The Peak - August 20, 2026

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NEWS...................... 3 OPINION.................. 6 CROSSWORD............ 7 CULTURE................ 10 COMMUNITY...........15 SUDOKU..................15 SPORTS.................. 22 BUSINESS............... 24 SCENE.................... 29 CLASSIFIEDS.......... 30

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Members of Hap Parker’s extended family pose outside of the Powell River Recreation Complex arena, which was named after Hap, who did so much for hockey in Powell River, starting in the mid-1950s. The family members, from as far away as San Francisco, came to Powell River on logger sports weekend to have a reunion and celebrate Hap’s legacy.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Arena’s namesake celebrated Descendants of Hap Parker gather in community and remember his accomplishments for Powell River Regals PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

Family members from around BC and the United States gathered in Powell River early in July to celebrate the legacy of Hap Parker, after whom the arena in Powell River Recreation Complex is named.

Hap was involved with the Powell River Regals hockey club from inception and was the driving force of the team for many years with his wife Ina, who formed and was involved with the Green and Gold women’s auxiliary.

Hap’s daughter Anne said about 15 years

ago, she had a first cousin come to Powell River with her sons, one of whom was trying out for the Powell River Kings junior hockey team. It turned out that the player was too young at 15 years old.

“Shortly after, they had the naming of the Hap Parker Arena and these young chaps very much wanted to come back to Powell River to see Uncle Hap’s arena,” said Anne.

“For a number of years we talked about it, back and forth.

“A year and a half ago, I got together again with that cousin from California and we said: ‘we have to do this.’ It was time to get this rolling, so we got it organized.”

In all, at the reunion of Hap’s family members, there were 28 people, from San Francisco, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Kamloops, North Vancouver and Vancouver Island. From July 9 to 11, the family gathered to take part in a number of activities, and to tour the arena. »22

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NEWS »

Wildfire conditions reached highest point in June Risk may climb again with several weeks of summer remaining TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

More than 20,000 people in BC remain displaced from their homes as wildfires continue to burn out of control across the province, anchored by the explosive growth of the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland.

According to the BC Wildlife Service, lightning strikes are the cause of a majority of forest fires in the province, however, camping and open fires, vehicles and arson are not far down the list.

Although the qathet region’s wildfire risk for the month of July was fairly low, the threat in the region began early this year with a dryer than normal spring, according to qathet Regional District (qRD) general manager of emergency services Ryan Thoms.

“The wildfire conditions across qathet were at their highest in June, but since then we’ve had precipitation, moderate temperatures and high humidities throughout much of July and, consequently, our wildfire risk actually decreased in our region,” Thoms told the Peak. “We’ve experienced dryer weather again in August and there are still several weeks of summer remaining so wildfire risk may climb again before conditions cool down in the fall.”

Thoms warned that regard-

less of the current wildfire threat level, there is always at least some risk of fire during the summer months and that even a relatively small fire can pose risks to the immediate surrounding area, especially to the safety of firefighters who respond to extinguish the fire. It’s crucial that everyone is aware of conditions and behaves responsibly with fires and with the many activities that can unintentionally ignite a fire, he added.

The month of May was busy for fire crews in qathet. May 6 was the last day campfires were allowed before the BC Wildfire Service implemented an open burning and campfire prohibition across the Coastal Fire Centre.

The Peak reported that Powell River RCMP, Powell River Fire Rescue and Powell River Emergency Health Services (EHS) responded to two fires on that day, which were investigated as suspicious. A police officer observed dark smoke rising from the RONA building.

Police attended and observed a large, rapidly growing fire in the southwest portion of the lumberyard.

Then in late May, fire crews responded to a wildfire burning north of Lund, located off Crowther Road near Okeover Inlet.

The blaze was held and suspected to be human-caused.

Thoms indicated that the best way to be prepared is to get in contact with qRD’s FireSmart Program and request a FireSmart assessment of home and property.

Residential FireSmart assessments are provided by trained asses-

According to BC Wildfire Service there are plenty of ways wildfires start, but lightning strikes cause the majority of them in BC. BC WILDFIRE SERVICE IMAGE

sors free of charge and can provide advice for how to minimize the risk of spreading fire at a home and in a neighbourhood.

“In our coastal environment, the fire risk is very localized and the predominant area of concern is in and around our neighbourhoods,” said Thoms. “When all of us make FireSmart improvements at our homes we are in fact making our community safer and reducing the potential impacts of fires.”

Transportation networks are always a factor in community evacuation scenarios, explained Thoms.

“BC is full of small communities with single-road access limited by mountains, ocean, lakes,” he added. “The single highway and ferries are a factor in our everyday

lives and in a major emergency event we expect these to play an important supporting role.”

According to Thoms, qathet Regional Emergency Preparedness Service has liaised with BC Ferries, the provincial ministry of transportation and other key transport agencies to understand how to collaborate in emergency events.

“We have studied the potential wildfire behaviour extensively in our region and have concluded that the most important evacuation preparedness priorities are closer to home, ensuring residents have plans to quickly evacuate their neighbourhood,” said Thoms. “We encourage all residents to have emergency plans with friends or family in another neigh-

bourhood so that if you need to leave your home due to a fire or other public safety event, then you can temporarily find shelter at a friend’s home in another neighbourhood or other part of the region.”

He believes that although the Okanagan tends to experience more extreme fire events than here on the coast, due to their forest type, grasslands and much dryer conditions, there are still some things to learn from recent fires that reinforce some aspects of planning here.

“The fire in Summerland shows just how fast a fire can spread when conditions allow for it,” said Thoms.

“Shortly after learning of the fire, residents were needing to leave their homes. “Fires and other emergency situa-

tions can evolve quickly so it’s important to already have a plan for you and your family and it’s too late at that point to make FireSmart improvements around your home; this reinforces the need to be prepared ahead of time.”

The qRD emergency preparedness team has been out and about in the community this summer, talking to folks about building family emergency plans, understanding alerts and orders, and how to know when to act.

The team is also encouraging people to sign up for the qRD Community Notification System, which is designed to spread important messages by phone, email or text message. For more information, go to qathet.ca/services/emergency-services/ emergency-preparedness.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 4 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

DON’T MISS THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26

SONGS FROM THIS AND THAT COUNTRY

Gail Sidonie Šobat’s presents her novel on the intergenerational trauma of an immigrant family from the war-torn Balkans and the healing power of music. The presentation begins at 7 pm in Powell River Public Library. For more information, email Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca.

Council requests ministerial meetings Five issues to be brought forward at UBCM convention per recommendations PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com

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City of Powell River Council voted for five meeting requests for cabinet ministers and provincial staff at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention in September.

At a meeting prior to the summer break, councillors were provided with five recommendations for ministerial meetings. Councillor Earl Almeida brought forward an amendment to a recommendation that council direct staff to request a meeting with the minister of housing and municipal affairs regarding concerns about the suspension of the community housing fund. Almeida wanted to add: and to request funding to aid in the homeless encampment process, including cleanup, as a result of lack of shelter from April 2025 to April 2026. The amendment carried unanimously, as did the amended main motion.

Almeida then made an amendment to another recommendation, that council direct staff to request a meeting with the MLA and minister of jobs and economic growth for support of the redevelopment of the old mill site. Almeida said that in the previous week, mayor Ron Woznow, Almeida, as his alternate, and chief administrative officer Sundance Topham, received an email from the chief executive officer of

City of Powell River Council has put forward five requests for ministerial meetings at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in September to cover issues of concern and interest for the city. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO

the Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) to request the help of local governments.

Almeida said the trust is currently not in the provincial plans for funding beyond this current year.

“They have done a great job over the last little while to provide economic growth in the community,” said Almeida. “A couple of projects in our region include the recently opened PRISMA Arts Hub, and Mount Mahony benefited greatly as well.”

Almeida said his amendment was: to add support for the modernization of and strategic investment in the Island Coastal Economic Trust.

Councillor Cindy Elliott said the amendment would add a second topic for the ministerial meeting.

“Sometimes, when you do two topics with a minister at UBCM, they lob onto the one they most prefer to answer, and your other topic gets downgraded by virtue of

there being two,” said Elliott.

“There is already a resolution going forward about this that we get to vote on, I believe. I worry that this broader regional concern will overshadow our very important need to focus the minister on the redevelopment of the mill site. I wonder if we might be better off not to have two topics with that minister in that 10- to 15-minute meeting.”

The amendment, however, carried unanimously, as did the amended main motion.

Councillor George Doubt said the recommendations were for invitations to meet with ministers at the UBCM, and the ministries will look at the requests.

“They may decide to meet with us, and they may decide not to,” said Doubt.

“We’ve done pretty well as a city in the past, getting the meetings we ask for, so we’ll hope.”

Other meeting requests were: for a meeting with the minister of energy and

climate solutions regarding protecting mutual interests for locally produced power; for a meeting with the minister of forests regarding Powell River Community Forest’s request for approval for licence expansion to include the new annual allowable cut; for a meeting with BC Housing regarding an open selection process and associated timelines for service providers for shelter and/or housing services for the unhoused in the community.

Almeida then made a motion that council directs staff to send a letter of Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Randene Neill sharing some of the positive local impact that ICET has had in the region, including the PRISMA Arts Hub and Mount Mahony trails, and encourage her to continue to support the strategic investment in the trust in coming budget deliberations. The motion carried unanimously.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 5 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

Celebrate the ival!

BlackberreveyntFofethest summer!

Powell River’s biggest Live music, local vendors, food and family fun.

