Saturday, Jan 16, 2021  

Published 8 am

Happiness is a cup of hot chocolate

Staff/Website image

 Saturday, Jan 16, 2021  

Published 8 am

Accidentally Friday

Staff/Voice photo

 Saturday, Jan 16, 2021  

Published 8 am

All aboard!

Rail for the Valley/Website photo

 Saturday, Jan 16, 2021  

Published 8 am

The Secret Marathon

Staff/Handout image

 Saturday Jan 16, 2020  

Published 8 am

Long live the fila trout

Chris Hunt, Trout Unlimited/Chris Hunt photo

 Saturday Jan 16, 2020  

Published 8 am

SPCA in a flap over exotic bird captures

Brianne Hogan, SPCA/Chris Hunt photo

 Thursday, Jan 14, 2021  

Published 8 am

The year's a wrap for finders

Staff/Handout photos

 Thursday, Jan 14, 2021  

Published 8 am

Starting the year off on a fitness note

Kevin Behar/Handout photo

 Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021  

Published 8 am

Chilliwack hit hard by storm overnight

Staff/BC Hydro Google image

 Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021  

Published 8 am

Chilliwack crime rate dropping

Staff/Chilliwack City images

The Public Safety Advisory Committee met December 9th, 2020 and have released their quarterly report. It's unclear why there are 22 people sitting in on the meetings, but going by this report the good news appears to be that the crime rate, for the most part, is dropping. Also according to the report there are plans to add three more cops to the RCMP roster.

 Tuesday, Jan 12, 2021  

Published 9 pm

Chilliwack man charged with Leith murder

Sgt. Frank Jang/Voice file image

William Trevor Escott has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Carlton Leith.

On December 27, 2020 at 12:54 a.m., the Chilliwack RCMP responded to the 46200-block of Yale Road where they found 45-year-old Carlton Leith with serious injuries. He was taken to hospital where he died a few days later.

Investigators learned that Leith was involved in an altercation with 42-year-old William Trevor Escott, which led to his injuries. Escott was later located by police and arrested.

This is believed to be an isolated incident with no connections to any of the other recent acts of violence.

On January 11, 2021, Escott was charged with manslaughter in connection with the homicide of Leith. Escott currently remains in custody.

“The work is not yet finished for our investigators as they continue to complete priority tasks,” says Sergeant Frank Jang of IHIT. “We believe there are witnesses of the altercation that haven’t yet come forward. We urge them to contact IHIT and speak with our investigators.”

No further details will be released as the matter is now before the court.

 Tuesday, Jan 12, 2021  

Published 5 am

Heavy rain expected for valley

Environment Canada/Voice file photo

Current details: 50 to 70 mm of rain is expected today through Wednesday morning.

Periods of rain will continue today, and will intensify tonight. Heavy rain will ease Wednesday morning.

A series of frontal systems continue to bring periods of rain to the BC south coast today. Rain will intensify tonight as the frontal system pushes through the eastern Fraser Valley, and will ease Wednesday behind the front.

Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.

Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.

Added Alert: Wind storm

Strong winds that may cause damage are expected or occurring.

A low pressure centre will move across southern Vancouver Island this evening and into the southern interior overnight.

Winds will become westerly 60 gusting to 90 km/h before morning and then slowly abate near noon.

Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break.

 Tuesday, Jan 12, 2021  

Published 1 pm

Police shooting on Lickman

Dawn Roberts, RCMP/Google images

 Monday, Jan 11, 2021  

Published 4 pm

Pattison Group blamed for herring decline

David Ellis, Author, Conservationist/John Cobb photo

Purse seining for herring in southeast Alaska early 1900s.

In the last week of December, 2020, Jimmy Pattison, B.C.'s richest man, has disgusted First Nations, conservation NGOs, Sportfishers and many responsible commercial fishers, by demanding, and quickly obtaining from the The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, a huge, sudden quota increase for resident herring in the Salish Sea (Goggle "resident herring Pacific" for biological definition).

These herring have now gone, extinct, from Saltspring Island down to Victoria, and in the Campbell River area, and continue to decline coast wide. Now with a strong Vancouver price for fresh herring, Jimmy Pattison, the majority owner of herring licenses, seeks to exploit this new profit opportunity, at a huge cost to the people of Canada.

"Jimmy is forcing responsible DFO biologists, and the Minister, to do something they do not want to do. This will cost the B.C. economy millions in lost revenues due to a continued decline in our herring-eating Chinook salmon our Chinook-eating Orca" noted David Ellis, a retired commercial Chinook fisher who has spent many years discussing the herring issue with First Nations along the coast.

"Mr. Pattison should instead support Fisheries Minister Jordan by offering his high tech seine vessels for a massive coastwide Herring Enhancement and transplant Program.....it is time to give back".

 Saturday, Jan 9, 2021  

Published 4 pm

Van vs. House

Staff/Voice file photos

A van careened off First Ave and hit a house Saturday afternoon.

It wasn't Avon calling when around 2:30 pm a minivan travelling west on First Ave left the street, crossed the oncoming lane and bounced over the curb barely missing a tree before slamming into the corner of a house.

Road conditions were good at the time. It seems speed was a factor.

It didn't appear that anyone in the van was seriously injured however that hasn't been confirmed.

Fire crews quickly de-energized the vehicle's battery to avoid any chance of  a fire.

There were plenty of witnesses and thankfully no one was hurt on the busy sidewalk.

 Saturday, Jan 9, 2021  

Published 5 pm

People first, fire second

Mike Bourdon, Assistant Chief, Prevention. CFD/Voice file image

On January 9, 2021, at approximately 3:15 pm, the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire located in the 45000 block of Luckakuck Way.

Mall security was alerted to a small fire within a public washroom, the security guard and mall staff swept into action immediately activating the fire alarm system and evacuating the entire busy shopping mall. Then, after everyone was out and safe, the security guard began fighting the fire with a fire extinguisher.

The security guard put the flames out and fire crews, who were on the scene within minutes, were left to make sure it was safe and clear the mall of smoke. Security personnel assisted fire crews with resetting the fire alarm system.

A hand towel dispenser in the washroom sustained minor fire damage and there was minor smoke damage to the wall.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

The Chilliwack Fire Department, would like to express their gratitude for the quick action of the security guard and mall staff on site. “Evacuating a shopping mall and extinguishing a small fire in itself can be a very hard task so when we got there we were very impressed.”

The fire is still under investigation by the Chilliwack Fire Department.

 Saturday, Jan 9, 2021  

Published 5 pm

"You're Fired!"

Dave Palmer, Nepean Ont./Voice file photo

I think the Americans should be flying their flag upside down until Joe Biden is inaugurated.

These are the thugs that attacked their sacred seat of democracy, assaulted and killed a Veteran/and
Police Officer defending the Capitol hitting him in the head with a fire extinguisher, and two
others died as well. Some stole furnishings and ransacked and looted the offices of the duly
elected representatives of the American Government and made disgraces of themselves. All the time,
their leader, D.J. Trump stood by, encouraging, supporting and enticing these disrespectful, idiotic
thugs, resulting in international embarrassment on a scale never before seen by the American people.

You know how they say even the getaway driver in a crime is as guilty as the trigger man, well Mr.
Trump should go down for the death of that Police man as much as the fool that attacked the police
officer with the fire extinguisher. Guilty by association. You enticed the insurrection, encouraging these disrespectful thugs to riot and disgrace your nation's capital.

Prepare for orange coveralls Mr.Trump cause . . . "YOU'RE FIRED"!
 

 Friday, Jan 8, 2021  

Published 8 pm

Was Trump at fault?

Myrtle Schneider Macdonald, M.Sc. Applied, McGill U., Author, Chilliwack, BC/Voice file photo

I agree that Wednesday's events were shocking. Trump's right wing supporters took over the Senate and Congress by force. I watched most of the day. It looked like the police were helping the rioters rather than trying to stop them.

Fearlessly this morning our Prime Minister spoke the truth that the riot was initiated by Trump. However I don't agree that democracy is safe in the USA.

The riot is a shameful example of non-democratic behavior by all Republicans. They have not even tried to be democratic. The polarization has been getting worse, not better. The civil war has never ended.

Dating back to the first President, guns have been recommended for self-defense. Ordinary people still have guns and could carry out a corps if a dictator ordered it. That was happening yesterday. Only a small minority of Republicans voted to stop it. They still regard Trump as their leader, who has done great things worldwide.

I believe that US democracy is not democracy. Their inability to cooperate with the democrats brings misunderstanding of what democracy is, to the world.

 
Those countries that have a king are more democratic than the USA. It is impossible to be both President and Prime Minister. One person does not have time or skill for both functions.

Let us pray for revival of belief in Christ, actual reading of His Word and character in Canada, the USA and worldwide.

 Tuesday, Jan 5, 2021  

Published 6 pm

Fight for School Board taking shape

Committee to Elect Richard Procee/Submitted photo

Richard Procee believes in public education and community service, and is running for School Trustee in the upcoming by-election Feb 13.

Richard and his wife of 25 years, are well-known and respected members of the Chilliwack community. Together they have operated Hofstede’s Country Barn for the last 25 years, employing students and local residents. Richard and Tera have raised six children who have experienced firsthand the quality resources of our education system that has given them the ability to grow and become contributing members to our community.

“My desire is to see this city unified in purpose, a strong and productive school board focused on student success will ensure the proper role of the Chilliwack School Board is being realized,” says Procee. He goes on to say, “Chilliwack is my home and it is an amazing place. My strength is bringing balance and meeting purpose-driven goals to organizations. I'm running because I love this city and my desire is to help build a positive, successful and productive school board. Parents need to be confident we are providing excellent education tailored to their children’s needs.”

Procee is committed to ensuring that Chilliwack students are equipped with an education that informs, motivates and inspires them to be successful. Teachers need to have the resources to provide the students with critical skills. The teaching community must be equipped with a wealth of resources and the tools necessary to give students the education to live in our changing and increasingly competitive world.

Procee believes parents deserve respect and the right to know the needs of all students is the primary focus of the school board in the delivery of their children's education. Students have a right to a safe learning environment that respects their time, engagement and focuses on the delivery of education resources that will truly prepare them to be successful citizens that will contribute to the health and prosperity of our community and the world we live in.

He graduated from McMaster University with a major in English and a minor in history and philosophy. In addition to running his business, Richard is very active in the Chilliwack community, supporting and financially contributing to numerous organizations such as the Chilliwack Chiefs, CSCL, CCS, Kiwanis, Rotary School Scholarships, Lions Club, Bowls of Hope, Ruth and Naomi’s, the Salvation Army, Ann Davis House, the Chilliwack Minor Hockey Association, and many other hard working charitable groups that are committed to the wellbeing of Chilliwack.

"I'm looking forward to serving my community by bringing my skills and community commitment to the Board of Education,” says Procee.

Elect Richard Procee for School Trustee.

 Tuesday, Jan 5, 2021  

Published 6 pm

Major fire averted, livestock safe

Mike Bourdon, Assistant Chief, Fire prevention, CFD /Google Street View images

At approximately 11:30pm on January 5th 2021, The Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported barn fire located in the 5700-block of Chadsey Rd.

Firefighters responded from Halls 1, 3, 4 & 6. Upon arrival, fire crews were met on site by the property representative and directed crews to the mechanical/electrical room. Firefighters used portable fire extinguishers to control the fire until BC Hydro arrived on scene to disconnect power to the building. Once hydro was disconnected, crews were able to extinguish any hot spots within the immediate wall structure. There was minor fire damage to electrical equipment in the area.
 

Due to the quick actions of both the property representative and fire crews on site, livestock were not injured and were able to remain within the barn structure.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

The cause is accidental at this time.

Chilliwack Fire Department would like to remind the farming community that approximately 40 percent of all barn fires are caused by faulty electrical systems. Regular inspections and maintenance are key to reducing the risk of a barn fire.

 Tuesday, Jan 5, 2021  

Published 6 pm

Outbreak at Chilliwack General 

Fraser Heath Authority/Voice file photo

Chilliwack General.

