Latest news with #SeaToSky
CBC
23-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
MP wants passenger rail in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region as CN Rail pulls out
The MP representing B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region wants to see passenger rail introduced in the booming region north of Vancouver, just weeks after CN Rail said it intends to discontinue its operations in the area. CN Rail is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a portion of B.C.'s rail network between Squamish and Exeter, just northwest of 100 Mile House. On July 11, the national rail operator said it provided notice of its intent to discontinue those operations, potentially opening the door for another operator of the railway line that is ultimately governed by the province. While the announcement potentially jeopardizes an existing long-haul passenger service, the local MP and two mayors say it opens the door for commuter service in a rapidly-growing region and the option to ensure its resiliency going forward. "I would say that Highway 99 is very much at capacity. We're seeing major congestion. We're seeing frequent, often fatal crashes in the area," said West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Patrick Weiler. "And it's having a major impact on the communities — not just in the Sea-to-Sky, but actually all the way down to creating congestion into Metro Vancouver. So ... there is a major need for alternative transportation options." Weiler said the Sea-to-Sky region, which has been seeing an influx of residents ever since Highway 99 was expanded for the 2010 Olympics, has had its population grow by 60 per cent since then. He said the region had regular passenger rail until 23 years ago, when provincial Crown corporation B.C. Rail ended operations. A year later, the then-B.C. Liberal government leased much of the province's operations to CN Rail. Weiler said that the time was ripe for passenger rail in the area, given the existing infrastructure and the growth in the Sea-to-Sky region. "That would have a huge impact — whether that's people commuting, tourists being able to visit, and otherwise," he told Amy Bell, guest host of CBC's On The Coast. "And with this news of CN deciding that they want to discontinue the operations, it gives a year for people to come forward with ideas on how to do that." Weiler noted that adding more transit to the Sea-to-Sky corridor was part of a list of priorities when the governing B.C. NDP and the B.C. Greens signed a co-operation agreement last December. "The region's been studied to death about what exactly needs to be done," the Liberal MP said. "We just really need to see some action right now." A spokesperson for B.C.'s Transportation Ministry said it would review CN's decision before considering its options. Long-haul service could be in jeopardy One passenger rail service already exists in the Sea-to-Sky area, but not on a commuter route. The Rocky Mountaineer operates a luxury long-haul rail service called the Rainforest to Gold Rush route from North Vancouver to Whistler and further on to Quesnel, B.C., and then Jasper, Alta. A spokesperson for the company said it was aware of CN's decision to eventually discontinue its operations in the Sea-to-Sky region. "CN is responsible for maintaining the rail infrastructure along this route, including the rail, ties, bridges, and vegetation control," they wrote. "Without CN's management of the rail line, we would be unable to travel on the route." The spokesperson added that the company was reviewing its long-term options along the route, but the 2026 season of the long-haul train service would proceed as planned. Mayors want conversations to happen Jack Crompton, the mayor of Whistler, said that the loss of the Rocky Mountaineer would constitute a loss of a "tremendous tourism partner" for the resort municipality. He said, however, that CN's decision to pull out of the corridor represented a big opportunity for the Sea-to-Sky region and that Whistler was paying close attention to what would happen next. "Recreation is important, but for us, commuting and ground transportation is number one as it relates to this decision," he said. Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford noted that the district has a major history of railway travel, with the Railway Museum of B.C. located there. He said that it was important to ensure continued rail access to Squamish's port, which served as a critical route to transport cargo during the 2021 floods in southwest B.C. "I think it's really important that we maintain operational status there, because this line does run through some incredibly challenging terrain," he said. "And if the maintenance drops off, I think the fear is that it just will become cost prohibitive to reinitiate the service." WATCH | CN Rail looks to pull out of B.C. region: CN Rail to end operations from Squamish to 100 Mile House, B.C. 8 hours ago A major railway has announced plans to end part of its operations by discontinuing its route north from Squamish till 100 Mile House. As CBC's Amelia John reports, there are now questions and concerns about the future of the tracks in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region.
