SWEET SOUNDS
Jazz festival returns to Townsite venues
PAGE 11
Artists highlight upcycling and sustainability PAGE 12 Rotary
FAIR FOCUS
Lake levels a concern
Energy Democracy for BC wants to ensure water is high enough for navigation and spawning fish
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
A qathet-based organization has concerns about water management on Powell and Lois lakes, which both have hydroelectric dams operated by Evolugen by Brookfield Renewable. Al Drummond, a director with Energy Democracy for British Columbia (ED4BC), said the organization has three issues it is concerned about. One is management of water levels in Powell Lake and Lois Lake, the second issue is the water licences that Evolugen has on these bodies of water, and the third is the export of power from the local dams.
Regarding water levels, Drummond said in the fall, water levels in the lakes drop considerably. People with fee simple land with homes on them at Powell Lake have trouble accessing their cabins, and there are also a number of float cabins impacted by this, according to Drummond.
“There are two people who have complained to Transport Canada about navigational issues,” said Drummond. “The legislation is specific. No entity can de-water a water source to prevent people from navigating, and that’s for all sizes of vessels.
“What happens on Powell Lake in particular is the water levels drop so drastically that people cannot access their land cabins. Now for float cabins, they are still kind of floating, but they do get issues with snags in the low water. People can’t dock their boats and get to their domiciles.”
Drummond said ED4BC has followed up with a letter to Transport Canada asking what it is going to do, and will the legislation be enforced?
“Transport Canada was on the lake last summer and they worked with the float cabin association to ensure people made applications to do with their breakwaters, the siting of their float homes, and whether they would be a navigational issue,” said Drummond. “So, this falls into the fact that there is a navigational issue, and how are they going to deal with that? Are they going to enforce it?”
Drummond said he believes Transport Canada is going to have a tough time saying it can’t do anything about the navigational issues when it was made very clear last summer that the government department wants
Fish stocks ‘need to be protected’
to do something about all the float cabin owners, making sure they don’t cause navigational issues on Powell Lake.
As for the correspondence ED4BC has sent to Transport Canada, Drummond does not believe there has been a reply.
“We’d like to see them come back to Evolugen and say, ‘look, we have the documentation, we have the photographs, and we are now saying that you cannot drop the water levels like this,’” said Drummond, who indicated the water levels on Powell Lake can drop 15 and maybe 20 feet.
He added that the biggest problems usually happen in September, after a hot summer.
“We’ve had a lot of hot summers and it’s getting hotter. They [Evolugen] continue to drop the lake. Unfortunately, that’s the time when the kokanee fish in Powell Lake in particular are spawning. A lot of spawning areas, they’ve dried up.
“I’ve actually watched kokanee spawning right in front of my porch on my land cabin. A week later, it had gone dry, and all those eggs would have been destroyed. I’ve been in touch with Fisheries and Oceans Canada about that a number of times, but unfortunately, they only have so many people to enforce this stuff.”
Drummond said he has gone up the line and has received nice letters back, but no action. He said he recently read a story that BC Hydro is looking at how to conserve water, having had issues with salmon habitat.
“A lot of salmon died on Vancouver Island because of low water,” said Drummond. “So, BC Hydro is being cognizant now. If BC Hydro is doing it, why aren’t companies like Evolugen?”
Drummond said while he is not a water management specialist, he believes there needs to be a level on Powell Lake that protects spawning, the ecosystem, the environment, and also protects the rights of property owners to allow them to get to
their cabins.
“There’s no legislation saying what the levels should be,” said Drummond. “I’ve been on Powell Lake for more than 50 years. We’re not specialists but we can see what is happening. The fish are not there like they used to be.”
Drummond said he has met with Evolugen regarding ED4BC’s concerns, but the meeting was not productive from his standpoint.
“ED4BC isn’t out to cause trouble, but we want to ensure there is legislation and management of these watersheds – that they are protected,” said Drummond. “The ecosystem, the fish stocks and the animals that live off this system need to be protected.”
The Peak reached out to Evolugen for comment. The company indicated that it releases water to maintain excess water in the reservoir and maintain safe operation of the dam.
This generally occurs during mid-winter heavy rainfall and spring snow melt, according to the company.
Lake and stream levels across the region, including Powell Lake, drop in the late summer and early fall because this is the time that the south coast experiences long periods of low rainfall, according to the response.
Evolugen stated that its water licences have a limit to the volume of water it may divert for power generation, and that the company is required under regulation to provide reporting to the province on the water licence performance.
Regarding fish stocks in the lake, Evolugen stated that it has worked with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to implement measures for the protection of fish when water is released, and when maintenance and repairs at the dam are undertaken.
Evolugen further stated that the lake has been operating between 268 and 285 feet for more than 80 years.
“We engage regularly with the public and stakeholders to promote dam safety and safe uses of the reservoir,” stated Evolugen. “Our public
website, powellriverenergy. com, provides twice-daily lake level updates and important information on dam and transmission line safety so the public can plan accordingly. We also post notifications for release of water and other changes that may impact levels on this site. We encourage lake users to reach out to us if they have any specific concerns about dam safety.”
Evolugen stated that longterm average lake levels are tracked and the company has found they have not changed over the years.
“We welcome opportunities to meet with the public and discuss our goals and objectives as they relate to public safety, the environment and community work,” stated Evolugen.
Hospital capital funding receives approval
Regional hospital district directors allocate $1.4 million for five projects
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional Hospital Board (qRHD) has approved a $1.4 million expenditure from reserves for cost sharing with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) for hospital infrastructure and equipment upgrades.
At the March 25 regional hospital board meeting, directors approved expenditures for five capital projects. These include: modernizing clean and dirty dumbwaiters; pharmacy room upgrades; emergency department triage upgrades;
a patient monitoring system; and a surgical video system. Total cost of the projects is $3.5 million, with the hospital district providing 40 per cent of the costs.
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said VCH has been waiting for a decision from the board on the cost-share request.
“We had a good discussion at our financial meeting,” said Lennox, adding that it was best to use reserve funds rather than burden taxpayers with more borrowing.
“I do see in the report that many of these actions have been undertaken and completed, or substantially completed,” said Lennox.
City of Powell River alternate director Trina Isakson asked what the implication of contributing a lesser amount would be, such as 30 per cent, to VCH.
“Has there been any discussion
to that extent?” asked Isakson. “Is there any way to nudge them to take a different approach?”
Electoral Area B director and hospital board chair Mark Gisborne said in communication with Sea to Sky Regional Hospital District, they were unhappy with VCH processes, and he believes they denied funding requests for two years in a row. Gisborne said he believes qRD general manager of financial administration Linda Greenan might have some input about what might happen if a lesser amount was allocated to VCH.
Greenan said she had spoken with a VCH representative about what would happen if qRHD didn’t fund the request. She said the representative indicated that what happens is VCH, when prioritizing its projects, puts them in priority order of what needs to be done.
“He said if we didn’t fund this re-
quest, the province would provide funding, and then we would have to look at the projects planned and figure out how VCH can rejig so they could determine what projects to put off,” said Greenan. “If the board decided to fund 30 per cent, VCH would have to figure out where it would get the other 10 per cent of the funding and what projects would have to be rejigged to accommodate that.”
Gisborne said his understanding was that if funding was turned down, it slows down potential capital improvements in the hospital facility in future years.
Directors voted unanimously in favour to support the expenditure of $1.4 million for capital projects from reserves.
The board also adopted its 2025 to 2029 five-year financial plan bylaw. The budget shows $5,038,251 in revenue and $1,377,895 in expenditures.
In a media release, Gisborne stated: “Through the newly established VCH and qRHD working group, maintaining a strong working relationship between the qRHD and VCH is essential to ensuring that health care investments in our region are planned responsibly and sustainably. Through the VCH and qRHD working group, we are committed to ongoing collaboration that allows funding requests to be brought forward in a way that supports long-term financial planning.