STREET PARTY

MARINE AVE - AUGUST 21 | 6-10 PM

THE BLACKBERRY JAM

WILLINGDON BEACH - AUGUST 22 | 12-8 PM

Visit: BlackberryFestival.ca

Thank You For Supporting Our Community

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 6 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

OPINION »

Published every Thursday 4493F Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2K1

Welcome to the health care frying pan Whatever on earth did Ravi Kahlon do to deserve this?

There he was, sailing along as BC’s jobs and economic growth minister, a mostly good-news ministry that was all about the economy and job creation.

He woke up one morning last week to find himself the province’s new health minister and, as such, is now presiding over a portfolio that has become a bit of a political train wreck.

Kahlon is replacing Josie Osbourne, who is now BC’s finance minister. She in turn replaced Brenda Bailey, who had to step aside when she was diagnosed with treatable

cancer.

In making the cabinet changes, premier David Eby has put two of the most widely speculated successors to his job (the other being attorney-general Niki Sharma) in two of the most difficult portfolios in that cabinet.

Osborne goes from the health care frying pan to the finance ministry dumpster fire. Gargantuan deficits and incredibly rising provincial debt levels await her. What fun she will have. She comes into the post as the process to build next spring’s budget begins in earnest.

Osborne will discover soon enough how much control

she has over its construction and how much will be dictated by the premier’s office.

Indeed, the budget Bailey introduced this year seemed to have the premier’s office’s fingerprints all over it. Can Osborne avoid the politically tone deafness that was a main theme of that budget?

Things like making all kinds of changes to the provincial sales tax, delaying construction of long-term care homes and nickel and diming all sorts of things drew heavy criticism with little to show for it when it came to the government’s bottom line.

We should know next February when Osborne de-

livers her first budget who its true architect really was.

As for the soon-to-be beleaguered Kahlon, he can look forward to getting pummeled in question period when the legislature resumes sitting in October (that assumes the now-floundering BC Conservative caucus can get its act together and repeat its good performance it had under former interim leader Trevor Halford; the jury remains out about that).

He should look to Osborne’s performance as health minister as a blueprint of how to handle things. She never shied away from criticism and remained

a steadfast defender of those who work in the system.

And Osborne did not try to justify things like chronically closing rural hospital emergency wards and the ongoing human resource shortages that are driving so many of the problems.

Things are not going to get better in the health care system anytime soon. The population is rapidly aging and that will put ever-increasing pressure on a system already staggering under the weight of population growth.

Cancer cases will steadily rise with that aging population and there is little reason to think the problem of

CAPITAL COMMENT

By Keith Baldrey

closed rural (and occasionally urban) ERs is going to be solved overnight.

Welcome to the health care frying pan, Mr. Minister.

Keith Baldrey is the legislature bureau chief for Global BC.

VIEWPOINT

The real harming reduction For the past two decades, I have been wondering why the majority of Powell River residents seem to be unaware of, or uneducated about, the harm reduction initiative.

This important health care initiative was developed by health authorities across Canada, yet I continue to observe regressive attitudes and behaviours among members of our community regarding its implementation more than 20 years ago.

Here are just a few of my observations: The marginalization of members of our harm reduction community by placing them in restrictive housing units, ultimately decreasing both their quality of life and, in some cases, their lifespan; the reduction of

We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional and treaty lands of the Tla’amin people.

Published every Thursday by 1553164 BC LTD dba The Peak.

REACH US Phone 604.485.5313 publisher@prpeak.com • prpeak.com Unit F, 4493 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2K3 Member of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association and the British Columbia Yukon Newspaper Association.

By Jasmine Brown

adequate Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) facilities, as evidenced by their newly corresponding infrastructure, limiting access; more local businesses locking their washroom doors, denying members of the public access to basic sanitation facilities; more local businesses refusing service to certain individuals based solely on how they appear; the growth of cyberbullying pages on social media that engage in defamation, harassment, the posting of photos without permission and other abusive comments directed toward our fellow community members.

I question why page administrators allow these comments to remain publicly visible.

It makes me question their integrity and

humanity more than those who posted such comments in the first place.

If the World Health Organization recognizes chronic addiction as a disease affecting the brain, then perhaps addiction deserves the same compassion and evidence-based care as other chronic illnesses. If a friend went away for cancer treatment but returned still ill, would you say to them, "Well, you just didn't try hard enough. I think you should be sent away so you can try it again.”

Whether someone wants to try to become in remission or wants to cut down from using, should not become a measure of success or of failure. It’s simply a choice.

I believe that, 100 years from now, people

will be shocked to learn how much of today's public, along with some of our governing bodies, responded to this disease. They may wonder how we could have treated people in this way for so long while believing it was even acceptable.

Members of the harm reduction community whom I have met are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and taxpayers who wish no harm to anyone. I imagine many of them simply wonder why so much real harm is directed toward them, and why there seems to be so little actual "harm reduction" in our community, period.

Jasmine Brown is a member of qathet Harm Reduction Society’s board of directors.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 7 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

CROSSWORD

SAFETY SUPPORT: Chris Anderson [right], associate insurance advisor at Westview Agencies/The Co-operators, recently presented a donation in the form of a $4,000 cheque to Ann Kurtz, executive director of qathet SAFE.

Seal pup found in bad condition Animal transported to Salt Spring Island wildlife rescue TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society (PROWLS) founder Merrilee Prior received a call on August 8 from one of the organization's volunteers about a seal pup found to be in distress.

"They wanted to know what they should do," stated Prior, in a message on social media. "Robbin was given the contact for Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre on Salt Spring Island, and Marielle, the seal expert there, looked at the photos, determined that the little lonely pup was indeed in poor condition and started the rescue."

Arrangements were made with Lund Water Taxi to transport the seal pup, which was put in a large tote.

Prior headed out with a crate to pick the seal. By

6:30 pm, she was returning to Powell River with the pup crying in the back of a PROWLS transport vehicle to meet the pilot who was travelling to Victoria, and then catching the ferry to Salt Spring Island.

"Jayson was waiting for me when I raced into the airport parking lot," stated Prior. "By 7:30 pm, I was driving home and by 9 pm the pup was at the centre being treated, and getting the medical help he needed."

Prior described Robbin, longtime PROWLS volunteer, as a very competent rescuer for everything from seal pups to eagles, and also commended others involved in the transport.

"The people at the Lund Water Taxi are always amazingly helpful, thoughtful and professional as they take part in saving animals," stated Prior. "The pilot, Jayson Biggins, is a retired pilot who is now spending his time moving wildlife between facilities."

Prior explained that the rescue would have taken much longer if they had

The team at Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society recently rescued a seal pup in rough condition and arranged for transport to and care at another facility. PROWLS PHOTO

to rely on commercial transport. "[I want to thank] Marielle from Island Wildlife Rescue, who recognizes the urgency and gets things moving immediately in order to save a life," stated Prior. "All these people are acting out of their concern for the life of the animal, so it made me feel really proud to be a small cog

in this well-oiled community rescue machine."

PROWLS is on a fundraising mission to raise money to open a new animal rescue facility in qathet.

To donate, go to canadahelps.org/.../powell-river-orphaned, or to find out more about Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre, go to sealrescue. org/about.

ACROSS 1. Behave 4. Rubberneck 8. Granny 12. Attorney’s field 13. Bard’s lament 14. Computer operator 15. Thieves 17. Writing 18. Rowing implement 19. Carpets 20. Against 23. Clan 27. Labors 29. Lasagna seasoning 33. Adam’s mate 34. Ear parts 36. Drumstick 37. Gin drink 39. Entire 41. Rectify 43. Golfer’s shout 44. Small particle 47. Fairy 49. Farm’s yield 50. Bestowed 55. Fog 56. Desertlike 57. Prove human 58. Watcher 59. Hair products 60. Can DOWN 1. European peak 2. Auto 3. Deuce 4. Celebration 5. Observant 6. Average

7. Curvy turn 8. Aromatic spice 9. On a voyage 10. Barber’s word 11. Humanities 16. Lamb’s fabric 20. Detail 21. PBS science show 22. Seating section 24. Batman’s sidekick 25. Animosity 26. Better than better 28. Actor Pickens 30. Voice part 31. Advance 32. Stare 35. Dollar 38. Mood 40. Not ons 42. Wicked person 44. Suffer 45. Server 46. Drip 48. Caps 50. Dillydally 51. “Just the Way You ____” 52. Shorten, as a skirt 53. Distinct time 54. Lacking water

CUSTOM MENUS

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CATERING

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 8 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

Team plans flag raising

Vote for local your go to’s and be entered to win a prize VOTE FOR YOUR GO-TO RETAILERS, FOOD AND DRINK, LIFESTYLES, SERVICES, HEALTH AND WELLNESS prpeak.com/contests/peoples-choice

Events culminating in a flag raising at Powell River City Hall will be held later this month in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day. qathet Community Action Team (qCAT) is supporting local individuals and families impacted by the ongoing toxic drug crisis.

"This year's International Overdose Awareness Day is especially timely given the expiration of a Health Canada program that decriminalized substance use paired with a housing and cost of living crisis affecting so many of us in this province," stated qCat coordinator Jessica Colasanto, in a media release.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event that recognizes a public health crisis driven by a toxic drug supply and amplified by social stigma and policies that prioritize criminalization over harm reduction services. The qathet community joins hundreds of other communities across Canada and the world in recognizing the impacts of human lives lost due to accidental drug poisonings.

