Year in Review, part 2
Last spring was quite the time. Tim Hortons started selling authentic flatbread pizza. Or, as my Italian friend likes to say, “No, they’re not.”
A new portrait of King Charles was unveiled that was so red it was in danger of being hauled in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Personally, I like the painting, but it does look like the New Jersey Devils holding a blood drive at a cranberry farm following the attack of the killer tomatoes.
However, my favourite story from last spring was the news of 2,500 older women from Switzerland.
Local news that matters to you
No one covers the Tri-Cities like we do. But we need your help to keep our community journalism sustainable.
The group, known as KlimaSeniorinnen, argued their government failed to protect them from the effects of climate change, such as summer heat waves. This type of government inaction isn’t just offensive, according to the women, it should be an offence.
Europe’s highest court agreed.
Essentially, the government failed to do their job, according to the European Court of Human Rights. The judgment also discussed a new right that would charge the state with protecting its people from: “serious adverse effects on their life” caused by climate change.
Maybe if the legal climate changes, that other one will follow suit. After all, 2,500 Swiss women can’t be wrong.
Our local news also took on an international flair last spring. Port Moody took a stand on Gaza and then decided to maybe sit that one out, while School District #43 sent a delegation to China for the first time since the pandemic.
April
Port Moody rescinds call for Gaza ceasefire after alleged online harassment by Free Palestine activists
Following allegations that Free Palestine activists engaged in threatening online behaviour, Port Moody council rescinded a motion supporting the federal government’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The reversal came two days after council opted to petition the prime minister and to echo the call for an immediate ceasefire.
“We can not sit back and let this happen on our watch. Not for another second,” Mayor Meghan Lahti said. “This motion has been co-opted by a group that has spread hate.”
A chaotic meeting followed in April, as Free Palestine activists disrupted proceedings with chants, angered by council’s flip-flopping on the issue.
Noting council had previously advocated increased military support for Ukraine, the organization Free Palestine Tricities BC accused Port Moody’s mayor of turning council into a circus.
Member of Port Moody’s land use committee resigns over bigoted messages, veiled threat to Indigenous Palestine supporter
A member of Port Moody’s land use committee (LUC) resigned after sending bigoted messages, including a veiled threat, to an Indigenous member of the Free Palestine Tricities delegation (FPTC).
The City of Port Moody announced it was made aware of Alistair Henry’s remarks, adding he had resigned from his committee position, effective immediately.
The messages in question were sent to a Coast Salish ally of the FPTC delegation on April 11, after she led the activist group’s disruptions to an emotionally charged council meeting two days prior.
11 teachers, 4 trustees and 4 administrators represented Coquitlam school district in spring break trip to China
For the first time since the pandemic, School District #43 sent a team of educators and officials to China as part of a cultural exchange – although the district couldn’t say how much the trip cost.
The trip was primarily funded by the Zhejiang Education Bureau and South China Normal University, Hoff explained in an email to the Dispatch.
“Cultural exchanges, such as this, are key to ensuring staff have an opportunity to develop those understandings for the benefit of all students,” Hoff wrote.
Place Maillardville Society says goodbye after 24 years of service to Coquitlam
Place Maillardville Society announced plans to shutter after 24 years of community service.
The society predicted its closure will leave gaps in inclusive affordable services and programming for families.
“It’s sad news for this community and will be a sad day when the staff and volunteers, who have been the heart and souls of this organization, have to say goodbye,” stated iris yong, president of the society.
More than a fashion statement, new Express jerseys designed to reduce stigma around autism
Staring down at the ice from inside the press box at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, Lucas Gates could not believe his eyes.
Gates, 31, told his mother, if it was a dream, don’t wake him up. But he wasn’t asleep. She didn’t need to pinch his shoulder. It was real.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, is this happening? Is this happening!?” Gates said.
One-by-one, hockey players emerged from the locker room dressed in a jersey specially made for this game. The uniforms were designed by Gates to get people talking about the invisible disability he has battled his entire life.
Strong Start programs to be cut at three schools; board cites ‘significant under-funding’
The school board confirmed plans to cut three of the district’s 13 Strong Start programs in the upcoming school year.
The cuts were necessary due to a lack of classroom space as well as a funding shortage, according to the school board. However, the Ministry of Education and Childcare contradicted the board’s conclusions, stating that funding remained intact.
“No space . . . is something that we’re constantly told. But there is space. Those classrooms are not being utilized,” said Strong Start facilitator Susan Donald.
The Strong Start centres at Central and Meadowbrook elementary schools are set to be closed due to space needs. Following the fire that razed the school last October, the Hazel Trembath Strong Start program is also closed.
