Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, January 30, 2019

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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

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CARPENTRY GRADUATES First Nation students earn certification

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Gym cost doubles Tofino rec. centre jumps to $10 million ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Tofino is moving forward with a grant application to build a gym facility, though the estimated cost of the project has doubled from $5 million to $10 million.

The town has long been planning to build a gym adjacent to the community hall on Arnet Road and that pursuit heated up with the launch of a new Community, Culture, and Recreation funding program announced by the federal government last year.

Tofino’s municipal council agreed to spend roughly $116,000 last year on design and cost estimates in order to submit an application to build a gym facility through that program.

Prior to those cost estimates being completed, the district believed a gym would cost roughly $5 million, but the work led to a cost estimate of $10 million. The federal grant, if approved, would cover roughly $7 million of that, meaning the district would need to borrow an additional $3 million to complete the project.

That potential loan would cost roughly $183,086 a year over a 25 year period to pay off.

In a report to council, Tofino’s director of finance Nyla Attiana wrote that she could not recommend moving forward with the gym.

Continued on A8

NORA O’MALLEY PHOTO

BEYOND RADICAL: Between screenings of their documentary film The Radicals, filmmakers Jasper and Tamo took Dzawada’enuxw First Nations family surfing at North Chesterman Beach on Friday. Former elected Chief Willie Moon celebrated his 60th birthday on Thursday and marked the milestone with a first-ever surf. See more photos on page 11.

TOFINO BUSINESSES EARN ACCOLADES

UKEE NAMED TOP FISHING DESTINATION

Excellence awarded

Guides celebrated

9

10

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A2 Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

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NOTICE OF WAIVED PUBLIC HEARING District wide.

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to Section 464(2) of the Local Government Act, the District of Tofino is waiving the requirement for a public hearing for an amendment to “District of Tofino Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997” which fixes a numbering error in part 41J and ensures the existing prohibition of cannabis retail and cannabis production in Part 4 remain in force pending another amendment (Bylaw 1222).

BYLAW: “District of Tofino Zoning Amendment Bylaw No.1258, 2019”, amending Zoning Bylaw No. 770.

LANDS: The proposed zoning amendment would cover the whole of the District of Tofino.

APPLICANT: District of Tofino Council will consider third and final readings of Bylaw No. 1258, 2018, at the regular Council meeting in the Council Chambers, 380 Campbell St., Tofino, B.C, on Tuesday, February 12, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The proposed bylaw may be inspected at the Tofino Municipal Office, 121 Third Street, Tofino, B.C. during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.), Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Please submit any comments or concerns you may have regarding this application before 12:00 p.m., Monday, August 27th, 2018. Written submissions may be mailed to the District of Tofino, P.O. Box 9, Tofino, B.C., V0R 2Z0, or emailed to arodgers@tofino.ca.

For more information, please contact: Aaron Rodgers Manager of Community Sustainability (T) 250.725.3229 (F) 250.725.3775 (E) arodgers@tofino.ca

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Woodsmere project denied a second time ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Tofino’s municipal council has again turned down a massive proposal from Woodsmere Holding Corp. that would bring 178 apartment units and a 48-room motel to a 27-acre lot at the entrance to town.

Woodsmere’s president Danny Jadresko said that the company conducted a comprehensive housing market evaluation from 2014-2015 that identified a critical shortage of rental housing in Tofino and subsequently purchased a 25-acre lot north of Industrial Way near the Tofino Gas ‘N’ Go. He said the site would be developed in a phased approach, with the first phase being 116 purpose-built rental units, followed by a 48-room motel and then a 62 unit apartment or condominium building.

The site, however, is not zoned for any commercial uses, like a motel, and allows for single-family residences, Dorothy Baert not 178 apartments, and therefore needs council’s approval to move ahead. The application also calls for four-storey apartment buildings, which is higher than the town’s Official Community Plan permits Woodsmere first presented an application to the district in 2016 and that application was denied by council in 2017. A municipal election has happened since then, bringing three new councillors to the table, though the result was the same as council again rejected the company’s proposal last week.

Prior to denying the application during their Jan. 22 regular meeting, council heard from Jadresko who spoke as a delegation at the start of the meeting and explained why Woodsmere had reapplied.

He said Woodsmere’s primary focus is to “provide rental housing in Tofino” and suggested many residents are currently living in substandard conditions.

“I have personally heard from residents of Tofino living in tents, cars, 15 people living in a single family home or two grown adults living in an 8x10 room with bunk beds,” he said. “This type of housing does not help integrate the occupants and residents into the community.

Occupants of inadequate housing are not likely to remain in Tofino, leading to a high turnover for employees and residents…Our proposed development addresses many of the housing problems and we believe the town should be supportive of our application.”

He added Tofino’s downtown core would benefit from a motel and that Woodsmere would focus on accommodating pedestrians and cyclists.

“We feel that there is a limited supply of newer, reasonably priced, tourist accommodations within the downtown core area, “he said.

He assured each unit would be prohibited from becoming a short term rental.

“Year-round residents contribute to the community’s economical and social well-being.

We are not targeting short term transient residents,” he said.

“I definitely won’t support a motel.”

– Duncan McMaster He cited costs as the reason for building four-storeys high and suggested building in Tofino is expensive while the average rental rates are lower than in larger cities.

“The four-storey apartments are a direct result of costs and affordability. The higher we build, the more affordable the building gets,” he said.

He said the 48-unit motel was a means to create financial assistance for the project.

“Without any financial burden to the town of Tofino and the residents, Woodsmere is prepared to undertake all risks and financial burden to develop this proposal,” he said.

He added the project would help lower housing costs.

“In most cases, rental rates are a direct factor of supply and demand. Currently, in Tofino, there’s very limited supply of rental accommodations, which creates a high demand for current rental inventory,” he said. “Most of the rental inventory in Tofino is old and in many cases substandard, however, still being rented at high rental rates. This is a direct factor of limited supply and high demand. Woodsmere is proposing to bring to market 116 brand new, quality built, high standard, purpose built apartment units in phase one.”

Tofino’s Manager of Community Sustainability Aaron Rodgers said the 88-unit per acre density being proposed by Woodsmere is roughly four times higher than what the current Official Community Plan permits and expressed concern over managing the “very large neighbourhood” the proposal would create.

Coun. Duncan McMaster said Tofino residents have been clear that they do not want to see more tourist accommodations developed.

“I definitely won’t support a motel,” he said.

Coun. Dorothy Baert said she was disappointed that the application did not seem to have incorporated any of the changes the community had suggested the first time Woodsmere presented its plan.

“Yes, we do need housing and we are trying in a number of ways to address that, but I don’t think this community is saying, ‘We’ll take whatever’s put on the table at any cost,’” she said.

Both Coun. Tom Stere and Coun. Al Anderson echoed that sentiment.

“This is the second attempt and my reading of the first attempt does not differ much in substance or in spirit with this second application. The community has clearly spoken on many levels,” Stere said.

“I think the community and council both have spoken to this application before and we haven’t seen any sort of movement in any way to address any of the concerns brought forward.

So, I hope that any further applications that might come on this property have listened to some of those things and tried to make it a better fit for the OCP and the community,” Anderson added.

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

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Wednesday, January 30, 2019 A3

Food Bank asks for new facility NORA O’MALLEY nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

The smell of mould and dampness are apparent as Cris Martin gives the Westerly News a tour of the West Coast’s Food Bank on the Edge facility, located next to the Seaplane Base Recreation Hall.

The longtime volunteer and executive director of the Food Bank on the Edge Society points out the cracks in the ceiling and the run down floor.

She grimaces at the fact that clients must bear the dank atmosphere as they collect food hampers or other essential items for their home.

“The building is rotten,” said Martin. “In the last 12 months, it’s become really obvious that the integrity of our building is down to practically nothing. It’s gonna fall apart soon. It’s in major levels of disrepair.”

Martin brought her plea for a new facility to Ucluelet’s mayor and council during Jan. 22’s regular meeting.

“Our little building had humble beginnings and we are now in a situation where it is not a healthy environment,” Martin said.

In 1989, the current building that had been used at Ucluelet’s kindergarten classroom was moved to the Seaplane Base where it was used as a daycare until it was donated to the Food Bank in 2006, notes Martin.

She went on to say that the Food Bank used the portable classroom as a storage facility until opening it up as a hamper distribution centre on Sept. 18, 2007.

In 2015, the nonprofit added a cover for the deck and had the roof redone the following year.

Mayor Noël addressed the issue.

“The building is old, there is no doubt. We need to come up with something. I think it’s really im-

Nora o’malley photo

Food Bank on the Edge executive director Cris Martin believes a new facility is needed. portant through our staff to find out if there’s a spot in the next 90 to 120 days to get you guys a temporary location,” said Noël.

He suggested the Food Bank could one day be part of the new medical centre that mayor and council are considering.

“We know that you can’t do another winter in that building,” said Ucluelet’s mayor.

CAO Mark Boysen said district staff is in the midst of forming a budget for the next four years, and determining what projects are priorities for the community.

“The Food Bank is something that is near and dear to a lot of peoples’ hearts. My job is to make sure we follow-up with process on this,” said Boysen.

Last fall, the Food Bank on the Edge Society received a grant from the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust to conduct a feasibility study and explore alternative locations for the facility.

