The Cowichan Valley Regional District says it is joining other regional districts in expressing frustration over the provincial government’s decision to exclude residential mattresses from a five-year recycling action plan.
According to the district, the plan is part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, which aims to ensure producers take full responsibility for the lifecycle of their products and remove the end-of-life costs from local governments and taxpayers.
CVRD board chair Kate Segall said she is extremely disappointed by the government’s change of position and the decision to shift the costs to taxpayers.
“The Ministry of Environment and Parks plan states that a formalized province-wide EPR program will help British Columbians by eliminating the barriers that are preventing many from being able to recycle their used mattresses,” she said. “The cost of recycling mattresses continues to increase, and that true cost is being shared by local taxpayers rather than exclusively by the producers and end users.”
CVRD senior manager of recycling and solid waste management Ilse Sarady said properly including mattresses in the province’s recycling requisition would reduce the Solid Waste Management budget by $100,000.
“It would eliminate the tipping fee at the CVRD recycling centres,” Sarady said. “The EPR program is critical to ensuring the costs are appropriately accounted for and don’t become an undue burden for local governments and taxpayers.”
The district said it has had to adjust fees for the 2026 budget to accommodate the increase, which will be transferred to taxpayers.
“In response to the news, the CVRD board has approved an increase to the mattress tipping fees from $18 to $26 per unit, which will put more cost on the end user and decrease tax requisition shared by taxpayers across the region,” the district said.
A letter has been sent to the Ministry of Environment and Parks urging it to fulfill its commitment without delay.
A 52-year old woman, charged in connection with a stabbing incident in Williams Lake, will be sentenced early in the New Year.
Laura Taylor is due back in Supreme Court on January 15th.
Taylor pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated assault.
35-year old Daniel Cahoose, the co-accused in this case, plead guilty to a lesser charge of assault in November of last year, and was sentenced to 338 days in jail time served.
Williams Lake RCMP were called to a local motel on 7th Avenue back in May of 2023.
Police said they were responding to a report of a person being stabbed multiple times, and a victim was taken to hospital and was listed in stable condition.
Two suspects were quickly identified and were arrested at a home on 2nd Avenue with the help of the Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services.
Prince George residents and Canadians across the country will honour the sacrifices made by veterans for Remembrance Day.
“Remembrance Day is very personal for me,” said Joe Elliot, a serving Canadian Ranger, and a British Royal Navy Veteran.
“I remember the guys that I’ve served with, guys that have died in war and in accidents, being a member of the armed forces, you don’t need to be at war for it to be dangerous, I remember their sacrifices, and remember their families that are still suffering for that.”
Elliot said “Thank you for a service” is a phrase not heard often in the UK.
“There’s a lot more respect and honour towards our veterans here in Canada than we have in the UK, don’t get me wrong, we’ve got a lot of people that do support us, but it’s not common language,” he said.
The ceremonies will start at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre at 9:10 tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.
At 10:30, the Ceremonial Parade will assemble along Canada Games Way, before heading to the Cenotaph in Veteran’s Plaza outside of City Hall where the ceremony will continue with the Last Post, Two Minutes of Silence, Lament, and Rouse at 11:00.
The community is invited to the Royal Canadian Legion branch for refreshments following the ceremony.
Cranbrook council has voted to maintain the current garbage and recycling service levels, meaning no curbside organics collection for the foreseeable future.
Councillor Norma Blissett is a big proponent for curbside organics and said they are falling behind other local communities.
“I’m very disappointed in this and I won’t be supporting it,” she said.
“Kimberley, Fernie and Invermere are already doing this and going ahead with organics.”
She said there is enough interest from the public to move forward with it.
“We had 64 per cent of the people surveyed supporting bi-weekly collection,” she said.
“We are the largest producer of garbage in the RDEK and it makes a difference what we do and part of the motivation for this is to reduce green house gas emissions. That is also part of our mandate and we can do that with this project and we are choosing not to.”
City staff are recommending that they defer the consideration of organics collection until at least 2030.
They said it would align with future major capital purchases for replacement garbage trucks and give them time to explore new technology, such as dual-body trucks that can pick up two streams of solid waste.
Councillor Wayne Stetski said they should be looking at it sooner then that and wants staff to bring something back to council before this council’s term is over next year.
In the meantime, the current service will stay the same, with weekly curbside garbage collection and biweekly recycling collection.
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North Island College (NIC) will offer resources and post-secondary options for youth with disabilities transitioning to adulthood through a community fair.
NIC’s Accessible Education and Training (AET) department will host the Community Resource Fair to connect participants with local organizations that promote independence, learning, and inclusion.
AET instructor and chair Liz Girard said the transition to adulthood is a significant step.
“This fair brings people together to learn, ask questions, and find the supports that fit their next stage in life.”
The event will feature the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Community Living BC, and several other organizations.
The college’s nursing students are also supporting the fair by helping to organize the event and connecting with participants as part of their community health studies.
Fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student Tanisha Steven said it will be exciting to see so many supports in one place.
“We hope people leave feeling more connected and aware of the opportunities around them.”
The fair is open to all youth with disabilities, their families, educators, and community members interested in learning more. It takes place Nov. 24 from 1:45 to 5 p.m. at the Stan Hagen Theatre.
Nanaimo RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 23-year-old man.
Mahadi Redwan was reported missing on Nov. 5. He was last seen on video leaving Thrifty Foods on Turner Road around 8 p.m. on Nov. 2.
Police said he had discussed getting a ride to Courtenay on Nov. 2, but was not at home when the ride arrived the next day. According to a news release, this behaviour was out of character, and his family and friends are concerned for his wellbeing.
Redwan was wearing dark shoes, blue jeans, a grey hooded shirt with a white and red logo, a black jacket, a checkered scarf and carrying a dark backpack when he was last seen.
Police describe him as 5 feet 3 inches tall, 150 pounds, with dark hair, black eyes and a beard.
Anyone with information that could help locate him is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP’s non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
Security camera footage of Mahadi Redwan leaving Thrifty Foods. (Photo via Nanaimo RCMP)
“This so-called shelter is not a solution. It is a reckless social experiment being imposed on a northern community that has already been stretched to the limit,” said Hartwell.
“Families, doctors, and small business owners were blindsided by a $700,000 decision made in Victoria without consultation or care for local impacts. People are angry and they have every reason to be.”
According to her, the site is being setup without community input near homes and medical offices.
The shelter building is located at the intersection of Queen Street and Third Avenue where Fabrications used to be located.
It raised concern about the shelter having a low barrier to entry with drug use being allowed.
“Doctors, first responders, and residents are raising red flags, and the NDP government’s response has been silence. That is not leadership, it is negligence,” she said.
The MLA called the province’s priorities backwards and are failing to fund essential health care and emergency services in northern B.C. including the Kitwanga ambulance station.
“The people of Smithers deserve real solutions, not reckless experiments. The NDP’s ‘experimental shelter’ is the latest example of a government that governs by ideology and arrogance, not by listening to communities,” said Hartwell.
Communities throughout Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast will host ceremonies on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in recognition of Remembrance Day.
Comox: The Town of Comox invites residents to join Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice — and to thank veterans who made it home.
A section of Comox Avenue will close to traffic starting at 10 a.m. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by wreath laying at the cenotaph at 10:45 a.m., which will include a flypast.
Municipal offices and facilities in Comox, Courtenay and Cumberland will be closed Tuesday.
Campbell River: Residents will gather at Spirit Square to pay tribute to Canada’s veterans and those currently serving.
The ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m., with a parade to the cenotaph and speeches starting at 11 a.m.
After the ceremony, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 137 will host activities at the Legion Hall from 2 to 5 p.m.
Nanaimo: The city’s annual ceremony takes place at the Dallas Square Cenotaph starting at 10:50 a.m. A parade will move through downtown along Front Street, ending at the cenotaph.
Drivers should plan ahead — Skinner, Chapel and Church streets, along with Front Street between Church and Chapel, will be closed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sechelt: A parade will begin at 10:45 a.m. from the Legion along Inlet Avenue toward the cenotaph at Wharf and Cowrie streets.
A ceremony and wreath laying will follow at 10:50 a.m.
Port Hardy: The annual Remembrance Ceremony takes place at Carrot Park starting at 10:45 a.m.
Residents are invited to gather and pay tribute to veterans and active service members.
Powell River: The community will begin with a service at Dwight Hall at 10 a.m., followed by a parade to the cenotaph at Veterans Memorial Park in Townsite at 10:45 a.m.
The main ceremony will follow, featuring wreath placements and a salute to veterans.
Cowichan Valley: Legions across the region will honour past and present members who have served and sacrificed.
In Ladysmith, a parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Legion and proceeds to the cenotaph for a 10:50 ceremony.
In Chemainus, ceremonies start at 10:55 a.m. at the cenotaph.
In Lake Cowichan, a parade leaves the fire hall at 10:30 a.m. for a 10:55 ceremony.
In Duncan, residents can attend the local service at Charles Hoey Park, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Campbell River RCMP are seeking witnesses after a 2019 John Deere 35G mini-excavator was stolen overnight Oct. 30 from a construction site in the community.
Police said the machine, marked with SB Dunn Contracting Ltd. decals on the back, boom and window, was taken along with two buckets: one 36-inch wide and the other 12-inch wide.
The RCMP added the excavator has mismatched rubber treads and a dent near the fuel door on its right-hand side.
Anyone with information on the stolen equipment is asked to contact the Campbell River RCMP at 250-286-6221 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Mackenzie residents will have the opportunity to share their input on the development of the the Mackenzie forest landscape plan (FLP).
According to the province, this plan will guide long-term forest management in the area.
“This is an opportunity for Mackenzie residents to share what matters most about your forests,” said Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar.
“Forests are part of who we are and your voices guide how they’re managed. As I lead a trade mission in Asia to grow markets for B.C. wood, I’m reminded that our forests connect communities here at home to opportunities around the world.”
Residents can share their thoughts through an online survey until December 22nd, which can be found here.
Additionally, representatives from the Ministry of Forests will staff an information booth in the community at the Co-op Food Store at these dates and times:
Saturday, Nov. 15: 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 19: 4-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 26: 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 29: 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The survey will also be available at the information booth.
According to the province, developing FLPs is a new approach to forest stewardship that establishes clear direction for the management of forest-related values, such as old-growth trees, biodiversity, ecosystem health, climate change, watershed health and wildfire risk.
The Town of Ladysmith will hold an open house for residents interested in joining its paid, on-call fire department.
“Joining the Town of Ladysmith Fire/Rescue isn’t just about fighting fires or responding to other emergencies, it’s about serving your community, building lifelong friendships and making a real difference,” said Fire Chief Chris Geiger. “We’re looking for dedicated individuals who are ready to face new challenges, learn new skills and be part of something bigger than themselves.”
The open house will take place Nov. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Aggie Hall. Attendees can meet firefighters, ask questions and explore the department’s equipment. Applications for paid, on-call positions will be accepted on-site.
More information about the event and application process is available on the Town of Ladysmith’s website. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 30.
Abbeyfield House is celebrating 25 years of providing safe and affordable housing for seniors in the Cowichan Valley.
Residents, family members and government representatives gathered this week to mark the anniversary of the Duncan home, which has offered housing to 10 residents who now call it home.
Resident Allan Huffman, who has lived at Abbeyfield for two years, said the supportive environment has been a positive step for his quality of life.
“It’s a combination of members, personalities and residents and the way the staff take care of us,” Huffman said. “There’s a lot of compassion and empathy from the staff with any situation that may come up.”
He said the quality of care from staff and volunteers is what makes the facility special.
“The degree of care they give us is amazing,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the staff and the volunteer board, they do an amazing job.”
Abbeyfield House celebrates 25 years of providing safe housing for seniors in the Cowichan Valley. Photo credit: Justin Baumgardner, VistaRadio
Abbeyfield House has operated in Duncan since 2001. It is managed by a volunteer board of directors and eight staff who provide daily support to residents.
Board chair Greg Askham said the facility has long been a staple in the Cowichan Valley and continues to meet a growing need for senior housing.
“We’ve been serving seniors for 25 years,” Askham said. “We currently have about 10 people on our wait-list, which is a great achievement that means we can go without having empty suites and there will always be room for those who need it.”
Askham credited the staff, board and residents for the home’s success.
“The best part of my job is being with the residents and being with my great board,” he said.
Abbeyfield House celebrates 25 years of providing safe housing for seniors in the Cowichan Valley. Photo credit: Justin Baumgardner, VistaRadio
B.C. organizer for Abbeyfield House, Robert Gunn, said the organization’s model is designed for independent seniors rather than those requiring medical care.
“The difficulty is that since we don’t provide any care, the selection criteria is between someone who can still drive a car and may want to go skydiving,” Gunn said. “But it can be the hardest transition for people to make.”
He said the model has worked well in the Cowichan Valley and across Canada, and he hopes more homes will open as demand increases.
The Duncan facility, located on Indian Road, is one of 20 Abbeyfield homes across Canada offering independent seniors a safe and supportive place to live.
The Hazelton Wolverines lost high-scoring games while on the road in the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL).
On Saturday, they dropped a 9-7 decision to the Williams Lake Stampeders.
Jonah Bevington and Ilijah Colina scored twice each while Daniel Kernaghan, Dawson McKenzie, and Tanner Wort also found the back of the net in the loss.
On Sunday, Hazelton fell 6-4 to the Quesnel Kangaroos.
The Wolverines got two goals from McKenzie and one each from Bevington and Ethan Browne.
Hazelton will have another road game this Saturday as they visit the Terrace River Kings.
Also on Saturday, the Smithers Steelheads have a road game against the Kitimat Ice Demons.
The City of Fernie is accepting applications for its 2026 discretionary grant program.
Each year the city provides funds to community organizations for programs, events and services that are a positive impact on the community.
Recent recipients include the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, Fernie Pride Society, Fernie Volleyball Club, Ghostrider Adventure Camp Foundation and Joan Delich Kindergym Society.
The city has $14,400 available for next years recipients.
Applications can be found here and the deadline is Nov. 30.
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The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has completed an assessment of Elk Valley Resources’ proposed Fording River Extension Project and determined that further study is needed.
The company is seeking to expand operations along the Fording River in southeastern B.C., which would extend the mine’s life by approximately 35 years.
The IAAC believes that carrying out of the designated project may cause adverse effects. That includes effects to fish, migratory birds and boundary, international or interprovincial waters.
In the past, there have been issues with high levels of selenium being discharged into waterways in the Elk Valley.
The City of Campbell River has approved a zoning amendment bylaw for 1308 Island Highway South that allows a planned apartment development on the waterfront to move ahead.
The amendment, which passed at the Nov. 6 city council meeting, boosts allowable density on the under-one-hectare site.
Councillor Ben Lanyon said the development would benefit the community and increase access to Campbell River’s waterfront views.
Ben Lanyon comments:
“I do view that corridor of oceanfront as some of the highest value property because of the views,” Lanyon said. “Having fairly high density there maximizes that, and gives more people access to it.”
Mayor Kermit Dahl said the rezoning request is consistent with the city’s official community plan and he agreed with Lanyon that higher-density development along the waterfront corridor serves the community.
The developer intends to build a four-storey apartment building comprising 52 rental units.
A year-long infrastructure upgrade project is set to begin this week along Nanaimo’s Third Street and Fitzwilliam Street corridor.
The city said crews will replace aging watermains and sewers, along with upgrades to the stormwater system, including a new rain garden near the Cat Stream.
Both sides of Third Street will see raised cycling lanes and new sidewalks. Pedestrian improvements are also planned at the intersections of Howard Avenue, Watfield Avenue and Georgia Avenue.
“Replacing aging underground utilities gives us a unique opportunity to redesign the surface for the future,” said city engineer Annalisa Fipke. “We’re not only improving essential infrastructure but also creating safer, more inclusive spaces for all users. This project reflects the City of Nanaimo’s continued commitment to sustainable, forward-thinking design that supports a healthy, connected community.”
A new pedestrian signal will be installed at Howard Avenue, and new crosswalks will be added at Watfield Avenue and Georgia Avenue. The intersection at Pine Street will also be rebuilt to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
The city said the project is expected to be completed next fall. Drivers should expect traffic delays and road closures during the work.
The Cariboo Regional District released the preliminary results of their 150 Mile House Fire Protection Referendum vote.
On Saturday November 8th, they were seeking approval from residents in that area for borrowing funds to construct a new fire hall and to purchase a replacement fire truck for the 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department.
Two separate questions where included in the referendum.
To authorize long-term borrowing for the design and construction of a new fire hall to replace the existing facility.
The other, to authorize borrowing for the purchase of a new fire truck with repayment over a ten-year term rather than five.
Preliminary results on fire hall construction borrowing saw 222 votes cast, Yes 181/No 41.
On the fire engine borrowing referendum out of the 222 votes cast 204 said yes and 18 said no.
Official results will be posted to the Cariboo Regional District website once confirmed.
It was a rocky return to league play for the U18 Cariboo Cougars.
The AAA hockey club dropped both games of a road double-header against the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs by scores of 7-2 (Saturday) and 3-2 (in overtime Sunday).
After VNE held a 1-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes, the Chiefs blew the game open in the second period thanks to a trio of goals from Gianni Bosa, Nathan Ramos and Jake Banicevic.
In the third, the Chiefs added to the onslaught with three more goals including Bosa’s second of the game as well as singles from Isaac Hawkins and Lucas Prince.
Riley Lettington lit the lamp twice in defeat for the Cougars. It was a chippy game right from the opening puck drop with nine penalties being called in the first period.
Matthew Dowdall (Chiefs) and Ryan Richter (Cariboo) exited the game early due to game misconducts related to unsportsmanlike conduct and checking from behind penalties.
On Sunday, Cariboo held a 2-1 edge after the opening two minutes courtesy of Lettington and Nicholas Gordon.
However, VNE took advantage of some Cougar penalties as Banicevic tallied on the power-play in the second period while Kaeden Kalkat notched the game-winner on the man-advantage to give the Chiefs the weekend sweep.
Vancouver North East improves to 10-2-0-0 on the season four points back of the Okanagan Rockets for top spot in the seven-team league while Cariboo sits third with a mark of 6-4-2.
Both teams play each other again at the BC Elite Hockey League Showcase in Abbotsford on Saturday at 10:30 AM. Cariboo will then lock horns against the Thompson Blazers (6-5-1) Sunday at 9:30am.
In U17 action, the Cariboo Cougars earned a road split against the Thompson Blazers in Kamloops, a battle of the league’s top two teams.
Tavon Peterson scored the overtime winner to secure a 4-3 victory on Saturday night from the Kamloops Memorial Arena.
Gavan Parmar (Cariboo) and Matthew Gustafson (Blazers) traded goals in the opening 20 minutes to make it a 1-1 contest.
In the second, the Cougars took a 3-1 lead courtesy of markers from Garrett Harrop and Parmar.
Thompson fought back in the final seven minutes of the third period with two goals from Dayton Hansen and Luca Vaugeois.
Kaleb Sandberg picked up the win in goal.
Cariboo took the two points with three affiliate players in the lineup from the U15 program as Ryland Lemp, Trystan Schmidt and Warner Callender all seeing action.
Brett de Gans and Sawyer Latkowski were out of the llineup for Cariboo.
On Sunday, the Blazers hung on for a 2-0 victory thanks to a pair of goals from Decklan Murray and Layne Derose.
Brennen Purych took the loss in net while Luc Deschenes pitched the shutout for Thompson.
The Blazers are now a point up on Cariboo for first-place in the nine-team league with a record of 11-5-2 while the Cougars are 11-3-1 but have three games in hand.
Cariboo continues a string of six straight road games in Kelowna next weekend against the Okanagan Rockets (7-3-2).
Puck drop on Saturday is at 3pm from MNP Place before wrapping up at the same arena on Sunday at 10am.
The U15 Cariboo Cougars were off on a bye this week and now head off to the Pat Quinn Classic in the Lower Mainland later this week.
In addition, the Northern Capitals U18 Female AAA squad (5-6-1) returns to action Saturday (5:45pm) and Sunday (8am) from Kin 2 as they welcome the Thompson Okanagan Lakers (8-4-1).
Nelson city councillors have voted to file a notice on title for a property on Vernon Street due to signifcant safety hazards.
The building at 303 Vernon St., known locally as the Jam Factory, has been under a no-occupancy order for more than two years because of what the city describes as unsafe conditions.
The city’s Development Services and Climate Leadership department told council on Nov. 4 the building presents multiple hazards.
These include a lack of fire separation between spaces, fire risks to adjacent properties, missing emergency lighting and an unsafe deck structure that encroaches on city property.
Staff also noted the presence of a non-conforming suite in the building.
A no-occupancy notice was issued in May 2023 after inspectors deemed conditions unsafe. The property owner was sent a letter in May 2024 outlining specific deficiencies that must be addressed before the no-occupancy order can be rescinded.
Staff sent further correspondence to the owner in January and August 2025, but no corrective action had yet been taken.
Councillor Keith Page said situations like this are rare in Nelson but important for transparency.
“We don’t see it a lot at this table, but this is a regular occurrence every meeting at the regional district,” he said.
“This is an additional tool for clarity to let anyone who might be interested in the property in the future know that there is such a deficiency.”
Staff emphasised that a notice on title serves as a public record, alerting potential buyers or lenders that the property does not meet building-code requirements.
Building inspector Bruce McNeil added the ultimate goal of the notice is compliance and safety.
“Moving forward, we’re going to need to communicate more with the building owners to promote further collaboration and compliance,” he said.
“We don’t want to see tenants continuing to occupy an unsafe building. For two years now they’ve been just walking past the no-occupancy sign on the front door, and they’re getting comfortable in an unsafe building at the moment.”
Staff also confirmed that although the building is for sale, a property can technically be sold with an active notice on title, but that often prevents most financial institutions from approving a mortgage or loan.
Filing the notice involves minimal cost from the city but not filing one could expose the city to liability if new owners or future occupants were unaware of the outstanding hazards.
The notice will remain on title until the property owner submits a building-permit application and completes the required upgrades.
If all deficiencies are addressed, the notice can be removed at a $500 cost.
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The only thing standing in the way of a weekend sweep for the UNBC Timberwolves men’s basketball team was Jack Vandenberg.
His buzzer-beating three-point shot gave the Trinity Western Spartans a weekend split in Prince George, defeating the T-Wolves 65-64 at the Northern Sports Centre.
The nip and tuck game literally came down to the final possession as Evgeny Baukin previously put UNBC ahead with three seconds left on an off-balance lay-up that found its way through the hoop.
Trinity Western was up by as many as nine points during the game and led pretty much the entire way aside from the see-saw final minutes with both teams exchanging late leads.
The Spartans enjoyed a much-improved shooting performance, especially from three-point range going 13-for-37.
Vandenberg had a team-high 18 points for the visitors. Baukin put up another monster performance for UNBC with a game-high 30 points as well as 14 rebounds.
UNBC’s undoing was a 3-for-15 showing from beyond the arch.
On Friday, the Timberwolves put on a three-point clinic in their 75-65 win on Friday over Trinity Western.
UNBC went 16-for-33 (48.5%) from long range, including a 6-for-10 showing from local product Tony Kibonge.
Baukin chipped in with 21 points while Justin Sunga added 10 as well.
Vandenberg was again the high scorer for the Spartans with 20 while Connor Platz tallied a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Timberwolves are 2-3 while the Spartans are 2-4.
Photo credit UNBC Athletics
In women’s action, UNBC fell to 0-5 following a 55-53 heartbreaker against Trinity Western on Saturday.
A clutch performance by third-year Russian Viiktoria Filatova wasn’t quite enough as she balled out with a game-high 26 points including a 6-for-8 showing from long range.
However, a sub-par showing from the free-throw line was the difference as UNBC only went 7-for16 from the charity stripe.
Collette Van der Hoven was the X-Factor for the Spartans with a team-high 16 points as Trinity Western improves to 4-2.
On Friday, the Spartans outscored UNBC by a 42-23 margin coasting to a 64-51 victory.
Van der Hoven and Mavleen Chahal tallied 12 points each while Moriah Jansen had a team-high 13 points in 27 minutes of action off the bench.
Filatova hooped 20 points for UNBC in defeat while Amrit Manak put her best game of the season with 17 points, going 5-for-12 on field goals.
Both varsity teams hit the road this weekend to Kelowna as they take on the UBC Okanagan Heat.
Chara joined the Cougars for the 1996-1997 season, posting three goals and adding 19 assists in 49 games. He also put up 120 penalty minutes in those games.
He went on to play 1,680 games (most ever by an NHL defenceman) over 24 seasons in the NHL, most notably as the captain of the Boston Bruins for 14 of them.
He led the Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011, and also won the Norris Trophy in the 2008-09 season.
“The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these hockey legends as Honoured Members,” said Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee Ron Francis.
“Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved.”
A retired Trail RCMP officer testified Friday that her efforts to secure video surveillance related to an alleged assault in a downtown alley were met with “resistance” from at least three businesses.
Sherri Karn, who was working for the detachment at the time of the incident in 2023, appeared on the witness stand during a voir direat the trial of Greg Ferraby, a firefighter with Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue.
The trial-within-a-trial concerns a Charter of Rights application brought by the defence over the way police obtained or preserved video evidence.
Ferraby is charged with assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats against Darryl Wong, who said he was attacked by three men and left with severe injuries. Wong was homeless at the time.
Vista Radio is not naming the businesses that Karn identified because they haven’t been given an opportunity to respond to her testimony.
Karn testified she went to a local restaurant after Ferraby told her he had been there on the night of the incident for a birthday party.
She said she spoke with the managers, who told her their video surveillance system didn’t always work. Karn said the reply seemed “a bit off to me and didn’t make any sense.”
She testified the restaurant’s video was held by a third-party security company and was routinely deleted after a week. By that time, it was five days after the incident.
Karn added the restaurant managers “were uncomfortable with me being there asking for this footage.” She said they initially offered to provide the video, but only after the seven-day window expired.
Karn said the security company subsequently delivered some footage from the restaurant, but “huge portions” were missing. While Karn said she had requested interior and exterior footage from 4 p.m. until beyond closing, police were provided with only short interior clips.
“We had a conversation at the detachment about how unfortunately we felt it was an intentional choice not to provide footage requested in order to protect those in the video,” Karn said.
Karn also said she canvassed other businesses for footage. She said one business allowed her to view its video surveillance, which she recorded with her cellphone. She said the images showed three men walking, whom she identified as Greg Ferraby, Wesley Parsons, and Richard Morris.
Karn said she was told her request for the footage would have to go through the business’ managers or owners and be forwarded to a security company. Karn said she understood the business’ footage was also retained for seven days, but the security company later phoned to apologize that they no longer had any of the video.
Karn testified she did receive footage from one business, which showed three men walking through the alley behind the Arlington Hotel. The footage has been played in court several times during the trial.
Karn said she went to the security company directly and told them she was meeting “resistance,” but didn’t say exactly where it was coming from.
In her testimony, she said she felt the businesses’ reluctance was due to the suspects being “three very well respected men in our community, family men who volunteer, firefighters who put their lives on the job,” combined with a “volatile relationship” between the community and its homeless population.
She said there was “exhaustion from the community dealing with any person of vulnerability. The community had spoken up quite a bit, very angry and frustrated with what was unfolding.”
She said the operator of the security firm, while trying to preserve client confidentiality, told her he wasn’t surprised some businesses didn’t want to release their footage. Karn said she was hoping the company would save the footage in case police needed to secure it by subpoena.
