Visitors eliminate Regals from Coy Cup chase PAGE 12
ROYAL RECOGNITION
Residents received King Charles III medals PAGE 13
Elementary school pupils help put fish back into
Lang Creek
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
March 6 may have been a Thursday on the calendar, but at Powell River Salmon Society’s Lang Creek facility, it was Fry Day.
During the sunny morning, qathet School District students were bused to the salmon centre to release chum salmon into the creek, so the fish could begin the open water lifecycle.
Salmon Society manager Shane Dobler said eight classes from local schools travelled to Lang Creek. He said the original plan was for six; it was expanded to eight, and unfortunately, the salmon society had to cap it.
Students were able to see the salmon fry close up in a holding vessel, where salmon society employees netted the fish and put them in cups so the students could release the fish creek-side.
Dobler said the salmon release was a couple of weeks ahead of schedule because of the warmer winter.
“We had that one cold snap early in the new year, but water temperatures were warmer, so we have fish hatching out sooner, and therefore being released a little sooner,” said Dobler. “We still have lots of fish at the hatchery. This was just a small group of fish brought out for the classes to see.”
Dobler said by the end of March, the rest of the chum will be released. He said there are more than 700,000 of them. In April, some chinook will be released into the headwaters, as well as from the hatchery itself at Duck Lake, extending into early May. WARRIORS WIN
Events excite volunteers
There is also coho production at the former Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat mill, which will also be released later in April and in the beginning of May.
“It’s a high point of the rearing season,” said Dobler.
In addition to the Fry Day that has already been held, there will be another Fry Day at the end of March at Willingdon Beach, done in conjunction with City of Powell River’s CUPE workers. Dobler said a decision was made to have an event at Lang Creek because it’s important to have the ability to communicate with students and get people out into the salmon society’s constantly improving environment.
“People are used to coming in the fall, and they come to see the fish spawning, because it is tangible,” said Dobler. “Many students come to our salmon expo in the fall. With the offspring from the spawning salmon, unless you look very closely, most people don’t see it. So, we are trying to highlight what is happening in nature right now and we’re making it more obvious by bringing fish to the scene and letting people release them.
“It’s very memorable. My own
children can remember it from 30 years ago, just like it was yesterday. We know it is important when you can have that kind of an impact.”
Dobler said it is great for the salmon society to allow people to see the entire life cycle of salmon, from being released as fry to returning to spawn. Having the children attending both is part of the important educational component of the society’s activities.
“We are into education, and this is a large piece of that,” said Dobler. “I guess you’d call it the finishing touches. For education, we also have an online platform, and we have also had in-classroom incubators in the past, so it is all part of the program.”
Dobler said the salmon society’s volunteers are excited about events such as the expo and for Fry Day.
“They are always chomping at the bit to help,” said Dobler. “Today you’d see some of the volunteers that were here in the fall. We also have some new faces showing up annually and that is important for our growth.”
In terms of this year’s salmon stock, Dobler said the chinook collection was a little weak last year, but the society received some chinook eggs from the Qualicum
hatchery. He said the other species are doing well and it has been a successful season with a 92 to 93 per cent survival rate at the hatchery.
“In the incubation phase you usually lose five per cent and in the rearing phase, another two to three per cent,” said Dobler. “It’s been a good survival rate and it
has been an excellent team effort to care for the salmon. If you are sloppy, you won’t get that survival rate. We work to maintain a great survival rate year in and year out by being careful and efficient.
“I’m really happy with how things have gone. It is a real community effort. We get great, positive feed-
back and that is what really helps keep our volunteers going.”
As for the children who attended Fry Day, Dobler said by releasing the fry, the salmon have been imprinted with Lang Creek, and the children attending have been imprinted as a new generation of salmon champions.
Ukrainian-Heiltsuk carver unveils art piece
Family history project a collaboration between artist, researchers and teachers
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Ukrainian-Heiltsuk carver Ivan Rosypskye unveiled his monumental art piece on Saturday, March 1, at Powell River Public Library (PRPL).
Alongside Rosypskye, Keith Carlson, who is the principal investigator for the project and a professor of history at University of the Fraser Valley, research
coordinator Alexis Klassen and teachers from Brooks Secondary School shared their involvement with the project.
Carving Lost Family
History is a collaborative initiative bringing together artists and researchers in an effort to repatriate knowledge to families and empower artists through the sharing of their stories.
Rosypskye's carving was inspired by the coming together of his parents: his dad who is Ukrainian and his mom who is Heiltsuk First Nation; two people from two oppressed and colonized communities.
Rosypskye's final work displays Heiltsuk crests in Coast Salish style: the eagle, the raven, the whale and the wolf, and a Ukrainian crest carved into a red cedar slab. He worked on the piece at PRPL and Brooks.
The final work was on display at PRPL until March 8. Klassen said the carving will be taken back to University of the Fraser Valley and put on display until it is purchased.
"If it does sell, the proceeds will be shared between Ivan and funding another Indigenous artist to do a similar project in the future," added Klassen.
The carving event that took place last year in the qathet region is part of a larger research project initiated by Rosypskye, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, and University of the Fraser Valley.
NET RESULT: Fisheries and Oceans Canada community advisory Jim Wilson [left], and Powell River Salmon Society employee Jonah Hill, netted chum salmon fry at Fry Day and put them in cups so children could release the salmon into Lang Creek. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
LOST HISTORY: On Saturday, March 1, qathet resident and Ukrainian-Heiltsuk carver Ivan Rosypskye unveiled his monumental art piece: Carving Lost Family History project, at Powell River Public Library. SUSAN FLETCHER PHOTO
NEWS » QUICK PEAK
Council limits CF discussion
Large crowd assembles regarding budgetary proposal to limit community forest contributions to nonprofits
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Residents wanting to voice opposition to proposed cuts to nonprofit organization contributions from Powell River Community Forest were thwarted by City of Powell River’s new procedure bylaw.