“We contracted a research assistant to search for grant and funding opportunities. We are actively searching for community money to enable us to fund a new building and move. The need is urgent. Food insecurity is still alive and well here on the West Coast,” said Martin, adding that the Food Bank is seeking to relocate to high ground.

Its current location next to the Seaplane Base is nine metres above sea level, according to Martin.

“We’ve got to get out of the tsunami inundation zone,” she said.

Tugwell Fields, Martin suggests, would provide adequate space for a new warehouse and potentially a multi-use building for emergency services.

“Our dream would be to have a building with space, 1,200 to 1,500 square feet. We have lots of electrical needs and we would need a food safe type kitchen space. In case of emergency, we would be producing meals for the community,” said Martin.

She said the Food Bank feeds over 100 local families per month.

West Coasters spend more of their household income on groceries too, according to the 2018 CBT Vital Signs report. A comparison of food items showed that food prices are 12 per cent more expensive on the West Coast than in Port Alberni. Anyone interested in helping the food bank is encouraged to contact Cris Martin 250-726-6909.

Gord Johns to run again in 2019 COMOX VALLEY RECORD Special to the Westerly

Gord Johns, Member of Parliament, was acclaimed as the NDP candidate in the 2019 federal election for the riding of Courtenay-Alberni at a meeting of almost 100 Gord Johns supporters on Sunday, Jan. 20 in Qualicum Beach. The election is expected to be called

“Gord Johns is the hardest working Member of Parliament in Canada and we need to keep him on the job for the people of CourtenayAlberni.”

– Marlene Dietrich for Oct. 19.

“We have had some enormous successes on important issues but we still have a lot of work to do,” Johns told his supporters. “We don’t have to look far to see how much people are struggling in our country and around the world, the

environmental challenges that we are facing are immense and there is inequality in our communities.”

He said that housing, universal pharmacare and dental care, the creation of good paying jobs and climate change are critical priorities. The motion to acclaim Johns was moved by NDP member, Eva Hilborn, age 94, who urged him to fight for early childhood development in Parliament. The voice vote was unanimous. Johns told the crowd that he has spoken in Parliament over 500 times in his three years as Courtenay-Alberni MP, bringing the issues faced by the communities of his riding to the at-

tention of law-makers. Describing his preference for working “across the aisle,” he said local communities in the riding have received far greater federal investment during the first three years of his term than during previous Conservative representation in the area.

In thanking Ms. Hilborn for her nomination, he promised to continue the fight in Parliament for universal child care.

“Gord Johns is the hardest working Member of Parliament in Canada and we need to keep him on the job for the people of Courtenay-Alberni,” said Marlene Dietrich of Port Alberni.

www.460realty.com

TIDES & WEATHER 7 Days Tidal Predictions Provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Ucluelet THURSDAY JANUARY 31, 2019 TIDE 02:57 09:12 16:12 22:44

Metres 1.8 3.3 0.9 2.7

Feet 5.9 10.8 3.0 8.9

9°/8° Rain

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2019 TIDE 03:55 10:02 16:58 23:30

Metres 1.8 3.3 0.8 2.8

Feet 5.9 10.8 2.6 9.2

9°/6°

Rain; drizzle

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2019 TIDE 04:43 10:46 17:37

Metres 1.7 3.4 0.7

Feet 5.6 11.2 2.3

7°/4°

Rain; drizzle

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2019 TIDE 00:07 05:25 11:25 18:12

Metres 2.9 1.7 3.4 0.6

Feet 9.5 5.6 11.2 2.0

8°/1°

Overcast; rain

MONDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2019 TIDE 00:39 06:02 12:02 18:44

Metres 2.9 1.6 3.4 0.6

Feet 9.5 5.2 11.2 2.0

8°/0°

Afternoon rain

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2019 TIDE 01:09 06:37 12:37 19:14

Metres 3 1.5 3.4 0.6

Feet 9.8 4.9 11.2 2.0

7°/0° Rain

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2019 TIDE 01:38 07:11 13:11 19:43

Metres 3 1.5 3.4 0.7

Feet 9.8 4.9 11.2 2.3

6°/2°

Mainly cloudy

MID ISLAND REALTY Ucluelet / Tofino midislandrealty.com

250-726-2228 250-725-2038

A4 Wednesday, January 30, 2019

OPINION

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

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The Westerly News is published every Wednesday

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B.C. VIEWS

Speaker Plecas splits legislature looting spree open B.C. Legislature Speaker Darryl Plecas promised sickening revelations of flagrantly abusive and possibly fraudulent financial actions by the legislature’s two top managers. He has delivered.

The documented activities in Plecas’s now-public reportjustify his decision to call in the police and have Clerk of the House Craig James and Sergeant at Arms Gary Lenz suspended from their jobs last November. Long after the current political finger-pointing is forgotten, Plecas will go down in history as the man who split open the rotting wall of self-serving secrecy that has protected the highest officials of B.C.’s governing structure.

He did that by joining their exclusive club, gaining access to their habits and records, and resisting the rewards offered to him. Here are a few examples.

Plecas declined to expense a taisplitter and utility trailer costing more lored suit, which all three bought on than $13,000, supposedly as part of one of two trips to London that were the legislature’s emergency preparedbilled as being for business meetings. ness project. The RCMP later seized Those turned out to be mostly “meet the splitter from James’ home, and and greet” affairs, included a brief the trailer showed up soon after in a sit-down with a member of Britain’s legislature parking lot. Police and two security service, MI5, that didn’t need special prosecutors are now examining Tom Fletcher to be in person, Plecas wrote. this whole mess.

On that first London trip, shortly after Plecas It gets worse. The report details James asking became speaker in late 2017, James arranged a Plecas to sign a paper authorizing a “retirement flight to Edinburgh and a car and driver to tour allowance” of up to $300,000. Plecas writes that St. Andrews and visit its famous golf course. he was told by the deputy clerk that James had Highlights were shopping at the Scottish Parlia- already received a similar benefit of $257,000 in ment and St. Andrews gift shops, for which Plecas 2012, with no indication he was actually retiring tracked and recorded items expensed to B.C. tax- from a job that pays substantially more than that payers. The disclosure that gained the most media of premier. Plecas signed it and later rescinded attention was the purchase of a high-end wood it, to secure the paper trail.

I’ll refrain from detailing other issues, including altered invoices and allegations of a truckload of liquor being hauled away after a reception.

Those will be of particular interest to police and prosecutors. Another event of 2012 was the start of receipt disclosure by MLAs, after many years of questionable travel, constituency expenses and other claims.

That came about after former B.C. auditor general John Doyle revealed that MLA credit card bills were being paid without any effective oversight. That overdue change left the all-powerful speaker and legislature officers exempt. It’s a mistake now regretted by many, including Premier John Horgan, who served on the legislature’s management committee at the time.

Read more at www.WesterlyNews.ca.

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JAMIE WILSON PHOTO

Jamie Wilson captured this beautiful shot of a Great Blue Heron at French Creek Marina Beach. Do you have a photo of your local surroundings that you would like to share? Send it to us at Andrew.Bailey@WesterlyNews.ca.

Question of the week

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Last week’s question

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YES 20%

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LETTERS

Wednesday, January 30, 2019 A5

Letters to the Editor Deadline: Sundays 2:00pm Andrew.Bailey@WesterlyNews.ca

Letters to the Editor must be signed and include your full name, home town and contact phone number. Those without these requirements will not be published. Letters must be 300 words or less and are subject to editing.

The Westerly retains the right not to publish submissions.

TRENDING ONLINE WATERFRONT GLAMPING RESORT OPENS IN TOFINO:

Well done, unique, efficient and location!

Pacific Rim Chiropractic Nifty domeciles John Mike Morris

TLA-O-QUIAHT ARTIST CELEBRATES FIRST SOLO SHOW IN VICTORIA Fantastic! Congratulations.!

TRENDING ONLINE DISTRICT OF TOFINO WINS COURT CASE AGAINST VACATION RENTALS: I wonder how the small businesses who depend on tourism will be affected by losing the revenue generated by the short term holiday renters that would stay in these places.

I am pretty sure that the short term holiday renters spend more money in Tofino and Ucleulet on specialty foods, pricey souveniers, surf equipment rentals, eco-tours, local art works and indigeneous artworks than any long term renters will.

How much does a condo used only occasionally by out of town owners generate in a year?

This could be a win/win situation for both the owners and the village.

Seems a step backward for a community who has used tourism dollars through the years to develop their village.

Sharon L. Rooney

Michelle Gorman

TRENDING ONLINE

TRENDING ONLINE

WIDOW PETITION DEMANDS MANDATORY TRAINING FOR TRUCKERS : It will come down to mandatory training for any licence.

Geoff Bacon Far too many lose not only their lives, but the lives of others, because of improper training.

Also, the average vehicle drivers are playing Russian Roulette with the big trucks. Far too many are tail-gating and cutting right in front of semi trucks! Time is money for truckers, but safety must come first. I SUPPORT Widows petition, far too many accidents can be prevented, with more intensive training.

LEASH YOUR CAT OR FACE A $150 FINE IN VICTORIA:

The world had gone mad!

Jason Hayes-Holgate City of Port Alberni should adopt this bylaw.

Chris Susan Massop This is stupid. No more outdoor cats aloud?

Not every cat is an indoor cat.

Chels Rae Good idea.

