A special council meeting has been called for tomorrow to award contract(s). Given how close this council is to the end of its term, it’s hard not to question the rush to spend and commit money before the election.

The numbers are worth looking at. So far in 2026, there have been 9 Requests for Proposals (RFPs) posted on BC Bid for the Village of Lions Bay.

For comparison, from 2020 through the end of 2025, a six-year period, there were roughly 18 RFPs.

So, in just eight months of 2026, the Village has already issued half as many RFPs as it did during the previous six years combined.

And now, with a special summer council meeting called specifically to award contracts, residents are right to questioning the rush.

A significant portion of the village has lost confidence in this council’s ability to make sound, measured decisions. The feeling is amplified when major spending decisions are being rushed through at the end of its term.

Currently on the RFP menu:

• 🌡️ Climate Adaptation Plan
• 🌲 Natural Asset Inventory
• 🗑️ Municipal waste collection (as we all know, the Village is over a barrel on this one)
• 💧 Water meter installation
• 🏗️ Storage building
• 🚰 Water meter supply

Rushing all of this through now makes it look like you already know the next council may not do what you want them to do. And if that’s the case, perhaps the bigger question is why.

If these projects are truly the right thing to do, they should be able to withstand a little scrutiny and survive long enough for the next council to make the decision in a couple months.

Please. Stop spending money like it’s Black Friday and the store is closing in five minutes. Haste makes waste.

Agenda: https://pub-lionsbay.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=3099

In July, Abbott asks the CAO that staff resources be dedicated to rushing the committees “work” through before the end of this council’s term. CAO calls it a red flag. https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=5272

Another bear has been shot in our community after breaking into a home. Again.

Residents have reported multiple home break-ins over recent months. Earlier attempts to capture the bear were reportedly derailed after traps were tampered with... again.

Congratulations to whoever keeps interfering with those traps. Instead of giving Conservation Officers a chance to relocate a problem bear, you've helped ensure this outcome. Maybe grab yourself a bumper sticker that says:

"I turn relocation opportunities into obituaries."

Only some residents know that bears have been entering homes for quite some time. Unfortunately, the Village's "Bear Smart" councillor Neville Abbott refuses to share break-in information from the Conservation Service as part of the Bear Smart public updates at council meetings. "Nothing to report" is all we get from "Bear Smart"

While "Bear Smart" councillor Neville Abbott has declined to publicly relay Conservation updates, he has also controversially voted in support of individuals accused of interfering with Conservation's bear traps.

Credit for keeping the community informed instead goes to neighbours sharing information with one another and to Mayor Berry for publicly acknowledging the home break-ins.

A question for the BC Conservation Officer Service:

Many residents understand that reports made to Conservation are shared with members of Lions Bay's local "Bear Smart" group whom they do not trust. Some residents say they have been publicly criticized or berated reporting bear activity. Many of us have watched those exchanges play out online.

Whether that perception is accurate or not, the consequence is real: people stop reporting bear conflicts. And Conservation Officers are aware that this perception exists. Many residents say they have been told directly by conservation officers that they, too, are VERY concerned about the situation surrounding the local "Bear Smart" chapter, its policies, and its relationship with the community.

When residents believe their reports may be shared with individuals who have publicly defended or supported extreme actions such as bear trap tampering, many simply choose to remain silent.

That silence hurts everyone. But its understandable.

At what point does the Conservation Service publicly decide the current relationship isn't serving the public interest and begin working directly with the broader community instead?

Hopefully October's election brings a council that understands effective wildlife management means working with Conservation, not against it.

Because the current strategy often appears to be:

• Keep the break-ins quiet.
• Undermine Conservation's efforts while limiting the communities ability to get rid of garbage.
• Berate residents seeking help or guidance regarding bears.
• Then blame all the dead bears on the people who asked for help in the first place.