The public gallery at the March 6 city council meeting was filled to standing room only, following a proposal during the second draft of the city’s budget to limit nonprofit contributions to 10 per cent of a three-year rolling average of community forest dividends.
Council’s new procedure bylaw was adopted on February 20, and at the beginning of the meeting, mayor Ron Woznow asked acting corporate officer Stephen Fleming to outline rules pertaining to the new public input portion of meetings, which occurs at the beginning of council and committee of the whole meetings. Fleming said the public input period only allowed statements on legislative matters, committee recommendations and new business.
“There is no item on today’s agenda dealing with the upcoming 2025 budget,” said Fleming.
He also outlined that there was a new business item dealing with establishing a working group with membership from city
council and the community forest.
During public input, first up was Mark Hassett, a board member of Powell River Community Forest. He said he was speaking on his own behalf and not speaking for the community forest.
“As I understand, you are proposing to take all the community forest funds into general revenue and grant up to 10 per cent, to a limit of $250,000 per year, to the nonprofits,” said Hassett.
“Currently, the nonprofit average portion is $840,000.
The city average annual portion is $1.26 million. If the city increases to 90 per cent, that would be $630,000 more, which would be a tax decrease of 2.3 per cent.
“You do not have a revenue problem, you have a spending problem. Non-essential spending must stop.”
Councillor Trina Isakson said she wanted to raise a point of order. She said she would like to remind the mayor and council that the public input period is specific to items on the agenda.
“While the community forest is on the agenda today in the form of the working group, the budget-related decisions of the community forest are actually going to
be on an upcoming agenda,” said Isakson. “I would ask for council and for speakers to be reminded of the fact that if we want to follow the procedure bylaw we recently implemented, we need to focus on the actual items that are listed in our procedure bylaw.
“The topic related to the community forest tonight is if the public has input on whether or not a working group should be formed.”
Next up was Kim BartonBridges, who said she was speaking to the motion regarding forming a working group between the city and the community forest.
“When you have that working group together, I would like you to speak to the groups [of nonprofits] involved,” said Barton-Bridges.
Woznow said that was a sufficient point and it had been noted.
“We seem to have a difficulty understanding respect for council procedure,” added Woznow. “I know everybody wants to talk, but if you want council to listen, you have to respect council and the procedure bylaw.”
During the public clarification section of the meeting, formerly known as question period, Janet May, another
community forest board member, asked at what meetings would the community forest fund be discussed. She said the matter came up at a special council meeting on February 27.
“A motion that was a big mistake happened, but I had no idea it was happening,” said May.
City chief administrative officer Lisa Bhopalsingh said prior to the budget being presented in draft one, the chief financial officer provided a schedule for all different budget considerations.
She said the next time the 2025 budget will come up for council consideration will be March 20.
Councillor Earl Almeida said people can register to be delegations to committee of the whole and council meetings, so requests can be made to appear, with a five-minute presentation window.
The final question came from Rod Tysdal, vicepresident of Powell River Community Forest. He said the community forest looks forward to meeting with the working group, starting the following week.
“We would like to get that going,” said Tysdal. “I just want you to know that this is the best community forest
City CAO resigns
City of Powell River chief administrative officer Lisa Bhopalsingh has accepted a position with City of Nanaimo and will be leaving her employ here.
At the March 6 city council meeting, mayor Ron Woznow said that unfortunately, he had to advise that the city’s chief administrative officer has accepted a position with another local government and will be leaving her current position.
“We thank Lisa for her service to the city and wish her the very best with her new endeavours,” said Woznow.
“Council will begin the process of filling this important role prior to Lisa’s departure on April 17.”
in British Columbia,” said Tysdal.
Woznow asked if Tysdal had a question.
Tysdal asked, regarding communication, does council think the reason the communication between the community forest and the city became so bad was because the community forest didn’t receive any response to correspondence dated January 9 regarding city appropriations from the community forest fund. He said the correspondence was not posted on the city website and the community forest is not sure if it was circulated to councillors.
“Is that the reason communication has broken down so much since then?”
asked Tysdal. “This is the letter where we asked you to rescind the 10/90 split.”
Bhopalsingh said she believed the letter was shared with council.
Tysdal said a reply had not been received and it wasn’t posted on the city’s website. He then outlined the various city amenities that have been purchased because of the community forest.
Tysdal and Woznow then got in an argument over procedures, whereupon the exchange ended and the council meeting was adjourned.
Bhopalsingh was hired by City of Powell River in September 2023.
Trustee sought
At the qathet School District board meeting on Wednesday, February 26, board chairperson Jaclyn Miller announced that the 2025 school trustee byelection will take place on April 12.
“The [by-election] is a vital opportunity for community members to contribute to the governance of our educational system,” said Miller. “The nomination package for one seat is now available for prospective candidates.”
There will be advance voting opportunities as well as mail in ballots.
“We urge those passionate about education and community service to consider this impactful role,” added Miller.
Approves expense
qathet Regional District’s board has approved $5,000 for computer equipment for qathet Museum and Archives. The expenditure will come from the heritage conservation service budget.
WANTED INPUT: City of Powell River Council chambers were at capacity when a large group assembled to hear and provide input about the city’s draft budget provision to limit community nonprofit group contributions from Powell River Community Forest. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
Housing overview received
Representatives from supporting agencies explain why a new facility is needed
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River councillors were provided an overview of the proposed supportive housing facility adjacent to qathet General Hospital by agencies involved in working to establish the facility.
At the March 4 committee of the whole meeting, spokespersons from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), BC Housing and Lift Community Services addressed councillors, outlining their reasons for establishing the new facility.
City chief administrative officer Lisa Bhopalsingh said the presentation was in response to an invitation to BC Housing and VCH in November 2024 to speak about the complex care housing and for council to receive clarity on service levels provided.
Naomi Brunemeyer, director of regional development with BC Housing, said it was important to discuss that work on the project has been ongoing for some time.
