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Whistler’s federal election candidates talk tourism

All-candidates meeting set for Oct. 9

As election day on Oct. 21 draws ever nearer, the policy announcements from Canada’s political parties keep rolling out—but tourism has remained conspicuously absent from the discussion. With less than three weeks until the vote, Pique reached out to the Sea to Sky’s federal election candidates to hear their thoughts on the single biggest issue driving the community.…

When the past and the future collide

As the federal election campaign moves inexorably toward voting day, the issue of affordability appears across all the party platforms. But how each of the parties spin it is very different—deciphering it is a frustrating process, and quite frankly, their solutions feel like they will do very little to help the average Whistler resident.…

Hundreds of Whistlerites join global climate strike

Nearly 600 gather at Lost Lake Park to protest climate inaction, organizers say

Hundreds of Whistlerites took to the streets on Friday, Sept. 27, joining millions around the world who participated in a global climate strike. “I really feel like there was an energy at the march that I’ve never experienced before,” said Aaron Murray, one of the Whistler march’s organizers.…

Free will astrology for the week of October 3

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
In 1956, the U.S. federal government launched a program to build 6,400 kilometres of high-speed roads to connect all major American cities. It was completed 36 years later at a cost of US$521 billion.…

B.C. sergeant-at-arms retires after legislature spending review

VICTORIA — The sergeant-at-arms of the British Columbia legislature announced his retirement Tuesday, saying the damage to his reputation can no longer be fully repaired after he was placed on administrative leave last year when questions were raised about his spending. Gary Lenz was embroiled in a spending scandal that shook the legislature and saw former clerk of the house Craig James announce his retirement in May.…

Human rights tribunal gags law student, legal profession regulator

Student alleges Law Society of B.C. entry questions discriminate

B.C.’s Human Rights Tribunal has gagged both the province’s legal profession regulator and a law student who claims the regulator’s entry requirements are discriminatory. Malcolm Brown filed a complaint against the Law Society of B.C. with the tribunal alleging its admissions process discriminates against those with mental health issues – a concern he asserts the society was told to address years ago.…

B.C. men allege pulmonary disease in lawsuit against e-cigarette brand Juul

VANCOUVER — Two men in British Columbia have filed a lawsuit against popular vape brand Juul, alleging they suferred “adverse health conditions” after using the company’s e-cigarettes in 2018. In a notice of civil claim filed Monday with the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Jaycen Stephens and Owen Mann-Campbell say those health conditions include pulmonary disease.…

No traction on regional transit funding model at UBCM

Whistler meets with seven ministers, discussing wide range of issues

Whistler’s mayor, council and senior staff members met with seven provincial ministers during another busy Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Vancouver from Sept. 23 to 27, discussing everything from wildfire to childcare. While officials say they’re making headway on those and other issues, regional transit remains a sticking point for the provincial government.…

UBC study on how to price goods serves up lessons for retail, hospitality

Sales of premium products spurred by low price for a base product, research suggests

It is always better for the seller to offer a low base price for an item, and give shoppers the option to upgrade for a specified fee, than it is to offer a higher base price that includes value-added extras. That’s the conclusion of University of British Columbia (UBC) researchers who analyzed a pricing strategy that could help retailers and restaurant owners boost sales, and who published findings in the October edition of Journal of Marketing Research.…

Sky High becomes the Sea to Sky’s first provincially-licensed cannabis dispensary

The retailer reopened its doors on Sept. 30 after passing inspection

Squamish officially has its first provincially-licensed cannabis dispensary. After a month-long closure, Sky High Cannabis re-opened its doors on Sept. 30 as a fully-licensed marijuana retailer.…

Terry Grimwood enters race as an independent

Sechelt resident also ran against Jagmeet Singh in Burnaby South

An independent who went up against NDP leader Jagmeet Singh in February’s Burnaby South by-election is running closer to home in the general election. Terry Grimwood of Sechelt, founder and current leader of the Canada Fresh Party, has been confirmed by Elections Canada as a candidate for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country.…

Garibaldi Park trail closes after aggressive black bear charges group of people

BC Parks ranger staff have closed a popular trail in the Sea to Sky corridor after they received multiple reports of an aggressive black bear in the area. On Saturday, Sept. 28, the park rangers received numerous reports of the bear in the Garibaldi Lake area of Garibaldi Park.…

Over 50% of Canadians live paycheque to paycheque, carry credit card debt

And almost 40 per cent have no retirement savings

The annual BDO Affordability Index finds that over half of Canadians are living paycheque to paycheque and carry the burden of credit card debt. Conducted by Angus Reid in partnership with BDO Canada Limited, a poll of 2,047 Canadians shows that 53 per cent continue to live paycheque to paycheque, and that debt remains overwhelming for 25 per cent.…

Here’s what worries Metro Vancouver residents about ride-hailing launching in B.C.

If all goes as planned, Metro Vancouverites will be able to have plenty of options to get home from holiday parties this year. The regulations that will govern ride-hailing in British Columbia were revealed earlier this month, and at least 11 applications from companies are awaiting a final decision from the Passenger Transportation Board.…

Weiler defends Liberal record, vision for future

Liberal candidate Patrick Weiler finds himself in the unusual position of a rookie politician working to hold a riding for an incumbent government. The 33-year-old was nominated to run in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country after Liberal MP Pam Goldsmith-Jones announced she would not seek a second term.…