One patient has tested positive for COVID-19 and contact tracing is currently underway to determine if there has been further transmission. The outbreak is limited to one of the hospital’s medical units. The unit is temporarily closed to admissions. The hospital, including the Emergency Department, remains fully operational.
 

Fraser Health continues to implement precautions, including enhanced cleaning as well as contact tracing to protect the health of all staff, medical staff, and patients.

Fraser Health has notified all patients on the affected unit about the outbreak, and in addition, have informed the families of patients who are unable to share this information. Chilliwack General Hospital is working with essential visitors to the affected unit on a case-by-case basis.
 

At this time, it is critically important for people living in the Fraser Health region to use the COVID-19 assessment tool and get tested as soon as you have COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones. Please don’t wait, and book or drop by one of our collection centres which are operated in partnership with local Divisions of Family Practice. People living in the Fraser Health region can find information about test collection centres by visiting Fraser Health’s website.

To book a COVID-19 testing appointment, complete a COVID-19 test booking form. For more information about COVID-19, please visit fraserhealth.ca/covid19.
 

 Tuesday, Jan 5, 2021  

Published 4 pm

Another banner year for Chilliwack real estate 

Steve Lerigny, CADREB/Handout images and file photo

 
The year 2020 will be memorable in many ways, one of which will be the year that real estate sales in Chilliwack and area shattered modern day records.

Record sales were chalked up in the months leading to the New Year, with December posting another record, the highest December sales in 16 years. Last month saw 279 sales completed, up over 60 from December of last year, translating to over $165.6 million dollars in value.

While sales were down slightly from November, the incoming President of the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB) notes that expectations for January are still high, as some buyers were holding back leading into the Christmas season.

Click for larger image.

President-elect Andrew Verschuur will be installed as the CADREB President in February, replacing outgoing President Kim Parley, who presided over a banner year.

Of the 279 sales last month, the highest number sold (35) were in the $550,000 - $599,999 range, followed by 26 sales priced $500,000 -$549,999. There were 17 sales over the $1 million mark, including two over $2 million. Sales were strong in all categories, particularly properties over $500,000.

Along with its monthly roundup, statistics released by CADREB show gains in average prices in all sectors of housing. Twelve months ago, the average price of a single family home in Chilliwack was $579,000, it is now $647,300.

A year ago at this time, the average price of a townhome was $409,600, similar to 3 years ago, and at the end of the year, now $466,100. Apartments rose at a slower pace, except for Harrison Hot Springs, where apartments rose in prices at a higher percentage. Similar gains in single family houses and townhomes were felt in Agassiz, Harrison and Hope.

Along with sales records, inventory of homes has hit an all-time low, with only 466 listings at the end of December, compared to almost 700 at the same time last year. As prices are governed by supply and demand, expect to see prices continue to inch up, as well as bidding wars, unless more listings hit the market.

It’s been said before but bears repeating – if you are thinking of selling to move up or downsize, with continued low interest rates and buyers in the wings, resolve to list your home in 2021!

 Tuesday, Jan 5, 2021  

Published Noon

Crossing boundaries

U-Haul/Handout images

Chilliwack is one of the top cities in Canada people are moving to.

 
North Bay is the No. 1 U-Haul® growth city in Canada, while British Columbia and New Brunswick are the leading growth provinces for do-it-yourself movers, according to Company data analyzing migration patterns from 2020.

The Northeastern Ontario market of North Bay, with its 53,000 residents along the east shore of Lake Nipissing, welcomed the largest net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks of any city in Canada over the past calendar year.

North Vancouver, Kingston, Belleville, and the Barrie/Orillia corridor round out the top five growth cities. Ontario boasts 10 of the top 15 cities. Quebec has six cities in the top 25. British Columbia has five.

U-Haul growth cities are calculated by the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks (i.e. moving vans ranging in size from 10 to 26 feet) arriving in a city versus departing from that city in a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from more than 2 million one-way U-Haul truck-sharing transactions that occur annually in Canada and the U.S. Neighboring cities in certain markets are packaged together for U-Haul migration trends purposes.

People coming to North Bay in one-way U-Haul trucks increased 20% in 2020, while departures rose only 3% year-over-year. Arrivals accounted for 57.5% of all one-way U-Haul traffic in North Bay, which ranked fifth for growth in 2019.

"People are packing up their U-Haul trucks and setting their sights on North Bay," said Wayne Curtis, U-Haul Company of Central Ontario president. "The cost of living is low, and the Ottawa government is sending jobs in this direction. It's no surprise North Bay is the No. 1 U-Haul Growth City in Canada."

Other notable spikes in arrivals were seen in Belleville (20%), Barrie/Orillia (22%), Vancouver (16%), Chilliwack (32%), Abbotsford (26%), Lethbridge (17%) and Nanaimo/Coombs (52%).

Find local U-Haul stores and neighborhood dealers at uhaul.com/locations.
 

 Tuesday, Jan 5, 2021  

Published Noon

The best Canadian credit cards 2020

Creditgenius/Handout image

 
Which credit cards in Canada are a cut above the rest?

That’s the question we hope to answer every year with our rankings ‒ despite the unexpected pandemic, the economic recession, and shifts in consumer behaviour and preferences.

Though things are starting to look up.

With vaccines on the horizon, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and perhaps even a return to normal towards the end of the year. (Trip to Hawaii using points, anyone?)

No matter your credit card preferences, you can fine-tune your search for the card that best meets your needs right here.
And the 26 best credit card winners are…

We start by poring over every detail of more than 171 Canadian credit cards, tracking and comparing over 126 different features for each one.

We then enter those details into our math-based comparison engine, which gives each card a rating out of 5 – our Genius Rating.

Using this rating as our guide, we determine the winning credit cards across 26 different categories.

Ranging from 1.99% interest, to 2% cash back, all the way to 3.76% average rewards return on spending, here’s an overview of the well-deserved winners.

For more information and to see the list, visit CreditCard Genius.

 Monday, Jan 4, 2021  

Published 8 am

Your year ahead in a nutshell

Staff/Book cover and Youtube image

Georgia Nicols gives her annual forecasts via video this year.

 
This year amid the pandemic we get a special treat from Georgia Nicols, Canada's most well-known horoscope writer – our yearly forecast on video "right from my living room".

"This year, my Annual Forecasts were not on TV," says Nicols.

Even for the non-believers her horoscopes always add some levity and sage advice. So this year get up close and personal with your favourite flamboyant redhead without getting your hands inky.

If you want the big picture her book is fantastic. I know because it's on my shelf. I've known this wonderful woman for 30 years and she still hasn't aged a day. Must be written in the stars.

Follow the links to your sign.

• Part 1 - Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer

• Part 2 - Leo, Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio

• Part 3 - Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces

Have a great year!

 Sunday, Jan 3, 2021  

Published 4 pm

House fire suspicious says Chief

Andrew Brown, Assistant Chief, Training, CFD/Voice photos

The RCMP mobile Clandestine Laboratory Team truck sits out front of the burned out house Sunday. The truck is commonly used in illicit drug chemical investigations.

 
On January 03, 2021, at approximately 1 am, the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to assist in resetting a Carbon Monoxide Alarm in the 48000-block of Yale Rd.

Upon arrival the initial responding firefighters encountered flames and smoke showing from the single-storey residential structure and quickly upgraded the incident to a working structure fire.
 

The Chilliwack Fire Dept is part of of the investigation.

Firefighters responded from Halls 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, and initially set up a defensive attack to bring the fire under control. The structure suffered significant fire and smoke damage.

The cause of the fire is considered suspicious at this time and is under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Department and RCMP.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

Google image of house prior to fire.

If anyone has any information about this fire, they are asked to call the RCMP at 604-792-4611 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Upper Fraser Valley Crimestoppers. 

 Thursday, Dec 31, 2020  

Published 6 pm

Accident City

Staff/Voice photos

A pickup rests against a broken pole on First Ave Thursday afternoon.

The year ended with a bang for people involved in two separate accidents Thursday.

The first crash saw a pickup truck barrelling down First Ave around 3:30 pm that somehow swerved off the street and smoked a power pole shearing it off at the base.

The accident took out the power in the block and an off-duty Hydro worker on-scene was able to call in crew to deal with the wiring posthaste.

People inside the truck were able to exit on their own accord without being electrocuted.

Reports at the time were that a female passenger hit the windshield and the male driver sustained back injuries.

Thankfully there was no foot traffic at the time on the normally busy street.

The accident happened during daylight hours and the road was wet but it wasn't raining and so conditions weren't attributing factors.

But, at the very least, the driver's going to have a lot of explaining to do to police.
 

Accident City No. 2

Staff/Voice photos

A pair of mini vans sit on the grass after colliding at the corner of Nowell St. and Bole Ave. Thursday evening.

The second accident took place less than 2 hours later around 5:15 pm with another high-velocity impact t-bone that sent two vans careening off the road and onto apartment block landscaping.

People remain in one of the vehicles as firefighters asses the situation.

It's unclear which driver was at fault but Bole Ave has the right-of-way with no stop signs from Nowell Street to Young Road often missed by drivers unfamiliar with the streets.

Paramedics checked people in both vehicles. Again, it was fortunate there were no pedestrians as this is a high foot traffic area.

 Thursday, Dec 31, 2020  

Published 8 am

Hit and run

Staff/Voice photo

A crumpled vehicle sits in the middle of the intersection at Corbould and Wellington Tuesday evening.

The dark, the rain, distracted driving, combined with an infamous intersection, were some of the contributing factors leading to a t-bone accident Wednesday at around 6:30 pm.

One with major damage remained on the scene while the other, reportedly a van, took off. Firefighters saw no need to disconnect the power to the vehicle.

Paramedics checked and thankfully the driver remaining wasn't injured.

A Chilliwack firefighter checks out the damaged vehicle.

If you witnessed this or have any information pertaining to the accident you can contact the Chilliwack RCMP at (604) 792-4611

 Thursday, Dec 31, 2020  

Published 8 am

Monkey Beach 

Nicole Pender, Pender PR/Website photo

Director Loretta S. Todd (l), starring Grace Dove based on the book by writer Eden Robinson.

As announced by Crave today, Loretta S. Todd’s Monkey Beach, starring Grace Dove (The Revenant) and Adam Beach (Windtalkers), will have its Canadian streaming premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 6th, 2020, as part of Crave’s exciting 2021 lineup.

Directed by Loretta S. Todd and based on the novel of the same name by Eden Robinson, Monkey Beach follows a young Indigenous woman who returns to her hometown to face the harrowing visions that have haunted her throughout her life and to claim her ancestral medicine. Monkey Beach is set in the magnificent forests and waterways of the Pacific Northwest and the Haisla village of Kitamaat and features an all-star cast of Indigenous talent including Grace Dove (The Revenant), Adam Beach (Windtalkers), Nathanial Arcand (FBI: Most Wanted), Joel Oulette (Trickster), Glen Gould (Cold Pursuit), Sera-Lys McArthur (Outlander), Stefany Mathias (Pathfinder), Tina Lameman (Mixed Blessings), Miika Bryce Whiskeyjack (Red Snow), Ta’Kaiya Blaney (Kayak to Klemtu) and Nick Dangeli.

About Monkey Beach
Waking up in her Vancouver apartment, Lisa (Grace Dove) is served notice by her cousin’s ghost (Sera-Lys McArthur), "Your family needs you." Reunited with her Haisla kin in Kitimaat Village, she realizes that she’s meant to save her brother, Jimmy, (Joel Oulette) from a tragic fate she’s foreseen since childhood. Of course, there’s also the matter of contending with the mystical creatures lurking in the nearby woods. And so begins a captivating allegory about learning to coexist with both the ghosts that haunt us and spirits who might enlighten us.

In bringing Eden Robinson’s beloved novel to the screen, Director Loretta S. Todd offers us a modern epic underpinned by themes that have long defined heroic journeys. Todd’s first feature narrative unfolds through a thrilling array of temporal shifts and stylistic flourishes. A film about reconnection with the land, its denizens and the secrets it holds, Monkey Beach is also a testament to Indigenous women’s ability to not just endure trials but emerge from them empowered.

