The Peak - voice of the qathet region

COMPOST CONUNDRUM

Proposed Duck Lake facility faces conditions

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CLOSE CONNECTION

Choir director nurtures soloist with no vision

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Parliamentary committee to investigate forestry giant

Motion passes to investigate Paper

STEFAN LABBÉ

A federal parliamentary committee has passed a motion to investigate the ownership structure and business rela-

tions of BC-based forestry company Paper Excellence, the largest of its kind in North America.

The motion, passed in Ottawa on March 31 in an in-camera meeting of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, called on Paper Excellence owner Jackson Wijaya and minister of innovation, science and industry Francois-Philippe Champagne to testify before the committee.

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Angus in a tweet after the motion was passed. “We will be asking owner Jackson Wijaya to testify about links to Asia Pulp and Paper and Chinese government financing. We need these hearings asap.”

“My parliamentary motion to bring forestry giant Paper Excellence to testify about their corporate structure has been approved,” wrote NDP natural resources critic Charlie

The probe comes following a months-long journalistic investigation conducted by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) — including media partners Glacier Media, the CBC, the Halifax Examiner, Le Monde and Radio France — into the company’s overseas ties.

That investigation revealed a nexus of links between

Investigation spanned the globe

Paper Excellence and Asia Pulp and Paper, a forestry and paper conglomerate environmental groups allege has been responsible for widespread deforestation, human rights abuses and conflicts with Indigenous communities. Both companies say they are independent of one another.

In a statement from Conservative natural resources critic Shannon Stubbs’ office, the MP said she supports efforts to get more information on the approval of Paper Excellence’s recent acquisition of Resolute Forest Products. The US$2-billion deal, approved last month, gave the company control of an additional 20 million hectares of forest, meaning it now controls forests equivalent in area to four Nova Scotias.

“We have said that there are a number of measures that the Liberals could take to lower the thresholds for security reviews —

in particular from foreign, stateowned and hostile regime acquisitions into resource development,” the statement read.

In a prepared statement, Paper Excellence said it is committed to creating jobs and “maintaining a positive working relationship” with governments across Canada while respecting environmental regulations.

“Paper Excellence welcomes the opportunity to answer questions from the committee,” the statement read.

With a headquarters listed in Richmond, BC, Paper Excellence holds dozens of pulp and paper mills across Canada, including Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat; the United States; Brazil; and France.

Earlier this year, the BC and Canadian governments gave the company $18.8 million to upgrade its mill in Crofton — part of over

$300 million the company has received from governments, according to an ICIJ tally.

A spokesperson for the office of BC premier David Eby deferred to the ministry of forests. Glacier Media requested an interview with forestry minister Bruce Ralston. That request was not granted.

As part of the investigation, Glacier Media and its ICIJ partners interviewed former employees and reviewed leaked emails that showed staff worked freely between Paper Excellence and APP.

Glacier Media’s review of shipping data showed pulp shipments from Canada have gone to buyers with opaque corporate ownership in Indonesia and China.

Instead, a spokesperson listed investments the provincial government has made in the forestry sector.

“We are monitoring the proceedings in Ottawa and the results of the federal review,” read a statement from the ministry spokesperson.

Through satellite images and marine tracking technology, Glacier Media traced a pulp shipment from a mill in BC to Shanghai, which ended up at a company with corporate links to APP. The Asian conglomerate denied ever buying pulp “directly” from Paper Excellence.

CBC reporters, meanwhile, looked into a $1.25 billion in credit Paper Excellence obtained from the China Development Bank. The company did not answer several questions about the financial relationship, only stating it no longer held any debt with the Chinese state-owned bank.

And in Europe, reporters at Le Monde investigated how Paper Excellence’s French operations were linked to Asia Pulp and Paper’s operations in China and Indonesia; reporters at Radio France revealed a convicted wood thief acted as a supplier for Paper Excellence at the time the company cut down hundreds of ancient trees. A Paper Excellence spokesperson said it cut links with the firm once it learned of the accusations.

The reporting was part of Deforestation Inc, a global investigation led by ICIJ involving 140 reporters from 27 countries.

Halifax Examiner’s reporting led to insider allegations from a whistleblower who worked inside APP’s operations in Shanghai, and traced the toxic legacy of Paper Excellence’s footprint at its Nova Scotia mill.

Ferry fare increases planned

MLA says actual numbers should be less than BC Ferry Commission preliminary price cap

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

Provincial government investment in the BC Ferries system will help keep annual fare increases much lower than the preliminary price cap announced by the BC Ferry Commission, according to Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons.

Simons said the provincial government has prioritized affordability for ferries and recently announced a $500 million investment to keep fares at a manageable level.

“So, we won’t be seeing a 9.2 per cent increase each year over the four years,” said Simons. “We will probably see around a maximum of about three per cent. The funding that the province and the ministry of transportation and infrastructure announced is going to ensure that when the final price cap is announced in September, that it will not be that staggering amount.”

Simons said with four ferries in his constituency, in addition to the contracted services to Gambier and Keats islands, the funding from the province is going to be helpful.

“Nobody would want to see a 42 per cent increase over four years, which would be the cumulative impact of that, so keeping fares relatively affordable is a priority for people and businesses.”

When asked about whether the government might take back BC Ferries, Simons said the focus is on making sure the services are what communities need.

“The current system that is in place now has been in place for 17 years now, so I don’t expect there will be major changes with respect to governance,” said Simons. “We have changed legislation to restore public interest into the mandate of the ferries. With that, we’ve seen some evidence that public interest is being protected.”

On March 31, the BC Ferry Commission announced its prelim-

will be confirmed on September 30 of this year.

“Facing labour difficulties and high inflation, BC Ferries is emerging from the current performance term in less-robust financial shape than initially expected,” stated commissioner Eva Hage. “The next four years will bring significant additional challenges.

“Continued labour supply issues, rising fuel prices, escalating costs associated with maintaining an aging fleet, and a 12-year, $5.2 billion proposed capital plan driven by a need to replace vessels, will create substantial pressure.

inary decision on the price cap for BC Ferries’ next four-year performance term. According to a media release, this preliminary decision, if finalized, would allow average ferry fares to increase by a maximum of 9.2 per cent annually from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2028. The release stated that the final decision, which will take into account the recently announced additional provincial funding of $500 million,

Given this, we believe that a price cap of 9.2 per cent is appropriate and necessary to allow BC Ferries to meet the demands of the coming performance term.”

The release stated that the proposed maximum increase marks a sharp departure from the previous two price caps of 2.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent.