This current strategy and the leadership behind it have taken our community from nearly a decade with zero bear deaths to a point where bear deaths have become a common occurrence. At the same time, conflict within the community, has escalated to an unacceptable level. Quite frankly, it has all become mortifying to watch.

The circle of conflict marches on: a politicized and expensive "Bear Smart" program in conflict with both the community and conservation.

Bears pay the price. Public safety pays the price. And unless something changes, the cycle will continue.

Council met earlier this week for one of the final meetings of this council term. With just three meetings remaining before October's election, one might expect a focus on governance and finishing the term on a positive note.

Instead, it was more of the same.

A “Compliant” Resident Becomes the Target

The meeting began with a sobering talk from the owner of the Oceanview property that has become the focus of recent controversy and strong public allegations. He stated that tree clearing done on the property was 100% legal and spoke about the sadness caused by what he described as a small number of residents that are attacking it.

He also pointed out that this is far from unprecedented, noting that large neighbouring lots were completely cleared about seven years ago without any backlash, along with other clear-cut properties in Kelvin Grove, possibly referring to the steep cliff-like highway exit lots.

The contrast is difficult to ignore. A single resident appears to have faced more criticism over work that staff say fully complies with existing bylaws than councillors have faced for repeatedly opposing bylaws updates to prevent tree clearing or for failing to implement the Cordilleran geotechnical report recommendations before, or since, the most recent fatal landslide.

$85,000 in Harassment and Bullying Costs

One of the meeting's most troubling revelations was that Lions Bay has now spent $85,000 in legal fees related to harassment and bullying allegations involving councillor conduct toward staff.

Even more concerning, the issue appears to be ongoing. Approximately $20,000 of those costs were incurred in just the last six months under the current council.

https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=3789

The Code of Conduct Everyone Needs But the Majority Don't Want.

Council then debated the long-awaited Code of Conduct. Predictably, Council majority (which consists of Abbott, McLaughlin and Cunliffe) opposed moving it forward.

Cunliffe asked that it return in September because she "hasn't had time to read it," describing the policy as "exhausting." It does include tiring language like: Accountability – Council members are trusted to act competently, diligently and responsibly. They must be held accountable for their actions and decisions.

But it's likely even more exhausting for the staff members who have allegedly experienced bullying.

Y’all need a code of conduct. Badly. https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=3502

The CAO, clearly frustrated, reminded council they had requested the policy for two years "and now you're shooting it down... it's nonsensical, quite honestly."

https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=3872

Then, likely recognizing how this nonsensical this looked, Cunliffe reversed course and agreed to proceed with first reading only. Abbott and McLaughlin remained opposed. Of course.

Where Things Stand

• The village has spent $85,000 and counting responding to harassment and bullying allegations involving staff.
• Council's majority continues to withhold the harassment investigation report despite similar reports being released by other municipalities. This mirrors the Provincial Advisor's Report, which was also withheld despite being released elsewhere.
• If wrongdoing occurred, there has been no visible accountability.

Spending Priorities

McLaughlin attended remotely and remained dismissive throughout several discussions, including Beach Park updates and a proposal to increase spending on Emergency Support Services and document storage to roughly $250,000, including reinforcing floors to store paper records as ESS prefers to be on the lower floor.

Councillor Broughton perhaps summed up the public reaction best: "It's 2026, not 1986." Why are we reinforcing floors to store paper? Fortunately, council voted against the additional spending. https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=4454

Even Election Officials Don't Want the Job

Council also revealed that no Chief Election Officer (CEO) wants to work with Lions Bay.

Abbott objected to the CAO serving in the role, but there was little choice. The CAO admitted he didn't want the CEO position either, saying he was only putting "his neck in the noose... literally" because otherwise there wouldn't be an election.

Staff have apparently been "shaking the bushes" since the by-election trying to find someone willing to do it, while prospective Chief Election Officers continue to give Lions Bay "a wide berth." That statement speaks for itself. You do have to wonder why... Actually, you probably don't. https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=2736

Volunteers or Staff?

