Winter 2018 | Volume 27 Number 4

Published Quarterly by The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia

27 years

inside: Charitable Giving and Volunteering

Publications Mail Agreement: 40010827 Collaborate

At Stewart Title, we provide clients with tools that make it easier to work with others and streamline their practices. The Assyst Real Estate application, powered by TELUS, links legal professionals and lenders so data can be exchanged securely, simply and efficiently – facilitating obtaining mortgage instructions and reporting to the lender.

We like to think of it as less time, less work and less trouble adding up to more business. It’s another way we work with clients to keep the real estate transaction where it belongs – in your office.

Interested? Request a demo by calling (888) 667-5151 or visit stewart.ca.

© 2017 Stewart. All rights reserved. See policies for full terms and conditions. Collaborate

At Stewart Title, we provide clients with tools that make it easier to work with others and streamline their practices. The Assyst Real Estate application, powered by TELUS, links legal professionals and lenders so data can be exchanged securely, simply and efficiently – facilitating obtaining mortgage instructions and reporting to the lender.

We like to think of it as less time, less work and less trouble adding up to more business. It’s another way we work with clients to keep the real estate transaction where it belongs – in your office.

Interested? Request a demo by calling (888) 667-5151 or visit stewart.ca.

WE VALUE PROPERTY.

If you are among B.C.’s over 2 million property owners, you should have received your 2019 property assessment by now. If you haven’t, call us toll-free at 1-866-valueBC.

You can access and review property assessment information for free at bcassessment.ca. Your 2019 assessment is based on a market value as of July 1, 2018.

For questions or information, contact us at 1-866-valueBC or bcassessment.ca. The deadline to file an appeal is January 31, 2019.

For more property information, assessment highlights and videos visit bcassessment.ca

© 2017 Stewart. All rights reserved. See policies for full terms and conditions. We Value BC When Reading the PDF Online click on an article or page number. PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY OF NOTARIES PUBLIC OF BC

FEATURES: CHARITABLE GIVING AND VOLUNTEERING The Scrivener: What’s in a Name? 4 Satisfying Philanthropic Options 21 PRESIDENT, THE SOCIETY OF NOTARIES PUBLIC OF BC Ali Edgell Keep it Up! 6 Charity and Giving: A Dragon’s Tale 22 Rhoda Witherly Brendon Rothwell EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE SOCIETY OF NOTARIES PUBLIC OF BC Executive Sleep-Out 24 Seeking Safe Haven 7 Kirk LaPointe John Mayr Editor’s 25 PRESIDENT, BC NOTARIES ASSOCIATION Moving Forward with the BC Notaries Association 8 Volunteering Vignettes Daniel Boisvert Margot Rutherford, Kurt Meyer, Susan Tong 26 CEO, BC NOTARIES ASSOCIATION Grant Sauer, Amy Badesha 27 Potential and Opportunity for Women 9 Lilián Cazacu, Phyllis Simon 28 Steve Woo, Judy Piccolo 29 Jacqui Mendes The Turtle Valley Volunteer-Powered Donkey Refuge 30 Services a BC Notary Can Provide 10, 25 Chris Harris KEYNOTE Help for Babies Charitable Giving and Volunteering Born too Soon, too Small, and too Sick 32 People Helping People 10 Robin Wilson Val Wilson Striding into Public Service 34 Steps to Successful Giving 11 Daniel Boisvert Raj Sablok Making a Difference by Working Together 36 Giving Behaviour Michele De Fehr For Our Time, Talent, and Treasure 12 From Otters to Others: Art into Philanthropy Sara Neely A Personal Story 38 LAUNCH OF FIRST-EVER INDIGENOUS LAW DEGREE Nigel Atkin Philanthropic Partnership Enhances Transformative Change for Indigenous Peoples 14 The Tax Side of Donating to Charities 40 Sara Neely Andréa Agnoloni The Philanthropy Conversation . . . EFry Invests in Children 42 from Niche to Mainstream 16 Shawn Bayes Dr. Carla Funk, Ruth MacKenzie Volunteering, Variety Style! 43 Eliminating Stigma Donnie Gordon Empowering People Affected by Dementia 18 Finding the Way Back 44 Maria Howard Isabela Zabava Benefaction 19 Volunteers: Backbone of Overcoming Poverty, Roy Cammack Homelessness, and Addiction 46 Investing in Perpetuity. How Good Intentions Jenessa Chan Grow Legs: The Power of Endowment 20 SAFE Seniors 48 Kevin McCort Lori McLeod

The Scrivener: What’s in a Name? “A professional penman, a copyist, a scribe . . . a Notary.” Thus the Oxford English Dictionary describes a Scrivener, the craftsman charged with ensuring that the written affairs of others flow smoothly, seamlessly, and accurately. Where a Scrivener must record the files accurately, it’s the Notary whose Seal is bond. We chose The Scrivener as the name of our magazine to celebrate the Notary’s role in drafting, communicating, authenticating, and getting the facts straight. We strive to publish articles about points of law and the Notary profession for the education and enjoyment of our members, our allied professionals in business, and the public in British Columbia.

4 The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 Singapore Conference 50 Filip de Sagher Published by PROFILE OF A BC NOTARY Showcasing the Winners of the Prestigious Dr. Bernard W. Hoeter The Society of Notaries Public Award. Year 2011: BC Notary Manpriya Sarang of British Columbia The Immense Pleasure and Satisfaction of Being a BC Notary 53 BC Notaries Association: Vision and Mission 54 Editor-in-Chief Val Wilson Legal Vets John Mayr, Ron Usher Notary Advisor Ken Sherk Courier Lightspeed Courier & Logistics Photographer Wildman Photography

Building Better Communities, One Grant at a Time The Scrivener The Board of Governors 55 email: [email protected] Let’s Talk about How the Access to Justice Crisis website: www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener Impacts People with Disabilities 56 Samuel Turcott The Society of Notaries Public of BC THE MiX 604 681-4516 Send photographs to BCREA Hits Its Stride: Taking on the Strategic Realignment [email protected] of the British Columbia Real Estate Association 58 Hannah MacWilliam All rights reserved. Contents may not be Letters 61 reprinted or reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Land Awards Gala Highlights Sustainability Leaders, This journal is a forum for discussion, Innovative Projects in BC 62 not a medium of official pronouncement. Jack Wong The Society does not, in any sense, endorse Why Volunteer as a Strata Council Member? 64 or accept responsibility for opinions Elaine McCormack expressed by contributors. Business to Business 65 WorkPeace: Get Curious 66 Amy Robertson Stewart, BC Then and Now 68 Wayne Braid Wills Drafting: POST: PUBLICATIONS MAIL The Myth of the “Simple Will” 70 AGREEMENT No. 40010827 Trevor Todd Postage Paid at Vancouver, BC BC Notaries Speak Your Language 73 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN Congratulations, President Graham Held! 74 ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. Winter 2018. Auto/Tech 75 THE SOCIETY OF NOTARIES Akash Sablok PUBLIC OF BC BOX 44 HONOURS AND EVENTS PEOPLE 78 SUITE 700 – 625 HOWE STREET VANCOUVER, BC V6C 2T6 Where in the World Has The Scrivener Been? 78 [email protected]

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener 5 PRESIDENT, THE SOCIETY OF NOTARIES PUBLIC OF BC Rhoda Witherly

Keep it Up! Photo credit: www.lonniewishart.com

s you read through this research studies examining how people They divided giving into three respond to different types of requests general categories. issue of our magazine, for donations. • Giving for strictly altruistic reasons you will see BC Notaries The professors studied giving . . . • Giving to enhance either financial A the science behind what we feel when are a charitable lot. well-being or community stature we give and how giving both time and We are active in our communities money can affect our mental and • Giving for personal satisfaction and freely donate our time and physical well-being. They also studied When we are asked for a resources to worthy causes. how we feel when approached for donation or to assist others, certain a donation. circumstances can change our feelings I am sure most of you have associated with giving and affect responded in some way to a public how much we give and to whom. appeal for help for flood victims, for Have you ever wondered The researchers went on to review people who have lost everything in a why we respond? how various approaches can motivate natural disaster like the Fort McMurray charitable giving. fire, or for assistance for victims of Are we just great folks . . . a devastating earthquake or famine responsible citizens who like The conclusion seems to be that in some far-off land. The response to be seen helping? What is whether people are motivated by pure by the public to these calls is often altruism or by a sense of improved overwhelming. It exemplifies the our motivation? Scientists social status, the act of giving provides “kindness of strangers.” have also been wondering. a sense of pleasure and well-being to the donor and needed resources to the At other times we respond in recipient. our community when volunteers are Their Discoveries needed for the hospital, the local Their research shows the action of Do we really need researchers recreation centre, the hockey or dance giving triggers brain signals that are to tell us what we know? program, a blood donor clinic . . . sent to an interconnected brain area Giving feels good! Keep it up! s the list is endless. called “medial forebrain pleasure Have you ever wondered why we circuit,” the area of the brain where respond? Are we just great folks . . . pleasure is felt. responsible citizens who like to be For humans, pleasure is a seen helping? What is our motivation? motivator. If an action gives us Scientists have also been wondering. pleasure, we will want to continue the behaviour and even expand it, in this One of the topics at a conference case donating to or volunteering for I attended recently was raising money something. for a cause. The presenter talked about “giving” of both our time and The researchers developed a your money. She concluded it was series of studies comparing how good for our well-being to be generous. the brain reacts to different sets

She based her conclusion on university of motivators in our lives. ©iStockphoto.com/Wavebreakmedia

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE SOCIETY OF NOTARIES PUBLIC OF BC John Mayr

Seeking Safe Haven www.wildmanphotography.com

t’s apparent that in the United States, considered by many Our country’s questionable to be a first country of “safe haven.” record unfortunately does not stop our Society, giving and The first world was captivated by there. We have only to look within contributing are deeply the mass movement of people from our borders to see the continued I Africa and the Middle East to Europe. deleterious effects of colonialism rooted in Canada’s multicultural Desperate people risked everything, and the residential school system. makeup. placing their trust and whatever money It would be far easier to defend they had in people-smugglers and Canada’s record on refugees and Cultural diversity, the fabric criminals. Heart-wrenching stories immigration had there been a of Canada, is nothing short of of death and drowning accompanied significant recognition of the rights of wonderous. For generations, Canada by graphic pictures seized our Aboriginal peoples, along with efforts has been recognized as a giving attention. to address the long-standing problems country. We have welcomed those associated with the Indian Act. in need of a safe haven and a home. Cultural diversity, Am I the only person perplexed by Regardless of circumstance, the issue of undrinkable water in much religious or other persecution, war, the fabric of Canada, of Canada and on a vast number of or famine, Canadians gained the is nothing short of reservations? Is there not an analogy recognition as welcoming people wonderous. For generations, to the “canary in the coal mine”? and for the most part, that carries Canada has been recognized I’d like to propose we take the on today. time to reflect on how fortunate as a giving country. we are to live in a land with such The past is rarely an indicator opportunity—including the ability of the future, however. We have We have welcomed those to hold government to account without seen, in a number of our federal in need of a safe haven fear of government-sponsored violence governments, both a retraction and a home. against us. from the role Canada earned as peacekeepers and a reduction in the BC Notaries contribute significantly numbers of refugees and immigrants For the most part, lost in the to their communities. There is a welcomed to our country. emotion were the staggering statistics predilection to volunteering and and numbers of refugees that were community service that is honourable, A certain focus has been placed accepted by European countries. highly valued, and appreciated. on refugees arriving on our southern border, on people crossing into Canada Germany, Italy, Spain, and France BC Notaries are generous and from the United States through accepted millions of refugees. In giving. As independent legal-services areas in Quebec and . There comparison, the number of refugees providers, Notaries are often sought continues to be debate as to whether and immigrants Canada accepted is a out by newcomers to Canada for “illegal crossings” should be rejected mere fraction that pales in comparison advice, assistance, and guidance. under the Safe Haven Agreement that to those other countries—and this BC Notaries rise to the challenge dictates such refugees and migrants during a time of economic growth, and the nature of that giving is selfless should be making application within prosperity, and relative stability here. and enduring. s

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 7 PRESIDENT, BC NOTARIES ASSOCIATION

Daniel Boisvert

Moving Forward with the www.wildmanphotography.com BC Notaries Association

he past few months have The membership is free. Please Our message was well received take the time to submit the application. by the MLAs. The exemption is been busy as we continue We will continue to work to get the important because it codifies our to move toward the Association up and running. Soon we ability, through the Mortgage Brokers T will be looking to our members to join Act, to give mortgage advice— official operating launch of the committees and expand the Board something the Courts already expect BC Notaries Association. of Directors. BC Notaries to do. We have been promoting our Housing Concerns profession and working on the 2019 National Housing Day was Spring Conference. Jacqui Mendes Our membership continues November 22. CEO Jacqui Mendes and her team have been meeting with to grow as more that and I attended the BC Housing various organizations such as British 230 Notaries from around BC Conference and heard a lot about Columbia Real Estate Association the Government’s plans to help make and Canadian Mortgage Brokers have submitted applications housing more affordable in BC. The Association–BC, among other key to become members of the Premier was on hand, along with partner associations. BC Notaries Association. Minister of Housing Selina Robinson, to kick off the conference and share Part of the work to get the I would encourage their vision of a BC that is much more Association organized is to participate affordable for the average person. in strategic planning. The Executive Notaries who have yet Team got together to look at the to submit their application The recent BC Notaries landscape and determine our strengths form to do so now. Association press releases were and weaknesses as well as identify picked up by many news outlets. near-term opportunities and threats. We were invited to speak live on We looked at what The Society has Meeting with Government CKNW to share our thoughts regarding done in the past and what we believe high-priced homes, including BC Notaries Society President Rhoda we can do to enhance our successes in nonfamily co-ownership as a possible Witherly and I attended a meeting with the future. It was a very productive one- solution for the Greater Vancouver the Ministry of Finance where we were day session with some solid outcomes. market. We discussed the value of given the opportunity to present to the having co-ownership agreements that Our membership continues to grow select Standing Committee regarding outline such things as how to take title as more that 230 Notaries from two areas where we want to see action (in terms of tenancy), cost-sharing, around BC have submitted applications from Government. and exit strategies to the agreement. to become members of the • The first was to obtain an BC Notaries Association. I would Over the next few months, you exception under the Mortgage encourage Notaries who have yet to can expect the advocacy to continue Brokers Act that would mirror the submit their application form to do so while we also finalize the details of exception the Law Society has. now. If you need another application the 2019 Spring Conference. I look form, please contact me directly; I will • The second was to support our forward to seeing everyone there, April get one to you right away. requests for expanded scope 12 and 13, at the River Rock Hotel a [email protected] of practice for BC Notaries. in Richmond. s

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS CEO, BC NOTARIES ASSOCIATION

Jacqui Mendes Potential and Opportunity

for Women www.wildmanphotography.com

’d like to tell you about an • tenants have a safe, secure, and respectful environment; organization I have the • homes are affordable and provide Ihonour of serving as a Board an appropriate standard of living; member. This is their story in • the community is clean and their own words. aesthetically pleasing; • there is a diverse community. Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society (ENF) was started in 1984 by three women who wanted to improve “Among Us Women” in its their own lives and the lives of other translation “Entre Nous The Alma Blackwell building single mothers and their children. Femmes” seemed to reflect Realizing that safe, secure, and a bottle of wine on the other and, affordable housing was a necessary both potential and with the help of both an English and first step to stability and forward opportunity… French dictionary and a name book, movement in life, they established ENF came up with the name. April takes to develop housing especially geared to The Society was incorporated responsibility for the name chosen the needs of single-parent families. under the Society Act of British because she had grown up in a francophone community and believed “It came out of a group of single mothers’ Columbia on February 25, 1985, and a French name would attempt to create need to effect change.” registered with Revenue Canada as a something broader, representing the April English, charitable organization. From 1986 openness of the group. At the same founding member of ENF to 1988, the Society opened its first three residential buildings in East time April remembers, “It needed to “People were acting out of their own Vancouver: Alma Blackwell, Beatrice say something about women, not about experience, having gone through tough times Terrace, and Antkiw Court. Eight more any individual woman, but about us and recognizing a way out.” buildings were added over the next 20 women together.” Leslie Stern, years, bringing ENF’s total portfolio to “Among Us Women” in its founding member of ENF 409 housing units. translation “Entre Nous Femmes” “We came to it with the idea that we could do seemed to reflect both potential and How ENF Got Its Name it; we came from a positive place, moving to opportunity while reflecting the group’s make life better for us and others like us.” When the founding members of ENF philosophy and intent. Over the years Mia Stewart (nee Cross), submitted their first expression of the name “Entre Nous Femmes” has founding member of ENF interest to the Canada Mortgage & generated many fascinating reactions, Housing Corporation (CMHC), they The goals (or “ends”) of Entre such as “Don’t you allow men?” or realized they needed a name for their Nous Femmes Housing Society are to “Is it only for francophones?” April saw group. They wanted the name to reflect ensure that economically disadvantaged those sorts of reactions as “people’s their nonhierarchal and inclusive persons in the greatest number possible limitations to seeing the name, philosophy. They also wanted it to say within the Metro Vancouver Area have rather than using a broader vision to something about their belief that they the opportunity for their lives to be experience the name.” And besides, could develop their own housing. enhanced by secure, safe, affordable, it has provided the odd giggle, the and appropriate homes to an extent One night, Mia and April sat down value of which is immeasurable! that justifies the use of all available on the floor of April’s living room, a Find out more about Entre Nous resources and that pot of tea on one side of them and Femmes at www.enfhs.org. s

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 9 Services a BC Notary KEYNOTE Can Provide

Notarization/Documents Val Wilson Affidavits for All Documents required Editor-in-Chief at a Public Registry within BC Certified True Copies of Documents Execution/Authentications

of International Documents www.wildmanphotography.com Notarizations/Attestations of Signatures Personal Property Security Agreements CHARITABLE GIVING AND VOLUNTEERING Statutory Declarations Personal Planning Estate Planning People Helping People Health Care Declarations Powers of Attorney Representation Agreements he many articles written This is the start of a brand new year. Perhaps you are ready to look into Wills Preparation for our winter theme Wills Searches your closet to recycle wearables that Charitable Giving and still have some life in them, for the Travel T warmth and enjoyment of others. Authorization of Minor Child Travel Volunteering include interesting Letters of Invitation for Foreign Travel stories about various aspects of A number of BC Notaries were Passport Application Documentation on the ballot in the October 20 Proof of Identity for Travel Purposes the topic . . . including children, civic elections. Congratulations Business adults, seniors, and animals. to all who stood for election in the Business Purchase/Sale province. There is certainly no shortage Commercial Leases Daniel Boisvert, President of the of worthy causes and organizations and Assignment of Leases BC Notaries Association, is now a that will be delighted to receive your Contracts and Agreements school trustee in Delta and Notary donation of time and/or money. Property Matters Nicole MacDonald is a Councillor Easements and Rights of Way Random acts of kindness qualify as in Pitt Meadows. Other Notary Insurance Loss Declarations both charitable giving and volunteering. election participants included Manufactured Home Transfers They can be as simple as a sunny smile Gordon Hepner who ran for a Mortgage Refinancing Documentation or a sudden surprise act of generosity school board position in Surrey Purchaser’s Side of Foreclosures that makes everyone feel better—the and Kate Manvell who ran for West Refinancing giver, the receiver, onlookers, and Vancouver City Council. Residential and Commercial people who hear about the good deed Real Estate Transfers after the fact. Anonymous giving is also Restrictive Covenants very popular today. and Builder’s Liens Some of our articles provide Subdivisions and information about more structured Statutory Building arrangements, such as contributing Schemes on a regular basis. Daniel Nicole Zoning Applications Chris Harris from the Boisvert MacDonald Marine Turtle Valley Donkey Marine Bills of Sale and Mortgages Refuge notes that Marine Protestations charities hope one-time Some BC Notaries provide these services. donors become annual Chris Harris donors and annual Marriage Licences donors become monthly Mediation donors. That ultimately Real Estate Disclosure Statements Gordon Kate helps charities meet Hepner Manvell Over 390 BC Notaries to Serve You! their monthly budgeted The list at the left outlines the For the BC Notary office nearest you, Kiki, expenditures. You can read more about the many services a BC Notary can please call 1-800-663-0343 mammoth jack donkey Refuge on page 30. provide for you. s or visit www.notaries.bc.ca.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 10 TABLE OF CONTENTS Raj Sablok