“Although we believe that a higher price cap is necessary to ensure

BC Ferries’ financial stability, it will not come without higher expectations,” stated Hage. “The corporation must demonstrate good fiscal management and find a solid footing in which expenses align with revenues. To that end, we are requiring BC Ferries to provide us with a plan that sets out the steps it will take, in consultation with the province, to ensure a financially sustainable, reliable and affordable ferry system over the long term.”

BC Ferries president and chief executive officer Nicholas Jimenez stated that he wanted to assure customers, employees and partners that ferry fares will not be going up 9.2 per cent per year for the next four years.

“What the commission has signalled is not a final outcome, but rather one step in a much longer process that is ongoing and won’t culminate until September, when a final price cap will be set by that independent office,” stated Jimenez. “Key to arriving at that final figure will be factoring in government’s recent $500 million investment that is expected to maintain average rate increases in the three per cent range.”

Powell River RCMP officers responded to 133 calls for service between March 29 to April 5.

Theft

At approximately 4:59 pm on March 30, RCMP responded to a report of a theft in the 4900 block of Kiwanis Avenue. A Stihl chainsaw, valued at approximately $200, had been stolen from the rear of a pickup truck at that location.

Impaired

At approximately 9:17 pm on March 30, police responded to a report of a possible impaired driver after a vehicle was seen driving on the wrong side of the road. RCMP located the vehicle in the parking lot at Town Centre mall. Police spoke to the driver, a 76-year-old male from Powell River, who showed signs of impairment by drugs. He was arrested for impaired driving and issued a 24-hour driving prohibition. His vehicle was also impounded for 24 hours. This matter is still under investigation.

Mischief

At approximately 2:22 pm on April 4, police received a mischief report at the Beach Gardens Resort and Marina on Westminster Street. Sometime during the previous night, someone ripped out all the flowers out of the flowerbeds and threw them around the lower parking lot.

Anyone with information about the incidents above is asked to contact Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222. TIPS (8477) or online at bccrimestoppers.com.

PROVINCIAL INVESTMENT: While the BC Ferry Commission has announced a preliminary price cap of 9.2 per cent per year for four years, Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons said the annual increase will likely be closer to three per cent following the provincial government’s commitment of $500 million to the ferry system.

PEAK PHOTO

NICHOLAS SIMONS POWELL RIVER-SUNSHINE COAST MLA

Composting proposal faces conditions

Planned Duck Lakearea facility will have to undergo five requirements

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

A proposal to establish a composting facility in the Duck Lake area will face several conditions.

At the April 5 qathet Regional District (qRD) planning committee meeting, manager of planning services Laura Roddan said the regional district had been receiving a significant number of phone calls and emails from the public concerned about the application.

Roddan put forward a recommendation that the committee recommend to the board that regional district receive the application for an official community plan bylaw text amendment to allow for development of a compost facility on land designated reserve in Electoral Area B, subject to the applicant hosting a public information meeting to present the proposal and respond to concerns raised by the public.

According to a staff report to the planning committee, on February 28, the regional district received an application for an official community plan bylaw amendment to allow for the construction and operation of a fully contained compost facility to process the organic waste stream for the region. The proposed facility is located on property adjacent to Duck Lake Road in Electoral Area B.

The staff report stated that the application was submitted by Green Waste Company on behalf of the property owner, City of Powell River. Green Waste Company was awarded the opportunity to be the service provider for composting under the qRD solid waste management plan through a request for proposal process, the report stated.

Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne, in whose district the composting facility would be located, recommended a much more expansive motion, including completion of services capacity analysis to determine a viable water servicing approach.

A fire protection plan was stipulated. A third requirement pro-

REGIONAL DISTRICT BRIEFS

No objection

qathet Regional District (qRD) directors have expressed no objection to the application submitted by

Imperial Limestone Co. to convert a mineral claim on Texada Island to a mining lease.

At the regional board meeting last month, direc-

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posed was a traffic impact study. The fourth was that the applicant completes an odour management plan. All four would require the proponent contracting a qualified professional to carry out the studies.

The fifth requirement was that the applicant host a public information meeting to present the proposed application following completion of all the four studies and plans. Gisborne’s motion also suggested that the land designation be changed from reserve to industrial.

After considerable discussion, the preamble to Gisborne’s motion was amended to read that the committee recommends to the board that qRD receive the application for an official community plan amendment for the 0.64-hectare lease area within the described parcel in Electoral Area B, subject to the five conditions, which the planning committee carried.

At the beginning of the meeting, directors heard a delegation from Green Waste Company manager Dan Buckland, who answered a question from Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick about whether there would be a public

tors also voted to renew a mining lease for a period of 30 years, subject to two parcels of land being removed from the mineral claim area. The application is required to obtain a completed riparian area assessment by a qualified environmental professional, and that all streamside protection and enhancement areas be removed from the lease areas.

The applicant is also required to obtain a site level assessment conducted by a qualified professional to determine the nature, location and any necessary protection measures for sensitive ecosystems, and that any such land be removed from the lease area.

APPLICATION MADE: qathet Regional District’s planning committee reviewed a proposal to build and operate a composting facility in the Duck Lake area that would process the organic waste stream for the region.

meeting. Buckland said his assumption was that such a meeting would be suggested.

There were also questions from Gisborne about fire control and prevention, and odour management. Buckland said there would be an odour management program in place.

Gisborne brought up water consumption and power generation, which, initially, would involve a generator. Buckland indicated that the generator would not emit significant noise.

There was an unregistered delegation from area resident Laural Zilke, who said she had a good understanding of human and animal health, was accumulating knowledge on soil and the environment, and had been an environmentalist

According to a staff report, the province refers the lease application to local governments to review and comment on the suitability of the proposed lease area for mining purposes, and leaseholders must obtain a mining permit before undertaking mining activities within the lease area.

Endorses application

The regional district endorsed application to Union of British Columbia Municipalities for the emergency operations centres and training funding stream of the community emergency preparedness

from a very young age.

“My concern is that compost is easy to make but it’s not easy to make environmentally safe, or pathogenic-free,” said Zilke. “It requires regulated temperatures, regulated moisture levels and aeration, which is the big factor.

“Even though it is going to be in an enclosed building, there still is going to be leachate.”

She said she did not see any evidence of on-site testing and indicated that the compost needs to be tested to make sure it is pathogenfree, so there needs to be on-site lab technicians or samples going out regularly to a lab.

“I’m not against composting if it is done properly,” said Zilke. She added, however, that several concerns needed to be answered.

fund, and that qRD provide grant management for the project if the funds are received.

According to a staff report, since 2018, qRD has successfully accessed this grant funding on four occasions, to support the purchase and installation of a backup generator for the community services office at McCausland Road, and to support emergency operations centre staff and partner agencies’ training sessions and exercises, as well as public education.