“This issue hits close to home with more British Columbians dying annually from preventable overdoses than

Community members and qathet’s Community Action Team came together at Powell River City Hall [above] prior to International Overdose Awareness Day in 2025. A flag raising has been planned for the same location this year. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO

from fatal car collisions, homicides, and suicide combined,” the release stated. “qCAT continues to work with provincial representatives and community partners including Lift Community Services, Powell River City Council and Vancouver Coastal Health to mitigate the loss of life due to the drug crisis here in the region. This includes advocating for harm reduction programs, overdose awareness and prevention education, affordable housing and other interventions known to reduce the chances of preventable death from overdose.”

The public is invited to participate and show support for International Overdose Awareness Day from 1 to 3 pm on August 26 at Powell River Public Library.

“Get answers to overdose prevention questions and connect with community services. Free training can also be found online at TowardtheHeart.com.”

At 10 am on August 31, speakers and community members will come together to raise a flag at city hall in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day. For more information, go to facebook.com/qathetCAT.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO GET YOUR KINGS SEASON PASS

Powell River Kings season passes are the franchise’s main financial pillar. So far, just over 200 passes have been sold, and we need to exceed 300!

Support the Kings and enjoy great savings, including over 20% saving from walk up, 20% off merchandise, your choice of seats, first refusal on playoff seats and more.

TICKET PRICES: Season Pass: Adult $399; Youth $220; Child $130; Family of four $798 NEW 15-game voucher and flex passes: Adult $270; Youth $135 (Vouchers are redeemable online for reserve seats)

For tickets and more information, visit: tickets.powellriverkings.com or contact the Kings office at 604.485.7550, Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm Be loud. Be proud. Look forward to a new and exiting season of Kings hockey!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 9 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

2026 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN AS FOLLOWS:

NOTICE OF NOMINATION

Nominations for the local government offices of qathet Regional District: One (1) Director for Electoral Area A | One (1) Director for Electoral Area B | One (1) Director for Electoral Area C | One (1) Director for Electoral Area D | One (1) Director for Electoral Area E AND Nominations for the local government offices of Islands Trust: Two (2) Local Trustees for Lasqueti Island Local Trust Area AND Nominations for the School Trustee offices of School District No. 47, qathet School District: Five (5) School Trustees AND Nominations for the School Trustee offices of School District No. 69, Qualicum School District: Two (2) School Trustees for Trustee Electoral Area G will be received by the Chief Election Officer or a designated person, as follows: By hand, mail or other delivery service: #202-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2L2 Office hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (closed weekends and holidays) From: 9:00 am September 1, 2026 To: 4:00 pm September 11, 2026

By fax to: 604-485-2216 By email to: vote@qathet.ca From: 9:00 am September 1, 2026 To: 4:00 pm September 11, 2026

Appointments may be scheduled for in-person delivery of documents on Lasqueti Island: To schedule, please call the qathet Regional District: 604-485-2260

The term of office for all positions is four-years commencing in November 2026.

Interested persons can obtain information on the requirements and procedures for making nominations, including nomination forms at the qathet Regional District office located at #202-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2L2, by appointment on Lasqueti Island scheduled by emailing vote@qathet.ca or phoning 604-485-2260, or by visiting qathet.ca/election-2026 from August 4, 2026.

THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF NOMINATIONS IS 4:00 P.M. FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 The qathet Regional District does not charge a nomination deposit fee.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE

A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria: • Canadian citizen; • 18 years of age or older on general voting day October 17, 2026; • resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; • not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE

A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a School Trustee if they meet the following criteria: • Canadian citizen; • 18 years of age or older on general voting day October 17, 2026; • resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and • not disqualified under the School Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to or holding office as a trustee, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

For further information on the nomination process, please contact: Chief Election Officer, Michelle Jones | Deputy Chief Election Officer, Rebecca Coleman #202-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, B.C., V8A 2L2 | Email: vote@qathet.ca Phone: 604-485-2260 | qathet.ca/election-2026

CAMPAIGN PERIOD EXPENSE LIMITS

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2026 general local election, the following expense limits for candidates during the campaign period apply: Election Area of the qathet Regional District: Electoral Area A - $6,161.89 | Electoral Area B - $6,161.89 | Electoral Area C - $6,161.89 | Electoral Area D - $6,161.89 | Electoral Area E - $6,161.89 Election Area of the Islands Trust - Lasqueti Island: Islands Trust Local Trust Area Trustee - $6,161.89 Election Area of School District No. 47 - qathet School District: Board of Education Trustee - $11,837.39 Election Area of School District No. 69 - Qualicum School District - Trustee Election Area 1: Board of Education Trustee - $6,161.89

THIRD PARTY ADVERTISING LIMITS

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2026 general local elections, the following third-party advertising limits apply: Election Area of the qathet Regional District: Electoral Area A - $924.28 | Electoral Area B - $924.28 | Electoral Area C - $924.28 | Electoral Area D - $924.28 | Electoral Area E - $924.28 Election Area of the Islands Trust - Lasqueti Island: Islands Trust Local Trust Area Trustee - $924.28 Election Area of School District No. 47 - qathet School District: Board of Education Trustee - $924.28 Election Area of School District No. 69 - Qualicum School District - Trustee Election Area 1: Board of Education Trustee - $924.28 For further information on campaign period expense limits and third-party advertising limits, please contact Elections BC: Toll-free phone: 1-855-952-0280 | Email: lecf@elections.bc.ca | Website: https://elections.bc.ca/local-elections/candidate-expense-limits/

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 10 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

CULTURE »

Book highlights missing history Skater and librarian Natalie Porter presents interviews and meticulous research about women in skateboard culture TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

In her debut book, Girl Gangs, Zines, and Powerslides: A History of Badass Women Skateboarders, author and librarian Natalie Porter shatters the myth of skateboarding as a strictly male subculture. Porter tracks the deep historical roots of women's skateboarding, providing vital context for the seemingly overnight success of today's female Olympic competitors.

Her book is in the running to win the Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society (SCWES) 2026 debut award for authors who have published a book for the first time. The Peak reached out to Porter about her book, her research and her own life as a female skateboarder.

"The bulk of the book is about individual women

throughout history [in skateboarding]," said Porter. "Their stories weave together and [show] how often being part of a community or a girl gang elevates women in this very male-dominated subculture, and especially in the 80s and 90s, when women were kind of pushed underground."

Porter said women have always been part of the skateboarding world, but the sport was rebranded (by media and corporations) as a boys only club.

"The Women Skateboard Network was formed [in 1986] and then they created a zine, a do-it-yourself publication to connect with other girls around the world, just to inspire each other and keep each other motivated," explained Porter. "I tracked down and interviewed women, and also kind of explored my own history because I've been skateboarding for a long time."

Porter started skateboarding in the 1990s and, in 2003, while at university, she wrote her thesis titled: Female skateboarders and their negotiation of space and identity.

"Eventually you have to get a job, and so I went to library school, but I was always collecting and accumulating interviews of women and teen [skateboarders]," said Porter.

"I had so much content that

just after the [COVID-19] pandemic, I created this archive corresponding with an Instagram account."

The archive Porter created, called Womxn Skateboard History, celebrates female and nonbinary skaters throughout the decades, and the archive keeps growing.

"I'm up to 350 biographies," said Porter. "I'm glad I was able to combine my two obsessions of research and skateboarding."

Porter worked for Vancouver Public Library for years in the research department called InfoAction, and honed her skills digging through databases.

"Some of the women were quite challenging to find," said Porter. "KZ Zapata is one of the few female skateboarders in the 80s who were competing against the guys, and she also had her own zine called Push, Push, Then Go." Porter documents in her archive that Zapata was featured in Thrasher magazine in July 1986, and was acknowledged as the lone woman competing in Sacramento at the Sacto Streetstyle contest, surrounded by 80s legends such as Natas Kaupas, Mark Gonzales, Steve Caballero, Christian Hosoi, Jeff Grosso and Tommy Guerrero.

"Another person, actually, I just got to skateboard with

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her in Seattle, is named Beth Fishman," said Porter. "She was the champion skater in New Jersey, beat out all the boys in 1978, and had a fascinating life."

Porter said her book finds threads that connect the female skaters and builds interwoven stories.

When the sport of skateboarding was included at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and Paris in 2024, there was much celebration of women competitors: 19-year-old Sakura Yosozumi and 12-year-old Kokona Hiraki, who became the firstever women’s Olympic Park Skateboarding gold and silver medalists.

"There's just been so much celebration of these young prodigies, who are amazing talents, but there is no context," said Porter. "Most people had no idea about the blood, sweat and tears of past women competitors who had to demand a contest division for girls and demand equal pay."

Porter said she felt an obligation to past, present and future female and nonbinary skateboarders, and that's why she started the archive and eventually wrote the book.

"I thought [the missing history of women skaters] was unfortunate; I've got the knowledge, the skill set, I've

Author Natalie Porter’s book, titled Girl Gangs, Zines, and Powerslides: A History of Badass Women Skateboarders, is in the running to win the 2026 Book Awards for BC Authors debut award for authors who have published a book for the first time. SCOTT MALIN PHOTO

been accumulating this stuff for 20-plus years, and the result has been incredible," said Porter. "We've been flown to Washington DC by the Smithsonian; I'm their only subject expert on women's skateboard history, which is so bizarre. I've been speaking at conferences. There was a real void, and I filled it.”

