May 22, 2012

Community Celebrations 2012

INSIDE: • Quality Foods 30th Anniversary ~ Page 2 • Quality Foods Festival of Lights Fireworks Celebration ~ Page 5 • ”May-Light” Madness Sidewalk Sale ~ Page 6 • Family Day Celebration Schedule ~ Page 8 The Town of Qualicum Beach is proud to be a co-sponsor of the

Quality Foods Festival of Lights Celebration and the annual

Family Day Festivities in Qualicum Beach, May 26th and 27th

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www.pqbnews.com

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 The Parksville Qualicum Beach News

Community Celebrations 2012

Thirty years of excellence for QF

Quality Foods has roots in Qualicum Beach: 30 years later, they have grown to be one of the top stores in Canada

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

THEN AND NOW: Quality Foods co-owners Noel Hayward, John Briuolo and Ken Schley celebrating their 30th anniversary in business this year and they are making sure their customers know.

the name QF, and from there it was a simple matter of coming up with Quality Foods — the name that has become synonymous with the stores outside of Qualicum Beach.

Into the early and mid-1990s, a vacant Nanaimo IGS grocery store became available to the partners. Adding this new store led relatively quickly to the acquiring of two more stores in Nanaimo, along with locations in Nanoose Bay, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, Port Alberni and Powell River. In all, QF has 11 stores, a headquarters and warehouse operation in Errington, and a company that employs around 800 people.

The company has also had its

NEWS FILE PHOTO

Briuolo, Hayward and Schley (from left) started the Quality Foods Community Health Fund five years ago, donating money to the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation.

share of ups and downs, including a fire that destroyed their first store in 2002. Almost im-

mediately, QF’s stable of planners, architects and builders gathered to come up with ways

of keeping the store open.

They found a temporary location, with the help of the Town of Qualicum Beach, and were able to stay open, keep people on the job and continue to serve their customers.

In one year, they had redesigned their flagship store. By 2004, it was open.

Most recently, in February of this year, the Jim Parttison Group took a minority share in Quality Foods. For QF, it means renovations, expansion and new opportunities in the future — with a continued focus on delivering the best experience to their customers.

Throughout their 30-year history, the partners remain involved in the community. They pump sponsorship dollars into local sports teams, community groups and events — including the summer biggies of KidFest and the Beach Festival in Parksville.

They’ve expanded those efforts in Nanaimo Port Alberni and Campbell River in their Festival of Lights fireworks shows and in Comox at that community’s Nautical Days.

Five years ago, the co-owners of QF started the Quality Foods Community Health Fund, which donated money to the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation. Their goal, is to help the foundation meet health care needs in the communities served by QF stores.

This month, Quality Foods celebrates in a big way. There are specials, contests and they are holding a celebratory fireworks show on Sat., May 26 on the Qualicum Beach waterfront.

May 29th - June 15th Tickets:

250.752.3522 Box Office: Tues. - Sat. Show Nights Matinees

10am-3pm 6pm-7:30pm 12:30pm-2pm

THE VILLAGE THEATRE 110 W. 2nd Avenue, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S8 • 250-752-3522

www.echoplayers.ca

250-248-2062 SALES •PARTS • SERVICE DL #6754

wners of the Quality Food chain of grocery stores — Ken Schley, John Briuolo and Noel Hayward — have come a very long way since 1982.

Thirty years ago, the trio revitalized a failing grocery business in Qualicum Beach and began innovating in ways the industry had not yet imagined. In fact, for these three decades, the trio and their dedicated employees have led the way among grocery stores throughout Canada.

Their willingness to embrace technology when others would not, and their dedication to staff — making Quality Foods a top employer in B.C. — has helped create a chain of Vancouver Island-based grocery stores second to none.

