Oceanside Entertainment is expanding again, with owner Karyne Bailey opening a third downtown shop this month.
The doors at Riptide Books, Movies & More will open on March 21 at 4712 Marine Avenue, focusing primarily on gently used books, movies, music and games. The new store will help relieve growing space pressures at Oceanside Entertainment while allowing the business to expand its selection of new and secondhand items.
Bailey says the idea for a third store has been in the works for months.
“We have been thinking about another location for around nine months now, but initially thought we would wait two to three years,” she adds. “When we looked at some of our expenses and weighed out the options, we decided to pull the trigger sooner.”
The plan gained momentum when the former High Tide Games location became available.
“It just seemed like great karma to secure the location where that store started,” explains Bailey. “It’s like coming full circle.”
High Tide Games, also owned by Bailey, is now at 1-7030 Glacier Street.
The new Riptide store will carry most of the businesses’ gently used
Business owner opening third shop
stock, including novels, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, board games and card games. Used records are expected to be added later this year.
Bailey says customers can expect new items to appear regularly.
“There will be new stock going into the store every week,” she adds, noting that staff members have been working through a backlog of inventory to prepare for the opening.
Moving used items into their own space will allow Oceanside
chants,” she says. “All of us are independent owners of small, locally owned and operated stores.”
Entertainment to better organize its inventory. As the store expanded, Bailey says it became increasingly difficult to keep new and used stock together.
“The majority of the used items will move across the street to allow for more space for used items and more space for new items at Oceanside.”
Oceanside Entertainment will continue to focus on new products such as board games, toys, trading cards, licensed goods and new
The businesses help create local jobs while also attracting visitors to the qathet region, she adds.
“The stores down here feel more like home, which is what we want the tourists to feel when they come our way.”
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The three stores will also remain closely connected. They share the same inventory system, allowing staff to quickly check whether certain items are available at another location or arrange special orders if needed.
books. Used children’s books will also remain at that location.
Bailey says keeping children’s books alongside the toy section makes it easier for families to shop.
“Parents can easily shop for some new-to-them reading materials while the children are shopping the toy section.”
Marine Avenue’s community of independent merchants is a big part of why Bailey continues to expand downtown.
“I love the atmosphere of the mer-
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With the new shop located just across the street from Oceanside Entertainment (4721 Marine Avenue), Bailey expects many customers will simply visit both stores while shopping downtown. One of the most exciting aspects of the new location is the chance to finally put a large backlog of books onto local shelves.
“We have a huge backlog of gently used books that nobody local has had access to yet,” she says.
Staff plan to add new titles daily once the store opens, giving readers a steady supply of fresh discoveries. For more information, email oceansidebooksbc@gmail.com or call 604.489.3028.
Umpire receives advanced training
Joshua Chernoff attends month-long academy in Florida to learn nuances of baseball
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Having qualified for a scholarship to study baseball umpiring in Florida, Joshua Chernoff returned home with a new appreciation for the game.
A hockey referee for about 12 years, Chernoff started umpiring for Powell River Minor Baseball Association this past year because of his passion for officiating. At the end of the baseball season in 2025, the British Columbia Umpires Association sent out an email explaining there was a scholarship for the Wendelstedt Umpire School near Daytona Beach, Florida.
“I applied for it and was selected,” said Chernoff. “I happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
Chernoff said he became involved in umpiring when he saw a post on the minor baseball association’s Facebook page, saying senior umpires were required.
“The ice in the recreation complex is generally taken out in March or April, depending on how far the Powell River Kings go in their season,” said Chernoff. “Umpiring was something I decided to try and I found out that I really enjoyed it. There were some aspects from officiating hockey that translated very easily into baseball. I had to adapt to some other things.”
Brenden Frehlich, president of Powell River Minor Baseball, said the association is
always looking for umpires.
“There’s always some turnover,” said Frehlich.
He said the association has been in a rebuild after COVID-19. He added that baseball was in rough shape after the pandemic, but after having reformed, there has been steady growth.
“Just when I thought it couldn’t grow anymore, it seems to have taken off,” said Frehlich. “People started to get excited about baseball.
“Having Josh go to Florida and come back with all this training is perfect timing.”
Chernoff said he spent a month in Florida.
“We were on the field every single day,” said Chernoff. “We were also in classrooms every single day. We went through the entire major league baseball rulebook, except for scoring, which isn’t our job on the field.
“We went through all the rotations as a base umpire and a plate umpire and went through the entire two umpire system, which is what we generally use in Powell River.”
Chernoff said the umpire school had a large mix, with about 175 people in attendance. He said the students were separated into crews of 11. In his crew, he had the youngest, at 18, and the oldest, at 86. The average age was about 25 to 30.
For his efforts, Chernoff received a diploma, which indicated he had attended and passed. He said there was a great deal of evaluation at the umpire school.
Chernoff is now certified to umpire at any level of minor baseball. He said he has been invited to a course that would be a foot in the door to work up to the national program for Baseball Canada. He said he is interested in anything that could help him move up the ladder.
Frehlich said having Chernoff in the umpiring ranks is a positive move.
“He has the reputation of being so competent in refereeing hockey, and also working with younger refs and linesmen,” said Frehlich. “When he joined us for baseball, it didn’t take long for him to be a big benefit. It’s amazing how much better our whole organization will be and how our umpires are going to benefit from this. He is going to bring all of us up.
“We’ll be looking to him for some instruction. He’s now our most qualified and trained umpire.”
Chernoff said the best thing that can be done for new umpires is continuously training them. He said that is the mentality he comes from in hockey. He has helped out in hockey with evaluations and on-ice training sessions, and that is something he’d like to do over the summer with baseball.
Frehlich said minor baseball has made some huge steps over the past couple of years. He said with Chernoff’s training, he is hoping to start to do more for the officials, where they are helped and supported more.
“This is perfect timing,” said Frehlich. Chernoff said he plans to continue refereeing hockey and umpiring baseball to keep him busy year-round.
“I’ve always loved officiating so I’ll stick with it as long as I can,” said Chernoff. “With baseball, if I get an opportunity to work some tournaments outside Powell River, that would be fantastic. Otherwise, as I’m in Powell River, I will be umpiring here in the summer.
“As I’ve said to my parents, officiating provides the best seat in the house for a game. I played house hockey when I was younger and refereeing keeps me in the game. Instead
City hosts francophonie ceremony
TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com
The francophone community in Powell River is a growing and vibrant one.