River Paisley

Irene Jacobson

Anyone tired of big brother yet?

It’s not just about training from the start.

There’s a lot of fraudulent paperwork from people converting higher class licenses from out of country.

Way to go Hjalmer

Jay Eskayeedee

Clive Pemberton Good luck! Meow!

Patricia Garland

Simon Richard Marshall

YOUR VIEWS www.facebook.com/WesterlyNews Letters to the editor must be signed and include your full name, home town and contact number. Those without these requirements will not be published. Letters must be 300 words or less and are subject to editing. Deadline for letters is Sunday at 2 p.m. The Westerly news retains the right not to publish submissions.

The Westerly News is a member of the national newsmedia council which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour.

If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact: editor@westerlynews.ca or 250726-7029. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

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A6 Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

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Ucluelet Culinary Club in the works

NORA O’MALLEY nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

Top chef and owner of Ucluelet’s The Blue Room Dustin Riley is prepping the community for the launch of an informal culinary club.

The inaugural meeting of the chefs is set for Monday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. at The Blue Room on Peninsula Road.

Riley hopes the gathering will encourage the formation of a collective voice for local restaurateurs as well as help solve its most pressing dilemma: ‘What’s open?’

“Everyone says it and sees it,” said Riley.

“The closures are the number one thing. We need to organize so that there is always a place open, not only for tourism, but also for locals. That’s the main problem that I can see.”

He encouraged anyone from the hospitality industry to attend the first meeting.

“There has been a lot of positive feedback on the concept. I don’t Nora o’malley photo want it to be a society and I don’t Owner of Ucluelet’s The Blue Room Dustin Riley is hosting an inaugural Culinary Club meeting on Feb. 4 at his restaurant. Anyone from want to have to submit minutes. I the hospitality industry is invited to attend. want it to be laid back and just for us. That’s why I said club.” their annual Food and Wine Festival.

About a decade ago when the Blue “Now it’s a line up out the door.

Riley thinks there are a lot of cu“We are more powerful together Room first opened, Riley said he’d We have a lot of worker crews comlinary events Ucluelet can host as a as a group than singly trying to get seat maybe three tables all day long ing in that need to be fed. We have in January. people coming in right a 4 p.m. and collective, much like Tofino hosts a slice of the pie,” he said.

“We are more powerful together as a group than singly trying to get a slice of the pie.”

– Dustin Riley grabbing early dinner because they know nothing is open.”

Kasia Kromka opened Solidarity Snacks, one of Ucluelet’s favourite lunch spots, about six years ago.

“It’s way busier,” she attested.

“There are way more tourists. And, there are still not enough food businesses. If you go around, there are not that many lunch options and after 9 p.m. there’s nothing open.”

Kromka said she’s excited about participating in the Feb. 4 culinary meet-up.

“It would be good to have a communal group so we can all have a say and potentially organize closures better. People can stagger when they close and take breaks and days off,” said Kromka, who will close Solidarity Snacks for all of February.

“I’m hoping we can make a cool club happen and maybe make a Ukee food scene happen. Tofino’s food scene is so huge, I think it’d be awesome if we can do the same thing out here,” she said.

Ukee touted for supporting entrepreneurs Community earns Small Business BC Awards’ new Open for Business nomination ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

A refocused Chamber of Commerce and supportive local government has Ucluelet open for business.

The Small Business BC Awards will announce its 16th annual slate of winners this month and a new Open for Business recognition has been added to recognize communities “that have championed Lara Kemps entrepreneurship in B.C.” Ucluelet is joined by Gibsons and Lumby on the Small Community finalists list. Winners will be announced at the Small Business BC Awards Gala in Vancouver on Feb. 21.

“The finalists selected have showcased their commitment to encouraging entrepreneurship by adopting business-friendly practices in their communities,” according to a SBBC media release.

“This program empowered the Chamber and District by allowing it to pivot away from destination marketing and towards economic development .”

– Lara Kemps Ucluelet’s finalist profile on the awards’ website says Ucluelet has a population of roughly 1,600 and an impressive amount of small businesses per capita with over 400 business licences issued in 2018.

“Those who flew, or moved to Ucluelet mid-career, have had to find their niche in a seasonal market,” the profile reads. “Those who grew [up in Ucluelet] have survived difficult economic times characterized by shifting market drivers.”

The profile highlights the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce’s recently launched Ucluelet Business and Employee Retention and Expansion Program and Junior Achiever Youth Program.

Lara Kemps of the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce told the Westerly News that she was “excited and

proud” to see Ucluelet on the finalists list and added neither program cited by the awards could have been realized without support from the District of Ucluelet.

“As a partnership; business care and education workshops were delivered, a youth engagement program was developed and delivered, a Business Retention and Expansion program and analyses was started concerning our local tourism assets and it allowed the Chamber and District to identify and respond to local business needs,” she said. “This program empowered the Chamber and District by allowing it to pivot away from destination marketing and towards economic development and allowed us to further engage with our many successful business owners.”

Ucluelet mayor Mayco Noël said the nomination is a stellar showing of growth for the chamber, adding that the chamber has reinvented itself since nearly shutting down at the end of 2016 when a majority of its eight-member board resigned and remaining board members feared financial struggles could not be overcome.

“We’re hoping we can pull through this,” chamber president Dian Mc-

Creary told the Westerly at the time.

“I do believe we will have support and we are going to reconstruct the chamber.”

Noël suggested that some of the trouble the chamber was going through was brought on by the district moving visitor services responsibilities away from the chamber and handing those duties off to the community’s Destination Marketing Organization, Tourism Ucluelet.

“The chamber of commerce was, kind of, put on its nose with the simple fact of visitor services being taken away and it was really important for the chamber to create a new identity for itself,” Noël said.

“The [Open for Business] nomination is fantastic because there’s such a big story to get there. There hasn’t been a lot of good stories for the chamber in the last few years— and they continue to recreate themselves—but this is definitely something for those people that were involved to be proud of.”

He added that being pushed into “survival mode” in 2016, prompted the chamber to refocus and “forced them to become more creative,” while moving away from visitor services.

“It just emphasizes and backs the decisions that we had made were for the betterment. This award would not have originated if the chamber had just continued being its status quo of visitor services,” he said. “It’s always nice to get positive feedback on decisions that were made…The chamber board made a conscious decision to go down this path and, honestly, it wasn’t a choice at first; it was a survival thing.”

He said fostering a healthy business environment is vital in Ucluelet, where many residents must create their own employment opportunities.

“It’s that independent entrepreneur coming to town and for them to understand that we’re open for them. This is what our community is about. It’s about small business and it’s about supporting small business. That’s from a coffee shop, to fish guiding, or to a guy that’s got two pickup trucks and four carpenters building homes. That’s what business is in Ucluelet,” he said.

“We’re just trying to look after the residents….A lot of them are independents, they’re entrepreneurs or they’re working for a small business and that’s who we need to support.”

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Ryan, left, Maxine, and Crystal celebrated with Seymour Seitcher on Thursday as he received his certificate for completing the Level One Carpentry program through North Island College.

Nora o’malley photo

First Nations earn carpentry certification NORA O’MALLEY nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

Ten Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations students were honoured on Jan.24 at the Best Western Tin Wins for passing the North Island College (NIC) Red Seal Carpentry Level One course.

The construction program included cultural support from elder Moy Sutherland Sr. and Chris Seitcher and over 120-hours of technical training with carpentry instructor Andrew MacLeod.

“Education is always important,” said elder Sutherland Sr. “I know that the class had a

lot of humour,” said Seitcher. “I like the fact that we are from different Nations, but were able to come together and work together to achieve the same goal.”

Tla-o-qui-aht Education Manager Iris Frank was notably teary-eyed and proud while watching the students accept their certificates. “[Skilled Carpentry] is a gap that exists in all of our communities on the West Coast, Ucluelet First Nation, Tla-o-qui-aht, and Ahousaht. So when we did this program we opened it up to the West Coast. Anybody was able to apply to be part of this program,” said Frank, adding that the program was funded

by a grant through the Ministry of Education.

MacLeod said he would return to guide the First Nations students through phase two of the four-phase carpentry program.

“All are exceptional at what they’ve done.

It’s a huge completion. A lot of dedication.

They’ve done extremely well with the hands on learning as well as the theory,” said MacLeod.

“In my opinion these students are fully ready to get into a carpentry position. They would be a good asset to have on any workforce,” he said.

Phase one of the carpentry program involved constructing a 28 by 32 feet shop area on TyHistanis.

“The math was the hardest part,” said graduate Seymour Seitcher. “Getting the roofing formula all done and stair formulas was hard, but getting around to it, especially if you had a calculator, was pretty good.”

Fellow graduate Curtis Dick agreed that the math was the most challenging part. He said he liked getting his hands on the tools right away and working with cedar the most.

“I’m happy to see my family come from Ahousaht and show their support,” Dick said at the graduation ceremony. “I’d just like to thank our instructors for passing on their knowledge to the students.”

TALKING ABOUT CANNABIS CAN GO MANY WAYS PRACTICEKIDS.CA

A8 Wednesday, January 30, 2019

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Huge donation to help salmon restoration ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Vital efforts being made to restore vanishing salmon habitats on the West Coast recently received a massive boost by way of a $200,000 donation from Ocean Outfitters.

