The Peak - April 23, 2026 by The Peak

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A new hearing clinic in the qathet region is aiming to change how residents access hearing care, with a focus on local ownership, personalized service and early intervention.

Powell River Hearing Clinic, operated by Hear Right Canada, opened in mid-November and is co-owned by registered hearing instrument practitioner Steve Wolstenholme. The clinic was created in response to growing corporatization in the hearing care industry, in which manufacturers are increasingly buying clinics and limiting product options.

“What’s happening is corporate concentration,” explains Wolstenholme, noting that larger chains often carry only specific brands tied to their ownership.

As an independent provider, he says the clinic can offer a broader range of hearing aids and tailor recommendations to individual patients.

“We have access to all the products out there,” he adds. “If somebody comes in and asks for a specific model, we can help them.”

Wolstenholme also emphasizes the importance of being locally owned in a smaller community, adding that the business reinvests in the region by supporting local events and seniors programs. While the clinic primarily serves people aged 65 and older, Wolstenholme says hearing loss often

TRANSIT TRIPS

Bus service schedule changes in effect PAGE 7

REFEREE RECRUITS

Young hockey officials gain experience PAGE 15

Hearing clinic focuses on local care

Technological advances improve patient outcomes

begins earlier than many realize.

“Hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities, and it starts earlier than people think,” he adds.

Only about one in four people who can benefit from hearing aids actually use them, often due to cost, stigma or a lack of awareness.

In the qathet region, Wolstenholme says hearing issues are particularly common among people who have worked in industries such as logging, fishing and milling, where prolonged noise exposure can lead to long-term damage.

The effects of untreated hearing loss can go beyond difficulty following conversations. People may begin to withdraw socially when listening becomes tiring or frustrating.

“They start to bow out of conversations and just sit there, smile and nod.”

Over time, that can lead to isolation, which is linked to depression in older adults. Hearing loss can also increase cognitive strain and may contribute to cognitive decline if left untreated.

Despite those risks, many people delay seeking help for years.

Wolstenholme says some patients wait five to 15 years before addressing their hearing loss, which can reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

“They hurt themselves by delaying; damage to the auditory system can

Wolstenholme recommends adults get checked every five years, or more frequently after age 50. The clinic also focuses on extended appointment times and follow-up care, which he says can be limited in larger operations.

become permanent.”

Part of the clinic’s approach is to encourage earlier testing and reduce

“My expectation is that everybody coming in the door has an excellent experience,” he adds.

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Advances in hearing aid technology have also improved patient outcomes. Modern devices can distinguish between speech and background noise, and use artificial intelligence to adapt to different environments.

For Wolstenholme, the work is personal as well as professional.

“This is my passion. Helping patients reconnect with loved ones is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. He recalls moments when patients, particularly those who had delayed treatment, became emotional after hearing clearly again.

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“It has changed their lives.”

As the clinic approaches its first year in operation, Wolstenholme says his goal is to continue building trust in the community and encouraging people to take their hearing health seriously.

“Even if you don’t need hearing aids, you should know where you’re at.”

barriers to care. Hearing tests are offered free of charge as a community service.

Powell River Hearing Clinic is located at 103-4675 Marine Avenue. For more information, call 604.215.3882.

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Fifth annual accordion arts festival hits stage in May

Event expands to include a third day at Willingdon Beach gazebo for an outdoor concert and parade

TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

qathet Accordion Fest organizers Karina Inkster and Walter Martella are back at it for the fifth year, expanding the stereotype of accordion music by inviting some of the best and diverse accordion players from BC and around the world to the qathet region.

The three-day accordion extravaganza includes two concert performances, klezmer and tango workshops and a wide range of musical shenanigans, Friday to Sunday, May 1 to 3.

Nine of the musicians performing at the festival are returning artists and two will make their debuts.

“Guillermo Anad and Faye Bendrups [TangoMundo], his performance partner, are both playing here for the first time,” said Inkster. “Then, the trio features Anad on viola, Bendrups on piano and voice, and Anthony Schulz [who played the festival in 2025] on accordion.”

This year’s festival includes the usual evening concert on Friday, a full day of workshops on Saturday, followed by the evening cabaret, plus an extra event on Sunday, May 3.

“Saturday morning there’s a klezmer workshop, then a tango workshop in the afternoon, that’s open to all instruments,” said Inkster. “We wanted a little bit more community focused programming, so we added a third day, on Sunday, outdoors at Willingdon Beach under the band shell [Powell River Rotary Club gazebo].”

Inkster said the daytime event will include a casual song circle where people can sight-read music

“We’re featuring 11 performing artists, as well as the Victoria Accordion Club Band and the TangoMundo trio,” said Inkster. “[TangoMundo] will be performing a by-donation concert called Piazzolla Unleashed on Saturday, May 2 at the academy, and they will also be performing a few pieces as a trio at our opening concert night.”

together.

“It’s going to be a jam, and two short performances by the Victoria Accordion Club Band,” added Inkster. “And there’s also an accordion parade.”

There will also be open-mic performances on Saturday, beginning at 11:15 am, featuring local and visiting musicians in a casual setting. All day Friday and Saturday, Tempo Trend, a Victoria-based specialty accordion store that’s been in business for more than 60 years, will be on site at the music academy for tune-ups, repairs and

sales.

Inkster said she is excited to be playing a new instrument in her repertoire called the clavietta.

“It’s an Italian vintage instrument and I’m playing it in two pieces on the opening night that I’m really excited for,” said Inkster.

“One [clavieta performance] is a group piece we’re playing with all 10 performers at once; it’s pretty exciting because we have only one rehearsal before the concert.”

Inkster said a big attraction to the festival is the workshops, of which there are plenty, and the

Government increases whale protection

New regulation ups approach distance of vessels

TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

Earlier this year, local conservation group Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWS) received reports of northern resident orca sightings near Powell River. The volunteer group highlights that boat strikes, entanglements and noise pollution continue to threaten whale populations.

Government of Canada recently announced changes to vessel management measures in order to further protect southern resident killer whales and other orca spe-

cies from vessel strikes and disturbance. The new regulation increases a vessel's approach distance from the previous 400 metres to 1,000 metres, and will go in effect on June 1, 2026, and continue until May 31, 2027.

Federal minister of transport Steven MacKinnon stated that the new measure will help increase protection, simplify regulations for Canadians, and align with existing measures in Washington State.

"The southern resident killer whale population remains threatened due to physical and acoustic disturbances from vessels, prey availability and environmental pollutants.”

The 2026 vessel management measures include a new mandatory requirement to not approach within 1,000 metres of southern resident killer whales. The approach distance for other killer whales will be 200 metres, as per the marine mammal regulations.

Two mandatory 10-knot speed restricted zones at Swiftsure Bank will be in effect from June 1 to November 30, 2026. Two mandatory vessel restricted zones off Pender and Saturna islands will be in effect June 1 to November 30, 2026. A voluntary speed reduction zone at Tumbo Channel, off the north side of Saturna Island, will be in effect June 1 to November 30, 2026. According to the new regulations, for all other killer whale populations, such as Transient or Biggs, offshore and northern resident, all vessels are required to maintain a 200-metre approach distance, as per the marine mammal regulations. Whale watching and eco-tourism companies are no longer required to obtain a whale watching authorization, but they are encouraged to follow voluntary best practices when viewing other whales.

evening cabaret.

“I’m excited about the best party of the year: the Accordion Cabaret,” said Inkster. “The night will feature Anthony Schulz, Ronen Segall, Martin Hergt, Walter and myself on accordions, Stephen Nikleva and Budge Schachte on guitar, Boyd Norman on bass and Terry Martyniuk on percussion.”

The night will open with Victoria Accordion Club Band in a cabaretstyle atmosphere with appetizers and beverages on hand.

For more information, go to accordionfest.com/eventschedule.

Changes to vessel management measures to support recovery of southern resident killer whales were recently announced, including an increased approach distance from the previous 400 metres to 1,000 metres.

qathet Accordion Fest is back for the fifth year at qathet Academy of Music and Arts, Friday to Sunday, May 1 to 3. The photo above was taken at the 2025 festival. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BREW BAY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

2026 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday, May 2, 2026 2 pm

In the library at Kelly Creek Community School, 2341 Zilinsky Road

Community forest granting priorities expire

Allocations in the future will adhere to city council policy

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

Priorities in place last fall for Powell River Community Forest nonprofit grants are no longer in effect.

At city council meeting this month, Susan Auchterlonie, interim manager, partnerships, intergovernmental and public relations, said the purpose of her report was to provide an update regarding the spring 2026 grant process, along with the recommendation brought forward by the community forest working group for council’s consideration.

Auchterlonie said the working group met in March to discuss several items, including a review of granting processes for the community nonprofit grant program.