Monkey Beach is directed by Loretta S. Todd (Forgotten Warriors, The People Go On And Hands Of History) and Produced By Loretta S. Todd (Coyote's Crazy Smart Science Show, Skye & Chang), Matthew O’Connor (Snowpiercer, Continuum), Lisa Richardson (The Butterfly Effect, Masters Of Horror), Patricia Poskitt (River Of Silence, Grand Unified Theory) and Jason James (That Burning Feeling, This Space For Rent). Executive Producers Include Fred Fuchs (Bram Stoker's Dracula, Godfather – Part III), Carla Robinson and Richard Van Camp (The Lesser Blessed, Three Feathers) For more information, visit Crave TV and Bellmedia.

Monkey Beach was made possible with the support of Telefilm Canada, Bell Media’s Crave, CBC Films, APTN, CAVCO, Canada Media Fund, Creative BC and was Produced in Association with and Special Thanks to the Haisla Nation and the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Society.

 Thursday, Dec 31, 2020  

Published 8 am

Our caring community 

Gord Woodward, AABC/File photo

Dementia doesn’t just affect the person living with a diagnosis; it affects caregivers, family, friends and their community.

In an increasingly uncertain world, people in Chilliwack living with dementia and their caregivers are facing more social isolation than ever before. To help them, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is gearing up for its 2021 Alzheimer’s Awareness Month campaign, held annually in January.

Throughout the month, residents can learn more about how they can take individual action to help change the future for British Columbians who are living with dementia and hear the stories of people affected by the disease.

As part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, residents will be invited to “Raise your voice: Dementia, long-term care and COVID-19” on January 27, a special webinar sponsored by Clark Wilson LLP. It features a panel discussion on the challenge of balancing health and safety concerns with ensuring that families can support people living with dementia in long-term care to stay active and engaged.

In the meantime, people affected by dementia still need your help. At a time when kindness is needed more than ever, gifts made to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. will go twice as far to fund critical programs and services for people around the province who are affected by dementia. Thanks to a group of generous donors, every donation made up to December 31 will be matched up to $85,000.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. connects people living with dementia, their caregivers and family members to support and education at any point in the disease through First Link® dementia support.

Residents can connect to support by asking their health-care provider for a referral or by calling the First Link® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033. To learn more about the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Alzheimer’s Awareness Month or to make a donation this December, visit alzbc.org/future.

 Thursday, Dec 31, 2020  

Published 8 am

Oligarchs and the Great Reset

Betty Krawczyk, Author, Cumberland/File photo

As we struggle ever more mightily with COVID-19 we elderly who live alone will have to stop pining for the frequent family and friends get togethers of yore and count our blessings. We are not in a health care facility, at least not yet. We are still capable of taking care of ourselves. While we may be too old to hit the streets or the forests in protest of wanton destruction, we are not too old to serve our function as elders by witnessing what is happening to the human race. We are still here to criticize our government when they refuse to represent the people, to talk about our opinions freely, and to even write about them if we take a notion.

When I last posted I was still worried about the central banks going for a banking bail-in solution instead of a bail-out to try to remedy the horrendous mess bankers have deliberately made of our economy. Not so much now. The bankers and their backers have come up with a potentially even more frightening solution. Now from the European hi flying elite bankers in Brussels to the smallest countries (including Canada) the words replacing bail-ins or bail-outs is now The Great Reset. What is the Great Reset? Think of China. And digital currency.

Any haphazard China watcher like me knows that now it is almost impossible to buy anything in China with cash. If you are not hooked up to their digital currency system you will find it extremely difficult to buy or sell anything. They just don’t have paper money or coins anymore. They pay for everything will their cell phones. Of course this is more efficient and as there are many of the Chinese people still alive who remember what a gigantic mud hole much of their country was immediately before, during, and after their revolution and dutifully advise their young countrymen and women to be grateful for the modern, highly educated lives they currently enjoy.

So now our own leaders are thinking this Great Reset idea does have great advantages. With many jobs and even whole occupations being sold out to other countries, mainly China, or simply wiped out in the path of COVID-19 and with automation taking over much of the rest, this appears to the banking elites to be the option they have been looking for. As the smaller banks have not loaned out the hundreds of millions, billions, of dollars the Federal banks have given over into their care, it makes sense to devise a plan to get the money directly to the people and simply bypass the smaller banks. Digital currency is the solution the elite bankers are after now. It will be accompanied by a Guaranteed Annual Income. The Great Reset. It is coming to Canada soon.

The down size is that we stand to lose many of our inherent freedoms as we will all be securely under the thumbs of our governments. Who are taking their marching orders from the central banks of Europe. Does history repeat itself? Mark Twain remarked that “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes”. I am thinking of Justin Trudeau and his father. It was Pierre Trudeau who turned his back on the Canadian people. It was Pierre Trudeau who first flipped The Bank of Canada from a public bank that loaned to the government interest free, to the practice of borrowing from the most rapacious private banks who love compound interest.

What does the Bank of Canada have to do with the Great Reset? Aside from making sure Canadian citizens abide by the new rules, not much. Certainly not much with the present elite European bankers and backers doing the thinking for our country. In fact, if even a minor politician were asked today if he or she knew why our public bank became private and what could we do to get it back as our public bank would stammer, blush and dismiss you as a Russian bot.

©2020 Betty K | Blog: www.bettysearlyedition.blogspot.com  Books: www.schiverrhodespublishing.com

Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/motherright

 Thursday, Dec 31, 2020  

Published 8 am

Talent on the box

Nicole Pender, Pender PR/Website photo

Kim Albright won the 2020 Director's Chair Award.

Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) organizers are delighted to announce that Vancouver-based filmmaker Kim Albright is the 2020 winner of two major WIDC awards: the CBC Films WIDC Talent Development Award worth $10,000 cash, and the WIDC Feature Film Award valued at up to $200,000 in kind services and rentals for her feature film directorial debut, With Love and a Major Organ.

The first award, the CBC Films WIDC Talent Development Award, is a $10,000 development prize designed to support the advancement of the voices of underrepresented talent. It includes a director’s chair bursary towards Albright's participation in the WIDC Story & Leadership program along with funds to assist with script polish and packaging. Following its support of the award in 2020, CBC Films has renewed its commitment, for $25,000, to the WIDC Story & Leadership program for 2021.

“I’m excited to complete this final stage of script development with our wonderful team,” says Kim Albright. “Production is now truly within reach, thanks to WIDC, CBC Films, and the sponsors of the Feature Film Award, all of which I am grateful for.”

Albright is also the recipient of the 2020 WIDC Feature Film Award. Selected by a nationally representative jury of peers, the prize includes in-kind production and post production services and rentals valued at up to $200,000 from Canada's most influential companies, including William F. White International Inc. which recently confirmed another three-year commitment to the WIDC Feature Film Award program.

Set in a technologically advanced but antiseptic world where people go to extreme lengths to avoid the messiness of their emotions, With Love and a Major Organ is a cautionary tale about thirty-something Anabel who is determined to follow the sometimes off beat of her own often overactive heart.

With Love and a Major Organ is based on the hit play of the same name written by Julia Lederer. Albright and Lederer began developing the screenplay adaptation during Albright’s 2018 Canadian Film Centre residency. Lederer further developed the script as part of the 2019 Whistler Film Festival Writers Lab while Albright workshopped it through WIDC Story & Leadership. The project has also received development support from Bell Media’s Harold Greenberg Fund and has been green lit for production by Telefilm Canada.

The film will be produced by Madeleine Davis with executive producers Lori Lozinski (The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open) and WIDC’s Carol Whiteman. Whiteman has executive produced eight of the ten feature films supported through the WIDC Feature Film Award since 2009 when the award was launched.

 Thursday, Dec 31, 2020  

Published 8 am

Best of BC builders

Gary Descantes/Website photo

The Builders Code is honouring six employers with Builders Code Champion Awards for leading the way in advancing the culture of BC's industrial, commercial, and institutional construction sector. Their efforts have contributed to an increase in the participation of women in BC’s construction trades from 4.6 to 6 per cent since 2018.

The Builders Code Champion Awards were launched last year to recognize companies that are taking proactive measures to eliminate discrimination, hazing, bullying and harassment on worksites in BC, and to create a safety standard that prioritizes the importance of psychological as well as physical safety for all workers.

The nomination process was open from June 4 to October 28th, 2020, with the judging conducted by Minerva BC, the BC Construction Association (BCCA), and the Builders Code Governance Committee. While a celebration event scheduled for December 2020 will not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, videos of the award winners  discussing how they prioritize culture and how the Builders Code has positively affected their business.

The 2020 Builders Code Champion Award categories and winners are:

• Recruiting & Hiring Champion: Chinook Scaffold Systems
• Loyalty Champion: Westcana Electric
• Workplace Culture Champion: RAM Consulting Ltd. (medium sized employer) and Lafarge Canada (large employer)
• Community Champion: Houle Electric
• Contractor of the Year: Mazzei Electric

The Builders Code sets a baseline code of conduct standard for all construction work sites in BC. Launched in March 2018, it is managed by the BCCA, with primary funding for the pilot provided by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training. Builders Code virtual training is now available for registration from www.builderscode.ca

 Tuesday, Dec 29, 2020  

Published 6 am

Major accident closes the Trans-Canada

Firefighters work to extinguish a smouldering vehicle. The Jaws of Life can be seen on the lower right side.

Emergency responders were called out to the Trans-Canada Highway at approximately 4:30 am Tuesday, December 29, 2020, after reports of a head-on crash in the eastbound lanes west of Lickman Road.

Reports at the time were that a vehicle was on fire and someone was trapped inside. RCMP officers used fire extinguishers until firefighters arrived who then used the jaws to extricate a person.

A Medevac Air Ambulance was called in. Highway 1 was shut down and rerouted at the Yale Road east on-ramp. The left lane westbound was also closed to traffic.

BC RCMP UPDATE: The RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident near Chilliwack which has resulted in the deaths of two people and serious injuries to a third.

On December 29, at approximately 4 am, Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment RCMP received a call of a vehicle travelling the wrong way on Highway 1 near Laidlaw, BC.

A Chilliwack officer located the suspect vehicle travelling westbound in the eastbound lanes near Annis Road, turned around and followed. A spike belt was deployed by a second officer, but the suspect vehicle was able to avoid it.

The suspect vehicle continued to travel westbound in the eastbound lanes, then collided with a second vehicle travelling eastbound resulting in a fire.

Officers attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful. They were able to extract one person from the second vehicle who was transported to hospital with serious injuries, but were unable to extract the driver and a passenger from the suspect vehicle. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

IIO BC is investigating to determine whether police actions are linked to the deaths. As the matter is now under investigation by the IIO BC, no further information will be released by police.

 Sunday, Dec 27, 2020  

Published 1:30 pm

They knew Covid-19 variant in BC

A UK flight passenger arrived in BC with the mutant virus on December 15. (photo Dr. Bonnie Henry and Min of Health Adrian Dix.)

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer (PHO), and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement announcing the first confirmed case of a person in British Columbia infected with the COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom:

“B.C. has identified the first case of a person in B.C. infected with the COVID-19 U.K. variant. The individual, who resides in the Island Health region, returned to B.C. from the U.K. on flight AC855 on Dec. 15, 2020, developed symptoms while in quarantine and was immediately tested. Testing confirmed the positive diagnosis on Dec. 19, 2020; a small number of close contacts have been isolated and public health is following up with them daily.

“The variant strain was detected by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) Public Health Laboratory in its review of all isolates from people who had recently returned from travel to the U.K. Whole genome sequencing at the BCCDC identified this as the same as the variant seen in the U.K. Ongoing review may identify additional cases in the coming days.

“B.C. continues to support the Canada-wide travel ban on all flights arriving from the U.K. until Jan. 6, 2021, and urges all British Columbians to continue to avoid all non-essential travel to keep people and communities safe.

“It is important to note there is no evidence that the new COVID-19 variant is more likely to cause severe illness, nor is there evidence to suggest the Health Canada-approved vaccines will be any less effective against the new variant.