The young trio re-opened a grocery store in Qualicum Beach on May 27, 1982, renaming it Qualicum Foods. The early ‘80s were tough, economically, but they had the support of suppliers, wholesalers and the community. Customer service was a major focus for them, as they had to build a base of support before they could even think of being able to add — or even afford — frills.

By 1986, Qualicum Foods was doing well and looking for other opportunities to improve. When Bruce Robertson’s FoodMaster store in Parksville became available (they knew each other quite well, as independent stores) for a partnership that year, they jumped at it. After merging, they had to come up with a new name. Luckily, the partners had had the forethought to register

Ltd.

410 E. Island Hwy., Parksville

The Parksville Qualicum Beach News Tuesday, May 22, 2012

www.pqbnews.com

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Community Celebrations 2012

A commitment to excellence at QF

As a company, Quality Foods has received plenty of accolades for its marketing prowess and duty to customers

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tepping off the elevator into the upper floor lobby of Quality Foods’ headquarters in Errington, one can’t help but notice the wall of awards.

It might smack, at first, of a kind of grocery hubris, but Derek DeWolf says there’s a reason the award wall is one of first things people see when they arrive.

The grocery merchandiser for Quality Foods (QF) and 16-year company man, says most of the visitors to their headquarters are producers and manufacturers. The majority of the awards on display are, in fact, the result of the excellent relationships QF has with its grocery suppliers.

Handed out each year by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, the bronze, silver, gold and platinum awards are, in a nutshell, recognizing just how well QF partners with certain manufacturers to run campaigns in their stores.

Last year alone, DeWolf says, there were 80 entries from all over Canada. For QF, their entry garnered them a platinum award — for best in the country in stores their size.

“We’ve won it a lot,” he says.

“Including store of the year.”

That honour, he continued, came out of an extensive review of their stores — CFIG sent out someone who had a first-hand look at the operation itself, and then went out and asked customers what they thought.

The resulting award certainly helps QF’s marketing efforts, but DeWolf adds much of the credit goes to the store managers and front-line employees who are

STEVEN HEYWOOD PHOTO

QF’s grocery merchandiser, Derek DeWolf, counts the number of merchandising awards the company has won over the years. It’s 13.

committed to the company, its goals, and to making it all come together each day.

Each year, QF embarks on marketing campaigns with some of its suppliers. DeWolf says it’s the employees who do a lot of the legwork.

In recognition of this hard work, he says QF was named to the CFIG Hall of Fame in 2010, which noted in particular QF’s consistent store achievements.

The award DeWolf is most proud of, is a master merchandiser honour.

“That’s the big one,” he says, “and that’s the one we’re going

Congratulations to

Quality Foods

for this year, our 30th year.”

The awards, he says, are tesShop Qualicum Beach First!

tament to the entire operation, all of the management and staff

in their 11 stores on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

Congratulations Quality Foods we appreciate your business. ~Thank you from Diana, Lars & the team

and thank you for all you contribute to make Qualicum Beach a great place to live.

We are so proud of you!

Congratulations on 30 years.

146 W. Second Ave. 250-752-8780

Mon.- Sat. 9:30am-5pm | Sundays & Holidays 12-4pm

“Thank you for your contributions to our community.”

Visitor Centre: 250-752-9532 Business Office: 250-752-0960

21 Years of Safe and Reliable Service 1000 Ravensbourne Ln.

1.800.665.4244

Qualicum Beach, BC www.KDair.com

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012 The Parksville Qualicum Beach News

Community Celebrations 2012

Technology plays big role for QF Quality Foods led the way in loyalty cards and today they’re using technology to connect with customers

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hen you see the fruits and vegetables section, aisles of food and goods, kitchens and bakeries at Quality Foods, you might be forgiven if you thought technology doesn’t play a big role in the day-to-day operations of a grocery store.

But, you’d be wrong.

As Quality Foods (QF) evolved since it first opened in May of 1982, it’s managers have embraced technological change as they would have done with new products from their food suppliers.