“Our goal is to ensure that health care improvements meet community needs, while keeping taxation impacts on residents as minimal as possible. By working together, we can continue to strengthen healthcare services for the region now and into the future.”
DRY DOCK: This walkway on Powell Lake is no longer floating due to a low water level that is causing a concern for cabin owners and boaters. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Blaney reflects on time in office
Outgoing MP looks back on nearly 10 years of serving constituents and the country
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
After nearly 10 years in public office, Rachel Blaney is moving on from her role as member of parliament for North Island-Powell River and moving onto the next chapter of her life.
First elected to the House of Commons in 2015 as a New Democratic Party member, and reelected in 2019 and 2021, Blaney said she is looking back on her experience with gratitude and pride, regarding it as an honour to serve as the federal representative of this region.
In an interview, Blaney said she has fulfilled many roles with the NDP caucus, including serving as party whip for four and a half years.
“I never thought in a million years that when I said yes to being the whip, that we would be walking down the aisle towards a pandemic,” said Blaney. “It was a really interesting time, however, and as whip, I took a leadership role in negotiating with the other parties around how many people would be in the house when we were making decisions about what virtual parliament would be like.
“And of course, when I was whip, we also entered into the agreement with the Liberals and that was a very busy time, to really hold the Liberals to account and make sure they did the things that we requested. That took up a lot of time, but the benefit of getting some of the programs instituted was a payoff for me that I was really proud of.”
Blaney also had critic roles in the NDP caucus, which she was passionate about. She advocated for Canadian veterans and took special interest in Canadian women veterans. Blaney said one of the milestones she is most proud of is
initiating Invisible No More: The Experience of Canadian Women Veterans, which is the first parliamentary study to focus on the challenges faced by women who serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Blaney said in 2024, she was honoured to be named one of the top women in defence by the Esprit de Corps publication for initiating the Invisible No More report.
Other milestones for Blaney include the introduction of legislation for a service animal bill for Veterans Affairs Canada to fully fund the cost of service animals. She said that was a learning experience and being an MP was a true learning experience in all regards.
“You learn so much from the people who live in different areas,” said Blaney. “I think of the times that I walked with Moms Stop the Harm around protecting people from losing their children to the toxic drug crisis. I think of Tla’amin Nation and how much work they have done, and how much they are building up their community, and how much I’ve learned from them as well.
“It’s like you become an ally to so many different groups and you get to walk with people in some of the hardest and some of the best times of their lives. That is such an honour as an MP to be able to do that work.”
Blaney said she was passionate about her caucus responsibilities for seniors, veterans and women.
“Those are responsibilities that I really did take to heart,” said Blaney. “I was in Ottawa just over a week ago and I was able to spend some time with women veterans, a group of them that I had worked with, and they really made me proud. I was proud of all the work they did to get their stories out and on the record. It was really powerful.
“I was grateful that I was able to do a lot for seniors. In our riding, seniors and veterans are a pretty significant part of the population. It was good to not only do the work in Ottawa, but to be able to come home and talk to people with lived experience here in the riding, and make sure what we were doing made sense, for all Canadians as well as those in the riding.”
Recommends borrowing
qathet Regional District’s finance committee recommended at a meeting last month that the board authorize borrowing up to $300,000 for expanding and upgrading Lund Community Centre.
According to a staff report, the 2025 to 2029 financial plan includes a capital project for the expansion and upgrade to the centre. The regional district has received a grant of $4,199,082 from the Government of Canada and the Province of BC through the COVID-19 resilience infrastructure program.
Blaney said she was inspired by the bravery of her constituents who spoke against the government on important issues.
“It’s scary to step up and speak against the government when you are feeling vulnerable,” said Blaney. “We had seniors come forward, not having enough to make ends meet, but they were brave enough to do that work and it really made a difference. That really made the ministers pay attention.”
Blaney said she was also proud of her team and how hard it worked for constituents to make the big federal government accessible for people.
“I saw again and again how frustrating it could be for people trying to understand different aspects of the government, and when we were able to help them navigate, and learn to use political tools to get things done, I was inspired and impressed.”
As for the qathet region, Blaney said she loves the area.
“I’m always so inspired and moved by how collaborative the community is, and how much it works to keep interesting things happening,” said Blaney. “You guys always have great events to go to and I’m always disappointed by how many I can’t attend.”
Blaney said she has recollections of how her office was able to help people in qathet.
“It has been a really good experience for me to remember that it is not always about the big speeches you make in the house,” said Blaney. “Sometimes, it’s about getting into somebody’s file and really working to make a difference.
“I will always have fond memories because of that region and the amazing people who live there. My heart will always be in the community and I’ve loved working in the community.”
After politics, Blaney’s first commitment is to her family. She said as an MP in the third largest riding in BC, she didn’t spend a lot of time at home.
“I have a mother who is in assisted living and I want to spend a lot of time with her and support her through some of the challenges that come with having pretty significant health issues,” said Blaney. “I’ve had a few opportunities floated, but I really just want to spend some time with my family first before I make a big decision.
“I know whatever I do, my heart will always be with this riding. I’ve spent too much time going from one part of it to another. This riding has been imprinted in my heart and I will always carry the needs of it with me, probably in a very different way, but it will still be there.”
The balance of the project is to be funded through community donations, Northside Recreation service reserves, borrowing of up to $1.1 million over a period of up to 30 years, and short-term borrowing of up to $300,000 over five years.
Issues permit
A temporary use permit to allow a craft liquor distillery with accessory bottling use at 3225 Cariboo Avenue has been granted by City of Powell River. The permit is valid for three years and subject to three conditions, including registration of a restrictive covenant on title prohibiting ingress to and egress from the distillery lot to Cariboo Avenue for the term of the permit.
The second is registration of an access easement on the title of 0 Thunder Bay Street to secure ingress and egress from the lot. The third condition is that the fire chief and chief building inspector are satisfied the proposed development meets the BC Building Code and BC Fire Code.
NEXT CHAPTER: Rachel Blaney, who served nearly 10 years as member of parliament for North Island-Powell River, has indicated that the riding has been imprinted on her heart, as she moves on to a new chapter in her life.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
City passes five-year financial plan
Budget features
9.5 per cent increase in
property tax levy for 2025
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River Council has adopted the 2025 to 2029 financial plan bylaw, which has a 9.5 per cent increase in the city’s property tax levy for 2025.
At the March 27 city council meeting, the bylaw passed without much discussion, after extensive debate in the readings leading up to adoption. Chief administrative officer Lisa Bhopalsingh said the finalized document with all the amendments that council had made was before the assembly.
Councillor Earl Almeida
moved adoption of the fiveyear financial plan bylaw and said it has been a several-months-long process to get council to this point, looking at different options and holding discussions.
Referencing suggestions made earlier in the meeting by Kathryn Hjorleifson on measures regarding vehicle procurement that could be taken to reduce the budgetary increase, Almeida said she had raised some valid points.
“Council doesn’t take any of your suggestions lightly, but we are also a little bit under the gun in terms of making sure our staff has the time necessary to meet the legislative deadlines that we need to meet for the budget to go through, which is coming up pretty fast,” said Almeida. “We had discussed at our last meeting the vehicle expenses and we had the option of having the funds
in the budget and not actually using them right away, keeping them in the vehicle reserve. We do that for most of our vehicles and most of the funds that are dedicated to those vehicles are already in the reserve.”
Almeida said the purchase of the vehicles and keeping the funds in the reserve are two separate decisions. He said council can adjust, once it gets the budget done, whether council wants to request staff to hold off on purchases for whatever reason.
“For that reason, due to our time constraints, I’m happy where we are at right now,” said Almeida.
Councillor Jim Palm asked staff to comment on: once money is put into a reserve, such as the vehicle reserve, can it be taken out for other purposes?
