Had the honour of being invited by the Scia’new First Nation to participate in a smudging ceremony today. It is their way of purifying and removing negative energy from people and environments.

I have to admit that, as a white man, I was fairly nervous about messing up the ritual but thankfully I didn’t have to go first so it all went smoothly as I just followed the Chief Chipps’ lead. Although I definitely did something amusing as Shirley, the Elder who performed the ceremony, had a big smile on her face during my turn with the smoke.

It has been an absolute pleasure to work on this great project alongside Chief Russ Chipps and the Scia’new people over the past year and a half. Achieving real change in real communities. Here’s a great article that Russ has written and published in the Vancouver Sun on our initiative.

Trudeau takes the stage here in Winnipeg at the Federal Liberal Convention!

Fantastic to see so many familiar faces at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the launch of the Westshore Express. A great initiative by John Wilson to bring more tourists and drive economic activity in the Westshore.

Had a blast hosting the Westshore Chamber of Commerce out on site last week. Met so many great local entrepreneurs and business people, had some great food, and drank some good wine!

Had a blast this weekend at the Vancouver Island Top 20 Under 40 Awards up in Nanaimo! It was an honour to have been a finalist alongside so many incredible and accomplished people under the age of 40. Thanks to all those those who nominated me!

Excited to have won a single night stay in a King Suite at the Hotel Rialto downtown. Will have to save that for an R&R ‘staycation’ in the future!

Good times last night at CIJA & CJPAC’s outreach event to the BC Government in the Crystal Ballroom at The Empress, followed by a great reception at the Hotel Grand Pacific held by the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association.

A big thanks to everyone who came out and supported CIJA, CJPAC, and the local Jewish community!

It’s been a few years since I’ve had anything to do with students politics at UVic, but I feel I should remind my friends who are still students that today is UVSS Election Day… so get out and vote! https://webvote.uvic.ca/

If I were still there, I’d be casting my vote for Encompass UVic as they seem to be the sane and reasonable centrist slate this year with great candidates like Alicia Armstrong, Jordan Quitzau, and Kate Fairley!

Today I found out that a wonderful and compassionate woman that I have known my entire life, was diagnosed with brain cancer.

She has always been kind and supportive of me, and forever an optimist with her cheery demeanour and outlook never seeming to fade, at least not that I’ve ever seen. Just the epitome of a “friendly neighbour” who you’d instantly trust.

Even as I grew into adulthood and moved away from the old neighbourhood, seeing her infrequently, whenever I did run into her, around town or out walking the dog with her husband along the Gorge Waterway, she was always keen to hear what I was up to in life, and quick to offer encouragement. She even jumped at the chance to do a mail drop for my City Council campaign in 2014.