Porter said she's had much affirmation and curiosity from male skaters, too, about the history of women in skateboarding. She thinks the guys who skateboarded in the late 80s and 90s may have daughters who are now into the sport.

"I grew up in Ontario, and

then I moved out west in 1996, and I was fortunate to meet a really awesome crew of girls in BC," said Porter.

"The Antisocial skate shop [in Vancouver] that's owned

by Michelle Pezel, she was one of my girl gang."

She hopes the archive and book can inspire other young women, girls and nonbinary folks who might want to take up the sport.

"I'm trying to elevate stories from around the world," said Porter.

To find Porter's book, go to ecwpress.com/products/girlgangs-zines-and-powerslides, or to check out the archive, go to womxnskatehistory.ca.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 11 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

Festival of Lights Themed Fireworks & Music Show!

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Willingdon Park at approx. 10:10PM

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 12 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 13 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

Music festival returns to region Local and visiting performers will take the stage at Palm Beach over Labour Day weekend TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

Palm Beach Regional Park is set to transform into a lively beachside celebration of sound this coming Labour Day weekend (Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6). Sunshine Music Festival will return for its 45th-plus year.

Run entirely by a dedicated group of local volunteers, the popular coastal tradition will bring a diverse lineup of musicians to the qathet region.

Organizers said they want to create an energetic, dance-focused

weekend that highlights local performers alongside touring acts.

President of the festival board Marina Lagacé said a core mission of the festival is to celebrate the talented musicians, from here and away, with the qathet community.

"We always strive to have 20 to 30 per cent locals on stage," Lagacé told the Peak. "This year, we have quite a high number of locals performing, maybe 30-plus per cent."

The beachfront stage will feature high-energy headliners designed to get the crowd moving, offering a distinct musical atmosphere for each night of the weekend.

"On Saturday night, we’ve got a pretty big party band called the Boom Booms coming up from Vancouver," said Lagacé.

Sunday night will shift the energy toward global and Latin-infused rhythms, featuring Victoria-based band Locarno.

"They’re an amazing, Latinsalsa-inspired, multi-instrumental

band," explained Lagacé. "They're great. They're all seasoned musicians and really dancy, but with different vibes each night."

Some of the more local acts include country singer/songwriter Wen Warn, performing with the Texada Boyz; Pat Buckna; and the always popular Beach Crashers, who play Sunday.

In addition to the music, attendees can look forward to the return of a bustling selection of food vendors and artisan booths. The festival is also continuing its push toward zero-waste operations, bringing back dedicated washing and wastereduction stations to ensure the beachfront remains pristine.

Lagacé said organizers are still looking for dishwashing volunteers.

"It's still a tremendous amount of work putting on a festival," added Lagacé. "We're all volunteers, and it's so worth it."

This year, Lagacé said a discounted youth ticket price has been add-

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ed, plus children 12 and under get in free.

"We wanted to make it easier for families to come," said Lagacé.

"On Sunday, children's performer

Madame B is playing, which was a huge hit with families last year."

To see the festival lineup or to buy tickets, go to sunshinemusicfest. ca/lineup.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 14 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

CITY OF POWELL RIVER

2026 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN AS FOLLOWS:

NOTICE OF NOMINATION

Nominations for the offices of: Office of Mayor one (1) • Office of Councillor six (6) AND Nominations for the offices of: School Trustees for Trustee Electoral Area 47 – five (5) to be elected will be received by the Chief Election Officer or a designated person, as follows: By hand, mail or other delivery service: City of Powell River 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC, V8A 1V4

From 9 am September 1, 2026 To 4 pm September 11, 2026 Excluding statutory holidays and weekends

By email to: From 9 am September 1, 2026 election@powellrive.ca To 4 pm September 11, 2026 Note: Nomination documents require a declaration before the Chief or Deputy Chief Election Officer (CEO/DCEO), or a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits in British Columbia. The CEO and DCEO will be taking appointments between August 17-31, 2026 for delivery of Nomination Documents between September 1-11, 2026

Interested persons can obtain information on the requirements and procedures for making nominations, including nomination forms at the City of Powell River Administration Department address noted above or on www.powellriver.ca from August 17 to September 11, 2026.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria:  Canadian citizen;  18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 17, 2026);  resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed (March 10, 2026);  not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a School Trustee if they meet the following criteria:  Canadian citizen;  18 years of age or older on general voting day [October 17, 2026];  resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed (March 10, 2026); and  not disqualified under the School Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to or holding office as a trustee, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

CAMPAIGN PERIOD EXPENSE LIMITS In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2026 general local election, the following expense limits for candidates during the campaign period apply:  Mayor $18,420.35  Councillor $9,210.18  School Trustee $11,837.39

THIRD PARTY ADVERTISING LIMITS In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2022 general local elections, the following third-party advertising limits apply:  Third party advertising limit $924.28  Cumulative third-party advertising limit $184,856.70 For further information on the nomination process, please contact: Peter DeJong, Chief Election Officer, pdejong@powellriver.ca, 604-485-8602 Jessica Walls, Deputy Chief Election Officer, jwalls@powellriver.ca , 604-485-8603 For further information on campaign period expense limits and third-party advertising limits, please contact Elections BC: Toll-free phone: 1.855.952.0280 Email: lecf@elections.bc.ca Website: www.elections.bc.ca/lecf

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 15 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

COMMUNITY »

SUDOKU

Blooms brings community joy Donations for flowers going to local food bank TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

A simple gesture like sharing colourful flower bouquets is proving to brighten the days of qathet community members.

Westview residents Merilee Macdougall and Dan Siemens started doing just that a few months ago by placing their abundance of blooms in a box in front of their home, on offer for community members to take by donation. All proceeds go to Powell River Action Centre Food Bank.

"We get great joy from growing a garden of flowers, fruit and vegetables," said Macdougall. "This time of

year, [our garden] is so abundant with colourful blooms and birdlife that we want to share the joy and bounty, and make a difference in the lives of others."

Local horticulturist Sarah Bacon stated in an online post last month that coming across the bouquets while out and about turned her not so great day into a pretty good one.

"Thank you to these lovely folks and their humanity that made up for my crabby attitude," stated Bacon.

The bouquets are made up of colourful dahlias, sprigs of rosemary and lavender.

"Our stand will be open into the fall as long as there are blooms to pick," said Macdougall. "We ask for a minimum of $5 per bouquet, with all proceeds donated to the food bank."

The flowers by donation are located on Harvie Avenue, near Courtenay Street.

Level: INTERMEDIATE

LAST WEEK’S SODUKO ANSWER:

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.

Colourful flower bouquets available by donation, with all proceeds going to the food bank, popped up in the neighbourhood of Westview a few weeks ago.

TANYA HILL PHOTO

City receives development funds Money from BC government meant to speed up delivery of homes YASHVIKA GROVER Williams Lake Tribune

Communities across the province are receiving funding from the BC government to speed up delivery of homes.

The Local Government Develop Approvals Program is directed by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) and "helps local governments develop innovative ways to

improve development approval processes to help nonprofit housing organizations, developers and other stakeholders deliver homes quicker and increase housing supply."

The government has allocated $9 million across 56 BC communities to streamline development approvals for a variety of projects.

City of Powell River has been awarded a grant totalling $19,810.72.

“The province is building the housing people in BC need, with more than 99,000 homes built or underway,” said Brittny Anderson, minister of state for local governments and rural communities. “We’re going to continue our strong part-

nerships to build so British Columbians are able to afford to rent, to own and stay in the communities they work in, where their families are and where they call home.”

UBCM president Cori Ramsey said getting homes approved, built and available requires all orders of government and industry to work together to improve development approvals processes.

"Across BC, local governments are investing in practical solutions to streamline approvals, including digitizing permitting systems, adopting standardized housing designs and modernizing processes."

The $9 million funding is the third intake in this pro-

gram, which received more than 70 applications for the 2026 intake.

This story was made possible due to the Local Journalism Initiative.

You work hard to serve your community Let us help you reach it— one reader at a time.

The Peak • 604.485.5313 publisher@prpeak.com Unit-F 4493 Marine Avenue

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 16 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 17 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 18 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

Market day becomes food-inspired adventure Free tasting passport program celebrates farmers' markets, restaurants and small businesses SANDRA THOMAS Coast Reporter

A trip to the farmers' market has always been about filling a shopping bag with just-picked produce, fresh baking and handcrafted treasures. But thanks to BC Association of Farmers' Markets' (BCAFM) Tasting Passport, market day is be-

coming something even bigger — an invitation to explore the Sunshine Coast one delicious stop at a time.

Now in its third year, the free passport has evolved from a simple guide to local attractions into a provincewide celebration of farmers' markets, restaurants, breweries, wineries and the small businesses that make each community unique.

"This year has really been about building relationships," said Melissa Maltais, membership and programs manager for BCAFM. "We started the Tasting Passport by working with local tourism offices, but we realized we hadn't actually connected directly with many of the businesses we were featuring."

That changed this year.

Rather than simply listing local attractions, the association reached out to restaurant owners, retailers and tourism operators included on the Tasting Passport's route, creating partnerships designed to encourage visitors to spend an entire day exploring beyond the market.

The association even created special keepsakes to help tie everything together, including colourful coasters distributed to participating attractions and, "There's More to Explore" postcards available at farmers' markets.

"Our goal is to make it a market day and then also encourage people to explore those local businesses," said

Maltais. "We know from our economic impact research that the spillover effect farmers' markets have is quite large, and we want everybody in those communities to benefit."

The Sunshine Coast is the perfect place to put that philosophy into practice.