Provides letter

A letter of support will be sent to Powell River Salmon Society in relation to the

organization’s grant applications for the salmon enhancement program.

The salmon society is applying for funds for three projects, including the Duck Lake futures project, which will allow the society to more safely and efficiently feed 240,000 chinook fry per year.

The resiliency project includes fish transport upgrades, assessment centre office upgrades, public solicitation infrastructure and communications devices. The third component is an environmental and education technology program to upgrade the education computer to increase the quality of livestream and education materials.

PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO

Drug strategies outlined for council

Community action team coordinator

spells out initiatives in qathet region

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

City of Powell River councillors received an overview of the activities of the qathet Community Action Team (CAT) since its inception.

At the city council meeting on April 4, Kathryn Colby, CAT coordinator, said the team had been receiving funding from the provincial government and working in the community since 2018. She said it is now nearing the seventh anniversary of the declaration of the public declaration of the health emergency associated with the overdose crisis.

“Our community has been more hard hit than many places in British Columbia by the overdose crisis,” said Colby. “I’m here to share the work we’ve done together since 2018.”

The crisis affects families, and primarily men, in this region, said Colby. Between 2017 and 2019, Powell River had consistently the second highest illicit drug overdose rate per population in the Vancouver Coastal Health region,

according to Colby.

“We became a community of interest for the provincial government due to the alarming per capita rate of accidental overdose deaths in our region,” said Colby.

“We bounced between the second and seventh highest illicit drug overdose death rate in British Columbia, according to the BC coroner. We remain a community of interest. We still continue to have the highest rural area per capita of accidental deaths in British Columbia.”

Colby said when talking about drug use, there is often an association with marginalized people, people on the street and criminalized homeless people, but those most affected by the death rates are men in their 40s and older, men who have a history in the trades, plus Indigenous women, ages youth to middle age.

“Honestly, it could be anyone, at any time, trying drugs for the first time,” said Colby. “According to our community, the vulnerability to overdose deaths may be a response to chronic pain and/or stigma to seeking help. Fentanyl and its analogs can be found in any substance in any amount.”

Colby said the CAT is working with the BC Centre on Substance Use on a three-year research project to get to the roots of why, in this small, rural area, deaths

continue to happen despite best efforts.

“With that research we’re hoping there will be recommendations on getting rural-specific treatment for folks.”

Colby said fentanyl deaths were seen for the first time here in 2016. She said in 2017, there was a community fentanyl forum. It was a public and shareholder meeting to get people working together to identify and to try to stop the accidental deaths, according to Colby.

“Because in 2017 we became a community of interest, in 2018, we were one of 17 communities that received $100,000 from the Overdose Emergency Response Centre, which is directly connected to the ministry of mental health and addictions,” said Colby. “We brought leaders and shareholders together to see what we could do. The direction was saving lives right now, offering safer alternatives and offering early intervention.

“What we know is the antidote to this crisis is connection. When we stigmatize and make it hard for people to find the treatment they require, they don’t recover.”

Colby said in 2019, the CAT, which still operates the overdose prevention site, opened the first local prevention site. In the first three months, there were more than 550 visits to use drugs onsite.

“We didn’t know if anyone would

come; it turns out a lot of people came,” said Colby. “We created more than 15 jobs in the community that carry on to this day.

We’ve referred countless folks to health care. We’ve connected people to pharmaceutical alternatives, and we’ve since moved to a private location.

“Since the time that we’ve moved, we’ve reversed hundreds of overdoses and not a single person has died at the overdose prevention site.”

Colby said assistance has been provided to get many people to treatment and people have been directly connected to health services.

In 2021, a local injectable opioid agonist therapy clinic opened, where people can go directly to use prescribed medications to stop

Financial plan receives approval

City councillors give final adoption to city’s budget

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

City of Powell River councillors gave final adoption to the 2023 to 2027 financial plan at the April 6 city council meeting.

Councillor Trina Isakson, chair of the city’s finance

committee, said was proud of the work done by city staff, starting off last August, to create a budget maintaining current service levels.

Isakson said she had been at a Union of British Columbia Municipalities housing summit in Vancouver and spoke to a number of mayors and councillors about their tax increases.

“We are the lowest number that I came across,” said Isakson. “There’s a bit of growth, but growth in areas

that this council has decided to support. I’m really proud of the work that city staff has done in putting forward a budget that serves this community, so I fully support adopting the five-year financial plan.”

At the March 16 city council meeting, where the first three readings were given, Isakson said at finance committee meetings starting in 2022, staff members were directed to build the budget based on current service levels.

Isakson said there are two

parts to council approving the budget and taxes.

“Today we are voting to read, a first, second and a third time, the financial plan,” said Isakson. “It’s the budget. There will be another meeting where we talk about tax rates. The financial plan is the amount of money we need to have a balanced budget.

“We are legally required by the provincial government to have a balanced budget. At a subsequent council meeting, you’ll see us reading for a first, second and

third time, the tax rates.”

their illicit drug use, said Colby, and this is the first rural example of this.

“We continue to be leaders,” added Colby. “This clinic is in a standalone space for people seeking medical treatment for substance use.”

In 2022 the youth community action team was created, which gave youth space to share their concerns about substance use in the community. It was also the first year that a Powell River youth died from poisoned illicit supply, according to Colby.

“Everything we do at the CAT level has a deeper value because it’s one of shared effort in our community,” said Colby. “We are seen as a leader, both provincially and nationally.”

Isakson said the city will have the money it needs to raise, and then the specific rates that are applied to businesses, industry and houses, in the second bylaw.

“Today, we are talking about the five-year financial plan,” said Isakson. “Some highlights from this financial plan include the total property tax levy increase of 5.4 per cent. What that means is the total amount of money we need to raise is increasing

by 5.4 per cent. That includes things like increases in salary changes based on our collective agreements; there are a few new positions in the budget this year, there are increases in costs due to inflation, et cetera. That amount needs to be taxed.”

Isakson said for an average single-family dwelling, the property tax increase is $99, or about 4.3 per cent. She said the total city taxes and charges increase on a single-family dwelling is 4.4 per cent, or $147.

PROVIDING LEADERSHIP: Community action team coordinator Kathryn Colby appeared before City of Powell River’s committee of the whole to provide a history of work that has been done in the qathet region to help deal with the drug overdose crisis.

PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO

Environmental impact

April is not any ordinary month, it’s Earth Month, which is dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and inspiring people to take action to protect our planet.

The earth is facing numerous challenges, from climate change to biodiversity loss, and we all have a responsibility to do what it takes to preserve our planet for future generations. Earth Month provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our environmental impact and take steps to reduce it; reflecting every day, year-round, is also a good idea.