Chief financial officer Mallory Denniston said the
AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Call forApplications
TheqathetRegionalDistrictisseekingtwo volunteermembers to sitonthe Agricultural Advisory Committee fora two-year term.The mandate of the Committeeistoprovide advice to theRegionalBoard on matters relatingto agricultureinthe qathet region
TheCommittee’sTerms of Referenceare availableonthe qathet Regional District website(qathet.ca/committees-and-commissions/).Committee members must be 18 yearsofage or older andbegenerally availabletoattendCommittee meetings andmeet theTerms of Referencecriteria.
Interested,eligibleindividuals should submit aletterofapplication explaining theirexpertise,experience, andhow they will contribute to theCommittee.
Applications maybesubmittedbymail, faxore-mailto:
Address: Fax:
Email: qathet Regional District
Attn:Laura Roddan,General ManagerofPlanningServices 202-4675 Marine Avenue Powell River, BC,V8A 2L2 604-485-2216 planning@qathet.ca
Thedeadlinefor applications is 4:00pm on Thursday,April 17, 2025.
If youhaveany questions, please contactthe Planning Department at 604-4852260 or planning@qathet.ca
FINALIZED DOCUMENT: City of Powell River councillors voted unanimously in favour of adoption of the 2025 to 2029 five-year financial plan after extensive deliberations on the budget. The financial plan has to be submitted to the provincial government by May 15.
money may be lent out to another capital reserve and paid back with interest.
“If there was no need for the money in that reserve, it could also be transferred to another capital reserve, but council would need to prove there was no need for that money in the vehicle and equipment reserve to serve the purposes under which the bylaw is established,” said Denniston.
Palm said at the last council meeting, on March 20, he had asked if that was the last possibility that council had to alter its five-year financial plan.
“At that point, the deadline had passed, so, altering it tonight is not a possibility, correct?” asked Palm.
Denniston said Palm was correct.
Council unanimously passed the 2025 to 2029 fi-
nancial plan bylaw.
In the lead-up to the decision, during the public input part of the meeting, Hjorleifson said she was calling upon city council to make several changes.
“I would like you to remove five of the 12 pickup trucks, totalling $1 million,” said Hjorleifson. “I would further like you to remove two smaller of the four dump trucks, totalling $285,000. I would like you to remove two of the three cargo vans, totalling $155,000. The grand total of this is $1,470,000.
“I would further suggest that the two garbage trucks will take at least a year to determine what to buy. A comparison to electric trucks is to be done, as was directed by council with the purchase of the last garbage truck.”
Hjorleifson suggested the
purchase of the two garbage trucks be done over two fiscal years. She said this approach would reduce the 2025 budget by $1,170,000, moving half to 2026 and half to 2027.
The next step in the process is the property tax rates bylaw. Denniston said in an email response to questions from the Peak that the bylaw will come up for discussion at the April 1 committee of the whole meeting, and that the direction from the committee will form the basis of the bylaw, which will be presented for first three readings at the April 17 city council meeting.
Denniston said at that point, the city will have a solid idea of the increase for an average single-family dwelling, as well as the impact from other taxing authorities.
On Tla'amin Day, April 5th, qathet School District honours and celebrates the Tla'amin Nation.
PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Regional directors adopt budget
qRD board unanimously approves five-year financial plan
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District (qRD) directors gave unanimous approval to adoption of the 2025 to 2029 financial plan.
In discussion at the March 26 board meeting, Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick said she had been asked by a Texada Island resident who wanted to know about the status of the tax increase.
McCormick said she started looking through the budget and discovered it is not an easy question to answer. She said on the annual requisition comparison for Area D in the budgetary report, it indicated an 11.17 per cent change in requisition in 2025 from 2024. She said, however, when she looked at the tax rate between last year and what is proposed for this year, that’s only about a three per cent increase. In another area of the budget, it shows a 10 per cent tax change.
“I don’t know which number is the right answer,” said McCormick.
qRD manager of financial administration Linda Greenan said it is complicated. The page in the budget that shows the 10 per cent tax change shows average change per average household on Texada, she added.
“That’s based on an average household and the reason it doesn’t equate exactly with the requisition change is because the denominator changes because the assessed values change each year,” said Greenan. “If the assessed values stay constant and the average home values stay constant, then it would be an apples-to-apples comparison, but in this case, because all those variables change, it is approximately a 10 per cent increase in what taxpayers can be expecting, or about $80.60 for an average home.”
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said he had a question about a spreadsheet in the report that has the tax rate per $100,000 and cost per average home comparison for 2024 and 2025. He said residents had seen a news article with a 25 per cent requisition increase and were wondering if their taxes were going up 25 per cent.
“My first response was no,” said Gisborne. “As I understand it, the total requisition with this financial plan for Area B is a 15 per cent
REGIONAL DISTRICT BRIEFS
Discontinuing program
qathet Regional District’s board has directed staff to discontinue the organics pilot program operations at the Sunshine Disposal facility and consolidate organics operations at the resource recovery centre (RRC).
According to a staff report tabled at a regional board meeting last month, since 2016, the regional district has provided free compostable food and yard waste (organics) drop-off at several locations in the region, including the Town Centre recycling depot, the Tla’amin community recycling depot, and Sunshine Disposal’s facility on Franklin Street. All organic material collected was and continues to be transported by contractors to Salish Soils in Sechelt.
In October 2024, the Town Centre depot and the related organics drop-off point was moved to the RRC recycling depot, completing the next phase of the RRC operations as designed in qRD’s 2017 to 2027 solid waste
total requisition. When I look at the chart, with the tax rate per $100,000, it was $197.91 in 2024 and $213.89 in 2025. Are those numbers accurate?”
Greenan said those were the correct numbers, based on the BC Assessment 2025 completed roll values. She said the numbers will later be based on the 2025 revised roll values, but generally, the change is not significant.
“They should be close,” said Greenan. “In Area B, they can expect to see about $184 increase per average home.”
Gisborne said he has undertaken calculations, and if nothing changed in assessment, then Area B taxpayers would be looking at a roughly eight per cent tax increase for their properties. He asked Greenan if his math was correct.
Greenan said if nothing changed, it would be approximately eight per cent.
Greenan said she wanted to mention that on the qRD website, there is a tax assessment calculator, so anyone can go on the website and put in their property assessment value for this year and last year and see what is expected for their taxes. She said at this point qRD has to estimate school taxes and taxes from other taxation sources.
“Rates for the regional district
management and resource recovery plan.
The RRC is now ready to handle larger and more frequent deliveries of organics on the transfer station side of the facility, according to the staff report. There is currently an opportunity to consolidate qRD’s organics operations at the RRC, creating program efficiency and reducing costs by approximately $55,000 per year, the report stated.
Program returns
qRD’s provincial community wood smoke reduction program will be offered in 2025 with rebates available on a first-come, firstserved basis.
During the past six years, qRD has been selected to participate in the provincial community wood smoke reduction program. The program encourages the replacement of old, smoky wood stoves for cleaner heating options through financial incentives. This program serves as a clean air initiative for the region.
NUMBERS ANALYZED: qathet Regional District directors unanimously adopted the 2025 to 2029 financial plan, setting targets for revenue and spending. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
and qathet Regional Hospital District will be accurate,” said Greenan.
During adoption of the five-year financial plan, Gisborne said he wanted to say he planned to vote in favour of the bylaw, but it doesn’t mean he agrees with everything in it and everything qRD has decided to spend money on.
“The reason why I will vote in favour is because I support the work the board and the finance committee has done,” said Gisborne. “Part of my job is representing Area B, and there are concerns, but also my job is to uphold the will of the
Since 2019, the region has provided rebates for a total of 155 wood stove removals and replacements, according to a staff report.
Bylaw passed
The regional board has passed the qRD regional cemetery regulation amendment bylaw.
The board approved the mandatory use of urn vaults for the burial of cremated remains in December 2023. Staff recommended a change to the bylaw to bring it into agreement with the board's decision.
