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MET debut of modern Carmen opera at ArtSpring

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MET debut of modern Carmen opera at ArtSpring

By KIRSTEN BOLTON

FOR ARTSPRING

The classical, sensual phenomenon that is George Bizet’s 1875 opera Carmen gets a creative new world makeover by acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell, making her Met debut. ArtSpring’s popular MET: LIVE IN HD broadcast brings the sweeping drama to the screen this Saturday morning, Jan. 27.

Originally set in 19th-century Spain, the story of the power struggle and downfall of soldier Don José by the seductive wiles of the fiery gypsy Carmen moves its action to the present-day American southwest amid a band of human traffickers.

The tobacco factory of the original setting is now envisioned as the rear loading docks of a modern cigarette plant of dubious intent, surrounded by chain link fences and monitored by armed security guards. The bullfight backdrop of the classic finale is here reimagined as a rodeo spectacle, complete with jumping clowns wearing garish costumes and a stadium of fans cheering on the macabre scene.

Despite the modernized setting, the political struggles, gender and power dynamics, love and sexuality, and violence all still stand, albeit coming through in a different form and world. The music, however, remains intact, including one of opera’s most famous songs, Habenara, in which Carmen sings about the untameable nature of love.

Young Russian mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina’s silken voice leads a powerhouse quartet of stars in the touchstone role of the irresistible femme fatale, alongside tenor Piotr Beczała as Carmen’s lover Don José. Soprano Angel Blue is the devoted Micaëla and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen is the swaggering Escamillo. Daniele Rustioni conducts Bizet’s heart-pounding score.

Carmen is sung in French, with subtitles. As always, quiche, cookies and coffee are on sale at intermission, an opportunity to mingle and share opinions about the experimental production.

The opera comes with a flashing light warning in Act 2 for those who are sensitive.

Tickets are now on sale in the box office or online for $25 adult, $20 senior and $15 youth.

Physician, Heal Thyself next Best of the Fests film

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Physician, Heal Thyself next Best of the Fests film

By STEVE MARTINDALE

FOR SS FILM FESTIVAL SOCIETY

Fans of Dr. Gabor Maté won’t want to miss the Salt Spring Film Festival’s one-night-only screening of the award-winning film at ArtSpring on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

Vancouver filmmaker Asher Penn will be on Salt Spring next Wednesday, Jan. 24 to present his engaging documentary on the world-renowned expert on trauma and addiction — Dr. Gabor Maté — which made its world premiere and won an audience favourite award at the Vancouver International Film Festival in October. The event begins at 7:30 p.m.

While all advance tickets to Physician, Heal Thyself have sold already, a final 30 were released on Wednesday and some of those were still available through the ArtSpring website as of Friday, Jan. 19.

Both a medical doctor and a bestselling author, Maté is one of the world’s most influential thinkers on trauma, addiction and mental health, widely admired as the author of such bestsellers as In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction; The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture; and When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress.

In this searingly honest review of his life’s work, Maté shares not only his professional theories but also his personal story: his difficult upbringing in a Jewish family in post-war Hungary, his experience as a student journalist for The Ubyssey, his early reputation as an infuriating contrarian, and his work with marginalized communities in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

The founder and editor of Vancouver’s online Sex Magazine, Asher Penn decided to make a documentary about Maté after reading his books and looking for insights while battling his own addictions.

Penn found Maté to be “a charismatic, tortured soul [who] pulled from a diaspora of ideas far outside the lexicon of any doctor I had ever encountered. He seemed more like an artist. I kept asking myself ‘Who is this person? How did he come to be?’” Fortunately for the rest of us, the answers to Penn’s questions are to be found in his award-winning directorial début.

Although primarily comprising Maté’s own reminiscences on his life and work, this surprisingly compelling film is almost hypnotic in its ability to draw the audience in and hold the viewer’s attention. Candidly discussing his own struggles with addictive behaviours, ADHD and fractured relationships — and encouraging us to own our failings, accept our imperfections and prioritize our mental health — Maté admits: “Part of the problem was that I believed in everybody’s healing but my own.”