Earth’s temperature is rising, which is having a significant impact on the planet, including more frequent and severe weather events, melting glaciers and rising sea levels. The world’s ecosystems are under threat from habitat destruction, pollution and climate change.

We can take action to reduce our carbon

footprint by adopting sustainable practices, such as reducing energy consumption, using public transportation and eating a more plant-based diet.

We all have a role to play in protecting the environment. Individuals, businesses and governments can take collective actions to reduce our impact on the planet, as everyone has a responsibility to work toward a more sustainable future.

By taking action during Earth Month and beyond, we can help to ensure generations to come inherit a healthy and thriving planet.

What are you going to do today, tomorrow and the rest of the month/year to do your part? How about ditching the vehicle and taking a walk or bike ride to get to where you’re going once in a while, or utilizing the Powell River Regional Transit System? That’s a good place to start.

Looking at the bright side of life

On a deep level, I think we are mostly kind creatures hoping for the best for each other. Under the surface of things there is a desire to experience an individual collective joy.

That instinct may be buried deep under the surface of life right now; nonetheless, peace and happiness exist if we want to work at it.

I am an unapologetic, card-carrying optimist. It is not the easiest of times for members of this positive-thinking club. It feels akin to being exposed as a socialist or communist during United States senator (Wisconsin) Joseph

HEALTHY LIVING

By Robert Skender

McCarthy’s political witch hunt of the 1940s and 1950s.

Sometimes, I walk around looking pessimistic just to fit into the crowds and not be ostracized, or worse. This perception of life might be considered shamefully trite, however, that is a risk worth taking.

As the chatter of catastrophic climate events accumulate and the buzz of nefarious and creeping robot intelligence infiltrates life, it might feel wrong to walk around with an opti-

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mistic gait.

Well, there is accumulating evidence which proves the pessimist thinking part of the problem, and negatively contributes to our sorry situation. Social science and neuroscientists

physical sickness, however, the overall data suggests positivity can be a tiny part of a larger holistic way to become healthier. If you are what you eat, then you are what you think, as well.

We live in a universe of action and reaction, cause and effect.

have discovered a direct link between them. Mind and body are enmeshed in the different twines of the same rope.

Of course, you cannot think your way out of a

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We live in a universe of action and reaction, cause and effect. Being an optimist today is not the same as your dad’s optimist.

We live in a world of continuous change and prog-

ress. Optimism is not being terminally neutral, such as, for example, the country of Switzerland and its slippery and unethical banking system.

I believe optimism can manifest as an anger-fuelled warrior in the face of aggressive injustice. Optimism takes sides when push comes to shove, so to speak.

The new optimism is tempered with realism to create a balance in relationships, work and generally how we experience the world. Further to that point, anger can be a positive trait of the optimist. It is strengthening and empowering when

used in the appropriate context.

The late British politician Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

I can only speak from my own experience of formerly living without hope or optimism. Realistic optimism mixed with a truck load of hope are foundational materials in building contentment, which can weather life’s valleys and peaks.

Robert Skender is a qathet region freelance writer and health commentator.

Check out the Peak’s livestreaming webcam at prpeak.com/webcam

KELLY KEIL publisher SHANE CARLSON editor PAUL GALINSKI reporter

CULTURE »

Blindness no impediment to singing

Braille device and hearing used to learn choral songs

Maia Armstrong used to sing for her mother, Ingrid, and when she did her homework before she became a member of a choir.

She is one of 22 members of Campanella Children’s Choir from Wheeling, Illinois, which will be participating in International Choral Kathaumixw 2023. When she was 12, her teachers recommended that Maia, who is blind, take up something after school so she could make friends. Her mother searched the internet and found the Campanella choir was nearby.

“After I checked it out, Maia auditioned, and she has been going there ever since.”

Ingrid said she knew Maia could carry a tune but choir director Marianna Kosava “shaped her voice into something magical.”

A first soprano, Maia is a member of the ensemble and also a soloist. The 18-year-old is a senior in high school and will graduate on May 28.

A member of the choir board, Ingrid will be travelling to the qathet region for the festival with her daughter and the choir.

Asked about a favourite song, Maia said, “there have been a lot of good ones over the years.”

She especially loved singing “Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles)”, a Hanukkah song in Spanish, with the choir last December.

Kosava has been very patient and nurturing with

Maia over the years, according to Ingrid, and they bond well.

“Maia has learned from the choir director and the choir director has learned from my daughter, too, on how to work with a child with no vision.”

Not only was Kosava successful in teaching Maia to sing beautifully, she has also worked on her stage presence and taught her how to drop her jaw in order to project good sound, which is difficult to do with a blind vocalist.

She has also taught Maia music theory, which she grasped partly by using her hearing and partly by receiving the information on her device, which is a BrailleNote Touch Plus tablet.

“Maia is very talented and learns the pieces over a number of weeks,” explained Ingrid. “In a very short period of time she has memorized the whole song and to top it all off she has perfect pitch. The children in the choir love Maia, and always offer to assist her when she needs to move around.”

They also are very supportive of each other and have utmost respect for their choir director, added Ingrid.

Kosava’s music education took place in Ukraine, where she attended a college followed by five years at an institute of music. Eventually she moved to the United States, at the invitation of relatives, where she began a career in interior design because she was concerned about her language skills.

In 2000 she began teaching singing to her four-yearold daughter and friend. She had wanted to put them into a choir but was advised to wait for a year.

“I thought I would prepare them for that first day and

CROSSWORD

then I have never stopped teaching,” said Kosava. “The group became bigger and bigger so then I registered it as a choir. Now I have multilayers of singers from age four.”

The choir coming to Kathaumixw involves members from 11 to 18.

Kosava has a connection to Powell River. At one time she was a member of a children’s choir named Shchedryk from Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine. Olga Tereshcenko, who teaches piano at the academy of music, was the

choir’s accompanist.

“We all admired Olga for her amazing professionalism, and I keep a wonderful memory from my childhood about her,” explained Kosava. “It was a big surprise for me to find out that she’s teaching in Powell River, and I’ll have a chance to see her. I can’t wait.”

Tickets for International Choral Kathaumixw are available at Powell River Academy of Music, 7280 Kemano Street, or online at kathaumixw.org/concerts. shtml.

SPECIAL BOND: Choir director Marianna Kosava [left] and Maia Armstrong have developed a close connection since the young singer joined Campanella Children’s Choir in 2017. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Longtime celebratesresidentmilestone

Pottery, friends and community are important to centenarian Hanna deWynter

TANYA HILL thill@peak.com

Many experts point to eating a balanced diet, along with exercising regularly, to improve our chances of living longer.

However, another important aspect [to living long] is feeling connected with

friends and family, and keeping the brain active.

