British Columbia NationTalk

Trigon Pacific Terminals advancing engineering work for its planned Canadian LPG propane export project

PRINCE RUPERT, BC, Dec. 5, 2023 – Trigon Pacific Terminals Ltd. (Trigon) is advancing key engineering work for its proposed Trigon LPG Project, including completing pre-FEED engineering, rail design and risk assessment planning. This next stage of work is anticipated to be completed in Q2 2024.

In November 2023, Trigon announced its intention to advance the redevelopment of a portion of its existing facilities for liquid petroleum gas (also known as propane and butane) exports. Trigon also commenced legal action to enforce its lease rights to handle additional Canadian commodities.

Trigon’s aim is to diversify its operations in the face of the Canadian government’s upcoming thermal coal export ban by providing much-needed additional propane export capacity, and with that a more diversified, open-market supply chain.

“Repurposing and ‘upcycling’ a portion of our terminal is good for everyone – the Canadian economy, Canadian producers, the people we employ and the communities we support,” said Rob Booker, CEO of Trigon. “This is evidenced by the strong support we have received from customers near and far, local communities, our Union and Trigon’s Indigenous partners.”

Project Details

Upwards of 120,000 cubic metres of new LPG storage capacity.
Will leverage the existing LPG vessel loading infrastructure.
Will leverage the existing rail yard, with new rail unloading facilities to provide complete unit train unloading.

Trigon LPG will have the smallest environmental footprint possible of any new proposed LPG export facility in Canada and, in turn, will provide cost-competitive export access for Canadian propane producers. Subject to regulatory review and other approvals, Trigon anticipates being ready to start operations by late 2027.

Trigon Pacific Terminals Limited is a multi-commodity bulk and liquefied gas export terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert. With a skilled workforce and proven operational excellence, it is a key link between Western Canadian commodity producers and their Asia-Pacific customers. Privately owned – with equity positions held by the Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla – Trigon is committed to transformational growth strategies aligned with global energy and climate-related imperatives.

For further information: For more information, or to arrange an interview with Trigon, please contact: Nicola Lambrechts – 604-970-9113 / nlambrechts@trigonbc.com; Kevin Hanson – 778-834-3050 / kevin@kevinhanson.ca

NT4

Three reappointments made to WorkSafeBC board

Dec. 5, 2023

VICTORIA – Three directors have been reappointed to WorkSafeBC’s governance board.

Effective Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023:

Michelle Laurie, worker representative, was reappointed as a director for a term ending Dec. 1, 2025;
Rebecca Packer, professional providing health care or rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities, was reappointed as a director for a term ending Dec. 1, 2025; and
Lorna Pawluk, employer representative, was reappointed as a director for a term ending Feb. 1, 2027

The WorkSafeBC board of directors serves as steward of WorkSafeBC and the workers’ compensation system. The Workers Compensation Act requires that the board includes representation from professionals from a range of relevant fields, including health care and rehabilitation, occupational health and safety, law or law enforcement and an actuary. Representation must also include workers, employers and the public interest.

Information on WorkSafeBC’s board of directors can be found here: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/who-we-are/leadership/board-directors

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ministry of Labour
Media Relations
250 213-8637

BACKGROUNDER

WorkSafeBC’s board biographies

Michelle Laurie is a Red Seal certified electrician and has spent the majority of her career as a worker representative and advocate. Most recently, she was a staff representative for United Steelworkers. Prior to that she represented workers in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, as president of Local 258. She has considerable board experience, having been a vice-president of the BC Federation of Labour and past chair of the boards of the Tumbler Ridge Health Care Centre, United Way of the Lower Mainland, BC Citizens for Public Power, and the Electrical Industry Training Institute.

Rebecca Packer is a registered physical therapist, with a special interest in long-term care, working for the Island Health Authority in the territory of the K’ómoks First Nation on Vancouver Island. She has extensive experience working with joint occupational health and safety committees and serves on the board of directors for the Health Sciences Association of British Columbia. She holds her master of science in physical therapy from the University of Alberta, a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Victoria, and has completed a graduate certificate in values-based leadership through Royal Roads University.