CBC
19-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Mosquito traps set and study launched in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region after illnesses reported
Social Sharing Mosquito traps have been set up across the Sea-to-Sky region in British Columbia as health officials launch a pilot project amid concerns of severe illness transmitted by the insects. Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) said Friday that there were four cases of mosquito-borne illnesses due to the California Serogroup viruses late last year, that resulted in swelling of the brain. Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, medical health officer for VCH, said in an interview that the viruses aren't new to B.C., but it's unusual to see these "very severe" human cases. "So, this prompted us to study further, just to see and better characterize what is happening within the Sea to Sky area," said Khaketla. Officials are asking people to take precautions against mosquito bites in the region, as they warn that mosquito activity could increase in B.C. as the weather gets warmer due to climate change. The health authority said those who have been in the Sea-to-Sky region and develop symptoms of severe headaches with fever or seizures are advised to seek care immediately. What's the buzz with mosquitoes this year? 17 days ago Mosquitoes are top of mind for many people going outside near sunrise and sunset. The tiny pests seem to always get in the way during these warm summer days. CBC's Tristan Mottershead has more on this year's mosquito scene. As part of the monitoring study, traps have already been set up in the Sea-to-Sky region — along Howe Sound and north to Whistler and Pemberton — where officials say all the patients likely acquired the infections in the area. The purpose of the traps is to understand the area's mosquitoes and the illnesses they spread. Dr. Rohit Vijh, another VCH medical health officer, told CBC News that the traps were being set up at sites identified by local First Nations and environmental scientists, after input from the four patients who reported serious illness. The health authority said the four patients have recovered from their illness. The mosquito project will last for three months, and Vancouver Coastal Health said it wants to learn more about the risk to the public. In the meantime, those in the area should take preventive measures against mosquito bites, it said. Measures to protect against bites include wearing protective clothing, and avoiding any stagnant water around backyards that can be pools for mosquito breeding, said Khaketla. Khaketla said the purpose of the study is to help health officers learn more about the mosquito population within that corridor and understand what specific viruses that they are carrying. "We wanted people to be aware of the mosquito circulation within the Sea to Sky area, as it is summer months, we expect mosquitoes to circulate." The mosquito-borne illnesses that officials investigated, part of the so-called California Serogroup viruses, usually do not cause symptoms, but when they do occur, they are flu-like, with a fever, headache, fatigue, and occasional nausea or vomiting. Climate change risk Officials say the specific viruses that caused illness in the Sea-to-Sky region were the Snowshoe Hare virus and the Jamestown Canyon virus. Vancouver Coastal Health said that, prior to this cluster of four cases, 10 cases associated with the two viruses were reported in B.C. since 2009, two of which were in the VCH region. The health authority said in a statement that cases of mosquito-borne illnesses usually occur between May to October when there is increased mosquito activity, but this period may be extended due to "increasingly warmer temperatures" from climate change. "As our temperatures rise, as well as the period of of increased heat becomes longer and there's more months, you will see more mosquito activity," Vijh said. "The longer summers you have, the more likely more of those [mosquito] eggs will be produced and survive over the winter," he added. Vancouver Coastal Health, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, partners from the Lil'wat Nation and Squamish nations and the University of British Columbia will collaborate on the surveillance pilot project.
CTV News
19-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New study surveys mosquitos and their potential diseases
Vancouver Watch A small number of virus cases in B.C. last year has triggered a study in the Sea-to-Sky region of mosquito populations and the diseases they may carry.
CTV News
19-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Mosquito study underway in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region after scattering of severe illness
A small number of virus cases in B.C. last year has triggered a study in the Sea-to-Sky region of mosquito populations and the diseases they may carry. A small number of virus cases in B.C. last year has triggered a study in the Sea-to-Sky region of mosquito populations and the diseases they may carry. A small-scale mosquito surveillance project is being launched in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky region to better understand the mosquitos in the area and what diseases they may be carrying. The project, launched by Vancouver Coastal Health in collaboration with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, Líl̓wat Nation, Squamish Nation and the University of B.C., was prompted after a spate of mosquito-borne illness was reported in the region late last year. 'Late last year in the fall, we were notified of a small cluster of individuals who were diagnosed with an illness known as California Serogroup, and they had all presented with severe neurological symptoms of encephalitis,' said Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health. Encephalitis is an autoimmune response that leads to a swelling of the brain. According to Khaketla, the majority of people who contact the virus show 'mild to no symptoms' and it is only 'a very small proportion' of individuals that have these severe neurological presentations. While the specific infection was not new to the province, it was notable that four cases occurred over the course of one summer and that the severity of those cases meant the infected required hospitalization, said Khaketla. Prior to these four cases, there had been only three cases of California Serogroup reported since 2009. 'We decided to investigate to better understand if these individuals had acquired this illness while traveling to another area, or if they had stayed locally in B.C., and we determined that they had all likely acquired this new emerging pathogen locally in the Sea-to-Sky region, which was new,' said Khaketla. The project, due to last three months, may be extended to allow surveys of other regions in B.C. if new cases arise. 'Because this is an emerging pathogen, this is our first step to being able to better understand this problem,' Khaketla said. 'Depending on how these results go, and if we see new additional cases this summer of this illness, it may prompt other regions across B.C. to conduct something similar.' As the study gets underway, VCH is highlighting the importance of preventing mosquito bites and the various ways that they can be protected against. Khaketla recommends wearing mosquito repellents, wearing clothing that covers more skin – like full-length pants or long-sleeved shirts – installing screens on windows and avoiding being outdoors during times when mosquitoes are more active, typically around dusk and dawn. Removing sources of stagnant water, where mosquitos can breed, may also remove the risk, he said. 'That could be simple things like removing the water under saucers or flowerpots, or changing bird baths, or unblocking your rain gutters, things like that,' he said.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- CTV News
Man charged after child reportedly held over Whistler, B.C., hotel balcony
Whistler Village is seen on in an Oct. 23, 2008 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward More than a year after a child was reportedly held over a hotel balcony in the B.C. resort community of Whistler, a suspect has been charged. Authorities said the alarming incident unfolded on the evening of July 1, 2024, as people were out celebrating Canada Day. Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP said officers were approached by worried onlookers who said they saw 'a male holding a child over a balcony' somewhere along the Village Stroll. 'A female could be heard screaming and damage was occurring inside the hotel,' the detachment said Thursday, in a news release. Officers initially apprehended two people under the Mental Health Act, and the child was given medical care, authorities said. Last month, B.C. prosecutors approved charges of abandoning a child and failing to provide the necessaries of life against Jason Frost, a 45-year-old. Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP has not provided any further details on Frost, except that he does not live in the community. In a statement, Const. Antoine Graebling acknowledged 'the impact the incident had on individuals who witnessed this unfold.' 'We are incredibly thankful for the multiple witnesses that alerted the RCMP, which enabled our officers to act swiftly and professionally in managing this high-risk situation,' Graebling said. 'Their co-operation and actions were key that day in saving a child's life.' The RCMP said it would not be providing any further details while the case is before the courts.
