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250-341-1395
OCTOBER 15, 2026
VOLUME 23 / ISSUE 42
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Renowned artist Bob Ross would have been delighted to paint this autumn scene on Westside Road in Spillimacheen. PHOTO RYLEE HAUBRICH
3 YOUTH SCORES TWO HOLES IN ONE
10 CHAINSAW ARTIST CARVES WONDERS
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Bruno’s Plumbing Service Mike Sylvestre 250.342.5105 brunosplumbing@shaw.ca
OCTOBER 15, 2026
VALLEY VIEWS
Serving The Columbia Valley
Auto Glass Replacement & Chip Repair Shower Doors | Windows | Mirrors & Railings 250-342-3659 info@invermereglass.com
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, November 4, 2025 at 1:00pm The AGM will be held at Panorama Mountain Resort and virtually. Please email: Panorama.Foundation@panoramaresort.com for meeting information or for funding applications.
914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: (250) 342-9281 Fax: (250) 342-2934
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE (Grant-in-Aid Program) The District of Invermere invites eligible organizations to apply for financial assistance through its Annual Grant-in-Aid Program. The program provides start-up funding for new programs or major community events that benefit District of Invermere residents. A total of $20,000 is available annually, with a maximum grant of $1,500 per application. Applications must be received by November 30, 2026, to be considered for funding in the 2027 budget year. Council will review eligible applications and make funding decisions by January 31, 2027. Application forms are available at the Municipal Office or online at www.invermere.net.
In top photo, "I'm falling for ewe." In right photo, sockeye salmon make the journey once again. TOP PHOTO SYD DANIS RIGHT PHOTO JUSIN SAIN
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
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VALLEY NEWS Trail improves safety but some 'crabby' By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Work on a paved multi-use pathway in Invermere began earlier this fall, and almost as soon as shovels were in the ground, opinions stirred — some quite happy and others frustrated. The pathway will run along the north side of 5th Street, stretching two blocks between 10th Avenue and 13th Avenue. That particular stretch of street first leapt to public attention two years ago, when those living along it raised concerns about increased traffic and speeding, with some saying it was only a matter of time before a pedestrian or kid biking to school was hit and badly hurt. The District of Invermere responded at the time by putting in stop signs to create a four-way stop part way down 5th Street (where it intersects 12th Avenue), and officials said more measures were being considered, possibly including a path or sidewalk for pedestrians. The dedicated multi-use pathway began to take shape in late September. While some residents on the street were delighted, saying on social media that the new path will make the road much safer, others were upset they didn’t know more about it before construction began, and still others were a bit, well, crabby that a couple decades-old crabapple trees were cut down to make way for the amenity. “What I am frustrated about is that no one really had any details on what it would be,” local resident Barry Wiseman told the Pioneer, adding he’d reached out to the district by email but hadn’t had a direct reply. On September 11, the district had posted on its website about the upcoming construction of the path, and then later mailed an info package to residents living on the street. But Wiseman said he was still left befuddled, explaining his understanding was that the path would be 2.5 metres wide. Once the work began, he used a measuring tape and found the width of the area marked out for the trail to be 4.2 metres. “My first thought was ‘Oh my goodness, this is an overbuild’,” he said. With the municipal election in full swing, several of the candidates running for Invermere councillor positions (both incumbents and newcomers) waded into the online fray to offer their perspectives.
Kayja Becker wrote the path needs to be a certain width to qualify for grants to help pay for the work, and that this includes a buffer zone alongside the actual trail. She also said that a multi-use path, rather than a simple sidewalk (as some unhappy residents had called for), is needed because the idea is to keep not only pedestrians off the road, but also kids on bikes, people on wheelchairs, seniors who use wheeled mobility devices to get around, and many others. Resident Sue-Rose Read pointed out the trees are beloved, but also said there may be many other factors at play and wrote, “Unfortunately, there’s always a trade-off between safety, the realities of construction and sentiment, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of options.” Councillor Theresa Wood noted the path width “allows for multiple users to pass safely. If you have ever experienced two strollers on one narrow pathway, you will understand what I’m describing.” The crab apple trees were planted in honour of Expo 67, the world fair held in Montreal in 1967, said Wood, adding that a grant will pay for new trees and there will also be two crosswalks, one over 12th Avenue and one over 13th Avenue as part of the project. Invermere mayor Al Miller told the Pioneer the path has been part of Invermere’s active transportation plan for at least the past few years, if not longer. “It’s (5th Street) been on our radar as a road that’s been getting busier all the time. We have to do something to keep people safe,” said Miller. “We know there’s some controversy around the trees.” He explained crab apple trees typically have a lifespan of up to 70 years, and often reach their ‘peak’ in terms of blooms and fruit around 40 years old and then begin to decline after that. “So we’ve gone well beyond that span,” he explained. “We will be planting something new there. The important thing is to be able to have a way for people to get around without having to share the road with traffic.” The path will cost a bit more than $300,000. A total of 70 per cent of that cost is covered by a grant through the resort municipality initiative (RMI) program, and the remaining 30 per cent will come from the district’s paving reserve fund.
Work is underway on the planned paved multi-use path on the north side of 5th Street in Invermere. PHOTOS STEVE HUBRECHT
A HELPING HAND Serving Invermere & Golden Areas
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
SECURITY Est. 2005
Experience versus change at RDEK Area F forum
• Uniformed Guards • Mobile Patrol • Alarm Response • Property Checks
www.valleyhawk.com Licensed & Insured
250-688-HAWK
Invermere & Surrounding Areas
VALLEY SOLUTIONS HOME CHECK SERVICES • COLUMBIA VALLEY Peace of mind while you’re away
Services include:
• Regular home checks • Storm & weather damage inspection
OCTOBER 15, 2026
• Maintenance reporting • Keyholder service
Call or Text: 250-946-7326
Serving Invermere, Fairmont, Windermere, Radium & area
Locally Owned. Reliable. Insured.
Whether you’re gone for a weekend or the whole season, we’ve got you covered.
Area F candidates Quentin Randall and Susan Clovechok. FILE PHOTOS
By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Voters from Windermere, Fairmont Hot Springs, Panorama and other parts of Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area F got a firsthand look last week at the candidates running for Area F director in this October’s municipal election. Incumbent Susan Clovechok and challenger Quentin Randall answered questions and outlined their position on a range of issues — including the long-term housing shortage, balancing the needs of full-time and part-time residents, preparing for fires and flooding, and more during a candidates forum on Wednesday, Oct. 6. An audience of three dozen people turned out for the forum at the Lake Windermere Lions Hall and Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. As with other similar forums during this municipal election, the demographics of attendees skewed heavily towards those middle aged and retired, though several younger adults were peppered among the crowd. Clovechok, who has already served two terms (eight years) as director, consistently emphasized the wealth of experience she would bring to a third term, while Randall, on the other hand, implored Area F residents to vote for something new. “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always had ... consider voting for change,” said Randall. “I know Area F, its people, its strengths and the work ahead, and I know progress takes more than just good intentions,” countered Clovechok. “This job has a big learning curve. I gain momentum every year, especially these last four. Starting over means projects ... will wait while someone new gets up to speed. We can’t afford to slow
down.” Clovechok several times pointed to her focus on public safety projects (citing her efforts on the Fairmont debris flow mitigation project, and the Fairmont airport, among others), while Randall repeatedly suggested there should be more “measurable targets and milestones” in local government and better communication with the public. On the long-term housing shortage, Randall said his aim is to help new homes that are already compliant with zoning get built faster, saying “we need to find ways to shave time off, so that we can get buildings into the ground faster.” Clovechok cited a need to consider existing water and sewer infrastructure when planning housing, saying “we have to build where the services exist” and added housing needs to diversify, with more small homes or tiny homes, townhomes, and duplexes, triplexes and even fourplexes. When it comes to full-time and part-time residents, both Clovechok and Randall outlined a need to balance the Area F’s visitor economy with community livability and character for yearround residents. Asked what makes Area F exceptional and how to preserve that, Clovehock pointed to the area’s extensive recreation opportunities, such as hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding and skiing, and said “we need to protect those values, because that’s why so many of us came here in the first place.” She cited her work to help create a safer access point on the Columbia River near Fairmont and efforts to improve access to Windermere Beach. For Randall “the health of our lake and the waterways is incredibly important,” and he said residents now must make sure the lake remains in good condition for future generations.
RDEK Area F director candidates Susan Clovechok and Quentin Randall squared off in a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 6. PHOTO STEVE HUBRECHT
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
VOTE SATURDAY,
OCTOBER 17
RE-ELECT
SUSAN CLOVECHOK ELECTORAL AREA F DIRECTOR
8 AM – 8 PM FAIRMONT LIONS DEN
COLUMBIA VALLEY CHAMBER – LIONS HALL
5003 Hot Springs Road Fairmont Hot Springs
651 Hwy 93/95 Invermere
The work is underway. Specific work, and where each piece stands today. ACROSS AREA F
FAIRMONT
WINDERMERE
Short-term rentals
Fairmont Creek
Heritage Heights
On October 9 the RDEK board adopted minimum distances for new short-term rental applications: 75 metres in small-lot residential neighbourhoods, 35 metres in resort areas like Panorama.