Karn said she was told another business may also have footage that would expire in 24 hours. She said she contacted one of the owners immediately.
“He acknowledged he was aware of the situation and [the video] captured a portion of what took place,” she testified. However, she said he told her he was out of town and couldn’t help. Karn said she replied that the RCMP would pay the security firm to retrieve the video, but the man declined, saying he wasn’t willing to help.
“He felt that he was tired of the homeless situation,” Karn said, adding she was given the number of someone else to contact at the business, but she wasn’t able to speak to her.
Karn also said she talked to a woman at the La Nina shelter who had been on duty the night of the incident, but when asked to make a police statement, she “aggressively declined. She said she’d been warned by many people in the community that she’d better not provide a statement in any capacity.”
Karn said she was “very frustrated due to all the obstacles I had run into with members of the community in providing their surveillance.” Asked how that compared to other cases, she replied: “In 11 years I’ve policed in Trail, I’ve never met with resistance.”
Karn was asked if she considered using “more police powers” to obtain the video. She said RCMP discussed seeking subpoenas. However, she said she was removed from the file, and a different constable was assigned to write the warrant. Karn said she didn’t know what happened afterward. She didn’t say why she was taken off the case, or whether it was at her request.
Karn was also asked if anyone approached or confronted her about her part in the investigation.
“Quite a bit,” she answered, adding that the case came up when she went into a hair salon while off duty. She said a clerk “chastised” her for being involved and commented that “Mr. Wong deserved the assault.”
She also said a neighbour who was a firefighter refused to speak to her.
“I definitely lost some friendships over the situation,” she said. “I was tasked to do a job and I did the job.”
Asked how it made her feel, she replied: “Not very good. It was very hard for the whole community.”
Defence calls accused’s brother
Earlier in the day, the Crown rested its case and the defence called one witness: Ferraby’s brother George, who lives in Grande Cache, Alta.
George Ferraby testified that he has two daughters, neither of whom have ever been to Trail. He added that Greg Ferraby has no other nieces.
Earlier in the trial, Wong testified that Ferraby approached him on the Esplanade 10 days before he was assaulted and accused him of following Ferraby’s niece and her mother, which Wong denied. He also said Ferraby threatened him at the time.
It’s not clear when closing arguments in the case will be heard.
Tomorrow, people will honour veterans across the Cariboo and Canada.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Each year, Canadians gather to honour and never forget the over 1 million Canadians and Newfoundlanders who served, and the 44,090 who lost their lives during the Second World War.
Here are the Ceremonies that the three main cities of the Cariboo will be holding:
Quesnel:
Veterans and First Responders are invited to gather at the Quesnel Royal Canadian Legion Branch 94, located at 262 Kinchant Street, for the parade. Formation will be at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Legion Branch, with a wreath laying at the Quesnel Cenotaph.
There will also be a meet and greet with the Veterans after the parade and ceremony at the Legion Lounge.
Williams Lake:
Williams Lake is marking the end of its Veterans Week with its annual Remembrance Day Ceremony with Williams Lake Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139.
Starting at the Gibraltar Room at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, meeting up at 9:30 a.m. for the parade, followed by the wreath laying ceremony at the City Hall Cenotaph at 11 a.m.
100 Mile House:
In 100 Mile House, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 260’s ceremony will begin at the 100 Mile Community Hall.
A parade down Birch Avenue will officially start the ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
Members entering the parade as asked to meet at the 100 Mile Elementary School to prepare and assemble.
Following the march, people will gather both inside and outside the Community Hall for the moment of silence. Wreaths will be laid at the foot of the 100 Mile Cenotaph.
The (11-7) Cougars finished 3-3 on a 6-game road trip.
Prince George will play its next five games on home ice starting with a doubleheader against the (9-5-2-1) Victoria Royals Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 and Wednesday night at 7:00 at CN Centre.
The Cougars are in first place in the B.C. Division, a point ahead of Victoria and Penticton and two in front of Kamloops.
The PG Cougars regular season schedule and results are here.
This week on the @PGCougars 55-minute Cat Scan #podcast, In-Game host Jessica Speziale & Show Caller Darnell Toth. They discuss Victory+ Changes, game day routines, fan reaction and interaction, national anthems, thoughts on this season’s team & much more. #WHLhttps://t.co/1m8lhh6g1W
Jamie Boreham of the Prince George Kodiaks has been named the Canadian Junior Football League’s Coach of the Year.
In his third season with the team, Boreham guided the Kodiaks to a 5-4-1 record and a third place finish in the seven-team BC Football Conference (BCFC).
Boreham was also named the BCFC Coach of the Year last month.
The host Saskatoon Hilltops kicked a field goal with 28.6 seconds left in the 4th quarter to beat the Okanagan Sun 21-18 in the Canadian Junior Football League championship game.
NFL: (Sunday night game)
LA Chargers 25 Pittsburgh 10
Monday Night Football at 5:15 to conclude the 10th week of the season has (6-2) Philadelphia at (5-2-1) Green Bay.
Derk Grooten will be hosting a bit of a different Remembrance Day event.
At 2:00 a.m. on Remembrance Day, Grooten will be hosting his annual “11K on Remembrance Day” run.
“We’ve been doing this for five years and the numbers have been growing steadily, we’re hoping to reach about 75 people at the start this year,” Grooten said.
Grooten started the run in 2021 with eight runners, putting the idea forward just a few days before Remembrance Day that year.
“I wanted to add something more, I wanted to do something more physical,” he said.
“Obviously, there’s not a lot of people interested in running at that time of day, but we needed to have something where we make our own sacrifices.”
The 2:00 a.m. start comes from the Armistice being signed in Paris at 11:00 a.m., which would be 2:00 a.m. Prince George time.
Grooten added two people who ran in the event last year are putting on a similar run in Victoria as well.
“The first year that I put it on it was just for me and some friends who were willing to do the same thing,” he explained.
“It kind of evolved naturally in expanding to another city, and who knows, maybe there are some other communities that will pick this up and they can start running there as well.”
The run will start in the overflow parking lot of the Aquatic Centre, with Grooten asking participants to be there by 1:50 a.m.
The run itself will go down to Massey Drive past the new Fire Hall, before heading to the Cenotaph at City Hall and heading back to the Aquatic Centre by coming down 5th Avenue by the RCMP detachment.
Ladysmith’s mayor says the review of an independent E-Comm 911 has created significant financial pressure for the municipality.
According to a statement from mayor Deena Beeston, she says the current model, and assessment by the province, is fragmented and no longer sustainable for local governments.
“The Town of Ladysmith has consistently opposed the downloading of RCMP E-Comm 911 costs onto island municipalities like ours without prior consultation,” she says. “This approach has created uncertainty for local governments and added financial pressures that are increasingly difficult to manage.”
She has called on the province to create a more ‘coordinated, province-wide approach’ to ensure reliable, resilient and financially stable emergency communication is in place across BC.
The town says they’re ready to work with the province and regional partners to support a more sustainable provincial system to meet the needs of municipalities across the island and province.
Emergency Management Cowichan will start vegetation management work to reduce wildfire risks along the Holland Trail.
According to the Town of Ladysmith’s communication and engagement specialist Nicholas Pescod, the work will focus on the removal of small trees, brush, and invasive plants.
He says the work will serve two purposes.
“The work will reduce wildfire risk, while maintain healthy forests and protect rivers, streams, and wildlife habitats,” Pescod says.
Work will involve the closure, or delays, of the Holland Creek Trail. Pescod says Emergency Management Cowichan will work diligently to reduce the impact of the closure.
“We recognize the closure, and delays can be frustrating, but this work is of utmost importance for the safeguarding of the Holland Creek corridor, nearby homes, and the wider community,” he says.
Work will start on Nov. 10 in Area F and is expected to finish on Nov. 28 in Area H.
They say winds could get up to 60 kilometres an hour this afternoon, with gusts of up to 90 kilometres an hour.
According to Environment Canada, a strong pacific low pressure system will be bringing strong winds across Central B.C. today, with winds expected to peak this afternoon and again late in the evening.
Crime has been fluctuating across the Cowichan Valley, but according to the latest quarterly report it seems to be on the decline.
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment Ken Beard presented the quarterly report to council on Nov. 5 to highlight some of the key aspects of activity in the region.
Beard says while stats indicate most of the activity is declining, most of it is happening in the North Cowichan area.
“Fifty-three per cent of crime is happening in the Municipality of North Cowichan, 20 per cent is happening in Duncan, 15 per cent in Cowichan Tribes and nine per cent in the CVRD,” Beard says.
Overall, a quarterly report indicates crime in all areas (against person and property) fell, but some areas in the report indicate some criminal activity increased.
Harassment rose by 62 per cent when compared to last years’ numbers as well as business break and enters (43 per cent), fraud (31 per cent), and theft (17 per cent).
Beard says while the percentages look bad, the numbers don’t indicate a cause for concern.
“These are fairly small numbers; they look bad, but you have to look at the actual numbers to be certain,” Beard says. “Harassment equates to spouses and unwanted communication by texting and emailing. That sort of thing.”
He also noted break and enters are seeing an increase mainly on York Road, Lewis Street, Drinkwater Road, and Norcross Road.
RCMP’s priorities for this year include 300 bike patrols, 400-foot patrols along the highway corridor, 20 restorative justice referrals, and 12 drug enforcement targets.
While the report shows community engagements are on target, Beard says improvements are needed to meet 400 curfew checks.
Remembrance Day ceremonies across the Cowichan Valley will start on Nov. 11 as we honour those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Remembrance Day originated in 1918 after fighting during the first World War (The Great War) came to an end on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour.
In Duncan, ceremonies will be hosted by Legion Branch 53 at Charles Hoey Park from 10:30 a.m until noon following a parade.
The parade will follow a run from Government Street to Station Street and then end back on Government Street.
Duncan residents can expect road closures to take affect during this time from Government Stret to Kenneth Street and from Canada Way to Craig Street.
Ceremonies in Chemainus will be held at the Cenotaph starting at 11 a.m, and the Town of Lake Cowichan will start their parade at the Firehall at 10:30 with the ceremony starting at 10:55.
The Town of Ladysmith will also hold their events on Tuesday (Nov. 11) with a parade starting at the Legion on First Avenue and stopping at the Cenotaph at the east end of Warren Street and the Trans-Canada Highway.
The town says they’ll also be closing first avenue between Warren Street and High Street from 10:30 until 11:30 for the service.
Northern BC’s signature craft beer festival is celebrating a milestone in January.
2026 will mark the 10th year of the Kiwanis AleFest, which will take place January 30 and 31 in Prince George.
“Ten years is more than a milestone — it’s a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together over a shared love of great beer and local impact,” said Marketing and Communications Lead Holly Keech.
“While the festival is known for its lively atmosphere and incredible breweries, what we’re most proud of is the difference it has made through charitable support and community programs.”
The 2026 festival will include new anniversary elements, such as special activities, prizes, and surprise giveaways designed to engage attendees and honour a decade of community support.
More than $420,000 in proceeds have helped fund community grants, youth programs, and local charitable initiatives over the past decade.
It’s often easier to scroll aimlessly on devices than to pick up a book and read, but with the launch of Friends of Cranbrook Public Library’s “Adopt a Magazine” campaign, hopefully, more kids and adults will be inspired to read.
The campaign invites community members to sponsor magazine subscriptions for this upcoming year.
Whether it’s a novel, newspaper or a magazine, practicing reading is key for improvement. Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation claims “children who are read to daily from birth perform better in language, literacy, and cognitive tests when they reach school age.”
Cranbrook Public Library said magazines provide an essential connection to the outside world and this campaign will help ensure reading stays accessible for everyone, with providing free magazines.
“Our magazine section is a vital link to the outside world. This campaign makes sure that the most current information is here, free for everyone. We rely heavily on the generosity of our Cranbrook community to make this happen.” said Chief Librarian Ursula Brigl.
Subscription costs are an annual expense, and your donation can provide the necessary funds to keep community favourites on shelves. Whether it is People, Runner’s World, Macleans, Time or Readers Digest, the magazines residents know and love can be here to stay with your generosity.
For the one-year adoption, sponsorships range from twenty five to two hundred dollars, and that gift will fully cover the subscription costs. As a thank you for your donation, sponsors will receive the following; a charitable tax receipt, a year-long acknowledgment with a customized bookplate in the library, and mentions on the library’s socials and webpage.
Everyone from businesses, non- profit organizations, book clubs, families and individual community members are encouraged to participate in this campaign.
The Prince George Spruce Kings ended a four-game home stand with a 4-1 loss to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Kai Matthew scored two powerplay goals in the span of 12 seconds to open the scoring for the Bulldogs.
Kazumo Sasaki scored a powerplay goal of his own to get the Spruce Kings on the board in the second period, but Kye Benoche restored the Bulldog’s two-goal lead just shy of five minutes later.
Caden Tremblay sent the 1,253 fans at Kopar Memorial Arena home with a frown, icing the game with an empty netter.
Marko Bilic made 21 saves in the loss for the Spruce Kings.
The Prince George Cougars made it interesting but ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 decision against the Wenatchee Wild Saturday night.
“That one’s frustrating, we didn’t get to the eyes of the goalie, he saw everything here,” said Cougars Assistant Coach Carter Rigby on the post-game show on 94.3 the Goat.
“We get a little bit of a push after a powerplay goal, but not everybody was bought into our system, and just not good enough for sure to get a win.”
The 3,411 fans at the Town Toyota Center were treated to a goaltending duel.
Josh Ravensbergen was excellent for the Cats making 38 saves, but Cal Conway came out on top, earning his first WHL win with 36 saves.
“It’s kind of becoming a theme here in Josh is our best player on the ice every night and we need some guys to follow and step up,” Rigby said.
“We’ve got some good players on this team that took a night off and unfortunately this league is so deep right now and points are so important, we get older guys taking nights off like this, this is what happens.”
Wenatchee broke the ice in the second period with a pair of quick goals from Zane Saab and Aiden Grossklaus.
Aiden Foster brought the Cougars back to within one just past the halfway point of the third period, tipping home a Bauer Dumanski shot on the powerplay.
Several ceremonies are scheduled throughout the West Kootenay next week as Canadians stand in collective remembrance of those who have served, or still serve, in the Canadian military.
November 11 is recognized annually as Remembrance Day.
The Royal Canadian Legion organizes events across the country to pay tribute to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP who serve to defend Canadians’ values and freedoms.
Nelson
In Nelson, the annual Remembrance Day ceremony will begin with a parade forming at 10:30 a.m. by the Nelson Legion on Victoria Street.
The parade will step off at 10:45 a.m., marching toward 310 Ward St. for the cenotaph ceremony.
Following the ceremony, the parade will return to the legion. The public is invited to gather at the legion’s Hampton Gray VC Lounge as the community comes together in remembrance.
Trail
In Trail, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 will begin its parade march at 10:30 a.m. from the Fortis Building to Pine Avenue for cenotaph services.
Once the ceremony wraps up at 11:30 a.m., the public is invited to the legion at 2141 Columbia Ave. to gather and remember.
Creston
Creston’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29 kicks off its cenotaph service at 10:45 a.m. at 137 11th Ave. N.
The service will be livestreamed inside the hall and on Facebook for those unable to attend in person.
Following the service, there will be a stew luncheon for the community for a minimum $5 donation.
Grand Forks
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 will host its cenotaph service starting at 11 a.m.
Around the Kootenays
Similar events will be held in Rossland, Salmo and Slocan.
For more information, visit your local legion’s website or social media page for event details.
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This Remembrance Day will mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War. It is a time to pay respects to the fallen soldiers who gave their lives in service to the country.
Remembrance Day ceremonies are held every year on the 11th day of the 11th month to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for Canadians. Traditions such as poppy wearing, the playing of the Last Post, two minutes of silence and the recitation of In Flanders Fields have become lasting symbols of military remembrance in Canada.
The national holiday allows people from all over to come together and mourn our soldiers.
Each community will host its own ceremony.
Here is a list of local events:
Cranbrook: Ceremony begins at 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Cranbrook War Memorial.
Kimberley: Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial Park.
Fernie: A parade will assemble in front of the Fernie Legion building at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11. A ceremony will follow at the Fernie Courthouse.
Sparwood: Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the cenotaph on the lawn outside the Sparwood Library.
Creston: Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Creston branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Invermere: A parade will form at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the cenotaph outside the Legion branch.
Canal Flats: Ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the cenotaph in Lions Park.
Elkford: A Remembrance Day service will be held inside the Elkford Community Conference Centre from 10 to 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11. A ceremony will follow at 10:50 a.m. at the cenotaph outside the centre.
If an event in your community is missing, please let us know and we will update our listings.
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The city of Fernie has adopted a new framework to handle municipally significant event (MSE) designations.
The designation is required by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch to allow non-charity events to charge above simple cost-recovery for liquor sales.
Previously the city did not have a formal policy in place and it led to inconsistent timelines and delays for approving applications.
It’s now the job of the corporate officer to evaluate and approve any MSE designations.
“It ensures that the corporate officer only or the deputy can approve and evaluate event requests,” said corporate officer Lavinia McElwee.
“It also introduces clear timelines and a more efficient process to better support event organizers and staff capacity.”
Applicants are encouraged to submit requests at least 20 business days before applying to the LCRB for a special event permit.
The corporate officer will respond to the request within 10 business days and if an appeal is needed it gives enough time for it to be heard by council.
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Prince George will be getting a new health centric event in the spring next year.
Northern BC Healthy Living Connection is a two and a half day event of diverse health and wellness, with various vendors and speakers covering traditional medicine to holistic care.
Planning Committee Member Sarah Green said Live Well PG, Triquetre Therapeutic Services, and other individuals tried to create something similar in the past.
“They had tried to plan a Healthy Living Expo a couple years ago, but we weren’t able to put it on and it’s just something we felt the community needs, especially now with so much mental health and physical health and people needing the services.”
Green added that the goal is to spread awareness in the community of what’s available to individuals when it comes to health and wellness.
The current dates are for April 17th to the 19th 2026, at Prestige Treasure Cove Resort.
More information can be found on the Northern BC Healthy Living Connection website here.
The District of Port Hardy’s birthday is approaching, and according to the Community Consultive Committee, they’ve budgeted $10,000.
The theme for the event will be reflective of the district over the past 60 years depicting people, places, and milestones in the region.
The committee is looking at putting murals on prominent community landmarks, having an art exhibit, and utilizing social media as a digital display.
Along with the themed venues and exhibitions, the committee has budgeted $3,000 to $5,000 for artists’ honorariums, $2,000 to $4,000 for materials to print and install venues, and $1,000 for promotional and contest prizes.
They will also be looking to add potential partners with local artists, Kwakiutl First Nations, Port Hardy Secondary School art students, and Tri-Nation Totem.
A new executive director has been appointed to the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) Board.
According to VIRL, Eileen Gillette began her new role starting on Nov. 1 and has played a key role in advancing the library’s initiatives and partnerships across Vancouver Island.
Chair of VIRL board of trustees Erin Hemmens says Gillette’s work has positioned the library for increased success, not just in the past but for the future.
“Her leadership, insight, and dedication make her exceptionally well poised for continued success on behalf of the communities we serve,” Hemmens says. “As we enter our 90 years, the board has full confidence in her ability to ensure stability and continued excellence.”
The board also appointed Jennifer Windecker as deputy executive director.
According to a media release, VIRL is focused on providing exceptional library services through innovation, and strengthening community connections in all 39 branches.
UNBC researcher Dr. Wenbo Zheng will be getting a bit of a financial boost in his research related to natural resources.
A federal-provincial fund of $312,393 would go towards creating a rock mechanics lab, and support ongoing research into rock formations subjected to engineered stimulations like hydraulic fracturing and injections as part of natural resource extraction.
Dr. Zheng talks about why this research is important for northern B.C..
“Northern B.C. contributes to over 50 per cent of the Canadian natural gas production and over 90 per cent of the natural gas production in B.C., and this is very important especially aligned with the emerging energy sector in B.C. and Canada.”
One of the challenges addressed in the research is hydraulic fracturing, which has been linked small scale earthquakes in the province’s northeast.
“There has been a lot of drilling and hydraulic fracturing, and there have been many micro-earthquakes in the region.” said Dr. Zheng
“In this case, what we’re trying to do is to conduct laboratory testing to see how rock fracks and then perform numerical simulations.”
The research will be done over a five year period with 10 undergraduate students, ten exchange PhD students and eight graduate students.
More information can be found on UNBC’s website here.
The Town of Ladysmith has finalized its annual appointments for various regional positions.
Appointments were made and voted on during the Nov. 4 council meeting, including deputy mayor and director roles for the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL).
Mayor Deena Beeson appointed two councillors to serve as deputy mayor: Amanda Jacobson will hold the position from November to April, while Coun. Duck Paterson will fill the role from May to October.
Beeson was elected to serve as the town’s director on the CVRD board, though the vote was not unanimous. Couns. Jacobson and Marsh Stevens opposed the motion. Coun. Tricia McKay was chosen as alternate director, also opposed by Stevens.
Council also elected Beeson as the town’s director on the VIRL board, with Coun. Jeff Virtanen serving as alternate.
Director positions are elected annually in each municipality in B.C.
Business chambers from British Columbia’s resort communities, including several from the Kootenays, have united to form a new alliance aimed at strengthening their voice on regional issues, starting with immigration reform.
The Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition (RCCC) officially launched this month, bringing together 14 chambers from provincially designated resort municipalities across B.C.
The founding members include:
Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (Invermere)
Fernie Chamber of Commerce
Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce
Kimberley and District Chamber of Commerce
Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce (Golden)
Trail and District Chamber of Commerce
Other founding members come from resort towns like Whistler, Tofino and Ucluelet, all of which face similar economic and social challenges driven by tourism-dependent economies.
A united voice for tourism-driven communities
Seasonal labour shortages, housing pressures, infrastructure strain and maintaining quality of life for residents are top concerns in many of these small communities.
“By coming together, we can advocate with a stronger, more coordinated voice,” said Caroline Lachapelle, RCCC chair and executive director of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. “This coalition allows us to better champion the needs of resort economies and the businesses that power them.”
In their first joint advocacy effort, the RCCC successfully submitted a policy resolution to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce focused on immigration and workforce gaps in resort towns.
The policy urges the federal government to adapt the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) so that resort communities, often excluded due to population thresholds, can qualify for support. The resolution calls for:
Expanding RCIP eligibility to include resort-based municipalities
Adapting population and geographic criteria for communities reliant on tourism
Ensuring local stakeholders, such as municipal governments and businesses, are involved in implementation
The proposal received overwhelming support at the Canadian Chamber’s national AGM in October, with 94 per cent of delegates voting in favour.
What’s next for the Kootenay chambers?
The RCCC plans to work closely with the Canadian Chamber’s Future of Work department and federal officials responsible for tourism and immigration to advance the policy.
“Resort communities across Canada face similar workforce challenges,” said Lachapelle. “By presenting a united voice, we can bring national attention to the need for immigration solutions that reflect the realities of our local economies.”
While the RCCC currently consists of chambers from B.C., the coalition is now welcoming other resort-area chambers from across Canada. For Kootenay businesses and communities, this collaboration marks a major step forward in shaping federal policy that better reflects mountain town realities.
Oxygen Art Centre will welcome Genevieve Robertson as artist-in-residence from Nov. 12 to Dec. 20, 2025.
Robertson works at the intersection of visual art and environmental studies. Her practice is grounded in drawing and painting, extending to video, installation and collective work. Through long-term, place-based research projects, her work explores anthropogenic impacts on ecology and the climate, and the intelligence and interconnection of the life systems of which we are a part.
Based in Nelson, Robertson previously served as executive director of Oxygen Art Centre from 2018 to 2019.
During the residency, she will offer an artist talk on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at 5 p.m., and an open studio event on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the artist-run centre. The artist talk will introduce Robertson’s practice and share process-based explorations from her residency. The open studio event offers the public an informal opportunity to engage with her work and works-in-progress.
Both events are free to attend. Everyone is welcome.
The centre notes that Robertson’s residency comes at an important moment in her practice, providing space, time and resources to develop a body of work for exhibition at the Midlands Arts Centre in the United Kingdom in spring 2026. The Nelson community will be able to preview aspects of this work during the residency events.
This program is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the B.C. Arts Council, the Vancouver Foundation and the Regional District of Central Kootenay ReDi program.
Oxygen Art Centre is located at #3–320 Vernon St., along the alleyway behind Baker Street in Nelson, B.C. More information is available on the centre’s website or by contacting [email protected].
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School District 5 (SD5) is supporting School District No. 70 (SD70) in calling for provincial funding to assist to build new housing for teachers and staff in rural or remote communities.
A letter written by SD70 to the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the Ministry of Infrastructure requesting support for staff housing has been reviewed by SD5, which agrees with the proposal.
With a serious housing crisis going on across Canada, particularly in small rural communities, school districts are struggling to attract and keep qualified teachers citing the lack of affordable housing. In some cases, candidates have turned down teaching jobs after being unable to find housing in the area.
SD5 has acquired land next to a school for such housing but said it does not have the funds required to build the units.
The district is now working with SD70 on a joint motion to present at the 2026 B.C. School Trustees Association annual general meeting. Officials believe a united front could give the motion more influence with the provincial government.
SD5 has asked SD70 to collaborate on the proposal and share any feedback.
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150 Mile House Residents have one final chance today, Nov. 8, to vote on two referendums that could reshape their fire protection for the future.
Residents will vote on two referendums. One to allow the Cariboo Regional District(CRD) to borrow funds to rebuild the 150 Mile House Fire Hall, and another to borrow funds for a new Fire Truck.
The polling stations are located at the 150 Mile Elementary School. The polls open at 8 am and close at 8 pm.
The Official Results will be counted and announced on November 12th.
$1.5 million for the Fire Hall has already been secured, and the CRD needs to know whether voters will support the Regional District borrowing the additional $2.5 million for construction, which will be repaid over 25 years, with a parcel tax of $217 per year.
The CRD says there will be no service interruptions through the Fire Protection Area while the new Fire Hall is being built.
The Fire Truck will be repaid over 10 years rather than the standard 5, with no increase to residents’ property taxes.
An Advanced Voting day was held on October 29th for the referendums, in which 43 voters cast their ballots.
It’s one of the fastest growing sports in Castlegar, but there is no dedicated place to play the game.
Members of the Super Kings cricket club appeared before city council this week with a proposal to set aside a space where they can practice and play.
Paramveer Bagga told council they have 45 to 50 active players, plus community and business support, which has allowed them to buy jerseys and equipment, and families and youth have been showing interest.
“Our goal is to raise awareness about cricket and inspire more people from our community to get involved,” he said. “We are always happy to introduce newcomers to the game, teach the basics of the sport, and help grow the sport together within our region and outside our region.”
However, due to the lack of a proper pitch, they’re unable to host structured matches. So far all of their competitive matches have been on the road. A month ago the team won both of its matches against Salmon Arm.
Bagga said other interior cities have shown support for dedicated pitches, including Revelstoke and Vernon, while Kelowna recently developed a pitch between two soccer fields, creating a multi-sport facility.
Bagga said they have identified two potential locations in Castlegar: on one of the existing grass fields in Millennium Park, or in an empty field next to Kinnaird Park Community Church. He said both are accessible, open spaces suitable for a cricket pitch.