Lorna Pawluk has been involved in the workers’ compensation system since 1991 when she was appointed as an appeal commissioner in the predecessor tribunal to the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal. In 2001, she opened her own practice advising employers in health and safety matters, later expanding to related employment matters. In 2006, she joined Bernard LLP as associate counsel. She has extensive board experience, having been on the board of the BC Safety Authority and chair of the Regulatory Practices Committee; the British Columbia Institute of Technology as vice-chair, chair of the Human Resources Committee and chair of the Governance Committee; and chair of the National Administrative Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association. She has also been on the board of the BC Council of Administrative Tribunals, the Employer’s Forum, and the College of Massage Therapists of BC, where she also chaired the inquiry committee.

Contact:

Ministry of Labour
Media Relations
250 213-8637

NT4

UBC Okanagan adds Indigenous Knowledges graduate programs – Castanet

Dec 5, 2023

UBC Okanagan has created a new pathway for students pursuing Indigenous studies, announcing that applications are now open for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Indigenous Knowledges post-graduate degrees.

The program–i?” sqilx? a?” cmiy?” t scmypnwí?ns?lx in Nsyilxcn–marks a significant stride in embedding Indigenous perspectives and wisdom within higher education. UBC Okanagan is the first in Canada to offer Indigenous Knowledges master’s and doctorate degrees.

UBC Okanagan’s approach to Indigenous academic programming is deeply rooted in partnership and leadership by Indigenous faculty and communities. These programs are designed to be respectful and reflective of Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems, and are driven by those that represent their communities both on and off campus.

“Inspired by Indigenous philosophy, our program encourages students to consider ‘all our relations’ and live in harmony with the land,” says Dr. Shawn Wilson, an Associate Professor in Indigenous Studies and Program Director. “Indigenous Knowledges and languages are not just academic subjects; they are life practices emerging from deep relationships between our peoples and the land.”

Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries

2023 12 04

Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries 2023 12 04 Biotoxin Update (7) – Mussel samples only

General Information

Area openings are dependent upon regular submission and analysis of samples for biotoxin analysis, as set out in a biotoxin monitoring protocol administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Three consecutive mussel samples, along with a sample of the targeted food species containing acceptable levels of biotoxin must be received in order for CFIA to recommend lifting a harvest restriction in an area. CFIA will recommend lifting the biotoxin prohibition and a harvest site can then be considered by DFO for fisheries openings. Once an area is open, on-going submission of mussel samples is required to maintain the opening. CFIA will recommend closure of the harvest area to DFO if there is a lapse in sample submissions or if unacceptable levels of toxin are detected (>80 ug STXdiHCl eq/100g; >20 ppm domoic acid (ASP); >0.2 ug /g Okadoic Acid /DTX Toxin and/or Pectenotoxin (DSP)).

NT4

First Peoples Law Report November 29 – December 5, 2023 – First Peoples Law

Human rights and specific claims were in the spotlight in BC

FNLC Calls on BC to Defer Amendments to Bill 45; Urges a Human Rights Approach to Encampment Legislation | UBCIC

Leq’á:mel First Nation and Government of Canada reach agreement to right historic wrong | Yahoo

Alberta news included child welfare and energy regulation

Treaty 8 chiefs sue Canada, Alberta over special benefits payments | APTN News

Opposition NDP, First Nation chief want public review of Alberta Energy Regulator | Global News

Federal investment supports water supply system upgrades in Hartley Bay

From: Infrastructure Canada

Hartley Bay, British Columbia, December 5, 2023 — The federal government is investing $16 million to support the village of Hartley Bay’s, home of the Gitga’at First Nation, water infrastructure improvements.

Announced by Minister Sean Fraser, this project will significantly improve the water supply system for the community by retaining water at the outlet of Upper Gabion Lake, which can then be released during the increasingly dry summer months.