March is Francophonie Month, a celebration of the French language, culture and the contri-
butions of francophones to Canadian society, and a reminder that French is one of Canada’s two official languages.
On Monday, March 9, a flag-raising took place at Powell River City Hall in recognition of francophone month. Powell River mayor Ron Woznow hoisted what's called the
Franco-Columbian flag, symbolizing francophone Canadians living in BC.
This marks the second consecutive year the city has hosted a francophone flag-raising, reaffirming its commitment to recognizing and celebrating the local francophone community.
Powell River Minor Baseball Association umpire Joshua Chernoff [with his arm raised] attended a month-long academy in Florida during January, learning a great deal about the game. A longtime hockey referee, Chernoff started refereeing baseball in 2025, heard about a scholarship to the umpire academy, applied, and was accepted.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
of paying to go watch a game, I get paid to be part of it.”
Chernoff said he had great support to attend umpire school in Florida. When he broached the opportunity with his employer at Modern Windows, his manager said there was no way that Chernoff would be missing it.
The scholarship for umpire school was covered, and all other expenses had to be covered by Chernoff. He said the board of the minor baseball association generously offered $1,000 toward his expenses.
“The support from the community and local board has been outstanding,” said Chernoff. Frehlich said clinics will be held for baseball umpires on April 12. Anyone interested in becoming an umpire can email umpire@ prmba.org.
The principal and students from École Côte-du-Soleil, the public francophone school in Powell River operated by School District 93 (conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique), also gathered at city hall on Monday. SD 93 is the only public Frenchlanguage school district in BC,
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operating 47 schools across the province in both urban centres and rural communities, including qathet. The district provides Frenchlanguage education under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees minority-language education rights.
Delegation outlines forestry agreement
Tla’amin and WFP working to finalize transfer of tree farm licence
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River councillors were provided an overview on March 5 of Tla’amin Nation’s negotiations to repatriate access to forest lands currently held by Western Forest Products (WFP).
Adam Culos, general manager of Thichum Forest Products (Thichum), told councillors that Tla’amin had announced a milestone agreement, where Thichum Forest Products, through Tla’amin, is working on an agreement with WFP to acquire Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 39 block one.
Seanna McConnell, Western Forest Products vicepresident, Indigenous partnerships, said Qwoqwnes Forestry Holdings Limited Partnership, wholly owned by Tla’amin, will be purchasing 100 per cent ownership of WFP’s Stillwater forest operation for $80 million.
“The Stillwater forest operation includes TFL 39 block one and covers approximate-
ly 154,000 hectares of forest land, with the majority of that area located in Tla’amin Nation’s territory,” said McConnell. “Qwoqwnes, through Thichum, will manage an annual allowable cut of approximately 469,200 cubic metres of timber from TFL 39 block one and will enter into a long-term fibre supply agreement to sell timber harvested from the tenure to Western to support its coastal manufacturing operations in BC.”
McConnell said to ensure a seamless transition, Western will be providing support to Qwoqwnes as they take on the new business following closure of the transaction.
“We are working toward closing the transaction later this year, pending the completion of closing conditions,” said McConnell. She said a condition includes a provincial government decision from the ministry of forests, and indicated that part of the presentation before council was to request a letter of support from council.
Culos said this is a business-to-business transaction.
“We have reinvested revenue that we have earned over the last four or five years towards this purchase,” said Culos. “It’s a generational opportunity for the com-
munity as a whole. There are no more shareholders; it’s a community-owned operation and opportunity.”
Culos quoted Tla’amin hegus John Hackett, who said: “We look forward to reconnecting with this vast part of our territory and managing the lands according to Tla’amin teachings and values, and for the benefit of future generations.”
Culos said the TFL goes from north of the head of Powell Lake all the way to near Saltery Bay.
“Local ownership brings local control over a stable, long-term economic base, with revenues and spending anchored locally,” said Culos. “This business is close to $75 million in revenue annually, and that will all be kept within the community.”
Culos said the acquisition promotes coordinated landuse planning in the region and supports Thichum’s long-term success through investment in their business and the future of the community. He said a key component of this is that almost all the wood supplies domestic mills, so there are three fibre supply agreements. One will be WFP, supporting the company’s five coastal mills, along with Mosaic Forest Management and Domtar.
“We are going through a process of working with those as part of a broad western contract,” said Culos. “The big negotiation, which is really great for this community, is to negotiate a
carve-out volume. If we can create a value-added mill in qathet, we can take up to 40,000 cubic metres to support a value-added manufacturing facility in the area.
“At the end of the day, for me, it represents stability, not disruption. This is an opportunity for collaboration, not fragmentation.”
McConnell said this is the first time WFP has made a 100 per cent sale with a nation. She said WFP has done two other limited partnership agreements.
“It was a big step for Western to work together with Qwoqwnes to create this opportunity,” said McConnell. “The long-term fibre supply access that Western will continue to have will help us accelerate the transition up the value
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FRIDAY MARCH 27
PASSION, PURPOSE AND COMMUNITY
Local painter Janet Southcott will discuss finding passion, purpose and community through art and her artwork currently on display. The discussion will begin at 7 pm in Powell River Public Library. For more information, email Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca.
chain, which is a key role of our company.”
Culos said from a Thichum perspective, forestry is not new to them. He said the nation is managing five different licences.
“We’ve done a really good job of giving back to the community and we see this as a growth opportunity,” said Culos. “Our request today is that there are two major government decisions that are part of this proposal. There is the subdivision of TFL 39, which has three blocks. The second is to approve the transfer of the remaining TFL tenure from Western.”
Culos said as part of the tenure transfer decision, the provincial forest ministry must go through a process, including a public interest
test. He said Tla’amin representatives will be meeting with a number of groups.
“We’ve received a lot of support from the contractor community, the truck loggers association, and various people have given us letters of support,” said Culos. “Our request is a letter of support to be submitted to the government as part of that process.”
City councillor George Doubt made a motion for staff to prepare a letter of support for the Qwoqwnes Forestry Holdings Limited Partnership application to the provincial government to be brought to the April 2 council meeting. Chief administrative officer Sundance Topham said a motion would have to occur at a future meeting.
Western Forest Products vice-president, Indigenous partnerships Seanna McConnell, and Thichum Forest Products general manager Adam Culos, appeared before City of Powell River Council recently to outline Tla’amin Nation’s efforts to acquire Tree Farm Licence 39 block one to add to the nation’s forestry assets. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
Board supports seniors housing
Regional district will help
society apply for grant funds to further project
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District (qRD) will assist Texada Island Nonprofit Seniors Housing Society’s (TINSHS) grant application for a planned seniors housing facility in Gillies Bay.