With five farmers' markets stretching from Sechelt to Powell River, visitors can easily build an itinerary around local food and shopping. Saturday options include Sechelt's Ripple Farmers' Market, Davis Bay Farmers' Market and Sechelt Farmers' and Artisans' Market, while Powell River Farmers’ Market in Paradise Valley operates on Saturdays (10:30 am to 12:30 pm) and

Visitors peruse the offerings in the main thoroughfare at Powell River Farmers’ Market in Paradise Valley. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO

Sundays (12:30 to 2:30 pm).

The Central Farmers' Market at Willingdon Beach rounds out the lineup on Saturdays throughout the summer (10 am to 1 pm).

The Tasting Passport encourages visitors to continue the adventure after they've picked up their fresh vegeta-

bles, berries or artisan bread.

In Powell River, travellers can stop at Supercharger Pizza for handmade pies served in a nostalgic, 1980sthemed atmosphere before browsing the creative offerings at qathet art + wares, an art supply shop and gallery »19

More bookable space and more Saver fares These changes help reduce congestion at the terminal and provide customers with greater travel certainty. Drive-up space remains available on every sailing but will be limited.

NEW

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 19 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

18« MARKET showcasing local talent.

In Sechelt, that could mean lingering over lunch at Gourmet Girl Cafe while taking in the ocean views from the heated patio, browsing Canadian-made apparel and coastal gifts at Local Tourist, or creating a custom burger at PKLS Burgers.

Visitors who check in using the Tasting Passport app can also unlock exclusive discounts at select participating businesses.

For Maltais, the passport is about much more than encouraging people to spend money. It's about helping communities thrive together.

"The whole program is free for businesses to participate in," she said. "We're trying to drive traffic, feature them on our website and social media, and really create that circle of interest where people discover everything a community has to offer."

She added that every year, the organization asks itself one question: What can make the program even stronger?

"This year it's been our restaurant relationships," said Maltais. "We're also working with breweries and wineries because we really want British Columbia to be known for this incredible culinary scene."

Farmers' markets themselves remain at the heart of that vision. And, Maltais believes, the growing "buy

local" movement is helping more people appreciate their efforts.

"People want to buy local carrots, they want to support their local fish vendor," she said. "It's all about exploring and finding where those parts live in your community and making that connection between where your food comes from, the markets, the restaurants and the people producing it."

That local-first philosophy has also inspired the association's new Taste the World with BC Farmers' Markets campaign, celebrating the

Wildfires, drought and water restrictions have made growing conditions especially difficult in parts of the Okanagan and Thompson regions, where many of the province's fruit crops are grown.

"Now more than ever, it's really important to band together as a province to support the growers that we have," she added. "They're facing adversity year after year, and every purchase makes a difference."

She also credits Sunshine Coast Tourism for helping the Tasting Passport flour-

Now more than ever, it’s really important to band together as a province to support the growers that we have.

MELISSA MALTAIS

BCAFM PROGRAMS MANAGER

remarkable diversity of vendors across the province.

"We've been featuring vendors from all over the world who are creating incredible foods using British Columbia ingredients," said Maltais.

"It's become my favourite campaign. It's such a wonderful fusion of local agriculture and cultures from around the world."

Even as the Sunshine Coast enjoys another busy market season, Maltais said it's important to remember many BC farmers are facing enormous challenges.

ish and for being a supporting partner, which made the Sunshine Coast itinerary possible.

"They're always so invested in celebrating the farmers' market communities," said Maltais. "We really appreciate them coming to the table every year to help us with what we do."

For anyone looking for a summer outing, the passport offers a simple recipe: start at a farmers' market, follow your curiosity, and let the Sunshine Coast surprise you one stop at a time.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 20 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

josh statham After a week of spotty fishing the bite is picking up! There’s far less bait around, but hook-ups have been more consistent than they were recently. We’re starting to hear multiple locations producing at the same time, unlike the past week where you had to be in the right spot.

Chinook size hasn’t been as large on average, and there seems to be more Jacks and immature around than there was, but you likely will have success at just about any location.

Grant Reefs was apparently hot at The Can (South end) recently. There’s a sleeper spot just before The Spit at Harwood that’s produced recently (big plugs), and reports of good fish on the back side of The Spit. If you’re pressed for time ‘out front’ has been good (white Hoochie or black/chartreuse Coho Killer). It feels like Favada Point is going to be a on its typical late run as I’ve heard multiple positive reports of late, specifically along the white wall, and even a bit south of it, but also on the pinnacle closest to shore.

Monday morning the reef between Harwood Island and Rebecca Reef was productive on the Thunder Spoon.

Crabbing has picked up and prawning remains solid. Sardines have been key.

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Questions posed to ferry representatives Westview Ratepayers Society organizes session with BC Ferries

Westview Ratepayers Society organized a town hall meeting with BC Ferries representatives earlier this summer, where a series of questions were posed to the company’s representatives about Route 17 (Powell River to Comox). The following are questions that were asked and BC Ferries’ answers to those questions.

I would like to see resident cards (price reduction and priority boarding) brought back for rural communities that rely on ferries as our highways. or, three ferry passes a year, or, we only pay one way. BC Ferries is our highway that we can’t afford to drive or ride on. Northern communities get money provision for being so isolated. Why don’t we get some provisions?

We know this issue resonates strongly with people who live in ferry-dependent communities. For many coastal residents, ferry travel is not optional, it is how people get to work, attend medical appointments, access services and stay connected with family and community.

BC Ferries does not charge different fares based on where someone lives and we do not prioritize boarding based on residency. The resident-priority boarding program that existed during the pandemic was a temporary measure directed by the Province of BC and is no longer in place. Priority loading remains available for certain medical travel situations through existing programs such as medical assured loading, and eligible customers can also access free travel through the travel assistance program.

On Route 17, one of the reasons for increasing bookable space was to create more affordable travel options. The changes have allowed BC Ferries to offer saver fares on every sailing, with prices starting at $39 for a vehicle and driver, and those fares already include a booking.

We are also offering more prepaid travel options and for a limited time, continuing programs such as kids go free.

Programs such as resident-only fares, free travel or travel subsidies would re-

Q.

A.

quire broader policy and funding decisions beyond BC Ferries' authority as the ferry operator. Priority-based travel was considered in the creation of Charting the Course, which outlines the longterm vision for BC's coastal ferry system.

Having a ferry system with priority travel would require significant resources to administer that BC Ferries is currently not resourced to do. We will continue to share affordability feedback as part of ongoing discussions about how to support ferry-dependent communities.

Are the BC Ferries representatives attending by Zoom the ones who make the decisions regarding reservations and policies or are they just attending for those in the background who do? Who makes decisions such as 85 per cent reservations without consulting the community that it would affect so dramatically?

We understand the concern that decisions affecting ferrydependent communities can sometimes feel like they happen without enough local input or explanation. Operational decisions such as reservation levels are made by BC Ferries using data about travel demand, vessel capacity, terminal operations and travel behaviours.

On Route 17, the changes were made in response to significant growth in traffic volumes, more sailing waits, increasing congestion and situations where sailings were selling out early even though many ultimately left with unused space available.

It's important to clarify that reservations, or advanced bookings, are not fixed at 85 per cent on every sailing. Up to 85 per cent of vehicle space is bookable in advance, but not all of that space is necessarily booked. Unused booked space remains available to drive-up customers and drive-up space continues to be protected on every sailing.

The goal of these changes is to improve travel certainty, reduce congestion and long waits, and make better use of available vessel capacity. We also recognize that communities want earlier communication and more opportunities to understand the reasons behind major operational changes, and that is something we continue to work on.

If you are going to impose an 85 per cent reservation

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policy, you shouldn’t charge people the $20 fee. I don’t pay extra to reserve a car, hotel room or a flight, which all have administrative costs, but BC Ferries does. Why? If I don’t show they charge me $50. Or charge me $20 if I cancel.

The goal of increasing bookable space on Route 17 was not simply to create more bookings; it was to create more travel options.

Previously, customers often had two choices: travel as a drive-up customer, or pay a booking fee. Today, customers also have access to Prepaid and Saver fare options that include an advanced booking.

Saver fares are now available on every sailing, with prices ranging from $39 to $59 for a vehicle and driver, and no additional booking fee. BC Ferries has set a target of making up to 25 per cent of available space eligible for saver fares, compared to less than two per cent previously. In the first two weeks after implementation, more than 3,200 vehicles travelled using saver fares.

Advanced bookings provide customers with greater certainty about when they can travel, while helping BC Ferries better manage demand and reduce congestion. We recognize affordability remains a concern and will continue monitoring customer feedback and travel patterns as the changes are evaluated.

My question is, you are left behind as the ferry is full.

You now have to go get a refund. Why can't you rejoin the line after getting the refund? I heard you have to leave and return at a certain time. It could be 10 or more positions behind where I was in line, even though I was first.

We appreciate why this feels frustrating. Nobody wants to spend time waiting, only to feel like they have lost their place in line. One of the challenges on Route 17 is that both terminals have limited space and are not designed for today's demand levels.

Managing vehicle traffic safely and fairly is one of the primary responsibilities of terminal staff.

When a sailing is full, vehicles must be managed through designated staging and loading processes. Allowing vehicles to leave and reenter loading lanes can »21 create safety challenges,

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 21 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

20« FERRY MEETING traffic congestion and disputes about vehicle order. For that reason, customers may be asked to book a later sailing and return at the appropriate check-in time. While we recognize this can be inconvenient, the process is intended to ensure safety and fairness for all customers.