It will also build a dam, controls, and an access road to the project site. These assets will help protect the community, their livelihood, and the overall fish supply, including Coho salmon, in the Gabion River.

Once complete, this new infrastructure will help the residents of Hartley Bay be prepared for environmental disasters as they will have stored water available to combat wildland fires and mitigate the risks of drought. Additionally, the upgrades will help ensure that the community continues to have a safe water supply, including a healthy fishing habitat, which will protect their culture and heritage and support their economic growth.

Furthermore, making adaptation investments now will have major economy-wide benefits later. Every dollar that is invested in adapting and preparing for climate-related disasters can return as much as $13 to $15 in benefits.

Quotes

“Quality disaster mitigation and adaptation infrastructure keeps our communities secure. Improving the water system in Hartley Bay will increase storage and supply, providing the Gitga’at First Nation with the tools they need to face environmental disasters. The federal government will keep investing in projects like this one that build stronger communities, protect our ecosystems, and help keep Canadians safe for years to come.”

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“With warming summers, drought is a new but real threat to the very viability of Hartley Bay, our home community. Climate resilience has been on our agenda for years. Once the project is built, we will be able to manage our watershed’s resource all year long, avoiding disaster. We are very pleased and relieved to have this support from the Government of Canada.”

Bruce Reece, Chief of the Gitga’at First Nation

Quick facts

The federal government is investing $16 million in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF).
Since 2018, the federal government has committed nearly $3.8 billion to DMAF.
To date, over $2.38 billion has been announced for 88 infrastructure projects that help communities better prepare for, and withstand, the potential impacts of natural disasters, prevent infrastructure failures, and help keep Canadians safe.
This funding will support projects that include new construction of public infrastructure or the modification or reinforcement of existing public infrastructure that help communities withstand natural disasters and climate-related risks.
Eligible recipients include municipalities, local governments, provinces and territories, public sector bodies, Indigenous organizations, not-for-profit, and for-profit organizations in partnership with other eligible applicants outside the private sector. Projects must have a minimum of $1 million in total eligible costs to be considered eligible.
On November 24th, 2022, the federal government released Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy. It commits $1.6 billion in new federal funding to help address both immediate and future climate risks to Canadian communities.
As part of the Adaptation Action Plan, released alongside the National Adaptation Strategy, the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund received an additional $489.1 million in funding.
Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups.
Federal funding is conditional on the signing of funding/contribution agreements.

Associated links

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Micaal Ahmed
Communications Manager
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
343-598-3920
micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
Web: Infrastructure Canada

David Benton
Clean Energy Project Lead
Gitga’at First Nation
604-970-9019
davidbenton@gitgaat.ca

NT5

Cervical Cancer Screening Update – FNHA

Dec 05, 2023

A message from Dr. Unjali Malhotra, Office of the Chief Medical Officer; and Sara Pyke, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections, Community & Public Health, Collaborative Practice

There has been a lot of media coverage recently about cervix self-screening (also known as HPV self-collection or at-home tests), including these articles: Canada to phase out Pap test for more accurate HPV detection test and What to know about at-home HPV tests now available across Canada.

What is the difference between HPV self-collection tests and Pap smears?

HPV self-collection tests are Q-tip-sized vaginal swabs you can use yourself wherever you’re most comfortable—at home, in a clinic bathroom or in a doctor’s examining room. The self-collection test is very easy to do and very accurate. If you have avoided Pap smears due to past traumatic experiences in the health care system, you may be more comfortable with this self-collection option.

Coastal First Nations, Nanwakolas Council and Coast Funds welcome B.C. investment in Great Bear Sea

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 5, 2023 – Coastal First Nations, Nanwakolas Council and Coast Funds are welcoming the provincial government’s announcement of a $60 million investment in support of Indigenous-led marine conservation, stewardship, and sustainable economic development in the Northern Shelf Bioregion, also known as the Great Bear Sea. BC’s investment forms part of a broader initiative that will bring hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment for economic development, community prosperity, and the protection of coastal ecosystems and wildlife across the north and central coast and Haida Gwaii .