The bylaw amendment confirms the board's directive and helps inform the public of the requirement, according to a staff report.
Representatives named
City of Powell River director Rob Southcott has been appointed as the
regional board as a whole, so I support the bylaw. We can work on what is happening with our 2026 budget and let’s make sure we get on it before it becomes March 2026.”
The board unanimously carried the five-year financial plan. According to a spreadsheet in the financial plan, cost per average home in City of Powell River for 2025 will be $542.63, in Electoral Area A, $1,670,12, in Electoral Area B, $1,360.89, in Electoral Area C, $1,514.38, in Electoral Area D, $905.01 and in Electoral Area E (Lasqueti Island), $1,425.52.
representative to the British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative executive committee for a two-year term expiring December 31, 2026. Electoral Area C director and board chair Clay Brander has been appointed the alternate representative for a two-year term ending December 31, 2026.
Contribution reduced
At a finance committee meeting, qRD directors received correspondence from Powell River Public Library chief librarian Rebecca Burbank about an amended library contribution request.
Regarding the qRD contribution to the library, the requested contribution dropped from $483,757 to $481,773. The committee passed a motion recommending that the regional board direct staff to reduce the 2025 budget and contribution to the library from $483,747 to $481,773.
VIEWPOINT
How good can we be at opening our hearts?
By Jan Slakov
If violence is what ultimately shapes our world, maybe Canada will need to go the way of the dodo.
But after hearing wellness advocate Shayla Stonechild, who championed the winner of CBC's Canada Reads book contest this year, I hope that maybe what really matters is how good we can be at opening our hearts.
The winning book is A Two-Spirit Journey, by Ma-Nee Chacaby, written with the help of Mary Louisa Plummer. Chacaby wrote it so her grandchildren and others could know "what [she] was about, what [she] was made of, what [she] stood for." She describes how, despite the abuse she suffered as a child and her escape into alcoholism, she was able to leave an abusive marriage, achieve sobriety,
become an alcoholism counsellor and raise her children as well as foster many others.
Stonechild spoke of the four-day fast she completed the week before the contest and how she urges other Indigenous people to join her in reclaiming ceremonies and deepening their connection to the Creator. And she urged us all "to open your heart like MaNee's. There's been so many strangers that have helped her along her journey and that's what makes us Canadian and that's what makes us unite as a country and as a nation."
Can we uphold this part of our heritage and make this world a better, healthier place? I hope so.
Jan Slakov is a qathet Regional District resident.
Use the force, Canada
In the 1977 sci-fi movie Star Wars, the hero, Luke Skywalker, had to become the best version of himself to defeat the heavybreathing antagonist Darth Vader and his Death Star – a doomsday weapon which could destroy Luke’s home planet, Tatooine, in one evil stroke. Luke had to find strength and wisdom way beyond his years to defend his planet and destroy Darth Vader’s apocalyptic agenda. Luke doubted himself. Nonetheless, he took a hero’s journey and, eventually, after being taught by his elders, he and his rebels destroyed the much bigger and more weaponized Galactic Empire.
I see the classic film as a fitting allegory for the current situation all Canadians, from the Pacific to the Atlantic to the Arctic, are ensnared
HEALTHY LIVING
By Robert Skender
in with US president Donald Trump and his gaggle of unqualified sycophants in the White House. Include Elon Musk, who has voiced ideas informed from fascist leaders in history, for example Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Putin. Those totalitarian dictators were, and are, divisive and destructive forces the world hoped to never experience again.
The Star Wars allegory continues when comparing Trump to Darth Vader in that the former wants to destroy Canada like Vader was trying to destroy Skywalker’s home planet.
Trump imitates Vader’s destruction nature by choosing to open pristine Alaskan parks to Big Oil
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exploitation. Also, leaving the Paris Climate Accord and being strangely angry with the solar and wind power industries, which provide cleaner energy for future generations. Trump wants to, intentionally or not, destroy the planet like Vader’s intentions with his Death Star in the classic film from the 1970s.
If our Canadian identity is going to continue to exist in the shadow of Trump’s dark version of America, we must be the strongest manifestation of Canada possible. Stronger and more together than we thought we could muster prior to all the illegally imposed tariffs which are intended to induce fear and anxiety in all sectors of the Canadian economy and society.
As an individual can grow and strengthen from a young adult to
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a confident, mature human being ready to defend their values and loved ones, Canada can take that next step in our relatively short history as a sovereign country.
A mix of anger and bewilderment with Trump will hopefully have a paradoxical effect and, instead of separating and weakening us, Canada will be stronger and more resilient to future threats against our peaceful, prosperous way of living.
If we are going to remain strong and free in the shadow of Trump’s dark vision, we must fight like Skywalker using all the good force of the universe. Trump’s tariffs are intended to induce fear and anxiety in all sectors of the Canadian society and economy.
Canadians are a peaceful popula-
tion with the most beautiful, free and strong country in the world. We didn’t start the fight, but we will finish it.
Trump is playing dirty, however, if he wants to punch us in the face with tariffs and bullying language regarding annexing Canada, we will punch him back harder and smarter, then make an unreal pass and score the winning goal in overtime.
A Canada stronger, more united, will be the David who slew Goliath. We will be enjoying our beautiful place in the world long after Trump and his poisonous agenda are long gone and swept into the garbage bin of history.
Robert Skender is a qathet region freelance writer and health commentator.
KELLY KEIL publisher SHANE CARLSON editor PAUL GALINSKI reporter
Survey: Residents rethink grocery bills as tariffs loom
BY MARIO CANSECO
It is fair to say Canadians have assembled a united front after the US president first uttered threats related to tariffs and overtures about the annexation of Canada. We have seen renewed support for premiers who have chosen to openly discuss and implement retaliatory measures, and many Canadians are seeking to avoid American goods.
The idea of “Buying Canadian” may make sense, but many British Columbians are unaware of specific limitations. When we asked the province’s residents about the proportion of fruits and vegetables Canada is importing from the United States, the responses were way off from reality.
Just over a third of British Columbians identified that somewhere between 21 and 40 per cent of the fruits Canada imports are American. The confusion is worse for vegetables, with 16 per cent of British Columbians knowing that somewhere between 21 and 40 per cent of the vegetables Canada imports are from the United States.
Upon learning the reality of Canada’s current reliance on American produce—36 per cent of fruit imports and 67 per cent of vegetable imports— British Columbians become uneasy. More than half of the province’s residents are “not too confident” or “not
LETTERS »
Seat deserved
Coastal communities across British Columbia rely on BC Ferries as a lifeline. These are not luxury services, they are marine highways connecting people to schools, jobs, medical appointments and family. Without them, life in many ferry-dependent communities would be impossible.
For years, Ferry Advisory Committees (FACs) have been a key connection between communities and the people who run the ferry system. Their replacement in May — for some new but as-yet-unknown engagement model — is a serious step away from public consultation and accountability [“FAC committees call for
confident at all” that Canada’s food supply and security will not be restricted by the current dispute over tariffs.
In stark contrast, British Columbians are more likely to endorse the actions of local food producers, with 54 per cent saying they are “very confident” or “moderately confident” that they will be able to increase production if the food supply is hindered by the actions of the US.
What makes us mad when we notice a heftier bill has gone through a dramatic shift. Just under three in 10 British Columbians (29 per cent) primarily blame the actions of governments, while 25 per cent think global political conflicts are affecting supplies, and fewer point the finger at the actions of supermarket retailers and grocery stores (18 per cent), and climate change (11 per cent).
“Nature still offers her bounty,” read US president Franklin D. Roosevelt during his first inaugural address in 1933, in an attempt to calm a public suffering from a severe economic downturn. Almost a century later, British Columbians ponder a different matter: whether our wallets will stretch enough to cover the cost of non-American alternatives.
At this point, 62 per cent of British Columbians tell us they do not mind paying more for fruits and vegetables if
reinstatement,” March 27].