What about people reselling reservations or reservation scalping?

Advance bookings are intended for the customers who book them.

The unauthorized resale of tickets is prohibited as outlined in our terms & conditions; customers are encouraged to read through our scam alert page to protect themselves from fraud.

BC Ferries continues to monitor reservation usage and customer feedback to identify concerns and determine what improvements to the booking system can be implemented.

What options exist for seniors who are unable or unwilling to pay online?

Customers who do not have a credit card, prefer not to pay online, or are uncomfortable using digital booking tools have options. BC Ferries can assist customers in making a booking over the phone, and there is a process that allows customers to pay with cash. Customers can contact BC Ferries' customer service centre, where staff will explain the process and help arrange the booking. In situations where cash payment is required, customers may be directed to a terminal with point-of-sale capabilities, where terminal staff can work with the customer service centre to complete the booking and process the payment.

What supports exist for medical travel?

Access to health care is essential for

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ferry-dependent communities. Customers travelling to medical appointments can ask their medical practitioner for a TAP form, which provides them with free travel to and from their appointment on the same route.

BC Ferries also offers a free booking with a completed TAP form, providing travel certainty to ensure customers get to their appointments as scheduled.

Customers can book their travel online by checking the TAP check box in the passenger details page. They can also call the customer service centre and have an agent book the travel for the customer.

The recent Route 17 changes also increased the amount of bookable space available for TAP customers, giving more choice and flexibility when planning medical travel. We ask customers to contact our customer service centre if they have a completed TAP form and advance booking space is sold out on the day you need to travel to your medical appointment.

Our agents will offer booking assistance or prioritize the customer booking on the waitlist.

BC Ferries is aware that some customers have difficulty getting a paper copy of the TAP form from their medical practitioner.

Customers can ask their medical practitioner to email or fax them a copy of the form to print out at home.

It is still necessary to contact TAP automated application service to obtain a confirmation number to complete their form.

Medical assured loading (MAL) is still available for those travelling under the travel assistance program (TAP) and who have a MAL letter from their medical practitioner that states that it is necessary for them to avoid a wait at the ferry terminal.

Will BC Ferries share data on how the reservation changes are

Q.

working?

Yes. BC Ferries is actively monitoring the impacts of the Route 17 changes and sharing early results. In the first 14 days after implementation, more than 3,260 vehicles travelled using saver fares, more than 530 children travelled free through the kids go free promotion, and 93 of approximately 2,650 drive-up vehicles experienced a sailing wait compared with 179 during the same period last year.

We will continue reviewing the data alongside customer feedback as we assess how the changes are working.

If up to 85 per cent of a sailing is bookable, do I need a reservation to travel?

Drive-up space remains available on every sailing, and BC Ferries continues to accept driveup traffic until a sailing is full. Between 23 and 33 vehicle spaces are protected for drive-up customers on Route 17, and additional space is often available because sailings are rarely booked to the maximum level. Medical and emergency travel protections also remain in place.

Is BC Ferries making more money from reservations?

The intent of these changes is to improve how available space on the vessel is used, not to increase fares. One of the key benefits of increasing bookable space is that it allows BC Ferries to offer significantly more discounted travel options, meaning money is kept within the system to provide saver fares that are now available on every sailing, starting as low as $39 for a vehicle and driver, and include the booking at no additional cost. Prepaid fares also include an advanced booking.

What has changed for affordability on Route 17?

One of the biggest changes is that customers now have more fare

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A.

Q. A.

Q. A.

Concerns about BC Ferries’ Route 17, from Powell River to Comox, prompted Westview Ratepayers Society to organize a town hall meeting with company representatives, so BC Ferries could provide a presentation and answer questions from the audience about changes to the route. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO

choices. Previously, there was limited ability to offer discounted bookable fares.

Today, saver fares are available on every sailing, prices start at $39 for a vehicle and driver, kids go free and remain in place until October 14, and prepaid options that include an advanced booking are also available. The goal is to provide more opportunities for customers who can plan ahead to travel at a lower cost.

I am a Texada resident dependent on the ferries. Although some aspects of what BC Ferries is trying to do make sense, the requirements for online reservation requiring both credit cards and smartphones restricts access for those without or who feel uncomfortable using such devices. There are a large number of seniors on Texada, as well as in town, who will be unable to make reservations with this new system. My proposal is to have a phone option, with a human, not a machine on the other end, and be able to pay at the terminal without the extra $20 fee. This would ease the stress for a lot of folks.

This is an important concern, particularly in communities with large numbers of se-

Q.

A.

niors or residents who may be less comfortable using technology. While advanced booking offers benefits in terms of planning and managing demand, we recognize that not everyone owns a smartphone, has access to a credit card or prefers to make travel arrangements online.

That is why BC Ferries continues to provide telephonebased support through our customer service team (1.888.223.3779), where customers can receive assistance with bookings and travel information.

Accessibility remains an important consideration and we will continue considering feedback from seniors and other customers who prefer nondigital options.

I am disappointed with BC Ferries; not the staff, the top people. The fares were raised on April 8, 2026, then a five per cent fuel surcharge and increasing the amount of reserved spaces. You said it would be temporary, but I have my doubts about that.

You are catering to the tourists and I resent that you stated in our local paper that locals were happy with these changes. This is not true. I will reserve, if I have a medical appointment, otherwise, I will get there early and try to get on.

Q.

People do not always know when they might want to go to the Lower Mainland. It is nothing but a money grab.

Other communities that rely on ferry travel are not treated like this. Shame on you.

We hear the frustration being expressed by many residents about affordability, recent fare increases, fuel surcharges and advanced booking changes. BC Ferries does not prioritize tourists over residents. Our system serves everyone who relies on the coastal ferry network, and we do not distinguish between residents and visitors when customers travel.

The Route 17 changes were introduced in response to growing demand and increasing pressure on the route. The objective was to improve travel certainty, reduce congestion and better utilize available capacity.

BC Ferries must balance affordability, reliability and long-term sustainability within the framework of governance the BC government has established. We recognize that not everyone agrees with these changes, and we will continue monitoring their impacts and incorporating community feedback as we move through the summer season.

A.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 22 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

SPORTS »

Family lived and breathed hockey 1« HAP PARKER

Anne said the weekend was planned around Powell River Logger Sports.

“I thought people coming from the big city of San Francisco would just be awed by the logger sports and the chainsaw carvings, which they were,” said Anne.

“Another important part was fishing.”

Hap’s son Mike said he took the out-of-town family members to get salmon licences. The first fishing trip was near the Saltery Bay picnic site.

“Within five minutes, we had a fish in the boat,” said Mike. “They thought it was absolutely unbelievable to have a salmon, bam, within five minutes of fishing. Over the course of the next few

days, they probably got eight fish between them all.”

Anne said when the American family got home to San Francisco they sent a photo of wild salmon for sale in a supermarket. Mike said it was US$40 a pound.

“So, needless to say, they have already booked to come back to Powell River next July,” said Anne.

Other activities included a family celebration at Snickers restaurant on July 10, and they also scaled Valentine Mountain to get a spectacular view of the region. Mike said he hadn’t been up the mountain in about 31 years and it is still a beautiful view.

Another activity was a picnic at Willingdon Beach.

There was also a shopping excursion and Anne said the visitors “pretty much bought

out Paperworks Gift Gallery.”

To accommodate all the out-of-town visitors, they were all housed in shortterm rentals, in various areas of the community. Getting them all to Powell River was a big concern, given that they

The reason why they approached dad for the Regals was because he was from Manitoba, so they figured he should know all about hockey.

ANNE PARKER were all coming by car and part of the ferry terminal at Langdale was inoperable.

However, everyone “breezed right through,” according to Anne.

Mike said for the family members coming from a big

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city like San Francisco, they could not get over how clear it is here, and how the smell of the ocean was prominent.

“People who live on the coast can take that all for granted,” said Mike, adding that the only disappoint-

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ment was that no whales were sighted, whereas in previous years, there have been all kinds of humpback whales and orca coming through.

The family was able to tour Hap Parker Arena during the weekend. Anne said she had arranged with current Regals’ executive member Tod English to give a presentation.

“He had a lot of dad’s memorabilia dating back to probably 1957, when the Regals started,” said Anne. “Dad kept fabulous scrapbooks.

Dad’s Regals’ jacket was hanging up, so the family was absolutely blown away.

Afterwards, we went into the arena and one of our second cousins took 20 pictures of the banners hanging in the arena, and he has since put

together a collage. Of course, we had a group picture taken.

“It was the highlight of the weekend to go to the arena.

That’s what they came to see.”

In terms of Hap’s story, his father was a typesetter at the Brandon Sun newspaper in Manitoba during the depression and ended up moving to Vancouver to work at the Sun newspaper. Hap went off to war in the 1940s.

Anne said he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a radar technician, going to University of British Columbia to a “secret school,” because nobody knew about radar. After his schooling, he was sent to England and assigned to the Royal Air Force.

He was posted to India, sitting in a shack during his war years, looking for Japanese aircraft, said Anne. There is not much memorabilia left from that time because Hap was ordered to burn everything.

Anne said after many years, he was awarded the Burma Star for his service.

She said the medal is highly regarded and very few veterans have that medal, which is now in the family collection.

Hap contracted dengue fever and malaria while serving in India, and said it would take 10 years off his life, but he lived to almost 95 years old.