The Great Bear Sea extends from the top of Vancouver Island to the Canada-Alaska border. One of the richest and most productive cold-water marine ecosystems on Earth, it is home to a rich diversity of marine life that has sustained our communities for countless generations. Stewarded and cared for by our Nations for more than 14,000 years, the Great Bear Sea is the source of sustenance, culture, and livelihoods for our own communities and for all British Columbians.

For over a decade, our Nations have worked with Canada and BC, and with stakeholders from commercial fishing, tourism, energy, and other sectors, to develop multi-use marine plans and a network of marine protected areas. These plans are informed by Indigenous knowledge, Western science, and collaboration between governments, citizens, and stakeholders. By putting these plans into practice, we can help ensure a healthy future for fisheries, marine wildlife, communities, and cultures across the region.

“By protecting whole ecosystems that include people and communities in co-existence with nature, Indigenous-led stewardship provides a blueprint for conservation and sustainable resource management worldwide,” says K̓áwáziɫ, Marilyn Slett, Chief Councillor of the Heiltsuk Nation and President of Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative. “This funding provides vital long-term support for stewardship initiatives that maintain ecosystem health and biodiversity, while creating new jobs and improving social and economic well-being throughout coastal communities.”

Coast Funds, the world’s first Indigenous-led conservation finance organization, will manage these funds on behalf of participating First Nations. Through Coast Funds, First Nations have established a strong track record of success: the innovative conservation finance model developed in the Great Bear Rainforest in 2007 has supported more than 1,250 new jobs and 120 businesses, along with broader economic development and diversification.

“In the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii, First Nations have demonstrated how investments in stewardship and coastal communities create jobs and opportunities, while protecting the ecosystems we all rely on,” said Eddy Adra, CEO of Coast Funds. “We’re pleased to see the Province of B.C. renew its support as First Nations work with Crown governments and partners to extend protections and conservation financing to their marine territories.”

This investment contributes to the ongoing development of the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiative, one of four Indigenous-led PFPs in development across Canada. PFPs are a proven tool for conservation finance that blends public and private investment to deliver long-term conservation and economic benefits. In December 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his government’s commitment of $800 million for the four PFPs initiatives.

The Great Bear Sea PFP will provide durable, long-term funding for the implementation of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network Action Plan for the Great Bear Sea. Announced last February, the MPA Network Action Plan is the result of a collaborative partnership between First Nations, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada with input from industry and community stakeholders. When completed, the MPA Network will support healthy fisheries, protect and conserve ecosystems, enable sustainable marine economies, improve food security, and increase coastal resilience to climate change.

The provincial investment will also support the ongoing implementation of the Marine Planning Partnership (MaPP), a joint initiative of the Province and First Nations to develop and implement multi-use marine plans that combine sustainable economic development with environmental stewardship in the Great Bear Sea.

“Indigenous-led stewardship, coupled with effective long-term conservation investments, has proven to be a powerful model for delivering enduring ecosystem protection while creating jobs and building sustainable economies,” said Dallas Smith, President, Nanwakolas Council. “We welcome BC’s commitment to work collaboratively with our Nations to deliver on our existing marine planning partnerships — and to join our Nations and Canada at the PFP table. Together we will get these benefits flowing for nature and for people.”

For further information: For more information or to request interviews please contact: Media Contacts, Nanwakolas Council, Caitlin Thompson: caitlinthompson@nanwakolas.com, (250) 305 8756; Coastal First Nations, Bessie Brown: bbrown@coastalfirstnations.ca, (604) 722-3331; Coast Funds, Stephanie Butler: stephanie@coastfunds.ca, (604) 715 1926

NT5

B.C. supports collaborative marine conservation, economic development on North Coast

Dec. 5, 2023

VANCOUVER – The B.C. government is protecting vital coastal ecosystems, creating new jobs and advancing sustainable fisheries and economic opportunities in the Northern Shelf Bioregion (also known as the Great Bear Sea) in partnership with First Nations, the federal government and donors.