SYKES (nee Falenda), Sharon Ann

Driftwood Obituary
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SYKES (nee Falenda), Sharon Ann

Sharon Ann Sykes (Nee Falenda) — 1952 -2024

Sharon Ann Sykes (nee Falenda) passed away peacefully at the age of 71 on Friday, January 12th, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on May 12, 1952 in Burnaby to Audree and Michael Falenda. Sharon is predeceased by both her mother and father as well as her younger brother Lorne. Sharon is survived by her sister Carol Renshaw (Jim), husband Doug, her daughter Kimberly Beamish (Eric) and their boys Cameron and Jacob, and her daughter Amanda Cayford (Jason) and their boys Dexter and Greyston.

Sharon cared deeply for her community and she was proud to call Salt Spring Island home. It brought her immense joy to watch everyone enjoy her Christmas window display at Mouat’s each season. Sharon loved to spend her days watching her daughters and grandsons play sports, especially baseball. She also enjoyed creating cake masterpieces and timeless crafts. Her favourite place to spend her time was on her porch with her spring flowers and surrounded by butterflies. If she wasn’t sitting there, she would choose to be chasing after her 4 grandsons.

A celebration of life will be held later during the springtime, which was her favourite season.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to be made to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation. Sharon, and her family, extend their deepest gratitude to the loving care that was given to them during this journey. A special thank-you to Dr. Reznick and his team for all of the care given to Sharon during her many years on Salt Spring.

STEELE, Jennifer Elizabeth Mary

Driftwood Obituary
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STEELE, Jennifer Elizabeth Mary

Jennifer Elizabeth Mary Steele

July 27, 1985-December 28, 2023

With deep sorrow and broken hearts we want to let our friends and wider community know that we have lost our darling girl.

Jennifer was born on the island 38 years ago and grew up here surrounded by loving family and friends. After graduating from high school she attended the University of Victoria and received her degree as a Registered Nurse. She worked for several years at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Victoria where she impacted many lives in her work with children. Her compassion and empathy for people made her an exceptional nurse.

She had a special bond with animals, especially our myriad of family dogs. She loved the ocean, kayaking on the lake, music, painting and loved nothing more than a good laugh with her family and friends.

She loved her family near and far and her many close friends and co-workers.

She was predeceased by her beloved, older sister Courtenay, who she held close to her heart.

She leaves behind her Mom and Dad, her brother Casey and sister-in-law Taylor and many aunts, uncles and cousins whom she loved dearly.

Jenny was loved and cherished and will forever be held close in our hearts.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 20 at 2pm at All Saints Church in Ganges.

DAVIDSON, (Nee McLennan) Mary Elizabeth

Driftwood Obituary
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DAVIDSON, (Nee McLennan) Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth Davidson (Nee McLennan)

August 10, 1930 – December 19, 2023

Mary passed away gently and peacefully at a time of her choosing with family by her side. Born in Vancouver’s Grace Hospital, Mary spent her early childhood on Salt Spring Island, followed by a few years in Duncan, Victoria and Saanichton before her family moved into the home her father built near Deep Cove. After Normal School Teacher Training in Victoria she moved to Surrey, B.C. and taught for 2 years at the one-room Grandview Heights Elem. Sch. She married Don Davidson in 1950 and by the end of 1957 was the mother to five. Mary did a stint of substitute teaching throughout Surrey in the 1960s before teaching full-time for a decade at Cloverdale Catholic School.
She then went on to earn a B.Ed degree with a double major at UBC, followed by 7 years at Delta Manor Elementary School as a Teacher Librarian. Mary and Don retired to Salt Spring in the early 1980s where she became a member of the Historical Society and in 1989 guided the establishment of the island’s Archives, whose collections include photos and stories of the McLennan family homestead from the late 1800s. She returned to reside in South Surrey in 2014.

Mary developed a passion for genealogy in the 1960’s after discovering her connection to one of Surrey’s early pioneer families. Sixty years later she had traced both her and Don’s ancestry back many centuries to leave a last ing legacy for future generations. Mary was also an avid reader, never shy about sharing an opinion, and ever ready to take up her pen in support of protecting South Surrey forests and farm land.

Predeceased by her husband, Don, and sister, Jean; survived by her brother, Robert (Lesley) and cousin, Agnes Cunningham of Fulford Harbour; Mary will be lovingly remembered by her 5 children and their spouses: Gary (Caroline) on Pender Is; Bob (Pat) in Vancouver; Karen Sadler (Ian) in Stroud, England; Bruce (Cathy) in N. Vancouver; and Lynne Palmer (Booth) in Delta; 9 grandchildren of whom she was so very proud: Jesse, Sarah, Kristina, David, Kasandra, Sheree, Janice, Troy and Spencer; and 18 (soon to be 20) great grandchildren.