At the February 25 regional district committee of the whole meeting, the housing society’s president Cathy Brown appeared as a delegation to request support from the regional district in applying for a 2026 Age-Friendly Communities stream one grant proposal. She asked for the regional district to provide a motion to be the primary applicant for the grant. She said a municipal body is required to make the application.
“We believe the project aligns with the regional district’s goals,” said Brown.
According to correspondence from Brown to the regional district, the TINSHS pre-development initiative was launched to prepare a specific site on Texada Island for the construction of 40 affordable senior housing units.
The primary goal was to de-risk the project by completing critical infrastructure planning, including geotechnical studies, wastewater analysis, and proforma financial statements, Brown stated in the correspondence.
“We have successfully established a project management framework and advanced civil, septic, and geotechnical designs,” stated Brown.
“Based on professional advice, we downsized the project to 20 units to maximize our eligibility for capital grants, adjusting our pre-development scope to meet all funding requirements.”
“We are building on a solid foundation of professional due dili-
gence,” Brown told the committee of the whole.
Brown said the aim is to not only build housing. She said TINSHS is planning for a community that promotes healthy activities, social interaction, and safety for the future residents. She said Vancouver Coastal Health has confirmed support for this initiative and they are hoping for a letter of support from VCH.
Brown said that TINSHS recognizes that the regional board and staff’s time is valuable, so TINSHS will provide the documentation and a final draft, ensuring that the qRD’s investment of time and effort is kept to a minimum.
“We believe it is a win-win for the district and for residents on Texada Island,” said Brown.
Later in the meeting, when correspondence from TINSHS was discussed, a motion was brought forward that the committee of the whole recommend the board authorize a partnership with Texada Island Non-Profit Seniors Housing
A seniors housing project on Texada Island planned for Gillies Bay has been making grant applications to get the project off the ground, and representatives of the seniors housing society appeared before qathet Regional District directors to have the regional district apply for a grant for the project, which the regional directors supported. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Society to make application to the BC Healthy Communities 2026 Age-Friendly Communities stream one grant for their seniors housing initiative on Texada Island; that the board affirm its support for the project; and that the submission of the application be subject to Texada Island Non-Profit Senior Housing Society entering into an agreement with the qathet Regional District under regional
district terms for administration of the grant, and commitment by Texada Island Non-Profit Seniors Housing Society to cover any ineligible costs and cost overruns.
The motion at committee level carried unanimously. Later in the day at the qathet Regional District board meeting, the motion was carried, so the regional district will enter partnership with TINSHS for application for the grant.
CFO presents policing costs
Results of federal census may push contribution to 90 per
cent
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Planning is underway for the prospect of having to pay for 90 per cent of policing costs in Powell River in 2027.
At the February 19 city council meeting, interim CFO Ken Bjorgaard outlined the financial implications of the RCMP in the city if the 2026 census confirms the population has exceeded 15,000 residents. Under the policing formula, cities with a population of fewer than 15,000 pay 70 per cent of the RCMP cost, while cities of more than 15,000 pay 90
per cent of the cost. If Powell River exceeds the 15,000 threshold, it would be responsible for paying 90 per cent starting April 1, 2027.
Bjorgaard the city needs to plan for increased RCMP costs as the population is expected to exceed 15,000.
“Staff have had the chance to review in detail the financial implications of going from 70 per cent cost sharing to 90 per cent cost sharing for the RCMP contract,” said Bjorgaard. “To understand the full financial implications, it is important to understand how the city currently budgets for the RCMP contract costs.”
Bjorgaard said the city’s letter of approval in principle to the RCMP has an authorized strength of 22 members and the city employs a strategy of budgeting for 20 RCMP members, with two of these members being funded from the RCMP
reserve. He said historically, the number has been below 18 members.
“It is my understanding that the authorized strength was set at 22 members previously, in the hopes that the number of RCMP members would actually get up to 20 members,” said Bjorgaard.
The annual financial change from the city’s draft one financial plan to the draft two financial plan is approximately $1.1 million when budgeting for 20 members, and approximately $1 million for 18 members, which takes in the change of the RCMP reserve usage, said Bjorgaard.
“Staff have developed a strategy of phasing in a $1 million tax increase to offset the increased RCMP contract costs at $333,000 per year from 2027 to 2029, and using the RCMP reserve as a temporary funding source in 2027
and 2028 to allow for the phased-in tax increase,” added Bjorgaard. “This strategy will be reviewed further by council when the draft two financial plan is presented and a bigpicture view of the city’s finances and budget pressures are discussed.”
Bjorgaard said the question of how many RCMP members to authorize and budget for is an important consideration. He said in the city’s case, the annual all-in cost of an RCMP member is approximately $264,000 at 100 per cent cost sharing, and $237,000 at 90 per cent, which the city will be moving toward.
“This is approximately a one per cent tax increase,” said Bjorgaard.
City councillor Rob Southcott said information has been received from the province on expected population numbers that would trigger the change. He said the change wasn’t expected until 2031. He asked Bjorgaard why the city had received this information that should be based on the federal census.
“Now, we have received this different projection from the province,” said Southcott.
Bjorgaard said the information is coming from BC Stats, not the federal gov-
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ernment, in terms of population estimates. He said those statistics are changed annually and his belief is that the RCMP is basing its information on the fact that, according to BC Stats, the city is near the 15,000 threshold right now.
“In terms of planning, we have to plan for a worst-case scenario,” said Bjorgaard.
Councillor George Doubt asked if there was any way to adjust the changes if the census shows that the city hasn’t reached the 15,000 population level.
Bjorgaard said through the Community Charter, a local government can amend the financial plan at any time.
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City of Powell River’s finance department is planning for a shift in policing costs. If the 2026 census shows that the population exceeds 15,000, taxpayers will have to pay 90 per cent of the RCMP cost, up from the current 70 per cent. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Author shares insight on AI tools
safety issues
TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com
Artificial Intelligence (AI) or machine learning tools are fundamentally changing the way humans work, play and interact with the world. AI is being used to improve health care, automate complex tasks at work, and can be used in everyday life to plan a trip abroad, or create an exercise plan, for example.
Author and app developer David Dumaresq shared his experience and insights on AI safety, with a special focus on Perplexity AI as a chat-based research tool, last month at Powell River Public Library.