“People in British Columbia share a deep connection to our coastal waters,” said Premier David Eby. “They are a source of beauty, food and economic opportunities. Through sustainable conservation financing, we will help secure the future of our marine ecosystems, fisheries and coastal communities.”

The Province will support this Initiative with a $60-million grant administered by the Coast Conservation Endowment Fund Foundation (Coast Funds). This is expected to leverage more than $200 million in additional investment in the region, through the development of a Project Finance for Permanence initiative (PFP) in partnership with First Nations, the federal government and others.

The Great Bear Sea PFP, which pairs conservation with community well-being and sustainable economic development, is expected to deliver thousands of new permanent jobs, grow and diversify the regional economy, and revitalize communities and cultures, expanding the successful model that currently supports initiatives in the adjacent Great Bear Rainforest.

The Northern Shelf Bioregion is located off the north and central coasts of B.C. and encompasses marine environments adjacent to the Great Bear Rainforest. This area, which extends south from the Alaska panhandle and includes Haida Gwaii and the waters around northern Vancouver Island, is home to an extraordinarily rich variety and abundance of marine life, including whales, salmon, seabirds, shellfish, kelp forests and eelgrass meadows.

“B.C.’s world-leading, collaborative approach will protect our precious marine areas and grow a sustainable economy with good jobs building on work that B.C., First Nations and Canada have undertaken together over many years,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “This work brings together Indigenous knowledge, cutting-edge science, and input from industry stakeholders, including fisheries, tourism and renewable energy interests.”

The grant to Coast Funds will help provide stable funding for First Nations in the region to expand marine stewardship and guardian programs. It will also support existing initiatives such as the Marine Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP) and the recently announced Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network Action Plan. Better management and new marine protected areas will help rebuild abundant fisheries by safeguarding important fish-producing habitats, while allowing ongoing fishing across most of the region.

Coast Funds has supported First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii for 15 years to help achieve their conservation, stewardship and economic development goals. As one of the original contributors to Coast Funds, the B.C. government is strengthening a model that has seen First Nations already invest $109 million in 439 conservation, sustainable energy and economic development projects that have created more than 1,250 jobs since 2008.

The $60-million grant to Coast Funds is part of an integrated approach to enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health and supporting sustainable economies in British Columbia, which includes the new Conservation Financing Mechanism and the Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation announced this fall (see links below).

Quotes:

Eddy Adra, CEO of Coast Conservation Endowment Fund Foundation (Coast Funds) –

“In the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii, First Nations have demonstrated how investments in stewardship and coastal communities create jobs and opportunities while protecting the ecosystems we all rely on. We’re pleased to see the Province of B.C. renew its support as First Nations work with Crown governments and partners to extend protections and conservation financing to their marine territories.”

Dallas Smith, president, Na̲nwak̲olas Council –

“Indigenous-led stewardship, coupled with effective long-term conservation investments, has proven to be a powerful model for delivering enduring ecosystem protection while creating jobs and building sustainable economies. We welcome B.C.’s commitment to work collaboratively with our Nations to deliver on our existing marine planning partnerships, and to join our Nations and Canada at the PFP table. Together we will get these benefits flowing for nature and for people.”

K̓áwáziɫ Marilyn Slett, president of Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative and Chief Councillor of the Heiltsuk Tribal Council –

“By protecting whole ecosystems that include people and communities in co-existence with natural ecosystems, Indigenous-led stewardship provides a blueprint for conservation and sustainable resource management worldwide. This funding provides vital long-term support for stewardship initiatives that maintain ecosystem health and biodiversity while creating new jobs and improving social and economic well-being throughout coastal communities.”