Johanna deWynter, always known as Hanna, turns 100 years old today (April 13), and embodies all of these key elements to living a healthy, long and happy life.

“Hanna is a fun-loving, happy person; an avid gardener who loves nature, is an environment protector, and loves to read,” said her son-in-law Clive Deary.

Moving to Powell River from Holland in 1947, after World War II, she fell in love with the big trees on the coast and has enjoyed Powell Lake ever since. Her

husband, whom she met while he was a soldier in the war, was originally from Saskatchewan.

“We lived in Cranberry on top of the hill, and the lake was down the road,” said deWynter. “There was a bowling alley in Cranberry, and so I tried it [bowling] for the first time; it was a lot of fun.

“The trees are much bigger here than in Holland,” laughed deWynter.

She said it is a big contrast from a country known for its farmland and mostly flat landscape.

“There were no cars here,”

she added.

The road to connect the coast to Vancouver wasn’t opened until 1962. Among other things, deWynter played the organ at the Cranberry United Church for years, and taught sewing at night school.

Deary said she discovered and loved pottery and became a respected potter who could be found at the farmers’ market for many years.

“I’ve made many mugs and bowls,” said de Wynter.

She always has a puzzle on the go, and sees friends regularly.

Deary said that “she wouldn’t miss her adult day program at Willingdon creek, for anything.”

The group meets every Thursday.

“I keep in touch with friends, we do exercises, and we eat together,” said deWynter. Although her birthday is on April 13, the big celebration happened on April 11, so she didn’t miss her day program. Her advice for anyone wondering how to live a long life: “Keep busy.”

What pet parents need to know about parasites

JENNIFER THUNCHER

Squamish Chief

English novelist George Eliot said it best: “Animals are such agreeable friends — they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.”

There is nothing like dog or cat love. But being a pet owner isn’t all walks and cuddles with our furry friends.

Fleas and ticks are a worry for many pet parents, particularly in our region.

What is the big deal about fleas anyway?

Well, for one thing, there is a potential for dermatitis — an inflammatory, itchy skin condition — as a result of the fleas, according to BC SPCA veterinarian Hannah Weitzenfeld. And fleas could transmit diseases to pets.

“They also suck the blood of the animals, so sometimes, if it’s a severe infestation, you can actually get significant anemia,” said Weitzenfeld. “And it’s really sad, [especially] with kittens and puppies that are really young. If they have a lot of fleas, they can actually become so sick; it could be fatal in some cases. It’s very rare for that to happen, thankfully.”

How do you know if your pet has

fleas?

Given they can thrive indoors, fleas can be an issue for pets yearround but are most common in the summer and fall.

Weitzenfeld said some people don’t notice.

“Some things you may notice would be if there are little brown bugs, they may hop, or you may just see them crawling if you part the fur,” she said. “Sometimes they could be noticed around the rump area or on the belly.”

Another tell-tale sign is black “dirt” in the fur. Pet owners can dab that dirt with a wet paper towel to confirm there are fleas. If the pet has fleas, the moistened towel will turn red because the “dirt” is actually flea poop and fleas consume the blood of their host.

Another sign of fleas is pets itching or chewing at their fur or skin. Some animals can be more sensitive to fleas than others.

“Some animals have a ton of fleas, but they do not itch that much, whereas others may have one flea, and they eat all the fleas and chew them all off of themselves — they are just so itchy,” said Weitzenfeld.

“And that can sometimes lead to flea allergy dermatitis. But it’s not always a consistent sign that a pet

will always be super, super itchy when they have fleas.”

Itching can also be from other allergies, more serious conditions such as autoimmune conditions, cancers or even some neurological conditions that can manifest with what appears to be itching, she cautioned. If in doubt, it is always best to see a veterinarian.

In terms of treating fleas, Weitzenfeld said prevention is the best approach. Thus, treat pets with flea control products yearround before they are an issue.

“Once you already have a flea problem, then it is more difficult to get rid of, and you have to treat your home as well,” she noted.

Weitzenfeld added that when using a flea treatment, if a flea is noticed, it’s not always necessary to go to the vet.

“If your pet isn’t itching, doesn’t have redness, and there are no other concerns, you can just go ahead and restart the flea prevention at that time,” she said.

But if concerns such as significant itching, redness, hair loss or any other signs or symptoms of illness are seen, it is a good idea to check in with a vet.

If pet owners didn’t use prevention medication and now their pet

has fleas, they should ask a vet what product might be best.

“There are products that are awesome for dogs, but they are toxic to cats, and they can make some very, very sick or, some treatments may be safe for pregnant animals or different ages of animals, whereas others might not,” said Weitzenfeld. “So your vet would be the best source of information as far as treatment.”

Is that a tick?

The way ticks operate means pets may not even know they have one.

“The tick actually injects a sort of numbing agent, so that’s why your dog might have a tick right on its nose, and it doesn’t even do anything, whereas those are very sensitive areas traditionally, for pets,” said Weitzenfeld.

The problem is that ticks also suck pets’ blood, and they embed their mouth parts into the skin.

Most concerning, there are multiple tick-borne diseases that ticks can transmit that can make pets quite sick, from Lyme disease to others that are less common but still a concern, she said. Humans can also contract Lyme disease from ticks.

How do ticks get onto our pets? Ticks do what is called questing.

“[They do] this perching thing where they support themselves on a branch or a leaf with some of their back legs.” explained Weitzenfeld. “And then they extend some of their front legs — they have eight legs, similar to spiders — and then they wait for that leg of a dog or a person to come by so that they can attach and climb on really quickly.”

Thus, it is important for pet owners to employ tick-preventative medications to kill the ticks or to dissuade them from latching on, she added. Even when treatments are used, however, it is a good idea to check dogs for ticks after being outdoors.

If a tick is found, it is best to have a vet remove it.

“Because the mouthparts can get stuck in the skin,” said Weitzenfeld. Cats can get ticks, too, but it’s less common than for dogs.

“The other thing that we will often see is pet guardians will believe something is a tick, but it’s actually a small growth that looks like a tick, and then trying to remove that, unfortunately, obviously results in a bit of trauma and bleeding.

BC SPCA has plenty of other advice about fleas and ticks on its website at spca.bc.ca.

PUZZLE PIECES: Hanna deWynter, who turned 100 years young on Thursday, April 13, always has a puzzle to work on. TANYA HILL PHOTO

Mastrodonato makes pro debut

Former Powell River Minor Hockey player suits up for Texas Stars

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

Former Powell River Minor Hockey product

Keaton Mastrodonato has played his first professional game.

On April 1, in Austin, Texas, Mastrodonato suited up for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL) in a game against San Jose Barracuda. The Stars won by a 7-2 margin.