Not content to wait for technology to keep up with how their customers were changing their shopping habits, QF established their own, in-house technology department. Today, it’s being led by IT director Shawn Tomczyk, a 23-year employee with the company. He’s been around since almost the beginning of QF’s creation of an IT department.

“We went out a built our own technology internally,” he explained, “to help react to customers faster and to better act on ideas of our own.”

Leading the way among grocery stores, QF created the first customer loyalty card — the QCard — in 1991.

At the time, there were no checkouts that could handle this idea, said Tomczyk, so QF went out with the idea and found the people who could make it happen and create for them a loyalty card system.

These days, nearly every grocery store chain has one.

This penchant for innovation

STEVEN HEYWOOD PHOTOS

Quality Foods Q-Card was the first of its kind. The company’s in-house IT department works hard to keep pace with customers’ needs — such as the creation of the QF App for smart phones and tablets (right).

led, in 1997, to an online shopping system — which Tomczyk said was the first of its kind in Canada.

The company started by putting five stores on an existing online shopping system, and eventually developed their own technology for all 11 of their current stores.

Today, Tomczyk continued, QF is in the process of redesigning this online shopping system — so customers should keep an eye out for the change.

In 2004, QF created their My Daily Special program. Using their Q-Cards, customers could simply use an in-store interface to select a product and receive a

discount on that item.

“The participation level in that is huge,” he said.

The interaction with customers that the local grocery chain enjoys to this day, is also helpful in coming up with new ideas, Tomczyk said.

“We still get suggestions from our customers and what’s more, is our customers will help others use our existing programs.”

With their own technology department, continued Tomczyk, QF has been able to create a behind-the-scenes system that allows the stores to know exactly what they have in stock, what’s been sold and where items are throughout the chain.

It can even go so far as to add information about each product on their shelves.

This effort won QF a supply chain efficiency award in 2006.

“We want to be on top of things,” he explained. “It’s so we can react faster to our manufacturers’ and customers’ needs.”

That ability to react led to the company’s most recent creation — the QF App — launched in January, 2011.

This, Tomczyk said, started off with the Appy Hour — a program in-store where, for one hour each day, they would offer a certain product or products on special.

The QF App — designed for use with the latest smart phones, tablet devices and social media tools — allows customers to keep tabs on daily deals like Appy Hour. Other special deals can be activated with the app and customers can keep track of their Q-points. Other tools are being updated or added

regularly.

“This is going to grow,” said Tomczyk, adding it will follow along with the redevelopment of QF’s online shopping program.

The goal, he continued, is to have the QF App and other programs flow among the various platforms customers are using these days.

And to keep up with the everchanging demands of customers — especially when it comes to how they are using technology to shop — Tomczyk has an active department. He said 19year employee Chris Marcan’s job is just that — to stay on top of the trends and technological changes.

“QF has been really good at developing technology that can evolve in its own right and keeps up with external change,” Tomczyk said.

“We can build on it and improve it along the way, at any time. It’s our in-house advantage.”

Happy Birthday Quality Foods From your neighbour’s at Pharmasave

Drop in before the Fireworks, for the sidewalk sale until 8pm.

We would like to welcome DARCY KYDD to the NR Insurance Team

Visit our website and like us on facebook www.qualicumpharmasave.com

Come see Darcy for your home & auto insurance needs 250.752.3086 TEL 102Ǖ670 MEMORIAL AVE QUALICUM BEACH, BC

250.752.6715 FAX nrisl@shaw.ca www.nrisl.com

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Locally Owned for 30 Years, Proudly Canadian!

WE DELIVER • MON-FRI 8-6, SAT 9-5:30, SUN 10-5

720 MEMORIAL AVE. QUALICUM BEACH 250-752-3011

• Licensed Automotive Service Technician • Brake Service • Tires • Batteries • Tune-Ups • Exhaust Systems • Complete Automotive Repairs in Town • Fuel, Snacks, Beverages and More!