George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy –

“Strengthening Indigenous-led conservation for one of the most important ecosystems in British Columbia is a significant milestone of great environmental importance. Collaboration with First Nations means that this can be a sustainable and lasting approach to ensure this region, habitat and species are protected for generations to come. All British Columbians benefit from actions like today’s.”

Diane Lebouthillier, federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard –

“Fisheries and Oceans Canada is pleased to be working with First Nations and the Province of British Columbia in the Northern Shelf Bioregion to provide a firm foundation for sustainable Indigenous-led conservation through the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence. Together, we are working with First Nations in helping to conserve ecosystems, rebuild and sustain prosperous commercial fisheries, support social and cultural well-being, and develop sustainable economies for future generations.”

Steven Guilbeault, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change —

“Indigenous-led marine conservation of the Northern Shelf Bioregion and the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence are critical steps towards our shared goal of further protecting B.C.’s North Coast region. The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the Government of British Columbia, First Nations, and philanthropic partners to support the rich biodiversity of species who live within this unique coastal system. By working with our provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners, Canada is acting now to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030, support the recovery of species at risk, and halt and reverse the loss of nature by 2050.”

Quick Facts:

A Project Finance for Permanence Initiative (PFP) is a conservation financing model that’s designed to provide financial stability and certainty for initiatives through the combined investments of multiple parties.
A PFP is an important tool to ensure the successful implementation of lasting conservation and stewardship initiatives, which also provides increased clarity to philanthropic organizations that wish to provide financial support for conservation efforts in the region.
The Northern Shelf Bioregion grant will help the Province meet the goal of protecting 30% of B.C.’s land base by 2030.

Learn More:

To learn about the Coast Conservation Endowment Fund Foundation (Coast Funds), visit: https://coastfunds.ca/

To read the Coast Funds impact report, visit: https://coastfunds.ca/news/sustaining-people-place

To read the Coast Funds 2022 annual report, visit: https://coastfunds.ca/news/coast-funds-2022-annual-report-celebrates-first-nations-leadership-in-building-a-conservation-economy/

To learn about the Marine Protected Area Network, visit: https://mpanetwork.ca/

To read the Marine Protected Area Network Action Plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/marine-protected-area-network-partners-endorse-plan-to-protect-british-columbias-north-coast

To learn about the Marine Plan Partnership (MaPP), visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/crown-land-water/land-use-planning/coastal-marine-plans and https://www.mappocean.org

To learn about the Federal Government’s Commitment to Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), visit: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2022/12/07/protecting-more-nature-partnership-indigenous-peoples

To read about the Marine Protected Area Network plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/28192

To read about the Province’s made-in-B.C. Conservation Financing Mechanism, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/29736

To read about the Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation between the Government of Canada, British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/29800

To read about the marine plans completed by First Nations and the Province, visit: https://mappocean.org/first-nations-and-province-complete-marine-plans/

Contacts:

Office of the Premier
Jimmy Smith, Acting Communications Deputy Director
250 882-2892

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Media Relations
250 896-7365

Coast Conservation Endowment Fund Foundation (Coast Funds)
Stephanie Butler, Communications Manager
stephanie@coastfunds.ca
604 715-1926

NT5

Complaint dismissed against Nelson police over reported sex assault – Arrow Lakes News

Dec 05, 2023

Human rights tribunal says the complaint about how a trans woman was treated won’t move forward

A transgender woman who alleges her sexual assault report wasn’t taken seriously by the Nelson Police Department has had a complaint dismissed by the BC Human Rights Tribunal.

Olivia Bean first reported her assault to the department on Aug. 22, 2015. In her submission to the tribunal, Bean says interviewing officer Sgt. Nathaniel Holt “repeatedly normalized the sexual assault, along with the financial and emotional abuse she was reporting.”

Bean alleges Holt was impatient, did not take her seriously because of her gender identity and consistently redirected conversation away from the assault report to discussions about her transition. Holt also allegedly dissuaded her from pressing charges and recommended she instead visit Kootenay Lake Hospital.