“Working group members discussed the objectives of the program, the exclusions set out in council policy 261, as well as examples of recent grants that were not in alignment with the policy,” said Auchterlonie.

“Members agreed that the intention moving forward is for community forest reserve grant awards to align with policy 261.

“Working group members also discussed the September 18, 2025, motion regarding priorities, and recommended that council confirm that the motion had expired and thus did not apply to the spring 2026 grant cycle.”

Spring grant applications closed on April 7; by April 20, an initial review of the

application to determine eligibility in accordance with council policy 261 was expected to be completed; by May 8, the community forest review of applications deemed eligible and recommendations made to city council will be complete; and on May 21, there will be council review and approval of grants.

Auchterlonie said that in advance of the fall 2026 grant cycle, the application form will be revised to more accurately reflect the intent of council policy 261, including the ability to allow for eligibility checks, enhanced financial reporting, and improved anticipated impact and community benefit reporting.

According to a staff report, $1.2 million is included in the 2026 to 2030 financial plan for the community forest reserve non-profit grant program for the 2026 budget year.

City councillor Cindy Elliott said there had been a motion for the fall 2025 intake and it has expired.

“As we move through that process, it was a little bit hard to implement because the priorities that were set out by council weren’t necessarily applicable to the final projects that were approved,” said Elliott. “If we are to make recommendations that we don’t use to make decisions with, that is potentially problematic for administrative fairness in administering our program.”

Auchterlonie said in reviewing the last two grant cycles, there were a number of grants that were not aligned with the policy.

“The intention of the work we are planning to do this spring is to actually go back to the policy, and align our grants and eligibility with the policy,” added Auchterlonie.

Councillor Earl Almeida said his understanding was that leading to the next round of community forest grants, there are no set priorities that the community forest board will be looking at.

“It will be open to policy

261 as originally written,” said Almeida.

Auchterlonie said that was correct.

Elliott said the community forest working group met and work is being done to tighten administrative processes to make sure projects outside of the scope of the policy are not being approved.

“That’s great news,” added Elliott. “The addition of council priorities and not having actual policy was problematic in how we implemented that last round. In future, if we were to have some priorities, we would have to develop a way to have it incorporated into policy, rather than having it land the way it did last time.”

Council unanimously carried a motion that its September 18, 2025, motion regarding current priorities has expired. The priorities for nonprofit grants were for health-related facilities, affordable housing, recreation, culture and social goals for youth and reconciliation.

City of Powell River, in September 2025, set priorities for the awarding of community forest nonprofit grants. City council, at the April 2 council meeting, voted that the priorities system of awarding grants had expired. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO

Overdose prevention site to be operational

Co-location with shelter ensures both facilities serve their respective purposes, says medical health officer

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

Locating the overdose prevention site adjacent to the 40-bed Driftwood Shelter on Barnet Street ensures people at the highest risk can access life-saving support in the very place they seek safety, according to a medical health officer.

Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), said this approach reduces public overdoses and harm in the community, while offering compassionate, evidence-based

care that helps stabilize lives and supports pathways to recovery.

“As the toxic-drug crisis continues to take lives across BC, overdose prevention sites play a vital role in keeping people alive and connected to care,” said Khaketla.

“The public health team and myself have been involved in the conversations around the planning and co-location, and finding the appropriate site for these two facilities, and as well, part of those discussions included the appropriate design and measure that needed to be put in place to ensure both facilities serve the purposes for which they were intended.”

Khaketla said the overdose prevention site has been in the community for a long period.

“We have a lot of experience in the years it has been in the community,” said Khaketla. “We currently have one that has been in a temporary site. So, we’ve been

looking at how that space has been utilized and looking at how people are using substances within the overdose prevention site. That actually featured in how this new space ended up being designed."

Khaketla said the partnership with VCH and BC Housing, Lift Community Services and City of Powell River has been “really productive” in terms of the planning process for the overdose prevention site.

“It’s a tremendous milestone for the community,” said Khaketla. “We know there has been a huge gap in terms of the absence of a temporary shelter within the community. We know how important housing is in terms of ensuring stability in people’s lives, for those who may be struggling with substance use or addiction issues, and for those who may not be, but are struggling with other life challenges. Having a place where

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qathet’s new overdose prevention site is co-located on the grounds of the Driftwood Shelter on Barnet Street to access, in a central location, lifesaving support. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO

they can be stabilized, connected and supported in terms of accessing services they need is really important.

“With the overdose prevention site, we know we’re still in the midst of a toxic drug crisis that is still taking lives within the community, and we know this particular community has been really highly impacted by the drug crisis. If you look at the data over the past number of years, including when the toxic drug crisis emergency was declared, we have seen an improvement in terms of the numbers and mortality rate, but

we know there’s still a lot of work because lives are still being lost.”

Khaketla said having an essential service such as the overdose prevention site, where people can be connected with a range of different services, is key. Khaketla added that in terms of the co-location with the Driftwood Shelter in particular, where people will not have to travel long distances to access the service, is also key.

“Having this where it is currently located will work very well for the people who need it in terms of timely access and appropriate service,” said Khaketla.

Dream Auction & Dinner

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Historic Dwight Hall • 6274 Walnut Street

Doors open 5 pm • Dinner at 6:45 pm

Dinner by Off The Vine Catering • MR. DAN DE VITA – AUCTIONEER

Tickets are $75. Contact wayne.muzy13@gmail.com

AUCTION ITEMS TO DATE INCLUDE:

• Langara Fishing Lodge all inclusive fishing trip for two - Friday, June 12 to Tuesday, June 16, 2026. This fishing trip includes return air travel from Powell River to Haida Gwaii, all meals accommodations, private boats and more. Donated by Langara Fishing Lodge and Pacific Coastal Airline. Value $14,200

• Nootka Wilderness Lodge all inclusive trip for two. Transportation from Campbell River, Private accommodations, meals, 4 -10 hour guided fishing and much, much more. Donated by Nootka Wilderness Lodge. Value $12,000

• Logging truck of fir firewood, donated by Thichum Forest Products, value $3,000

• One week rental heavy equipment, donated EDEO. Value $2,100

• Sea J Charter, Campbell River; 8 hour charter for four. Join us for unlimited adventure aboard the Bella Lena. Donated by Karl Bro. Value $1,500

• Two wills, two power of attorneys. Donated by Villani and Company. Value $1,200

• Islander fishing reel, donated by Marine Traders. Value over $1,000

• 4 gift certificates for 5 lbs prawn and tails. Donated by Sea Food Plus. $250 each - Total $1,000

• 4 gift certificates for rust check, donated by Fix Auto. Value $250 each - Total $1,000

• Off The Vine Catering, donated by Charis Whitemore. Value $950

• Powell River Kings Family pass for the 2026-27 season. Donated by Tideline Services Ltd. Value $758

• $500 gift certificate plus gift basket full of tools. Value over $700

• Round of golf for 4 with two carts, donated by Mayfair Lakes Golf Coarse. Value $660

• Round of golf for 4 with two carts, donated by Crown Isle Golf Course. Value $660

• Grocery gift cards. Donated by Save-On-Foods. Combined value of $625

• Upper Deck hockey cards and gift certificate. Donated by Oceanside Entertainment/ HighTide Games. Value $600

• Scotty and trap puller, donated by Lund Marine. Value $600

• Gift certificate, donated by Relay/Coastal Interiors. Value $500

• Advertising gift certificate, donated by Vista Radio, value $500

• Gift certificate for goods and service, donated by Massullo Motors. Value $500

• Fishing Charter, donated by Scott Mastrodnato. Value $500

• Peal, Kitchen & vanity faucet, donated by Pete’s Plumbing & Heating. Value $460

• Boathouse Painting Print, donated by Luke Raffin. Value $450

• Grocery gift cards. Donated by FreshCO Powell River. Combined value of $420

• One year of curling dues, donated by PR Curling Club. Value $415

• Two Vancouver Canucks tickets for 2026/2027 season, donated by Blair Morton, Value $400

• Two gift certificates for one night at the Oyster cabins, donated by Laughing Oyster Restaurant. Value $300 each

• Hand crafted to perfection wood jewelry box, donated by Alvin Cimaglia. Value $300++

• One yard of composting material delivered to your home, donated by T&R Contracting. Value $235

• Gift certificate, scuba diving for two, donated by Salish Sea Dive. Value $200 Plus, many more outstanding household items, gift certificates and services!