Steps to Successful Giving

eing charitable doesn’t The Activities? fundraising expenses and how much Think about the activities of the is left for the program services you necessarily mean writing organization. Do you want your want to support. a cheque or opening donation to go toward research that All registered charities make their B will lead to new knowledge, to direct your wallet. financial statements public, so that’s service that will have an impact now, a good place to start. Ask to see Giving away gently used clothes or to advocacy work that may lead to a copy of their most recent annual and household items or donating changes in the way things happen now report. You’ll be able to assess the canned goods to the local food bank and in the future? basic financials. can have a significant impact. Once you are satisfied the charity Charity can also be about giving Every little bit helps. is worthwhile, give generously if you time to a person, project, or event that Combined with the can. Many good charities need your focuses on the needs of others. It might help to operate valuable programs not always be the most convenient thing donations of others, and provide needed services. in the world for you to do, but it is one your donation can make When you give wisely, you will be of the most worthwhile. a big impact. giving more effectively. Never feel your donation is too “We can’t help everyone, but everyone small. Every little bit helps. Combined Big or Small? can help someone.” with the donations of others, your donation can make a big impact. If you give your gift to a large Dr. Loretta Scott organization, it can be part of a In recent past years, our friends HOW TO CHOOSE A CHARITY bigger whole. If you give to a smaller and family have been involved organization, your single gift may have What’s Important to you? in fundraising for the BC Children’s a larger impact on the charity. Yours Think about the issues most important Hospital Foundation (BCCHF), could be the donation that helps keep to you. Do you care about the an organization that does incredible an important program running or environment? Want to help children? research and treatment for taking allows a new pilot project to start. care of children throughout the Research the work the charity Province of BC. does. Charities have an obligation Legitimate? to provide detailed information to Do not be misled by a charity’s We are currently raising funds interested donors. Honest charities name. Some questionable charities for the BC Cancer Foundation. encourage your interest and respond use an impressive name that closely The research done in their facility to your questions. Never give to a resembles the name of a respected in Vancouver benefits patients in charity you know nothing about. and legitimate organization. cancer treatment, here in BC and Choose an organization that All registered charities in Canada around the world. aligns with your beliefs. Also, choose are overseen by the Canada Revenue Our two young boys understand one that uses the donations wisely. Agency (CRA); you can check to see the need to assist; they always help High administrative expenditures if your charity is registered. out by holding a lemonade stand or do not benefit the recipients. Where Does the Money Go? making bracelets to sell. Every little bit helps! s Who? Where? We are lucky to have so many well-run Do you want to help people in your charitable organizations in BC. Former banker Raj Sablok is the wife own community or on the other side Ask how much of your donation of BC Notary Akash Sablok and daughter- of the world? goes for general administration and in-law of BC Notary Tarlok Sablok.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 11 Sara Neely Giving Behaviour For Our Time, Talent, and Treasure

eeding the hungry. • Compassion toward those in need, Charities across Canada are followed by personal belief in the Educating children and integral to our economy cause and contribution to the youth. Caring for the community, are key motivators F and our well-being. We are for over 82% of givers. vulnerable, the sick, and the fortunate they are supported • Religious obligations are the elderly. Finding cures or the by individual Canadians at motivation for about 29% best possible treatments. all stages of their lives. of donors. Bringing spiritual communities • The tax credit comes in last at 26%. published Time, Treasure, Talent: together. Protecting animals Although claimed donations have Canadian Women and Philanthropy.2 increased 150% in real terms and the environment. The report examines a wide variety since 1985, a concerning trend of issues associated with the Exploring and showcasing is that the proportion of tax filers philanthropic activities of affluent claiming donations has been our arts and culture. women in Canada. Addendum reports 3 falling steadily since 1990. Charities across Canada are were issued in May 2016 and October 4 • As the number of tax filers integral to our economy and our 2017. claiming donations has decreased well-being. We are fortunate they are Taken together, the reports provide (29.5% in 1990 to 20.8% in supported by individual Canadians at an extensive overview of charitable 2014), the average donation all stages of their lives. Two recent giving in Canada since 1985 with data amounts have increased ($887 reports shed light on who those and commentary offering an in-depth in 1990 to just under $1700 in generous Canadians are, the causes look at trends by sex, age, income, 2014). they support, and how they put their and region. Total donations have continued time, talent, and treasure to the task It is estimated that in 2014, to rise only because those who give are of helping create a vibrant, caring Canadians gave approximately $14.3 giving more. That also means charities community for all. billion in receipted and unreceipted are relying on a decreasing percentage The research report “30 Years donations to registered charities. The of the population. of Giving in Canada: The Giving motivations for giving have increased Behaviour of Canadians: Who gives, or decreased slightly over the years, Interestingly, men and women how, and why?” was released in 2018 but their rankings have remained have different approaches to charitable by the Rideau Hall Foundation in consistent. giving. Women are driven by issues partnership with Imagine Canada.1 and have confidence in the charitable It seeks to add to the knowledge and 2 https://www.td.com/ca/document/PDF/tdw- sector to get to the solutions. They evidence base on how giving in Canada pgf-canadian-women-and-philanthropy.pdf appreciate the social aspects of giving, in a learning environment, and being is evolving and to help foster a stronger 3 https://www.td.com/ca/document/PDF/ culture of giving in Canada. tdw-pgf-canadian-women-and-philanthropy- active and supporting causes that are important to them during their lifetime. In 2014, TD Wealth, in addendum.pdf cooperation with Investor Economics, 4 https://www.td.com/ca/document/PDF/ It has been suggested that men tdw-pgf-canadian-women-and-philanthropy- equate wealth with achievement and 1 http://www.imaginecanada.ca/30years addendum2017.pdf prestige.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 12 TABLE OF CONTENTS Women view wealth in terms of financial security and their ability to influence the well-being of their family and those less fortunate. I have been a Notary for over 30 years Women are also more likely to involve their children and and have used a variety of software grandchildren in their giving. In terms of causes, research suggests solutions for my conveyancing practice. women are more engaged with relief of poverty, health issues, children, We switched to ProSuite and we have women’s rights, and education. been extremely happy with the product. Men, on the other hand, often focus on large organizations and A great product and a great company international causes. It is estimated that over $750 to work with! billion will be inherited by Canadian Patricia Wright, Notary Public baby boomers over the next decade. Whether passed between spouses and SUPPORTING YOUR SUCCESS. partners or from parent to child, this transfer of wealth will most likely rest in the hands of women before being passed along to the next generation. Generally, women over the age of 75 outnumber men due to their good fortune in living longer. It is those DOPROCESS.COM women, along with the generations [email protected] that follow, who will play a key role in the charitable sector. • According to a poll taken in December 2017 by the Angus Reid Institute,5 51% of Canadians do not have a Will. • A survey conducted for BC Notaries in 2016 showed that 45% of BC adults do not have a current legal Will. With the baby boomer generation reaching an age when their estate planning becomes a financial priority and with rising wealth in financial and real estate assets, it is imperative to raise awareness of the need to have a proper Will in place. Once that discussion starts, the benefits of charitable giving, from both the personal and financial perspectives, can play a key role in ensuring the causes that are important to individuals and their families are supported after their lifetimes. s Sara Neely is the Director of Philanthropic Services at the Victoria Foundation.

5 http://angusreid.org/will-and-testament/

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 13 Sara Neely

LAUNCH OF FIRST-EVER INDIGENOUS LAW DEGREE Philanthropic Partnership Enhances Transformative Change for Indigenous Peoples

Please take an apple from • One allows them to reason and act As noted by Dr. Borrows, “The within Indigenous legal traditions. difference between Indigenous law and the basket and join me Students of the 4-year degree common law is that Indigenous people outside on the grass.” program will participate in mandatory look to the land to find the principles “ field studies in diverse Indigenous for judgment, whereas the common And so began the invitation from communities across Canada and will law looks to old cases in libraries Professor John Borrows to the first graduate with professional degrees in to decide how to act in the future. students in the University of Victoria’s both Canadian Common Law (Juris Indigenous law is about law and order, Faculty of Law WSÁNEC´ Field School Doctor or JD) and Indigenous Legal and creating peace between peoples.” . . . an invitation to join him and Rob Orders (Juris Indigenarum Doctor or The JD/JID program launched at Clifford, member of the WSÁNEC´ and JID). the University of Victoria in September Tsawout First Nation (and pursuing his 2018 and the WSÁNEC´ Field School doctoral degree in law), in a sharing accepted its first students. For this circle on a sunny September morning. The JD/JID program pilot phase, they are students who are launched at the University currently enrolled in the JD degree It was at that point that we, as program. Those starting the JD/JID honoured guests to the launch of this of Victoria in September program will participate in the Field pilot project, left the LAU,WELNEW ´ 2018 and the WSÁNEC School in their third or fourth year of Tribal School on the Tsartlip First Field School accepted study. Nation reserve on the Saanich Peninsula. its first students. The Field School engages 12 UVic law students, 2 law students The lead-up to that day in fact from other Canadian universities, and started the year before with lunch The development of the new JD/JID program is a direct response community learners in a 4-month with then-Dean of the Faculty of Law immersion in WSÁNEC´ culture, beliefs, Jeremy Webber. Dean Webber brought to Call to Action #50 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. laws, and their application; it includes forward a bold idea: The funding of both class time and community-based a field school that would see students In keeping with the United learning. learn, on the land and water, about Nations Declaration on the Rights Indigenous peoples’ legal order in the of Indigenous Peoples, we call Project placements and having context of, and in collaboration with, upon the federal government, the students contribute to community Indigenous communities. in collaboration with Aboriginal needs will be a key focus of the organizations, to fund the program as they examine major The field school would be an establishment of Indigenous law concerns such as family and child integral part of UVic’s new joint institutes for the development, welfare, LNG or other natural resource degree program, the first of its kind use, and understanding of projects, environmental rehabilitation, in the world, that grants students two Indigenous law and access to sustainable economic development, professional degrees. justice in accordance with the and issues on our local Gulf Islands. • One allows them to practise within unique cultures of Aboriginal The course is focused on WSÁNEC´ Canadian common law. peoples in Canada. peoples’ own laws and will assist

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 14 TABLE OF CONTENTS learn to work as lawyers with an understanding between cultures. Working with the Chiefs and Elders in the community and with the full support of the University and the Faculty of Law, the first cohort of students is leading the way to a new understanding of, and commitment to, building relationships among people in Canada. This funding is provided in partnership with the Sisters of Saint Ann. The Sisters have partnered with the Victoria Foundation to ensure their philanthropic support of many causes can continue. When the Sisters first arrived in Victoria in 1858, they established the first schools and hospitals for Island residents. The Sisters soon spread throughout Western Canada and as far north as Alaska to provide education and health care in mainly rural areas, including Indigenous communities. Since the school closures, the Sisters have been rigorously dedicated to participating in Indigenous healing and reconciliation efforts across Canada. Supporting the Field School meets one of their goals to help support the aspirations and autonomy of Indigenous communities. ÁLENENEC means homeland in the SENC´OTEN language of the WSÁNEC´ people; it encompasses learning from place, spirit, and traditional language. For the students in this pilot project of the WSÁNEC´ Field School, the lessons Photo credit: Jeffrey Bosdet Jeffrey credit: Photo began with holding the apple and Robert Clifford teaching at the UVic Faculty of Law Indigenous Field School hearing the stories from Professor with participants Kimberly Franciso and Corbin Greening and Tsawout elders Borrows and Rob Clifford. For the Joanne Claxton and Earl Claxton Jr. Victoria Foundation, support of this those communities in identifying way to exercise their natural rights new approach to learning is one their own frameworks, standards, and in contemporary society—while way we can better understand how practices in key governance contexts. recapturing the traditions, practical philanthropy fits into the conversation The revitalization of their languages principles, and stories that were lost or around truth and reconciliation where and their legal institutions is a crucial abandoned due to colonization. we live, work, and play. dimension of self-government; this The Victoria Foundation agreed to We look forward to hearing program will serve as a model for other provide funding for the first year of the about successes as this program regions and communities. pilot project and, assuming all goes shapes the future of legal education There are four bands in the well, has funding in reserve for the in Canada. s WSÁNEC´ First Nation: Tsartlip, second year. The Foundation sees this Tsawout, Pauquachin, and Tseycum. pilot as contributing to transformative Sara Neely is the Director of They see the Field School as part of change for Indigenous peoples. It Philanthropic Services at the Victoria their language revitalization and one gives students practical tools as they Foundation.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 15 Dr. Carla Funk Ruth MacKenzie

The Philanthropy Conversation . . . from Niche to Mainstream

wealth transfer turbulence. One key https://www.cagp-acpdp.org/sites/ Note: BC Notaries do not advise trend is the growing tendency of the default/files/media/Resources/ clients on finances or financial wealthy to give to charity as they BusinessCaseStudy2018/doing_good_ planning. They are highly trained transition their wealth to the next for_business.pdf generation. Philanthropy is alive and Clients are seeking positive regarding Wills, personal planning, growing. and many other legal documents. and meaningful conversations on philanthropy with their advisors. The list of services is on pages 10 and 25.  The economy can expect A 2014 Canadian survey, also led by CAGP and entitled The anada is witnessing upheaval as baby boomers… Philanthropic Conversation, found shift into retirement, old wealth-management clients are highly an increased interest age, and end of life. That is interested in discussing philanthropy in philanthropy, taking and look to their financial advisors C triggering a massive wealth to lead the way. The advisors include the conversation from niche transfer estimated to be in portfolio managers, wealth and estate to mainstream in the wealth- the order of $750 billion. planners, insurance brokers, financial business-development managers, transfer planning sector. estate-planning lawyers, and tax The Sticky Business accountants. The economy can expect upheaval as baby boomers—that large Findings from a 2018 qualitative Client conversations that go demographic bubble of people research project, Doing Good for beyond the purely monetary open up born in the two decades following Business, led by the Canadian opportunities and generate positive the Second World War—shift into Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), ripple effects for the advisor’s practice, retirement, old age, and end of tell us that philanthropy is a powerful for the firm, and for the community. life. That is triggering a massive force in helping attract new clients 1. The Holistic Approach wealth transfer estimated to be in and creating what one advisor the order of $750 billion. calls a “sticky business.” In Doing When a financial advisor takes an Good for Business – The inclusion interest in the client beyond portfolio Parkinson, McFarland, & McKenna, of philanthropy in the Canadian gains and losses or business dealings, 2017; Tal, 2016 Professional Advisor’s business the advisor fundamentally changes the Whether through the sale practice, philanthropy is described as client relationship. The simple act of of assets, property transfers, “the glue that binds client’s loyalty to expressing an interest in the overall or fundamental shifts in the (professional advisor) service with such welfare of the client strengthens demographics of our communities, strength that the loyalty sometimes business and the longevity of the Canada is in for intergenerational spans across several generations.” client-advisor relationship.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 16 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2. Solutions to Client Problems Philanthropy offers strategic solutions in transferring business assets and wealth to the next generation. Gifts of insurance policies, in-kind gifts of shares and flow-through shares, and gifts of ecologically sensitive land are KABAN examples of strategies to help clients maximize their philanthropic dollars PROTECTIVE and, at the same time, relieve a Your Security looming tax burden. Margot R. and Protective Specialists The truly wealthy share a unique Rutherford* problem. Many individuals of ultra- • CRIMINAL & CIVIL INVESTIGATION high net worth are worried they have Notary Public • DUE DILIGENCE simply amassed too much wealth A Member of The Society • CORPORATE INTELLIGENCE to share only with their family. of Notaries Public of British Columbia • SECURITY ALARMS The solution lies in strategic charitable *Denotes Professional Notarial Corporation (Business & Residential) giving. One advisor sees a trend of • SECURITY CAMERAS (Business & Residential) HNW families in Canada increasingly naming charities as primary 981 Fitzgerald Avenue Telephone: 604 251-2121 beneficiaries of wealth transferred Courtenay, BC V9N 2R6 [email protected] when a matriarch or patriarch dies. Tel: 250 338-6251 www.kabanprotective.com 3. DAF Fax: 250 338-5337 Another trend is the proliferation email: [email protected] Associates in 63 Countries of in-house (financial institution) foundations with the option for the client to create a donor advised fund (DAF). When dollars are committed to an in-house foundation, the financial institution continues to manage those funds for at least a decade and sometimes in perpetuity, enabling donors to make strategic and long-term philanthropic decisions. Back to the Future As wealth is transferred from one generation to the next, we will see increased philanthropy and more acts of charitable giving. Having that meaningful philanthropic conversation with a savvy wealth manager can help ensure maximum impact for donors, their families, and for the causes they support. LEAD A www.cagp-acpdp.org s NEW ERA Dr. Carla Funk is President and CEO When you help your clients of Transform International Canada and leave a legacy, you’re helping us was lead researcher on Doing Good for Business. break boundaries in pediatric care. Ruth MacKenzie is President and CEO Discover more of the Canadian Association of Gift 604.875.3679 bcchf.ca/advisor Planners.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 17 Maria Howard

ELIMINATING STIGMA Empowering People Affected by Dementia Photo credit: Flora Gordon Flora credit: Photo

anuary is Alzheimer’s We can all play a role in The Alzheimer Society eliminating stigma and empowering Awareness Month. of B.C. is committed to people affected by dementia. People across Canada Start a conversation with the J building a world where people in your life; help them better are standing up and saying, people affected by understand dementia. Talk to people “I live with dementia. dementia are supported, affected by dementia and let them know they’re still part of a community. Let me help you understand.” welcomed, and included—a Mario says, “Focus on my A recent survey by Insights dementia-friendly province. abilities. Dementia can be a long West showed that 6 in 10 British journey; please be patient with me. Columbians would not know what is ensuring people affected by the We can live positively after diagnosis. to do if they encountered someone disease play an integral part. We’ve People with dementia have a voice. living with dementia who needed spoken to people living with dementia Become informed; it’s the best way help. While awareness of Alzheimer’s from across the country who’ve shared to reduce stigma.” disease and other dementias is their challenges and triumphs. Now, growing, the stigma experienced they’re sharing their stories with the by the individuals and families who world to increase understanding of are affected remains a reality. what the dementia journey is really like Negative attitudes held by and what actions we can all take to friends, families, and professionals end the stigma associated with it. can discourage people from getting Says Mario Gregorio, diagnosed a diagnosis, seeking treatment and with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular support, or disclosing their illness. dementia at age 58, “When people In a separate survey, 61 per cent of tell me I do not look like I have Canadians polled thought they would Alzheimer’s disease, I don’t know how experience discrimination if diagnosed. to respond because they do not see Stigma can affect well-being and my struggles.” the ability to manage changes brought Since his diagnosis 10 years about by dementia. When we reduce ago, Mario has become an avid stigma, people living with dementia photographer, a passionate volunteer can live better. for organizations like Tourism Canada, The Alzheimer Society of B.C. and an advocate. Dementia doesn’t is committed to building a world where stop people from being active people affected by dementia are members of the community. They’re supported, welcomed, and included— still the same family member, friend, Gordon Flora credit: Photo or colleague they were before the Mario Gregorio, dementia advocate a dementia-friendly province. and member of the Alzheimer Society We need to change the conversation diagnosis . . . human beings who want of B.C.’s advisory group for people about dementia. An important part and need our friendship. living with dementia

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 18 TABLE OF CONTENTS Financial and legal Roy Cammack professionals can play a unique role in this work. Because of the realities of the disease, advance planning is imperative for families. Often they have to plan before they’ve really accepted Benefaction their situation or they have pushed off planning until they reach a crisis situation. By learning about the disease and how to support enefaction is not the …I entered as a visitor people living with it, you can name of a new release help families have a better and exited as a Director. experience of the journey. from the Rolling Stones The Notary Foundation of BC has B For me it all started when my been steadfastly committed to but it does have a good ring friend invited me to a hospice meeting supporting the Alzheimer Society to it. (I was unable to develop a good of B.C. through legal education; enough reason not to attend) where we hope you will share that Simply put, benefaction means I entered as a visitor and exited as commitment in your own work. to do good without expectation a Director. Since then, I have worked of anything in return. For answers to your alongside many dedicated people that questions or concerns about There seem to be two ways I would not have had the opportunity dementia and to learn more for you to do good. to meet without participating in the about the support and education • Charitable Giving—you write work of the organization. we provide, call the First Link® a cheque during your lifetime Over the years I have had the Dementia Helpline. or you leave a gift in your Will. pleasure to serve on several Boards: 1-800-936-6033 • Volunteering—you actually roll up White Rock Hospice Society, Peace www.alzheimerbc.org s your sleeves and give of yourself. Arch Hospital (Planned Giving), Maria Howard is CEO of the White Rock/South Surrey Chamber Although there may be no direct Alzheimer Society of B.C. of Commerce, Surrey Heritage expectation of anything in return, both Advisory Commission, The Society ways can be gratifying with positive of Notaries Public, and the British The Alzheimer Society consequences. Charitable Giving Columbia Law Institute. during lifetime and through a Will can of B.C. Support Services This piece is a call-to-arms result in favourable tax benefits and and Education to those who have yet to contribute volunteering can provide great self- • Support groups for with donations or in kind. satisfaction. people in early stages If you can’t get no satisfaction, Although I participate in both of dementia and for try some benefaction! s caregivers facets, I have found volunteerism to be the more rewarding. I truly enjoy Roy Cammack is a BC Notary practising • Minds in Motion®, a social working with others of like mind. and fitness program in South Surrey/White Rock. • Individual support • Information and referrals to other community and health care services • Dementia education workshops • Regular newsletters and information sheets for people affected by This piece is a call-to-arms to those who have yet dementia to contribute with donations or in kind.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 19 Kevin McCort

INVESTING IN PERPETUITY How Good Intentions Grow Legs: The Power of Endowment

hen he established more than a go-between for the good permanent endowment. But when (often ebbing and flowing) intentions Alice MacKay, a retired secretary, Vancouver of donors? made a $1000 bequest, the concept Foundation, Whitford was cemented. MacKay had specified W that her bequest be invested intact A financially savvy lumber VanDusen was already adept and that the income be used to at orchestrating charitable magnate, VanDusen had support women in poverty. That is how already been contemplating the endowment model at Vancouver giving on a large scale. the idea of a permanent Foundation was struck: Two unlikely visionaries who shared the same goal But he wanted more endowment. But when Alice of sustained giving to the community. than to pass money from one hand to MacKay, a retired secretary, In 1944, interest rates hovered another. He wanted made a $1000 bequest, the at around 3 per cent, leaving the to stretch, grow, and concept was cemented. Foundation with $30 for charitable deploy every dollar as action in MacKay’s name. VanDusen contemplated $30 from MacKay’s Whitford widely as he could. Van Dusen What model might A financially savvy lumber $1000. multiply the charitable magnate, VanDusen had already • What if that $1000 were impact of donors? Could he serve as been contemplating the idea of a $101,000? • And what if that $101,000 continued to grow? VanDusen saw the potential of a base of funding that grows impact by growing itself. He added his own $10,000 to the pot and challenged a circle of influential peers to do the same. By 1948, Vancouver Foundation held $101,000 in trust. The idea resonated with the community and an ever-increasing number of donors began establishing their legacies at Vancouver Foundation. By 1960, holdings of almost $3 million generated $219,000 in income that was granted to dozens of charities involved in all aspects of our Alice MacKay (holding a book) community.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 20 TABLE OF CONTENTS Ali Edgell

When charities have a steady stream of income, Satisfying they can focus on what they do best—a constant Philanthropic and heartfelt contemplation of the people they serve Options and the ways they can best offer help.

