemberton (VOP) discussed what its policy should be when it comes to levying a fee at electric-vehicle-charging stations. The VOP currently only has one such station, near the Pemberton & District Community Centre, but is exploring options for adding more.…