Stolen cars, school bus, found submerged in Fraser River; environmental toll not yet known
It’s like an underwater used car lot.
Less than two weeks after a stolen Mazda ended up in ended up in the Fraser River near Maquabeak Park with its lights on and engine running, police reported finding three other submerged vehicles, including a school bus.
Police have recovered a Honda Civic from the river that was reported stolen in 2010.
Port Moody honours Robert Simons with Freedom of the City award
Before Wednesday night, it would have been hard to describe Robert Simons in a short sentence.
The long-time Port Moody resident has served as a volunteer, committee member, board member, provincial appointee, vice-president and president of a dizzying amount of community, academic and non-profit organizations.
Port Moody bestowed Simons with the highest honour it can give a resident, awarding him the Freedom of the City medal along with a key to the city.
“My last love is giving back to the community,” Simons said. “To my friends, associates and family, you have made this day very special, and one that I never dreamed would occur.”
Salmon experiment may lead hatchery out of ‘this big black hole’
Releasing juvenile fish is a bit like having a child who moves out and never calls home.
“Hatcheries in general do a really good job of taking care of the eggs and raising the fish . . . but when we release the fish it goes into this big black hole,” explains Kevin Ryan, Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society president.
However, a recent experiment shed some light on what happens to those fish.
Approximately 60 percent of the fish were picked off before they got three kilometres from the release site. Fewer than 25 percent of the fish made it 20 kilometres to the Lions Gate Bridge.
Port Moody approves pay parking at Rocky Point
Port Moody council approved its pay parking strategy, charging drivers to park at more than 400 spaces at five locations around the community.
Besides a $2.50 per hour charge at Rocky Point Park, the city eventually opted to levy parking fees at:
- Esplanade Avenue from Rocky Point Park to Murray Street
- Murray Street from Columbia Street to the 2900 block
- Ungless Way from Noons Creek Drive to Guildford Way
- Suter Brook Village
Port Moody makes booze-in-parks experiment permanent
Following a lengthy pilot program, Port Moody council voted unanimously to allow residents to enjoy a beer at five outdoor locations around the city permanently.
More than 2,300 fish killed off at Hyde Creek Hatchery in Port Coquitlam, but no contamination source found
More than 2,300 fish were poisoned at the Hyde Creek Hatchery in Port Coquitlam at the end of last month, but a city-led investigation could not locate the source of the pollution.
“It’s likely that whatever caused the fish kill, passed through the system fairly quickly with the rains we experienced,” said Dave Kidd, manager of public works. “Unfortunately this also means that locating a source of contamination is extremely difficult.”
May
Mask manufacturer and engineering firm ordered to pay employee $50k
A company that manufactured COVID masks in Port Coquitlam during the pandemic is on the hook for a portion of $51,941 in employee wages, following a decision from the Employment Standards Tribunal.
Christine Kanno worked for Vitacore Industries from September 2021 to June 26, 2022. She started working for consulting company Absolute Building Science Strata Engineering Inc. on June 27, 2022.
After losing her job in August 2022, Kanno filed a complaint, alleging the companies owed her wages, overtime, and vacation pay. The tribunal agreed, and in December 2023 the two companies were ordered to pay Kanno $51,941, as well as $2,000 in administrative penalties.
Approval of 27-lot subdivision spells big changes for Port Coquitlam neighbourhood
Port Coquitlam’s approval of a large subdivision of a vacant residential property has cleared a path for a significant development project to move forward, despite neighbours’ concerns.
City council approved the 27-lot subdivision of the 4.3-acre property on Victoria Drive by a vote of 5-2.
Mayor Brad West said numerous development proposals have been pitched over the years, including townhouse forms, which were also opposed by local residents.
That’s not what is before us, and I’m sure that’s to the comfort of a number of people in the neighborhood,” West said. “The developer chose to go a different route.”
Teen charged with mischief after allegedly driving car off Rocky Point boat launch
A 19-year-old is charged with mischief under $5,000 for allegedly driving his car off Rocky Point into the inlet last March.
Jawad Mazen Fawwaz is facing a criminal record in connection with a March 4 incident that ended with a car being stuck in the water for approximately 10 hours before being towed out.
He pleaded guilty and was eventually sentenced to one year of probation.
Cops recover $50,000 worth of sports memorabilia
If you’re renting a storage locker around Fawcett Road and United Boulevard, you might want to check on your stuff.
Coquitlam RCMP recently recovered approximately $50,000 worth of stolen sports memorabilia which may be linked to a series of storage locker break-and-enters in the area, likely in late-April and early May, according to police.