OUR VALUABLE SPONSORS TO DATE:

PLATINUM SPONSOR: Sunshine Coast Health Centre, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Langara Fishing Lodge, Nootka Wilderness Lodge

GOLD SPONSOR: Thichum Forest Products, EDEO

SILVER SPONSORS: Texada Transfer, McDonald Marine Services Ltd, Lois Lumber Ltd, Amrize Canada Inc., Villani and Company, Sea J Charters, River City Excavating

TABLE SPONSORS: Pilldolla Creek Contracting Ltd, Fix Auto, Oceanside Entertainment/ HighTide Games, Tideline services, Save-on-Foods, Dominos Pizza, Scott Mastrodonato, Wildwood Public House, Lund Marine

WANT TO BE SPONSOR OR DONATE AN ITEM FOR THIS HIGH-PROFILE EVENT? Please email accounting@powellriverkings.com

Directors make tax revenue recommendation

Board to consider policy framework for Municipal and Regional District Tax

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

qathet Regional District (qRD) directors are suggesting the regional board direct staff to report back with a policy framework for future Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) revenues allocations.

At a recent committee of the whole meeting, Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox asked, if the regional district was to put a freeze on the funding, as per the recommendation in the agenda package, who holds the funding? The recommendation was that the committee recommend that the board inform Sunshine Coast Tourism to put a temporary hold on MRDT revenues for one year, possibly two.

The MRDT is a two to three per cent consumer tax on short-term accommodations, such as hotels and Airbnbs, used to fund tourism marketing and affordable housing.

qRD chief administrative officer Al Radke said it was his understanding that the money would be held by Sunshine Coast Tourism, to which the MRDT funds are allocated.

Area B director Mark Gisborne said looking at the MRDT requirements, he sees that the program is intended to contribute to the increase of local tourism revenue and economic benefits, and must be supported by both local governments and tourism industry stakeholders.

“When I read that, it’s more than just affordable housing,” said Gisborne. “It’s also to promote tourism in our area. When I was looking at the municipality of Salmon Arm, they have an economic development society that handles these programs. If you are looking for event support or event funding, you can apparently make an application to the Salmon Arm economic development society, and they will transfer MRDT funds to local projects and local events that are helping to create tourism draws for the community.

“I’ve been thinking about our community, and I’m wondering, could we do something similar? Could we work with Sunshine Coast Tourism to send some of this money to the Townsite Jazz Festival and sandcastle weekend to help support these tourism activities?”

Radke said he was not sure, because the regional district has only had MRDT funds directed at affordable housing.

On an annual basis, qathet Regional District receives revenue of about $106,000 from the Municipal and Regional District Tax, which has historically been used for affordable housing projects in the regional district. qRD’s committee of the whole, however, is suggesting staff develop a policy framework for future expenditures.

“We would have to talk to Sunshine Coast Tourism to find out exactly how those other options work,” said Radke.

Gisborne said an option in the staff report to request further analysis would be appropriate in this instance.

Area E director Andrew Fall asked if it was appropriate to pass the option requesting a staff report, would it be appropriate for the MRDT matter to be sent to strategic planning for the next regional board to be elected in October? Radke said the matter is something the regional board could send to strategic planning.

Gisborne made a motion that: the committee of the whole recommend to the board that the board direct staff to report back with options for future Municipal and Regional District Tax revenues allocation, and that the board inform Sunshine Coast Tourism to put the current Municipal and Regional District Tax revenues on hold.

“Getting some options will help us move forward with the next steps,” added Gisborne.

Area D director Sandy McCormick said she agreed with the motion.

“We have to have a policy framework that recognizes the required use of these funds,” added McCormick.

The motion carried unanimously.

According to a staff report, qRD’s annual MRDT revenue is currently about $106,000. The regional district, historically, has used the annual funding to support affordable housing.

Transit system undergoes overhaul

Bus riders getting used to new schedule and on-demand service

TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

For folks who use transit in smaller communities in BC, convenient, direct and frequent bus service, for the most part, is extremely lacking.

Now, after months of transit surveys, public engagement with residents and riders in the qathet region, and in consultation with City of Powell River, qathet Regional District and Tla'amin Nation, a big change to regular bus routes and schedules has taken place for the first time in 40 years.

According to BC Transit, changes in the region will improve service and provide more access to locations including: qathet General Hospital, direct routes from lower Westview to Townsite and Wildwood, extra trips north and south of town, plus an added day of transit to and from Texada Island.

Some bus riders have expressed concern online about bus stops being moved on Manson Avenue for example, and confusion about how to use the new on-demand bus service, to replace the Zunga Bus.

The Peak contacted Rob Ringma, BC Transit senior manager of government relations, to ask about the transit overhaul.

"The network restructure we implemented in March is one of the outcomes from our recently completed transit future action plans that we completed in 2025," said Ringma. "We did online surveys, we did some stakeholder meetings, public open houses in June of 2025, right in the community in Powell River."

Ringma said more than 900 people participated in the public engagement and what was learned is that many of the people who tried the bus found the routes were too slow

and indirect.

"There were opportunities to make changes, to make those routes basically faster, more direct, easier to understand and, as Powell River grows, making sure the transit system can grow in line with those communities' needs," said Ringma. "So, it's a redesign and expansion of the transit network, and that was approved by city council and implemented in March to help optimize service and improve reliability."

One common complaint was that transit from Westview to Townsite, Cranberry or Wildwood took over an hour, wasn't frequent and transit hours were too limited for people trying to get to and from work.

"We heard from transit riders, and we also tried to talk to non-transit riders and asked, 'Why aren't you taking the bus?' and, 'What would we need to do to get you onto the bus?'" said Ringma. "The other thing that came up was access to the hospital, which is obviously a large employer and a key destination for a lot of the seniors in the community who need to get there for medical appointments and needs, so that was another key part of one of our changes."

He said most routes currently run until 10:30 pm during the week, with limited coverage on Sunday.

"We'd love to continue to work with the City of Powell River to try to get those buses a little bit more frequent, but the first thing we had to do was restructure the system to better allow for those future improvements in the system," said Ringma. "We do appreciate that this was a fairly big change for customers. We know that sometimes changes are difficult, and we're listening to the feedback we're getting."

He said current changes to the system are not set in stone.

"We're listening to the feedback, and obviously working to put together any adjustments," said Ringma. "We know we're not going to get it right, right out of the gate, but we do have a commitment to making

some adjustments down the road, if needed to make the transit system more viable for everyone."

After the city terminated the Zunga Bus project and ceased funding at the end of December 2025, BC Transit created its own on-demand service, available for those travelling within the upper and lower Westview areas, which is wheelchair accessible.

A Powell River resident named Gwen, who is a senior and known as Tazzy Grey on her Facebook profile, was excited to hear that on-demand bus service was back, but was disappointed to find out it is no longer door-to-door.

"I just phoned the on-demand bus and was told I can use public transit, but I thought it was going to be like the Zunga Bus," Gwen told the Peak. "I can't carry my groceries home so what is the point of it?"

She said when she called the on-demand phone number the person on the line was outside of Powell River and had a hard time looking up her address.

"The person said I could go to a designated pick-up spot or take public transit," said Gwen. “Well, okay, I could walk to the bus stop, but how do I get my groceries home?"

Gwen said she knows people who are in worse situations than she is, and that although there is a HandyDart bus in the community, it's usually booked.

Ringma said launching on-demand transit was part of the recent restructure. Powell River is only one of three systems in BC to have an on-demand system.

"The BC Transit on-demand system uses accessible buses and is fully wheelchair accessible," said Ringma. "Basically the app identifies the fastest travel option and directs riders to a nearby virtual pick-up stop; it's not door to door."

He said what he calls virtual bus stops are located 200 to 400 metres away from where a person is located in key neighbourhoods.

"So if someone requests an on-demand bus and the conventional bus will actually get

them there faster, it will recommend they take the conventional bus," said Ringma. "The systems are fully integrated now, which is great, and the span of service allows enough access for [riders] to get to appointments, shopping or any of those social events."

Changes were made to the following routes: Route 1 Townsite/Grief Point; Route 2 Wildwood Express; Route 3 Upper Westview.

BC Transit indicated that the service change includes additional service to rural areas of qathet Regional District. Route 13 Texada will now run on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

To see new bus routes and schedules, go to bctransit.com/powell-river/schedules-andmaps. To book or download the on demand app, go to bctransit.com/ondemand.

To contact Powell River Transit, call 604.485.4287.

Invasive ivy pull continues near mountain base

TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

Community groups in qathet continue to tackle the seemingly endless job of trying to eradicate invasive plant species such as Scotch broom and English Ivy.

Local ivy pull coordinator Kate Sutherland is organizing the next meet-up, taking place on Sunday, April 26.

"I look forward to seeing those who can make it to the next ivy

pull," Sutherland stated in a social media message. "Sunday, April 26, 3 to 4:30 pm, rain or shine."

The group has been meeting monthly for a few years now, tackling the stubborn plant at the base of Valentine Mountain.

Sutherland indicated that the meeting place on Sunday will be at the top of Keech Street, just off of 5818 Crown Avenue, in Cranberry.