"I chose to talk about Perplexity AI, although I'm not trying to promote any of the chatbots," said Dumaresq. "I've used a number of them for several years, both professionally in my day job and the side of my desk, but I've found that Perplexity AI works pretty well because of its ability to provide sources."
Although AI tools have improved in accuracy, the models can still produce false information, and have what experts call an AI hallucination, which are confident but false outputs generated by AI. Then, Dumaresq said, there are the issues with what are called deepfakes and misinformation.
"[Perplexity AI] provides answers and then gets direct sources, which is invaluable, because it allows you to fact check, and allows you to provide your research to others along with those sources,"
he added. "So, depending on how you want to use it, it provides a lot of substance to the work you might be doing."
Some safety issues Dumaresq sees with AI is, for one thing, losing the ability of the human brain to focus.
“I could go on and on about this," said Dumaresq. "Also, losing the ability to spell; interpreting text functions and small phone screens are to blame."
Some experts are concerned that the more dependent humans become on AI, the more likely they will lose basic abilities of reading, writing and memory.
"There's an old saying: check your sources,” said Dumaresq. “It's more important now than ever."
Machine learning tools have improved the way people do research, basically using AI as a research as-
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sistant, but some folks use chatbots such as ChatGPT to answer any question that comes to mind.
"Perplexity AI has an appeal for me because it doesn't encourage a casual conversation quite so easily; to me it seems more facts focused," said Dumaresq. "Folks can use this as an everyday search [tool], and I prefer it to using Google nowadays, since [Google's search engine’s] current method is to AI summarize search results and there's recent evidence that shows the summaries are often wrong."
Experts warn generative AI summaries often are inaccurate and misleading.
"Some people misunderstand that AI's don't actually think or feel," said Dumaresq. "What many people don't understand is that these are computer programs with vast amounts of language pieces that have
been mapped statistically to word placement."
He said language learning machines are trained to predict the next best word in a phrase or sentence.
"It's easy to become enamoured with a voice that can answer any question you have and how easy it is to mistake it for something almost human," said Dumaresq. However, even with all the negatives that currently come with AI, Dumaresq believes there are a lot of positives. "AI has made knowledge accessible to the people and that's very positive," he said. "[I want the audience] to take away a sense of power and self-determination."
March 22, 2026
New Powell River Transit Network
Routes 1, 2 and 3 are being entirely redesigned. The new routes offer:
More direct service for more people to the most common destinations – so trips are faster and routes easier to understand
Improved access to the hospital area
Matches transit service better with transit demand
Rural Transit
13 Texada Island: Now operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting March 24
NEW! OnDemand Service in Powell River Transit
OnDemand is BC Transit’s modern on-request transit option that offers transit riders the convenience of booking trips using a smartphone app, or by phone. OnDemand service offers more direct trips, quicker commutes, and shorter wait times.
OnDemand
Regular transit fares and payment options apply to OnDemand trips. For more information about OnDemand, please visit bctransit.com/ondemand or call our transit info line at 604∙485∙4287
Author and machine learning user David Dumaresq recently shared his experience and insights on artificial intelligence at Powell River Public Library. KHANCHIT KHIRISUTCHALUAL, ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
Kings face BCHL deadline
Team needs new ownership, or to post performance bond by March 29
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Powell River Kings are seeking community support to carry on as a British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) franchise.
The hockey club held a community meeting on March 11 to outline its vision for moving forward. During the meeting, team representatives disclosed the difficulties the franchise is facing, and what must be done moving forward to keep the franchise operational.
Team interim president Joe Mastrodonato said there were about 120 people in attendance at the event, along with the team’s players.
“Our message is very simple,” said Mastrodonato. “Our backs are up against the wall and we want to sell the franchise, but at the same time, we want to keep operating. If we don’t operate, the chances of selling the franchise are none to zero.
“We need some financial help. The society is not in a position to borrow money, so the only source of revenue that we have is from local sponsors – corporate
sponsors – with some help from season ticket holders.
Perhaps we can generate enough revenue by the end of this month and see where we go. If we don’t operate, all this money goes back to the people who have supported us.”
According to a written statement outlining the contingency plan from the Kings: “when we brought this team to Powell River back in 1988, the vision was simple: give this community something it could rally around and be proud of. For more than three decades, the Kings meant so much to so many families, and at times, Powell River Kings were considered one of the best franchises in the BCHL.
However, over the past few years, the Kings have faced financial challenges that have left the Powell River Kings Hockey Club Society with no choice but to seek new ownership with the resources and management skills necessary to operate the team and meet the new standards of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).”
The contingency plan stated that the board of directors of the Kings society has engaged Cosmos Sports and Entertainment Group to identify a qualified buyer for the Kings’ BCHL franchise.
“This group specializes in the sales of sports franchises and assists new ownership with budgeting, advertising sales, ticket sales
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and more,” according to the contingency plan statement. “To date, they have reported that there are two to three groups showing strong interest in purchasing the Kings franchise and are currently progressing towards a potential acquisition. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome.”
The BCHL will not accept Powell River Kings’ letter of intent to participate in the 2026/2027 season unless: by March 29, the team has a memorandum of understanding from new ownership; deposited a substantial amount of money as a performance bond; or take a one-year hiatus. Mastrodonato said he could not disclose the amount of money the BCHL is requiring for a performance bond.
According to the contingency plan statement, the Kings have set out three levels of sponsorships for corporate donors. Other sources of revenue include from members and supporters who purchase 2026/2027 season passes for $1,000 each.
“Our hope is we can find a new owner,” said Mastrodonato. “Even if new ownership is found, I’m not sure how successful they will be to get things running off the bat, so we have to be prepared to help out new ownership. It takes a little while to get all the ducks in a row, so we will aid in transition.
“We would talk to the new owner and see what they
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want to do.”
Mastrodonato said there had previously been discussions with potential buyers for the franchise but there had been no agreement reached.
“We had to bite the bullet and list it with a firm that specializes in sales for sports franchises,” said Mastrodonato. “The person we are looking for is not looking to make money. It has to be a person who has a passion for hockey.”
Mastrodonato said the Kings’ brand of hockey is pretty good. He said the BCHL is widely recognized as the fifth-best hockey league in North America.
According to the written statement from the Kings, the league plays a pivotal role in developing hockey talent, serving as a primary feeder for both American and Canadian colleges.