By 1989, Vancouver Foundation’s total assets of $230 million funded ealth management Alexandra (Ali) Edgell, CIM, FCSI, 408 charitable efforts, making it is Vice President Portfolio Manager the largest community foundation is about much more and Financial Planner at BMO Nesbitt in Canada. Today, Vancouver than money. Foundation’s assets have topped W Burns in Victoria. $1.2 billion. More important, it I believe true wealth is our distributes upward of $50 million per ability to live the life we want, The philanthropic discussion year to thousands of charities across reach the goals we have envisioned the province. for ourselves, our family, and our is a way to design a This is investing in perpetuity: business, and create a legacy for the long-term strategy that may Using financial savvy to give charities future that reflects our values. significantly reduce income the gift of steady income to support Call it philanthropy or call it and estate taxes while their missions. In many cases, charitable giving, the way an individual the amount of income a fund has gives and to whom can provoke intense making a positive impact generated and shared throughout personal feelings. The philanthropic on the organizations a client the community has far surpassed discussion is a way to design a long- supports. the original capital of the fund itself. term strategy that may significantly The Arthritis Society BC & Yukon reduce income taxes and estate taxes Division, which established its first while making a positive impact on the BMO Wealth Management is the of four funds in 1951 with an initial organizations a client supports. brand name for a business group contribution of $4000, has received consisting of Bank of Montreal and Research indicates Canadians are over $2.5 million in distributed certain of its affiliates, including more concerned about feeling connected income, far exceeding the fund’s BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., in providing to the organization rather than getting current capital value. wealth management products and a tax break. Most people want to give services. BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. When charities have a steady but they may have doubts that prevent is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank stream of income, they can focus on them from giving confidently. Some may of Montreal. If you are already a client what they do best—a constant and be concerned their donations or gifts of BMO Nesbitt Burns, please contact heartfelt contemplation of the people won’t be used wisely and some may your Investment Advisor for more they serve and the ways they can worry they may not have enough money information. Opinions are those of best offer help. Thanks to MacKay’s for themselves. Having a financial plan the author and may not reflect those particular bequest and VanDusen’s can provide peace of mind. of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. (“BMO being so inspired by it, generations Philanthropic activity often NBI”). The information and opinions of caring people have been given the includes giving time. In some ways, contained herein have been compiled licence to envision and build a better getting personally involved and taking from sources believed reliable but no community. s responsibility for positive outcomes representation or warranty, express or Kevin McCort is President and CEO is much more satisfying than writing implied, is made as to their accuracy of Vancouver Foundation. a cheque. s or completeness.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 21 Brendon Rothwell Charity and Giving: A Dragon’s Tale

he date was November 4, Some Rothwell Notary Corporation …giving and business 2015. Giving and Sponsorship Initiatives go hand in hand. In addition to giving a year-end bonus T I was unceremoniously for staff, I ask each employee to awakened at 5:15 am by the This time he suggested provide the name of a charity to which incessant buzzing of my alarm corporations, big or small, should we donate on that employee’s behalf. clock. Ahead of me was a full day view “giving and charity” as less of Beneficiaries to date include SPCA, of client appointments book-ended an obligation and more as a business Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, by a couple of charitable events: An opportunity. By implementing The Elizabeth Fry Society, Kelowna early morning Chamber of Commerce philanthropically motivated corporate Women’s Shelter, Central Okanagan breakfast meeting at the Capri strategies, businesses should and Hospice, Central Okanagan Food Hotel and Conference Centre and could attach growth opportunities to Bank, and The Salvation Army. then, after work, evening drinks and giving, effectively turning “Corporate At Christmas we like to thank our appetizers at the Bottega Farm Inn Social Responsibility into a Corporate referral sources and business contacts 1 and Studio. Social Opportunity.” for all they have done for us during The keynote speaker for the I heard the Dragon’s message the year by way of a gift-card program breakfast, sponsored by the Canadian loud and clear—giving and business offered through my daughters’ school. Mental Health Association, was W. Brett go hand in hand. I decided that future A portion of all proceeds from the Wilson of Dragon’s Den fame, a man giving by our firm would be done with purchase of the gift cards (for dinner, known as much for his philanthropy purpose and inventiveness. movies, or stores) goes to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul to feed the as his business prowess. Brett spoke Implementation of win-win homeless. candidly about mental health issues strategies became key; we now look and his daughter’s struggle with eating for opportunities to build and enhance A portion of our fee for each real disorders. relationships when deciding where estate deal we complete is donated to The takeaway from his speech and to whom to give. We established charities as chosen by our clients—The is that we all can benefit, whether initiatives involving staff, clients, Elizabeth Fry Society (empowerific. personally or professionally, when we referral sources, and others. Not only com) or CRIS (Community Recreational identify and help those close to us who do we raise awareness for causes Initiatives Society) Adaptive Adventures have or who exhibit signs of mental important to us, we provide an avenue (adaptiveadventures.ca). health disease. for others to convince us their cause is Sponsorship of local The evening event at the one we should endorse. sports teams and Bottega was sponsored by the A funny thing happened, though. events includes “nonorganization” 100 Men Who Give Upon implementing those strategies, 2018 BC Premier a Damn (a misleading name because we found that instead of measuring League Baseball membership is actually over 300 men). our success on higher Corporate Championships, Kelowna Chiefs Hockey Club, the Soon after arriving I bumped into Profits, it became more important Century 21 Charity Poker Tournament a friend and business contact who to assess the enhanced feeling of in support of Easter Seals, and West introduced me to the man standing Corporate Wellness. For some reason Kelowna Minor Hockey (including beside him—none other than W. Brett giving without conditions just feels 25 pucks donated to each minor Wilson! Brett was once again the good. And we are just fine with that! hockey team in West Kelowna). s keynote speaker, however his message 1 W Brett Wilson. How to turn corporate to the large crowd of businessmen was social responsibility into corporate social Brendon Rothwell is a BC Notary much different than the previous one. opportunity. Financialpost.com Dec. 9, 2012. practising in Kelowna.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 22 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXPERTISE. SERVICE. SOLUTIONS. Ensuring an exceptional closing experience on every transaction

Kirk LaPointe

Executive Sleep-Out

t remains a pox on our Every year Covenant House holds It defies logic that with our what it calls an Executive Sleep-Out. knowledge and resources, in a city houses that we have About 50 of us get a sleeping bag and of expensive pre-sales and supercars, hundreds of young people a layer of cardboard and hold forth we have not applied the wherewithal I in the elements until the morning. to effectively smite the scandalous on our streets at night, Preceding that, we hear from a handful presence of economic and emotional fleeing violence and abuse of the children—and they are children poverty in our midst. still—who are wrenching themselves and flung into exploitation And so we slept outside, under the from the wrong clutches through the open sky. This year’s event was eased and addiction. Crisis Program of Covenant House. by the disappearance of days-long rain minutes before we went out to the We are too wealthy and parking lot for the night. sophisticated to abide this, aren’t we? Every year Covenant House Well, we aren’t. You wake up with a sore hip, even holds what it calls an a sore back. If you want a true taste To me, in privilege and advantage Executive Sleep-Out. About of homelessness, one young person long after any early-life struggle, the 50 of us get a sleeping bag told me, wake up to no shoes—then moral choice is clear: Do something see what you can and can’t do. about it or help someone do something and a layer of cardboard and about it. What I can’t imagine is that hold forth in the elements the night that jarred the Sleep-Out Three times now I’ve spent a night until the morning. participants’ biorhythms would be on the streets, not so much to gain a considered the most peaceable part clear sense of that grave life—because of a day as a full-time resident of the it is the smallest possible taste of The clutches are crazy: streets. It was noisy, smelly, fraught it—but to raise money to pull as 70 per cent of the young people have with uncertainty and improvisation many out of this horror story and into left violent households, half have to get through it; I can’t fathom what hopefulness. suffered physical or sexual abuse, happens to our core when street life It is a step and only that, but half have contended with drugs and intersects with the factors that drove I’ve aligned myself with Covenant alcohol, one third of the young women someone there. have escaped the sex trade. In our city. House, the internationally respected We raised $1.2 million that night, organization that brings youth You have to think as they sit in but we will need millions more, again into warm confines, clothes, and front of you, that could have been and again and again. Next year, or counselling—what it calls a continuum me. I have known hunger as a child, even sooner, I hope you will help. s of care to provide new options for but not its depravation. I have known employment and housing that might trauma, but not its violence or abuse. Kirk LaPointe is Editor-in-Chief just turn around someone’s fate. I have strayed, but not into addiction. of Business in Vancouver.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 24 TABLE OF CONTENTS Services a BC Notary Can Provide Editor’s Notarization/Documents Affidavits for All Documents required Prefer Paperless? at a Public Registry within BC We will notify you by email Certified True Copies of Documents when the magazine is posted Execution/Authentications online, quarterly. of International Documents Please visit Notarizations/Attestations of Signatures www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener Personal Property Security Agreements or email Statutory Declarations [email protected]. Personal Planning Estate Planning Health Care Declarations Powers of Attorney Representation Agreements Wills Preparation Wills Searches Travel Authorization of Minor Child Travel Letters of Invitation for Foreign Travel Passport Application Documentation Proof of Identity for Travel Purposes Business Business Purchase/Sale ©iStockphoto.com/ebstock Commercial Leases and Assignment of Leases Contracts and Agreements NEXT ISSUE Property Matters WHAT’S THE Spring 2019 Easements and Rights of Way Insurance Loss Declarations REAL VALUE Manufactured Home Transfers Mortgage Refinancing Documentation OF YOUR Wills and Purchaser’s Side of Foreclosures Refinancing PROPERTY? Personal Planning! Residential and Commercial Real Estate Transfers AIC-designated appraisers Article Deadline Restrictive Covenants can tell you. February 14 and Builder’s Liens Subdivisions and Statutory Building Advertising Deadline Schemes March 10 Zoning Applications Marine Marine Bills of Sale and Mortgages To Send Photographs Marine Protestations to the Magazine Some BC Notaries provide these services. Email your images to Marriage Licences [email protected]. Mediation Please send photos at the original Real Estate Disclosure Statements size. Do not reduce or retouch. Over 390 BC Notaries to Serve You! [email protected] For the BC Notary office nearest you, Serving all of British Columbia Telephone: 604 681-4516 please call 1-800-663-0343 AICanada.ca/British-Columbia www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener or visit www.notaries.bc.ca.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 25 Volunteering Vignettes ©iStockphoto.com/elecstacy

Margot Rutherford, Susan Tong, BC Notary in Vancouver BC Notary in Courtenay Although time-consuming, volunteering has As Treasurer for Soroptimist Foundation provided me with fun memories and a fulfilling of Canada, I am working hard to keep our sense of involvement and compassion. records in good standing! I receive donations Beside meeting many people I now call friends, and issue Canadian tax-deductible receipts. it has broadened my network and surrounded me with a stronger community. With the funds donated to Soroptimist Foundation of Canada by dedicated contributors, we issue four large grants each year to women across Canada who are …volunteering has provided me with fun students in Masters and PhD programs studying in areas memories and a fulfilling sense of involvement that will benefit women and girls. We also award grants to Soroptimist Clubs in Canada that require financial aid and compassion. to host “Dream It, Be It” events for secondary students to learn about careers that would be interesting to them. As a Chinese Advisory Committee member and Many guest speakers talk to the girls about their own careers Ambassador of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. (ASofBC), and how they ended up in their fields. The possibilities are I reach out to my connections in the community to increase endless! awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, promote the support and services available to dementia patients and their families, and I’m on the Board of Directors with four other like- raise funds for ASofBC. The Advisory Committee is scheduled minded women who are passionate about a Canadian to meet quarterly but lately has met much more frequently charitable organization that helps women and girls as well due to various fundraising opportunities. Some of our planned as our individual Canadian Soroptimist Clubs. I have 4 years annual events include Breakfast to Remember and Investor’s to learn and enjoy this position before I pass the torch to Group Walk for Alzheimer’s. At the recent Charity Dinner for a new Treasurer! Alzheimer’s, held November 3, 2018, over $100,000 was Kurt Meyer, BC Notary in Port Alberni raised by the Committee members. I volunteer my time serving as President of the Alberni Valley Crime Stoppers Society (AVCS). The aim of the Society is to make the community a safer place to live, benefitting all Port Alberni residents. The AVCS Board is represented by all segments of the community, from insurance brokers to First Nations members to retired RCMP officers. The efforts of AVCS were recognized last year when the Society received a donation of $7000 from the annual

Port Alberni Charity Golf Classic. Society Alzheimer’s Wong, Photo: Wendy

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 26 TABLE OF CONTENTS Grant Sauer, BC Notary in Vancouver and Langley BC 4-H is where I volunteer as an “A” Leader and a District Secretary. The 4-H program provides young people with an opportunity to learn how to become productive, self- assured adults who can make their community and country a good place to live. That goal is fostered through project and program work, experiences with other 4-H club members and leaders, and participation in district, regional, and even provincial programs. Dedicated to young people ages 6 to 21, the 4-H organization prepares girls and boys for their future as adult citizens. The 4-H motto is, “Learn to do by Doing.” The 4-H pledge describes the significance of the four Hs. I pledge: My HEAD to clearer thinking, My HEART to greater loyalty, My HANDS to larger service, and My HEALTH to better living, for my Club, my Community, and My Country.

I pledge: My HEAD to clearer thinking, My HEART to greater loyalty, My HANDS to larger service, and My HEALTH to better living, for my Club, my Community, and My Country.

I have been the leader of the Langley Beef and Swine Club for 6 years. This past year we had nine members raise 10 steers and 6 hogs. The members raise their animals, feeding and cleaning them for shows. Members keep a record for each animal and are able to track food intake and costs. Amy Badesha, BC Notary in Abbotsford They show their animals at local fairs like the Maple Ridge Fair and the PNE. Our members placed very We believe in giving back to our community well at the PNE this year, winning Grand and Reserve in a tangible and practical way by supporting Carcass hog and Champion Intermediate and Senior community events, galas, and sports groups. Reserve hog showman. Our members placed third and For example, as passionate lifelong learners, sixth in carcass steers. we support students from our local high school as well Members also participate in public speaking and as the University of the Fraser Valley’s legal and criminology demonstration competitions. The 4-H program develops programs by offering them an opportunity to gain experience the whole person, enabling members to develop life skills in our Notary office. and skills employers desire. Participation offers many travel With that in mind, in our pursuit of community service opportunities. My children and members have been able and the desire to be involved, I became a member with the to go on exchanges to Eastern Canada, Africa, Asia, and Abbotsford Rotary Club where I enjoy working with like-minded Latin America. individuals to promote Abbotsford on a local and global scale. As a leader and parent, I believe 4-H impacts members Additionally, we are proud to sponsor Canuck Place that in many positive ways. Members understand where our food helps support children living with life-threatening illnesses originates and learn to respect and value the work required and their families. We have sponsored and participated to put food on the table. The program includes a sundry of with the Starfish Pack program that provides nourishment projects; a member is not limited if he or she does not have to children and we volunteer with Operation Red Nose. property to raise an animal. Volunteering provides us with unique opportunities that allow www.bc4h.bc.ca us to make a difference.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 27 Serving Thanksgiving Dinner to the underprivileged people in Downtown Langley in October 2018 Lilián Cazacu, One of my life’s principles is BC Notary in Langley “treating my neighbours as I’d like CCIM Western Canada Chapter and Aldergrove to be treated.” For me, volunteering President Stephen Gammer is not just about doing something is proud to announce the naming I moved to Canada from that would make me feel better about of a new scholarship a communist country myself. Volunteering is an extension for students in Western Canada. where volunteering of who I am. was a “foreign concept.” Seeing It is important that we are how widespread the concept is charitable people every day of our among our Canadian communities, lives and in every circumstance, I started volunteering in various local including the way we treat our clients, organizations and charitable projects employees, neighbours, and family. immediately after opening my Notary practice. I began taking my family with Phyllis Simon, me so my children can learn that giving BC Notary in Vernon back is part of being Canadian. I am President of Our Notary office has grown Pioneer Place Society and we are implementing “team- that owns and operates bonding” activities by serving and a 24-unit affordable helping our local charities. Among the seniors housing complex in Enderby. many organizations and projects are We provide well-maintained housing Cloverdale Community Kitchen, Langley so our seniors can age within their Food Bank, Langley Memorial Hospital community. Stephen Gammer (L), Foundation, DiverseCity Community Mercedes Wong, Resources Society, Blanket Drive, and I have also been a Board Member and Michael Shilton various charitable projects through the of Turning Points Collaborative Rotary Club of Langley Central. Society (formerly John Howard Society) for 18 years. The programs The endowment will be named I serve there every week . . . and work have changed and the Mercedes Wong Scholarship. Thanksgiving Dinner to the expanded. Currently, 70 staff The first recipient of $500 underprivileged people in Downtown operate a variety of programs and is Michael Shilton. Langley; Anti Polio+ campaign; housing operations to provide Congratulations Thanksgiving Food Drive; Youth safe and supported housing that to both Mercedes and Michael Shelters; Starfish Backpack program; meets the needs of people who are Breakfast with Santa; Wagner Hills for their dedication and hard work homeless, at risk of being homeless, Christmas Stockings; Christmas in supporting or who are marginally housed. Hampers; containers and financial the local CCIM Chapter. Our vision is “Building community; support to the Philippines and strengthening people.” Guatemala; financially supporting various charities like BC Federation Those positions provide me with of Foster Parents Association, Cerebral purposeful living. Governance is a skill Palsy Association of BC, and so on. set well suited to a BC Notary.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 28 TABLE OF CONTENTS One of my favourite stories while I was Secretary of the Langley Rotary Club is the call I received at my office to ask for assistance; an elementary school principal in Langley was requesting funds for children in the school who might be interested in swimming lessons and couldn’t afford them. Our Rotary Club raised enough money to pay for a great percentage of the students to take the swimming lessons. We did not think all the pupils in the school would be interested. The principal was absolutely astounded by the response from the students. Fully 100% of the students in the school signed up for swimming lessons! More money was requested and our Club was able to assist. All the students took the classes and they all passed the swimming course. How great was that! Steve Woo, My passion to help others and to educate youth are the reasons I have BC Notary in Vancouver It was very gratifying for all The current Brigade dedicated over 8500 hours to this Cadet Commissioner organization. I am most excited for the concerned when our Rotary of St. John Ambulance advancement of the Brigade’s youth Club raised enough money movement in the Province of BC. BC/Yukon Council, to replace a door at the I have been a member since 1994 of St. John Ambulance (SJA), a not- Judi Piccolo, Langley Lodge with a larger for-profit organization that provides BC Notary in Langley door that permitted the first aid training and community While I was working and passage of wheelchairs. services to our local communities. St. John Brigade was formed in 1887 raising my two sons, but their history dates back to the 11th I became a Cub Leader It was very gratifying for all century in Jerusalem where the first and had wonderful times concerned when our Rotary Club raised Knights of St. John set up a hospital taking more than 40 boys camping and enough money to replace a door at the to care for sick pilgrims. teaching them various outdoor skills. Langley Lodge with a larger door that permitted the passage of wheelchairs. Starting out in the Brigade The rewarding thing about Before then, most of the residents at 389C in Burnaby division as donating your time to Cubs and had not been able to access the lovely a crusader, I was promoted to coaching (baseball and soccer) is outdoor garden at the Lodge. The Divisional Superintendent, then seeing the growth of the kids on the response was amazing . . . you should transferred to 776C – Vancouver, team and experiencing their budding have seen the smiles on their faces! eventually leading the division as confidence and humour. Those young Now they have the pleasure of enjoying Superintendent for several years people put their whole heart into the fresh air, flowers, and trees! thereafter. With my senior role with their efforts. If you are not there to Our Rotary Club also raised money the SJA Lower Mainland Cadet Corps, experience it, you miss so much in life. I was assigned to 640C – North for scholarships for high school grads Shore during the rebuilding of the It’s a fine feeling when your sons’ who might not otherwise have been cadet program there. On April 2018, friends can come to you with their able to afford university tuition. I was appointed Cadet Commissioner problems and you can help them. One It is so fulfilling to be able to for BC to oversee 18 youth divisions of those boys asked me to meet with enhance someone’s life through totalling 1300 members, from Comox his parents because they were going donating some of your time. to Vernon. With my Provincial Cadet to break up and he thought I might be The reward is not just a personal Team, I oversee the Leadership able to help keep them together. Well, achievement; it is the growth and Development, Special Events, Program I did meet with them and we had a enrichment you are able to give others Content, and Awards Recognition pretty intense and emotional meeting. . . . and the enjoyment of sharing their for those volunteers. To this day, that couple is still together. accomplishments. s