He arrived in Powell River after the war and met Ina, who was working at the Rodmay Hotel.

“The rest is history,” said Anne.

Hap and Ina were married in 1946. They had three children: Anne, Mike and Bill.

Hap’s connection to the Regals came in the mid-50s, when he started the team, said Anne.

“He did everything but coach and play,” said Anne.

“The reason why they approached dad for the Regals was because he was from Manitoba, so they figured he should know all about hockey.

“As years went by, it became his passion. We lived and breathed hockey in our household, growing up.”

Mike said the family has boxes and boxes of programs, rosters, game sheets and other hockey memorabilia.

Hap made many important connections over the years and Mike remembers having famous Montreal Canadiens, such as Maurice Richard, in the family’s living room.

Mike added that Hap did so much for hockey in Powell River.

“He certainly put Powell River on the map,” said Mike.

“Knowing that the arena in Powell River is named after dad is pretty special.”

City of Powell River wishes everyone a berry, berry good time at Blackberry Festival!

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 23 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION MONTH! All August long at RONA Powell River

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 24 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

BUSINESS »

CITY OF POWELL RIVER

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN AS FOLLOWS: LIST OF REGISTERED ELECTORS Beginning September 1, 2026 until the close of general voting for the election on October 17, 2026, a copy of the list of registered electors will be available for public inspection, at the City of Powell River office at 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC, during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

Before inspecting the list, a person must sign a statement that they will not inspect the list, make copies, or use the information included in the list except for the purposes of Part 3 – Electors and Elections of the Local Government Act.

REQUEST TO OMIT OR OBSCURE An elector may request that their address or other personal information about them be omitted from or obscured on the list of electors. The elector must contact the Chief Election Officer or the Deputy Election Officer to make this request.

OBJECTION TO REGISTRATION OF AN ELECTOR An objection to the registration of a person whose name appears on the list of registered electors may be made in accordance with the Local Government Act until 4:00 pm on September 11, 2026. An objection must be in writing and an objection may only be made by a person entitled to be registered as an elector of the City of Powell River and only on the basis that a person whose name appears on the list of electors has died or is not qualified to register as an elector of the City of Powell River.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on these matters, the following persons may be contacted: Peter DeJong, Chief Election Officer pdejong@powellriver.ca 604-485-8602 Jessica Walls, Deputy Chief Election Officer jwalls@powellriver.ca 604-485-8603

Art store celebrates anniversary Owners navigate tariff and supply chain issues TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com

It is no secret that BC small businesses have had a tough few years navigating everything from US metal tariffs and unpredictable supply chains to slower consumer spending. Despite all those economic hurdles, qathet Art and Wares (qAW) has a major reason to celebrate: the only independent distributor of specialized art materials in the qathet region recently hit its five year milestone.

To mark the anniversary, qAW owners Karen Skadsheim and Evelyn Russell hosted a community celebration either this month at their storefront.

"People like the art store because when you're buying art supplies, you want to touch, feel and see," said Skadsheim.

Skadsheim and Russell said when they started five years ago, they listened to customers and what they wanted.

"We did a survey of the art community to find out what people were into and what they wanted in an art supply store," added Skadsheim.

Since moving to the bowling district location on Marine Avenue, the co-owners have regularly hosted guest and local artist workshops in the back space of the store. Soon, live art demonstrations will take place outside the store for the community to see.

The pair were also able to attend one of the biggest art supply trade shows last year in Seattle.

"That was big for us because this particular trade

Owners of qathet Art and Wares Karen Skadsheim [left] and Evelyn Russell celebrated five years in business with a community event August 8. TANYA HILL PHOTO

show hasn't been held on the west coast for probably over 20 years," said Skadsheim.

"We met so many people; we usually do all of our buying online; reps don't come to visit us, we're too remote."

Skadsheim said trade shows give folks a chance to see people in-person, exchange ideas, knowledge and actually see and feel the paint, brushes, ink or paper.

"We got one terrific [art supply] line that we added last year with Stone Ground Paints made in Saskatchewan," said Skadsheim." We met the people, they were just delightful and such a great addition to the store."

She said there has been a surge of interest in Canadian made art supplies because of political and trade tensions down south.

"There's certain tools that have steel in them that went way up in cost," said Skadsheim. "There's a watercolour art toolkit we wanted to bring in, but with the tariff [the price is too high]; it's the same with the cutter, it's got steel blades and that's what puts the tariff on. Plus,

the US dollar is still $1.50 for every dollar, so it basically doubles the price."

Skadsheim and Russell said they like being in the bowling district because of all the other businesses that have opened in the past few years, and being close to the ferry terminal brings in more foot traffic.

Skadsheim said August 8 was also the beginning of ticket sales for the 8x8 Anonymous Art Show. The show is a fundraiser for youth art programming and a collaboration between qathet Art Centre (qAC) and qWA, featuring 8x8-sized artwork made by local, emerging and professional artists.

"All ticket holders receive admission to the gala event on October 3, which gives you a chance to own a piece of art by a local artist who shall remain anonymous until you get the piece in your hot little hands and see the name on the back," said Skadsheim. "Funds raised will go toward families in need to access qathet ART youth art programs."

For more information, go to qa-w.ca/module/events.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 25 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

OLYEE AUGUST EMPL H OF THE MONT

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MEET YOUR MANAGERS

PRODUCE MANAGER

FRONT END MANAGER

What is your favourite product in the store?

My favorite product in the store is the PC Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies.

They’re a customer favourite for a reason!

If you could recommend one item in the store, what would it be?

That’s a difficult choice, as we have so many great products to offer. However, if I had to choose one, I would recommend our PC Southwest Salad.

□ Coffee  or □ Tea

□ Sweet or □ Salty

□ Early Bird or □ Night Owl

What is your favourite product in the store?

My favorite product in the store is the Fruit Riot Sour Grapes If you could recommend one item in the store, what would it be?

I would recommend the PC Thick and Juicy Prime Rib Beef Burgers

Chelby

GROCERY MANAGER

□ Coffee or □ Tea

□ Sweet or □ Salty

□ Early Bird or □ Night Owl

MEAT MANAGER

What is your favourite product in the store?

PC Blue Menu Greek Yogurt

What is your favourite product in the store?

PC Medium Roast Coffee

If you could recommend one item in the store, what would it be?

PC Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you could recommend one item in the store, what would it be?

NN Salt & Vinegar Chips

□ Coffee or □ Tea

□ Sweet or □ Salty 

□ Early Bird  or □ Night Owl

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 26 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 27 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

ELECTION 2026 »

COUNCIL CANDIDATE:

Henrietta Johnson Henrietta Johnson returned home to Powell River in 2010 and believes strong communities are built by people who listen, learn and work together.

A longtime entrepreneur, Johnson brings experience in business, wellness and real estate, alongside a strong commitment to community. She has coached young athletes, supported seniors at Willingdon Creek Village and served on the board of the Powell River Hospice Society.

As a wife, mother and grandmother, Johnson cares deeply about the community we are building for generations to come. She is running for city council to bring thoughtful, practical and collaborative leadership to the challenges and opportunities facing Powell River.

Her approach is simple: Listen. Learn. Lead.

Listen to residents and diverse perspectives. Learn from evidence and experience.

Lead by working collaboratively with city staff, Tla’amin Nation, businesses and community organizations, with purpose, integ-

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Service Above Self since 1955

rity and accountability.

“Together, we can build a stronger Powell River.”

CUPE members can be found in every region of the province, providing important public services to families, kids, and communities.

Drop by our booth during this year’s BlackBerry Street Party, Friday August 21st, 2026.

Spin-the-wheel, win a prize and have a chat with some of your neighbours from CUPE476, CUPE798 along with members from our Union family at VIDC and CUPEBC. CUPE476 representing public school workers across District operations.

CUPE798 represents your local, municipal, regional and library workers.

VIDC represents approximately 33 locals and under 18,000 members throughout Vancouver Island, Powell River and qathet.

CUPE BC is the British Columbia division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and B.C.'s Largest Union 100,000 Members Strong.

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Did you know that every year more people in BC die from overdoses than from suicide, car accidents, and homicides combined?

This International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), join us in tackling this public health crisis and supporting impacted individuals and families in our community.

TWO WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:

WED

26 AUG

FREE DROP-IN NALOXONE TRAINING

�� 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM �� POWELL RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

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31 AUG

FLAG RAISING EVENT

MORE INFO @ �� 10:00 AM �� POWELL RIVER CITY HALL

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 29 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

AROUNDTOWN

Cause for cure

The local Move to Cure walk/ fundraiser for ALS research took place on June 20, beginning and ending at Willingdon Beach. Nearly 400 people in BC are living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The nervous system disease affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord; it has no cure and is eventually fatal. To make a donation to ALS research, go to movetocurealsbc.donordrive.com/ PowellRiver2026. ANDREW BRADLEY PHOTOS

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1105 Obituaries

Arthur A. Park 1940-2026

Art Park was born on March 17, 1940 in San Francisco, California. His mother’s family lived in Vancouver and maintained a cabin in Lang Bay, and his parents brought him to visit in the summer of 1941 and then every summer after WWII. His uncle served for many years as the pharmacist in the Rodmay Hotel, and his aunt taught at Lang Bay School. Art continued to spend summers at Lang Bay throughout his life, eventually moving there full time in 2020, several years after retiring.

In California, he attended local public schools and graduated from Lick-Wilmerding High School where he served as president of the student body in 1958 and played on the football and track teams. He attended UC Berkeley, graduating in 1962 with a degree in Political Science.