Dr. Moliehi Khaketla said in her role as a specialist physician in public health as a medical health officer with VCH, she has the privilege of providing support for all public health programs within the region.
“Housing is an important determinant of health, and it is foundational to our health and well-
being,” said Khaketla. “People who are experiencing homelessness generally have higher rates of illness, higher rates of injury, higher rates of death, and being homeless can lead to worsening health problems. Having secure, safe and affordable housing, particularly that which is wrapped around individualized care and support, helps to improve in many different ways the health of people who are experiencing homelessness.
“We are now aware of a growing body of evidence around the public health impact of having this type of support in our communities.
Permanent supportive housing significantly reduces homelessness and increases chances of people being housed for a longer period.”
Permanent supportive housing is associated with improvement in specific health outcomes, said Khaketla. There is additional benefit when case management is incorporated on site with permanent supportive housing, she added.
“Permanent supportive housing is able to reduce emergency room visits as well as hospitalization,” said Khaketla. “From a public health perspective, we have robust and substantial evidence that shows the positive public health benefits from permanent supportive housing.”
Lift executive director Kim Markel said there is an obvious need in the community for additional supportive housing with a permanent shelter and support services.
“This was demonstrated in 2023 when Lift supported the community’s first point in time homelessness count, in which 126 individuals were identified as experiencing
homelessness,” said Markel.
She added that the 2025 count took place on March 7.
“We also see the need played out in the people who are accessing our temporary emergency shelter,” said Markel. “In the last year, more than 120 unique individuals accessed that shelter, and so far this year, we have sheltered 56 unique individuals experiencing homelessness.”
Markel said the current supportive housing has 44 tenants, all of whom resided in the community prior to moving into the facility. She said there is a low vacancy and turnover rate within the building, so people in qathet wait extended periods of time to access supportive housing units, sometimes for years.
Brunemeyer said BC Housing had been working with the city during the pandemic to help people who were unable to shelter.
“We wanted to make sure we protected them by bringing them indoors during the pandemic,” said Brunemeyer. “We have a responsibility to this community and to those folks to rehouse them.”
Brunemeyer said an opportunity arose to build some new infrastructure. At the same time, the shelter operated by Lift needed a permanent home. She said the conversation went beyond bringing unhoused people indoors and giving them a permanent supportive housing facility. It involved adding on complex care housing and adding a permanent shelter for the community.
“What we are committed to doing at BC Housing is to fund all the development and construction costs, as well as provide ongoing
operational funding to the shelter, and to the supportive housing,” said Brunemeyer. “City of Powell River is currently the owner of the land and that would be your provision for a minimum time commitment.
“Tla’amin Nation is a direct partner in the complex care. Tla’amin will have a relationship with the proposed complex care housing.”
Brunemeyer said VCH is a significant funder, and Lift is the chosen operator.
“We have the opportunity to provide up to 43 supportive housing units,” said Brunemeyer. “Those are affordable studio apartments. They are self-contained. The support services that will be offered to those tenants will be provided by Lift.
“Some will have the added complex care housing services that are funded by VCH, in partnership with Tla’amin Nation. We are adding capacity to this community and we are adding a new service delivery model through the complex care at this location.”
At the November 7, 2024, city council meeting, councillors gave three readings to two bylaws that would result in the permanent closure and removal of the highway dedication on the land on which the supportive housing complex is proposed to be located, and also to amend the city’s zoning bylaw for construction of the facility. The bylaws await adoption.
Mayor Ron Woznow and councillor Jim Palm both voted against the three readings of the bylaws.
REASONS GIVEN: Representatives from BC Housing, Vancouver Coastal Health, Tla’amin Nation and Lift Community Services spoke to City of Powell River councillors about the proposed new supportive housing and complex care facility proposed to be located adjacent to qathet General Hospital. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Recreation funding decision deferred
Regional district board refers contribution for recreation complex back to finance committee
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
A recommendation for qathet Regional District (qRD) to send a contribution toward Powell River Recreation Complex has been forwarded to the regional district’s finance committee.
At the February 26 regional board meeting, directors from Electoral Areas A, B and C considered a recommendation that those electoral districts contribute $238,244 to City of Powell River for the Powell River recreation service.
Electoral Area C director and board chair Clay Brander said that making the contribution was the right thing to do.
“We are working together with the local government of the city,” said Brander. “We have an agreement that has expired, but as a show of good faith, we can move this forward, like the previous five years of the agreement. It would be
poor of us not to come forth and offer that amount, especially given that in the three electoral areas that are involved in this, the voters said when we had the referendum that they were heavily in support of Area A, B and C tax dollars going in support of the recreation centre.
“It’s the right way to go and the responsible way to go. With the [qRD recreation] service review, we hope to get an agreement in place this coming year, but to penalize the city, especially since the voters said they want to support it, is the wrong thing to do.”
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox asked if the contribution was in the qRD financial draft. General manager of financial administration Linda Greenan said most of it was in the budget. She said there was $233,000 allocated in the budget, so the figure in the recommendation would require a bit of an adjustment to bring it to $238,244.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said what was being discussed was an agreement between the regional district and the municipality for recreation funding. He said the first agreement expired in 2023, so it wasn’t in place last year.
“We still don’t have it,” said Gisborne. “We haven’t even had a sit-down conversation with the
municipality. I’m not opposed to putting the money aside, so that way, when we do have a sit-down conversation with mayor and council, we can say: this is how much we’ve got on the table for at least this year, and that way, we can move forward.
“One of the reasons why I very much support the principle of the contribution funding agreement is because the funding agreement outlines the amount, and this is what we get locked in for five years. What that means is we don’t have a big argument every year about what the contribution amount is. We come to an agreement, and for the next five years, we move forward.”
Gisborne said he was in support of working with the city to determine what is this year’s contribution. He said he was opposed to the motion to make the $238,244 contribution to the city until there is a conversation with the city. City director Cindy Elliott said that if the city cannot confirm the budget for the recreation centre and have commitments for revenue that makes sense for the city, it may be required for the city to mitigate that risk by slashing services.