"Bring garden gloves and clippers if you have them," requested Sutherland. "Sturdy footwear rec-

ommended; friends, kids, well-behaved dogs welcome."

To RSVP to the ivy pull meetup, or to join the group's mailing list, email Sutherland at kate@ emergecollab.com. She shared a link to the event page, and encouraged people to share it with the community: facebook.com/ events/708732642298132.

Information about English ivy from the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC): English ivy was commonly

planted to provide quick cover for walls and buildings, and as ground cover in commercial landscapes. It was intentionally introduced from its native range of Europe. It has since spread throughout rainforest understories where it can grow as a dense mat that suppresses native plants or climbing up trees, reducing their lifespan and leaving them more susceptible to wind damage.

How to identify: English ivy is an evergreen vine that will be found

growing as dense groundcover or climbing up trees. Clusters of small white to yellow-green flowers bloom in late summer and early fall and are followed by clusters of black shiny fruit. Leaves are starshaped with three to five points, waxy and leathery.

According to ISCBC there are a few non-invasive alternatives to plant instead of English ivy including: Boston ivy; Deer fern; Piggyback plant; Salal; and Western honeysuckle.

For the first time in 40 years, BC Transit has overhauled its bus routes in order to improve service and provide more access to locations, including qathet General Hospital. PEAK PHOTO

OPINION

Dirt is my baseline for reality

There is a patch of upturned dirt where I plan to make a small garden when the days get a little longer and the nights get a little warmer. It is rocky soil without the rich, dark quality, nutrient-rich dirt. I plan to condition it and try to make an inviting place for worms and other micronutrients. That is the starting point for a great garden fantasy in its early phase.

I can scoop a handful of soil into my bare hand and watch it fall through my fingers back to the ground. The dirt is my baseline for reality. From that place, I have a better chance to successfully navigate the digital part of life.

HEALTHY LIVING

By Robert Skender

Some things I accept quietly and conveniently accept. The filters on the social media pictures which, in subtle ways, make 10 years of aging just vanish, might be one example where I am guilty. I am of the older generation, who

see those particular filters for what they are and then, in equal parts vanity and wishful thinking, accepts them.

The conversation around the water cooler has changed from sports scores to something much darker and stranger. An example is questioning that the formerly innocuous machines, which enabled us to do emails and watch cat videos on YouTube, might gain consciousness to enslave humanity with an endgame to take over the planet.

French/Algerian writer Albert Camus saw this absurdity of life back in the middle of the last century. He thought life was absurd

and strangely disconnected way back in the 1950s. Camus said to be free is to live life fully with passion as an act of rebellion against larger forces at work that want to suppress and con-

parts of helium. All things digital does not have to be a barrier between us and happiness, or a general peace of mind.

Starting from the solid ground means there is a

If the earth under my feet is grounding, then the widening digital part of life feels like it’s floating in the air with large parts of helium.

trol us.

If the earth under my feet is grounding, then the widening digital part of life feels like it’s floating in the air with large

psychological anchor in place to stop from drifting aimlessly into the information abyss. At least that’s how it is playing out for me.

We are capable of transformation CLIMATE

I remember, many Earth Days ago, writing about how it was important not to use bleached toilet paper, as the bleaching process entailed using chlorine, which interacts with organic material to create toxic dioxins.

Soon after that, I learned it wasn't just a matter of choosing the right toilet paper (or refusing to use it or other toxic products). Saving the earth is mainly about how we relate to each other and all of the beings we share this world with.

War is this most terrible manifestation of our failure to build

CROSSROADS

By Jan Slakov

good relationships. But yelling about how awful the warmongers are won't save us.

Warmongers include most Canadians, for many of our pension funds and banks are invested in companies like Palantir, Lockheed Martin or companies with ties to gross human rights abuses getting Canadian taxpayer support to build fossil fuel infrastructure (eg. KKR investing in

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the CGL pipeline or Blackstone or Apollo backing the PGRT pipeline).

If we want to go beyond calling out warmongers and all of us who are exploiting the earth, where do we go? As literary critic and philosopher Frederic Jameson once pointed out, "it's easier to imagine the end of the world than to imagine the end of capitalism."

But anyone reading this is a human being. We are capable of transformation.

We can start by doing the opposite of what our economic system pushes us to do; we can make a

point of sharing and caring, even toward people who may pose some threat to our well-being.

Just recently I found Kaira Jewel's love letter to an ICE agent.

Yes, there's a rise in a frightening "broligarchy" and "end times capitalism" that are undermining democracy in profound ways.

At the same time, I see increasing awareness of how interconnected we are, and how building relationships of reciprocity, trust and nonviolence are the antidote we need.

If we had built, or protected, such ways of being earlier, we would not

Friends, family or beloved pets can hold us safely in this life, no matter how strong the current of fakes and lies politicians, corporations or whomever else is trying to capitalize from your attention.

We all need parts of life to be tangible and trusted. For me, there is something extra therapeutic, or even rebellious, with kneeling on the earth while the sun is warming the ground and watching the grass grow.

My hands being in the dirt is my baseline for reality and, from there, it is possible to see the “real” in reality.

Robert Skender is a qathet region freelance writer and health commentator.

be facing the dystopian future we now face. But this way of connecting with each other enriches us now, no matter what the future holds.

In honour of Earth Day (April 22), sure, take care to avoid buying products that damage the earth.

But our challenge is to make these choices part of something deeper, part of changing how we relate to each other and our world, part of creating healthier ways to relate and connect.

KELLY KEIL publisher/ owner

SHANE CARLSON editor PAUL GALINSKI reporter

ALICIA NEWMAN associate publisher/ creative services

GERI ANDERSON admin/ office manager

EARL ALMEIDA circulation director

TANYA HILL reporter SANDY ADAMS sales and marketing consultant

Jan Slakov is a member of qathet Climate Alliance.

Toxic drug crisis anniversary marked

Community action team facilitator brings awareness to city councillors

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

In recognition of the 10th anniversary of the province’s declaration of a public health emergency in response to the toxic drug crisis, City of Powell River councillors were apprised of local efforts.

At the April 14 committee of the whole meeting, qathet Community Action Team (qCAT) facilitator Jessica Colasanto said qCAT launched in 2018 as part of the provincial network of community action teams.

“The purpose is to coordinate corrective action and response to local issues, such as the toxic drug crisis,” said Colasanto. “It is one of the pillars of overdose response in the community.

“This is the 10th anniversary of the public health emergency declaration. Back then, it was an opioid crisis, and it has grown into a toxic drug crisis.”

Colasanto said Powell River, in the 1990s, was flagged by the province as having an overly high overdose rate. She said in the 1990s, a needle exchange program was started at the hospital and a satellite service was opened on Texada Island.

“The term harm reduction wasn’t being used at the time, but there was a group that formed to oversee the needle exchange and talk about overdoses, so this is not new,” said Colasanto. “In the ’90s, the people who were dying the most from overdoses were men, from 40 to 60.”

In 2001, the first methadone clinic was opened. Colasanto said, fast forward to 2015, fentanyl showed up in the drug supply, and that’s when things started to “go wonky.” Shortly after, in 2016, the public health emergency was declared, she added. One of the biggest things coming from the declaration was overdose statistics being captured.

“The coroner report would start capturing when deaths were from overdose, plus hospital visits, and all of that kind of information,” said Colasanto. “The community action team gets that information on a timely basis so they

can make decisions going forward.”

In 2017, a community fentanyl forum was hosted in the community, organized by Maggie Hathaway and some of the families of the people who were impacted, said Colasanto. Moms Stop the Harms organically grew out of that, locally, she said.

“It was a really impactful forum,” added Colasanto.

In 2018, qCAT was formed, and in 2019, an overdose prevention site was opened in Powell River. Colasanto said this was the first rural community to have one.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a spike in overdose deaths, according to Colasanto.

“Today, unregulated drug toxicity is the leading cause of death in BC for people aged 10 to 59,” said Colasanto. “Only 12 per cent of those people who are dying are unhoused,” said Colasanto. “We have an image in our heads of who these people are. It’s not necessarily true. People in the trades are affected most, and youth, unfortunately.”

Colasanto said stigma kills, because it prevents people from seeking harm reduction support. It’s stigma that prevents community members from supporting some of the policies that work, she said.

“It’s not a new problem and it’s not imported,” said Colasanto. “Harm reduction is not enabling. We know it works.

“Until we have recovery support, and until we have a drug supply that is not toxic, we need to keep people alive.

Harm reduction does that.”

Colasanto said no one chooses addiction. The choices are multi-layered with all sorts of intersecting reasons, she added.

“We are seeing a hopeful trend, with a decrease in fatal overdoses, considering we have always been a little bit high, provincially,” said Colasanto. “To be able to hold steady is a win, and we just need to keep promoting harm reduction and combatting stigma, so we are not here in another 10 years.”