“The BCHL is considered to offer the best brand of
hockey in our region, setting a high standard for quality and competitiveness,” according to the statement.
The situation is being watched closely across the league.
“The business of junior hockey has changed and leagues below pro hockey are struggling,” said Victoria Grizzlies’ president David Michaud.
“There are so many options now for entertainment and sports for people right at their finger tips. You need to have a compelling reason for people to come out. It’s not as easy anymore as saying Cowichan Valley or the Nanaimo Clippers are coming to town, fire up the popcorn machine.”
That is even the case in a larger BCHL market like Victoria.
“Our two biggest crowds of over 2,000 were for the Teddy Bear Toss and Family Day games, while the rest
have been the standard 1,000 to 1,300,” added Michaud. “Almost all junior hockey teams do an excellent job of being part of their communities, but you still need a reason beyond that for people to come out, because they have so many other options to watch things at home.”
That is why so many people are keeping an eye on the business of junior hockey in this era and hoping Powell River isn’t just the tip of an iceberg about to hit.
Mastrodonato said with new ownership, the hope is that the Kings can improve their play on-ice.
“The team, this month, has played a really good brand of hockey,” said Mastrodonato. To send cash contributions, interested donors can send an email to dop@powellriverkings.com.
GERI ANDERSON admin/ office manager EARL ALMEIDA circulation director
TANYA HILL reporter SANDY ADAMS sales and marketing consultant
About 120 people showed up to a meeting called by Powell River Kings to outline the team’s contingency plan for moving forward with the 2026/2027 British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) season. The team has until March 29 to find a buyer or to post a performance bond to the league. EARL ALMEIDA PHOTO
Export of electricity ruling pleases energy democracy group
BC Court of Appeal rules that Powell River Energy Inc. is subject to utility commission’s regulation
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Energy Democracy for BC (ED4BC) is pleased with BC Court of Appeal’s ruling on Powell River Energy Inc.’s (PREI) efforts to be exempt from BC Utilities Commission’s (BCUC) regulation.
“This is such an amazing decision,” said ED4BC president Ellen Gould, in an interview with the Peak. “It has been a tough slog because (PREI) started trying to get exempt from the legislation in 2021, so that’s five years of repeatedly going through BCUC to try and get exempt from part of the act, then they wanted to get exempt from all the act and BCUC ruled against them. They asked for reconsideration, and they didn’t like the decision BCUC came back with, so they went to the court of appeal.”
Gould said she is happy to read the court of appeal’s decision because arguments ED4BC has been making since the beginning, the court of appeal reinforced in its decision.
According to a media release from ED4BC, on March 6, BC Court of Appeal issued its decision rejecting Powell River Energy Inc.’s latest effort to be exempt from regulation by the BC Utilities Commission. This ruling came soon after the
federal cabinet decided that PREI’s application to export all the power it produces to the US for 30 years had to be subjected to a thorough review rather than getting automatic approval.
Responding to the court’s decision, Gould stated:
“While the legal arguments involved are different, we see PREI’s application for a 30-year export permit and its court challenge against BCUC as having a common theme. This is a company working to cut its corporate responsibility to the region where its dams are located – choosing to export power rather than fostering local economic development and at the same time seeking deregulation from provincial law.”
ED4BC has challenged PREI’s multiple deregulation efforts, with three significant submissions in opposition to PREI’s application for exemption from regulation: PREI’s 2021 application for a partial exemption from the Utilities Commission Act; PREI’s 2023 application to be completely exempt from the act; PREI’s 2024 challenge to the commission’s order that they were not exempt.
Gould stated that BCUC granted ED4BC intervenor status and Jim Quail, from the law firm Allevato, Quail and Roy, presented ED4BC’s legal case. BC Court of Appeal’s March 2026 decision dismissing PREI’s appeal of the commission’s decision echoed the central points ED4BC had made that PREI does not fit the definition of who can be exempted under the Utilities Commission Act, stated Gould.
The court of appeal also confirmed that the commis-
sion’s mandate is broader than the narrow one PREI was claiming it to be, according to Gould.
“PREI argued that because it was exporting its power to the US, it should be exempt from BC Utilities Commission regulation, since the commission did not need to exercise its role in ensuring fair energy prices to consumers,” said Gould. “The court of appeal stated, however, that this was ‘an unduly narrow understanding of the Utilities Commission’s mandate… PREI’s production of electricity and use of electrical infrastructure in BC may well engage concerns about the integrity and dependability of the electricity supply within the province’.
“These concerns are also part of the commission’s mandate so British Columbians have a stake in seeing that PREI cannot litigate its way out of the commission’s oversight.”
According to the court’s written summary, PREI, the owner and operator of two hydroelectric generation and transmission stations in or near Powell River, appealed a decision of the BCUC, holding that it is a
CROSSWORD
public utility subject to regulation under the Utilities Commission Act. The summary stated that PREI produces and distributes electricity that is supplied to one or more corporate subsidiaries for sale in the export market.
The company argued on appeal that the BCUC erred in its interpretation of the term public utility, and that the appeal was dismissed by the court.
“On a correct interpretation of the Utilities Commission Act, PREI fits within the broad definition of a public utility, and its supply of electricity to one or more corporate subsidiaries for sale in the export market does not fit within the statutory exception for self-supply,” the court summary stated.
Gould stated in the media release that by promoting positive models of energy democracy, ED4BC aims to ensure local communities benefit from the electricity generated at dams in their area.
“We also advocate for improved management of dams,” stated Gould, “to mitigate against their harmful impacts.”
BC Court of Appeal ruled against Powell River Energy Inc.’s (PREI) efforts to be exempt from BC Utilities Commission regulation, and Energy Democracy for BC, which had been opposing PREI’s efforts, has come out in support of the decision. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
CULTURE
Feline muses inspire musician
blend of classical piano inspired by design, colour and space.
TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com
A qathet-based pianist and composer named Calen moved to Powell River with his partner Kieko in 2019, and has enjoyed exploring the natural beauty of the region ever since.
Calen has produced two music projects: one titled Music for My Cats, inspired by his two felines (one has since passed away); his second EP titled Contemporary Chromatic, translates visual artistry into melodic storytelling, inspired by mid-century designers such as, Josef Albers and Tomoko Miho, according to Calen. Both projects have coverart designed by his nephew Karl Sturch, who is a graphic designer and musician based in the United Kingdom. Sturch said Contemporary Chromatic is a beautiful
"My cat Missy, she was really cool; whenever I played, she'd always come and kind of hang out; it was quite nice," said Calen. "I guess [my music] is kind of a little bit Scarlatti inspired.”