The impressive contribution will go towards a restoration project at Tranquil Watershed being conducted through a partnership between the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Central Westcoast Forest Society.

As was reported in the Westerly News, Tranquil Watershed, which has historically been used by thousands of Chinook each year, saw a record low 64 chinook counted in 2018.

“The drastic decline in our local salmon populations is alarming. There are many factors contributing to the critical state of Pacific salmon such as contaminants and disease transfer from open net pen aquaculture, rising ocean temperatures, overfishing, and as a result of unrestricted commercial logging practices, many salmon bearing watersheds were destroyed,” Ocean Outfitters general manager Ocean Simone Shine told the Westerly News. “While we cannot tackle these issues all at once, nor alone, we can tackle this one in particular, by working with Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks and Central Westcoast Forest Society to create a home for wild salmon to return to. The loss of wild salmon affects traditional ways of life. Restoring Tranquil’s health, benefits all Nations.”

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation manager of lands and resources Saya Masso told the Westerly that Ocean Outfitter’s generosity will play a vital role in restoring an invaluable resource.

“The Eeseuklis (Tranquil) watershed is a priority watershed for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. Our goal is to recover the habitat from the past logging that transpired in the watershed, and to see an abundance of multi-species fish stocks to be returned,” he said. “The partnership with CWFS and the donation from Ocean Outfitters will allow us to achieve important restoration targets for the river and fish habitat, such as, re-opening the ancestral

Photo courtesy of central Westcoast forest society

Ocean Outfitters recently dished out a $200,000 cheque to help restore West Coast wild salmon populations. The funds will go towards a Tranquil Watershed project. water channel; implementation of a silviculture plan; and large woody debris installations. Our goal is to one day be able to have enough fish in the river to be able support a Food Fishery, and ultimately an economic fishery.”

Shine said contributing to the efforts being made to restore local watersheds fits well within Ocean Outfitter’s mandate.

“Salmon are unimaginably precious. Part of our mandate is ecological stewardship and we believe this integrity must come before commerce. We made a commitment as an organization to do what we could for wild salmon because everything depends on them, from bears, to forests, to all Coastal Peoples. We want to support Tribal Park’s vision to restore a healthy ecosystem, upon which, we believe exist alternatives to resource extraction and industry jobs. We want to support a healthy

coast, and local on the ground organizations like CWFS, for a thriving community,” she said.

“We believe in a holistic approach that conserves and restores wild salmon habitat, that revitalizes stocks, and creates training, employment, and stewardship opportunities for local First Nations. These annual donations will provide at least four Tla-o-qui-aht jobs, and support the measurable Tranquil Watershed Restoration Initiative objectives.”

Through a statement, the Central Westcoast Forest Society heralded Ocean Outfitters as “one of the most environmentally and community minded operators working in our region,” and thanked the company for continuing to support local restoration efforts.

“Many business profit from the beauty of Clayoquot Sound but few hold themselves to such rigorous standards of social and envi-

ronmental performance, accountability and transparency,” the statement read.

“It means a lot,” CWFS project manager Tom Balfour told the Westerly. “It’s really cool to see a business step up to that level for something they believe in.”

Shine said she hopes to see more local businesses step up to support wild salmon habitats.

“As biological diversity is disappearing at rapid rates, we cannot hope to continue with business models and land use ethics that are driven purely by economic self-interest. Businesses need to be good citizens. We recognize this ecosystem is worth protecting and we are playing the role that we can, to preserve it,” she said. “Of course, we would love our business model to inspire others.

We would encourage anyone to contribute to a values-based culture and society, keeping our long-term futures in mind.”

Tuff manager stakes career on gym project From A1

Tofino is moving forward with a grant application to build a gym facility, though the estimated cost of the project has doubled from $5 million to $10 million.

The town has long been planning to build a gym adjacent to the community hall on Arnet Road and that pursuit heated up with the launch of a new Community, Culture, and Recreation funding program announced by Aaron Rodgers the federal government last year.

Tofino’s municipal council agreed to spend roughly $116,000 last year on design and cost estimates in order to submit an application to build a gym facility through that program.

Prior to those cost estimates being completed, the district believed a gym would cost roughly $5 million, but the work led to a cost estimate

of $10 million. The federal grant, if approved, would cover roughly $7 million of that, meaning the district would need to borrow an additional $3 million to complete the project.

That potential loan would cost roughly $183,086 a year over a 25 year period to pay off.

In a report to council, Tofino’s director of finance Nyla Attiana wrote that she could not recommend moving forward with the gym.

She noted the district is also planning to take out a roughly $16 million loan for a wastewater treatment facility.

“The budget for the Indoor Recreation Facility has increased significantly. Borrowing for this project at any amount will increase the burden on the taxpayers beyond what will already be in place as a result of borrowing for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project,” Attiana wrote.

Tofino’s manager of community sustainability Aaron Rodgers, however, argued that a gym is a vital need in Tofino and suggested

the facility would cost closer to $7 million than $10 million.

“As you were, I was very shocked at the overall cost of this project at $10 million,” he said.

“At $10 million, we’re looking at about an $8,000 per square-metre building…I will stand here and guarantee you, I will stake my job on it, that we are not building at $8,000 per square-metre. I will. You guys are going to be the council here and you can ask for my resignation in two years; we are not building an $8,000 per square foot building. We are not. We are going to build a $4,500 to $5,000 [per] square foot building.”

He suggested similar facilities on Vancouver Island are being built for $3,500 and $4,500 per square meter. He added that going ahead with the grant application would not lock the district into the project as, if the grant is approved, residents would need to give permission to the district to borrow the money through a referendum.

The gym is designed to allow for future expansion, with room for a potential swimming pool left adjacent to it.

Rodgers said the facility would be built to accommodate 500 people, but could handle up to 700 for special events and would be a valuable venue for recreation and gatherings as well as a much needed evacuation centre in case of emergency.

“I want to be really clear that while this is a Tofino project…it is a regional asset. The community that’s going to use it is not just going to be us, it’s going to be everybody,” he said.

He added local children need an opportunity to recreate in a safe, warm, space during the evenings, weekends, holidays and summer months.

“That doesn’t exist now. Our agreement with the school is tenuous at best. It’s a year to year agreement,” he said. “We need to look to our youth and their opportunities and also to our seasonal populations and our residents who

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You’ll find the Westerly News every Wednesday at the following locations: Photo LaureLL BeLanger

JJ Belanger of Crystal Cove joined Tiffany Olsen and Kate Orford of Surf Sister to celebrate their Business Excellence Awards in Nanaimo.

Tofino scores at Business Excellence Awards ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Tofino’s trophy cabinet got a little more crowded last week as two new Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards were brought home from Nanaimo.

The local business community saw an impressive four nominations for this year’s awards and both Surf Sister and Crystal Cove Beach Resort took their categories’ top honours. Tofino Food Tours and The Factory Tofino were also nominated.

“This award is a culmination of many years work, and so much love,” Surf Sister’s manager Tiffany Olsen told the Westerly News. “Krissy [Montgomery], our owner, took over Surf Sister with a certain vision and has kept herself true to it. Her ability to treat employees and customers as family shows. I believe this is why we have been honoured in this way.”

Winners were announced at a Jan. 24 ceremony in Nanaimo. Black Press is a Platinum Medium Sponsor of the event, which is coordinated by Business Examiner and saw 85 finalists nominated for 17 categories.

“Every year there are some amazing success stories that are told at this event,” said Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner. “There is a lot of hard working business people who have put everything they have into their companies, and it’s great to have an evening to celebrate their efforts.”

Olsen said the Surf Sister team was ecstatic to hear themselves announced as the Tourism Award winner.

“Initially, when they announced the award, we were in total shock, Vancouver Island has so much great tourism-based business,” she said. “Of course, after the shock was excitement.

It is such an honour and we have been

“This award is a culmination of many years work, and so much love.”

– Tiffany Olsen working so hard to grow our business while keeping our standards of customer service high.”

She said she was delighted to attend the event in Nanaimo and enjoyed collaborating with the other nominated entrepreneurs.

“Sometimes, you just need to celebrate all the hard work you put in.

The whole night was full of excitement. Every business had interesting stories of where they came from and what they want to do in the future,” she said. “This was a chance to learn what other business on the island do to keep their employees and clients happy.

We are always looking for new ways to improve and outside perspective can be enlightening.”

Crystal Cove Beach Resort manager JJ Belanger said the resort’s team was “very proud and humbled” to hoist the Hospitality Award.

“This represents everything to us to know we are doing the right things for our guests and our team,” he said.

“The award in the big picture is nice to have, but the main thing is that we strive for greatness in all that we do at Crystal Cove everyday…We have done a lot of work to the resort and our relationships with our guests who are the reason we got nominated in the first place.”

He added that this was the resort’s third Business Excellence Award nomination and he was confident that elusive first win was in store this time around.

“The past two times we were honoured to even be a finalist and we lost

to two incredible properties,” he said.

“Both times, I felt that we had not ticked off all the boxes needed to win.

This year was different. I felt really confident that the hard work our team has done over the past few years had led us to this win.”

Tofino mayor Josie Osborne congratulated all four Tofitian nominees.