City councillor Cindy Elliott, who is a member of qCAT, said Powell River has the highest participation rate on a regular basis of any community action team.

“Our public health officer attends on a regular basis and tries to figure out what our success model is so she can help other communities like us,” said Elliott. “Our community action team, a little while back, got to be presenters at a conference, and we were the most popular presentation of the day.

“We were held up as a model for all folks to try and get help from us. We have the most successful youth community action team. We have a regular education subcommittee that puts out newsletters.”

Elliott said Powell River is the only rural community with drug testing, as far as she knows.

“The list of how many agencies we have participating, such as doctors, and pharmacists, that work together to coordinate the way we handle this crisis, is committed and we work really hard,” added Elliott.

qathet Community Action Team facilitator Jessica Colasanto recognized the 10-year anniversary of the province’s declaration of a public health emergency in response to the toxic drug crisis, outlining what has been done in qathet. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO

Diversion program shows successes

Synergy Foundation is hosting another in-person engagement on April 28. It will be at 32 Lakes Café and Bakery from 7:30 to 9 am, treating those in attendance to coffee and snacks.

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

A program to develop a circular hub in qathet for repurposing of construction, renovation, demolition and waste materials is already successful in diverting many materials from the solid waste stream.

Tai Uhlmann, Synergy Foundation senior project manager, circular economy, said the program, funded through a provincial rural economic, diversification, and infrastructure grant, is in its second year, and impacts are already starting to be seen locally.

“We hosted an in-person event last year in October, which brought together industry, local government, the nonprofit sector, and other local community groups, to look at opportunities in the region to divert what would be construction waste material for reuse, instead of sending it to landfill,” said Uhlmann. “Through that event, we were able to make direct connections and help foster material exchanges that are now happening in the community.”

WASTE TO RESOURCE

Uhlmann said this is an opportunity to get people in the same room together, and the invitation goes to anybody with materials they want to divert, and for those looking for materials, including not only industry, but artists and entrepreneurs with ideas for innovation.

“We are looking to bolster our local secondary market economy and make our community more resilient, through making more materials available locally, with materials that are more affordable than new materials,” said Uhlmann. “The materials aren’t necessarily limited to construction and demolition. For example, we worked with Townsite Brewing, and they have an excess of brewery bags. We were able to connect them with local businesses such as Post & Purlin, which is using those bags for kindling, sawdust and other materials. This is just one example of the material exchanges happening in the community.”

Uhlmann said there are also material exchanges happening between the Cranberry Business Park and Kindred Rebuild, Post & Purlin

and other smaller exchanges.

“We want to see this grow and expand within the community, and that’s one of the goals of our in-person session in April,” said Uhlmann.

Synergy Foundation is also offering 10 BC green business certifications and green trades certifications for free. Those certifications will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone interested can get in touch via email at tai@synergyfoundation.ca.

Uhlmann said Synergy Foundation will also be offering training in the fall.

“What we heard from community engagement is there is a need for some more safety certification and information on what materials can be diverted and where, plus what the opportunities are for materials such as wood, glass, construction plastics, et cetera,” said Uhlmann. “Also, what does that market look like, what is the value of those materials, and how do we build that market? That will be the focus of a three-day training session in October or November, so look for more information to come.”

Uhlmann said the real key to this project is seeing the value of these materials, connecting materials with those who need them, building local relationships, building local resiliency, economic opportuni-

Kindred Rebuild has been sorting and removing materials from the Cranberry Business Park mill to be repurposed and redistributed throughout the community as part of Synergy Foundation program to develop a circular hub in the community to divert material from the waste stream.

TAI UHLMANN PHOTO

ty and jobs within the community.

“There’s not only value in the materials, but diverting the materials equals jobs instead of paying to send materials to landfill,” said Uhlmann. “We can keep that economic opportunity within our community through partnership and innovation.”

Uhlmann said she is pleased with the progress of the program.

“The uptake from the community has been really exciting and encouraging,” added Uhlmann. “We’ve had some really great participation from some local business and social enterprises, and also from local government.”

Uhlmann said through the program, Synergy has been able to

offer one-on-one, circular assessments for free.

“Four local businesses got really in-depth reports, with different recommendations and opportunities, to increase their circularity within their business operations, decrease their operational costs and things like that,” said Uhlmann. “We were able to start building this network of people within the community that can redistribute materials locally. Building the local market and starting to map out where those materials and opportunities are has been a big focus of the grant.

“Year one was really starting that process and getting all the partners in place, giving us that kind of foundation to build from.”

COMMUNITY

CONNECTIONS: Powell River United Church volunteers are usually busy on Mondays, serving up meat or vegetarian pasta dinner to hungry community members. On April 6, an Easter dinner brought 140 people through the doors. Volunteers had turkey, ham and all the holiday meal fixings on hand to serve folks who came alone, with family and/or friends. It was a full room, a busy kitchen, and many moments were shared around tables during a “beautiful evening of connection and community,” according to volunteers. The church is located at 6932 Crofton Street. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Annual checkups are essential appointments

Did you know that toddlers should see the dentist around their first birthday, or possibly even earlier? In fact, as soon as their first teeth appear, it’s essential to have them examined by a professional. That said, regardless of your age, regular dental checkups and cleanings play a key role in protecting your health and well-being. Here’s a reminder of the reasons to book your annual dental appointment.

DETECT PROBLEMS EARLY

Many oral health issues, including cavities, gum infections, abscesses and even oral cancers, can develop

UP T O W N DE N TAL CEN T R E

without pain or obvious symptoms. During a routine exam, your dentist can quickly spot early warning signs and intervene before the situation worsens.

MAINTAIN AN IRRESISTIBLE SMILE

Annual cleanings at the dentist remove surface stains and improve the appearance of your teeth. They also help keep your breath fresh by eliminating odour-causing bacteria.

PREVENT TARTAR BUILDUP

Even if you have excellent brushing and flossing habits, some plaque will

still harden into tartar over time. Only dental professionals with specialized tools can remove tartar safely and effectively. This helps lower the risk of gum disease and other complications.

PERSONALIZED ADVICE

Dental visits offer more than just cleaning. Your hygienist and dentist can provide advice tailored to your lifestyle, diet, preferences and overall health.

Depending on your oral health, your dentist may recommend visits every six or nine months. Always trust your dentist’s expertise.

New kind of dental office takes root

past negative experiences at the dentist, or, sometimes shame, if dental care hasn’t been kept a priority.

Smili Dental Powell River is already having a dramatic and positive impact on the lives of many who are seeking care in a smaller community. Some happy patients recently posted online reviews:

TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

According to the Canadian Dental Association, oral health is a key component of overall well-being, and it starts with simple, consistent habits: brushing twice daily, flossing, eating a balanced diet and visiting a dentist regularly.

But, what about the habit of visiting a dentist regularly?

For many, that habit can fall by the wayside, due many factors, including life’s busy schedule getting in the way,

“So grateful to have been so well taken care of by that awesome team, and the hygienist Lori was amazing, better than any other hygienist we’ve seen, a big thank-you. I highly recommend it. What a beautiful new office, too,” wrote Steph Adams in a social media post.

Paul from Powell River wrote in a Google review:

“It was my first time at Smili Dental and the experience was fabulous. The office is clean and modern and everyone I dealt with [reception, hygienist and dentist]

was professional and kind. Very happy to have them in town.”

Smili Dental Powell River’s Dr. Caitlin Meredith is a UBC-trained general dentist with a strong commitment to providing inclusive, high-quality dental care, particularly in remote and underserved communities; and Dr. Erik Schien is a dedicated and compassionate dentist committed to providing high-quality, patientcentered dental care.

The Smili team’s approach is focused on getting patients out of pain and ensuring dental needs are met with compassion and expertise.

What makes Smili different from other dental offices?

The team always does what is in the best interest of patients, weekend appointments, weekday evening hours and multiple dentists

Smili Dental Powell River is more than just a service provider; the team aims to make everyone’s visit to their office as stress free, accessible and welcoming as possible.

on site.

Anyone walking into the Smili dental office can feel the difference. This is how the team describes it: “A community-centered sanctuary with cutting-edge dental technology and compassionate patient care.”

The Canadian Dental Association recommends a regular checkup to allow a dentist to make sure there are no dental problems, remove any unhealthy buildup and reduce the risk of dental decay or gum disease.

Regular dental appointments are important so a dentist can: Examine teeth,

gums and the mouth; advise how to maintain good oral health through eating a balanced, low-sugar diet, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol; educate people on how to keep teeth and the mouth healthy through good oral hygiene habits, including how to brush and floss correctly.