“The community loves our rec centre,” said Elliott. “We are trying to provide good services and the
Real estate sales increase
Figures for February 2025
better than those of February 2024
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Real estate figures for February 2025 were much more robust than those from February 2024, according to a local real estate official.
Powell River Sunshine
Coast Real Estate Board president Curtis Yungen said in February this year, there were 80 total new listings, compared to almost half of that in February 2024, where there were only 45 new listings. He said that in February 2025, there were very similar numbers for units sold as in January of this year. He added that there had been a small decrease in median price for single-family homes, from $692,000 in January to $639,900 in February.
“However, the median
ALLOCATION DELAYED: qathet Regional District’s board of directors referred a decision to grant $238,244 in funding for City of Powell River’s
rec centre is a good service. That was the intention and that is what people voted on.”
Brander said it was important for the city to know what it was working with to set its budget for the year.
“This is a no-brainer for me,” said Brander. “The residents of our three areas voted heavily in favour of supporting the rec centre. The numbers in front of us are based on a formula that has been approved in past years for funding this service. In the spirit of working together, which is what the local governments are supposed to be trying to do, we can all benefit. The services of the rec centre are
enjoyed by people in all three of our areas.”
Lennox said he supported the recreation complex as well.
“We are all in agreement the recreation complex is important and speaking for Area A, we are prepared to pay our share,” said Lennox. “A lot of points raised that are relevant to the subject will be identified in the service review and that’s where we need to get the answers about subregional recreation.”
The board voted to send the matter back to the finance committee rather than making the contribution to the city’s recreation complex at the board meeting.
price was an increase from February 2024, where the price for a single-family home was $583,000,” said Yungen.
In the single-family homes category, in February 2025, there were 17 units sold, valued at $11,548,700, compared to 15 units sold in February 2024, valued at $9,686,800.
In the mobiles and manufactured homes category, there was one sale, valued at $743,000 in February 2025, compared to none in February 2024. There were six sales of
condos, duplexes and apartments in February 2025, valued at $2,727,900, compared to four sales in February 2024, valued at $1,462,700.
Residential totals indicated 24 sales, valued at $15,019,600, in February 2025, compared to 19 sales, valued at $11,149,700, in February 2024.
In the nonresidential category, in February 2025, there were two parcels of vacant land sold, valued at $590,000, compared to four sales, valued at $1,388,000, in February 2024. There was one industrial, com-
mercial and institutional sale in February 2024, valued at $45,000, and none in February 2025.
Totals for nonresidential show two sales, valued at $590,000, in February 2025, compared to five sales in February 2024, valued at $1,433,000.
Grand total for February 2025 is 26 sales, valued at $15,609,600, compared to 24 sales in February 2024, valued at $12,582,700.
There were 62 new residential listings in February 2025 and 18 nonresidential, for the 80 new listings. At
the end of February 2025, there were 168 active residential listings and 63 nonresidential, for a total of 231 active listings.
Average price of a singlefamily dwelling in February 2025 was $679,335, with an average of 82 days on the market, compared to $625,853 in February 2024, with an average of 58 days on the market.
Year-to-date, new listings are up 43.33 per cent over 2024. There has been an increase in sales of 19.35 per cent and an increase in median price of 9.98 per cent.
recreation service back to the finance committee for further discussion.
PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
VIEWPOINT
NDP is backpedalling on promises
By Geoff White and Carolyn Minchin
Just three months have passed and the NDP are already backpedalling on their promises.
Last week it was announced that they were cancelling the $1,000 per household grocery rebate citing “four years of unpredictability” from the United States and the unknown impacts of “reckless” and “destabilizing” tariffs. How very convenient.
Four years of unpredictability were looming when premier David Eby made his sweeping promises in an effort to be re-elected. Now, more than ever, given all of the uncertainty and tariffs, the people on the Sunshine Coast who voted to keep the NDP on for another four years are in need of that rebate. Undoubtedly, it was one of the many promises they were counting on. We are not two of these people, having voted BC Conservative.
Interestingly, the BC Conservatives said they could deliver on this by 2026. Clearly, they “saw the writing on the wall” and took a realistic approach.
Unfortunately, realistic approaches don’t win
LETTERS »
New challenges
I am writing regarding the Peak’s opinion piece [Editorial: Community Backbone,” March 6] on the allocation of Powell River Community Forest’s (PRCF) dividends. For 70 years, our municipality benefitted from the taxes paid by the mill. With the shutdown of the mill those taxes have been significantly reduced and will remain that way until new owners can attract industries. This loss of revenue has and will create new challenges across the community, including nonprofits that have come to rely on PRCF dividends in order to fund their programs. During this transition period, city staff will make recommendations to council and, with input from the PRCF board and the public, council will make the best decisions it can
We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional and treaty lands of the Tla’amin people.
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votes, empty promises do.
Where are the four doctors who were promised? Maybe they’re waiting on one of the 300,000 houses to be built (another promise) or might they require the “Opening Doors to Home Ownership Plan” (another promise) where the NDP are budgeting (spending) 1.29 billion dollars to finance 40 per cent of their home purchase?
Lest you have forgotten, there’s also $500 million coming for expansion of child care spaces, the senior supplement is to increase from $50 to $149 per month and 300 million trees per year will be planted to mitigate climate change.
Perhaps this is an opportune time for Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Randene Neill to address these promises with her constituents which, though not crafted by her, were made by her party and, undoubtedly, helped her win the election.
Geoff White and Carolyn Minchin are Sechelt residents.
for the benefit of the greatest number of residents.
As a person with one council vote, I take seriously my responsibility to vote on the allocation of PRCF funds in a way that will result in maximum benefits to our citizens.
I anticipate continuing to support the city staff’s recommendation to reallocate some PRCF dividends.