“However, studies suggest the COVID-19 variant first identified in the U.K. can spread more quickly and easily, which is why British Columbians everywhere must continue to be cautious and follow all PHO orders and guidelines, stay close to home, avoid non-essential travel, practice safe, physical distancing and wear a mask when in public indoor spaces.

“All British Columbians have to remember the virus spreads quickly but shows up slowly. By staying local, avoiding all non-essential travel and using our layers of protection, we can reduce the potential for a surge in new cases and keep our communities and loved ones safe.”

 Saturday, Dec 26, 2020  

Published 8 am

Vets get lump of coal for Christmas

Dave Palmer, Nepean Ont./File photo

While it is commendable that the government has made some financial support to our nation's Veterans, there remains the issue of the formal recognition by means of a new Canadian Medal to acknowledge their service during the Cold War and the past 73 years.

Why will the government not initiate and act to fix this situation where Canada is ignoring the
service of those Canadians that met the demand for trained troops to fulfill the constant need of a
Military Force to be ready and prepared to defend freedom and democracy in support of their nation
and their government.

Since the cessation of a medal to recognize our Veterans on March 1, 1947, thousands of Canadians have honourably and proudly served our nation, during the Cold War and other missions and operations in aid to the civil power. Sadly our government continues to be "non-inclusive" of them and their service. When is this wrong going to be honourably and inclusively corrected and fairly honour Canada's medal-less Veterans?

Perhaps this Christmas will bring something positive in the inclusiveness of all our Veterans.

 Friday, Dec 25, 2020  

Published 3 pm

Plastic bag ban nothing more than a City tax grab

Vincent Geloso and Kenneth P Green, Fraser Institute/Pixabay images

City Hall staff is looking at banning single-use plastics but sadly are relying on disinformation.

Permanent governing staff at Chilliwack City Hall recently laid out a plan to reduce single-use plastics for council to sign-off on. That doesn't include the hinged single-use clamshell containers for donuts and salads etc. For some reason those are excluded. Banning plastic store bags and using paper ones instead would put enormous pressure on BC's forests.

That's just one aspect. Dirty cotton bags drain medical resources by putting more people in the hospital with infections. It actually costs more and is less environmentally friendly to produce a cloth bag when you factor in things like growing and producing the cotton, water resources, refining energy, polluting fuels for transportation – plastic bags ship small saving transport costs. The Fraser Institute lays out in more specific terms why it's silly to ban plastic store bags. Paying more for plastic store bags (like some are suggesting) instead of the 5¢ stores charge now amounts to a cash grab for cities that does little to change any part of the equation.The public are being hoodwinked. A June 26, 2019, article by Vincent Geloso is as follows;

Prime Minister Trudeau recently proposed a federal ban on certain single-use plastics, in an effort to protect marine life and the beauty of Canadian shores. Trudeau justified the proposal by saying, “We have a responsibility to work with our partners to reduce plastic pollution, protect the environment, and create jobs and grow our economy.” And yet, while we can appreciate the sentiment behind such bans by more and more governments, economic reasoning and some basic statistics shows they are largely symbolic gestures that come with real downsides.

In the first place, the efforts of provincial or the federal government (or U.S. jurisdictions such as California) won’t really put much of a dent in the problem of plastics in the ocean. As Bjørn Lomborg reported in a 2015 article in Science Magazine that less than five per cent of plastic waste from land sources originates from OECD countries; by far the biggest contributors are places such as China and Indonesia. Lomborg observes that despite China’s 2008 ban of thin plastic bags, China still contributes more than an estimated “27 per cent of all marine plastic pollution originating from land.” What’s more, research from earlier this year found that after California’s ban on plastic bags, “the elimination of 40 million pounds of plastic carryout bags [was] offset by a 12 million pound increase in trash bag purchases.”

Such outcomes are familiar to economists who specialize in studying unintended consequences. New regulations often induce people to change their behaviour, leading to results that undermine or even totally offset the intent of the original policy change. In the case of plastic bags, most people would use some of them a second time as trash bags in their home or to pick up after their dogs. Once that “free” source of bags from the grocery store disappeared, California residents had to buy more trash bags in traditional packaging.

People like plastic bags. They are quite strong and can serve as trash bags for small items. Again, this means they often substitute for heavier trash bags. This is an important point. Heavier trash bags require more energy and plastic to produce, relative to the volume of trash they can carry. If consumers shift from the smaller trash bags to heavier ones (which remain on sale in retail stores), the ban may actually increase pollution.
 

Advocates for such policies forget to account for the pollution from “cleaner” options. Remember, most reusable bags must be washed. The provision of water for that purpose requires resources—including energy. The production of energy produces greenhouse gases. Thus, an increase in the demand for water to clean bags increases the demand for energy and causes an increase in greenhouse gases. This cost must be included when calculating the net benefits of any plastic ban. At present, it’s frequently omitted.

Another example of a single-use plastic container which goes unmentioned in City plans.

Not only does this cost consumers more out of pocket—they are ironically prevented by the government from “recycling” the grocery bags that like they had before—but the stores’ switchover to paper bags also leads to more CO2 emissions. As economists continuously remind policymakers and the public, actions come with tradeoffs. Cracking down on plastic bag waste ends up damaging the goal of slowing climate change. Indeed, a 2011 United Kingdom government study found that a cotton tote bag must be used 131 times before causing less environmental damage than the plastic bags it would replace.

A 2010 study by Loma Linda University tested reusable bags and found that “large numbers of bacteria were found in almost all bags and coliform bacteria in half. Escherichia coli were identified in 12% of the bags and a wide range of enteric bacteria, including several opportunistic pathogens. When meat juices were added to bags and stored in the trunks of cars for two hours, the number of bacteria increased 10-fold indicating the potential for bacterial growth in the bags.” Worse yet, research indicates that people rarely wash their reusable grocery bags, having left them culturing bacteria in the car trunk for days.

A lot of plastic packaging is just marketing. But there’s still the hygiene angle. On Christmas morning you can be sure you are getting a doll that hasn’t been sneezed on by all the other kids in the toy section at Walmart.

 Thursday, Dec 24, 2020  

Published 8 am

Animal and human COVID linked in mink farm tests 

BC CDC/Pixabay mage

Genetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been completed in both animals and people associated with the outbreak at a mink farm in B.C.

The results show the people and animals were infected with an identical or nearly identical strain. The strain detected has been circulating in people in B.C., indicating COVID-19 spread from people to animals and not the other way around.

Whole genome sequencing was performed on five mink and five human cases at the beginning of the outbreak by the BC Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory in Winnipeg.

One common mutation was detected in both the animals and farm workers. This mutation is not in the spike protein of the coronavirus and has been reported in mink previously. Neither the mutation nor the outbreak present an increased risk to human health at this time. Public health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries are continuing to monitor for COVID-19 cases in people and mink on mink farms. Further human testing has begun and additional mink samples will be collected as well.

The outbreak at the affected mink farm is contained. To date, 17 workers and their contacts have tested positive for COVID-19. Staff are self-isolating and the farm has been quarantined.

Fraser Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, WorkSafeBC and the BC Centre for Disease Control are working closely with mink farms to provide support and review COVID-19 safety plans.

 Thursday, Dec 24, 2020  

Published 8 am

Is there a doctor in the house? 

Wikipedia/Wiki mage

Carin Bondar was born in New Westminster and grew up near Vancouver, British Columbia. She comes from a small family of French-Canadian, Russian and British ancestry. She met mathematician Ian Affleck in 1995, became engaged in 1999 and married in 2001. The couple separated in 2013 and divorced in 2017; they have four children.

After receiving a BSc from Simon Fraser University in 1999, she completed an MSc in evolution and development at the University of Victoria in 2001 and a PhD in freshwater population ecology from the University of British Columbia. Bondar was forced to put her PhD studies on hold in 2005 while she took over a family business after the deaths of her father John Paul and her brother William Paul. She re-enrolled after a year's leave and completed her PhD in 2007.

Bondar began a career in science communication while raising her four young children in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Her first book, The Nature of Human Nature and her own personal biology blog led her to a blogging position with Scientific American in 2011. She was invited to appear in the Science Channel's Outrageous Acts of Science in its first season, and she has maintained a hosting position on this TV show for all of its 6 seasons.

Bondar has since written two more books and written/hosted several web and television programs on major networks. She has worked with The Science Channel, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Netflix and National Geographic Wild. Her independent web series Wild Sex (produced by Earth Touch, a South African based natural history film production company), has engaged over 60 million viewers. She presented on this topic at TED Global in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2013 – "The Birds and the Bees are just the Beginning".

Bondar is currently a writer and host of Wild Sex, an animated series based on her book of the same title. She is also writing a series about Wild Moms, for release in early 2018. In addition to her media work and writing, Bondar holds an adjunct professorship in the department of biology at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, and works with Taxon Expeditions, a Netherlands-based company that engages citizen scientists on scientific expeditions to discover new species. The group mainly works in the Sabah region of Borneo and has thus far discovered 7 new species.

Bondar is known for her bold approach to science storytelling. She has received accolades and global media-coverage for her music video parodies including a play on Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball." She has appeared in several live events including I F*#cking Love Science Live, the Australian National Science Week, and the Bay Area Science Festival. www.facebook.com/carin.bondar

 Tuesday, Dec 22, 2020  

Published 4:30 pm

Caution in the kitchen 

Chris Wilson, Asst. Chief Emergency Preparedness/Google image

A kitchen fire took place in a house on Ramona Drive Tuesday.

On December 22nd at approximately 10:05 am, the Chilliwack Fire Department was alerted to a report of a structure fire in the 46000-block of Ramona Drive. Fire crews from Halls 1, 4, and 6 responded to the scene and upon arrival discovered light smoke from the exterior of the building. Upon entry into the building, crews discovered heavy, dark smoke on the upper floor and a fire in the kitchen area of the home.

Due to a quick offensive attack on the fire, crews were able to successfully prevent the spread of the fire to remaining areas of the home. The kitchen area and upper floor of the home did receive light fire damage and heavy smoke damage.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported at this fire.

The cause of this fire is currently under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Department Officials.

The Chilliwack Fire Department would like to remind everyone to use caution when operating or working around cooking appliances.

 Tuesday, Dec 22, 2020  

Published noon

Spelling trouble

BC Gov't Caucus/ Voice file photo

The problems began when former chair Dan Coulter took his seat.

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education, has appointed Lynn Smith, QC, and former Surrey school superintendent Mike McKay as special advisors to evaluate the Chilliwack Board of Education’s commitment to a school system that is safe, inclusive and welcoming to all students and staff.

“The well-being of students and staff in our education system is my highest priority and must be the highest priority of school trustees as well,” Whiteside said. “That is why I am taking immediate action to ensure the decision-making of all trustees at the Chilliwack Board of Education support student achievement and wellness, and that all trustees are adhering to the board’s code of conduct.”

The School Act enables the minister of education to appoint special advisors to review the affairs, performance, and/or other matters of a board of education. Government can also replace an entire board with an official trustee.

Whiteside has also directed ministry staff to immediately begin a review of the School Act to consider changes that ensure the actions of elected trustees support safe and inclusive schools for students and staff.

The special advisors will review the following and report to the minister:

• the board’s ability to work co-operatively to fulfill its duties;
• the board’s ability to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive school community for all students and staff, regardless of their background, ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression;
• the extent that actions of trustees in their role are consistent with the human rights of students and staff;
• the adherence of trustees to the board’s code of ethics; and
• the board’s relationship with members of the school community and the effects of these matters on student achievement in Chilliwack.

Smith and McKay have strong and complementary skills that will support their evaluation of the board.

McKay has extensive experience in B.C.’s school system where he has served in multiple roles including as principal, superintendent, official trustee and special advisor. Smith served as a justice of the B.C. Supreme Court for 14 years and earlier as professor and dean at the University of British Columbia faculty of law. Two of her areas of specialty have been the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and human rights law.

The special advisors will work in partnership to submit biweekly progress updates to the minister and provide a final report after their review is complete.

Under the School Act, special advisors may enter schools and district offices, and can inspect board records. The board and its employees must assist the special advisors in carrying out their duties.

The appointment of the special advisors begins immediately. Their review will be complete on or before Feb. 28, 2021.