VILLAGE GARAGE Happy Anniversary and Congratulations on 30 years.

Open 7 Days a Week

250-752-9542

665 Memorial Ave, Qualicum Beach

The Parksville Qualicum Beach News Tuesday, May 22, 2012

www.pqbnews.com

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Community Celebrations 2012

Quality Foods: Always on the grow

Shop Qualicum Beach First

Quality Foods now offering the chance to win at the till

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he partners behind Quality Foods are always seeking out new opportunities and ways to grow the company.

Earlier this year, QF announced that the Jim Pattison Group took out a minority share in the company. While owning grocery stores that compete with QF, Pattison said his company’s role is not to be involved in the management of QF. It’s a partnership, stated the QF owners, that will allow the Island company to expand into new markets, make renovations to existing properties and tap into new opportunities.

On a more local level for the company, QF is planning some changes to coincide with their 30th anniversary.

IT director Shawn Tomc-

“Congratulations Quality Foods. Well Done!”

Unique Shops, Eateries and Services PROUD TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES OF QUALICUM BEACH

PARKSVILLE & DISTRICT

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUBMITTED PHOTO FROM QUALITY FOODS

Quality Foods grocery stores employs around 800 people from Nanaimo to Campbell River.

zyk hinted at some changes to the company’s online presence and web shopping experience for customers.

And, as of Friday, customers have the opportunity to win draw prizes directly at the checkouts of all of their 11 stores on the Island and

Sunshine Coast.

It’s a promotion that will last 30 days, he said — in honour of the company’s 30 years in business.

Fireworks to mark QF’s 30 years in business

The 500 members of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce, congratulate

Quality Foods on their milestone!

Parksville Visitor Centre

Just off Hwy. 19A (Exit #46) • 250-248-3613

www.parksvillechamber.com

Light show May 26 in Qualicum Beach; traffic on Highway 19A will be affected

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t dusk on Saturday, May 26, Quality Foods presents its 30th anniversary fireworks show on the waterfront in Qualicum Beach.

From a barge anchored offshore, the QF-sponsored fireworks will be launched.

People should get a good view from the beach and various overlooks from town.

Traffic will be changed for the duration of the show. Between Memorial Avenue and Crescent Road West along Highway 19A, there will be one-way flow and angle parking, so please pay attention to town staff who will be di-

Join the Cadets!

For Fun, Adventure & Friendship

Navy League Cadets

(Girls & Boys 9-12 yrs.)

Royal Canadian Sea Cadets (Girls & Boys 12-18 yrs.)

GOOGLE MAPS

Highway 19A through Qualicum Beach will be one-way the evening of May 26.

recting traffic in the area.

Be sure dress for the weather and

people are encouraged to leave their pets at home.

Ongoing Registration Please Call: 250-248-2677 www.navyleague.ca

Proud to have worked with you for 30 years.

Happy Anniversary ISLAND HIGHWAY AT SHELLY ROAD

250-248-3281

Visit us online @ www.parksvillechrysler.com

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012 The Parksville Qualicum Beach News

Community Celebrations 2012

Congratulations QF! Maylight SIDEWALK SALE Sat. May 26 4pm-8pm

fayesgifts.ca

Mon - Sat 9:30 - 5:00 Sunday Noon- 4:00 142 Second Ave. West Qualicum Beach BC (250) 752-1391

Saturday MAY 26TH

Water Wizard

Buddha Boards

Reg. $24.95

#5303

While Quantities last

SALE $5.97

HOME HARDWARE

169 West 2nd, Qualicum Beach

250-752-9833

Shop Qualicum Beach First at the Mulberry Bush Book Store For Maylight Madness Specials

May 26 from 4pm-8pm

4pm -8pm Visit Qualicum Beach for Maylight Madness. The Village will be buzzing with people as the merchants have a sidewalk sale in the evening to support the Quality Foods Festival of Lights Fireworks on the beach. Enjoy an evening stroll down the blossom filled streets and check out the great deals!