Dr. Charles Best Secondary to get $18-million expansion, space for 300 more students
The student capacity of Dr. Charles Best Secondary will be expanded by 300 seats by fall, 2025, the province announced recently.
The $18-million investment will result in 10 additional classrooms, corridors and lockers in a prefabricated two-storey building, which can be built quicker than traditional school expansions, according to a release from the province.
Burrard Generating Station in Port Moody to be dismantled, clearing way for possible green energy projects
BC Hydro has initiated plans to dismantle the Burrard Generating Station.
The Burrard Facility Dismantling Project is still in its earliest phase, and the crown corporation is working out the scope and cost estimates for deconstruction and site remediation, according to BC Hydro.
“After 62 years of service, the Burrard facility in Port Moody is reaching end-of-life,” BC Hydro told the Dispatch. “The dismantling of the Burrard facility will ensure the site can be made safe, secure, and environmentally suitable for a future use.”
In September, BC Hydro unveiled plans to relocate Burrard Thermal.
“Alternatives are being examined that will allow us to add equipment to existing substations in Coquitlam and Surrey, so we can decommission the transmission switchyard located at the Burrard site,” wrote B.C. Hydro media relations officer Saudamini Raina.
B.C. Sports Hall of Fame honours PoCo Ringette co-founder
The godmother of Port Coquitlam ringette was posthumously inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame earlier this month.
Beverley Felske, who was also known as Big Red, Trail Boss, and Mama Felske, was recognized for co-founding PoCo Ringette, serving as director of B.C. Ringette and helping to create Ringette Canada.
It was all in the service of making sure girls had a chance to get on the ice, she said.
“I was on the board of the minor hockey association but I had no sons,” she explained to Coquitlam Herald sports reporter Derek Keeler in 1992. “I wanted my daughter to get the chance to enjoy skating as I had.”
No time for lobbyist registry, Port Moody council decides
Any form of lobbyist registry is off the table for Port Moody.
Council rejected pursuing the idea any further by a split vote.
“We have way bigger fish to fry,” Mayor Meghan Lahti said. “We have a lot of things on our (strategic) plan right now, and I’m not prepared to take any of those off to make this a higher priority at this time.”
Port Moody will join Sue Big Oil lawsuit, mayor announces
On one side of the courtroom, international oil companies. On the other side: Port Moody.
Port Moody Mayor Meghan Lahti announced Thursday the City of the Arts will join a growing – but still unled – class action lawsuit against fossil fuel companies.
“It is our intention to join with other local governments to support a class action lawsuit to recover our fair share of climate costs,” Lahti stated in a press release.
GPS helps police return electric motorcycle to owner
A Coquitlam motorcyclist can now get the rubber back on the road, due in part to a GPS tracking device.
Atharva Sangani’s electric motorcycle was stolen in Coquitlam on May 15. Sangani tracked the bike with GPS and sent the location to police.
A Coquitlam RCMP constable spotted “something shiny deep in the bushes,” according to a release from the department. Police retrieved the motorcycle and confirmed ownership.
Coquitlam gets more bounce to the ounce; developer gets verbally trounced
Coquitlam is looking to generate a different kind of inflation in City Centre this summer.
After vociferous debate about a developer’s broken promises, council approved a temporary inflatable theme park on Monday.
Funbox is set to operate 25,000 square feet of jumping space over the summer.
Douglas College receives historic donation to support nursing students
Douglas College received $3 million — its largest ever donation — Thursday from the Mary Gordon Estate to support its nursing students and programs.
The Faculty of Health Sciences is directing the funding into four streams: ten $3,000 awards for incoming students each year, six preceptorships for students to take on clinical studies in remote communities, a new post degree in geriatrics, and to create an innovation fund.
“Canada is facing an unprecedented nursing shortage,” said Kathy Denton, president and CEO of Douglas College, at the announcement. “Mary Gordon’s generous gift will empower the Faculty of Health Sciences to take a leading role in addressing this critical issue.”
June
Serial killer Robert Pickton dies at 74
Warning: This story contains disturbing details.
Murderer Robert Pickton died on Friday stemming from injuries sustained when another prisoner attacked him with a broken handle.
Pickton, who was 74, was serving his sentence at Port-Cartier Institution after being convicted of six counts of second-degree murder.
The confirmed victims included Georgina Faith Papin, Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Brenda Ann Wolfe and Marnie Frey.
Born in Edmonton, Alta., Papin was a Cree woman known to friends and family as an artist and writer, as well as a mother to seven children.
Author