Public engagement before any design.
Working with ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and RDEK staff on traffic, highway access, water, sewer and Windermere Beach.
On October 9 the board authorized a grant application for a debris-flow options analysis, with public engagement.
I’ll continue to keep Windermere residents informed throughout.
Next: RDEK staff have been directed to pursue business licences, which would include short-term rentals.
Why they’re supporting Susan Throughout my dealings with the RDEK, Susan Clovechok has been a steady and supportive presence. She takes the time to understand my goals and has helped me navigate complex processes with care and clarity. Her service is truly exemplary, and I’m proud to support her continued leadership in Area F. LYLE WILSON Area F Resident · President, Nipika Mountain Resort
Susan leads by bringing people together, turning shared ideas into lasting results. Her experience, compassion, and collaborative approach have made a meaningful difference across the Columbia Valley. WENDY BOOTH Area F Resident · Past Electoral Area F Director
Susan helped us understand and walked us through the process with compassion, integrity and thoughtfulness. We have never experienced such an engaged representative. DEBRA & DAVID KOTOWSKI Area F Residents, Owners, Winderdome Resort · Windermere
In my experience Susan is committed to do her best to fairly and competently represent her constituents.
Susan is always just a phone call or email away, and she follows through on what she says she will do.
JEAN TERPSMA Land development consultant
PASCAL VAN DIJK Area F Resident, CVAS President
Trusted. Proven. Delivering. Authorized by Gayle Dougall, Financial Agent · gayledougall@gmail.com
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
OPINION
Just vote! Only two days remain until municipal/regional elections, and nine days until the BC provincial election. That’s just way too much politics in one week. So, what are you going to do about it? Vote, that’s what! Sadly, a lot of registered voters won’t bother, content to sit in front of the TV and watch the news, grumbling about politics. Unfortunately, there is quite a lot of mistrust when it comes to politicians and the parties they represent. But you have to look past that and hope the newly elected (and re-elected) will truly listen and work hard to make things better. Locally, there are plenty of candidates, directors, and school trustees to choose from in Invermere, Canal Flats, and Radium Hot Springs. They have put themselves out there, answered questions, and outlined their platforms, so now it’s up to you to decide who will best represent the community. They live and work here too, so they genuinely care about improving quality of life in our neighbourhoods. On October 24 we will see if BC Premier David Eby’s snap election call was the right chess move. Does he merely want to capitalize on the recent turmoil in the Conservative party? Many believe that is precisely his plan, but it just might backfire on him. The BC Green Party boasts a youthful leader with strong convictions. And then we have CentreBC and OneBC clamouring for your votes, along with the fringe parties such as the Freedom Party, Libertarians, Christian Heritage, and CanWest. And don’t forget the independents. Like every election, it’s going to be a land of promises and finger pointing, but voters will be quick to separate the wheat from the chaff and support the one whose principles align with their own. After the political dust settles, the electorate will be watching very closely who follows through with their promises and who doesn’t. Will their elected representative act independently or simply toe the party line? Some hard questions have to be asked to address concerns about health care, housing, the economy, crime, affordability, and the environment. You can be the one to help change the outcome on voting day October 24. Lyonel Doherty, editor
Historical Lens
Standing with little girl in front of the Gibbon farm in 1946 are, from left, Miss Bodecker, Mrs. Thompkins, Mrs. Stoddart, Mrs. Peters, and Joan Solinger Louise. PHOTO WINDERMERE AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
What will they stand for? As Invermere heads toward another municipal election, I hope voters will ask candidates some difficult questions - not simply about what they support, but about trust: what has been built, what has been broken, and how will they govern moving forward? Consider a few examples from the past term. On the positive side, Invermere has made some useful administrative improvements. After a suggestion I made, residents can now subscribe to an online calendar showing specific curbside collection days - and when services change around holidays. That is a small example of government making information easier for residents to access and use. But there are equally important missed opportunities. Building permit applications are still not fillable electronic forms, making them unnecessarily difficult to complete - and residents still cannot easily track an application through the
review process. There is also no integrated online recreation and events calendar that residents can subscribe to through their own email calendars, making it easy to miss activities happening in their own community. Then there are larger policy questions. With 219 short-term rentals (192 owned by people from outside Invermere) and 83 operating under Temporary Use Permits outside zones specifically intended for STRs, will candidates commit to examining the impacts on housing affordability and availability, neighbourhoods, local workforce retention and municipal resources? How have they supported their responses? When an overflowing downtown dumpster becomes a potential wildlife attractant and responsibility gets passed between the district, RDEK, businesses and contractors, who is accountable for actually fixing it? Continued on page 7
CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013
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The Columbia Valley Pioneer is available free of charge at 13 essential businesses in the Upper Columbia Valley, limited to one copy per reader. This publication has been made possible by the support of our advertisers and is published every Thursday. The Columbia Valley Pioneer may be distributed only by its authorized contractors and employees. No person may, without the prior written consent of The Pioneer or its Publisher, take more than one copy of each issue of The Pioneer. The content is protected by copyright. Reproduction by any means is prohibited except with the permission of the Publisher.
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
LETTERS/OP-ED
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Candidates must answer hard questions Continued from page 6 And when a major multi-use pathway is planned, why are affected residents notified only shortly before construction rather than meaningfully engaged while route, connectivity, parking, winter maintenance and utility coordination can still be considered? These aren't isolated issues. They point to a fundamental question: Does the District of Invermere
have a government that understands both its community and how good government actually works? We should all want elected officials who understand proper process, demand meaningful engagement, challenge assumptions, use evidence, hold staff and stakeholders accountable, and keep all of our full-time, year-round residents at the centre of decisions. Experience matters. Whether an incumbent or a brand new challeng-
er, how have they led and served? How have they managed public processes or been accountable to residents for implementing decisions? No one should automatically be entrusted with elected office simply because they have strong opinions—or are able to casually sit on the fence. Candidates must demonstrate that they understand the responsibilities that come with being a councillor.
Don't just tell us what you will support. Show us how you have led, how you have served, and how we can trust you to make Invermere work better for every one of our residents. If you can't answer those questions now, you'll have four more years to work on it before you come back and ask for our vote. Ryan Watmough, Invermere
District of Invermere being shaped today The Invermere we will have 20 years from now is being shaped today. Invermere continues to grow and change, welcoming people for work or play, for a short stay or to put down roots. As we adapt to external changes, what’s the community vision for the next five, 10 or 20 years? Who will live here and form the fabric of our community? What housing will they need? What infrastructure and services will support them? And what are we doing today to get there? It takes active leadership, a clear plan, and the ability to execute. Housing is a good example. Invermere’s Housing Needs Report
projects a need for 723 additional homes over the next 20 years. We need housing for families, seniors and young people. We need long-term rentals and options for seasonal staff and temporary workers. And we need to decide where short-term rentals (STRs) fit. If we need more long-term housing, how are we encouraging it? What incentives could make long term renting more attractive? How do individual STR decisions support our broader housing goals? And when residents participate in the process, how does their input shape the decisions being made? Plans and policies work when they guide decisions. When exceptions are made, residents should be
ALL COLUMBIA VALLEY SENIORS WELCOME! Thursday, October 22 1:30pm - 3:30pm COLUMBIA VALLEY CENTRE
Invermere
COLUMBIA VALLEY
SENIORS HEALTH FAIR WHY ATTEND?
• Flu and Covid vaccines will be available through Interior Health • Discover how your pharmacist can support everyday healthcare • Explore local community supports and services • Short talks on safety, avoiding scams, and making sure first responders have the info they need
PRESENTATIONS at 2:00pm
FREE ADMISSION
LOTS OF DOOR PRIZES
Growth will happen. We have the opportunity to shape it through our participation. Ask questions. Share your ideas. Learn about the decisions being made. And vote. Carrie Bakos, Invermere
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Snow Removal Service for 2026/2027 Winter Season Shuswap Band is inviting qualified contractor to submit proposals for snow removal and sanding for the 2026-2027 Winter Season. Services will include snow plowing sanding/salting of designated Shuswap Band roads, parking areas, access routes, and other Band properties. The successful contractor must have suitable equipment and staffing to provide reliable and timely service throughout the winter season, including early-morning and emergency response when required. The successful contractor must also provide full snow removal coverage for Shuswap Band responsible areas during the Christmas holiday period, approximately December 18, 2026 to January 4, 2027. Proposal should include: • Hourly rates for snow plowing and equipment. • Sanding/salting rates. • Emergency/call out rates. • Equipment available. • Confirmation of availability throughout the winter season; and • Proof of appropriate liability insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage. Detailed maps and the full scope of work are available upon request. Proposal Deadline: October 23, 2026
INFORMATIVE PRESENTATIONS!
COFFEE, TEA, & GOODIES
able to understand why. When public input is requested, we should be able to see how it was considered. And if policies do not produce the results we need, we should be willing to change them. That’s accountability and transparency. It’s also foundational leadership.