BC Ferries may be structured as a private company but it is publicly owned and delivers an essential public service. Decisions made by its leadership affect the quality of life for thousands of people. Moving to a topdown model, where communities are informed after decisions are made, is not consultation; it’s an erosion of the relationship between the public and a service they rely on and help pay for.
As ferry workers, we know this firsthand. Our members don’t just work on these vessels, they live in these coastal communities. They rely on the ferries to get home, just like everyone else. They understand how service cuts, schedule changes or rising
they originate in the province. Just over a third of British Columbians (34 per cent) are willing to pay up to 10 per cent more for nonAmerican sources of food, with just over one-in-five (22 per cent) ready to pay 11 per cent to 20 per cent more. A higher expenditure is only welcomed by 14 per cent of British Columbians, while a slightly larger proportion (18 per cent) say they would not pay a penny more for food that is not from the United States.
When it comes to grocery prices, the collective anger expressed toward supermarket retailers and grocery stores has subsided, supplanted by a sense of dismay over a crisis manufactured on a whim by a foreign head of state. In any case, more than seven in ten British Columbians think the federal government (78 per cent) and the provincial government (73 per cent) can do a lot to help lower the cost of the food we eat. With a federal vote looming, parties seeking to capitalize on antiAmerican animosity would be wise to establish a framework for rebates and assistance.
Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 15 to 17, 2025, among 801 adults in British Columbia.
Mario Canseco is president of Research Co.
fares directly affect families, businesses and access to health care and education.
BC Ferries must be accountable, not only to government but to the communities it serves. That’s why the FACs mattered. They gave people a seat at the table and ensured decisions were made with local input. Were they perfect? No. But the solution isn’t to scrap them. It’s to strengthen them, so coastal communities continue to have a real voice in shaping their future.
As a union, we believe public services should put people first. We’ve seen what happens when public services are run like private businesses — profit comes before people. That’s not what British Columbians
CROSSWORD
need or deserve.
We’re calling on BC Ferries to support, not sink, the FACs. Make them stronger, more inclusive and more effective. But don’t silence the communities that rely on these services every day.
We also urge everyone who depends on BC Ferries to speak up. Write to BC Ferries. Contact your MLA. Let them know you expect real consultation and a meaningful say in decisions that impact your community.
The future of BC Ferries should be built with the people who live and work on this coast, not decided in a boardroom behind closed doors. Eric McNeely, president BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union
Planning takes precedence
Strategies help navigate buying and selling at the same time
ZAK KHAN
Real
Estate Weekly
Multitasking is never easy. Likewise, buying or selling a home can be daunting, even in the best circumstances. Doing both at once might mean stress overload unless you are prepared and have a plan B for when things go awry. Here are five tips to consider when buying and selling your home at the same time.
ASSESS YOUR SITUATION
Ideally, you want to move into your new place before you leave your old one. But to prepare for buying and selling your home at the same time, you need to know current real estate trends. The best place to start is with a local experienced real estate agent. This person knows the market situation in the area you are considering.
An agent will also know if it is a buyer’s or a seller’s market. This is important so you have a sense of how quickly homes are moving
and for how much. That will help you with your timeline, your listing price and how much you can afford. Make sure to choose the same agent for the buying and selling process. Having an agent who understands both ends will be invaluable. The only times this shouldn’t be the case is if you are moving out of province or if the agent is also working with the seller of your new home. Remember, you have options when it comes to negotiating the length of your close, short-term rentals and other ways to bridge the time between buying and selling. Having an agent to help will make sure you get the best possible terms.
KNOW WHEN TO USE CONTINGENCIES
Another key is knowing if you need to sell your current home to make the down payment for your new home. If you do, you need to consider a contract contingency when purchasing or applying for a bridge loan.
Contract contingency or conditional sale means the purchase of the new home will depend on the sale of your existing home. This can be dangerous in a seller’s market and could cost you your dream home if you are
not careful. If the market is competitive, the seller may not want to decrease their chances of selling by waiting for you to sell your home. You’ll need to convince the seller your home is in a desirable market, priced right and will sell quickly. If there’s been no movement on the seller’s property and it’s been on the market for a while, they may agree to a contract contingency.
CONSIDER A BRIDGE LOAN
A bridge loan could be a great alternative to contract contingency. As the name implies, it bridges the time between moving into your new place and out of your old one. These loans let you own two homes at the same time by using the equity on your property to help with the down payment of your new house.
Usually, bridge loans are around six months long, but this can vary depending on how long you think you need to sell your home. Keep in mind a lender must still approve you for this loan, too. You’ll need a sale agreement set up for your current home to qualify.
Once your old house sells, you can use the proceeds to help pay the bridge loan.
FACTOR IN FINANCIALS
When setting the price of your home, consider what you want to spend on your new home and weigh this against the market value. Leave a cushion when calculating your new home budget.
For example, if your current home is assessed at $900,000 and the new home you want is $850,000, then you know the least you’ll accept for your current place is $850,000. If you don’t get at least $850,000 for your current home, then you need to look for a cheaper new home. That is, make sure you cover your new home’s price with your current home’s sale. If you only know the general price range you want for your next purchase, talk with your agent about what you'll need to get from the sale of your current home to cover it.
Have a buffer and manage your expectations. Plus, if your current home was your principal residence for the entire time you owned it, you won’t have to pay capital gains tax when you sell. But if it wasn’t, factor this into the total amount available and work with your agent and an accountant.
Also, don’t assume you can upgrade to a bigger home because you have a current
mortgage, have a down payment or are making more income. This is not always the case; know your limits. By having a pre-approved mortgage, you won’t be setting yourself up for disappointment after you find your dream home.
COVER YOURSELF
Have a plan B. It’s rare for the new home to close at the same time as your existing home. A little off in either direction and you could be paying dual mortgages or be homeless.
Banks can take up to two to three days to transfer funds, and those transfers are usually done before 3 pm. So, don’t schedule your closing on a Friday and always choose the morning hours. Having this buffer in your schedule will
Regional board okays waste program
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District (qRD) will enter a one-year partnership with Synergy Foundation for the organization’s $5,000 circular economy accelerator program. The money will be contributed from the qRD waste management service, which will support two businesses in the region to participate in the program, according to Synergy.
At a regional board meeting in March, Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said $5,000 to the foundation to provide support to two local businesses is not creating
a wide enough benefit for the area.
“There’s a lot of things happening naturally in the community,” said Gisborne. “This may be the first request and it could potentially grow from there. I do not support it.”
City of Powell River director Rob Southcott said he supports the initiative. He said it is an essential step toward sustainability.
City director Cindy Elliott said she also supports the initiative.
“Our area is unique to all the participating areas,” said Elliott. “Encouraging a model that others can follow is what this is all about. Gaining access to the experienced
folks within the foundation will help those businesses and that is the real draw to the process. Since we’re trying to be local, and trying to be Canadian, it creates better ways to reduce the stuff we ship in and out of our area. It’s a good investment.”
Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick said there are a lot of opportunities for families to reuse and recycle, but there are not a lot of opportunities like this for industry or businesses.
“This is particularly important, because it is going to provide incentives for businesses in our community who are not getting a lot of
help,” said McCormick. “It’s going to reduce what we perceive in the way of waste from our businesses.”
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said the regional district is going to need results from this expenditure for what is a reasonable investment.
“We are trying to knock down our waste in our area here, so I’m prepared to support it,” he added.
The motion to enter into the partnership with Synergy Foundation carried, with Gisborne opposed.
According to a staff report, the program aims to support local businesses to incorporate waste reduc-
help close the deal on schedule and as planned.
Set up an emergency fund for such a situation. You may find you are in a hotel for a week or two. You might want to consider short term rental options (like Airbnb).
Speaking with friends and family may also give you some options until your new place closes.