Good oral hygiene at home also helps prevent tooth decay and inflammation in gums that can become serious.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends following these tips to keep one’s mouth and body

healthy at home: Brush teeth for two to three minutes twice a day to help remove food and plaque; floss at least once a day; oral rinse; make water a drink of choice and stay hydrated with water; eat a balanced and nutritious diet; reduce alcohol and plan to stop smoking or vaping.

Smili Dental Powell River is located inside Powell River Town Centre Mall, 7100 Alberni Street. For more information, go to smilidental.com/locations/sunshine-coast/ powell-river.

ANTONIO GRANANTE, ISTOCK, GETTY IMAGES

Taking charge of oral health

BY MERYL THORSELL

Brushing and flossing is the cornerstone to good oral health, yet the same patients keep coming back with new cavities time and time again.

Understanding how cavities form and some key factors that contribute to increased cavities can help better equip patients for more successful dental visits.

Cavities are caused by acidproducing bacteria that thrive in an acidic environment. Some elements that keep our mouths in an acidic state and thus increasing our risk for cavities are medication causing dry mouth, mouth breathing and diet.

Certain medications used for high blood pressure, diabetes, antidepressants, along with others, have side effects that cause a dry mouth. A dry mouth has little saliva flow; it is our saliva and the minerals in it that help to buffer those acidic moments in our mouths. If that is altered

or slowed down we are at a higher risk of cavities.

If this is something you experience, avoid mouth rinses with alcohol and incorporate saliva stimulating aids into your daily routine. Some saliva stimulating products include gum or mints that contain xylitol.

Mouth breathing also dries out our mouth in a similar way to medications except once we start nasal breathing our saliva flow can return. Some key things to consider to help with nasal breathing is using a saline rinse to help clear the nasal passage, an air purifier if you suffer from allergies to due dust or dander, as well as being consciously aware of our lips being parted versus closed.

Diet is one of the biggest contributors. Sugar is not the only culprit. Other major contributors to increase a patient's risk of cavities are acidic drinks, carbohydrates (crackers, white bread, chips) and sticky foods.

These are all foods that stick to our teeth and cause an acid attack on our teeth.

While it is not always easy to avoid these foods entirely, eating them more intentionally could help limit them from sticking to the teeth. Consider eating the above foods at the beginning of meals and ending with a food that will help neutralize the mouth, for example: cheese, plain yogurt, nuts, vegetables, protein and chewing xylitol gum.

Limit snacking during the day and limit drinking acidic beverages to during mealtimes.

Speak with your dentist, dental hygienist or health-care provider about the best route to help reduce your risk of cavities using the options.

Meryl Thorsell is an independent dental hygiene practitioner and the owner and operator at Integrated Clean Dental Hygiene (103-7075 Alberni Street) in Powell River.

Dental hygiene practitioner Meryl Thorsell. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Hockey officials put to the test

Provincial tournament recruits

talented referees and linespersons

PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

With the provincial U13 hockey championship having been contested in Powell River over spring break, some Powell River Minor Hockey Association officials were recruited to make on-ice calls during the tournament.

Quynn Lefler, who is a U18 house-league hockey player herself, has bridged into officiating.

“I’ve always wanted to ref throughout my hockey playing days and a couple of years ago, I decided to join,” said Lefler. “I haven’t looked back. It’s really fun and I enjoy running the game.”

Lefler said she is both a linesperson and a referee. She said she was able to officiate at the U13 tournament because her referee-in-chief, Robyn Penner, put Lefler’s name forward, because she had been doing well this year, making on-ice calls.

“She believed I deserve to ref and do the lines in the tournament,” said Lefler.

The tournament kept Lefler busy, both as a referee and doing the lines. Lefler officiated up to three games in a day. She said she gets tired from all that officiating, from all the skating.

In terms of calls she made as a

referee during the tournament, she said most common were body contact, which is not allowed for U13 players.

Lefler said she may not continue playing hockey after she graduates, but she would like to continue officiating. She said officiating at hockey games gives her the best seat in the house.

“I enjoy being on the ice and really close to the action,” said Lefler.

She is hoping that as she becomes more experienced, she can officiate junior hockey.

Henry Newman, a 13-year-old official, also had the opportunity to officiate at the U13 provincial championship. He also plays hockey in the U13 house league in Powell River.

Newman became inspired to officiate from watching British Columbia Hockey League games.

“I was impressed by the reffing and decided it would be a fun thing to do,” said Newman.

He said he has taken an officiating course, and has taken classroom and online sessions, plus onice sessions where young officials can learn the finer points of officiating hockey games. They officiate their first couple of games with mentors, so they are never on the ice unsupported.

Newman said when he’s on ice, he prefers to be a linesman, but he does referee from time to time in the U11 house league. He said for those games, there are just two referees on ice.

“It’s a two-person system, so they can call offsides, icings, penal-

ties and goals,” said Newman. For the U13 tournament, Newman officiated four games, including a semi-final.

“It was an awesome experience,” said Newman. “I’m so thankful that Robyn recommended me. I’m still shocked that I was recommended to officiate. It was a very fun experience.”

Newman said he was able to watch some excellent hockey players, and there was even some rough stuff while he was on ice. In one game he officiated with Lefler, there was a fight in the dying seconds of the game, when a goalie was bumped by an opposition player.

Newman said he wants to continue officiating and finds that it is a good workout for his skating, because he’s on the ice for 60 minutes. He added that he was thrilled for the opportunity to be on the ice for such an important tournament.

Penner spoke superlatives about the 33 active officials who can be called upon to officiate minor hockey games.

“When I first started being referee chief, there were not that many,” said Penner. “We have tripled since I started and a goal of mine was to develop the junior official program. We gained some adults along the way, but we really needed to develop the juniors. It’s gratifying that the kids who came along when I started four years ago are now officiating at the U15 and U18 levels, and they are in grade 11 or 12. It’s cool for me to see how far they’ve come. We’ve grown together.”

Penner said Lefler and Newman,

similar to many other young officials, are wonderful on and off the ice.

“They are lovely to deal with, and they are both the kind of kids who will text message me the day of a tournament and say they are available if anyone cancels or is sick,” said Penner. “Quynn is someone I’ve called at 6 am and asked if she could ref at 7, and she says yes.”

Penner said hockey cannot be played without officials, and frequently, during tournaments, she receives rave reviews about the officials, especially those in the junior program.

“That’s a really good testament to where they are and what they’re doing, plus their attitudes and professionalism on ice,” said Penner.

“It’s one thing to be a teenager and another thing to turn off teenage characteristics and be resilient, to

not respond, and not buy into the heat of the moment. They make calls and assert penalties and act professionally, keeping the game going. It’s a great skill to learn for teenagers. I don’t know if I would have had that when I was that age.”

For those interested in minor hockey officiating, they need to have solid skating skills in addition to an interest in officiating. Anyone interested can RSVP at ric. prmha@gmail.com.

Penner said after four years, she is leaving her post as referee-in-chief.

“I’m super emotional about it,” she added. “I love the kids especially, and all the adults have been wonderful. They’ve become my friends. It’s a lovely relationship I have with all of them and I love working with them. I’m going to miss them.”

Swimmers qualify for games

Special Olympics swimmers from the upper and lower Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island competed in a swim meet at Powell River Recreation Complex, with local swimmers acquitting themselves well.

At Powell River Spring Splash on April 12, qathet region swimmers Grayce Hilton, Victoria Brown, Rachel Schweitzer, Lynn Hilton and Erika Barker achieved 18 top three finishes.

According to a media release, coaches Laurie Norman and Jake Van Samang were impressed with the athletes’ performances and felt it demonstrated how hard the swimmers trained this season.

There were six athletes in attendance who will be representing Team BC at the Special Olympics National Games this summer in Medicine Hat, Alberta, includ-

ing two local athletes, Erika Barker and Lynn Hilton.

“This meet was an opportunity for our athletes carrying on to nationals in August to run through a swim meet, to help with the mental preparation of high-level competition,” stated head coach Melissa Furlotte.

She added that this meet would not have been possible without the support of the local swim teams, West Coast Wind and Powell River Aquatic Club, and numerous volunteers.

“The volunteers truly elevated this meet to the next level,” stated Furlotte. “Our Special Olympics community is lucky to have so much support.”

For more information about volunteering or participating with Special Olympics, go to specialolympics. ca/british-columbia/communities/powell-river.

Quynn Lefler [left] and Henry Newman [right] were two of several Powell River Minor Hockey Association officials to referee games during the provincial U13 hockey championship recently played at Powell River Recreation Complex. ALICIA BAAS PHOTOS

Participating in the Powell River Spring Splash swim meet at the Powell River Recreation Complex were [back row, from left] coach Jake Van Samang, Lynn Hilton, coach Melissa Furlotte, Grayce Hilton and Laurie Norman; and [front row, from left] Erika Barker, Rachel Schweitzer and Victoria Brown. At the meet, Erika Barker and Lynn Hilton qualified for the Special Olympics National Games in August. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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CULTURE »

Book explores legacy of BC mountaineer

Well-known climber spent time on northern Sunshine Coast

TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

The newly released paperback edition (Harbour Publishing, 2026) of the book John Clarke: Explorer of the Coast Mountains, by author and fellow mountaineer Lisa Baile, is a reminder of the extraordinary life Clarke led. The story is told through his own words and pictures, as well as through the words of his many friends.