Ron Woznow, mayor, City of Powell River
Point of order
Maybe City of Powell River councillor
Trina Isakson missed out on childhood fairy tales. Cutting the head off the goose that lays the golden eggs does not give access to all the eggs inside. Indeed, cutting the head off the goose renders the goose dead and the
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supply of eggs diminished to zero.
I watched the February 27 special council meeting webcast in horror as most city council members openly planned to lay siege to Powell River Community Forest’s yearly dividend [“CFO outlines taxation changes,” March 6].
Councillors discussed the creation of a “working group” led by Isakson, who would attempt to convince the community forest board of directors to embrace a new dividend disbursement formula, allowing the city to have unfettered access to the estimated $3,000,000 dividend to pour into the abyss of general revenues, leaving an annual 10 per cent stipend for nonprofits (approximately $250,000 to split between them all).
Councillor Jim Palm begged city council to first meet with the Powell River Community
Forest board to grasp a better understanding of how things work before meddling with the nonprofit granting process.
Nonprofits of the city and region can seek elsewhere for their new Orca Bus, clubhouse roofs, covered equine training facilities and other special projects (prcommunityforest. ca/projects). And let’s not forget to mention scholarships funded by Powell River Community Forest.
Show up to the meetings and watch this council stagger from incompetent motion to incompetent decision to inept execution of each citizen-burdening, debt-ridden, goldplated benefit for individual councillors. And if they have their way, maybe funded by Powell River Community Forest dividends. Chair? Point of order!
Roger Whittaker, Powell River
services director
KINAHAN sales and marketing consultant
GERI ANDERSON admin/office manager
EARL ALMEIDA circulation director
TANYA HILL reporter
KELLY KEIL publisher SHANE CARLSON editor PAUL GALINSKI reporter
SANDY
Couple shares video of adventure
Cold, sunny days ideal for snowshoeing in the backcountry
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Hikers Karen and Clark Slootweg took advantage of sunny, cold days in the qathet region by snowshoeing the backcoun-
try mountains this past January/February. So far this year, the couple has traversed the snow-covered ranges of Mount Freda, Little Knucklehead, and on February 11, climbed to the top of Walt Ridge, where they shared warm cups of coffee from their thermos.
Karen and Clark shared a YouTube video of drone footage from their recent adventures in the snow. To watch the video, type Adventure Hikes Powell River, BC-Clarke Slootweg into the web browser.
Liberal candidate chosen for riding
Sointula resident
Jennifer Lash will run in the next federal election
On March 3, the Liberal Party of Canada announced that Sointula resident Jennifer Lash will be its candidate for North Island-Powell River in the next federal election.
Lash has lived in Sointula for 27 years, working in the not-for-profit sector and volunteering with community and national organizations. She recently served as a senior advisor to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
“I raised my family and built my career on the North Island and I understand that our communities are shaped by compassion, responsibility and practicality,” stated Lash, in a media release. “If I am elected, I will make sure these values are at the heart of our government and reflected in our policies and programs.”
Lash has spent her professional career working at the intersection of
the economy, ocean conservation, climate change and reconciliation. From Sointula, she started the Living Oceans Society, a not-for-profit organization that advocated for ocean policies that were informed by scientific information and knowledge from people who live and work on the coast. She also started the Sisu Institute, where she provided strategy and communications support to communities, Indigenous groups and environmental organizations working to advance federal policies to address climate change.
Always active in her community, Lash served on the board of the local Parent Advisory Council, the Sointula Co-op, and Mount Cain Alpine Park Society. She can often be found emceeing and working the concession at community events. She has a BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Climate Leadership from Royal Roads University.
“Neither the NDP nor the CPC have the skills to take on Donald Trump and his threat of tariffs, nor do they have credible plans to support resilient communities, build more homes and make life affordable,” stated Lash. “As the
Inexperienced
Senses
Wreck
Horse’s sound
Fence bar
Look like
Florida Key, e.g.
Gal of song
Purple fruit
Dogs and gerbils
Old pronoun
Golfers’ pegs
Liberal candidate, I will offer concrete solutions that make a difference.”
Also seeking to represent North Island-Powell River as MP are Aaron Gunn (Conservative Party of Canada) and Tanille Johnston (New Democratic Party).
BACKCOUNTRY: Karen [left] and Clark Slootweg took advantage of the sunny and cold days this February to snowshoe up Walt Ridge. SLOOTWEG DRONE PHOTO
RIDING RUNNER: Jennifer Lash is the latest candidate to enter the race to be the new MP for North Island-Powell River. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Festival finale
qathet Festival of the Performing Arts held its Grand Concert at Evergreen Theatre on Saturday, March 8, preceded by a red carpet event featuring selected participants in disciplines including dance, choir and vocal, strings, piano and speech arts. The longest-running event in the region marked 81 years with a variety of performers taking the stage to close the 2025 edition of the festival. Rotary Club of Powell River has hosted the annual event for the past 22 years.
Research answers relevant questions
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
For many, the idea of scholarship and research, while a worthy undertaking in a society that values knowledge, sometimes seems stuck in an ivory tower, stuffy library or a university classroom removed from the greater community.
But, for folks like professor of history at the University of the Fraser Valley Keith Carlson, working in partnership with communities is by design, the key to what meaningful scholarship and research is all about: answering questions that are relevant to those communities.
Carlson, who grew up in qathet, was here recently for the presentation and culmination of a project called: Carving Lost Family History; a carving event and research project initiated by qathet-based UkrainianHeiltsuk artist Ivan Rosypskye, the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, and University of the Fraser Valley.
"[With my research] I try to meet different nonprof-
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its, Indigenous groups, but it could be municipalities or any sort of organization that's community anchored and looking to do research," said Carlson. "Then we'll set up a research team."
Instead of being contracted by a university, Carlson said they will look for a corporate or community sponsor for the project.