“Tofino’s strong entrepreneurial spirit is well known across Vancouver Island, and it’s rewarding to see this recognized by the nominations of four Tofino businesses. Each of these businesses has a great story behind it, and they are all operated by passionate people who love what they do—and love doing it in Tofino,” Osborne told the Westerly via email.

“It is so wonderful to see how nominations and awards like these give these business owners and their staffs—and the rest of the community—a chance to pause and reflect on their success.

I offer my congratulations to all four of these businesses.”

Tofino Long Beach Chamber of Commerce executive director Jen Dart told the Westerly she was excited to see Tofino represented so strongly at the awards.

“It’s great that our local businesses are getting recognition beyond the West Coast. We’ve always known that Tofino businesses are amongst the best on the Island, but this sort of outside recognition is a further endorsement,” she said. “We’re very fortunate that the Tofino business community is made up of passionate local entrepreneurs.

Not only do they provide leadership in business, but they also give back a lot to the community in terms of volunteering and many other ways.

That’s why we love to work with this business community—there is a level of engagement and cohesiveness that you really can’t find anywhere else.”

AHOUSAHT Ahousaht General Store TOFINO Beaches Grocery Green Soul Organics LA Grocery Long Beach Gas & Go Tofino Co-op Tofino Co-op Gas Bar Tofino Pharmacy UCLUELET Barry’s Pharmacy Blackberry Cove Market Murray’s Grocery Harbourview Drugstore Petro Canada Store Ucluelet Co-op Ucluelet Co-op Gas Bar Westerly News Office Dealer Sales and Subscription Enquiries Welcomed at

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Job creation on the minds of politicians Black Press Education and Career Feb. 7

“We have an extraordinary opportunity in forestry.”

– John Horgan

NANAIMO NEWS STAFF Special to the Westerly

As provincial political parties lay out their visions for the coming years, they know it’s British Columbians who will be rolling up their sleeves and doing the work.

A byelection in Nanaimo has been a cause for campaigning and B.C.’s three main parties have different ideas about how to create and sustain good jobs on Vancouver Island.

The Island isn’t as forestry-dependent as it once was, but that industry remains a pillar of the economy for large segments. The NDP government’s recently revealed coast forest sector revitalization plan will have some regional impacts.

Forests Minister Doug Donaldson recentyly spoke to Black Press Media about measures to ensure more B.C. processing of logs and fibre.

“The forest companies have to make a profit. But they’re making a profit off a publicly held resource and we want to make sure that the main beneficiaries of that publicly held resource are the public – the communities and the workers,” Donaldson said.

GREG SAKAKI photo

Chief Mike Wyse of the Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse speaks with Doug Donaldson, minister of forests, lands and natural resource operation, on Thursday in Nanaimo. The meeting was part of coast forest sector revitalization consultation.

Premier John Horgan said ensuring “a strong economy on Vancouver Island” is one of the reasons his party wants to move away from allowing raw log exports.

“We have seen mill after mill after “We have an extraordinary oppormill shut down and our natural re- tunity in forestry. We’re going to work sources, in raw form, going offshore hard with the large companies, but to create jobs somewhere else,” the also those small re-manufacturers.” premier said.

Tony Harris, the BC Liberals’ can-

didate in Nanaimo, said at a recent debate that investing in institutions such as the hospital, university and port authority creates jobs directly and indirectly.

“What happens is not only do you have good jobs in each of those pillars, but the spin-off jobs with tech … and then you’ve got sales jobs and support jobs and research jobs,” Harris said.“So we need to talk about the big investments and look aspirationally towards where we’re going and then the private enterprise will come and support that public component of our community.”

Michele Ney, contender for the BC Green Party, suggested that discussion of job creation has to start with talking about spending on education, which she said is a “gold stock.”

“By investing in education, in science, innovation and technology, we can help support the young people transition into our new economy and they will be the leaders in that economy,” said Ney. Jobs will remain front and centre next week as the Black Press Extreme Education and Career Fair takes place Thursday, Feb. 7, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Comox.

Ukee is one of Canada’s best fishing spots FishingBooker platform lists Ucluelet in top seven Canadian destinations for 2019 ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Ucluelet is applauding its local fishing guides after the community was named one of Canada’s top seven fishing destinations for 2019.

The ranking was announced on Jan. 22 and comes from international trip-booking platform FishingBooker.

The company’s public relations Mayco Noël manager Allison Arthurs explained that Ucluelet’s charters received rave reviews and an impressive number of bookings.

“Salmon fishing is an absolute dream in Ucluelet,” Arthurs told the Westerly News via email adding the halibut fishing is also “amazing.”

“It’s just another example of how people create revenue streams to live in our community.”

– Mayco Noël “We analyzed the top locations in Canada based on the number of bookings in each location where we have charters. We also took into account the review scores of the locations, and only took into consideration locations that have an average review score above 4 (out of 5). Finally, we focused on the variety of species in each location and the overall fishing experience an angler can expect,” She said over 1,500 fishing trips were booked in Canada through FishingBooker over the past year.

“FishingBooker is the world’s largest website for booking fishing charters. Therefore, we have a lot

of information about fishing all around the planet, and like to give our readers insight and suggestions about where they could take their next fishing trip,” she said.

“We also like to raise awareness, and in a way reward these locations and the captains there for being exceptional.”

Ucluelet mayor Mayco Noël was elated with the news.

“It’s fantastic,” Noel told the Westerly News. “It’s another feather in our hat to why people come here.”

He added that the ranking shows the importance of not only the local fishing economy, but also the impact that economy can have on Ucluelet’s overall reputation as a tourist destination.

“It’s just another example of how people create revenue streams to live in our community,” he said.

“What you’re looking at is a bunch of independent business. It’s all independents that live in town trying to make something work. I think it just strengthens the fact that there’s a

need and, not just a need for tourism and outsiders to use our amenities.

It’s a livelihood for people that live here that are providing options for tourists to come to…They have a vested interest to make sure that when they get off the boat that Ucluelet and the region is put in a good light.”

He suggested Ucluelet is both accessible to travel to and open to a wide range of vacation budgets.

“There’s trips for all budgets and, I think, that’s probably one of the things that put us in the top seven, “he said. “Not just the access to good fishing grounds, but also just the fact that it’s available to all walks of life and all budgets.”

Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce manager Lara Kemps was happy to see the strong local fishing guide community receive well-deserved recognition.

“Ucluelet has a thriving marine sector. Many of our businesses rely heavily on access to salmon, salmon habitat and fin fish resources for

their livelihood,” she said.

“Ucluelet benefits from these businesses by way of tax dollars collection and by having that industry provide additional spin off services that the entire region benefits from.”

The top seven designation comes at an ominous time for Ucluelet fishers, as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada officially declared nearby Swiftsure and LaPerouse Banks critical habitats for Southern Resident Killer Whales on Dec. 19. That declaration has many fearing fishing closures could be on the horizon.

Kemps suggested such closures could devastate the economy.

“If there was a closure to our area, there would be major financial implications to our small community,” she said.

“Fishing brings in approximately $5,784,000 in revenue to Ucluelet and that is not including food or other shopping, aquarium visitation or donations to our Wild Pacific Trail.”

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Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

Wednesday, January 30, 2019 A11

Live to Surf Tofino donated boards and wetsuits to the Dzawada’enuxw First Nations family Simone, Michael, Sherry, and Willie so they could try surfing for the first time while touring the West Coast with The Radicals film crew.

The Radicals Pacific Rim Tour

The Radicals documentary film screened in Ahousaht, Tofino, Ty-Histanis and Ucluelet last week. With stunning cinematography of Haida Gwaii and the Chilcotin Mountain Range, the film draws a connection between action sports and Indigenous activism. Starring professional snowboarder Marie-France Roy, Meghann O’Brian, Jasper Snow and Tamo Campos, The Radicals is a visually striking journey from the mountains and ocean into the world of social and environmental justice.

For more photos of community events, check out our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/WesterlyNews.

NORA O’MALLEY PHOTOS

At the Ucluelet screening, Dzawada’enuxw First Nation former elected Chief Willie Moon spoke about the presence of fish farms in Northern Vancouver Island.

Filmmakers, snowboarder and surfers Jasper Rosen and Tamo Campos brought the stoke for Friday’s surf session at North Chesterman.

Sherry and daughter Simone tried surfing for the first time alongside The Radicals crew at Chesterman Beach.

A12 Wednesday, January 30, 2019

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WEEKLY CROSSWORD

PUZZLE #191510

SUDOKU

GAMES & PUZZLES SU191300

THIS WEEKS SUDOKU ANSWER

Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

HOROSCOPE CLUES ACROSS 1. Sheep sounds 5. Turn up 11. Statements of support 14. Spells 15. Evildoer 18. One-time baseball stadium staple 19. Activities 21. WWII-era US President 23. Soft, flexible leather 24. Proverb 28. Wish (Hindu) 29. Injury treatment 30. Red Sox ace 32. “Deadliest Catch” captain 33. Baseball stat 35. Where marine life lives 36. Heartbeat test 39. Signs on the dotted line 41. Atomic #24 42. Bind securely 44. Swiss Nobel Peace Prize winner 46. Fragrant brown balsam 47. Where you were born 49. Sells a ticket for more than its price 52. Where goods are presented 56. Jewish salutation 58. Fruits 60. Poorly educated 62. Microorganism 63. Depicted

CLUES DOWN Batman 1. Ballplayer’s tool 50. Legal term 2. Hairdo 51. Not all 3. From a distance 53. A way to greet 4. Belt one out 54. Knot in a tree 5. Revising a text 55. Satisfy 6. More (Spanish) 57. Russian space station 7. Beloved Spielberg alien 58. A baby’s mealtime 8. BBQ dish accessory 9. Provoke 59. Stitch together 10. Within 61. __ and behold 12. Canadian flyers 13. Smugly smile 16. Buffalo 17. Lake in the Kalahari Desert 20. Grab 22. Rural delivery 25. Equally 26. It’s sometimes passed 27. Citizens who are qualified to vote 29. Greek letter THIS WEEKS ANSWER 31. Body part 34. Boxing result 36. Newts 37. Predatory semiaquatic reptiles 38. Cockatoo 40. The NFL’s big game (abbr.)