“It was awesome,” said Mastrodonato. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be in the game or not, but there were a couple of injuries and a suspension, and it presented an opportunity for me there.”

The right winger had a regular shift in the game on the third line, along with the

team captain and another draft pick from Sweden who is Mastrodonato’s age.

There was a game the day before his debut in Austin and Mastrodonato did not dress for it.

“I was scratched the first night against San Jose,” said Mastrodonato. “We ended up losing 2-1 in overtime, so it was nice to bounce back and get the win on Saturday.”

Mastrodonato did not get any points in his AHL debut but he had some opportunities.

“It was nice to play a regular shift and I actually had a really good scoring chance in the second period on a onetimer that was stopped by Aaron Dell, who was a longtime NHL goaltender for San Jose, so it was cool to be matched against him.”

In terms of the AHL game, Mastrodonato said it is different than the college ranks, from which he has ascended.

“It’s playing up another level; everyone is stronger and faster,” said

Mastrodonato. “The biggest difference I noticed is the pace at which the guys think the game. Everything happens faster and you just have to be able to read and react and obviously make plays in accordance.

“I felt like I fit in in terms of speed and pace of play. After my first shift I settled in and never looked back from there. In terms of my debut, it was a really good experience and I played pretty well for my first game.”

Mastrodonato said he entered the game with mixed emotions. He said he was nervous, excited, grateful and just happy to have the opportunity to play in the American Hockey League.

“Now that I’ve got that first game under my belt, it makes me even more want to pursue this opportunity and stay here that much longer because it was such a cool experience playing among all these professionals. A lot have played in the NHL and it’s such a great challenge. I felt I fit right in the mix.”

Mastrodonato said it looks like he will be staying with the team and his hope is to be in Austin for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs. The Stars clinched a playoff spot and are trying to wrap up the top spot in the central division in which they play.

“Moving forward, it’s a day-by-day process,” said Mastrodonato. “In terms of lineup, I’m not sure when that next game will be, but whenever it is, I’ll be ready for the opportunity.”

Mastrodonato said he is busy affiliating with the team. At the professional level, there are many moving parts, but he is working hard and developing as a professional player, he added.

“I want to do all of those little things and build those habits in my game to establish myself as a full-time pro,” said Mastrodonato. “The coaching staff has been phenomenal here and just today [April 4] I had a chance to break down my shifts and go over some video. I’m continuing to adapt

FIRST START: Former Powell River Minor Hockey player Keaton Mastrodonato, seen above playing for the BCHL’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs, where he played his junior hockey prior to four years at Canisius College (NCAA), debuted in his first American Hockey League professional game with the Texas Stars recently, in a 7-2 over San Jose Barracuda.

to system play and capture all the little details in the game.

“The coaching staff and the players around me have been awesome. There’s a lot of teaching and a lot of learning so I’m developing day-by-day into a successful pro.”

Mastrodonato said he has

Eagles eliminate Kings from playoffs

Surrey advances to second round of BCHL postseason

SHANE CARLSON editor@prpeak.com

Powell River Kings faced elimination from BC Hockey League (BCHL) playoffs on April 6, entering game five of the best-of-seven series at South Surrey Arena down three games to one to the host Eagles.

Ryder Ringor gave the Kings a short-lived, 1-0 lead at 14:58 of the first period, courtesy of a setup from teammate Parker Lalonde. Eagles equalized just over three minutes later, tying the score at one heading into period two. Surrey outscored Powell River

2-1 in the middle frame. Sam Schoenfeld scored the final goal of the season for the visitors, sandwiched between the pair from the home team, who led 3-2 at intermission. Anthony Lucarelli assisted on the Powell River goal.

Eagles dominated the third period, scoring five unanswered goals for an 8-2 victory in the game, securing the series by a margin of four games to one.

Kings were outshot 43-32 and were unsuccessful on two power play opportunities. Eagles capitalized on two of four occasions with the extra attacker.

Shots on goal favoured the home team by margin of 43-32. Attendance was 1,100.

Game four

Noah Eyre scored the lone goal at Hap Parker Arena on April 4 for

the Kings, who trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes of play and 3-1 heading into the third period. Ringor and Caleb Bentham were credited with assists on the play.

Surrey converted two of five power play opportunities into goals while Powell River was unsuccessful on the one occasion when the home team had the extra attacker. Kings’ goaltender Kyle Metson made 24 saves in the loss, while his counterpart Michael Sochan turned aside 28 of 29 shots to earn the win. Attendance was 770.

Ringor and Lucarelli led Powell River in scoring over the five games, with Ringor scoring twice and adding two assists while Lucarelli found the back of the net once and had three helpers. Adam Mendelson and Cameron Symons recorded three points each in the series.

been receiving a lot of support, with people reaching out by texting him or phoning from home. He said he appreciates the community’s support.

“I’m just looking to do Powell River proud,” he added, “and continue on this journey as a pro player here in Texas.”

During the regular season, Karter McNarland was the top point-getter for the Kings, scoring 16 goals and adding 31 assists for 47 points. Lucarelli followed with 43 points, including the most goals (21). Symons (16 goals, 22 assists)

rounded out the top three with 42 points.

Eagles finished second in the BCHL Coastal Conference during the regular season with 73 points, 25 ahead of the seventh place Kings.

ALICIA BAAS PHOTO

BOARD BATTLE: Powell River Kings forward Noah Eyre attempts to separate Surrey Eagles’ defender Tate Taylor from the puck during game four of a first round BC Hockey League playoff game at Hap Parker Arena on Tuesday, April 4. ALICIA BAAS PHOTO

Climate change costs us: Who will pay?

Consider these statements from City of Powell River in 2018:

“Like other communities…, we are increasingly concerned about the harmful effects that climate change will have ...” These include “increased fire risks, extended summer droughts and extreme winter rain events” impacting “our roads and stormwater management and increasing our costs as a local government.” Not to mention “rising sea-levels and coastal erosion.”

Those excerpts are from a letter to several major oil companies dated April 9 of that year.

Since then, we’ve experienced a storm devastating the sea walk in Westview in January 2022, atmospheric rivers flooding the Fraser Valley, smoke-filled, indoor-only days, and a deadly heat dome.

The cost to local taxpayers?

Precise numbers are scarce, but here are some:

$5.3 billion – average annual investment Canada needs for municipal infrastructure and climate adaptation.

CLIMATE CROSSROADS

By Robert Hackett

$2.98 million – qathet’s share of the above, if we paid Canada’s per person average.

$800,000 – Powell River’s 2023 budget for sea walk upgrading, including $400,000 from the Canada Community-Building Fund (gas tax) and $400,000 from the Powell River Community Forest Reserve, according to city documents.