Domenico Scarlatti was an Italian composer, primarily of the Baroque classical style.
"I play the piano, drums and guitar; my grandfather, he would build violins," said Calen. "We would go around Alberta and play old-time fiddle music."
Calen said he grew up in a small town in Alberta, but moved to the Lower Mainland as an adult and then to Powell River six-years-ago.
"We go to the beach almost every day," said Calen. "We went to Myrtle Point yesterday and actually played my flying saucer over there."
What he calls his flying saucer is a steel drum, or hand-pan, which Calen said he recently picked up and started playing.
"The last couple of weeks I have really gravitated towards playing the drum," said Calen. "I've always wanted to [play in public], but have held myself back a little bit, but, as time goes on, we [people in general] discover ourselves more, and we're the only ones holding ourselves back, right?"
Sturch said Music for My Cats has amassed more than 50,000 streams worldwide.
Calen said he's happy his projects are doing well on
Spotify, but he wants to just keep being himself.
"Whatever happens with [the music] is fine, as long as it comes with the proper intention," said Calen. "I spent my teenage years playing guitar, drums and heavier music, and writing, but now I mostly do prose writing for my own enjoyment."
To listen to Calen's music, search for Music for my Cats on YouTube.com, or Contemporary Chromatic on Spotify.
Multi-instrumentalist Calen [right] and his partner Kieko moved to Powell River in 2019. Calen’s first project called Music for My Cats was inspired by his feline muses. TANYA HILL PHOTO
ITS DECISION TIME
A pivotal moment for the Powell River Kings
On March 29, 2026, the Powell River Kings are set to face one of the most significant decisions in the history of the club. This date marks a turning point that will determine the future direction of the team and its ongoing presence in the community.
This decision will be based on the amount of support received up the due date from season ticket holders, the community at large and corporate sponsorship. Below is a contingency plan that may save the Kings’ franchise.
Ownership transition and contingency planning
The Powell River Kings Hockey Club Society is seeking new ownership and has set a deadline of March 29, 2026. If no owner is found, the society will continue to find new ownership but also continue to make plans to play next season.
To secure next season without new ownership, the Kings have presented a contingency plan that will require 100 to 150 supporters each purchasing a season pass for $400 and contributing $600 toward the start-up operating cost for 2026/2027. All funds will be fully refunded if new ownership is secured by the deadline.
Season pass supporters will receive priority seating, playoff ticket options, a Kings’ T-shirt, a 15% merchandise discount, and entry into a cash prize draw of $3,000, $1,500 and $500 (subject to having at least 75 participants).
Queens enjoy playoff success
U11/U13 hockey teams host female North Island championship
JOSH STATHAM Peak contributor
For the first time in Powell River Minor Hockey history, the Queens’ female program hosted Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association (VIAHA) playoffs in both the U11 and U13 divisions. Both teams entered the weekend of March 7 and 8 as the top seed in their respective leagues, posting undefeated records, looking to add the playoff banner to their regular season championship banner for the 2025/2026 season.
U11 Queens faced the fourth-seeded Oceanside Ice Breakers in a do-or-die semifinal. They had wrapped up their regular season with a pair of shutout wins in Oceanside to secure the regular season banner.
The line of Mia Clarke, Lennyn Moore and Brylee Hobbs established a strong forecheck early, and goalie Savery Sigurdson kept the game scoreless through 20 minutes.
Queens eventually broke through as Hobbs set Clarke up for a one-timer in the slot, then circled the net and tapped in the rebound. Defender Maisley Kendrick doubled the lead with an end-to-end rush to give the home team a two-goal advantage heading into the third period.
Hobbs and Kendrick scored 21 seconds apart to make it 4-0 before Hobbs completed the hattrick for the Queens’ fifth goal.
Jordyn Warman made it 6-0,punching the U11’s ticket to the final, where their biggest rival, Lake Cowichan Lakers, awaited.
The Lakers came prepared, flying a forward high for a successful stretch pass that nearly opened the scoring, but Kendrick answered with a breakaway of her own to open the scoring. Just over a minute later, centre Chloe Hillier won a defensive zone faceoff, gathered the puck and skated the length of the ice, beating the goalie with a slick deke to make it 2-0.
Moore and Talia Dow scored on power plays to make it 4-0 after one period.
Hillier added her second of the game to open scoring in the second, and Kendrick notched a natural hattrick to extend the lead to 9-0 after two periods.
Defender Olivia Kerr went end-to-end as the Queens’ lead hit double-digits and Kendrick scored twice more for the double-hattrick in a decisive 14-1 Queens win and the first female program playoff championship banner awarded on home ice.
Xx
U13 Queens routed Comox 20-0 in the semis on March 7, with forwards Hannah Ollson and Ayla Ciarniello combining for
half the goals. Ella Lawry added a hattrick of her own and the Queens advanced to take on Oceanside in the finale the next day.
U13 Queens pressed early but couldn’t put the puck past the Ice Breaker goalkeeper until the 7:42 minute mark of the first period, when Ollson’s shot ricocheted onto Lawry’s tape; the power forward made no mistake snapping one home blocker side.
The two teams battled through 10 more scoreless minutes until first-year centre Scarlett Venselaar won a neutral zone faceoff, picked up the loose puck, cut through the Ice Breaker defence and slid the puck through the goalie’s fivehole to double the lead. Venselaar centred an allrookie line with Hazel Clark and Sydney Kosloski that was buzzing all game. Ciarniello and Ollson each registered hattricks over the next 40 minutes, and goalie Mikenna Engmann preserved the 25-shot shutout for a decisive 8-0 win to claim the U13 North Division Playoff Banner. Both the U11 and U13 Queens were undefeated this season, a repeat for the U13 squad and three-peat for the U11s.
Players and coaches posed with U11C Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association regular season and playoff banners after going undefeated throughout the 2025/2026 campaign. CLAIRE STATHAM PHOTO
Regals close in on championship
Hockey club needs one more win to claim
McCallum Cup
Powell River Regals are one step closer to repeating as West Coast Senior Hockey League champions.
After dispatching the league’s top regular season team, Hope Icebreakers, in a best-of-three semi-final series, Powell River doubled Nanaimo Steelmen in game one of the final, also a bestof-three, at Hap Parker Arena on Saturday, March 15.