For Rosypskye's project, Carlson was the principal investigator and Alexis Klassen, a Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies student [now graduated] from the University of the Fraser Valley, was tasked to dig into Rosypskye's Ukrainian family history.
"We'll design a project so it's got the academic parameters to figure out how long it will take," said Carlson. "I provide through my [tierone Canada research chair in Indigenous and communityengaged history] position, my time, because I'm federally funded, so I'm not having to generate a bunch of bums and seats for tuition dollars."
Carlson said he brainstormed for ideas on how to get the research his teams
does with communities out into the public sphere and make it meaningful.
"There's two ways to make it meaningful, from my perspective: one is if you connect with artists, they can become knowledge translators and take that information [the research] and transform it into something artistic," said Carlson. "Also, if you can reach K-12 educa-
Ivan and we put together the idea for the project," said Carlson. "The research involved reading carefully, peer-reviewed sources, but then doing original research into Ivan's family's history."
Carlson said they accessed digitized European archives that led to finding tragic things out about the Nazi era and what happened to Rosypskye's [Ukrainian]
The research involved reading carefully, peer-reviewed sources, but then doing original research into Ivan’s family’s history.
KEITH CARLSON
PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FRASER VALLEY
tors, it's actually going to be going somewhere [ students learning]."
The Peak reported previously that Carlson applied for a grant open to anyone studying UkrainianIndigenous relations, and that's when he thought of Rosypskye.
"I knew Ivan when I was a kid and knew he is now a carver, and so I contacted
grandparents.
"The idea was to help repatriate that family history back to Ivan,” added Carlson, “and then he could create a piece of art that would tell a story that would be thought-provoking to students and the general public about colonialism from both his mother's side in Canada [Heiltsuk] and what happened in Ukraine.”
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Professor of history at the University of the Fraser Valley Keith Carlson and his research team worked with artist Ivan Rosypskye on a project titled: Carving Lost Family History. TANYA HILL PHOTO
Warriors oust Regals from playoffs
West Kootenay team wins pair of close games at Hap Parker Arena
SHANE CARLSON editor@prpeak.com
Powell River Regals held a third period lead in game one of a best-of-three Coy Cup qualification series on Friday, March 7, but gave up four third period goals in a loss to their West Kootenay opponents.
Rossland Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the first period, then fought back from a pair of one goal, second period deficits with a strong final frame to win 6-4 at Hap Parker Arena.
“We definitely had some
nervous energy, which led to a few penalties,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “We did kill off all of them, except for late in a five-minute major in the first period.”
Regals’ captain Jack Long scored Powell River’s first of three goals in the second period with a shot from the blue line, which eluded a screened Rossland goaltender. Bryson Cecconi gave the home team its first lead shortly thereafter, converting on a breakaway pass from Brock Sawyer with a deke to his forehand before lifting the puck into the top of the net. Nic Porchetta won a faceoff in his own end to earn the second assist.
Warriors made it 2-2 with 7:35 remaining in the second period. After Laszlo Tamasik made one of his 17 saves, an unchecked Rossland player sent the rebound past the
Powell River goaltender. Regals outshot the visitors by a margin of 44-23 overall in the game, including 20-4 in the second period.
Travis Granbois restored the Regals’ lead prior to intermission after one-timing a cross-ice pass from Sawyer
2025 POWELL RIVER MINOR BASEBALL REGISTRATION
into the back of the net.
Despite being heavily outshot, Rossland took control of the game with a tying goal 2:20 into the third period, then two more at the midway point 28 seconds apart to lead 5-3.
“We controlled the flow at five on five and should have built a healthy lead after two periods, but we ran into some hot goaltending,” said Regals’ assistant coach Scott Mastrodonato. “Our lack of scoring touch kept the game close and we fell apart in the third period. We didn't capitalize on a five on three power play and Rossland made the most of some opportunities, getting a few quick goals.
“They were very good in transition and capitalized on a few mistakes we made. Defensively, they made us pay for those mistakes and we saw some strange bounces as well, but that's how hockey goes sometimes.”
Long and Chad Niddery set up Cecconi’s second of the night, with just under two minutes remaining and Tamasik on the bench in favour of an extra attacker, but the Warriors thwarted any further attempts to tie the score and sealed the win with a late empty-net goal.
“We didn’t get the bounces we needed or execute on the power play, but I thought by
outshooting them we carried the play,” said English.
Game two
Rossland eliminated Powell River from further playoff action with a 4-3 win on March 8.
Long, Cecconi and Mac Roy scored for the Regals, who trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes and 3-2 following two periods.
Long opened the scoring with a shot from the point four minutes into the game, with assists by Sawyer and Niddery. Rossland tied it on a deflection just after their power play ended midway through the first period and took the lead four minutes later.
Regals’ forward Mitch Williams hit the post on a penalty shot early in a second period that was goalless until late in the frame when Porchetta and Niddery set up Cecconi’s third goal of the series at the 16:45 mark.
The tied score was shortlived, however, as the visitors responded to take the lead before Cecconi’s goal was even announced.
Rossland’s fourth goal and eventual game winner came on another power play with eight minutes remaining in the third period.
“It was a back and forth game, but just seemed like there was a lack of flow with
many untimely penalties,” said Mastrodonato. “We had our chances but found ourselves behind and running out of time.”
Roy (from Ethan Schmunk and Mike Behan) cut the deficit to 4-3 with a goal after a flurry of chances in front of the Warriors’ goal with 4:20 left, but the Regals took a roughing penalty while celebrating and had to kill off another penalty before pushing for a tying goal.
“It was a bit of frustration and disappointment with the overall outcome as we saw a lot of good things, but in the end the goals just weren't there,” said Mastrodonato. “We will learn and grow from this and come back next season with a desire to get better. We're still a young team looking to improve.”
With the win, Rossland clinched the best-of-three qualification series in two straight games and advanced to the provincial championship tournament in Prince Rupert later this month.