PROGRAM HANDOUT
Please submit proposal to: Dolores Nicholas Director of Public Works Shuswap Band Email:dnicholas@shuswapband.ca Phone: 250.341.3678 Shuswap Band reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal and is not obligated to accept the lowest priced submission.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
Tourism in the Columbia Valley: We Want to Hear From You! Tourism plays an important role in the Columbia Valley, supporting local jobs, businesses and amenities that contribute to the place we call home. Columbia Valley Tourism and Kootenay Rockies Tourism are inviting residents to share their perspectives on tourism and its role in our communities through a new resident perception of tourism survey. Tourism is the largest economic driver in the Columbia Valley. Visitors support local restaurants, shops, accommodations and recreational businesses, helping sustain the services and experiences that residents and visitors enjoy. Tourism also contributes to community projects through provincial programs and funding investments. In the Columbia Valley, funding investments received by the Village of Radium Hot Springs and the District of Invermere has helped support community initiatives, including skatepark improvements at Mount Nelson Athletic Park, the Radium Hot Springs river pullout and local events throughout the year. As tourism continues to contribute to the regional economy, it is important to understand how residents experience its benefits and impacts. What role does tourism play in your community? How does it affect your quality of life? What should be considered as the region plans for the future? How can tourism continue to be a force for the good of the Columbia Valley? Your perspective can help inform destination management strategies and tourism priorities, ensuring that the experiences of people who live here are part of the conversation. We want to hear from you! Residents of the Columbia Valley are encouraged to take the 10-minute survey and share their thoughts on tourism in the region. Participants can also enter for a chance to win a gift card to a local business of their choice. All survey responses are anonymous. At the end of the survey, participants will be redirected to a separate form where they can provide their contact information for the
prize draw, if they wish. Contact details will not be connected to survey responses. Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective and contribute to a better understanding of tourism in the Columbia Valley.
Take the survey here: h t t p s : // i n d u s t r y.t rave l co l u m b i ava l l ey. c o m / 2 0 2 6 /c o l u m b i a - v a l l e y - r e s i d e n t sentiment-survey/
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Thursday October 15
Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events. 11:00am - Tennis for Everyone - Columbia Valley Mixed Doubles Tennis, Rotary Park Tennis Courts. 1:30pm - Cribbage & Darts at Invermere Seniors Hall. 6:30pm - Fun Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall.
Saturday October 17
10:00 -11:00am - Seniors Fitness Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-ups and indoor walking $2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events. 10:15am - 1:00pm - Tech Time with CBAL at the Invermere Public Library. Contact the library to book your one-on-one 30 or 60 minute appointment for tech help. Appointments available between 10:15am and 1pm. 1:30pm - Floor Curling at the Invermere Seniors Hall. 6:45pm - Texas Hold'em Poker Invermere Legion, $30 buy-in. 7:00 - 9:00pm - Adults Drop-In Improv Theatre - Thursday nights at the Invermere Seniors Hall. It’s pay what you can with a suggested minimum of $10. All levels of interest and experience welcome, including people who have never tried it before.
Friday October 16 11:00am - Tennis for Everyone - Columbia Valley Mixed Doubles Tennis, Rotary Park Tennis Courts. 10:30-11:30am - Storytime at the Invermere Public Library. Join us for stories, songs and a craft. Geared towards preschool age, but all welcome to attend. 12:45-1:45pm - Invermere Public Library Bookmobile will be at Lakeview Manor. 2:00-3:00pm - Invermere Public Library Bookmobile will be Columbia Gardens. 1:00pm - Duplicate Bridge at the Invermere Seniors Hall. 2:00 - 3:00pm - Friday Funday at The Invermere Public Library. Join us for a variety of activities and crafts. Registration required, must register by the day before the program. Drop off for kids aged 7+ (ages 5 & 6 must be accompanied by a guardian). 6:30pm - Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion. Members and guests welcome.
8:00am - 6:00pm - Municipal Election – General Voting Day. General voting day for the District of Invermere Municipal Election takes place at the Columbia Valley Centre. Get out and vote! 10:30 - 11:30 - Story Time - Invermere Public Library. Join us for stories, songs and a craft. Geared towards preschool age, but all welcome to attend. 11:00am - 12:30pm - Lego Club at the Invermere Public Libray.. Drop in for free play with Lego and Duplo. This is not a supervised event. 11:30am - 5:30pm - Halloween Pet Photos outside Chopper's Pet Supplies. Drop by with your costumed furry family member and use the spooky backdrop to take fun Halloween photos of your pet! Small bake sale and hot apple cider for sale by donation. All donations go to GALS Animal Rescue. Thank you for your support! 1:00pm - Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater Pumpkin Racing Classic. 13th St, in front of Ullr Bar. Get ready for one of Invermere’s most entertaining fall traditions! Bring your pumpkin racer, cheer on the racers and see who can send their pumpkin flying down the track. Presented by District of Invermere.
Sunday October 18 2:00pm - Cribbage and Darts Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome. 4:00 - 6:00pm - Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion. Members and guests welcome. 5:00pm - Harvest Dinner at the Edgewater Hall. Roast beef dinner and all the fixings. Provided by the Edgewater Seniors / Edgewater Church Guild. Adults $15.00 Under 12 $5.00
Monday October 19 10:00 -11:00am - Seniors Yoga Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-ups and indoor walking $2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors
914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: (250) 342-9281 Fax: (250) 342-2934
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN AS FOLLOWS:
NOTICE OF ELECTION BY VOTING An election by voting is to be held to elect four Councillors and one School Trustee, and that the following persons are candidates for each office: COUNCILLOR – Four (4) to be elected Surname
Usual Names
Residential Address
Read Topliff Becker Wood Neal Kelly
Sue-Rose Mark Kayja Theresa Ryan Grant
Invermere, BC Invermere, BC Radium Hot Springs, BC Invermere, BC Invermere, BC Invermere, BC
SCHOOL TRUSTEE – One (1) to be elected Surname
Usual Names
Residential Address
Woodman Chapman
Justin Matthew
Invermere, BC Invermere, BC
VOTING DATES AND LOCATIONS GENERAL VOTING DAY will be on: Saturday, October 17, 2026, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm Location: Columbia Valley Centre Address: 646 – 4th Street, Invermere, BC
Tuesday October 20 Youth Zone at the Invermere Public Library. Programming for kids aged 9-14. A variety of art and STEAM activities. Registration is required. 10:00 -11:00am - Seniors Fitness Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-ups and indoor walking $2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events. 2:00-3:00pm - Novel Idea Book Club at the Invermere Public Library. This month we’re reading The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Stop by the library to pick up a copy of the book. All welcome to attend. 6:30 - 8:00pm - Second Winds Community Band Practises every Tuesday at the Catholic Church in Invermere. New members are welcome.
Wednesday October 21 10:00 -11:00am - Seniors Yoga Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-up and indoor walking-$2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events. 11:00am - Tennis for Everyone - Columbia Valley Mixed Doubles Tennis, Rotary Park Tennis Courts. 1:00pm - Duplicate Bridge at the Invermere Seniors Hall. 2:00 -3:00pm - Sewcial Hour - Invermere Public Library. Drop in with your textile projects or join us and have a cup of tea while you socialize with other makers. All welcome! No registration required. 6:00-7:00pm - Write On! Writers Group at the Invermere Public Library. Join us to share work, receive feedback and build confidence as a writer. All welcome to attend. 6:30pm - Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion. Members and guests welcome.
• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting); • be a resident of the District of Invermere on the day of registration (at time of voting); and • not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law. NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS: To register as a non-resident property elector you must: • be 18 years of age or older on general voting day October 17th, 2026; • be a Canadian citizen; • be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting); • be a registered owner of real property in the District of Invermere for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting); • not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and • not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law. In addition, for non-resident property electors: • The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust. • If more than one person is registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector. In addition, in order to register at time of voting: To register, resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity. To register, non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the other property owners. MAIL BALLOT VOTING
ADVANCE VOTING will be held as follows: Wednesday, October 7th, 2026, between 8:00 am to 8:00 pm -andThursday, October 15th, 2026, between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Location: District of Invermere Office Address: 914 – 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC ELECTOR REGISTRATION There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors for this election will take place at the time of voting. In order to register at the time of voting, you will be required complete the application form available at the voting place and to make a declaration that you meet the requirements to be registered as set out below: RESIDENT ELECTORS: To register as a resident elector you must: • be 18 years of age or older on general voting day October 17th, 2026; • be a Canadian citizen;
REQUESTING A MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE: Mail ballot applications are available and can be submitted to the District of Invermere office between September 22nd, 2026, to October 15th, 2026 at 4:00 pm. If you would like to receive a mail ballot and submit it to the office an application must be submitted to the District of Invermere office by October 15th, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Applications are on the District of Invermere website at www.invermere.net, or can be requested by email corporateservices@invermere.net and the municipal office located at 914 – 8th Avenue. To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 17th, 2026 of General Voting Day. Those electors who may require some assistance as a result of physical challenges are invited to contact the Chief Election Officer as soon as possible to facilitate their voting experiences. Kindry Dalke Chief Election Officer
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
SPORTS Young golfer, 15, scores two holes in one Columbia Valley Pioneer staff A 15-year-old golfer from Invermere hopes to be a professional one day and may get there sooner than he thinks after scoring two holes in one during a single round last week. Sawyer Wight just finished his first competitive season of golf, playing in several Maple leaf junior tournaments across western Canada and a few in B.C. Out of the four tournaments he came away with two third-place finishes, one second place, and a first place finish. In addition, he accomplished his goal of making the cut at the U19 BC Junior Championships as well as qualifying for the BC Summer Games. But the highlight came last week at Copper Point Golf Club where he managed to record two holes in one in the same round. How rare is that? Try one in 67 million. “I’m a junior member at Copper Point who plays the ridge several times a week, so I knew where to land for it to have a chance to go in,” Wight told the Pioneer. He used his 50 degree wedge for
both holes, one of them being 120 yards on the 16th hole and 109 yards on the 18th hole. “Hole 16 was my first hole in one and I’ve been tracking one down for the past couple years since playing golf seriously. It was a huge relief to get that and my friend Crosby and I were super excited.” Going into the 18th hole, Wight had no expectations and was shocked when it dropped. “I was super happy and surprised. I ended up with a score of 29 on the back nine.” Wight developed a passion for golf because it got him outside with his friends and he likes to be competitive. “I love playing in tournaments because I like the pressure of competition and playing against other players who are really good. Golf to me feels like second nature and that I’m meant to play the game,” he said. His goal is to attend a Division 1 college for golf and to continue to play in provincial and national tournaments. Scoring two holes in one in a Promising young golfer Sawyer Wight recently scored two holes in one during a single round at Copper single round has only happened Point Golf Club. What are the odds? Try one in 67 million. three times in PGA tour history.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
11
Canal Flats candidates square off By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
Those seeking seats on the next Canal Flats council — either as mayor or as councillors — expounded on the need for change in the village during a candidates forum last week. Each candidate hit on the theme of change early on during the event, and then returned to it time and again. Many emphasized the importance of luring new businesses and new residents, although most of them hedged this somewhat by adding that growth at any cost is not great either, and Canal Flats should preserve its unique, small-town character. The forum was held on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at Canal Flats Civic Centre, and there were plenty of candidates — incumbent Mark Doherty and challenger Maddi Taylor are squaring off for mayor, and seven hopefuls (incumbents Andrew Weitzel and Trish Reed as well as former councillor Anora Kobza and newcomers Denise Trepanier, David Kapsha, Kevin Dixon and Tanner Gresiuk) are vying for four councillor positions. They answered questions on the village’s water situation, on how best to expand business, and what the top priorities in Canal Flats ought to be, among other topics. Right off the bat, with the first answer to the evening’s very first question, Taylor dove into the topic of change. “Without some progress, it (Canal Flats) will no longer be a place that supports long-term residents,” she said. Many villagers are protective of what Canal Flats has and “although I agree, I do see a different perspective,” she continued, adding that 25 years ago, when the sawmill still operated, the village had two schools, two restaurants, a busy bar, a bakery and other stores. Many of those since have closed, and Canal Flats is now down to one school, with just 58 students, she noted. Development could change that, according to Taylor. “We need to focus on big business to start,” she said, adding industrial-scale companies will bring well-paying jobs, which will attract families, and that will spark more smaller-scale businesses, such as a hotel, laundromat, an ice cream place, cafés, and perhaps a smoothies shop. She also vowed to cut costs where possible, even asking “do we
need all the (village) staff that we have? What does that staff do?” Doherty outlined similar sentiments on growth, highlighted his efforts during the past four years as mayor to attract businesses and residents, and underscored how the relationships and connections he’s built during that term will help him and the village if he’s re-elected. “We will be seeing new people, as well as new industries. This is something that’s going to be a big change for us, but we do still control it,” he said, adding that more businesses means more tax dollars to Canal Flats residents will have some decisions to make at the polls on Saturday, Oct. 17. help pay for badly needed infrastrucPHOTO SYD DANIS ture work. He acknowledged there is still “more to be done,” that hard deening of our purchasing procure- ed to past experience as either busicisions lie ahead, and said “we have ment policies around conflict of in- ness owners, volunteers, or as longto look at what’s going to be best for terest regarding staff members.” He time residents with deep knowledge Canal Flats long-term.” noted these re-writes were submit- of the community. When it comes to the village’s ted last week and should go before Gresiuk was able to comwater system — Canal Flats is faccouncil soon. mand attention easily in the forum ing a new water treatment plant Although Weitzel did not name thanks to his naturally booming costing about $5 million as well anyone, this was a clear reference to voice and was the only candidate as upgrades or repairs to its underthe controversy that swirled around who did not use the microphone to ground water infrastructure to the former Canal Flats chief admin- address the audience. “Change is tune of $15 million – almost all the istrative officer Richard Wayken, scary ... but we’re going to have to candidates said they feel village inwho took leave from his position in change with the world and the way frastructure is crucial. Most of them mid-2024 as allegations flew about things are heading,” he said at one also said that Canal Flats taxpayers dealings between the village and point, then later added, however, alone can’t pay for the work (the vilcompanies owned or managed by that this growth must come “in a relage’s small population and lack of Wayken’s son. The allegations have sponsible manner.” big industry means the tax base is never been publicly proven one way Kobza took a similar approach, too small), so a phased approach, or the other, but they played a major cautioning that more business is and securing outside funding (such role in the September 2024 by-elec- needed, but that “growth needs to as grants) is necessary. tion that swept Wietzel onto council. happen at a rate that is realistic and Both incumbent counWeitzel said what he learned in affordable for the people who alcillors (Weitzel and Reed) the lead-up to that by-election “gave ready live here.” running for re-elecme pause” and added “what was Kapsha said “maintaining tion said that what they’ve learned confirmed after I was elected gave what we have” is his top priority, during the past term gives them me pause. That work is not done. but did also say the village does need invaluable experience that will The matter remains ongoing. During more small businesses. be a boon if they are re-elected. this council’s term, it felt like every Trepanier said the village needs Each cited specific pieces of polmeeting was an in-camera meeting. to keep what makes it special, but icy they’d worked on in recent It was too much,” he said, adding “has to be open and ready for change years as concrete examples of in-camera meetings should be rare ... we need to grow our tax base.” She how they’ve worked to improve Carather than routine. said depending too heavily on one nal Flats. The other candidates could type of business can be disastrous, Reed explained how she helped not draw on specific examples of pointing to the closure of the Canal increase local government transparcouncil work they’d done (since Flats sawmill (by far the largest emency by getting Canal Flats council they aren’t incumbent councillors) ployer in the village at the time) as meetings recorded and permanentbut pointed out ways their personal an example of what can go wrong ly placed on the village’s municibackgrounds give them experience when that happens. pal Youtube channel, whereas bethat would help them as councillors. Dixon emphasized transparfore they were only live-streamed, Gresiuk runs the Shuswap Band ency, saying councillors need to do and couldn’t be accessed by viewFirst Nation’s Guardians program, a better job explaining decisions. ers after the fact. She also said she noting this role has taught him a lot “I’m not so sure I feel informed helped change the village’s bid proabout managing local government of what’s going on. I’d like to see a lot cess for contracts so that instead of programs. more information from the council just considering the price tag, “we Trepanier cited her decade to come down to the rest of us,” he now score on things like safety plans, working as Village of Canal Flats said, later elaborating that hopefulprevious work history, and complestaff, giving her first hand knowl- ly this will mean residents are “not tion and cost.” edge of municipal operations, bud- having to dive into the website for Weitzel said, “I’m particularly get, and staffing. eight hours at a time trying to extract proud of my re-writing and strengthDixon, Kapsha and Kobza point- information.”
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
VOTE IN THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION The 2026 Provincial General Election is on Saturday, October 24, 2026. WHO CAN VOTE
WAYS TO VOTE
You can vote in the 2026 Provincial General Election if you are: • a Canadian citizen, • 18 or older on October 24, 2026, and • a resident of British Columbia since April 23, 2026.
VOTER REGISTRATION Register now to save time when you vote. You can register or update your information at elections.bc.ca/register or by calling 1-800-661-8683. You can also register when you go to vote. Remember to bring ID that shows your name and home address when you vote. See elections.bc.ca/id for a list of acceptable ID.
Vote at a district electoral office Voting at district electoral offices is available now during office hours until 4 p.m. (Pacific time) on Final Voting Day. Advance Voting You can vote in advance from Friday, October 16 to Wednesday, October 21. Advance voting places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time).
Vote by mail You can ask for a vote-by-mail package by: • Visiting elections.bc.ca/votebymail • Calling Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 Your vote-by-mail package will be mailed to you. Request a vote-by-mail package as soon as possible to make sure you can receive and return it on time. For information about other voting options, visit elections.bc.ca.
Voters can vote at any advance voting location. Visit wheretovote.elections.bc.ca to find advance voting places and the dates they are open.
WORK IN THE PROVINCIAL ELECTION
Final Voting Day Final Voting Day is Saturday, October 24. Voting places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time). Voters have an assigned voting location on Final Voting Day.
Election jobs are available across the province. Visit elections.bc.ca/jobs for more information.