In an interview with the Peak, Baile said her friend [Clarke] spent years exploring numerous, nameless peaks of BC's Coast Mountain Range, and later in his life, devoted his life to environmental education.

"I think we met during one of his legendary slide shows," said Baile. "He was an exceptional person, and he cared for the environment, so I thought it was so important to write this book."

She said he passed away much too early at age 57 in 2003. After his death, the BC government named Mount John Clarke in his honour.

Baile said Clarke wasn't interested in what's called a trophy climb, meaning an ascent up a very high or highest peak in a region.

"He explored more unknown territory and, I believe, did more first ascents than any other climber," said

Baile. "He would often embark on expeditions into unknown territory by himself."

Clarke’s reputation grew to legendary proportions, not just for the scale of his achievements, but because of the way he carried them out. He is one of the few mountaineers to receive the Order of Canada.

"He was very modest," said Baile. "He didn't have the technology we have now, and he would pack very minimally on his treks."

When Clarke wasn't mountaineering, he spent time photographing old buildings and architecture in his Kitsilano neighbourhood, where he lived when not climbing to his next peak.

"He [originally] came from Ireland, and I think he was

up on the peaks, he saw they just kept rolling into the distance, wave after wave, and that's when he said he knew what he wanted to do."

Baile said the interesting thing about the Coast Mountains is that most of the general public doesn't actually know a lot about them, unlike the Himalayas in Asia.

The range extends southeastward through western BC for about 1,600 kilometres, from just north of the border with Yukon, along the border of the panhandle of Alaska, to the Fraser River. Many peaks exceed 3,400 metres, including Monarch Mountain and mounts Munday, Tiedemann and Waddington.

"You can't say, 'Oh, I climbed Everest,' no, when

You’ve got to find your way and you’ve got to want to be out there and love the wilderness, and be really connected with it.

LISA BAILE AUTHOR

pretty lonely," said Baile. “He would go off on his own or with friends fishing, and then fishing became mountaineering."

Baile was able to speak with Clarke's friends and family firsthand and had access to his journals and photographs.

"When he first joined the BC Mountaineering Club, John, by dint of his charm, not his experience, managed to get on a serious climbing trip with the club," said Baile. "He said when he was

frightened."

In June 1972, Clarke made a 10-day solo ski trip from Jervis Inlet, exiting down the Toba Glacier.

"It's very beautiful, but you have to be pretty tough to get up into the alpine; the trees start to thin out, and then the key is you get up onto these ridges," said Baile. "They're like granite ridges, or, if it's early, they will be snow covered, but you're up there and you got this incredible view, kind of on top of the world."

Baile said she felt Clarke was by her side for the writing of his biography, and that it was fun to get to know him better by reading his notes and published articles about his exploration of the rugged mountain ranges of the wild west coast.

you go out there on your own, which is extraordinary, you're on your own," said Baile. "You've got to find your way and you've got to want to be out there and love the wilderness, and be really connected with it."

Baile said Clarke spent time in the backcountry on the northern Sunshine Coast.

"He spent years in the Toba area traversing north from Jervis Inlet," said Baile. "People didn't want to go with him because they were

"He had a magnetic personality and I think he captures readers' attention right away in this book," said Baile. "One of the neat things about John, other people don't seem to get, is that he did what he wanted to do in life; he had a good time; he didn't have a lot of money, but he wasn't worried about that."

Baile said she hopes readers can carry on Clarke's love for wild places, which can be as small as a backyard or as large as an ancient forest, wetland or river.

"I hope, especially nowadays, that people can connect with nature, connect with others, their friends, get outside and have fun," she added.

Author and fellow mountaineer Lisa Baile recently had a paperback edition of her book, John Clarke: Explorer of the Coast Mountains, published. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Community supports man’s return home

Homecoming leaves family with deep gratitude for compassion of residents

The sister of a Powell River man, who was able to return to this community for his last days, is grateful for the support he received from this community.

Céline Legault, who lives in Quebec, in correspondence to the Peak, stated that she was writing with a very full heart to share a story of deep gratitude – a story about her brother, Dany Legault, and about the extraordinary compassion of the Powell River community.

“About six months ago, Dany was transferred to Vancouver for medical care,” stated Céline. “While necessary, this transition was very difficult for him. Being away from Powell River – the only place he knew as home – left him feeling unsettled and disconnected. He struggled to adapt to an environment that

felt unfamiliar and far from the safety and comfort he knew in Powell River.”

Céline stated that as Dany’s health declined, his wish became very clear and simple: all he wanted was to come home.

“Thanks to the collaboration and determination of many people, Dany was able to return to Powell River on March 15,” stated Céline. “What followed in those final days was something our family will never forget.

“Staff members of the Nelson Residence, along with family members, stayed by his side every single day at the hospital to help him feel safe and reassured. When staff could not be there, cousins or other loved ones made sure he was safe and not alone. There was a beautiful circle of care around him - a true reflection of what community means.”

Céline stated that one particularly meaningful moment was when Dany was able to leave the hospital for the day.

“With the support of Nelson House and a nurse who accompanied him to ensure he had access to any medication he might need,

Dany was taken around town in an adapted van,” stated Céline. “He visited some of his favourite places, reconnecting with the familiar sights and feelings that brought him comfort. It was a beautiful outing – one that gave him a sense of normalcy, dignity and peace. For a moment, he was not just a patient. He was simply himself again.”

Céline stated that Nelson Residence, in particular, was an extraordinary source of warmth and humanity throughout this time.

“The staff there saw Dany as a whole person – someone with sensitivity, humour and a big heart,” stated Céline. “Their kindness and respect helped make his final days gentler than we could have imagined.

“In a time that could have been filled only with fear and loss, Powell River gave him something profoundly meaningful: the comfort of belonging and the feeling of being home. Dany did pass away peacefully, and I believe in a way that he felt loved and that he belonged. He was finally home.”

Céline added that she wanted to share this

publicly to recognize the quiet but powerful goodness which lives in this community.

“When people speak about the strength of a small town, this is exactly what they mean,” stated Céline. “I have always been proud to say that I was born and raised in Powell River, and this was a reminder why.

“On behalf of our entire family, I would like to thank everyone who helped make Dany’s final wish come true. Your humanity will stay with us forever.”

After an extended stay in the Lower Mainland for health issues, Dany Legault was able to return to Powell River for his last days. His family is grateful for the support he received from the community before his passing.

SCENE

AROUNDTOWN

Seedy Saturday

Gardening enthusiasts recently congregated at Dwight Hall in Townsite to swap seeds and share advice about food self-sufficiency. The annual Seedy Saturday event last month included workshops and information tables offering tips and guidance on topics such as gardening, permaculture, composting and bee-keeping.

ANDREW BRADLEY PHOTOS

TO BOOK YOUR AD »

Betty Hollingsworth

May 5, 1928 - March 12, 2026

Predeceased by her husband Harry, son Graham and son-in-law Paul.

Betty will always remain in the hearts of her son Dave (Heather), daughter Anne, daughter-in-law Trish (and family), grandchildren Amanda (Justin), Mike (Emma), Andrea, Ross (Joanna), Kerri (Marcus) and Sandra, and great-grandchildren Ryder, Oliver, Betty, Ava, Mak, Maeve, Adeline, Cam and Lola.

Betty was born and raised in Powell River, a community she loved. She and Harry enjoyed spending many happy adventures with family and friends on their beloved boat “Tiara”. Many will remember her as Mrs. Hollingsworth, a kind and compassionate primary teacher. She enjoyed playing piano, singing songs and sharing her joy of teaching with her students.

After retirement, she and Harry were happy to spend longer winter escapes to their “second home” enjoying quality time with family and friends in Australia. They returned in time to welcome in spring at their beautiful home and yard in Westview.

The family would like to send a heartfelt thank-you to Dr. White for his many years of care and support. We also want to thank the staff at Willingdon Creek Village for their years of wonderful friendship, support and excellent care. Mum was so fortunate to have had all of you looking out for her these past seven years. A special thank-you to the staff in House Five. You’re awesome beyond words.

“Mum, we will forever cherish the joy, laughter and endless adventures we’ve shared with you. You’ve left us with so many beautiful memories. We are so lucky to have had such a perfect example of unconditional love in our lives.”

No flowers or service by request.