60 per cent – municipal governments’ share of Canada’s public infrastructure (roads, police and fire services, parks, recreation centres, water supplies and management, et cetera). Most people value such community foundations, but understandably, we also dislike steep property tax increases.

So who’ll pay the bills for climate destruction?

Fossil fuels contribute over 75 per cent of the greenhouse gases that cause climate disruption. The three largest oil corporations alone produce about 10 per cent of global GHG pollution. Oil companies make enormous profits (a record $219 billion in 2022, according

Recently disclosed internal documents prove that the major oil companies knew, from their own scientific research, of their contributions to potential climate catastrophe, as early as the 1970s.

to Reuters) partly because they offload the damage from producing, transporting and consuming their product – by treating our atmosphere as a private sewer.

Recently disclosed internal documents prove that the major oil com-

panies knew, from their own scientific research, of their contributions to potential climate catastrophe, as early as the 1970s. But rather than lead a transition to a safer energy system, Big Oil covered up and deceived the public about what they knew, and undermined potential alternatives that could have avoided today’s climate crisis. This is superbly documented by Geoff Dembicki in The Petroleum Papers.

For such reasons, Powell River and other cities wrote in 2018 to some major oil companies asking them to pay their “fair share.”

The result? Zilch.

So in 2022, West Coast Environmental Law, a nonprofit society, suggested stronger legal muscle: get enough BC municipalities to set aside $1 per resident to file a class-action lawsuit. Following Vancouver’s in-then-out wavering, Gibsons’ council voted unanimously to

join, in March, and the campaign continues.

Meanwhile, legal action against Big Oil is ramping up in the United States (40 states and cities so far) and elsewhere.

American tobacco companies used similar deny-and-delay tactics to defend their own lethal products. But after legal battles, they agreed in 1998 to pay $206 billion to 46 states for public health costs.

Powell River’s 2018 letter acknowledges that consumers and communities share responsibility. We could do more to halve GHG emissions by 2030 to avoid the worst climate scenarios. But greener alternatives are often unavailable or unaffordable to individuals. We have choices. Deteriorating infrastructure. Steep tax increases. Or Big Oil paying its fair share. Let’s encourage our local governments to join the suit.

See the petition at suebigoil.ca/ declaration.

Robert Hackett is a board member of qathet Climate Alliance.

How to encourage your friends and family to go green

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. This year’s theme is Invest in Our Planet. It focuses on engaging governments, institutions, businesses and citizens to do their part for the environment. Here are four ways to encourage your friends and family to live sustainably and join the world’s largest environmental movement.

1. Introduce them to eco-friendly products. If you love a company that cares about the environment, tell the people around you about it. Gift a friend an eco-friendly product, or let them borrow one of yours to see how they like it. This can help raise awareness for products and services that don’t harm the planet.

2. Share relevant content on social media. Share eco-friendly content you’re passionate about on social media. This could be anything from recycling and upcycling to composting and conservation.

You never know; it could inspire others to get involved with saving the planet.

3. Emphasize the benefits of ecofriendly habits. Do you have a family member that always talks about saving money? Tell them how easy it is to find ecofriendly alternatives like energy-efficient light bulbs that can save money. If you have a health-conscious friend, tell them about the environmental benefits of buying local organic produce.

4. Plan a fun, pro-earth activity. Arrange an activity with friends or family to teach them about sustainability. For example, organize a nature walk in a local park to share the importance of protecting the environment. You could also invite someone to volunteer with you at a local pro-Earth initiative.

Getting your friends and family to care about the environment and change some of their habits is easier than you think!

It is all our responsibility to ensure items stay out of our landfills by repurposing All items donated are to be clean, in complete condition and not broken.

EXCAVATION SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE

Augusta Recyclers is excited to offer excavation services with the acquisition of a New Generation 2021 CAT325 Zero Tail Swing Excavator. Our new CAT325 has the capability of operating in tight spaces while not compromising on lift capacity. With on-thego weighing and real time estimates of your payload, we can hit payload targets while maximizing efficiencies. Cat Grade 2D software makes it easy to accurately slope and prepare foundations with more ease and accuracy. This acquisition complements our current fleet of excavators, grader, wheel loader, roll-off bin and bin trailer services, making us a one-stop-shop for land clearing, foundation excavation and site preparation, demolition and waste removal services. Call for more details. 604.485.4072.

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BC lacks the energy to meet its climate goals

BY KEITH BALDREY

The BC government has set some lofty goals when it comes to fighting climate change, but it is far from clear if at least two of them can be realistically attained. One is the requirement that up to six liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects be “net zero emissions” through electrification; the other is that by the year 2030, 90 per cent of all new light vehicle purchases in the province must be electric vehicles.

Both ambitious targets raise an obvious question:

where is all this new clean electricity going to come from, especially over a relatively short period of time?

A provocative new paper published last month by former senior civil servant Richard McCandless (who has intervenor status at the BC Utilities Commission when it comes to BC Hydro and ICBC rate applications) examines this very question, and the government likely won’t enjoy his conclusions.

McCandless’ research is mostly about those six LNG projects, which he says will require an amount of electricity that far exceeds what

BC Hydro is currently planning to produce over the time frame of construction and operation. He says while BC Hydro is planning to increase its output by 3,800 gigawatt hours (GWh), the LNG projects alone will require 18,500 GWh.

“Without the generation of much more hydroelectricity, or other forms of clean power, the equation does not add up,” McCandless wrote. “Either the new LNG projects are stillborn, or they use natural gas to condense the product (the practice of most LNG plants in

the world) and compromise the government’s net zero objective.”

The Site C dam, when it comes fully onstream by 2026, will provide an additional 5,100 GWh but the shortfall is still so immense that McCandless estimates it can only be covered by building an additional three or four Site C-like hydro dams.

And a big chunk of Site C’s energy production will be required to fill the needs created by a more mass electrification in general, the most visible and popular of which is expected to be a steady rise in the use of electric vehicles.

The BC government’s clean-energy plan requires that 90 per cent of all new light vehicles sold in BC must be zero emission vehicles by 2030. BC Hydro estimates by that time there will be 350,000 such vehicles on BC roads, consuming about 1050 GWh annually. Of course, there are other

According to BC Hydro, Site C could provide enough electricity to fuel about 1.7 million vehicles.

According to BC Hydro, Site C could provide enough electricity to fuel about 1.7 million vehicles (assuming none of it is used for anything else).

enormous challenges facing the mass use of EVs other than just the supply of electricity to power them. Chief among them is that Canada has little control over the supply chain that makes this kind of vehicle.

China’s state-owned mining companies own or control most of the minerals (i.e., cobalt, nickel and lith-

ium) required to make EV batteries. The vehicles are manufactured on their timetable (which helps explain why there is often such a long waiting list to purchase an EV).