WHERE AND WHEN TO VOTE Voting Places for Columbia River-Revelstoke Open Dates
Advance Voting Places (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time on the dates listed)
Fri, Oct 16
Sat, Oct 17
Sun, Oct 18
Mon, Oct 19
Tue, Oct 20
Wed, Oct 21
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Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, 651 93 And 95 Hwy, Athalmer, BC Former Golden Home Hardware Building, 909 11th Ave S, Golden, BC Invermere Fire Rescue Training Centre, 626 4th St, Invermere, BC Kimberley Centennial Hall, 100 4th Ave, Kimberley, BC Revelstoke Comm Centre, 600 Campbell Ave, Revelstoke, BC
Final Voting Places (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday, October 24, 2026) Bootleg Gap Golf Course Club House, 400 315th Ave, Kimberley, BC Brisco Comm Hall, 2808 95 Hwy, Brisco, BC
Fairmont & District Lions Club, 5003 Hot Springs Rd, Fairmont Hot Springs, BC Field Comm Centre, 315 Stephen Ave, Field, BC
Canal Flats Civic Centre, 8911 Dunn St, Canal Flats, BC Columbia Lake Rec Centre, 3050 93 And 95 Hwy, Windermere, BC Columbia Park Elem, 120 Colbeck Rd, Revelstoke, BC Edgewater Legion Hall, 4858 Cordillera Ave, Edgewater, BC
Former Golden Home Hardware Building, 909 11th Ave S, Golden, BC J.A. Laird Elem School, 1202 13th Ave, Invermere, BC Kimberley Conf Centre, 301 North Star Blvd, Kimberley, BC
District Electoral Office Columbia River-Revelstoke 712 12th Ave Invermere, BC (250) 805-6711
Nicholson Fire Hall, 801 95 Hwy, Nicholson, BC Parson Comm Hall, 3589 95 Hwy, Parson, BC Trout Lake Adventures Building, 5960 31 Hwy, Trout Lake, BC Village of Radium Hot Springs Office, 4836 Radium Blvd, Radium Hot Springs, BC Wasa Comm Church, 6734 93 And 95 Hwy, Wasa, BC
Hours of Operation (local time) Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance voting days 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Candidates for Columbia River-Revelstoke Candidate’s Name
Affiliation
Andrea Dunlop
BC NDP
Scott McInnis
Conservative Party
Rana Nelson
BC Green Party
For candidate financial agent and official agent information, visit elections.bc.ca/candidates.
@ElectionsBC
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
13
Invermere councillors address issues By Steve Hubrecht
steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Housing, curbside garbage and compost collection, and the future of Invermere were among the topics touched on during the Invermere candidates forum last week. Incumbent mayor Al Miller will be acclaimed back to the role, but six people are vying for the four councillor seats available in the October 17 municipal election. Five of those candidates (incumbents Kayja Becker, Grant Kelly and Theresa Wood and challengers Ryan Neal and Mark Topliff ) fielded questions during the forum on Friday, Oct. 9. Newcomer candidate Sue-Rose Read was absent. Nearly 70 people turned out for the forum at the Lions Hall and Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce office at the Highway 93/95 crossroads, despite the event falling on the Friday evening just before the Thanksgiving long weekend. Other candidate forums during the municipal election campaign have drawn audiences made up mostly of seniors or those in late middle age. The Invermere forum, by contrast drew quite a mix of different age groups, with a healthy number of young adults and at least one person clearly too young to vote. The incumbent councillors repeatedly underscored the benefits their previous experience would bring to a new term. The new candidates also underscored their own forms of experience, even if not as an elected official, with Topliff pointing
out that although he’s not a councillor, he served as Invermere’s bylaw officer for 15 years. “I know the town, I know where the trouble spots are,” said Topliff. In a similar vein, Neal pointed out that despite not being a councillor, he has attended about 80 per cent of Invermere council meetings over the past two years, and in so doing has gained insight into how local government works and the issues affecting Invermere. On the topic of long-term housing, and what role the district should play in the issue, almost all the candidates at the forum sounded a similar note, saying letting private developers take the lead (such as what happened with the Pinetree Valley development) is the best course of action, and suggesting being careful not to ‘over regulate’ builders with too much red tape is important. Kelly cited a need for more flexible zoning, allowing tiny homes, carriage homes and other multi-generational housing. Topliff touched on short-term rentals, saying “I want the owner of a (short-term rental) to live in the area ... (we need) strong rules about the ownership.” When it came to curbside garbage and compost collection, candidates expressed mixed opinions. Wood noted the green bin compost program is not only good environmentally, but also saves millions of dollars in the long term by extending the life of the local landfill. Becker suggested better communication and education about what goes in which bin and when the bins are collected could
help. Kelly indicated he’s on the fence about composting and willing to look at it again. Neal also felt the whole program may need to be reevaluated. Topliff was more blunt, saying of the green bins, “I don’t like the system.” On the future of Invermere, Becker said councillors must do what’s best in the long term, even if that means ruffling feathers in the present. She pointed to the purchase of the Lake Windermere Resort (LWR) lands and the water and sewer upgrades on 13th Avenue as past decisions that caused significant grumbling but will pay off big time in the future, and said similar moves are needed to figure out what to do with the old community hall site, and to update Invermere’s Official Community Plan (OCP). Neal said the Fort Point bridge needs to be replaced soon, and that cell reception needs to be improved. Wood emphasized a focus on creating a healthy community, possibly even trying to turn Invermere into a ‘Blue Zone’, and getting e-bikes off sidewalks and onto roads “sooner rather than later.” Topliff said “we have to look after our lake ... if this turns into a frog pond, we won’t have anything.” Kelly also pointed to a need to carefully manage the lake and other recreation assets. When candidates were asked what sets them apart, Kelly underscored his varied background as a volunteer and small business owner, and his cautious approach to make
sure that Invermere does “not overgrow too quickly.” Becker pointed to her outgoing, social nature and how she frequently goes to check out issues firsthand. “I’m not afraid to network. I’m not afraid to be loud ... I’m coming here with some energy,” she said. Wood outlined her curious personality, saying “I love to learn” and noted she had recently completed a degree in economic development, and continues to take courses in the subject. Neal, who is 22 years old, pointed to his youth and said he can bring “fresh perspectives.” Topliff spoke about his role as manager at Lakeview Manor, and how helping the residents there instills in him a desire to help the community as a whole. Forum attendees the Pioneer spoke with had generally positive feedback about the evening, with most saying it was informative and helped them decide how they would vote. Grade 7 student Lauren Weatherhead, at the forum with her parents, conceded that some parts of the event “were kind of boring,” then hastened to add “but it was still better than staying at home with my brother instead.” Although not able to attend the forum, Read later posted her answers to the questions online. Visit 'Councillor Sue-Rose Read' on Facebook to see them. The election is this Saturday.
Canal Flats adopts surveillance policy By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
The Village of Canal Flats recently adopted a video surveillance system policy. Councillors approved the policy during their Monday, Sept. 28 meeting. But the village does not have any cameras up anywhere yet, and won’t for at least several months to come. That’s because adopting the policy is just an initial step in a much longer process, which once complete could see the village setting up a video monitoring system in public areas, such as beaches and parks. The next step is figuring out
where to install the cameras, how to spend on such a system, and when it will likely be discussed when the village goes through its budget process for the coming year. The prompt for the policy is twofold: vandals have hit the pavilion and the outdoor washrooms at the Canal Flats Lions Park (near the arena), and thieves have stolen gas from the village’s salt and sand shed near the Columbia Discovery Centre. At the same time some local residents have asked for a live camera at the Tilley Memorial Park beach so they can check to see how busy the parking lot is before they pack up their boats and beach gear before heading over.
The policy specifically outlines that cameras and other surveillance equipment can only be installed in public locations, and only then if it is “determined to be necessary for the safety, protection or security of people, assets, property or for law enforcement purposes.” Several potential locations are listed for camera placement, including the Lions Park gazebo, the Lions Park outdoor washrooms, the salt and sand shed by the Columbia Discovery Centre, the Canal Flats village office and council chambers, the Canal Flats civic centre and seniors centre, and other village parks, facilities and open spaces. But these spots are merely sug-
gestions, Canal Flats corporate officer Sylvie Hoobanoff outlined. The exact locations “haven’t actually been decided,” she told the Pioneer, explaining those decisions could come when and if Canal Flats council approves a camera surveillance system during its budget talks. At the September 28 meeting, councillor Andrew Weitzel asked if a privacy impact assessment had been done yet. Canal Flats chief administrative officer Cynthia White replied one is only required once a surveillance system is installed that has software that can hold data. “This is just a first move in even being able to move on to that step,” she said.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
Village of Radium Hot Springs
VALLEY
What compelled you to run and why should people vote for you?
VOTES
Mayor (incumbent)
Mayor
Councillor
Councillor
Councillor
Councillor
Mike Gray
Cris Leonard
Erin Palashniuk
Dale Shudra
Jessie Blakley
Jessica Hill
Experience matters in this job. I’ve served on council since 2017 and as mayor for four years, and that experience has taught me a great deal about what good local leadership requires. Leadership isn’t having the loudest opinion in the room. It’s listening carefully, understanding why reasonable people disagree, knowing when to reconsider your own position, and then being prepared to make a decision and be accountable for it. I’ve also built relationships throughout the region and with other levels of government that help me advocate effectively for Radium. I genuinely enjoy the work and consider it a privilege to do it, but experience has also made me better at it.