Regals jumped out to a 4-1 first period lead courtesy of goals by Garrett Brandsma, Riley Billy, Jack Long and Cory Burnett, and outscored the Steelmen 5-3 in the second period to take a commanding 9-4 lead through 40 minutes of play.
Bryson Cecconi and Mason Windsor scored in the middle frame for the home team, while Billy, Burnett and Brandsma each added their second goals of the night prior to intermission.
After the visitors scored their fifth goal, Windsor notched his second of the game in the third period to make the final 10-5.
“Goalscoring has been very consistent,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “It’s not very often you get four players with two-goal performances, so it was nice to see the balanced attack.”
Despite the six-goal win, English expects a more difficult task to close out the series and hoist the McCallum Cup for the second time in as many seasons.
“I’m sure we will face a much different lineup this weekend in Nanaimo; winning a series on the road is very difficult,” he said. “We
will be more rigid with our defensive coverage. Playing a game like we just did, where you have most of the puck possession, made for some sloppy coverage in our own end. We will clean that up.”
With the 2025/2026 regular season and playoff home dates complete, English said there was success on and off the ice.
“We would like to thank the unbelievable support we had this year from our very loyal fans and sponsors; our volunteers always just show up and work,” he added. “And thank you to the Powell River Kings and their volunteers for running the beer garden.”
Nanaimo will host games two and three (if necessary) on Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23. A livestream will be available on the Steelmen’s YouTube channel, starting at 7:30 pm on Saturday.
Regals will have an online 50/50 on their Facebook page.
Provincial playdowns
Three Powell River Minor Hockey Association teams competed for BC Hockey provincial titles this week, with round-robin play still underway at press time and medal round matches scheduled in three different cities, including Powell River. Available results for local teams at press time are below:
U13 TIER 3 (AT POWELL RIVER)
March 15: Powell River 4Greater Trail 3 (shootout)
March 15: Powell River 4 - Dawson Creek 3
March 16: Squamish 9 - Powell River 3
March 17: Powell River versus Terrace March 18: Semi-finals
A member of the Terrace U13 minor hockey team dives in an attempt to steal the puck from a Dawson Creek opponent during a BC Hockey U13 provincial championship game at Hap Parker Arena on March 16. ALICIA BAAS PHOTO
March 19: Bronze (8 am) and gold medal (11 am) games
U15 TIER 3 (AT TERRACE)
March 15: Powell River 5 - Terrace 1
March 16: New Westminster 6 - Powell River 4
March 17: Powell River
10 - Dawson Creek 1
March 17: Powell River versus Salmon Arm
March 18: Semi-finals and medal games
U18 TIER 2 (AT KELOWNA)
March 15: Greater Vernon 6 - Powell River 4
March 16: Powell River
9 - Cranbrook 2
March 17: Powell River versus South Delta
March 18: Semi-finals and medal games
2026 SPRING CAR CARE
Trades program gives students employability boost
Automotive service technician foundation weaves theory, practical skills and customer service into one
TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com
Brooks Secondary School student Aidan Bresden is in his last year of high school and currently enrolled in the Automotive Service Technician dual-credit program offered at the Vancouver Island University (VIU) tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus in Powell River.
The level one foundations program immerses students in practical hands-on learning in the automotive trade and work on customer vehicles.
"I first found out about the carpentry program and then decided to explore mechanics, because I hadn't learned anything about [the automotive program], and thought I might as well try," said Bresden. "So far, I love it; I've learned so much more than I ever could have expected."
He said inside the campus automotive shop it's all hands-on experience, plus students get to see everything firsthand, with a couple of hours of theory in the classroom each day.
"It's a popular program right now," said program instructor Ron DePape. "We've actually got more applicants this year than we've ever had."
Currently, the program runs from September to June, four days a week.
"All the cohorts have the same thing in common," said DePape. "They're all interested in vehicles, and they like to get their hands dirty."
Students in the program learn about all systems in vehicle mechanics including, electrical, engines, suspension and safety.
"The foundation level covers all of the basic systems of the level one apprenticeship curriculum as well, so when they come out of [the program], they come out with level one apprenticeship training, " explained DePape. "So they're already started, and it's a big advantage for them."
Many students in the program apprentice at local mechanic shops in Powell River. In-order to contin-
ue training and become Red Sealcertified, students can transfer to the VIU Nanaimo campus.
Bresden said even if someone has never popped the hood of a car, but is curious about working as a mechanic, they should try it.
"Don't sell yourself short," said Bresden. "If you don't think you can, you can; just try it, go for it."
Many of the trades programs offered at VIU’s tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus such as the automotive program are suitable for students who want to get out of the classroom and learn practical skills, and possibly go on to a higher level program.
"I was worried the first day that I wasn't gonna know anything," said Bresden. "I was going to stop, but I've learned so much now."
DePape said in order for students to be successful they should jump in with both feet and apply themselves, because there is no halfway.
"I took the program back in 1989 in Powell River [Malaspina College] and I did better than I expected I would," said DePape "I took the program out of general interest, but I got a job before I finished the program, and I went ahead and finished my apprenticeship right away."
DePape said he went on to open
up his own business and was eventually offered his current job as an instructor at the university in 2013.
According to the VIU automotive program, as an automotive technician students can expect a satisfying career with a diverse and challenging work week. The automotive industry is one of the fastest changing industries, with new technologies introduced all the time.
To find out more about the dualcredit automotive program program, go to sd47.bc.ca/brooks/ apply-now-dual-credit-application-process, or, viu.ca/programs/ trades-applied-technology/ automotive-service-technician.
Vancouver Island University tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus automotive program instructor Ron DePape [right] with Brooks Secondary School dual-credit automotive service technician student Aidan Bresden. TANYA HILL PHOTO
Prepare cars for warmer weather
Automotive students gain skills in class
TANYA HILL community@prpeak.com
Automotive program instructor Ron DePape and his students are preparing for spring car care season at the Vancouver Island University (VIU) tiwšɛmawtxw Auto Shop, located at 101-7085 Nootka Street.
DePape, who is a highly trained automotive technician, oversees students who are gaining hands-on experience working on customers' vehicles at the auto shop, while training in the Automotive Service Technician program.
To prepare a vehicle for warmer weather and address winter wear, DePape suggests following this spring car care checklist:
EXTERIOR/INTERIOR CLEANING
Wash the undercarriage: Thoroughly clean the underside of the car to remove corrosive road salt, sand and brine that can cause rust.
Deep clean wheels: Use specialized cleaners to remove winter grime and brake dust from wheels and wheel wells.