Abbott also proposed having his Climate Action Committee volunteer participate in evaluating RFPs alongside staff. Both the CAO and the Director of Operations pushed back, explaining that doing so would create liability and blur the line between volunteer council advisory committees and staff responsibilities. https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=6231

If we're paying professional staff to do this work, why do Abbott's committees continually require special authority, expanded roles, and seemingly unlimited access to village resources?

The Website and the BDO Auditors

McLaughlin recused himself from a discussion about council communications because of his own website which triggered the topic. https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=6648

Many residents view it as electioneering using information that council has otherwise voted to keep confidential. Mayor Berry also raised concerns that inaccurate and distorted information had been circulated through the site and that BDO's correspondence had been sent only to village management and clearly indicated it wasn't intended for wider distribution.

https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=7000

This meeting we also learned that councillors repeatedly contacting BDO directly was one of the main drivers of the increased audit costs. BDO has since terminated its relationship with Lions Bay and, like Chief Elections Officers, it was difficult to find another auditor to step up and work with our community.

Councillor Broughton made clear he was not one of those councillors contacting BDO before outlining concerns raised by the village's bank at the beginning of this council term, including a single signing authority over a $5 million account, low interest, and approximately $500 per month in chequing fees. Those issues were inherited from the previous council under Mayor McLaughlin, who identifies himself as a banker on his website.

Investigating the Wrong People?

Council then returned to the Oceanview property.

The CAO couldn't have been clearer. Lions Bay currently has no tree-clearing bylaw. The owner had done nothing wrong, was legally entitled to clear the land, and the temporary access permit remains valid. https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=8528

Despite staff repeatedly confirming everything was compliant, the council majority still voted to investigate the property at what was described as a great cost to the village.

Yes, the same majority that continues to suppress the harassment and bullying investigation voted to investigate a resident whom staff say has done nothing wrong.

The same majority also voted against updating the bylaws; which is precisely why there is no tree-clearing bylaw today.

Bonus Oddity: McLaughlin argued that "the ship has sailed" and there was little point pursuing the clear cutting matter... before then voting in favour of the expensive investigation a minute later. Even council was confused. https://youtu.be/7wHkNFjAoKU?t=9191

Final Thoughts

This meeting highlighted two very different standards of accountability. Remember, Councillors take an oath to be accountable for their actions and decisions.

Council has spent $85,000 + responding to harassment and bullying allegations involving its own conduct yet continues to withhold the publicly funded investigation report and, along with that, withholds any accountability.

Council Majority do not want a Code of Conduct.

And at the same time, council majority have now voted to spend additional taxpayer dollars investigating a resident whom staff repeatedly state has done nothing wrong. Quite possibly, we're watching council spend our money to bully and harrass a staff-confirmed compliant resident instead of update bylaws and implement geo-technical recommendations.

If council is determined to spend public money investigating something, perhaps it should investigate why the Cordilleran geotechnical recommendations that remain unimplemented now eight years after they were delivered, during which time two more people have lost their lives in landslides.  Or investigate family run bearmart.

One bright spot from the meeting was movement on the beach E. coli issue, as council directed staff to return with recommendations for addressing the growing goose problem.

Most importantly, enjoy your summer. Stay safe, make the most of it, and take every opportunity to enjoy the season.

Apparently, some Lions Bay residents are now getting their municipal updates from an anonymous, foreign-operated website. The site regularly republishes material from former councillor Marcus Reuter and a local blog and has become such a source of confusion that staff and council are now spending meeting time correcting it.

Watch: https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=2304

The Misinformation Olympics: Episode 1: “The Bylaws Are Illegal.”

The CAO explains that the Lions Bay bylaws are being amended because they are illegal, despite what a former councillor and foreign website are advising, he describes the Village as essentially playing Russian roulette by continuing to have these bylaws. If they are challenged in court, the legal case would be a “slam dunk.”