43. Leguminous east Indian tree 45. News reporting organization 48. A nemesis of

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, save up your energy because you might need it for a difficult project on the horizon. This could mean you have to keep socializing to a minimum.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you have been on a stable path, and this is a good thing. Wasting time floundering will get you nowhere fast.

Keep up the good work and momentum.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 A rough patch or string of bad luck will soon pass, Gemini. Focus on the positives in your life and give them all of your energy for the time being. Gray skies will clear up.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, a great opportunity is coming your way and you are eager to dive right in.

Write down the pluses and minuses of this endeavor before getting too deep.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, ensure that your voice is heard on a particular matter; otherwise, you may regret not speaking up. Wait until others are quiet to get your point across.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, if you’ve been looking for a new career, you may be pleasantly surprised with the news coming your way.

Opportunity knocks, but you must be paying attention.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Extra spending on essentials may have you reevaluating your budget this week, Libra. You might need to cut corners to make everything work, or find new income.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, it seems the bumpy stretch in your life has been long, but you’re finally able to see that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Keep your head high.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 A relationship may be blossoming and you won’t be sure which direction it will go for a little longer. If you trust your instincts on this and be yourself, things will work out.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you will prove your mettle and show everyone just how tough you can be with a surprising announcement this week. Be prepared for some applause.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, even though many things are changing in your life right now, you’ll probably find that you welcome change whole-heartedly. It’s time to shake things up.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Moving in a new direction can mean many things to you, Pisces. A change of address, a vacation, a new career, or even a new style fit the bill.

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BCClassifieds.com

Wednesday, January 30, 2019 A13 A13 Wed, Jan 30, 2019 Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

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INDEX IN BRIEF FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS ..............1-8 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS....9-57 TRAVEL .......................................61-76 CHILDREN ...................................80-98 EMPLOYMENT .........................102-198 BUSINESS SERVICES ...............203-387 PETS & LIVESTOCK .................453-483 MERCHANDISE FOR SALE........503-587 REAL ESTATE...........................603-969 RENTALS.................................703-757 AUTOMOTIVE...........................804-862 MARINE...................................902-920

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Remember; Sanctify and rest. For God, has hallowed to His glory, The Sabbath worship, which He blest. The Canadian Lords Day Association. Chilliwack auxiliary.

Career Opportunities

Employment Community Annoucements

)HWFK D 'RJ )URP WKH 6KHOWHU

Legal Notices CRIMINAL RECORD?

Career Opportunities

Junior Planner (Temporary Part-Time)

Information TROUBLE WALKING? HIP or KNEE REPLACEMENT, or other conditions causing restrictions in daily activities? $2,000 tax credit. $40,000 refund cheque/rebates.

Disability Tax Credit. 1-844-453-5372

Career Opportunities

Why suffer Employment/ Licensing loss? Travel/ Business opportunities?

Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US Entry Waiver. Record Purge.

File Destruction.

Free Consultation 1-800-347-2540. accesslegalmjf.com

4HE "#30#! CARES FOR THOUSANDS OF ORPHANED ABAN DONED AND ABUSED DOGS EACH YEAR )F YOU CAN GIVE A HOMELESS DOG A SECOND CHANCE AT HAPPINESS PLEASE VISIT YOUR LOCAL SHELTER TODAY

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WWW SPCA BC CA

DISTRICT OF TOFINO Box 9, 121 3rd Street Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0

CALL FOR 2019 GRANT APPLICATIONS The District of Tofino is seeking applications for 2019 Arts and Culture Grants and 2019 Council Grants.

The deadline for grant applications is 4:00pm on February 28, 2019. Late applications will not be accepted.

Grant applications and policies are available on the District’s website by visiting www. tofino.ca For more information, please contact: Laura Giffin, Accounting Clerk lgiffin@tofino.ca (T) 250.725.3229 Ext 602

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is accepting applications for a temporary part-time (2 ½ days per week) Junior Planner for a five month term.

Reporting directly to the Manager of Planning and Development, the Junior Planner will work in land use planning. Consisting of providing the public with planning information and assistance, providing advice to the Board of Directors, Advisory Planning Commissions, and senior staff.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in land use planning or related field along with relevant planning experience, good written and verbal communication skills, and have a working knowledge of BC land use regulations and practices. Membership or eligibility for membership in the Planning Institute of British Columbia and the Canadian Institute of Planners would be an asset.

A detailed job description is available on the Regional District website www.acrd.bc.ca. Rate of pay is per the CUPE Local 118 Collective Agreement. Qualified applicants are invited to forward their resume, along with a covering letter by 4:30 pm on Friday, February 15, 2019 to: Mike Irg, Manager of Planning and Development Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District 3008 Fifth Avenue Port Alberni, BC V9Y 2E3 Email mirg@acrd.bc.ca We thank all applicants in advance for their interest. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Top Employers NOW HIRING!

Child Care Consultant Port Alberni

Starting pay will be $20.33 per hour increasing to $21.79 April 1, 2019. 28 hours per week. Flexible schedule.

Reliable vehicle required.

Clear Criminal Record Check.

Education, Training and Experience: ECE certificate or equivalent & two years recent related experience.

Please visit our website’s Classifieds page for more info.: pacific-care.bc.ca/? page_id=13064

Help Wanted Dock Workers

Hiring for all positions:

• Fish Graders • Forklift Operators • Tally Person • Icers

Experience is an asset, but not necessary. Must be dependable, willing to learn & hardworking.

Competitive Wages, lots of work & over-time hours.

Join the Neptune Ice Team in Ucluelet. Call Crystal 250-726-7761 or fax resume: 250-726-2283

HomeEmployment Business Services

Financial Services GET BACK ON TRACK!

Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money?

We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify.

Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com

Counselling IF YOU want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Ucluelet/Tofino 1-800-883-3968

Help protect our wildlife and forests by reporting illegal hunting, fishing, dumping waste and damage to natural habitat’s.

Report All Poachers and Pollutors (RAPP)

Call the annonymous tip line

Advertisers are reminded that provincial legislation forbids the publication of any advertisement which discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, colour, nationality, ancestry or place of origin, age, and physical or mental disability, unless the condition is justified by a bona fide requirement for the work involved.

Spotlight your business with our business builder packages

1-877-952-7277 or #7277

It is agreed by any Display or Classified Advertiser requesting space that the liability of the newspaper in the event of failure to publish an advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only, and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such an advertisement. The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. cannot bcclassifieds.com be responsible for errors after the first day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors on the first day should immediately be called to the attention of the Classified Department to be corrected for the following edition. reserves bcclassifieds.com the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the bcclassifieds.com Box Reply Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisement and box rental.

Showcase your hidden treasures.

Are You The Best at What You Do?

A14 Wednesday, JanuaryWesterly 30, 2019 News Wed, Jan 30, 2019 A14 Tofino-Ucluelet Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

www.westerlynews.ca

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

YOUR NEW CAREER

WITH BLACK PRESS STARTS HERE Black Press Media is the leading North American local news champion with operations across British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, Washington State, California, Alaska and Hawaii. Over 2,000 talented employees work with us delivering unique community news and information across a full suite of digital and traditional media channels. We value diverse viewpoints, new ways of thinking and a collaborative approach to delivering results.

MULTI-MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT (CAMPBELL RIVER, OAK BAY)

Black Press is looking for a high energy, enthusiastic go-getter to take our leading print and digital advertising solutions to market. Your multi-tasking skills will be put to good use as you balance the day-to-day advertising requirements of existing customers while growing business through dedication to acquiring new customers.

You are relationship oriented and understand how to organize yourself to be successful in a deadline driven environment. Outgoing personalities that focus on business needs through creativity, high energy and excellent problem solving are most successful in our industry.

GRAPHIC ARTIST – PRINT DIVISION (CAMPBELL RIVER)

This position requires the successful applicant to be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat Professional in a Mac environment with an eye for detail. The focus is on print publications although experience in digital media would be an asset.

The position is a full time position and may require some shift work. Minimum 2 years creative design experience in graphic arts is required and as well as a portfolio.

CIRCULATION COORDINATOR (PARKSVILLE)

The Parksville Qualicum News is looking for a permanent full time Circulation Coordinator. The right candidate must have excellent communication and organizational skills.

Your attention to detail and ability to work with minimum supervision set you apart from other applicants. Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Outlook Express is required. Duties include hiring and overseeing youth carriers, monitoring carrier performance and following up on reader delivery concerns. A vulnerable sector criminal record check is also mandatory.