Another possibility is a rent-back agreement. This means you would rent your old home back from the buyer (now the owner) from the time of closing until you’re ready to move. The buyer does not have to agree to this, and their own buying and selling situation will likely determine if they agree. But it doesn’t hurt to ask. Have a back-up for this back-up plan, though.
tion and circular waste practices into their operations. This aligns with qRD’s goals of reducing waste per capita and promoting a circular economy in our region, the report stated. Few waste education programs are directed toward business, commercial and industrial waste producers, and this is an opportunity to increase local education and programs in this area, according to the report.
The contribution of $5,000 would help offset administrative costs the Synergy Foundation experiences while providing service to businesses in the region.
TRANSACTION TIPS: Purchasing or selling a home can be stressful, especially when doing both in the same time frame. STOCKBYTE, GETTY IMAGES
Queens excel at all levels
Girls hockey players have exceptional seasons in league and playoff action
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Powell River Queens hockey teams had another tremendous season, demonstrating mastery of the game and recording many victories.
“Our teams performed so incredibly well in the Vancouver Island league,” said Julie Venselaar, head coach of the U18 team and Powell River Minor Hockey Association female coordinator. “It’s a real testament to what we are doing here. We’re creating a good program. We’re producing some great teams and some really great players, especially at the younger ages. It’s exciting to watch.”
Venselaar said there are 76 players in the female program, including a U7 and U9 group, a U11 team, a U13 team and the U18 team. Venselaar said there were not enough U15s to make a team, nor enough U18s to
make a team, so the players were combined to make a U18 team. More than 50 per cent of the team would have qualified for U15.
“I had a team with most of the players playing against players who were much older,” said Venselaar. “It was challenging for them but they did amazingly well, ending up third in the league.
“We definitely had a slow start, losing a whole bunch of games at the beginning of the season while they learned to play at a faster pace against older, bigger girls. At the end of January, our players figured it out and they played so well, winning a bunch of games and being the talk of the league. Playoffs didn’t go our way, but that’s okay.”
Adam Culos, coach of the U13 team, said the team has gone undefeated in league play for the past two seasons, posting 63 wins, with their only loss coming in the last tournament of the year.
“Overall, we had a great year,” said Culos. “Our players were very busy. They won the Vancouver Island league and also won the Vancouver Island playoffs.”
Culos said the team has 12 players, so it is a small group. He said because of this, the players get lots of
ice time, but there has been a lot of growth.
“They’re a naturally gifted crew but they also work extremely hard, so they put in the effort and it shows at the end of the day,” said Culos. “For our team, it’s very straightforward. Our number one rule is to have fun. The second rule is to try your best and the third rule is to never give up. So, they take that with them and have earned everything they get.”
The Powell River girls play against teams from Oceanside, Nanaimo, Comox and Campbell River, so they are facing teams with many more players to draw on than in Powell River.
Culos said on Vancouver Island, the girls program is blossoming and it is becoming more competitive.
Culos said many of this
year’s players will be returning to the U13 team next year.
“We’ll get them all back next season, except for one,” said Culos. “Hopefully, we can keep it going. It’s neat to see the program grow.”
Matt Denniston, the U11 coach, said it was evident from when the team started practicing at the beginning of the season that the girls were doing great. He said U11 is the first age group where players are playing on full ice with a regulationsized net.
“It’s the first year that you have referees and the first year where there is a score, offsides, penalties and that sort of stuff,” said Denniston. “We had our first game and you don’t know what to expect. All of a sudden, the girls go out [on the ice] and they
are passing to each other, talking to each other, and the coaches stepped back, and said, ‘we didn’t do this.’
These girls were clicking right from the very beginning of the season, which was neat to see. It lit a fire under the coaches.”
Denniston said the true purpose is to develop the players into being great people, over and above the development of hockey skills. He said it shows in the way the players have become teammates, friends, and in the way they support each other.
On the ice, the players did very well, winning their league games easily, said Denniston. He said the team participated in a tournament in November, won all its games and got to the final against an equally matched team, with Powell River win-
U15 players part of bronze medal team
North Island Impact reach podium at provincial championships
SHANE CARLSON editor@prpeak.com
North Island Impact U15 Girls won a bronze medal at the recent BC Hockey U15 Female provincial championship in Richmond.
Four Powell River teammates
contributed to the Impact's win over Richmond Ravens in the third place game on Sunday, March 23, including Bree Behan, Harper Berukoff, Claire Karger and Marin Carlos. Berukoff scored twice in the bronze medal game, while Carlos set up two goals.
Earlier that day, Carlos scored a late third period goal in the semi-final to force overtime versus the eventual champions from Kelowna, who ultimately prevailed 3-2 and advanced to the gold medal game.
During the round robin portion of the tournament, North Island defeated Castlegar 7-0 on March 20, reached the same goal total the next day in a 7-1 win over Williams Lake, and lost 4-1 on March 22 to a Surrey team that went on to claim silver.
Karger, Berukoff and Behan each scored against Castlegar. Powell River players were also prominent versus Williams Lake, with Carlos, who also had an assist, and Karger accounting for two goals each, and Berukoff scoring once.
ning the silver medal.
“That was their first loss,” added Denniston.
The team played in another tournament before Christmas, did well in the tournament and won silver again.
“We went through the season winning all of the league games and we get to the Queen's Cup, battling hard in tournament play, getting to the final, getting another silver,” said Denniston. “We had three tournaments and three silver medals. Losing at home was tough, but at the same time, they bounced back and became more excited about the next game.”
The U11s went undefeated in league play and playoff action this past season.
Venselaar said it was a great season for all the Queens, and that she is “super happy.”
BC BRONZE: [From left]: North Island Impact teammates Bree Behan, Harper Berukoff, Claire Karger and Marin Carlos posed with their medals after the third place game at the BC Hockey U15 Female provincial championship. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
PROMISING PLAYERS: Heading home on the ferry after amazing hockey seasons are the Powell River Queens U11 and U13 teams, who had undefeated seasons, winning league play and the playoffs against Vancouver Island competition.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Teams adopt third jerseys
Minor hockey players adorn
Regal attire for special photo
To mark 70 years of Powell River Regals hockey in the community, players and coaches from five local teams posed for a photo wearing commemorative Regals’ jerseys last month.
Members of Powell River
Minor Hockey’s U18 female team and U18A, U15A and U13A clubs lined up behind the Regals’ centre ice logo at Hap Parker Arena for the photo op.
“Those teams adopted it as a third jersey, the same as ours, although it’s says Powell River Hockey in the middle instead of Powell River Regals,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “We were honoured to have them do this. Kim Barrows was instrumental in ar-
ranging this and making it happen.”
Regal players occupied the back row, behind the
youngsters.
“We got more than 80 players and coaches involved in the photo,” said Barrows.
Kings season ends on the road
On the final weekend of the BC Hockey League season, Powell River Kings were playing for pride, but had an opportunity to play spoiler.
Already eliminated from the playoff race, Powell River faced Prince George twice on the road, with the host Spruce Kings needing two wins to secure the eighth and final postsea-
son spot in the BCHL Coastal Conference.
Eliot Compton scored twice for Powell River in a 5-4 overtime loss on March 29.
Sam Grabner and Eli Friedman also had goals for the Kings. Goaltender Vincent Lamberti turned aside 39 of the 44 shots he faced.
“It was chaotic but turned out great.”
The Regals’ season came to an end last month when the
the Rivermen needed to lose in regulation to Chilliwack in order for the Spruce Kings to remain in the playoff race. Chilliwack won that game 7-5.
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Kings failed to score in the final game of the season the next day as Prince George booked a spot in the playoffs with a 5-0 win.
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each of the first two periods, then sealed the win with three power play goals in the third period. Lamberti made 20 saves.
Powell River (10th) joins Langley (ninth) as Coastal Conference teams out of the playoff mix. Chilliwack finished as the top coastal team. Penticton led the Interior Conference and claimed the top overall spot in the league.
visiting Rossland Warriors won a best-of-three Coy Cup qualification series at Hap Parker Arena.