The family is sincerely grateful to Mary’s neighbours: Randy and Sharon; and dear friends: Sandy, Jola and Dinah; whose help and visitations meant so much. We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the kind and caring staff at the Irene Thomas Hospice, with a special thank you to Susan and Parm.

No service by request. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Fourth quarter and year-end reports issued by Salt Spring RCMP

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Fourth quarter and year-end reports issued by Salt Spring RCMP

SUBMITTED BY THE SALT SPRING ISLAND RCMP DETACHMENT

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Salt Spring Island RCMP responded to 646 calls for service, for a total volume of 2,775 calls for the year. For the period of Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, SSI RCMP averaged seven calls per day, issued 85 violation tickets (traffic, liquor, etc.), and gave out 195 traffic warnings. Police also conducted 423 foot patrols, 165 licensed premises checks (bar walks) and 19 “checkstops” for potential traffic violations and impaired drivers. Six firearms offences were investigated in this fourth quarter, along with five sex-related offences and 55 mental health-related calls.

In all of 2023, SSI RCMP issued over 1,400 violation tickets and warnings, conducted more than 1,500 foot patrols and carried out over 400 licensed premises checks (bar walks).

Impaired driving continues to be a concern for Salt Spring RCMP and the residents of Salt Spring Island. Impaired driving is enforced in British Columbia pursuant to the Province of British Columbia’s Immediate Roadside Driving Prohibitions (IRP) and with the Criminal Code of Canada in more serious examples, or in instances of repeat offenders. In 2022, SSI RCMP stopped 24 impaired drivers, resulting in various 24-hour, three-day, seven-day or 90-day driver’s licence suspensions and vehicle impoundments. In contrast, in 2023 SSI RCMP stopped 78 impaired drivers, averaging 1.5 impaired drivers per week. It is not clear whether the increase in impaired drivers being caught is the result of more people drinking and driving, or as a result of an increase in enforcement by Salt Spring RCMP. Regardless, police will continue their ongoing traffic enforcement and commitment to road safety on Salt Spring. Look for more “checkstops” in the future!

Some of the calls for the fourth quarter are detailed below:

October 2023:

  • • SSI RCMP responded to a person threatening to burn their own house down; the situation was determined to be a mental health-related concern as opposed to criminal intent. The person was transported to Lady Minto Hospital for further assessment.
  • • While on foot patrol in downtown Ganges, police located a person with multiple outstanding warrants from Salt Spring RCMP and Sidney/North Saanich RCMP; the person was arrested and transported off Salt Spring where they were held in jail until their court date.
  • • RCMP responded to a request for police attendance to stop a banned person from entering a business; the person was located by police, found to be intoxicated and with outstanding warrants, and was subsequently arrested and taken to jail.
  • • SSI RCMP were requested to assist with a person who was depressed and had a plan to kill themselves. Police spoke with the individual, de-escalated the situation and transported the person to hospital for psychiatric assessment.
  • • SSI RCMP responded to a report of a missing youth; the youth was later safely located by police.
  • • Police were called by a person reporting two-thirds of their stick of butter was missing and they believed it was taken by an unknown person who broke into their house; no evidence of break-in was found and police closed the investigation.
  • • SSI RCMP were asked by Shawnigan Lake RCMP to assist with a domestic violence assault that occurred near Shawnigan Lake but the parties involved fled to Salt Spring; over a period of days, police finally located the suspect and arrested them, later releasing them on conditions and an upcoming court date.

November 2023:

  • • An impaired driver who, while driving, had struck another vehicle, was located by police and arrested. A 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) was issued resulting in various fines, the loss of their driver’s Licence and their vehicle impounded for 30 days.
  • • While on regular patrol, some erratic and unsafe driving behaviour was observed by police. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver was found to be intoxicated by alcohol; an IRP was issued and the driver lost their licence.
  • • An impaired boater in a rowboat was found in Ganges Harbour; the row boat operator (with no electrical motor on board) was arrested, issued various violation tickets and taken to jail, where they were later released once sober.
  • • A checkstop on Fulford-Ganges Road resulted in a scooter operator being found impaired by drugs and alcohol, and operating their scooter unsafely. The driver was arrested for impaired driving, their scooter impounded and their driver’s licence suspended.
  • • SSI RCMP were notified of an elderly person who was lost and confused; the person was located and returned by police to their residence.
  • • Police were called to a domestic dispute where a couple were yelling at each other with children present. Police attended the scene and spoke with both parties, thereby defusing the situation.
  • • Police were called when an intoxicated person on a communal property stated they wanted to kill everyone on the property; police attended and took the person into custody.