MULTI-MEDIA JOURNALIST (SIDNEY, PORT HARDY)

The right candidate will have outstanding and diverse writing abilities, specifically suited for both online and print with the ability to work well under deadline pressure. This position will be a key contributor to our websites and social media engagement. Advanced video and photography skills will be key attributes, along with an extensive knowledge of social media best practices and a strong understanding of how to tailor online content accordingly. You will have a diploma/degree in journalism, including training in broadcast media and be comfortable working in a variety of environments.

APPLY today WITH YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO CAREERS@BLACKPRESS.CA, BE SURE TO REFERENCE THE JOB AND LOCATION YOU’RE APPLYING FOR. PLEASE NOTE ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED.

For more information on these vacancies and other regions throughout BC visit: www.blackpress.ca/careers

Parks & Recreation Department

Parks & Recreation Department

PLAYSCHOOL ASSISTANT

PLAYSCHOOL ASSISTANT

Casual

Casual

Responsible for assisting with the planning and supervision of the playschool program and to provide a safe learning environment for playschool children.

Responsible for assisting with the planning and supervision of the playschool program and to provide a safe learning environment for playschool children.

Term: Tuesday or Thursday mornings - 4 hours, September - June

Term: Tuesday or Thursday mornings - 4 hours, September - June

Wage: $17.68/hour, less 10% during probationary period

Wage: $17.68/hour, less 10% during probationary period

As per current CUPE contract Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2019

As per current CUPE contract Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2019

Please note: Casual employees are those who are employed on an irregular or intermittent basis. There is no guarantee of hours or schedule.

Please note: Casual employees are those who are employed on an irregular or intermittent basis. There is no guarantee of hours or schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS: t 3FTQPOTJCMF "EVMU $FSUJGJDBUF JT SFRVJSFE t $PNQMFUJPO PG (SBEF PS FRVJWBMFOU t 7BMJE -FWFM 0OF 'JSTU "JE $FSUJGJDBUF t -FBEFSTIJQ TLJMMT BOE QSFWJPVT FYQFSJFODF XJUI DIJMESFO t "DDFQUBCMF .JOJTUSZ PG +VTUJDF $SJNJOBM 3FDPSET $IFDL

QUALIFICATIONS: t 3FTQPOTJCMF "EVMU $FSUJGJDBUF JT SFRVJSFE t $PNQMFUJPO PG (SBEF PS FRVJWBMFOU t 7BMJE -FWFM 0OF 'JSTU "JE $FSUJGJDBUF t -FBEFSTIJQ TLJMMT BOE QSFWJPVT FYQFSJFODF XJUI DIJMESFO t "DDFQUBCMF .JOJTUSZ PG +VTUJDF $SJNJOBM 3FDPSET $IFDL

Qualified applicants should submit a covering letter & resume by Q N 5VFTEBZ 'FCSVBSZ UP "CJHBJM , 'PSUVOF .BOBHFS PG 1BSLT 3FDSFBUJPO District of Ucluelet P.O. Box 999 Ucluelet, B.C. V0R 3A0 200 Main Street afortune@ucluelet.ca phone: 250-726-4780 I fax 250-726-7335

Qualified applicants should submit a covering letter & resume by Q N 5VFTEBZ 'FCSVBSZ UP "CJHBJM , 'PSUVOF .BOBHFS PG 1BSLT 3FDSFBUJPO District of Ucluelet P.O. Box 999 Ucluelet, B.C. V0R 3A0 200 Main Street afortune@ucluelet.ca phone: 250-726-4780 I fax 250-726-7335

*Please note only those short listed will be contacted.

*Please note only those short listed will be contacted.

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION Re: Property owned by Noreen Frank of site 447\ Orca Crescent, Ucluelet, BC VOR 3AO Take notice that pursuant to section 37(3) of the Regulation to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, the landlord of the Manufactured Home Park at Cynamoka Rd, Ucluelet, BC intends to dispose of a 1970 Ambassador Manufactured Horne, 12x68 feet, and its contents, located in the Whispering Pines Manufactured Home Park in Ucluelet, BC 30 days after the publication date of this notice, unless: - You take possession of the Property, or - You establish a right to possession of the Property, or - You make an application to the Supreme Court to establish such a right.

After the expiration of the 30 day period, the Property wtll be disposed of with no further notice to you.

Landlord: Mulberry Park Developments Ltd. PO Box 69, Ucluelet BCVOR 3AO. Phone: 250-726-6525.

CONNECTING JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS www.localwork.ca

Liquor Primary Transfer of Location Application Notice Notice is hereby given that the District of Ucluelet Council will be considering a Liquor Primary Transfer of Location Application at its Regular Council Meeting at the Ucluelet Community Centre, located at 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet B.C., on February 12th, 2019 commencing at 2:30 p.m.

As part of the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) review process, the District of Ucluelet is responsible for gathering the views of nearby residents and businesses. The District of Ucluelet Council must then submit a recommendation to the LCRB on whether the application should be approved or not.

The mandatory considerations for this Liquor Primary Transfer of Location Application are: • The location of the establishment.

• The person capacity and hours of liquor service of the establishment.

The District of Ucluelet Council is to provide the LCRB with a resolution commenting on: • The impact of noise on nearby residents.

• The impact on the community if the application is approved.

• The view of residents and a description of the method used to gather views.

• The District’s recommendations (including whether or not the application be approved) and the reasons on which they are based.

Application Details: • The transfer of the liquor licence for 466442 BC LTD, Archipelago Cruises, from its current docking location at 1634 Cedar Road to its new docking location at 1943 Peninsula Road.

Anyone who believes this application will affect their interests will be given an opportunity to be heard at the February 12th Meeting. Inquiries and comments may also be directed to the District of Ucluelet’s Planning Department by telephone at 250-726-7744 or email: jtowgood@ucluelet.ca. Written submissions may also be mailed to the District of Ucluelet, P.O. Box 999, Ucluelet B.C., V0R 3AO, or faxed to 250-726-7335 but must be received before the commencement of the Council Meeting. A copy of the application and other relevant information may be inspected at the District of Ucluelet office at 200 Main Street from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays except statutory holidays.

Read us online at: WesterlyNews.ca

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

www.westerlynews.ca

Wednesday, January 30, 2019 A15

C O M M U N I T Y

events

CALENDAR ongoing

SUrfrider PAcific rim AGm, Wednesday, Jan. 30. 6:30pm at Darwin’s Cafe. Vote for the Executive Committee and sign up to available volunteer positions!

LUNch WiTh mAyor mAyco NoeL, Thursday, Jan. 31. Noon-2pm at Howler’s. Have a question?

Or an idea? Come out and sit down with our very own Mayor Noel and support a local business by ordering lunch.

LiVe mUSic, Thursday, Jan. 31. Geoff Johnson at 6:30pm Black Rock Float Lounge.

LiVe mUSic, Thursday, Jan. 31. Every Thursday a local musician at the Hatch in Tofino. moVie NiGhT, Monday, Feb. 4. Doors at 7:15pm, show at 8 in the Clayoquot Theatre. ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’.

Albus Dumbledore enlists the help of Newt Scamander to foil the evil plans of villain Grindelwald in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

WeST coAST AA GroUP, Mondays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. 1663 Peninsula Road, Ucluelet.

featured event of the week

One of Canada’s top stylists

TiNy ArTiSTS, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10-11 a.m.

Come in and hang out with your tiny artists for some designated creative time in the Ultramarine Art Studio.

Each craft will be inspired by a different children’s story. Parents are asked to attend with their children. $15, includes materials.

UcLUeLeT ALANoN GroUP, Wednesdays, 7:30pm. 1663 Peninsula Rd. Ucluelet.

KArAoKe AT The LeGioN, Wednesdays, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tofino Legion. chi GoNG, Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am, UCC Main Hall. $2 drop-in.

BAdmiNToN, Sundays, 7-9pm. USS Gym. $2 drop-in. dArTS, Mondays, 7pm.

Tofino Legion.

WiLd PAcific TrAiL SocieTy BoArd meeTiNG, Wednesday, February 6th. 7pm at the UCC. Members of the public are invited to attend, observe and learn about one of the West Coast’s top attractions.

WATCH FOR IT EVERY FRIDAY!

will be sharing all of her fashion secrets, every Friday across the Black Press Media network!

February 1 NASTi WeATher & Troy GiLmore AT The mAQ

Style by Kim XO will be the star of Fashion Fridays only available on the Life channel across Black Press Media websites.

Kim Appelt will give style tips and ideas to help you look your very best.

No stranger to the Pacific Rim, Nasti Weather is coming back to do some howling at The Maq with the Incredible Troy Anthony Gilmore! NASTI WEATHER is the fallen gospel gutter folk creation of a former Tofino resident, Anastasia Schlechtleitner. They put on powerful, genuinely heartfelt live shows that manage to bridge the gap between a lively and deeply introspective performance.. $5 cover.

service

service

hoLy fAmiLy cAThoLic chUrch, Sunday Mass 10 am. Weekday Mass: Wed 9:30 am and Fri 7 pm.

Ucluelet.

TofiNo BiBLe feLLoWShiP Sundays, 10:30am. Tofino Legion.

ST. frANciS of ASSiSi cAThoLic chUrch Saturday, 5pm.

ST. coLUmBA chUrch Sundays, 10:30am.

GrAce BiBLe chUrch, Sundays at 10:30am at UCC.