Radium is my home, and I want it to remain a welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors. I am running because people deserve leadership that listens before deciding. The recent OCP process left many residents feeling unheard. Council needs to rebuild trust through genuine consultation and transparency. I bring decades of management, business and community leadership experience. Currently, I am president of the Radium Rotary Club and a past president of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. I will do the research, ask difficult questions, explain my decisions and be accountable for them. More information is at crisforradium.ca.
Over the past four years as your councillor, I have been proud to serve Radium and support the strong work of our council. Yet good government must keep improving. Long-term success requires modern, accountable governance that puts taxpayers at the centre of every decision and draws on residents’ knowledge. If re-elected, I will promote a collaborative, advisory approach that gives community members a direct role in shaping local policy. I will remain an authentic, accessible voice, bring big-picture thinking to council, work constructively with colleagues, and always put our community first. I would be honoured to serve another four years.
I decided to run again because it is rewarding to serve your community and contribute to its longterm success. I am invested in the community and the community has invested in me. Why vote for Dale? I have positively impacted the community through 20 years of volunteering. As a Rotarian, I led the community garden and splash park projects. As a two-term councillor, my business and legal skills have contributed to the decision-making process of two well-functioning councils. Beneficial relationships have been developed. I am willing to continue addressing the issues that matter most to Radium residents.
I was born in Invermere and raised in Radium. I love our little village and want to help protect it from overdevelopment, the way Banff, Lake Louise, and Canmore have been. Long-term residents live here because it's small, quiet, and community-oriented, and we need to balance tourism with what residents and local businesses need. I'm not a politician, just a local with deep family roots and a passion for Radium Hot Springs. My grandparents, John and Jessie Blakley, moved here in the early 1900s and left a legacy I'm proud of. I want to leave one for my grandchildren too.
I moved to Radium 11 years ago, and I still remember how fast this place felt like home; people waving from across the street, neighbours who actually show up for each other. Running Wired by Nature here, I get to have that same conversation with half the village on any given week, and it's taught me a lot about what people actually worry about, versus what gets debated at the podium. There are four council seats open this year, and I'd be honoured to be one of your four . . . someone who'll grow this village thoughtfully without losing what makes it Radium, and who'll always tell you straight where I stand.
Councillor
Councillor Christi Ferguson-Huston
Carey Collin
I believe I have something to offer - I have a passion for our community and its future. I have experience from the last four years to be able to bring to the table and that offers continuity. As you may well know, decisions do not always happen quickly, and this means that we have some things to finalize and complete. The current council works incredibly well as a team and I am hoping to be able to continue to enjoy that synergy. There are exciting opportunities on the horizon for the valley and specifically the village that I would love to be a part of.
I make a positive impact serving our village. I represent our village in the best light, always. I am a builder, not a divider. I am an optimist. I am curious about alternatives. When two options are presented, I imagine a third. I am tough on issues but treat people with civility. I enjoy municipal governance. Like many of us, I do my best work when I like the work. In four years, I have made connections across the province and will continue leaning into those relationships to help inform home-grown decisions. The same three qualities that my wife likes about me will continue to serve Radium well: I am boring, predictable, and cheap (I say “frugal”). My promise to the people of Radium is that I will continue to work hard for them.
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
District of Invermere
VALLEY
What compelled you to run and why should people vote for you?
VOTES
Councillor
15
Councillor
Councillor
Councillor
Councillor
Councillor
Grant Kelly
Theresa Wood
Mark Topliff
Kayja Becker
Ryan Neal
Sue-Rose Read
I decided to seek another term on council many months ago. Having been on council for almost a full term gave me a better insight into what can be achieved. I feel that moving forward the experience of the last few years will be very helpful as the District of Invermere grows. There will be important decisions to be made as we go through this next term. Having lived here for 26 years and seen the growth I feel we need to be careful so that we maintain a good balance of safe and active friendly neighbourhoods with a growing business sector. I feel my experience in small business and having lived previously in larger cities and diverse culture areas bring a unique perspective to the issues we are facing.
This is an important time for Invermere. We are an incredible town experiencing population growth, development potential, and everything good that comes with it. We are also experiencing increased pressures. These include demands on infrastructure, increased downloading from the province, mounting regulations, and inflation. More than just pipes in the ground, we also want robust social infrastructure like events, thriving non-profits, and a place where everyone is an active member of our community. We need to accomplish all this while not exceeding the capacity of the environment. If we can do this, we will have the type of community our families can live in for generations.
I want to seek a seat on council to let my voice be heard .
Honestly, I don’t feel like I’m done yet. I’ve served two terms, and have been involved in many projects that are still ongoing. I try to offer a balanced perspective — my family has lived here for generations and I appreciate the small town and its history, but I also have a young family and want to ensure Invermere is set up for success in the future. And I care about doing all of this in an environmentally-conscious way. I hope you’ll consider re-electing me so I can continue to serve Invermere.
I was born here, grew up in the Columbia Valley, and I have seen our community change a lot. Having so many friends, neighbours, and community relationships I felt a responsibility to step forward as a candidate for council. Over the past two years I have attended about 80 per cent of our council meetings to ensure I would be up to speed on decisions, and current directions for our community. I want to bring a fresh perspective to the council, including supporting local business, common sense planning, and fiscal responsibility.
I’m running because Invermere has become a tapestry of cultures and experiences, and I want our council to reflect the people who call it home. As a first-generation Canadian, I know how much it matters to see yourself reflected in your community. I’m active here at many levels, and I’ve seen what brings us together and where we need to do better. I’m asking for your vote because we need change. We need inclusion, not just in words, but in who gets heard. We need to expand our comfort zone as a community—if it isn’t being challenged, it’s shrinking.
School Trustee
School Trustee Justin Woodman
Dave Dunlop
When my good friend Ryan Stimming decided to step down, I saw an opportunity to serve our community and help ensure every student feels welcomed, valued and supported. My priority is creating an inclusive learning environment where students of all backgrounds have the opportunity to grow and succeed. That means listening to families and working with fellow trustees to ensure district policies, priorities and budgets support student success. I want every child to feel they belong in our schools and have access to the support and opportunities they need to develop their strengths, build confidence and reach their full potential.
I am running for school trustee to support strong public education and ensure every student has a safe, fair, and high-quality learning environment. The most important issue to focus on is fiscal accountability through rigorous budget oversight and transparent financial management. Trustees must ensure school board resources are efficiantly allocated, waste is eliminated, and funding is directly aligned with core academic priorities.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
VALLEY
Village of Canal Flats
VOTES
Mayor (incumbent)
What compelled you to run and why should people vote for you?
Mayor
Councillor
Councillor
Councillor
Mark Doherty
Maddi Taylor
Anora Kobza
Andrew Weitzel
Denise Trepanier
David Kapsha
I’m seeking re-election because there are some projects I would like to see through to completion. I feel with consistency in leadership this would help with a positive direction to help move forward. I believe people know my intentions are to help Canal Flats. I have no personal agenda and only want what’s best for Canal Flats and the residents. As mayor and council we have accomplished a lot in the past four years and look forward to serving the community with pride in the next four years.
Canal Flats needs to draw new people, new business, and new ideas to our beautiful town. And in order to do that we need to have the right representation seeking out these individuals. I believe that I can represent our town and attract businesses and help work with investors on growing our town in the right direction. I think people should vote for me because I love Canal Flats and I work hard for the things I love. I am passionate about everything I set my mind to and I think a younger, fresher perspective is just what is needed at this time for Canal Flats.
I decided to run again because I care about Canal Flats and believe I still have something to offer our community. I previously served on council and made the difficult decision to resign. At the time, I had raised concerns that I believed were very serious and could not simply be overlooked. I made every effort to have those concerns addressed and explored the avenues available to me. When those efforts did not lead to a resolution, I felt resigning was the last option I had. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, but I felt I had to stand by what I believed was right. I’m coming back with a better understanding of the role. I’m not afraid to ask questions, and I will do my homework before making decisions that affect our community.
I am seeking another term because I believe I have the skills, experience and expertise to tackle many of the challenges facing our village. The knowledge gained throughout my term will assist new councilmembers make informed decisions and provide much-needed continuity. I like to think I promote good governance by taking a financial approach that is both pragmatic and community driven. I love where I live. I listen to our citizens. I ask questions. I help drive the agenda.
I love living in Canal Flats, and I love the people who make this community home. After living here for more than 46 years, I want to serve my community and give back to the village that has given me so much. I have been, and continue to be, involved in many committees and organizations because I believe being involved is important if we want our community to succeed. I have the time, energy and commitment to give this role my best. I encourage residents to vote for people they believe are trustworthy, have strong character and genuinely care about the future of Canal Flats. I believe I bring those qualities and would be honoured to represent you on village council.