Albert Formosa

March 20, 1932April 10, 2026

Albert Nazarene Francis Vincent Dominic Formosa “Buddy” passed away peacefully on April 10, constantly surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 20, 1932, in the beautiful city of Valletta, Malta.

He came from a large family with seven siblings, and he is survived by his youngest brother, Ron. Albert immigrated to Canada on January 15, 1953, and settled in Powell River with his sister, Mary. It was in Powell River that he met the love of his life, Jane. Their paths crossed at the Moose Hall in 1953, and they were married on September 6, 1958.

Albert and Jane were soulmates, embodying the purest form of love married for 65 years. They raised four boys together and welcomed 11 grandchildren. Albert was lucky to also have five great-grandchildren and two more on the way. His family meant everything to him and kept him going after losing Jane in 2024. A big thank-you to Cecil and Lindsay who helped to care and love Albert after such a loss.

Albert loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. He also loved to garden and work outdoors. He made homemade pastizzis and raviolis, and loved to play games. His home was always open, welcoming family and friends anytime of day. He was everyone’s BUDDY.

Albert made a special trip back to Malta in 2023 when he was 91 years old. He was a very proud Maltese man and spoke of “home” often.

Albert is survived by his four boys Fred (Terri), Jim (Diane), Larry (Shirley) and Brian (Brenda); 11 grandchildren Mike (Daisy), Tyler (Alyssa), Derrick (Sam), Carly (Josh), Brianne (Scott), Brandon (Kaela), Kurtis (Kody), Scott (Daniella) Courtney (Alex), Candace (Matt) and Alyssa (Stuart); and five great-grandchildren Lennon, Max, Eloise, Levi and Rose.

To know Albert was to love him. He lived a full life and left behind a legacy of love and kindness, and is now reunited with his love in heaven.

A celebration of life will be held at 12:30 pm on Sunday, May 24, at Meadow Gardens Golf Club (Ebony Room), located at 19675 Meadow Gardens Way in Pitt Meadows.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 • 7:00 PM

Northside Community Recreation Centre 9656 Larson Road, Lund, BC ALL LUND WATER USERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND Meeting agenda will include:

• 2025 Annual Financial Review & Operations Report

• 2026 Annual Budget

• Potential purchase of stainless steel storage tanks from mill site for water storage

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE www.lundwaterworksdistrict.ca

MUSHU

Pets, purrs and playing sum up this young, female, stunning cat

TUCKER

Cute super senior Terrier mix dog, great companion

CLINT

Gorgeous orange cat with personality plus

HOLLY

Wow, stunning Irish Wolfhound mix, sweet, friendly, pretty dog

GUS & VINCENT

Handsome, delightful, brush-loving, young brother cats

BRIAN & BRUCE

Super cute kittens, wow - worth a visit

CACHE & HOPPER

Double the sweetness, gentle, affectionate lil male kittens!

MYSTIQUE, MOONPIE, MERLIN, MORTY, & MORTICIA

Take one, take two, hard to choose

JOVIE

Unique, super senior cat, pretty, tortoishell female

HARLEY

Poodle/Bichon mix dog, super senior seeking matching human

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The qathet Regional District is accepting applications for the following opportunity:

Payroll & Benefits Administrator/Accountant - Casual

To view the full posting and application requirements please visit qathet.ca.

DENTAL ASSISTANT

(Certified (CDA/LDA) or Chair-side Assistant)

Busy dental office looking for a part-time (15-20 hours per week) Dental Assistant.

No experience necessary, we are willing to train the right candidate, but preference will be given to trained individuals. We offer competitive wages.

We are looking for a reliable team player who is detail oriented and has strong communication skills.

To apply, please drop by BURNABY STREET DENTAL, 4621 JOYCE AVENUE with your resume or email your resume to smile@burnabystreetdental.com

Hire • Buy • Sell • Trade • Rent 604.485.5313 classifieds@prpeak.com

6505 Apartments/Condos for Rent

Pet-friendly units • NS/ND westcoastend.com 604-414-8595

WESTVIEW APARTMENT for rent, 3-brdm, oceanview, heat and hot water included.

$1,500/mth. 604-344-2017

FOREST OPERATIONS MAP

NOTICE OF PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT

Tla’amin Timber Products Ltd (TTP) and Thichum Forest Products (TFP) invite the public to review and comment on the proposed information package relating to Forest Operations Map (FOM) IDs 3086 and 3093

Maps are available online for review and comments at: https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects.

The public review and comment period for the FOM IDs identified above will be open for at least 30 days. Comments must be in writing and be received between April 23, 2026 and May 24, 2026.

Written comments can be submitted during the 30-day period via the website above, by email (sebastien.lecours@ tmslp.ca) or by mail (4885B Highway 101, Powell River, BC, V8A 0B6). Please reference the applicable FOM ID when commenting.

We’re hiring!

Front office administrator (full time)

Target installations is looking for a reliable, organized, and people-friendly front office administrator to join our team.

If you’re someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys keeping things running smoothly, and doesn’t mind a little construction-world energy, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

• Scheduling service calls, installations, and appointments

• Coordinating jobs between clients, technicians, and vendors

• Acting as the first point of contact (phone, email, in-person)

• Preparing invoices and processing payments

• Managing incoming documents, correspondence, and office flow

What we’re looking for

• Strong customer service and communication skills

• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to multitask

• Comfortable working in a construction-related environment

• Team player with a positive, can-do attitude

• Basic bookkeeping knowledge (quickbooks is an asset)

• Solid computer skills

• Class 5 driver’s license

• Willingness to learn and grow with the company

What we offer

• Competitive wages

• Benefits package

• Supportive, team-oriented workplace

• On-the-job training and growth opportunities

Apply today

Send your resume to office@targetinstallations.ca Or call 604.483.5192 for more information

If interested parties cannot access the FOM website, printed maps are available to view by appointment at the TTP/TFP office. Please contact sebastien.lecours@tmslp.ca to arrange an appointment.

This FOM may be relied upon to apply for road and cutting permits for a 3-year period after the commencement of the public review and comment period. The FOM packages under this notice expires April 23, 2029.

TERMS

Classified advertising is accepted on a prepaid basis only. VISA and MasterCard welcome. Peak Publishing reserves the right to classify ads under appropriate headings, set rates therefore and determine page location. Full, complete and sole copyright in any advertising produced by Peak Publishing is vested in and belongs to Peak Publishing. No copyright material may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Peak Publishing. Any errors in advertisements must be brought to the attention of the publisher within 30 days of the first publication. It is agreed by any display or classified advertiser that the liability of the newspaper in the event of failure to publish an advertisement or in the event that errors occur in the publishing of any advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. Peak Publishing cannot be responsible for errors after the first day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors in the first week should immediately be called to the attention of the advertising department to be corrected for the following edition. All advertising is subject to the approval of the publisher.

OPEN HOUSE TOUR

$559,900

3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,647sq ft 7358 GLACIER STREET

$734,900 MLS®19795

HOSTED BY AUSTYN MACKINNON 12 TO 1 PM

1 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,245 sq ft B2-6900 BURNABY STREET

$419,000 MLS® 19622

HOSTED BY DUSTIN VILLENEUVE 12:30 TO 1:30 PM

2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 921 sq ft 307-5700 WILLOW AVENUE

$329,900 MLS®19621

AFFORDABLE

KATIE: 604 344 0055

This well-kept 1993 mobile home is located on a corner pad just 15 minutes away from downtown and features many upgrades.

2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1,123 sq ft 17-9298 WILLIAMS ROAD

$189,900 MLS® 19587

NANCY: 604 849 5777

Move-in ready with breathtaking ocean views and sunsets! Welcome to effortless coastal living in this top floor, centrally located condo. 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,108 sq ft 403-7175 DUNCAN STREET

$429,000 MLS®19750

LISTING

NANCY: 604 849 5777

Private in Malaspina Inlet, featuring southfacing waterfront and access to expansive surrounding forest nestled on 3.5 acres. 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,193 sq ft 11800 MALASPINA INLET

$499,000 MLS®19789

AUSTYN: 778 986 1691

Secure one of the last vacant lots on Historical Marine Avenue. This view lot is stepped, allowing for multiple levels of construction with vistas of the Salish Sea. 4572 MARINE AVENUE

$380,000 MLS®19725

KATIE: 604 344 0055

Beautifully crafted, brand-new townhome! Environmentally sustainable, this energyefficient home has a zero carbon footprint. 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom CREEKSIDE LIVING TOWNHOUSES

5191 Manson Avenue • Starting at $499,900

Beautifully updated home on .65 acres with orchard trees, gardens, huge detached workshop, renovated studio suite. 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2,952 sq ft 7889 HIGHWAY 101

$789,900 MLS®19546

NANCY: 604 849 5777

SHOP & SUITE