Stop 4 Laurel Point (sč̓əmaθən | Peter Pollen Waterfront Park)

A Lekwungen burial ground was once located at the tip of this narrow rocky peninsula, which featured a burial site with carved mortuary figures in front of the graves until 1850. Since that time the area was infilled and from 1906 to 1975, the BAPCO paint company occupied the site. This was at one point one of the largest paint manufacturers west of Toronto, making paints, varnishes and lacquers. Unfortunately, paint and raw materials were stored underground and in above-ground storage sites discharging into the ocean and contaminating the nearby marine environment. From 2018 to 2019, a remediation plan was established by Transport Canada with SLR consulting to remove 35,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and leachable metals.

Today the site has been transformed into a beautiful green space, providing visitors with views of the coastline and parliament buildings. The area serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Lekwungen people and the importance of environmental stewardship.