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 29 Chris Harris

Kiki and Chris

The Turtle Valley Volunteer-Powered Donkey Refuge

From left: Gerrit, Kaatje, and Franny ost of us have Volunteers Rock!!! Many of the beautiful items in the Donkey Shoppe were made and participated in a local Behind our serene setting and the friendly, well-cared-for donkeys donated by volunteers. If you were charity event or visited who have been given a second here for a special event such as the M chance at a safe, healthy, and loving Annual Pancake Breakfast each a nonprofit facility. permanent home is a dedicated team September, you were greeted, guided, fed, and entertained by volunteers. If you visited the Turtle Valley of volunteers such as the person who Donkey Refuge in Chase, BC, you greeted you and the lucky individuals All the individuals on our hugged and petted several of our in the paddocks, brushing and hugging management team are full-time donkeys and mules. The fact that donkeys. volunteers. During the summer, a they were willing to interact with you team of special needs adults donates pays homage to the commitment and time once a week to dust rails in the patient care of the “volunteer” humans If you were here barns and care for our gardens and who love and respect them. for a special event such flower planters. We are most definitely volunteer-powered! In their earlier lives, many of our as the Annual Pancake donkeys have suffered at the hands Breakfast each September, Doing a Good Thing of humans. A visit to the Refuge gives Requires Ongoing Financial Support you were greeted, guided, you an opportunity to experience the What you do not see is the large- joy of being part of a story of love and fed, and entertained animal veterinarian who has been commitment to donkeys, in a beautiful by volunteers. called in to care for a sick or injured and appropriate setting. donkey. And the farrier who comes

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 30 TABLE OF CONTENTS every week to trim 10 sets of hooves and provide relief for chronic hoof Hug a donkey. pain. And the equine dentist who Your heart will be happy! attends for regular annual dental care or an emergency issue. We have been blessed to receive Before you arrived in the morning, a growing number of planned giving a small team of hardworking barn annual or one-time donations through staff members cleaned the barns and endowments and as beneficiaries paddocks, replenished the shavings, in Wills and estate planning. We have performed minor repairs as needed, received transfers of publicly traded and moved hay. The animal health- securities that have resulted in care staff member did the herd significant tax savings for our donors. health-checks, cleaned hooves and Those amazing folks are creating eyes and ears, rewrapped abscesses, their legacy and making sure their and treated skin issues and minor chosen causes receive their continued injuries. She prepared and shared the support. Their generosity ensures we special feed required for donkeys who will be able to continue our mission are ill or cannot chew hay properly well into the future. due to age or missing teeth. She gave the donkeys their breakfast of hay, let We are grateful for our volunteers them into the pasture for a romp, and and to those who have included us herded them back into their paddocks. Steve the miniature donkey in their charitable giving commitment. We work hard to meet and beat their Our donkey family consumes Planned Giving Ensures Our Future expectations by providing our rescued over 10 large square bales of the Our youngest donkey is sweet donkeys with the love and care mandatory good-quality grass hay (no miniature Steve, only 2 years old. they have rightfully earned through grains or alfalfa) each day. Typical This healthy young fellow could live centuries of service to mankind. farm expenses include utilities, to be 50. Even if we closed our doors To know a donkey is to love a donkey! property taxes, insurance, property and to new rescues—which we could not Our 2019 calendar is ready. equipment maintenance, and repairs. and would not do, our charity must As we always say, hug a donkey. On their behalf, our Volunteer continue for another 48 years to give It will make your heart happy! s Management Team works tirelessly Steve the safe and healthy forever to be sure we have the funds to cover home we promised him when he Chris Harris is a volunteer and Board current expenditures and funds that arrived into our care. member at Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge. will sustain us far into the future. We appreciate the support we receive from visitors to our facility, our website, and our Facebook page. About 80 per cent of our funds come from caring, generous donors who share our commitment to make the world a better place by advocating and providing the funds to care for these glorious beasts of burden who have been abused, misused, and misrepresented throughout history. In dollar terms, our current budget is $350,000 of which $280,000 must come from charitable giving. Capital projects such as a second well to provide irrigation to our pastures and reduce hay costs are funded through Special Campaigns. We provide charitable tax receipts for all financial and in-kind donations and stay in touch with our donors via semi-annual printed newsletters and our monthly eBRAY online newsletter. George

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 31 Robin Wilson

Help for Babies Born too Soon, too Small, and too Sick

lympic gold medalist To celebrate the legacy of this …the Sandra Schmirler true Canadian hero, the Sandra and three-time world Schmirler Foundation was created champion Foundation…a living in 2001, a living legacy in honour O legacy in honour of this amazing woman who touched Sandra Schmirler passed away of this amazing woman the hearts of so many Canadians March 2, 2000, leaving behind from coast to coast to coast. Sandra who touched the hearts reached out to her country and made her baby girls, ages 2 years of so many Canadians… us understand what really matters in and 7 months. life. Her name lives on, in perpetuity, through her Foundation. We are the only charity in Canada dedicated to raising funds for the purchase of lifesaving equipment for hospital Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Government funds bricks and mortar but not expensive, state-of-the- art equipment in NICUs. The Sandra Schmirler Foundation has raised over $4.2 million to fund that equipment in over 50 hospital NICUs in every province and the territories. As a result, families do not need to travel miles away to find a hospital that has the specialized equipment to ensure their newborn babies survive and thrive. With the help of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, thousands of babies’ lives have been saved. The need continues to grow as more and more babies are being born Sandra at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics premature and critically ill every year.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 32 TABLE OF CONTENTS While looking after your own family must always be the priority, you may also leave a gift in your Will for a charity you care about and a cause that resonates with you. Including a charity in your Will brings meaning and purpose to a life well lived.

Our doctor told us “something was missing” in our baby’s heart. As soon as Cooper was born, the NICU team members jumped into action, ensuring he would be able to survive without immediate surgery. Before he was 3 months old, he had successful open heart surgery. He will continue to be monitored his entire life but, thanks to this surgery and the incredible care he received, he should be able to live a long and Baby Cooper after successful Open Heart Surgery healthy one. Cori Morris, Olympic Silver Medalist s Through the generosity of our too small, or too sick. Our donors’ donors and gifts in their Wills, we values, beliefs, and generosity will live continue to have an important impact on in the memories of the families Robin Wilson is Executive Director on the lives of babies born too soon, of those babies. of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

Change cancer forever. Leave a gift in your Will.

A gift in your Will is a gift for the future. By funding research you can make a difference in people’s lives and help to eradicate cancer for our children and grandchildren.

Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon 565 West 10th Avenue Vancouver BC V5Z 4J4

Janice Williams, CFRE Manager, Estate & Gift Planning 1-800-663-2524 ext 7112 [email protected]

Charitable Regisration Number: 118829803 RR0001 cancer.ca

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 33 Daniel Boisvert

Striding into Public Service www.wildmanphotography.com

n April 22, 2018, I was Three days later, George told me What he was really saying was about his campaign plans and platform get out there and knock on doors. having dinner with and all the great people he had Knock on a hundred and a hundred friends in Lahaina, assembled to run with him. When he more until your legs ache and your O asked if I was interested in joining the voice starts to crack. Then do it again Maui, at Fleetwood’s, owned team, I said I wasn’t prepared to run the next day. That strategy worked for by Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood for a council position. Council was not Ian; he had won the MLA seat quite what he had in mind . . . George asked comfortably. All his door-knocking Mac. On top of excellent food on me to run for school board trustee. made the difference so off I went! a spectacular patio, the music I requested a couple of days to We had 4 weeks to get our story was phenomenal. do some research. After some serious across. Our team did a lot of door- soul-searching, I agreed to join his knocking and the residents of Delta The conversation turned to team and campaign for the position shared many thoughts, feelings, th politics. My friend is neighbour to of a school board trustee for the 37 and even emotions with us. We took the former Chief Administrative School District of Delta. time to listen. It was one of the most Officer George Harvie in Delta, who amazing experiences of my life. was expected to run for the position Our team did a lot of door I engaged with my community as never of Mayor of the City of Delta in the before. I met many wonderful people fall election. I have known George knocking and the residents and we shared many stories. professionally for a few years and have of Delta shared many always admired his work ethic and love thoughts, feelings, and even for the place I have called home for 45 years. emotions with us.

My friend and I spent the better From the beginning, I felt my part of the evening talking about chances of getting elected were low. what George’s campaign might look Incumbents are not often defeated like. I recall saying that although in school board elections. Seventeen I was interested in public service, people were running for 7 seats and I was not yet ready to embark on 6 were incumbents. such a mission. After dinner, we My friend Ian Paton, MLA for went downstairs where the band was Delta South, gave me some sound playing and enjoyed the music until advice. He said if you want to win the restaurant closed. It was a great a campaign, all you need to do is have evening. a meaningful discussion about yourself At 8 am Sunday morning, April 29, and your campaign platform with every George Harvie called, wanting to meet single registered voter in Delta and you with me about joining his campaign. will be well on your way to securing Campaigning and sign-placing I was stunned. their vote. with my kids Noah and Abby

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 34 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mercedes Wong, CRE CCIM FRI RI Mercedes Wong Personal Real Estate Corporation Vice President of International Development

C: 604-808-2571 “I have moved 829 Cambie Street O: 778-317-5113 to a new Vancouver, BC V6B 2P4 E: [email protected] company.” www.mercedeswong.com F: 1-855-663-6653

Election night with Mayor George Harvie

By election day, we had knocked on thousands of doors. We had worked hard; it was up to the electorate now. Had our message resonated? Did we meet enough people? Did we listen enough? Advance poll results were released first and I was sitting third of the 17 candidates. The mood in the room got better and better as each poll result was posted. It was a night I will never forget. By the end of the evening, a total of 8 individuals on our 11-person team were elected—3 members of our team of 4 are on the school board and we won the majority of the seats on City TheWESA Council, with George Harvie as Mayor. The voters made a positive connection changed. Trevor Todd is an old hat (and trusted with us and gave us our mandate. And it's a expert) at estate litigation who believes It was a very humbling moment. sweeping the new law is a game-changer- for I have just begun 4 years of public his business and foryour inheritance. service. The responsibility of ensuring change. that the children of Delta get the best Call Trevor to get a jumpstart on possible education has been put on the changes. He knows them inside our shoulders as school trustees. I am a and out. Pluslot. he loves to listen and confident Delta elected outstanding people overall to serve the next term. to talk- You never know what the future may hold. Dinner with a friend in April morphed into public office in October. Embrace every opportunity that comes your way. Life is a journey—enjoy the ride! s Daniel Boisvert is a BC Notary practising in Delta, He is also President of the BC Notaries Association.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 35 Michele De Fehr Making a Difference by Working Together Photo credit: Kevin Clark

Home is the starting longest-running blanket drive in the and am proud of how it has grown . . . region. Last year was our 24th year. not just the number of donations of place of love, hope, Each year, REALTOR® volunteers warm winter clothing, new socks and and dreams.” gather and distribute donations to underwear, coats, hats, blankets, and “ Unknown charities from Squamish to Hope. sleeping bags but in the awareness Over the years, more than 345,975 that has spread about the Blanket But for many less fortunate living in Drive and the people it helps. our communities, those words are lost. people in need throughout the Lower ® Mainland have been given blankets Throughout the years, I have As REALTORS , we spend our and warm clothing. More than 100 real tried to think of ways to expand the days (and often nights) helping clients estate offices act as drop-off locations awareness and support to create purchase and sell properties that create for donations. more donations. On the North Shore, warmth, security, safety, and happiness, we set up drop-off locations during from first-time homeowners to empty- Over the years, more than the week-long Blanket Drive. We have nesters and everyone in between. wonderful REALTORS® who volunteer But there is another world . . . 345,975 people in need their time in Capilano Mall, Lynn Valley homelessness . . . a world that throughout the Lower Centre, and Park Royal Mall collecting can come from any family status. Mainland have been given donations and giving information to the It can start from the loss of a job or residents of our neighbourhoods. marriage, depression, mental issues, blankets and warm clothing It is a fantastic way to give back to or alcohol or drug addiction. our communities and show we care— ® Without a home, necessities like I was a REALTOR for only and it feels great! warm winter clothing, blankets and 6 months when my receptionist asked We also have a pizza “sorting sleeping bags are not accessible. if I wanted to coordinate something party,” started as a way to get other called the REALTORS Care® Blanket ® In 1994, REALTORS® Don REALTORS from my office to help Drive and I agreed. Now going into empty bags and sort them into the MacKay, Dick Coates, Frank Hannig, th my 12 year as coordinator for North various categories ready for delivery. and Stephen Crawford were on the Shore real estate offices, I look back Downtown Eastside of Vancouver when The pizza is now sponsored by Gibbard they saw a need. They knew they Group Financial and we have door could help those living outside in the prizes, as well. Many different North cold and rain by rallying colleagues Shore real estate offices participate, to collect blankets for the homeless. as well as their family members. And thus began the REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive, now the largest,

Michele De Fehr with Lorne MacInnes Loading bags for delivery at sorting party at Ferguson Moving and Storage REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive sorted bags

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 36 TABLE OF CONTENTS Sorted bags ready to be loaded to truck Every area of the Lower circles. The charities to which we tend Mainland chooses different recipient to donate usually come from those organizations. On the North Shore, experiences. We do care about people we donate to the Harvest Project and . . . we are in a people business and the Lookout Society, then we go to it is only right that we give where we Covenant House, RainCity Housing, can. In our recent record-breaking year, Yukon Housing, and the Vancouver we collected enough donations on the Police Department (blankets and North Shore to help more than 5000 sleeping bags for the Downtown people in need. Eastside). The sorting party has grown The REALTORS Care® Blanket so much, we now hold it at Ferguson Drive is more than a blanket and Moving and Storage owned by Lorne clothing drive; it is a time of year when and Celeste MacInnes, who also we reach out to our communities and help in the delivery of the donations invest time (and the effort of cleaning and have done so for many years. out our closets!) while giving the gift They have been a huge help! of hope and creating some warmth for A lot of REALTORS® look forward those less fortunate. We can only hope to this event as it is such a great that doing this every year helps people cause. Delivering the donations to have faith that things can get better. the shelters is an eye-opening and For further information please emotional experience. It is amazing visit www.blanketdrive.ca. Greater what one bag of clothing and blankets Vancouver REALTORS® have can do for someone. Most people don’t initiated successful programs such realize how much of a difference the as REALTORS Care®, the REALTORS donations can make and the impact Care® Blanket Drive, and the they create for the recipients’ feeling REALTORS Care® Shelter Drive. Some of security and the knowledge that of those programs have been adopted someone cares. They are truly happy by other Real Estate Boards in BC and and grateful. across the country. REALTORS® have different Michele De Fehr is a REALTOR® with organizations that we hold dear as a result of being affected by some Sotheby’s International Realty Canada. event within our family-and-friends Photo courtesy of North Shore News Office Coordinators Johanna Osato, Sarah Dennis, Donald Watson, Elizabeth Dyer, Michele De Fehr and Tazmeen Woodall Shelley Williams, and Jennie Frizzo with at Park Royal drop-off North Shore Coordinator Michele De Fehr

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 37 Nigel Atkin

FROM OTTERS TO OTHERS: ART INTO PHILANTHROPY A Personal Story

ave you counted the a philanthropist,” my friend said. consider. With that community I had never really thought of myself foundation, I discussed the positive many different chapters as an artist or a philanthropist until tax benefits, the way the fund grew you’ve achieved in your my respected friend pointed to those in its established structure, the H designations. Both functions seem to ongoing management of the fund, and life—ever considered all the have recently materialized in my life specific rules and regulations of grant names or titles you’ve been and I like them. disbursement. to others and yourself? Most community foundations “It’s nice to see can help set up funds that are donor Accepting such changes in your you’ve institutionalized advised or that provide many other personal perspective can be quite options that connect the generosity positive, life-affirming even. your generosity of donors to positively impact people, Recently I contacted an old as a philanthropist,” neighbourhoods, and communities. friend from the 1990s and talked my friend said. The Vancouver Foundation, of family changes and high points established in 1943, and the Victoria of the past decade. He told me of life Effecting Change Foundation, established in 1936, in Nova Scotia and his work involved have been working for decades We talked about small steps that with charities, cooperatives, and with individuals, corporations, individuals can take to improve the Indigenous law. and charitable agencies to create world, in Canada’s case individual endowment funds whereby the original I told him about going back to action toward reconciliation with its capital is endowed so it generates college, my joinery and other recently Indigenous people . . . how we can income in perpetuity. In that way acquired trade certificates from North wish for greater change but we can the annual income generated by Island College, the wood sculptures, only do what we can within existing investment can and does support and recent exhibits and sales of my systems. That takes time and political thousands of charities over time. abstract river otters. and personal will. Shortly after that conversation, “You’ve always been an artist,” he My own story is pretty simple. I founded The Elders and Youth said looking at images I sent from the A decade ago, in 2007 to 2011, I was Tribal Governance Fund with an initial OneTree Exhibit at the Robert Bateman working in international development contribution of only $5000 to provide Gallery in Victoria earlier this year. in postconflict environments. The small community grants to promote I told him about getting a danger pay was good and I had money and preserve Indigenous cultural congratulatory letter from the Victoria to invest in developing a small fund practices generally in four areas. Foundation regarding the 10-year to help Indigenous people back home milestone of creating and providing in BC and assist in humanitarian • Services for the Elderly efforts here. grants through The Elders and Youth • Traditional Sports Tribal Governance Fund that they Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra • Arts and Crafts administer for me. Richardson explained how to easily “It’s nice to see you’ve create a fund and how donor advised • Teaching of First Nations institutionalized your generosity as grants were an option for me to Governance

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 38 TABLE OF CONTENTS Instagram at Natkin2020 In the past decade, from where many First Nations artists and With those sales I am able donations and good investment Indigenous carvers offer workshop to donate to the fund, furthering my management, the fund is valued at demonstrations to all who attend. philanthropy to directly support causes $30,000 and can sustain a few grants that matter to me. Sharing with Others a year. Small steps, perhaps, but very helpful to most recipients—Elders, As we move toward retirement, there As our life chapters evolve, students, and artists—who don’t have are many options for staying gainfully we face many options. Art as an mainstream paychecks. active and generous in giving. Some expression . . . the application of of my friends reflect on a lifetime human creativity in itself presents For instance, in the past 3 years, of service as opposed to chasing its own rewards as it heals and a $600 student bursary to support entrepreneurial success. There is merit inspires. Art can also often generate Indigenous women graduating from in all approaches. revenue, multiplying its positive effect the joinery/cabinetmaking program at through other good work in grants. North Island College has been initiated Wealthy capitalists have pointed and appreciated. out to me that their financial success allows them to “give more” in later Philanthropy is always a great As well, through an ongoing grant life and there is truth in that. Friends choice to support worthy causes in to the Victoria Disabilities Network, engaged in cooperative, sharing, ways that help, to do good and further Elders from a Saanich Peninsula First community, and volunteer activities the general welfare of others. Nation have had financial travel and see a consistent life of nonmonetary accommodation support to attend giving that also benefits “others.” As your life chapters change, the annual Elders Gathering. In some seek counsel for the best advice. Today, as an “artist” I’m cases, those grants have made a If you need good advice for helping moderately successful selling carved material, even spiritual difference for others, contact an organization in your abstract river otters in the Robert individuals in being able to see distant community. s Bateman Gallery Gift Shop in Victoria, family and friends. the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in In the past 2 years, small grants Sidney, and some community markets Nigel Atkin teaches the Evolution helped sponsor the 2017 and 2018 during the year—most recently in of Public Relations course online Carving on the Edge Festivals in Tofino Tofino and Saanich. at the University of Victoria.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 39 Andréa Agnoloni