We’re your local bookstores in since 1975

MULBERRY BUSH BOOKSTORES 752-9722 248-1193 Thrifty Foods Centre W. 2nd Ave. Heard Centre Qualicum Beach Parksville

GET A WORKOUT WHILE YOU WALK™ Fitflop footwear is biomechanically engineered to help tone & tighten your leg muscles while you walk.

They absorb shock & reduce joint pain.

678 B Memorial Avenue, Qualicum Beach, BC

250-752-4177

The Parksville Qualicum Beach News Tuesday, May 22, 2012

www.pqbnews.com

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Community Celebrations 2012

OCEANSIDE’S FASHION OUTLET CENTRE

SUMMER COTTONS

Madness

Capris, Blouses, T-Shirts, Jackets & Pants

ALL at 50% OFF Special Racks at 99 99

$19 -29

Villag

146 W. Second Ave. 250-752-8780

Mon.- Sat. 9:30am-5pm | Sundays & Holidays 12-4pm SHOP EARLY - YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID!

First Ave.

Fifth Ave.

Memorial Ave.

Fern Rd.

Primrose St.

Aquatic Centre

Pizzazz

Second Ave.

Beach Rd.

Ravensong

Petite

AFFORDABLE QUALITY

WOMEN’S FASHIONS

Proud member of the QBDBA & QBCC. Thank you for supporting small business.

Sizes 4 - 18+

Styles & fits to flatter the “pleasantly petite” part of you.

Open 7 Days a week, Sundays 12:00-4:00

691-A Memorial Ave., Qualicum Beach, BC

250-594-0040

JOIN OUR CLASSES!

The benefits will amaze you!

First class free for local residents.

Beginners Course starts every 6 weeks.

Next one begins June 4th.

Classes for all levels.

Teacher Training starts this fall.

Visit our website at www.oceansideyoga.com

or call 250.594.0108

The Bookcase QUALITY USED BOOKS

Check out Quality Foods

Celebrates Maylight Madness & Family Day!

Every day from 4 - 6pm

50% OFF Asking Price on All Books In Store!

676 Memorial Ave., Qualicum Beach

(250) 752-2522

for crazy low prices on a select product.

The Appy Hour deal changes every day!

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www.pqbnews.com

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012 The Parksville Qualicum Beach News

F14 C6 F15 F16

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LOWER FIELD

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Main Stage

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F19 F21 F20

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F28 F9

F12 EF IE MIDDLE FIELD

Events

PLAYGROUND

F30

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F27

F29

F31

F11

F32 GRASSY KNOLL

F33

8:30pm - 11:30am The h Shriner’s h ffamous F3 F6

Workshop Tent - WT

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B

F2 F1

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Ravensong Aquatic Centre

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A

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Qualicum Beach Civic Centre

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SKATE PARK

pancake breakfast in front of Civic Centre. QB Seniors Ukulele Band.

10:00 - 11:30am Building Learning Together is offering children’s activities at Storybook Village at Qualicum Elementary School Grounds 10:00 - Noon Free Swim at Ravensong Pool sponsored by RBC QB 11:00am The big parade musters near the Qualicum Beach Fire Hall Noon Parade starts and travels up Second Ave. to Civic Centre 1pm-4pm Civic Centre Fields feature musical entertainment and tons of wonderful activities ALL FOR FREE! 1pm-4pm Food and snacks served up by local non-profits are available for purchase

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F1 .............................. Climbing Wall F2 ............................ Inflatable Slide F3 ......................... Bouncy Rock Star F4 .............................. Street Hockey F5 .................... Young Life of Canada F6 .....................................Volleyball F7 ......................... Keddys K-9 Camp F8 ................ Bouncy Obstacle Course F9 .......Zumba Fitness w/ Anna Dodds F10 ........ Christian Fellowship Centre F11 ....................... QB Lawn Bowling F12 ................ Memorial Golf Course F13 ......... Oceanside Cycling Coalition F14 ............................Island Surf Co. F15 ..................SHASTA Hoop Fitness F16 .......Society of Organized Services F16a ............................... PacificCARE F16b ..... QB Downtown Business Assoc.