I see running for council as an opportunity to give something back to Canal Flats which Tiffany and I have chosen as our retirement home. We both feel welcome in this great community. We enjoy the quiet lifestyle, fresh air, clean water and easy access to all amenities. My goal is to keep the interest of the residents my priority.
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Village of Canal Flats What compelled you to run and why should people vote for you?
Councillor
Trish Reed
Councillor
Councillor
RDEK Area F What compelled you to run and why should people vote for you?
Director (incumbent) Director
Kevin Dixon
Tanner Gresiuk
Susan Clovechok
Quentin Randall
I am running because I believe Canal Flats needs practical, evidence-based decisionmaking and clearer communication with residents. My experience operating a local technology and service business has taught me to investigate problems carefully, manage costs and turn complicated information into workable solutions. I will ask difficult questions, verify claims before relying on them and support growth that provides measurable benefits without sacrificing affordability, essential services or the character of our community. Residents deserve accessible representation, transparent decisions and a council focused on results—not assumptions.
As a son of Canal Flats, it is my personal feeling that I have a responsibility to it, for all that it has provided to me in my life, to sustain its natural beauty, backcountry access, and its lands, waters, plants and animals. I want community members to be able to enjoy this now and for the next generation to come.
Trusted. Proven. Delivering. That is the record I ask you to judge. I have been your director since 2018 and have lived in Area F for nearly 20 years. I bring money home: the $13.6 million Cold Spring Creek project was 98.5 per cent grant-funded. I stand with neighbours, from short-term rental density to water utility issues and public safety infrastructure. When you need help with a permit or property file, I am there with you. This is a pivotal time for Area F, and I have the relationships and experience to keep delivering. I would be honoured to have your vote.
I am running because I believe people should have a meaningful opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their communities. That means having a voice in major land-use decisions such as Heritage Heights, being able to present concerns to the RDEK board, and following board decisions even if you cannot watch a meeting live. The Area F director should help residents, businesses and community organizations understand the issues, participate in decisions and stay informed about the work of the RDEK. I will be accessible, communicate early about issues, make sure people know when and how they can have input, and report back on decisions and my work on their behalf.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
Douglas fir and carver both reborn By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
Over the course of several days last week, a great blue heron appeared on the lawn of Cindy Munn and Paul Holscher’s Invermere home. The heron was flanked by a loon, a crappie, a robin and a trout. The quintet will remain there for quite some time to come, because, well, they’re wood. They’re part of what was until recently a large Douglas fir stump, now carved into a dynamic piece of public art. The transformation was as eye-catching as it was quick, and neighbours and passersby strolling through the Wilder subdivision couldn’t but help stop and oogle as chainsaw-wielding woodcarver Tyler Welfing turned tree into sculpture. Munn and Holscher bought their house five years ago, and almost immediately noticed a big split in the trunk of a soaring, 75-foot high Douglas fir right next to their back deck. The tree was majestic, but the split meant there was a real risk it could fall, possibly on their roof. The tree had to come down, they realized, but if they saved a portion of it, and then turned that into art, they could “reframe the removal of the tree from being a loss to being a transformation,” explained Munn. An arborist took down the majority of the fir in 2023, leaving a
thick trunk, about 10 feet high. The couple searched for someone to carve it, and earlier this summer found the Vernon-based Welfing. They worked with him to collectively create a rough outline. Holscher and Munn often kayak in the Columbia River wetlands, and love the wildlife there. Munn is particularly fond of great blue herons. So the design began with a large heron at the top, and then the couple gave Welfing creative license from there. He added the other four animals — all iconic Canadian wetland species — under the heron, working with the fir’s natural properties to give the whole piece a dynamic, almost-swirling appearance. “It has movement. It’s definitely not static,” said Munn. Welfing often paints his sculpture, but the wood in this particular tree was just too nice (“the grain is gorgeous,” he enthused) and he opted to complete the sculpture by simply painting in a few black, fauxburn lines to emphasize the outline of creatures, and then giving it a finish. Holscher and Munn’s home is in a part of Invermere that gets plenty of foot traffic, so it was important the carving has focal parts from every angle – from the couple’s back deck, from their front door, and from the street to the east and north of their house. Continued on page 19
Chainsaw artist Tyler Welfing puts many hours into his craft. PHOTOS STEVE HUBRECHT
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
19
Chainsaw artist turns trees into art Continued from page 18 “Sure, it’s at our house, but we didn’t want this to just be ‘our’ art. We wanted it instead to be a part of the community,” said Munn, adding feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. “People seem excited. A lot of them watched as it went up.” Welfing started his company — CarveWel Creations — five years ago. He was working as a cabinet maker, and volunteered to help set up an ice carving event at Vernon’s winter carnival. Welfing was amazed at what he saw. He talked with the ice carvers, who told him their main gig was as chainsaw woodcarvers in the warmer months. Inspired, he bought a saw and started to carve, teaching himself. As a former cabinet maker “I understood how wood worked in a basic sense. But I still had to re-learn a lot. I went from ‘straight lines, straight lines, straight lines’ to all of a sudden trying to figure out how much ‘flow’ I could get in a piece,” said Welfing. He entered an amateur competition in Hope and came in second. “I looked around and thought — everyone else here does this as a living. Why can’t I?” he recalled. Welfing quit his job and has been a professional carver ever since. It’s busy – he spends a lot of time on the road, especially in summer, attending various markets and woodcarving events (he went to 27 alone in his first year as a pro, and put 60,000 kilometres on his truck this summer) and creating on-site commission sculptures all over the continent. This keeps him away from his family for days or even weeks at a time. But the work is more than just work to him. “You know the saying ‘If you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life’? Well that’s not entirely true,” said Welfing with a chuckle. “I do work at this. Way harder than I ever have at anything else. But I do love every minute of it.” He now owns 32 different saws, two special trailers, and more than $50,000 of woodcarving equipment. Welfing starts an on-site sculpture by stripping the trunk of bark and cambium, leaving a blank arboreal canvas. He checks for flaws such as knots, pockets of rot, and insect damage, and then determines a way to design around these issues. “Then I let the creative juices
flow,” he told the Pioneer. “I do very little drawing or sketching on the pieces beforehand, just a few spray painted lines. For the rest, I close my eyes, see where I want to be when I finish, and then I go about getting there.” If it was up to Welfing, he’d work exclusively with cedar (which is soft and rarely develops cracks later on). And living in British Columbia means he gets to sculpt a lot of cedar (“carvers from other parts of the world are really jealous of us in B.C. because of that,” he said). But he also works with Douglas fir, spruce, pine and sequoia. For Welfing, part of the appeal of carving is “bring new life to what otherwise would have been dead or thrown away.” That applies to the tree trunks he makes into sculptures, but also to how he only uses wood salvaged from a home builder to make his smaller pieces. Welfing is big on transformation, not just professionally, but also personally. The weekend before he began on Holscher and Munn’s trunk, he came in third place at the Western Canadian Chainsaw Carving Championships. But a decade ago, he was homeless and a drug addict. He’s been sober eight years, has a loving wife and family, and has turned his passion into a career. Carving is similar to recovering from addiction, noted Welfing – in both cases, you need to peel back the rough outer layers to unveil what’s inside, hidden from view, yet just waiting to come out “It’s pretty cool to be where I am now, coming from where I came from” he said. Welfing strives to “not just cut and paste animals” onto a log, but to infuse both motion and emotion into a trunk. The carving at Munn and Holscher’s house is a perfect example. It took shape over the course of three days in late September and early October, with Welfing working from dawn to dusk most of the time. It’s a “nice, solid tree” that’s now “fun and flowy .... and it will last a lifetime or more,” he explained. With the work done, Munn is delighted the old big stump has new purpose, saying the scuplture “transformed what could have been a reminder of a lost tree into a lasting work of art. It preserved a piece of the tree’s history ... and created a unique feature that adds character and meaning to the area.”
The finished piece, and indeed a work of art. PHOTO STEVE HUBRECHT
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
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Firefighters Respond to Structure Fire Horizontal option
Thirteen firefighters from the Windermere Fire Department were on scene along with an additional Windermere Fire Department These versions of the logo sixtofirefighters from the Invermere responded to a structure fire in a are be preferred. subdivision area north of the Cross- Fire Department, BC Ambulance and RCMP. While the fire was supTwo-colour reproduction: roads on October 12. official blue and yellow. pressed, the cause and origin re“The fire was within the basemain under investigation. ment of the residence, and the fire- If reproducing the official colours is not possible, use a one-colour version. fighters were able to keep it confined to a small area,” said Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Dobbin.
Submitted
These one-colour versions of the logo can be used as alternatives to the two-colour versions. The blue version is to be preferred for one-colour reproductions. If reproducing the official blue is not possible, use the black version.
6
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
21
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
PIONEER
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
CLASSIFIEDS 250-341-6299
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHEERS
Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-878-2448 or 250-342-8392
Cheers and best wishes to Buzz Harmsworth on the occasion of his 94th birthday!! Friends are encouraged to drop by Columbia House to have a visit. He would love to tell a few stories and share some memories.
GE! NEW BROKERA NEW TEAM!