The team says creating a pitch would require a bit of digging and putting in a concrete slab and some turf, but the grounds could still be used for other sports.
For the moment the club has been practicing at the Zinio Park tennis court and indoors at the Selkirk College gym, where they are thinking about hosting an invitational tournament. They say they have sponsors willing to pay for a pitch, and team members are willing to contribute whatever is required themselves.
Council was receptive to the idea, but mayor Maria McFaddin suggested they may need to expand the search for a suitable site, including looking outside city limits.
“We have a broader option base there,” she said. “It might fit somewhere that may not be within the city, knowing that our sports fields within the City of Castlegar are all utilized. To dedicate one of those fields without it being able to be used for soccer might become challenging.”
Council asked the team to send them their request in writing and also to present their proposal to the recreation commission.
From left, Savan Bhatt, Paramveer Bagga, Dharmesh Manuja, and Maddy Singh present to Castlegar city council. (City of Castlegar screenshot)
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The Prince George Cougars were rewarded for their resilience, stealing a 5-4 overtime victory from the Everett Silvertips and 6543 fans in Angel of the Winds Arena Friday night.
The Cougars leading scorer, and the first star, Kooper Gizowski, began his four-point night by scoring the first goal of the game just 3:44 into the first.
Gizowski now stands 3rd in WHL scoring with 29 points (12 goals) in just 17 games.
The Silvertips ended the period up 2-1, thanks to a pair of goals 19 seconds apart.
“I thought for sure that first period we weathered the storm.” said assistant coach Carter Rigby on the 94.3 the Goat post-game show.
“I thought 5 on 5 we dominated in the first period, and they get a couple quick ones there, but we didn’t fold by any means. We kept plugging away and plugging away.”
Everett took a 3-1 lead 7:33 into the second before the Cougars rallied to tie the game at 3 thanks to goals from Terik Parascak (at 9:55) and Patrick Sopiarz (at 14:50).
Former P.G. Cougar Zachary Shantz scored late in the 2nd period (at 17:05) to give the (13-1-2) Western-Conference leading Silvertips a 4-3 lead after two.
Parascak’s second goal of the game in the 3rd (at 5:08) put the Cats on even terms again.
It was the third power-play goal of the night for the Cougars in as many chances.
Winning goalie Josh Ravensbergen was at his best in the final period stopping all 15 shots he faced, including a pair of highlight-reel glove saves.
“He [Ravensbergen] gave us a chance and more than a chance to win tonight (Friday) and did his job.” said Rigby.
“That’s what we expect out of Josh, and that’s the goaltending we know we have, and it’s really comfortable as a group and as a team when you got him back there and you’re going into overtime, and they got a lot of skill and a lot of speed, but when he’s playing like that and he’s on his game, definitely wouldn’t be a guy I wanna go down and face.”
The Cougars won the dramatic game when Lee Shurgot tallied at 1:20 of overtime to keep Prince George in first place in the B.C. Division.
The (11-6) Cougars conclude a six-game road trip tonight (Saturday) at 6:00 against the Wild in Wenatchee before they return home to entertain the (9-4-2-1) Victoria Royals Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 and Wednesday night at 7:00.
Baker travelled to Ottawa last month to help company officials press the federal government for a US softwood deal, and to seek relief for idled workers.
Softwood duties and tariffs add about 45 per cent to the cost of exporting lumber of the United States.
On Thursday, Interfor announced a third-quarter net loss of $216 million. The company says about 60 per cent of its lumber is produced and sold within the US, while about 25 per cent is exported from Canada to the US.
Yellowhead Road and Bridge will be expanding its Shift Into Winter campaign wit a Pit Stop event in Prince George.
Those that go the the event will be able to have winter tire and wiper assessments, and get their washer fluid topped off before the winter conditions hit.
General Manager Ben Scott said the pit stop is meant to make sure drivers are ready for the season ahead.
“Sometimes there’s maybe a little bit of trying to hold off as long as you can. Winter tires are expensive and that’s something that’s understood.”
“This event isn’t an enforcement event by any means. It’s more of an educational thing, just making sure people are prepared.
“The Pit Stop event will be at Highway 97 North at the PG North Scales on Monday, 10:30 a.m. until noon.
More information about Yellowhead Road and Bridge can be found here.
British Columbia led the country as average asking rents declined across Canada in October, according to a new report.
The latest data from Rentals.ca and Urbanation said average rents across all property types in B.C. fell by 6.2 per cent compared to October 2024.
The average rent for a one-bedroom in B.C. was $1,938.
Infographic from Rentals.ca & Urbanation
Average asking rents for purpose-built and condo apartments fell 5.8 per cent to $2,401 in October, and were down nearly 10 per cent from two years ago.
Two-bedroom apartment rents in B.C. saw the biggest losses, down 6.6 per cent from last year to $2,686.
Asking rents for shared accommodation in B.C. fell by 10 per cent in October to $1,085 – the largest decline in the country. Vancouver saw shared accommodation rents drop by nearly 17 per cent to $1,241.
While Vancouver still has some of the steepest rent prices in the country, it hit a multi-year low in October. Vancouver rents fell 7.4 per cent for an average of $2,738. The average cost for a one-bedroom was down more than six per cent at $2,451.
North Vancouver remains Canada’s most expensive city for rentals, with an average apartment rent of $3,011 in October.
It was the 13th consecutive month of year-over-year declines for Canadian rents. However, the report said that decline appears to be slowing, noting 2.2 per cent drop in October was the smallest in nearly a year.
Rents have risen by 14 per cent, or $259 per month, compared to the pre-COVID average in October 2019.
The report said demand continued to fall in October, with fewer people seeking rentals.
“With levels tracking near historic lows and winter approaching, Canada is on pace to experience the slowest winter of rental demand in recent years,” it said.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson says West Fraser’s decision to close its sawmill in 100 Mile House is a devastating blow to the South Cariboo and 100 Mile House specifically.
“I think there is obviously a lot of fear in that marketplace right now with respect to next steps and going forward. Obviously we’re going to have to let this dust settle a little bit but it is definitely a frightening situation for sure.”
With respect to the 165 direct jobs that will be lost, he says it goes well beyond that.
“Generally speaking there are industry standards for multiples, and if we’re talking forest industry. You know often times industry will use a 2 and 3 times rate with respect to other people that are affected by this. You know suppliers of the mill, suppliers of logging contractors and people that obviously do that work every single day down there. And then of course all the suppliers to them, which is typically the small business of 100 mile, so it’s very concerning, there is no question about that.”
Doerkson is calling for an immediate response from the senior levels of government.
“I think we need an immediate response to this and certainly supports, not just for the workers but also for the community and small business. And we have seen some of those programs in the past that may have encouraged potential early retirement and those kinds of things. So it seems to me that the government needs an emergency response to this in the South Cariboo to support again those three different levels. The obvious impact is the 165 people that have lost their jobs immediately, but then also we’re going to be advocating for supports for business and obviously for the community as well. I think that there needs to be some involvement from the Minister of Jobs here as well, and I think we’re going to see some cross ministry work here no question about that.”
Doerkson is also hopeful though that the industry might one day return to 100 Mile.
“I think there are certainly opportunities out there still. The Chief Forester, who is certainly in a position to make decisions about our allowable cut in this province, has said that we can cut safely and sustainably 60 million cubic meters a year. We’re accessing half of that right now in this province.”
Doerkson says permitting is an issue and has been for a number of years.
He says while he can appreciate the impact that tariffs are having on this business right now, he has been speaking about the challenges to get permits approved for the last 5 years in the legislature.
Doerkson says “there are things that we can be doing in this province, and we’re just simply not at this point.”
A review of British Columbia’s main 911 service provider suggests the organization needs a financial and governance overhaul.
The province launched a review of E-Comm last December in response to concerns from local governments, police and other stakeholders about its lack of transparency and unsustainable levy increases.
Local governments are responsible for the provision of 911 services in B.C.
E-Comm is the largest provider of emergency call-dispatch services in the province, servicing dozens of police and fire services in the Lower Mainland, South Island and some parts of the Okanagan. The province says the organization handles more than two-million 911 calls across B.C. each year.
Two independent reports released Friday look at how to improve E-Comm’s financial controls and operations, and present some possible roles for the province going forward.
The review said the province needs to more clearly define its role in overseeing B.C.’s emergency communication services.
“The absence of a Provincial decision on its role means there is no reference point to measuring intended outcomes or accountability for results,” it said.
That lack of clarity has contributed to confusion around roles and responsibilities, operational challenges due to inconsistent standards and limited long-term planning capacity, among other issues.
The review had dozens of recommendations to address shortcomings at E-Comm.
It said more financial controls and transparency are needed to provide more predictable fee increases for local governments.
It also recommends a review of the E-Comm’s board structure, including reducing the number of board members, to improve decision-making and accountability.
Low service levels and rising levies have eroded trust among clients and a formal stakeholder framework is needed to strengthen communication and engagement.
“We accept the findings of the review, and are committed to work with the Province and our local government partners to act on the recommendations as quickly as possible,” said E-Comm board chair Nancy Kotani in a statement. “The board and executive team recognize the urgency of the improvements required, particularly in our governance and financial management, and the need to rebuild the trust of our local government and agency partners.”
The mayors of 10 municipalities on southern Vancouver Island penned a joint letter in January, opposing the province’s move to download police dispatch costs to local governments. They said the move would translate to property tax increases of up to six per cent.
The province began to transition emergency dispatch service in the region from the RCMP to E-Comm in 2014. Previously, the costs were fully covered under a 70/30 funding model between the province and the federal government, but the transition to E-Comm meant the service costs would be passed to local governments over the course of a transitional funding period.
The South Island municipalities said they weren’t made aware of the financial impact of the transition until afterward. The full implementation of those costs was delayed until April this year, but local leaders said the projected costs for the nine-remaining months of this year are close to $5 million.
B.C. Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger Friday said she’s heard the concerns from South Island mayors and other communities.
“My expectation is that E-Comm prioritize the implementation of the findings of the report, to ensure that the services are financially sustainable,” said Krieger.
Many municipalities have called for a 911 call answer levy to be applied to monthly cell phone bills, as the province already does for landline phones. It’s one of the funding model options outlined in the report, which notes other provinces have implemented similar levies ranging from about 50 cents per month to $2 a month.
Krieger said it’s among the options the province will consider in the future.
The City of Prince George and Lheidli T’enneh First Nation held an opening ceremony for the new and revitalized playground at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
The $3 million playground, which came under budget at $2.75 million thanks to a $30,000 Northern Development Initiative Trust grant, started in November 2024 after the previous one reached the end of its useful life.
Mayor Simon Yu said this is another reason to come to the park.
“It’s not just a physical couple pieces of equipment, this is also a place we want in the many generations to come, and the families and everybody can create some fond memories together.”
Chief Dolleen Logan said this location is a place where everyone gathers, making it fitting area to have the the revitalized playground
The playground also ties in local landmarks including the Little Prince Train, the Nechako and Fraser rivers, Mr. PG, and the fire engine that was a feature at the park for decades.
It was a disappointing jobs report for the Cariboo region in October.
Vincent Ferrao, a Labour Market Analyst with Stats Canada, says the unemployment rate was 9.3 percent.
“That’s about 7,900 people who are looking for work. It has trended up. A year ago the region was at 5.1 percent, with about 4,500 people looking for work.”
Last month’s jobless rate was the highest it’s been since it was also 9.3 percent in December of 2021.
Ferrao says there were around 65-hundred fewer people working in the region last month, compared to October of 2024.
“Most of the declines were in the wholesale and retail trade sector, around 2,000, but there were also declines in educational services and public administration. On a positive note, there were more construction jobs.”
The national unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in October, down slightly from September.
BC’s jobless rate was 6.6 percent, up from 6.4..
Quebec was the lowest at 5.3.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba were also lower than B.C.
The City of Courtenay has awarded a contract for the design of its new East Courtenay fire hall.
The contract was awarded to Western Canadian firm Sahuri + Associates Architecture Inc.
A news release from the city said the new facility will include two large drive-through bays for fire trucks, training and office areas, a specialized cleaning area to remove smoke and contaminants from gear and equipment, as well as rest and dorm rooms.
Construction of the facility at 220 Waters Place is expected to begin next year and be completed in 2027.
Fire Chief Kurt MacDonald called the project an important step in strengthening fire protection for Courtenay’s east side.
“Sahuri + Associates brings valuable experience from similar fire hall projects across Western Canada,” MacDonald said. “Together, we’ll create a practical, safe and modern facility that meets our community’s needs now and in the future.”
The city said the next step will be to work with Sahuri + Associates on design plans, while a construction manager will be selected to help ensure the project stays on schedule and within budget.
The City of Nelson is taking a closer look at its business licence bylaw to clarify requirements, modernize fees and ensure the document aligns with today’s business environment.
At Tuesday’s Nov. 4 council meeting, local government intern Christine Felekan and deputy chief financial officer Aimee Mooney presented councillors with an overview of their review of the current bylaw, which has been under revision for several years.
Nelson’s current business licence bylaw hasn’t had a comprehensive review since 2016, with some of the fee structure dating back to 2005.
“There’s been lots of changes in these 10 years. So, we’re just looking to update the bylaw to meet both the city’s needs as well as the local business community’s needs in Nelson. And in doing so, we want to support and uplift local and independent businesses in Nelson,” said Felekan.
Right now, the city issues about 1,644 business licences annually, which Felekan noted is 20 per cent more than similar-sized communities in the province.
The largest licence category is “all other businesses,” accounting for 971 licences, followed by “intercommunity businesses” (268), retail (127) and tourist accommodations (35).
The city’s fee schedule was a major component of the staff review, which Felekan described as overly complicated and outdated.
Some categories, such as door-to-door sales and telemarketing, either have no active licensees or unrealistic fee levels.
“Door-to-door sales, I believe we have one business listed under this category. Telemarketing, I don’t believe we have any, and it’s $1,040 for some reason. So there’s just some parts of the current fees that aren’t necessarily up to date with what the community needs in Nelson.”
Staff have recommended that the city consolidate redundant categories and simplify the structure while maintaining overall revenue in line with cost-recovery needs.
Felekan clarified that the city does not generate any profit from the fees collected but instead covers administrative costs.
She added that because licence fees have remained the same for nearly 20 years, the city has been operating at a loss when it comes to covering costs.
Next steps
Staff are now planning to gather community feedback on the proposed changes.
Feedback can be submitted through the city’s Let’s Talk Nelson platform from November through January. In-person open houses will follow in early 2026.
“We want to try and engage as many business owners and any other relevant community partners in Nelson,” said Felekan.
After the open houses wrap up, staff will return to council to share what was learned and how the city will implement changes.
The final bylaw is expected to be presented to council in February or March for first, second and third readings and eventual adoption, though any fee changes will only apply to the January 2027 billing cycle.
To view the full staff review presented to council, click here.
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A Trail resident was treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in the basement of a home shortly before 10 a.m. Friday in the 700 block of Short Street.
Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire and Rescue responded to the call and found the home filled with smoke, with the fire originating in the basement.
“One occupant was treated for smoke inhalation by BCAS,” said Capt. Grant Tyson. “There is smoke and water damage throughout the home.”
The fire remains under investigation.
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Local ladies league curlers in the Comox Valley are set to face the Scottish Women’s Curling Tour this month.
For the first time in 30 years, the Scottish tour is returning to B.C. to compete against 18 curling clubs across the province, including a stop in the Comox Valley.
Twenty-four Scottish curlers, divided into six teams, will play against 24 members of the Comox Valley Ladies Leagues.
The Comox Valley team was scheduled to travel to Scotland for a tour in 2020, but local resident Cindy Wenzek said it was postponed until last year because of COVID-19.
“We had a fantastic trip filled with lots of curling, great food, making lasting friendships, and we won the Muriel Fage Trophy.”
The tour began in 1955 and brings 24 Scottish women curlers to Canada every 10 years, with 18 stops this year across the Lower Mainland, Okanagan and Vancouver Island.
This year’s event will be held at the Comox Valley Curling Centre on Monday, Nov. 17, with opening ceremonies starting at 2:30 p.m. Games will begin at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Schools from across Vancouver Island will be in the Comox Valley this month to showcase their musical talents.
The Comox Valley Schools Band and Choir Festival returns November 17 to 19, bringing student musicians from Parksville, Nanaimo and Victoria to the region.
Festival organizer Jennifer Riley said the event has become an honoured tradition for many local and visiting schools.
“Education has always been at the forefront of this festival, and our mandate is to offer students encouragement and concrete musical ideas and concepts that they can continue to expand on throughout the year.”
The three-day festival will feature guest clinicians from Manitoba and Alberta, who will share their musical knowledge and inspire students through workshops and performances.
The choral portion takes place November 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Courtenay Fellowship Baptist Church, while the band portion runs November 18 and 19 at the Sid Williams Theatre, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on November 18 and 9 a.m. on November 19.
The Town of Ladysmith has authorized three grant applications focused on emergency management.
During its Nov. 4 meeting, council voted to ask the Cowichan Valley Regional District to proceed with the application process to seek a total of $500,000 in funding.
More than half of the amount — $300,000 — would support emergency preparedness, while the remaining $200,000 would go toward managing the 2025 Union of B.C. Municipalities Community Resiliency Investment FireSmart Community Fund.
Of the $300,000, half would go to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for Emergency Support Services, with the other half earmarked for the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund’s Emergency Operations Centre stream.
Council adopted the motions following discussion at the meeting.
Some residents in Campbell River may have noticed discoloured water from their taps Friday, Nov. 7.
According to a release from the city, the discolouration was caused by an increase in water flow due to a mechanical issue. City crews have repaired the problem.
“The water discolouration is temporary and is an aesthetic concern only,” the release said. “If you experience discoloured or cloudy water at home, please run your cold water taps, preferably the bathtub for higher flow, until the water runs clear.”
Ladysmith council has approved an amendment to its bylaw to allow for higher utility rates.
Town staff have been directed to increase water and sewer rates by three per cent, which will also affect other service rates.
Council also voted to amend the Waterworks Regulation Bylaw to include a three per cent tax increase, and asked staff to return with updated information on the residential curbside collection services bid.
According to the town, the new bid will include negotiations with the selected contractor to adjust the original tendered amount following proposed changes to collection bins.
A mural in Nanaimo’s south end will get a revamp from its original artist. Yvonne Vander Kooi painted Land, Sea and Sky at Deverill Square Park in 2009. The city says the work is showing signs of wear and has reached the end of its life.
Vander Kooi plans to consult south end residents for inspiration for a replacement piece that reflects the neighbourhood. The new mural will cover the entire building at the park and will be inspired by residents’ photos of their favourite garden plants and pollinators.
“Public art is at its most special when it reflects the people and places it belongs to. This project celebrates that sentiment – honouring a familiar artwork while creating something new and inspiring for everyone to enjoy,” said Jaime-Brett Sine, culture coordinator for the city.
The city says the old mural will be sandblasted off Nov. 10-12, and the washrooms will be closed while work is underway. The new mural is scheduled for completion in spring 2026.
Jesse Gray’s sculpture Chimes for the South End will be reinstalled at the park along with other public art projects at the same time as the new mural unveiling.
Residents wanting to vote early in the Edgewater commercial space service assent vote must register by 4:30 p.m. today.
Advance registration is taking place at the Edgewater Community Hall.
If you miss the opportunity you will have to register on voting day.
The question on the ballot is whether residents want the RDEK to establish the commercial space service an let it be leased to entities such as public authorities, societies, corporations, individuals, or used by the RDEK.
Part of establishing the service would include the RDEK borrowing $450,000 over 15 years.
The assent vote is scheduled for Nov. 22, but there will be an advanced voting oppurtunity on Nov. 12.
Both voting days will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Edgewater Community Hall.
If the vote is in favour, the bylaw will go back the the RDEK board for final approval and the procurement process would start soon after.
Construction is expected to take seven months.
If residents vote against it, the service will not move forward.
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The District of Sparwood will be updating its recreation fees and is asking for the public’s thoughts before it gets adopted.
The new draft recreation fees and charges bylaw was developed through an extensive process involving multiple rounds of community involvement and cost studies.
The bylaw includes shifting rental fees to an hourly basis where possible and develops a robust fee subsidy program.
The fee subsidy program provides eligible residents with 12 recreation admission tickets per identified household member per calendar year.
Applicants must have a RecDesk account and provide a referral letter from a recognized public service agency.
That includes the Columbia Basin Family Resource Society, Elk Valley Family Society, Sparwood Food Bank, Sparwood Toys for Tots, School District #5, Fernie Women’s Resource Society, Ministry of Children and Family Development or the Uplift Association.
Under the new bylaw, all areas will meet a minimum of 20 per cent for cost recovery. meanwhile, rates will also increase 3.5 per cent each year from 2025-2030.
New rates will come into effect 15 business days after the bylaw is adopted and yearly increases will occur on Sept. 1.
Feedback on the new bylaw can be provided until Nov. 21 at 4 p.m.
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Cranbrook city council has given three readings to its fees and charges bylaw, which will have residents paying a little more in administrative fees.
City staff said the fee changes will bring them more in line with what other communities are doing.
On the city side, tax certificates will see a fee increase from $25 to $35, NSF Service Charges will rise from $25 to $30 and a 20 per cent fee on administrative charges on recoverable work.
There are also changes coming to the policing side.
“The changes to the administrative fees for police services include a fee increase for disclosure from $50-$65,” said municipal operations manager Amanda Peters.
“That’s to more accurately reflect our staff time. Our average disclosure request takes roughly one hour.”
Fingerprinting services will go up $5 to $55.
The city expects the fee changes to bring in an additional $15,130 in revenue.
It will be up for adoption at a future council meeting.
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The B.C. Conservatives are reiterating their call for the province to pause all Aboriginal title negotiations until the controversial Cowichan title case is resolved.
Leader John Rustad and deputy indigenous relations critic Scott McInnis, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, said in a statement Thursday the government is operating in secrecy and without legal clarity.
“You can’t tell homeowners not to worry while quietly signing agreements that require absolute clarity around the indefeasible ownership over their private property,” said Rustad.
The province and other parties are appealing the Aug.7 ruling by the B.C. Supreme Court on Cowichan Tribes v. Canada. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma has said the ruling could have unintended consequences for fee simple property rights in the province.
Judge Barbara Young ruled the Cowichan hold Aboriginal title to more than seven square kilometres of land at their former village site in Richmond, as well as the right to fish the south arm of the Fraser River.
The court declared that most of Canada’s and Richmond’s fee simple titles in the area are invalid. It allowed the parties 18 months to negotiate a resolution.
Premier David Eby said last week the province is working on a stay application to further delay implementing the decision until the Court of Appeal weighs in.
While the case has been wending its way through the courts for more than a decade, many property owners in the claim area weren’t made aware of it until after the trial concluded.
Concerns mounted when Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie wrote a letter to property owners within the claim area last month, warning their property’s title could be affected by the Court’s decision.
Hundreds of Richmond residents and stakeholders attended an information session on the decision last Tuesday, many expressing concern and confusion about what the ruling means for their properties.
Eby on Monday acknowledged the case has created “huge anxiety” for home and business owners in the claim area. He said there were previous assurances from the court that the decision would not affect landowners in the claim area, so they didn’t need to be informed about the case.
“That obviously turned out not to be the case,” said Eby.
Quw’utsun Nation speak following the landmark Cowichan Tribes v Canada ruling in August | Photo via Quw’utsun Nation on Facebook
The Quw’utsun Nation, of which the Cowichan Tribes are a member, said in a statement last week the rhetoric from politicians around the case has been misleading and inflammatory.
It said the B.C. Supreme Court ruling does not erase private property.
Young affirmed in her ruling Aboriginal title and fee simple interests can coexist. She also recognized that Aboriginal title does not neatly fit into any one legal framework and involves a “nuanced approach, with reference to Indigenous laws, the common law, and equitable principles.”
Rustad and McInnis said the shíshálh (Sunshine Coast) Foundation Agreement is another example of the public being left in the dark, noting the government’s 2024 renewal of the agreement was “hidden” from the public for five months.
The agreement includes commitments to transfer certain provincial Crown lands to shíshálh Nation, located on about 50 kilometres northwest of Vancouver.
The province updated the agreement with the shíshálh in August 2024. However, the province didn’t announce it until late January of this year.
A fact sheet on the agreement released by the province said engagement will be planned for each part of the Foundation Agreement that has potential to impact local government, interest holders and the public.
A letter to Eby last month from a Pender Harbour and area residents association expressed concern about why the agreement was kept under wraps until well after the October 2024 provincial election.
“There’s a responsible way to reconcile rights while protecting property, but this government’s approach is fuelling anxiety and undermining reconciliation,” said McInnis.
Elenore Sturko, Independent MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, speaks at the B.C. legislature at Oct 28, 2025 | Vista News photo
Elenore Sturko, Independent MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, also issued a call this week for the NDP government to disclose all Notices of Civil Claim filed against the province by First Nations claiming title.
She points to the notice of civil claim, initially filed by the Secwepemc Nation back in 2015.
The claim sought to declare Aboriginal title and rights to parts of their traditional territory that includes the City of Kamloops and surrounding areas. The claim aimed to stop development of the proposed KGHM Ajax copper and gold mine project near Jacko Lake – a project which ultimately failed to get the greenlight from the provincial and federal governments.
Sturko also refers to another recent ruling from B.C.’s top court that found Haida Nation has sovereignty over Haida Gwaii, saying it also throws uncertainty onto private property rights.
“While David Eby and his NDP government claim to be working to protect the interests of private property owners, they have failed egregiously to notify the public of claims filed against their private property and continue to work almost exclusively in secret working up land-back agreements behind the backs of British Columbians,” said Sturko in a statement.
In the Haida Nation case, the First Nation’s application was supported by the provincial and federal governments. Similar to the Cowichan case, the court order mandates that the Haida Nation, B.C. and Canada reconcile their respective laws, jurisdictions, and titles during a transition period. A 300-day trial is set for next year to resolve outstanding issues between Haida and the Crown, including damages for infringement of title.
The Haida said the agreements and the court order follow five years of negotiations to reconcile Haida title with the interests of non-Haida residents of Haida Gwaii. The province consulted with local governments and businesses, industry and tourism operators, residents and property owners in the lead up to the agreement. It also held multiple community meetings open to all residents of Haida Gwaii.
Rustad has insisted the Aboriginal title and private property rights cannot coexist.
He has called Ottawa to submit a reference question on the Cowichan Tribes decision to the Supreme Court of Canada, which would allow the top court to issue non-binding advice on the case, and urged the province to pause all negotiations with First Nations until the top court has provided clarity.
The First Nations Leadership council said in a statement last month its members are “deeply disturbed and angered” by Rustad’s rhetoric around Aboriginal title and private property rights.
“Aboriginal title and fee simple private ownership can and do co-exist. Reconciliation through recognition of this legal and political fact is not a threat to the stability and prosperity of British Columbia; it is the foundation on which it is built,” said the statement.
“By calling for an immediate pause to all negotiations between the Province of British Columbia and First nations, Rustad is advocating for an approach that will only exacerbate the very issues he purports to be so concerned about,” said Regional Chief Terry Teegee.
The City of Duncan has issued a correction to its new Curbside Collection Guide.
The guide mistakenly lists monthly yard waste pickup, but that service ended Sept. 9.
The city said residents should now combine yard waste with kitchen scraps in their 240-litre green organics cart, which continues to be collected weekly by city crews.