JENN PARKIN PHOTOGRAPHY
CULTURE »
Festival brings global sounds
Three days of jazz, flamenco and Cuban rhythms promise unforgettable experience for music lovers
Some years at Townsite Jazz Festival, a clear theme emerges – big band, vocal jazz, or maybe something else entirely. But more than any single genre or style, what ties the festival together is the guiding principle of its artistic director, Paul Cummings: “Man, my students are going to love this."
As an educator, Cummings curates the lineup with his students in mind, ensuring they have opportunities to learn from and perform alongside professional musicians. That mission shapes the festival’s artistic choices and guarantees a broad variety of music for all attendees.
The 2025 festival, which runs April 10 through 12, promises something for everyone – whether it's the infectious pulse of Cuban rhythms, the intricacy of bebop jazz or the fiery passion of flamenco dance.
“In this day and age, there's such a wide variety of music that can be entertained at a jazz festival,” said Cummings. “When I see a group that really moves and inspires me, the first thing that comes across my mind is, ‘I'd love my students to see it.’”
Headlining the first night of the festival at Max Cameron Theatre is Two Much Guitar, a duo featuring Bill Coon and Oliver Gannon – one a Juno nominee, the other a Juno winner.
“The personal friendship and musical relationship that Bill and Oliver
CUBAN CLOSERS: The Julio Avila Cuban Band will be closing out the 2025 Townsite Jazz Festival with a gala dance on Saturday, April 12, at Dwight Hall. The group most recently performed in the qathet region last February to rave reviews, bringing an authentic Cuban sound complete with percussion, horns and vocals. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
have is pretty special,” said Cummings. “I can't wait to hear them interact on stage and see what they come up with, along with a couple of fabulous rhythm section players who can follow them in any direction.”
The following night, Vancouver-based dance group Karen Flamenco will bring a visual explosion of colour and culture, complete with costumed dancers and live musicians.
“Whether you're fixated on the rapid-fire footwork, the expressive hands, or the soulful guitar and vocals, there's always something mesmerizing to watch,” said Cummings.
For the final night, the festival turns to Cuba.
“My students and I have such fond memories – we were there just last year, and they danced a lot, more than any group I've ever taken to Cuba,” said Cummings. “They’re just so excited to hear our Saturday night headliner.”
That headliner will be the Julio Avila Cuban Band, whose 10 members and myriad of instruments will cram onto the Dwight Hall stage at 7:30 pm on April 12 for a gala dance.
A late-night show on April 11 in the Blue Room will
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EIGHT - OPEN HOUSES ONE DAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 5 TWO HOURS - 10 AM - NOON
serve up a mix of R&B, soul, blues and funk, courtesy of The Deadly Nightshades. Meanwhile, daytime performances will feature multiinstrumentalist Ben Wayne Kyle and singer Laura Crema on April 10, pianist Sharon Minemoto and saxophonist Steve Carson on April 11, and Nanaimo-based bebop quartet Soul Jazz and a quintet of qathet School District alumni on April 12.
Local ensembles from Brooks Secondary School, as well as two Victoria schools, will open for the professional artists at every show.
“The student groups, the local ones and the visiting ones, add such an important element to the festival,” said Cummings. “Last year, people didn't want to miss a second of that, so we’ve made sure to give as much information as possible so they can plan their festival experience around it.”
A full list of venues and concert times is available at townsitejazz.com. Tickets are available online, at the door and at the Peak office (4493F Marine Avenue), with smaller-capacity concerts likely to sell out soon.
A limited number of festival passes remain available, providing access to all 10 concerts at a sizable discount.
presents
The upcoming federal election will shape the future of our community and country. Join us for an All Candidates Meeting to hear directly from those seeking to represent you in Parliament.
This is your opportunity to:
• Learn about each candidate’s priorities and policies
• Ask questions about issues that matter to you
• Make an informed decision for election day
Have your questions ready and step up to the mic to ask candidates directly.
Don’t miss this chance to engage in democracy and ensure your voice is heard. Everyone is welcome!
Creatives gather for show
region's first sustainable maker-fair and art market, in honour of Earth Day, called Renew Art Faire, with 12 participating artists who will display and demo their works on April 26, from 10 to 4 pm, at qathet Art Centre (qAC) above Powell River Public Library.
wire on display in the gallery at Mattick's Farm on Vancouver Island, and her upcycled jewellery made from an old broken accordion was sold as a fundraiser for the 2025 qathet Accordion Fest.
den because they catch the sunlight so nicely."
Greenwood's creations caught her friends’ and neighbours’ eyes, and then Harwood-Lynn saw them and invited her to be in Renew.
Although the political climate in Canada has shifted priorities away from environmental issues, such as plastic pollution and impacts of climate change, artists in the qathet region are reusing, refurbishing, reclaiming and upcycling materials. They make beautiful things, and in their own way, combat our collective accumulation of stuff that in many cases ends up in the landfill.
Artist Teresa HarwoodLynn is organizing the
Harwood-Lynn herself works with scrap metal she finds, or is donated to her by folks who know her craft.
"Typically speaking, if something's broken or nobody has a use for it anymore, I may turn it into something like a piece of jewellery, for example," said Harwood-Lynn. "If it's further deteriorated, like an old rusty bucket, I might make a small sculpture out of it; I try to use as much waste metal when I'm making things as I can."
Currently, Harwood-Lynn has handwoven baskets made of recycled piano
"I like exploring the intersection between art and sustainability, using unconventional recycled materials," said Harwood-Lynn. "I strive to challenge conventional perceptions of art and material value, telling a story of transformation and renewal."
Onlookers and folks are encouraged to get interactive with the makers and crafters at the event, and might be surprised at what they see.
"When the public goes to take a look, they will see what's being done with recycled materials, and maybe, through talking to the people making the art, might get some ideas of their own," said Harwood-Lynn. "Maybe they will look at their own waste from a different perspective; maybe they can make something, or give it to somebody who will make something and keep it out of the landfill that much longer."
Trish Greenwood will have her reused glass garden sculptures at the fair on April 26, which she started making last summer.
"Basically, they are glass sculptures, or glass totems made out of household items that I find," said Greenwood. "I started finding glass ashtrays at the thrift stores around town; the different colours of glass look beautiful out in the gar-
"I had some time last summer, and I saw one [a recycled glass sculpture] and I thought, ‘that's beautiful, I can do that,’" said Greenwood. "So I started thrifting and creating."
Sometimes Greenwood includes other elements such as seashells, pebbles or beads if she feels the piece needs a little bit more light, colour or texture.
Greenwood said she hasn't tried yet, but wants to create garden sculptures using material that may hold the memory of a loved one.
"There's so many beautiful pieces of glass, that might be from say, a grandpa's ashtray, or, it was grandma's glass tray," said Greenwood. "By taking that [glass] and creating a sculpture with it, you can put it out in the garden in honour of your loved one."
Another artist who will be at Renew who has been making a name for herself around town is Jo Forrest. She moved to the qathet region from Ontario a few years ago. Her metal assemblage work, absurdist paintings and sculptures have been in a few art shows that use found objects and discarded materials such as old fishing nets.
"The goal [of the art fair] is that some of the makers will be working on pieces, or they'll have some pieces broken down, so you can see
the process," said HarwoodLynn. "At the very least, it's an opportunity to talk about how [the artists] come up with their finished piece of art and finished product."
As for Harwood-Lynn and how she got started making artwork out of used materials: "I have a metal detector, and at one time, I was accumulating a lot of scrap metal, and I thought, ‘I gotta figure out something to do with this,’" said Harwood-Lynn. "I met a silversmith south of town by the name of Susie McPherson, and we just hung out, and she taught me all the techniques I know about silversmithing."
Harwood-Lynn said she quickly found her passion, not working with nice silver but with scrap metal.
