As a long time volunteer, McIntosh is committed to promoting Paralympic sport in Canada

Blair McIntosh is a humble giant. He’s also the Canadian Paralympic Team’s Chef de Mission.

“My job is to oversee administration and logistics for the team so the athletes can focus on competition,” says McIntosh.

Each National Paralympic Committee brings a Chief and an Assistant Chef de Mission to ensure operations with their teams run smoothly. Since 2004, McIntosh has been volunteering with the Canadian Paralympic Committee, but he’s got over 25 years of experience working in sport and he’s passionate about the Paralympic Games.

“The athletes have been overwhelmed by the fans and the support. Most have never competed in-front of such big or excited crowds,” says McIntosh.

Athlete feedback has been positive about the Whistler Athletes Village and the overall organization and logistics of the Games.

Whistler has been swept up in the adrenaline, heart pumping excitement of Paralympic sport with sold out events, increased tv coverage and phenomenal participation at paralymic sport demonstrations in-venue.

When asked what his top Games moment has been so far McIntosh was hard pressed to pick just one. “Announcing Jean Labonte as the flag bear, seeing Colette Bourgonje win the first medal of the Games (Silver - women’s 10-kilometre sit-ski race) and seeing Brian McKeever win the first gold – there’s been so many amazing moments I will never forget.”

And while it’s hard to think too far beyond Sunday, it’s obvious that McIntosh will remain committed to promoting Paralymic sport in Canada. “Together we’ve done it. The Paralympic Games are on the map and in the hearts of Canadians.” 

Whistler Adaptive Sport Program works because of its volunteers

Grassroots disabled sport is growing in Whistler thanks in part to the volunteers who donate countless hours.
Whistler’s healthy volunteerism directly benefits non-profit organizations such as the Whistler Adaptive Sports Program (WASP). Since 1999, WASP has been able to offer 4.770 lessons thanks to volunteers. In 2009, volunteers committed a whopping 21,000 hours to WASP programs.

“Without volunteers we would not be able to offer the range of lessons we do while keeping them affordable,” said Chelsey Walker, WASP executive director. “Having a dedicated core of volunteers who are passionate about Paralympic sport has allowed us to expand all of our programs.”

At any given time, 150 to 180 volunteers work with WASP. The organization provides year-round recreational programs for people of all ages with disabilities. Their mission is to provide access to sport and recreation for all.

The average volunteer commitment for WASP volunteers is 23 days a season but some get hooked on the experience. Gerald Jiro Kanazawa, an English language student from Japan, is a volunteer whose fallen in love with disabled sport. He’s already volunteered 40 days this season and he’s one of the most dedicated summer volunteers.

“All of our volunteers are extremely dedicated and it’s neat to see people like Gerald fall in love with this stuff,” Walker said.

Many volunteers like Kanazawa often get as much out of volunteering as they put in. Volunteers include the sport specific coaches, the fundraisers and the folks who help run ski races.

“These volunteers are helping people achieve a high level of athletic accomplishment. In the process they increase their own skill base because all of us are constantly learning,” Walker said.

Oh Saskatchewan! by Kevin Damaskie

I’m seated in a room in a circle of haggard-looking hard fellows in John Deere caps sporting cowboy boots... all eyes are on me as I choke down the lump in my throat, raise my head and address the room.
“My name is Kevin, and I’m from Saskatchewan.”

“Hi Kevin, welcome,” replies the room in unison.

That’s it, the ice is broken, the weight of 100 bushels of wheat lifts off my back as I realize these sun and wind-chafed folks in the room are there to support me, and vice versa. We are meeting in the gorgeous Whistler Golf and Country Club in the Saskatchewan Pavilion open daily from 2-8 p.m. until March 20. All are welcome. It’s a little off the beaten Whistler Village path, but well worth the two minute trek.

Oh, Saskatchewan! Long considered the black sheep of Western Canada, is revealing itself as a bright light with a story to share. Riding a boom driven by natural resources, friendly folks and real estate prices attractive for young families looking to build a life, Saskatchewan is a province on the move with one of the hottest economies in North America. Vancouver’s Saskatchewan Pavilion in February was a big hit with over 100,000 guests.

“We’re in Whistler and Vancouver during the Games trying to break some of the stereotypes about Saskatchewan,” says Nancy Hubenig of the Saskatchewan Pavilion. “I think people are very surprised about the tourism and positive industry side of Saskatchewan. The fact that there are 100,000 lakes and we’re not all just wheat fields. As a province, we feel this is a great time for us and people should know what’s going on.”

Well worth the visit but I am a bit biased

What you can do to keep our air free of particulate matter

Whistler, with all its clean mountain air, has a few airborne ingredients that create a recipe for bad breath(ing) – which are known as particulate matter.

Particulate matter is the solid particles or liquid droplets naked to the human eye floating in the air. Particulate matter from vehicle exhaust causes the type of air pollution that most commonly affects people’s health causing lung damage, asthma, increased heart disease, cancer, and is even linked to premature death.

Asthma is now the most common chronic pediatric disease in Canada and other developed, westernized countries. Statistics Canada figures show asthma rates soaring, affecting nearly 13% of Canadian children in 2000-01 as compared to 2.5% in 1978.
Exhaust from idling vehicles accumulates in and around schoolyards resulting in the indoor air being more polluted than outside, posing significant health risks to children and teachers during the day.

What can you do when its cold and you are waiting in your car? Here are a few options:
• Dress warmly
• Carry and use a warm blanket in your vehicle during the cold winter months.

We also need to consider the air pollution caused by other generators of particulate matter, such as from inefficient wood stoves and improper burning which results in a lot of smoke filling our neighbourhoods.

A properly installed, correctly used wood-burning appliance should be smoke free. If you see or smell smoke that means you may have a problem.

Book an appointment to have your chimney cleaned and check bcairquality.ca to reduce smoke inside and outside your home and to protect the air breathe.