ST. AidAN’S WiThoUT WALLS, Service: Sunday at 4 p.m. at Ucluelet Community Centre. Except for first Sunday of each month when service is at St. Columba.

New Business?

Let Westerly readers know all about it.

Call 250.726.7029

or email nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca TOFINO

To submit your activities, e-mail: office@westerlynews.ca, fax: 250-726-4248 or drop by: #102-1801 Bay St, Ucluelet. We accept your Arts & Entertainment, Service Group, Non-Profit Organization, Church, Library, Fundraiser, Open to the Public Notices on a first come, first served basis.

TOFINO LEGION MEMBERS & GUESTS - Info: Call 250-725-3361 All Canadian Citizens and Many Others are Welcome to Join – No Military History Needed

SPECIAL EVENTS Saturday, Feb. 9 15 at the

$

door

Every Ad You Place Runs in Print & Online Call 250.726.7029 or email nora.omalley @westerlynews.ca

REGULAR EVENTS GAMES & SOCIAL FRIDAYS 4-9pm • Drop in Pool, Ping Pong, Foosball, Darts INDUSTRY NIGHT TUESDAYS No cover, drink specials DART LEAGUE TUESDAYS 7-9pm BINGO! WEDNESDAYS 7-9pm THE OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH Monthly seniors’ lunch and socializing at the Legion.

All seniors welcome. For details: 250-726-6655.

westerlynews.ca

Winter Hours 0PM DAILY

0AM - 7:0 :3 8 : E R O T S D O FO

M DAILY

- 11:00P M A 0 :3 6 : R A B S GA

0AM - 5:00PM :0 0 1 : G IN H T O L C TOFINO LIFE ND MONDAY A Y A D N U S D E S O CL :30AM - 5:30PM 8 I R -F N O M : E R O HARDWARE ST SUNDAY D E S O L C M P 0 :0 5 AM SAT & Holidays 8:30

A16 Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

www.westerlynews.ca

Positive prognosis for poisoned eagles

The prognosis is good for six bald eagles that were found poisoned in the Cowichan Valley in January.

According to Robyn Radcliffe, general manager at The Raptors in North Cowichan, the birds are expected to survive, and should be released in the near future.

“We’ve tabled their release for another few days,” Radcliffe said on Thursday afternoon. “We were hoping for the weekend, but they are not quite ready.”

One bird might be ready to go on Sunday or Monday, depending on how she heals from her treatment. The birds will probably be released one or two at a time, Radcliffe added.

“It all depends on what their needs are and where they are at with recovery,” she said.

The six surviving eagles were among 12 that were found suffering from poisoning between Jan. 16 and 19 in an area of North Cowichan around Herd Road. The other six were dead when they were found. No further victims have been discovered since last Saturday.

The birds are believed to have fed off the carcass of a euthanized farm animal that was not properly disposed of. An investigation by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service is underway.

Conservation officers were not available for comment on Thursday.

Anyone who finds a dead or sick eagle should contact the Raptor Rescue Society at 778-936-0732..

– www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com Sooke school district offers help to students with mental health Mental illness is often a difficult subject to broach, but, says Christine McGregor, the district principal for student support services, it’s an issue the Sooke school district recognizes and is dedicated to dealing with head-on.

Within the district, the system has acknowledged the importance of being reactive to the struggles that students may experience.

“We have school-based student counsellors, social workers, a mental health clinician, and wraparound coordinators in the schools to help deal with kids who are experiencing problems,” McGregor said.

“The district also has three psychologists who work out of the district office but who will make visits to the schools as required. The students can approach their counsellors, or their teachers or any of the staff to raise an issue and access services.”

Doug Agar, the vice-principal of the same department, said the district staff are also trained to react to indicators such as behaviour changes, rapid weight loss, or other changes in a student that may signal that a young person may need help.

“When we see that, our staff are trained to make the referral accordingly,” Agar said.

And in case anyone thinks that this is much ado about nothing, the truth is mental illness is surprisingly com-

with exercising, grooming and transportation. They also help to arrange boarding services if someone was to have an extended hospital stay.

They also help older dogs transition to their next stage in life after the loss of a human.

Oak Bay resident Airan Felzien is one the key organizers bringing ElderDog to Victoria.

“A couple years ago when I saw this organization in a news article I looked in to the group and I thought it was a really wonderful organization, and I thought it would be really well suited for Victoria,” Felzien said.

COWICHAN VALLEY CITIZEN PHOTO

Veterinary technicians at VCA Canada Island Animal Hospital treat two bald eagles after a spate of poisonings in North Cowichan.

ISLAND IN BRIEF mon in children and teens.

The Canadian Mental Health Association says about 14 percent of young people in B.C. will experience some form of mental illness – that’s one in seven.

Many mental illnesses–between 50 to 70 percent – show up before the age of 18.

Some of those disorders are often put off as normal teenage growing pains, such as depression or conduct disorders but others can include depression, psychosis, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, and even schizophrenia.

The situations can be serious and can affect how well kids do in school and how they form relationships with their peers and adults.

Left untreated, they can be disruptive to normal development and can affect young people for the rest of their lives.

“This is something that we’re dealing with on a nearly daily basis,” said EMCS principal Laura Fulton.

“It’s really hard to say whether this is happening because people feel more comfortable coming forward as there’s been a decrease in the stigma or whether there’s something about today’s world that has led to more young people seeking help.”

She added that EMCS has the advantage of being a relatively small high school in which students and staff become very close and that the tight-knit environment makes it very responsive to any issues as they arise.

But the work to address mental health issues in youth is not simply reactive.

‘We have a wellness clinic here once a week, and we have a district mental health clinician. We also have a very close relationship with the community’s other mental health services and may work with them to address training and other issues as they come up,” said Fulton.

“The truth is that I’ve seen regular success stories and every student that comes forward is helped to one degree or another. There are often no quick fixes but if we can maintain our understanding and willingness to deal with the challenges, we can make sure that students get the help they need.”

She invites any student or parent who is concerned about the issue to speak to a teacher, counsellor, or any staff member to raise their concerns.e.”

– www.sookenewsmirror.com Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit returns to Royal BC Museum A popular exhibit is returning to the Royal BC Museum.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit opens next month, showcasing the wonders of nature as seen through the lenses of award-winning photographers.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is now in its 54th year. The exhibit — based out of the London Natural History Museum — brings together images from award-winning photographers and showcases the best nature photography from around the world.

Each photo is presented in a large, backlit display with a caption exploring the image’s story.

The Royal BC Museum says the

exhibition “takes viewers on a visual journey around the world, bringing the talent and vision of each photographer closer to all who visit.”

The “visually stunning” and “thought-provoking” images are expected to be a family favourite.

The exhibit will also coincide with school spring breaks and the museum is using it as a jumping-off point for the Bizarre Beasts Spring Break camps in March.

The camp, open to children ages seven to 11, will take a look at some of the stranger animals living in B.C. It will explore why animals are the way they are and will give campers the opportunity to construct their own bizarre beast.

The camp will be hands-on in museum galleries, the natural history collection and out in nature.

Bizarre Beasts Camp runs from March 18 to 22 or March 25 to 29 and costs $280 per person. Each camp enrolls 20 children.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit runs from Feb. 15 to March 24 and entry is included with admission to the museum or a membership.

– www.goldstreamgazette.com ElderDog program helps seniors keep dogs at home Victoria will soon be home to an ElderDog Pawd.

Completely volunteer run and donation funded, ElderDog Canada provides assistance to elderly people and their canine companions. According to the national website, ElderDog works with seniors who want keep their close relationships with their dogs, but feel they are unable to as much as they would like. The organization assists

Felzien reached out to ElderDog, though at the time they didn’t have the resources ready but were hoping to launch a chapter – rather, a Pawd – in Victoria in the future.

A few months ago ElderDog reached out to Felzien. They had managed to find a few like-minded volunteers, and wanted her to hep start a South Island Pawd. The Pawd here follows a newly launched Pawd in Vancouver.

Felzien says that part of what makes ElderDog special is that the group recognizes and honours the bond between humans and animals.

“In my profession I do see how certain individuals as they age they may get to a point where they may not be able to care for their animals the way that want to,” Felzien said. “I think it’s really important to be able to maintain that relationship. It’s really important for both the dog and the human. I think it’s a really great way to still maintain that relationship and foster the independence and keep the dogs in home as best as possible.”

– www.goldstreamgazette.com Island’s first cannabis shop opens in Port Hardy Stellar Jay Organics in Port Hardy is the first Vancouver Island based recreational cannabis shop to be approved by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).

“We have approval in principle (from the LCRB), which means get the store ready for when the inspector comes in, and then we’re good to open,” said owner Serena Neumerschitsky, who added they are looking at having a grand opening sometime in February as they still have to spend a good chunk of money to fix up the space they are renting at the North Island Mall from the Dirom family.

“It will all come together really quickly,” added owner Tristan Radzik, who has been putting in plenty of hours on the side fixing up the space for commercial use. “The Dirom family has been amazing through the entire process.”

As for what products Stellar Jay Organics will be offering, Neumerschitsky noted they will definitely have prerolled cannabis, CBD oils and capsules, pipes, bongs, flowers, and once seeds, concentrates and edibles are available to sell they will bring them out as well.

– www.northislandgazette.com