"I'm working on warrior women for the show," said Harwood-Lynn. "They're little sculptures, these beau-
tiful warrior women [that represent] how [women] get to a certain point in our lives, and, you know, we're worn out, we're worn down, kicked to the curb; we're like a rusty old pot."
The 12 artist's participating in the Renew Art Faire are: Greenwood, recycled glass garden totems; Forrest, metal assemblage work; Anne Leaman, fibre artist; Cindy Neufeld, mosaic artist; Jenny Stevens, rags to rugs; Kathleen Woodman Anderson, rags to bags; Laurel Dahill, reclaimed wood artist; qathet Flax to Linen; eunoia, slow fashion; Sandy McCormick, beach glass artist; Harwood-Lynn, scrap metal artist; Annie Robinson, wild colour and land-based art.
For more information about the event, go to qathetart.ca/renew-art-faire.
EARTH CONSCIOUS: Maker-artist Teresa Harwood-Lynn, organizer of Renew Art Faire, works with reclaimed metals and other found objects in her studio to create unique sculptures. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Life in pictures
Selected photos submitted by Peak readers highlighting sights in the qathet region are published each morning, Monday to Friday, at prpeak.com in our “Good morning” feature. To submit a picture for Photo of the Day consideration, send a high resolution version via email to editor@prpeak.com with the subject line “Photo of the Day.” Remember to include where and when you took the picture, what it is and your name (we want to give you credit). Here are some of the best submissions.
3.
5.
1. Vanesa Acuto, Cranberry Lake
2. William Kato, Sliammon Lake
Andrew Bradley, whales off Westview
4. Daniel Gilles, Lund boardwalk
Kris Carlson, Willingdon Beach
6. Misty Oakes, Lang Creek
7. Jason Didcott, Stillwater Bluffs
8. Diana Siefert, sunset over Savary Island
9. Jerry Eskes, crocus at Haslam Lake
10. Krystal McDonald, Donkersley Beach
Author explores harvesting culture
Bilingual picture book revisits sights, sounds and cherished memories living on the southwest coast
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Tla'amin elder and retired teacher Betty Wilson is known for many accomplishments, including saving ʔayʔaǰuθəm (ayajuthem) language from extinction, being a steadfast champion of education and Tla'amin traditional culture, and being honoured by Pope Francis just last year.
Now, Wilson is an author of a bilingual (ayajuthem/English) picture-book titled ɬagət hiyt toxʷʊm/Herring to Huckleberries, which follows Wilson and her grandparents along traditional Tla'amin food harvesting routes to fish for herring and salmon, gather seasonal berries, hunt deer and dig up mollusks.
Whimsically illustrated by prolific artist Prashant Miranda, the hard-copy book will be available to readers of all ages in mid-April, with plans for a digital-audio version narrated in ayajuthem and English by Wilson.
Wilson said the book has many layers, including an introduction to the language to new readers, as well as being a resource for Indigenous students and teachers.
"It teaches, environmentally, how we lived off the land that was not contaminated at the time; we harvested muscles, oysters and
clams in clean water, and we lived seasonally," said Wilson. "Now, you can't do that [harvest shellfish in tišosəm] because of contamination."
Wilson said her grandparents had a huge impact on her, not only because they taught her how to live seasonally off the land, but also their worldview, which had an emphasis on the importance of education, and maintaining good mental and physical well-being.
Wilson said she remembers her favourite foods growing up: smoked salmon, thimbleberry, butter clams and sea urchins, and [in the book] revisits the traditional food gathering and preparation techniques of Tla'amin Nation.
"Caring about our environment is actually for our future generations," said Wilson, “to be able to clean our waters and clean our land for them.”
Wilson said the book is more about her joy growing up with her family, living a good life, as healthy as they could, and not necessarily segregated to cultural teachings.
"I credit my good health to having eaten foods from the land," said Wilson. "My granny was a strong believer in taking care of one's health emotionally, mentally and spiritually."
Wilson still radiates the joy she felt growing up surrounded by family, stories and outdoor campouts and canoeing. She recounts in the book the mouthwatering tastes and smells of the foods she and her family prepared, which, unfortunately, most people will never get to experience.
"I found some wild strawberry plants [recently] and they're so good, but so tiny," said Wilson. "But, if you go into the more isolated
areas, the wild strawberries are big."
Wilson said Tla'amin people had many words for the different types of blueberries they would pick, and when it was berry season, the children received their rush of vitamins.
"I decided [a few years ago] that I was going to become a traditional weaver," said Wilson. "I was looking at some of the baskets my great-grandparents had made but it's harder to find the traditional materials [plants] they used."
Wilson said her experience growing up, in a way, was at a unique point in history. It was a time of change, living a traditional landbased life, while at the same time experiencing electricity for the first time and going to school and learning how to read English.
"[At the time] we were constantly smoking and drying out fish, herring eggs and preserving foods because we weren't allowed to go grocery shopping in town," said Wilson. "White people weren't allowed onto the reserve after dark and native people weren't allowed in town."
Elder Elsie Paul grew up in a world even more deeply rooted in Tla'amin tradition and culture, but also survived being sent away to residential school in Sechelt, according to Paul's book, As I Remember It: Teachings from the Life of a Sliammon Elder.
"I grew up in that really transitional phase of electricity and the ability to buy refrigerators," said Wilson. "In the past, older elders than me, like Elsie, would have travelled with their grandparents hunting and harvesting off the land."
Indigenous and Tla'amin children were taken from their homes and sent to residen-
Candidates vie for school board seat
By-election on April 12 open to all qualified electors
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak
After the surprise resignation of qathet School District (qSD) trustee Rob Hill last December, the time has come to elect a new trustee on April 12. The second and final opportunity for advance voting in the by-election takes place on April 9 at qSD board office on Ontario Street.
Two candidates are vying to fill the vacant seat: Gretchen Conti and Guy Chartier. Each has extensive experience in the education system.
How does the public know who the best candidate might be to fill the remainder of the four-year term?
Both were previewed in last week’s Peak and each has a webpage which details their experience. To find out more online, go to gretchenconti4trustee.ca and guychartier. ca.
Every time there is an election, qathet Teachers' Association (qTA) sponsors
a trustee candidate forum, according to qTA president Isabel Loveluck.
"It's a little tricky this time due to the BC Teachers’ Federation AGM and spring break, " said Loveluck.
A candidate forum took place on April 1 at Brooks Secondary School. Loveluck said candidates were sent questions in advance.
"We will be disseminating their responses to our members [and CUPE] and providing paper copies at the forum," explained Loveluck.
At the forum, candidates had an opportunity for a three-minute statement,
followed by questions by attendees and from a bank of questions.
What exactly does a school trustee do? According to the BC School Trustee Association, trustees are a kind of liaison between the public and the school system, in order for the school system to reflect local priorities, values and strategic goals.
Voting and advance voting is open to all qualified qSD electors; there is no need to preregister. Voting by mail is also an option. Go to sd47. bc.ca for information.
Advance voting is from 8 am to 8 pm at qSD board of-
tial schools, with survivors and their families dealing with intergenerational trauma, broken relationships and loss of language. Now, Wilson said the younger Tla'amin generation is eager to know their language and their history.
"There is a resurgence to learn the history of our events because the young people are saying ‘we've missed out,’" said Wilson. "So it's really our young parents who started the language program in the schools, and we were really fortunate to have superintendents and principals who were forwardthinking and said, ‘yes, you can teach the language within the school system.’"
ɬagət hiyt toxʷʊm/Herring to Huckleberries will be available April 15.
fice located at 4351 Ontario Street on Wednesday, April 9.
TRUSTEE FORUM: Guy Chartier [left] and Gerchen Conti are in competition to fill one seat as a school trustee with qathet School District in this month’s by-election. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
ROOTED IN THE LAND: Author, educator and Tla’amin elder Betty Wilson is publishing a picture book in April titled ɬ
Herring to Huckleberries TANYA HILL PHOTO
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