 Tuesday, Dec 22, 2020  

Published 8 am

'Pandemic amplified the effects of overdose crisis'

BC Gov't Caucus/Pixabay image

In the midst of dual public health emergencies, the BC Coroners Service continues to urge extreme caution due to the increasingly toxic illicit drug supply in British Columbia.

The BC Coroners Service reports 153 suspected drug toxicity deaths in November 2020, an 89% increase over November 2019 (81), and a 7% decrease over the number of deaths in October 2020 (164). The latest data is equal to five people per day losing their lives to illicit drug overdoses.

“Tragically, as we reach the end of 2020, our province is facing a record-breaking year for lives lost due to a toxic illicit drug supply,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner. “In the five years of this public health emergency, more than 6,500 families have experienced the grief and sadness of losing a loved one to the challenging medical condition of drug addiction. I extend my sincere condolences to all of those grieving a family member, friend or colleague due to this disease.”

There have been 1,548 illicit drug deaths to date in 2020 in B.C., and the number of deaths in each health authority is at or near the highest ever monthly totals. Toxicology results suggest a greater number of cases with extreme fentanyl concentrations from April to November 2020 compared with previous months.

 Monday, Dec 21, 2020  

Published 2 pm

None but the best

Staff/Submitted photo

Brenda Gillette is well-known as Executive Director of the Community Living BC (CLBC) Network. It's because of her tireless work in communities around the province that she's been awarded the prestigious Widening Our World award.

No one works harder for people who can't help  themselves as Gillette does and over the years she's had a major impact as a resource liaison assisting different agencies with daily updates on the latest health information from Provincial and the Federal governments.

One of her many skills is co-hosting CLBC teleconferences along with daily contacts from the frontlines to the head office.

Among priorities on her list of daily interactions is assisting agencies in accessing Personal Protective Equipment and sharing information on resources that other agencies pass on to her, and in turn assisting agencies with crisis management and communications when there have been COVID-19 outbreaks in services as CLBC develops recovery plans for services.

It's been Gillette's service by phone and email providing daily and weekly updates to local and provincial agencies, and participating in all levels of community practice calls with service providers and staff, while networking regionally to give each other mutual support that has proved her service invaluable.

There hasn't been any challenge or hurdle Gillette hasn't been able to navigate. Her supports have had a huge impact on approximately 90% of people that CLBC supports with funded services for people to know they have support and hearing how others are coping with challenges.

The community's benefited to have Gillette in their corner and not alone when crises arise and can count on her work with agencies when facing new challenges.

Gillette brings her life-long experience providing community living services who are better informed by having her as part of their planning processes. There's no doubt the WOW award has gone to the right person with thanks to the caring of Gillette.

 Thursday, Dec 17, 2020  

Published 8 am

The gift of music

Submitted/Handout photo

This Baby Grand is being offered to Voice readers.

The Wurlitzer Baby Grand used to be owned and played by my Father who is now deceased. It was last tuned February this year before he passed on.

I'm moving to a Smaller Apartment and I don't think my Father will be happy if I sold this piano, at the same time I'm settling to a home of lesser space, so I'm hoping to give it out to someone who is a passionate lover of the instrument. I wasn't going to leave it alone in an empty house.

It's currently in transit with the movers I employed to move my properties from my house. If you really don't mind making new arrangements with the movers, I can attempt to get in touch with them to reroute it.

This should not attract too much charges for you since the distance can be recovered within a day. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but do let me know if you wish that I talk to the movers. Just so you know, I am not giving out a scrap or a waste. It’s in good shape.

If you are interested contact via e-mail here for more details.

 Thursday, Dec 17, 2020  

Published 8 am

A bright idea

Jennifer Fehr, FVRL/Handout image

Beat the winter blahs with the new lights.

The Playground at Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) has grown again with the addition of Sunshine Lamps – light therapy boxes that emit a bright light (10,000 lux)!

Place a hold on a lamp and borrow sunshine! Living in the Pacific Northwest, we are exposed to less sunlight than people who live in sunny places or at lower latitudes. The lamps are meant to help replace lost sunlight exposure by reproducing the effects of natural sunlight. Light therapy can be used to combat the winter blues or cheer up on cloudy days.

“Past Playground experiences were STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) focused. However at its core, FVRL’s Playground is truly about providing our customers with exceptional experiences both in-library and at home. We are living in an unusual reality at the moment, and it is the right time to broaden the Playground’s scope and include Sunshine Lamps,” says Heather Scoular, Director of Customer Experience. “During times of stress or isolation, tools that bring cheer to our lives are especially important. FVRL values the vibrant health of our communities, including the heart and mind.”

Light therapy is generally safe. However, people who have sensitive eyes or skin should not use a Sunshine Lamp without first consulting a doctor. Consult a medical or therapy professional if you have serious depression symptoms.

Visit www.fvrl.ca to learn more about the Sunshine Lamps and the Playground’s entire curated collection of experiences. Connect and engage with FVRL on social by searching ReadLearnPlay on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 Wednesday, Dec 16, 2020  

Published 3 pm

A moving experience

Laura D'Angelo, Property Guys/Website photo

Buy and sell on your own terms with Property Guys

PropertyGuys.com, Canada’s largest private home sale network, is excited to announce their newest franchise location in Chilliwack, B.C. Offering a private sale, flat-fee approach to real estate that puts the seller at the core of the transaction, PropertyGuys.com’s ever-expanding circle of franchises has helped over 95,000 homeowners from coast-to-coast take control of their real estate experience, while keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.

New owner, Stephen Schaap, is thrilled to open his first franchise location and help homeowners in Chilliwack discover the benefits of PropertyGuys.com’s proven system.

"These days have brought many changes in our lives, so I thought, why not take this opportunity to pursue a new venture that could assist people and give them more control over their home sale," says Schaap. “I remembered the dramatic difference we experienced when we sold our first home with PropertyGuys.com. It was so empowering to be able to do things on our terms. What better time to empower people and allow them to sell their own properties?”

Bringing a wealth of experience as a previous small business owner and as a commercial pilot, Schaap looks forward to charting a new course as a PropertyGuys.com franchisee, joining an already strong network of successful franchises in British Columbia.

"I can't wait to help local buyers and sellers in the Fraser Valley discover our modern alternative to real estate!" says Schaap.

For more information, please visit www.propertyguys.com.

 Wednesday, Dec 16, 2020  

Published 4 am

Happy holidays

Sean Devlyn, YesLab/Handout photo

Watch the free show online December 20..

For nearly two decades JAYA has been one of the most popular live performers in the Visayan region of the Philippines. Learn more about JAYA’s story by watching this video.

Who: Jaya (Philippines) - Francheska Dynamites (Philippines/Canada). Kara Juku (Canada). Maiden China (Canada)
What: Digital holiday comedy special available for free viewing online.
When: Sunday, December 20, 2020

Where: www.asogfilm.com

This week JAYA is releasing a free digital holiday special featuring performances by:

FRANCHESKA DYNAMITES Miss Fiesta Filipino Queen 2019. Miss Dame of Progress from Miss Queen Pilipinas-Canada 2018. 3rd place in Alberta’s Next Drag Superstar 2019 and featured in Canada's A Drag Season 3 by CBC Arts. [Instagram]

KARA JUKU Winner of Vancouver's East Side Drag Phenomenon 2019. Winner of Vancouver's Next Drag Superstar 2020. [Instagram and Website]

MAIDEN CHINA is an intersectional feminist drag performance artist who incorporates elements of classical Chinese opera into their work. They perform regularly as a member of the House of Rice- an all Asian drag family in Vancouver, BC- as well as one of the Darlings, a non-binary drag performance collective. [Instagram]

This free digital holiday special is promotional content for JAYA’s first feature film ASOG. The film is currently running a grassroots international crowdfunding campaign to complete post-production. The film is directed by Sean Devlin 叶 世民 - a Filipino-Chinese-Canadian writer/director/stand up comedian/prankster/activist. He most recently served as a Consulting Producer on Sacha Baron Cohen’s BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM (2020).

The Directors Guild of Canada presented Sean with the Emerging Canadian Director prize at the 37th Vancouver International Film Festival for his last feature film WHEN THE STORM FADES (2018). That film also earned Sean two international festival jury prizes for Best Director (Liverpool & Mumbai) and won Best Canadian Film at the 19th Gimli Film Festival as well as two Vancouver Film Critics’ Awards. WHEN THE STORM FADES is currently available worldwide via 1091 Pictures (NYC).
 

 Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020  

Published 4 am

Mink stink

Laurie Chortyk, SPCA/Website photo

The SPCA is trying to close mink farms like this after it was discovered they had COVID-19.

The BC SPCA is calling for a moratorium on mink farming in British Columbia through an immediate suspension of all mink farm licenses, after eight workers on a Fraser Valley fur farm tested positive for COVID-19. More than 200 mink have died on the farm, and samples from mink on the property have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans.

The BC SPCA, the province’s largest animal welfare organization, has written to B.C.’s Chief Veterinary Officer, the Provincial Health Officer and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, expressing concerns for public and animal health and the need to immediately suspend all fur farm licenses. Geoff Urton of the BC SPCA says the moratorium is needed to reduce the risk of further disease spread in B.C. communities, including the risk to wild animals.

“Mink themselves also stand to suffer from SARS-CoV-2 as, unlike other animals who have contracted the virus and show little-to-no symptoms, mink can become sick and die when infected. At this time, the practice of mink farming is at odds with the Animal Health Act due to the close contact between farmed mink and farm staff.”

Urton notes that mink are permitted to be farmed in B.C. through exemptions to the provincial Wildlife Act’s prohibition on keeping of native wildlife. “The mink who are farmed in B.C. are native species who would be far-ranging in movement in their natural settings, and are solitary, and semi-aquatic animals. In B.C., mink are confined to small barren wire cages, tightly packed together in high densities on farms.”

Around the world there have been increasing cases and concerns about the virus passing from humans to minks, and back to humans. The cramped conditions of thousands of mink on farms creates dangerous conditions for the spread of SARS-CoV2.

“In addition to the threat to public health, the BC SPCA is deeply concerned about the suffering of thousands of mink raised on farms in B.C.,” says Urton. Currently there are 13 mink farms in B.C., almost all of which are in the Fraser Valley, producing fur for international luxury markets. In 2018, over 260,000 mink were killed for fur in B.C., a practice that 85% of British Columbians oppose. Urton says the BC SPCA is opposed to killing animals for clothing, as wild-caught animals experience unacceptable harms, and wild animals suffer when raised on fur farms.

To take the BC SPCA’s pledge to end fur farming in B.C., please visit spca.bc.ca/mink-farming-pledge.

 Tuesday, Dec 15, 2020  

Published 4 am

CAF Seaman missing from ship

Dept. Nat. Def./Handout photo

A snap of the HMSC Winnipeg and crew.

One member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) went missing on Monday, December 14, 2020, while deployed in Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Winnipeg.

Missing is Master Sailor Duane Earle, a Boatswain, from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The details are still being determined, but it is believed he accidentaly fell overboard very early on Dec. 14, while the ship was approximately 500 nautical miles west of San Francisco, California, en route back to Esquimalt after being deployed to the Asia-Pacific region on Operations PROJECTION and NEON.

"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and loved ones of our missing shipmate, Master Sailor Duane Earl. With this happening so close to the end of this deployment and with the Holiday Season looming, it’s simply devastating and is felt across our extended naval family,” said Vice-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy in a release early Tuesday.

MS Earle was not identified as missing until later in the day, at which point HMCS Winnipeg turned back along its route and commenced a search, along with its embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter. The search effort is being coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Alameda County, California and includes Royal Canadian Air Force and United States Coast Guard assets.

MS Earle’s next of kin have been notified and the CAF is providing his family with the support needed to help them through this difficult time.

The CAF will conduct an investigation into the circumstances of how the member went missing.

 Monday, Dec 14, 2020  

Published 9 pm

Vaccine arrives

BC Gov't Caucus/Handout photo

COVIC-19 vaccines being unpacked.

The first delivery of approximately 4,000 doses of the first approved COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in the province.