F17 ........ Regional District of Nanaimo F18 ............................... Pharmasave F19 ................................. QB Library F20 ..........Community Policing Offices F21 ...............Oshonto Leather Works F22 ................. Morning Glory School F23 ............ Lots of Laughs (balloons) F24 .................Bouncy for Little Ones F25 ...............................Island Farms F26 .......................... Tiger Lily Farms F27 .... Dashwood Meadows (alpacas) F28 .... BC Hydro Community Outreach F29 ...................... QB Streamkeepers F30 ............................. Broombusters F31 .........Young Naturalist Club of BC F32 ............... RDN Team WaterSmart F33 ............... Friends of French Creek F34 .............. QB Spinners & Weavers F35 .............Oceanside Wood Carvers F36 Vancouver Island Insurance Centres

Main Stage

1:00 ....................Sylvan Temple 1:30 ........................ Lemon Tree 2:00 ............. PDMA Youth Choir 2:20 ............... Release of Doves 2:40 ..... Rainbow Stew Cloggers 3:05 ............ QB School of Dance 3:30 ......... Cassandra’s Highland Dancers

Field Entertainment

9:00 .... QB Seniors Ukulele Band (Shriners’ Breakfast) A 1:00 ..................... Outlanders B 1:00 .......... Kumbana Marimba C 1:00 ....... “Band in a Box” with Gerry Barnum WT 2:30 ..... Drum Circle with Sylvan Temple Drums WT

Concessions

1. ........................ PQB Shriners 2. .............PQB La Leche League 3. ......................QB Legion #76 4. ................ QB Sunrise Rotary 5. ............... Kiwanis Club of QB 6. ......... 893 Beaufort Squadron 7. ............Morning Glory School 8. ............................... Iconquer

Come meet Mrs. Norwood Mouse from

Calico Critters visiting from 11am-1pm both days.

Sat., May 26, 10-8 Sun., May 27, 10-4

MG S

PLAY WEEKEND Lots of prizes and giveaways!

Calico Critters 15% OFF Store-wide 10% OFF

Visit our info booth for colouring and crafts or our

Grillin’ or Chillin’ Concession Stand bratwurst, veggie dogs or salad rolls

#5-211 W. 2nd Ave, OPEN Mon.-Sat. Qualicum Beach

www.qualicumtoyshop.com

250-752-1937

10am-5pm Sun. Noon-4pm

FREE SWIM

Sun. 27 10am-Noon

Ravensong Aquatic Centre

250-752-2722 ★ www.morninggloryschool.ca

Sponsored by

Show Dates: June 15th at 7pm June16th at 2pm & 7pm Qualicum Beach Civic Centre

Oceanside Place 250-248-3252 Ravensong Aquatic Centre 250-752-5014 Register Online at: www.rdn.bc.ca

Come play outside this Family Day!

Morning Glory School

Summer Dance July 9th - 13th DANCE CAMP 5-10 years (with 1/2 day dance and crafts)

HIP HOP CAMP 11-17 years (experience required)

250-752-0227 #2-141 E. Fourth Ave. QB www.qbschoolofdance.ca For more information please email qbsd@telus.net

Congratulations to all the Volunteers and Family Day Committee Members.

Enjoy Family Day!

Ron Cantelon MLA Parksville - Qualicum Office: 100

E. Jensen Ave Parksville, BC V9P 2G9 Phone: (250) 951-6018

Email: ron.cantelon.mla@leg.bc.ca Website: www.roncantelonmla.bc.ca Toll Free: 1-866-488-7041