There are other challenges for meeting the target for mass EV use (notably their high purchase cost and a lack of charging infrastructure, although both problems are expected to ease over time) as well. Make no mistake: climate change is real and bold action must be taken to deal with it.

But as we have seen in many other instances, setting lofty goals when it comes to fighting climate change is one thing. Attaining them is quite another.

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING EARTH DAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

The City of Powell River is an awarding-winning climate action small city

Over 80 kilometres of trails & 164 hectares of parks

Committed to zero waste & zero emmissions

Bicycle Network Strategy connecting the entire community

A future where people of all ages and abilities can easily get around using active transportation by cycling, walking, or public transit

We focus on the financial, social & environmental well-being of our communities.

Sven-Ivar Nygaard-Petersen

March 2, 1944 - March 29, 2023

Ivar was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and immigrated to Canada in 1951. The family bought a 160-acre farm in Sooke, BC. This is where Ivar’s love for the outdoors, hunting and fly fishing began.

Ivar lived and worked all over BC, enjoyed its beauty and made many friends along the way. He was well known for his booming, bridge building and carpentry skills.

Dad kept meticulous journals of his life’s adventures, when he began bird watching, taking notes and bird counts came naturally. Dad was a talented man who loved his family, and we loved him even in the hard times.

Dad will be missed and cherished by his children Sonya (Chris), Kenny (Colleen) and Wesley (Tania), grandchildren Steven, Shannon, Kailey, Kyle, Emma and Holly, sister-in-law Edith, along with his close friend Kelvin George, who he thought of as family. You can take your two hats off, the boom chain is gone. Your heart can be full and happy, family is awaiting you. Until we meet again, there are no goodbyes.

Al-Anon

Is there a problem with alcohol in your family, or with your friends?

Call 604.485.8474 or 250.218.6439

LUND WATERWORKS DISTRICT

Annual General Meeting

Sunday, April 30, 2023 1 pm

Lund Community Centre

9654 Larson Road, Lund, BC

Everyone welcome.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 7:30 pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 5903 Arbutus Avenue 1.844.484.6772

Lund Harbour Authority Annual General Meeting

Saturday, April 29, 9 am

Lund Community Hall Members in good standing on or before April 22, 2023, may vote at AGM. Any questions, please contact the office. All welcome to attend.

604.483.4711

Michael

J. Slade

A celebration of life for Mike will be held at 2 pm on April 29 at Cranberry Seniors Centre.

City of Powell River 2023 Sewer Frontage Parcel Tax Roll

Pursuant to Section 208(3) of the Community Charter, the 2023 Sewer Frontage Parcel Tax Roll is available for inspection at City Hall 6910, Duncan St. from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (excluding statutory holidays) or online at www.PowellRiver.ca.

A person who owns a parcel included on the parcel tax roll may request that the roll be amended for one or more of the following reasons:

1.There is an error or omission respecting a name or address;

2.There is an error or omission respecting the inclusion of a parcel;

3.There is an error or omission respecting the taxable frontage of a parcel;

4.An exemption has been improperly allowed or disallowed.

If you have a complaint for consideration by the Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel it must be received in writing no later than 2:30 pm, Tuesday, April 25, 2023 by email to financecontact@powellriver.ca or by mail to: City of Powell River Financial Services Department 6910 Duncan Street Powell River, BC V8A 1V4

The Parcel Tax Roll meeting will be held on April 27th, at 2:30 pm in City Hall Council Chambers at 6910 Duncan St. Powell River, BC V8A 1V4.

Mallory Denniston, CPA, CA, MPAcc Chief Financial Officer

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Notice of Public Hearing

The Council of the City of Powell River hereby gives notice that it will meet and hold a Public Hearing on April 20, 2023, at 6:30 pm, in Council Chambers of City Hall, 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, B.C. to consider proposed Bylaw 2707, 2023

The intent of proposed Bylaw 2707, 2023 is to amend City of Powell River Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006 by rezoning the properties outlined in red below. The properties contain legally non-conforming uses and amending their zoning would bring the properties into compliance with the Zoning Bylaw. No new development is currently proposed for any of the properties.

1. 4640 Manson Ave (Lot A Block 7 District Lot 5731 Plan 17136, PID 007-317-212)

a. from PK – ‘Parks and Playing Fields’ to NT – ‘Institutions’

2. 4090 Joyce Ave (Lot B Block 4 South 1/2 of District Lot 5105 Plan 8933, PID 009-867-015)

a.from NT – ‘Institutions’ to R2 –‘Single and Two Family Residential’

3. 3378 Joyce Ave (Lot 2 Block G District Lot 1424 Plan 9679, PID 009-597-204)

a. from NT – ‘Institutions’ to R1 –‘Single Family Residential’

4. 4584 Harvie Ave (Lot C Block 108 District Lots 5167 and 5306 Plan 6285, PID 010-926-151)

a. from RM3 – ‘Medium Density

Multiple Family Residential’ to R2 –‘Single and Two Family Residential’

5. 4594 Harvie Ave (Lot B Block 108 District Lots 5167 and 5306 Plan 6285, PID 009-486-658)

a. from RM3 – ‘Medium Density

Multiple Family Residential’ to R2 –‘Single and Two Family Residential’

6. 4604 Harvie Ave (Lot A Block 108 District Lots 5167 and 5306 Plan 6285, PID 010-926-127)

a. from RM3 – ‘Medium Density

Multiple Family Residential’ to R2 –‘Single and Two Family Residential’

7. 4581 Harwood Ave (Lot 3 Block 109 District Lots 5167 And 5306 Plan 8251, PID 010-178-112)

a. from RM3 – ‘Medium Density

Multiple Family Residential’ to R2 –‘Single and Two Family Residential’

8. 4591 Harwood Ave (Lot 2 of Lot 109 District Lots 5167 and 5306 Plan 8251, PID 005-072-824)

a. from RM3 – ‘Medium Density

Multiple Family Residential’ to R2 –‘Single and Two Family Residential

Copies of the proposed amendment bylaw and staff reports may be requested through Planning Services, 604.485.8650 or can be accessed at www.participatepr.ca. All written submissions may be sent via email to planningservices@powellriver.ca or mailed to Planning Services at 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC, V8A 1V4 and must be received no later than 2:00 pm on April 20, 2023. Options for those wishing to engage with Council at the public hearing by phone will be available the week of the meeting on the City’s website, or any parties wishing to pre-register to speak at the public hearing may do so by contacting Planning Services. A webcast of the meeting may be viewed at: https://powellriver.ca/pages/webcasts. Chris Jackson Corporate Officer

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