The Tax Side of Donating to Charities

he act of donating money • If the gift meets all the criteria of ecologically sensitive land is not listed, the recipient will issue a limited to a percentage of net income; or property has been a charitable tax receipt and the any unclaimed amounts can be carried practice since the ancient individual donor will receive forward for up to 10 years. T a nonrefundable federal and times of the Greeks and the provincial tax credit of 20.06% 3. Gifts of Certified Cultural Property Romans. on the first $200 and 45.80% Cultural property that is of outstanding on the balance. significance and national importance can be donated to Canadian In those days the Romans used The tax consequences of the gift institutions and public authorities that the term magnum facere, doing depend on the type of property gifted have been designated by the Minister something great, although the act and who is the recipient. of giving was not targeted at the needs of Canadian Heritage. The market of the poor but was meant to benefit value of the property is determined by the public as a whole. The people In our days, the purpose the Canadian Cultural Property Export donating their money for the benefit of charitable giving is to Review Board. of the public would receive recognition The claim for a gift of certified in the form of political loyalty. support causes, principle, and values in which the cultural property is not limited to a In our days, the purpose of percentage of net income. No tax is charitable giving is to support causes, donors believe. payable if a gain is realized on the principle, and values in which the transfer of the property to a designated donors believe. In recognition of the 1. Gifts to Registered Charities institution or a public authority. impact these donations make to the and Other Qualified Donees community, governments provide 4. Gifts of a Share, Debt Obligation Qualified donees include registered income tax credits to encourage giving Listed on a Designated Stock Canadian amateur athletic associations, by taxpayers. Exchange, Shares or Units of national arts service organizations, Mutual Fund Corporation, and If a gift of money or other property municipalities, housing corporations, Mutual Fund Trust is made to certain organizations, the United Nations and its agencies, and gift may qualify for a federal and some universities outside Canada. If those properties are donated to provincial tax credit. The gift must a registered charity and have realized • In a single year, the maximum meet certain criteria to qualify for the a capital gain on the transfer, the amount of charitable donations the income tax credits. donor will not be subject to tax on donor can claim cannot be higher the capital gain. It is more attractive • There must be a voluntary than 75% of the net income, but transfer of property with no and more tax efficient to gift shares any unclaimed amounts can be directly instead of the cash from the expectation of benefit or carried forward for up to 5 years. consideration. sale of the shares. The market value 2. Gifts of Ecologically Sensitive Land of the securities donated is the value • The property must vest of the charitable donation. with the recipient. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has to For example, shares with a cost • The transfer must be irrevocable. certify that the land is important to the of $10,000 and a market value of • The recipient must receive full preservation of Canada’s environmental $100,000 will realize a capital gain ownership and possession of the heritage and will determine the market of $90,000 and an eligible donation property transferred. value of the gift. The claim for a gift of $100,000.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 40 TABLE OF CONTENTS • The donor will receive a death benefit received by the charity. nonrefundable tax credit of A gift in kind is a gift This credit can be claimed in the year 45.80% of the eligible donation of death’s tax return. and will pay no tax on the of tangible property If the policy is owned by the $90,000 capital gain. instead of cash… individual, the beneficiary can be • The donation will be subject to changed in the future. If the policy the 75% of net income limitation. 7. Gifts In Kind is owned by the charity, there is To claim the full donation, the no such flexibility. A gift in kind is a gift of tangible donor needs to have net income property instead of cash, such as of approximately $133,333. RRSP/RRIF securities, real estate, certified An individual can designate a charity • On the other hand, if the donor cultural property, and ecologically as the beneficiary of the RRSP/RRIF sold the shares and donated the sensitive land. and qualify for the donation credit. proceeds, the donor would receive Unless the type of property To qualify, the transfer of the RRSP/ a charitable-donation tax receipt transferred is subject to special rules RRIF should occur no later than of $100,000 but would have as we have seen earlier, the general 36 months after the individual’s death. to pay tax on the capital gain rule is that the transfer triggers a At time of death, the full value of the of $90,000. In BC the highest deemed disposition and the donor must RRSP/RRIF is included in income marginal rate on capital gains report the capital gain or loss realized. but, if the charity is the beneficiary, is 24.90%. The deemed disposition is deemed a charitable donation equal to the value 5. Gifts to US Charities to occur at the market value of the of the RRSP/RRIF is received. That will Gifts to US Charities allowed by property. The market value will be the potentially offset most of the taxes due the US tax authority are limited to amount of the charitable donation. on the value of the RRPS/RRIF. 75 per cent of the net US income Contributions of services are not Charitable Donations reported on the Canadian income considered property and therefore Made by a Corporation tax return. The limitation is raised the gift is not eligible for the charity to 75 per cent of the net worldwide tax credit; the charity cannot issue The rules mentioned earlier apply income if the donor lives near the a tax receipt for services received free also to donations made by a border in Canada and commutes to the of charge. But if the charity pays for corporation. The only difference principal workplace or business in the the service rendered and the service is that a corporation cannot claim United States and that employment or provider returns the payment to the a nonrefundable tax credit, but the business is the main source of income charity as a gift, this gift qualifies donation is deducted as an expense for the year. as a charitable donation. from its income. 6. Gifts in the Year of Death Life Insurance Policy The donation deduction is limited to 75 per cent of the corporation’s • A gift made in the year of death Another form of donation is to donate net income. The donation cannot be is not subject to the 75% net an insurance policy on the donor’s life. claimed to increase a loss but any income limitation. If the donation If an existing policy is donated, unused amount can be carried forward tax credit cannot be used in the the donor will receive a donation and used in any of the 5 subsequent year of death, it can be carried receipt for the cash-surrender value years. back to the previous taxation year. and any accumulated dividends or For deaths that occur after 2015, interest, less outstanding policy loans. Gifts Out of Inventory estate donations (donations by In the event a corporation donates The transfer of the policy is Will) are no longer considered property from its inventory, the charity considered a disposition and may donations made by the individual can issue a charitable tax receipt trigger a capital gain calculated as the immediately before the individual’s equal to the fair market value of the difference between the surrender value death. Instead those donations inventory. The business can deduct and the cost of the plan. are deemed to be donations of the the cost of the inventory but will estate. The estate may allocate The donor will also receive a add the fair market value of the item those donations among any of the donation credit in future years for any donated to its income and then claim following. premiums paid to keep the policy. the charitable tax deduction. s • The taxation year of the estate The donor can buy a new policy Please consult a financial professional in which the donation is made and designate the charity as the to discuss your specific situation. beneficiary but retain ownership of the • An earlier taxation year policy. In that case, the donor is not Andréa Agnoloni, CPA, CGA, Notary of the estate allowed to receive a donation credit Public, is a Principal with EPR North • The last 2 taxation years on the premiums paid but will receive Vancouver, an Independent Canadian of the deceased individual a full donation credit based on the Member of AGN International.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 41 Shawn Bayes

EFry Invests in Children

Photo credit: Renee MacDermid

e know that participated in numerous programs that Through the program, helped her leave behind her previous without meaningful moms are supported life and make a new start for herself. intervention, And, when she was expecting her baby W to provide strong early- at 23, EFry was there to help again. 60 per cent of children who childhood development… Beginning during the prenatal have had a parent in prison months and since the time her baby will become involved in crime • build strong support networks was born nearly a year ago, Kendra has in the community, and participated in Growing Great Kids. themselves. • reduce the need for government “Learning about nutrition was really intervention. important to me,” she says, “but I have Moreover, those children often also learned about brain development Through the program, moms grow up in poverty with developmental, and milestones so I can help my baby are supported to provide strong emotional, and behavioural challenges. grow. Kirsty, my facilitator, provides early-childhood development by guidance for raising my child, for The children’s programs of the helping babies feel safe and valued, reading my baby’s cues, and dealing Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater encouraging curiosity and problem- with challenges in a patient way. Vancouver (EFry) break the cycle solving, and building identity, Communication is really key.” and provide the best chance for the independence, and healthy mental children to grow and prepare for the and physical development. “Kendra has done really well future. as a mom,” says facilitator Kirsty. This year the program has added a “I am really proud of her.” “Growing Great Kids” is a unique, peer support-worker component; a UBC curriculum-based, one-on-one support longitudinal study will begin looking at Thanks entirely to the generous system for women and their children, how the program reduces involvement support of donors, Growing Great Kids up to age 3. Through the program, with government services and the is one of the primary programs EFry they work with a support worker to number of children in government care. offers to support women like Kendra to raise healthy children. • develop secure attachment A Great Start between mom and baby, www.elizabethfry.com. s Kendra was incarcerated as a teenager • foster strong and empathetic and, in her words, “I would not be Shawn Bayes is the Executive Director parenting skills, here if it wasn’t for EFry.” Kendra of EFry.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 42 TABLE OF CONTENTS Donnie Gordon

Volunteering, Variety Style!

olunteers are crucial to support of BC’s children with special needs and their families. “Being able the foundation of Variety to work with people who all share the – the Children’s Charity. same goal and passion is what keeps V me here,” says Barbara. “And then Volunteer involvement speaks to meet these amazing kids and their to the passion and spirit of this families and seeing firsthand how organization and increases Variety’s Variety has impacted their life is just capacity to help children by lowering the icing on the cake.” administrative costs. For over 50 Bob, former Chief of the years, volunteers have played key roles Vancouver Police Department, became in assisting with fundraising activities involved in 1975 after Barbara signed and events, working on committees, him up as a Telethon volunteer. After and putting on events for BC’s kids retiring from VPD in 1991, he became with special needs. more actively involved, serving as Variety has over 3000 registered Variety’s Chief Barker during the ‘90s volunteers; 200 are heavily involved and terms in 2010 and 2011. “Giving at various events throughout the year Bob and Barbara Stewart back to the community is something or in the Variety office on a regular that’s always been important to us,” basis. Young and old and loyal, some says Bob. “And when it’s children and volunteers have been involved for over This couple has been helping families you’re helping, that makes it 40 years. kids with special needs all the more rewarding.” Variety volunteers have joined for province-wide through Bob and Barbara were recently many reasons. Some came with a friend Variety for over 50 years. honoured with Variety BC’s Gold Heart and stayed after enjoying the team spirit Award. that builds around a group working Bob and Barbara Stewart Variety is currently recruiting together. Some have had a connection volunteers for this year’s 53rd Annual with a child helped by Variety. Earl This couple has been helping kids “Variety Show of Hearts Telethon” Griffith, the charity’s “Heartly” with special needs province-wide on Sunday, February 10. “The telethon mascot, joined because his brother’s through Variety for over 50 years. is a huge draw and a portal for new son received help. Ditto for volunteer In 1972 Barbara joined as a volunteer volunteers. After having fun at our Michelle Pallotta; her friend’s daughter at the annual “Variety Show of Hearts signature event, they are excited to needed heart surgery and Variety Telethon.” Fifteen years later, she learn there are things to do year- covered their travel accommodations. became Variety’s first woman Chief round,” says Maureen Curtis, Manager, Barker, aka President. Volunteers in their 80s work Volunteer Services. Those interested alongside teen volunteers. Some She went on to be a member in volunteering can contact Maureen. started as members of “Young Variety” of the President’s Circle for Variety [email protected] s where they organized and ran their International and was the creative Donnie Gordon is Director, Marketing mastermind behind the charity’s own events for kids or assisted at & Communications, for Variety – hugely successful Gold Pin Program Variety’s events. They developed the Children’s Charity. leadership skills and now play key roles launched in 1991. The campaign has as adults in mentoring new volunteers. since raised more than $5 million in variety.bc.ca

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 43 Isabela Zabava

Finding the Way Back Kim Bellavance Photographe (www.kimbellavance.com) Kim

ears ago, Sean felt Sean returned to his home Sean’s mental health recovery began like the journeys of many other trapped. He had lost who town where he found people navigating the challenges he was and did not know himself homeless and of mental illness—with a hospital Y at a crossroads. stay. His doctor admitted him to a how to get back. psychiatric ward where he remained for the initial months of his battle He sought relief through self- despite their love for him, they did not to find his way back to himself. medication but that only led to know how to help. Finally, they could no Once discharged, he entered another addiction. Life felt overwhelming and longer witness him slowly disappearing mental health care centre in the hopes he was losing his relationship with his and urged him to stand up and fight of continuing his journey. two daughters. against the forces pulling him down. Following his institutional stays, Sean returned to his home town If Sean wanted his girls in his life, Sean was connected to the Recovery where he found himself homeless and he would need to find the courage to and Rehabilitation Program at at a crossroads. His daughters tried to make a change. He chose to reach out Riverview in Coquitlam, one of Coast support him as best they could but, for help. Mental Health’s community-based mental health care facilities. There, Sean was able to begin to build his new life. Sean’s struggle with mental illness is unfortunately common throughout BC and beyond. Mental illness symptoms are often not identified before they progress to an advanced stage or before relief is sought through self-medicating with addictive substances. Lives can be derailed in an instant. Even when help is sought through the hospital-based system, little is known about the support that is needed beyond the hospital to maintain recovery. For many people, a hospital stay for an intense mental illness episode means that they lose their housing or their jobs or are unable to return to school. Any progress made during the hospital Sean stay can be quickly lost.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 44 TABLE OF CONTENTS People with mental illness often Through the generosity of legacy Legacy giving has the power need to return to the hospital for help and other donors, Coast Mental Health to empower and transform the lives with relapses or worsening symptoms. has been able to implement a Cognitive of people living with mental illness. Fortunately, community-based mental Remediation Program that combines all health care is there to offer them the above therapies at Riverview. Coast Mental Health is the largest the means to continue their recovery community-based mental health care These days, the staff at Coast by providing housing, recovery provider in British Columbia, serving Mental Health can’t miss Sean’s eyes support services, and employment or more than 4300 people each year. beaming each time he speaks about education. For over 45 years, it has provided his daughters. And it’s no surprise that people living with mental illness, his resiliency and continued choice Community-based mental health like Sean, with the three essential to connect with the best of himself care is a little known part of the elements of community-based are inspired by his children. continuum of care for mental health, recovery—a place to live, a place yet it provides recovery services to “We’re all running toward to connect, and a place to work. a majority of people facing mental ourselves . . . Drugs weren’t my Those supports are made possible illness challenges. For example, downfall. I was my own downfall. in part through generous legacy gifts multiple studies have demonstrated Coast’s staff has been great and from individuals, as well as other that cognitively based skill-building I finally feel like I have a team.” donations. Every donation to Coast treatments and services such as Mental Health Foundation provides cognitive-behavioural therapy, By healing the connection with his daughters, Sean has begun to bridge people like Sean with the means to dialectical-behavioural therapy, and reclaim and rebuild their lives. cognitive remediation can positively the gap that mental illness forged alter the life course for those with between them. Legacy gifts truly have the ability complex mental illnesses. “Our relationship has gotten a to change and save lives. s Research suggests that bridging lot better ever since he went to get new strategies into real-life situations help; he’s made so much progress at Isabela Zabava is Executive Director results in better retention in treatment Riverview,” says daughter Jocelyn as at Coast Mental Health Foundation. and better outcomes, including higher she shares her feelings. “His recovery likelihood of being employed 6 months is leading him back to us. It’s starting www.coastmentalhealth.com/get- after the end of treatment. to give us back our dad.” involved/a-gift-in-your-will

Helping affluent families protect and grow their financial wealth.

DIXONMITCHELL.COM

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 45 Jenessa Chan

Volunteers: Backbone of Overcoming Poverty, Homelessness, and Addiction

ike Gosling credits an UGM’s Mobile Mission is a fully like Alcohol & Drug Recovery, Career outfitted rescue vehicle that travels Development, and Affordable Housing, unexpected tap on his to areas in Metro Vancouver where volunteers play an active role in shoulder for changing people struggling with homelessness someone’s lifelong transformation. M might reside, such as under bridges, “I see people grow confident, the trajectory of his life. local parks, and concealed alleyways. independent, and better able to Recently expanded to go out 5 days make life decisions,” shares Sandy, He felt powerless on his own per week, the vehicle is stocked with a Women & Families volunteer. to overcome a 30-year addiction to resources like blankets, clothing, winter alcohol and drugs. “I was circling While volunteer opportunities survival gear, and premade meals. the drain and had no idea how to range between helping the Mobile get out of it,” sighs the 56-year-old. Mission and the Thrift Store, Joanne Mike had been desperately homeless Mike put down his beer, left notes UGM’s urgent need for for 5 years, sleeping in an abandoned his bike, and climbed inside professionalized volunteers to help Richmond shed and collecting bottles guests file taxes and complete forms to survive—until he felt that tap on his UGM’s white Mobile Mission to get a British Columbia ID (BCID). shoulder. van to begin a journey that “People come in needing to catch up on multiple years. Those steps are “It was a Union Gospel Mission would transform his life. crucial in helping re-build their life,” Outreach Worker who asked if I wanted says Joanne. to get sober,” he remembers. “I had The rescue vehicle has a spare already been thinking there must be seat, inviting individuals like Mike to go Joanne says anyone can apply more to life.” Mike put down his beer, back to UGM on East Hastings—1 of by visiting ugm.ca/take-action or left his bike, and climbed inside UGM’s UGM’s 7 locations—to receive further by emailing [email protected]. white Mobile Mission van to begin care, such as an Emergency Shelter Several studies indicate that a journey that would transform his life. bed or entry into their live-in Alcohol volunteering increases life satisfaction & Drug Recovery program. In essence, and longevity. the Mobile Mission serves as a gateway Mike knows both sides of this into UGM’s life-saving programs and story well. “When UGM picked it hinges on volunteers. me up, they gave me my life back. “Volunteers are critical, but They taught me the tools I needed.” they’re in such high demand,” says Today, Mike is housed, 9-years sober, Joanne Anderson, Volunteer Resources and determined to help others out Manager. “The more hands we have of homelessness and addiction— helping, the more change we can giving back the same way he was enact in our communities.” saved—by volunteering with UGM’s Giving back at UGM is more than Mobile Mission. s volunteering. Because the charity Photo credit: Andrew Taran/UGM Jenessa Chan is Communications Writer Mike offers a range of life-giving programs for UGM.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 46 TABLE OF CONTENTS We understand the risks you face. That’s why our annual E&O Extra® policy coverage is now included to protect you on every transaction you title insure with us.*

Choose the provider that can do more for you today.

moreprotection.fct.ca ®Registered Trademark of First American Financial Corporation *For specific coverage and exclusions, refer to the applicable policy. Lori McLeod

SAFE Seniors

f an elderly person fell Medical alert services that If you knew you could protect people living alone from the in front of you, how would save a life, we know consequences of falling are wonderful. you respond? you’d want to help. In a perfect world, everyone would I have access to such a service. Sadly, If you knew you could save a life, that is not today’s reality as many we know you’d want to help. Among When considering our aging seniors are struggling to meet their older adults, falls are the number one population, it’s easy to see how this basic financial needs for shelter, food, cause of fractures, hospital admissions already significant problem will quickly and medications on fixed incomes for trauma, loss of independence, and become more critical before long. that are not keeping pace with ever- injury deaths. A simple fall can have increasing costs. Each year, 30 to 60 per cent of devastating effects on an older Thankfully, charitable giving seniors suffer a fall, through accident person. Unfortunately, it often takes makes it possible for seniors in need or due to health conditions that leave only a momentary event, such as a to access valuable programs and them dizzy, lightheaded, or with poor fall, to remind us how vulnerable we services they may otherwise not be eyesight. actually are. able to afford. Photo by Philips Lifeline

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 48 TABLE OF CONTENTS You and your clients can always be there for them.

Maintaining independence and peace of mind goes hand in hand with enhanced quality of life. In 2016, the Eldercare Foundation partnered with Philips Lifeline to establish SAFE (Specialized Assistance for Elders), a medical alarm service to protect low income, at-risk older adults identified and qualified through Island Health’s Home and Community Care to ensure those with the greatest needs are Give a second chance at a happy life. . . there is no better gift you can helped. make to an animal in need. Include a gift in your Will or designate a life Island Health Home and insurance policy to the BC SPCA to set tails wagging! Community Care staff have told us Visit us today at spca.bc.ca/foreverguardian, or contact that having the SAFE Lifeline service helps people feel more confident Yolanda Benoit and enhances their lives enough to [email protected] keep them out of hospital and out of 1.800.665.1868 residential care longer. “Those clients Charitable Registration # 11881 9036 RR0001 were isolated without much social support and having SAFE Lifeline was very reassuring to the clinicians involved, knowing there would be a way (for the senior) to call for help.” Eldercare’s current annual commitment of $30,000 provides SAFE to 45 seniors annually, but the lengthy wait list tells us the need is much, much larger. The SAFE Lifeline Program currently serves at-risk seniors on Southern Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands but, through the generosity of charitable giving, we hope to expand this footprint to help more seniors stay safely in their own homes longer. Charitable giving helps organizations like ours lend a helping hand and provide that peace of mind to those in need. One-time donations help meet immediate needs while multiyear pledges and estate bequests help us plan for future years and keep important programs, like SAFE, going and growing. www.gvef.org s Lori McLeod is Executive Director of Eldercare Foundation in Victoria, BC.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 49 BC NOTARIES

Filip de Sagher

Singapore Conference

he Australian and New of its Board; and of course the The content was timely and ubiquitous Peter Zablud, known to many Zealand College of educational and the welcome of us for his presence at our BC Notary Notaries (the College, Conferences and contributions to our T was very warm. I take the Scrivener magazine. www.anzcn.org) held its most opportunity to once again Present from British Columbia recent 2-day conference this thank the organizers… were BC Notaries Susan Tong, Brenda year in October in Singapore. Shergill, Murali Krishnan, Hilde Deprez, once again thank the organizers and and myself and staff counsel Ron The content was timely and especially Joseph Lukaitis, President Usher and our CEO Jacqui Mendes. educational and the welcome was of the College’s Board of Governors; Ron and Jacqui gave well-received very warm. I take the opportunity to Marcus La Vincente, Deputy Chairman presentations: Ron contributed to a panel session about whether the future needed Notaries and Jacqui “marketed” the use of social media. Our BC Notaries Association organized a dinner for the College’s Board in gratitude for their invitation. The theme of the conference was “The electronic future is now!” The opening address by David Beaves about China’s “One Belt One Road” project set the tone with a warning— this mega project that will see massive physical and digital infrastructure developed from the Near to the Far East is mind-boggling in its size and scope. The informative presentations addressed the many challenges facing us in the not-so-distant future. I personally find it comforting to know BC Notaries are not alone in their search for answers. On the contrary, we can and should join forces. When it comes to collaboration, the civil law Notaries are further ahead via their International Union of Notaries (UINL, www.uinl.org). They seem to have found one strong

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 50 TABLE OF CONTENTS ScrivenerBC Notary half page_1_FINAL.pdf Filip de Sagher, 1 2018-02-28 BC Notaries 1:06:09 PM Association CEO Jacqui Mendes, Society Counsel Ron Usher, BC Notary Hilde Deprez

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 51 George E.H. Cadman, Q.C.* 604 647 4123 | [email protected]

With over 30 years’ experience, George makes the complex simple to resolve your real estate or corporate disputes.

*Member of the Notaries Public Board of Examiners BC Notaries in Singapore: (Left) Brenda Shergill, Murali Krishnan, Uniquely West Coast™ Filip de Sagher, Susan Tong (at right) Beside Susan: Ron Usher, in-house counsel, The Society of Notaries Public of BC voice when speaking to supra-national Recovery is Possible.You can help. bodies, such as the European Union. When your clients remember Coast Mental Quebec Notaries belong to that Health Foundation in their Will, they help organization. In 2010, common law make recovery from mental illness possible Notaries around the world founded the for thousands of British Columbians. World Organisation of Notaries (WON, www.worldnotaries.org). Its aim is to Coast Mental Health Foundation cooperate and to promote the interests Registration Number: 86150 8018 RR0001 of Notaries generally. BC Notary Ken For more information, please visit Sherk is the inaugural President of coastmentalhealth.com WON and Wayne Braid is Secretary. or contact us directly at 604-349-2217. It is my opinion that BC Notaries need the YOU CAN HELP MORE leverage that comes from SENIORS REMAIN SAFELY international cooperation IN THEIR OWN HOMES and are, in turn, LONGER. well-placed to contribute.