December 2023:

  • • A missing person was found by SSI RCMP.
  • • Police were advised of a “sex-tortion” complaint where compromising videos had been obtained by unknown person(s) on the internet and threats made to release the videos to family and friends if money was not paid. Safety precautions were suggested by police, resulting in no further contact by the extorter. Safe online practices were discussed and encouraged.
  • • SSI RCMP received a report of a person jumping in front of moving vehicles and behaving erratically. Patrols were conducted but the person was not located.
  • • Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle incident where a vehicle had crashed into a ditch. Alcohol, drugs and environmental conditions were ruled out by police; the cause of the crash was determined to be medical in nature. Police completed documentation requesting a driver’s licence review to determine medical competency of the driver to keep their licence.
  • • While conducting vehicle patrols near Ganges, an unsafe and erratic driver was found. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver was found be intoxicated and their driving impaired by alcohol. Fines were issued, their driver’s licence was suspended and their vehicle impounded.

Impaired Driving

This year saw a large increase in the number of impaired drivers taken off our roads. It is difficult to say whether this is due to an increase in the number of impaired drivers on our roads or added enforcement. Impaired drivers are being found driving on Salt Spring roads at all times of day. Impaired driving creates dangerous and life-threatening situations for other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Please, if you drink – don’t drive!

Salt Spring RCMP Resources

This month the Salt Spring RCMP said good-bye to Const. Bruce Verhaeghe who proudly served our community over the past five and a half years with distinction. With Const. Verhaeghe’s transfer, Salt Spring RCMP welcomed Const. Kevin Lloyd as Const. Verhaeghe’s replacement. The detachment is looking at two (possibly three) additional transfers this year and are working with RCMP headquarters to mitigate any gaps in resources.

Cram the Cruiser

Salt Spring RCMP would like to thank Country Grocer, Thrifty Foods, and the students and staff at Salt Spring Elementary for three successful Food Bank events in 2023. All donations go to our local Harvest Food Bank.

Awards

This past November saw Salt Spring RCMP, SSI Fire Rescue, and BC Ambulance gather at our local Legion to present awards to Const. Felix Charette-Thibault (Life Saving) and Const. Hardip Gill (Bravery). Congratulations again to both members!

Vehicle apprehended for carrying an unsafe load.
MVI on Booth Canal Road.
Cans of alcohol found in impaired driver’s vehicle.

GISS posts record graduation rate

Robb Magley
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GISS posts record graduation rate

Gulf Islands schools reported the highest grad numbers ever, according to administrators, with 100 per cent of B.C. resident students crossing the stage last year — for the first time in island history. 

School officials and the Ministry of Education track what’s known as the six-year completion rate, which measures the success of three distinct cohorts of students — B.C. residents, Indigenous students, and students with diverse abilities — from the first time they enroll in Grade 8 to the time they leave school. “Completion” means they earned a certificate of graduation (or adult diploma) within six years of that enrollment.  

And this fall, metrics for all three cohorts were far above provincial averages, landing at record-high levels for the Gulf Islands School District (SD64) — 100, 96 and 94 per cent respectively. The numbers were reported — and indeed, celebrated — during the Board of Education’s meeting Wednesday, Jan. 10.  

“We are in the company of two districts with this result this year,” said superintendent Scott Benwell. “And this isn’t based on just getting kids through, this is based on an extraordinary amount of hard work by dedicated educators.  

“It’s not everything we do, but it’s the outcome of everything we do,” he continued. “With gratitude for all of the people of SD64 that have worked alongside students, the families that have invested, the students themselves that take work home, attend to their studies — all dedicated to that outcome.” 

Trustee Deborah Luporini acknowledged the occasion as exceedingly rare, and delightful. 

“It happens because the parents supported their kids, the programs were made available, the principals supervised what they needed to and supported all the instructional practice, and the teachers sat down . . .” Luporini paused, recomposing herself amidst the emotion of the moment. “Sat down with a kid who said, ‘I don’t get it.’ And they got through it with them. It’s just incredible.” 