Residents are encouraged to update their old guide, as the weekly organics pickup now includes both food and yard waste.
More information is available on the City of Duncan website.
It’s safe to say 2025 was a ‘Halloween Happening’ for Comox Valley RCMP.
More than 900 people stopped by the local RCMP detachment for some pre-Halloween fun in late October.
Officers transformed their holding cells into a haunted house, drawing everyone from babies in costumes to seniors in their 80s.
Police said the Oct. 29 event was made possible with help from more than 40 volunteers from the detachment to create a safe, spooky and inclusive experience.
The haunted house raised $3,500 for Comox Valley Search and Rescue and $1,300 in food donations and cash for the Salvation Army.
Inspector Scott Mercer, officer in charge of the Comox Valley RCMP, said the event was about breaking down barriers between police and the community.
“We saw kids and adults see policing in a new light,” Mercer said. “For many families, it was their first time meeting police in such a friendly and welcoming setting.”
The detachment’s cells, which are typically off-limits to the public, were the highlight of the evening.
“The cells are always the first place people want to see,” said Cst. Monika Terragni, the detachment’s media relations officer. “This event works because it’s held right here in the detachment — it lets people walk through, ask questions and realize that behind these walls are people who care about their community.”
In a statement, the Comox Valley RCMP thanked everyone who attended, donated and volunteered, adding they look forward to continuing to create opportunities for the community to connect with police in positive and meaningful ways.
– Article includes submitted photos from Bruce Woloshyn of Comox Valley Classic Cruisers
RCMP say they have spoken to a driver and passenger of a car that was near a fatal collision in Nanaimo earlier this week and the investigation is ongoing.
Police asked for help locating a black Honda Civic after a black Audi S3 crashed near Morden Road on Highway 1 on Nov. 2. The driver of the Honda did not stop after the crash.
“Both occupants of the Honda Civic who were in the area are cooperating with police,” says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “There is a lot of community chatter about this incident and we are looking for more witnesses and video to establish exactly what happened.”
A news release from BC Highway Patrol says investigators are working to establish a timeline for all vehicles that were in the area using surveillance footage and witness accounts.
“We would like to thank every witness who has stepped forward,” says Corporal McLaughlin. “These investigations are highly technical and take a long time, but with continued help from the public, we will solve this.”
The passenger inside the Audi died after the car crashed and caught fire. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police are still asking anyone with additional information that could help with the investigation to contact BC Highway Patrol – Duncan at 250-746-2751 and quote file 2025-2168.
The MLA for Courtenay-Comox is urging the provincial government to reconsider its decision to cut three hospice beds from Courtenay’s Aitken Community Hospice.
Brennan Day said the reduction stems from recent Ministry of Health funding changes and is calling for hospice services in the Comox Valley to be fully restored.
In a letter to Health Minister Josie Osborne, Day asked the province to pause the ministry-directed cuts, adding that the Comox Valley Hospice Society was not consulted beforehand.
His letter states the decision to reduce hospice care capacity was made to maintain 28 long-term care beds at Courtenay’s Ocean Front Village.
“The decision to take hospice beds offline to ‘preserve’ long-term care capacity is not a solution, it’s a symptom of a system in freefall,” Day said in a news release. “End-of-life care deserves dignity, and that dignity is not found in a crowded hallway or shared room, nor in forcing families to take on this sacred work alone at home without support. That is unacceptable.”
Day’s letter is available for public viewing on his social media accounts.
The Quesnel River Rush has made a pretty big trade heading into their bye weekend.
The KIJHL announced the River Rush traded forward Toren Fron, born in 2006, to the Kimberley Dynamiters.
Fron, 19 years old, is third on the Rush in scoring this season, with nine goals, seven assists, and 16 points in 15 games, along with a league-leading 117 penalty minutes.
During the River Rush’s inaugural season last year, Fron ended the season with 12 goals, 14 assists, and 26 points in 38 games, with 198 penalty minutes.
From Kimberley, in return for Fron, the River Rush will receive 2007-born forward Spencer Bates, 18 years old.
Bates, in his first season of the KIJHL, has three goals and six assists for nine points in 10 games for the Dynamiters, with zero penalty minutes.
The River Rush also received Future Considerations from Kimberley in the trade.
Trees down across wires have cut power to over 900 people in the Quesnel and Canim Lake areas.
BC Hydro reports that due to high winds and storms, 921 customers in the Canim Lake area have been without power since 9:04 a.m., including the Canim Lake East Subdivision, and the communities of Hendrix Lake and the Mahood Lake area.
In Quesnel, 16 customers in the Barkerville Highway area have been without power since 8:29 a.m., also due to trees falling on power lines from the wind.
Crews are on site at both locations.
BC Hydro estimates the majority of customers in Canim Lake’s outage will regain power just after noon.
In Quesnel, BC Hydro estimates that customers will have power restored around 1 pm.
A new temporary winter shelter is hoping to run until March next year.
It will be operated by the newly formed Bulkley Valley Harm Reduction Society (BVHRS) with funding from B.C. Housing’s Emergency Shelter program.
According to the society’s website [https://bvharmreduction.org/], it will be located at the intersection of Third Avenue and Queen Street where Fabrications used to be, and operated 24/7.
According to the Town of Smithers, the shelter will have be able to hold 10 people at a time.
Some of the services the group plans to offer include meals, creative and cultural programing, harm reduction, mobile outreach, and peer employment and training.
The centre will also be open to anyone ages 19 and older requiring it with at least two staff onsite trained in first aid, de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction..
BVHRS told My Bulkley Lakes Now work still has to be done to bringing the building up to code before it can open.
A new digital platform in Creston is helping shoppers discover local deals while giving small businesses a break on advertising costs.
The first edition of the Kootenay Connections app and web platform went live on Nov. 1 and will run until March 31, 2026.
The platform was developed by KC Dyer, a local app designer with roots in the Creston Valley.
He said the goal of Kootenay Connections is to help small businesses solve a persistent problem – the high cost of advertising.
“When small businesses try and advertise, they find it very difficult to track their spend versus what they receive out of it in value,” said Dyer.
“What we’re trying to do is find a way to lessen that burden on the business and put more of that cost on the customer to find and discover businesses that are offering things they wouldn’t have found otherwise.”
Here’s how it works:
Businesses submit curated offers to be listed on the platform.
Users who have purchased the seasonal pass can browse and redeem offers through the mobile app.
Analytics provided to the business allow tracking of views and redemptions so they can evaluate real-world impact.
The pilot is capped at 300 app users to manage demand, while participating businesses are unlimited.
“The idea is that businesses sign up through the app’s business portal and create their offers to bring people through the door,” added Dyer.
Consumer memberships cost $20 per season, allowing users to redeem up to 50 offers. There’s also an unlimited redemption option for $40.
“That’s based on the number of offers versus how many you get to redeem,” explained Dyer.
“So the business can say only one person can redeem one offer, but people can gain access to many offers. Even though they can only redeem that one from that business, there are many other businesses offering things they may be looking for.”
Dyer said the subscription cost allows the platform to be sustainable, adding that the goal isn’t to make money but to ensure people are connected with whatever business they’re trying to find.
Business owners can also impose a cap on the number of times an offer can be redeemed.
Dyer said the platform is intentionally focused on the Creston region because it represents a strong community foundation where local discovery and word of mouth matter deeply.
“Creston has an aging population, but there are more younger business operators trying to start up here, trying to turn it into more of a ‘stop and check out what’s here’ type of place, rather than just driving through,” he said.
While the pilot ends in March 2026, Dyer said the goal is to expand the project throughout the Kootenays to promote tourism.
“There are a lot of places in the Kootenay region that could probably use more publicity, and they’re offering really great services or products that we just want to get the eyeballs in front of,” he said.
“The future of this is expanding regionwide and really pushing hard on tourism and destination marketing so we can figure out how to get people in the door.”
Since its Nov. 1 launch, the platform already has 33 businesses on board, with 37 active offers and 62 users.
Businesses interested in participating in the Creston edition can visit www.kootenayconnection.app to register and list their offer.
Users can purchase the seasonal pass through the same website or within the Android and iOS apps. For support or further inquiries, email [email protected].
Want to get your business noticed? Have you considered advertising through your local radio station? Speak to one of our sales agents and find out how radio advertising can boost your business today. Call 250-365-7600 or email Vista Radio.
Unemployment in the Kootenays stood at 6.3 per cent in October, up from 5.2 per cent at the same time last year.
Statistics Canada says the population, the number of people working, and the number of people looking for work in the region all grew year-over-year.
In October 2024, there were 85,400 people employed and 4,700 people job hunting in the Kootenays out of a population of 148,900. In October 2025, there were 87,300 working and 5,900 seeking work out of a population of 150,600.
The local jobless rate remains lower than the provincial rate of 6.5 per cent and the national rate of 6.9 per cent.
Across the country, StatsCan says another 67,000 jobs were created last month. Growth was concentrated among men aged 25 to 54 and youth 15 to 24.
More people were working in wholesale and retail; transportation and warehousing; information, culture, and recreation; and utilities. Fewer people were working in construction.
Average hourly wages were up 3.5 per cent year-over-year, to $37.06.
A former Prince George resident will spend the next ten years behind bars without parole in relation to a May 2022 murder near a Vancouver homeless camp.
David Christian Bentil was convicted of second-degree murder in October by the B.C. Supreme Court. The charge carries a mandatory life sentence under Canadian law.
According to the B.C. Prosecution Service, Bentil was 18 at the time of the murder and his co-accused Eric Gaon Kim was handed a 14-year jail sentence for manslaughter in June, less credit for pre-sentence custody.
Both are subject to a DNA order and a lifetime firearms ban.
The victim was later identified as 45-year-old Andrew Wadden by the Vancouver Police.
Despite the name, Cranbrook is not looking for turkeys.
The 16th annual Turkey Drive fundraiser is right around the corner, raising money to support the Salvation Army and Cranbrook’s Food Bank Christmas Hamper program. The Christmas Hamper program helps feed individuals and families in need during the holiday season.
The two organizations are collecting donations to help with the costs of preparing and distributing the hampers. Organizers say community donations can help ease the financial pressure on the groups working to support residents in Cranbrook.
Last year, the community raised over 65 thousand dollars, which the organizers and sponsors are looking to surpass this year.
Owner and operator of Modern PURAIR, Ben Ankenbauer, is in his second year of being the fundraiser “Grand Turkey”. His job is to round up the “Mother Pluckers”, a group of local celebrities who tap into their networks to bring in as many donations as possible.
Ankenbauer explains the fun rivalry that can happen.
“The Mother Pluckers they go out and they try to raise as much money as possible, kind of competing but it’s for the glory of Cranbrook as a whole.” he said.
Organizers say Ankenbauer brings the energy and drive needed to help the event grow and generate lasting impact in the community.
A little dough helps fill a lot of plates, donations open Nov. 12 online or in person at the Chamber office.
The 16th annual Cranbrook Chamber Turkey Drive is sponsored by Cranbrook Hyundai.
B.C. Highway Patrol issued more than 1,100 speeding tickets in the Kootenays during October as part of its Drive Relative to Conditions and Pedestrian Awareness campaign.
The regional total was part of 7,888 tickets handed out provincewide in a month-long push to remind drivers to slow down as weather, daylight and road conditions worsen with the changing season.
“As drivers we are guilty of thinking that we are exceptional. We make excuses about why the rules should not apply to us,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol.
“But once you hit another human being, or an animal, or badly injure yourself, it’s too late to be smarter or act better.”
Officers issued 1,171 speeding tickets in the Kootenay region, which includes communities such as Revelstoke, Nelson, Cranbrook and Golden. Vancouver Island and the South Coast recorded higher totals, with 1,598 and 2,167 tickets, respectively.
The campaign highlighted that posted speed limits are set for ideal conditions: dry roads, clear weather and daylight. Drivers are expected to reduce speed in poor weather, low visibility or heavy traffic. With the increased hazard of winter driving conditions, it’s extremely important to be sober, alert, and undistracted.
Pedestrians were also a focus of the campaign. Officials encouraged people walking or cycling to wear reflective clothing, obey traffic signals and put phones away to reduce risk.
“None of us are special drivers or invulnerable pedestrians,” says Corporal McLaughlin. “The weather has turned now and it’s dark most of the time. Slow down and avoid getting a ticket or something worse. Help us create a safer and better experience on our roads.”
‘Tis the season for giving, lending a helping hand and making a difference.
In that spirit, the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CKFR) is welcoming nominations for the 2025 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award. The honour recognizes an individual who gives their time and energy to help others and create a positive impact to the Cranbrook community- without expecting attention or a pat on the back.
“The people who quietly make a difference can make the loudest difference.” said the foundation.
Residents can nominate someone who catches your eye for their thoughtful manner and actions, by completing an online form at https://forms.gle/wPTywCQ3J2zw7vPx5 .
The recipient of the award will have the opportunity to direct a $750 donation to any local CRA-registered charity or qualified donee of their choice.
Nominations are open until Nov. 24. Preference will go towards any individual who have not received the award in the past. The CKFR will announce the winner on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2.
The foundation hopes the recipient will inspire many others to live as selflessly as them.
Meet Windsor and Hamilton, this week’s Summit Radio Pets of the Week from the BC SPCA West Kootenay!
Windsor: Windsor is a sweet shy guy that would do well either with Hamilton or with another friendly cat in the home. He would make a great mouser! He will need a home that is able to give him time and patience to build confidence in a new environment.
Hamilton: Hamilton is a shy little guy that came to us as a kitten born on the streets. He was very nervous when he first arrived but seems to be getting more and more comfortable. When he feels safe, he purrs loudly, drools excessively and pushes into your hands for more pets. He will need a home that can give him time to come out of his shell but when he does, he will make a really nice kitty friend.
The MP for Similkameen–South Okanagan–West Kootenay says she’s concerned with size of the deficit in the latest federal budget and doesn’t think the new spending it contains will do much to ease the cost of living for her constituents.
The $78 billion deficit announced this week by Mark Carney’s government “is a lot more than the prime minister promised,” Helena Konanz said in an interview. “And we’re just worried about affordability for just everyday people.”
Konanz said with the federal Liberals, the deficit has “always been more than we expect.” When Carney was on the campaign trail in the spring, he suggested running a deficit of around $62 billion.
“It’s just getting to be so that we’re paying more on debt interest than we are on our health care now,” the Conservative said.
In 2024-25, the federal government projected spending on debt servicing would be $53.8 billion, while federal health transfer payments were projected at $52.1 billion.
“Households can’t keep increasing their credit card debt, they can’t increase in their debt because they know there’s a limit to that,” Konanz said. “And there seems to be no limit in how the Liberals spend money. And they’re the ones that got themselves into this mess.”
Konanz said she worries deficit spending will increase the cost to do business and the cost for consumers at the grocery store.
“It’s going to put Canada and Canadians in a difficult position,” she said. “How are people going to pay for food on the table? Are they going to have a job in the next little while? Are businesses going to be able to hire or even to keep the employees they have already?”
“This is happening all over Canada and British Columbia, and I’m not sure this government has set us up to be ready for that,” Konanz said.
The budget contains $141 billion in new spending over the next five years, but also $51 billion in cuts and savings. The civil service is expected to be reduced by 40,000 positions.
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The City of Castlegar says a technological solution to reduce odours from the south-end sewage treatment plant has not worked.
Assistant utilities manager Aaron Geck told city council this week that the installation last year of a geotube dewatering system for solid waste hasn’t produced the results they were hoping for, despite extensive efforts.
“We immediately started to run into challenges running these things,” he said, adding city staff are now exploring other options “because obviously this is not working for operations or the community.”
The geotubes were supposed to help get rid of a foul smell that hangs over that part of town, especially in the summer. In 2023, the city awarded $611,000 contract for the equipment, which was installed the following year. The city then spent about a year trying to fine-tune them.
Previously, the city had allowed liquid biosolids to dry in two sludge ponds before wood chips were added and the material was hauled to the landfill. However, they had trouble keeping up due to the limited size of the drying beds and started to stockpile the material on site. The Ministry of Environment said the stockpiles didn’t comply with the city’s permit, so a contractor was hired to haul them away.
The city chose the geotube dewatering system, in which biosolids are not exposed to open air as they are in the sludge drying beds, hoping the smell would go away. But for a variety of reasons, that hasn’t worked out.
“[We] crossed every t, dotted every i, ran these things exactly as the supplier and our consultants were saying to do, and we still weren’t getting the results we were looking for,” Geck said.
Councillor Darcy Bell asked if some of the cost the city has spent on the geotubes can be recovered, since they did not work as advertised. Hallam said they are looking into it.
Councillor Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff said she hoped a solution could be in place by next summer. “When it gets hot, the smell is heavier and stinkier,” she said.
“Our site is not right [for geotubes],” municipal services manager Chris Hallam told council. “They perform better when you have a lot of area that you can put these tubes out to dewater over a longer period of time and it’s out in the countryside, away from residential [areas].”
Hallam said they are looking for a medium-term solution, since a long-term sewage plan may call for replacing the facility altogether.
“We’ve got to balance how much we actually spend at a facility that in 10 to 15 years ideally is no longer needed to manage our sewage,” he said.
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Sports by Hartley Friday, November 7th, 2025 as of 12:05 a.m.
WHL:
The Prince George Cougars are 2-and-2 on a 6-game road trip that concludes this weekend.
The (10-6) Cougars visit the (13-1-1) Everett Silvertips tonight (Friday) and the (3-8-1-1) Wenatchee Wild on Saturday before returning home to face the (8-4-2-1) Victoria Royals Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 and Wednesday night at 7:00.
Prince George is in first place in the B.C. Division, a point ahead of Victoria, Penticton and Kamloops.
The PG Cougars regular season schedule and results are here.
This week on the @PGCougars 55-minute Cat Scan #podcast, In-Game host Jessica Speziale & Show Caller Darnell Toth. They discuss Victory+ Changes, game day routines, fan reaction and interaction, national anthems, thoughts on this season’s team & much more. #WHLhttps://t.co/1m8lhh6g1W
The UNBC Timberwolves host the Trinity Western Spartans tonight (Friday) at 6 (women) and 8 (men) and Saturday night at 5 and 7 in Canada West basketball.
UNBC is 0-3 (women) and 1-2 (men).
Trinity Western is 2-2 (women) and 1-3 (men).
The Canada West women’s basketball schedule is here.
The Canada West women’s basketball standings are here.
The Canada West men’s basketball schedule is here.
The Canada West men’s basketball standings are here.
A national dog treat recall is expanding due to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 32 people, including 15 in British Columbia.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating Puppy Love and Puppy World brand raw pet treats, manufactured in Alberta.
The agency said people became sick between mid-February and late September. Eight people have been hospitalized.
Many of those who got sick had handled dog kibble or treats, though some may have become ill through contact with their dogs who ate the food, or by touching contaminated surfaces in their homes.
A recall was first issued for several products from the brands on Sept. 15 and the list of products has expanded since then.
The latest update on Wednesday said Puppy Love Pet Products Inc. has voluntarily recalled the following products due to possible salmonella contamination:
Puppy Love Beef Chew (4 pack)
Puppy Love Chicken Breast (120g, 300g)
Puppy Love Chicken Wing Tips (120g)
Puppy World Lamb Lung (150g, 340g, 454g)
Puppy Love “Jr Ribbon” beef treats (5 pack)
Puppy Love Canadian Beef Curly treats (5 pack)
The products were sold from February 2025 to November 2025.
Investigators have so far found salmonella in samples of the following products:
Puppy Love Chicken Wing Tip treats (120 gram bags)
Puppy Love Chicken Breast treats (120 gram and 300 gram bags)
Puppy Love Beef Chew 6-inch treats (Value pack, four pieces)
Puppy Love “Twisty Jr.” beef treats (Value pack, five pieces)
Puppy Love “Jr Ribbon” beef treats (Value pack, five pieces)
Puppy Love Canadian Beef Curly treats (Value pack, five pieces)
Puppy Love Beef Bully 12-inch treats (Value pack, five pieces)
Puppy Love Beef Slim treats (Value pack, five pieces)
Puppy Love “Jr Bully Mini” 4-5 inch beef treats (Value pack, ten pieces)
Anyone with the recalled pet food should throw them in the trash. The notice said the investigation is ongoing and additional sources of the outbreak may be identified.
In Canada, pet food is not subject to the same regulations and testing as human food products.
Even if dogs don’t show any signs of illness, they can still infect people who are in contact with them or their environment.
PHAC recommends always washing hands after contact with dogs, their food and waste.
Other tips to avoid possible contamination include storing dog food separately from human food and out of the reach of children, and thoroughly washing and sanitizing containers and any surfaces that have come into contact with dog food.
Salmonella can cause symptoms like fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Older adults, young children, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
100 Mile House RCMP are investigating a report of two persons impersonating police officers and accosting someone.
Police received the report on Oct. 31 from the complainant, who was walking on Blackstock Road when they were approached by two men in a dark grey SUV, suspected to be a Ford.
“The males are reported to have then exited the vehicle and approached the complainant, advising that they were police officers,” says Sergeant Brian Lamb. “The males accosted the complainant, not allowing them to leave. Then the males left after a few minutes in their vehicle toward Horse Lake Road.”
The first male is described as Caucasian, 30-40 years old, 5’8 or 5’9, bulky build, with a greyish beard.
The second male is described as South East Asian in his 20s with a slight beard.
Both suspects were wearing black hooded sweaters and black baseball caps.
“The incident occurred at around 9:30 a.m., at this time no further reports like this have been received in the area,” says Lamb.
“As of now, it is believed to be an isolated incident. We ask that if anyone with surveillance or dash cam footage in that area at that time, or if anyone has seen or heard of similar incidents, to call the Police or Crimestoppers tip line.”
That’s how 100 Mile House Mayor Maureen Pinkney describes West Fraser’s announcement that it will permanently close the sawmill in the community.
Pinkney was asked if the announcement came as a surprise.
“It’s always a surprise when it’s permanent, so the announcement of a permanent closure was a bit of a surprise. We knew with the tariffs and the distance of hauling logs and all of the other related issues with forestry in BC over the last couple of years that we’ve had some soft closures, temporary shutdowns, but to hear that we will lose yet another one of our sawmills, and this is the last one of the three big sawmills that we had here, is very devastating to a small town.”
The other closures were to the Chasm sawmill and the Oriented Strand Board Plant.
Pinkney says the West Fraser closure is sad for the workers, and for the community.
“It takes the young families away from small communities and this is the place that people should be raising their families, so now again we have a bunch of workers that are probably going to be faced with moving their families to somewhere else if they want to stay in the forest business. That effects every store and every person, we’re a very small tight community, and we’re all going to feel it.”
Pinkney says she is confident that the community can get through this, although she says it will come at a cost.
“All of a sudden the stuff that you want to do you can’t because every dollar that you have, obviously has to go to fixing infrastructure and stuff that can’t be left. We’re at the situation where our community is 60 years old which means all the infrastructure, if it hasn’t been replaced already, is due and that costs way more than it every used to.”
Pinkney says they will definitely be looking to the senior governments to help weather the storm.
“We don’t need to have a whole bunch of meetings and sit down and chat about this, we’ve been through it before. We’ve put together a very good resource for the employees a guide to help them for their next steps, but for our community we’re going to be looking at funding, things to help us weather the storm of the lost revenue.”
Pinkney adds that she is still hopeful that the forest industry will eventually come back into the community.
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George locked out its District workers today (Thursday).
That’s according to CUPE 1699, which said that due to the decision from the Regional District, services union members provide will be stopped tomorrow morning (Friday).
This excludes services deemed essential in accordance with the Essential Service Order in place.
The union added they’ve been participating in limited job action since October 18, with workers already leaving or are actively looking for other jobs because the District’s lack of respect to its employees.
CUPE 1699 represents over 100 workers in the Regional District, and are responsible for various district services in the region, including Prince George, District of Mackenzie, the Villages of McBride and Valemount, and 7 electoral areas.
More information can be found on CUPE BC’s website here.
100 Mile House Fire and Rescue, Police, and Emergency Health Services (EHS) were called to the scene of a structure fire in the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov 5.
“When police arrived, the structure was fully engulfed, and local fire departments were on the scene and extinguishing the blaze at the time,” says Sergeant Brian Lamb of the 100 Mile House RCMP.
“An occupant of the home was treated by EHS for smoke inhalation and did not require any hospitalization.”
Lamb added that at this time, the fire isn’t being deemed suspicious.
100 Mile Fire and Rescue is investigating the cause of the fire.
Interfor, which has sawmills in Castlegar and Grand Forks, says it suffered a net loss of $216 million in the third quarter of 2025.
That’s compared to a net loss of $105 million in the same three months of last year.
The Grand Forks operation has been idled since September, a shutdown that has since been extended indefinitely. The closure was part of company-wide plans to cut lumber production by 26 per cent. However, the Castlegar mill continues to operate.
Interfor blames “persistently weak market conditions” and “ongoing economic uncertainty,” due in large part to U.S. softwood duties and tariffs.
The company said as of Sept. 30 it had paid cumulative duties of $639.8 million US. It predicts North American lumber markets will remain volatile.
Interfor said about 60 per cent of its total lumber is produced and sold within the US, while about 25 per cent is exported from Canada to the U.S. and subject to duties and tariffs.
The Strathcona Regional District is offering FireSmart rebates of up to $3,000 to property owners in the Village of Sayward.
According to a release from the SRD, rebates must be applied to wildfire mitigation efforts within 30 metres of structures, as recommended in a FireSmart home assessment.
The district says as many as 90 per cent of structures damaged or destroyed by wildfires are ignited by embers. Windy conditions can carry embers and start new fires far from their origin.
“In 2023, embers from the West Kelowna wildfire blew 2.5 kilometres across Okanagan Lake and ignited multiple new fires on the east side. The lesson is clear: wind-driven embers can travel far and start fires in any community, including ours,” SRD chair Mark Baker said. “The FireSmart homeowner rebate—available for eligible work around your home—gives residents a practical way to take action now.”
Eligible mitigation activities include cleaning gutters, removing flammable vegetation, or upgrading to fire-resistant siding, windows and roofing materials.
“FireSmart rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available through the Community Resiliency Investment FireSmart Community and Funding Supports grant,” the release said. “The rebate is a 50 per cent cost share. For example, to receive $500, you need to complete $1,000 worth of work; to receive the maximum of $3,000, you need to complete $6,000 or more in mitigation efforts.”
The program will also expand to electoral areas A, C and D, as well as the Village of Zeballos, starting in 2026.
The Campbell River School District board of education has elected trustee Craig Gillis as chair and trustee Joyce McMann as vice-chair for the 2025-26 term.
Both were acclaimed during the board’s annual leadership election, which took place Nov. 4 at the first board meeting of November.
Gillis was the sole nominee for chair.
Chair Craig Gillis | Photo Submitted
“I really appreciate this opportunity, and I certainly want to acknowledge that I have the support of previous chair Kat Eddy, who is involved in some significant career changes at this point. She is going to be a wonderful mentor,” Gillis said. “She’s left an incredible imprint, and we look forward to continuing to share in her expertise and guidance.”
According to a news release from SD72, Eddy has stepped back from the additional responsibilities of chair for personal reasons but will continue to serve on the board as a trustee.
“This transition marks the end of Trustee Eddy’s three-year tenure as chair,” the release said. “During that time, the board adopted a new strategic plan, updated its mission, vision and values, conducted long-range facility planning, and continued advocacy for a new Cedar Elementary School and adequate education funding.”