It is my opinion that BC Notaries SAFE provides a medical alarm need the leverage that comes from service to low income seniors at risk international cooperation and are, in of hospitalization or extended care turn, well-placed to contribute to the placement due to falls. above issues. Our strong education Eldercare’s $30,000 annual standards, our commitment to our commitment provides SAFE to 45 seniors each year, but our lengthy wait various ethnic communities, our list tells us the need is much larger. language skills, and our adaptation Please consider a multi-year pledge, a to new technologies speak for planned gift, or a donation today and themselves. help us keep this important program going and growing. As such, I urge my colleagues to attend meetings organized by above- mentioned organizations whenever possible. The College will hold its next conference in 2020 in The Hague in the Netherlands, the home of the 1961 Apostille Convention. s Filip de Sagher is a BC Notary 1454 Hillside Ave., Victoria, BC V8T 2B7 • 250-370-5664 • www.gvef.org practising at Deprez & Associates in Vancouver.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 52 TABLE OF CONTENTS ECF • SAFE Scrivener Magazine 4.9”w x 4.75”h CMYK prepared by Art Department Design 250 381-4290 Created: October 2018 PROFILE OF A BC NOTARY

Manpriya Sarang

Showcasing the Winners of the Prestigious Dr. Bernard W. Hoeter Award Year 2011: BC Notary Manpriya Sarang The Immense Pleasure and Satisfaction of Being a BC Notary

orn and raised in India, Dr. B. W. Hoeter Award for achieving It gives me immense pleasure the highest marks on all the BC Notary and satisfaction that as a BC Notary, in 2002 I moved to BC statutory examinations. The award was I’m able to help clients with their with my husband and presented by Dr. Hoeter’s daughter legal needs, answer their queries, B Tessa Marks. and manage their estate-planning we started a family. I sincerely thank my instructors, requirements. Big credit goes to my staff of three and our teamwork. As mother to two young boys, my mentors, and my cohort members I needed a job with flexible hours for being extremely helpful always. I’ve always believed in giving and to work from home. I thought of Soon after graduation, I opened back. As I was helped by my mentors, upgrading my studies and applied for my office in my home town of Surrey I like to mentor new Notary students. the MA ALS (Master of Arts in Applied in 2011. My practice is mainly in real I also volunteer with local community Legal Studies) program with The estate conveyancing. I’m thankful to groups and army cadets, assisting Society of Notaries Public of BC. my referral sources, such as bankers, in fundraising campaigns and volunteering as much as possible. I remember going through rounds REALTORS®, and repeat clients. of interviews with then-CEO/Secretary As a doting wife and mom, family Wayne Braid and a panel of Directors comes first for me. I like to enjoy at The Society office. I was very It gives me immense time with my husband and my sons— excited to be selected and took it as pleasure and satisfaction Puneet, 15, who is in high school now, a challenge for myself to successfully that as a BC Notary, I’m able and Pahul, 11. s complete the new program in Cohort 2 to help clients… Manpriya Sarang is a BC Notary of MA ALS at Simon Fraser University. practising in Surrey. The study process included endless hours, sleepless nights, classes, assignments, and exams. A lot of credit goes to my study group members. I made good friends; we worked in discussion and study groups together and survived the course. Motivation to get high marks on all the exams came mainly from fear of failure and I wanted to be a role model for my kids. Although I had received top grades throughout my previous schooling, legal sciences was not my field of expertise. I was very pleasantly surprised at the Grad Luncheon ceremony when my name was announced as winner of the prestigious Manpriya Sarang receiving the award from Dr. Hoeter’s daughter Tessa Marks

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 53 BC Notaries Association: Vision and Mission he Board and CEO of the BC Notaries Association held their first strategic planning session in October 2018 to map out Tthe future of the Association over the next 2 years. One of the most important outcomes was creating a Vision and Mission for the Association, as guiding beacons for the strategic priorities that will best serve Notaries in BC. Daniel Boisvert Morrie Bailey The Board is looking forward to implementing these principles to serve President Board Member our members. Vision That people highly value the legal services of BC Notaries Mission The BC Notaries Association connects, advocates for, promotes, and supports its members (CAPS). C Connects A Advocates Lorne Mann Jacqui Mendes Board Member CEO P Promotes S Supports The Board of the BC Notaries Association

Three words. One mission. At EFry we believe everyone can become a contributing member of ocis ety. We help criminalized and at-risk women, girls, and children achieve their potential.

By supporting EFry through a donation or planned gift, you are making a commitment to improving the lives of women and girls affected by poverty, addiction, and homelessness. A planned gift is a great way to maximize financial benefits for yourself or our clients while at the same time helping to build the future in trust for women and girls. @EFryVancouver www.elizabethfry.com

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 54 TABLE OF CONTENTS Building Better Communities, Jessie Vaid $51,235,285* One Grant at a Time The Board of Governors of The Notary Tammy Morin Foundation of BC is comprised of Nakashima • 8 members of the Board of Directors of The Society of Notaries Public of BC (new Governors shown in green box at right); • 1 representative from the Attorney General’s Linda 40 MILLION Office in Victoria*; Manning • 2 Directors-at-Large, appointed by the Attorney General**; and Rhoda • the Executive Officer. Witherly The members from The Society are elected 30 MILLION by the Directors of The Society from among their ranks, for a 3-year period. Kate Manvell The Foundation Governors Tammy Morin Nakashima, Chair Linda Manning 24 MILLION Rhoda Witherly Kate Manvell Jessie Vaid * Lisa Nakamura Filip David Watts ** Deborah Nelson de Sagher Akash Sablok ** Jas Rehal Filip de Sagher 18 MILLION *Lisa G. W. Wayne Braid, Executive Nakamura Officer of The Notary Foundation, is responsible for the 12 MILLION administration of the office and staff and the diverse investment funds of The Foundation. David Watts Wayne Braid The Board of Governors meets 6 MILLION quarterly to consider applications **Deborah Nelson for funding from various organizations and to set policy, review The Foundation’s financial status, and provide direction for the administration of The Foundation. The Governors of The Foundation have the responsibility of guiding The Foundation Akash Sablok in its mandate to disperse the funds generated **Jas Rehal by interest on BC Notaries’ Trust Accounts.

The Notary Foundation funds are used for the following purposes. 1. Legal education Funds earned to date from 2. Legal research BC Notaries’ Trust Accounts. 3. Legal aid 4. Education and Continuing Education for BC Notaries and *Total revenue applicants who have enrolled to become BC Notaries to October 31, 2018, 5. Establishment, operation, and maintainance of law libraries in BC since inception 6. Contributions to the Special Fund established under the Notaries Act of BC

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 55 Building Better Communities, One Grant at a Time

Samuel Turcott

Let’s Talk about How the Access to Justice Crisis Impacts People with Disabilities isability Alliance BC It explores some of the Why was “Barriers and Bridges” impediments people with disabilities a necessary and important initiative? is a provincial cross- encounter in the justice system as well The short answer is that people disability organization as programs, resources, and initiatives with disabilities routinely face D that can help overcome those seemingly insurmountable barriers that works to promote the impediments. to participating in the justice system. dignity, independence, and Here’s a longer answer. We were proud to feature an well-being of people with editorial from the Honourable Robert “Access” and “Accessibility” disabilities in BC. Bauman, Chief Justice of the British are not exclusively topics within the Columbia Court of Appeals, along with purview of the disability community. In Spring 2018, with generous content from other experts who are Those concepts have unique resonance support from The Notary Foundation working to make the justice system for people with disabilities, however. of BC, Disability Alliance BC published more accessible. The magazine People with disabilities and disability “Barriers and Bridges” a special also featured a special insert with advocates spend a disproportionate edition of Transition magazine about educational information about access amount of time thinking about building access to justice. to justice resources. accessibility, access to transit, access

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 56 TABLE OF CONTENTS we know it is just a part of a larger There is broad consensus conversation. There is still much that within the legal community needs to be done. We are so grateful to The Notary Foundation of BC for its that there is an access vision and support of this important to justice crisis in BC. project. s Samuel Turcott is Executive Director: to community spaces, and access Policy and Programs, at Disability to health care . . . to name a few Alliance BC. examples. www.disabilityalliancebc.org The unique challenges and barriers that people with disabilities experience often have the effect of magnifying the Programs and Initiatives kinds of routine (and not so routine) Currently Offered problems that people encounter in the by Disability Alliance BC course of their daily lives. There are many spheres of public and private Advocacy Access life where British Columbians, with Provides one-on-one supports and without disabilities, face major accessibility barriers. One area of to people with disabilities to access particular note is the justice system. provincial and federal support programs. There is broad consensus within the legal community that there is an The Right Fit access to justice crisis in BC. Many British Columbians cannot afford Works to develop better ways to pair share our conventional legal services. Further, wheelchair users with wheelchair- the complexity of the legal system accessible housing in Vancouver Commitment as a whole can make it feel all but and the Fraser Valley. impenetrable for the average person. Because of the size and scope CARMA Program The Animal Welfare Foundation of the “Access to Justice” crisis in Supports residents at George of Canada aims to improve the lives of animals by allocating BC, the unique barriers that people Pearson Centre in Vancouver. with disabilities experience within the donor funds to worthy animal welfare charities conducting justice system often go unaddressed. Access RDSP innovative educational, research If nothing else, “Barriers and Bridges” Supports people in BC to access the sought to shed light on the unique and public outreach initiatives. Registered Disability Savings Plan. experience of people with disabilities within the justice system. You can share in this commitment Tax AID DABC through a donation or bequest to At Disability Alliance BC, we Supports recipients of provincial AWFC. To learn more, please visit believe it is important to have a robust disability assistance to access income www.awfc.ca. public discourse about the way people with disabilities interact with the tax benefits. justice system. We are proud to be participants in that discourse. We also Disability Help Sheet Series recognize it is extremely important that Provides reader-friendly resources professionals in the justice system, that explain different supports concerned about the unique barriers available to people with disabilities. people with disabilities experience, AWFC work as allies and advocates with Emergency Preparedness THE ANIMAL WELFARE FOUNDATION OF CANADA ANIMALFONDATION WELFARE DU BIEN-ÊTRE FOUNDATION ANIMAL DU OF CANADA CANADA members of the disability community Raises awareness about emergency to promote a more accessible justice Suite 643, 280 Nelson St. Vancouver, BC V6B 2E2 planning for people with disabilities. system for people with disabilities. www.awfc.ca While “Barriers and Bridges” For more information about DABC has helped frame and animate the Charitable registration number programs or to enquire about getting 11878-7290-RR0001 conversation about people with involved, please call 604 875-0188. disabilities and the justice system,

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 57 THE MiX Hannah MacWilliam

BCREA Hits Its Stride: Taking on the Strategic Realignment of the British Columbia Real Estate Association

ith almost a year Darlene and her team first clarified the For that reason, the first goal Association’s mission: Empowering Real of the strategic plan is to build under her belt as Estate Boards by sharing expertise so relationships with Real Estate Boards Chief Executive BC REALTORS® are trusted, respected, and other key stakeholders.” W and proud of their profession. She says BCREA is already on Officer at BCREA, Darlene “Once that foundation was there, the right path, pointing to the success Hyde is leaving her mark on building the frame—our strategic of Real Estate Board roadshows BCREA BC’s real estate sector in a goals—became much easier,” held in the second half of 2018. Hyde explains. big way: Tackling the strategic “Completing BCREA’s first roadshows has set the stage for realignment of BCREA. We’re helping BC’s 23,000 an aligned vision. We are better ® positioned now to coordinate actions “It’s all hands on deck—meaning REALTORS navigate on provincial matters, as well as we’ve just launched our 2018–2020 a time of enormous on local matters that may have a strategic plan,” says Hyde. “In professional change. provincial impact.” collaboration with the 11 regional Real Estate Boards, we’re helping BC’s Leading a Unified Voice on Advocacy 23,000 REALTORS® navigate a time Building Relationships The year 2018 saw unprecedented of enormous professional change.” With respect to the new strategic plan, regulatory change for REALTORS®. For Hyde, developing BCREA’s Hyde and her team know teamwork Unfortunately, many of the changes will be the key. “All of us know that came into effect without input from strategic plan is like building a house: ® It needs to be built on a strong our success will depend on solid the REALTOR profession. Hyde says foundation made up of a clearly defined relationships. that needs to change but adds, “It will mission statement. That’s why before take a concerted and unified approach delving into the strategic plan itself, to advocacy to ensure the voices of REALTORS® are heard.”

BCREA CEO Darlene Hyde briefing BC’s BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor Real Estate Boards and REALTORS® on General Mike Farnworth, BCREA CEO various issues important to REALTORS® at BCREA CEO Darlene Hyde and Darlene Hyde, and BC Minister of BCREA’s provincial lobbying conference, Real Estate Board Chief Executive Officer Education Rob Fleming Government Liaison Days Brad Mitchell

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 58 TABLE OF CONTENTS Who Will See Your Ad in The Scrivener? BC Notaries Lawyers Land Surveyors of BC Real Estate Professionals Real Estate Boards and Associations Age-Friendly Designates MLAs and MPs in BC Life Insurance Brokers and Agents

Fraser Valley Real Estate Board Communications Coordinator Debbie Jay; Real Estate Board Accountants of Greater Vancouver Government Relations Manager Harriet Permut; Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Volunteer/Committee Member Sylvia Sam; BCREA Director Ray Harris; Managers of Financial BCREA CEO Darlene Hyde Institutions Ensuring their voices are heard the provincial government to revisit Investment Management is a lynchpin of the new strategic plan some of the recent changes to real Agencies and BCREA’s second strategic goal. estate practice. “We are using the Provincial and Federal She wants REALTORS®’ voices survey results to show the government Court Judges heard for two reasons. that there is an opportunity to take advantage of REALTORS® professional Registrars First, it’s unacceptable that expertise and revisit some of the ® Mayors REALTORS are sometimes Rule changes, particularly the ban on Government Ministries positioned as untrustworthy and their limited dual agency,” she explains perspectives dismissed when it comes Libraries: Public and Private, to regulatory change. Regulatory changes are not the including Law Society, Legal Second, consumers’ interests are only issues BCREA has been active Services, Education Facilities best served when REALTORS® help on when it comes to advocacy. Chambers of Commerce shape real estate practice. BCREA has also been hard at work According to Hyde, the rocky to advocate for more transparency BC Housing introduction of significant changes to when it comes to the fight against BC Assessment money laundering. When Peter Rules under the Real Estate Services BC Buildings Corporation Act that came into effect in June German released an independent 2018 is a perfect example of what review of money laundering in Lower can happen when REALTORS® voices Mainland casinos last summer that are shut out. “REALTORS® were not suggested real estate transactions consulted on the implementation are being used as a cover for money of the Rule changes and there have laundering, BCREA moved fast. been some consequences that I don’t think the Real Estate Council of BC “Both BCREA and REALTORS® Spring and the Office of the Superintendent share a deep concern that the real Advertising of Real Estate anticipated, estate sector may be vulnerable Deadline particularly when it comes to the ban to abuse by organized crime. on limited dual agency.” Early conversations with Financial March 10 Data collected through a consumer Transactions and Reports Analysis survey conducted by the firm Research Centre (FINTRAC) have helped us Co. in August 2018 revealed there learn where there might be gaps in [email protected] is an appetite among consumers for compliance,” Hyde says. www.notaries.bc.ca

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 59 Relevant, Adaptable REALTOR® For Hyde, that meant a rebrand. Education “When I started, our stakeholders told us BCREA’s brand was outdated and Hyde notes those conversations stiff—our identity didn’t resonate with helped the BCREA team identify the people we serve.” She knew that an opportunity to fulfill their third had to change if BCREA was going strategic goal: Enhance REALTOR® to successfully reconnect with its professionalism through a relevant, stakeholders. adaptable approach to education. On the back of those FINTRAC Hyde advocated for a new conversations, BCREA launched brand, complete with a new logo, its inaugural Advocacy Exchange tone of voice, and—coming soon— Conference for Managing Brokers in website. “Our new brand is fresh and September 2018. “We wanted to bring dynamic,” she explains. “It’s about managing brokers and compliance expressing that we are the voice of experts together so managing brokers BC’s REALTORS®; the rebranding, could better understand the nuances along with a move to a new open- of their compliance responsibilities.” concept office, has really energized the BCREA team.” The Advocacy Exchange Conference was also part of a Helping the BCREA Team Thrive larger rethinking of REALTOR® professional education. “Our existing Hyde’s enthusiasm grows when she Professional Development Program talks about BCREA’s fifth strategic (PDP) framework may no longer meet goal, which is to deliver excellence REALTOR® needs. The swift pace through an engaged staff. of change to real estate practice “As CEO, our fifth strategic means it is time for us to review the goal is particularly important to me. PDP structure as part of our broader The BCREA team has been incredible strategic plan.” to work with during this period of More than Advocacy and Education uncertainty and have produced While advocacy and education are excellence day-in and day-out, often integral to BCREA’s role as the in a demanding and fast-paced professional association for BC’s environment.” Real Estate Boards and 23,000 For Hyde, the fifth strategic goal ® REALTORS , they are just 2 of is an opportunity for senior staff in BCREA’s 5 core services that also particular to provide leadership that include standardized legal forms, helps the team thrive. “I’m deeply communications, and economics. committed to creating a culture of BCREA’s fourth strategic goal is to ongoing learning and growth for all continue delivering core services the BCREA team, with managers that enhance the professionalism empowered to lead the way. For me, ® of REALTORS . real success will mean we do more Hyde highlights the importance than fulfill our strategic goals. Real of the valuable insights BCREA’s success means creating a workplace Economics team delivers each month. where staff are supported in fulfilling “Our Economics team is respected their own professional goals, too. across Canada and the market and That’s the root of both excellence and economic analysis they provide every engagement.” month helps REALTORS® add value With a fully staffed team in 2019, to their clients. We are looking for new Hyde adds, “We are all enthusiastic ways to leverage the outstanding work about the year ahead and plan to our Economics team does to support keep our sleeves rolled up to continue the profession and consumers.” building our momentum and shaping When it comes to communications, industry change.” s enhancing BCREA’s own image is another priority under the fourth Hannah MacWilliam is Communications strategic goal. Coordinator for BCREA.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 60 TABLE OF CONTENTS ©iStockphoto.com/Poula Thorsen

I am dismayed to discover that the only We have enjoyed an influx of We’re about a 5-hour car trip from BC Notary in Powell River, Elizabeth migrants from the Lower Mainland Vancouver (including two ferry rides Exter, has retired! And our other over the past few years who have and the wait times in between) Notary Leanne Rebantad has moved brought new energy and a distinctly or you can fly from Vancouver in to Vancouver. urban vibe. We have famous craft just 30 minutes on Pacific Coastal beer and many new coffee shops and Airlines. A new Notary might come to our restaurants. community if only he or she knew The median home price is about our great little city. Powell River is a remarkably $350,000. For less than $1 million, artistic community with many you can buy a waterfront home. Powell River is located on the talented visual artists and a numerous mainland of BC on the upper Sunshine Our town is friendly and inclusive, wonderful musicians. We host a world- Coast. I’ve lived here for 18 years; traffic is light, and you seldom have class choral festival every second year it’s the best place I’ve ever lived. to wait in line for anything. called Kathaulmixw with participants It truly has it all. We still have a from all over the world. Come check us out. paper mill but we are no longer a We’re waiting for a new “mill town.” In fact, the former mill The landscape is remarkable BC Notary to arrive! offices are set to become a very large and a launching point for incredible marijuana-grow facility. Perched on the outdoor adventures like canoeing, Marilyn MacDonald west coast of BC, we enjoy beautiful sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and Graphic Artist scenery and incredible ocean views. hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail. for The Scrivener

Our commitment starts with building a strong relationship

People who know, know BDO.SM Vancouver | Langley | Whistler | Whitehorse | Victoria Suky Cheema, Partner Kristine Simpson, Partner 604-443-4744 604-443-4735 [email protected] [email protected] Assurance | Accounting | Tax | Advisory www.bdo.ca

