Gazette
1 PLACE ST
NORTH ISLAND
Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275
50th Year No. 25
June 18, 2015
2015 Newspaper Excellence
www.northislandgazette.com
Newsstand $1.29 + GST
• RECONCILIATION
Chief Dr. Robert Joseph was a speaker in Ottawa. Page 7-9
• RESCUE...
HMCS Whitehorse called in to rescue drifting vessel. Page 17 Hannah Griffin Photo
Sunshine and Sailboats
The Night Runner, foreground, from Washington state, just seconds after the Port Hardy to Winter Harbour leg of the Van Isle 360 took off from Port Hardy on the morning of June 12. See story and photos Page 10 & 11.
Poaching and black market issues • RECORDS FALL...
Students rise to challenge at North Island track meet. Page 19 OPINION Page 4 LETTERS Page 5 SPORTS Page 19-21 CLASSIFIEDS Page 22-23
By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor Conservation Officer Bryce Casavant introduced himself to District of Port Hardy council June 9. Casavant has an interesting background. He told council he is a former military policeman who served in Afghanistan. He also dove commercially out of Port McNeill. Casavant, who is embedded with the Port McNeill RCMP detachment, has been in the area for a year and a half. Typically COs are posted for two years.
“My two years will be up in September, but I won’t be leaving in September. I’ll be here for a while yet,” he said. Since he has been in the North Island, Casavant has received 153 calls for service involving conflict animals such as cougars and bears “which is a lot”. These volumes compare to those in Victoria or Duncan which received just over 100 calls each, he said. Councillor Rick Marcotte asked Casavant if he knew what was bringing so many animals into town.
The CO explained that there is a lack of natural game right now, particularly black-tailed deer. “We do have a high wolf population and the highest density cougar population in North America,” he said. Since his arrival, Casavant has closed 91 enforcement files and currently has 44 open ones. He explained that in addition to dealing with conflict animals, his work involves loaded firearms, trafficking in bear parts, and poaching. “It’s a larger issue than you think. It’s (the North Island) a destina-
tion zone and it’s under-policed,” he said. “I deal with poaching complaints constantly,” said Casavant. For instance, earlier this year a man in Port McNeill was caught with 38 packages of deer meat in his vehicle. A joint Port McNeill RCMP and CO investigation resulted in criminal charges as well as wildlife charges. The court decision was made on May 26.
See page 3 ‘RCMP supportive...”
FEATURING OUR
Nissan7x2 0 84 process
GREATEST CHOICES EVER ON SELECT MODELS
1,500 2 GET UP TO
- IT’S BACK THE NISSAN
$
OR
MY CHOICE BONUS CASH
1
MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON US2
NO CHARGE
OR
EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN3 UP TO A $2,000 VALUE
2015 NISSAN MICRA®
ON TOP OF ALL OFFERS INCLUDING
FINANCE† AS LOW AS
% APR FOR UP TO
2015 NISSAN ALTIMA
MONTHS ON SELECT MODELS
2015 NISSAN SENTRA
Check out some of the reasons why Nissan is
THE FASTEST GROWING AUTOMOTIVE BRAND IN CANADA
2015 NISSAN ROGUE
2015 NISSAN VERSA NOTE
2015 NISSAN JUKE®
1-855-291-4335
www.northislandnissan.ca
Based on full-line brands, on 12 month, year over year rolling unit sales
CURRENT NISSAN OWNERS QUALIFY FOR UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $1,000†† LOYALTY CASH ON SELECT MODELS • VISIT CHOOSENISSAN.CA OR YOUR LOCAL RETAILER • ENDS JUNE 3OTH
NEWS: editor@northislandgazette.com
2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER
2700 North Island Hwy., Campbell River
SUBSCRIPTIONS: 250-949-6225
DL# 40069
SALES: sales@northislandgazette.com