The school district is required to hold a leadership election every year.
West Fraser has announced the permanent closure of its sawmill in 100 Mile House.
It will take place by the end of the year following an orderly wind-down.
The company says it “is no longer able to reliably access an adequate volume of economically viable timber,” adding that “challenging softwood lumber demand, higher duties and additional tariffs have compounded this situation.”
The company says the mill closure will impact approximately 165 employees at the side and reduce West Fraser’s capacity by 160 million board feet.
The company says it plans to mitigate the impact on affected employees by providing work opportunities in some of their other locations, if possible.
West Fraser also announced today (Nov 6) the closure of it mill in Augusta, Georgia.
Prince George RCMP Superintendent Darin Rappel is beefing up the detachment’s presence downtown.
A dedicated team of eight downtown zone members are being assigned to address street disorder including shoplifting, mischief, arson, disturbances, assaults and overdose assists with Emergency Health Services and drug-related offences.
Two members will be on each shift, seven days a week, supplemented by overtime shifts according to the City of Prince George.
A zero tolerance policy for fire-related incidents, including mischief and arson will be implemented.
The RCMP will coordinate with City bylaw services and Prince George Fire Rescue where possible.
The move comes after city senior leadership and members of Council met with Glen Lewis, Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Policing and Law Enforcement; John Brewer, Assistant Commissioner for the BC RCMP; and North District Chief Superintendent Ken Floyd last week.
The visit included a downtown site tour and roundtable discussions to highlight ongoing public safety concerns, staffing challenges, and opportunities for the province to provide support for treatment facilities, drop-in centres, and other services for vulnerable residents.
City Manager Walter Babicz said the discussions with provincial and RCMP leadership were constructive and underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue.
“This was not a one-off conversation,” said Babicz. “Maintaining communication between the City and the province remains a top priority, and we are committed to seeing tangible results from our advocacy efforts.
“We know residents continue to feel frustrated by public safety issues, particularly downtown, and we want to assure the community that addressing these concerns is a high priority.”
City officials are coordinating with the province, including Premier David Eby, to arrange a visit to continue the dialogue.
The second fall curbside yard and garden waste pickup will take place Nov. 12–14.
As Nov. 11 is Remembrance Day, regular curbside collection by Tip-it will proceed as usual. However, yard waste pickup will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 12, as Town crews will be observing the statutory holiday.
“Crews will do their best to make up for the missed day. If your yard waste is not collected by Friday, please leave it at the curb. Collection will continue on Saturday to ensure all routes are completed.” said the Town of Creston.
How to prepare:
Branches and prunings (no larger than six inches in diameter) must be bundled in manageable stacks no longer than three feet (one metre).
Leaves, twigs, grass clippings and organic garden waste must be placed in rigid, weatherproof containers (e.g., garbage cans or cardboard boxes) that can be easily dumped and returned to the curb.
Paper garden bags are permitted.
Plastic garbage bags containing yard waste will not be accepted.
Please keep all organic yard waste separate from household recycling.
Yard and garden waste may not be collected if materials are not properly prepared. Yard waste refers to organics only. Items such as broken lawnmowers, paving stones and garden gnomes will not be accepted.
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The House of Ancestors will be holding the first annual Winter Gathering, put on by The Vendor Vault.
65 artisans, vendors, and small businesses will be coming from across the north including Quesnel, Smithers, Burns Lake, Fort St. James, and will be having an open market.
Organizer Jodie Phillippe talks about how the event came to be.
“Originally I was looking to actually join the Artisans of the North, and then found out they are no longer in existence up at UNBC.”
“I just contacted the House of Ancestors, and we sort of formed a plan to put this together about six weeks ago.”
The Winter Gathering is open for anyone to attend, and is taking place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
Nanaimo RCMP are seeking help identifying a suspect who allegedly stole about $4,600 worth of products from Cabela’s.
The suspect was caught on security footage just before 1 p.m. on Oct. 14. Police said he is believed to have taken items including a tent, fishing gear and ammunition.
He is described as a Caucasian man, medium build, 30 to 40 years old, about six feet tall, wearing a dark jacket, dark jeans, dark runners and a dark ball cap.
Police ask anyone who may be able to help identify the man to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
Prince George City Council approved recommendations in regards to the City’s grants program at this week’s meeting.
These recommendations came from a Committee of the Whole meeting on October 14th.
These recommendations includes implementing the following improvements to the Community Grants Program in time for the 2026 program launch:
Council to identify and confirm 1-2 priority focus areas to ensure targeted impact and alignment with community needs.
Limit eligibility to organizations with an operating budget under $100,000
Limit eligibility to organizations directly impacting more than 100 residents annually through programs or services
Limit eligibility to organizations directly offering programming and services on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis
Limit eligibility to organizations that do not have a low-cost, subsidized lease agreement or an existing Multi-year Standing Grant Agreement with the City of Prince George
Limit eligibility to organizations that demonstrate partnership with at least one other organization on an ongoing basis
Introduce a Letter of Intent stage to streamline initial screening and reduce administrative burden for both applicants and staff
Commit to allocating the full amount requested by each successful applicant, enhancing impact and reducing the need for partial funding decisions
Recommendations were also put forward regarding the City’s Multiyear Standing Grants Program.
It was recommended that Council approve transitioning the existing grant agreement holders to Standing Grant Agreements (Stream A) under the Multiyear Funding Grants Council Policy.
“All six of those organizations are funded annually through various operating budgets, we do not have a mechanism or a policy for administration to pull these out, and allow reports to Council or to provide Council a process to make any future decisions about this funding,” said Director of Civic Facilities and Events Andy Beesley.
“Most of these organizations, the funding’s in place and I don’t have a way, or the other Directors to bring this back to Council to look at each one of these. Moving them into the new grants policy will provide that precise mechanism.”
Beesley noted these organizations would be required to sign an agreement, which would require them to provide reports including metrics on the use of City funding and future funding requests, as well as providing Council the ability to make decisions on funding the organizations in the policy.
Sparwood calls for service to the Elk Valley RCMP in the second quarter were down a little compared to the same time last year.
There were 354 calls in the Sparwood area between July and September, down from 385 in the second quarter of 2024.
Elk Valley RCMP staff sergeant Svend Nielsen said disturbance calls stayed the same in Sparwood but were up in other areas of the Elk Valley.
“They involve mostly business interruptions, people coming in and causing problems with their business, either personal issues with an employee or just having issues within the business,” he said.
“They’re not very regular or violent by any extent, which is why they’re given this distinction.”
Mental health calls were also slightly down and Nielsen said it continues to be stable across their region.
“Mental health acts, there’s no real concerns here,” he added.
“The numbers stay fairly consistent within the area, generally speaking, although over the course of the time I’ve been here now those have elevated slightly, but not significantly.”
Mount Washington will get an upgraded emergency response station for residents and visitors.
The Comox Valley Regional District announced construction on the Mount Washington Fire Hall will begin in spring 2026.
Electoral Area C Director Edwin Grieve said he is excited to see the plans move forward.
“The Mount Washington Mountain Centre and subsequent fire hall are a testament to the need for community support in that area in providing community amenities while developing a proper emergency response station for residents and visitors up on Mount Washington.”
Construction will include truck bays to store response vehicles and other firefighting equipment.
The CVRD took possession of the building in February and has used the space as a training ground for volunteer firefighters, a community gym, group accommodations for sport and extracurricular activities, a reunion and wedding venue, and a meeting room rental for fitness and educational purposes.
Staff are working with the CVRD recreation department to maximize the Mountain Centre’s use to help reduce service costs over time.
Funding to purchase and complete construction of the fire hall comes from short-term debt, Community Works Funds from the Union of B.C. Municipalities, and the B.C. government’s Growing Communities Fund.
Cranbrook city council has approved over $1 million to fund offsite road and water oversizing for the F.W. Green home development project.
The city will be taking $1,055,115.21 from the 2027 capital roads and water program to pay for the work.
Interior Health and the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District are in the process of replacing the 70-year-old seniors home with a new 150-bed long-term care
facility.
Engineering director Mike Matejka said developments like this will often need oversizing work.
“As a part of the development to replace the facility, especially a project of this size and nature, there are offsite work that does need to be done,” he said.
“Some of the offsite work is related to the parking variance that went in front of council and the other offsite work is related to servicing the property itself.”
Over $188,000 will go towards oversizing the watermain 200 millimetres to 250 millimetres for fire flow to the surrounding area, a new fire hydrant and an expansion of the water connection.
The remaining money will be used for a curb and road replacement on 3rd Street South and a replacement of the existing catch basin.
The work is expected to start in 2026 and paid in 2027.
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British Columbia’s Forests Minister Ravi Parmar will lead a trade mission to Japan and South Korea, beginning Nov. 8.
He will be joined by Alberta’s Forests Minister Todd Loewen, as well as representatives from the forestry sector, First Nations and other experts.
“We’re strengthening B.C.’s forestry sector by opening new markets, forging powerful partnerships and showing the world that B.C. produces the highest quality, most sustainably managed wood products on the planet,” said Parmar in a statement. “My message is clear: We will not be defined by American protectionism.”
The seven-day mission includes meetings with officials from Japan’s Forestry Agency and South Korea’s Land and Housing Research Institute.
They also plan to visit the Mitsubishi Estate Wood Panel Plant and a major pressure treating company in Japan, and South Korean wood-product manufacturer Younglim.
“Our participation in this mission to Japan and South Korea highlights the pivotal role and value First Nations bring to shaping the future of forestry at home and abroad,” said a statement from Lenny Joe, CEO of B.C. First Nations Forestry Council.
Agriculture Minister Lana Popham and Premier David Eby show off Canadian “wood leather” soccer ball during trade mission to Japan in June 2025 | B.C. government photo
Premier David Eby visited Japan, South Korea and Malaysia as part of a trade mission in June aimed at promoting B.C. products in those countries, ranging from wood products and LNG to seafood.
While in Japan, Eby and delegates met with the Osaka Federation of All Wood Industries and showcased a soccer ball made from “wood leather” developed by University of British Columbia designers.
Industry groups and businesses have called for urgent support as the sector is hit hard by U.S. tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump announced 10 per cent duties on softwood lumber in October, on top of the 35 per cent in anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed earlier this year.
A forestry summit took place in Vancouver on Monday, where provincial and federal officials announced a joint working group to support Canada’s forests industry.
The province also announced last week it would open a new Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) office in London, with the goal of reaching new markets in the U.K., Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The Crown corporation already has offices in Vietnam, India and China.
The Town of Comox has approved a new policy to prevent hate and discrimination at municipal facilities.
The Facility Rental and Booking Policy gives staff the authority to deny or cancel rental requests that could incite hatred or violate human rights laws.
It applies to all town-owned properties, including the Comox Community Centre, marina buildings and sports fields. An appeal process is available for any denied or cancelled bookings.
The move follows similar action by the Comox Valley Regional District earlier this year to prevent public spaces from being used for discriminatory or harmful activities.
Comox council approved the policy unanimously at its meeting Wednesday.
B.C. Highway Patrol issued 1,598 speeding tickets on Vancouver Island in October during an enforcement campaign targeting drivers not adjusting to conditions.
A news release from the highway patrol said posted speed limits are based on ideal, dry, daytime conditions and drivers need to slow down in poor weather, heavy traffic and dark conditions.
“As drivers we are guilty of thinking that we are exceptional. We make excuses about why the rules should not apply to us,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with B.C. Highway Patrol. “But once you hit another human being, or an animal, or badly injure yourself, it’s too late to be smarter or act better.”
Across the province, 7,888 speeding tickets were issued during the month-long campaign. Vancouver Island recorded the second-highest total among six patrol regions, behind Metro Vancouver.
The campaign also focused on pedestrian safety. B.C. Highway Patrol said it is important for people to put their phones away and wear bright, reflective clothing when walking.
“None of us are special drivers or invulnerable pedestrians,” McLaughlin said. “The weather has turned now and it’s dark most of the time. Slow down and avoid getting a ticket or something worse. Help us create a safer and better experience on our roads.”
The accused in a drug bust in Quesnel has been sentenced in provincial court.
37-year old Jade Bennett pleaded guilty to a charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking and was sentenced to an additional 87 days in jail.
He also received a lifetime firearms prohibition.
Bennett was arrested, along with a woman, in November of 2022.
Quesnel RCMP conducted a routine traffic stop in the 200 block of Anderson Drive.
Police say a search of the vehicle revealed a 9 millimeter handgun, ammunition, hard body armor, 36 grams of methamphetamine, 26 grams of heroin and more than $19,000.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District is voicing frustration with the province’s decision to exclude mattresses from B.C.’s Extended Producer Responsibility recycling plan.
The regional district said the move means local taxpayers will continue covering recycling costs that should fall on manufacturers and consumers.
In a statement, the CVRD said recycling a mattress now costs nearly $900 per tonne, an increase of 50 per cent since 2020.
“If mattresses were added to the provincial Recycling Regulation, the CVRD could reduce requisition in its solid waste management budget by $100,000 annually and eliminate the mattress tipping fee at the CVRD recycling centres,” said Ilse Sarady, senior manager of recycling and solid waste management for the CVRD.
The regional district has sent a formal letter urging the province to reconsider its decision.
Prince George is opening 151 shelter spaces just in time for the winter season.
The province, through B.C. Housing, is funding just shy of 6,500 shelter spaces in 58 communities, a record number when compared to previous years.
These include permanent, temporary and extreme-weather response (EWR) shelters, as well as Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) shelter spaces.
Here is a breakdown of what facilities will open in PG during the winter-spring seasons:
* Prince George Native Friendship Centre (youth shelter), 171 George Street, 10 spaces
* Second Ave Shelter, 1151 2nd Avenue, 30 spaces
Permanent shelters are open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year regardless of the weather and provide services and meals to guests. 4,158 of these spaces are operating province-wide.
Temporary shelters are open every night and many operate 24 hours a day and provide meals.
Many are seasonal and operate from Nov. 1 until March 31st or April 30, 2026, based on community or operational needs. 1,154 temporary spaces are currently open.
Lastly, 771 Extreme-weather response shelters will be open overnight when a community issues an extreme-weather alert, such as during cold temperatures, snow or heavy rain.
Communities determine what weather conditions necessitate an extreme-weather alert in co-ordination with BC Housing. These are activated from Oct. 15th until April 15th (2026).
As of the end of June, the Province has more than 93,600 homes delivered or underway, including more than 9,400 supportive housing units and over 5,500 shelters spaces open or in development.
A lot of drivers across B.C. including the north still had summer on their minds during October.
According to the provincial highway patrol, roughly 7,900 motorists were issued speeding tickets during the Drive Relative to Conditions blitz.
In the north, 1,486 motorists were pulled over by authorities and left lighter in the wallet after receiving a ticket.
“As drivers we are guilty of thinking that we are exceptional. We make excuses about why the rules should not apply to us,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol.
“But once you hit another human being, or an animal, or badly injure yourself, it’s too late to be smarter or act better.”
Here is the breakdown of tickets issued for other regions.
Central B.C. (Merritt, Kelowna, Kamloops, Clearwater) 1,443
Kootenay Region (including Revelstoke, Nelson, Cranbrook and Golden) 1,171
Vancouver Island 1,598
South Coast (Metro Vancouver, Sea to Sky and the Fraser Valley) 2,167
Special Traffic Operations 23
Pedestrians and other vulnerable road users are encouraged to be alert and put their phones away, wear brighter clothing with reflective piping, and obey traffic lights.
A huge loss for Nukko Lake has its community hall went up in flames last night (Wednesday).
The outlying community, roughly 30 minutes outside of Prince George just hosted its Halloween event where over 100 kids attended and were already making plans for the Holiday Season.
Meghan, who is one of the volunteers who coordinates events at the facility is gutted by what has happened.
“It’s kind of a rattling morning. That is a huge loss. We just had our Halloween celebration where we had 100 kids come through, we had a maze set up and we had a lot of donated decorations from community members.
“Halloween was our first event out at the hall and it was really fun for us as the whole family went and the husband set off the fireworks. It was a good time and it really sucks because we had a few plans to get more into the hall. I am not sure what is going to happen now.”
We will have more information regarding the blaze once it becomes available.
The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear the Universal Ostrich Farm appeal.
It was the Edgewood farm owner’s last legal attempt to save its over 300 birds from being culled.
The case has filtered through the courts since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency made the order following last December’s discovery of an avian flu outbreak.
Farm owners say the forcible seizure of the birds by the agency and RCMP was illegal.
The Supreme Court decision follows unsuccessful appeals to lower courts.
The court panel did not give reasons for its decision.
In a statement on its website, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it will be moving forward with “complete depopulation and disposal measures” of the ostriches.
The CFIA has been on site at the farm for several weeks, but their actions were stalled awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.
It hasn’t taken long for Nelson Leafs alumnus Bryce Sookro to make an impression at the NCAA level.
Now manning the blue line for the Clarkson University Golden Knights in Potsdam, N.Y., the Nelson native has settled in with confidence, collecting four assists in his first eight games, including a two-assist night against Penn State on Oct. 9, which marked his first collegiate points. He’s also added nine shots and 11 blocked shots to his stat line.
“He’s improving week by week and commanding more ice time as the season progresses,” says Golden Knights head coach Jean-Francois Houle. “He brings physicality to our club and he’s hard to play against.”
Houle says Sookro caught his attention for his ability to contribute in all situations at the junior level. He describes the young defenceman as “very coachable” and someone who “comes from a great family with strong values.”
Adjusting to the NCAA’s fast pace and physical demands has been a challenge Sookro has embraced.
“I think I’ve been doing alright so far,” he says. “This last weekend, I felt a lot more comfortable.”
Before heading south, Sookro spent the 2021-22 season with his hometown Nelson Leafs, where he put up 29 points in 41 games and was named both the Neil Murdoch Division’s Top Defenceman and Rookie of the Year. He says that year helped him learn the professionalism required to succeed at higher levels.
“I think the best thing for me was playing at home,” says Sookro, who moved on to the BCHL’s Cranbrook Bucks. “I got to play in front of a home crowd with my family there every night. The travel was pretty good for us — we didn’t really have to go too far.”
That season at home laid the groundwork for his next steps, and so far, Sookro is proving he belongs on the NCAA stage.
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Residential real estate activity in the Kootenay Boundary was up in October, defying typical seasonal slowdowns and outperforming most other areas in B.C.’s Interior.
According to the Association of Interior Realtors, real estate activity in the region last month was well above the 10-year average.
“The Kootenay real estate market performed exceptionally well in October, coming in above September’s activity and above the 10-year average,” said association president Kadin Rainville.
“Typically, we see flatter conditions this time of year, but the region bucked that trend, showing steady and stable movement that outpaced many markets across the province.”
The region recorded 300 sales in October – a 33.9 per cent increase compared with October 2024, and up from 233 units sold in September.
There were 362 new listings, a 15.6 per cent increase from the same month last year, though lower than September’s 436.
Active listings totalled 1,602, representing a 1.9 per cent year-over-year increase.
Benchmark prices increased in most categories compared with October 2024. The single-family and townhome categories rose 5.3 per cent and 8.3 per cent, reaching $635,800 and $522,100 respectively.
The benchmark price for condominiums fell 3.8 per cent to $314,600.
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The following is an extensive interview with the owner of the neighbouring property, outlining some of the issues she has been dealing with over the past 15 months.
“Up until recently, 15 months ago, I never really had any problems with the neighbours.”
That’s how Jackie Rioux, a resident of Quentin Avenue, started an interview with My PG Now.
Rioux lives in her half of a duplex on Quentin Avenue, which she’s owned for 20 years and where she and her daughter operate home-based wellness businesses.
For over a year, Rioux and many other neighbours have been living next to a backyard on the other half of the duplex that was the subject of many calls to the City’s Bylaw Services Department, the RCMP and more.
These calls covered a wide range of complaints, from fires to aggressive and barking dogs to noise and more.
“The lady who lived there, she passed away in 2017, we did have an issue with getting the roof redone, as we have a party wall agreement that’s supposed to be something that we collaborate on, and get it done. I ended up having to do the roof myself and having to take them to court in order to get it straightened out and it did go in my favor once they understood that the roof was redone properly, with insurance, etcetera,” Rioux said.
“But that speaks to how they’ve been friendly all along, but when it comes to something official, and something really serious, they’ve pushed it off or ignored it until I’ve had to get officials involved.”
Rioux said she never heard any noises up until June of 2024, aside from maybe a bump here or there.
“They’ve rented out their basement, I have never had any problems with any of the tenants that they’ve had, again, a bump here or there, but nothing to really pay attention to,” she explained.
“In June of 2024, there was quite a bit of commotion this one particular day, and because my daughter and I both run wellness businesses out of our home, I pay attention if there’s a lot of commotion because our clients are going to be able to see that.”
Rioux said she went outside to see what was going on.
“It looked like somebody was moving in, I’m quite friendly, I said “hey, are you guys the new neighbours,”” she said.
“A fella tells me, “no, it’s Bev and her daughter that are moving in, we’re just helping move.” Alright, a little commotion with moving, that should be fine.”
She added she was friendly with the new tenant in the first couple of weeks.
“I did notice this blonde-haired lady from my back step, and I was quite friendly with her within that first couple of weeks, and kind of over the fence, “hey, how’s it going, I hear you’re the new neighbour,” and she introduced herself as Bev,” Rioux said.
“I just said hi to her and told her that my daughter and I run wellness businesses and she asked about that, I said “go check out our websites,” and she said “oh, I really need that.” Maybe that should have been a red flag, I don’t know.”
Soon after that, Rioux said there were “quite a few disturbances.”
Rioux noted the daughter of the woman who passed away is on the title for the house, but her brother is the one who is living in the house. She added she’s been friendly with Liam, the brother, over the fence as well.
“I phoned Josie (the daughter) on July 8th, 2024, and I said “hey, just letting you know that there’s a lot of commotion going on and you might want to look into it with your tenants, because they’re causing a lot of problems,”” Rioux said.
“She said since her mom died she doesn’t really have anything to do with the house. I said “well, you might want to look into it, because this is a problem.””
The next incident Rioux mentioned occurred on August 9th, 2024.
“My daughter and I were supposed to be going up north for a festival with our businesses, and that particular night, I had called the police twice,” she said.
“This is on the other side of my bedroom wall, I did not have a very good sleep, and sleep time is healing time, and I did not have a good sleep, so I was a pretty cranky critter. So I wake up that morning, I’ve got a time crunch because I’m supposed to be getting on the highway for this road trip, and I’m scrambling around, but I took a few minutes and I wrote a quick letter to Liam and to Josie, I mentioned in there that neighbours are complaining, and there’s a problem with your tenants, here’s the police, here’s the Bylaw.”
Rioux said she gave them the benefit of the doubt, saying they may not have vetted the tenants properly.
“So I gave them all the contact information for these authorities, I also printed out Section 47 of the Tenancy Branch, which is the reasons for eviction,” she said.
“I gave that to them, I went over and I banged on the door and Liam answered, I said “hey, this is a problem”, and I also showed him on my phone that from my vantage point, I said “are you going back there and having a look to what’s going on with your tenants, because they’re causing problems. It’s a mess back there, and this is not good.””
Rioux added the situation has brought out the worst in her.
“As a holistic wellness practitioner, I know about trauma, I know about that kind of stuff, I know how to regulate myself, but sleep time is healing time, and when it’s on the other side of my bedroom wall and it is constant, and is unpredictable, I have been dysregulated, if that’s happening to me, I can’t even imagine this happening to a normal person who does not have that knowledge behind them, to have to deal with this for over 15 months,” she said.
Rioux said there were plenty of complaints about animals as well.
“When we had the deck put in, I had my two contractors out back, the whole time, they could smell dog feces, it was disgusting,” she said.
“We also noticed that it wasn’t just Bev and her daughter there, there was all sorts of other people, just random people coming in, and then we started noticing people passed out in the backyard, and they have all sorts of tarps.”
A dog that got out of the property neighbouring Jackie Rioux’s (Supplied by Jackie Rioux)
Rioux said another neighbour got videos of people using illicit drugs in the yard as well.
“We have found crackpipes in our yards, just all sorts of things,” she said.
“I just got to the point of being really choked with the neighbours because they’re not doing anything about this, the guy lives right there, no matter how many times that I’ve pounded on his door, and said “look, what’s happening” “oh, it’s okay that they’re there,” and when he says its okay for them to be there, it becomes a civil issue because it’s private property, and the police can’t do anything. If there’s criminal activity, of course the police could do something, but again, they need to show a pattern.”
Rioux said the key was documenting everything from licence plates to times and dates.
“It’s hard to do because I’m living my life over here, and I’m running my own business, I need to have time to do my personal responsibilities,” she said.
She said she’s amassed more than 700 files, consisting of photos, videos, screenshots, social media posts, and more.
“It almost looks like I’ve been sitting by the window and taking pictures and being a nosy neighbour, no, this is when there’s been disturbances, unpredictable disturbances,” she said.
“My daughter has had several instances where she’s had clients come, and these are upstanding people, they come for a reflexology session, or, we’re kind of listed as a spa-kind of thing, because people come for a relaxing session, and do you really want them seeing fist-fighting out on the front yard, or they come up the steps and they can see over the fence, and you see drug addicts shooting up or something.”
She said just around month ago, one of her daughter’s regular clients had come to the stairs when she heard a commotion.
Photo supplied by Jackie Rioux
“This particular lady, damn is a swear-word to her,” Rioux said.
“She had just come to the bottom of the stairs, and I heard all this commotion and I went running out to “what the heck’s going on,” and Melissa was recording a domestic disturbance over there, and they had the c-word flying back and forth. It was awful, and this is what our clients have been exposed to, so it’s affecting us and our livelihoods.”
Rioux believes this relates to a lot of what’s being seen downtown.
“There’s so much talk, there’s Facebook posts and everything of people pissed off with the officials, like the Police don’t do anything, the City doesn’t do anything, City Council doesn’t do anything,” she said.
“How can they do anything if they don’t know about it? So people need to speak up, and in this situation here, we managed to get ten different neighbours lined up around the neighbourhood, on both Punchaw and on Quentin.”
Rioux said a post on Nextdoor was a turning point that got the ball moving towards the abatement process.
“I took a picture from my bedroom window and I tried to angle it so it was mostly on the other side of the fence, but the two houses in the back were kind of showing,” she said.
“So I posted this on Nextdoor, and I said this is just a PSA, Public Service Announcement, if you have something like this going on in your neighbourhood, you need to speak up, and you need to complain to both City and to Police, one’s civil, one’s criminal, but they both need complaints, because they don’t necessarily talk to each other.”
Rioux said she received a message from someone from one of the homes in the background of the photo.
“She has been complaining for the last year, she just didn’t have the right address, so where did all those complaints go?” Rioux said.
“She’s been complaining through the app, the 311 app, apparently there’s a delay with that and, so there’s another glitch in the system with that.”
Rioux said emails starting coming in from the ten surrounding neighbours around two months ago. Around that time, the City’s new Manager of Bylaw Services, Kent MacNeill came aboard and helped the neighbours get started with the abatement process.
“He also gave them a notice for an order that they needed to clean up the property or the City would come in,” Roiux explained.
“They came in October 7th with a 20-foot trailer, and they went back there. They got the junk out, and, as a holistic practitioner, everything holds energy, you walk into a room and you can feel bad vibes, kind of thing, objects can hold energy as well, and having all of that stuff moved, it did help lift the energy and you can feel a difference since then. It was really heavy and dense before that.”