Benwell, who was marking his last meeting as superintendent since starting the position in January 2019, recounted a moment he has referenced during previous completion reports, when  former trustee Shelley Lawson acknowledged what was then a record-high number — after which, Benwell said, she asked, “Mr. Superintendent, why is it not 100 per cent?” 

“I, and we, took that to heart,” said Benwell. “If you see a teacher, thank them.” 

Turning in her seat, board chair Tisha Boulter smiled broadly and aimed her phone at the completion graph projected on the wall.  

“I took a picture,” she said. “I’m going to text it to her. ‘Shelley, guess what it is!?’” 

To view SD64 completion rates and other metrics, visit studentsuccess.gov.bc.ca/school-district/064/report/completion-rates. 

SD64 reported a headcount enrolment of 1,508 students (1515.75 FTE) on this year’s Sept. 30 funding report to the ministry. Based on the ministry’s adjusted design capacity numbers, according to the district, there is currently room for 45 more students in SD64 Salt Spring Island elementary schools. 

Trust committee addresses mandate controversy

Robb Magley
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Trust committee addresses mandate controversy

The Islands Trust (IT) plans to give greater online prominence to a recent reinterpretation of its mandate, while simultaneously seeming to downplay its significance.

Members of the IT Governance Committee indicated they thought much of the recent criticism of that reinterpretation came due to the public misunderstanding it — and placed blame on a communications process that resulted in a summary being released via a “business highlights” newsletter.

The committee voted Monday, Jan. 15 to re-post the full three-paragraph statement of consensus in a “prominent and easily accessible location” on the Trust’s website — and that “any other summaries or highlight statements on the website be removed.”

The committee advanced the plan having received a promised memo on the issue from Bowen Island municipal trustee — and committee chair — Judith Gedye.

“I think that there was some nuance lost in the summary,” said Gedye. “This was talking about the legality of Section 3 in the legal interpretation; it doesn’t change policy.”

Gedye and other trustees have been subjected to a barrage of public input since the consensus statement emerged last fall. In a two-hour-long closed-to-the-public discussion held on North Pender Island in September, trustees had what was called a “lengthy discussion” about the interpretation of Section 3 of the Islands Trust Act, commonly referred to as the “object” or “mandate”— specifying what the body aims to “preserve and protect.”

Rather than a formal rise and report, the Driftwood — and the wider public — had its first look at the statement of consensus when a link to it was embedded in a file published as part of the Trust Executive Committee’s Oct. 11, 2023 meeting agenda packet.

A subsequent “highlights” release included language from the consensus statement that seems to have caused the biggest stir — that the “unique amenities” the Trust protects were “broad-ranging and may include issues such as, but not limited to, housing, livelihoods, infrastructure and tourism.”

The consensus statement does continue in later language, left out of the “highlights” — but printed in the Driftwood’s Oct. 11, 2023 story — which added that land use planning “must always include a focus on preserving and protecting the environment and communities.”

As of press time, the consensus statement could still be found via the “Business Highlights” page. Direct links can be found by scrolling back on the Trust’s LinkedIn and Instagram pages.

Viewpoint: Bylaw 537 and due process

Contributed Article
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Viewpoint: Bylaw 537 and due process

By RONALD WRIGHT

There’s only one reason why the latest version of Bylaw 530 has mysteriously become Bylaw 537: to dodge the legal requirement for a full public hearing before it can be passed by Salt Spring trustees. The province recently waived public hearings for new housing bylaws that do not breach an official community plan (OCP). For the past two years, trustee Laura Patrick was telling us — against obvious evidence — that the former version of Bylaw 530, which would have doubled zoning density over most of the island, did not breach the OCP. But she and trustee Jamie Harris had to abandon that fantasy in the face of legal advice and stiff opposition. Now a slimmer version, originally floated last March as “Phase 1” of Bylaw 530, suddenly becomes the “new” Bylaw 537 — and public debate is sidestepped.

In last week’s Driftwood, our trustees posted formal notice that they will give Bylaw 537 “first reading” at a special meeting on Monday, Jan. 22, by Zoom. If it were only first reading there might be less cause for alarm, as three readings — normally spaced over several months — must be held before a bylaw can be sent to Trust Executive for sign-off. But Laura Patrick has already let slip that she intends to pass all three readings of Bylaw 537 in one go. Trust staff have confirmed this could indeed happen on Jan. 22. If it does, the official notice will have seriously misled the public.