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 61 Jack Wong

Land Awards Gala Highlights Sustainability Leaders, Innovative Projects in BC

he Real Estate Foundation Erica Sigurdson, a Vancouver 2018 FINALISTS AND WINNERS comedian known for her appearances of BC welcomed over 200 This year’s award winners are helping on CBC’s The Debaters, emceed the to drive systemic change in how we guests to the 2018 Land event. A hit with guests, Erica’s sharp value land, design buildings, and T comedy poked fun at Vancouver’s govern freshwater resources. Awards Gala, held October 11 housing prices, dating realities, and at the Roundhouse Community upcoming election. LAND USE AND CONSERVATION Winners: Municipal Natural Assets Arts and Recreation Centre Initiative (Smart Prosperity Institute, in Vancouver. Brooke and Associates, David Suzuki Foundation, and the Town of Gibsons) An environmental lawyer, a real estate agent, and a university professor walk into a community centre and find out they have more in common than they thought. The Land Awards unites a diverse guest list of professionals, activists, Gerry Martin, Real Estate Council of BC (L) with Jack Wong, REFBC and public officials. Those unusual dinner companions share a love for Renu Bakshi, a communications British Columbia’s land, water, and professional and business journalist, communities. hosted the awards ceremony and From left: Roy Brooke, Brooke and At the 2018 Land Awards Gala, shared stories from her childhood Associates; Emanuel Machado, growing up on a blueberry farm. Town of Gibsons; and Stephanie Cairns, the Real Estate Foundation of BC Smart Prosperity (REFBC) presented three Land Awards The Land Awards Gala also for projects, as well as the Land featured live performances by local Natural features and ecosystems Champion Award and Emerging Leader jazz band Van Django, a thought- like marshes, forests, and shorelines Award that recognize individuals. provoking series of BC maps, and can deliver services like stormwater a plants-first dinner menu. absorption, water filtration, and erosion The awards help shine a spotlight control to communities. on impactful projects and unsung heroes making a difference in BC The Municipal Natural Assets communities. Initiative helps communities to “count” those natural assets and Gala Highlights assign a value that’s equivalent to the Using dramatic lighting, native service a human-built asset would grasses, and cartographic accents, provide. By counting nature as an our events team transformed the asset, municipalities can make a Community Centre into an earthy, strong financial case for protection industrial space for guests to mingle and conservation, while relying less and be inspired. Sam Sullivan, MLA on engineered assets.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 62 TABLE OF CONTENTS The Other Finalists BC’s fresh water is our most precious BC First Nations Land Use Planning natural resource. Laws and policies Visit www.landawards.com Handbook (Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council) can be powerful tools for protecting our to…learn more rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. Embracing Our Potential (Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association) The POLIS Water Sustainability A Dene from Fort Nelson First Nation, Project, based out of the University Lana has worked to manage and BUILT ENVIRONMENT of Victoria, works to drive innovation protect water, land, and habitat in Winner: BC Energy Step Code in water law, policy, and governance. northeast British Columbia. As the (Energy Step Code Council) The POLIS team has led research Nation’s Director of Lands, Lana has influencing BC’s Water Sustainability worked with community members Act. Today, they work with researchers, and industry to manage the impacts local governments, First Nations, of oil and gas development in the and funders to make policy Nation’s territory. recommendations, support watershed Lana established community- governance, and build capacity for led research and water monitoring community water protection. programs; collaborated with From left: Awards Host Renu Bakshi; Lita Powell, REFBC; Zachary May, Province of The Other Finalists governments, industry, NGOs, and BC; Wilma Leung, BC Housing; Bob Deeks, Young Agrarians Land Matching academia; and created a community RDC Fine Homes; Robyn Wark, BC Hydro Program (FarmFolk CityFolk) databank that is used in impacts assessment, regulatory and policy The Province of British Columbia has Southwest BC Food System Design review, land use planning, and legal committed to ensuring that all new Project (Institute for Sustainable Food actions that have resulted in the buildings will be net-zero energy-ready Systems at Kwantlen Polytechnic prevention of overextraction of water by 2032. To help the province reach University) for fracking and the protection of that target, a group of industry and EMERGING LEADER AWARD threatened caribou in the territory. local government experts worked to Winners: Veronika Bylicki develop the BC Energy Step Code. Learn More and Tesicca Truong The BC Energy Step Code is all I don’t envy the judges who had to about energy performance. The Code choose this year’s award winners. sets energy efficiency targets and Each of the finalists and nominees challenges designers and builders to has made significant contributions determine the best ways to meet them. to sustainability and conservation To date, 15 local governments have in British Columbia. Sharing their adopted the BC Energy Step Code and accomplishments with a wider 16 more are considering doing so. audience—through the Gala and the From left: Awards Host Renu Bakshi; award videos—is an immense honour. The Other Finalists Tesicca Truong; Veronika Bylicki; Visit www.landawards.com to Olivia Skye (Atira Development Society) Roberta Stewart, REFBC watch the videos and learn more BC’s Affordable Housing Plan (BC Tesicca and Veronika are the co- about each of the projects. Non-Profit Housing Association) founders of CityHive, an organization The Real Estate Foundation of BC Nuutsumuut Lelum (Nanaimo that works to engage youth in civic Aboriginal Centre) affairs and sustainability. Together, The Real Estate Foundation of BC they’ve launched pop-up “think-and- is a philanthropic organization that FRESH WATER AND FOOD SYSTEMS do” tanks, formed youth hubs on city helps advance sustainable land use Winner: POLIS Water Sustainability building, and advocated for youth in British Columbia. It provides grants Project (POLIS Project on Ecological inclusion in planning. to nonprofit organizations working to Governance at the University of Victoria) LAND CHAMPION AWARD improve BC communities and natural environments through responsible Winner: Lana Lowe and informed land use, conservation, and real estate practices. Its funding programs support research, education, and policy analysis. Since 1988, the Foundation has approved more than $80 million in grants. s Jack Wong is Chief Executive Officer of the Real Estate Foundation of BC. From left: Awards Host Renu Bakshi; Ramona From left: Awards Host Renu Bakshi; Faust, REFBC; Oliver Brandes, POLIS Lana Lowe; Anna Warwick Sears, REFBC www.refbc.com

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 63 Elaine McCormack

Why Volunteer as a Strata Council Member? ©iStockphoto.com/Tomas_Handfield erving as a council of the owners, paying thousands Pursuant to the Strata Property or tens of thousands of dollars a year Act, council members may receive member in your strata to the administrator for his or her fees remuneration for the exercise corporation is an and expenses. of council powers or performance S of council duties. Remuneration important way of protecting for council members is allowed only your real estate investment Most individuals if the strata corporation’s owners elected to council are approve it, either as part of the and may provide a learning annual budget, in the bylaws, or by opportunity that can lead owners of a strata lot a ¾ vote of the owners at a general in the complex. meeting. Approval of remuneration for to future employment. council members is rare; most council members perform their duties strictly Council members exercise the Most individuals elected to council as volunteers. powers and duties of the strata are owners of a strata lot in the A council makes decisions by corporation, subject to those matters complex. An individual representing majority vote of the council members that must be decided by the owners a corporate owner and tenants who at council meetings. By participating at a general meeting. That means have been assigned a landlord’s right in council, its members may learn council members are like the Directors under the Strata Property Act to stand basic concepts of organizational of a company and they gain valuable for council can also be elected by the governance, including experience running a corporation. owners to council. If you are wondering To comply with the Strata Property if you qualify as an “owner,” you may a. accounting concepts, including Act, each strata corporation must review the definition of “owner” in developing and implementing have a council comprised of at least the Strata Property Act of BC, the a long-term financial plan; the minimum number of council main governing legislation for strata b. decision-making procedure, members required by the strata’s corporations in British Columbia. including for council meetings and bylaws. Usually, the minimum number In addition, a strata corporation general meetings; of council members is three. can file unique bylaws in the Land c. proposing, passing, and enforcing If a strata corporation does not Title Office that allow one or more bylaws; have a properly functioning council, other classes of persons to be elected an owner of a strata lot may apply to to council. Commonly, bylaws allow d. contract negotiation, particularly the Supreme Court of British Columbia the spouse of an owner or the children for services such as strata to appoint an administrator who then of an owner to serve on council. management, waste management, may take on the powers and duties Before running for council, it is maintenance contracts, repairs, of a council. Having an administrator reasonable to ensure that the strata and loans; and do the work of council can result in corporation has Directors’ and officers’ e . creating and implementing the strata corporation, comprised liability insurance. a privacy policy.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 64 TABLE OF CONTENTS By serving on council, you also the significant reduction in conflicts may learn more about topical issues Many council members and problems in strata corporations that face those who live in multi- when the council members routinely unit dwellings. Many councils have are applying the knowledge attend seminars.” recently been addressing critical they have gained in their Many council members are issues in their strata complexes, professional life to work applying the knowledge they have including for the benefit of their gained in their professional life a. long-term and short-term rentals; to work for the benefit of their strata communities. b. complaints of second-hand smoke; strata communities. Conversely, some council members gain skills c. whether to allow residents to grow and apply those skills, along with strata lots as well as smoking cannabis cannabis plants; and further education, to become in the complex. In addition, changes strata managers. I know several d. whether to provide charging to the same Regulations now make it council members who have gone stations for electronic vehicles and easier for a strata corporation to charge on to successful careers in strata how to allocate the cost. for the use of a charging station for management. Recent changes to Regulations electronic vehicles. If you are interested in a career of the Strata Property Act allow for There are excellent educational in property management, you may fines of $1000 a day to be applied opportunities available for council contact the Professional Association to owners using their strata lot for a members at reasonable prices. of Managing Agents for further short-term rental if it is prohibited in One source of education is the information. s the strata corporation’s bylaws. Condominium Homeowners In the last few months, many Association of BC (“CHOA”). Tony Elaine McCormack, a founding councils have been proposing bylaws Gioventu, Executive Director of CHOA, member of Wilson McCormack Law, to address growing cannabis plants in says, “We note a direct link between is a Chartered Arbitrator. BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

Westcoast Surveys Ltd. Registered member of ASTT of BC

“Knowledgeable and Capable” Site surveys for Mortgage Purposes 604-538-3388 CammackHepner.ca Don Prokopetz AScT, RSIS #106 – 1656 Martin Drive, Roy Cammack Surrey, BC V4A 6E7 Gordon G. Hepner Tel 604 543-8665 Fax 604 543-8610 MBA, CSA, Notary Public MA(ALS), Notary Public [email protected] [email protected]

TazmeenWoodall

Alexander Ning Notary Corporation Direct: 604.760.7005 Suite 230, 8911 Beckwith Road Office: 604.988.2449 Alex Ning Richmond, BC Canada V6X 1V4 tazmeenwoodall.com Notary Public, Mediator, Email: [email protected] [email protected] Immigration & Refugee Counsel Fax: 604 270-4751 Each office independently Owned and Operated Direct: 604 270-8155 101-2609 Westview Drive Telephone: 604 270-8384 North Vancouver, BC, V7N 4M2

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 65 Amy Robertson Photo by Marcos Luiz Photograph on Unsplash

WorkPeace: Get Curious Creative

©iStockphoto.com/Yuri_Arcurs Adaptable f you work in Human of the situation. While someone’s As you gather this circumstance does not condone Analytical Resources or manage information, the next poor behaviour, it can help another employees, you will no party to understand a situation Today’s successful real estate professional is committed to lifelong learning. I steps will be revealed. differently. doubt be involved with You don’t need to know all UBC’s Continuing Professional Development Courses meet your needs. 5. Task each person to describe resolving conflict at your the answers when you are options that could help to move • Convenient online course format presented with a problem. workplace. forward with the other person. • Broad range of valuation and real estate business topics A common reaction for most If the parties are stuck, some • Guaranteed Appraisal Institute of Canada’s Continuing Professional Development credits people called to help resolve conflict 3. Ask each person what a good options you could suggest are at work is avoidance. I suggest getting outcome would be for him or her. setting up a meeting or lunch, Business Development Series: Eight courses designed to provide practitioners with the a facilitated conversation, or curious. Get curious by asking the right That is important! Do they want entrepreneurial and practical skills to establish and successfully operate a real estate business. people the right questions. a finding of fact (an investigation) mediation. If the participants do decide to meet together, remind As a mediator, here are my five or are they open to moving  Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development them to come with a willingness steps you can take to get curious and forward if certain changes or to listen and understand things  Business Strategy: Managing a Profitable Real Estate Business help resolve issues that arise in the acknowledgements are made? differently. workplace. More often than not, I find  Succession Planning for Real Estate Professionals changes and/or acknowledgements As you gather this information,  Organizing and Financing a Real Estate Business 1. Confirm who is involved. will be required from both the next steps will be revealed.  Accounting and Taxation Considerations for a Real Estate Business That will typically range from participants. You don’t need to know all the two people to an entire division  Marketing and Technology Considerations for a Real Estate Business 4. Ask what each person thinks answers when you are presented with or team. For simplicity, let’s the other person’s perspective is. a problem. While the above steps will  Human Resources Management Considerations in Real Estate assume two staff members are not resolve every issue, they can help Ask each participant to try  Law and Ethical Considerations in Real Estate Business not getting along. in a lot of circumstances. on the other person’s shoes, 2. Talk to each person privately figuratively. Perhaps he or she Giving people the opportunity and confidentially. has health issues or stress at to be heard and understood is Ask them for their perspective home. Note: You are not divulging powerful. s To find out more, visit: on the incident or incidents that any confidential information you realestate.ubc.ca/CPD have led to the conflict or strain. may have; you are helping the Amy Robertson is a Mediate BC How do they think they have other person get curious and Civil and Family Roster mediator tel: 604.822.2227 / 1.877.775.7733 email: [email protected] contributed to the conflict? shift to a broader perspective in Victoria, BC.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 66 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Scrivener-2018.indd 1 2/22/2018 5:42:48 PM Creative Adaptable Analytical

Today’s successful real estate professional is committed to lifelong learning. UBC’s Continuing Professional Development Courses meet your needs. • Convenient online course format • Broad range of valuation and real estate business topics • Guaranteed Appraisal Institute of Canada’s Continuing Professional Development credits

Business Development Series: Eight courses designed to provide practitioners with the entrepreneurial and practical skills to establish and successfully operate a real estate business.  Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development  Business Strategy: Managing a Profitable Real Estate Business  Succession Planning for Real Estate Professionals  Organizing and Financing a Real Estate Business  Accounting and Taxation Considerations for a Real Estate Business  Marketing and Technology Considerations for a Real Estate Business  Human Resources Management Considerations in Real Estate  Law and Ethical Considerations in Real Estate Business

To find out more, visit: realestate.ubc.ca/CPD tel: 604.822.2227 / 1.877.775.7733 email: [email protected]

Scrivener-2018.indd 1 2/22/2018 5:42:48 PM Wayne Braid

Stewart, BC Then and Now

©iStockphoto.com/Tomas_Handfield here are many remote When I lived in Terrace and was By 1910, Stewart was involved in the insurance business, communities in British a wealthy town, boasting I also had an office in Stewart. The Columbia. distance between the two communities T a population of 10,000, is 312 kilometres and the driving time Most of them have extremely with four newspapers, is just over 4 hours. interesting histories about the way several hotels, and many The drive follows the Skeena River. those remote towns were first started From Kitwanga to Stewart, you are or founded . . . stories of boom and dry-goods and clothing treated to an unbelievable drive along bust and going from prosperous active businesses. smaller rivers, streams, mountains, communities to “ghost towns.” valleys, and even a glacier right beside They became merchants, government Those communities are also the road. full of great stories of the men and workers, teachers and bankers, and women who went to live there, had Notaries Public! The town site, right on the their children, and participated in This article will focus on the Alaska border, was settled in 1902 the community and the economy. community of Stewart, BC. by the “Stewart Brothers” when a post office was established there. One of the brothers, Robert, became the Postmaster and named the community—Stewart! Of course for many generations, the Nisga’a people had lived along the banks of the Nass River and knew of the area at the end of the Portland Canal; they named it “Safe House” because it was a good location for them to hide when the Haida and Tinglit from the outer coast came to raid their villages. In 1906, men looking for gold arrived mainly from Seattle, Washington, and some from California. By 1910, Stewart was a wealthy town, boasting a population of 10,000, with four newspapers, several hotels, and many dry-goods and clothing businesses. In 1919, gold and silver were discovered on the Premier mine site; On Highway 37, known as the Stewart Cassiar Highway the mine operated until 1951 or 1952.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 68 TABLE OF CONTENTS Many of the other mines in the area had been closed in the crash of 1929. Alf Burton was active During WW II, the town’s population as a BC Notary, performing shrunk to 17 people! property transfers and so on, In 1956, a massive ore body until shortly before his death of copper was developed at a mine to become known as Granduc Mine. at 86 years of age. Watch for these The tunnel constructed was the longest tunnel in the world at the time, “The expansion required much more Upcoming Courses! just over 1716 kilometres in length! in the way of municipal office and cle.bc.ca/course-list taxation requirements, much more With all the mining and economic than the part-time chap by the name activity and townspeople wanting to of Bob MacLoud could put in, due to buy and sell properties and do other his full-time position as Department business, a Notary was needed. History of Highways foreman. is a bit sketchy regarding who was the first Notary in the area; some of that “Council of the day decided to Mastering Civil Evidence history has simply been lost. Therefore, advertise for a full-time Village Clerk. – February 13 I will tell you about the most recent As my dad was a widower, I thought Notary to serve in Stewart. a move to Stewart would resolve the issue of forced retirement and bring During my time in Terrace, I came him closer to family. We discussed to know Mr. Andy Burton, a longtime it over the telephone and I did a little resident of Stewart and Mayor of the local lobbying; he decided to apply. small community. Andy was elected Family Law Provincial Court the Member of Parliament for The “His résumé was excellent; Practice – March 7 Constituency of Skeena in the year Dad was well educated. But he was 2000 and served 4 years in that office. concerned that he might again be forced into a retirement he neither I recently had the opportunity wanted nor needed. He was young to meet Andy again and he reminded at heart, articulate, and intelligent. me that his dad had been the Notary Public in Stewart. When I started as “Therefore, in his application Trusts in the 21st Century: a Notary in Terrace in 1986, I had he raised his concern about forced Surviving in a Sea of Change many times run across some of the retirement. Acting Clerk MacLoud sent – April 26 work Mr. Burton had done. back a telegram reply accepting Alf I asked Andy if he would tell me Burton’s application. The telegram Publications read as follows, ‘Age no objection; how his dad had gone to Stewart and - Hot off the Press! how he had become the Notary. some intelligence desirable.’ cle.bc.ca/publications “As is typical in many smaller or “My father took the position remote towns and villages in British and was not only Village Clerk but Columbia, it was not only Notary work Government Agent and Canada Customs Agent for some time. Government Agent that was conducted; the Notary could wear 4 or 5 different ‘hats’! and Customs work were eventually farmed out, so he became full-time “In 1965, my father Alf Village Clerk, a post he held until 1975. Burton was employed He then partially retired, working from Canadian Criminal Jury by the Provincial home as a Notary Public, a designation Instructions Department of Highways and honour he had earned during his Land Title Practice Manual in Prince George. He time in the District offices.” was 63 years old and Alf Burton was active as a would be forced to retire email [email protected] at 65. BC Notary, performing property transfers and so on, until shortly phone 604.893.2121 “I was living in Stewart, BC, before his death at 86 years of age. s toll free 1.800.663.0437 and the Granduc Mine was under (in Canada) construction. To absorb the mine Wayne Braid is the Executive Officer site for taxation purposes, the village of The Notary Foundation of BC and The Continuing Legal Education had just expanded its boundaries former CEO of The Society of Notaries Society of British Columbia and become a District Municipality. Public of BC.

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 69 Trevor Todd

Wills Drafting:

The Myth of the “Simple Will” Chen Matthew credit: Photo

t must be stressed that 2. The practitioner should explain A Will is a very personal to the client the amount of time it any document that has document, quite literally, properly takes to prepare a Will, the amount of expertise required consequences as permanent a testator’s last word about I for same, the risk of liability, and far-reaching as a Will can how his or her estate and the value of the assets that never be “simple.” is to be disposed of. are being dealt. That will help persuade the client that the cost Even a straightforward Will can may be higher than he or she be fraught with drafting problems and his or her instructions, and then wishes to pay, but that it is still potential liability. understanding those instructions good value in the “big picture” of precisely after giving appropriate things. It should be stressed that A Will speaks from death and advice with respect to same cannot be altered after death. Thus the Will is dealing with the client’s Wills can be viewed as potential 2. Translating the instructions into lifetime accumulated assets. testamentary provisions that are “time bombs” of liability. Although 3. If the client is unwilling to pay, sections 58 and 59 of the Wills, valid and clearly express the testator’s intentions then it is open to the practitioner Estates and Succession Act now allow to refuse to do the work. an opportunity to correct errors, to 3. Gathering all the information confirm what the testator really meant, required to properly prepare the 4. If the practitioner accepts the to fill in the gaps, or to modify the Will and to give effect to the work, he or she accepts the ambiguous, a small drafting error can testator’s wishes responsibility of doing it properly create an ambiguity that may take 4. Taking into account other and promptly. years to resolve in the Courts. documents to which the testator Getting the Necessary Information A Will is a very personal is a party, such as those dealing From The Client document, quite literally, a testator’s with assets that pass outside of last word about how his or her the estate, and applying legal Clients frequently attend at the Will- estate is to be disposed of. The only principles that may affect the drafter’s office with firm instructions constraints on the testator’s wishes are provisions of the Will about how they want to dispose of public policy and the law. If neither Simply put, it is the Wills their estates. It is the Will-drafter’s is contravened, the testator can make practitioner’s duty to ask the right duty to properly examine and almost any type of Will. questions and draft the Will properly scrutinize such instructions because Duties of the Wills-Drafter in accordance with the client’s many of them may be neither practical instructions. nor advantageous to the interest of The Wills practitioner has several the estate or to the beneficiaries. The important duties, including the Fees Will-drafter must educate the client following. 1. Fees should be based on the and explain to him or her the nature 1. Spending sufficient time to practitioner’s actual time and not and consequences of the proposed properly canvass with the client the supposed “going rate.” testamentary provisions.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 70 TABLE OF CONTENTS It is not uncommon for the client’s initial instructions In the case of a person enfeebled by old age or with to be flawed. Clients often have firm opinions as to what faculties impaired by disease, and particularly in the they want to achieve with their Will that are often simply case of one labouring under both disabilities, a solicitor not practical, or even possible, and would almost certainly called in to prepare a Will does not discharge his end in litigation. It is the job of the drafting practitioner to duty by simply taking down and giving expression to provide proper objective counsel in this regard. the words of the client, without being satisfied by all To get the correct information, the practitioner must ask available means that testable capacity exists and is the right questions. The Will practitioner can simply never being freely and intelligently exercised in the disposition have too much information to give proper advice. of the property; and, in dealing with a person needing protection and advice, it is important for the solicitor to The bottom line is there is a duty on the Will-drafter to find out if there be a former Will, and its nature, with carry out the client’s instructions as closely as possible, but a view of getting at the reasons for any variations or there is an equally important duty to make sure that clients changes therefrom, if such changes be contemplated. understand they should not necessarily do what they want to do, and if they insist after proper advice, they must accept The notes of haste, stealth, and contrivance attached to and approve the consequences. this transaction, and were not removed by the evidence. The duty was similarly described by Kroft J. in Friesen v. Probing the Client’s Mind Friesen Estate (1985) 33 Man.R. (2d) (Q.B.) at para 77, I would be remiss in any discussion regarding the taking of as follows. Will instructions, especially from the elderly and frail, not to start with a wise quote from Chalmers v. Uzelac 2004 6. The duty upon a solicitor taking instructions for a BCCA 533. Will is always a heavy one. When the client is weak and ill, and particularly when the solicitor knows that 1. Every solicitor who, as part of his or her practice draws he is revoking an existing Will, the responsibility will Wills, should read, mark and inwardly digest at least be particularly onerous. once each year the judgment of Sir John Alexander Boyd, C. in Murphy v. Lamphier (1914), 31 O.L.R. 287, 7. A solicitor cannot discharge his duty by asking the Canadian locus classicus on a solicitor’s duty in perfunctory questions, getting apparently rational taking instructions, especially at pages 318-321. answers, and then simply recording in legal form the words expressed by the client. He must first satisfy 2. That duty is owed not only to those who might, or ought himself by a personal inquiry that true testamentary to be, objects of the testator’s bounty but also to the capacity exists, that the instructions are freely given, testator, for only the solicitor can be the testator’s voice and that the effect of the Will is understood. from the grave; the solicitor discharges that duty by making proper inquiries of the testator at the time of the Sample Organizational Chart for a Will making of the will and by taking and preserving proper One tried-and-true technique of Will-drafting is to break the notes of the responses and of any observations relevant Will down into its basic components, to demystify the task both to capacity and to knowledge and approval of the at hand. Here is a sample of how most Wills can be broken contents of the will. The reason for the latter obligation down. ought to be obvious but, lest it is not, I state it: How can Part One: Initial Matters a judge put confidence in the testimony of a solicitor who says, years (here 9) after taking instructions, but (A) Revocation of prior Wills keeping no notes of those instructions, that the testator (B) Appointment of executor and trustee said this or that as the reason for changing an earlier (C) Appointment of alternate executor and trustee will? (D) Appointment of guardian, if applicable In Murphy v. Lamphier, as cited in the Chalmers case, the duty of a lawyer taking Will instructions was discussed as Part Two: Disposition of Estate follows. (A) Vest property in trustee It is an error to suppose that, because a person can (B) Payment of debts, testamentary expenses understand a question put to him and give a rational (C) Disposition to beneficiaries answer, he is of sound mind and capable of making a Will: the competency of the mind must be judged by the (a) Specific bequests nature of the act to be done, and from a consideration (b) Legacies of all the circumstances of the case. (c) Residue The grand criterion by which to judge, whether the mind (d) Alternative gift(s) of residue is injured or destroyed, is to ascertain the state of the memory. Memory affords all the materials on which Part Three: Administration of Estate to exercise judgment and to arrive at a conclusion or Powers of Executor/Trustee resolution. (1) Power of sale or conversion

