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Alleged HIV/AIDS privacy breach could become class-action suit

800 Positive Living Society of B.C. members’ names allegedly released by email

A Vancouver-based HIV/AIDS organization is facing a class-action suit for breach of privacy after an alleged release of email addresses of 800 of its members via a September 2016 mass email. And, said a BC Supreme Court ruling released May 1, a staff member of Positive Living BC had warned the organization poor data-control practices were going to eventually create problems.…

Whistler police looking to identify suspect in bike theft

Police Briefs: RCMP investigating case of dangerous driving; Car damaged in

The Whistler RCMP has released images taken from surveillance footage in the hopes of identifying a suspect connected to the recent theft of a mountain bike from Creekside. At approximately 12:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, police were notified that a bike had been stolen from the 2100 block of Lake Placid Road.…

Toddler pulled from cold B.C. waters at Porteau Cove is stable after rescue by mystery man

RCMP looking for witnesses to child’s fall

Mounties in Squamish said an 18-month-old girl who fell into the cold waters of Howe Sound was rescued by a bystander. Police said the girl was standing on a multi-layered dock system in Porteau Cove, 77 kilometres south of Whistler, when she slipped through a railing from an upper deck and fell into the water.…

Juan de Fuca trail closure ‘horrible’ for businesses

Section of trail unlikely to be open before June 30

The closure of a popular section of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail until late June will be devastating for the area’s tourism business, tour operators and area politicians say. A 26-kilometre section of the trail between Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach has been closed since February for repairs and maintenance, which are taking longer than expected.…

B.C. Green win sends message that climate issue a winner

Nanaimo voters elect Green candidate with 37% of the vote

British Columbia voters sent a message that Canadians are deeply concerned about the environment and climate issues will be at the forefront in October’s federal election campaign, jubilant Green party supporters said Monday night. Voters in Nanaimo elected Paul Manly of the Greens as their new member of Parliament, barely six months before October’s federal vote.…

BC Ferries announces summer discounts on certain routes

BC Ferries has announced two promotions with discounts on certain routes. The Sunrise and Sunset Savings promotion provides savings on more than 1,600 early-morning and late-evening sailings between May 16 and Sept. 4.…

Squamish weighs three options for regulating Airbnb-style rentals

The District presents a hardline option, a soft approach and something in between

The District of Squamish is considering three ways for how it will regulate Airbnb and other types of short-term rentals. During an open house on May 2 at the Adventure Centre, the municipality showcased a permissive option, a moderate option, and a strict option for regulation.…

Council calls for District of North Van to get drastic on plastic

District staff is set to report back to council on a possible plastic bag ban within 90 days

There’s no future in plastics. That seemed to be the consensus at District of North Vancouver municipal hall Monday night as council voted 5-0 to have staff investigate a policy regulating single-use items like plastic bags and straws.…

British Columbians back making school bus seatbelts mandatory

Federal government forms task force on issue after media points out that school-bus decision based on flawed Ministry of Transport decision

One of many pending issues that may be derailed by the outcome of this year’s federal election is a task force that is currently studying the possibility of having all school buses in Canada fitted with seatbelts. Discussions about this idea multiplied in October of last year, following a report on the CBC’s investigative program The Fifth Estate, which pointed to a defective Transport Canada1984 study that claimed children would be safer inside a school bus that was not equipped with seatbelts.…

The Alpine Club of Canada adapts to the social-media-fuelled popularity of picturesque huts

Designated ambassadors are ‘more or less custodians for the hut—(and) for people,’ says organization

The power of social media to popularize backcountry locations is well known at this point, with many pointing to Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and the many people who have learned of it via Instagram as a prime example. Like some picturesque parks, certain backcountry huts are now grappling with an influx of new visitors—and a host of attendant issues they can cause.…

Pemberton council to vote on zoning bylaw amendments

First Look: Joffre Lakes update, first-quarter reports, and Annual May Day Rodeo and Pow Wow sponsorship

Here is a quick look at what’s on the agenda for the May 7, Village of Pemberton (VOP) regular council meeting. Prior to the start of the meeting, the VOP will host an open house (more below).…

Pricey sports car clocked going 70 km/h over speed limit on Hwy. 99

McLaren 720S one of five vehicles impounded by Squamish Traffic Services Saturday

That is one expensive car to have taken away. Squamish Traffic Services impounded five vehicles on Saturday, May 5, including a 2018 McLaren 720S worth approximately $462,000, according to an RCMP news release.…

Another emergency alert test is coming to cellphones, TV and radio this week

Test planned for 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday

Don’t be alarmed: this is just a drill. On Wednesday, at 1:55 p.m., another round of emergency alert testing will come to radio and TV stations, as well as to some cellphones.…

Squamish fighter wins in UFC debut

He did it. In his first Ultimate Fighting Championship bout, Squamish’s Cole ‘Cole Train’ Smith came out on top.…

Oxford Properties plans to sell 50% stake in Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Other Fairmont properties in B.C., and Alberta also part of deal

Oxford Properties Group is planning to sell a 50 per cent stake in several prominent Fairmont resort hotels across B.C. and Alberta. The four properties are located in Whistler, B.C. and Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper, Alberta.…