Such gaming of due process is not the only reason for mistrust. Yet again, the trustees are telling us this rezoning bylaw “is consistent” with our OCP. If Bylaw 537 stayed within the map attached to its latest draft, perhaps it might be. But trustees are also seeking ways to grow the bylaw’s reach through “spot zoning,” which means encouraging landowners to apply for extra density piecemeal almost anywhere on Salt Spring. The end result might become much the same as that of Bylaw 530’s most extreme version: haphazard suburban sprawl.

Laura Patrick has always claimed Bylaw 530/537 is urgently needed to tackle the housing shortage, especially the lack of affordable long-term rentals for islanders. If this is true, why does no version of the bylaw even mention affordability or contain any means to achieve it? Why focus only on the free-market auxiliary dwelling unit model, which has failed to ease housing problems in big cities and small communities alike? Why no interest in promoting co-operative or public partnership housing, such as Salt Spring’s successful Croftonbrook? The Trust could also be pushing harder for Salt Spring to be included in the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, and B.C.’s new law to control short-term holiday rentals.

Judging by their deeds so far, our trustees’ main interest seems to be exploiting the housing shortage to unleash mass private development in a legally protected area. The next big project in their cross-hairs is to “revise” our OCP this year and next. They have already obtained $120,000 of public money to hire outside consultants. Salt Springers must watch this carefully and be sure to make their voices heard. The many twists and turns with Bylaw 530/537 do not bode well for an open and above-board process.

Questions and comments on Bylaw 537 should be sent to our trustees Patrick, Harris, and committee chair Tim Peterson, and to planning manager Chris Hutton, with “Bylaw 537” in the subject box: ssiinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca.

The writer is a founding member of Keep Salt Spring Sustainable.

Care economy course created by SD64

Robb Magley
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Care economy course created by SD64

Salt Spring educators have crafted a new Grade 11 course focusing on exploring careers in B.C.’s growing “care economy,” rolling out for local students this fall and potentially being picked up by other schools throughout the province next year. 

Care economy careers explored in the course will include early learning and education, health care and emergency response, looking at support roles in those sectors in particular.  

District career coordinator Maggie Allison, Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) principal Ryan Massey and work experience teacher Shari Hambrook created the framework for the Care Economy Career Sampler Course, which they presented to the Gulf Islands School District (SD64) Board of Education Wednesday, Jan. 10.  

It was built at the request of the Ministry of Education and based on information from a world café-style event held last fall that saw input from Vancouver Island University, Camosun College, BC Ambulance Service, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, B.C.’s Justice Institute and Island Health nursing staff, educators, social workers and psychologists.

“There’s this idea that anyone who pokes and prods you must be a nurse or a doctor,” said Allison. “But there are over 70 occupations in allied health, and then there’s massage therapists and physiotherapists and more.” 

Allison said the policy framework was built around skills training to provide educational pathways for secondary students to explore future potential careers in in-demand areas. The core of the care economy sampler course, according to Hambrook, would be teaching the so-called “intersecting” skills — like communication or cultural awareness — as well as learning from expert guests and field trips. 

“And a ton of work, of course,” said Hambrook. “Students hopefully will learn to define who they are by what they value.”

Hambrook pointed out the work experience program at GISS has seen a growth in student involvement for that sector for several years — which is one of the reasons the ministry came to them. 

“We’ve had students doing work experience in our hospital, the assisted living residences, the daycares — all of those care economy locations,” said Hambrook. “So it didn’t take very long to establish a group of subject matter experts — and working professionals — to meet with us.” 

Massey said the ministry’s funding allowed the trio to work on the project every day at school — one block per day — since the start of September. 

“It’s going to be a comprehensive resource that any teacher can use,” said Allison, “to help mold and shape a course that will fit their community.” 

In addition, the coursework lays out how the occupations fit into the various care economy sectors. 

“A profile for [each] occupation, which shows labour market outlook, skills required, personality type and the educational pathways for certificate diploma and bachelor’s degree programs in the whole of B.C.,” said Allison. “It will be a product we’ll be very proud of.” 

Trustees unanimously approved a motion authorizing the course. Allison said the guide will be completed and ready to share provincially by the end of May. 

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