Art went on to Georgetown University Law School and earned his law degree in 1965. Art remained in Washington, DC and was employed by the Foreign Plains Settlement Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission, where he served as a trial attorney in administrative proceedings involving the shipping industry.

In 1968, he returned to San Francisco and joined his father Arthur Park Sr’s law firm. He later formed the partnership of Solan, Park and Robello, where he specialized in probate and trust matters including conservatorships. He retired from the practice of law in 2015 after 50 years as an active member of the California State Bar. Before and after his retirement, Art was an active member of the Oyster Point Yacht Club, the Bayview Boat Club, the San Francisco branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and St. John’s Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Deacon.

He was twice appointed as a member of the San Francisco County Civil Grand Jury. He served on the Board of Directors of the St. Francis Wood Homeowners Association and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, serving as an Officer in several capacities and receiving several awards including The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation.

Art loved spending time with family and friends - fishing, boating, birding, storytelling, and sitting on the lawn overlooking the ocean.

He loved family stories and genealogy, history, flags and burgees, backscratchers, crab cocktails, smoked clams, wading in the water in his jeans, collecting yacht club matchbooks and baseball hats, chocolate, chewing gum, and putting butter on everything. His gifts to the family were his daily journals, his sense of humor, his twinkling eyes and love of family and friends. He particularly enjoyed giving people and places special nicknames.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judith Park; his children Heather (Jared) Tausig, Roderick Park, and Meghan (Ryan) Navarro; his grandchildren Calypso Tausig, Skye Tausig, Dale Park, James Navarro, and Noah Navarro; and his brother, Neil (Sydney) Park. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Catherine Park.

Burial will be private. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Mary Kathleen Koivu (née Smith)

Randy Phalen

February 9, 1942 June 6, 2026

November 18, 1959 - August 5, 2026 With broken hearts the Meyer and Phalen families announce the passing of Randy Lloyd Phalen.

As a proud thirdgeneration Powell River local, saltwater and a passion for the backcountry ran in his blood. Randy was predeceased by his first wife Debbie and father-in-law Ken. He is survived by his children Connor and Natasha; wife Kim; mother-in-law Kit; and many loving aunts, uncles, family and friends. He also leaves behind his dog Maggie, who still hasn’t quite learned all the boat rules.

Randy built a successful career and lifelong friendships as a commercial fisherman on BC’s coastal waters. As part of an elite few who can park boats in Lund Harbour without losing their minds, triggering new insurance claims or filing for divorce, Randy could out park (and out fish) most of the west coast. He leaves behind a legacy of quiet generosity and kindness for all those in his path, and freezers full of salmon and prawns.

There are not too many people in this world who can pull off knee-high gumboots and Hawaiian shorts, but Randy tried really hard to be one of them. His outfits looked best cruising through Desolation Sound with Kim on their boat Just Livin’ Life, on trips to Winter Harbour and the Celebration of Lights, and while making questionable life choices on scaffolding at his cabin up Powell Lake.

Most (normal) people face a cancer diagnosis by slowing down, but Randy saw it as the perfect opportunity to build a giant landing craft for hunting trips. That boat will now carry Randy’s friends through many hunting seasons to come.

We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at qathet General Hospital for their dedication and compassion throughout Randy’s cancer battle.

To Randy’s closest friends who made sure he was out fishing in his final weeks, kept him well stocked with wild game, and who stood by his side through everything, you made impossible circumstances lighter. Thank you.

A celebration of life will be held in the fall.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held August 22 at 11 am at Stubberfield Funeral Home with tea to follow.

Please wear something bright and cheerful.

1010 Announcements REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONE. Donate to Powell River Hospital Foundation.

Improving health care for all. prhospitalfoundation.com

604.485.3211 ext 4349 NEED SOME OLD PAPERS FOR WOOD FIRES, CRAFTING, ANIMALS, OR YOUR GARDEN? Come by the Peak office to grab a bundle or two.

Our newspapers are printed with vegetable- based inks.

We are at: 4493F Marine Avenue A donation of $5 towards the Food Bank would be appreciated.

CHESS CLUB AT POWELL RIVER LIBRARY

Sundays 1 to 5 pm

All ages and abilities, free to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous • 604-485-6994 • 604-223-1270 • 604-414-5232 (Texada)

Meetings

FRIDAYS, 7:30 to 8:30 pm qathet General Hospital, third floor

SUNDAYS, 8 to 9 pm

Union Hall, 5814 Ash Ave

POWELL RIVER STROKE RECOVERY PROGRAM

Connect with other survivors and caregivers for emotional support, firsthand advice and friendship

Tuesdays 9:30 to 11:30 am Gerry Gray Place • 7055 Alberni Street Register today: strokerecoverybc.ca • 647.274.1781

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 31 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

3560 Pets

SPCAADOPT-A-PET 604.485.9252 RAH Super sweet 8-year-old pittie mix. Seeking a foster to adopt home.

KITTENS Stop by, find out, save money!

CHIEF Affectionate, handsome cat! this sweet boy is seeking a matching senior human!

CONSTANCE Quiet, affectionate senior cat, awesome companion NOVA Yes black cats are special. Stop by to meet this pretty, female cat.

1215 General Employment

>> CITY JOBS Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Accounting Clerk – General (part-time) All applications must be submitted online through the Employment Opportunities page at www.powellriver.ca

2060 For Sale Miscellaneous

Old Lund Road off Pryor Road, Lund

Offering vintage stuff, collectibles, arts and crafts, tools, rugs, housewares and treasures.

Something for everyone.

Text: 604.414.7889 for more information

6035 Industrial/Commercial

PR4RENT.ca

6505 Apartments/Condos for Rent

SPONSORED BY:

604.483.1688

604.483.8007

MONDAY TO FRIDAY • 7 am to 5 pm SAND AND GRAVEL PRODUCTS QUARRY ROCK SLINGER TRUCK • GRAVEL TRUCK

604.485.5313

classifieds@prpeak.com

YARD SALE

Saturday, August 22 8 am until sunset

AQUARIUS Wow, stunning female German Shepherd

FOSTER PARENTS Can you be a super helper?

in the Peak Classifieds

Stevenson Road, Powell River, BC

2085 Garage Sales

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN POWELL RIVER

MONKEY Personality plus, sweet, funny, young, female Collie/Husky mix.

classifieds@prpeak.com

SHOUT IT OUT!

GIO TITAN electric scooter.

Only 40 kms, new $3,600 selling $1,000. 236-327-2045

WREN & SYLVESTER Two super nice bunnies. Stop by for a bunny cuddle.

DIESEL & HENDRIX Wow, puppy seekers look no further, super cute handsome Shepherd mix puppies

8325 Sand & Gravel

FOR DETAILS ON

604.483.8200

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

GET RESULTS Peak Classifieds

604.485.5313

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 •MARINE AVENUE 6-10 PM SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 • WILLINGDON BEACH 12-8 PM

NOTICE TO MARINE AVENUE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES Please be advised that this year’s Blackberry Festival Street Party will take place Friday, August 21, from 6 to 10 pm. This event occupies the entire Marine Avenue from Alberni to Duncan Streets, blocking all thru-vehicle traffic and access to some driveways from 4 - 11 pm.

We thank you for your patience and accommodation of this festival to bring locals and visitors together for this fun-filled evening of shopping, food and entertainment.

PR Chamber of Commerce • office@powellriverchamber.com

6960 For Rent Pet-friendly RV park Short, mid- and long-term rentals available pinetreecommunity.ca 604-414-8595

9115 Auto Miscellaneous

Certified mechanics cs on duty y

604.485.7927 7

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.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20/2026 • PAGE 32 • PEAK » PRPEAK.COM

4108 HIGHWAY 101 • $1,090,000

OCEAN VIEW ACREAGE WITH TWO HOMES Wind your way up a paved driveway through forest, native and pollinator friendly perennials, fruit trees and ancient glacial erratics to two separately metered, well situated homes. The lower 2-bed 2-bath 1,100 sq ft rancher (fully renovated in 2023) has heated floors, new kitchen, appliances, additional ensuite and wood stove. Above, a 2,400 sq ft 2-storey 3-bed, 2-bath custom home offers 2 woodstoves and wraparound deck with spectacular ocean, mountain and island views. Upgrades include EV charger, water system and heat pump. Large flex room offers options for more bedrooms or lower suite conversion. With privacy between the homes, there is a 600 sq ft powered garage/shop with ample storage, a large fenced garden, 21’X10’ greenhouse, and a solar-powered pressurized rainwater irrigation system. Lush 3 acre sanctuary across from Southview beach access is just 15 minutes north of town — a rare blend of seclusion, modern comfort and off-grid potential

Magical oceanfront • Suite plus workshop/studio

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NEW LISTING 9449 STITTLE ROAD $849,900• 3 BED • 3 BATH Waterfront • Suite • Half acre

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4304 SANDERSON ROAD $975,000• 5 BED • 3 BATH • TEXADA

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SOUTH OF TOWN 17-9298 WILLIAMS ROAD $179,900 • 2 BED •1 BATH

5394 MANSON AVENUE $699,900• 4 BED • 3 BATH

Big pad • Addition • Rural • Low taxes

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AS CHOSEN BY THE READERS OF QATHET LIVING

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2026 - the 11 th ANNUAL

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3265 ATREVIDA ROAD $1,299,000• 3 BED • 2 BATH

WATERFRONT

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OCEAN VIEW

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