Preparation is underway to immunize the first British Columbians in the coming days.

These initial vaccine doses will be administered to Lower Mainland health-care workers who work in long-term care homes and front-line health-care workers essential to the COVID-19 response. Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health are contacting staff to schedule the initial vaccine appointments.

Starting the week of Dec. 21, vaccines will be delivered weekly to all health authorities. Expected timelines will depend on vaccine approval and availability. As vaccines become more available, they will be provided to other priority groups throughout British Columbia.

A registration and record system are in development, including a process to register for vaccine access and receive a formal record of immunization.

 Sunday, Dec 13, 2020  

Published at noon

Early Morning Arson

Ian Josephson, Fire Chief/Voice photos

Neighbours watch as crews work on the fire.

At 4:40 am this morning, 35 firefighters from Chilliwack Fire Halls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 responded to a structure fire in the 45000-block of Reece Avenue.

"When firefighters arrived, they found a two-storey residential house with heavy fire and smoke coming out of the back porch roof. Firefighters quickly knocked the fire down and entered the house to confirm the house was vacant," said Ian Josephson, Fire Chief in a release Sunday.

There is significant smoke and water damage to the house.

Chilliwack Fire Department would like to remind owners of vacant homes there is an increased risk of property damage including vandalism, theft and or fire damage. A fire in a vacant home increases the risk to the public and firefighters.

In this case there were no firefighter injuries.
 

This fire was deliberately set and is under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Department and RCMP fire investigators.

If anyone has any information about this fire, they are asked to call the RCMP at 604-792-4611 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.upperfraservalleycrimestoppers.ca

 Saturday, Dec 12, 2020  

Published 8 am - updated

CP Holiday Train foodraiser

Staff/File photos

The much-loved Canadian Pacific Holiday Train left Montreal on November 26 following CP’s tracks west to Calgary performing free concerts drumming up Food Bank items. The eastern run featured popular performers Scott Helman and Madeline Merlo.

Terri Clark plays on the Holiday Train in Agassiz in December 2017.

West of the Rockies Holiday Train favourite Terri Clark, with Dallas Smith, play are the featured act in this year's fundraiser.

This year the train arrives in Agassiz Wednesday, December 16 for their whistle-stop concert at 5:30 pm. The show starts at 5:45 pm across the street from the Agra Centre on Pioneer Avenue, West of Highway 9.

Bring along some things for the Food Bank. Each and every month, millions of people across North America use food banks to make ends meet.

"Through the CP Holiday Train, we not only want to help restock food banks, we want to ensure people have access to healthy, nutritious food." For donation suggestions visit here.

The tour ends its cross-Canada run in the Vancouver area on December 17.

Valdy was a featured performer in 2011.

Everyone deserves the same opportunity to eat well and protect their hearts. How big is your heart?

 Friday, Dec 11, 2020  

Published 8 am

Incredible original foods

Anna, Ninepoint Agency/Handout images

This winter Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) has put together a list of local Indigenous restaurants to support, that have COVID-19 safe dining or take out options that lift up locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients, and Indigenous culinary traditions.

In British Columbia, the Indigenous restaurant industry responded early in the pandemic by creating new opportunities for online ordering, home delivery, and pickup. E-commerce allows Indigenous restaurateurs to remain open, despite environmental changes.

What better way to dine than supporting Indigenous economies and communities, locally sourced and sustainable food options.

Connect on Facebook.

 Friday, Dec 11, 2020  

Published 8 am

An apple a day

Meghan McCrea, BC Ag in the classroom/Website images

BC students deserve to eat the best, and that’s BC grown fruits and vegetables. The BC School Fruit & Vegetable Nutritional Program (BCSFVNP) grew out of an idea formed in 2004 to bring BC grown fruits and vegetables into the classroom.

The BC ministries of Agriculture, Education, and Health selected the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC) to implement a pilot program. As a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing BC’s agriculture to students, we were a natural choice. Already working closely with schools, producers, suppliers, and distributors, we were proud supporters of BC farmers and BC grown produce.

What a long way we’ve come! The BCSFVNP has grown from an initial launch of 10 schools to 1,451 K-12 public schools and K-12 First Nations schools that participated in the program for the 2019/2020 school year. With the help of our over 4,000 volunteers and incredible agricultural partners, we now provide fresh fruits and vegetables 12 times in the school year to over 586,277 students.

Many of those students are trying new foods for the first time and finding out how great they taste. They are also making connections to where their food comes from and learning that eating BC grown produce supports local farmers and the economies of rural regions — building blocks towards a lifetime of healthy and sustainable eating. Educate yourself on BC's Ag programs for students. Read more here.

 Friday, Dec 11, 2020  

Published 8 am

Food for Fines is back

BC Gov't Caucus/Website image

Today through January 13, 2020, you can “pay” your fines with food. It’s simple – bring in commercially packaged, unexpired, non-perishable food items to any FVRL location and have your fines reduced. One food item equals $2 in fines/fees, and up to $30 of fines/fees owed per library account can be cleared during the campaign. All items collected will be donated to the local area food bank.

“Food for Fines comes at a time when the financial impacts of COVID-19 are being realized throughout our communities. More people than ever turning to their local food banks. This campaign will no doubt be our most impactful one to date,” says Heather Scoular, Director of Customer Experience. “The library has not charged late fines during COVID-19, however this is a great opportunity for customers with lingering fines to eliminate them by helping feed our communities.”

Last year’s campaign saw FVRL customers generously donate 20,382 food items, and in turn the library cleared approximately $40,000 worth of fines. Local pantries are especially in need of rice; flour; powdered baby formula; peanut butter and jams; pasta and sauces; canned fruit and vegetables; canned and dry soups; canned fish/meat; and cereal.

Serving customers safely is our priority, visit www.fvrl.ca to view FVRL’s COVID-19 safety plan. Connect with FVRL online 24/7 – search @ReadLearnPlay on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
 

 Friday, Dec 11, 2020  

Published 8 am

Helping animals that can't help themselves

Submitted by Sgt Judy Bird Abby PD/Web images

Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center is one of BC’s main wildlife rehabilitation centers, serving communities in the Lower Mainland and beyond, in the care and rehabilitation of small mammals and birds. The Center has remained open, accepting and caring for injured and abandoned wildlife, but for how long?
 

Over the past 34 years, this registered non-profit organization’s popularity has grown from a small local sanctuary, to serving Abbotsford and the Lower Mainland, and many other British Columbia communities. Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center has rescued and cared for wild animals and birds, providing expert services, nutrition, medication, and protection, until these animals are able to be released back to the wild.

Elizabeth Melnick, the Center's founder, takes in hundreds of sick, injured and abandoned wildlife every year, from hummingbirds to crows and ravens, baby rabbits, opossums, squirrels and any other small wildlife needing care. The food, medical supplies, medications, veterinary care and other essentials – which are needed to keep each creature clean and warm – are always provided. But the cost of these services keeps rising, and during this year of crisis, donations have fallen and two of our critical fund-raisers were cancelled.

Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center receives no federal or provincial funding, and relies entirely on donations and grants. We are at a pivotal point in continuing to provide this valuable service, and are making this urgent special appeal so that this vital care for our native wildlife can continue.

The Center's buildings are at a stage where they need to be demolished and replaced and funding just does not exist for this at the present time.
COVID-19 offering new challenges as the coronavirus has left its wave of destruction across Canada, many wildlife sanctuaries have faced challenges. Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center is no different.

The Center’s operations budget is dependent on visitors to the facility, who often donate when they drop off wildlife needing care, and on the two critical annual fundraising events. Although the Center continues to accept wildlife, it is, in effect, closed to the public, severely impacting our income. “Our goal is to keep everybody working”, says founder Elizabeth Melnick, explaining that it is critical that staff are there to care for the animals each day.

Building Re-vamp
BC weather and time have not been kind to our wooden rehabilitation buildings. Fundraising for new buildings has been put on-hold due to COVID19 restrictions, and the Center is struggling to find a viable solution to replacing them. In the meantime, in order to continue operating, a temporary solution is to rent a commercial trailer(s) and adapt it to our needs, while the exiting buildings are demolished and funds can, hopefully be raised, for new buildings.

Can you assist our Wildlife Center?
We are hoping that our community will respond, and enable us to purchase a refurbished commercial trailer that can be adapted as a wildlife center to continue to operate and provide this vital service.
All donations, large or small, will be so gratefully received, and will directly help to ensure that Elizabeth’s Wildlife Center can continue in our mission:

To provide medical care to sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, with the ultimate goal of rehabilitation.

Subject to COVID-related restrictions, we will still need the donated assistance of carpenters, plumbers and other able-bodied individuals to put it all together. If you are able to help, please call Elizabeth's Wildlife Center at 604-852-1973.

Are you able to help us? Donations (which are tax-deductible) can be made on our website at ElizabethsWildlife.ca by using PayPal, OR by mailing directly to PO Box 15015, Abbotsford, BC V2S 8P1

 Wednesday Dec 9, 2020  

Published 11 am

SARS and COVID-19 hit minks and employees

BC Gov't Caucus/Website image

Test results from five mink samples taken from a Fraser Valley mink farm have all been confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans.

After several workers on the farm tested positive for COVID-19, mink samples were collected and submitted to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg. The OIE-World Organisation for Animal Health was notified under international reporting requirements.

The results were expected, considering the interaction between infected workers and mink on the farm. Testing to determine genome sequencing and the strain of the virus continues. Results are anticipated in the coming week.

B.C.’s chief veterinarian has placed the farm under a quarantine order prohibiting the movement of animals and materials from the property. A plan is in place to provide feed and care to the mink during the outbreak. The plan respects the conditions of the quarantine and maintains worker and mink safety.

 Wednesday Dec 9, 2020  

Published 8 am

Who really should be censured?

Barry Neufeld, SD33 School Trustee/Submitted image

There is what you will NOT find in the Chilliwack Progress: My side of the story.
 

The latest buzz in the media is that when I used the word “retards” to describe the reporters in the Chilliwack Progress, it was twisted around to make it sound like I was denigrating persons with special needs. Nothing could be further from the truth. It doesn’t matter what word I used their goal is to silence me. Many people, including the Minister of Education, are setting their hair on fire condemning me for using the politically incorrect word “retards.”

Our very biased chair, Ms. Reichelt, appeared on television to break the trustee code of ethics by denigrating me.

Those reporters are unethical, dishonest, and unprofessional. Their coverage of me and those who agree with me is always hostile. They have incited hatred and violence against me as well as two other trustees on the Chilliwack Board of Education. Our voicemail and emails are inundated with obscene insults and threats.

For three relentless years, I have endured the extremely biased and malicious reporting by the reporters from our local newspaper, including outright lies about me. Plus, I have screenshots of a lot more defamatory comments and obscene gossip about me on their personal social media sites. A usual maxim taught to reporters is; “Comfort
the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Ever since the Surrey School board lost in the Supreme Court 20 years ago to the BCTF in the “three little books” controversy, the Gay and Lesbian Educators (GALE) have been in a very comfortable position. I am not a wealthy man, and I am certainly being “afflicted” by the very comfortable and
intolerant haters."

My whole purpose in opposing the transgender ideology in public schools is because I care SO MUCH about the special needs of all special children, and I want to protect them from being confused and damaged by these ideas. I was recently horrified to see a report that medical “professionals” were transitioning a Down’s Syndrome teenager and giving her a mastectomy. I do not judge any adult who chooses to transition their gender in order to find peace. But it is a long and painful process and very expensive – often in excess of $100,000! Plus hundreds of dollars a month for drugs and cosmetics. Only a few celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox can afford it.

I firmly believe that school age children do not have the maturity to make such irreversible decisions involving untested drugs with unknown side effects, and I do not think school staff should encourage or support that.

I am personally acquainted with Dr. Ken Zucker, who until 2016 was considered the world authority on treating gender dysphoric children. He noted that the majority of children he was treating were somewhere on the autism spectrum. But he pointed out that if gender dysphoric children were NOT encouraged to socially transition, take puberty blockers, hormone therapy etc. that 80-90% of those children grew out of their discomfort. While I do not agree with everything he recommends, it is important that he debunks the threat that a child will commit suicide if they are not allowed to transition.