At Prince George City Council’s Regular meeting on October 20th, Council voted in favour of ordering the nuisance activities at the address to stop under the City’s Nuisance Abatement Bylaw.
Under this bylaw, the City can recover certain abatement costs from the property owner if the activities continue.
Now that this process has been approved by City Council, Rioux said there is some sense of relief.
“But when you have unhoused transient individuals, that have been frequenting this property, by permission, for over a year, they’re not going to go away quietly,” she said.
“The tenants are gone, and October 16th, Kent came here, first thing in the morning, and “sorry to wake you up, but I just wanted to let you know, we won, they are out, the locks have been changed, they are out.” Great, wonderful, that’s a sense of relief, kind of can let your shoulders down a little bit.”
However, Rioux said there was further trouble the next day.
“Friday morning, I wake up and I had a somewhat decent sleep, I open my blinds, and I can see smoke coming up from behind the carport. I went into full on panic mode,” she said.
“There’s fires downtown, we’ve lost buildings, there’s fires being lit on business doorsteps downtown, there’s all sorts of things going on with that, so seeing this, and having all that knowledge in the background, I went into panic mode.”
Smoke rising from behind the carport of the property neighbouring Jackie Rioux’s home (Supplied by Jackie Rioux)
Rioux called 911, which she said was another frustration.
“You’re in the midst of panic, and it goes to a call centre,” she said.
“So they need to calm me down to get that information, transfer you to the appropriate department with the police, the police take the information, and they have to get your name, they have to get your birth date, they have to ask if there’s weapons, they have to ask if there’s drugs, is there anything else? Is fire a weapon in this case? If that carport goes up, or if that had gone up when I was sleeping, that’s attached to my house!”
Rioux said she was told some individuals were allowed time to gathered their belongings, something allowed by the landlord.
Following the vote on the abatement process, Council also voted to review the bylaw to lower the threshold of calls for when to start the process.
“I cried, when they started saying that they were going to look into it and reduce it, I just really hope that this case sets a precedent that this doesn’t happen to somebody else,” Rioux said.
“I am a very tolerant person, I can take a lot, but even I shouldn’t have been put through this. It’s not normal, and I can totally feel for the business owners downtown too, that they have got things going on and their buildings, their livelihood is all affected, something needs to be done.”
Rioux said she’s not sure about what will happen next.
“Maybe me giving a voice to it will give somebody else the confidence to speak up too. I mean it took a long time for us, but now that this case is out there and has been somewhat resolved, maybe somebody else’s case might have a little quicker resolution, but you need to speak up, and you need to complain to the appropriate authorities.”
In the time since this interview was recorded on October 23, 2025 Rioux confirmed on Wednesday, Nov 5th through email there have still been a few disturbances, with some neighbours observing unknown individuals in the carport with carts and random items.
Crime in the Creston Valley is trending downward in some key categories with notable drops in violent and traffic-related offences over the past year.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Buliziuk presented the detachment’s latest quarterly report at the Nov. 4 Creston council meeting.
He said calls for service were slightly lower this summer compared with the same time last year, which he said is consistent with a decline seen during the summer months over the past few years.
While the numbers are encouraging, he noted they’re not low enough to celebrate.
“We were a little lower this year, which is nice. Not enough to be celebrating, but a little lower.”
Violent crime and traffic offences
Violent crime within the municipality has fallen by about 26 per cent since last year, while the rural area saw a 14 per cent decrease.
“Those are the types of offences where people are getting hurt, physically hurt. So to see a reduction is great,” said Buliziuk.
Traffic offences also dropped sharply – down about 57 per cent in town and 67 per cent in rural areas.
Buliziuk said the downward trend should be attributed to targeted enforcement over the summer and stronger collaboration with the B.C. Highway Patrol, particularly along high-risk routes.
“We had the B.C. Highway Patrol working closely with us on our higher-risk areas that we’ve identified, and we definitely saw some success through the summer – especially on the lake road – which was a great reduction, especially on the severe-collision side of things compared to the norm.”
Property crime
Although this quarter has seen trends decline in several crime categories, property crime remains an issue within the municipality.
Buliziuk said there have been “skyrocketing” increases in thefts from vehicles and bicycle thefts in recent months on the municipal side.
But, he believes a large portion of those crimes occurred by just one individual, who was arrested at the end of October and has since been remanded.
“I will be closely monitoring the statistics in these areas during the term in which this individual is incarcerated, and I will report back on what that number looks like,” added Buliziuk.
He noted that targeting those who commit property crime is a priority moving forward, as he sympathizes with victims.
“It’s invasive and it has an effect on people. So it’s an area that we are looking to do some extra work on within the municipality. We do have a couple of tactics that we’re going to be employing to deal with this.”
Mental health calls
Mental-health-related calls continue to represent a significant portion of the detachment’s workload.
Buliziuk said that in this quarter, and in the previous three, only about 10 to 13 per cent of all mental-health-related calls required police apprehension under the Mental Health Act.
He said the remainder typically saw officers helping people in crisis who were not a risk to themselves or the public.
He described those situations as a gap in service, where police are called to help people struggling with mental-health or addiction issues who may not meet the threshold for hospital intervention.
“In a lot of these cases, we’re not at that level of crisis, but there’s really no option, so families find no other option but to call us.”
Search warrants
The detachment has also continued to average about one drug search-warrant execution per month.
Officers recently executed a drug-related search warrant across from the local high school, leading to the seizure of multiple substances and the discovery of evidence of trafficking.
He said officers have charged 11 people with possession for the purpose of trafficking so far this year.
“This is not something you want, but something you want. Over the course of this year, we’ve seized well over kilogram levels of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, heroin – a bunch of variations of those mixed and cut uniquely,” he said.
He noted that toxic drugs have been among the substances seized, including purple fentanyl cut with benzodiazepines.
“When you see those Interior Health drug warnings, we are seeing that in our community.”
Staffing
Staffing constraints are also still an issue within the detachment, despite positive crime trends.
There are currently three members off duty due to illness, leaving just Buliziuk and one corporal holding supervisory roles.
Another member is set to retire at the end of January, and another constable will be away for training for a month starting next week.
Buliziuk said there are certain staffing priorities province-wide at the moment that are delaying transfers, meaning it could take longer to fill local vacancies.
“There are certain staffing priorities that are holding up transfers right now in this province, and that is the Surrey transition, which essentially means that all vacancies must be held a certain amount of time in order for preference to be given to Surrey members being transitioned out due to the Surrey Police Service takeover.
“The problem with that is that that’s happening in phases – and those are almost fiscal-quarter phases – so positions can be delayed getting filled.”
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The Castlegar and District Community Complex will have extended maintenance closures next year.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay says the arena floor will be closed from April 27 to Aug. 10, inclusive, although it will reopen from June 10-14 for graduation events. Ice making will begin Aug. 11.
The pool will be closed from Aug. 1 to Sept. 13, inclusive.
The RDCK says the dry arena floor will be closed so a low-emissivity ceiling can be installed, and insulation work can be completed in the attic above. This will lead to greater energy efficiency and extend the life of the arena roof, the RDCK said.
In the pool, annual maintenance will take place alongside the next phase of the roof replacement, which includes interior work that must be completed while the pool is closed.
“Maintaining our assets through regular maintenance and timely capital improvements, ensures they remain safe, efficient, and reliable for our community,” operations manager Craig Stanley said in a news release.
“We understand the temporary closures may cause disruption, and we are thankful for the community’s patience as we work to ensure the facility continues to serve residents well into the future.”
The RDCK said local user groups, including swim clubs and lacrosse organizations, have been informed of the upcoming summer closures.
A week after a clunky effort on Halloween Night in the Rose City, the Prince George Cougars exercised some of the old skeletons that live inside the Memorial Coliseum.
Five unanswered goals uplifted the Cougars to a 6-2 road victory over the Portland Winterhawks on Wednesday night.
Jett Lajoie was the beneficiary of a lead pass from Patrick Sopiarz.
The 18-year-old from Winnipeg turned on the afterburners, blowing past a pair of Winterhawk defenders then slipped the puck past goaltender Ondrej Stebetak for a 1-0 edge.
Portland’s quick strike offense punched back four minutes later as Reed Brown drove wide on a flat-footed Corbin Vaughan solving PG netminder Josh Ravensbergen to even the score.
Then on a power-play, some puck wizardry by Jordan Duguay found a wide-open Alex Weiermair via a cross-ice pass who made no mistake on a one-time blast to put the Winterhawks up 2-1.
NHL top prospect blueliner Carson Carels remedied the situation in the dying seconds of period one burying a loose puck on the man-advantage courtesy of a rebound that was spat out by Stebetak.
Portland’s undisciplined play reared its ugly head in the second period and once again proved costly.
A loose puck battle behind the Winterhawks net won by Brock Souch found Terik Parascak.
The Washington Capitals first round pick then located Dimitry Yakutsenak who beat a sprawled out Stebetak for a 3-2 lead.
A sloppy giveaway at the Winterhawks blueline was corralled by Kooper Gizowski who’s initial shot ricocheted off Stebetak but found Kayden Lemire who slid it into the yawning cage.
Less than 40 seconds later, Riley Ashe joined the offensive parade as his wrist shot from inside the Portland zone had an odour to it and somehow beat the Stebetak.
The Czechia goaltender was then pulled in favour of Cruz Chase. Stebetak allowed five goals on 19 shots.
Not to be outdone, Ravensbergen made a trio of saves later in the period to preserve the healthy lead, two of which came off the sticks of Duguay and Brown, both were the post-to-post variety.
Portland outshot the Cougars 39-28. PG went 2-for-3 on the man-advantage while the Winterhawks were 1-for-4.
A third period surge by the Winterhawks was stymied by Ravensbergen who made 13 saves in the final 20 minutes. The first-round pick by the San Jose Sharks made 37 stops in the victory.
Parascak added an empty netter with less than three minutes remaining as Cruz was pulled for an extra-attacker.
PG (10-6-0-0) leap-frogged the Kamloops Blazers, Victoria Royals and Penticton Vees to jump into first place in the B.C. Division as well as the second seed in the Western Conference.
The Cougars continue a six-game road trip Friday (7:05pm) against the league-best Everett Silvertips (13-1-1) then wrapping up against the Wenatchee Wild (3-8-1-1) Saturday at 6:05pm.
The newly tabled federal budget promises to cut wasteful government spending while investing in “nation-building” initiatives.
The projects a $78 billion deficit this fiscal year, with deficits declining each year to reach $57 billion in 2029-2030.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the launch of the new Major Projects Office (MPO) earlier this year with the goal of fast-tracking projects deemed to be of national significance.
Budget 2025 includes almost $214 million over five years for the MPO and its Indigenous Advisory Council.
The initial list of projects to be considered for fast-tracking included LNG Canada Phase 2 in Kitimat and the Red Chris Mine expansion in the northwestern B.C.
“It’s heartening to see Ottawa’s continued commitment to the Critical Minerals Strategy, on top of their support for the Red Chris mine and phase two of LNG Canada,” said B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey in a statement.
“We will continue advocating for B.C. to receive our fair share of Major Project Office funding as we grow our economy and for more B.C. projects to be expedited to grow our provincial and national economies,” said Bailey.
Major mining and critical minerals investments
The federal budget includes a $2 billion investment over five years in a Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund, which would make strategic investments in critical minerals projects and companies.
It also proposes $443 million over five years to support the development of innovative processing technologies, joint investments with allies in Canadian critical minerals projects and a new stockpiling mechanism to bolster national security.
Close to $372 million over four years would go toward a new First and Last Mile Fund to support the development of critical minerals projects and supply chains.
The budget also proposes an expanded tax credit eligibility for critical mineral exploration to include 12 additional minerals used in defence, semiconductors and energy technologies.
Mining makes up nearly 30 per cent of B.C.’s goods exports. The provincial government says B.C. produced an estimated $16.7 billion worth of mine products in 2024.
The Mining Association of British Columbia is welcoming the proposed supports for the industry.
“Budget 2025 is a solid step forward in positioning Canada and BC as a leading global supplier of the critical minerals and metals that our allies need. In BC, it will help unlock approximately $41 billion in new investment in critical mineral and mining projects across our province,” said President and CEO Michael Goehring.
The federal government said the Chris Mine expansion is expected to increase Canada’s annual copper production by over 15 per cent. It’s part of a proposed corridor in B.C.’s northwest that is being considered by the MPO as a development strategy for the sector.
Forestry and softwood sector supports
The budget includes some previously announced measures to support B.C.’s forestry industry, as the sector faces unprecedented U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber and wood products.
Those measures announced in August include $700 million in loan guarantees to help companies maintain and restructure their operations. An additional $500 million would go toward renewing and expanding existing Natural Resources Canada’s forestry programs focused on market and product diversification.
Carney’s government has said it will prioritize Canadian materials in construction and change federal procurement processes to require companies contracting with the federal government to source Canadian lumber.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced additional 10 per cent tariffs on softwood lumber in October, on top of the 35 per cent in anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed in recent months.
Federal and provincial ministers attended a forestry summit on Monday, where they agreed to work together on further supports for the industry.
Tax breaks for LNG expansion
The second phase of the LNG Canada project is expected to double Canada’s capacity of liquified natural gas.
Eby has promoted LNG expansion as a way to increase sales to Asian markets and further diversify the sector amid the U.S.-Canada trade tensions.
The 2025 budget proposes tax incentives for the LNG sector, including bringing back accelerated capital cost allowances for low-carbon LNG facilities.
Infrastructure funding
The budget touts “significant” planned infrastructure investments. It includes $51 billion over 10 years for a new Build Communities Strong Fund to support provincial and municipal infrastructure projects.
Four B.C. community projects listed in the budget among those approved for federal funding. They are the Filipino Community and Cultural Centre in Metro Vancouver, White Rock Pier in White Rock, Newton Athletic Park in Surrey and Royal Athletic Park in Victoria.
Finance Minister Brenda Bailey addresses the UBCM | photo courtesy UBCM
Bailey also welcomed the federal government’s increase to defence spending, with $81.8 billion earmarked over the next five years.
“We look forward to working with Ottawa to ensure the benefits of increased defence spending are shared fairly with British Columbians,” she said.
However, Bailey said she was hoping to see more housing measures in the budget.
The budget outlines a $13 billion commitment for Build Canada Homes. The agency previously announced an initiative to build affordable housing on select federally owned sites, but B.C. sites were left out of the initial list.
Kootenay Lake School District 8 (SD8) Trustee Susan Chew has been acclaimed as the district’s new board chair.
Chew was elected by acclamation at the Nov. 4 SD8 board meeting. It’s her first time holding the role.
“It’s an honour to have the opportunity to serve as chair of the SD8 Board of Education. Our work is about meeting the learning needs of every student and reflecting the values of the communities we serve,” said Chair Chew in a news release.
Meanwhile, Trustee Julie Bremner was also acclaimed to hold her seat as vice-chair for a second term.
“Serving as vice-chair is an opportunity to continue to support children, families and school communities through strong governance and open communication. I look forward to working with our new chair and with all board members as we keep students at the centre of everything we do,” said Vice-chair Bremner.
Also elected by acclamation were Trustee Murray Shunter, who will serve as a provincial councillor for the B.C. School Trustees Association, and Trustee Mary Jane Blackmore as alternate.
Trustee Al Gribbin will serve as a B.C. Public School Employers’ Association representative, with Chair Chew as alternate.
The chair and vice-chair positions, along with external committee roles, are elected annually by the board.
The nine trustees who serve on the board are elected every four years during B.C.’s local general elections.
The SD8 board is in the fourth year of its four-year term, which ends on Oct. 17, 2026.
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Prince George has taken over first place in the B.C. Division, a point ahead of Victoria, Penticton and Kamloops.
The (10-6) Cougars visit the (13-1-1) Everett Silvertips on Friday and the (3-8-1-1) Wenatchee Wild on Saturday with their next home games Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 and Wednesday night at 7:00 against the (8-4-2-1) Victoria Royals.
The PG Cougars regular season schedule and results are here.
This week on the @PGCougars 55-minute Cat Scan #podcast, In-Game host Jessica Speziale & Show Caller Darnell Toth. They discuss Victory+ Changes, game day routines, fan reaction and interaction, national anthems, thoughts on this season’s team & much more. #WHLhttps://t.co/1m8lhh6g1W
The Regional District of Nanaimo is seeking public input to help develop an active transportation network plan for Cedar Village.
An online survey will collect feedback, and the RDN will host an in-person drop-in open house on Nov. 26 at Cedar Heritage Centre from 3 to 7 p.m.
The district said the plan will build on a 2009 active transportation plan and the 2013 Cedar Main Street Village Plan while looking to improve walking, cycling and other active transportation options.
“The plan will guide the development of a comprehensive network with safer, more modern infrastructure in the Cedar Village area and strengthen connections to broader regional and provincial active transportation routes,” the RDN said in a news release.
The plan will aim to create safer routes and better connections while preparing the community for provincial and federal grant opportunities.
The notice of motion states there are no provisions for selection of non-profit corporations and how these entities become aware of assets being disposed of.
It also states the bylaw doesn’t have any provisions for disposal of assets that may have significant historical or cultural value to residents who may have contributed to their creation.
The final ask in the notice of motion calls for clarity be added to the bylaw to identify formal and informal processes mentioned in the bylaw.
The recommendations included in the notice of motion would have administration bring back options to address these.
“This is just ensuring that the process is clear, transparent and fair if we are disposing assets that still have some perceived value or life in them,” Ramsay said.
“No other groups necessarily had a chance at that, no other employee had a chance to get that, so it’s just about being fair and making sure someone doesn’t have an advantage over another employee if that’s a route when we’re disposing of assets,” he said.
Director of Finance and IT Services Kris Dalio said there could be a potential issue down the road when defining historical or cultural significance.
“I think no matter what kind of Webster’s definition you go there, there’s room for interpretation, so hopefully we can put that in the policy and Council can trust the administration of the day to ideally identify assets that we believe have that value,” he said.
City Council approved the recommendations in the notice of motion.
BC Hydro will have more EV charging sites under its name, surpassing 700 charging ports.
The 28 EV sites are located along highway rest stops and key travel corridors, and include a mix of fast chargers and Level 2 chargers.
One of the sites is on Highway 16, 120 kilometres east of Prince George at the Slim Creek Rest Area, with another at the Cluculz Rest Area on Highway 16, east of Vanderhoof.
The sites would transition to BC Hydro’s energy-based rates.
BC Hydro said the expansion incorporates sites that were previously operated by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
More information and the list of site locations can be found here.
The Strathcona Dam and its access road will be closed for about four years starting Nov. 17.
BC Hydro said the closure is necessary to carry out critical seismic upgrades aimed at enhancing the dam’s safety and resilience.
Located on the Campbell River system, the Strathcona Dam is one of three “extreme consequence” dams in the area.
Strathcona Dam, one of three ‘extreme consequence’ dams in the area | Photo Submitted
“Failure resulting from a seismic event could pose serious safety, financial and environmental risks downstream,” the release said. “Standing 53 metres tall and stretching 500 metres long, it holds enough water to fill BC Place stadium 216 times.”
BC Hydro said the upgrades are needed to address dam safety risks and to enable lowering of the reservoir’s water levels following a major earthquake.
Work will include construction of a deep channel forming a low-level outlet on the east side of the dam, new control and back-up power supply buildings, installation of gates within the low-level outlet channel, and replacement of the existing spillway gates and hoist system with a concrete weir to manage extreme flood events.
The project is expected to create about 110 jobs annually until 2029.
“These upgrades will allow for controlled reservoir drawdown, and improved flood mitigation and fish flow management during dry periods,” the release said.
BC Hydro said it continues to work closely with First Nations, the City of Campbell River, the Strathcona Regional District and other stakeholders to ensure transparent communication and community engagement throughout the project.
Signs indicating the closure of the Strathcona Dam access road will be posted in the area, including off Highway 28.
A new study says the City of Powell River can do more to make children with disabilities feel more included.
The study by the University of Victoria and Vancouver Coastal Health makes seven high-level recommendations based on values, language and staff training to make children with disabilities feel more included.
Community Belonging Project researcher Meriko Kubota says this is a complex issue.
“If it was as simple as having a staff person change behaviour or a program this would look very different and our recommendations would look quite different to you,” Kubota told a committee of council Tuesday.
Even in the middle of the two-year study, Kubota noted the city is already making strides to address this issue.
“We actually saw some programming become available like a new swim class available for children who might find it way to stimulating and inaccessible to enter swimming lessons. And so there was a designated program of swim lessons that made the class smaller, that turned off the music in the pool and dimmed the lights,” she said.
The study also found many of the city’s key policy documents like the official community plan and the active living guide make no mention of children with disabilities.
“In cases where children are mentioned, they are often considered only as “children” and not in relation to other dimensions of their experiences or identities,” the study said.
Councillor Cindy Elliott shared her story of being a parent to some children with disabilities saying it was hard to include them in city recreational activities due to lack of extra support.
“When there isn’t that happening and your child is unable to participate the same way other children are because they require that extra support, they inevitably call the parent and say you have to come get your kid because we can’t handle him,” Elliott said.
“Plans for inclusion would include having the right amount of staff to support children who require extra help,” she said.
The study group says staffing has been included in the report.
A committee of council received the study and will use it as a reference.
The deadline is approaching to nominate local businesses for the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards.
Nominations are open until Thursday, Nov. 6, with 15 categories to choose from, including Business of the Year, New Business of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.
The awards are open to most local businesses, businesspeople and entrepreneurs.
“You don’t need to be a Chamber member to be nominated or selected as a finalist,” said a statement from the Chamber.
Winners will be announced at the Chamber’s Starry Night Gala in January.
Visit the Chamber’s website to submit nominations.
The Cowichan Valley School District will keep its current leadership team for another year.
At its Nov. 4 board meeting, trustee Cathy Schmidt was re-elected as board chair, while Elizabeth Croft will continue as vice-chair. Both have served in those roles for the past year.
In a news release, assistant superintendent Jeff Rowan said under Schmidt and Croft’s leadership, the district will continue delivering quality education to students across the Cowichan Valley.
“The board remains committed to providing students with an exceptional educational experience,” he said. “Under the leadership of the chair and vice-chair, the board will continue to advance the goals outlined in the strategic plan.”
Those goals include learning, Indigenous ways of knowing, individual and collective well-being, and caring for place.
Board elections are held annually during the trustees’ term.
The City of Cranbrook will be raising parking metre and leased parking stall rates in the downtown core.
The proposed changes have been given three readings and will be up for adoption at a future council meeting.
City staff said the rate changes will come into effect on May 1, 2026.
Current parking rates are five cents for six minutes, 10 cents for 12 minutes, 25 cents for 30 minutes and 50 cents for an hour.
Once the changes come into effect it will be 25 cents for 15 minutes, 50 cents for 30 minutes, $1 for an hour and $2 for two hours.
Leased parking stalls will increase from $35 per month to $50.
City staff said this will keep rates competitive with similar sized communities while still be lower than the national average.
Community planner Connor Britton said it will also help keep the cost off the tax payer for infrastructure upgrades.
“We anticipate that the income generated and directed to the parking reserve would reduce the amount of tax payer subsidization that would be required to go towards capital improvements and maintenance of parking infrastructure in the downtown,” he said.
The city is looking to modernize parking in the downtown with digital mobile payments.
City staff said during the transition to the new rates, some metres may continue to show old rates as each metre has to be manually updated.
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Fernie residents wanting to be heard on proposed business license fee changes have a little more time.
Fernie council is set to adopt amendments to the business license fees during the Nov. 25 council meeting. Once approved, regular business license fees will jump from $100 to $150.
Finance direct Bryn Burditt said they are losing money from the time it takes to process licenses.
“We’re losing money on running the program as it is, which means it’s being subsidized by our regular property tax payers,” he said.
Written statements can be submitted until 2 p.m on Nov. 25.
They can be sent to the city via email, fax, mail or in person at city hall.
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A new pathway designed to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety between two schools has completed its first phase.
The City of Courtenay marked the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lake Trail Multi-Use Path.
Mayor Bob Wells said residents have long wanted safer ways to walk or bike between Arden Elementary and Lake Trail Community School, and he’s glad to see the project moving ahead.
“This pathway makes the route safer and supports healthier, more sustainable ways to get around.”
The gravel path runs along Lake Trail Road between the two schools and features upgraded bike lanes, drainage improvements and an enhanced bus stop.
The project was funded through the B.C. government’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program, with additional support from the Comox Valley Regional District’s Electoral Area C.
Construction of the first phase began in September and took two months to complete. The second phase is pending environmental permit approvals and will extend the pathway from Arden Road to Arden Elementary.
Kimberley city council has voted against hearing an application for Official Community Plan and zoning amendments that would have supported a proposed multi-use commercial development.
Had council approved the application, the amendments would still have required further council review.
The application was for undeveloped parcels on 304th Street and 315th Avenue. The amendments would have allowed for a multi-use commercial development plan involving multiple restaurants including drive-through and take-out services, a gas station and a car wash.
A similar proposal in 2023 caused quite the stir in the community, before it was eventually rejected.
Councillor Sue Cairns said it’s the type of development that the community has made clear they don’t want.
“This is a perfect example of why strong city policy and regulation is needed upfront to provide certainty and clarity and direction to developers and investors both existing and new so we attract the right kind of development that align with our vision and priorities set out in our community plan,” she said.
“It’s extremely frustrating to continue to be faced with these proposals that do not align.”
Mayor Don McCormick was in favour of hearing the application and said Kimberley is losing business to Cranbrook.
“Where are they getting these services? Cranbrook is where they’re getting these services,” he said.
“Traffic to Cranbrook is a huge financial alternative that bleeds money from Kimberley. There are 7,000 trips a day that go between here and Cranbrook and that’s a combination of commercial, visitor and resident traffic.”
He said retaining business means expanding local offerings.
“It’s important to note that people spend money where they are, especially visitors. We want to keep them here,” he added.
“We don’t want them to go to Cranbrook for retail unless it’s absolutely necessary for them to do that.”
Councillors Cairns, Kevin Dunnebacke, Diana Fox and Woody Maguire voted against the application, while Mayor McCormick and councillors Sandra Roberts and Jason McBain voted in favour.
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Xatśūll First Nation is taking an exciting step for the future of its members.
The First Nation announced Friday, Oct. 30, that it will reclaim the land and stewardship where the Nenqayni Wellness Centre currently operates, as of April 1, 2026.
In its statement, Xatśūll says the decision was not made lightly, and reflects on discussions within the First Nation community over the past decade.
“Xatśūll is actually really excited and we’re looking forward to what we can do on the land that Nenqayni is currently sitting on,” Kukwpi7(Chief) Rhonda Phillips told Vista Radio.
“We’ve brought it to our community and it’s been a very positive response. There’s a strong feeling of pride and unity within our community, and I think it’s a very important step in self-determination and planning for our future needs of our growing nation.”
Xatśūll stated the decision to reclaim the lands is deeply rooted in the Nation’s long-term vision of meeting its members’ needs of healing, wellness, and community connection, particularly concerning the impacts of the drug crisis.
The land carries strong cultural and community memories of healing along with the lives touched by the work done there for generations. Xatśūll says it will continue to honour and celebrate that history, as well as the positive impacts that Nenqayni has had in the community.
