Up front: Searchers seek missing man in Lake Cowichan bush page 3 News: Long-awaited Chemainus skatepark finally approved page 3
Your news leader since 1905
For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
No Tax
*
Plus! No Interest! For 12 Months!* *See store for details. PST & GST will be included in the qualified purchase price. Financing on Approved Credit. Hot Buys and prior sales excluded. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Min purchase $499. Offer Ends May 12th, 2014.
Courtenay 2937 Kilpatrick Ave 250-871-6074 Victoria 3501 Saanich Road 250-382-5269 Nanaimo 3200 North Island Hwy 250-756-4114
Former Shaw CEO donates $19 million to Shawnigan school Capital endowment and more: Donation the largest to a private school in Canada’s history Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
J
im Shaw of the Shaw Communications empire and wife Kathryn are pouring $19 million into Shawnigan Lake School, making it the largest single gift in the history of Canadian independent schools. “It’s absolutely momentous,’’ said Shawnigan Lake School headmaster David Robertson. Jim Shaw is a 1977 Shawnigan alumnus and has long been one of the school’s most ardent supporters. “Shawnigan is one of the top schools in North America, and we are delighted to be able to offer our support with this gift,’’ he noted in a statement. “I know my time at the school had a profound impact on the man I am today. Kathryn and I believe in the school, its vision and, most importantly, in the possibilities it offers young people. It is an honour to help Shawnigan continue in its mission.’’ Jim Shaw: class of 1977 “This has been bubbling under for a while, a couple of years, I would say,’’ said Robertson of the donation. “Jim and I have a relationship that goes back 10 years or more, 15 actually. “We’ve just developed that understanding and shared vision and all that sort of thing.’’ Shaw retired from his position as chief executive officer of Shaw Communications Inc. in 2010 and resides in Calgary with Kathryn, who remains very active in the school’s affairs as a member of the Board of Governors. The largest chunk of the donation, $11 million, has been earmarked for capital projects, including the construction of a Centennial library. Shawnigan Lake School will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2016. The library will form the centrepiece of the Learning Commons that will be equipped with the latest in technological advancements such as an immersive simulation room and multi-faceted adaptive study areas. The remaining $8 will go toward a donor-managed fund that provides support via the Shaw Family Scholarships.
Jack Hunton, 4, reacts to his dad’s suggestion that he kiss the trout he caught during the Kids Learn to Fish event at Chemainus Lake on May 3.
Andrew Leong
First Nation bans boat access on traditional waters Stz’uminus: Fishing dispute leads to unusual declaration, practical impact unclear
Lindsay Chung
News Leader Pictorial
T
he Stz’uminus (Chemainus) First Nation has pledged to prohibit boat traffic in a large chunk of coastal Cowichan waters. The area affected includes everything north of Maple Bay, from Sansum Narrows right up to Dodds Narrows south of Nanaimo. “Until further notice, Stz’uminus First Nation will prohibit access to its core territory in the Salish Sea by all vessels, including but not limited to, commercial fishing vessels, Fisheries and Oceans Canada vessels, and any non-Native civilians and government
LIMITED TIME ONLY
NEW
officials,” John Elliott, chief of the Ladysmith-area band said in a statement released Friday. It is not clear at this time what steps the band may take to enforce its declaration. But it is clear the move stems from deep dissatisfaction about the way the federal government has dealt with fishing rights within the territory in question. “The ongoing actions of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have failed to follow federal Aboriginal consultation and accommodation laws, failed to appropriately manage or allow for co-management of fisheries within our territory and, ultimately, have failed to recognize Aboriginal rights and title,” Elliott writes. “The DFO continues to favour existing commercial monopolies and continues to inadequately consult with Aboriginal groups when enacting policy,” he wrote. “Due to its gross mismanagement and failure to follow government mandates, we can no longer al-
low the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to manage fisheries within our territory. We cannot stand by while fish stocks within our territory continue to be depleted and our rights ignored.” Elliott also sent a letter to B.C. fisheries sectoral groups, such as the Underwater Harvesters Association, and the B.C. Shellfish Farmers. “We understand that this [action] will create challenges for all parties, and we would like to firmly state that our fight is not with the commercial harvesters. Our fight is with the DFO alone, and our hope is to compel them to follow Canadian law when enacting new policy and change their existing policies surrounding Aboriginal access accordingly.” Ray Gauthier, CEO of Stz’uminus First Nation’s Coast Salish Development Corporation, says they have been trying to work with DFO for five years, particularly around geoduck harvesting. more on page 5
add a little TO YOUR DAY! ©2014 Wendy’s International, LLC.
® Coca-Cola Ltd., used under license.