Ten years ago, a psychologist at the gender clinic of BC Children’s hospital had less than a dozen clients.

Today, he has over a thousand, most of them special needs with a wide range of mental health problems and half of them are children in care! But his only solution? Predictably, it is to recommend the transition of gender! And appallingly, he encourages his clients to threaten suicide if anyone objects! Is anyone else willing to sound the alarm here on what is happening to these poor children?

There have been too many hasty decisions to pursue gender-affirming treatments while other mental health problems have been minimized and ignored. 40 years ago, I was a volunteer at Woodlands School in New Westminster. Those poor people were horribly treated and abused – even used to test new drugs being developed by pharmaceutical companies. Woodlands is now closed, but experimentation is still happening today.

As you know, for the past three years, the Chilliwack Progress and other local “reporters” have mercilessly and maliciously slandered me both publicly, and also on their own personal social media platforms. Outright lies, defamation, and obscene gossip, which their followers have readily taken to as well.

These so-called reporters have been unethical, dishonest, and extremely unprofessional in their coverage of me and anyone who disagrees with radical left-wing ideologies that are systematically wounding children. They’ve consistently demonstrated that they are not interested in balanced, fair reporting, or the discovery of truth.

The vast majority of Chilliwack and the Upper Fraser Valley residents know better and can smell left-wing propaganda from a mile away. But within their circle of influence, these reporters have incited hatred and violence against me as well as two other trustees on the Chilliwack Board of Education. Our voicemails and emails are inundated with obscene insults and threats.

In response to a discussion about the biased reporting by the Progress, I called out the fact that the Progress newspaper was failing miserably, that it should be called the “Regress”, and that they are in such dire straits financially now that Jessica Peters, Paul Henderson and Tara Hiebert have to work from home as a result. I referred to them as “retards”. Yes, they took it all out of context, twisted and tried to weaponize my own words
against me again. But that’s all they know how to do.

The word “retarded” was once used as a diagnostic term when I began to refer clients for psychiatric
assessments 30 years ago. But it has fallen out of favor as have several other words that used to refer to “developmentally delayed” individuals.

It was a poor word choice, especially in light of the fact that I’ve given my life to protect children, especially those with special needs. I specifically apologise to persons with developmental disabilities and their loved ones who were triggered by that word. I want to be known for standing up for children and families. But I repeat that the reporters at The Progress are vindictive, unethical, dishonest, and extremely unprofessional.
Black Press has stated that they support Paul Henderson as a competent and professional journalist. Here are a few examples of what he produces with his “poison pen.” If the board decides to censure me for criticizing Mr. Henderson, then they are condoning this kind of journalism: examples below: WARNING! OBSCENE LANGUAGE

 Tuesday Dec 8, 2020  

Published 2 pm

Seniors and low-income people get a lift from TELUS

Tiffini Lee, National.ca/Website image

Today, TELUS launched Mobility for Good for Seniors, which provides Canadian seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) access to a free smartphone and subsidized mobility rate plan. Available now, Mobility for Good for Seniors includes a free refurbished smartphone, unlimited nationwide talk and text, and 3GB of data for only $25 per month. Mobility for Good for Seniors will ensure more seniors have access to the technology they need to help address feelings of isolation, manage their mental wellbeing, stay connected to loved ones, enjoy their favourite online games and books, and access important healthcare resources and information.

“At a time when the human connection has never been more important, TELUS remains committed to ensuring all Canadians can stay connected to the people and information that matter the most,” said Darren Entwistle, TELUS President and CEO. “Throughout the pandemic, our globally leading network has enabled Canadians to work and learn remotely, access critical government resources, receive medical support and stay in touch with family and friends. Our country’s seniors have contributed significantly to the fabric of this nation, having built and supported the infrastructure, economy and social services that we enjoy today. Disconcertingly, these same elderly Canadians have been disproportionately impacted throughout the health emergency as many have had to isolate from loved ones and support networks in order to stay safe. Through Mobility for Good for Seniors, we are providing some of our most vulnerable Canadians with access to the vital tools and resources they need to stay safely and meaningfully connected, and in time for the holiday season.”

Across Canada, 2.2 million seniors receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement from the federal government, and are eligible for TELUS Mobility for Good for Seniors. This program is entirely subsidized by TELUS, and comes at no cost to the government or taxpayers. To get set up, program participants are required to provide proof of receiving the GIS benefit and then will receive a unique code. Participants are also encouraged to download the Federal Government’s Covid-19 Alert app to stay updated on critical health information. Additional details and instructions on how to apply are available at telus.com/mobilityforgood.

TELUS Mobility for Good for Seniors is part of the TELUS Connecting for Good portfolio of programs that gives Canadians in need access to TELUS’ world-leading technology. Additional programs include:

• TELUS Internet for Good, offering high speed broadband Internet to qualified low-income families and people living with disabilities for only $9.95 per month;
• TELUS Mobility for Good for youth, offering a free smartphone and a fully subsidized 3GB data plan to youth transitioning out of foster care for two years;
• TELUS Tech for Good, helping differently abled Canadians facing challenges using smartphones and tablets with assistive technology and training that help them live more independently; and
• TELUS Health for Good, enabling TELUS mobile health clinics to bring primary healthcare directly to people in need and living on the streets in urban centres across Canada.

TELUS also empowers Canadians of all ages to stay safe in our digital world with online resources and workshops through TELUS WiseⓇ, which covers topics including protecting your online security, privacy, and reputation, rising above cyberbullying, and using technology responsibly. Seniors advocacy and support organizations are invited to book a free, virtual TELUS Wise Seniors workshop for the seniors they support at telus.com/WiseSeniors. The workshop educates participants on common online scams and threats and provides Internet, smartphone and social media safety tips, helping seniors to stay safe and get the most out of our digital world.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TELUS has committed $150 million to support Canadians with the services and resources they need. For the latest information about how TELUS gives back visit telus.com/givesback.

 Sunday Dec 6, 2020  

Published 8 am

Early morning arson

Mike Bourdon, Assistant Chief, Prevention, CFD/Voice photos

Firefighters attack the fire on the front side of the building.

On December 5th, 2020, at approximately 3 am the Chilliwack Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire located in the 46000-block of Victoria Ave.

Firefighters responded from Halls 1, 2, 4 & 6 and on arrival, witnessed smoke and flame coming from the roof system of a vacant automotive repair business.

Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and contain the fire damage to the rear portion of the roof structure.

The interior of the building sustained minor fire and smoke damage.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

Steel cutting saw sits after doing its job.

This fire is believed to be deliberately set and is under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Department and RCMP.

If anyone has any information about this fire, they are asked to call the RCMP at 604-792-4611 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or upperfraservalleycrimestoppers.ca

 Saturday Dec 5, 2020  

Published 2 pm

Cold comfort

Chris Hunt, Trout Unlimited/Chris Hunt photo

"Winter's onset doesn't mean fishing comes to a stop. But even hearty souls retreat to the truck to warm up."

Cold fingers sting back to life, pressed firmly against the vent as warm air, fresh from the engine block, puffs on pink digits. The heat reawakens icy toes, and what was numb is now just painful.

I gobble a sandwich. Cameron is lost in his phone. We don’t speak. Not because there’s nothing to say. Our faces are frozen.

It’s the wind, really. It’s not terribly frigid out there, on the other side of the glass. But with a steady gale blowing up from the south and armed with a cleaver’s edge, it feels cold. Bone cold.

As the blood begins to run from the heart out into all the little tendrils of capillaries, far into the hinterlands of our bodies, feeling begins to return. It’s a crisp burn … a sharp, “Hey! Remember me?” from the toes and the fingers and the … other distant places that feel abandoned on frosty days like this.

Finish reading Chris Hunt's story great story"Bold-cold fishing in the face of winter"  Join or donate to Trout Unlimited.

 Saturday Dec 5, 2020  

Published 1 pm

Down to earth music

Emanuel Asprakis, Bozzini's Rest./Handout photo

Vancouver musician JP Maurice at Bozzi's Restaurant December 17.

“Big change is coming” is JP Maurice’s anthemic promise to anyone who has seen their share of adversity. The seasoned Vancouver-based musician, songwriter and producer knows the highs of his craft, but it’s in the lows where he finds his fire – taking the fuel of failed record deals, broken hearts, and the loss of loved ones and forging the pain into something beautifully optimistic.

JP Maurice “A Blue Light Christmas”
Thursday Dec 17
Doors 6:30 Showtime 8:00
Tickets $ 20 at Bozzini’s or call 604 792 0744 to reserve. Very limited seating
(No refunds – exchanges for a future show allowed up to 48 hrs prior to show time)

Covid protocol followed: approx 16 person capacity, volume turned down, ordering only before show & intermission (& possible drink orders via text), finished before 10:00 P.M. Please refrain from unnecessary conversation during the show. Masks must be worn when not at your table.
 

Facebook: facebook.com/Maurice
twitter/insta: @jpthemaurice
web: jpthemaurice.com
music: soundcloud.com/jpmaurice

Bozzini's is located at 4-45739 Hocking Ave. Chilliwack, BC. 604-792-0744

 Saturday Dec 5, 2020  

Published 1 pm

Long-term care home in Chilliwack COVID outbreak

Fraser Health/Google image

The Bradley Centre is the latest long-term residence to have COVID outbreak.

Two staff members at Bradley Centre in Chilliwack and one staff member and one resident at Lakeshore Care Centre have tested positive for COVID-19. Fraser Health has declared outbreaks at the sites, and a Fraser Health rapid response team is at the sites. Communication with residents and families is underway.

Bradley Centre is a long-term care facility in Chilliwack that is owned and operated by Fraser Health. Lakeshore Care Centre is a long term care facility in Coquitlam that is owned and operated by The Care Group. The staff members and resident are currently in self-isolation at their homes.

Fraser Health has worked with each site to support the implementation of enhanced control measures. Fraser Health is also working with each site to identify anyone who may have been exposed and is taking steps to protect the health of all staff, residents and families.

Fraser Health has worked with each site to proactively implement the following:

• Staffing levels will be supported to maintain resident care.
• Visitors are restricted throughout the facility.
• Staff and residents movement in the facility has been restricted.
• Cleaning and infection control measures have been enhanced.
• Residents, families and staff are being notified.
• Twice a day screening of all staff and residents.

During this time, Fraser Health has additional presence at each site to take any further actions required and support the facility. This includes dedicated people to address quality, answer questions from staff, residents and family, and provide active checks of symptoms with staff and residents.

Fraser Health has, in partnership with long term care and assisted living facilities, implemented comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 in these facilities. In addition, Fraser Health has also deployed more than 480 people including care staff and our rapid-response teams which include clinical nurse educators, infection prevention and control experts, screeners, and patient care quality officers supporting with communication to families and assessing symptoms at sites with outbreaks. Through these teams, sites are also connected with emergency supplies and support strategies around additional personnel if needed.

At this time, it is critically important for people living in the Fraser Health region to use the COVID-19 assessment tool and get tested as soon as you have COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones. Please don’t wait, and book or drop by one of our collection centres which are operated in partnership with local Divisions of Family Practice. People living in the Fraser Health region can find information about test collection centres by visiting Fraser Health’s website.

To book a COVID-19 testing appointment, complete a COVID-19 test booking form.

 Saturday Dec 5, 2020  

Published 8 am

Ending Domestic Violence

Patti MacAhonic/Voice file photo

Purple Light Nights tree lighting Oct 2017: Councillor Sue Knott (r) and Patti McAhonic (second left), Beverly Coles (second right), Shelly Bolan (centre).

Ann Davis Transition Society pays tribute to the victims of the Montreal Massacre and all women who have died as a result of gender-based violence, through a virtual vigil on December 6th. In Canada, December 6th now marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, a day that commemorates the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique Tragedy where 14 young women were singled out and murdered on this day, 31 years ago.

Every year without fail, the Ann Davis Transition Society holds a public memorial to honour the victims of gender based violence.