As for the First Nation’s next steps, Kukwpi7 Phillips says she and the council will be talking with their community on how best to move forward.
“Right now we are going to be doing a lot of community engagement and working with our team to find out what programs and services would best serve our membership,” Kukwpi7 Phillips said. “We’re a growing nation, and so we need to expand our programs and services to meet the needs of our people who are moving back home.”
Starting next month, Nenqayni will transistion to in-community services and outreach.
Premier David Eby and Coastal First Nations are calling on the federal government to uphold the oil tanker moratorium in British Columbia’s northern waters.
A joint declaration to protect B.C.’s north coast was signed Wednesday by Eby, Coastal First Nations president and Heiltsuk First Nation Chief Marilyn Slett, Lax Kw’alaams Mayor Garry Reece, Haida Nation president Jason Alsop, hereditary elder Clarence Innus and Paula Amos with Indigenous Tourism B.C.
The declaration said thousands of livelihoods are sustained by fisheries, tourism, renewable energy and stewardship along the north coast, generating nearly $2 billion for the economy.
“Repealing the tanker ban would risk near-term major projects and cheat B.C.’s economy out of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investments. Over the long term, the consequence of a crude-oil spill in these waters would be generations of lost livelihoods and irreversible ecological damage,” said the joint statement.
The declaration was released during the two-day B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders’ Gathering in Vancouver, which included more than 1,300 one-to-one meetings between provincial officials and First Nations leaders.
The federal government formalized the moratorium in 2019, prohibiting oil tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tonnes of oil. It covers the area from the Alaska border, down to the point on British Columbia’s mainland across from the northern tip of Vancouver Island, including Haida Gwaii.
A voluntary tanker exclusion zone had been in place in the region since 1985.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has long been calling on Ottawa to repeal the ban. Smith wants a pipeline carrying Alberta bitumen to the Port of Prince Rupert on B.C.’s north coast, and has said the oil tanker ban is one of several road blocks to that plan.
Smith said last month her government would submit a formal application to the federal Major Projects Office (MPO) to fast-track a new pipeline project, supported by $14 million from her government. The advisory group for the application includes energy companies South Bow, Enbridge and Trans Mountain. Alberta expects to submit the application to the MPO by next spring.
Eby has repeatedly dismissed the pipeline proposal, noting there is no private backing for the project. He has called it a threat to the many shovel-ready projects in B.C.
Dozens of major energy companies have also called on Ottawa to repeal the ban. It was among a number of recommendations in a joint letter by industry stakeholders to Prime Minister Mark Carney in September.
Speaking last month, Carney said he is open to the idea of a new pipeline to the west coast, if the project would be of economic benefit to Canada, is consistent with climate goals, and has opportunities for Indigenous participation. He also did not rule out repealing the tanker ban.
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad said Wednesday Eby is opposing the tanker ban for ideological reasons.
“Rather than advancing nation-building energy projects to diversify markets, create thousands of skilled jobs, and deliver prosperity for our province, the NDP continue to discourage investment,” said Rustad in a statement.
Eleven large industrial tires, each weighing about four tonnes, have been removed from a shoreline in Campbell River.
The cleanup was led by Greenways Land Trust in partnership with Coast Island Marine Ltd., the At-legay Fisheries Society and other local and regional organizations.
Greenways said in a release the tires were filled with Styrofoam, posing a pollution and wildlife hazard as it broke apart and entered marine food webs.
Styrofoam from inside tires | Photo Submitted
Coast Island Marine provided tugboat services to move the tires from the beach to a marine terminal, where they were craned out and loaded onto trucks. The At-legay Fisheries Society supplied two additional boats to collect any remaining debris or Styrofoam.
“All of our partners stepped up to make this challenging cleanup possible,” said Camille Andrews, habitat management co-ordinator at Greenways Land Trust. “We were so happy to see such strong community engagement and support for this effort.”
The tires will be trucked to the landfill as the next step in the process. Pacific Woodwaste and Menzies Transport Ltd. are key partners in that stage, with Way Key Excavating on standby if heavy machinery is needed.
Greenways said it is now working with the City of Campbell River and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to develop a new marine debris removal response plan and team to handle future incidents.
The cleanup effort was supported by Coast Island Marine, the At-legay Fisheries Society, Pacific Woodwaste, Menzies Transport, Way Key Excavating, CVRD Waste Management Services, Ocean Legacy, the Campbell River Salmon Foundation, Greenways Land Trust and DFO.
Greenways said a qualified environmental professional from DFO monitored the removal to ensure environmental protection throughout.
“The tires are believed to have broken away from a dock or barge and washed ashore from elsewhere in the region during a recent storm,” the release said. “The Styrofoam once used for flotation had begun to fragment, threatening marine and shoreline ecosystems as it broke into smaller pieces.”
Greenways is urging members of the public who witness environmental violations — such as illegal dumping, chemical discharge or fish habitat damage — to report them to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.
The Smithers Princess Street Upgrade Project is being put on pause as winter weather approaches.
Crews recently finished paving the roadway which town Communication and Engagement Officer Samantha LeBlanc said is the last thing being done this year.
“It was the last step in what was being done for 2025 so we could ensure snow plowing on residents’ roads,” she said.
LeBlanc added the project was expected to be complete by the end of this year, but saw delays from contractor availability and weather.
“We are looking to have that project finished in Spring 2026, but at this time, there will be no more work done.”
Work that remains on the project are line painting and creating the multi-use path.
LeBlanc added despite the delay, the project is still within its $2.7 million budget.
“We’ve had some really positive feedback from residents around the road. It is a nice improvement from what was there and we do thank residents for their patience with the project,” she said.
More information and updates on the project can be found on the town’s website.
Plans to improve the Park Drive Ball Fields in Port Hardy have been referred to the district’s finance committee for review.
The proposal follows a letter submitted last month by Trish Fossum on behalf of the local Little League baseball program, outlining the repairs needed to make the field safe and playable for next season.
During the Oct. 14 council meeting, Coun. Brian Texmo expressed strong support for restoring the facility but noted that costs and logistics must first be assessed.
“With all the finances and work that needs to be done, it has to go through the finance committee,” Texmo said. “We also need to figure out how to work with softball to make sure youth have access to fields out at the beach in the interim. I would like to figure out how and when we can address that.”
Proposed upgrades include improved drainage, levelling of the playing surface, expanding the infield by 10 feet and providing a safer, softer diamond for players.
Fossum told council that enhancing the field aligns with the district’s Official Community Plan and would help position Port Hardy as a regional leader in minor baseball.
“We’re kind of in the best position in the Tri-Port area, in regard to our number of diamonds and the quality of them,” she said. “Being a leader in that regard would be awesome.”
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George says CUPE 1699 members withdrew services from a number of locations today, including:
155 George Street office building
Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill
Shelley Regional Transfer Station
Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station
Mackenzie Selct Waste Landfill and Regional Transfer Station
Vanway Regional Transfer Station
Valemount Regional Transfer Station
The Regional District added the Union did not provide them any notice that these services would be withdrawn.
Previous job action continues as well, and CUPE 1699 members will no longer:
perform temperature checks of compost piles or feedstock
monitor or triage IT help desk tickets
work overtime and will not work outside their regular scheduled hours, except as required to fulfill essential services obligations
train managers or exempt employees in any manner, except as required in the essential services order to provide essential service levels
collecting fees at Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill, Mackenzie Select Waste Landfill and Regional Transfer Station, Valemount Regional Transfer Station, Vanway Regional Transfer Station, Robson Valley Recreation Centre and Canoe Valley Recreation Centre
perform any illegal dumping cleanups including all remote locations, unstaffed locations, and all illegal dumping at facility gates or outside facility boundaries
collect fees, accept payments or assist with any financial transactions at reception or at the service centre at the 155 George Street office building including creating invoices and receipts (all payments and invoicing tasks must be completed by managers or exempt staff)
perform the daily measuring of the active face at Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill
create “pass cards” for landfills or transfer stations
accept or distribute incoming mail or packages
conduct cash runs, perform cash outs, or deliver daily deposit receipts related to customer transactions for processing including end-of-day batching of Interac terminals, as well as mid-month and month-end cash outs at all landfills, transfer stations, recreational facilities and the 155 George Street office building
According to the Regional District, the Foothills Regional Landfill remains open, but there could be a high volume of traffic at the site.
The 155 George Street building is open as well, but the following sites are closed:
Shelley Regional Transfer Station
Cummings Road Regional Transfer Station
Mackenzie Selct Waste Landfill and Regional Transfer Station
United Way BC is helping post-secondary students who had been in government or foster care with financial support.
This is through the organization’s $700,000 Youth Futures Education Fund aimed at helping students with schooling or essential living expenses like food, damage deposits, and phone bills.
Strategic Initiatives Manager Trisha Dulku said 57 per cent of those who access the fund put it towards essential living.
‘It’s really hard for a young person to focus on their mid-terms if they don’t have food in their fridge.”
“It’s really hard for a young person to be able to write papers or even think about pursuing and completing their final exams if they’re not sure where they’re going to be able to sleep.”
Dulku said they work alongside 26 post-secondary institutes across the province, including UNBC and the College of New Caledonia, where students are able to access the fund.
They collaborate with each school’s financial aid and registrar offices to ensure the youth get the funding support in an emergent need.
Those students can also reach out to United Way BC through its website to access the fund.
More information about the fund can be found here.
Fire fighters in Quesnel were called out early this (Nov 5) morning.
Fire Chief Ron Richert says the call came in at around 5 a.m. to the 800 block of Avery Street in West Quesnel for possible smoke inside a building.
“Upon arrival crews found, the exterior of the second floor had a small electrical fire, so crews were able to quickly gain access into that area and extinguish the fire.”
Richert says it was a townhouse complex with 6 units.
“The damaged area only affected two of the townhouse units. It was contained to the outer wall area. The people in the other units were notified as a precaution, but they weren’t evacuated. Just the two residents were taken out of their units.”
No one was hurt.
Richert says they were on scene until around 8 o’clock this morning.
An exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Nanaimo RCMP made 20 arrests during a two-day project targeting theft at Port Place Mall. A news release from RCMP says officers recovered about $2,600 worth of stolen merchandise and pressed 16 charges for theft under $5,000.
“While almost half of these thefts involved low-value items, over time these losses add up and can cause significant financial stress to the businesses targeted,” says reserve constable Gary O’Brien.
The enforcement blitz on Oct. 17-18 was funded by the provincial Safer Communities through Targeted Enforcement (C- STEP) program.
Police say many of the arrests led to other charges, including obstruction, prohibited driving and mischief.
“We hope our combined efforts will send a clear message to those involved in retail theft, that this activity will not be tolerated and you will be held accountable,” says superintendent Eric Rochette, officer in charge of the Nanaimo RCMP. “We also want shoppers to feel confident and safe and to continue shopping at the mall. Additionally, our ongoing objective is to provide support to our business community in addressing this issue, and we will continue to work with the mission of curtailing of retail theft in Nanaimo.”
For the first time in UNBC history an alumni has been elected as a premier in Canada.
Currie Dixon graduated from the university with a Masters of Arts in Political Science in 2011 and is now the premier-elect for the Yukon.
Dixon told Vista Radio his topics of study at UNBC have prepared him greatly during his time in provincial politics.
“So, when I was studying in UNBC, a lot of the things, we talked about, debated about and discussed over the course of my time there, is directly relevant to my time in government in the Yukon.”
“I am very grateful for the lessons I learned and the support I received after I graduated from there. I am very proud to be elected here in the Yukon and to be a graduate of the University of Northern British Columbia.”
Dixon added it didn’t take long for him to enter the political game after graduating.
“Shortly after I graduated in the spring of 2011, I entered politics and was elected and became an MLA and a cabinet minister for the Darell Pasloski government.”
The Premier-designate sees a lot of similarities in terms of between the Yukon and Northern B.C. including Prince George.
Ranging from punching above its weight, to be resource-based economies.
“We have a lot of linkages and connections between us. The Yukon is a resource-based economy and we have a significant chunk of land up here and population. The development of our resources offers the best opportunity for the creation of good-paying jobs and economic opportunities and I think that is the same for Prince George and the north or the Yukon.
He stated some of his priorities is to see upgrades in health care, housing and invest resources into upgrading electricity assets.
Prior to becoming premier-designate, Dixon stepped away from politics between 2016-2020 working in the private sector in the public service before becoming leader of the Yukon Party in an opposition role from 2021-25.
Dixon’s victory marks the end of nine years of Liberal government in the Yukon, the last four of which saw the party’s minority government supported by the NDP.
Dylan Lariviere also leads the Smoke Eaters in goals with seven.
The 20-year-old from Welland, Ont. signed with the Smokies in the summer of 2023 after the Merritt Centennials left the BCHL for the KIJHL.
He is coming off back-to-back 12-goals seasons and is pleased with the quick start to the 2025-26 campaign.
Larivere says consistency is one of his goals this season.
“I found last year I was very spotty,” said the tall winger.
“One thing I kind of wanted to do coming into this year was be more consistent, be more of a presence each night, not only on the score sheet, but in the game in general,” Lariviere stated, while also praising line mates Brayden Sinclair and Louis Jonerheim for his early success.
“It’s fun to play along side them, I’m glad we’re meshing and I feel we have another gear to bring,” he added.
Lariviere plays in all situations and is dominant along the boards during puck battles.
He is also a constant nuisance for opposing goalies and defensemen near the net on power plays and has been a persistent penalty killer including the blocking of key shots.
Lariviere’s skill set is also on the rise.
He scored a highlight reel goal against Salmon Arm with a backhand toe-drag and flip shot into the top corner of the net during a Smokies power play.
Lariviere says it’s a play he has practiced many times.
“You see on TV all the time guys trying stuff and doing those little plays and it’s not easy, but you’ve got to work at it, I think I’ve tried it more times than I can count and that’s probably the first time I’ve scored one like that,” Lariviere explained, adding that pre-scouting also helped.
“He (the goalie) drops his glove hand a little bit quicker than other goalies so I wanted to target that area if I got a chance,” added Lariviere who has six points on four goals and two assists over the last five games.
The Smokies will strive for a team record 10th straight road win Friday night in Osoyoos.
Lariviere says their approach should be no different than rebounding from last Wednesday’s loss against the Silverbacks, specifically working on correcting mistakes from the game before and sometimes even the shift before.
“You’ve got to come out with something to prove, you can’t really let the last game affect you, you’ve got to learn from it and then build off it and then redeem yourself the next chance you get.”
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RCMP are warning about phony $50 and $100 bills circulating in Trail.
They were notified Friday by a local bank about two counterfeit bills. Both were believed to have been used at a local business and were discovered when they were deposited.
The investigation is ongoing.
“We encourage local businesses to check high valued denominations like $50 and $100 to ensure they are authentic before accepting them as payment,” Sgt. Mike Wicentowich said.
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The Lhtako Dene Nation will foot the bill for a new crosswalk to honour veterans in Quesnel.
Council unanimously approved an agreement with Lhtako at Tuesday (Nov 4) night’s meeting to sponsor and pay for the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the crosswalk on Kinchant Street.
The project obviously means a lot to Mayor Ron Paull.
“I’ve been working quietly in the background for a veteran’s crosswalk to tie in with the legion and veterans way and the cenotaph and the whole nine yards for about the last two years. And the biggest stumbling block was to get a design that would be approved by dominion command but the biggest obstacle was to raise the money for that project.”
Paull said he was running out of options on how to pay for it.
“I was basically down to doing a GoFundMe but then Lhtako came to the rescue, so we are eternally grateful to Lhtako for their good work.”
The crosswalk, located on Veterans Way near the legion and the cenotaph, was installed yesterday a week before Remembrance Day.
Castlegar city council has approved the final concept design for Brandson Neighbourhood Park, marking the completion of an engagement process that invited residents to help shape the park’s future.
Through multiple rounds of public engagement, more than 200 people shared their ideas and priorities for the park’s renewal. The city says their feedback consistently identified play opportunities for all ages, a green and lush environment, and places to sit and connect as top priorities.
The approved design reflects these community priorities by including:
Playground equipment for children from six months to 12 years and up, including swings, climbing structures, and accessible sensory play elements;
Nine new trees and new planting areas to enhance shade, biodiversity, and natural beauty while preserving all existing mature trees;
Accessible pathways and rest areas, including benches and two accessible picnic tables; and,
Signage to celebrate the park’s history and an accompanying audio recording to increase accessibility.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 and is anticipated to take approximately three months to complete.
“This project is a great example of how community engagement can shape council’s decision-making,” mayor Maria McFaddin said in a news release.
“Residents told us what mattered most, and this design delivers on those priorities. Brandson Park will continue to be a welcoming space that honours the history and provides enjoyment for years to come.”
The total project cost is estimated at $382,000, which includes funding from the city’s game host agreement reserves. These funds are contributed from casino gaming revenue and can be used for projects that benefit the community.
After a two-day break, the Prince George Cougars continue a six-game road trip when they visit the Portland Winterhawks tonight (Wednesday).
The two teams just met Friday of last week in Portland with the Winterhawks scoring a 6-2 victory.
The (9-6) Cougars also visit Everett on Friday and Wenatchee on Saturday before returning home to face the Victoria Royals Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
Interior Health(IH) claims its recruitment efforts for new doctors in Williams Lake are showing progress.
Karen Cooper, Executive Director of Clinical Operations at the Health Authority, said in Tuesday, Nov. 4, night’s council meeting that the physician vacancy at Cariboo Memorial is lower than when she first took over in 2021.
“Our current vacancy for Williams Lake as a whole is 14.9 per cent,” Cooper said. “How that compares to IH, it is still higher, but I feel very relieved to be able to say that 85 per cent of our lines are filled.”
During IH’s presentation to Council, Cooper said that over the last few years, IH has seen a steady level of Net Inflow (Inflow), new hires, compared to its Net Outflow (Outflow), employees leaving.
In 2024, Interior Health in Williams Lake brought in 121 employees as Inflow, compared to 64 as Outflow. In 2025, the numbers dropped to 99 Inflow and 73 Outflow. For 2026’s first quarterly update, IH predicts that right now they could see 45 Inflow and 33 Outflow.
Cooper said that Outflow also includes permanent employees who have moved their employment status down to casual, but still may be picking up shifts.
“We’re steadily having more Inflow than Outflow,” says Cooper. “Despite the numbers dropping, that is also due to our numbers and percentages of vacancies dropping per year as well.”
Where IH still remains the most challenged in finding and maintaining new hires, is nurses in the Emergency Department in Williams Lake.
Considered the “hottest ticket” for nurses, Cooper said there is not as much movement in that department, while there are still lots of choices for nurses outside of the ER. Although, Cooper says, IH has seen progress with its programs that expand and bring in nurses from around the world.
“We’ve been augmenting our vacant nursing lines using a program called Goal Health, which is a travel nursing program. We’ve been making good use of that program which is why you’ve [Council] seen our service interruptions all but cease.”
The new expansion at Cariboo Memorial Hospital, now opening in the first quarter of 2027 after a 59-day delay, will also bolster health care workers and IH’s lines. Cooper reports the new expansion will bring 61 new full-time employees to Cariboo Memorial.
The new employees will not be the only thing bolstered with the new expansion. Cooper said there will also be 71 new parking spaces added when the expansion is complete.
Athletes from the East Kootenay region made a strong showing in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s latest Team of the Week.
Players from the Kimberley Dynamiters, Columbia Valley Rockies and Fernie Ghostriders claimed five of the six skater spots and the lone goaltending honour.
Forwards
Brayden Schwartz – Kimberley Dynamiters The Okotoks, Alta., product led the Dynamiters to a pair of wins, posting four goals and two assists. He scored his eighth of the season to put Kimberley ahead 3-1 in a 6-1 victory over Fernie, then added a hat trick and two assists in a 9-0 win against Golden. Schwartz was plus-six on the week.
Carter Hensch – Columbia Valley Rockies Grande Prairie’s Hensch registered three goals and three assists over three games. In a 5-3 win over Spokane, he had two goals and four points, including the game-tying goal and an assist on Evin Bossel’s winner. He added a goal and an assist in a 5-0 win over Castlegar, finishing with a plus-six rating.
Hayden Selin – Kamloops Storm The lone forward from outside the East Kootenay region, Selin made an impact in two wins over the Quesnel River Rush. The St. Albert, Alta., native had a goal and two assists in a 6-2 win, then assisted on the Storm’s first two goals and scored another in an 8-3 victory. He also finished plus-six.
Defence
Jackson Murphy – Kimberley Dynamiters The 20-year-old defenceman from Calgary earned a second straight Team of the Week nod. Murphy scored in a 6-1 win over Fernie, then assisted on two goals in the 9-0 rout of Golden. He led all players with a plus-eight rating while averaging 18:22 of ice time.
Nate Turton – Fernie Ghostriders A rookie from Airdrie, Alta., Turton played key minutes for the Ghostriders, averaging 20:33 per game. He assisted on the opening goal in a 2-1 win over Quesnel, then had another assist and the go-ahead goal in a 4-2 win against Williams Lake. He finished plus-five.
Goaltender
Leo den Besten – Fernie Ghostriders Den Besten earned his second selection in four weeks after backstopping Fernie to three wins. The St. Albert, Alta., native made 92 saves on 98 shots, posting a 1.67 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. He had 31 saves in a 2-1 win over Quesnel, followed by a 21-save effort against Williams Lake and a 29-save performance against 100 Mile House, both 2-1 wins.
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The grizzly sow relocated from Nelson’s Mountain Station a few years ago is back – this time with three new cubs in tow.
The family of four was spotted near the Mountain Station rail trails in Uphill this week.
It’s the same sow that was relocated from the city in the fall of 2023 with her two adolescent cubs.
WildSafeBC community coordinator Lisa Thomson said there are concerns the bear may be more protective of this year’s litter, as the cubs were born earlier this year.
“She hasn’t shown any signs of aggression, but we just know female grizzlies are very protective of their young. And so, there’s concern that should she encounter anyone or anything unfavourable, it might become an issue,” said Thomson.
When the sow was relocated in 2023, conservation officers placed a radio collar on her, but it has since come off.
“That collar has come off because they have an expiry of about two years on their battery life and they’re designed to fall off. So I believe that came off in October at some point,” Thomson explained.
She said the family was spotted frequently around Cottonwood Lake throughout the summer, noting one of the cubs appears to have an injured leg, though it doesn’t seem to be affecting its quality of life.
“One of the cubs does still appear to have some lameness, so not walking that great on its hind leg, but it motors along pretty well, keeps up with its siblings and it’s thriving like the whole family.”
Grizzlies usually enter their winter dens by late October or early November. While the Mountain Station Rail Trail remains open to the public for now, Thomson strongly encouraged people to avoid the area until the bears move on.
“If you are insisting on using the Mountain Station trails and the Rail Trail, keep your pets on leash, make lots of noise and ideally travel in groups of four. But ideally you would just find somewhere else to go for the next few weeks.”
She also emphasized the importance of managing wildlife attractants on properties, especially pumpkins, now that Halloween is over.
“Halloween is inconveniently scheduled during hyperphagia season for bears. So it’s not a great time of the year to have our pumpkins out on our front doorsteps,” she said.
“So we are encouraging people to dispose of them responsibly – that means not leaving them out front to rot and not dumping them in the forest.”
Lastly, those who spot the grizzly family are urged to report sightings to WildSafeBC Nelson, which allows Thomson and local conservation officers to monitor where the bears are frequenting.
“I am appreciating reports of the grizzly bear family’s movement. So if people can phone, email or Facebook message me, that way we can make sure that those areas they are frequenting are dialed in with managing their wildlife attractants.”
Sightings, or wildlife attractant concerns, can be reported by contacting Thomson directly at [email protected] or 250-551-6376
For any encounters, call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277
Want to get your business noticed? Have you considered advertising through your local radio station? Speak to one of our sales agents and find out how radio advertising can boost your business today. Call 250-365-7600 or email Vista Radio.
The first federal budget tabled by Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberal government will feature a deficit of 78-billion dollars.
However, some of the highlights include 40-thousand fewer civil service positions by 2029 as well as major investments for infrastructure ($51 billion) and the Canadian Armed Forces ($81 billion).
UNBC political science lecturer Jason Morris told Vista Radio the budget is a change of course, but also needed.
“Massive investments in infrastructure, housing and the military just might be what Canadians need and have been asking for. But of course, adding to the debt for all of this means future generations that don’t get a vote on this budget will be the ones making the investments to spur the economy today and in the years ahead.”
However, the hard part will be getting enough support to pass it, if Carney isn’t successful, residents would likely head back to the polls.
“I think its reasonable that if you can’t appeal to three more people that you have some issues and you should have an election. The Conservatives would like to see a plan to balance a budget, the NDP is always going to want more social spending for the daycare and pharma care and for the Bloc Quebecois, its all about Quebec.”
That number trimmed to two late Tuesday afternoon as Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont crossed the floor and joined the Liberals after spending the last five years as a Conservative.
In addition, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, stated she won’t vote in favour of the budget unless the Liberal government improves the climate policies outlined in the document.
Other notes from the budget include another major cut to immigration with temporary residents like students and foreign workers to be cut by nearly 50 per cent.
Furthermore, projects like high-speed rail, new ports, carbon capture and storage face likely approval in the coming months.
The Regional District of Nanaimo board has elected a new chair for the coming year.
Stuart McLean was acclaimed to the position after serving as vice-chair for the past two years. It is his first time in the role.
“I am deeply honoured to follow in Vanessa Craig’s footsteps as board chair and want to sincerely thank her for her three years of dedicated leadership,” McLean said in a release. “I look forward to working with the board on our shared priorities and advancing our advocacy efforts with the province to ensure this region remains the best place in B.C. to live.”
Director Lauren Melanson will serve as vice-chair.
“I’m honoured to take on the role of vice-chair and am eager to work with chair McLean and all members of the RDN board as we advance our regional goals,” Melanson said. “Thank you to all directors who have helped lay the groundwork for our continued important work ahead, in service to the residents we represent.”
The RDN is required by provincial legislation to elect a chair and vice-chair at its first meeting each November.
The board is composed of 19 elected officials representing four municipalities; Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville and Qualicum Beach along with seven electoral areas.
Environment Canada has issued a Coastal Flooding Statement for parts of Vancouver Island.
The national weather forecaster said higher-than-normal water levels, strong winds and waves could cause flooding along exposed shorelines Wednesday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 6.
A statement from Environment Canada said risk is greatest around midday Wednesday and again Thursday afternoon, as storm surges are expected to coincide with high tide.
The statement covers North Vancouver Island, the Campbell River area, Greater Victoria, the southern Gulf Islands and the west island including Tofino.
Forecasters warned minor flooding, debris and coastal erosion are possible in low-lying areas, with some roads and walkways becoming difficult to navigate.
A strong frontal system will move across BC coastal regions near midday on Wednesday, followed by another frontal system on Thursday afternoon,” said a statement from Environment Canada. “Strong southeast winds will accompany both frontal systems. The timing of the peak southeast winds with high tide will result in potential storm surge with water level higher than the highest astronomical tide.”
A wind warning is also active for North Island communities Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.
Forecasters said wind gusts between 90 and 110 km/h are expected in some areas.
North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn has tabled his first petition in the House of Commons.
The petition asks the Canada Energy Regulator to reject the application by Brookfield Investments for a 30-year permit to export hydroelectricity from Canada to the United States.
Gunn said the plan provides “almost no benefit” to residents of the Powell River area or Canadians generally and stressed that Canada’s natural resources belong to its people, not foreign-owned companies.