HELP WANTED GERRY TAFT 250.341.1202 ROBIN SHMIGELSKY 250.342.1548
ATTENTION
ASPIRING MUSICIANS from Parson to Canal Flats
Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 7 pm. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End624 4th St. Invermere. Please call 250-342-2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship.
Applications are open for the Carol Wilkie Memorial Steamboat Mountain Music Bursary Musicians of all levels and any age may apply. Funds may be used for: workshops, music camps, lessons, master classes, college, or university music programs. Deadline: November 15 Download application: www.steamboatmtnmusicfest.ca
The Edgewater Recreation Society requires a part time Custodial and Maintenance Worker. For job description and to apply contact: edgerecsociety@gmail.com
SERVICES K. B. Creations Handyman services, Renovations, Masonry, Plumbing, Drywall & Painting. Please call Kevin 250-688-2897
250-341-6299 admin@columbiavalleypioneer.com HELP WANTED
Office Administration and Sales & Service Local established fast paced business in Invermere is looking for a full-time detail-oriented self-starter, extremely flexible, up-beat professional to provide administration support and customer service/sales to start as soon as possible. • Ideally, you have a few years behind your belt working in a fast-paced environment, performing standard and a variety of administrative tasks. • Good knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook & Internet. • Simply Accounting and QuickBooks experience is a bonus. • Your strong time-management skills will allow you to multi-task in our fast paced and ever-changing environment. • The ability to see what needs to be done and go for it. • If you are an honest, dependable, professional individual who likes a challenge, you will be the perfect fit. • Ability to prioritize daily, week and monthly tasks. • Comfortable working independently when needed but being part of a team. • Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including strong spelling, grammar and punctuation. • Commission on hot tub sales. • Be able to troubleshoot and resolve day to day office issues. • Your outstanding customer service skills are essential for communicating with our clients – via the phone, email and in person. How to Contact: Please email resume to info@diamondheatingandspas.com or drop off at 385 Laurier Street, Invermere
SUITE FOR RENT
Bachelor Suite - Available Nov 1st, Invermere. Can Cheers to Mayor Mike for be furnished, parking and Horsethief Pub’s annual utilities included. Quiet, donation of October’s Hot NS wanted. $1000/ month Phone 250-341-7427 Lunch for the students of Edgewater Elementary! Our FORGOTTEN CONDO FOR RENT students favourite lunch of WINDERMERE the year! Cheers for your 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom ful“Our best selling support and kindness. ly furnished with 2 underbook of the summer” EES PAC ground parking stalls at the -Grant Hofer, owner A bundle of CHEERS to my Pinewood in Radium. Fully Four Point Books, Invermere special friend, Steve Kuf- secured. $1725 month. 120 pages of historic phofler, for the unconditional Cable and internet not intos documenting the early love and support you are cluded. Available Sept 1. history of the Windermere giving to a senior citizen. 403-999-2783 Valley, from Brisco to Canal No request for help is too Flats including Invermere, much and all your kindRadium and Fairmont. ness is very much appreciAVAILABLE AT: ated. We have known each • Four Points Books other for a very long time • Lambert-Kipp Pharmacy and each year that passes, • Pharmasave makes me realize just • Windermere Museum how much your friendship The second annual Invermere sectional bridge tournament took place October 2-4 at the Columbia • Crossroad Market/Esso means to me. Valley Centre in Invermere. The multi-day regional event brought dozens of bridge tables and players • Radium Hot Springs from surrounding areas like the East Kootenay, Calgary, Canmore, and Banff to the Columbia Valley. Visitor Centre WHILE QUANTITIES LAST PHOTO SUBMITTED
CHEERS
OCTOBER 15, 2026
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Nelson runs for Greens By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioner.com Revelstoke resident Rana Nelson will run as the BC Green Party candidate in Columbia RiverRevelstoke. Nelson – like fellow candidates (Conservative) Scott McInnis and (NDP) Andrea Dunlop — will already be a familiar face to some voters because she’s campaigning for the second time. But in Nelson’s case it’s a switch from federal politics to provincial, as she first ran as the Green Party candidate for the Kootenay-Columbia riding in the 2021 election. The switch in scope doesn’t daunt Nelson, who pointed out that Columbia River-Revelstoke and Kootenay-Columbia are both massive in size and encompass many (although not all) of the same communities. Nelson grew up in Saskatoon and has lived all over western Canada and eastern Canada, including stints in Ottawa, Toronto, the Yukon, remote Telegraph Creek in northwestern British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, and —for the past 13 years — in Revelstoke. Her husband was in the RCMP, so moving was common, until they decided to settle in Revelstoke and raise their three kids (one has graduated university, another attends university, and the third is in high school) surrounded by an outdoor lifestyle. Along the way, Nelson worked various private and public sectors jobs, including editing and writing roles, and for WorkBC. But a few years ago, with her kids mostly grown and her husband retired from police work, she began a new full-time career, and now works as a high school teacher in Revelstoke, teaching classes in law, civics and French. “I love teaching, especially high school. You really have a chance to get deeply into topics with students, and extend them,” Nelson told the Pioneer. Her job keeps her very busy, but she decid-
ed to squeeze being a Green Party candidate into what little free time remains for three reasons: the party’s 2024 Columbia River-Revelstoke candidate Calvin Beauchesne called and asked her to (he couldn’t because he’s vying for a councillor seat in Golden in the municipal election); she’d vowed to her family that she’d put to use what she learned on the 2021 campaign trail by running for office again one day; and she teaches her students to be civically involved, and so feels obliged to be engaged herself. “I have to put my money where my mouth is. If I’m going to talk the talk, I’d better walk the walk,” she said. Given her passion for teaching, Nelson is not surprised at all that all three Columbia River-Revelstoke candidates have teaching backgrounds (Dunlop has taught in Invermere for 30 years, and McInnis was a teacher in Kimberley before becoming MLA). “Teachers strive to make a difference in the world,” said Nelson. “Most people get into the profession because they want to help out. It’s the same with politics.” Nelson feels this year’s snap provincial election, called by B.C. Premier David Eby just two years after the last one, is opportunistic and unnecessary. “What a waste of $100 million dollars. I can think of a lot of other ways that money could be put to better use in our communities,” she said. But she noted she will use the opportunity to raise the profile of Greens in the riding as much as she can. Some of the biggest issues she will focus on in her campaign include housing, balancing the needs of the riding’s resource industries with climate change, electoral reform, and what she termed ‘tarrifism’ (which she says means using tariffs as a form of economic terrorism). When not campaigning, teaching or spending time with her family, you’ll find Nelson with a book (she’s a voracious bibliophile), out skiing (both alpine and nordic), off hiking, or participating in musical theatre and improv.
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Columbia Valley
Churches LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH While you are with us, you are always welcome to join us.
Sunday at 10:30 am 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 | www.lwac.ca
WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY (Anglican - United) Sunday services: 10:30am In-person or online (for the zoom link go to wvsm.ca) Minister: Brent Woodard 110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere 250-342-6644
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Pastor: Justin Furse Sunday 10 a.m. Worship Service 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 | www.vcachurch.net
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats: Saturday, 4 pm Canadian Martyrs’, Invermere: Sat 5 pm, Sun 9 am St. Joseph’s, Radium: Sunday 11 am Father Francis Dela Cruz | 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167 canadianmartyrs.ca
RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater | 250-342-6633 #4, 7553 Main St. Radium | 250-347-9937
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 11 a.m. Sunday School, 10 a.m. President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-439-9041
CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo) Worship Service: Sunday 9 a.m., Thursday 7:45 p.m. Chamber of Commerce (Lions Hall) For inquiries: 250-688-1643 250-270-2208 or 250-688-0629 For more info about the church, you can Google online at incmedia.org or pasugo.com.ph
JESUS IS LORD CHURCH, INVERMERE Sunday Service: 10:00am 1310 7th Ave Invermere (Invermere Inn Hotel) Pastor: Barkley Bayani 250-341-5160
BC Green Party Columbia River-Revelstoke candidate Rana Nelson. PHOTO SUBMITTED
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OCTOBER 15, 2026
Hear it before you see it. Hearing loss can be un-bear-able! We can help you start your hearing journey today!
The Hearing Loss Clinic has become an integral part of my family’s healthcare team. As an athlete and coming into the medical field myself, I can appreciate how each aspect of our health contributes to the bigger picture. Hearing health is an important part of how we interact with the world, which correlates to so many other parts of our humanity. It’s all connected. The Hearing Loss Clinic team really understands this and it shows in their passion for what they do and how they treat their patients, from the moment
2024 - Chamber of Commerce Age Friendly Business Excellence Award Winner
2023 - Chamber of Commerce
Customer Service Excellence Award Winner
2022 - Chamber of Commerce
someone walks in the door to the final testing
Professional Services Excellence Award Winner
and fitting.
Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist Hockey Canada
BOOK YOUR HEARING EXPERIENCE NOW! CRANBROOK
CRESTON
FERNIE
GOLDEN
INVERMERE
250-489-2551
250-428-2663
250-430-9389
250-344-2228
250-342-2551
AWARD WINNING SERVICES. AWARD WINNING PRODUCTS. AWARD WINNING TEAM.