“Violence against women and family violence is a crisis across our country, globally, and right here in our own community,” says Patti MacAhonic Executive Director at Ann Davis Transition society. “This year, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are seeing an upsurge of domestic violence. With the social lockdown, loss of employment and not enough access to childcare, women who are in unsafe situations are being forced to much longer than they should be – Indigenous women in particular, already face higher levels of violence and abuse, and the situation is made much worse by COVID”.

While December 6th is a day to remember all women and girls across the country who have died by gender violence, it is also a day of action.

“Today we stand together, to affirm that we will never tolerate violence against women in any form. Please join me and speak up when you see violence against women. This is a collective responsibility for each and every one of us,” says MacAhonic.

Please see our Facebook page to view the online memorial.

 Saturday Dec 5, 2020  

Published 8 am

'Bidding Wars' a first for Chilliwack real estate

Steve Lerigny, CADREB/Voice file photo

Strong demand and a low reserve of listings is pushing home prices up in Chilliwack and area.

November home sales posted yet another record, with 375 completed sales, totalling a whopping almost $226 million in dollar value. While sales were down slightly from the month before, records continue to shatter.

With demand outweighing supply however, average prices are heading up, with REALTORS® encountering bidding wars for the first time in recent history.

“The median price has risen 18.7%, to $569,900,” said Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB) President Kim Parley. “This is up 10% from the same time last year, but not surprisingly, as it’s the second lowest housing inventory level in CADREB history”.

Once again indicating that lifestyle is playing a huge role in the pandemic, Hope had the largest increase for the benchmark Housing Price Index for single family homes, increasing by 13.2% over last year to an average $477,300.

Of the 375 sales in Chilliwack and area in November, the highest number sold (40) were in the $450,000 - $499,999 range, followed by 34 in the $550,000 - $599,999 bracket, tied with those in the $650,000 - $699,999 range. There were 19 sales of homes over $1 million.

The future continues to look bright for the local housing scene, according to the CADREB President.

“Covid has allowed many more people to work from home and that trend is likely to continue. Home buying dollars compared to the more metropolitan areas stretch so much further in the eastern Fraser Valley, so even with tightened lending requirements, our area is more affordable to invest in," explained Parley.

Parley added that with the BC economy projected to grow by 5%, continued low mortgage rates, and a number of new housing developments taking shape on the south side, it’s a prime time to buy. What’s needed however is more inventory. At the end of last month, there were 655 home listings, at a time when demand could support double that number.

If you are considering a move up or a downsizing is in your future, arrange for a no-obligation home assessment by any of the qualified and experienced REALTORs of CADREB.

The 346 REALTORS, staff and members of the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

The CADREB Christmas Light Tour is on again this year, a great opportunity for families to venture out of the house and see some spectacularly lit homes. CADREB has launched as Facebook  group so that the public can join and add addresses and photos or videos of their own home or their favorites. CADREB will also have a list of homes and maps on their website.

 Saturday Dec 5, 2020  

Published 8 am

Chilliwack BIA shakeup

Mike Vanden Bosch/Voice file photo

Kyle Williams.

It is an exciting time for downtown, but also a time of transition. The Downtown Chilliwack BIA acknowledges the importance of keeping pace with the changes, and making the appropriate adjustments to continue the forward momentum. As such, the BIA Board of Directors has made the decision to part ways with Executive Director Kyle Williams.

“This is not a decision that was made easily, as Kyle has been in his role for 7 years and has seen the Association through some very difficult times.” claims Ruth Maccan, president of the BIA. “We have the opportunity to do some different things at the BIA, and we will have a new look in 2021.”

“There’s been a lot of good stuff happening downtown, and I think it’s probably the right time for the BIA to make a change and look at things a little differently.” says Williams. “I’ve met a lot of great people while in this position, and I’m excited to watch the continued improvement of the area.”

Maccan adds “Kyle has always put the BIA ahead of his own self-interests, and his understanding of this change shows the respect he has for our Association and the important role it plays in the continued revitalization of downtown. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Kyle’s last official day with the BIA will be Friday, December 11, though he will be completing projects behind closed doors effective immediately. The BIA office will be closed until further notice, however emails and phone messages will be checked regularly and responded to in a timely manner. We apologize in advance for any delays or inconveniences this closure may cause.

You can reach the BIA at info@downtownchilliwack.com, or leave a message at 604-792-4576.

As always, any security issues, including drug-related clean up, can be reported directly to Griffin Security at 604-703-0888.

 Saturday Dec 5, 2020  

Published 8 am

By-election day

SD33/Voice file photo

The Chilliwack School Board November 2018..

Dan Coulter, School Board Trustee, was sworn in as the MLA for Chilliwack on November 24, 2020and has subsequently resigned from the Board. Legislation requires that a by-election be held in order to fill the vacated position.

In accordance with “Election Procedures Bylaw 2008, No. 4520” and School District No. 33 “Bylaw 2 Trustee Elections”, the Chilliwack School Board has entered into an Agreement with the City of Chilliwack to conduct its elections and by-elections.

The School Board must notify the municipal council within 30 days after a vacancy occurs. City Council must appoint a Chief Election Officer within 30 days of receiving our notice. The Chief Election Officer must set a general voting day to be on a Saturday no later than 80 days after the date they are appointed.

In consideration of the holidays that fall within this timeframe and in order to accommodate the nomination period, advance voting, and allow ample time to train election staff, the City of Chilliwack is recommending that the Board of Education consider February 13th as the date for this by-election
 

In a regular election, the election costs are shared with the City of Chilliwack. When a by-election is held for a school trustee, the school board is required to pay 100% of the costs. The cost to hold the last by-election in 2015 was approximately $51,000.

 Saturday Dec 5, 2020  

Published 8 am

Air affair

Staff/Voice photo

The "Golden Eagle" airplane sits atop the government liquor store.

In the daytime it's barely noticeable. But at night it's a beacon like a lighthouse.

As part of assorted art projects around the Chilliwack community, a decision to add the neon airplane with a wingspan of about 15-16 feet on top of the liquor store at Salish Plaza was given a wave of approval at a council meeting earlier this year.

The airplane is pointed northeast toward the courthouse on Yale Rd and lights up yellow at night.

The Public Art Advisory Committee Chaired by Councillor Sue Knott and Vice Chair Councillor Harv Westeringh spearheaded the project. The airplane dubbed the "Golden eagle" was developed and installed by Lucien Ducey.
 

 Friday Dec 4, 2020  

Published 10 am

Eat, drink and be merry

Sarah Kim, Proof Strategies/Website image

SkipTheDishes, Liquor Depot and Liquor Barn have launched alcohol delivery at 11 BC locations, making it easier than ever to socially distance and have a contact-free experience. Liquor Depot and Liquor Barn, subsidiaries of retailer ALCANNA, will now deliver a wide-range of offerings via SkipTheDishes in seven cities across the province.

Skip has been delivering alcohol in BC since 2017 and expanded to Alberta in February of this year. So far, ordering trends show that Fridays are when people order the most alcohol across BC, and the top three beers of choice in BC are Budweiser, Kokanee, and Old Milwaukee.

To order from Liquor Depot on Skip, customers use the app (or website) just like they would for ordering food: they enter their delivery address, select a Liquor Depot location, and choose from a menu of options. All couriers delivering on Skip hold a ProServe certification and will check the customer’s ID contactlessly during delivery.

 Thursday, Dec 3, 2020  

Published 8 am

Parked in the plants

Staff/Voice photo

A pickup sits in a flower bed at Five Corners Wednesday.

A pickup truck somehow careened off the street and landed in a flower bed at Yale and Young Roads around 7:30 am Wednesday under clear skies.

Thankfully foot traffic was light so there were no pedestrians involved. The driver suffered minor injuries and was attended to by paramedics. The truck however wasn't as lucky.

Fire crews laid out cones but morning traffic wasn't affected

 Thursday, Dec 3, 2020  

Published 8 am

New Native housing

BC Gov't Caucus/Submitted photo

More than 600 new affordable rental homes are on the way for people with low- to-moderate incomes through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund.

“These projects will mean new, affordable homes for a wide range of people – from seniors on fixed incomes to growing families and people with disabilities,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “There’s a lot more to do, and I look forward to working with the non-profit housing sector and all our partners to continue delivering the homes people need.”

The 16 projects selected, which will provide a total of 634 new homes, including 23 homes for Indigenous families, in partnership with Tzeachten First Nation at 46600 La’:le’m Way.

 Wednesday, Dec 2, 2020  

Feature to The Voice published 8 am

When the chips are down

Jacques De Winter, Ontario/Submitted photo

Once again, as the Governor General does every year, her Excellency has awarded 114 "Order of Canada" medals to worthwhile recipients.

This event has reminded me of our repeated attempt to get the Federal government to issue a CMVSM (Canadian Military Volunteer Service Medal) to all those who volunteered to serve in Canada's military from the start of the Cold War to now, as other commonwealth countries do (A volunteer medal which was discontinued in 1947). This attempt has been ongoing for about 15 years, and still leaves many of our military who served for just short of 12 years medal-less.

Our Government continuously uses the word 'Inclusive', yet, the Veterans I mention feel 'excluded'.

Along with other frontline workers, our military personnel put their lives on the line back in April, and it is my opinion that they all deserve a medal. But it was the military who brought this 'disaster waiting to happen' to the forefront, and woke Canada up to years of neglect to our seniors.

On April 20, some 1,700 military Medics and troops rescued coronavirus-infested LTC homes in Ontario and Quebec, the commanding Officer blowing the whistle on the neglect our seniors had to endure, many of whom died because of this neglect.

And once again, our Canadian Military Forces have been tasked by taking charge of delivering the vaccine, and possibly vaccinating parts of the country which are difficult to reach.

As it happened back in April, the military, now under the command of MGen. Dany Fortin has been assigned the task of distributing the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, and depending on the situation, the military may even vaccinate people in outlying areas.

One of my contacts said, "The involvement of the military is one of the most significant operations that Canada has engaged in since April, and it should not be a surprise because it has real critical, literally life and death implications for Canadians all across this great country."

The military however is supposed to be the institution of last resort, the place where politicians go when they have no-one else to turn to.

It is clearly a military task when tens of millions of doses of vaccine need to be distributed across the country, some to remote corners of the country, either by C-17's or C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft. Vaccines from several different drug makers, and different countries.

We all thought we had learned our lesson from the SARS crisis in 2002. What happened to all that costly planning? Were our Federal and Provincial pandemic planners asleep on the job?

Remember our Liberal government repeatedly telling us in March and April, "this is low-risk", or "don't worry", and when it was suggested to officials "close the border to Chinese people coming from China," where the virus came from, we were called "Racists." We certainly don't want to upset China!

Obviously, the Public Health Agency of Canada has not learned anything from the SARS crisis, or the MERS crisis, even though 'pandemic plans' were supposed to be in place.

How many billions of dollars has been thrown at this pandemic now? And how many have died? How badly has our economy been affected? How many people are now out of work? How many small and medium businesses, the backbone of this country, have shut their doors permanently? Do these 'planners' still say, "it's low risk", or "don't worry?" I'm afraid when this pandemic is over, what is left of this ravaged country is not going to be pretty, and the finger-pointing will be well on the way.

I especially offer my deep-felt condolences to the families of seniors who passed away in long-term-care homes, where the seniors were locked away as if in a prison, denied even a minute of visitation capabilities from loved ones. How terribly sad.

I still maintain that these frontline workers, whether they are civilians or military deserve a medal, as do those who volunteer to keep Canada safe.

 Tuesday, Dec 1, 2020  

Published 8 am

Light up your life

Staff/Facebook photo

Christmas isn't just the 25th, it's about the month of December, a season for the community to be happy and giving back to each other and the neighbourhood they live in.

One of the things Chilliwack residents do each year is take in the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB) residential light tour throughout December.

The list is already lengthy and more are being added daily so bundle up or drive by and see the hard work and extent residents are doing to share the holiday spirit. Another fun feature is that people can take photos and vote on their favourites.

See the list here and visit CADREB's Facebook page to find out how you can have your display added.

 Monday Dec 1, 2020 

Published 8 am

A warmer community