Interior detailing: Vacuum salt and dirt from carpets, floors and mats.
Apply wax: A fresh coat of wax protects paint from UV rays, spring pollen and rain.
TIRES AND SUSPENSION
Swap winter tires: Switch to all-season or summer tires once temperatures consistently stay above seven degrees Celsius. Adjust tire pressure: Check and adjust PSI to manufacturer specifications, as air pressure fluctuates with seasonal temperature changes.
Inspect alignment: Potholes from winter can throw off alignment; have it checked if the car pulls to one side or has an off-centre steering wheel.
Rotate tires: To ensure even tread wear, ro-
tate tires every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres.
UNDER HOOD/PERFORMANCE
Check the battery: Have the battery tested, especially if it's over three years old, as cold weather can weaken its charge.
Top off fluids: Inspect and refill essential fluids, including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and windshield washer fluid.
Replace filters: Change the engine air filter and cabin air filter to improve engine efficiency and interior air quality during allergy season.
Inspect belts and hoses: Check for cracks, fraying or soft spots in rubber components that may have become brittle in colder temperatures.
VISIBILITY AND SAFETY
Change wipers: Replace blades if they streak or skip.
Check brakes: Listen for squeaking or grinding and have professional inspect pads and rotors.
Test lights: Ensure headlights, brake lights and turn signals are functional and clean the lenses to restore brightness.
Test A/C: Run the air conditioner early to ensure cooling effectively before peak summer heat arrives.
If spring car care seems overwhelming, people can get their vehicle repaired and serviced by students-in-training at the shop on Nootka Street. If a vehicle is no older than 15 years, students can work on it from September to June.
The VIU tiwšɛmawtxw Auto Shop offers: 64-point check and oil change; brake inspection and repairs; steering and suspension inspection and repairs; diagnostic scans; maintenance and tune-ups; and tire rotations.
To book an appointment, phone 604.485.8037. Hours are 10 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday.
Professional autobody, paint and glass repair for all vehicle types. Locally owned and operated.
Our experienced technicians focus on quality workmanship, safety, and honest service you can rely on.
Largest selection of quality car audio in town, and everything else you need to keep your vehicle in peak condition
SCENE
AROUNDTOWN
Polar plunge
The Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics returned to Willingdon Beach last month, with participants braving the chilly waters off Willingdon Beach on February 22. The plunge raises vital funds and awareness to empower athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities and strengthen inclusion across British Columbia. To make a donation, go to plunge4specialolympics. crowdchange.ca/128741.
ANDREW BRADLEY PHOTOS
Bob Murray
March 14, 1948February 25, 2026
Robert Douglas George Murray, 77, of Sylvan Lake, Alberta, passed away after suffering life altering complications following a stroke.
Bob was born in Powell River to Sandy and Mable Murray. After high school, he worked many jobs from the local movie theatre, commercial fishing, mill work and pastoring after graduating from NWP Bible College.
Bob moved and lived many adventures, which brought him his greatest adventure as dad and Popi. Bob brought up six kids who later blessed him with 11 grandkids before his passing. He instilled his love of the ocean, outdoors, music and Jesus to each and every one. His legacy of faith lives on through them and many more lives he touched along the way.
He will be greatly missed by his brother and sister-in-law Dave and Linda Murray, his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. He joins his parents and brother and sister-in-law John and Lorna Murray with their beloved Savior.
March 22, 2016
Karren, David, Tiffany, Skyler, Chelby, Sofia and Delilah
SUNDAYS, 8 to 9 pm Union Hall, 5814 Ash Ave CHESS CLUB AT POWELL RIVER
FRIDAYS, 7:30 to 8:30 pm qathet General Hospital, third
In Memoriam
LEELA & NIBBLER
Calm, sweet, young, brother and sister bunnies
BRIAN & BRUCE
Super cute kittens. Wow, worth a visit!
CACHE & HOPPER
Double the sweetness. Gentle, affectionate lil’ male kittens
Take one, take two, hard to choose
JENNY
Personality plus, gorgeous, young black and white cat
JOVIE
Unique, super senior cat, pretty, tortoishell female
HARLEY
Poodle/Bichon mix dog, super senior seeking matching human
FRANK SINATRA & ELVIS
Sweet n playful, cute overload, Corso/Mastiff mix puppies
SMALL LOFT cabin (one person) in Langbay. Private, peaceful setting. Furnished or unfurnished, $1,400/month. 604-223-2025
Invitation to comment on Jervis Inlet and Agamemnon Channel Power Line Replacement Project
Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program administers the Canadian Navigable Waters Act.
In accordance with requirements of the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) hereby gives notice that an application (NPP File Number 1999-501169) has been submitted to the Minister of Transport for the following works.
Project Description:
Aerial cable. The 138 kV transmission power line crossing over Agamemnon Channel between Earls Cove and Nelson Island, is comprised of three conductors. The Jervis Inlet and Agamemnon Channel Power Line Replacement Project will remove this power line crossing and the associated aerial marker balls as they are in poor condition and at high risk of failure. Please note that the schedule for this work has changed. Removal of the crossing will take place from Monday, April 20 to Friday, April 24, 2026. Contingency dates are from Saturday, April 25 to Friday, May 1, 2026.
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.
Agamemnon Channel, 49° 42’ 0 N, 124° 4’ 0 W. The marine closure area will be located directly under the Agamemnon Channel 138 kV crossing and will extend 1.1 km from the center conductor in each direction (2.2 km wide in total). The approximate mid-point of the marine closure area is 49°44’50.11”N, 124° 2’5.98”W.
How to send comments:
Comments about the potential effect of this work must be received within 30 days of this posting.
We invite you to submit comments online through the Common Project Search site at common-project-search.canada.ca/. To do so, enter registry number 14317, and follow the instructions. Alternatively, comments can be mailed or emailed to:
Navigation Protection Program – Transport Canada 820-800 Burrard Street Vancouver BC V6Z 2J8
Comments will only be considered if they are in writing (electronic or mail) and received by the deadline. Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program may communicate with you to obtain additional information on your comments.
Transport Canada does not publish comments submitted through the Common Project Search site or mailed to the Navigation Protection Program. However, comments submitted online or by mail are considered public record. As such, they are subject to the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act and are accessible through access to information and privacy (ATIP) requests. This means the information you provide should not contain confidential or sensitive information since it could be disclosed.
Posted at Powell River, British Columbia on March 19, 2026.