“We outshot our opponent 83 to 51 over the two games and carried most of the possession,” said English. “We are proud of our young team and we are very close to the next step. The support was undeniable; we thank all the sponsors and fans for being there for our team.”
CLOSE QUARTERS: Powell River Regals’ forward Trevor Burnett causes havoc by crashing the Rossland Warriors’ crease during a Coy Cup qualification game at Hap Parker Arena on Friday, March 7. SHANE CARLSON PHOTO
COMMUNITY »
Residents receive coronation medals
MP Rachel Blaney awards recipients for their service and contributions
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Four qathet region residents were honoured with a King Charles III Coronation Medal during a special ceremony at Tla’amin Nation’s Salish Centre on March 8.
According to the Government of Canada, 30,000 medals were given out to Canadians having made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or having made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
Presiding over the ceremony was North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney, who said awarding the medals was an opportunity to recognize people in the riding who are doing great things.
“For me, it’s such an honour to be able to showcase the recipients and say to them that their work really matters,” said Blaney. “That
is what makes me so proud to do it.”
Blaney added that there was a nomination process for the 22 medals distributed throughout the riding.
“There are a lot of people that I would have loved to have given a medal to as well, and making the selections was a lot of hard work,” said Blaney. “It has been a tremendous, terrific reminder that we have a lot of people in our region that do really good things for their communities.”
The four recipients of the King Charles II Coronation Medal were Jane Waterman, Elsie Paul, Kenneth Stewart and Doreen Point. Paul was unable to attend the ceremony and will be presented with her medal at a later date.
Blaney’s office provided the following information about the recipients: Jane Waterman has worked tirelessly to provide restorative justice services to the qathet region since 2004. She was an integral player in starting the Texada Island Restorative Justice Program and has been volunteering for 20 years as a caseworker, coordinator and board chair. Her colleagues see Waterman as an unbelievable advocate for community building and justice, who leads from behind with
strength, perseverance and humility.
Waterman has advocated for restorative justice services stating that: “If the youth are willing to take responsibility for their actions, restorative justice is a very good avenue to take. Restorative justice can reduce costs, and, in the end, promotes public safety by providing healing, reparation and reintegration into the community.”
The benefits to those affected in her community have been realized given her steadfast dedication to this cause.
Elsie Paul, whose traditional name is qɑʔɑχstɑles, which translates to, "a welcoming person with a wealth of knowledge, someone who shares her culture," is an elder and knowledge keeper for Tla'amin Nation. She is a residential school survivor and one of the few living people to speak the Tla'amin language fluently. She holds an honorary doctorate degree from Vancouver Island University and has co-authored a book, Written as I Remember it: Teachings From the Life of a Sliammon Elder
In 1972, Paul took on the position of administrator in the social services department in Tla'amin, where she worked for 24 years. She
was one of the founders of the Tsow-Tun-Lelum House Treatment Centre; she served as justice of the peace in victim support services and aboriginal policing; and she also taught part-time at Malaspina College.
Paul was elected to band council and served until she retired in 1999.
In 2016, Kenneth Stewart became the commander for Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps in Powell River, where he has taught and engaged young cadets with a focus on developing the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, promoting physical fitness and stimulating an interest in the Canadian Armed Forces. He has proven his dedication in teaching
young cadets about social responsibilities, cultural influences, anti-drug use, anti-bullying and positive lifestyles.
Stewart joined the sea cadets in 1979, when he was only 13 years old. The experience, he said, taught him a sense of respect, discipline and to work as a crew, problem solving and leadership. He continued his involvement with the Royal Canadian Navy with the naval reserve and continued his own learning to become a commissioned officer and hone his skills with training about youth and child development.
Tla’amin elder Doreen Point, whose traditional name is Les.Pet, is a residen-
tial school survivor. Point worked as a teacher’s aide in Powell River for 15 years. Through the mid-1980s to early 2000s, Point attended the native education centre. Upon graduation she worked at the Social Planning and Research Council of BC. During this time, she and her husband were the first aboriginal foster parents in the province, fostered children for 20 years and adopted four of these children.
In 1999, Point was one of six women who founded the Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents, and remained its treasurer for 20 years. As an elder, Point continues to share the benefits of her compassion and learnings with her community.
School district promotes food literacy
Great Big Crunch event encourages healthy eating
Students in qathet School District (qSD) participated in the Great Big Crunch last week, an annual national event that promotes healthy eating and food literacy by encouraging everyone to take a synchronized bite of a crisp apple or an-
other crunchy snack. It also raises awareness about the importance of nutritious, locally sourced food. Plenty of healthy snacks were made available, aiming to get the students to join in. Kindergarten to grade 12 students across the school district joined the coast-to-coastto-coast event, enjoying a great big bite of crunchy snacks such as carrots, apples, peas, celery and pickles, provided by qSD.
To add to the fun and excite-
ment, some teachers and staff were blindfolded for a Crunch Challenge. Local firefighters were also on hand to help distribute snacks. Powell River Professional Firefighters Association supports food programs in qSD schools.
“A big thank-you to the Powell River firefighters, who support the district’s school food programs, for joining in the fun and helping distribute the snacks,” qSD stated. “The Great Big Crunch was a great big success.”
CRUNCHY CRAVING: Westview Elementary School students [from left] Dax Ellis, Sawyer Hanson, Rivers Martin, Sora Takahashi, Sage Irvine took part in the Great Big Crunch on March 5. QATHET SCHOOL DISTRICT PHOTO
OUTSTANDING LEADERS: Taking part in the recent King Charles III Coronation Medal ceremony were [from left] Jane Waterman, North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney, Doreen Point and Kenneth Stewart. Also receiving a reward was Elsie Paul, who was unable to attend the ceremony. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
BENSON, Nora Lea
October 28, 1941 – February 22, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Nora Lea Benson on February 22, 2025. She was at home, surrounded by her loving family as her spirit took flight after a long and courageous battle with PAH / COPD
Nora Lea was predeceased by parents George and Clara Flegg, brother Bill, and sister Brenda. She is survived by her brother John Flegg (Lynda), her husband Richard, and their children Kathleen (Brent), John (Kelly), Marielle, and Joel (Zoe), three grandchildren (Sam, Sonora, Zoe) and two great grandchildren (Sila, Eden).