He said the petition reflects the views of his constituents and Canadians across the country.
The full petition is available on the House of Commons website.
– Article includes image from North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn’s Facebook page
A fatal pedestrian collision outside a fast-food restaurant in Sparwood is now being investigated as a criminal incident, RCMP say.
Elk Valley RCMP responded to a report of a man hit by a grey Toyota Tundra around 9:52 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2. The collision happened outside the A&W at 131 Aspen Dr, Sparwood.
Despite emergency responders’ efforts to save him, the man died at the scene.
The Southeast District Major Crime Unit has since taken over the investigation.
“We are in the very early stages; we are still gathering details about what transpired,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Smart, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Southeast District MCU.
“We are requesting that anyone who saw a 2017 Toyota Tundra with B.C. licence plate LV4015 being driven on Nov. 2, 2025, contact police,” he said.
RCMP are also asking anyone who was near the Sparwood A&W between 9 and 10 p.m. that evening and has dashcam footage to get in touch.
Tips can be submitted through the Southeast District MCU information line at 1-877-987-8477.
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The top scorer in the nation has put the Canada West Conference on notice.
Today (Tuesday), fourth-year UNBC Timberwolves forward Evgeny Baukin was named the Canada West Player of the Week in Men’s Basketball.
On Friday night, at home, against the nationally ranked Alberta Golden Bears, Baukin matched a career high with 30 points on 11/16 shooting.
He added 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals in what ended up being a thrilling one-point victory for the Timberwolves.
The next night, Baukin continued his two-way dominance by posting 23 points to go with seven rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals in an overtime loss to the Golden Bears.
Baukin is averaging 27.7 points-per-game which ranks him #1 in all of U SPORTS.
Last season his average of 17.6 points-per-game ranked him eighth in the conference.
Baukin was named UNBC Male Athlete of the Year and also captured four team awards including: Most Outstanding Player, Top Defensive Player and the Practice Wins Leader.
The Timberwolves return to action this weekend at the Northern Sport Centre on Friday (8pm) and Saturday (7pm) night against the visiting Trinity Western Spartans.
The City of Campbell River says BC Hydro has revised its schedule for public warning system and spillway gate testing at the John Hart facility.
Testing will now take place Friday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at four sites along the river, from the John Hart Dam to Second Island. Sirens may sound several times for up to five minutes each.
B.C. Hydro is blaming the outsized costs for the Site C dam construction on a series of “low probability, high consequence” events, and said it should have done a better job preparing for those risks.
In a report to the British Columbia Utilities Commission about the lessons learned from the project, the Crown corporation said the construction was “more complex and challenging than BC Hydro and its contractors anticipated.”
Site C is the third dam and on the Peace River in northeastern B.C., located about seven kilometres from Fort St. John. The utility cites the complex geology of the site and wide swings in temperature during winter, often reaching lows of -30 degrees Celsius.
The dam came into full operation in August, producing enough power for about 450,000 homes.
The provincial government gave the project the greenlight in December 2014, with a budget of more than $8 billion. Since then, the cost has nearly doubled.
The report, released late last week, said B.C. Hydro and its contractors faced difficulties from the outset due to the large size and complexity of the project. It said internal resources should have been scaled up more proactively and sooner.
It said the first budget increase in 2018 was partly due to tension cracks on the left bank that led to schedule delays and about $610 million in additional costs.
In 2021, the province revised its cost estimate for Site C to $16 billion, and pushed the expected in-service date back one year to 2025.
The report said much of that budget increase was due to geotechnical challenges on the right bank and further delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While extensive geotechnical studies were conducted for decades leading up to the start of the project in 2024, B.C. Hydro had deemed the risk of major geotechnical challenges to be low and didn’t account for them in the initial budget.
When construction did run into such challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the impacts on the project’s schedule and price tag. B.C. Hydro said pandemic-related slowdowns and delays added about $1.6 billion to the budget, while the enhancements to the right bank foundation added another $1.1 billion.
There were also additional costs for project resources, design changes, highway expansion and more.
The B.C. Hydro report said the project is on track to be completed within the latest budget, saying $14.5 billion had been spent as of June 2025.
The utility said other lessons to be learned from the project include the difficulty of working with multi-national consortiums. It said it took time for some to “fully appreciate the complexity of the Project and the challenges of working in northern British Columbia.”
The B.C. Hydro report lauds the efficiency of the project’s leadership team, though it notes “opportunities were identified to improve governance and oversight” in the early years of the project.
B.C. Hydro also lists “Indigenous Relations and Economic Opportunities” among the projects successes. It said 23 per cent of vendors involved in the project were Indigenous affiliated. It also touts eight impact benefit agreements signed with First Nations and the establishment of a fund to support cultural and research projects.
The project faced significant opposition from communities in Treaty 8 territory.
A 2014 report by a joint review panel found that the project would likely cause a
“significant adverse effect” on fishing opportunities and practices for the First Nations in the area.
In 2022, the province, Canada and B.C. Hydro came to a negotiated settlement with West Moberly First Nation after a decades-long legal fight.
“The Site C project has had major impacts on our community, and the flooding and operation of this dam will have effects that will be felt for generations to come,” said Chief Roland Willson following the settlement.
B.C. Hydro said Site C has performed well since it began ramping up operations about a year ago, including continuous operation of the spillway throughout last winter.
The reservoir’s public boat launches are expected to remain closed until at least spring 2026, while B.C. Hydro monitors slope stability and shoreline erosion in the area.
The Town of Qualicum Beach will purchase Eaglecrest Golf Course and use part of the land for housing and green space.
Council finalized the purchase of about 42.5 hectares after years of uncertainty about its future.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community,” said Mayor Teunis Westbroek. “Through the many conversations, meetings and feedback we’ve received, it became clear that the community wanted the Eaglecrest lands preserved for future generations. We are proud to be part of this historic decision.”
The town said 40 per cent of the property will become forested parkland with walking trails and habitat restoration. The remaining land will support a nine-hole golf course and housing developments.
There will be further opportunities for residents to engage with the town on the future of the land, and public consultation will help shape the final design and configuration of the golf course and open spaces.
Prince George didn’t see its temperatures jump or drop over October, staying close to the average.
According to Environment Canada, last month’s temperature sat around an average of 4 degrees, with October’s normal at 4.4.
Meteorologist Derek Lee said precipitation wasn’t too far off from normal either.
“In total, we got around 56 millimetres, and the normal for this time of year would’ve been 66 millimetres.”
“That translates to around 85 per cent of normal, so it’s pretty good in terms of what we got in October.”
Lee said PG is likely to continue the near normal trend for conditions in the first half of November, with the end of the month potentially seeing cooler than normal temperatures in the north.
As for precipitation, he said the area is typically in limbo, but if we were to see any it the daytime, it’s warm enough to continue to be rain, with overnights most likely being snow.
Temperatures for this week are expected to sit between 4 and 6 degrees, with overnights below the freezing mark.
More information on Prince George’s forecast can be found here.
Port Hardy District Council has approved lowering the speed limit on a portion of Beaver Harbour Road.
The original motion, passed unanimously, proposed reducing the limit to 40 kilometres per hour north of For Rupert Elementary and including Carlton Street, Chatham Avenue and Scotia Street.
Councillor Fred Robertson successfully moved an amendment to further reduce the limit to 30 kilometres per hour.
Robertson said concerns had been raised about speed throughout the community, but expanding the motion to cover the entire town would delay implementation.
“My concern is that this is a very specific motion for a very specific area,” he said. “By expanding it to the entire community and doing studies, all of the sudden it becomes a non-specific motion and the timeframe that’s involved becomes indeterminate. This is specific to do something relatively quickly.”
Councillor Dennis Dugas said he agreed that limits need to be addressed, but it must be done efficiently.
“Something specific was brought forward, and now we’re talking about something general for the whole community,” he said. “We don’t want it to go on for years before making a decision.”
Council approved the 30-kilometre-per-hour limit, with councillor John Tidbury opposing.
Pet owners in the Comox Valley can now renew their dog licences for 2026.
Licences are available from the Comox Valley Regional District for residents in Electoral Areas A, B and C, the district said.
Amanda Yasinski, senior manager of building and bylaw compliance, said licences help pets return home faster if they get lost.
“Similar to last year, we will have several locations for residents to purchase dog licences and will provide pop-up locations in the community through January 2026,” Yasinski said.
Licences are valid from January 1 to December 31. They cost $10 for spayed or neutered dogs and $25 for unspayed or unneutered dogs.
Owners who fail to obtain a licence may face a $100 fine.
Residents in the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox and Village of Cumberland should contact their municipal office for their specific dog licence.
Licences can be purchased at the CVRD building, the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre, the Comox Valley Sports Centre or the Commissionaires office.
October temperatures in the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District were slightly above normal while precipitation remained low.
That’s according to Environment Canada, adding the mean temperature was 0.3 degrees warmer than average at 4.7 degrees.
“Precipitation itself, we got a total of 34.1 millimetres and the normal would have been 66.3 millimetres,” said Meteorologist Derek Lee.
The same month last year, average temperatures were similar at 4.8 degrees with 60 millimetres of precipitation.
“It’s pretty normal for this time of year to get less precipitation. The reasoning for this month in particular getting less precipitation was we were getting a lot more wind with the coast,” said Lee.
He added the start of November is expected to be normal with both snow and rain possible.
“Towards the end of November, we are seeing a little bit of a trend below normal temperatures so I would say there might be confidence then we will be feeling a little chillier,” Lee said.
For Remembrance Day, rain is possible as temperatures reach a high between three and five degrees.
Full forecasts for the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District can be found on Environment Canada’s website.
A powerful monument will be on display in Quesnel’s College of New Caledonia’s campus starting tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 5.
The Witness Blanket, created by Carey Newman, whose traditional name is Ha̱yałka̱ng̱a̱me’, is from the Kwakwaka’wakw, Coast Salish, and Stó:lō Nation in the Fraser Valley from his father’s side, and English-Irish heritage from his mother’s. Newman was inspired by the stories of his father’s experiences at a residential school, and traveled across the country to collect items that tell the stories of loss, strength, reconciliation, and pride.
The result is the Witness Blanket, made from 887 reclaimed and donated items, symbolizing ongoing reconciliation.
“What Carey Newman has created is impossible to describe in a few words,” says Dr. Jessie King, the College of New Caledonia (CNC)’s Vice-President, Indigenization.
“The piece is inspired by a woven blanket; it is a huge, large-scale piece of artwork that connects items that have been reclaimed from government buildings, churches, homes, traditional and cultural pieces from across Canada, and residential schools.”
The Blanket itself will take up a large space in both campuses. Dr. King hopes that visitors to the exhibition will truly be able to engage with the piece as they walk around.
“They will be able to walk through one of the doors that’s available and was reclaimed, and really understand the impacts of racism, colonialism, and ultimately genocide,” Dr. King says. “It also reveals the opportunity for conversing on the ongoing harms that were caused by the legacy of Canada’s residential school systems.”
The exhibition is in collaboration with the Quesnel Tilicum Society and CNC, and there will be an opening event, free to the college communities and public, on November 13 at 10 a.m. at the Quesnel Campus.
The event will also be showing the documentary Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of The Witness Blanket, which follows artist Carey Newman’s journey in creating this monumental project.
“We are welcoming community members, people who want to come and join a safe space to engage with the art piece, but also to engage with one another as survivors and to take the time to honour those who didn’t come home,” Dr. King says.
“It’s going to offer a new perspective for folks to witness, listen, and honour the truth that is within those pieces.”
The Witness Blanket Exhibition will be at CNC’s Quesnel campus from November 5 until November 21. Then it will be moved and on display in Prince George’s campus from November 27 to December 30.
Details for the opening event in Prince George will be coming and announced by CNC soon.
Campbell River City Council has approved a grant application to reduce wildfire risk in the community.
The city and the Campbell River Fire Department are seeking $419,000 from the Union of B.C. Municipalities to fund a new wildfire resiliency plan, purchase specialized firefighting equipment and expand FireSmart education.
The plan will assess current wildfire risks across the community, identify priority treatment zones and establish a five-year framework for wildfire mitigation and community preparedness, the city said.
Assistant fire chief Stephanie Bremer said the funds would also support firefighter training.
Assistant fire chief Stephanie Bremer comments:
“Training components for 2025 include the engine operations course, the water supply for operations and wildland firefighter level one,” Bremer said.
She added the funding would allow the department to acquire new structure protection equipment and expand FireSmart education programs.
Assistant fire chief Stephanie Bremer comments:
“Our education and engagement will focus on the home ignition assessments, encouraging residents to make their homes FireSmart and take advantage of FireSmart rebate programs,” Bremer said.
The fire department’s plans are being developed in partnership with the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations and aligns with council’s goals for community safety and Indigenous partnerships.
Home sales were down nine per cent on Vancouver Island in October compared with the same time last year. The latest report from the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) says there were 649 housing units sold last month and 3,838 active listings — down four per cent from a year ago.
Three per cent more single-family homes sold in October compared with September, with 317 transactions. There were 1,224 active listings excluding waterfront and acreage properties. The report shows an eight per cent year-over-year decrease in single-family home sales.
VIREB CEO Jason Yochim said the market is balanced with about six months of inventory.
“Our local market continues to stand out for its stability and resilience, especially when compared to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver. It’s a healthy environment for both buyers and sellers, with some good opportunities on both sides,” Yochim said. “Prices are steady, and with the Bank of Canada’s recent rate cuts likely behind us for now, the environment feels more predictable and sustainable.”
There were 362 condos on the market on Vancouver Island in October and 69 sold — 13 per cent fewer than last year but up 17 compared with September sales.
The benchmark price of a single-family home on Vancouver Island rose two per cent from a year ago in October and stood at $795,900.
The benchmark price for a condo was $411,700 last month, up four per cent year-over-year and down one per cent from September.
The most expensive housing market remains Parksville/Qualicum Beach, with a benchmark price of $920,700, up three per cent over last year.
Nanaimo’s benchmark price increased one per cent to $813,900.
A single-family home in Campbell River has a benchmark price of $704,200, up one per cent over last year.
The Comox Valley’s year-over-year benchmark price rose by three per cent to $859,100 and the Cowichan Valley rose five per cent to $803,700.
The North Island has the least expensive benchmark price for a single-family home at $464,600, an increase of eight per cent over last year.
Trail RCMP say they’re investigating two separate but very odd incidents on Halloween.
They were notified Monday by a parent in Rossland that a sewing needle was located inside a piece of candy.
Police say the parent noticed one of her child’s candy packages was ripped, and upon closer inspection found a sewing needle with thread stuck inside the mini chocolate bar inside the packaging. Her child had been trick-or-treating on Cooke Avenue in Rossland and Lower Sunningdale in Trail.
Police say no foul play is suspected, but how the needle and thread got into the chocolate bar remains a mystery.
Sgt. Mike Wicentowich acknowledged there is an urban legend about razor blades or needles being found in Halloween candy.
“I don’t think there’s been a confirmed incident, but with mass production of candy it’s not entirely unusual for foreign objects to be found inside candy let alone Halloween candy,” he said. “It’s more likely something happened in the manufacturing versus someone placing it there.”
Wicentowich added: “We encourage everyone to follow this parent’s example and inspect all Halloween candy for safety reasons as a precaution.”
RCMP are also looking into a report of a man offering cannabis to trick or treaters in East Trail.
They say shortly before 9 p.m. they received a report about a 40-to-50-year-old man in the 1700 block of Noran Street who told some teenagers that he had no candy left and offered them cannabis instead.
Supplying someone under 19 with cannabis is illegal and risks a $575 fine.
Police say they haven’t identified the man yet or the exact house where the incident took place and would like to speak to anyone who has info.
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The Cowichan Valley Regional District says managing invasive plants and supporting ecological restoration remains a top priority, but the growing number of non-native species in the region is making removal increasingly difficult.
The Parks and Trails Invasive Plant and Habitat Management Program has been active for more than a decade, the district said, and the rapid increase of invasive species poses a threat to the environment, parklands, and trail systems.
“These non-native plants, which often spread rapidly in disturbed environments, outcompete native species, degrade wildlife habitats and increase the long-term cost and complexity of park management,” the district said. “While invasive species are only one of many ecological stressors, their treatment and removal can have an immediate and measurable impact on restoring native plant communities and enhance park visitor experience.”
Several initiatives have been implemented to manage the spread of invasive plants, including targeted removal, volunteer participation, initial survey data and public education.
But the program said challenges remain in ensuring the effectiveness of its delivery.
“These challenges risk undermining the ability to manage invasive plant species within the parks and trails system at a meaningful scale that provides for demonstrable reduction in spread and impact to native ecosystems and park spaces,” a report to the CVRD said.
Challenges include the absence of a strategic framework, limited resources, engaging the community and providing sufficient data on sensitive plants or ecosystems.
To address these issues, the district plans to hire a qualified consultant next year to help guide resourcing and operational requirements for the program.
The City of Cranbrook is expecting homelessness to be more visible this winter following a reduction in provincial funding.
Local support groups have been working to with the city to reduce encampments in high visibility areas of the community.
Temporary outdoor shelters were set up near Moir Park and operations had been running smoothly. However, city staff said the loss of funding now threatens those efforts.
No cold-weather funding has been secured for this winter. Last year, that funding provided crucial supports like propane, firewood and warm clothing.
Without those supports, the city expects people seeking shelter wherever they can such as doorways, alcoves and other public spaces.
Shelters are currently operating in the community, but staff said they won’t be able to meet the increased demand.
ANKORS will operate the 2025–2026 Extreme Weather Shelter in partnership with The Dwelling Place and BC Housing, which will provide 20 beds when temperatures drop to minus 13 or lower.
The closure of the Travelodge has resulted in the loss of 18 emergency beds and the Cozy Bear Lodge is still under renovations and is not expected to reopen until 2026.
Social development coordinator Marcel Germer said it will be a challenging winter and is urging the public to be compassionate.
“Every year, as challenges become more visible, we see the same cycle of anger and blame,” said Germer.
“We’re asking people to do more than post complaints online. If you have ideas, step forward. If you want change, be a part of the work to make it happen. Ideas and solutions and actually doing something, not criticism, will help people survive this winter.”
The city is encouraging businesses and residents to support local shelters, donate warm clothing and volunteer their time.
“This winter will create some challenges. How the community responds, whether with criticism or compassion will define who we are,” Germer added.
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On Thursday, the organization released its “Lessons Learned Report to Inform Future Major Capital Projects” report, highlighting issues that arose before and during construction.
In December 2014, the Final Investment Decision budget was $8.775 billion, but increased to $10.7 billion in February 2018, and again in February 2021, to $16 billion.
BC Hydro said the first cost increase was primarily due to the higher costs for the main civil works, and generating station and spillways contracts.
The second was caused by the pandemic, losing roughly 60 per cent of the summer 2020 construction season, delaying the project a year, and geotechnical challenges.
BC Hydro noted it should have ramped up its internal Project resources more proactively and sooner and going forward, and better communicate low probability, high-consequence risks that can impact budgets and schedules, if they materialize.
The site, located roughly seven kilometres from Fort St. John on the Peace River, can generate over 1,100 megawatts of electricity, and power about 450,000 homes.
More information can be found on BC Hydro’s full report here.
Under this program, the award, named the Prince George Medal of Excellence and Good Citizenship, will recognize up to three individuals every year for exceptional contributions to the community in areas of leadership, innovation, impact, courage, and generosity. Active elected officials, individuals currently running for public office in the year of nomination, and City of Prince George staff are not eligible for nomination.
Prince George Medal of Excellence and Good Citizenship Draft Concept (Courtesy: City of Prince George)
These recipients would be awarded a custom-designed medal with ribbon in Prince George flag colours, and a matching lapel pin.
There is also a legacy garden component in which the City would provide a donation of $1,000 per recipient to the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society in honour of each recipient for a portion of the garden, along with a commemorative plaque for the location.
A recognition event would also be held to celebrate the recipients at a special Council meeting, where they receive the medal, pin and certificate with the garden location, with a reception to follow.
The program would be managed by the Prince George Community Foundation, including nomination intake, adjudication, and coordination with the proposed recipients being approved by City Council.
At last night’s meeting, City Council approved an initial start up budget to design, procure and install assets, as well as an on-going yearly budget of up to $10,000 to cover all aspects of the program.
“I believe that we didn’t just sort of tidy up the City process and create something solid for the future, but we also captured something that the Prince George Community Foundation was struggling with,” said Councillor Susan Scott, who chaired the Select Committee on Citizen Recognition Program.
“I spent many years as part of the Citizen of the Year committee, and it was hard work, and it was overcome by a lack of volunteers. This is a way to keep going, and keep recognizing people.’”
Councillor Trudy Klassen brought up previous awards, asking what would be done with older awards at City Hall.
The Committee members said this was not discussed by the Committee, saying it was not as part of their terms of reference.
“Can we bring this matter to Council as a whole for discussion? It’s quite important,” said Mayor Simon Yu.
“The past recognition of all the great citizens in the past, their place in history must be retained in some way.”
Nominations are expected to start in January 2026, with the award presentations expected in mid-spring.
Smithers athletes had a strong presence at the World Karate and Kickboxing Union Championships in Germany.
The 12 local athletes were joined by others from across the country to make up Team Canada.
“Looking at all of the competitors, I am extremely proud of every single one of them. Everyone gave their 110%, and I couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Shogun Dojo Sensei Karim Abu Khadra.
The final placings included:
Talia Choy: Silver in Traditional Karate Forms
Niki Tevely: Bronze in Kick Light -65kg and Light Contact -65kg
Eric Tevely: Bronze in Kick Light -85kg
Ty Hunter: Bronze in Kick Light -90kg, Light Contact -90kg, and Point Fighting -90kg
Molly Brawdy: Bronze in Kick Light -55kg and Light Contact -55kg
Zeek Joseph: Bronze in Light Contact +90kg
Lucas Coles: Silver in Light Contact -80kg
Karim Abu Khadra and Tareq Abu Khadra: Silver in 18+ Team Point Fighting
Cody Bakker: Gold in Junior Team Point Fighting and Bronze in Junior Pointfighting -65kg
Remington Raven and Leif Fielding also attended from Smithers.
“I can honestly say that this was one of the best teams I’ve ever gone to a World Championship with — not only because of the results, but because of the support, fun, laughter, spirit, teamwork, and dedication each of them brought forward,” said Abu Khadra.
The Town of Comox is considering a new policy that would give staff the authority to deny or cancel facility rentals linked to hate or discrimination.
Council is scheduled to discuss the proposed Facility Rental and Booking Policy at its meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5. If adopted, it would apply to all town-owned properties, including the Comox Community Centre, marina buildings, sports fields, parks, and any leased facilities.
Under the policy, individuals or organizations wishing to rent town facilities must complete a Declaration of Compliance confirming they will not use the space to promote hatred or discrimination. The Recreation Director, or designate, would have the initial authority to approve or refuse requests, with an appeal process to the chief administrative officer.
The policy defines prohibited conduct as any activity likely to expose a person or group to hatred or contempt under the BC Human Rights Code or the Criminal Code of Canada. It aims to balance this restriction with the right to freedom of expression under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Town staff say the policy provides a clear, transparent framework for decision-making, ensuring consistent enforcement while protecting rights and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Fees for cancelled bookings would be fully refunded.
The move would follow similar steps taken by the Comox Valley Regional District earlier this year to prevent the use of public facilities for discriminatory or harmful activities. The Village of Cumberland also has a policy prohibiting discriminatory events at municipal venues.
Click here to view the proposal in the Town of Comox’s agenda package for its Nov. 5 town council meeting.
BC Transit is moving its bus garage from Trail to Genelle.
The agency said it has bought property at 1175 Lower China Creek Road to support its operations around Trail and Castlegar.
A large warehouse on the site used to be Star Transfer Ltd. BC Assessment indicates the property changed hands on Oct. 1 for $3.65 million.
In an email provided by media relations manager Jamie Weiss, BC Transit said it is planning to renovate the site to make it operational for Kelois Canada, the contractor for that portion of the the West Kootenay Regional Transit System.
BC Transit previously leased space for many years from the Kootenay Columbia school district at 8170 Old Waneta Road. The lease expires at the end of June.
BC Transit said it has asked the school district to extend the lease for another six months to ensure a smooth transition to the new facility.
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Ferries and public transit in parts of British Columbia will be free for veterans as the province marks Remembrance Day next Tuesday.
B.C. Ferries said customers who travel in uniform or present an official Canadian military ID will ride for free on most routes on Nov. 11. Free fares do not apply to the Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii and Central Coast Connector routes.
Seniors can also sail for free that day when they present any provincial government ID.
B.C. Transit said all scheduled routes and handyDART services in the Victoria Regional Transit System will be free for all riders in uniform, active, retired and cadets, as well as those who are members of the Army, Navy or Air Force Associations.
The Remembrance Day ceremony at the provincial cenotaph at the B.C. Legislature is set to begin at 10:30am on Nov. 11.
In Metro Vancouver, TransLink is offering free transit on all services to veterans, active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, police and fire personnel, Canadian Coast Guard members, officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and BC Ambulance Service personnel on Remembrance Day.
TransLink said customers can present their badge, military ID, Veteran’s Service card, or appear in uniform for free fare.
B.C. Ferries said two minutes of silence will be observed on all vessels and terminals at 11 a.m. on Remembrance Day.
B.C. Transit and TransLink said they also encourage customers and staff to observe the traditional moment of silence at that time.
Five wildfire rehabilitation projects and burns will be taking place near 100 Mile House over the month.
The 100 Mile House Natural Resource District, with BC Wildfire Service support, will be conducting pile burning projects in areas of past wildfires.
BC Wildfire said that burns will start tomorrow (Wednesday, November 5th) should conditions be favourable, and will continue to the end of December.
The Wildfire service said in a release that the rehabilitation project includes burning multiple piles in five treatment areas from previous wildfires throughout the zone.
Approximately 100 piles northwest of the Pendleton Lakes in the area of the 2024 wildfire C41350.
Approximately 85 piles in the area of the 2023 wildfire C40384.
Approximately two piles south of Canim Lake in the area of the 2021 wildfire C41100.
Approximately two piles southwest of Green Lake in the area of the 2024 wildfire C41438.
Approximately one pile west of Flat Lake Park in the area of the 2021 wildfire C41602
The Wildfire Service added that smoke and flames may be visible to the surrounding communities, and fire crews will remain on-site each day to monitor fire activity and ensure the burns have died down.
Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services received 633 calls for service in the third quarter of 2025, an 11 per cent increase compared to the spring.
Around 30 per cent of calls were for fire-related services and 70 per cent were for pre-hospital care.
During the quarter, the department responded to six structure fires, 75 outdoor or miscellaneous fires and 61 fire alarm activations.
The most common pre-hospital calls were for falls and back injuries, followed by overdoses and chest pain.
The increase in calls was within what the department was expecting for the summer.
Fire chief Scott Driver said it was quite manageable due to a lighter wildfire season than normal.
“Our department is relieved that summer did not bring with it an overwhelming demand for wildfire response services. As a community, we experienced an expected rise in call numbers, associated with travel and the general busy activity of the summer season. What we are thankful for, is that our region did not see drastically increased wildfire issues, and thus our resources were not overwhelmed,” said Driver.
“It was nice to share the summer with our community and not have the threat of wildfire hovering over us or the smoke from wildfire.”
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