Neville Abbott’s response? “We don’t need the CAO’s opinion again.”

Bold strategy. Ignore the person you hired to give professional advice because… reasons.

Watch: https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=2554

Episode 2: “It’s the OCP’s Fault.”

Council Majority, led here by Jaime Cunliffe, once again insists that bylaw updates have to wait until after the Official Community Plan.

The CAO patiently explains, for what feels like the 87th time, that the OCP has absolutely nothing to do with these zoning bylaw amendments.

They’re unrelated. Completely unrelated. As in… not related.

One would think that would settle it.

One would be wrong. And the CAO does go on to state that Councillor Cunliffe is incorrect in this thinking.

Watch: https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=2747

Episode 3: “The Deep State Comes to Lions Bay.”

Mayor Berry explains that staff, the Provincial Municipal Advisor and the Village’s legal counsel have all recommended updating the bylaws and nothing has been done for almost 4 years.

He also calls out misinformation being spread by former councillor Marcus Reuter.

This apparently offends Neville Abbott.

Among the conspiracy theories circulating are claims, included in a letter to council, that the Mayor and Councillor Broughton are somehow “deep state friends” receiving special treatment because they’ve have something on the CAO. Seriously. Here: https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=3423 

Deep state. In Lions Bay. Population: about 1,500.

Somebody in the village has clearly been binge-watching too many conspiracy documentaries on mothers TV.  

Watch: https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=2827

Episode 4: Russian Roulette Wins the Vote

Despite repeated warnings from:

·       the CAO,

·       municipal legal counsel,

·       the Provincial Municipal Advisor,

·       and common sense,

Council Majority votes to delay the overdue bylaw updates until after the OCP.

Russian roulette it is.

Immediately afterward, the CAO practically pleads with council.

He explains they’ve already spent significant legal fees preparing these amendments because council instructed staff to do so. And continues saying that the lawyers say the Village faces significant legal liabilities and the village is already sitting on a number of active litigation. Then he continues stating that "its not like this is rare in Lions Bay".

His point is refreshingly simple:

If you’re just going to vote it down, stop wasting my time and the Village’s money. Honestly… fair.

https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=3121

Episode 5: Let’s Keep the Misinformation

Council Majority then votes against having the CAO correct the misinformation being circulated by former Councillor Marcus Reuter, the foreign-operated website, and the associated petition they are driving. https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=3575

So the misinformation stays. The illegal bylaws stay. The legal exposure stays.

It becomes apparent at this meeting that the Council majority is referencing misinformation to drive their decision making.

But at least everyone’s consistent.

Ron McLaughlin, for example, has also started his own website to fix misinformation but, in reality, he is voting based on it. You can’t make this up. His site states "I feel it is essential to be clear on the facts during debate and push for documented facts regardless of the topic. (It is the times we are in - Fake News is everywhere)".

This is getting beyond ridiculous. Just update the illegal bylaws, guys.

Episode 6: Priorities

While saying the CAO shouldn’t spend time fixing these illegal bylaws (after directing him to do so)… Neville Abbott goes on to say he does have his own priorities for staff to work on.

The Climate Action Committee.

He asks that staff resources be dedicated to rushing the committees “work” through before the end of this council’s term.

The CAO immediately calls Abbotts request a red flag, reminding council that committees aren’t supposed to be doing work.

“They just make recommendations to council. That’s all.”

Apparently legal liabilities can wait. Committee "red flag" homework cannot.

Watch: https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=5272

Bonus Round Bloopers: Bear Smart Report Period

Councillor Abbott once again reports… Nothing.

Mayor Berry then informs that Conservation has reported a bear breaking into a home.

https://youtu.be/coWLcU-876c?t=5502

Coming soon….

Lions Bay’s next appearance in BC Supreme Court is in August.

At this point, maybe the court should just reserve us a VIP parking spot. Village Ignoring Professionals. Cause they know we'll be back.