Nora Lea was born in Oshawa, Ontario on October 28, 1941 She was a creative and artistic young lady who loved horses and dreamed of being a cowboy Becoming a Girl Guide instead was a noble substitute She participated in Guides throughout her youth, earning a Gold Cord, and befriending a fellow Guide pen pal in England to whom she wrote for 70 years. Many of Nora Lea’s childhood friends remained close to her for her entire life, which speaks to her special gift for developing deep and authentic connections with al those around her.
After high school, Nora Lea studied journalism at Ryerson in Toronto and began her career as a newspaper reporter at the Oshawa Times. During her fledgling years in this pursuit, she met and fell in love with Richard Benson. They married in 1964 and soon afterward the newlywed couple left Toronto as Richard’s work transferred him to London, Ontario. Over the next seven joyful years they created their joint masterpiece: a family Not long after their fourth child was born, the family moved to Alberta for another work transfer. Nora Lea gracefully rose to the challenge with an utterly positive outlook and an amazing ability to settle into a new community, including new friends, and involvement in parish activities. The young family had landed in Edmonton, but within several years a decision was made to move out of the city onto an acreage near Ardrossan. This would be home for the next 25 years. The once aspiring cowboy finally had her horses…and the family enjoyed many happy years living close to nature
As the children grew up and left home for post-secondary education, Nora Lea’s connection to and involvement with the parish evolved into an opportunity to work within the walls of prisons with those serving time She sat on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Edmonton Maximum Security Prison and then acted as an interim RC chaplain at the Fort Saskatchewan Penitentiary Nora Lea’s compassion and ability to see goodness in everyone made her a powerful and beloved ally to the inmates she served.
After Richard’s retirement, Nora Lea initiated a driving vacation to the Sunshine Coast. Her love of unscripted road trips unexpectedly led to a new and beautiful chapter in her life. After spending time in Powell River and falling madly in love with everything about it, she and Richard decided to move there in 2005.
Nora Lea’s generous and creative spirit thrived in Powell River. Participation in the local dog therapy program with visits to seniors in care, schools and library events called upon her love of people and their well-being Weekly art gatherings with friends and the participation in a small hiking group of longtime Powell Riverites added to enjoyable activities. The welcome mat was always out for family and friends nation-wide who greatly enjoyed a coastal holiday and time visiting in Powell River.
Those that knew Nora Lea will always remember her extraordinary capacity to love, to listen, to laugh, and to make all around her feel accepted and seen She was a woman of unique style, elegance and grace. Not to mention the most dedicated Blue Jays fan you would ever hope to meet Life has been truly wonderful and Nora Lea’s profound love of friends and family and concern for their well-being will always be felt as we adjust to this most precious missing part of our universe.
The care and support of Dr Yahaya, the Clinic staff and the home care and palliative care team has been invaluable in the last few weeks and the medical assistance received from Qathet General Hospital has been greatly appreciated.
A gathering of friends and family will be held at a later date to be announced. Thanks to all who have reached out with messages of love and support for Nora Lea and our family
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh (A.A Milne)
The City of Powell River is about to pass our Financial Plan and Budget for FY2025. Our proposed budget for FY2025 includes the purchase of 9 pickup trucks and vans, 2 dump trucks, 2 garbage trucks, and a tractor. The total budgeted cost in FY2025 for these vehicles is $3,211,000.00. The pickup trucks and vans alone are budgeted to cost $1,271,000.00.
It’s pretty safe to say these will be Made in the USA.
I call on the Mayor and Councillors to move the budget for all vehicles from FY2025 to FY2026.
Our neighbours are already losing their jobs due to the illegal tariffs imposed by the United States of America. The strongest message is to implement a policy that we will not buy goods and services from the USA, so long as these illegal tariffs are in place.
Start this policy by moving the purchase of all vehicles from FY2025 to FY2026.
There will be the added benefit of immediate tax relief in FY2025 when we most need it.
When you have taken this action, please write to the following, with these details: our city name, the number of vehicles that will not be purchased in FY2025, and the value of these. Post these details on the Home page of our website.
Mary Barra, CEO GMC, mary.barra@gm.com
Jim Farley, CEO Ford, jfarley@ford.com Christine Feuell, CEO Stellantis, christine@stellantis.com
Elbows Up!
Thank-you, Kathryn Hjorleifson
I am a senior (74+) and live on a fixed income. That’s a lot easier than no income. I have received no external funding to place this ad.
Temporary Use Permit 012
Notice is hereby given under Section 494 of the Local Government Act of Council’s intention to consider issuance of Temporary Use Permit 012 at the Council meeting scheduled for March 20, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River. Such resolution shall state:
That Temporary Use Permit 012 be issued for 3225 Cariboo Avenue, as outlined in red on the map below and legally described as Lot 3 (See BF184718) Block F District Lot 1424 Plan 12551 (PID 017-781-311) to allow a Craft Liquor Distillery with accessory bottling use in the C4 (Tourist Commercial) Zone of City of Powell River Zoning Bylaw 2100, 2006. For greater clarity, this property is part of the larger Beach Gardens Marina & Resort operations. Note that Temporary Use Permit 003 to allow a Craft Liquor Distillery with accessory bottling use at the subject site had previously been approved by Council and issued on August 9, 2021. That permit has expired, and a new temporary use permit application has been submitted by the applicant to allow the use to continue.
Copies of proposed Temporary Use Permit 012 and the associated staff report may be requested through Planning Services, (604) 485-8650 or can be accessed at www. powellriver.ca. Those that want to provide comments to Council regarding the application can do so in writing. 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 March 20, 2025.