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 71 (2) Trust for minors issue of that deceased child (3) Payment for minors Strive to not use foreign surviving me shall take (and words in Wills unless you if more than one in equal (4) Investment powers shares per stripes as tenants are referring to foreign (5) Power of distribution in specie in common) the share which places or persons. his or her or their parent would (6) Power to carry on business have taken if living. and other powers that may be movement toward the use of The deceased had a son who had necessary or appropriate plain language to replace legalese predeceased him by 10 years Part Four: Closing Matters and bureaucratic writing. Plain leaving two children. At the time language is straightforward prose, Miscellaneous provisions, for example the deceased executed his Will, he carefully written with the needs of had only the two daughters Mary (1) Charging clause its primary readers in mind. Strive and Joan. The Will was poorly (2) Funeral wishes to make your average sentence drafted in that it used both the length shorter and to simplify your Remember that the client must words “any child of mine” as well sentence structure. “know and approve the contents” as the words “leaving issue him or of the Will. So that can be achieved, 5. Eliminate redundant words and her surviving.” I argued that the the goal should be to draft a Will the phrases. Will-draftspersons have issue of the deceased son, namely client may read and understand for the tendency to use couplets and the deceased son’s children and him or herself. The use of a logical triplets when one word carries the grandchildren, should share equally arrangement of paragraphs and clauses intended meaning. For example in the estate with Mary and Joan. such as displayed in the above-noted the words “nominate, constitute, organizational chart will assist the and appoint” could be condensed Leaving aside the poor client in that endeavour. The use to simply “appoint.” The words draftsmanship that resulted in the of headings and definitions and the “give, devise, and bequeath” could litigation, I have never yet met a numbering of paragraphs and clauses be shortened to simply “give.” client who wishes to provide for all will also assist in that regard. Bearing of his or her lineal descendants. 6. Strive to not use foreign words Clients usually wish to provide in mind the aging population, using a in Wills unless you are referring reasonably large font is advisable. only for their children, but if a to foreign places or persons. For child has predeceased, leaving It should be noted that words example, do not use Latin phrases children of his or her own, then used in a Will are given their ordinary such as “bona fide” when the for those children, that is the meaning by the Courts. Also, a judge English “good faith” conveys the grandchildren of the client, in the should consider only the Will and the same meaning. Similarly, do not place of the deceased child. facts and circumstances known to the use expressions such as “cy-pres” client at the time the Will was made or “en ventre sa mere,” when they 8. Do not do a codicil to revise an to determine the client’s testamentary can be replaced with “as near existing Will, as it is too easy to wishes. as possible” and “in its mother’s make a mistake. Disregard the womb.” client’s concerns about costs in Style of Drafting: 20 Dos and Don’ts this regard. If the client wants 7. Do not use the word “issue” 1. Strive for simplicity without that ordinarily means all of a to make a change to a Will, then sacrificing precision. person’s lineal descendants, but draw a new Will. 2. Be brief without sacrificing instead use the words “child,” 9. When providing for the distribution comprehensiveness. “children,” “grandchild,” and/or of the estate residue, try to use 3. Be consistent in the use of tense “grandchildren,” as appropriate. percentages or shares rather and the use of terms. All of the Similarly, do not use the words “per than specific amounts. Then clauses to be used must then be stirpes” or “per capita” but instead add the percentages or shares looked at together to ensure a describe the method of distribution. several times to ensure they add uniform drafting style throughout. I once litigated the following up to 100 per cent. In Sarkin The Will created must not look clause from a Will that used the v. Sarkin Estate, 36 E.T.R.139, like a patchwork quilt of style word “issue.” the draftsperson did use shares, and language as this could lead but the shares added up to only To divide the residue of my to interpretation problems and 55 per cent of the residue. As a estate between my daughters possible negligence claims. result, the remaining 45 per cent Mary and Joan who survive went by way of a partial intestacy. 4. Use modern plain language me in equal shares per capita rather than verbose and but if any child of mine 10. Do not use precatory words such archaic expressions. For many predeceases me leaving issue as “wish” or “request,” as they are years now, there has been a him or her surviving, the not binding on the executor.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 72 TABLE OF CONTENTS 11. Be precise in your description of assets to avoid ambiguities. Only attempt to do BC Notaries 12. Check carefully for inconsistent the type of Wills with clauses. which you are completely Speak Your Language 13. Check to see that no intestacy or experienced and are totally BC Notaries around the province partial intestacy has been created. comfortable doing. offer many noncontentious I once litigated a homemade Will legal services (see pages 10 and 25) where the testatrix included a specific clause stating she did not terms, as many clients will not in an impressive variety of languages. wish her brother to ever share in really understand what most of her estate by reason of bad past the clauses mean. It is suggested ENGLISH behaviour. She executed the Will that where possible and practical, AFRIKAANS email, fax, or mail a copy of the without having included a residual ARABIC beneficiary clause and thus Will to the client to review prior to BULGARIAN created a partial intestacy. The seeing him or her in your office. CANTONESE effect was that her next-of-kin, That will give the client time to namely, her brother, inherited. consider and reflect on the Will CROATION and to make any changes he or DUTCH 14. Sufficiently identify each she considers appropriate. That is beneficiary and record his or her preferable to the client attending FARSI contact information. Charities at your office and requesting FILIPINO can be a particular problem, as changes to be made on the spot, FLEMISH it is necessary to understand as such changes are often rushed. FOOKIEN the structure of the charity and to ascertain which part of the 19. Use technology but beware that FRENCH charity the testator wishes to it sometimes does strange things, GERMAN like leave out paragraphs and benefit, as well as to ensure the GUJARATI make other such unexplained charity’s name is stated correctly. HINDI If possible, the charity should be mistakes. ITALIAN contacted to ensure accuracy. 20. Do not rely solely on a checklist- JAPANESE Leaving a bequest to “charitable type Will instruction sheet. Make and educational institutions” real notes, including observations KOREAN will undoubtedly lead to much confirming you probed the Will- MALAYSIAN litigation among various charities maker’s mind to check for mental MANDARIN and education institutions. capacity and noted his or her PERSIAN statements as to next-of-kin and 15. Be consistent in the words you use. the value of assets. On completing POLISH 16. Try not to include a gift of a a Wills file, avoid using a form PORTUGUESE specific parcel of property to a reporting letter that has clauses PUNJABI beneficiary as there is a good that do not relate to the particular ROMANIAN likelihood the testator will not instructions. own the property at the time of RUSSIAN his or her death. A better way Conclusion SERBIAN to accomplish such an intention I again stress there is no such thing SHANGHAIESE is to use a clause such as “to as a simple Will. While a Wills practice SPANISH transfer to Mary, if she survives can be enjoyable and rewarding, the me, whatever house and property draftsperson can never let his or her SWAHILI I own at the time of my death,” or guard down for one instant regarding SWATOW such similar-type wording. the myriad potential problems that can SWISS arise in this type of practice. SWISS GERMAN 17. Only attempt to do the type of Wills with which you are The client needs firm advice TAGALOG completely experienced and are and guidance throughout the taking TAIWANESE totally comfortable doing. of instructions and again during the review of the Will at the time of TAMIL 18. Review the Will clause by clause TAOSHAN execution. s very carefully with the client. It TELEGU Trevor Todd restricts his practice should never be a cursory review. URDU It may be helpful to paraphrase to estate litigation. He has practised law each clause to the client in simple in Vancouver for 45 years. VIETNAMESE

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 73 Congratulations,

LLP MACKENZIE FUJISAWA LLP BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS President Graham Held!

Proud to be serving t the Directors Land Economics from the University of British Columbia. Meeting October 11, The Society, BC Notaries, An avid volunteer and mentor and Their Clients with A 2018, Graham Held, throughout his career, he was elected AACI, P.App, was re-elected to the AIC-BC Board in 2007 and previously held roles as Kamloops • Motor vehicle accident President of the British Chapter Representative and 1st Vice Columbia Association of the President. Graham dedicates his spare time to working with the Real Estate claims; Appraisal Institute of Canada Division of the UBC Sauder School for a 1-year term. of Business as tutor for the course BUSI 460 • Real estate litigation; A member of the – Critical Analysis and Kamloops Chapter of Forecasting in Real the BC Association of Estate. • Probate of estates; the Appraisal Institute of The BC Association Canada, in his 25-year of the Appraisal Institute tenure Graham has gained of Canada is the experience from several Provincial Association • Estate litigation; BC Assessment offices of professional real including Pitt Meadows estate appraisers. With and Burnaby. approximately 1200 In June 2004, members, the Provincial • Contract disputes. Graham became Deputy Association is affiliated Assessor for the Surrey Graham Held with the National office and transferred to the Kamloops Appraisal Institute of Canada and office as Deputy Assessor in 2007. comprises eight Chapters throughout Graham oversees the administration BC and the Yukon. of BC Assessment’s core product, the Members are awarded assessment roll, an annual snapshot designations after completing of properties and property values across extensive education, applied British Columbia. BC Assessment experience, guided case studies, delivers the roll electronically to every and final examinations. Members are taxing authority in British Columbia, governed by the Canadian Uniformed allowing for fair and equitable taxation. QUANG T. BRIAN C. Standards of Professional Appraisal BC Assessment also communicates DUONG POSTON Practice. A strict code of ethics assessed values to property owners by ensures all members maintain high mailing nearly two million assessment standards in appraisal assignments. 1600 – 1095 West Pender Street notices each January. CR A, P.App : Canadian Residential Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6 An accredited member of the Appraiser, Professional Appraiser Phone: (604) 689-3281 Appraisal Institute of Canada, he was Fax: (604) 685-6494 awarded his AACI, P.App, designation A ACI, P.App : Accredited Appraiser www.macfuj.com in 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Canadian Institute, Professional Commerce specializing in Urban Appraiser s

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 74 TABLE OF CONTENTS Akash Sablok

Winter 2018 Auto/Tech Photo credit: Jaslyn Thorne Jaslyn credit: Photo

If you prefer, the one-touch “Auto Scan” button will scan your documents automatically. Automatic size detection lets you manage various documents and batches in one go. The scanner and software will automatically detect the size of each document and crop it accordingly. Speed is important in the world of scanners. In duplex mode, this Fujitsu unit scans at 30 ppm or 60 ipm. The Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) scans at 50 ppm; you can place sheets into the unit and walk away or you can add more pages to the unit while it’s scanning. You can connect the iX1500 via USB cable or Wi-Fi. The iPhone or Android apps provide connectivity for scanning directly to a smartphone. The unit is smart enough to self-check; for example, it can detect streaked images caused by dust. A notification pops up so you don’t scan too many pages with a line down Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 Scanner the middle. The Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1500 sitting on a desk looks like Shortcuts and sharing work are two prime reasons a pleasant white paperweight. to have an iX1500 on your desk. With the presets, you This little technical marvel has speed, accuracy, and easy- can scan and send documents to your Dropbox account, to-use software. Fujitsu has thrown lots of useful features into send business cards to another folder, and send receipts the iX1500, including a 4.3" intuitive touchscreen, improved to an accounting folder. Wi-Fi connectivity with 5 GHz support, new ScanSnap BC Notaries and REALTORS® can scan closing Home integrated organizer software, faster scanning, and documents directly to a folder that’s shared with their photo scanning enhancements such as Streak Reduction. colleagues in the office. It has the ability to scan directly to your favourite cloud Up to four users can have their own identifiable colour service, for example, DropBox, Google Drive, Apple iCloud. icons. Profiles can be set up for each person, with up to Touchscreens make interacting with our devices 30 profiles possible. extremely easy. The iX1500 screen offers familiar The ScanSnap iX1500 has an expected lifespan of around interactivity and control with gestures, like swipe and touch. 200,000 documents. If your average file contains 75 pages, The large screen is easy to read. that’s over 2600 files. This machine will put industrial The menus on the touchscreen allow the user to select scanners to shame for its reliability and ease of use. personal scanning profiles such as shortcut buttons. You If the unit does break down, Fujitsu offers a SWAP can set the scanning mode to the time of scan—continuous, warranty within 3 years of purchase–a new unit will be sent one sheet at a time, or manual mode for thick or folded to you as a replacement. documents, plastic cards, or items with sticky notes attached. Before any scan, you can choose a colour mode, MSRP: $599 duplex mode, and image quality. www.fujitsu.ca

Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener TABLE OF CONTENTS 75 YOUR BMW ADVENTURE STARTS HERE. Begin a new chapter with Brian Jessel BMW.

2019 BMW X5

N HWY 1

Two locations to serveBoundary you. New Car & Pre-Owned. E 1st Ave. Brian Jessel BMW – Centrally located just off Highway 1. Visit us today!

Lougheed Hwy. NEW CAR PRE-OWNED N 2311 Boundary Road, HWY 1 1515 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC V5M 4W5

Boundary Vancouver, BC V5K 5C4

HWY 1 (604) 222-7788 E 1st Ave. (604) 222-8820 Raj Desor Boundary N New Vehicles

Senior Sales Brand Centre Manager 604.657.8773 Lougheed Hwy.

HWY 1

Boundary N Techno’s Dream: The 2019 BMW X5 Although most folks will be hard pressed to distinguish YOUR BMW ADVENTURE About 421 km from the BMW Head Office in Munich, the 2019 from the 2018 model visually, the trademark Germany, is a small town called Landstuhl. kidney grille is larger, the adaptive LED headlights are restyled, and laser lighting is now optional. Round-edge Landstuhl’s off-road trails would make a mountain lion body angles are gone, replaced with sharp creases. think twice. Those trails are precisely what the 2019 BMW STARTS HERE. Your right foot and your wallet can choose 1 of 2 X5 can handle. Begin a new chapter with Brian Jessel BMW. powerplants: A 3.0-litre turbocharged 335 hp inline-6 or a Known as one of the first luxury Sport Utility Vehicles, 4.4-litre 456 hp twin-turbo V8, both mated to an 8-speed the X5 has evolved into an icon of the premium, on-road, automatic transmission. Both are quite capable of moving off-road, people/cargo mover vehicles. Almost 20 years have the two-ton plus vehicle around, with the V8 hitting 100 passed since the first version roamed our roads. This latest, km/h in under 4.5 seconds. fourth-generation model feels more athletic, more agile, and more luxurious than ever. The 8-speed automatic transmission comes standard with all-wheel drive—BMW’s “xDrive.” It will take 5 to 7 passengers around in comfort and not think twice when the paved road ends and the dirt A performance plug-in hybrid with a 6-cylinder engine road begins. The new X5 upgrades include technology, will come later. The folks in Munich have not decided yet safety, power, and amenities, with some serious off-road if a diesel version will be available in Canada. capabilities. Once you get up and go, you have to stop. The X5 It’s still a comfortable city/highway cruiser but, with brakes provide full stopping force without that grabbing feel. the newly engineered double-axle air-suspension and hill- The X5 and the gorgeous new 8 Series are the first to get descent control, it is nimble off the beaten path. Coming BMW’s integrated brake-by-wire system. Can autonomous down a hill is as simple as pushing the hill-descent button, braking and other self-driving systems be far behind? setting the speed to say 5 km/h, and letting the Beemer Safety first for BMW. Their Extended Traffic Jam manage the brakes and grip. All you have to do is steer. Assistant will keep itself centred in its lane and negotiate The radically revamped iDrive 7 infotainment system stop-and-go traffic on its own. requests more tapping and swiping on its 12.3" touchscreen The system also makes sure the driver hasn’t nodded and less spinning and pushing of the round multicontroller. off. If a driver fails to retake manual control from ETJA even I quickly adapted to the new interface preference. after a series of warnings, the vehicle can automatically pull itself over to a stop with its hazard lights blinking and use 2019 BMW X5 The old iDrive screen was divided into 6 panels (3 were visible at any given time). The new setup uses a the onboard telematics to place an emergency call. left-side menu bar with shortcuts and the driver’s choice And its cupholders will heat or cool! of three different pane layouts. You can define up to 10 N 2018 BMW X5 xDrive35i HWY 1 pages of widgets to suit your preferences, including things like Automatic Transmission weather, news, and online search via the 4G LTE hotspot. Two locations to serveBoundary you. New Car & Pre-Owned. $69,950 E 1st Ave. If you want a change in scenery and interface, Apple Brian Jessel BMW – Centrally located just off Highway 1. Visit us today! CarPlay is included, with wireless charging to boot. I love 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i wireless charging and wireless CarPlay . . . connecting wires Sport Automatic Transmission with Paddles is so 2017. Apple CarPlay is a subscription service and the $86,000 NEW CAR first year is free. Then it’s $100 a year. Lougheed Hwy. PRE-OWNED s N www.bmw.ca 2311 Boundary Road, HWY 1 1515 Boundary Road BMW’s Open Mobility Cloud facilitates connecting the Vancouver, BC V5M 4W5

Boundary Vancouver, BC V5K 5C4 Akash Sablok is now a Life Member of the Board of Directors. HWY 1 X5 to the driver’s other smart devices, including Google (604) 222-7788 E 1st Ave. (604) 222-8820 Raj Desor Boundary N Home, Alexa-enabled devices, and smartwatches like the He served as President of The Society from 2013 to 2015 and New Vehicles latest Apple Watch. Chair of The Notary Foundation from 2015 to 2017. Senior Sales Brand Centre Manager 604.657.8773 Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 The Scrivener | www.notaries.bc.ca/scrivener Lougheed Hwy. TABLE OF CONTENTS 77

HWY 1

Boundary N HONOURS AND EVENTS PEOPLE Congratulations to Mercedes Where in the World Wong, Has The Scrivener Been? commercial REALTOR® in Vancouver. She has been awarded the CRE® (Counselor of Real Estate) Notary Andrea Agnoloni and The Scrivener credential by at the Matterhorn The Counselors of Real Estate®, an international group of high profile real estate practitioners who provide expert advisory services to clients on complex real property and land-related matters. The credential was awarded in October at The Counselors’ 2018 Annual Convention in Charleston, South Carolina. Send us a photo from your next trip! Trevor Todd and The Scrivener visiting Retired Notary Esther Chiu a Stalinist prison camp for female [email protected] and The Scrivener in the political prisoners outside Astana, Valley of the Kings, Egypt capital of Kyrgyzstan Seeking to Add to Your Business Career?

There are business opportunities for Notaries in various communities throughout British Columbia. Some of the Requisites for Becoming a BC Notary • 5 years’ related experience • Undergrad degree: 3.0 GPA • Strong entrepreneurial and people skills • Fluency in English; other languages an asset • Highest degree of honesty and integrity • Financial stability • Dedication to serving the public

For more information, please contact The Society of Notaries Public of BC 1-800-663-0343 or visit our website, www.notaries.bc.ca. BC NOTARIES ARE RESPECTED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia Volume 27 Number 4 Winter 2018 78 TABLE OF CONTENTS I give to my community and with Vancouver Foundation, my giving lasts forever.

75 years ago, a single gift started Vancouver Foundation and that gift is still making a difference in the community today.

We can help you create a fund that gives forever. Get started at vancouverfoundation.ca/create or call Calvin at 604.629.5357

To find your local community foundation visit communityfoundations.ca Genuine

At Stewart Title, we’ve worked hard to build a company where integrity is the keystone in all our dealings. With us what you see is what you get — comprehensive, competitive title insurance coverage; experienced, thorough underwriters; and support for your practice. We know that our relationship with our clients determines our success. That’s why you can expect real collaboration from real partners.

Learn more about our level of support, call (888) 667-5151 or visit stewart.ca.

© 2017 Stewart. All rights reserved. See policies for full terms and conditions.